Archives for May 2018

Pennock, Blyleven and Morgan … A Longevity List

May 31, 2018 by

BlylevenMay 30, it turns out, is a (somewhat) historic day for Twins fans.  On that date in 1992, 41-year-old Bert Blyleven (who would eventually enter the Baseball Hall of Fame under the bill of a Twins’ cap) toed the rubber for the California Angels (versus the Cleveland Indians).  The right-hander, noted for one of the best curveballs in MLB history, threw seven innings of scoreless ball (three hits, two walks, seven strikeouts) and got the win as California prevailed 3-1.

Why did this catch BBRT’s eye?  First, I’m a big Blyleven fan. Second, Bert’s presence on the mound marked an unexpected comeback of sorts – he had missed the 1991 season recovering from rotator cuff surgery (and was 41, after all). Third, it was the first win of his final MLB season.  But most important, it made Blyleven just the second pitcher to notch MLB victories as a teenager AND after age 40. (A third has since joined the list, but more on that later).

 

Pitchers with Victories as a Teenager and After Turning Forty

Herb Pennock  … Bert Blyleven … Mike Morgan

Bert Blyleven

The “Dutchmaster’s” first MLB win, by the way, came in a Twins’ uniform, when the 19-year-old Blyleven made his MLB debut (June 5, 1970) against the Washington Senators (in D.C.). Young Bert went seven innings in that game, giving up one run on five hits and a walk, and fanning seven in a tight 2-1 Minnesota win. It was, of course, the first win of his first MLB season.  Blyleven picked up nine more MLB wins before his 20th birthday (10-9, 3.18).

We’ve already looked at Blyleven’s first win after turning forty (first two paragraphs of this post) – which was the first tinw of his final MLB season.  He did pick up seven more victories that campaign.

Blyleven’s Hall of Fame career covered 22 seasons (Twins, Rangers, Pirates, Indians, Angels) – 287 victories (250 losses); a 3.31 earned run average; 242 complete games; 60 shutouts; and 3,701 strikeouts. He was a two-time All Star and a 20-game winner in 1973.

Herb Pennock

PennockThe first pitcher to earn MLB victories as a teenager and a 40-year-old was another Hall of Famer – Herb Pennock – whose career spanned from 1912 to 1934 (missing 1918 for military service). The southpaw’s first win came in the second game of a twin bill on June 28, 1912 – as his Philadelphia Athletics topped Washington 5-4 in ten innings. The 18-year-old Pennock came on in relief – pitching a scoreless ninth and tenth – for the victory. Pennock added two more victories (as a teenager) in 1913 – giving him a record of 3-3, 4.75 before his twentieth birthday.

Pennock’s first win as a 40-year-old (he had two) came on May 20, 1934 – again in relief – as his Red Sox bested the White Sox 1-0. Pennock went 3 1/3 scoreless innings in that one, giving up one hit and one walk. The future Hall of Famer played 22 MLB seasons, going 241-162, 3.60 (37 saves), with 249 (410 starts) complete games and 37 shutouts.  He was a two-time twenty game winner.

 

Mike Morgan

MorganThe third pitcher to notch wins as a teenager and after age 40 was Mike Morgan – who, as a 18-year-old, was pushed out onto the major league mound by Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley on June 11, 1978; less than a week after the A’s made the high schooler the fourth overall pick in the 1978 MLB draft.  Despite going the distance in his debut (nine innings, three runs-two earned, five walks and no strikeouts), the teenager did not pick up the win.  He got the loss as the A’s dropped a 3-0 decision to the Orioles.  Morgan had to wait until July 29, 1979 for his first MLB win. On that day, the 19-year-old right hander picked up a 2-1 complete game win over the Seattle Mariners (three hits, one run, four walks and one strikeout).  Morgan added a second win in his very next start (again over Seattle), but his overall record as a teenager was 2-13, 6.12. Morgan spent 1980 and 1981 in the minors before returning to the major leagues with the Yankees in 1982.

The victory that made Morgan a member of the under-twenty/over-forty winning pitchers’ club came on April 19, 2000. Morgan came into that game in the top of the eighth inning with his Diamondbacks tied at seven with the Rockies. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning and the Diamondbacks scored in the bottom of the frame to give Morgan the win (with relief in the ninth from Greg Swindell and Byung-Hyun Kim). Morgan added four more wins in 2000, one in 2001 and one in 2002.

For his 22-season career (A’s, Yankees, Blue Jays, Mariners, Orioles, Dodgers, Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, Twins, Rangers, Diamondbacks), Morgan was 141-186, 4.23 (8 saves) – appearing in 597 games (411 starts) with 46 complete games and 1,403 strikeouts.

FINAL TIDBIT – JUST IN CASE YOU ARE INTRESTED

Players with home runs as a teenager and after turning forty: Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub, Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez.

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

 

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Carl Hubbell’s Remarkable Streak – And a Day of Legend-Making

May 27, 2018 by

HubbellToday (May 27, 2018) is the 81st anniversary of the 24th victory in Giants’ Carl Hubbell’s MLB-record 24-decision winning streak (July 17, 1936 – May 27, 1937). “King Carl” Hubbell started the streak with a complete-game, nine-hit shutout of the Pirates – as the Giants topped the Bucs 6-0 in Pittsburgh.  The last win in the streak came as the result of a two-inning relief stint (May 27. 1937).  Hubbell came on in the seventh inning with the Giants trailing the Reds 2-1 in Cincinnati. He retired six straight in the eighth and ninth frames and the Giants scored in the top half of each of those innings to give Hubbell the win. The 6’, 170-pound hurler (known for his knee-buckling screwball) saw his streak end in his next trip to the mound (May 31), when the rival Dodgers reached him for five runs on seven hits and three walks in just 3 1/3 innings. (The Dodgers prevailed by a 10-3 score).

Over the course of his streak, Hubbell pitched in 27 games – starting 22 (two of the 24 wins came in relief).  He notched 19 complete games and put up a 1.82 earned run average over 207 2/3 innings (158 hits, 38 walks, 104 strikeouts).  In games he started,  Hubbell gave up two or fewer runs 17 times and picked up ten one-run victories.

King Carl Versus Dizzy Dean – Memorable Matchups

The toughest game in Hubbell’s 24-decision streak of victories came against fellow future Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean. On July 21, 1936, Hubbell faced Dean and his Cardinals in New York.  After nine innings, Hubbell and Dean were both still in the game, which was knotted at 1-1. Dean had actually outpitched Hubbell to that point, giving up one run, four hits and two walks – while fanning six. Hubbell had fanned just two and had given up one run, nine hits and four walks. Both runs had scored on solo homers: Giants’ catcher Gus Mancuso had gone deep against Dean in the bottom of the fifth inning; Cardinals’ right fielder Pepper Martin had answered with a solo shot in the top of the sixth.

In the top of the tenth, Hubbell gave up a walk to Pepper Martin, got LF Joe Mediwick to hit into a double play and then fanned 1B Ripper Collins. Dean got the first two outs in his half of the tenth before Giants’ SS Dick Bartell hit a walk off home run to give Hubbell win number-three in the streak.

Note: Hubbell faced St. Louis four times during the streak and Dean appeared in all four contests – three times as a starter and once in relief. On September 3, 1936, Dean and Hubbell both went the distance in a 2-1 contest. On September 14, Hubbell picked up his 14th win of the streak with five-innings of one-run relief and Dean pitched 2 1/3  scoreless innings out of the pen for St. Louis.  The final Hubbell/Dean matchup during the streak came on May 19, 1937, when Hubbell picked up his 22nd consecutive win, topping Dean 4-1 (only two of the four tallies against Dean were earned), as they both again went the distrance.  In those four matchups, Dean put up a 1.80 ERA over thirty innings – and all he got to show for it was three losses as a starter and a no decision in relief.

Hubbell finished the 1936 season on a 16-decision winning streak, with a league-leading 26 wins against just six losses (for a league-best .813 winning percentage), as well as a league-lowest 2.31 earned run average. He started 8-0 in 1937 and finished the year with a league-leading 22 wins (versus eight losses), a league-topping .733 winning percentage and a 3.20 ERA.  Over a 16-season career, the Hall of Famer was 253-154, 2.98. He led the NL in wins three times, ERA three times, complete games once, shutouts once and strikeouts once.

 

THE STUFF OF LEGENDS

1934In the 1934 All Star Game, Carl Hubbell created his own piece of MLB history – fanning five future Hall of Famers consecutively: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin. Hubbell, who started the game for the National League actually fanned a sixth future Hall of Famer in his three-inning stint – AL starting pitcher Lefty Gomez.

Of course, the game was ripe for some type of legendary achievement.  Of the 18 players who started that contest, seventeen – all but NL CF Wally Berger – were future Hall of Famers.  Here’s how Hubbell’s now legenday appearance went.

First Inning …

Charlie Gehringer – Single, taking second on an erro by Giants’ CF Wally Berger

Heinie Manush – Walk

Babe Ruth – Strikeout

Lou Gehrig – Strikeout

Jimmie  Foxx – Strikeout

 

Second Inning …

Al Simmons – Strikeout

Joe Cronin – Strikeout

Bill Dickey – Single

Lefty Gomez – Strikeout

 

Thrid Inning …

Charlie Gehringer – Flyout ro right

Heinie Manush – Groundout to second

Babe Ruthg – Walk

Lou Gehrig – Flyout to right

 

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An Historic … “We’ll Never See That Again” … Day – Rookie Pat Caraway Fans Joe Sewell TWICE!

May 26, 2018 by
Joe Sewell - a true contact hitter. Struck out twice in a game only twice in his Hall of Fame career.

Joe Sewell – a true contact hitter. Struck out twice in a game only twice in his Hall of Fame career.

Baseball Roundtable is drawn to on-field events that we are not likely to see again.  You know, like a pitcher winning 30 or more games in a season, a reliever topping 200 innings in a season, a batter hitting .400 for a campaign, or a player stealing home eight times in a season or more than 50 times in a career.

On this date (May 26) in 1930, MLB saw an event that is sure to never happen again. There are several reasons for that assertion. One is that the primary players involved – Joe Sewell and Pat Caraway – both passed away quite some time ago.  Another is how the game has changed, becoming a harder-throwing/freer-swinging affair.  Finally, and most important, we are not likely to ever see a hitter like Joe Sewell again.

The event?  On May 26, 1930, a 24-year-old rookie southpaw named Pat Caraway (White Sox) fanned Indians’ third baseman Joe Sewell in two consecutive plate appearances. What’s so unique about that?  Well, the 5’6”, 155-pound infielder was known for his uncanny ability to put his bat on the ball. As Rod Serling would have said, “We offer, for your consideration” the following facts:

  • Caraway’s consecutive whiffs of Sewell would be the only time in Hall of Famer Sewell’s entire 14-season MLB career (1,903 games and 8,333 plate appearances) that he struck out in consecutive at bats.
  • In that 1930 season, Sewell only struck out one more time – just three whiffs in 353 at bats (414 plate appearances).
  • Joe Sewell fanned twice in a game only twice in his career.

Caraway also seemed an unlikely candidate to fan Sewell in consecutive plate appearances. A rookie in 1930, Caraway would last just three MLB seasons – going 22-40 with a 5.35 career earned run average and 151 strikeouts in 478 innings. BBRT Note:  The only other time Joe Sewell fanned twice in one game (May 13, 1923), he was facing another rookie lefthander – Wallace Walter “Cy” Warmoth – who (like Caraway) appeared in only three MLB campaigns, going 8-5. 4.26.

In 2017, 96 major leaguers fanned more times than Joe Sewell did in his entire career. (Keep in mind that only 300 MLB players reached 250 at bats last season.)

Notably, Sewell’s two-strikeout game against Warmoth did not come during the infielder’s “free-swinging” days.  In his first five MLB seasons (1920-24), Sewell struck out 66 times in 2,794 plate appearances – once every 42.3 times he came to the plate. He tightened things up over his final nine campaigns (1925-33), fanning just 48 times in 5,539 plate appearances – once every 115.4 time he stepped up to the dish.

In 1920, Joe Sewell graduated from the University of Alabama – where he played varsity baseball and football, belonged to the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and was elected Class President in his Senior year.

A few other Sewell tidbits that fall into BBRT’s “We’ll Never See That Again” category:

  • In 1929, Sewell played an MLB (modern) record 115 consecutive games without striking out (May 19-September 19). During his 115-game streak, Sewell racked up 436 at bats and 143 hits (.328), with 27 doubles, two triples, seven HR and 56 RBI.
  • In 1932, Sewell struck out just three times in 503 at bats – one strikeout for every 167.7 at bats, the MLB single-season record.
  • Sewell struck out in consecutive games only three times in his career – two of those in his first two MLB seasons.
  • For his career, Sewell fanned 114 times in 7,132 at bats – or once each 62.6 at bats. That puts Sewell second on the career list (among players who played after 1900) to Wee Willie Keeler, who fanned just once every 63.2 at bats in 19 MLB seasons (1892-1910). It’s a notable drop to third place – Lloyd Waner at 44.9 at bats per strikeout.
  • Baseball, apparently, was in the Sewell DNA.  Joe Sewell’s brothers, Luke and Tommy Sewell, also played in the major leagues.

Another “We’ll Never See That Again” or “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To” Tale

Now this tale may seem apocryphal, but is has enough “legs” to have made it into Joe Sewell’s Society for American Baseball Research biography and his New York Times obituary. It has been reported that when Sewell first made it to the major leagues in 1920, Indians’ teammate first baseman George Burns – seeing that Sewell did not have what he thought was a decent bat for the big leagues – gave young Joe a forty-ounce bat to use.  Joe is said to have cared for that bat – and used it for the rest of his career.  It is now on display at the Alabama Baseball Hall of Fame at the University of Alabama’s Sewell-Thomas Stadium. (Sewell was a star player for Alabama from 1917-1920 and the school’s baseball coach from 1964-69.)

Joe Sewell was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. He is also a member of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

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

 

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A Power Trifecta – The Three Teams to Hit 21 Home Runs Over Five Games

May 24, 2018 by

The New York Yankees, MLB.com reports, have now hit at least three home runs in five consecutive games (May 19-23) … the second-longest such streak recorded in MLB. (The 1987 Orioles hit at least three home runs in six straight from May 8 to May 13 of that season.)

When the 1977 Red Sox bashed 21 long balls over a five-game span. Goerge "Boomer" Scott was responsible for six of the blasts.

When the 1977 Red Sox bashed 21 long balls over a five-game span, George “Boomer” Scott was responsible for six of the blasts.

The Yankees also tied an MLB record with 21 home runs in that five-game span.  As always, a little bit of information is a dangerous thing for Baseball Roundtable.  That five-game mark (In baseball we do count everything, and in every way possible, don’t we?) sent me on a mission for more information. Specifically, a look at the three teams that share the five-game/21-dinger record … how they fared during the streak and who were the primary authors of those 21 long-balls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s start with the 2018 Yankees. Who hit their 21 shots between May 19 and May 23.

  • They won three games and lost two over that span.
  • They outscored their opponents 42 to 27.
  • Their power output was pretty consistent. Game-by-game, their home run totals were: 5-4-5-3-4.
  • Ten different players contributed home runs toward the record total.

The leader in the Bronx Bombers’ Barrage (I do love alliteration) was second baseman Gleyber Torres, who collected five of the 21 home runs and now has eight on the year.  During the streak, the Yankee rookie hit .300 (6-for-20), with five home runs, ten RBI and five runs scored.  Here’s a list of the Yankees who contributed to the 21 long balls, with their totals during the streak and on the season.

  • Gleyber Torres, 2B … Five during the streak, eight on the season.
  • Neil Walker, 1B … Two during the streak, two on the season.
  • Aaron Judge, RF … Two during the streak, 13 on the season.
  • Miguel Andujar, 3B … Two during the streak, five on the season.
  • Austin Romine, C … Two during the streak, two on the season.
  • Aaron Hicks, CF … Two during the streak, five on the season.
  • Tyler Austin, 1B … Two during the streak, eight on the season.
  • Gary Sanchez, C … Two during the streak, 12 on the season.
  • Giancarlo Stanton, DH … One during the streak, 11 on the season.
  • Didi Gegorius, SS … One during the streak, 11 on the season.

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Let’s go now to the 1999 Reds, whose five-game/21-dinger streak ran from September 4-7.

  • They won four games and lost one over that span.
  • They outscored their opponents 48 to 18.
  • Their streak was built on a pair of big power bookends. Game-by-game, their home run totals were: 9-5-1-0-6.
  • The fourth and fifth games were part of a September 7 doubleheader in which the Reds hit zero home  runs in game one and six in game two.
  • They are the only team to go without a homer for a game during their streak.
  • Nine different players contributed home runs toward the record total.

Left fielder Greg Vaughn, who hit 45 homers that season, led the way with five round-trippers during the streak.  During the five-game span, he hit .333 (6-for-18), with five home runs, 11 RBI and nine runs scored. Here are the players who contributed, with their home run count during the streak and for the full season.

  • Greg Vaughn, LF … Five during the streak, 45 for the season.
  • Aaron Boone, 3B … Three during the streak, 14 for the season.
  • Dmitri Young, RF … Three during the streak, 14 for the season.
  • Jeffrey Hammonds, RF … Three during the streak, 17 for the season.
  • Ed Taubensee, C … Three during the streak, 21 for the season.
  • Pokey Reese, 2B … One during the streak, ten for the season.
  • Brian Johnson, C …One during the streak, five for the season.
  • Mark Lewis, 3B … One during the streak, six for the season.
  • Mike Cameron, CF … One during the streak, 21 for the season.

______________________________________________________________________

Finally, there’s the 1977 Red Sox, whose streak ran from June 14-19.

  • They won four games and lost one over that span.
  • They outscored their opponents 40 to 17.
  • Game-by-game, their home run totals were: 3-2-6-5-5.
  • Eight different players contributed home runs toward the record total.

The Red Sox’ five-game/21-home run streak included a three-game sweep of the arch-rival Yankees in which the Red Sox outscored the New Yorkers 30-9.

The big boomer in the streak was George “Boomer” Scott, who was responsible for six of the long balls and hit at least one home run in each game. During the five games, Scott hit .500 (10-for-20), with six homers, nine RBI and seven runs scored. Here are the contributors, with the number of home runs during the streak and for the full season.

  • George Scott, 1B … Six during the streak, 26 for the season.
  • Carl Yastrzemski, LF … Four during the streak, 28 for the season.
  • Bernie Carbo, RF … Four during the streak, 15 for the season.
  • Jim Rice, DH … Two during the streak, 39 for the season.
  • Carlton Fisk, C … Two during the streak, 26 for the season.
  • Rick Burleson, SS …One during the streak, three for the season.
  • Denny Doyle 2B …One during the streak, two for the season.
  • Fred Lynn, CF … One during the streak, 18 for the season.

 

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

 

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Youth Will Be Served – 2018’s Youngest Major Leaguers

May 22, 2018 by

Until May 20, the surprising Atlanta Braves seem to have a lock on MLB’s youth movement. As of May 19, the Braves had the first-, second- and third-youngest players to appear in the majors in 2018. The Braves, in fact, had the only 2018 major leaguers born after January 1, 1997.  (More on that in a few paragraphs.  First a look at the “newest youngest” player in the “show.”)

sotoOn May 20, 19-year-old Juan Soto (born October 25, 1998) made his MLB debut for the Washington Nationals – as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning of a 7-2 loss to the Dodgers; fanning on a 1-2 pitch.  Not an auspicious first at bat, but the 6’1”, 185-pound left-handed hitter made up for it the very next day – starting (batting sixth) in left field against the Padres. In his first at bat in that contest, Soto took the Padres’ starter Robbie Erin deep for a three-run home run. Soto finished the game two-for-four with two runs scored and three RBI.  And, as long as we’re on the topic of youth movements – the last player (before Soto) to hit an MLB long ball as a teenager?  Soto’s teammate Bryce Harper.

Soto’s solid day at the dish should come as no surprise.  Since signing as a 17-year-old in 2016, he has “raked” at every level he’s played. In 2016, he hit .361-5-31 with five steals  in 45 games for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals, before being promoted to A-level Auburn, where he hit .429 in six games.  Injury slowed his progress in 2017, but he still hit .320 in nine games back with the Gulf Coast League Nationals and .360-4-14 for the Class A Hagerstown Suns.

Soto started this season back at Hagerstown, where he hit .373 with five homers in 16 games and was promoted to the High-A Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League – where he continued to mash (.371, with seven home runs, in 15 games). From there it was on to the Double A Harrisburg Senators, where he hit .323 with two homers in eight games. All of this resulted in a well-earned call up to the injury-riddled Nationals.

Now, about those Braves.  When the season opened, Braves’ second baseman Ozzie Albies (born January 7, 1997) was 2018’s youngest major leaguer.  He lost that status on April 25, when Braves’ OF Ronald Acuna (born December 18, 1997) took over as MLB’s youngest current player – dropping Albies to second place.  Then, on May 1 , Braves’ pitcher Mike Soroka (born August 4, 1997) made his MLB debut, becoming the season’s second-youngest MLB-er, dropping Albies to third.  (Acuna, Soroka and Albies, of course, all dropped a spot when Soto was called up.)

These are the only players born after January 1, 1997 in the majors today.  Next on the list is the American League’s youngest player – Angel’s pitcher Jaime Barria (born July 18, 1996).

So, how are these youngsters doing?  We already know about Soto, let’s take a look at the others among the youngest five. (All stats as of close of play May 21.)

  1. Ronald Acuna, Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves B: December 18, 1997

The 6’, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder made his MLB debut on April 25 (and was, at the time, the 2018 season’s youngest MLB player).  Acuna, who signed with the Braves as a 17-year-old in 2015 hit 269-4-18, with 16 steals, in rookie ball that season.  He followed that with a .312-4-19 stat line at Rookie-level and Single A in 2016. The real breakout came in  2017.  After a 2017 season in which he moved from the Class A Florida Fire Frogs to the Double A Mississippi Braves to the Tripe A Gwinnett Braves – Acuna was named the Minor League Player of the Year by USA today and Baseball America.   His combined stat line for 2017 was .325-21-82, with 44 stolen bases, in 139 games.  Acuna had a solid 2018 Spring Training (.432-4-11 in 16 games, but started the season in the minors (reportedly due to a contract control/time of service issue.) Since his call up, he has hit .253 (24-for-95), with four home runs and 11 RBI in 24 games.

The youngest player to homer in an MLB game is the Brooklyn Dodgers’ SS tommy Brown, who went yard on August 20, 1945 at the age of 17 years-and 257 days. His long ball was the Brooklyn team’s only run in an 11-1 loss to the Pirates.

  1. Mike Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves B: August 4, 1997

Mike Soroka was drafted (as a 17-year-old) by the Braves (28th overall) in the 2015 draft.  The 6’5”, 225-pound righty pitched in the Rookie-level Appalachian and Gulf Coast Leagues in 2015, going 0-2, but putting up a 3.18 ERA and 37 whiffs in 34 innings. In 2016, he moved up to Class A (Rome Braves, South Atlantic League), where he went 9-9, 3.02, with 125 strikeouts in 143 innings. He took another step up in 2017, going 11-8, 2.75, with 125 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings at Double A.  He started this season at Triple A Gwinnett and was 2-0, 1.99 when he received the call to Atlanta.

He was called up to the big club on May 1 and, that same night, pitched six innings against the Mets – picking up his first MLB win (six innings pitched, six hits, one run, no walks and five strikeouts).  Since his call up, Soroka is 1-1, 3.68 in three starts – fanning 15 and walking just four in 14 2/2 innings.

The youngest player to appear in an MLB game – and the youngest to pitch in an MLB game – was southpaw Joe Nuxhall, who pitched two-thirds of an inning for the Cincinnatti Reds on June 10, 1944 at the age of 15 years-and 316 days.  (There was a shortage of pro players – World War II – and Nuxhall at 15-years-old was north of 6’ tall, close to 200 pounds and had been playing semi-pro ball.) He did not appear in another MLB game until 1952, but did have a 16-season MLB career (135-117, 3.90). It is believed – records are sketchy – that the youngest pitcher to win an MLB game was Willie McGill, who went 11-9, 4.12  for the Cleveland Infants of the Players  League in 1890 – as a 16-year-old.

  1. Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves B: January 7, 1997

Albies actually made his MLB debut on August 1 of last year. That makes him the seasoned veteran of this group. Still just 20-years-old, he is in his second MLB season – and looking like an All Star. The 5’8”, 165-pound right-handed hitting infielder was signed (as a shortstop) by the Braves in 2014.  His first professional season, he put in time with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and Danville Braves – going a combined .364-1-19, with 22 steals, in 57 games. In 2016, Albies started the season at Double A (Mississippi Braves) and hit .321-4-33, with 21 steals, in 82 games before being promoted to Triple A Gwinnett. He struggled a bit (learning a new position) and put up a .248-2-20 line, with nine steals, in 56 games.   In 2017, he started the season at Gwinnett and showed his ability to make the adjustment – going .285-9-41, with 21 steals, in 97 games before his August 1 call up to Atlanta. He got in 57 games at the major league level and hit .286-6-28 with eight stolen bases.

So far this season, Albies is hitting .281-13-33 with six steals. His 42 runs scored leads the NL; his 13 home runs are second; his 33 RBIs fourth; his 56 hits third; and his 15 doubles second.

  1. Jamie Barria, RHP, Kos Angeles Angels B: July 18, 1996

Jaime Barria – unlike the others on this list – was not born after January 1, 1997.  However, he deserved recognition as the youngest player in the American League (and fifth youngest to play in MLB this year). The 6’1”, 210-pound righty made his MLB debut April 11.

Barria was just 16-years-old when he signed with the Angels out of Panama in 2013. He started out in the 2013 Dominican Summer League, where he went 0-1, 10.80 in four games as a 16-year-old.  The following season, still just 17, his line was 4-4, 3.03 and he fanned 55 batters in 59 1/3 innings. In Rookie-level ball (2015), he went 5-4, 4.02 – as he continued steady movement upward. 2016 saw Barrie with the Burlington Bees of the A-level Midwest League, where he went 8-6, 3.85 and fanned 78 in 117 innings.  His breakout came in 2017 (still, keep in mind, just 20-years-old), when he pitched at High-A, AA and AAA – going a combined 7-9, but with a stingy 2.80 ERA and 117 whiffs in 141 2/2 innings.

Barria won his first MLB start (April 11), topping the Rangers 7-2.  Barria went five innings in that game giving up three hits, a walk and one earned run, while fanning three.  He was back down in the minors  briefly, before a second start on April  22.  He has now made 5 starts and has a 3-1, 2.13 record. .

Rookie Jaimie Barria had an epic confrontation Giants’ veteran Brandon Belt on April 22.  The at bat took 21 pitches and included 16 consecutive foul balls – before ending in a fly out.  The 21-pitch at bat is generally accepted as MLB’s longest ever (although early records are not complete.)

Primary resouces:  Baseball-reference.com; MLB.com; Society for American Baseball Research

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News, Uncategorized

Plenty of Base Hits – Runs? Not So Much.

May 21, 2018 by
Eduardo rodriguez photo

Eduardo Rodriguez Photo by Keith Allison

Yesterday (May 20, 2-18), the Baltimore Orioles put on an offensive display (sort of) at Fenway Park, as they outhit the Red Sox 13-12 – and still lost by a 5-0 score.  What makes the outcome even more surprising is that the Red Sox’ shutout was not aided by a single double play. The Orioles left 14 runners on base.  In the game, the Orioles went 1-for-ten with runners in scoring position and  had at least one hit in every inning, as well as hits by nine of the ten O’s that batted in the contest. The Orioles’ offense went like this:

 

  • With one out in the first, CF Adam Jones collected a one-out, ground-ball  single off Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez – followed by two fly-ball outs.
  • Orioles’ DH Mark Trumbo opened the second with a ground-ball single off Rodriguez – followed by two fly outs and an inning-ending strikeout.
  • 1B Trey Mancini singled to right off Rodriguez with one down in the third. Jones followed with another right-field single, moving Mancini to second. Rodriguez then got a pop up (infield fly rule) and a ground out to third.
  • In the fourth, 3B Danny Valencia reached on a one-out error by Red Sox’ 3B Rafael Devers; RF Joey Rickard reached on a fielder’s choice (Valencia out at second); C Andrew Susac singled to center, advancing Rickard to second; and LF Craig Gentry flied out to end the frame.
  • Rodriguez toughened up in the fifth inning – giving up just one single (Jones) and striking out three Orioles.
  • Rodriguez, who had given up six hits (all singles), was still on the mound in the sixth, which started with a Trumbo strikeout and then singles by Valencia and Rickard (Valencia to second). Rodriguez then got another strikeout, before Gentry singled to load the bases – bringing in reliever Heath Hembree, who ended the inning by inducing a Mancini fly out.
  • Hembree had an easy seventh, just a lone single by SS Manny Machado, two K’s and a pop up.
  • Bobby Poyner came on in the eighth for Boston and sandwiched two singles (Rickard and Gentry) between a lead-off ground out, third-hitter pop up and inning-closing ground out.
  • The ninth, with Brian Johnson on the mound, opened with the Orioles’ 13th hit and first extra-base knock – a double by LF Jace Peterson. Johnson then got ground out, fly out, strikeout to finish the whitewashing.

Eduardo Rodriguez got the win, his fourth of the season (4-1, 4.13).

It’s been ten seasons since a team collected 13 hits in a nine-inning contest without scoring. On August 25, 2008, the Dodgers collected 13 hits and lost to the Phillies (who had ten hits) by a 5-0 score. The Dodgers had two extra base hits (both doubles by CF Matt Kemp), also collected three walks, fanned ten times and hit into two double plays.  Los Angeles went 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left 14 runners on base.  The Phillies used three pitchers in the contest.

The last American League team to collect 13 hits, while failing to score (nine innings) was the Minnesota Twins – in a 1-0 loss to the Royals on August 31, 2005. The Twins’ offensive output included two doubles and two walks. Twins’ hitters fanned just five times and hit into three double plays. They were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left ten on base. The Royals used three pitchers. The game’s lone run scored on a walk-off single by RF Emil Brown (just one of five Kansas City hits) with one out in the bottom of the ninth.  Brown’s hit followed a single by 2B Denny Hocking; an error by Twins’ 3B Terry Tiffee on a grounder by Royals’ LF Chip Ambres (sending Hocking to second); and a strikeout by DH Matt Stairs. 

For those who track such things, the Orioles’ unlucky thirteen is NOT the most hits by a team failing to score in a nine-inning game.  I did find two instances in which a team failed to score ove nine innings while collecting 14 safeties. Notably, to show how times have changed – both resulted in complete-game shutouts and both games were completed in 120 minutes or less.

On September 14, 1913, Cubs’ right-hander Larry Cheney tossed a 14-hit shutout against the Giants in Chicago – as his Cubs won 7-0 and collected 11 hits.  As with the Orioles yesterday, the Giants collected only one extra base hit (a double by C Chief Meyers.) It was the 20th win of the season for Cheney, who walked none and fanned four. The game lasted a crisp two hours even. Cheney (who led the NL with 26 wins in 1912) finished 1913 at 21-14, 2.57 (with 25 complete games and eleven saves).He was 116-100, 2.70 in nine MLB seasons.

On July 10, 1928. Washington Senators’ righty Milton Gason shutout the Cleveland Indians on 14 hits. Just as the Orioles outhit the Red Sox and the Giants outhit the Cubs, the Indians outhit the Senators 14-13 – but lost the contest 9-0.  The Indians also drew a pair of walks and had three extra base hits (two doubles and a triple) in their output.  Gaston went the distance in that contest (which lasted just 1 hour and 49 minutes), fanning just two and getting the benefit of two double plays.  Gaston would finish the 1928 season at 6-12, 5.51 and an 11-season MLB career at 97-164, 4.55 – leading the AL in losses in 1926 and 1930.

Primary resources:  Baseball-Refrence.com; MLB.com

 

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Perfect Bookends: Lead-Off and Walk-Off Long Ball … Same Player – Same Game

May 17, 2018 by

In today’s hard-throwing/free-swinging game, fans have come to expect plenty of opportunities to see the long ball.  Still, there are certain dingers that create a little extra rush – including those times when your team’s first batter opens a game by going yard or when your last batter closes a contest with a walk-off long ball.  And, MLB has tracked those occasions pretty well.

Rickey Henderson holds the career record for leading off his team’s offense with a home run – a start-ling 81 of his 297 home runs (30 percent) were game openers for his squad. Game-ending walk-off blasts are much rarer.  Jim Thome holds the career record for walk-off blasts with a lucky 13.

Alfonso Soriano holds the single-season record for game-opening long balls in both the American (13 for the 2003 Yankees) and National (12 for the Cubs) Leagues.

Even rarer are those instances in which a player has launched a game-opening and walk-off home run in the same contest. That has happened only six times in MLB history – and today is the anniversary of the first such occasion (Billy Hamilton, Phillies – May 17, 1893.) Here’s a look at the half dozen players who have pulled off this feat.

Billy Hamilton, LF-Phillies. May 17, 1893

HamiltonHamilton – known for speed, rather than power – opened the bottom of the first with a long ball, and then topped off the Phillies 11-9 win over the Washington Senators with a blast in the bottom of the tenth.  They were two of just five home runs Hamilton would hit in 1893. Hamilton hit 40 round trippers in a 14-season Hall of Fame MLB career that included a .344 average and 914 stolen bases.

 

 

 

 

 

Vic Power, 1B-Athletics, May 7, 1957

PowerPower’s Athletics were playing the Orioles, when he opened the game with his first home run of the young season). He later wrapped up the game – a 3-2 Athletics win – with a solo shot with one out in the bottom of the tenth. The slick fielding first sacker would hit 12 more home runs that season and 126 long balls in his 12-season MLB career.

Vic Power also is one of just eleven players (and the most recent one) to steal home twice in a game.  He did it for the Indians on August 14, 1958 – as the tribe topped the Tigers in Cleveland. They were the second and third of the three bases he would swipe all season and the second steal – with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the tenth – gave the Indians a “run-off” win in

 

 

Darin Erstad, DH-Angels, June 25, 2000

Darin Erstad photo

Photo by Rich Anderson

Erstad was leading off at DH for the Angels against the Twins, when he opened the bottom of the first with a home run off Minnesota starter Mark Redman and ended it in the bottom of the eleventh with a home run off Twins’ reliever Eddie Guardado.  They were Erstad’s 15th and 16th homer runs in a season in which he would hit 25 round trippers and drive in 100 runs (.355 average in 157 games).  Erstad ended a 14-season MLB career with a .282 average and 124 home runs.  That 2000 season was the only year he would hit 20 or more round trippers.

 

 

Reed Johnson, RF-Blue Jays, June 15, 2003

JohnsonThe Blue Jays’ RF Reed Johnson was not exactly a household name when he became the first (and still only) MLB rookie to hit a game-opening and game-closing home run in the same contest. His Blue Jays were taking on the Cubs, when he opened the Toronto offense with a lead-off home run and then ended the game – a 5-4 Toronto win – with a second blast in the bottom of the tenth. They were Johnson’s fifth and sixth home runs of a season in which he would hit just ten dingers. Reed played 13 MLB seasons, hitting .279, with 65 home runs (a high of 12 in 2006) and drive in 408.

 

 

 

 

Ian Kinsler, 2B-Rangers, July 19, 2009

Ian Kinsler photo

Photo by Keith Allison

One of two still active players on this  list, Kinsler had his lead-off/walk-off day against the Twins – belting a home run  to left-center in the bottom of the first and another to left (a two-run shot) in the bottom of the twelfth (giving the Rangers a 5-3 win). They were his 21st and 22nd homer runs in a season in which he would belt 31. (Kinsler has topped 20 home runs in five of his 12 MLB seasons. He is playing this, his 13th MLB season, with the Angels.) As of this posting, Kinsler has a .272 career average, with 236 home runs, 844 RBI and 228 stolen bases.

 

 

 

 

Chris Young, CF-Diamondbacks, August 7, 2010

youngYoung, playing this season with the Angels, hit his bookend home runs against the Padres. He started the D-backs’ scoring, opening the offense with (of course) a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first. The D-backs built a 5-0 lead over the first four innings, but the Padres came back with three in the sixth and two in the top of the ninth to tie it up. Young ended the suspense, leading off the bottom of the ninth by hitting a 1-2 pitch into the left-field stands.  He is the only player to hit lead-off and walk-off home runs in a game that did not go extra innings. They were his 18th and 19th round trippers of the season – a campaign in which he would hit 27 long balls.   Young has hit 20 or more home runs in four seasons (he is in his 13th MLB season) and stolen 20 or more bases in threecampaigns.

 

 

Primary resources:  Baseball-Referece.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

 

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Bumpus, Bud, Bobo … and others … Their First MLB Complete Games Were No-Hitters

May 12, 2018 by
James Paxton Photo by hj_west

James Paxton
Photo by hj_west

Earlier this week (May 8), Seattle Mariners’ southpaw James Paxton threw a no-hitter, topping the Blue Jays 5-0 in Toronto.  The effort was somewhat unique in a number of ways.  Paxton was the first Canadian-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Canada; the no-no was the third no-hitter of the season – each accomplished in a different country (Mexico; Canada; USA); and Paxton threw just 99 pitches, becoming just the 12th pitcher to complete a no-hitter with less than 100 pitches (the record is held by Addie Joss,  who – on October 2, 1908 – needed just 74 pitches to throw a perfect gamer against the White Sox, as his Cleveland Naps triumphed 1-0).

None of the above spurred this Baseball Roundtable post.  Rather it was the fact that no-hitter was James Paxton’s first complete game, coming in his 82nd major league start. So, to this date, Paxton’s first (and only) complete game was a no-hitter. Paxton, by the way, is the second pitcher to accomplish this feat in 2018.  Sean Manaea of the A’s also pitched a no-hitter in his first complete game (April 21). As is so often the case with BBRT, one thing led to another, and I started to explore how many other pitchers’ first complete games were no-hitters – and, further, how many of those were the only complete game in the no-hit twirler’s career.

There have been 22 no-hitters thrown in a pitcher’s first MLB complete game. Rarer is the player whose ONLY career complete game has been a no-hitter.  There are eight of those among the 22 first-complete game no-hitters – and four of those players are still active, so they could drop off that short list.  As you might anticipate, as the number of complete games has declined, the number of first-compete game no-hitters has risen (you need to give a manager a good reason to keep you in a game, these days). Fourteen of the 22 first-complete game no-hitters have occurred since. 2000.

Before we get into the lists, and later the details on each game and each pitcher’s career, here are a few trivia tidbits:

  • The St. Louis Browns’ Alva Lee “Bobo” Holloman is the only player to meet these three criteria: 1) First complete game a no-hitter; 2) Only complete game a no-hitter; Accompishing the feat in his first MLB start. (May 6, 1953 – Browns 6/Athletics 0).
  • In addition to Holloman, Ted Breitenstein, St. Louis Browns (October 4, 1891 – Browns 8/Louisville Colonels 0) and Bumpus Jones, Reds (October 15, 1892 – Reds 7/Pirates 1) pitched no-hitters in their first starts. Each, however, also racked up additional complete games and their no-hitters were accomplished when the pitching distance was 50 feet.
  • The Chicago White Sox’ Philip Humber threw only one complete game in eight MLB seasons – and it was a perfect game. (April 12, 2012 – White Sox 4/Mariners 0).
  • The White Sox’ Philip Humber and A’s Dallas Braden (May 9, 2010) are the only two pitchers to throw a perfect game as their first MLB complete game.
  • The Marlins’ A.J. Burnett (May 12, 2001 – Marlins 3/Padres 0) may have thrown the most chaotic first-complete game no hitter. In beating the Padres 3-0, Burnett walked nine (a record for a nine-inning no-no) and hit one batter.

Now, here are the  lists. After the lists, there is a more detailed look at each player’s first career complete game and career accomplishments.

—–FIRST – AND ONLY – COMPLETE GAME A NO-HITTER—-

Asterisk = Still Active

  • Bobo Holloman, St. Louis Browns – May6, 1953 – Browns 6/Athletics
  • Bud Smith, Cardinals – September 3, 2001 – Cardinals 4/Padres 0
  • Jonathan Sanchez, Giants – July 10, 2009 – Giants 8/Padres 0
  • Philip Humber, White Sox – April 12, 2012 – White Sox 4/Mariners 0
  • Hasahi Iwakuma*, Mariners – August 12, 2015 – Mariners 3/Orioles 0
  • Mike Fiers*, Astros … August 21, 2015 – Astros 3/Dodges 0
  • Sean Manaea*, A’s – April 21, 2018 – A’s 3/Red Sox 0
  • James Paxton*, Mariners – May 8, 2018 – Mariners 5/Blue Jays 0

—–FIRST COMPLETE GAME A NO-HITTER (not only career complete game)—–

  • Ted Breitenstein, St. Louis Browns – October 4, 1891 – Browns 8/Louisville Colonels 0
  • Charles Leander “Bumpus” Jones, Reds – October 15, 1892 – Reds 7/Pirates 1
  • Bill Stoneman, Expos – April 17, 1969 – Expos 7/Phillies 0
  • Charlie Lea, Expos – May 10, 1981 – Expos 4/Giants 0
  • Wilson Alvarez, White Sox – April 11, 1991 – White Sox 7/Orioles 0
  • Kent Mercker, Braves – April 8, 1994 – Braves 6/Dodgers 0
  • Jose Jimenez, Cardinals – June 25, 1999 – Cardinals 1/Diamondbacks 0
  • A.J. Burnett, Marlins – May 12, 2001 – Marlins 3/Padres 0
  • Derek Lowe, Red Sox – April 27, 2002 – Red Sox 10/Rays 0
  • Anibel Sanchez*, Marlins – September 6, 2006 – Marlins 2/Diamondback 0
  • Clay Buchholz*, Red Sox – Septsember 1, 2007 – RedSox 10/Orioles O
  • Jon Lester*, Red Sox – May 19, 2008 – Red Sox 7/Royals 0
  • Dallas Braden, A’s – May 9, 2010 – A’s 4/Rays 0
  • Francisco Liriano*, Twins – May 3, 2011 – Twins 1/White Sox 0

A POINT OF CONTRAST

Walter JOhnson baseball photo

Photo by pingnews.com

No one went further in his career – in terms of complete games – before throwing a no-hitter than Walter Johnson. When he threw his only no-hitter on July 1, 1920 – a Senators  1-0 win over the Red Sox – Johnson was in his 14th MLB season and had 398 complete games under his belt.  Johnson, by the way, pitched 21 MLB seasons and led the American League in wins six times, ERA five times, complete games six times, shutouts seven times, innings pitched five times ans strikeouts 12 times.

 

Now, a deeper dive into all those first-complete game no-hitters.

____________________

FIRST – AND ONLY – COMPLETE GAME A NO-HITTER

BOBO HOLLOMAN LEADS IT OFF

HollomanHolloman gets a box – not just a listing – as the only MLB pitcher who not only can claim a  no-hitter in his first MLB complete game, but also in his very first MLB start (at the current pitching distance of 60’ 6”).   It came in his fifth appearance of the 1953 season (May 6). In that game, Holloman, pitching for the St. Louis Browns, no-hit the Philadelphia Athletics (in St. Louis) and picked up his first MLB win by a 6-0 score.  He walked five and fanned three. Holloman also collected two hits and drove in three runs in the game – his only career MLB safeties and RBI.

The historic no-hitter would be one only three wins for Holloman in 1953 and in his MLB career. Holloman would appear in 22 games that seasons (10 starts) and go 3-7, 5.23. It would make up the sum total of his MLB career – due to a sore arm.

Note: Holloman had built quite a reputation before coming up to St. Louis.  From 1946 through 1952, he had run up 110 wins and 69 losses in 268 minor league games – a workload that may have taken a toll by the time he reached the major leagues.  

Bud Smith … MLB Career: 2001-2002

Bud Smith made only 24 major league starts and had just one complete game – but he made it count.  On September 3, 2001, Smith (pitching for the Cardinals) no-hit the Padres, leading a 4-0 St. Louis win in San Diego. Smith threw 134 pitches (78 strikes), walking four and striking out seven.  It was the rookie’s 13th MLB game and 11th big-league start.

Smith finished the season 6-3, 3.83.  In 2002, the southpaw was 1-5, 6.94 in 11 games (10 starts) before a trade to the Phillies (Smith and infielder Placido Polanco for pitchers Mike Timlin and Doug Nickle, third baseman  Scott Rolen and cash).  Smith did not appear in another MLB game.

Jonathan Sanchez … MLB Career: 2006-13

Sanchez tossed a no-hitter on July 10, 2009, as the Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 8-0 in San Francisco. Sanchez truly dominated that day, carrying a perfect game, with nine strikeouts, into the top of the eighth inning. Only a one-out error by third baseman Pablo Sandoval stood between Sanchez and perfection.  He ended throwing 110 pitches to produce a no-hitter, zero walks and eleven strikeouts.

Sanchez’ gem (and first complete game) came at the age of 26, in his fourth MLB season and his 51st MLB start.  The performance was hardly expected.  He came into the game 15-26 (with a 5.21 ERA) for his career and with a 2-8, 5.30 record on the season. Sanchez ended the 2009 season at 8-12, 4.24, with 177 whiffs in 163 1/3 innings.  He had his best major league campaign the following year, going 13-9, 3.07, with 205 strikeouts in a 193 1/3 innings. For his eight-season MLB career, Sanchez went 39-58, 4.70.  He pitched for the Giants from 2006 through 2011; the Royals and Rockies in 2012; and the Pirates in 2013.

FIRST AND ONLY – AND ABSOLUTELY PERFECT

Philip Humber baseball photo

Photo by Keith Allison

Philip Humber deserves special mention on the “First and Only Complete Game” list. He threw only one complete game in eight MLB seasons – and it was a Perfect Game. It came on April 21, 2012 – in Humber’s second start of the season – as his White Sox beat the Mariners 4-0. Umber used just 96 pitches (67) strikes in  his “perfecto.”  He logged nine strikeouts.  The perfect Game was not a portent of things to come. In his very next outing, the right-hander gave up eight hits, three walks and nine earned runs in five innings. He finished the season 5-5, 6.44 in 26 appearances (16 starts). Humber pitched for the Mets, Twins, Royals, White Sox and Astros during his MLB career (2006-13). His final stat line was 16-23, 5.31 in 97 games (51 starts). Still, he stands alone as the only MLB pitcher whose first AND ONLY complete game was a perfect outing.

Hasahi Iwakuma … MLB Career: 2012 – Still Active (Currently recovering from a shoulder injury)

Iwakuma’s no-hitter came on August 12, 2015, as his Mariners bested the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 in Seattle. The former Japanese League (NPB) All Star threw 116 pitches (77 strikes), walking three and fanning seven.  He was just the second Japanese player to throw a no-hitter in MLB (the first was Hideo Nomo). That season, Iwakuma went 9-5. 3.54 in 20 starts.

Hasahi Iwakuma gets an asterisk on this list, as he threw 48 complete games in 225 starts in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league before coming to MLB.

His no-hitter was his only complete game in 136 starts over six MLB seasons and came in his 88th career starting assignment. Iwakuma had three seasons of double-digit wins: 14-6, 2.66 in 2113, when he was an All Star; 15-9, 3.52 in 2014; and 16-12, 4.12 in 2016.   His career record:  63-39, 3.42,

Mike Fiers … MLB Career: 2011 – Still Active

Fiers threw his no-hitter on August 21, 2015 – while a member of the Houston Astros. He used 134 pitches (88 strikes) to shut down the Dodgers 3-0 in Houston.  He walked three and fanned ten.  The no-hitter was his first complete game and came in his 59th MLB start. His 2015 record was 7-10, 3.69 (with the Brewers and Astros).

Fiers’ best season was 2016, when he went 11-8, 4.48 for the Astros (31 games/30 starts). Since the no hitter, he has started an additional 79 games without a complete game.  He has pitched for the Brewers (2011-2015); Astros (2015-2017); and Tigers (2018). His career record (as this is posted):  45-49, 4.18.

Sean Manaea … MLB Career: 2016 – Still Active

Manaea’s no-hitter came on April 21, 2018, as the A’s topped the Red Sox 3-0 in Oakland.  The no-hitter came in the 26-year-old lefty’s 58th career start. He threw 108 pitches (75 strikes), walking two and fanning ten.  His 2018 record (as this post is written) is 4-4, 2.11.  He will, no doubt, eventually move from the “First and Only Complete Game a No-Hitter” list to the “First Complete Game a No-Hitter” list.  Manaea’s career MLB record (as this is written), all with Oakland: 23-23, 3.81.

James Paxton …. MLB Career: 2013 – still active

Paxton’s no-hitter came on May 8, 2018, as his Mariners topped the Blue Jays 5-0 in Toronto.  It was his first complete game in 82 MLB starts. He threw 99 pitches (64 strikes), walking three and fanning seven. Paxton had his best season in 2017, when he went 12-5, 2.98 in 24 starts.

As this is posted, Paxton’s career record (all with the Mariner) is 32-21, 3.30 – and his 2018 record is 2-1, 3.40.   It’s likely he will soon move from the “First – and Only” list to the “First Complete Game a No-hitter” list very soon.

FIRST (not only) COMPLETE GAME A NO-HITTER

Ted Breitenstein … MLB Career: 1891-1901

Breitenstein made just six appearances – and only one start – in his first MLB season (for the American Association St. Louis Browns in 1891). On October 4, the last day of the 1891 season, he faced off against the Louisville Colonels.  The southpaw came out on the right end of an 8-0 score – and pitched a no-hitter, coming within one walk of a perfect game. Note:  The no-hitter was pitched at a time when the pitchers’ box was 50’ from home plate.

Breitenstein went on to pitch 11 MLB seasons, going 160-170, 4.03 – and tossing 301 complete games in 342 starts (380 appearances). He pitched for St. Louis (1891-96 & 1901) and Cincinnati (1897-1900).

Bumpus Jones … MLB Career: 1892-93

Right-hander Bumpus Jones got only one start in 1892. On October 15, the 22-year-old Jones got his first MLB start, as his Reds faced off against the Pirates.  Jones came away with a no-hit, 7-1 win (one unearned run) in which he walked four and struck out three. Note:  Like Ted Breitenstein’s no-hitter, Jones’ was thrown in the days of the pitching box 50’ from the plate.

The following season, Jones went 1-4, 10.19 for the Reds and Giants (two complete games in six starts) – and his MLB career was over.  Speculation has often been raised that the change in the pitching distance may have contributed to Jones’ inability to continue his career.

Bill Stoneman … MLB Career: 1967-74

Stoneman threw his first MLB complete game in his third big league season and just his fifth start. Stoneman began his MLB career with the Cubs, getting just two starts in 46 appearances in 1967 and 1968. Then came the expansion draft and a trip to Montreal that changed everything – although things did not look that good at first blush.

In his first start for Montreal, the right-hander lasted just one-third of an inning and gave up four runs (all earned). Then, in his second start, he lasted 8 2/3 (one more out and he wouldn’t have made this list), but gave up seven runs (only one earned). Third time out, apparently, was the charm.  On April 17, 1969, Stoneman pitched his first complete game – a 7-0, no-hit, white washing of the Phillies (in Philadelphia). Stoneman walked five and struck out eight in the win. He didn’t wait long for his second career complete game, throwing a six-hit shutout at St. Louis just five days later.

Stoneman finished the 1969 season at 11-19, 4.39, with eight complete games and five shutouts. In his eight MLB seasons, he pitched for the Cubs (1967-68); Expos (1969-73); and Angels (1974). He was an All Stair in 1972 and his best campaign was 1971 (17-16, 3.15 for Montreal).  His final stat line was 54-85, 4.08, with 45 complete games in 169 starts (245 total appearances).

Charlie Lea … MLB Career: 1980-84, 1987-88

Charlie Lea threw his first complete game – a no-hitter against the Giants – in his second MLB season and 22nd MB start.  It came on May 10, 1981, as his Expos downed San Francisco 4-0. Lea walked four and fanned nine in the contest. Lea finished the season 5-4, 4.62.

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

In May of 1981, Charlie Lea had the San Francisco Giants’ number – and it was zero.  On May 10, Lea pitched his first career complete game, no-hitting the San Francisco squad in a 4-0 win in Montreal. In his next start, six days later in the City by the Bay, he pitched his second career complete game – a four-hit shutout, topping the Giants 5-0.

Lea pitched in seven MLB seasons for the Expos (1980-84 & 1987) and Twins (1988). He went 62-48, 3.54 and had 22 complete games in 144 starts (152 total appearances). His best season was 1984, when he was an All Star and went 15-10, 2.89, with eight complete games for the Expos.

Wilson Alvarez … MLB Career: 1989, 1991-99, 2002-05

Left-hander Wilson Alvarez made his major league debut with the Rangers as a 19-year-old on July 24, 1989.  Things did not go well. He got the start against the Blue Jays and his first big league inning went like this: single; home run; home run; walk; walk.  At this point, he was pulled – without getting an out.  Less than a week later, he was traded to the White Sox with Scott Fletcher and Sammy Sosa for Harold Baines and Fred Manrique.

Alvarez didn’t see a major league mound again for just over two years.  However, on August 11, 1991, he redeemed himself.  In just his second MLB start – this time for the White Sox (at Baltimore) – he no-hit the Orioles in a 7-0 Chicago win. He threw 128 pitches (75 strikes) in his first MLB complete game, walking five and fanning seven.

In his 14 MLB seasons, Alvarez pitched for the Rangers (1989); White Sox (1991-97); Giants (1997); Rays (1998-99 & 2002: and Dodgers (2004-05). He went 102-92, 3.96 in 355 games (263 starts) and pitched 12 complete games.  Alvarez was an All Star in 1994 and had his best season in 1993, when he went 15-8, 2.95 for the ChiSox.

Kent Mercker … MLB Career: 1989-2001, 2002-06, 2008

Mercker was primarily a relief pitcher for the Braves from 1989 through 1993 (11 starts in 184 appearances). Then in 1994, he made 17 starts in 20 appearances and threw his first (of just two) career complete games.  That first complete outing came on April 8, 1994 – the 26-year-old southpaw’s first 1994 start.  He got off to a great beginning, no-hitting the Dodgers in LA, as the Braves won 6-0. Mercker threw 131 pitches (85 strikes), walking four and striking out ten.

In an 18-season MLB career, Mercker made 692 appearances (150 starts), going 74-67, 4.16, with 25 saves. He pitched for the Braves (1989-95 & 2003); Orioles (1996); Indians (1996); Reds (1997, 2003, 2005-06 & 2008); Cardinals (1999); Red Sox (1999); Angels (2000); Rockies (2002); Cubs (2004).

Jose Jimenez … MLB career: 1998-2004

Jimenez went 3-0, 2.95 in a September 1998 call up to the Cardinals.  Then, on June 25, 1999, the rookie pitched a gem – shutting out the Diamondbacks 1-0 in Arizona.  In that game, his first complete game, Jimenez gave up no hits, walked two, hit one batter and struck out eight.  He needed just 101 pitches (62 strikes).  The performance was a bit of a surprise.  Jimenez came into the game with a 1999 record of 4-8, with a 6.69 ERA.

Jimenez pitched in seven MLB seasons: Cardinals (1998-99); Rockies (2000-03); and Indians (2004). He threw two complete games in 38 starts and also picked up 110 saves in 291 relief appearances.  His career stat line:  24-44, 4.92. His best season was 2002 (Rockies), when he went 2-10, but also earned 41 saves and put up a 3.56 ERA.

A.J. Burnett … MLB Career: 1999-2015

Burnett threw his first complete game (for the Marlins) on May 12, 2001 – when he no-hit the Padres (3-0) in San Diego.  It was the 24-year-old righty’s 22nd career MLB start, coming in his third MLB season.  It wasn’t exactly a classic no-hitter.  Burnett threw 129 pitches (65 strikes), walking nine, hitting a batter and striking out seven. Burnett finished the season 11-12, 4.05.

Burnett went on to a 17-season MLB career – making his first All Star team in his final campaign (at age 38), when he went 9-7, 3.18 for the Pirates.  Burnett pitched for the Marlins (1999-2005); Blue Jays (2006-08); Yankees (2009-11); and Pirates (2012-15). His final record was 164-157, 3.99, with 24 complete games in 430 starts.  He struck 2,513 batters and walked 1,100 in 2,731 1/3 innings. The wildness that typified his early no-hitter was a sign of things to come, as Burnett led his league in walks in 2009 and 2014; hit-by-pitch in 2010; and wild pitches in 2002, 2009 and 2011. His best season was probably 2012, when he went 16-10, 3.51 for the Pirates (although he also went 18-10, 4.07 for the Blue Jays in 2008).

Derek Lowe … MLB Career: 1997-2013

Lowe’s first complete game came in his sixth MLB season and 27th start (by this time, Lowe had also made 295 relief appearances and had a 42-save season in 2000).   In his first complete game, Lowe no-hit Tampa Bay, as his Boston Red Sox won 10-0 in Boston. He threw just 97 pitches (66 strikes) and recorded one walk and six strikeouts.

Lowe’s 17-season MLB career included time with the Mariners (1997); Red Sox (1997-2004); Dodgers (2005-08); Braves (2009-11); Indians (2012); Yankees (2012); and Rangers (2013.).  He made 377 starts (10 complete games) and 304 relief appearances. His final stat line was 176-157, 4.04, with 86 saves.  His best season was either 2002, when he went 21-8, 2.58 as a starter for the Red Sox or 2000, when he went 4-4, 2.56 and led the American League in saves with 42.

Derek Low, a two-time All Star, led the American league in saves in 2000 (42) and the National League in victories (16) in 2006.

Anibel Sanchez … MLB Career: 2006 – Still Active

Sanchez threw his first complete game September 6, 2006 (his rookie season), no-hitting the Diamondbacks in a 2-0 Florida Marlins win in Miami. It was just his 13th MLB start. Sanchez threw 103 pitches (67 strikes), walking four and fanning six.

The right-hander finished the 2006 campaign 10-3, 2.83 and threw a second complete game that September. Now in his 13th MLB season, Sanchez has pitched for the Marlins (2006-12); Tigers (2012-17); and Braves (2018). His career  record, as this is written, is 91-94, 4.07 and he has thrown nine complete games in 264 starts. For the 2018 season, he is 1-0, 1.29. His best season was 2013, when he went 14-8, with a league-low 2.57 ERA for the Tigers (striking out 202 batters in 182 innings).

Clay Buchholz … MLB Career: 2007-2017; active not in the major leagues

Buchholz threw a complete-game, no-hitter in just his second MLB start, after going six-innings and picking up a win in his first start (August 17, 2007). The right-hander’s big game came on September 1, 2007, with his Red Sox beating the Orioles 10-0. Buchholz threw 115 pitches in the game (73 strikes), walking three, hitting one batter and whiffing nine.  He ended the season, after his August call up, at 3-1, 1.59.

Buchholz pitched for the Red Sox from 2007 through 2016 and the Phillies in 2017.  His career stat line is 81-62, 4.01, with nine complete games in 190 starts (a total of 208 appearances). He is a two-time All Star and his best season has been 2010, when he went 17-7, 2.33 for the Red Sox.  Buchholz, who had arm surgery (flexor tendon) in 2017, signed a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks this May.

Jon Lester … MLB Career: 206 – Still Active

Lester threw his no-hitter on May 19, 2008 – handcuffing the Kansas City Royals as his Red Sox won 7-0 in Boston. It came in his third MLB season (first full season) and his 37th MLB start. Lester tossed 130 pitches (86 strikes) in the game, walking two and fanning nine. The left-hander went 16-6 on the year and picked up his second career complete game, a five-hit shutout – eight starts after his no-no.

Lester pitched for the Red Sox from 2006 through 2014; the A’s in 2014; and the Cubs 2014 to this season. As this is being written, Lester has 161 wins (93 losses) and a 3.50 career ERA in 356 games (355 starts) – and a total of 15 complete games. He is 2-1, 2.82 on the 2018 season. His is a four-time All Star and his best season was 2016, when he went 19-5, 2.44 for the Cubs.

Dallas Braden … MLB Career: 2007-2011

Braden tossed a perfect game and his first MLB complete game on May 9, 2010, as his A’s topped the Tampa Bay Rays 4-0 in Oakland. It came in the 25-year-old right-hander’s fourth MLB season and 53rd career MLB start. Braden didn’t wait long to secure his next complete game.  He went the distance (eight innings) in his very next appearance (May 14) in a 4-3 loss to the Angels. Braden threw all five of his career complete games in 2010 (in 30 starts), as he put up an 11-14, 3.50 record. In his perfect outing, Braden threw 109 pitches (77 strikes) and fanned six batters.

Braden’s career stat line (all with the A’s)  was 26-36, 4.16 with 94 appearances (79 starts) and eight complete games. His career was cut short early in the 2011 season by a shoulder injury that demanded surgery.

Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers … MLB Career: 2005 – Still Active

Liriano’s first major league complete game came on May 3, 2011.  Liriano was with the Twins at the time and he walked six and struck out two while no-hitting the White Sox 1-0 in Chicago. He threw 123 pitches (66 strikes) and fanned just two hitters. The no-hitter and first complete game came in Liriano’s 104th MLB start. He finished the 2011 season at 9-10, 5.09 in 26 games (24 starts).

As this is written, Liriano has a 3-1, 3.35 record in seven 2018  starts for the Tigers; and a career record of 105-100, 4.13, with three complete games in 281 starts.  He has pitched for the Twins (2005-06, 2008-12); White Sox (2012); Pirates (2013-16); Blue Jays (2016-17); Astros (2017); and Tigers (2018). His best season was 2013, when he went 16-8, 3.02 for the Pirates, fanning 163 batters in 161 innings.

Francisco Liriano may be the Comeback Kid.  He won the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2010 and was the NL Comeback Player of the Year in 2013.

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

 

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

CORRECTION – PLEASE NOTE

May 10, 2018 by

CORRECTION – PLEASE NOTE

In yesterday’s post – on The Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals – the 2018 Induction Ceremony date should be July 22.  That is now corrected in the post. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Baseball Reliquary 2018 Shrine of the Eternals Electees – They Came to Play

May 9, 2018 by

ReliquaryNewOn May 3, Baseball Roundtable featured the 2018 Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s 2018 Hall of Game honorees – Dick Allen; Eddie Murray; Jim “Mudcat” Grant; and J.R. Richard. (See that post here.) In this post, we will look at the recently announced 2018 electees to the Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals – which takes a more eclectic approach to the national pastime.  Let me add that I am proud to be a card-carrying member of both organizations.

I’ve asked a version of the following question on this page before, but it remains the best way to introduce the Baseball Reliquary and its Shrine of the Eternals.

What do the following have in common – a pitcher who once threw a no-hitter while high on LSD; a team owner who sent a midget to the plate; a man in a chicken suit; a member of Major League Baseball’s 3,000-hit club; a MLB catcher who one season led the National League in passed balls, despite starting only 59 games behind the plate; another backstop known as much for his malapropisms as his record 71 World Series base hits; an MLB manager who won eight World Championships; a one-armed outfielder; a one-handed  pitcher; a cartoon character who  managed and pitched his team to more than 1,000 losses (and just a handful of wins); a baseball card designer; a surgeon; a labor leader; a statistical wizard;  and more than one best-selling author?

These diverse individuals are all among the past electees to The Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals – an honor that recognizes individuals who have had impact on our national pastime that goes beyond statistics and touches upon the culture and character of the game.  In essence, the Shrine of the Eternals is our national pastime’s fan-focused Hall of Fame. (This year, you can add a crafty southpaw, a red-headed raker and a true player to the list)

The Baseball Reliquary this week announced its latest (2018) Shrine of the Eternals electees, who will be enshrined during ceremonies slated for 2:00 p.m., Sunday July 22nd, at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium, Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, California.  If there is one thing this year’s honorees share, it’s a long tenure of excellence.  Together the three have played more than 80 combined seasons in major league ballparks.  Here are the electees:

Tommy John … Led all nominees – named on 44 percent of the ballots.

Southpaw Tommy John won 288 major league games in 26 MLB seasons (1963-89), 164 of those victories after undergoing the ground-breaking surgery that now bears his name – and which also earned surgeon Frank Jobe a spot in the Shrine of the Eternals in 2012.

Rusty Staub …

Daniel Joseph Staub’s red hair earned him the nickname Rusty and, in Montreal, the title Le Grand Orange. The first baseman/outfielder’s potent bat earned him a 23-season MLB career, six All Star selections and a special spot in the hearts of Expos’ and Mets’ fans.

Nancy Faust …

Nancy Faust played lively, relevant and witty organ music at sporting events for four decades (1970-2010) and was a fixture at Old Comiskey and New Comiskey (U.S. Cellular field) Parks.

Before taking a closer look at this year’s electees, the full roster of Shrine of the Eternals inductees and my own 2018 ballot, I’d like to provide a brief overview of both the Baseball Reliquary and its Shrine of the Eternals.

Spoiler Alert: Unabashed membership recommendation to follow.  If you are a baseball fan, I would highly recommend you consider membership in the Baseball Reliquary – a truly free-spirited (if somewhat eccentric) organization dedicated to celebrating the human side of baseball’s history and heritage.  The Baseball Reliquary is an open and fan-focused organization, committed to recognizing baseball’s place in American culture and to honoring the character and characters of the national pastime. It pursues that mission through its collection of artifacts, traveling exhibitions, ties to the Whittier College Institute for Baseball Studies and its own version of the Baseball Hall of Fame – the Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals.  For more on the Baseball Reliquary, and why you should become a member, click here.

Now, to the Shrine of the Eternals. Here’s what the Reliquary has to say about this honor.

The Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals

Similar in concept to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Shrine of the Eternals differs philosophically in that statistical accomplishment is not the principal criterion for election. The Baseball Reliquary believes that the election of individuals on merits other than statistics and playing ability will offer the opportunity for a deeper understanding and appreciation of baseball than has heretofore been provided by “Halls of Fame” in the more traditional and conservative institutions.

Criteria for election shall be: the distinctiveness of play (good or bad); the uniqueness of character and personality; and the imprint that the individual has made on the baseball landscape. Electees, both on and off the diamond, shall have been responsible for developing baseball in one or more of the following ways: through athletic and/or business achievements; in terms of its larger cultural and sociological impact as a mass entertainment; and as an arena for the human imagination.

Each year, the Baseball Reliquary submits a list of candidates to its members and the top three vote-getters are honored.  (Each member may vote for up to nine nominees.) With that background behind us, let’s take a look at the 2018 honorees.  After we look at this year’s electees, I’ll also comment on BBRT’s ballot – and the nominees I voted for who did not make the final three.   Note: voting percentages for all the 2018 candidates can be found at the end of this post. 

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2018 SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS HONOREES

 

Tommy John – LHP … (1943 – * )

Tommy John ... Courtesy of The Bsseball Reliquary

Tommy John … Courtesy of The Bsseball Reliquary

Southpaw Tommy John signed with the Cleveland Indians right out of high school (Gerstmeyer High School in Terre Haute, Indiana), where he was already known for finesse, guile, heart, work ethic and about as good a high school curve ball as the scouts had ever seen. Note: John had not only gone 28-2 on the high school mound, the 6’3”, 185-pound lefty was also a highly-recruited basketball star.

John began his pro baseball career at age 18, showing his promise by going 10-4, 3.17 in 14 games (13 starts) for the Dubuque Packers of the Class D Midwest League. Just two seasons later – at age 20 – he would make his major league debut; called up to the Indians in September (John was 15-10 at Double A/Triple A). He went 0-2, 2.21 in six games – and, most likely, did not expect he would still be pitching in the major leagues a quarter of a century later.

From 1963-74 – pitching for the Indians, White Sox and Dodgers – John went 124-106, with a 2.97 ERA.  His reputation as a crafty and gutsy lefty is supported by the fact that he fanned just 1,273 batters in 2,165 2/3 innings. In 1973 and 1974, John seemed to be hitting his peak as a pitcher.  In 1973, he went 16-7 – with an NL-leading .696 winning percentage and a 3.10 ERA. In 1974, by mid-July, John was 13-3, with a 2.50 ERA.  (His .813 winning percentage would eventually lead all of MLB that season.)

Then, in the third inning of a July 17 start against the Montreal Expos – with the Dodgers leading 4-0 and John seemingly on his way to a 14th pre-All Star break win – disaster struck.  John heard and felt a pop in his left elbow, accompanied by a sudden loss of strength in his arm. It was originally thought that John’s dead arm – his throws could no longer even reach the plate – was the result of long-term stress and might respond to rest. When more than a month passed with no improvement, John learned that he had torn the ligament in his elbow – and the general consensus was that it was beyond repaid and he would never pitch again.

Dodgers’ physician Dr. Frank Jobe suggested a new surgical procedure – replacing the torn ligament with one from another part of his body (in this case, John’s right wrist). It was a procedure no pitcher had undergone and neither Jobe nor John new exactly what to expect. During a long and arduous post-surgery rehab (John missed the entire 1975 season), John showed the same grit and tenacity that had made him a winner on the mound – and the results exceeded expectations.

The development of what is now termed “Tommy John Surgery” helped Tommy John to 14 additional major league seasons (164 additional victories).  The surgery is now considered a routine procedure and has helped prolong the careers of a host of major leaguers. And, Dr. Jobe beat Tommy John to a spot in the Shrine of the Eternals by six years.

John came back in 1976 to go 10-10, 3.09 in 31 starts (207 innings). The rest, as they say, is history.  John, who had 124 wins and one All Star selection in 12 seasons before the surgery, earned another 164 victories and three more All Star selections in 14 seasons after the surgery. His post-surgery record included three 20-win seasons (a high of 22 wins in 1980). He also made all of his 14 post-season appearances post-surgery – compiling a 6-3, 2.64 post-season record.

John pitched until age 46 – racking up 288 wins (231 losses), a 3.34 earned run average, 162 complete games, 46 shutouts and 2,245 strikeouts in 4,710 1/3 innings pitched.  The left arm that in 1974 was thought to be damaged beyond repair, pitched more than 2,500 post-surgery innings.  BBRT says “Well-played, Tommy John” – and, of your election to the Shrine of the Eternals, “Well-earned.”

Rusty Staub – 1B/OF … (1944-2018)

Rusty Staub ... Courtesy of The Baseball Reliquary

Rusty Staub … Courtesy of The Baseball Reliquary

Rusty Staub was part of the expansion Houston Astros’ youth movements and played in 150 games for the Astros as a 19-year-old (1963). While he hit only .224-6-45 that season, there was plenty of major league baseball – 22 more seasons – in his future.

In a major-league career that stretched from 1963 to 1985 – and saw Staub don the uniforms of the Astros, Expos, Mets, Tigers and Rangers – the left-handed hitter was a six-time All Star (five seasons consecutively from 1967 through 1971). He hit .300 or better five times, topped 20 home runs four times and had 100+ RBI three times.  Staub joined the expansion Montreal Expos in 1960 and became the first star of the first MLB franchise located outside the United States. As an Expo from 1969 to 1971 (when he was traded to the Mets for Tim Foli, Mike Jorgensen and Ken Singleton), Staub was an All Star each season and put up a stat lines  of: .302-29-79; .274-30-94; and .311-19-97.  He scored 271 runs over that span. Staub was an instant fan favorite in Montreal, earning the nickname – thanks to his red hair and fan-friendly attitude (even working to learn the French language) – of Le Grande Orange.  His number 10 was the first number ever retired by the Expos’ franchise.

In 1962, 18-year-old Rusty Staub starred as a member of the Durham Bulls in the Class B Carolina League.  Staub led the league with 149 hits, batting .293, with 23 home runs, 93 and 115 runs scored in 140 games.

Over the course of his career, Staub played 23 MLB seasons and 2,951 games.  He put up a .279 average and collected 2,716 base hits, 499 doubles, 47 triples and 292 home runs.  He also scored 1,189 times and drove in 1,466 tallies.

Rusty Staub is the only MLB player to collect at least 500 base hits with four different teams – Mets, Astros, Expos, Tigers).

Staub was a fan favorite wherever he played, noted for a combination of strong baseball skills and personal character. The New York Mets (Staub played for the Mets from 1972 to 1975 and 1981 to 1985)) held Rusty Staub Day in 1986. He has been inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame; Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame; Texas Baseball Hall of Fame; and Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Staub was also an acknowledged humanitarian. He established the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund which, since 1986,  has raised over $150 million for families of policemen, firefighters, emergency service, and port authority officers killed in the line of duty. He also established The Rusty Staub Foundation which, since 1985, (working with Catholic Charities) has raised over $17 million in support of emergency food pantries. Staub died of a heart attack on March 29, 2018, at age 73.

Nancy Faust – Chicago Sports Scene Icon …  (1947 – *)

Nancy Faust may be the only person to play for the Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox.

Nancy Faust - Courtesy of The Baseball Reliquary

Nancy Faust – Courtesy of The Baseball Reliquary

Nancy Faust is arguably the most noted  ball park organist of all time, entertaining White Sox fans with her musical talents and wit (in song selection) from 1970 to  2010.

A Chicago native, Faust began playing the organ as a youngster, under the tutelage of her mother, a professional musician. After earning a degree in psychology, Faust supported herself by playing at sporting events – while searching for a position in her chosen field.  That temporary avocation turned into a life-long vocation – and psychology’s loss was Chicago baseball’s gain.

In 1970, when the White Sox went looking for a successor to Comiskey Park organist Bob Creed, the 23-year-old Faust got the job. She was an immediate hit with the fans – for both her musical talent and wit. She added rock music and popular culture (musical lines from popular television ads or shows) to the traditional ball park musical fare.  For example, Faust is credited with being the first ball park organist to play snippets from the tune “Na, Na, Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye” when an opposing pitcher was vanquished from the field.  It also was her version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” that prompted  White Sox’ (and future Cubs’) announcer Harry Caray to begin leading the fans in a rousing version of the tune – a tradition he carried with him to the Cubs.

Faust’s reputation as the most notable organist in the game even earned her as story  in Sports Illustrated – where she was referred to as baseball’s “Most Valuable Organist.” Recognizing her tenure and contributions, the White Sox honored her before their September 18, 2010 game at U.S. Cellular Field – which was also Nancy Faust Bobblehead Night.

Welcome to the Shrine of the Eternals, Nancy Faust – Clearly, you came to play.

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2018  SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS BALLOTING

Tommy John – 44%

Rusty Staub – 29%

Nancy Faust – 26.5%

 

Bob Costas – 25.5%

Leo Durocher – 25%

Effa Manley – 25%

J.R. Richard – 25%

John Young – 24%

Denny McLain – 23.5%

Chet Brewer – 22.5%

Fred Merkle – 21%

Lisa Fernandez – 20%

Rube Foster – 20%

Bill White – 20%

Charles M. Conlon – 19.5%

Mamie Johnson – 19.5%

Octavius V. Catto – 18%

Pete Reiser – 18%

Jim Thorpe – 18%

Rube Waddell – 18%

Dr. Mike Marshall – 17.5%

John Thorn – 17.5%

Mike Veeck – 17.5%

Rocky Colavito – 16%

Ernie Harwell – 16%

Hideo Nomo – 16%

Bing Russell – 15.5%

Janet Marie Smith – 15.5%

Tug McGraw – 14.5%

Vic Power – 14.5%

Charlie Finley – 14%

Joe Pepitone – 14%

Shorty Perez – 14%

Charley Pride – 14%

Luke Easter – 13%

Ted Kluszewski – 13%

Dave Parker – 13%

Phil Pote – 13%

Annie Savoy – 13%

Chris Von der Ahe – 13%

Kurt Bevacqua – 12.5%

Bert Campaneris – 12.5%

Masanori Murakami – 12.5%

Mo’ne Davis – 11.5%

Doris Sams – 11.5%

Oscar Gamble – 8%

Jim Creighton – 4.5%

Lenny Randle – 3.5%

George Stovey – 3%

Adolfo Phillips – 0.5%

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE’S SHRING OF THE ETERNALS BALLOT

Now, here’s a look (in alphabetical order) at the 2018 candidates BBRT voted for who didn’t make the final three. (I did vote for Tommy John.)

Rube Foster (1879-1930)

Andrew “Rube” Foster was an outstanding hurler, confined – by history – to pitching primarily for Black teams; such squads as the Chicago Union Giants,  Cuban X-Giants and Philadelphia Giants. How good was Foster on the mound? Records are sketchy, but the  Baseball Hall of Fame reports that, in 1902, Foster  ran off a streak of 44 straight victories and the Negro League Baseball Museum credits Foster with a 54-1 record that season.

Rube Foster’s tireless efforts earned him the unofficial title of “The Father of Black Baseball.”

Foster’s contributions to the national pastime, however, went beyond the mound. In 1911, he partnered with John Schorling (son-in-law of Charles Comiskey) to establish the Chicago American (Black) Giants – who, under Foster’s leadership, became Black baseball’s most dominant team.. But Foster wasn’t done yet.  In 1920, he was a key player (cited by many as THE key player) in the founding of the Negro National League.  As the league flourished, Foster wore many hats. He served not only as the league’s president and treasurer, but also was the owner and manager of the Chicago American Giants – winning the NNL’s first three pennants.  By 1926, his demanding schedule had taken a toll and Foster suffered a nervous breakdown. He never fully recovered and passed away prematurely in 1930. Fans might enjoy Larry Lester’s book “Rube Foster in His Time: On the Field and in the Papers with Black Baseball’s Greatest Visionary.”

Rube Foster was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.

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Mamie “Peanut” Johnson (1935 – 2017)

Mamie Johnson was one of three females to play for the Indianapolis Clowns during the declining days of the Negro Leagues (and the only woman ever to pitch in the Negro Leagues).  Johnson took the mound to the Clowns for three seasons (1953-55), running up a 33-8 record.  Her exploits are chronicled in the children’s book “A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson,” by Michelle Y. Green.

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Ted Kluszewski (1924-1988)

I love to recognize players who do something we are not likely to see again. Therefore, I again cast a ballot for Ted “Big Klu” Kluszewski – perhaps the last of the true power hitters who also practiced exceptional plate discipline.  In 1954, for example, Big Klu hit .326, with 49 home runs and 141 RBI – a season made even more remarkable by the fact the Kluszewski struck out only 35 times (versus 78 walks). I doubt if we’ll ever see another player top 40 home runs without reaching 40 whiffs.  Kluszewski, in fact, had a streak of four seasons (1953-56) when he hit over .300, drove in 100+ runs, bashed 35+ home runs – and struck out no more than 40 times in any season.  In those four seasons, Kluszewski hit 171 home runs – and fanned 140 times. It should also be noted that Kluszewski led NL first baseman in fielding percentage every year from 1951 through 1955.  Unfortunately, a back injury in 1956 hampered his performance in the later years of his career (he played until 1961).

Ted Kluszewski is noted for adding a bit of style and flair to the game, making his own intimidating fashion statement. Klu complained that his uniform jersey was too tight for his large and powerful biceps. He went on to have the sleeves cut from his jersey – exposing his bare arms from the shoulder.  (This was considered a bold move at that very conforming time in the game’s history.)

Kluszewski only appeared in one post-season – hitting .391, with three homers and ten RBI in the 1958 World Series (for the White Sox).  True to his form – Big Klu did not strike out even once (25 plate appearance) in the Series.  For trivia buffs, left unprotected in the 1960 expansion draft, Kluszewski hit the first-ever home run for the expansion Angels (a two-run shot in the first inning of the Angels’ first game – April 11 versus the Orioles). He added a punctuation mark, by hitting the Angels’ second–ever home run (a three-run shot) the very next inning. The Angels won 7-2, and (of course) Kluszewski did not strikeout.

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Mike Marshall (1943 –  *)

I should probably say Doctor Mike Marshall, since this former major league reliever (14 seasons … 1967, 1969-81) earned three college degrees, including a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Kinesiology is the study of muscle movement and Marshall used his knowledge to develop his own exercise program focused on minimizing stress, reducing injury and accelerating recovery time.  While his unorthodox methods, advanced education and outspoken approach often had him at odds with baseball’s traditionalists (and may be part of the reason he pitched for nine teams in 14 seasons), they did get the job done.

The fact is, we never saw a closer quite like Mike Marshall before he came along – and we’re not likely to see one like him again. In 1974, as a Dodger, he put up the grand-daddy of all relief seasons – setting the single-season MLB records for appearances with 106 and innings pitched in relief at 208 1/3. He finished the campaign 15-12, with a league-topping 21 saves and a 2.42 ERA.  That season, Marshall was called on to go more than one inning in 74 games (68.5 percent of the time); and he toiled three or more innings 22 times. He also relieved in 13 consecutive regular-season games – an MLB record later tied (1986) by the Rangers’ Dale Mohorcic. His efforts won him the 1974 Cy Young Award and Sporting News NL pitcher of the year.

Marshall holds the MLB and NL record for games pitched in relief in a season (106 – Dodgers, 1974), as well as the AL record (89 in relief – Twins, 1979 – he also had one start that year).  The Blue Jays’ Mark Eichhorn tied Marshall’s AL record in 1987. Marshall led his league in games pitched four times and saves three times – finishing 97-112, 3.14 with 188 saves.

A true “fireman” from an era when closers came in to put out fires and stayed on the mound to ensure they were no flare ups, Marshall got my vote for the Shrine.

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Pete Reiser (1919-1981)

Combine Willie Mays’ skill set (younger folks, think Mike Trout) with Pete Rose’s hustle and on-field abandon and you have Pete Reiser. In his first full MLB season (CF, Dodgers), a 22-year-old Reiser dazzled defensively and led the NL in runs scored (117), doubles (39), triples (17), batting average (.343), total bases (299) and hit by pitch (11) – tossing in 14 home runs and 76 RBI for good measure. Unfortunately, unpadded outfield walls, helmet-less at bats (the fiery Reiser was a frequent bean ball target) and aggressiveness on the base paths (Reiser twice led the NL in stolen bases and holds the NL record for steals of home in a season at seven) took their toll.

In his ten-season career, the switch-hitting Reiser endured five skull fractures, a brain injury, a dislocated shoulder and a damaged knee.  He was carted off the field 11 times during his career (six times unconscious) and once actually given last rites at the stadium – and he played on. The three-time All Star retired as a player with a .295 career average, playing in 861 games over ten seasons. No telling what he might have done with padded outfield walls and batting helmets.  Pete Reiser was a true – and talented – gamer. For more on Reiser, try “Pete Reiser: The Rough and Tumble Career of the Perfect Ballplayer,” by Sidney Jacobson.

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Rube Waddell (1876-1914)

Rube Waddell is almost universally recognized as the zaniest player in MLB history – but he also was one of the best (at least when he was focused on the game). Waddell was known to: leave a ball game to chase fire engines; miss a game he was scheduled to start because he was fishing or playing marbles with neighborhood kids; bring his outfielders in to sit on the grass and then proceed to fan the side; wrestle alligators in the off-season; and (frequently) do battle with owners and managers.  Waddell simply was more interested in the freedom to enjoy life and do things his way than in money or professional stability.  But, when Waddell was on his game, he was arguably the best pitcher of his time. The 6’1”, 195-lb. lefty led the AL in strikeouts six consecutive seasons (1902-1907) – by a wide margin.

How good was Rube Waddell?  In 1902, he joined the Philadelphia Athletics in June – making his first start on June 26 (with just 86 games left in the season). Waddell proceeded to win 24 games (the league’s second-highest total) against seven losses, with a 2.05 ERA.  Despite his shortened season, he led the AL with 210 strikeouts, fifty more than the runner-up (none other than Cy Young).

In 1904, Waddell set a modern (post-1900) MLB record with 349 strikeouts that stood until 1965.  Waddell, elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946, finished with a 193-143, 2.16 stat line – leading the AL in strikeouts six times, ERA twice, wins once and complete games once. For more on Waddell, BBRT suggests: “Rube Waddell: The Zany, Brilliant Life of a Strikeout Artist,” by Allan Howard Levy and “Just a Big Kid: The Life and Times of Rube Waddell,” by Paul Proia.

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Bill White (1934 – *)

Bill White broke into the major leagues in 1956, as a 22-year-old first baseman/outfielder with the New York Giants. He hit .256 in 138 games and showed a combination of speed and power – 22 home runs and 15 stolen bases. After missing the 1957 season (military service), he played in the major leagues from 1958 thought 1969 (Giants, Cardinals, Phillies). Over his 13 MLB seasons, he was an All Star in five seasons and won seven Gold Gloves (1960-66) at first base. He hit .286 for his career, with 1,706 hits, 843 runs, 202 home runs, 870 RBI and 103 stolen bases. White hit 20 or more home runs in seven seasons, topped .300 four times and drove in 100+ runs four times.

After leaving the playing field, White went on to become the first African-American doing MLB play-by-play broadcasting. His broadcasting career stretched from 1970 through 1988 – one year in Philadelphia and the remainder (1971-88) with the Yankees (radio and television). He also worked several World Series for CBS radio and Monday Night Baseball for ABC Television.

White was unanimously elected to succeed A. Bartlett Giamatti as President of the National League in 1989 – the first African-American to serve in that capacity. He held that position until 1994.

White’s on-field success in the early days of baseball’s integration, as well the advances he made both in the broadcast booth and executive offices served (and can continue to serve) as an inspiration and role model for the Black athletes (and executives) that followed him. He earned my vote for his impact on the “culture” of the game. For more on Bill White, go to his autobiography: “Uppity: My Untold Story of the Games People Play.”

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John Young (1949-2016)

A 6’3”, 210-pound, left-handed first baseman, John Young hit .325, with four home runs, 60 RBI and 26 stolen bases (in 29 attempts) in 99 games at Single A Lakeland (Tigers’ farm team) as a twenty-year-old (in 1969). The first-round draft choice (16th overall in the 1969 draft) looked like a player with great promise – and, in fact, enjoyed a big league cup of coffee with the Tigers in 1971 (two games, four at bats, two hits, one run, one RBI, one double). A wrist injury derailed his playing career, but didn’t dampen his love for the game and he went on to a long career as a scout.

It was during his scouting days that Young developed a concern for the decline of baseball among young people – particularly in the inner cities.  In response, Young came up with the concept for the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. Officially launched in 1989, the RBI program is now supported by all thirty MLB clubs and is active in approximately 200 communities.  Overall, MLB teams have donated more than $30 million to the program. (The program also includes educational and life skills components.) A few RBI alumni in the major leagues include: Carl Crawford, Justin Upton, CC Sabathia, James Loney, Manny Machado and Yovani Gallardo.  His good works on behalf of baseball’s future earned my vote.

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FULL ROSTER OF SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS INDUCTEES – INCLUDING 2018

Following is an alphabetical list of individuals who have been inducted into the Shrine of the Eternals between 1999 and 2017.  Year of induction in parenthesis.

 

Jim Abbott (2003)

Dick Allen (2004)

Roger Angell (2010)

Emmett Ashford (2008)

Moe Berg (2000)

Sy Berger (2015)

Yogi Berra (2007)

Steve Bilko (2015)

Ila Borders (2003)

Jim Bouton (2001)

Jim Brosnan (2007)

Charlie Brown (2017)

Bill Buckner (2008)

Glenn Burke (2015)

Roberto Clemente (2004)

Steve Dalkowski (2009)

Dizzy Dean (2014)

Rod Dedeaux (2005)

Jim Eisenreich (2009)

Dock Ellis (1999)

Nancy Faust (2018)

Eddie Feigner (2013)

Mark Fidrych (2002)

Curt Flood (1999)

Ted Giannoulas (2011)

Josh Gibson (2006)

Jim “Mudcat” Grant (2012)

Pete Gray (2011)

Arnold Hano (2016)

William “Dummy” Hoy (2004)

Bo Jackson (2016)

Shoeless Joe Jackson (2002)

Bill James (2007)

Dr. Frank Jobe (2012)

Tommy John (2018)

Bill “Spaceman” Lee (2000)

Roger Maris (2009)

Marvin Miller (2003)

Minnie Minoso (2002)

Manny Mota (2013)

Don Newcombe (2016)

Lefty O’Doul (2013)

Buck O’Neil (2008)

Satchel Paige (2001)

Jimmy Piersall (2001)

Pam Postema (2000)

Jackie Robinson (2005)

Rachel Robinson (2014)

Lester Rodney (2005)

Pete Rose (2010)

Vin Scully (2017)

Rusty Staub (2018)

Casey Stengel (2010)

Luis Tiant (2012)

Bob Uecker (2017)

Fernando Valenzuela (2006)

Bill Veeck, Jr. (1999)

Maury Wills (2011)

Kenichi Zenimura (2006)

Don Zimmer (2014)

 

Primary Resources:  The Baseball Reliquary; The Society for American Baseball Resarch; The Negro Leagues Museum; Baseball-Reference.com

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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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