Archives for April 2018

BBRT’s Top-Three First MLB Mound Appearances

April 30, 2018 by

KionghamYesterday, April 29, Pirates’ 26-year-old rookie Nick Kingham – who had his professional career interrupted by Tommy John Surgery (2015) – made his first MLB appearance.  He made it a memorable one.

The 6’5”, 225-pound right-hander, called up from Triple A the day before, retired the first 20 MLB batters he ever faced – fanning nine of them.  That’s right; Kingham was “perfect” through the first 6 2/3 innings of his major league career.  The perfect game was broken up on a groundball single by Cardinals’ SS Paul DeJong with two outs in the seventh. Kingham got LF/cleanup hitter Marcell Ozuna on a ground out to third base to end the inning.  The rookie righty was then replaced on the mound by Michael Feliz. For his inaugural game, Kingham got the win, throwing seven innings, giving up just one hit and no runs and fanning nine.  He threw 98 pitches, 72 for strikes.

One of the best first pitching appearances ever – and given that segue – here are Baseball Roundtable’s choices for the three best first pitching appearances of all time.

  1. Charles “Bumpus” Jones, Reds … October 15, 1892

Bumpus Jones – we do need more nicknames in MLB today – made his MLB debut for the Reds (versus the Pirates) on the final day of the 1892 season.  (Coincidentally, it was also the final MLB game to be played with the pitching box just fifty feet from home plate.) Jones appeared to have first-game jitters, walking the first two Pirate batters, then benefitting from a double play (with the second out made at the plate) and getting out of the inning without giving up a hit or a run.

Jones issued another free pass in the second, but the Reds turned another twin killing behind him. He didn’t fare quite as well in the third. After another walk and a stolen base, Jones made a wild throw on a play at first base that let in an unearned run.  After that, the rookie settled down and did not allow a base runner over the final six frames – earning a 7-1 victory.  In the process he became the first – and still only – MLB pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his first MLB game.

It may have been the change in the pitching distance, but Jones did not live up to that first-game promise. He appeared in only seven more major league games (for the Reds and Giants in 1893) and had a career record of two wins, four losses and a 7.99 earned run average. Still, his status as the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his MLB debut outs Jones in the number one position on this brief list.

Jones

  1. Karl Spooner, Dodgers … September 22, 1954

spooner2Karl Spooner truly looked like he was going to be a “pitching phenom” for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1954, Spooner went 21-9, 3.14 at Fort Worth (Double A Texas League), fanning 262 batters in 238 innings – despite missing a month of the season with a knee injury.  That performance earned him a call up to the “show” and a start against the league-leading (and already pennant-clinching) rival New York  Giants. How did he do?  Spooner went the full nine innings, gave up just three hits and no runs – and set the record for strikeouts in an inaugural game by fanning 15 Giants. Not only that, the 6’, 185-pound, 23-year-old -year-old southpaw got one more start that season (September 26 against the Pirates) and notched a second complete-game shutout, this time fanning a dozen.  So, after 18 MLB innings, he had given up just ten hits and six walks, no runs, and fanned 27.

spoonr

Unfortunately, Spooner suffered a shoulder injury in Spring Trailing the following year – finishing his first (and last) full MLB season with an 8-6, 3.65 record in 29 appearances (14 starts). He made 28 minor league appearances between 1956 and 1958, but never returned to the majors.

  1. Juan Marichal, Giants … July 19, 1960

Marichal2On July 19, 1960, 22-year-old Juan Marichal made his first MLB appearance – as his San Francisco Giants faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies. The high-kicking right-hander – whose minor league record (three seasons) was 50-26, with a 2.35 ERA and 575 strikeouts in 655 innings – quickly made it clear he would not be going back to the minors.

In that first MLB appearance, Marichal went the distance – tossing a one-hit shutout, walking just one batter and fanning a dozen.  Unlike the first two pitchers on this list, Marichal did live up to his early potential – earning 243 MLB victories over 16 seasons, nine All-Star Selections and a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Marichal

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

 

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Before Ohtani, There Was – Van Atta

April 25, 2018 by

Much has been made this season of MLB rookie (and Japanese-league) sensation Shohie Ohtani – as a hitter and a pitcher.  As of today (April 25), Ohtani is 2-1, 4.43 in four games on the mounds and .333-3-11 in eleven contests at the plate.

April 25 is a good day to reflect on Ohtani’s prowress as a hurler and a hitter, since on this date in 1933, a 26-year-old rookie southpaw named Russ Van Atta took the mound for the defending World Champion New York Yankees – and made quite an impression on the mound and at the plate.

Van Atta was facing the Washington Senators in Washington’s Griffith Stadium.   It significant to note that this was not the Washington Senators later described as “First in War. First in peace. Last in the American League.”   This was the Washington Senators that had finished in the American League’s first division in each of the previous three years – averaging 93 victories per season – and would go on to win the 1933 AL pennant with a 99-53 record.  On the day the 6′, 184-pound Van Atta made his debut, three future Hall of Famers were in the Senators’ lineup: left fielder Heinie Manush, right fielder Goose Goslin and shortstop Joe Cronin.

Van Atta had some pretty good players behind him as well.  The New York lineup that day featured future Hall of Famers: Babe Ruth (right field); Lou Gehrig (first base); Earle Combs (center field); Joe Sewell (third base); Tony Lazzeri (second base); and Bill Dickey (catcher). The Yankees were the defending AL and World Series  Champions and, in the previous seven seasons, had never finished lower than third (capturing four AL pennants). Their 91 wins in 1933, would land them in second place.

With nine future Hall of Famers on the field, it is somewhat surprising that the star of the game – both on the mound and in the batter’s box – was a rookie pitcher making his very first major league appearance.  Van Atta not only pitched a complet-game shutout, he collected four hits of his own – and still holds a share of the American League record for most hits in an MLB debut. 

In his fifth season of professional baseball (after playing college ball at Penn State),Van Atta earned his chance at breaking into the Yankees’ rotation with a 22-win season for the American Association Saint Paul Saints the year before. He made the most of it.  

Van AttaIn his debut, Van Atta threw a complete-game, five-hit shutout.  That in itself is a pretty spectacular first MLB appearance, when you consider he was facing the eventual AL Champions.  But Van Atta did more than that, he also went four-for-four at the plate, scored three runs, drove in one and recorded a successful sacrifice bunt.  (The Yankees won 16-0.)  Van Atta went on to have a pretty good rookie season overall.  He won 12 games and lost only four (tying for the AL lead in winning percentage), posting a 4.18 ERA and ten complete games.  He also hit .283 (17-for-60), with eight runs scored and seven RBI.)

It would, unfortunately, prove to be the best season of what was a short (seven-season) MLB career. In the winter following his rookie performance, Van Atta injured his pitching hand breaking a window to save his family dog (trapped in a house fire) – and the feeling never fully returned to his fingers.  Van Atta left MLB with a 33-41 record (5.60 ERA) and a .228 average (47-for-208), with 24 runs scored and 17 RBI.   But, oh, that sparkling debut. And he did save the family dog.

Principal Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Eleven Runs on One Hit – Revisiting a Most Peculiar Inning

April 22, 2018 by

On this Date (April 22) in 1959, the Chicago White Sox completed what may be the weirdest MLB offensive inning ever – an event Baseball Roundtable feels is worth revisiting.

In the seventh inning of a 20-6 road win over the Kansas City A’s, the Chicago White Sox scored 11 runs on just one base hit. In fact, they got only one ball out of the infield.

Nellie Fox drew two bases-loaded walks in the seventh inning of a White Sox 20-6 win.

Nellie Fox drew two bases-loaded walks in the seventh inning of a White Sox 20-6 win.

This unique offensive “outburst” would prove to be a portent of things to come. The 1959 AL pennant-winning White Sox were became known as the “Go-Go Sox” for their ability to manufacture runs despite a punchless offense. (The Sox finished last in the league in home runs and sixth – out of the eight AL teams – in batting average and runs scored, but first in stolen bases and second in walks).

Still, it would have been hard to predict an inning in which the boys from Chicago would plate eleven runs on just one hit (a single) – or to anticipate a frame which included ten walks, a hit batsman, and three opposition errors. Here are few “numbers” from that 11-run inning:

  • The Sox sent 17 batters to the plate, but collected just one hit – and, in fact, got only one ball out of the infield.
  • Sox’ hitters stepped into the box with runners in scoring position 14 times.
  • Sox hitters batted with the bases loaded 12 times and never got the ball past the pitcher.
  • Eight different White Sox’ players drew walks.
  • The Sox drew eight bases-loaded walks (and had one bases-loaded hit batsman). and

White Sox 2B Nellie Fox walked twice with the bases loaded in the inning.

Here’s how it went that inning (per baseball-reference.com):

  • 1B Ray Boone is safe on a throwing error by A’s shortstop Joe DeMaestri.
  • RF Al Smith attempts to sacrifice Boone to second (score was 8-6 at the time) and reaches safely on an error by A’s third baseman Hal Smith.
  • LF Johnny Callison singles to right. Scoring Boone and Smith (with the help of an error by A’s right fielder Roger Maris). Callison ends up on third.
  • SS Louis Aparicio walks – steals second (runners now on second and third).
  • P Bob Shaw walks (loading bases).
  • PH Earl Torgeson (batting for 3B Sammy Esposito) walks (scoring Callison).
  • 2B Nellie Fox walks (scoring Aparicio).
  • CF Jim Landis reaches on fielder’s choice – grounding back to pitcher Mark Freeman, who takes the force at home (bases still loaded).
  • C Sherman Lollar walks (scoring Torgeson, bases still loaded).
  • Ray Boone makes his second plate appearance of the inning and walks (scoring Nellie Fox).
  • Al Smith makes his second plate appearance of the inning and walks (scoring Landis).
  • Johnny Callison, who had the only hit of the inning in his first plate appearance, is hit by a pitch (scoring Lollar, bases still loaded). Lou Skizas comes in to run for Callison.
  • Louis Aparicio draws his second walk of the inning (scoring Boone, bases still loaded).
  • Bob Shaw strikes out.
  • PH Bubba Phillips (batting for Torgeson, who batted for Esposito earlier in the inning) walks (scoring Smith, bases still full).
  • Nellie Fox draws his second bases loaded walk of the inning (scoring Skizas).
  • Jim Landis grounds out pitcher to first to end the inning.

The 20-runs the White Sox scored that day were the most they plated in any game that season.  Another side note: It did not start out like it was going to be a good day for the White Sox.  The A’s knocked Chicago’s starting pitcher Early Wynn – who would go on to lead the AL in wins with 22 – out of the game with six runs on six hits and two walks in the first 1 2/3 innings. The Sox actually trailed 6-1 after two frames. A few other stats:

  • The Sox collected a total of 16 hits and 13 walks in the contest; which also saw four Kansas City errors.
  • In addition, to scoring 20 times, Chicago left eleven runners on base.
  • Nellie Fox was the offensive star of the game – with four hits (five at bats), two walks and five RBI.
  • The A’s used six pitchers in the contest, three in the seventh inning.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

 

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Today, MLB in Puerto Rico Brings Back the Life, Times and Mysterious Death of Hiram Bithorn

April 17, 2018 by

Sandy Alomar (Jr. & Sr.), Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Carlos Beltrán, José Berríos, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente, Carlos Correa, Carlos Delgado, Francisco Lindor, Javy López, Felix Mantilla (Lamela), Edgar Martínez, Yadier Molina, José Morales, José Pagán, Juan Pizarro, Iván Rodríguez, Eddie Rosario.   Those are just a few of the more than 200 Puerto Ricans who have played Major League Baseball.  BUT, BEFORE, THEM ALL CAME PUERTO RICO’S FIRST MAJOR LEAGUER – HIRAM BITHORN.

Now, you may wonder why Baseball Roundtable is focusing this post on Hiram Bithorn, particularly since I have touched upon his historic MLB “first” in the past.  A confluence of factors contributed to this decision – a perfect storm, if you will.

My patio TODAY ... where I should be grilling steaks and listening to the Twins on the radio. Thankfully, they are playing in Puerto Rico.

My patio TODAY … where I should be grilling steaks and listening to the Twins on the radio. Thankfully, they are playing in Puerto Rico.

 

First, here in Minnesota, we are starving for spring weather – and for baseball.  Hit by an historic snowstorm this weekend, we have seen the past three Twins’ home games snowed out.  Yes, an April weekend without Twins’ baseball – a shock to the system. We look out our windows now and we see not the green grass upon which the national pastime is played, but 10+ inches of cold, white snow.

Second, thankfully, our Twins are playing the Cleveland Indians in Puerto Rico – where the temperature is expected to reach the mid-80’s and the passion for baseball runs even higher.

Third, the Twins and Indians will be playing in sold out – standing room only –Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

In anticipation of this event – and the return of baseball-watching for Minnesota fans (even if it is just on television) – BBRT would like to present an updated look at Puerto Rican hero Hiram Bithorn.

THE LIFE, TIMES AND MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF HIRAM BITHORN

Hiram_Bithorn_Stadium_2Today and tomorrow, the Twins and Indians will be playing in Estadio Hiram Bithorn – Puerto Rico’s largest baseball stadium (18,000 capacity – with a reported 39,000 tickets sold for the two-game set). The ballpark is home to the Santurce Crabbers of the Puerto Rico Baseball League.  The ballpark is no stranger to major league ball.  Hiram Bithorn Stadium also hosted the opening game of the 2001 Major League season (Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays); 44 Montreal Expos home games in the 2003/04 seasons; and, in 2010, a Florida Marlins/New York Mets three-game series.

The ballpark is, as noted earlier, named after Hirzam Bithorn – whose major-league career has made him hero in his country and to the Puerto Rican players who followed him to the big league diamonds.   So, with the Twins/Indians tilt coming up, let’s take a look at the short baseball career and life of “Hi” Bithorn – who died under mysterious circumstances in Mexico at the age of 35.

Bithorn was born March 18, 1916 in Santurce, Puerto Rico.  As he grew up, Bithorn proved a talented athlete.  In 1935, the 19-year-old, 6’ 1” 200-pound Bithorn played in the Central American and Caribbean Games on Puerto Rico’s Silver Medal-winning volleyball team and Bronze Medal-winning basketball team.  Bithorn’s game, however, was baseball – and he was already making a name for himself on the mound,  drawing crowds wherever he unleashed his high leg kick, blazing fastball and effective curve. Note: While Latino players already had appeared in the major leagues, it has been reported that most Puerto Ricans were considered to be too “dark” for the still “all-white” major leagues. The Puerto-Rican born Bithorn, of mixed descent – primarily listed as Dutch and Spanish – was light-skinned and also spoke English.

A rising star on the ball fields of his native country, Bithorn got a chance to show his stuff to a broader audience in 1936, when the Negro League’s Newark Eagles traveled to Puerto Rico for an exhibition series against MLB’s Cincinnati Reds. The Eagles prepared for the Reds’ matchup by playing against local teams – and Bithorn performed well against them.  Well enough that when one of their top moundsmen, Leon Day, went down with an illness, the Eagles recruited Bithorn to fill in on their squad.  On March 1, 1936 – pitching for the Newark Eagles – Bithorn (then just 20-year-old) faced the National League Cincinnati Reds.  He held the Reds to one run over the first seven frames, but had to be relieved when he ran into trouble in the eighth.  Still, Newark won the game and Bithorn made enough of an impression that the 1937 season saw him pitching in the Yankees’ farm system.

He went 16-9 in his first season (with the Norfolk Tars of the Class B Piedmont League) and started 1937 with ten wins against just one loss at Norfolk, before being promoted to Binghamton Triplets of the Class A NY/Penn League – where he won seven more games (against eight losses).

Bithorn continued his move toward the major leagues, playing with Oakland Oaks and Hollywood Stars of the then AA Pacific Coast League, where his best season was 1941, when he went 17-15, 3.59 with 16 complete games and two shutouts for the Stars (while also hitting .286 in 77 at bats).

During his stint in the Pacific Coast League Hiram Bithorn picked up the nickname “The Tropical Hurricane.”

HIRAM BITHORNUnfortunately, for Bithorn, the Yankees were loaded with talent and the big leagues seemed far away – until the Cubs acquired him from the Bronx Bombers in the fall of 1941.  On April 15, 1942, Bithorn became the first Puerto Rican to appear in a major league game, pitching two scoreless innings in relief (no-hits, one walk, no strikeouts) for the Cubs against Cardinals in Saint Louis.  He ended the season 9-14, with two saves, a 3.68 ERA and nine complete games in sixteen starts (Bithorn also made 22 relief appearances) for the sixth-place Cubs.

While playing professional ball in the United States, Bithorn would return to Puerto Rico to play in the Winter League for the San Juan Senators – who made the 22-year-old Bithorn the team’s manager during the 1938 season.

In 1942, Bithorn showed his full potential.  With the Cubs finishing fifth (74-79), Bithorn went 18-12, 2.60, with 19 complete games (30 starts) and a league-leading seven shutouts.  For the season, Bithorn, in fact, finished in the NL’s top ten in wins, winning percentage, earned run average, WHIP, innings pitched, strikeouts, complete games and shutouts. Clearly, Bithorn was on his way – until World War II intervened and Bithorn lost two MLB seasons to military service.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ALL-TIME PUERTO-RICAN MLB SQUAD

                                      C – Iván Rodríguez

                                     1B – Orlando Cepeda

                                     2B – Roberto Alomar

                                     3B – Edgar Martínez

                                     SS – Francisco Lindor

                                    LF – Carlos Beltrán

                                   CF – Bernie Williams

                                    RF – Roberto Clemente

                                    DH – Carlos Delgado

                                     SP – Javier Vázquez

                                    RP – Roberto Hernández

Bithorn was discharged from the service in September of 1945 and pitched for San Juan in the Puerto Rican championships the following February, where he suffered a hand injury during a play at the plate. As a result, he reported late for Cubs’ Spring Training.  Bithorn reportedly had gained about 20 pounds, was having arm problems and didn’t seem to have the same “stuff” as he displayed in that successful 1943 season.   The then 30-year-old finished the 1946 season 6-5, 3.84 in 26 games (seven starts). He was sold to the Pirates in January 1947 and selected on waivers (from the Pirates) by the White Sox before the 1947 season opened. He pitched just two innings in relief for the White Sox – picking up what was to be his last major league win.

CATCHER COUNTRY …

Here are just a few of the major-league catchers from Puerto Rico: Iván Rodríguez; Jorge Posada; Yadier Molina; Sandy Alomar, Jr.; Benjie Molina; Geovany Soto. Martín Maldanado; Christian Vazquez; Héctor Ortiz; Héctor Villaneuva; Orlando Mercado.

After his release, Bithorn underwent surgery and missed the 1948 season. He attempted a comeback in 1949, going 4-3 in 13 games at AA Nashville and Oklahoma City. He did not make it back to the major leagues and finished with a MLB line of 34-31, with 5 saves and a 3.16 ERA in 105 games. In his four MLB seasons, Bithorn completed 30 of 53 starts, with eight shutouts.

AN UNTIMELY DEATH

In December of 1952, at the age of 35, Bithorn was shot to death by a police officer under mysterious circumstances in El Mante, Mexico. Various reports indicate the date of his death as anywhere from December 27, 1951 to January 1, 1952.  They indicate Bithorn was on his way to visit his mother Mexico (some reports also say he was considering a comeback in the Mexican League).   Initial reports said Bithorn had been trying to sell his car when Ambrosio Castillo Cano of the El Mante police force questioned Bithorn and found him unable to produce the paperwork required of such a sale.   Cano reported that, at some time during the questioning, Bithorn became violent and he was forced to shoot him. (Bithorn died a few hours later of a gunshot wound to the stomach).   Cano also reportedly said Bithorn admitted to being part of a “communist cell.”   The details of the incident remain mysterious, but after an investigation, Cano was indicted and sentenced to eight years in the state prison for Bithorn’s homicide.

In 1962, Bithorn’s status as Puerto Rico’s first major-leaguer was honored with the naming of Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

Primary Resources: Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Reference.com; Early Latino Ballplayers in the United States, Nick Wilson, 2005).

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The Joy of the Small Sample Size -MLB Stats that Caught My Eye

April 16, 2018 by
Photo by Keith Allison

Photo by Keith Allison

Now that we’ve reached Tax Day, Baseball Roundtable would like to take a look at a few MLB statistics – through April 15 – that you probably don’t see much of in regular baseball coverage.  Admittedly, we are looking at a pretty small sample size, but the box below illustrates the kind of early-season “numbers” that caught BBRT’s eye.

  • Rays’ righty Yonny Chirinos, as of April 15, had pitched more innings (14 1/3 innings in two starts and one relief appearance) without giving up a run this season than any other pitcher.
  • The Mets’ Jose Reyes had the most at bats (16) of any player who had yet to get a hit this season.
  • The Padres’ Jose Pirela has the most at bats (74) and the most hits (24) without a home runs this season.  The other players with at least 60 at bats without a long ball through April 15:  D-backs’ Ketel Marte; Reds’ Scooter Gennett; Marlins’ Starlin Castro; Astros’ Jose Altuve; Marlins’ Lewis Brinson.

Then, of couse, there are some team numbers that stand out.

THROUGH APRIL 15 …

  • The Angels have scored an MLB-best 103 runs in 16 games – the Royals have plated MLB-worst 39 in 13 contests.  No surprise, the Angels are 13-3, the Royals 3-10.
  • The Indians are averaging right on the Mendoza Line (.200) – as a team. Despite the lowest average in the majors, the Tribe is 8-6 on the season.
  • The Angels have hit more home runs (26) than the Royals (5), Tigers (5), Rays (7) and Marlins (8) COMBINED.
  • The Brewers blew an MLB-leading seven saves (in just 11 opportunities) – and are still playing .500 ball (8-8).  The Braves, meanwhile, have had only two save opportunities – and blew them both – but are 8-6 on the season.  

_______________________________________

Here’s a few other stats that caught my attention – all through April 15.

  • No player has grounded into more double plays than the Marlins’ Starlin Castro – seven times in 15 games. Still, Castro is hitting .295 over 61 bats.

GDP – Through April 15 …

Starlin Castro, Marins – 7; Stephen Piscotty, A’s – 5; Aaron Judge, Yankees – 5.

The Angels’ Albert Pujols led MLB in grounding into double plays in 2017 – with 26.  That was 0ne more than the NL leader, Matt Kemp of the Braves.

  • The Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes and Rockies’ Trevor Story are tied for the most strikeouts by a batter at 26 (in 58 and 62 at bats, respectively). Notably, both are hitting under .200 through April 15.

Most Strikeouts – Through April 15 …

Yeonis Cespedes, Mets – 26; Trevor Story, Rockies – 26; Drew Robinson, Yankees – 25; Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees  – 25; Paul DeJong, Cardinals – 25.

BBRT note:  Cespedes, despite leading in K’s and hitting just .190, has 12 RBI.  Robinson is the only one among these leaders who has fanned in more than half his at bats (25 whiffs in41 at bats).

The 2017 MLB strikeout leader was Yankee rookie Aaron Judge who, last season, set MLB rookie records in both strikeouts (208) and home runs (52).

  • No one has averaged more pitches seen per plate appearance so far this season than the Twins’ Miguel Sano (4.96) – who is hitting .250-3-8 in ten games.

Pitches Per Plate Appearance – Through April 15 …

Miguel Sano, Twins – 4.96; Jose Ramirez, Indians – 4.73; Matt Davidson, White Sox – 4.67; Todd Frazier, Mets – 4.57; Trevor Story, Rockies – 4.57

Curtis Granderson (Dodgers/Mets) saw the most pitches per plate appearance (among qualifiying hitters) in 2017 at 4.52. Overall, he hit .212-26-64 in 147 games.

  • The Cubs’ Javier Baez leads the major leagues in intentional walks this season with four, while the Nationals’ Bryce Harper – hitting ,300 with an MLB-best seven home runs – leads in overall walks with 20. 

Intentional Walks – Through April 15 …

Javier Baez, Cubs – 4; Freddie Freeman, Braves – 3; Jody Mercer, Pirates – 3; Michael Conforto, Mets – 3.

Total Walks – Through April 15 ….

Bryce Harper, Nationals – 20; Freddie Freeman, Braves – 17; Matt Carpenter, Cardinals – 14; Trea Turner, Nationals – 14.

The Reds’ Joey Votto led MLB with 20 intentional walks in 2017. He also led in total walks with 134. 

  • The Cubs’ Kris Bryant has already been hit by a pitch an MLB-leading five times.

Hit-By-Pitch – Through April 15 …

Kris Bryant, Cubs – 5; Martin Machado, Angels – 4; Robinson Chirinos, Rangers – 4; Jose Abreu, White Sox – 4.

Last season’s MLB hit-by-pitch leader was the Mets’ Anthony Rizzo with 24. The Rangers’ Carlos Gomez led the AL with 19.

  • Looking at players with at least 10 at bats with runners in scoring position – The Braves’ Dansby Swanson has the best RISP average at .615 (8-for-13).

Average with RISP – Through April, minimum 10 RISP at bats) … Dansby Swanson, Braves – .615 (8-for-13); Freddie Freeman, Braves – .600 (9-for-15); Jose Pirela, Padres – .571 (8-for-14).

Among players with at least 75 at bats with runners in scoring position in 2017, the Nationals’ Daniel Murphy had the highest average with RISP at .409 (47-for-115).

  • The Dodgers’ Chase Utley, Dodgers’ Kyle Farmer and Cubs’ Tommy La Stella share the lead in pinch hits with four reach. Utley got his in just five pinch-hit at bats, Farmer in six at bats and La Stella in eleven. 

The Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki led all MLB players in pinch hits in 2017 with 27 (in 100 pinch-hit at bats). Looking at players with at least 20 pinch-hit at bats, The Cardinals’ Jose Martinez put up the highest pinch-highest average at .462 (12-for-26).

  • The Mariners’ Dee Gordon leads MLB in stolen bases through April 15 with seven – and also had the most stolen bases through April 15 with being caught. The leaders in caught stealing – all with three through April 15 – are the Padres’ Freddy Galvis (3 attempts); Rays’ Mallex Smith (five attempts); and Cardinals’ Tommy Pham (8 attempts).
  • Among pitchers with at least 15 innings pitched, the Astros’ Gerrit Cole has fanned the most batters per nine-inings at 15.43.

Strikeouts Per Innings – Through April 15 (minimum 15 innings pitched) …

Gerrit Cole, Astros – 15.93 (36 K/21 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs – 14.24  (29K/18 1/3 IP); Noah Sundergaard, Mets – 13.92 (33K/21 1/3IP).

In 2017, among pithchers with at least 100 innings pitched, Chris Sale led the way with 12.93 strikeouts per nine innings. Among pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched, the leader was the Red Sox’ Craig Kimbrel at 16.43 (126 K in 69 IP).

  • The Angels’ Garrett Richard leads MLB in walks allowed with 15 (20 innings pitched/24 strikeouts). Special mention goes to the Padres’ Bryan Mitchell, second in walks with 14, but in just 13 2/4 innings.

Most Walks Allowed – Through April 15 …

Garrett Richards, Angels – 15 (20 innings pitched/24 strikeouts); Bryan Mitchell, Padres – 14 (13 2/3 IP/3 K); Carlos Martinez Cardinals – 14 (25 2/3 IP/ 30 K).

  • The highest earned run average among pitchers with at least two starts in 2018 is 12.00 – A.J. Cole of the Nationals. Chris Tillman has an 11.91 ERA in three starts. At the other end of the spectrum, Yonny Chirinos of the Rays has two starts and one relief appearance and has yet to give up a run (14 1/3 innings).

The highest ERA among qualifyng pitchers (162 innings pitched) in 2017 was 5.52 (Matt Moore, Giants).  Note: Jordan Zimmerman had a 6.08 ERA in 29 starts – but only 160 innings pitched. 

Primary Resources: ESPN.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com.

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STANTON’S FIVE-K CONTESTS – A SIGN OF THE TIMES

April 12, 2018 by

StantonThe Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton’s two five-strikeout games this season are a sign of the times in major league baseball – a time of hard-throwing pitchers and free-swinging hitters.  This post is meant, by the way, not as a judgment – but rather as an observation of how the game has changed and a look at some of the related statistics that caught my eye. Spoiler Alert: This post will appeal most to fellow stat freaks.

Let’s look at a few tell-tale signs of the current homer- and strikeout-heavy era.

THE PLATINUM SOMBRERO

The record for a batter’s strikeouts in a game is five – an accomplishment(?) which earns the mythical “Platinum Sombrero.” As most of you know, Giancarlo Stanton has already had two five-strikeout games this season – and it’s still April. (His five-whiff contests came on April 3 and April 8.)   How rare is that?  In MLB history, only one other player has two five-whiff games in their career.  That distinction goes Toronto Blue Jays’ outfielder Alex Rios, who had five-strikeout games on July 29, 2006 and June 4, 2009.

Overall, there have been 68 five-strikeout games (by 66 players). Here are the documented five-strikeout games totals by decade. Pay particular attention to the numbers since 2000.

—–TOTAL FIVE-STRIKEOUT GAMES BY BATTERS—–

1871-79           1

1880-89           1

1900-09           0

1910-19           0

1920-29           0

1930-39           4

1940-49           1

1950-59           1

1960-69           6

1970-79           9

1980-89           6

1990-99           8

2000-09           17

2010-18           14

There is no doubt strikeouts are on the rise.  In fact, MLB has set a new strikeout record in each of the past ten seasons.  In 2017, fans saw an average of 16.6 strikeouts every nine-innings. Here’s the chart.

SO9

Looking a bit further, in 2017, 140 MLB players struck out at 100 or more times (Aaron Judge topped MLB with 208 whiffs.). Here’s an historic look.

     —–MLB PLAYERS WITH 100+ STRIKEOUTS IN A SEASON—–

                    Year                            Number of Players

1910                                        0

1920                                        0

1930                                        0

1940                                        1

1950                                        2

1960                                        7

1970                                       27

1980                                       11

1990                                       37

2000                                       58

2010                                       88

2017                                       140

There are those, of course, who maintain the increased K’s are the price you pay for increased HR’s.  And, the chart below would seem to support that. In 2017, we saw the first MLB season with more than 6,000 MLB home runs.  A more accurate measure would be home runs per game – and 2017 was a record year there as well.

HR Per Game chart

But there is other evidence to consider.

DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR LONG BALLS WITH STRIKEOUTS?

MLB’s three most prolific home run hitters – Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth – had one season of more than 100 strikeouts (in a combined 67 MLB campaigns) among them. That came in Bonds’ rookie season (1986), when he fanned 102 times. (In the spirit of “how the game has changed,” we should keep in mind that, while Ruth never fanned more than 93 times in a season, he did lead the league in whiffs five times. Neither Aaron nor Bonds – the other two 700+ HR players ever led the league in K’s.)

In 2017, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton (now Yankee teammates) hit a combined 111 home runs – and fanned a combined 371 times.  In 1961, Yankee teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle hit a combined 115 home runs – but fanned nearly 200 fewer times (179).

A prime example of the potential to combine power and plate discipline would be Ted Kluszewski, who put together three consecutive seasons of 40 or more home runs with 40 or fewer strikeouts. Note: In 2017, five players hit 40 or more home runs. Of these, J.D. Martinez (45 homer runs) had the fewest whiff at 128. 

PLAYERS WITH 40 OR MORE HOME RUNS AND 40 OR FEWER STRIKEOUTS

Mel Ott, 1929 – .328-42-151, with 38 strikeouts,

Lou Gehrig, 1934 – .363-49-165, with 31 strikeouts

Joe DiMaggio, 1937 – .346-46-167, with 37 strikeouts

Johnny Mize, 1948 – .289-40-125, with 37 strikeouts

Ted Kluszewski, 1953 – .316-40-108, with 34 strikeouts

Ted Kluszewski, 1954 – .326-49-141, with 35 strikeouts

Ted Kluszewski, 1955 – .314-47-40. with 40 strikeouts

A UNIQUE 50-HOMER CAMPAIGN

Johnny Mize is the only player to record a season of 50 or more home runs and 50 or fewer strikeouts.  In 1947, Mize hit .302-51-138, with just 42 whiffs. 

One final reflection.  MLB has seen a total of ten player seasons of 200 or more strikeouts (a total of six players) – and all have occured since 2008.  In fact, 45 of the top 51 batter-strikout seasons have occured since 2000 – and the top 25 strikeout seasons (by a batter) have all occured since 2004 (18 of those 25 since 2010).

As the 2018 season unfolds, we can continue to expect high strikeout and home run totals.  Pitchers are throwing harder, relief pitching is as – if not more – dominant than ever and batters seem to be increasing focused on going deep.  As I write this post, MLB teams are averaging just over two home runs (combined) per game and a combined 17.3 strikeouts per nine frames – and that’s  despite some pretty frigid weather across much of baseball.   We’ve also see this trend reflected in an increasing interest in statistics like pitch velocity, spin rate and swinging strike percentage, as well as batted ball exit velocity and launch angle. Good for the game?  Don’t know.  Only time will tell.  (Although I, admittedly, prefer more action on the base paths and in the field – and less trotting around the bases or back to the dugout.)

By the way, if you are interested in a look at how BBRT readers see today’s game – with opinions on everything from the length (time) of games, the designated hitter, record-breaking performances they would like to witness, favorite ballpark concessions and even Hall of Fame controversies, click here.

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Walter Johnson – Best Pitcher Ever?

April 10, 2018 by

WalterBaseball Roundtable makes a case – on the BBRT Facebook page – for Walter Johnson as MLB’s best pitcher ever – and recounts such tales as the Othani-inspired stat fact that – at age 37 – Johnson had a 20-win/20 RBI (107 at bats) season and the story of Johnson’s remarkable 1913 start, when he carried a 0.17 earned run average into mid-May.  Click here to see that top BBRT Facebook story.

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A Bruising Way to Start a Season – and other Hit-By-Pitch Tales

April 9, 2018 by

Glenn DavisOn this date (April 9) in 1990, Houston Astros’ first baseman and cleanup hitter Glenn Davis got his season off to a bruising start.  It was Opening Day – Yes, they opened the season as late as April 9 back then. – and the Astros were hosting the Reds.  Davis came to the plate six times and it appears the Reds wanted little to do with him.  Here’s how his day went:

– Bottom of the second inning – Hit by pitch (Tom Browning)

– Third inning – Hit by pitch (Browning)

– Fifth inning – Five-pitch walk (Tim Layana)

– Seventh inning – Strikeout on three pitches (Norm Charlton)

– Ninth inning – Intentional walk (Rob Dibble)

– Eleventh inning – Hit by pitch (Randy Myers)

Astros’ first baseman Glenn Davis set an Opening Day record and tied an overall MLB record by getting hit by a pitch three times in a single game. He was the 11th MLB player to be hit three times in a contest – a number that has since risen to 28.  He is still the only three-time Opening Day victim.  Davis, by the way, led the NL in HBP that season with eight.

__________

We interrupt this post for a special announcement. BBRT recently unveiled its 2018 Baseball Roundtable John Paciorek Award honoree – recognizing players who had short, but signficant, major league careers.  For that story, and links to past winners, click here.  Now, back to our regularly scheduled post.

__________

IS THAT ALL YOU’VE GOT?   I’M STANDING RIGHT HERE!

Seven players share the record for getting hit by a pitch in a single inning – TWICE.

  • Reds’ pitcher Willard Smith – April 26, 1959 … Third inning by Milwaukee Braves’ pitchers Lew Burdette and Bob Rush.
  • Mets’ LF Frank Thomas – April 29, 1962 … Fourth inning by the Phillies’ Art Mahaffey and Frank Sullivan.
  • Rockies’ 1B Andres Galarraga – July 12, 1996 … Seventh inning by the Padres’ Bryce Florie and Willie Blair.
  • Orioles’ CF Brady Anderson – May 23, 1999 … First inning, both times by the Rangers’ Mike Morgan.
  • Giants’ RF Jose Guillen – September 23, 2010 … Second inning, both times by the Cubs’ Ryan Dempster.
  • Cubs’ CF David DeJesus – June 18, 2012 … Seventh inning by the White Sox’ Will Ohman and Hector Santiago.
  • A’s LF Brandon Moss – April 25, 2014 … Ninth inning by the Astros’ Josh Fields and Anthony Bass.

Takng One for Team

MinnieNobody led his league in being hit by a pitch more times than  Minnie Minoso, who topped the American League in “plunkings” ten times in a 17-season MLB career (12 seasons of 100 or more games played). The seven-time All Star lead the AL in hit by pitch in 1951, 1952-54 and 1956-61.

 

 

 

 

ALL TIME HIT-BY-PITCH RECORDS

Career – Top Five

Hughie Jennings – 287

Craig Biggio – 285

Tommy Tucker – 272

Don Baylor – 267

Jason Kendall – 254

 

Single Season – Top Five

Hughie Jennings – 51 (1896)

Ron Hunt – 50 (1971)

Hughie Jennings – 46 (1897)

Hughie Jennings – 46 (1898)

Dan McGann -39 (1896)

Southpaw Phil Knell, pitching for the American Association Columbus Solons, holds the all-time MLB single-season record for hit batsmen – plunking 54 hitters in 462 innings in 1891. Knell went 28-27, 2.92 that year and led the AA in shutouts with five.

Right-hander Gus Weyhing – who pitched in the American Association 1887-89 and 1891); the Players League (1890) and the National League (1892-1896 and 1898-1901) holds the all-time major-league career record for hit batsmen with 277.  Notably, he led his league in HBP in only two of his 14 MLB seasons – the first two. In his first three campaigns, Weyhing hit 113 batters, 41  percent of his career total. In those first three seasons, he also threw 142 of his career 240 wild pitches (59 percent of his career total).

Since 1900, there have been eight seasons in which a batter had been hit by a pitch 30 or more times – and, in just one of those campaigns, two batters reached the 30+ mark.

1910 – Steve Evans, Cardinals … 31 HBP

1972 – Ron Hunt, Expos … 50 HBP

1986 – Don Baylor, Red Sox … 35 HBP

1997 – Craig Biggio, Astros … 34 HBP

1997 – Jason Kendall, Pirates … 31 HBP

1998 – Jason Kendall, Pirates … 31 HBP

2004 – Craig Wilson, Pirates … 30 HBP

2015 – Anthony Rizzo, Cubs … 30 HBP

2016 – Brandon Guyer, Indians/Rays … 31 HBP

HuntRon Hunt led his league in Hit By Pitch in an MLB record seven straight seasons … 1968-74.

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Keith McDonald – 2018 Paciorek Award Winner – Made a Career Out of Going Yard

April 8, 2018 by

JPAFIn 2014, Baseball Roundtable launched the John Paciorek Award (JPA). The JPA recognizes players who have had short, often very short, major league careers, but whose accomplishments, nonetheless, deserve recognition.  (Note: Information on John Paciorek’s career – the inspiration for the JPA – can be found at the end of this post. Paciorek’s day in the sun constitutes arguably the best one-game MLB career ever.)

 

 

________________ 2018 JPA Winner – Keith McDonald _______________

The fans are going to expect it every time, but it may be a long time before I hit another one.

                                                                   St. Louis Cardinals catcher Keith McDonald

                                                                   July 6, 2000

mCdKeith McDonald speculated on the timing of his next MLB home run shortly after the Cardinals/Reds contest during which he had become just the second player in history to homer in his first two major league at bats.  As it worked out, neither he nor the Redbirds’ fans, had to wait that long. His next MLB long ball came just nine days (July 15) and three plate appearances later – giving him three home runs in his first six MLB at bats (eight plateappearances, he also drew a pair of walks).

Just as McDonald had no idea of how short the span of time between career home runs number-two and number-three would be, he probably was equally in the dark as to how few at bats would fall between home run number-three and his final major league plate appearance – or  that his MLB career stat line would include just eight games, 11 plate appearances (two walks),  three hits in nine at bats (.333 average), three home runs, three runs scored and five RBI.  (That, for those more deeply into stats, is an MLB career on base percentage of .455 and a slugging percentage of 1.333.

Keith McDonald is the only MLB player with more than one career hit, who can look back on major league tenure when his every hit was a home run.

I’m getting a little ahead of myself. Let’s look back on how Keith McDonald found his way into the MLB record book.

McDonald was a star athlete for Esperanza High School (Anaheim, California).  He was a three-year starter at quarterback – throwing for 31 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons.  He also was a three-year player on the school baseball squad: a catcher as a sophomore; third baseman and relief pitcher as a junior; and first baseman and pitcher as a senior.  How good was he? In his senior season, McDonald hit .406 and put up a 1.90 ERA (4-0, with three saves).

Selected in the 18th round of the 1993 MLB Draft, McDonald chose instead to accept a scholarship to the University of Utah; where he would be able to play both football and baseball. Things didn’t work out at Utah, however, and – after a difficult period of adjustment, a “red shirt” season in football and a challenging year on the diamond – McDonald chose to return to California.  He transferred to Cypress College (Cypress, CA), where he combined his studies with a .353-8-37 line in 55 games (and threw out 34 of 62 base runners attempting to steal).  In 1994, it was on to Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA), where he hit .266, with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 48 games.

The St. Louis Cardinals selected the 6’2”, 215-pound, 21-year-old in the 24th round of the 1994 draft – and McDonald’s pro career was underway.  From 1994 to 1999, McDonald worked his way up through Rookie ball, A, High A, Double A and Triple A (Memphis Redbirds). His best seasons were 1998 (.318-7-22 in 58 games at Triple A) and 1999 (.304-7-41 in 88 games at Double A and Triple A combined).

As he started the 2000 season at Memphis, McDonald had little idea he was on the brink of MLB history. He was hitting .246, with one home run and 17 RBI for the Memphis squad as the season moved into July – and, more important, precisely when Cardinals’ backup catcher Eli Marrero injured his hand attempting to steal a base. On July 2, McDonald was called up to the big club to replace Marrero – a move McDonald has said even surprised him.

He got his first taste of MLB action on July 4, before an Independence Day crowd of 46,022 (in St, Louis). McDonald came to the plate as a pinch hitter (for SS Edgar Renteria) in the bottom of the eighth inning – with the Cardinals ahead by a 13-3 score.  It was a good opportunity to provide a rookie with a low-pressure first MLB at bat.  After hitting just one home run in 177 at bats at Triple A that season, McDonald sent a 2-2 pitch out of the park to left-center.  The blast made him the 79th players to homer in their first MLB at bat.

McDonald did not play in the Reds/Cardinals July 5, tilt, but On July 6 – this time before a crowd of 43,287 – McDonald started at catcher against the Reds, batting in the number-eight spot.  He got his first at bat in the bottom of the second, with the Cardinals trailing 3-2. He tied the game with a home run on a 1-0 pitch – becoming just the second MLB player ever to homer in their FIRST TWO plate appearances. He finished the day one-for-three with a walk and two RBI.

Keith McDonald is one of only two players – and the only National Leaguer – to homer in his first two major league plate appearances.

In McDonald’s next MLB game (July 8) – with the Cardinals hosting the Giants –  McDonald replaced Matheny at catcher in the top of the ninth, with the Giants up 7-6. McDonald came to the plate in the bottom of the inning and drew a walk. He didn’t take the field again until July 13, when he again entered the game as a pinch hitter (this time in the top of the ninth with the Cardinals up 13-3 on the White Sox in Chicago).  He grounded out to second.

Two days later (July 15), still in Chicago, McDonald pinch hit again. This time, it came in the top of the ninth of a game in which the Cardinals trailed 15-5. McDonald popped a 3-1 pitch for a two-run home run. (Attendance  40,681.) At this stage of his MLB career, he was three-for-six – with all three his hits leaving the yard and all before crowds in excess of 40,000.  Talk about coming through on the big stage. McDonald got only one more major league at bat that season, a ninth-inning, pinch-hit fly out against the Twins on July 15.

Keith McDonald’s three MLB hits, all home runs, were witnessed by crowds (announced attendance) totaling 129,990.

Then, as suddenly as it began, it was over. On July 21, McDonald was sent back down to Memphis, where he finished the season .263-5-30 in 83 games.  He appeared in just two more major league games – in September of 2001 – going hitless in two at bats.   McDonald then spent the next five seasons at AAA; playing in the Cardinals’, Cubs’, Pirates’, Rangers’ and Yankees’ systems.  He played a total of 13 minor league seasons, hitting .264, with 78 home runs and 418 RBI.

It was, however, that remarkable – short, but sweet –  run in in 2000 that caught BBRT’s eye and earned Mcdonald John Paciorek Award recognition.  Keith McDonalds’s major league career may have been short, but those three home runs must have been sweet.

________________________________________________________

PAST JOHN PACIOREK AWARD WINNERS:

2014 – Brian Scott Dallimore

In his first start (not his first game) for the 2004 Giants, Dallimore had two singles, a Grand Slam (his first MLB hit and only MLB home run), a walk and a hit by pitch.  For the full JPA take on Dallimore’s 27- game MLB career, click here.

2015 – Roy Gleason

Gleason played in just eight MLB games, had a double in his only MLB at bat – but also earned a World Series ring (1963) and a Purple Heart. Ultimately, he was the only ballplayer with MLB experience to serve on the front lines in Vietnam. For the full JPA take on Gleason, click here. Note: Gleason’s life is detailed in the book “Lost in the Sun – Roy Gleason’s Odyssey from the Outfield to the Battlefield.”

2016 – John Allen Miller

Miller played just 32 MLB games (during the 1966 and 1969), taking the field (at 1B/LF/3B/2B) for the Yankees and Dodgers. Miller collected ten hits in 61 MLB at bats (.164 average) and hit just two home runs – but he made those long balls count.  Miller made his MLB debut with the Yankees on September 11, 1966 and hit a two-run homer in his first big league at bat –  making him (surprisingly) the first Yankee ever to homer in his first MLB at bat. (Little did Miller know he would not get another home run or RBI until the final at bat of his MLB career.)  Miller’s final at bat came as a Dodger (September 23, 1969) and he stroked a solo home run.  That narrow “body of work” made Miller one of just two players in MLB history to homer in their first and final official appearances in a major league batter’s box. For more on Miller, click here.

2017 – Chris Saenz

RHP Chris Saenz’ big day came on April 24, 2004 – when he was called up from Double A Huntsville (where he was 1-1, 3.86) to make a spot start against the Saint Louis Cardinals, whose powerful lineup included the likes of Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and Reggie Sanders.   The rookie went six innings, giving up just two hits, three walks and no runs, while fanning seven. There was some speculation (primarily among sportswriters and fans) that Saenz’ performance might earn him another start or two, but two days after his debut, he was on his way back to Huntsville.  Unfortunately, his minor league season included a September elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and he never returned to the majors. Statistics before 1900 can be sketchy, but baseball-reference.com shows that Saenz is the only pitcher to complete a one-game MLB career of at least five innings pitched, without giving up a single run (earned or unearned). For more details on this JPA honoree, click here.

—–INSPIRATION FOR THE JPA—-–

John Paciorek – signed out of Saint Ladislaus High School in Hamtramck, Michigan (where he had starred in football, basketball and baseball) – appeared in his first major league game on the final day of the 1963 season (September 29) at the age of 18.  The 6’ 1”, 200-pound outfielder had spent the 1963 season with Class A Modesto Colts. The Colts’ parent club, the Houston Colt .45s (that was the current Astros’ franchise name back then), was suffering through a difficult season. The team was 65-96 going into that final game.  Looking to the future, Houston had, in fact, fielded an all-rookie lineup (average age 19) on September 27. Youth was still being served two days later when John Paciorek started his first MLB game. The results were surprising – and worthy of recognition.

pACIOREKPlaying right field and batting seventh in a 13-4 win over the NY Mets, Paciorek ended up with three hits and two walks in five plate appearances, with four runs scored and three runs batted in.  Perhaps equally surprising is that it was not only Paciorek’s first major league appearance, it was to be his only MLB appearance.  Back pain the following spring, followed by surgery (he played 49 minor league games in 1964 and missed all of the 1965 season), put an end to his MLB playing days. (Paciorek did play in four more minor league seasons.)  Still, you will find John Paciorek in the Baseball Encyclopedia and his is arguably the greatest one-game MLB career ever.  Among one-gamers, he holds the record for times on base and runs scored, and shares the record for batting average, on base percentage and RBIs.

paciorekPaciorek, by the way, went on to become a high school teacher and multi-sport coach and is the author of two books (Plato and Socrates – Baseball’s Wisest Fans and The Principles of Baseball: And All There Is To Know About Hitting.) You also can enjoy Paciorek’s prose (and expertise) directly at his blog “Paciorek’s Principles of Perfect Practice” by clicking here. You can find out even more about Paciorek in Steven Wagner’s 2015 book “Perfect: The Rise and Fall of John Paciorek, Baseball’s Greatest One-Game Wonder.”  (See the review of “Perfect” by clicking here.)

A final note. John Paciorek’s insight into the national pastime should come as no surprise. Paciorek comes from a true “baseball family.”  He was the first born of eight siblings and was followed to the big leagues by younger brothers Jim and Tom Paciorek.  (Like John, Jim’s MLB career was short – 48 games for the Brewers in 1987. Brother Tom, however, achieved a .282 average over an 18-season MLB career.)

 

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; MCPower Surge, Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2000, Lon Eubanks; McDonald’s College Tour Stops Again, Los Angeles Times, July 8, 1993, Martin Henderson.

 

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Member:  Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

The Eagle has Landed – Twins Home Opener and MLB first-week Musings

April 6, 2018 by

 

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.

                                      Baseball Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby

As the Twins opened their 2018 home season, Minnesota fans were (like Rogers Hornby) still waiting for spring (weather), but they no longer were waiting for baseball.  It was “Game On” versus the visiting Seattle Mariners.

Despite the wintry conditions (the photo is of my backyard on Twins Home Opening Day), it was - indeed - a beautiful day for a ball game. As is every day.

Despite the wintry conditions (the photo is of my backyard on Twins’ Home Opening Day), it was – indeed – a beautiful day for a ball game. As is every day.

As I departed for the  game – with about 8-inches of snow on my front lawn and my snow blower seemingly still warm from the most recent major snow storm (about 48 hours ago) – I was appropriately suited up for Minnesota baseball (Long Johns under jeans; a flannel shirt under both a hoodie AND a leather jacket; one pair of socks under another; plus snow boots, ear muffs and ski gloves).

Once in the ballpark, as I made my way to my seat in 35-degree weather, the “magic” started to happen.  The grass was a bright emerald green (good work, grounds crew); the ball the starkest of whites; and, perhaps miraculously, the sun was shining out of a deep blue, relatively cloudless (and snowless) sky.  The crowd – bundled in an array of colorful winter outerwear, huddled under blankets (many baseball-themed) and even, in some cases, snuggled in sleeping bags – buzzed happily in anticipation.  There were also the other sounds of the game: the slap of ball against glove as players warmed up; the shouts of vendors (for everything from hot dogs and beer to hot chocolate and wild rice soup); upbeat music, interrupted by frequent welcoming announcements on the PA system; and, most important, fans talking BASEBALL.  And let’s not forget the sweet and savory smells as you passed by the many food stands (for more on Twins newest food and beverage offerings, click here.) We were ready.  Note:  Since this is Minnesota, I need to add that there were – as always in wintry weather – a scattered few of Minnesota’s boldest (and coldest) fans – outfitted in shorts, tennis shoes and T-shirts.

OpenerCoreboardThe Home Opener is a special day, particularly in Minnesota.  It’s a sign that we have survived the long, cold winter (even in years when it still seems to be hanging on). And, it’s a symbol of hope for a grand and sunny summer. Home Openers represent a day for optimism across the hardball landscape.  As the season opens, every team can aspire to be a contender, every rookie is a potential “phenom,” every fading veteran can be viewed as a potential “Comeback Player of the Year,” and every new face in the lineup or on the bench a welcome addition to YOUR team.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

Okay, enough sentiment.  How about the events of the day.  I’ve often written on these pages that one of the greatest things about baseball is that, once in the ballpark, you can almost always see something you’ve never seen before.  Well, that axiom was proven true even before yesterday’s game began.

As rap artist Dessa sang the national anthem, Challenger (an American Bald Eagle) was released from a perch in center field to soar majestically above the diamond while his handler waited on the pitcher’s mound.  The “soaring” was perfectly majestic.  The landing – not so much.

Mariners’ starting pitcher James Paxton was standing at attention in leftfield during the anthem, when Challenger decided to deviate from his expected route. The large, sharply beaked and taloned symbol of American might and democracy decided a more appropriate perch might be Paxton’s right shoulder.  Paxton, by the way, handled the situation with courage and calm – as you can see in the video above.

Paxton, or perhaps Challenger, got a significant round of applause after the incident.  For those of you who are interested, here are the most notable ovations of the afternoon.

TWINS 2018 HOME OPENER – MOST NOTABLE OVATIONS

–  90+-year-old World War II veteran Robert O’Connor, who raised the American flag during the Star Spangled Banner. (Note: O’Connor got a second ovation when he appeared on Kiss Cam later in the game.)

– The 2018 Olympic Gold Medal-winning US Men’s Curling Team, who rolled out the first pitch.

– Ichiro Suzuki, during the Mariners’ introductions.

– Twins’ players and staff during pre-game introductions – particularly manager Paul Molitor, coach Eddie Guardado and players Byron Buxton, Brian Dozier, Joe Mauer, and Miguel Sano.

– Former Twin (and AL MVP) Justin Morneau (when he appeared on the video board).

– Twins’ CF Byron Buxton after a leaping catch in deep right center in the fifth inning.

– Twins Miguel Sano, Mitch Garver and Eddie Rosario after their sixth-, seventh- and eighth-inning home runs.

– Twins’ 1B Joe Mauer and C Mitch Garver after Seattle 3B Kyle Seager grounded to Mauer with runners on first (Robinson Cano) and third (Jean Segura) and one out in the seventh inning (score tied 2-2). Mauer smartly fired home and Segura was trapped too far down the line. (Garver ran him down for the out.)

– Snow flakes, which began falling in the eighth (only after surviving the Metrodome would Minnesota fans applaud falling snow during a baseball game).

Miguel Sano ... made up for a run-scoring error in the first innig with a game-tying homem run in the sixth. Photo by Keith Allison

Miguel Sano … made up for a run-scoring error in the first innig with a game-tying homem run in the sixth.
Photo by Keith Allison

So, what about the game itself? First, let me say, it was a good contest, in spite of the weather – which likely contributed to the three errors, wild pitch and passed ball. The Twins trailed 2-0 after the first inning, when the Mariners scored on a pair of singles and an error by Twins’ 3B Miguel Sano.  The home team came  back on a game-tying homer two-run homer by (Sano) in the sixth, took the lead on a Mitch Garver home in the seventh and added an insurance run on a Eddie Rosario dinger in the eighth.

SOMETHING  OLD AND SOMETHING NEW

41-year-old Fernando Rodney, the Twins’”new” closer, picked up his first save of the season – the 301st of his career.  In the process, he became the oldest player to record a save for the Twins.

As the game progressed, we saw a lot of what we will, apparently, be seeing across MLB this year.  In the Twins’ Home Opener, we saw ten pitchers, 18 strikeouts and four of the six runs in the game scoring on home runs.  It clearly looks like 2018 will be another hard-throwing/free swinging season – when we see plenty of pitchers and plenty of batters trotting back to the dugout after fanning or trotting around the bases after a long ball.

THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS OF THE 2018 MLB SEASON

In the first seven days of this season (through April 4), MLB teams played 86 games and hit 194 home runs.  In addition, the first week of play saw 1,509 strikeouts. I did the math on those K’s. Over the course, of the week, that meant an average of 17 combined strikeouts every nine innings.

Opening Day (March 29) alone, in 13 games,  fans witnessed 133 pitchers taking the mound, 264 strikeouts and 33 homeruns – with 42 percent of the day’s tallies scoring on the long ball.  Math again – just over 10 pitchers, 20 strikeouts and 2 1/3 home runs per game.

AND THEY ARE OFF! SOME FIRST WEEK HOMER HIGHLGHTS

  • On March 29, the Cubs’ Ian Happ hit the very first pitch of the 2018 season for a home run – and the new season was off and trotting.
  • On March 29, White Sox DH Matt Davidson became just the fourth player in MLB history with a three-homer Opening Day game.
  • On March 29 and 30, the Giants topped the Dodgers 1-0. In each game, Giants; 2B Joe Panik provided the sole run via the long ball – the first time in MLB history that a batter had – on two consecutive days – driven a game’s only run via the home run.
  • On April 3, The Cardinals opened the game against the Brewers with back-to-back jacks (Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham) on the game’s first three pitches. Then, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Brewers (trailing 4-3) closed out the game with back-to-back home runs from Christian Yelich and  Ryan Bruan.  MLB.com reported it was the first time in MLB history a game opened and closed with back-to-back long balls.
  • On April 3, in the Yankees’ home Opener, SS Didi Gregorius – appropriately batting cleanup – ripped a pair of homers and drove in eight runs (setting a new RBI record for a home opener.)
  • On April 3, the Padres won their first game of the 2018 season (after four losses) behind a three-home run, five-RBI game from rookie 3B Christian Villaneuva.

GOING DEEP CAN BE HABIT FORMING

Through April 4, there had already been 14 multi-homer games: Who got ‘em? Here’s the list:  Tim Anderson; Tyler Austin; Charlie Blackmon; Wellington Castillo; Matt Davidson; Paul DeJong; Brian Dozier; Edwin Encarnacion; Didi Gregorius; Bryce Harper; Justin Smoak; Giancarlo Stanton; Christian Villanueva.

MORE ON THE TWINS HOME OPENER

OpenerIntrosIn the Twins’ opener, we saw some Twins-specific occurrences that we are likely to see plenty more of this season.

  • A Miguel Sano home run – I expect we will see at least 30 of those this campaign if he stays healthy.
  • Fernando Rodney putting a batter on (walk) and bringing the tying run to the plate before nailing down a save. (He has a reputation for outings that keep the manager and fans on edge – and, last season, had 39 saves, despite a 4.23 ERA.)
  • A leaping catch in center field by Byron Buxton – last year’s Gold and Platinum Glover will continue to be a running highlight reel in the outfield.
  • Newcomers Zach Duke, Addison Reed and Fernando Rodney in the late innings.

The Home  Opener also included a handful of important (to me) firsts.

  • The Twins’ first home win of 2018.
  • Mitch Garver’s first MLB home run.
  • My first completed scorecard.
  • My first “old school” ballpark hot dog – a tepid offering, served up by an in-the-stands vendor.
  • My first 6-4-3 double play of the season – a Twins’ twin-killing that snuffed a two-on, one-out Mariners’ threat in the fifth inning.  (As regular readers of BBRT know, I love 6-4-3 and 4-6-3 double plays.)

And that, my friends, is the BBRT take on the Twins’ Home Opener.

Thanks for reading.

Coming Soon, BBRT’s Fifth Annual  John Paciorek Award.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member:  Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. 

 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News
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