Every so often, a story will come in sports that lifts your spirits. Today,White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle threw MLB’s 18th perfect game in major league history. He was flawless. Out of the 27 people he face-he record 27 outs. He had big help from his team.

And then he recorded the final out and the celebration got under way. Watch his reaction. Watch his team. Listen to the announcer. You soon realize what perfection truly means in sports:

Will we ever see a perfect game again? Probably. But every single time it happens, it is a site to be seen. In a world that is marred by imperfections, you still are able to get a glimpse at what perfection looks like. Congrats Buerhle.

The article is written by Stephanie Simon of the Wall Street Journal. Her father just celebrated his 30th anniversary of his running streak. In other words, he has ran every day for 10,987 consecutive days. The last time he took a day off was in 1978, after he finished a marathon. 

The article goes on to explain how he as ran with broken bones, flu, and back spasms. He has ran through all type of weather, and even plans layovers on trips so he can get a run in. 

And he isn’t alone. The U.S. Running Streak Associations (yes, there is such a thing) lists 31 members who have been running daily for 3 years. 

Everyone who has a streak like this, whether it is running, going to the gym, or playing in consecutive baseball games, have a story of inspired persistence. 

Why do people do this? What makes people become so stuck on a routine, that they are in the routine for years at a time? Well, everyone you ask will give you a different story. Some feel it is their daily commune with God. Others relieve stress. For others, it is structure. 

Regardless of why people go through such rituals, they all have one thing in common: In a world of drugs in sports, pro stars becoming criminals, and other aspects of sports that are dragging down what sports actually mean, there are still some good that is coming out of sport. 

Keep on trackin everyone.