Archives for December 2013

Looking Back at 2013

December 31, 2013 by

As the year ends, BBRT would like to reflect on a few stats and moments that caught my attention during the 2013 baseball season. Some of these have surfaced in these posts in the past, some are new to BBRT’s pages. BBRT hopes they spur a few memories for readers.

 

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw Gets Season Off to Notable Start.

It may have been April Fools day, but LA Dodgers’ Opening Day Starter Clayton Kershaw was not fooling around – on the mound or at the plate. The eventual Cy Young Award winner held the rival SF Giants scoreless through eight innings. Giants’ hurlers Matt Cain (through six) and George Kontos (seventh), however, had matched him zero-for-zero. Kershaw broke the scoreless tie by leading off the bottom of the eighth with a first-pitch home run off Kontos. Kershaw then went on to complete the four-hit, seven strikeout shutout 4-0.

Not only was the home run Kershaw’s first, and still only, major league round tripper, it made him just the second pitcher in MLB history to toss a shutout and hit a homer on Opening Day. The other was the Indians’ Bob Lemon, who accomplished the feat on April 14, 1953. Lemon, who made the Hall of Fame as a pitcher, threw a one-hitter against the White Sox that day (four walks, three strikeouts). Lemon, who homered in the fourth inning, had an advantage over Kershaw at the plate. Originally a 3B-OF (and the answer to the trivia question“What future HOFer played CF in Bob Feller’s second no-hitter?), Lemon already had 26 MLB homers to his credit and finished his career with 37 round trippers.

Two Homers in an Inning.

Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion – on July 26 – became the only major leaguer to hit two home runs in one inning during the 2013 season. It came in the seventh inning of a Blue Jays’ 12-6 home win over the Astros. Encarnacion, at DH, hit a solo shot with one out and, as the Jays batted around, added a two-out grand slam.

Encarnacion became the 55th MLBer to go deep twice in an inning – and, for you trivia buffs, only three players have accomplished the feat more than once (twice each): the Giants’ Willie McCovey (1973 & 1977); the Expos’ Andre Dawson (1978 & 1985); and the Pirates Jeff King (1992 & 1996). Encarnacion finished the season with 36 home runs.

The Bash Brothers.

On April 23, B.J. and Justin Upton led off the fifth inning of a 10-2 Braves win over the Rockies (second game of a double header) with back-to-back home runs off Colorado right-hander Jon Garland. That made the Uptons just the second pair of brothers to hit back-to-back MLB homers. The other bashing brothers were the Pirates’ Lloyd and Paul Waner, who accomplished the feat on September 15, 1938, in a 7-2 win over the Giants in New York. It was only the second game in which the Uptons were back-to-back in the Braves’ batting order.

When is a Walk Off Home Run NOT a Walk Off Home Run?

On May 25, Giants center fielder and lead-off hitter Angel Pagan came to the plate in the bottom of tenth with one out, a runner on second and the Giants trailing the visiting Rockies 5-4. Pagan hit a rocket to right-center and raced (not walked) around the bases, sliding across the plate with the winning run. (It was the first inside-the-park “walk-off” homer since 2004.) Unfortunately, Pagan suffered a hamstring injury on the play and ended up having surgery and missing significant time (80+ games) over the rest of the season.

 

Yu Darvish

Yu Darvish

Tough to be YU!

Two guys named YU – The Rangers’ Yu Darvish and Giants’ Yusmiel Petit – both came within one batter of perfect games this season.

On April 2, Darvish was on the mound with two-out in the bottom of the ninth inning, holding a 7-0 lead over the Astros, having retired the first 26 hitters he faced (striking out 14). At the plate was Astros’ shortstop Marwin Gonzalez, who had grounded out and struck out in his first two appearances. Darvish started Gonzalez with a fastball – and the result was a low bouncer that skirted between Darvish’s legs and on into center field for a single. After 111 pitches, Darvish’s night was over and Micheal Kirkman came on to get pinch hitter J.D. Martinez to end the game.

On September 6, Yu number-two – Yusmiel Petit of the Giants – went into the top of ninth inning with a 3-0 lead over the Diamondbacks, having retired the first 24 Arizona hitters, striking out six. He got shortstop Chris Owning with his seventh strikeout, then right fielder Gerardo Parra grounded out second-to-first. That left pinch hitter Eric Chavez between Petit and perfection. Petit got with one strike of a perfect game, only to see Chavez single to right field (just out of the reach of a diving Hunter Pence) on a 3-2 pitch. Chavez and was replaced by pinch runner Tony Campana before Petit induced Diamondback center fielder A.J. Pollock to ground out third-to-first to end the game. The 95-pitch effort was Petit’s first MLB complete game.

Unlikely No-Hitters?

There were three no-hitters thrown in 2013, all by pitchers who started their no-hitters with losing records on the season – and also would finish their seasons with losing records.

On July 2, Reds’ right-hander Homer Bailey – “Homer” seems an unlikely name for a pitcher who tosses a no-no – threw the first no-hitter of the 2013 season. Notably, Bailey also threw the last no-hitter of 2012 (September 28, 2012). His 2013 no-no came in Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark, with Bailey shutting down the Giants 3-0 on 109 pitches, walking just one, striking out nine. With the final out, Bailey became just the 31st pitcher to throw multiple no-hitters. Bailey went into the game with a 4-6 record and a 3.88 ERA. He finished the season 11-12, 3.49.

On July 13, the Giants’ Tim Lincecum no-hit the Padres 9-0 in San Diego. The two-time Cy Young winner did not seem a likely candidate to toss a no-hitter that day. Lincecum was coming off a 2012 season in which he went 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA and boasted (wrong word?) a 2013 record of 4-9, 4.61. (He would end the season at 10-14, 4.37.) Lincecum threw a career-high 148 pitches in his no-hit game, striking out 13 batters (while walking four).

On the final day of the season (September 29), the Marlins’ Henderson Álvarez was matched against Detroit’s Justin Verlander – a pitcher much more likely than Alvarez to toss a no-hitter – in Miami. Alvarez came into the season finale with a mark of 4-6, 3.94 (and would finish the season 5-6, 3.59). Alvarez and Verlander matched zeroes across the board and, as the Marlins batted in the bottom of the ninth, Alvarez had completed nine no-hit innings with one walk and four strikeouts. In the bottom of the ninth, Miami turned two singles and a walk into a bases-loaded/one-out situation. Then, with Alvarez on deck, the winning run scored on a wild pitch.

 

Mike Trout

Mike Trout

Different Approaches to the Cycle.

Three major leaguers (all outfielders) hit for the cycle in 2013 – and they took significantly different paths to get there.

On May 21, center fielder Mike Trout started slowly in an Angels’ home game against the Mariners, watching a third strike from Aaron Harang. Trout heated up after that with a one-out single in the third inning; a run-scoring triple in the fourth; a bases-loaded/bases-clearing double in the sixth; and a solo, cycle-completing, homer in the eighth. The Angels collected 15 hits in the 12-0 win.

The July 19 Astros/Mariners contest produced the most unexpected cycle of the season – from Houston center fielder Brandon Barnes. Barnes, hitting seventh, got the most difficult legs of his cycle out of the way early. He started with a solo homer in the second; followed with run-scoring triple in the fourth (still the second-year MLBer’s only three-base hit); added a single in the sixth; completed the cycle with a double in the eighth (he later scored); and tossed in another single in the ninth (again scoring). Despite Barnes heroics, the Astros lost 10-7.

On September 23, Rangers’ right fielder Alex Rios completed the cycle in a game that he finished on the bench. Rios started off his day (at Texas against the Astros) with a two-run double in the bottom of the first; added an infield single (and scored a run in the third); hit a solo homer in the fourth; hit an RBI triple in the sixth (and later scored). Rios was replaced by rookie Engel Beltre in right field in the top of the eighth inning, with the Rangers up 12-0.

 

David Ortiz

David Ortiz

Big Moments for Big Papi.

On July 10, in the top of the second inning, Boston DH David Ortiz doubled to left off Seattle pitcher Aaron Harang, It was Ortiz’ 1,685th hit as a DH – giving him the all-time record (he passed Harold Baines). The 37-year-old Ortiz had a solid season, .309 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI, before thrilling us all by hitting .688 in the World Series.

 

 

 

 

Astros Play WHIFF-le ball.

Over the course of the season, the Houston Astros (who finished an MLB-worst 51-111) struck out an all-time MLB record 1,535 times – breaking the Diamondbacks’ 2010 record of 1,529. Why might this be especially notable? Having moved to the American League, the Astros set the new record without the benefit of their pitchers flailing (and failing) at the plate. In 2010, 119 of the Diamondbacks’ record-setting whiffs were credited to pitchers at the plate.

Pirates Make the Post Season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates went 94-68 and made the playoffs after a twenty consecutive losing seasons. By contrast, the Yankees have not had a losing season since 1992 – and have had only 22 losing seasons in the history of the franchise (1901-2013 in Baltimore and NY). The Pirates, led by such players as MVP Andrew McCutchen, speedy tablesetter Sterling Marte, NL HR co-leader Pedro Alvarez, starting pitcher and Comeback Player of the Year Francisco Liriano and relievers Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon were fun to watch in 2013.

The Dodgers’ Remarkable Comeback.

As of July 1, the underachieving Dodgers were in last place in the NL West (38-43, 3 ½ back). Just 80 days later – on September 19 – with a 7-6 win over the Diamondbacks, LA became the first team to clinch a 2013 playoff berth. The Dodgers are just the fourth team (along with the 1914 Boston Braves, 1973 New York Mets and 1995 Seattle Mariners) to finish in first place after holding last place as of July 1 or later.

The comeback is even more remarkable when you consider that on June 21, the then last-place Dodgers stood at 30-42, 12 games under .500 and 9 ½ back of Arizona. From that point, they went 62-28 – finishing 22 games over and 11 games ahead of second-place Arizona.

 

Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera

Old Guys Rule!

BBRT took great pleasure in watching a a group of forty-year olds defy father time.

– Mariano Rivera (age 43) goes 6-2, 2.11 with 44 saves for the Yankees in his farewell season.

– Bartolo Colon (age 40) went 18-6, 2.65 for the A’s, leading the AL in shutouts (3).

– Forty-one-year-old Raul Ibanez hit 29 home runs, tying Ted Williams for the most ever by a 41-year-old. And, his 29th homer of the season was also his career 300th.

– The Indians’ Jason Giambi, at age 42, became the oldest player to hit a walk-off homer.

Young Guys Rule Too!

Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Wil Myers, Manny Machado, Yasiel Puig, Jose Fernandez, Shelby Miller – and the list goes on an on.  There were – and still are – simply a lot of great young stars to watch.  For more – and a look at BBRT 2013 Young Star Team click  https://baseballroundtable.com/bbrts-2013-mlb-young-star-team-born-in-the-90s/

Chris Davis – newest 50-homer guy.

Chris Davis led all of MLB with 53 home runs and 138 RBI, becoming the 27th player to reach the 50-homer mark. His 53 HRs are the 26th most in an MLB season (for more on the 50 homer club, click https://baseballroundtable.com/chris-davis-newest-member-of-50-homer-club/

The Worst-to-First Boston Red Sox.

In 2012, the Boston Red Sox finished in last place in the AL East, 69-93 and 26 games out. The Sox dumped first-year manager Bobby Valentine and brought in John Farrell. They also made changes to the team during the off-season – changes that didn’t seem to excite analysts or fans. Joining the Red Sox were not the biggest name free agents, but “character and chemistry” players like Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Koji Uehara, Stephen Drew, and Ryan Dempster. Preseason, many analysts picked the Sox to finish at or near the bottom of the division. The Red Sox’ strategy paid off as they won the East with a 97-65 record, and went on to win the World Series. Napoli contributed 23 HRs and 92 RBI, Victorino hit .294 with 21 steals, and Uehara notched 21 saves to go with a 1.09 ERA. Red Sox veterans chipped in as well. David Ortiz went .309-30-103; Dustin Pedroia’s line was .301-9-83 (17 steals); John Lester rebounded with a 15-8 record and 3.75 ERA; and, despite injuries that limited him to 16 starts, Clay Bucholz went 12-1, 1.74.

Payroll and Placement.

Looking at the teams that made it into the post-season three of the top five opening day payrolls were there (#2 Dodgers, #4 Boston and #5 Detroit), but so were three of the bottom five payrolls (#26 Pittsburgh, # 27 Oakland, # 28 Tampa). Of note, the Dodgers’ $220 million payroll exceeded the combined opening day payrolls of playoff bound Oakland ($61 million), Pittsburgh ($80 million) and Tampa Bay ($58 million). (Figures from CBSsports.com.)

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Ballpark Tours – Great Summer Trips

December 13, 2013 by

Time to plan that summertime baseball excursion.  Two great trips, details at http://www.ballparktours.net/

ballpark tours

 

 

Busch Stadium

Show Me State Ramble

Des Moines – St. Louis – Kansas City

June 18-22

Five great days of major and minor league baseball.

 

 Wrigley Field

Farewell to Wrigley

Chicago – Milwaukee

August 7-10

A weekend getaway celebrating Wrigley’s 100th Anniversary

and Milwaukee’s tradition of brews and baseball.

 

Visit http://www.ballparktours.net/ for more infor and sign up forms.  Cllick the Ballpark Tours hot link at the top of the page to get a a look at past trips and adventures.

Filed Under: Ballpark Tours

BBRT’s 2014 Hall of Fame Selections/Predictions

December 6, 2013 by

baseball_hall_of_fame-300x225Baseball Hall of Fame Ballots are now in the hands of more than 600 voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. (The results will be announced January 8, 2014.)  Let’s hope the writers are less stingy with their support than one year ago, when none of the players on the ballot received the necessary 75 percent support. That seems unlikely this year, with two 300-game-winning hurlers, a member of the 500-homer/.300 average club and the all-time leading home run hitter among second baseman appearing on the ballot for the first time.

Looking at this year’s ballot – 36 players, 19 first-timers – the choices may be difficult, with each voter allowed to vote for a maximum of ten players.  We can expect some writers to hold back votes from players suspected of PED use (seems like a legitimate reason), others will hold back votes to make a statement on “what it takes to be a first-ballot” inductee (less legitimate, but understandable) and still others may send in blank ballots (for no apparent reason). In this column, I will focus on how BBRT would cast its ten votes (if BBRT had a ballot) and BBRT’s predictions for the actual outcome.  I’ll start with a “short” version of BBRT’s selections and predictions – and then go on to a more detailed explanation of the reasons for BBRT’s choices.

BBRT’s Hall of Fame Selections – if I had a vote – In Priority Order

 

Group One – Should Be No Doubt

1. Greg Maddux – 355 wins, four consecutive Cy Youngs, 18 Gold Gloves

2. Tom Glavine – 304 wins, two Cy Youngs, four Silver Sluggers

3. Frank Thomas – One of only eight members of 500-HR/.300 average club, two-time MVP

4. Craig Biggio – 3,060 hits, 1,884 runs scored, 291 HRs, 414 steals

Group Two – Debatable, But Clearly Deserve Support

5. Lee Smith – 478 saves, third all time

6. Jeff Kent – Most home runs by any second baseman, nine more RBI than Mickey Mantle, 2000 NL MVP

More Debatable, But Would Get BBRT’s Vote

7. Mike Piazza – .308 career average, most home runs by a catcher, 12-time All Star, benefit of the doubt on PEDs.

8. Jeff Bagwell – 449 HRs, 202 steals, 1,529 RBI, 1991 NL Rookie of the Year, 1994 NL MVP, twice recorded seasons of 40 or more HRs and 30 or more steals

9. Tim Raines – 808 stolen bases (fifth all time), 2,605 hits (.294 career average), 1,571 runs scored.

10. Jack Morris* – 254 wins, most wins in 1980s, “big game grit” LAST YEAR ON THE BALLOT (and I was at his 1991 World Series Game 7 10-inning shutut).

*If it wasn’t Morris’ last year on the ballot, Mike Mussina and his 270 wins would get this vote.

BBRT Predictions as to Whom the Baseball Writers Vote In

 

BBRT projects that the BBWAA, being notoriously stingy with their votes, will elect Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas and Craig Biggio from this “crowded with talent and newcomers” ballot.  Jack Morris has an outside chance of getting a “last year on the ballot” bump, but there continues to be enough debate on his “Hall-worthiness” to keep him on the outside.

Big names strongly connected with the PED issue, like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are likely to remain on the sidelines, as emotions related to PED-use run high. Even hints of PED suspicion could cut into vote totals for other BBRT-supported candidates like Mike Piazza. Some analysts even speculate that Frank Thomas is in danger of falling short just because he is big and hit a lot of home runs (there isn’t even a hint of PEDs), couple that with first-ballot prejudice and he does face a challenge (BBRT thinks he will squeak in).

Mike Mussina is likely to denied because of Maddux’ and Glavine’s presence, and the view among some voters that first-ballot selection is reserved for the very few.  Jeff Kent is another likely first-ballot prejudice victim.

A few players who seem to be heading in the right direction in terms of support include Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines.  Among the bigger names who may see support waning  – Lee Smith, Alan Trammel, Fred McGriff, Edgar Martinez.

A More Detailed Look at BBRT’s Selections from This Year’s HOF Ballot

 

Should Be Undebatable  Shoo-Ins

BBRT believe this first group of players all have a combination of milestone achievements and character that should make their 2014 Hall of Fame induction undebatable. (We know that won’t happen.)

Greg Maddux (RHP, 1986-2008 – first time on ballot)

MadduxNicknamed “The Professor” for his studious demeanor and ability to take hitters “to school,” Greg Maddux brings to the ballot a 23-year career, 355 wins (#8 all-time) versus 228 losses, a 3.16 lifetime ERA, 3,371 strikeouts, four consecutive NL Cy Young Awards (1992-95) and an MLB-record 18 Gold Gloves.  During his four-year run as NL Cy Young Award winner, Maddux went 75-29, with a 1.98 ERA. Twice a 20-game winner, Maddux was an eight-time All Star, led the NL in wins three times, winning percentage twice, ERA four times (with a career best of 1.56 in 1994), complete games three times, shutouts five times and innings pitched five times.  He also notched a record 17 consecutive seasons of 15 or more victories.  Maddux made 35 post-season appearances (30 starts), going 11-14, with a 3.27 ERA.

Clearly, on statistics alone, Maddux crosses every “t” and dots every “i” in milestone achievements for Hall of Fame selection.  Maddux also played with game with a quiet, but confident, dignity – which, when coupled with his performance, makes him a deserving player not only for first-ballot selection, but to break the unanimous selection barrier.  (Although you can bet there will be some unexplainable holdouts.) Maddux pitched for the Chicago Cubs (1986-92; 2004-06), Atlanta Braves (1993-2003); Los Angeles Dodgers (2006, 2008); and San Diego Padres (2007-08.)

Greg Maddux’ best season: 1995 Atlanta Braves … 19-2 (league-leading wins), 1.63 ERA (league low), league-leading ten complete games, league-leading three shutouts, league-leading 209 2/3 innings pitched, and 23 walks versus 181 strikeouts.  Cy Young Award.

Tom Glavine (LHP, 1987-2008 – first time on ballot)

GlavioneLike Maddux, Glavine topped the milestone 300-win mark, going 305-203 (#21 all time in wins), with a 3.54 ERA in a 22-year MLB career.  Glavine was a ten-time All Star, two-time Cy Young Award winner (1991 and 1998).  He won twenty or more games five times, led the NL in victories five times, complete games once, shutouts once and games started six times. He also captured four Silver Slugger Awards as the NL’s top hitting pitcher.  Glavine made 35 post-season appearances, all starts, going 14-16, with a 3.30 ERA.

It would be fitting for Glavine and Maddux to go into the Hall together, not only did their careers overlap, but from 1993-2002 they were teammates and number-one and number-two starters for the Atlanta Braves.  During that time, Maddux went 178-77, while Glavine was 169-83. Glavine pitched for the Atlanta Braves (1987-2002, 2008) and New York Mets (2003-07).

Tom Glavine’s best season: 1998 Atlanta Braves …. League-leading 20 wins (versus 6 losses), 2.47 ERA.  Cy Young Award.

Frank Thomas (1B/DH, 1990-2008 – first time on the ballot)

ThomasNicknamed “The Big Hurt” because of the damage the 6’ 5”, 240-pound slugger could do to a baseball, Frank Thomas (like Maddux and Glavine at the top of this list) put up some milestone numbers.  Most important, at least to BBRT, is his status as one of only eight players to date to amass 500 home runs with a .300+ career batting average. That list is pretty elite – Thomas, Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Mel Ott,  Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Manny Ramirez.  BBRT note: Albert Pujols is sure to join this fraternity, now standing at 492 HRs and a .321 average; and Alex Rodriguez is on the cusp with a .299 average and 654 homers. Thomas’ Hall of Fame resume includes 521 homers (#18 all time), a .301 career average, 2,468 hits, 1,704 RBI (#22 all time), 1,494 runs and 1,667 walks (#10 all time). Thomas was a two-time AL MVP (1993 & 1994), five-time All Star and captured one HR and one batting title in his 19-year career.  He hit .224, with three homers and five RBI in 16 post-season games.  Thomas played for the Chicago White Sox (1990-2002), Oakland Athletics (2006, 2008) and Toronto Blue Jays (2007-09).

Thomas may lose a few votes among “alleged purists” for his time at DH – but BBRT believes the company he keeps as a member of the 500 HR, .300+ average club makes him a worthy first-ballot Hall of Fame electee.

Frank Thomas’ best season: 1996 Chicago White Sox… 141 games, 184 hits, .349 average, 40 home runs, 134 RBI, 110 runs, 109 walks, league-leading 26 intentional walks.

Craig Biggio (2B/C/OF, 1988-2007 – second time on the ballot)

BiggioCraig Biggio – with his 3,060 career base hits (#21 all time) should have been elected last year.  In his 20 MLB seasons, Biggio scored 1,884 runs (15th all time), hit 291 home runs and stole 414 bases.  He was a seven-time All Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner, who spent notable time at second base, catcher and in the outfield.  He led the NL in runs twice, doubles three times, stolen bases once and hit-by-pitch five times.  His 668 doubles are the most ever by a right-handed hitter (and fifth all time) and he is one of only two players to collect 50 doubles and 50 stolen bases in the same season.  He holds the NL record for home runs to lead off a game (53) and for hit-by-pitch (285).  Biggio played his entire 18-year MLB career with the Houston Astros.

It’s a year late, but Biggio should win election this time around.

Craig Biggio’s best year:  1998 Houston Astros – 160 games,  .325 average , 210 hits, 123 runs, 20 HRs, 88 RBI, league-leading 51 doubles, 50 stolen bases.

Deserving Candidate Who Also Would Get BBRT’s Vote (If I had one)

This next group of candidates consists of players whose entrance into the Hall of Fame might prompt some discussion and debate – but when the discussion is done, BBRT is confident they should be seen as deserving of election.

Lee Smith (RHP, 1980-97 – 12th time on the  ballot)

Lee Smith’s 478 saves put him third on the all-time list (he was number-one when he retired after the 1997 season).  He recorded 13 consecutive seasons (in an 18-year career) of 25 or more saves, a 3.03 lifetime ERA and 1,251 strikeouts in 1,289 innings pitched; led his league in saves four times; and made seven All Star teams. Smith pitched for the Chicago Cubs (1980-87); Boston Red Sox (1988-90); St. Louis Cardinals (1990-93); New York Yankees (1993); Baltimore Orioles (1994); California Angels (1995-96); Cincinnati Reds (1996); Montreal Expos (1997).

With the third most saves all time, Smith gets BBRT’s vote.

Lee Smith’s best season:  1991, Cardinals – 6-3, 2.34 ERA, 47 saves, 73 innings pitched, 67 strikeouts.

Jeff Kent (2B/3B/1B, 1992-2008 – first year on the ballot)

Kent will probably be hurt by those writers who maintain you must be “extra” deserving to get a first-ballot vote, but BBRT believes Kent is a deserving candidate.  Kent holds the all-time MLB record for home runs by a second baseman (351 of his 377 career round trippers were hit while playing second base). He has a healthy .290 career batting average and his 1,518 RBI are 49th all time (for perspective, Kent drove in 9 more runs than Mickey Mantle). Kent was a five-time All Star, four-time Silver Slugger winner and 2000 NL MVP.  He hit .276, with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 49 post-season games.

Kent has the credentials, but BBRT has a hunch the writers will make him wait a year or two – a couple of Gold Gloves would have really helped his first-ballot case.

Jeff Kent’s best season: SF Giants, 2000:  159 games, 196 hits, .334 average, 33 home runs, 125 RBI, 114 runs, 12 steals. NL MVP.

More Debatable, But Would Still Get BBRT’s Vote

More debate is likely to swirl around this group.  They may be on the cusp when it comes to election (some for this year, some overall); but BBRT would use all ten votes.

Mike Piazza (C, 1992-2007 – Second year on the ballot)

Mike Piazza’s stat sheet includes a .308 career average, 427 home runs (a MLB record 396 as a catcher), a Rookie of the Year Award, 12 All Star Selections and ten Silver Slugger selections as the best hitter at his position. Over his career, he collected 2,127 hits, 1,335 RBI and scored 1,048 runs. He hit .242, with six home runs and 15 RBI in 32 post season games.

There are some PED rumblings surrounding Piazza’s candidacy that may cost him some votes, but BBRT gives Piazza the benefit of the doubt (and believes his comments and contrition).

Piazza’s best year: 1997, Dodgers – .362 avg., 201 hits, 104 runs, 40 HR, 124 RBI.

Jeff Bagwell (1B, 1991-2005 – 4th year on the ballot)

Jeff Bagwell earned Hall of Fame consideration with a 15-year career that included 2,314 hits, 449 home runs, 202 stolen bases and a .297 average – along with a Rookie of the Year Award, a Most Valuable Player Award, one gold Glove and four All Star selections.  He also twice recorded seasons of 40 or more homers and 30 or more steals. Bagwell chances are hurt a bit by the fact that first base has been manned by so many power hitters over time.  Bagwell played his entire career with the Houston Astros.

BBRT would vote for Bagwell, but doubts he will capture 75 percent of the vote in this very competitive year.

Bagwell’s best season:  2000, Astros – .310 average, 183 hits, 152 runs, 132 RBI, 47 home runs.

Tim Raines (OF, 1979-2001 – 7th time on the ballot.)

Tim Raines hit .294 over his 23-season MLB career, collecting 2,605 hits, 1,571 runs scored, 170 home runs, 980 RBI and 808 stolen bases (#5 all time).  Raines was a seven-time All Star, led the NL in stolen bases four consecutive years (1981-84) had a streak of six seasons with at least 70 steals, won the NL batting title in 1986 with a .334 average, led the league in runs scored twice and doubles once. In 34 post-season games, he hit .270 with one home run, six RBI, 18 runs scored and three steals.

More debatable than Piazza or Bagwell, but Raines would get BBRT’s vote.

Raines’ best season: BBRT did not select Raines’ 1986 batting title year, but rather his 1983 season with the Expos … 156 games, 179 hits, .298 average, league-leading 133 runs scored, 11 homers, 71 RBI, league-leading 90 steals.

Jack Morris (RHP, 1977-94 – 15th and final year on the ballot)

The fact that Morris is in his last year on the ballot (and earned 2/3 of the vote last year) should work in his favor. Morris went 254-189, with a career 3.90 ERA (that may hurt him).  He led the AL in wins twice, logged three 20+ win seasons was a five-time All Star. He won more games (162) than any other pitcher in the decade of the 1980s – finishing 22 wins ahead of Dave Steib (who won the second most at 140). In seven World Series starts, Morris went 4-2, 2.96 with three complete games (including a ten-inning shutout in game seven of the 1991 Series). He also went 3-2, 4.87, with two complete games in six ALCS starts). Morris pitched for the Detroit Tigers 1977-90); Minnesota Twins (1991);  Toronto Blue Jays (1992-93); and Cleveland Indians (1994).

BBRT sees Morris’ 254 wins as just enough, thinks Morris has waited long enough, and believes his big-game-grit is enough to put him over the top. Plus, I was at Game Seven in 1991 to witness his ten-inning shutout performance, so BBRT’s endorsement comes from the heart as well as the head.

Morris’ best season: 1986, Tigers – 21-8, 3.27 ERA, 15 complete games, six shutouts, 267 innings pitched, 223 strikeouts.

Final Thought On A Player Who Just Missed BBRT’s List

 

Mike Mussina (RHP, 1991-2008 – first year on the ballot)

It’s a tough year to be Mike Mussina and making your first appearance on the Hall of Fame Ballot.  “Pitchers’” votes are likely to go to the two 300+ win hurlers (Maddux and Glavine) who are also on the ballot for the first time, and you can expect Jack Morris to gain some momentum in his last year on the ballot.  The writers are likely to ask Mussina to wait, as would BBRT.  Mussina brings a 270-153 record and a career 3.68 ERA to the voting. While only a 20-game winner once (in his final season, at age 39), Mussina won 18 or 19 games five times, leading the AL with 19 wins in 1995. He was a five-time All Star and a six-time Gold Glove winner. While the lack of a Cy Young Award on his resume may hurt him, he finished his career 117 games over .500 – and every eligible pitcher who finished their careers 100 or more games over .500 has made it to the Hall. Look for his wait to be short.

BBRT invites your comments on the 2014 Hall of Fame election.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Dingers by the Decade

December 4, 2013 by

In 1920, Yankee slugger Babe Ruth out-homered every other AL team.

Pirate rookie outfielder Ralph Kiner won the NL home run crown as rookie in 1946 – and then went on to hold the crown for a record seven consecutive seasons.

Mark McGwire is the only player ever traded in the midst of a 50+ homer season.

Reggie Jackson is the only member of the 500-HR club to never have back-to-back seasons of at least 30 homers.

Eddie Murray’s career high in home runs was 33, the lowest for any member of the 500+ HR club.

You’ll come across these tidbits and more in this post, as BBRT looks at MLB home runs leaders by numerical decade, in any ten-year span and over the first ten years of an MLB career.  In the lists that follow, Hall of Famers are noted in bold face and career homers are noted in parentheses.

Decade-by- Decade Home Leaders

 

1870-79

Lipman Lip Pike                       21 (21)

Outfielder-first baseman Lip Pike is generally acknowledged as the leading major league home run hitter of the 1870s, with 21. Playing for the National Association’s Troy Haymakers, Baltimore Canaries, Hartford Dark Blues, Saint Louis Brown Stockings, Cincinnati Reds and Providence Grays, Pike led the league in home runs in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1877.  Pike is also recognized as one of the game’s first “professional” players – accepting a salary to play baseball as early as 1866 (a reported twenty dollars a week from the Philadelphia Athletics). With the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP), founded in 1871, considered the first professional baseball league, Pike ico-holds the title of professional baseball’s first-ever home run champion – with four home runs in 1871 (tied with Chicago’s Treacey and Philadelphia’s Levi Meyerle).

1880-89

Harry Stovey                              89 (122)

Dan Brouthers                          77 (106)

Fred Dandelion Pfeffer                 71 (94)

Jerry Denny                               70 (74)

StoveyPhiladelphia Athletics OF-3B Harry Stovey tops the list for the 1880s, leading the NL in homers once and the then major league American Association three times in the decade, with a high of 19 in 1889. Stovey was also considered one of the best defensive outfielders and top base-stealers of his time, and has been credited with popularizing the feet-first slide and inventing protective sliding pads.

Number two on the list, Dan Brouthers, was the first player (along with Jim O’Rourke) to appear in a major league game in four different decades.

Number three, Cubs second baseman Fred Pfeffer was never a league leader in home runs, but did rap a career-high 25 homers in 1884, when teammate third baseman Ned Williamson hit 27 dingers.  Only five times did a player reach the twenty-home-run mark in a season during the 1880s – and four of those campaigns were recorded for the 1884 Cubs: Williamson, Pfeffer, first baseman Abner Dalrymple (22) and outfielder Cap Anson (21).  The other 20-homer season belonged to Philadelphia’s (NL) Sam Thompson, who hit 20 HRs for the Quakers in 1989.

1890-99

Hugh Duffy                               83   (106)

Ed Delahanty                           79   (101)

Mike Silent Mike Tiernan            77  (106)

Sam Thompson                       75   (126)

Boston outfielder/shortstop Hugh Duffy tops the 1890s list, and led the NL in home runs twice in the decade – including a career-high 18 in 1884, when he also led the NL with a .440 batting average; the highest single season average in MLB history.

Outfielder/first baseman Ed Delahanty comes in a close second – and finished with double-digit HRs seven times in the 1890s, winning the HR title twice.

Both Mike Tiernan and Sam Thompson were two-time HR champions during the decade.

1900-09

Harry Davis                              67 (75)

Charles Hickman                      58 (59)

Wahoo Sam Crawford            57 (97)

John Buck Freeman                 54 (82)

Ralph Socks Seybold               51 (51)

Honus Wagner                       51 (101)

Harry Davis, who tops the list, was a true power hitter for his time. The Philadelphia Athletics outfielder led the AL in home runs four consecutive seasons (1904-07) during the decade – with annual HR totals of 12-8-10-8.

Despite being the second most prolific power hitter of the decade, Charles Hickman was a defensive liability and played for six teams in that ten-season span – including playing for two AL teams in each of  four seasons – Boston/Cleveland in 1902, Cleveland/Detroit in 1904, Detroit/Washington in 1905, Washington/Chicago in 1907.

Reds’ outfielder Sam Crawford is best known for holding the career record in triples (309) and the single season record for inside-the-park home runs (12).

The other Hall of Famer on this list, Pittsburgh shortstop Honus Wagner never led his league in home runs (over a 21-year career), but between 1900-09 did lead the NL in doubles seven times.  Wagner was one of the five members of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s first inducted class.

1910-19

Clifford Gavvy Cravath               116  (119)

Fred Luderus                               83  (84)

Frank Home Run Baker              76  (96)

Frank Wildfire Schulte                   75 (92)

List leader outfielder Gavvy Cravath was one of only three players to top 20 home runs between 1910-19, rapping 24 for the Phillies in 1915 (Frank Schulte hit 21 for the Cubs in 1911 and Babe Ruth hit 29 homers for the Yankees in 1919). Cravath, who hit his 116 homers in 8 seasons (1912-19), led the NL in round trippers six times in that eight-season stretch.

Phillies’ first-sacker Fred Luderus had the decade’s second-most HRs, despite never leading the league, but he did hit double digits in homers for four consecutive seasons (1911-14).

Philadelphia Athletics’ third baseman Home Run Baker earned his nickname, leading the AL in HRs in four consecutive seasons (1911-14).

Cubs’ outfielder Wildfire Schulte led the NL in HRs twice in the decade, but is best known as one of only seven players (and the first) to have a MLB 20-20-20 season – in 1911 he hit 30 doubles, 21 triples and a league-leading 21 homers.

1920-29          

Babe Ruth                              467  (714)

Rogers Hornsby                     250  (301)

Cy Williams                             202  (251)

Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth

The 1920s were all about Babe Ruth, who out-homered the number-two man on the decade list by more than 200 home runs.  In 1920, Ruth broke his own season home run record of 29, crashing an unimagined 54; and he broke that record twice more in the decade. To further illustrate the Bambino’s dominance, there were fourteen 40+ homer seasons in the decade and Ruth had nine of them (as well as 7 of 8 of the 45+ homer seasons).  In 1920 and 1927, the Yankee slugger actually out-homered every other AL team.

Cardinals’ second baseman Rogers Hornsby led the NL in homers twice in the decade (42 in 1922 and 39 in 1925), but is better known for his seven batting titles in the 1920s – and for topping .400 three times.  Only Ty Cobb, Ed Delahanty and Hornsby can boast three .400+ qualifying seasons.

Phillies’ outfielder Cy Williams led the NL in home runs three times during the decade, with a career-best total of 41 in 1923.

1930-39

Jimmie Double XX Foxx       415  (534)

Lou Iron Horse Gehrig           347 (493)

Mel Ott                                   308 (511)

Jimmie Foxx manned first base, third base and catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox during the ’30s, and nabbed four HR titles in the decade, topping 50 homers twice. During his career, he hit at least thirty homers in 12 consecutive seasons.

Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig grabbed three AL home run titles during the same span, and while he never hit 50 HRs in a season, he did reach 49 twice in the decade.

Over in the NL, Giants’ outfielder Mel Ott captured five HR titles in the 1930s, despite never reaching forty homers in a season (he did park a career-high 42 long balls in 1929).

1940-49

Ted Williams                          234  (521)

Johnny Mize                           217  (359)

Bill Nicholson                           211  (235)

No, there wasn’t a power outage in the 1940s, there was World War II and the decade’s HR leader, Ted Williams, lost three years to military service.  In the seven seasons he did play, The Red Sox’ Splendid Splinter won four HR titles and averaged just over 33 homers a campaign.  His .406 average in 1941 marks the last time an MLB batting champion finished at .400 or better.

Number-two on the decade’s dinger list, Johnny Mize, also lost three years to military service. In the 1940s, he still managed three NL HR titles (for the Cardinals and the Giants) and hit a career-high 51 long balls in 1947.

Cubs’ outfielder Bill Nicholson rounds out the top three. Nicholson played all ten seasons (1940-49) and led the NL in home runs and RBI in 1943 and 1944. Nicholson is officially listed as one of six major league hitter to draw an intentional walk with the bases loaded (1944).  The others are Abner Dalyrmple (1881), Napoleon Lajoie (1901), Barry Bonds (1998) and Josh Hamilton (2008).

1950-59

Edwin Duke Snider                 326  (407)

Gil Hodges                               310  (370)

Eddie Mathews                       299  (512)

Mickey Mantle                        280  (536)

Duke Snider

Duke Snider

A pair of Dodgers topped the decade of the 1950s – centerfielder Duke Snider and first baseman Gil Hodges were number one and two in home runs – despite winning only one HR title between them (Snider with 43 in 1956).  Snider did reach 40 homers five straight seasons, collecting 207 of his round trippers from 1953 to 1957.

The Brooklyn/LA pair were followed by a couple of power-hitting future Hall of Famers in Braves’ third baseman Eddie Mathews and Yankees’ centerfielder Mickey Mantle, who came up to the majors in 1952 and 1951, respectively. Mantle won three AL HR crowns in the decade, while Mathews led the NL twice.  A couple of notes of interest, Mathews is the only player to play for the same franchise in three cities (Boston, Atlanta, Milwaukee Braves) and was on the cover of the first issue of Sports Illustrated  (August 16, 1954);  in 1997, the Topps Baseball Card company retired Mantle’s number seven from its base sets.  Topps brought number seven out of retirement in 2006, but reserves it for cards featuring Mantle.

1960-69

Harmon Killebrew                  393  (573)

Hank Aaron                            375  (755)

Willie Mays                            350  (660)

Washington Senator/Minnesota Twin Harmon Killebrew led all of MLB with 393 homers in the 1960s, topping 40 six times during the decade – in which he also led the AL in homers six times.  In 1965, Killebrew was elected to start at first base for AL All Star team, becoming the first player elected to an All Star Team at three positions (Killebrew had previously been elected to start at 3B and LF).

The number-two home run hitter of the decade was Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Hank Aaron, whose 375 HRs led the NL. Hank hit 40 or more five times during the decade, capturing three NL HR titles.

Third on the list for the ’60s is Giants’ centerfielder Willie Mays, who also took three HR titles and is the only one of the top three to reach the seats 50 times in a season (52 in 1965).

1970-79

Willie Stargell                        296  (475)

Reggie Jackson                     292  (563)

Johnny Bench                        290  (389)

Pirates’ outfielder Willie Stargell won two league HR titles on his way to an MLB-tops 296 home runs in the 1970s.

Reggie Jackson, who spent time in the 1970s with the Athletics and the Yankees, finished second during the decade with 292 homers – despite never reaching forty in that ten-year span (he did top 40 twice in his career). During the decade, Jackson led the AL with 32 HRs in 1973 and 36 in 1975. On another career note, Jackson is the only member of the 500-HR club to never hit 30 or more homers in consecutive seasons.

Cincinnati catcher Johnny Bench captured two HR titles and two NL MVP awards, while hitting 290 long balls in the decade.

1980-89                      

Mike Schmidt                         313  (548)

Dale Murphy                             308  (398)

Eddie Murray                          274  (504)

Mike Schmidt was “winding down” his career in the 1980s (1989 was his last season) and would have gone well beyond his 313 HR total for the decade if it hadn’t been for reduced playing time and only 18 home runs his final two seasons.  Still, the Phillies’ third baseman did earn five of his eight home run titles and all three of his NL MVP Awards during the decade.

Braves’ centerfielder Dale Murphy finished second to Schmidt in 1980s’ long balls, with two HR titles and a high of 44 in 1987. Murphy also earned consecutive NL MVP Awards in 1982-83.

Eddie Murray won only one HR title in his career, with 22 homers for the Orioles’ in the strike-shortened 1981 season.  The switch-hitting Murray’s career high in homers in a season was 33 (in 1983), the lowest career-best for any member of the 500-HR club.

1990-99                      

Mark McGwire                          405  (583)

Ken Griffey, Jr.                         382  (630)

Barry Bonds                             361  (762)

Albert Belle                              351  (381)

The Athletics/Cardinals’ Mark McGwire topped 400 homers for the decade, despite hitting a total of only 18 in the 1993-94 seasons (when he played only 74 games). He led the league in homers three times in the decade; and led all of baseball with 58 homers in 1997, but led neither league (he was traded at the end of July after hitting 34 homers for the AL Athletics, and went on to hit 24 for the NL Cardinals). McGwire is the only player to be traded in the midst of a 50-homer season. McGwire hit 245 homers in the last four seasons of the decade, including a high of 70 for the Cardinals in 1998.  During that stretch he homered a remarkable once in every 8.5 at bats.Ken Griffey, Jr. played the entire decade with the Seattle Mariners, leading the AL in homers four times. From July 20 to July 28, 1983 Griffey homered in eight straight games, tying a MLB record (Don Mattingly/1987 and Dale Long/1956).

All-time career and single-season home run leader Barry Bonds (who patrolled the outfield for the Pirates and Giants in the 1990s) surprisingly led the NL in homers only twice in his career and just once in the decade of the ‘90s (46 in 1993).  Of course, leading the NL in walks twelve times (five times in the 1990s) may have something to do with that. Notably, Bonds is the career leader in intentional walks (688).  As of 2013, Hank Aaron ranked second (293) and still active Albert Pujols third (275).

Albert Belle played outfield/DH for the Indians, White Sox and Orioles during the 1990s.  He led the AL in home runs in 1995 – also becoming the only player to hit 50 or more doubles and 50 or more homers in the same season.

2000-09

Alex Rodriguez                        435  (654)

Jim Thome                              368  (612)

Albert Pujols                            366  (492)

The 2000s’ HR leader, Alex Rodriguez, played for three teams over the course of the decade: Seattle Mariners (2000), Texas Rangers (2001-03) and New York Yankees (2004-09). He led the AL in home runs five times in that span, topping 50 three times. In 2001, Rodriguez hit 52 home runs setting a new MLB single-season record for shortstops (the Cubs’ Ernie Banks had the previous high at 47). Rodriguez broke his own record with 57 round trippers in 2002 and remains the only shortstop to hit 50 or more homers in a season.  (His third 50-homer season – 54 HRs – came in 2007 as a third baseman.)

First baseman/DH Jim Thome spent time with four teams during the decade: Cleveland Indians (2000-2002); Philadelphia Phillies (2003-05); Chicago White Sox (2006-09); LA Dodgers (late 2009).  He won his only home run crown with the Phillies (47 HRs in 2003) and hit 52 dingers for the Indians in 2002.

Then Cardinal, now Angel, Albert Pujols started his MLB career with a bang in 2001 – collecting 37 home runs, 130 RBI and a .329 average as a rookie. For the decade, he never hit fewer than 32 home runs, plated fewer than 116 RBIs or hit under .314 in any season. He won the NL home run crown in 2009.  Now primarily a first baseman, Pujols came up as a player without a position (other than a predominant spot in the batter’s box).  In 2001, he played 39 games in left field, 39 in right field, 42 at first base and 55 at third base.  In 2002, he spent most of his time in left field, but also played first base, third base and even notched a few innings in right field and at shortstop.

Most Home Runs in Any Ten-Season Span

When you look at the most home runs in a decade from another angle (a decade being any ten-season period, regardless of dates), the results are dominated by two players from two different eras – Sammy Sosa and Babe Ruth.  The fact is, only three players have average 45 home runs a season over any ten-year span – Sosa, Ruth and Alex Rodriguez.

 

479 HRs       Sammy Sosa                1995-2004

469              Sammy Sosa                1994-2003

467              Babe Ruth                   1920-1929

462              Babe Ruth                   1921-1930

462              Sammy Sosa                1993-2002

457              Sammy Sosa                1996-2005

455              Babe Ruth                   1923-1932

454              Alex Rodriguez              1998-2007

450              Babe Ruth                   1919-1928

When you consider eras, Babe Ruth’s appearances on this list reflect a far greater level of dominance than Sosa’s.  In the fourteen seasons (1919-32) that make up Ruth’s four appearances on the list, Ruth led his league in home runs eleven times.  Sosa’s appearances on the list span thirteen seasons (1993-2005), during which he led his league in home runs only twice.  Sosa, in fact, is the only player to notch three seasons of 60 or more home runs – and he did not lead the league in any of those years.  Further evidence of Ruth’s dominance is that, again for the period that makes up his appearances on this list, four players racked up a total of 13 seasons of 45 or more homers – and nine of those belong to Ruth. During the years that make up Sosa’s appearances on the list, 29 players achieved a total of 58 45+-HR campaigns – and five of those belonged to Sosa.

Most Home Runs First Ten Seasons

Now let’s look at players who got a fast start on the major league slugging careers – those who averaged at least 35 home runs a year over their FIRST ten seasons.

 

Albert Pujols                408      2001-10     (492)

Eddie Mathews          370      1952-61      (512)

Ralph Kiner                369      1946-55    (369)

Adam Dunn                  354      2001-10    (440)

Ken Griffey, Jr.             350      1989-98     (630)

Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols came up at age 21with the Cardinals and is the only player to achieve at least 30 homers, 100 RBI and a .300+ average in each of his first ten seasons. Pujols won two HR titles in those first ten seasons, and topped 40 home runs five times.

Eddie Mathews joined the Boston Braves at age 21, hitting 25 homers as a rookie and went on to win his first HR title the following year –with 47 for the transplanted Milwaukee Braves.  He won one more HR title in is first ten seasons, hit more than 30 for nine of the ten years and topped 40 homers four times.

Ralph Kiner deserves special mention.  Kiner won the NL home run crown as a 23 year-old Pirates’ rookie in 1946 – and went on to capture the next six NL home run titles.   As the result of a back injury, Kiner retired at the age of 32 – after ten seasons split among the Pirates, Cubs and Indians.

Adam Dunn joined the Cincinnati Reds in 2001, and (at the age of 21) slugged 19 homers in just 66 games.  While Dunn has not yet won a home run title, he has been a paragon of power consistency – from 2004-2010, his yearly HR totals were 46-40-40-40-40-38-38.  In his first decade, Dunn patrolled the outfield and played some first base for the Reds, Diamondbacks and Nationals.

Ken Griffey, Jr. joined the Mariners at age 19, and didn’t get off to as fast a start as some of the others on this list – averaging just under 22 home runs a season over his first four campaigns. Between 1994 and 1998, however, he turned on the after burners – winning three AL HR titles, and topping 50 home runs twice.  In addition, the power hitting centerfielder won nine Gold Gloves in his first ten seasons.

Hope you enjoyed this look at dingers by the decade.

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