Archives for October 2014

On the surface, the 2014 World Series wasn’t a fall “classic” –  the average margin of victory was five runs.  Still, it had a tight and tense Game Seven, plenty of dazzling (at times game-changing) defensive plays, some outstanding bullpen work, Pablo Sandoval looking like Pablo Picasso at the plate (12 hits in seven games) and Hunter Pence cashing in a dozen safeties as well.  But most of all, it had a truly classic performance by Giants’ “ace” Madison Bumgarner – and that made this a Series for the age.

Madison Bumgarner – historic performance by Series MVP.

Madison Bumgarner claimed his place in MLB World Series’ annals with 21 innings pitched (two starts and a relief appearance in Game Seven) and only one run allowed (0.43 ERA).  His two victories and a save earned Bumgarner World Series MVP honors.  (The scorer at first gave Bumgarner the win in Game Seven – which would have enabled him to tie the MLB record for victories in a single Fall Classic, but later changed that to a save.) The superlatives were flowing freely during the game coverage and still continue in the traditional and social media.  And, rightfully so.  The Series MVP started Game One and threw seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball; followed up with a three-hit complete-game shutout in Game Five; and wrapped it up by coming on in relief in Game Seven to toss five innings of two-hit ball in the Giants’ 3-2 victory. Over his twenty-one innings of work, Bumgarner allowed just one run, nine hits and one walk, while striking out seventeen.  For the Giants: No doubt, no Bumgarner, no Series title.

It was clearly a performance for the ages.  In fact, it may have been the best World Series pitching performance ever (particularly given the futility of the rest of the Giants’ pitching staff and Bumgarner’s short-rest Game Seven shutdown of the Royals).

All the talk about Bumgarner got BBRT to thinking about past World Series pitching performances – the likes of which we’ll likely never see again.   I’m talking about achievements like:

• Starting five games in a single World Series (best-of-nine Series) in just 13 days – completing them all.
• Throwing three complete-game shutouts – in a five-game series.
• Notching three complete-game wins in a single World Series – as a rookie.

Why aren’t we likely to see these kinds of numbers in the future?  First, “going the distance” is no longer a priority, seven innings is considered going deep; second, the increasing adherence to pitch counts; third, “closers gotta close,” setting up your designated 7^th, 8^th and 9^th inning hurlers has become integral game strategy; and, fourth, the extended post-season means starting pitchers have thrown a considerable number of high-pressure playoff innings by the time they get to the World Series.  (Bumgarner had started four 2014 post-season games before Game One of the World Series; going 2-1, 1.42 in 31 2/2 postseason innings before throwing his first World Series pitch.)  Applause and thanks to Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy for ignoring all these factors – and to Madison Bumgarner for rewarding his confidence.

Given all that, BBRT decided to look back on those World Series’ performances in which a pitcher not only notched three victories in a single Series, but also limiting the review to those instances in which all three wins were complete games.

Despite Bumgarner’s magnificent 2014 achievements, BBRT’s vote for the number-one World Series pitching performance ever still belongs to:

http://

1905 – Christy Mathewson  – Three complete-game shutouts in six days

In 1905, the great Christy “Big Six” Mathewson tossed a record three complete-game shutouts in a single World Series – and he did it in a five-game Series.  In just six days, the future Hall of Famer started and finished Games 1, 3 and 5 – tossing 27 innings, giving up just 13 hits and one walk, while fanning 18.

On October 9, in Game One, Mathewson tossed a four-hitter, never allowing more than one base runner in an inning (singles in the fourth and sixth innings, ground-rule doubles in the eighth and ninth), as the Giants prevailed over the Athletics 3-0.  Mathewson allowed no walks and fanned six.

On October 12, Mathewson tossed a second four-hit shutout in an easier 9-0 victory.  In this game, all four hits were singles and Mathewson also hit one batter and walked one (while fanning eight).

Then, on October 14, Big Six tossed a five-hitter (four singles and a double) in a 2-0 win. In this game, he logged no walks and four strikeouts.

Mathewson’s dominance was no surprise.  In his prime – and on the way to 373 MLB wins – he was coming off a league-leading 31 wins (9 losses), NL-best eight shutouts, league-high 206 strikeouts and league-low 1.28 regular season ERA. Just how good was Mathewson?  In 17 MLB seasons, he logged four seasons of 30+ wins and another nine campaigns of 20+ victories – while leading the his league in victories four times, ERA five times, and strikeouts four times.

Now, here’s a look – in chronological order – at all the other hurlers to log three complete-game victories in a single World Series.  Hall of Famers are first referenced in Bold Face/Red/Italics.

1903 World Series – Bill Dinneen AND Deacon Phillippe

Considered the first official AL/NL World Series, the 1903 Boston Americans/Pittsburgh Pirates match-up was a “best five-of-nine” that went eight games (and saw two pitchers win three World Series games).

The hero of the 1903 World Series was Boston Americans’ right-hander Bill Dinneen, who picked up three victories in four starts  – tossing four complete games in the process.  That the 27-year-old Dinneen was the Americans’ pitching star came as a bit of a surprise, since the Boston staff was led by righty Cy Young – who had just rung up a league-leading 28 regular season victories (nine losses), the 36-year-old veteran’s fifth time leading the league in wins. Of course, Dinneen was no slouch, having gone 21-13, 2.26 in the regular season (after a 21-21 record in 1902). The Americans’ staff boasted a third 20-game winner in Tom Hughes, who finished 20-7, 2.57 (his only twenty-win campaign). Young did have a good post-season 2-1, 1.85 in three starts and one relief appearance – while Hughes lasted only 2 innings in his only start.

It was Dinneen, however, who brought the World Championship to Boston, starting games 2, 4, 6 and 8 and picking up three wins versus one loss (Game Four, 5-4). His efforts included four complete games, as well as two shutouts (Game two and the Game Eight clincher). Dinneen gave up just eight earned runs in his four starts (2.06 ERA), pitching 35 innings – with 29 hits, eight walks and 28 strikeouts. The 1903 World Series was pretty much the highlight of the hard-throwing Dinneen’s 12-year MLB career, in which he went 170-177, 3.01 and made it to the post-season just the one time.  He did, however, win 20 or more games four times.

On the Pittsburgh Pirates’ side of the field, right-hander Deacon Phillippe did all he could to bring the first World Championship to Pittsburgh – starting, and completing, a still Series-record five games in 13 days (October 1 – October 13). Phillippe was truly the Pirates’ ace. He had gone 25-9, 2.43 in the regular season – his fifth straight twenty-win campaign. In the Series, he started Games 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8 (when he came up against the hot hand of Dinneen). Phillippe won his first three starts, but lost the final two.  Phillippe finished the Series 3-2, 3.07, tossing 44 innings, giving up 38 hits, 15 earned runs, three walks, and striking out 22. While Phillippe would have only one more twenty-win season after 1903, he did finish his 13-year MLB career with a 189-109, 2.59 record and led the NL in winning percentage (14-2, .875) in 1910 (at the age of 38).

1909 World Series – Babe Adams, the rookie

Although he had the proverbial “cup of coffee” in the major leagues in 1906-07 (appearing in five games), Charles “Babe” Adams still qualified as a rookie when he went 12-3, 1.11 for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1909.  The rookie right-hander went on to pitch three complete-game victories for Pittsburgh (over Detroit) in the World Series, including a six-hit shutout in the final game (an 8-0 Pirates’ win). For the Series, Adams gave up just four earned runs, with 18 hits, six walks and 11 strikeouts. Adams went 194-140, 2.76 in 19 MLB seasons – walking only 430 hitters in 2,995 1/3 innings.  On July 17, 1914, Adams pitched a 21-inning complete game without issuing a single walk, which remains the longest game without a walk in MLB history.

1910 World Series – Jack Coombs, three wins in six days

Philadelphia Athletics’ Jack Coombs matched Christy Mathewson’s three complete-game victories in a five-game Series in 1910, as the Athletics topped the Cubs.  Coombs pitched Games 2, 3 and 5 giving up ten earned runs in his 27 innings of work (24 hits, 14 walks, 17 strikeouts). Like Mathewson, Coombs was coming off a spectacular regular season (his 31-9 mark was identical to Mathewson’s 1905 stats and he led the AL in wins). Coombs also had a minuscule 1.30 regular-season ERA. The 27-year-old rightly led the AL in wins again in 1911 with 28 and won 158 games in a 15-season MLB career.

1920 World Series – Stan Coveleski and three five-hitters

In 1920, the Cleveland Indians topped the Brooklyn Robins four games to three, with Stan Coveleski throwing three, complete-game five-hitters – winning Game Two 3-1, Game Four 5-1, and Game Seven 3-0.  The thirty-year-old Coveleski went 24-14, 2.49 in 1920 – the third of four consecutive twenty-win seasons.  He had perhaps his best season in 1925 (age 35), going 20-5 for Washington, leading the AL in winning percentage (.800) and ERA (2.84).  In 14 MLB seasons, he went 215-142, 2.89

1957 World Series – Lew Burdette leads underdog Braves

The 1957 Milwaukee Braves surprised the heavily favored Yankees behind the fidgety right-arm of Lew Burdette (who pitched in his first MLB game as a Yankee). Burdette started and completed Games 2, 5 and 7 of the Series.  In Game Two, he gave up seven hits and two runs, as the Braves won 4-2. He followed up with a pair of seven-hit shutouts (1-0, 5-0).  Burdette seemed an unlikely World Series “ace.”  At 17-9, 3.72, he was actually third on the Braves’ staff in regular season wins behind lefty Warren Spahn (21-11, 2.69) and righty Bob Buhl (18-7, 2.74) and fourth among starters in ERA (Gene Conley’s ERA was 3.16).   Burdette went 203-144, 3.66 in 18 MLB seasons – winning twenty or more games twice.

1967 World Series – Bob Gibson brings the heat

Cardinals’ ace Bob Gibson notched three complete-game victories over the Red Sox in the 1967 World Series (Games 1, 4 and 7), including a Game Four shutout.  For the Series, Gibson threw 27 innings, giving up just three runs on 14 hit and five walks, with 26 strikeouts.  In 1967, Gibson went 13-7, 2.98 – a mid-season leg injury limited him to 24 starts.   In the 1968 Series, while “only” going 2-1 in three starts, Gibson set the record for  strikeouts in a single World Series (35) and for a World Series game (17 in Game One). In a 17-year MLB career, Gibson went 251-174, 2.91 – with 3,117 strikeouts.

1968 World Series – Mickey Lolich on the big stage

In 1968, Detroit Tigers’ Mickey Lolich took a back seat to teammate Denny McLain – who went 31-6, 1.96 in the “Year of the Pitcher.”  Lolich, who had a solid season at 17-9, 3.19, however, stole the spotlight with three complete-game victories in the World Series.  Lolich’s 16-season MLB totals were 217-191, 3.44, including a 25-14, 2.92 season in 1971.

Very honorable mention in this post goes to four pitchers who earned three victories (just not complete-game victories) in a single World Series:  Joe Wood (1912 Red Sox/eight-game Series); Red Faber (1917 White Sox); Harry Brecheen (St. Louis Cardinals, 1946); and Randy Johnson (2001, Diamondbacks).

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

GAME ONE:  Giants Find Missing “Sock” – use extra base hits to down Royals in K.C.

GAME TWO: How Do You Spell Relief ?   Not G-I-A-N-T-S – as Royals “Lorde” it over SF’s Relief Corps.

We now interrupt the World Series for this important announcement regarding the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA) 2014 Awards.

After each season, members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (an organization of 200+ bloggers dedicated to the national pastime) vote on a series of awards for each league.  Those recognitions, announced in increments during the month of October, include:

• Willie Mays Award (top rookie)
• Walter Johnson Award (top starting pitcher)
• Stan Musial Award (top player)
• Goose Gossage Award (top relief pitcher)
• Connie Mack Award (top manager)

The results for all the awards are now in and, in this post, BBRT will share the winners – and top five finishers – in each of the BBA categories, as well as  few comments on areas where the full BBA results differed from BBRT’s early-October ballot.  For a detailed look at BBRT’s entire ballot, click here. 

WILLIE MAYS AWARD – top rookie

Jose Abreu dominated BBA rookie balloting, but did not top BBRT’s ballot.

Chicago White Sox’ first baseman Jose Abreu was an overwhelming selection for the BBA Willie Mays Award for top rookie in the American League.  Abreu hit 36 home runs and drove in 107, while putting up a .317/.383/.964 line and an OPS+ of 169.

Note: OPS+ is a player’s On Base Percentage plus his Slugging Percentage adjusted for the park and the league in which he played. An OPS+ of 100 equals the league average. The higher the OPS+, the stronger the performance.

In the National League, New York Mets’ pitcher Jacob deGrom outdistanced runner-up Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder Billy Hamilton in the BBA balloting.  DeGrom went 9-6, 2.69, with better than a strikeout per inning in twenty-two 2014 starts.

While BBRT’s NL vote went to deGrom, my choice in the AL did not even make the BBA’s top five. My selection for top AL rookie was Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher Matt Shoemaker, who turned in a 16-4 record, with a 3.04 ERA (20 starts, seven relief appearances). Shoemaker moved passed Abreu (and others) on the BBRT ballot thanks to his performance under the pressure of the pennant race.  From August 1 to season’s end, Shoemaker went 8-1, with a 1.66 ERA.

The top five in the BBA Willie Mays Award voting:

American League

1. Jose Abreu, White Sox
2. Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees
3. Collin McHugh, Astros
4. Dellin Betances, Yankees
5. Mookie Betts, Red Sox

National League

1. Jacob deGrom, Mets
2. Billy Hamilton, Reds
3. Ender Inciarte, Diamondbacks
4. David Peralta, Diamondbacks
5. Ken Giles, Phillies

For the complete 2014 BBA top rookie voting, click here.  It may take a second click to reach the article. 

Prior BBA Willie Mays Award winners:

• 2013: Wil Myers, Tampa Bay; Jose Fernandez, Miami
• 2012: Mike Trout, Los Angeles of Anaheim; Bryce Harper, Washington
• 2011: Eric Hosmer, Kansas City and Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay; Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta
• 2010: Neftali Feliz, Texas; Buster Posey, San Francisco
• 2009: Andrew Bailey, Oakland; Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh

WALTER JOHNSON AWARD – top pitcher

Clayton Kershaw captured his fourth BBA top pitcher recognition.

The BBA vote for top pitcher in the AL was a close one, with the Indians’ Corey Kluber barely outpointing the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez (2010 Walter Johnson Award winner).  Kluber, who went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA (152 ERA+), finished among the leaders in ERA (third), complete games (second, tie), strikeouts (second) and innings pitched (third).

Note: ERA+ adjusts a pitcher’s earned run average (ERA) according to the pitcher’s ballpark (whether the ballpark favors batters or pitchers) and the ERA of the pitcher’s league. Average ERA+ equals 100; a score above 100 indicates that the pitcher performed better than average, below 100 indicates worse than average.

It was a much different story in the National League, as Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers won his third Walter Johnson Award in four years – more than doubling the voting total of the runner-up, the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright. Kershaw missed a month of starts and still led the NL in wins (21), ERA (1.77 – his fourth consecutive ERA title) and complete games (6), while finishing third in strikeouts.

Kershaw was a shoe-in for the NL top pitcher on BBRT’s ballot as well, but I went “outside-the-box” with my top AL vote.  The BBA’s number-one and number-two choices did finish near the top of my ballot (second and third), but my number-one vote went to the Twins’ Phil Hughes.  Now, I am from Minnesota, but this is just not a “homer” vote. Hughes won 16 games for a team that went 70-92. Only three players in the AL won more games (they each had 18 victories), and all three pitched for teams with winning records.  Hughes, who went 16-10, 3.52, also set a new MLB record for strikeouts to walks ratio (11.63) and recorded the fewest walks ever for any hurler to reach 200 innings pitched in a season.

The top five in the BBA Walter Johnson Award vote:

American League

1. Corey Kluber, Cleveland
2. Felix Hernandez, Seattle
3. Jon Lester, Boston/Oakland
4. Chris Sale, Chicago
5. David Price, Tampa Bay/Detroit

National League

1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles
2. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis
3. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati
4. Jordan Zimmerman, Washington
5. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia

For the complete 2014 BBA top pitcher voting,click here.    It may take a second click to reach the article. 

Prior Walter Johnson Award winners:

• 2013: Max Scherzer, Detroit; Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles
• 2012: Justin Verlander, Detroit; R.A. Dickey, New York
• 2011: Justin Verlander, Detroit; Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles
• 2010: Felix Hernandez, Seattle; Roy Halladay, Philadelphia
• 2009: Zack Greinke, Kansas City; Tim Lincecum, San Francisco

STAN MUSIAL AWARD – top player

Mike Trout, five-tool player, now a three-time Stan Musial award winner.

Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Mike Trout easily captured his third straight BBA American League Stan Musial Award, finishing far ahead of runner-up Cleveland outfielder Michael Brantley.  Trout, who hit .287, finished in the top five in the AL in runs scored (115, first), RBI (111, first), home runs (36, third), slugging percentage (.561, third), walks (83, fourth) and triples (nine, third). He also added 16 steals in 18 tries and showed Gold Glove defensive skills.

In the National League, the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw executed a BBA double steal this year, taking both the Walter Johnson Award and Stan Musial Award (see the Walter Johnson Award text above for Kershaw’s statistics).  The race was closer than in the AL, with the NL’s second-place finish going to Pirates’ centerfielder Andrew McCuthchen.

BBRT’s ballot had Trout at the top of the AL, but listed the Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen ahead of Kershaw in the NL.  Explanation? In past award announcements, the Baseball Bloggers Alliance has referred to this award as recognizing the “top” or “premier” player in each league (as opposed to the Most Valuable Player). That distinction, coupled with the fact that the BBA has an award for the top pitcher (named after a pitcher) and this award for top player is named after a position player, swayed my vote.  (If the award had been labeled MVP, I would have gone with Kershaw.  This same controversy, by the way, influences MLB’s MVP and the Sporting News Player of the Year Awards.) Like Trout, McCutchen exhibits Gold Glove skills in the field, along with power and speed on offense. He finished 2014 (146 games) with a .314 average, 25 home runs, 83 RBI and 18 steals (in 21 attempts).

The Top five in the BBA Stan Musial Award vote:

American League

1. Mike Trout, Los Angeles
2. Michael Brantley, Cleveland
3. Jose Bautista, Toronto
4. Corey Kluber, Cleveland
5. Victor Martinez, Detroit

National League

1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles
2. Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh
3. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami
4. Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee
5. Anthony Rendon, Washington

For the complete 2014 BBA top player voting click here.   It may take a second click to reach the article. 

Prior Stan Musial award winners:

• 2013: Mike Trout, Los Angeles; Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh
• 2012: Mike Trout, Los Angeles; Buster Posey, San Francisco
• 2011: Jose Bautista, Toronto; Matt Kemp, Los Angeles
• 2010: Josh Hamilton, Texas; Joey Votto, Cincinnati
• 2009: Joe Mauer, Minnesota; Albert Pujols, St. Louis

GOOSE GOSSAGE  AWARD – top reliever

Craig Kimbrel – four straight Goose Gossage Awards.

Atlanta Braves’ Craig Kimbrel continued his run as the BBA’s top National  League reliever, capturing his fourth-consecutive Goose Gossage Award – although this season he did get a bit of a challenge from Cincinnati Reds’ triple-digit closer Aroldis Chapman.  Kimbrel, who led the NL in saves for the fourth-consecutive year, finished 0-3, 1.61, with league-leading 47 saves and 95 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings.  To show how dominating Kimbrel has been, BBA reports that his sparkling 227 ERA+ was actually significantly lower than his ERA+ in the two previous seasons (399 and 311, respectively). ERA+ explained in the Walter Johnson Award section of this post. 

In the American League, Yankees’ rookie reliever Dellin Betances edged out Kansas City reliever Wade Davis for Goose Gossage Award honors.  Betances, appeared in 70 games for the Yankees, putting up a 1.40 ERA (and a 277 ERA+), while striking out 135 in 90 innings.

BBRT’s ballot listed Kimbrel as the NL’s top reliever, but opted for the Royals’ Greg Holland – who went 1-3, with 46 saves, a 1.44 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings pitched – in the AL.

The top five in the BBA Goose Gossage Award vote:

American League

1. Dellin Betances, New York
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City
3. Greg Holland, Kansas City
4. Zach Britton, Baltimore
5. Sean Doolittle, Oakland

National League

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta
2. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati
3. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles
4. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh
5. Jonathan Papelbon, Philadelphia

For the complete 2014 BBA top reliever voting click here.   It may take a second click to reach the article. 

Prior Goose Gossage Award winners:

• 2013: Koji Uehara, Boston; Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta
• 2012: Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay; Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta
• 2011: Jose Valverde, Detroit; Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta
• 2010: Rafael Soriano, Tampa Bay; Brian Wilson, San Francisco

CONNIE MACK AWARD – top manager

Pirates’ Manager Clint Hurdle – a second consecutive post-season berth and a second consecutive Connie Mack Award.

Baltimore Orioles’ manager Buck Showalter and Pittsburgh Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle were named the 2014 Connie Mack Award winners, recognized as MLB’s top managers by the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

This is the second straight year Hurdle has taken home the BBA’s top manager recognition in the NL.  After breaking the Pirates’ two-decade playoff drought in 2013, Hurdle again led Pittsburgh into the post season, securing a wild-card berth and finishing just two games shy of the Central Division Champion Cardinals.

Over in the American League, Showalter led the unheralded Orioles to their first American League East divisional title since 1997, winning the division by 12 games over the second-place New York Yankees. Baltimore won 96 games this season, despite injuries to key players (Matt Weiters and Manny Machado) and the sub-par season and later suspension for 2013 star Chris Davis.

BBRT’s vote went to Showalter in the AL, but I differed from my BBA peers in the NL, where my top selection was Bruce Bochy of the Giants. Bochy led his squad to an 88-74 record (and Wild Card spot), despite the difficulties facing Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum and injuries to Brandon Belt and Angel Pagan.  Counting on youngsters like Joe Panik and Andrew Susac, Bochy San Francisco on track.

The top five in the BBA Connie Mack Award vote:

American League

1. Buck Showalter, Baltimore
2. Ned Yost, Kansas City
3. Mike Scioscia, Los Angeles
4. Lloyd McClendon, Seattle
5. Bob Melvin, Oakland

National League

1. Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh
2. Bruce Bochy, San Francisco
3. Matt Williams, Washington
4. Don Mattingly, Los Angeles
5. Mike Matheny, St. Louis

For the complete 2014 BBA top manager voting click here.   It may take a second click to reach the article. 

Prior Connie Mack Award winners:

• 2013: John Farrell, Boston; Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh
• 2012: Bob Melvin, Oakland; Davey Johnson, Washington
• 2011: Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay; Kirk Gibson, Arizona
• 2010: Ron Washington, Texas; Bud Black, San Diego
• 2009: Mike Scioscia, Los Angeles of Anaheim; Jim Tracy, Colorado

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance was formed in the fall of 2009 to encourage cooperation and collaboration between baseball bloggers of all major league teams, as well as those that follow baseball more generally. As of the awards voting, the organization consists of 215 blogs spanning most of the 30 major league squads, as well as general baseball writing.

The BBA is organized under a similar structure as the Baseball Writers of America, where blogs that follow the same team are combined into “chapters” and only two votes from the chapter on an award are counted. The blog chapters that are focused on general baseball were allowed two votes as well, which they could use both on the same league or split between the two leagues.

Chapters generally followed one of two methods when casting their ballot.  Either representatives of the chapter were given the ballots for voting or a “group ballot” was posted, accounting for both of their votes.  Notably, though the BBA’s awards come out well before their official counterparts, the BBA selections have matched those of the Baseball Writers of America in many instances over the past five years.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

With the World Series opening tomorrow, BBRT would like to take a look at some of the individual records that the Royals and Giants players may find themselves shooting for – or trying to avoid. We’ll start with World Series single-game hitting records – where, by the way, Albert Pujols holds a least a share of the record for hits, home runs, RBI, runs and total bases.

Albert Pujols has a piece of the World Series single-game records for hits, runs, RBI, home runs and total bases.

Most Hits in a Single World Series Game – Five

There have been only two five-hit games in World Series’ history.  The first was by Milwaukee Brewers’ lead-off  hitter and third baseman Paul Molitor, who hit five singles in six at bats as the Brewers (then in the AL) beat the Cardinals 10-0 on October 12, 1982. Molitor’s five safeties were matched on October 22, 2011, by Cardinals’ 1B Albert Pujols – who also went five-for-six, and slugged three home runs – as the Cardinals blasted the Rangers 16-7.

Most Home Runs in a Single World Series Game – Three

There have been five-three homer World Series games. We’ve already noted Albert Pujols’ three-HR effort (see the above section on most hits in a single World Series game).  The most recent three-homer World Series’ contest was by a player who will be taking the field for the 2014 Fall Classic.  San Francisco 3B Pablo Sandoval popped three round trippers as the Giants topped the Tigers 8-3 in Game One of the 2012 Series (October 24).  “Panda” went 4-4 and homered in the first, third and fifth innings – collecting four RBI. In the 2014 Series, he will have a chance to tie the only player to have two three-homer World Series games – Babe Ruth.  Ruth accomplished the powerful feat on October 6, 1926, as the Yankees beat the Cardinals 10-5. He victimized the Redbirds again on October 10, 1928 in a 7-3 New York win.  The Bambino started in LF in both those games.  The remaining three-homer World Series game belongs to Yankees’ RF Reggie Jackson (October 18, 1977).

Most RBI – Six

Three players have driven in six runs in a single World Series game – and, as you might expect – the Cardinals’ 1B Albert Pujols is one of them.  Pujols collected six RBI in his five-hit/three-homer game of October 22, 2011. The other six-RBI games belong to a pair of Yankees, although not the ones you might expect:  2B Bobby Richardson (October 8, 1960) and DH Hideki Matsui (November 4, 2009).

Most Runs Scored – Four

There have been ten World Series games in which a player has scored four runs – including, of course, that October 22, 2011 Albert Pujols’ game that keeps showing up here.  The others in chronological order: Yankees’ SS Frank Crosetti (October 2, 1926); Yankees’ LF Babe Ruth (October 6, 1926); Yankees’ CF Earl Combs (October 2, 1932); Cardinals’ RF Enos Slaughter (October 10, 1946); Yankees’ RF Reggie Jackson (October 18, 1977);  Twins’ CF Kirby Puckett (October 24, 1987); Athletics’ 3B Carney Lansford (October 27, 1989); Phillies’ CF Lenny Dykstra (October 20, 1993); and Giants’ 2B Jeff Kent (October 24, 2002).

Most Total Bases – 14

Short list here – Albert Pujols – again that October 22, 2011 game in which he collected three home runs and two singles.

Doubles – Four

Another short list. Chicago White Sox 2B Frank Isbell rapped four doubles on October 13, 1906, as the Sox beat the crosstown Cubs 8-6.  No other player has matched his four two-bagger performance.

Triples – two

A half dozen players have logged two triples in a World Series game, most recently on October 24, 1991, when Braves’ 2B Mark Lemke contributed a pair of three-baggers to Atlanta’s 14-5 trouncing of the Twins.  Others with a two-triple World Series game: Pirates’ 3B Tommy Leach (two triples in a four-hit game on October 1, 1903); Boston Americans’ (AL) LF Patsy Dougherty (October 7, 1903); Reds’ PITCHER Dutch Reuther, who also threw a complete game, six-hitter – one run, unearned – on the day he got his two World Series triples (October 1, 1919); Yankees’ 2B Bobby Richardson (October 12, 1960); and Dodgers’ LF Tommy Davis (October 3, 1963).

Most Stolen Bases – Three

Three bases have been stolen in a World Series game four times, by three different players. Pirates’ SS Honus Wagner stole second base three times (in four attempts) in an October 11. 1909, 8-6 WS win over the Tigers; and Dodgers’ CF Willie Davis stole second base three times in a 7-0 win over the Twins on October 11, 1965.  Cardinals’ LF Lou Brock stole second base twice and third base once in an October 12, 1967 Game Seven win over Boston and stole second base three times in an October 5, 1968 win over the Tigers.

Most Strikeouts – Five

Back on October 1, 1932, New York Yankee George Pipgras came to the plate five-times in a World Series game and whiffed on each and every trip. He also, however, was the winning pitcher, giving up four earned runs in New York’s 7-5 win over the Cubs.

Most Walks – Four (Intentional Walks – Three)

This one’s been done a half dozen times, although not since 1979.  Of more interest may be the October 23, 2002 World Series game in which Giants’ LF Barry Bonds was intentionally walked a World Series single-game record three times.

World Series Single Game Pitching Records

Fewest hits, Fewest Base runners – Zero

http://

Okay, Yankee Don Larsen’s October 8, 1956 perfect game set World Series single-game pitching records that can at best be tied. As a result, much of what is listed here will focus more on futility than accomplishment.

Most Strikeouts – 17

On October 2, 1968, the Cardinals’ Bob Gibson whiffed 17 Tigers on his way to a 4-0 win (five hits, one walk).

As an aside, Gibson and the White Sox’ Ed Walsh are the only pitchers to hurl a World Series complete game and strikeout at least one hitter every inning.  (On October 11, 1906, Walsh beat the Cubs 3-0; giving up two hits and one walk, while whiffing 12.

Most Hits Allowed – 15

On October 15, 1925, Washington Senators’ great Walter Johnson gave up 15 hits (nine runs, five earned) in a 9-7 complete game loss to the Pirates.

Innings Pitched – 14

Babe Ruth is the only player on both the World Series hitting and pitching single-game record sheet. On October 9, 1916, Ruth – then a southpaw hurler for the Red Sox – pitched a 14-inning complete game, giving up just 6 hits in beating Brooklyn 2-1.

Walks – ten

On October 3, 1947, the Yankees’ Bill Bevens gave up just one hit (8 2/3 innings) in a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers. Bevens, unfortunately, walked a World Series single-game record ten batters (one intentional), and free passes contributed to all the scoring.

Runs Given Up – Ten

Bill “Brickyard” Kennedy gave up a World Series single-game record ten runs on October 7, 1903, as his Pirates lost to the Boston Americans (AL) 11-2. Kennedy was matched up in a scoreless duel with Cy Young through five innings, before giving up six runs – all unearned – on three hits and three errors in the sixth and another four runs (all earned) in the seventh.

Earned Runs Given Up – Eight

Twice hurlers have given up eight earned runs in a World Series game. On October 5, 1928, Grover Cleveland Alexander (16-9, 3.36 in the regular season) lasted only 2 1/3 innings against the Yankees – giving up eight runs on six hits (one home run) and four walks. On November 3, 2001, Yankees’ reliever Jay Witasick came on in the third inning against the Diamondbacks, who already had roughed up starter Andy Pettitte for six runs (on seven hits and two walks) in just two innings. Witasick gave up a record-tying eight earned runs (plus one unearned) in 1 1/3 innings. While he gave up ten hits, Witasick walked none and recorded all four of his outs on strikeouts. Arizona scored 15 runs in the first four innings of a 15-2 win.

So, there’s a look at some World Series single-game records.  Watch for a post on records for a full series in the next day or two.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

After each season, members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (an organization of 200+ bloggers dedicated to the national pastime) vote on a series of awards for each league.  Those recognitions include:

• Willie Mays Award (top rookie)
• Walter Johnson Award (top starting pitcher)
• Stan Musial Award (top player)
• Goose Gossage Award (top relief pitcher)
• Connie Mack Award (top manager)

BBRT will provide a link to the BBA site once all the winners are announced (later this month).  In this post, I’d like to share BBRT’s votes, as well as some background on my selections and those that were “close” to getting BBRT’s vote.  Your comments on the BBRT selections are welcomed.

William Mays Award (top rookie)

American League

BBRT vote:  Matt Shoemaker.

Contenders: 2. Jose Abreu   3. Yordano Ventura   4. Masahiro Tanaka

Thank you Matt Shoemaker – for closing out the year in a way that both: a) prevents me from having to split my AL rookie vote; and b) enables me to vote for a player who more closely fits my personal definition of an MLB “rookie.”

While the smart money may be on Jose Abreu as the AL’s top rookie, BBRT’s vote goes to Angels’ RHP Matt Shoemaker. Undrafted out of college, Shoemaker ran up a 50-42, 4.52 record in seven minor league seasons. He worked his way up to an MLB “cuppa coffee” in 2013 (one game, five scoreless innings), before sticking with the Angels this season.  The 27-year-old, bearded rookie turned in a 16-4 record, with a 3.04 ERA (20 starts, seven relief appearances), with 24 walks and 124 strikeouts in 136 innings. Shoemaker moved passed Abreu on the BBRT ballot thanks to his performance under the pressure of the pennant race.  From August 1 to season’s end, Shoemaker went 8-1, with a 1.66 ERA.

Among the contenders was another 27-year-old – but less traditional – “rookie,” who is a veteran of eight seasons in Cuba (and a former Cuban League MVP). White Sox rookie first baseman Jose Abreu finished in the American League’s top five with a .317 batting average (third-best), 36 homers (third), 107 RBI (fourth), .581 slugging percentage (first), and .383 on-base percentage (fifth).

Additional contenders for BBRT’s vote included:  Kansas City right-handed starter Yordano Ventura, who put together a 14-10, 3.20 season for the play-off Royals and a was key player in the Royals’ drive to the post-season (4-1, 2.41 in six September starts); and a second less traditional rookie, New York right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who joined the Yankees after six seasons as a star in Japan (including a 24-0, 1.24 record in 2013) and finished an injury-interrupted season at 13-5, 2.77 with 151 strikeouts (versus just 21 walks) in 163 1/3 innings.

National League

BBRT vote:  Jacob deGrom

Contenders: 2. Ender Inciarte      3. Billy Hamilton

It’s a tougher call, with less spectacular rookie performances to choose from, in the NL.  BBRT’s vote goes to the Mets’ Jacob deGrom. The 26-year-old southpaw – who ran up a 21-11, 3.62 record in four minor league seasons – went 9-6, with a solid 2.69 ERA in 22 MLB starts.  DeGrom also missed a lot of bats, fanning 144 in 140 1/3 innings.

Finishing close, but behind deGrom in BBRT’s ballot considerations were: Arizona outfielder Ender Inciarte, who hit .278 with four home runs, 27 RBI, 54 runs scored and 19 steals (22 attempts) in 118 games; and Reds’ outfielder-speedster Billy Hamilton. Hamilton, who swiped 56 bases and scored 72 runs for the Reds.

Walter Johnson Award (top pitcher)

American League 

BBRT vote: Phil Hughes

Contenders: 2. Corey Kluber     3. Felix Hernandez

I expect to get some flack here, but my first-place goes to Twins’ righty Phil Hughes.  Why?  First, Hughes won 16 games for a team that went 70-92. Only three players in the AL won more games than Hughes (they each had 18 victories), and all three (Max Scherzer, Corey Kluber, Jered Weaver) pitched for teams with winning records.  Hughes, who went 16-10, 3.52, also set a new MLB record for strikeouts to walks ratio (11.63) and recorded the fewest walks ever for any hurler to reach 200 innings pitched in a season.  In 209 2/3 innings, Hughes fanned 186, while walking just 16.

The smart money goes on one of BBRT’s contenders – Indians’ righty Corey Kluber (18-9, 2.44).  Kluber was a strikeout machine, finishing with 269 K’s in 235 2/3 innings (just two strikeouts behind AL leader David Price). He also finished among the leaders in ERA (third), complete games (second, tie) and innings pitched (third).  Just behind Kluber, in BBRT’s estimation, was Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, the AL ERA leader at 2.14 (to go with a 15-6 won-lost record and 248 strikeouts in 236 innings pitched).

National League

BBRT vote: Clayton Kershaw (duh)

(Distant)  Contenders: 2 (tie). Adam Wainwright     2 (tie). Johnny Cueto

.

BBRT’s NL Walter Johnson Award vote goes (of course) to Dodgers’ southpaw Clayton Kershaw.  Not much explanation needed here.  Kershaw missed a month of starts and still led the NL in wins (21 against just 3 losses), ERA (1.77 – his fourth consecutive ERA title) and complete games (6), while also finishing third in strikeouts (239 in 198 1/3 innings).

BBRT sees a runner-up tie between the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright and the Reds’ Johnny Cueto.  These two right-handed starters tied for second in wins (both at 20-9), finished two and three (behind Kershaw) in the NL in ERA and complete games, as well as one and two in the NL in innings pitched. In addition, Cueto tied the Nats’ Stephen Strasburg for the NL strikeout title (242), while Wainwright tied for the league lead in shutouts (three).

The Stan Musial Award (top player)

Note: In past award announcements, the Baseball Bloggers Alliance has referred to this award as recognizing the top or “premier” player in each league (as opposed to the Most Valuable Player). Makes this vote easier and less controversial.

American League

BBRT vote: Mike Trout

Contenders: 2. Jose Altuve     3. Miguel Cabrera

BBRT’s vote for the Stan Musial Award in the AL goes to the Angels’ Mike Trout. Pretty simple. How can you not vote for the player who led the league in runs scored AND runs batted in, while also flashing Gold Glove defensive skills.  Trout, who hit .287, finished in the top five in the AL in runs scored (115, first), RBI (111, first), home runs (36, third), slugging percentage (.561, third), walks (83, fourth) and triples (nine, third). He also added 16 steals in 18 tries. The only concern?  Trout also led the AL in strikeouts with 184.

Running behind Trout in BBRT’s considerations were: the Houston Astros’ five-foot-six second baseman Jose Altuve – like Trout a “plus” fielder, Altuve also was the spark at the top of the Astros’ lineup, leading all of MLB in batting average (.341) and base hits (225), wile also topping the AL in stolen bases; and Tigers’ first baseman Miguel Cabrera, with another solid season (.313, average, 25 home runs, 101 runs scored, 109 runs batted in).

National League

BBRT vote: Andrew McCutchen

Contender: 2. Giancarlo Stanton

With no one player dominating the statistics, the call on the NL’s premier player is a tough one.  BBRT  casts its vote for Pirates’ center fielder Andrew McCutchen (making my Stan Musial Award selections a center field sweep). Like Trout, Mccutchen takes Gold Glove skills into the outfield.  He also combines speed and power, finishing 2014 (146 games) with a .314 average, 25 home runs, 83 RBI and 18 steals (in 21 attempts). McCutchen also led the NL in on base percentage at .410.

Finishing just behind McCutchen is Marlins’right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, the NL leader in home runs (37), slugging percentage (.555) and total bases (299). Stanton, who hit .288, also drove in 105 runs (second in the NL) and had the second-best on-base percentage in the league (.395).

Goose Gossage Award (top reliever)

American League

BBRT Vote: Greg Holland

Contender: 2. Fernando Rodney

BBRT’s vote for the AL Goose Gossage Award goes to the Royals’ Greg Holland, who went 1-3, with 46 saves, a 1.44 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings pitched.

Right behind Holland is the Mariners’ Fernando Rodney, who tallied an MLB-leading 48 saves. Despite the leadership in saves, Rodney was less dominating then Holland, going 1-6, 2.85 with 76 whiffs in 66 1/3 innings.

National League

BBRT vote: Craig Kimbrel

Contenders: 2. Kanley Jansen     3. Aroldis Chapman

In the NL, BBRT likes Braves’ closer, right-hander Craig Kimbrel, for the Goose Gossage Award. Kimbrel, who led the NL in saves for the fourth-consecutive year,  finished 0-3, 1.61 with 47 saves and 95 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings.  Over the past four seasons, Kimbrel has averaged just over 46 saves per year.

Based on strikeouts, walks and earned run average (always leery of closers with ERA’s over 3.00), others who merited BBRT’s consideration were: the Dodgers’ Kanley Jansen (2-3, 2.76, 44 saves, 101 strikeouts and 19 walks in 65 1/3 innings); and Reds’ closer Aroldis Chapman (0-3, 2.00, 36 saves, 106 strikeouts and 24 walks in 54 innings).   There is one more “vote”… an honorable mention, actually … for Colorado closer LaTroy Hawkins, just for the fact that he is still getting the job done (4-3, 3.31, 23 saves in 26 opportunities) at age 41.

Connie Mack Award (top manager)

American League

BBRT vote:  Buck Showwalter

Contender:  2. Ned Yost

BBRT sees the AL’s top manager as the Orioles’ Buck Showalter, who brought the Orioles home with a 12-game lead over the second-place Yankees.  Not only were the Orioles not found on too many analysts’ pre-season East Division champion predictions, Showalter had to manage around injuries to key players (Matt Weiters and Manny Machado), as well the sub-par season and later suspension for 2013 star Chris Davis.

BBRT also gave serious consideration to Ned Yost, who brought the Royals back to the post-season after a 29-year absence – despite being the only team in baseball with less than 100 home runs on the season. The Royals won under Yost with defense and speed (the fewest home runs, but the most stolen bases) – a formula that puts additional pressure on the manager (manufacturing runs with singles, steals, the hit-and-run).

National League

BBRT vote: Bruce Bochy

Contender:  2. Matt Williams

BBRT’s vote for NL Connie Mack Award goes to Bruce Bochy of the Giants, who led the squad to an 88-74 record (and Wild Card spot), despite the difficulties facing Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum and injuries to Brandon Belt and Angel Pagan.  Counting on youngsters like Joe Panik and Andrew Susac, Bochy kept a winning attitude on the San Francisco team.

Just behind Bochy is Matt Williams of the Nationals, who won 96 games and finished a whopping 17 games ahead of their nemesis (the Braves).  Like Bochy, Williams managed through significant loss of time to injuries (catcher Wilson Ramos, outfielder/face-of-the franchise Bryce Harper and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman).

Keep watching BBRT for the final results of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance balloting.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT