The impressive talent of Jacob deGrom at 37 continues to break historic records.

Jacob deGrom celebrated his 37th birthday yesterday. It is often said that time eventually catches up with everyone. Although deGrom is far from being old, athletes approaching forty are typically expected to decline. However, this ace pitcher for the Texas Rangers shows no signs of aging whatsoever.

In today's game, the Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2, with 37-year-old deGrom delivering an excellent start: pitching 6 innings and allowing 2 runs. He has now made 12 consecutive starts, pitching at least 5 innings while allowing no more than 2 runs—setting a franchise record for the Rangers/Senators, the longest in MLB this season, and the longest for pitchers over 35 since 1900.

"It's a joy to watch him pitch," praised head coach Bruce Bochy, "I've always been a fan of his; this guy's talent is extraordinary! It's especially gratifying to see him pitching pain-free now, considering the struggles he went through before his ligament replacement surgery last year."

DeGrom, who is usually hard on himself, surprisingly found no faults this time. Although he allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk in the fourth inning, he immediately responded by striking out three batters in the fifth. "I lost my control a bit in that inning, but thankfully I regained my rhythm in the next two," deGrom said modestly after the game. The Rangers' lineup also performed well, scoring 2 runs in the first inning to secure the victory.

When asked if he was surprised by deGrom's performance, Coach Bochy laughed, saying, "This is just his normal level! How strong is deGrom when he's healthy? I've seen too much of it from the opposing side in the past. The scariest part is his incredible control; I can't help but applaud every time I see him pitch."

In fact, the past two years have not been easy for deGrom: after undergoing ligament surgery in June 2023, he made only 9 starts in his first two seasons with the Rangers. Looking back three years (including the shortened 2020 season), he only appeared in 38 games due to injuries. "Long-term injuries are really tough," deGrom admitted, "We fight hard just to get on the field. Right now, my goal is simple: stay healthy and keep pitching!"

Today's minor incident in the fourth inning showcased his killer instinct—his ability to adjust in real-time. Faced with a fierce offensive from the batters, he can instantly analyze the situation and turn it around. Bochy highlighted the key: "Top athletes always strive for perfection; deGrom drills down on every detail during training, and that's his great secret."