Rockland Boulders Jared McDonald Breaks Minor-League On-Base Record

On Thursday night at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, New York history was made as Rockland Boulders centerfielder Jared McDonald broke the all-time minor league record, reaching base for a 75th consecutive game. Back in 2014, Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Andrew Velazquez reached the mark of 74 games in a row. McDonald is nine games away from tying Hall of Famer Ted Williams’ record of 84 games.

“I wasn’t really aware and not trying to think about those things and my jobs is to get going and on base,” said McDonald. “There is no other place I rather be than right here and the fans are fantastic. I think they knew more about it than I did which is awesome and to have that following.”

McDonald did not waste any time setting the record, drawing a four-pitch walk in his first at bat (in the first inning) against Quebec Capitales starting pitcher Steven Inch. He was not finished contributing, adding one more walk and slugging two home runs over the short-porch wall in right field. This season, McDonald is off to another solid start batting .300 with two home runs and nine runs driven in along with 15 hits, 15 runs scores and 13 walks.

During the streak that commenced on July 1, 2015, McDonald average is .333 with a .443 on base percentage. In his first full season with the Boulders, McDonald posted impressive numbers with a .337 average with eight HR’s, 60 RBI’s, 129 hits, 84 runs scored, 70 walks and stealing 16 bases.

“Personally I never have had any records to really go for or break,” said McDonald. “It’s not that I don’t strive for greatness but it hasn’t really hit me yet. I have not go out on base in a year and knock on wood.”