Minor league baseball rivalry ends in tie after 52 years
Jul 12, 2018, 6:31 AM
(Twitter Photo/@ARTravs)
The Double-A Arkansas Travelers and San Antonio Missions have been rivals in the Texas League since 1966, meeting on the diamond 620 times.
Sunday’s scheduled matchup between the two teams was slated to be the final meeting ever as the Missions will make the jump to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League after the season.
But rain in the San Antonio area canceled the game. And with the season nearing an end, MiLB officials announced the contest would not be made up.
The ruling put an abrupt end to the rivalry, but that’s not what makes this outcome entertaining, and for some, perhaps frustrating.
Each team had won 310 games in the series.
Yes, the 621st game in a series that dates back 52 years would have broken a tie between the two teams.
This is the type of outcome that is usually played out on the big screen, especially when taking into consideration a rivalry between two professional clubs.
Because of the Missions’ jump to the Triple-A after the season, there’s really no other choice but to accept the outcome.
But how did we get to this point?
Coming into the 2018 season, Arkansas had a three-game lead over San Antonio in the series. But of the nine meetings this season, the Missions were able to win six of them, including the last three in a row.
While there is no telling exactly how Sunday’s game would have ended, Mission fans at least have the pleasure of saying their team managed to tie the series before it came to a close.
However you choose to look at it, it’s a rare, yet fascinating outcome that may never happen again in professional sports.
And because of the unique outcome, fans reacted accordingly to the news on Twitter.
Nah this game has to be played. A best of 621 Game series that needed the 621st to decide a winner. pic.twitter.com/ZYDk8lOR4L
— Jon Vaillancourt (@jonappetit8) July 11, 2018
Shame they won't get to settle the best-of-621 series.
— Richard Stubbe (@RichardStubbe) July 9, 2018
Either Disney or Netflix originals need to pick this up. Bring back whoever is available from the 1966 rosters to play for bragging rights.
— john from the restaurant (@johncbrannen) July 11, 2018
That’s absolutely incredible
— Ñatthew (@Bramm4Braves22) July 11, 2018
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