# Achievable sporting feats we're still waiting to see **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 5, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201 "2016-01-05T05:18:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/81 "2016-01-06T21:24:00Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > We’ve had a few hockey goaltenders get credit for a goal, how about a goalie getting a hat trick? Maybe a couple flukes early on then at the end shooting the length of the ice into an empty net. How about a goalie with a Gordie Howe hat trick? ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/82 "2016-01-06T22:18:53Z")
> [@Asympotically\_fat](#): > > It is a joke! > > I don’t think any dartist has ever done a T20, T19, and checked out on 3 bullseyes in a leg in pro game of arras before. But this would be silly, as a 9 dart finish is tough enough in pro competition for even the best players without making it insanely and unnecessarily difficult. I figured it was shortly after I posted, but I’m not sure what the point of the joke is. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/83 "2016-01-06T22:25:29Z")
I don’t know if this would qualify as a “sporting feat”, but…unanimous election to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the BBWAA ballot. Maybe very soon… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/84 "2016-01-06T22:44:27Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > I don’t know if this would qualify as a “sporting feat”, but…unanimous election to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the BBWAA ballot. Maybe very soon… If Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb or Willie Mays(among others) can’t get 100%, I don’t believe anyone will. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/85 "2016-01-06T22:55:19Z")
I think the problem there is that anyone who would ever get 100% are going to be first ballot inductees, and there are always a handful of writers who refuse to vote for anyone first ballot. So those people who might get 100% on their second ballot are already in. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/86 "2016-01-06T23:35:58Z")
Vote percentage is not an achievement. _Being selected_ is the achievement, and there are no fractional selections. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/87 "2016-01-07T04:00:39Z")
10 goals in a World Cup. It’s been done 3 times, but the last time was 1970. Ronaldo got close with 8 in 2002. ---
**Author:** ![Dahu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahu/32/3416_2.png) [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/88 "2016-01-07T13:09:32Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > I figured it was shortly after I posted, but I’m not sure what the point of the joke is. Sorry it was in homage to one of the funniest threads I’ve ever read (if you’re not a darts fan look away now): [http://search.catflaporama.com/post/browse/532370717](http://search.catflaporama.com/post/browse/532370717) Well worth reading the whole thing but an example: > [@](#): > > remember it’s not just about skill - you need a lightning fast mathematical brain, stamina and the right equipment. Of course mere mortals like us can’t work the maths out - I can’t even work out the usual checkouts like when the referee says: ‘phil you require 183 or something’ - the TV commentators only know because they have computers doing it for them, but the players have to do it in their head. > So with a combination of genius mathematics, more technologically advanced darts, incredible skill and stamina - someone will achieve the 8-darter. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/89 "2016-01-07T16:52:06Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Vote percentage is not an achievement. _Being selected_ is the achievement, and there are no fractional selections. This is logically equivalent to saying that there’s no such achievement as, say, winning a game by shutout, because winning is the achievement and there is no such thing as a fractional win. Achieving a 100% induction vote is a feat that would be of great interest to baseball fans, so it’s a valid suggestion. As three imbeciles apparently thought Ken Griffey Jr. wasn’t good enough for the Hall of Fame, it’s probably impossible, but you never know. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/90 "2016-01-07T16:58:16Z")
Yeah, I agree. The thread title says “Sports Feats”. 100% induction vote would be quite a feat. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/91 "2016-01-07T18:32:33Z")
On the other hand, it’s not something the athlete himself is doing. If a kicker manages to make a 70 yard field goal, that’s something the kicker did (albeit with the help of a favorable wind, and a coach who gave him the opportunity, and so on). If 100% of sports writers vote for a baseball player, that’s something the sports writers did. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/92 "2016-01-07T18:48:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > On the other hand, it’s not something the athlete himself is doing. If a kicker manages to make a 70 yard field goal, that’s something the kicker did (albeit with the help of a favorable wind, and a coach who gave him the opportunity, and so on). If 100% of sports writers vote for a baseball player, that’s something the sports writers did. Still, we give credit to Nadia Comăneci for earning that perfect ‘10’. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/93 "2016-01-07T19:08:12Z")
Actually she only scored a 1.00. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/94 "2016-01-07T19:13:15Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > As three imbeciles apparently thought Ken Griffey Jr. wasn’t good enough for the Hall of Fame, it’s probably impossible, but you never know. I’m not sure anyone truly believes Griffey wasn’t good enough for the hall. I can think of two reasons why one (or three) might have not voted for him: some voters don’t want to elect anyone on a first ballot, and some may have thought he was going to be elected anyway, so they wanted to use their scarce votes for someone else (voters only get ten votes.) I don’t personally think the first reason is valid, but it does seem to be real. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/95 "2016-01-07T19:14:59Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Still, we give credit to Nadia Comneci for earning that perfect ‘10’. Like we give credit to pitchers and hitters for strikeouts and hits that maybe could have been ruled walks or fielders’ errors. The umpires’ and official scorers’ judgements are integrally part of the competition. A BBWAA vote isn’t part of the actual game of baseball; it’s not even essential to Hall of Fame recognition, in the long run. Satchel Paige is not less of a Hall of Famer than any other. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/96 "2016-01-07T20:17:32Z")
Peremensoe: > [@](#): > > A BBWAA vote isn’t part of the actual game of baseball; it’s not even essential to Hall of Fame recognition, in the long run. Satchel Paige is not less of a Hall of Famer than any other. While that might be true, I know that I (and probably a great number of others) consider those who were eligible to voted in by the BBWAA and were to those who were eligible but failed with them and were instead inducted by the second-(and third and fourth ad infinitum) chances committee, like Phil Rizzuto, Bill Mazeroski or Joe Gordon. (Of course, that doesn’t apply to Satch, who was never BBWAA-eligible to begin with.) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/97 "2016-01-07T20:26:30Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > I’m not sure anyone truly believes Griffey wasn’t good enough for the hall. I can think of two reasons why one (or three) might have not voted for him: some voters don’t want to elect anyone on a first ballot, and some may have thought he was going to be elected anyway, so they wanted to use their scarce votes for someone else (voters only get ten votes.) I don’t personally think the first reason is valid, but it does seem to be real. I don’t think the second reason is valid, either. Gaming the system is, IMHO, unethical. If a guy is the 11th best player available, then he shouldn’t get your vote. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/98 "2016-01-07T21:42:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > …and rugby doesn’t use the same ball as American football. Both are prolate, but the rugby ball is closer to spherical than the American football is. That struck me when I read the post. Intuition tells me that the longer, more streamlined American football should travel further. Anyone know the physics regarding this? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/99 "2016-01-07T21:52:35Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > That struck me when I read the post. Intuition tells me that the longer, more streamlined American football should travel further. Anyone know the physics regarding this? But you can give a rugby ball a more solid kick; easier surface area for foot contact. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201/100 "2016-01-07T21:57:41Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I don’t think the second reason is valid, either. Gaming the system is, IMHO, unethical. If a guy is the 11th best player available, then he shouldn’t get your vote. I can see your point, and to clarify my original post there: I don’t think the second reason is valid, necessarily. I just haven’t really thought it through. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if some clear first balloters lost votes due to that logic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievable-sporting-feats-were-still-waiting-to-see/742201.md?page=6)