It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye. (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.
This week’s post was triggered by a player who achieved a modicum of “unicorn” status in 2026. This past season, White Sox’ rookie outfielder Tristan Peters became the first MLB rookie to have a documented season in which he appeared in more than 150 games and did not ground into a single double play. (Pushed to number-two on this rookie list is Pirates’ rookie first baseman Tony Bartirome, who played in 124 games in 1962 without a single GIDP.)
Side note: I used the term “documented” because Grounded Into Double Plays were first officially tracked by MLB in 1933 in the National League and 1940 in the American League. Also, it should be noted that the stat is for “grounding into” rather than “hitting into” because other double plays (like having a runner doubled off an a line drive or deep flyball) do not necessarily reflect on the batter’s performance.
Peters appeared in 156 games and now holds the rookie records for game played in a rookie-eligible season without grounding into a double play; at bats in a rookie GIDP-free season (437); and plate appearances in a rookie GIDP-free season (491). In 2026, Peters had 84 GIDP-conducive plate appearances (runners on first, first and second or bases loaded with less than two outs) and 67 GIDP-conducive at bats. He hit .328 in those situations. His final 2026 stat line was .265-12-56, with 63 runs scored and eight stolen bases. (Peters, who appeared in four games for the Rays in 2025 retained rookie status for 2026. He went zero-for-twelve in those Rays’ games, no GIDP). Side note: The RoundTable found it interesting that 11 of the 71 qualifying (GIDP-free in 10o+ games) seasons are credited to players with rookie status.
Well, as usual, one thing led to another and The Roundtable went on to take a look at player seasons of 100 or more games played with zero GIDP.
Overall, 69 players (eleven rookies) have had documented seasons of 100 or more games played and zero GIDP. Only two players have qualified in multiple seasons (two each): Roger Repoz (1968-69) and Cavan Biggio (2019 and 2023). To keep pace with current events, the 2026 season saw the most players ever to appear in 100 or more games and not ground into a double play, with four: Peters; Giants’ 1B Bryce Eldridge (107 games); Angels’ OF Josh Lowe (114 games); and Marlins’ OF Esteury Ruiz (109 games).
The Greatest GIDP-Free Season
Craig Biggio, in The Roundtables’ estimation, had the greatest GIDP-free season. In 1997, the Astros’ 2B set the record for games played in a season without grounding into a double play at 162. He also scored the most runs in a qualifying season (146, leading the NL); had the second-most hits in a GIDP-free season (191); sixth-most home runs (22); second-most RBI (81); third-most stolen bases (47); third-highest batting average (.309 – 100+ games); most total bases (310); third-most walks (84); and was hit by the most pitches (a league-leading 34),
Other top stats in GIDP-free seasons: Hits – Augie Galan, 1935 Cubs (203, the only qualifying player to reach 200 hits); Home Runs – Matt Carpenter, 2018 Cardinals (36); RBI – Byron Buxton, 2025 Twins (83); Stolen Bases – Dave Collins, 1984 Blue Jays (60); Batting Average Augie Galan, 1935 Cubs (.314 – 100+ games); Intentional Walks – Matt Carpenter, 2018 Cardinals (17).
Other GIDP-Free Season Tidbits
- Augie Galan (1935 Cubs) holds the record for plate appearances (748) and at bats (646) in a GIDP-free season.
- The only catcher to make the list is Johnny Edwards, who, in 1971 (Astros), played in 106 games without a GIDP (.233-1-23 in 345 plate appearances/317 at bats).
- Mike Marshall is the only pitcher to appear in 100 or more games in a GIDP-free season – 106 games for the 1974 Dodgers (he totaled 36 plate appearances … only six with less than two out and runners on first, first and second or bases loaded).
That Was Fun, Let’s Do It Again
Roger Repoz is the only MLB Player with consecutive seasons of 100 or more games played with zero GIDP (1968-69 Angels). Repoz, in fact went a record 347 consecutive games (June 7, 1967 through May 23, 1970) without GIDP. In a bit or irony, at least to The Roundtable, the streak started in his first game as an Angel (after being traded from the Athletics to the Angels for Jack Sanford and Jackie Warner). In his very last at bat as an Athletic (the ninth inning of a 7-1 loss to the Tigers on June 6, 1967), Repoz grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.
- In 2002, when Joe McEwing played in 105 games (for the Mets) without a GIDP, he played seven different defensive positions (1B-20 games; 23-13g; 3B-10g; SS-21g; LF-10g; CF-24g)
- Only two players have hit 30 or more homers in a GIDP-free season: Matt Carpenter, 2018 Cardinals (36) and Byron Buxton, 2025 Twins (35).
- The oldest player to notch a GIDP-free season of 100+ games is Craig Counsell, for the 2010 Brewers in his age-39 campaign.
Like Father, Like Son
The Only Father/Son Combination to record MLB GIDP-free seasons of 100 or more games played are Craig Biggio (1997 Astros) and Cavan Biggio (2019 & 2023 Blue Jays).
Primary Resourses: Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com
Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.
Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here.
I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT
Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary and blog post notifications.
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.
P 1195
Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception. On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it. My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding) a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting (for yourseld or as a gift for a fan.) Just click on the image to go to the site. (Check out the expanding Sandlot Section.)
Speak Your Mind