Jacob Wilson played his 111th consecutive errorless game at shortstop Sunday, setting a new MLB record for the position and breaking a mark that had stood for more than two decades, according to the Associated Press.
Wilson surpassed the record of 110 consecutive errorless games set by Baltimore's Mike Bordick in 2002. Wilson last made an error on July 6, 2025, in a game against San Francisco. The record-breaking game came at Fenway Park in Boston, where the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3, ending a 12-series losing skid.
Wilson's father, Jack Wilson, played 12 years in the majors as a shortstop and shaped his son's approach to the game from an early age.
"He's a very defensive-first guy for me growing up by teaching me defense first before the hitting side of things and making sure you're always prepared to play defense every day," Jacob Wilson said in the corner of a loud clubhouse after the game.
On Sunday, Wilson had five plays in the field: two pop-ups, including one where second baseman Jeff McNeil collided with him on an infield fly, two grounders, and he was the middleman on a 4-6-3 double play. One of the grounders, hit deep in the hole by Ceddanne Rafaela, required a long throw to first.
Wilson prepares the same way before every game he plays at shortstop. He takes grounders with teammates roughly two hours before first pitch.
"I do that every day that I'm playing short," he said. "The DH days I try to stay off my feet as much as I can, but every day I'm playing short I'm taking ground balls no matter what. You need to get as much work on the field, ground balls-wise as you can."
Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn has watched the preparation up close all season.
"It's pretty amazing the way he prepares and works," Ginn said. "That stuff doesn't come by chance. He's a great worker. He's put a lot of time into his defense."
Wilson, who turns 25 this season, smiled when asked if the record carried a message for younger players. "Yes, get a lot of work in," he said.
