Archives for August 2017

There is no doubt today’s game is becoming both more hard-throwing and more-free swinging.  Earlier this month, I posted the chart below to show the rise of strikeouts per game over the years (more than double since 1950.   Now, below the chart, I offer some more evidence of the  nature of the new ball game.

I’m working on a similar chart for home runs, but the trend appears to be similar. In 1950, fans saw an average of about 1.7 home runs per game (both teams combined) – 130 home runs per team over a 154-game season.  This season, fans have been seeing an average of just over 2.5 home runs per game – with MLB on a pace toward a season average of 205 home runs per team.

This free-swinging/hard-hitting trend shows up in other aspects of the game.  So far this August, we have seen seen three Immaculate Innings (three strikeouts on nine pitches) – bringing the total number of 2017 Immaculate Innings to an MLB single-season record eight – breaking the 2014 record of seven with more than a month to go.  (In fact, there have been only four SEASONS in MLB history with more Immaczulate Innings than we have seen so far this August – and that includes 2017.) Your 2017 Immaculate frames go to: Drew Storen, Reds (April 18); Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (May 11); Max Scherzer, Nationals (May 15); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (May 18); Carlos Carrasco, Indians, (July 7); Dellin Betances, Yankees (August 2); Jose Alvarado, Rays (August 4); Rick Porcello, Red Sox (August 9).   Notably, in MLB history, there has been only one other season with as many as five Immaculate Innings (1998) and of the 89 Immaculate innings recorded, 40 have taken place since 2000.  Here’s the list by decade;

                                    IMMACULATE INNINGS

                                   1880s – 1            1960s – 8

                                   1890s – 0           1970s – 8

                                    1900s – 1           1980s – 4

                                    1910s – 1            1990s – 18

                                    1920s – 5           2000s – 15

                                    1930s – 0           2010s – 25

                                    1940s – 0

                                     1950s – 3

A few other Immaculate Inning tidbits:

• Only four pitchers have thrown multiple Immacualte Innings: Lefty Grove; Sandy Koufax; Nolan Ryan; Randy Johnson.
  

  Sandy Koufax logged a record three immaculate innings.

• Only Sandy Koufax has three such innings – one each in 1962, 1963 and 1964.
• Lefty Grove is the only pitcher to throw two immaculate innings in the same season (August 23 and September 27, 1928).
• Nolan Ryan is the only pitcher to theow an Immacutalte Innings in both the Ameerican and National League (Mets, 1968 – Angels, 1972).
• The only World Series Immaculate Inning belongs to the Royals’ Danny Jackson (Game 5 of the 1985 Series).
• The only players to come right out of the box and fire an Immaculate Inning in the first frame are: Sandy Koufax (1962); Roger Clemens (1997); Pedro Martinez (2002); Rick Helling (2006); Rich Harden (2008).
• There have been only two Immaculate Innings in extra innigs: Sloppy Thurston (12th inning, August 22, 1923); Juan Perez (10th inning, July 8, 2011.)
• More Immaculate Innings have taken place in the ninth ining (20) than any other frame.

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Albers made his MLB debut with the Twins. Yesterday, he notched his first tjhree plate appearances –  with the Mariners – a single and TWO successful sacrifice buns.

Yesterday (August 21), 31-year-old southpaw Andrew Albers –  who has had an up and down professional career (150 minor league appearances and 19 major league appearances since 2008) – had a truly “up” day. Traded to the Mariners (for cash considerations) on August 11, Albers drew his second start of the season (his first time out for the Mariners, he gave up one run in five innings and got the victory in a 3-1 win over the Orioles). This time, he faced the Braves and – while he wasn’t as effective – picked up his second MB win of 2017. He again went five innings, this time giving up three earned runs as the Mariners won 6-5.  The two victories doubled his career total. Albers now stands at 4-5, 4.32 in 19 appearances (four starts) for the Twins, Blue Jays and Mariners. Note: Albers was 12-3, 2.61 at Triple A before the trade.

What made this a truly up day for Albers, however, was his performance at the plate.  In his first at bat – also his first MLB plate appearance – Albers collected an infield single and an RBI. He came up twice more in the game, each time successfully sacrificing a base runner from first to second.  Given the state of bunting I’ve seen recently, Albers deserves perhaps even greater kudos for the two sacrifices than for the infield single.  At any rate, he ended the game with his 1.000 batting average and his 2017 1.000 winning percentage intact.

WES FERRELL DIDN’T NEED NO STINKIN’ DH

Reading about Albers feats in the batter’s box reminded me of how much I dislike the Designated Hitter – as well as what a solid batsman pitcher Wes Ferrell was. (No, I’m not old enough to have actually seen him play.) On today’s date (August 22) in 1934, Ferrell ran his season record to 12-2, with a ten-inning, two-run (one earned) complete game against the White Sox. Like Albers, Ferrell’s performance in the batter’s box may have exceeded his pitching accomplishments. Ferrell went three-for-four in the game, scoring two and driving in two.  And, he did it in spectacular fashion.  Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth (the game was at Fenway), Ferrell homered to tie the contest. Then, with two-out in the bottom of the tenth, the Red Sox’ right-hander went deep again to win the contest.  It was one of three walk-off home runs Ferrell would rap in his career – and one of five multi-homer games he would achieve.

Ferrell, in fact, holds the MLB record for home runs as a pitcher with 37 (he also had one as a pinch hitter), and his career line (548 games) was .280-38-208.  Ferrell logged some great years in there – on the mound and in the batter’s box.

In 1935, fort example, Ferrell led the AL in pitching victories, going 25-14, 3.52. He also topped the junior circuit in complete games (31) and innings pitched (322 1/3). At the plate, he hit a lusty .347, with seven home runs and 32 RBI in 150 at bats. He also had 21 walks against just 16 strikeouts.

A few other Farrell tidbits:

• Ferrell topped twenty wins in each of his first four full MLB seasons (1929-32 … He did have a total of three appearances in 1927-28 call ups). In those first four full campaigns, he went 21-10, 3.60; 25-13, 3.31; 22-12, 3.75; 23-13. 3.66.
• Ferrell had a total of six seasons of 20+ wins – and led the AL in complete games four times.
• He was a two-time All Star.

SHOWING OFF ALL THE SKILLS

On April 29, 1931 Wes Ferrell of the Indians no-hit the St. Louis Browns 9-0 in Cleveland. Ferrell gave up three walks and fanned eight in the contest. He also rapped a two-run double and a two-run home run, finishing the day two-for-four with two runs scored and four RBI. On the season, Ferrell went 22-12, 3.75 with a league-leading 27 complete games, while also hitting .319, with nine home runs and 30 RBI in 116 at bats.

• Farrell holds the single-season (nine) and career (37) records for home runs as a pitcher.
• Farrell hit an MLB career-high .347 for the Red Sox in 1935.
• Wes’ brother Rick Ferrell, a major league catcher for 18 seasons (.303-28-734).  is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Wes and Rick were together on the Boston Red Sox from 1934-37.

NEVER A QUITTER …ALWAYS A HTTER

After his major league playing days were over, Ferrell continued to play minor league ball – primarily as an outfielder.  His best seasons as he closed out his professional career:

• 1941 … Hitting .332 with 20 home runs for the Leaksville-Draper-Spray Triplets of the Bi-State (Class D) League;
• 1942 … Hitting.361 with 31 home runs for the Lynchburg Senators of the Class C Virginia League;
• 1948, at the age of 40, hitting .425, with 24 home runs in 104 games for the Marion Marauders of the Class D Western Carolina League.

Ferrell finally hung up his spikes as a player after the 1949 season, when he hit .298, with four homes in 50 games for Class B teams in Tampa and Greensboro.

Ferrell’s final pitching line was 193-128. 4.04.  It might have been even better if not for shoulder troubles that began in 1931 and limited is ability to use his “plus” fastball and the fact that he spent much of his career pitching for middle-of-pack teams. Still, retired with a .601 MLB winning percentage.

Primary Sources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Almanac.com.

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance. 

There are a host of baseball “feats” that get plenty of recognition and publicity. You know what I’m talking about – accomplishments like perfect games, four-homer games, no-hitters and two Grand Slams in a game.  Baseball Roundtable would like to dedicate this post to an achievement I believe has not gained the notoriety it deserves – reaching double-digits in RBI in a single contest.  (Along the way, I’ll drop in a few trivia tidbits about the achievements mentioned in this list. Below is the first of those.)

A TRULY  “COMPLETE” GAME

The first National Leaguer to hit two Grand Slams in a single game was Atlanta Braves’ PITCHER Tony Cloninger. On July 3, 1966, Cloninger banged out two Grand Slam home runs (first and fourth innings) and a run-scoring single (eighth inning) – while pitching a complete-game 17-3 win over the Giants in San Francisco. Cloninger did not make the double-digit RBI list, however, coming up just short with nine RBI on the day (still an MLB record for pitchers).

Anthony Rendon –
joined the Double-Digit RBI Club this season.
Photo by Keith Allison

Let’s start by adding a bit of perspective.  There have been 23 perfect games tossed in MLB history; we’ve seen 17 four-home-run games; and 13 players have smashed two Grand Slams in a single contest.  These are rare accomplishments.

Double-digit RBI in one game?  A total of 15 players have driven home ten or more runs in a game – and only two have reached the MLB-record 12 RBI in a single contest (both Cardinals, by the way).  This season is somewhat unique – and a good time to look at this accomplishment – in that it is the first MLB season to see two ten-RBI performances: Anthony Rendon and Scooter Gennett.

How tough is it to make it onto the 10+ RBI list? Only three of the 13 players to hit two Grand Slams in a game made the cut; and only two of the players to smash four home runs in a game are on the list. The fact is, you need a little help from your friends to plate ten “ducks” in a game.  There have to be plenty of teammates on base for your at bats.

Before we get into the details of each double-digit RBI performance, a few tidbits.

• The youngest player with double-digit RBI in a game is the A’s Reggie Jackson at 23-years, two-months and one-day (1969); the oldest is the Angels’ Garrett Anderson at 35 (2007).
• Home field may provide a bit of advantage – nine times the feat has been achieved at home, six times on the road.
• The only MLB player to reach ten or more RBI in a game without hitting a home run also was the first to ever notch a double-digit RBI game – Wilbert Robinson (Orioles of the NL) in 1892. He went seven-for-seven with six singles and double, while driving in eleven tallies. Since 1900, the Giants’ Phil Weintraub (1944) came closest to a no-homer, ten-RBI game with just one dinger on his big day.
• Games on the list include two four-homer contests; seven three-homer games; four two homer performances; one one-homer game; and one game without a long ball.
• The double-digit RBI games include eleven Grand Slams – including a record-tying two Grand Slams in a game by Tony Lazzeri (1936); Rudy York (1946); and Nomar Garciaparra (1999).
• First basemen lead the double-digit RBI club, with four members. Next comes CF, LF, 3B and C with two each. RF, 2B and SS are each represented once. Pitchers and Designated hitters are absent.
• As you might expect, cleanup hitters are the most represented on this list – six of the fourteen spots. The lowest spot in the order is the eight-hole. Tony Lazzeri (1936) and Wilbert Robinson (1892) got their double-digit RBI despite batting right in front of the pitcher.
• The Red Sox have had three players have had achieve a double-digit RBI game. Next, with two, are Yankees, Cardinals and Reds.
• Wilbert Robinson had the fewest home runs and RBI in the season he achieved a double-digit RBI game – two homers and 57 RB in 90 games. Since 1900, Phil Weintraub had the fewest home runs and RBI in a season that included a double-digit RBI game – 13 and 77, respectively.
• The most runs scored in any of the double-digit RBI games is 26 (Giants over Dodgers 26-8 in 1944); the fewest is 12 (Both 12-4 finals: Red Sox over Mariners in 1999 and Yankees over Angels 2005). The games include one shutout (16-0 – Red Sox over Senators in 1955).
• No team with a player recording a double-digit RBI game has ever lost the contest.

Now, let’s take a look at each of these remarkable offensive outbursts.

—–TWELVE RBI IN A GAME—–

Mark Whiten, CF, Cardinals (versus Reds) … September 7, 1993

Whiten tied the MLB single-game RBI record in a game in which he also joined the elite group of hitters with four home runs in a game.  Whiten came into the contest hitting .248, with 18 home runs and 75 RBI – and finished the day at .254-22-87.  As the Cardinals topped the Reds 15-2 in Cincinnati, Whiten’s day went: First inning – Grand Slam; fourth inning – foul out; sixth inning – three-run homer; seventh inning – three-run home run; ninth inning – two-run home run.

Whiten ended the 1993 season with a .253 average, 25 home runs and 99 RBI (the HR’s and RBI proved to be career highs). He had a .259-105-423 stat line in an 11-season MLB career.

Jim Bottomley, 1B, Cardinals (versus Brooklyn Robins) … September 16, 1924

Bottomley became the first player to reach 12 RBI in a game as his Cardinals topped the Robins 17-3 in Brooklyn. His afternoon included six hits in six at bats – and went like this: First inning – two-run single; second inning – run-scoring double; fourth inning – Grand Slam; sixth-inning – two-run home run; seventh inning – two-run single; ninth inning – run-scoring single. He started the day at .318-12-92 and ended the day at .326-14-104.

Bottomley, a Hall of Famer, ended the 1924 season at .316-14-111.  It was the first of six 100+ RBI seasons for the Cardinals’ 1B, who finished a 16-season MLB career at .310-219-1,422. He led the NL in home runs once (a career-high 31 in 1928); doubles twice; triples once and RBI twice.

—–ELEVEN RBI IN A GAME—–

Phil Weintraub, 1B, Giants (versus Dodgers) … April 30, 1944

Weintraub gave Brooklyn fans plenty to cheer about as his Dodgers topped the Giants 26-8 at home. Weintraub, batting fifth that day, drove in 11 runs on four hits (missing the cycle by a single).   His day: First inning – two-run double; second inning – bases-loaded walk; third inning – three-run triple; fourth inning – two-run double; sixth inning – infield  fly out; eighth inning – three-run homer, Weintraub came into the game hitting .240, with no home runs and just one RBI. Since it was early in the season, his big day made a big difference, he ended the day at .33-1-12. Side note: A solid minor league hitter; Weintraub was up and down between 1933 and 1938, hitting .293 in 52 major league games. Then, from 1939 through 1943, Weintraub toiled solely in the minor leagues. In a professional career that covered 18 seasons, Weintraub played in 444 MLB games and 1,403 minor league contests (with a career minor league batting average of .337).

Weintraub hit .316-13-77 for the Giants in 1944. At age 36, it was his best season in a seven-season MLB career (It was a War year). That season, he set career highs in games played (104); hits (114); triples (9); home runs (13); and RBI (77).

Tony Lazzeri, 2B, Yankees (versus Athletics) … May 24, 1936

Lazzeri was batting in the eight-spot when he had his big 11-RBI day – as the Yankees topped the Athletics 25-2 in Philadelphia. On that day, he not only drove in 11 runs, but also became the first MLB player to hit two Grand Slams in a game.  His day went like this: Second inning – Grand Slam; fourth inning – walk; fifth inning – Grand Slam; seventh inning – solo homer; eighth inning – two-run triple. Lazzeri came into the game hitting.274, with five home runs and 27 RBI. He ended the contest at .295-8-38.  On the season, Lazzeri hit .287-14-109.

The Hall of Famer had a 14-seasaon MLB career in which he hit .292-178-1,194. While he never hit more than 18 home runs in a season, he topped 100 RBI seven times – despite most often hitting low in the Yankee order.

Wilbert Robinson, C, Baltimore Orioles (NL) versus St. Louis Browns … June 10, 1892  

Robinson,  playing catcher and batting eighth, drove in 11 runs with a seven-for-seven performance (still tied for the MLB record for hits in a nine-inning game). Robinson’s day included six singles and a double – and his Orioles topped the Saint Louis Browns 25-4.

Robinson finished the 1892 season at .267-2-57 in 90 games.  In a 17-season MLB career (1886-1902), his line was .272-18-722. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager.

SEVEN FOR SEVEN – WITH A “STROKE OF LUCK”

Wilbert Robinson had a record seven-for-seven day on June 10, 1892 – also the day he became the first member of the single-game, double-digit RBI club.  The seven hits remains the MLB record for a nine-inning game (since tied). Robinson’s seventh hit involved just a bit of luck.  Under current rules, he never would have come to the plate for the seventh at bat.

Robinson’s National League Baltimore Orioles were at home against the St. Louis Browns.  At that time, the rules afforded the home team the option of choosing to bat first or second.  The Orioles chose to hit first. Robinson’s seventh hit came with two out in the TOP of the ninth. Had the Orioles chosen to bat second, under current rules, Robinson would not have come to the plate. (He already had his then-record 11 RBI before that final at bat.)

 

—–TEN RBI IN A GAME—–

Scooter Gennett, LF, Reds (versus Cardinals) … June 6, 2017

Gennett, playing left field and batting fifth, entered the 10-RBI club with a bang – hitting an MLB single-game, record-tying four home runs in a 13-1 Reds’ win over the Cardinals. Gennett’s five-for-five day went: First inning – run-scoring single; third-inning – Grand Slam; fourth inning – two-run home run; sixth-inning – solo shot; eighth inning – two-run homer.   Gennett came into the contest hitting .270, with three home runs and 20 RBI and finished the game at .302-7-30. For more on Gennett’s big day – and other four-homer games, click here.

Gennett is in his fifth MLB season and, as of August 18, was hitting .289-20-70 – the home runs and RBI were already career highs for a season.  Over 561 career MLB games to date (August 18), Gennett’s stat line is .281-55-230.

Anthony Rendon, 3B, Nationals (versus Mets) … April 30, 2017

Rendon was playing 3B and batting sixth for the Nationals when he went he went six-for-six and drove in ten tallies in a 23-5 win over the Mets in Washington D.C.  Rendon started with a two-run single in the first and went on to: third inning – solo home run; fourth inning – three-run home run; fifth inning – three-run double; seventh inning – single; eighth inning – solo home run. Going into the game, Rendon was off to a low start, hitting .236 with no home runs and five RBI for April. He upped those numbers to .278-3-15.

Rendon is in his fourth MLB season and, as of August 18, was hitting .304-22-76 on the year and .279-75-304 over his first 598 MLB games.  He appears headed for a career-best batting average, home-run mark and RBI total. Note: Rendon led the league in runs scored (111) in 2014.

SO CLOSE … AND YET, SO FAR

Cardinals’ third baseman and cleanup hitter Fernando Tatis illustrates just how hard it can be to join the double-digit RBI club. On April 23, Tatis had eight RBI IN THE THIRD INNING ALONE – and still didn’t reach double-digits for the game. Tatis became the first – and still only – MLB player to hit two Grand Slams in one inning. The two long balls were his only hits on a two-for-five day. Biggest surprise for me is that Tatis hit both his four-run taters off the same pitcher –Dodgers’ starter Chan Ho Park.

Garrett Anderson, LF, Angels (versus Yankees) … August 21, 2007

Garrett Anderson’s ten-RBI day – as the Angels topped the Yankees 18-9 in Anaheim – included four extra-base hits  (two doubles and two home runs) in six at bats.  It went like this: First inning – two-run double; second inning – run-scoring double; third inning – three-run homer; fifth inning – ground out to second; sixth inning – Grand Slam; eighth inning – groundout to shortstop. Batting cleanup, Anderson came into the game with a stat line of .273-6-40 and ended the day at .281-8-50.

For the 2007 season, Anderson hit .297-16-80.  In his 17-season MLB career, he hit .293, with 287 home runs and 1,365 RBI (including four consecutive seasons – 2000 through 2003 – of 100+ RBI).  He was a three-time All Star. His best season was 2002, when he hit .306, with 29 home runs, 123 RBI and a league-leading 56 doubles.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees (versus Angels) … April 26, 2005

A-Rod was in just his second season as a Yankee when he plated ten of the Yankees’ twelve runs in a 12-4 win over the Angels in New York. Rodriguez was off to a solid start that season, coming into the late-April contest at .280-4-15.  He would end the day at .310-7-25.  It went like this: First inning – three-run home run; third inning – two-run home run; fourth inning – Grand Slam; sixth inning – two-run single; eighth inning – long fly out to deep center.  Had the last at bat – fly out to center leading off the eight – been pulled a bit more or carried just a bit farther, A-Rod could have become the first major leaguer to hit for the “Home Run Cycle” – solo, two-run, three-run and Grand Slam homer in one game.  To read about the only professional hitter to accomplish that in a game, click here.

Rodriguez ended the 2005 season at .321, with a league-leading 48 home runs and 130 RBI.  He was clearly a candidate for a ten-RBI day.  The 14-time All Star (22 MLB seasons) had a career .295 average, with 696 home runs and 2,086 RBI. He hit 30 or more homers in a season 14 times – topping 50 three times (a high of 57 in 2002). A-Rod also topped 100 RBI 14 times, with a high a 156 in 2007. His resume includes five league HR titles, two RBI titles and one batting crown.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME

I digress a bit, but this unique achievement has always intrigued me. On April 21, 2012, the White Sox’ Phil Humber pitched a perfect game – shutting down the Mariners 4-0. It was the only complete game of Humber’s eight-season MLB career (16-23, 5.31 ERA).

Nomar Garciaparra, SS, Red Sox (versus Mariners) … May 10, 1999

Like Alex Rodriguez, Garciaparra’s big day saw him drive in ten of this team’s 12 runs in a 12-4 win (at home over the Mariners). Batting in the four-hole, Garciaparra’s day included three home runs in four at bats. In addition to joining the ten-RBI club, he also joined the list of players with two Grand Slams in a game.  It looked like this: First inning – Grand Slam; third inning – two-run shot; fourth inning – foul pop out; sixth inning – walk; eighth inning – Grand Slam. Garciaparra came into the game at .309-2-14 and ended at .327-5-24.

Garciaparra ended the 1999 season leading the league in batting at .357, with 27 home runs and 104 RBI. He would win a second consecutive batting title in 2000, hitting .372. A six-time All Star, Garciaparra hit .313, with 229 home runs and 939 RBI in a 14-season MLB career. He hit 30 or more homers twice, topped 100 RBI four times and also led the league in hits once (209 in 1997), doubles once (56 in 2002) and triples once (11 in 1997).

Fred Lynn, CF, Red Sox (versus Tigers) … June 18, 1975

Lynn was playing CF and batting fifth as the Red Sox trended the Tigers 15-1 on his ten-RBI day.  Lynn went five-for-six in a day that looked like this: First inning – two-run home run; second inning – three-run homer; third inning – two-run triple; fifth inning – line out to second; eighth inning- single; ninth inning – three-run home run.  Lynn came into the game with a stat line of .337-11-40, which improved to .352-14-50.

Lynn finished the 1975 season at .331-21-105 – led the AL in runs scored with 103 and captured the MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards. A nine-time All Star, Lynn hit .283-301-1,111 over 17 MLB seasons.

Reggie Jackson, RF, Athletics (versus Red Sox) … June 14, 1969

Jackson rang up two home runs, a double and two singles in six at bats, as his Oakland A’s topped the Red sox 21-7 in Boston. He came into the game hitting .246, with 20 homers and 35 RBI – and left the park at .266-22-45. His day: First inning – run-scoring double; third inning – two-run home run; fourth inning – walk; fifth inning – two-run home run; seventh inning – two-run single; eighth inning – three-run single.

The Hall of Famer finished the 1969 season at .275-47-118.  The 47 home runs was his single-season career high.  The 14-time All Star hit .262, with 563 home runs and 2,597 RBI in a 21-season MLB career. He won four league HR titles and led his league in RBI once (topping 100 RBI six times).

Norm Zauchin, 1B, Red Sox (versus Senators) … May 27, 1955

Zauchin was batting fifth for Boston in Fenway, as the Red Sox shutout the Senators 16-0.  Zauchin came into the game hitting just.214, with one home run and five RBI.  By the end of the day, his numbers would look a lot better (.247-4-15). Here’s how it looked on the fans’ scorecards: First inning – two-run home run; second inning – Grand Slam; fourth inning – run-scoring double; fifth inning – three-run home run; seventh inning – strikeout.

Zauchin hit just .239 in 1955 (the 25-year-old’s first full MLB season) and led the league with 105 strikeouts.  But he showed good power, with 27 home runs and 93 RBI.  It would, however, be the only one of his six MLB seasons that he topped 15 home runs or 37 RBI.  In those six MLB seasons, he hit .233, with 50 home runs and 159 RBI.

Walker Cooper, C, Reds (versus Cubs) … July 6, 1949

Coopers’ Reds blasted the Cubs 23-4 in Cincinnati. Cooper, batting in the cleanup spot, banged out three home runs in the game – and had six hits in seven at bats.  In the game, Cooper batted in each of the Reds’ eight offensive half innings except the fifth (the Reds did not bat in the bottom of the ninth).  His day went: First inning – single; second inning – two-run single; third inning – three-run home run; fourth inning – single; sixth inning – three-run homer; seventh inning – three-run home run; eighth inning – groundout to shortstop.  Cooper started the day at .231-7-30 and finished the game at .251-10-40.

Cooper finished the 1949 season (which he started with the Giants) at .258-20-83. He was an All Star eight times in his 18-season major league career.  His career average was .285 and he hit 173 home runs and drove in 812. Cooper’s best year, by far, was with the Giants in 1947, when he hit .305, with 35 home runs and 122 RBI in 140 games. That season he achieved his career highs in games, hits (157), runs (79), triples (8) and home runs (35).

Rudy York, 1B, Red Sox (versus Browns) … July 27, 1946

York’s Red Sox toppled the Browns (in Saint Louis) by a 13-6 score on his big day at the dish. York – batting cleanup – had two Grand Slams and a double in five at bats, in a performance that went: First inning – two-run double; second inning – Grand Slam; third inning – walk; fourth inning – Grand Slam (Note: the Browns had intentionally walked Ted William to load the bases and get to York); seventh inning – strikeout; ninth inning – grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.  York came into the game with a stat line of .283-11-74 and ended the day at .287-13-84.

York ended the 1946 season with a .276 average, 17 home runs and 119 RBI.  The seven-time All Star had a career line of .275-277-1,149 over 13 MLB seasons. His best season was with the Tigers in 1943, when he hit .271 and led the AL with 34 home runs and 118 RBI. York had six seasons of 100+ RBI and four campaigns of 30+ home runs (including his 1937 rookie year, when he hit .307-35-101). Note: he did get into three games for the Tigers in a 1934 call up.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; Society for American Baseball Research.

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On this Date (August 14) in 1958, Vic Power became just the eleventh player in MLB history to steal home twice in one game – a feat that has not been accomplished since.  Amazingly, those two steals represented 67 percent of his total for the season.  But, I’m getting ahead of myself.  Here’s the story.

In a game against the Tigers (in Cleveland), Detroit on top of the Tribe 7-4 going into the bottom of the eighth inning – but the Indians fought back. Cleveland RF Rocky Colavito started the inning with his second home run of the game (his 26th of the season). Then pinch-hitter Gary Geiger (hitting for SS Woodie Held) walked. Next up was another pinch hitter – Vic Wertz – for pitcher Morrie Martin. Wertz tied the contest with a two-run long ball.

After a Detroit pitching change – Bill Fischer in for Tom Morgan – Indians’ 2B Bobby Avila reached on an error by Tigers’ 1B Gail Harris. Cleveland 1B Mickey Vernon sacrificed Avila to second and Power singled him home – moving to second on an error by Detroit catcher Charlie Lau.  And, the pesky Power was just warming up. He went to third on a wild pitch by Fischer and then stole home (after a short fly out to center by catcher Russ Nixon) to run the lead to 9-7. LF Minnie Minoso was up next and was hit by a pitch and stole second before CF Larry Doby flied out to end the inning.  The Tribe bullpen, however, could not hold the two-run lead – and the Tigers tied it in the top of the ninth. That opened the door for Power’s historic second steal of home – which came in the bottom of the tenth, with the bases loaded, two outs and one of the AL’s most dependable RBI men (Rocky Colavito, with 74 driven in  on the season) at the plate.

Here’s how that tenth went. Vernon grounded out. Then, Power singled to right (his third hit of the day, raising his average to .319).  Nixon followed with another single, Power moving to second.  Minoso grounded to short, with Power moving on to third, Nixon forced at second and Minoso reaching first on the fielder’s choice.  Larry Doby was intentionally walked, loading the bases and bringing Colavito to the dish. On the fourth pitch to the Indians’ slugger, Power – who had been scampering up and down the third base line – broke for the plate and ended the game on a “run off” steal of home.

Power, by the way, was not a likely candidate to swipe home twice in a game.  Going into that August 14 tilt, he had exactly one stolen base on the season – and he did not steal a single a bag (after the two steals of home) that campaign. The fact is, he was much more likely to beat you with his glove (seven Gold Gloves) or his bat (.284 career average) than his legs. In twelve MLB seasons, Power stole just 45 bases (and was caught 35 times).  He was a four-time All Star, who collected 1,716 hits, scored 765 runs and drove in 658. Note:  I was lucky enough to see the flamboyant Power often during his two seasons with the Minnesota Twins (1962-63), when he hit .280, with 26 home runs and 115 RBI – and impressed with his smooth and flashy fielding (sweeping one-handed grabs) and the unique pendulum-like way he swung that bat (one-handed) as he waited for the pitcher to deliver.

Stealing Home Tid Bits:

• Ty Cobb stole home an MLB-record 54 times.
• Ty Cobb holds the MLB and AL record with eight steals of home in a season (Tigers, 1912); Pete Reiser holds the NL record at seven (Dodgers, 1946).
• There have been 35 “run-off” (game-ending) steals of home; the most recent by Marquis Grissom (Indians) to end Game Three of the American League Championship Series (October 11, 1997).
• An oddity: Both Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth notched double digit steals of home in their MLB careers (15 and 10, respectively). Rickey Henderson, Lou Brock and Maury Wills did not.

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On this date (May 10) in 1944, 29-year-old RHP Charles “Red” Barrett faced a daunting challenge.  Barrett – 6-11, 4.53 on the season – was starting for the (43-60) Boston Braves against the (55-45) Cincinnati Reds.  His mound opponent was veteran and six-time All Star Bucky Walters, who took the mound with a 16-5, 2.36 record. Note:  Walters would finish the season 23-8, 2.40, while Barrett would go 9-16, 4.06.

On this day, however, Barrett would prevail 2-0, tossing a complete-game, two-hit shutout.  In the process, Barrett would set the record for the fewest pitchers ever thrown in an MLB nine-inning complete game – just 58 tossed to the plate.  Barrett walked none and struck out none, facing 29 batters (two pitches per plate appearance).  Clearly, if you stepped into the batter’s box that day, you better be ready to hit – Barrett was in no mood to “waste” a pitch.

Walters probably deserved better that day.  The losing pitcher gave up two runs (one earned) on just six hits, with one walk and one strikeout.  Together, Barrett and Walters combined to throw the shortest (time-wise) MLB night game ever – just 75 minutes.

RED BARRETT MAY HAVE CALLED HIS SHOT

The Braves’ Red Barrett, who used only 58 pitches to complete a 2-0 win over the Reds on May 10, 1944 (the fewest pitches ever in a nine-inning MLB complete game), may have “called his shot” six years earlier.

Here are a couple of excerpts from Barrett’s comments in a November 9, 1938 Los Angeles Times article:

         “These strikeout pitchers are chumps. Me, I try to make them hit the          first ball.”

“My idea is to throw as few pitches as possible. Even when you strikeout a batter, it generally takes four-to-seven, and sometimes even more, pitches. I’d rather get that batter out on one pitch and save my arm.”

Barrett was truly a “pitch to contact” hurler.  In eleven MLB seasosns, he went 69-69, 3.53 and, in 1,263 1/3 innings, walked just 312 batters and fanned 333.

Barrett’s fine 1945 season earned him a spot on the cover of “life.”

Barrett’s best season came in 1945.  In mid-May he was a disappointing 2-3, 4.74; when he was traded to the Cardinals. He went on to win 21 games for the Redbirds – ending the campaign at 23-12, 3.00 and leading the NL in wins. complete games (24) and innings pitched (284 2/3). He made his only All Star squad that season, but the game was not played due to World War II travel (fuel-saving) restrictions. It was the only season Barrett won more than 12 games. (He was 12-18 in 1943 and 11-12 in 1947).

LONG LINE AT THE CONCESSION STAND. DID I MISS ANYTHING?

On September 28, 191, the New York Giants topped the Philadelphia Phillies in a nine-inning contest that took just 51 minutes – tho shortest nine-inning game in MLB history. What is somewhat surprising is that, while both pitchers – Lee Meadows (Phillies) and Jesse Barnes (Giants) – went the distance, the game featured seven runs, 18 hits and three walks.  Meadows gave up six runs (five earned) on 13 hits, while Barnes surrendered just one run on five safeties.

For those interested in such things, the shortest-ever 18-inning doubleheader (Remember those?) in MLB history took place between the Yankees and (St. Louis) Browns on September 26, 1926 – taking just two hours and seven minutes. The Brown swept the Bombers, winning Game One 6-1 in one hour and 12 minutes and taking Game Two 6-2 in just 55 minutes (the shortest-ever American League contest). The two games featured 45 hits and seven walks.  My, how the game has changed.

Barrett, while “starring” in only one MLB season, did show promise in the minors. He went 159-122, with a 3.41 ERA in 12 minor league seasons – including four seasons of twenty or more victories. In 1942, Barrett was the (Double A) International League’s Most Valuable player (for the Syracuse Chiefs), leading the league with 20 wins (12 losses); 34 starts; 25 complete games; and seven shutouts.  He also fanned a league-topping 114 batters in 268 innings.

Key resources:  Society for American Baseball Research; Baaseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com.

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