Terry Sims was just eight picks away from $5.6 million, but bad luck on Sunday ended his record-tying 49-game run in MLB.com's Beat the Streak contest.
Sims chose Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who went 0-for-1 with two walks against the D-backs at Coors Field before exiting the game in the sixth with an apparent injury. On top of that, the only time LeMahieu put the ball in play against left-hander Patrick Corbin was on a groundout to Sims' favorite player as a former D-backs season-ticket holder, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
"Hope LeMahieu is OK," Sims told MLB.com after the streak ended. "I thought he might get a couple more at-bats, but that is usually how streaks get busted, something quirky."
LeMahieu was a solid choice before getting hurt -- he was batting .400 (10-for-25) against Corbin entering the game, with two triples and two home runs. He had also been batting .403 over his previous 18 contests.
Sims isn't the first BTS player to see a long streak come to an end due to bad luck -- in 2008, Bob Paradise saw his 48-game streak snapped when his pick for the day, Ichiro Suzuki, was hit by a pitch from Kenny Rogers during his final at-bat of the game. In 2007, a user who never revealed their real name lost a streak of 44 games when Derek Jeter didn't start and only got one pinch-hit at-bat in the game.
On Saturday, Sims tied the all-time BTS record of 49 games when Astros second baseman Jose Altuve doubled in the first inning against the Royals in Kansas City. "He didn't pass me -- I'm still the champ!" Mike Karatzia, who is the all-time BTS co-leader with a 49-game streak in 2007, told MLB.com after Sims' streak was snapped.
"I actually feel terrible for him," Karatzia said. "[$5.6 million] is a lot of money and to lose your streak on an injury is a tough pill to swallow. I know what he's feeling now, going so far and not beating the streak. It's a pretty bad day, the day you get knocked out."
Sims, a 63-year-old Arizonian, told MLB.com that this was the first time he had enjoyed a streak longer than 20 in four or five years of playing BTS.
"Never ever wanted to be famous," Sims said. "And you can't imagine all the grief my golfing buddies at Antelope Hills have been giving me, but deep down they all were rooting for me, and for that I really want to thank them."
It's now easier than ever for players to chase down Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. For example, users have the option of employing the "Double Down" feature. Double Down allows fans to advance their streak by two games, but only if both of their picks get a hit. If one goes hitless, the streak ends.
Additionally, BTS research filters such as batting-order position, right- or left-handed pitchers and cold opposing pitchers are at fans' disposal to help them make decisions. They can also take days off between selections if they don't find ideal matchups.
Whenever a season goes by without a winner, a $10,000 consolation is awarded to those atop the calendar year's leaderboard. Additionally, the BTS game-makers hand out millions of other prizes for streaks as small as five.
"As far as the $10K goes, if it happens, that would be great," said Sims. "Going to get up tomorrow and make a few picks before I go to work."
It would be especially fitting if a BTS user broke the BTS drought this year. After all, it's the 75th anniversary of DiMaggio's remarkable streak, which is being commemorated with daily recaps on MLB.com and @TheStreak on Twitter.