Archives for December 2018

Larry Jansen – The Pitcher Who Might Have Been MLB’s First National Rookie of the Year

December 27, 2018 by David

Larry Jansen – 1951 Bowman

In 1987, the MLB Rookie of the Year Award was renamed the Jackie Robinson Award – forty years after Robinson was credited with breaking the major league color line and was the first winner of the national Rookie of the Year honor. In this post, BBRT will take a look at the player – Giants’ pitcher Larry Jansen – who made sure Robinson’s ROY win was no walk in the park. Jansen went 21-5 that season – received 13 first place votes to Robinson’s 15 and 105 total points to Robinson’s 129.

Let’s take a look at the two players who led the balloting for that first national ROY Award – and also finished fifth (Robinson) and seventh (Jansen) in the NL Most Valuable Player voting.

In his rookie campaign, the 28-year-old Robinson – playing first base – appeared in 151 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers, hitting .297, with 12 home runs, 48 RBI, 125 runs scored (second in the NL), a league-leading 29 stolen bases and a league-topping 28 sacrifice bunts. Robinson collected 175 hits (ninth in the NL) and 31 doubles (sixth). And, he did all this under the pressure of “breaking the MLB color line.” The season before his rookie MLB campaign, Robinson hit .349, with three home runs, 66 RBI, 113 runs scored and 40 stolen bases for the Triple A (International League) Montreal Expos. His .349 average led the IL and he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Jansen came to the major leagues with minor league credentials that were just as spectacular as Robinson’s (if not more so). The year before his MLB debut, Jansen took the mound for the San Francisco Seals of the Triple A Pacific Coast League, where he won a league-high 30 games (against just six losses), with a PCL-lowest 1.57 earned run average, a league-best .833 won-lost percentage, a league-high 31 complete games (38 starts) and a PCL-topping 321 innings pitched.

In 1997, Larry Jansen (along with co-author George Jansen- not related), published “The Craft of Pitching” … a well-thought out, well-researched and well-illustrated look at the mental and physical aspects (from preparation to execution) of effective mound work.

In 1947, the 26-year-old righty made his MLB debut for the New York Giants and proved his stellar Triple A numbers were no fluke. He won 21 games (second only to the 22 of the Reds’ Ewell Blackwell), while losing just five – for an NL-best .808 won-lost percentage. Jansen’s 20 complete games were the NL’s fourth-most and his 248 innings pitched the fifth-highest in the senior circuit. In addition, his 1.202 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) was the league’s fifth-best; his 2.069 walks per nine innings the league’s lowest; and his 104 strikeouts eighth. Jansen clearly gave Robinson a run for his money when it came to that first-ever national Rookie of the Year honor.

We all know Robinson went on to a ten-season Hall of Fame career – making six All Star teams, winning the 1949 NL Most Valuable Player Award and capturing one batting title and two stolen base crowns. He finished with a .311 career batting average, 137 home runs, 734 RBI, and 947 runs scored – and a place in baseball history.

Jansen, while he didn’t make the Hall of Fame, did pretty well himself. He had a nine-year MLB career – during which he won 20+ games twice (leading the NL with 23 wins in 1951), 19 once and 18 once. The two–time All Star also led the NL in shutouts (five in 1950) and in strikeouts-to-walks ratio in 1950 and 1951. His final stat line was 122-89, 3.58.

In the 1950 All Star game, won by the NL 4-3 in 14 innings, Larry Jansen pitched five innings of one-hit shutout ball (no walks, six strikeouts).

Robinson and Jansen shared the stage for one of the most memorable games in MLB history. When the Giants won the 1951 pennant on the strength of Bobby Thomson’s walk-off, play-off home run – immortalized as “The Shot Heard Round the World” – Robinson was in the lineup at second base for the losing Dodgers, while Jansen came on in relief of Sal Maglie and got the win for the World Series-bound Giants.

Notably, Jansen played a major role in getting the Giants to that three-game playoff for the NL title. On August 12, the Giants were 61-51, 12 ½ games behind the Dodgers. From that point on, the Giants went 37-8 (including 2-1 in the three-game playoff) and Jansen went 9-2 (12 games/10 starts) with a 2.00 ERA. That season, Jansen tied for the NL lead in wins (23), was fifth in earned run average (3.04), fourth in strikeouts (145), sixth in both games started (34) and complete games (18), seventh in shutouts (3) third in WHIP (1.112) and first in strikeouts-to-walks ratio (2.589).

At the close of the 1951 season, Jansen looked to be on the way to a Hall of Fame career. He had 96 wins (57 losses) and a 3.33 earned run average in just five big league campaigns. However, chronic back issues (that surfaced late in the 1951 season and contributed to arm problems going forward) were taking their toll and Jansen pitched just four more seasons – going 26-32, 4.38 in that span.

Jansen also enjoyed a successful career as a pitching coach, including five seasons in the Pacific Coast League, eleven seasons with the San Francisco Giants and two with the Chicago Cubs. Jansen passed away on October 10, 2009 (at the age of 89) due to congestive heart failure.

Before the national Rookie of the Year honor, there was …

From 1940 to 1946 the Chicago Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association selected an MLB Rookie of the Year. In 1947. the voting was expanded to all members of the BBWAA and the national Rookie of the Year Award (then called the J. Louis Comiskey Memorial Award) was born.

Winners of the Chicago Chapter ROY Honor

1940, Lou Boudreau, Indians, SS (age 22) … .295-9-101, with 97 runs scored in 155 games.

1941 Pete Reiser, Dodgers, OF (age 22) … a league-leading .343 average, 14 home runs and 76 RBI in 137 games. That season Reiser also led the NL in runs scored (117), doubles (39), triples (17), total bases (299) and hit-by-pitch (11).

1942 … Johnny Beazley, Cardinals, RHP (age 24) …. 21-6, 2.13 in 43 appearances. Beazley completed 13 of 23 starts, pitched 215 1/3 innings and fanned 91 batters.

1943 … Billy Johnson, Yankees, 3B (age 24) … .280-5-94 in 155 games. Johnson also scored 70 runs.

1944 … Bill Voiselle, Giants, RHP (age 25) … 21-16, 3.02. Johnson led the NL in games started (41), innings pitched (312 2/3) and strikeouts 161; while completing 25 games.

1945 … Dave Ferriss, Red Sox RHP (age 23) … 21-10, 2.96 in 35 appearances. Ferriss completed 26 of 31 starts and threw five complete-game shutouts.

1946 … Eddie Waitkus, Cubs, 1B (age 26) … .304-4-55 in 113 games; also known as one of the best fielding first baseman of his time.

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

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE MAKES TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

The Rule 5 Draft – A Hall of Famer; A Face that Couldn’t be Forgotten; A Flyin’ Hawaiian; and Even Joey Bats

December 16, 2018 by David

This past Thursday, MLB held its 2018 Rule 5 Draft – and, while Rule 5 pickups can really only be e-value-ated sometime down the road, there were a handful (that would be five – four fingers and a thumb) names I found intriguing. I’ll take a quick look at those players in this post, but spend more time reflecting on a handful (plusone) MLB Rule five Draft moves BBRT’s finds intriguing. Those include:

The “Pirating” of arguably the best player ever taken in the Rule 5 Draft;
A Hawaiian who didn’t start flyin’ until being exposed to the Rule 5 Draft twice;
How the Twins turned one Rule 5 pick (who never took the mound for them) into two Cy Young Awards AND CASH;
A Rule FIVE draftee who appeared on the roster of a record FIVE different teams (and at FIVE different positions) the season after he was drafted;
The “catch and release” of a player who was selected in the MLB Draft five times before signing, was later exposed to the Rule 5 Draft and went on to hit 400+ home runs; and
A Rule 5 draftee whose Face, name and arm the legendary Branch Rickey just could not resist.

But first a few interesting names from this year’s Rule 5 Draft. (Note: Only certain players not protected on each club’s forty-man roster can be selected in the Rule 5 Draft – at a cost of $100,000. The player must be kept on the selecting team’s roster for the entire upcoming season or offered back to the team from which they were selected for $50,000.)

Richie Martin, SS

The former 2015 first-round pick of the A’s was the first player taken in the draft (by the Orioles). The 23-year-old is best known for his defensive skills (soft hands/good arm), but last year the 5’11”/190-pound right-hander hit .300-6-42, with 25 stolen bases at Double A Midland and may be coming into his own at the plate. He has shown steady improvement in the batter’s box over the past three minor league seasons (.224-.266-.300). There are those who say his range may be better suited to second base. The Orioles, who won only 47 games last season, are pretty thin in the middle infield, so Martin has a good chance to stick with the team.

Sam McWilliams, RHP

At 6’7”/190-pounds, McWilliams – taken by the Royals from the Rays with the second pick in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft – has the kind of size MLB teams like to see on the mound. The long and lean righty, however, still has a lot to prove. The 22-year-old is 23-26, 3.77 in five minor league seasons, with 305 strikeouts in 403 1/3 innings.

McWilliams is seen to have a considerable upside, with a low-90’s fastball, a slider and an improving changeup. He was drafted right out of high school by the Phillies (Round 8, 2014); traded to the Diamondbacks (for Jeremey Hellickson in November of 2015) and traded to the Rays (with Colin Poche for Steven Souza, Jr.) in May of 2018. He may have found a landing place in the Royals’ bullpen. (Keep in mind the Royals finished at the bottom of the AL Central last season.)

Reed Garrett, RHP

Reed Garrett, plucked from the Rangers by the Tigers, brings a mid-90’s fastball and a hard slider to Detroit. In 2018, the 25-year-old righty pitched for the Frisco RoughRiders at Double A and the Round Rock Express at Triple A. The 6’2”/210-pounder went a combined 4-1, 2.04 with 21 saves and 61 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. Expect him to get a genuine opportunity to secure a spot the Bengal bullpen.

Joe Conner, INF

Like Sam McWilliams (two spots above), Joe Conner has already packed his bags a couple of times – traded from the Pirates (who drafted him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft) to the Braves and then sent on to the Dodgers last year. The Reds snatched Conner from the Dodgers in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. The 6’/205-pounder has shown versatility, last year playing first base, second base, third base and DH at Double A and Triple A. He also has shown some power – .299-17-55 in 106 minor league games in 2018. The 26-year-old has also played both corner outfield spots in the minors and could stick with the Reds as a utility player and bright-handed bat off the bench.

Brandon Brennan, RHP

Brandon Brennan moved from the Rockies to the Mariners in the Rule 5 Draft and, given the moves the Mariners have been making this off season, the 27-year-old could very well stick in the Settle pen. Brennan – drafted by the White Sox in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB draft – pitched in the White Sox system from 2012 through 2018. (He was signed by the Rockies recently as a free-agent). In 2018, Brennan went 5-4, 3.25 in 44 appearances at Double A – using a low- to mid-90s fastball, complemented by a slider and a changeup. The key to the Mariners’ interest, though, may have been his 79 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings. He also pitched in the Mexican-Pacific Winter league this past year, putting up a 2.51 ERA in 12 appearances.

So, there are a few 2018 Rule 5 Draftee that caught BBRT’s eye. Now let’s look at some of the more interesting Rule 5 selections from the past.

Roberto Clemente – Da Bums’ Big Blunder

Okay, this is probably the number-one story told whenever the history of the MLB Rule 5 Draft is being discussed. Roberto Clemente is arguably the best player ever picked up in the Rule 5 Draft – and clearly did more for the team that drafted him than another player.

Clemente signed with the Dodgers (out of Puerto Rico) at 19-years-old in February of 1954. The Dodgers apparently felt they could keep the unprotected bonus baby under the radar in the minors – limiting his playing time and, at times, even having him take batting practice with the pitchers, rather than the position players.

Roberto Clemente was the first Latin American player to earn a World Series Most Valuable Player Award. It came in 1971, when he hit .414 against the Orioles.

Oops! The Dodgers’ strategy didn’t work. On November 22, 1954, Pittsburgh used a Rule 5 Draft pick to pirate Clemente away from the Dodgers. It was easily the most productive (from the Pirates’ point of view) and destructive (from the Dodgers’ perspective) Rule 5 transaction ever.

Clemente went on to play 18 MLB seasons – all with the Pirates – earning his way into the Hall of Fame. He was 12-time All Star, 12-time Gold Glover, four-time batting champion and the 1966 National League MVP. Exactly what did the Pirates get (and the Dodgers lose)? How about 3,000 MLB hits, a .317 career average, 440 doubles, 166 triples, 240 home runs, 1,305 RBI, 1,416 runs scored?

Clearly, for the Dodgers, Roberto Clemente is THE one that got away.

Shane Victorino – Prodigal Son Not Returned

Shane Victorino, who became known as “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” with the Phillies, started his professional career (like Roberto Clemente, above) in the Dodgers’ organization. And, with Victorino, the Dodgers had two bites at the apple.

Victorino – born in Wailuku, Hawaii – was selected by the Dodgers (as an 18-year-old) in the sixth round of the 1999 MLB Draft. Victorino worked his way up in the Dodgers’ system – from Rookie ball to AA between 1999 and 2002.

Victorino was left unprotected and picked (from the Dodgers) by the Padres in the 2002 Rule Five Draft. He made his MLB debut with San Diego in April of 2003, but played just 36 games with the Padres and hit a meager .151. In late May, Victorino was returned to the Dodgers.

He played two more minor league seasons in the Dodgers’ system and – again unprotected – was selected by the Phillies in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft. (Note: In 2004, at AA and AAA, Victorino hit .289, with 19 home runs and 16 steals.) Victorino didn’t make the Phillies major league squad out of Spring Training and was offered back to the Dodgers. This time, the Dodgers rejected the return and the Phillies were able to assign Victorino to their Triple A affiliate (Scranton/Wilkes Barre), where he really took off – hitting .310-18-70 in 126 games and earning International League All Star and MVP recognitions.

On June 3, 2007, as the Phillies celebrated Shane Victorino Day (even flying Victorino’s father in from Hawaii for the game), “The Flyin’ Hawaiin” topped off the celebration with a ninth-inning, game-winning, walk-off home run.

The rest is history, the two-time Rule 5 draftee, played eight seasons with the Phillies, hitting .279 with 88 home runs, 390 RBI and 179 stolen bases,. During his time in Philly, he led the NL in triples twice, won three Gold Gloves and was an All Star twice. He played a total of 12 MLB seasons and hit .275-108-489, with 731 runs scored, 231 steals and four Gold Gloves.

Johan Santana – Johan, we hardly knew ya!

In 1999, Jared Camp was in his fifth professional season – taking the mound for the Cleveland Indians’ affiliates at the A Double A and Triple A levels. He went combined 4-4, 2.81 and fanned 91 batters in 83 1/3 innings. That same season, 20-year-old Johan Santana went 8-8. 4.66 for the Astros’ Single A farm team – fanning 150 batters in 160 1/3 innings pitched. Neither pitcher was protected going into the 1999 Rule 5 Draft – in which the Twins had the first pick and the Marlins the second. And that’s where the fun begins.

The Twins took Camp with the first pick, while the Marlins took Johan Santana second. The Twins immediately sent Camp to the Marlins for Santana and cash. Ultimately, Santana for Camp and cash proved a Rule 5 “draft-and-trade” steal for Minnesota.

On June 12, 2012, Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in New York Mets’ history.

Camp never pitched in the major leagues, while Santana went on to became a four-time All Star (three times as a Twin). He spent eight of his 12 MLB seasons with Minnesota – going 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA, recording the league’s lowest ERA twice, leading the league in wins once and strikeouts three times. In 2008, the former Rule Five pick was traded to the Mets (bringing the Twins Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra). He pitched four season for New York (46-34, 3.18) winning another ERA title.

Jose Bautista – Doesn’t Anybody Want This Guy? Or “Country Roads Take Me Home.”

Jose Bautista was signed by the Pirates in the 20^th round of the 2000 MLB draft and, by 2003, had shown some promise in the minors (three seasons, 249 games, .287 average, 20 home runs, 110 RBI, 12 stolen bases).

In December 2003, an odyssey that began with the Rule 5 draft would see Bautista become the first player to appear on five different MLB rosters in a single season – and end up back home with the same organization that originally lost him in the Rule 5 Draft. His season went like this:

December 15, 2003 … picked selected (from the Pirates) by the Orioles in the Rule 5 draft – opened the season with the Orioles;
June 3, 2004 … waived by the Orioles, picked up by the Rays;
June 28, 2004 … sold by the Rays to the Royals;
July 30, 2004 … traded by the Royals to the Mets;
July 30, 2004 … traded by the Mets to the Pirates.

In that post-Rule 5-Draft 2004 season, Bautista actually appeared on the field for four MB teams – Orioles (16 games); Devil Rays (12); Royals (13); and Pirates (23). In addition, he appeared, briefly, on the Mets’ MLB roster. He also appeared in MLB games at five different positions – third bases, left field, center field, right filed and DH.

In 2018, Jose Bautista became the first player to homer for three different teams in the same division in the same season – two round trippers for the Braves, nine for the Mets and two for the Phillies. (Yes, Virginia, in baseball we track everything.)

Bautista ended his first MLB season hitting .205, with no home runs and two RBI in 88 at bats. To date, in 15 MLB seasons, Bautista (who has earned the nickname “Joey Bats”) has hit .247, with 344 home runs and 1,032 RBI. He’s a six-time All Star and led the AL in home runs in 2010 and 2011 (54 and 43 round trippers, respectively) with the Blue Jays.

Darrell Evans – Catch and Release

It took a long time for an MLB team to “catch” Darrell Evans. He was drafted five times (Cubs, Yankees, Tigers, Phillies, Athletics) before he finally signed with the A’s in 1967. (Evans, at the time of those many MLB Draft selections, was starring in both baseball and basketball at Pasadena Junior College.) However, after just two minor league seasons (A’s system) and a shoulder injury, he was left unprotected and picked up by the Braves (1968 Rule 5 Draft). Here’s a look at Evan’s Draft record:

Picked by Cubs in 13^th round of 1965 MLB draft – did not sign.
Picked by Yankees in 2^nd round of the 1966 MLB Draft – did not sign.
Picked by Tigers in the 5^th round of the 1966 (secondary) MLB Draft – did not sign,
Picked by Phillies in the 3^rd round of the 1967 amateur draft – did not sign.
Signed by the Athletics out of the 7^th round of the 1967 (secondary) MLB Draft.
Picked up by the Braves in the 1968 Rule 5 Draft.

Darrell Evans was the first player with a 40-home run season in both the NL and AL. He hit 41 for the Braves in 1973 and 40 for the Tigers in 1985.

Evans played with the Braves for nine seasons – hitting .246 with 131 home runs and 424 RBI, topping 20 home runs three times (a high of 41 in 1973). He went on to a 21-season MLB career, during which he hit .248, with 414 home runs and 1,354 RBI.

Elroy (Roy) Face – A Boyhood Hero Makes His Mark

Roy Face was signed by the Phillies (free agent) in 1949 (age 21) – and he got off to a pretty good start. Pitching for the Bradford Blue Wings of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (PONY) League, Face went 32-7, 2.88 (primarily as a starter) in 1949 and 1950. Branch Rickey, at the time President/General Manager of the Dodgers, apparently like what he saw and snatched Face from the Phillies in the 1950 Minor League Draft.

In the Dodgers’ system, Face continued to thrive as a starter. In 1951 and 1952, he went a combined 37-20, 2.80. After four minor league campaigns, Face had 69 wins, just 27 losses, with a 2.84 earned run average – and he had pitched 840 innings. Still, the Dodgers left Face unprotected in the December 1952 Rule 5 draft. Branch Rickey, then General Manager of the Pirates, proved he could remember a “Face,” an arm and a name. At Rickey’s direction, the Pirates picked up Face in the Rule 5 Draft.

In 1959, Elroy Face went 18-1 in relief for the Pirates. His .947 winning percentages is the highest ever for a qualifying pitcher (at least one decision for every ten team games) and the most wins in relief ever in an MLB season. Face also had ten saves that campaign, when he pitched in 57 games and put up a 2.70 ERA in 93 1/3 innings.

Face went on to a 16-season (1953, 1955-69) MLB career (15 seasons with the Pirates) during which he became one of National League’s premier relievers. He was a three-time All Star, led the league in appearances twice and saves three times. Face’s final stat line was 104-95, 3.48, with 848 appearances, 191 saves, and 877 strikeouts in 1,375 innings pitched. Just 5’8” and 155 pounds, the diminutive Face was one of my boyhood heroes.

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

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BBRT Trivia Teaser – And A Look at the 39 Members of MLB’s 30-30 Club

December 11, 2018 by David

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE TRIVIA TEASER

Can you name the two MLB players who hit for the cycle in the same season they recorded a 30-30 (HR-SB) campaign Hint: One of the two has rolled a perfect (300) game in the Professional Bowling Association World Series of Bowling and hit a home run in the MLB World Series.

TRIVIA TEASER ANSWER

Ian Kinsler (2009) and Mookie Betts (2018) are the only two major leaguers to record a 30-30 campaign and hit for the cycle in the same season. Betts has also bowled three sanctioned 300 games, including one in the 2017 PBA World Series of Bowling qualifying round – and hit a home run in the final game of the 2018 MLB World Series.

In 2018, two major leaguers achieved 30-30 (HR-SB) seasons – Mookie Betts of the Red Sox and Jose Ramirez of the Indians. That brings the total number of players to achieve a 30-30 campaign to thirty-nine. Those thirty-nine players have produced a total of 62 30-30 campaigns.

As you consider the membership of the 30-30 Club, you’ll see lots of familiar names – from Hank Aaron and William Mays to Alex Rodriguez and Jeff Bagwell to Mike Trout and Mookie Betts. You’ll also find some surprises – like Tommy Harper and Brandon Phillips. And, of course, the father-son combination of Bobby and Barry Bonds dominate the roster.

This post will look at each of member of the 30-30 Club in detail, but first a few bits of 30-30 trivia.

The first player to achieve a 30-30 season was Ken Williams of the 1922 Saint Louis Browns.
Only two players have recorded five 30-30 seasons and it must be in the genes. They are Bobby Bonds (father) and Barry Bonds (son).

Bobby Bonds and Alfonso Soriano are the only players to have a 30-30 season in both leagues. Bonds for the (Giants 1969, 1973), Yankees (1975), Angels (1977), White Sox/Rangers (1978). Soriano for the Yankees (2002, 2003), Rangers (2005) and Nationals (2006).
Bobby Bonds and Carlos Beltran are the only players to play for two teams in a 30-30 season and Beltran is the only player to complete a 30-30 MLB season while playing in both leagues. Bonds (White Sox and Rangers in 1978) – Beltran (Royals and the then NL Astros in 2004).
The first switch hitter to record a 30-30 season was the Mets’ Howard Johnson in 1987.
The most 30-30 campaigns in any one season is four – and that has been done four times (1987-1996-1997-2011).
The only player to record three consecutive 30-30 seasons is Barry Bonds (1995-96-97). Six players have recorded back-to-back 30-30 seasons: Willie Mays (1956-57); Bobby Bonds (1977-78); Ron Gant (1990-91); Vlad Guerrero (2001-02); Alfonso Soriano (2002-03 & 2005-06); and Ryan Braun (2011-12).

Nine players have recorded a 30-30 season AND hit for the cycle in their MLB careers. Eric Davis; Alex Rodriguez; Dante Bichette; Jeff Bagwell; Vlad Guerrero; Ian Kinsler; Mike Trout; Matt Kemp; and Mookie Betts.
In 1988, the A’s Jose Canseco became MLB’s first 40-40 player – hitting 42 home runs and swiping 40 bags. Since then, there have been three more 40-40 campaigns: Barry Bonds (42-40 in 1996), Alex Rodriguez (42-46 in 1998) and Alfonso Soriano (46-41 in 2006).
Mike Trout is the youngest player ever to join the 30-30 Club, having his 30-30 season in 2012 at age 20 – and he is also the only player to join the club in his rookie season.
Only two teams have had two 30-30 players in the same season – the 1987 Mets (Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry) and the 1996 Rockies (Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks).

A few other “factoids.”

There have been just four 40-40 seasons: Jose Canseco (A’s, 1988); Barry Bonds (Giants, 1996); Alex Rodriguez (Mariners, 1998); and Alfonso Soriano (Nationals, 2006).
There have been only two 30-50 (30 homers-50 steals) seasons: Eric Davis (Reds, 1987); Barry Bonds (Pirates, 1990).
The most home runs ever hit in a 30-steal campaign is 49, by Larry Walker (Rockies, 1997).
In the 62 30-30 seasons, the player achieving the milestone has been an All Star selection 43 times. (70.5 percent – There were no All Star selection in 1922.)
In 17 of the 62 30-30 seasons, the achieving player has also won a Gold Glove.

JUST HOW HARD IS IT TO GET TO 30-30?

Among the 40 players with at least one 30-30 season, three joined the “Club” in the only season in which they reached either 30 home runs or 30 steals (although one of those players, Jose Ramirez is still active). Another fourteen members of the 30-30 Club reached 30 steals just once and five reached 30 home runs just one time in their careers.

In six of the 62 30-30 seasons, the player has gotten exactly 30 home runs; while, in nine, the player has stolen exactly 30 bases. No player has ever hit 30-30 “on the nose.” The Rangers’ Ian Kinsler came closest in 3008, with 31 home runs and 30 steals.
In 26 of the 62 30-30 seasons, the player has hit .300 or better, with Larry Walker‘s (Rockies) .366 in 1997 being the highest average. The lowest average ever for a 30-30 player belong to Ron Gant of the Braves at .251 (1991).
Eight of the 62 30-30 season have featured 200 or more base hits, topped by Alex Rodriguez; 213 hits for the Mariners in 1998. Fewest hits in a 30-30 season? That would be 139, by Eric Davis of the Reds in 1987.
How about RBI? Ken Williams, the first 30-30 Club member (Browns, 1922), set the bar high at 155 runs plated in his 30-30 campaign. It has yet to be matched. There is a tie for the fewest RBI in a 30-30 season (67) – Raul Mondesi (Dodgers, 1990) and Hanley Ramirez (Marlins 2008).
Runs scored? The 30-30 player has scored at least 100 runs in 51 of the 62 campaigns. The high of 143 is shared by Larry Walker (Rockies, 1997) and Jeff Bagwell (Astros, 1999). The fewest runs scored in a 30-30 season is 74 by Ron Gant (Braves, 1991).
A couple of more trivia bits. The most doubles in a 30-30 season goes to the Yankees’ Alfonso Soriano with 51 in 2002. Two players have actually reached 20 triples in a 30-30 season: Willie Mays of the Giants in 1957 and Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies fifty years later.

Running the Table

30-30 … MVP … All Star … Gold Glove … Silver Slugger

Just four players have achieved a 30-30 campaign, been an All Star, won a Gold Glove and earned a Silver Slugger Award all in the same season: Dale Murphy (Braves, 1983); Barry Bonds (Pirates, 1990 & Pirates, 1992); Larry Walker (Rockies 1997); Mookie Betts (Red Sox, 2018).

Jimmy Rollins is a unique outlier in this group. In his 2007, 30-30 season, he won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at the shortstop position and was the National League MVP – but did not make the All Star team.

Now a look at each member of the 30-30 Club – chronologically based on the season they joined.

______________________________________________________________

MLB’S 30-30 CLUB

Ken Williams, OF, Saint Louis Browns (LH) … 39 home runs/37 stolen bases in 1922

The left-handed hitting Ken Williams was in his seventh MLB season (age 32) when he became the first member of MLB’s 30-30 club. It was a banner year for the 6-foot, 170-pound fly chaser, as he notched what would be his career highs in games (153), runs (128), home runs (39), RBI (155) and total bases (367) for the second-place (93-61) Browns. Williams led the AL in homers, RBI and total bases.

Williams played 14 MLB seasons (1915-16, with the Reds; 1918-27 with the Browns; 1928-29 with the Red Sox). He collected 1,552 hits (.319 average), with 196 home runs and 154 stolen bases. He hit 30 or more home runs only once (twenty-plus an additional three times) and stole at least 30 bases only once (reaching 20 an additional two times).

Ken Williams was the first American Leaguer to hit two home runs in one inning – August 7, 1922, in the sixth inning of a Saint Louis Browns 16-1 win over the Senators.

—————————————

Willie Mays, OF. Giants (RH) …

36 home runs/40 stolen bases in 1956

35 home runs/38 stolen bases in 1957

The “Say Hey Kid,” in 1956, became the first right-handed hitter and first National Leaguer to join the 30-30 club. The following year, Mays became the first player to have multiple (and consecutive) 30-30 seasons. In both 1956 and 1957, Mays led the NL in steals (he would also lead in the category in 1958 and 1959) and, in 1956, he also had 26 doubles and 20 triples to go with his 35 home runs. 38 steals – making Mays just the second member of the 20-20-20-20 Club (doubles-triples-home runs-stolen bases). The first was the Cubs’ Wildfire Schulte (1911). Mays and Schulte were joined in the 20-20-20-20 Club in 2007 by the Tigers’ Curtis Granderson and Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins. Rollins and Mays are the only player whose 20-20-20-20 seasons also included 30 HRs and 30 SBs.

It’s no surprise to find Mays in the 30-30 Club. In 22 MLB seasons, Mays led his league in home runs four times (topping thirty 11 times, with a high a 52 in 1965) and led his league in steals four times (stealing thirty or more three times, with a high of 40 in 1956). He also was the league leader in triples three times, total bases three times, runs twice, hits once and batting average once. In addition, he earned Rookie of the Year honors, a pair of NL MVP Awards and a dozen Gold Glove recognitions. Mays played for the Giants (1951-52, 1954-72) and Mets (1972-73). He collected 3,283 hits (.302 average), 660 home runs, 1,903 RBI and 338 stolen bases.

Willie Mays hit 51 home runs as a 24-year-old in 1955 and 52 long balls as a 34-year-old in 1965 – the longest time ever between two MLB 50-HR seasons.

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Hank Aaron, OF, Braves (RH) … 44 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1963

In 1963, Aaron hit an NL leading 44 home runs and swiped 31 bases (the only 30-steal season in his MLB career – although he did top 20 steals in five additional campaigns). That season, Aaron led the league in home runs (44), runs (121), RBI (130) and total bases (370) – while hitting .319. In his 23-season MLB career Aaron hit thirty or more home runs in 15 campaigns (forty or more eight times).

In his 23-season MLB career, Aaron led his league in total bases eight times, home runs four times, doubles four times, RBI four times, batting average twice, runs three times and hits twice. He captured one MVP Award and earned three God Gloves.

Aaron retired with 3,771 hits (.305 average), 755 home runs, 2,297 RBI, 2,174 runs scored and 240 stolen bases. He played for the Braves (1954-74) and Brewers (1975-76).

Hank Aaron, who played in the major leagues from 1954 through 1976, was the last former Negro Leagues player on a major league roster.

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Bobby Bonds, OF, Giants, Yankees, Angels …

32 home runs/45 steals for the Giants in 1969

39 home runs/43 steals for the Giants in 1973

32 home runs/30 steals for the Yankees in 1975

37 home runs/41 steals for the Angels in 1977

31 home runs/43 steals for the White Sox in 1978

In the ten MLB seasons from 1969 to 1978, outfield Bobby Bonds wrote the record book for 30-30 seasons. He achieved a record five such campaigns (a record tied later by – wait for it – his son Barry). He also became the first player with a 30-30 season for more than one team; the first player with a 30-30 season in both the National and American Leagues; and the first player to go 30-30 while playing for two teams in the same season. Notably, Bonds also had his first 30-30 season in his first full MLB season (at age 23); although he had played 81 MLB games the year before, so did not qualify as a rookie. In 1978, when he played for the White Sox and Rangers, Bonds hit 29 of his 31 long balls for Texas and swiped 33 of his 43 bases for Texas. (He was traded by the White Sox to the Rangers in mid-May for Rusty Torres and Claudell Washington.)

While never leading his league in home runs or stolen bases, Bonds (in 14 MLB seasons) hit 30 or more home runs in a season six times and stole 30 or more bases ten times (40 or more seven times). He led his league in runs scored twice, total bases once and earned three Gold Gloves. Bonds finished his career with 1,886 hits (.268 average), 332 home runs, 1,024 RBI, 1,258 runs scored and 461 stolen bases. He played for the Giants (1968-74); Yankees (1975); Angels (1976-77); White Sox (1978); Rangers (1978); Indians (1979); Cardinals (1980); and Cubs (1981).

Bobby Bonds played his first seven MLB seasons with one team – the Giants. Over his final seven MLB season, he put on the uniform of seven different teams.

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Tommy Harper, 3B/2B/OF, Brewers (RH)… 31 home runs/38 stolen bases in 1970

Tommy Harper is one of the biggest surprises on this list. In 1970, the American League Brewers’ (former Seattle Pilots) first season, the 29-year-old Harper reached what would be career highs in games (154), hits (179), doubles (35), home runs (31), RBI (82) and batting average (.296). His 30-30 season was the only time Harper topped 17 round trippers in his 15-season MLB career. He did, however, lead his league in stolen bases twice (with a high of 73 in 1969), topping 30 steals in four campaigns. He also led the NL in runs scored in 1965 (Reds) with 126. In his 30-30 season, Harper started 128 games at 3B, 22 at 2B and 13 in the outfield.

Harper accumulated 1,609 MLB hits (.257 average), 146 home runs, 972 runs, 567 RBI and 408 steals. He played for the Reds (1962-67); Indians (1968); Pilots (1969); Brewers (1970-71); Red Sox (1972-74); Angels (1975); A’s (1975); and Orioles (1976).

Tommy Harper was the first player ever to come to bat for the short-lived Seattle Pilots. He doubled – becoming the first Pilot player to record an MLB hit and scored the team’s first run (on a home run by Mike Hegan).

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Dale Murphy, OF/1B/C, Braves (RH) …. 36 home runs/30 stolen bases in 1983

Thirty home runs was no big challenge for Dale Murphy, he topped in thirty round trippers in six of his 18 MLB seasons (a high of 44 in 1987) and twice led the NL in long balls. His 30-30 season in 1983, however, was the only time he reached 30 steals and in only one other campaign did he reach 20 thefts.

In 18 MLB seasons, Murphy collected 2,111 hits (.265 average), hit 398 home runs, had 1,266 RBI, scored 1,197 runs and stole 161 bases. He led his league in games played four times (1982-85), home runs once, RBI twice, total bases once and runs scored once. He also earned five Gold Gloves. Between September 26, 1981 and July 8, 1986, Murphy played in 740 consecutive games, MLB’s 13^th longest streak. Murphy played for the Braves (1976-90); Phillies (1990-922); and Rockies (1993).

In his 1983 30-30 season, Murphy won his second consecutive National League MVP Award – one of only 13 players to win consecutive MVP honors.

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Joe Carter, OF/1B Indians (RH) … 32 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1987

In 1987, the Indians’ Joe Carter made the 30-30 Club – a distinction he missed by a whisker the previous year, when he smacked 29 home runs and stole 29 bases. In 1987, Carter hit just .264 (down from .302 in 1986), but rapped 32 home runs and stole 31 bags. It would be his only season of 30 or more steals (he did steal twenty or more in six seasons) and one of six seasons in which he reached 30 home runs.

In a 16-year MLB career, Carter – a five-time All Star – played for the Cubs (1983); Indians (1984-89); Padres (1990); Blue Jays (1991-97); Orioles (1998); and Giants (1998). He collected 2,184 hits (.259 average), 396 home runs, 1,445 RBI, 1,170 runs scored and 231 stolen bases.

Joe Carter, playing for Wichita State University, was the Sporting News College Player of the Year in 1981. That season, in 69 games played, Carter hit .411, with 24 home runs, 88 runs scored, 120 RBI and 24 stolen bases (25 attempts).

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Eric Davis, OF, Reds, 1987 (RH) … 37 home runs and 50 stolen bases in 1987

Eric Davis was a speed and power guy, six times reaching at least 20 home runs (topping thirty twice) and seven times topping 20 steals. Although he never led his league in steals, he stole a high of 80 bases in 1986. (The Cardinals’ Vince Coleman stole 107.) In his 1987 campaign, Davis hit .293, with 37 home runs, 120 runs scored, 100 RBI and fifty stolen bases.In 17 MLB seasons, Davis collected 1,430 hits (.269 average), scored 1,430 runs, drove in 934, hit 282 round trippers and swiped 349 bases. Davis played for the Reds (1984-91, 1996); Dodgers (1992-93); Tigers (1993-94); Orioles (1997-98); Cardinals (1999-2000); and Giants (2001). He was a two-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover.

Eric Davis and Barry Bonds are the only players to steal at least 50 bases in their 30-30 season.

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Howard Johnson, 3B/SS/OF, Mets (SH) …

36 home runs/32 steals for the 1987 Mets

36 home runs/41 steals for the 1989 Mets

38 home runs/30 steals for the 1991 Mets

Howard Johnson had just three seasons of 30+ home runs – and he reached at least 30 stolen bases in all of them (he had four seasons of 30 or more steals). In his three 30-30 campaigns, Johnson led the NL in runs scored once (1989), home runs once (1991) and RBI once (1991). In those three 30-30 campaigns, he hit 74 long balls left handed (1,084 at bats) and 36 homers right handed (605 at bats).

Johnson played 14 MLB seasons: Tigers (1982-84); Mets (1985-93); Rockies (1994); and Cubs (1995). He amassed 1,229 hits (.249 average); 228 home runs, 760 runs scored, 760 RBI and 231 stolen bases. He was a two-time All Star.

Howard Johnson started his professional career as a pitcher (Tigers’ system), but was quickly converted to shortstop and then to third base. In his MB career, he played 1,032 games at 3B, 273 at shortstop and 221 in the outfield.

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Darryl Strawberry, OF, Mets (LH), 1987 … 39 home runs/36 stolen bases

Darryl Strawberry was in his fifth MLB season when he put up a 30-30 campaign for the Mets. While he topped 25 stolen bases in five seasons (1984-88), 1987 was the only season he reached 30 steals. Strawberry hit 30 or more home runs in three seasons, 20 or more in six. In 1988, Strawberry came within a whisker of back-to-back 30-30 seasons, leading the NL with 39 home runs and stealing 29 bases.

Strawberry was an eight-time All Star. In a 17-season MLB career, he had 1,401 hits, 335 home runs, an even 1,000 RBI, 898 runs scored and 221 steals. He topped 100 RBI three times and 100 runs scored twice. He played for the Mets (1983-1990); Dodgers (1991-93); Giants (1994); and Yankees 1995-99).

Darryl strawberry was the 1983 NL rookie of the Year (Mets), when he hit .257, with 26 home runs, 74 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 122 games.

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Jose Canseco, OF/DH, A’s (RH) 1988 … 42 home runs/40 stolen bases

In 1988, the A’s Jose Canseco achieved a 30-30 season and more. That year, Canseco became the first 40-40 player – launching an AL-best 42 home runs and stealing 40 bases. For the year, he hit .307, led the AL with 124 RBI and won the league MVP Award. It was Canseco’s only season with at least 30 steals (he did top 25 two additional times) and one of eight seasons in which he topped 30 home runs.

In 17 seasons, the five-time All Star collected 1,877 hits (.266 average), 462 home runs, 1,407 RBI, 1,186 runs scored and 200 steals. He led his league in home runs twice.

Jose Canseco was the 19865 AL Rookie of the Year. The 20-year-old hit just .240 in 157 games, but hit 33 home runs and drove in 117 tallies.

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Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates & Giants …

33 home runs/52 stolen bases for the Pirates in 1990

34 home runs/39 stolen bases for the Pirates in 1992

33 home runs/31 stolen bases for the Giants in 1995

42 home runs/40 stolen bases for the Giants in 1996

40 home runs/37 stolen bases for the Giants in 1997

Barry Bonds is one of only two MLB players to record five 30-30 campaigns – and the other is his father Bobby Bonds. In his 22-season career, Bonds had 14 seasons of at least 30 home runs and nine seasons of at least 30 stolen bases. He was the NL MVP in his first two 30-30 seasons (he was the NL MVP a total of seven times).

In his career, Bonds led the NL in runs once, home runs twice, batting average twice, RBI once, walks 12 times and intentional walks 12 times. He was an All Star selection 14 times and an eight-time Gold Glover. Bonds collected 2,935 hits (.298 average), hit 762 home runs, drove in 1,996 runs, scored, 2,227 and swiped 514 bases.

In 2004, Barry Bonds drew a record 120 intentional walks. He also drew the second-most intentional walks in a season (68 in 2002) and third-most (61 in 2003). Fourth on the list is Willie McCovey, with 45 intentional passes in 1969.

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Ron Gant, OF, Braves (RH) …

32 home runs/33 steals in 1990

32 home runs/34 steals in 1991

Ron Gant put together back-to-back 30-30 seasons for the Braves in 1990-91. In his 16-season MLB career, Gant hit 30 or more home runs four times and stole 30 or more bases in three seasons.

Gant’s career stat line includes 1,651 hits (.256 average), 321 home runs, 1,008 RBI, 1,080 runs scored and 243 stolen bases. He was a two-time All Star. Gant played for the Braves (1987-1993); Reds (1995); Cardinals (1996-98); Phillies (1999-2000); Angels (2000); Rockies (2001); A’s (2001, 2003); Padres (2002).

In 1994, Ron broke his leg in a dirt-bike accident and missed the entire 1995 season. He came back with the Reds in 1995 and made the NL All Star Team – finishing the season at .276-29-88, with 23 stolen bases in 199 games.

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Sammy Sosa, OF, Cubs (RH) …

33 home runs/36 stolen bases in 1993

36 home runs/34 stolen bases in 1995

Sammy Sosa recorded a total of three seasons of 30 or more steals in his MLB career – and two of those coincided with campaigns of 30 or more home runs. Overall, Sosa had 11 seasons with 30+ round trippers.

In his 18-season career, Sosa collected 2,408 hits (.273 average), hit 609 home runs and amassed 1,667 RBI. He also scored 1,475 runs and stole 234 bases. Sosa was a seven-time All Star, the 1998 NL MVP and led the league in runs three times, total bases three times, home runs twice and RBI twice. Sosa played for the Rangers (1989, 2007); White Sox (1989-1991); Cubs 1992-2004); and Orioles (2005). In the five seasons from 1998 to 2002, Sosa averaged just over 58 runs per season.

Sammy Sosa is the only MLB player to hit at least sixty home runs in a season three times (66 in 1998; 63 in 1999; 64 in 2001) and yet did not lead his league in home runs in any of those seasons.

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Dante Bichette, OF, Rockies (RH) … 31 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1996

Dante Bichette had just one season of at least thirty stolen bases – and it coincided with one of his three seasons of at least 30 home runs.

In 14 MLB seasons, Bichette was an All Star four times, led the NL in hits twice, home runs once, RBI once and total bases once. He played for the Angels (1988-90); Brewers (1991-92); Rockies (1993-1999); Reds (2000); and Red Sox (2000-01). He collected 1,906 hits, hit 274 home runs, drove in 1,141, scored 934 times and stole 152 bases.

Dante Bichette hit the first home run in Colorado Rockies history. It was off the Mets’ Brett Saberhagen on April 7, 1993 – the only run in a 6-1 Rockies loss in New York.

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Ellis Burks, OF, Rockies (RH) … 40 home runs/32 stolen bases in 1996

Ellis Burks had just one season of at least 30 steals – which happened to line up with his one season of at least 40 home runs (he did have another three seasons of 30 or more long balls). In his 30-30 season, Burks led the league in runs scored (142) and total bases (392) and topped 200 base hits (211, .344 average).

In his 18-season MLB career, Burks had 2,107 hits (.291 average), 352 home runs, 1,253 runs scored, 1,206 RBI and 181 steals. Burks played for the Red Sox (1987-92, 2004); White Sox (1993); Rockies (1994-98); Giants (1998-2000); and Indians (2001-03); Burks was a two-time All Star and one-time Gold Glover.

In 1996, Ellis Burks and Dante Bichette both achieved 30-30 seasons for the Rockies. The only other teammates to put up 30-30 campaigns in the same season are Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry of the 1987 Mets.

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Barry Larkin, SS, Reds (RH) … 33 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 1996

Barry Larkin found the fountain of power in 1996 – bopping a career-high 33 home runs (he only reached 20 round trippers in one other season). He also swiped 36 bases, earning his spot in the 30-30 club. That season, Larkin also notched what would be his career highs in RBI (89), runs scored (117), walks (96) and total bases (293).

In his 19-season MLB career – all with the Reds – Larkin was a 12-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover. Larkin collected 2,340 hits over his career, with 198 home runs, 960 RBI, 1,328 runs scored and 379 stolen bases.

Barry Larkin was the 1995 NL MVP, when he hit .319, with 15 home runs, 66 RBI, 98 runs scored. He also swiped 51 bases (in 56 attempts) and won a Gold glove – leading the Reds to the NL Central Division crown. Although his 1996 season was arguably better, the Reds finished third (81-81) and dropped to 12th in the MVP balloting.

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Jeff Bagwell, 1B , Astros (RH) …

43 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1997

42 home runs/30 stolen bases in 1999

Jeff Bagwell – one of the Astros’ “Killer Bees” (Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman) of the 1990s, put together a pair of 30/30 seasons, each time topping 40 home runs. Notably, while Bagwell hit 30 or more home runs in nine seasons, he only reached 30 steals twice. In 1997, Bagwell hit .286, with 43 home runs and 41 steals. Two years later, he hit .304, with 42 home runs and 30 steals. In that 1999 campaign, he led the NL in runs with 143, while also drawing a league-topping 140 walks.

In 15 MLB seasons, Jeff Bagwell collected 2,314 hits (.297 average) and amassed 449 home runs, 1,529 RBI, 1,517 runs scored and 202 stolen bases. He was the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year, 1994 NL MVP and a four-time All Star. He also earned a Gold Glove in 1994. He led the NL in runs three times and RBI once. In his 1994 MVP season, Bagwell hit .268, with a league-leading 104 runs scored, an NL-best 116 RBI – as well as 39 home runs and a league-topping 300 total bases.

Jeff Bagwell is the only MLB player to achieve six consecutive seasons (1996-2001) of 30 home runs, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored and 100 walks. During that span he hit .301, with 236 home runs, 754 RBI, 765 runs scored, 121 steals and 733 walks. That makes his season average in that period .301, 39 home runs, 126 RBI, 128 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and 12 walks. A Killer Bee, indeed.

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Raul Mondesi, OF, Dodgers (RH) …

30 home runs and 32 stolen bases in 1997

33 home runs/36 stolen bases in 1999

Raul Mondesi had multiple opportunities to join the 30-30 Club – recording three seasons of 30 or more stolen bases to go along with three seasons of 30 or more home runs. He matched 30’s up twice – in 1997 and 1999. In 1997, he hit .310 with 30 long balls, 87 RBI and 32 steals (47 attempts). Two years later, despite hitting .253, he had his second 30-30 campaign, with 33 home runs, a career-high 99 RBI and 36 steals in 45 tries.

In his 13-year MLB career, Mondesi had 1,589 hits (.273 average), 909 runs scored, 860 RBI, 271 home runs and 229 steals. He was the NL Rookie of the Year as a 23-year old in 1994, when he hit .306-16-56 in 112 games. He was an All Star once (1995) and a Gold Glover twice. He never scored or drove in 100 runs in a season, but came close – scoring 98 runs in a season twice and driving in 99 in 1999.

Raul Mondesi was the first Dodger to have a 30-30 season.

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Larry Walker, OF, Rockies (LH) … 49 home runs/33 stolen bases in 1997

Larry Walker had just one 30+ stolen base season in his 17-year MLB career – and he smacked 49 home runs in that same campaign. It was 1997, and Walker hit .366, with an NL-leading 49 home runs, 130 RBI, 143 runs scored, 33 steals and a league-leading 409 total bases. That season, he set his career highs in games, at bats, hits, runs, doubles, home runs, RBI and total bases. That offense – and a Gold Glove – earned him MVP honors in his 30-30 season.

Walker collected 2,160 career hits (.313 average), 383 home runs, 1,311 RBI, 1,355 runs scored and 230 stolen bases. He won three batting crowns, led his league in doubles once, home runs once and total bases once. He also picked up seven Gold Gloves and was an All Star five times.

In the three season from 1997 to 1999, Larry Walker averaged .369 – putting up averages of .366, .363 and .379. Hitter-friendly Coors Field played a role, as Walker hit .397 at home over those seasons. But he was no slouch on the road (.314).

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Shawn Green, OF, Blue Jays (LH) … 35 home runs/35 stolen bases in 1998

Shawn Green had just one season of 30 or more steals – 35 for the Blue Jays in 1998. That same year he also rapped 35 home runs. In fact, between 1998 and 2002, Green’s home runs totals (for the Blue Jays and Dodgers) were 35, 42, 24 and 49. The two-time All Star improved nearly across the board in the season following his 30-30 campaign – improving his average from .278 to .309; hits from 175 to 190; doubles from 33 to a league-leading 45; homers from 35 to 42; RBI from 100 to 123; runs scored from 106 to 134; and total bases from 321 to a league-topping 361. His stolen bases, however, dropped from 35 to 20.

In his career, Green topped 100 runs scored in four seasons, had 100 or more RBI in four seasons, hit 40+ doubles in three seasons and 40+ home runs in three seasons. Green played for the Blue Jays (1993-1999); Dodgers (2000-2006), and Mets (2006-07. He collected 2,003 hits, hit 328 home runs, drove in 1,070 runs, scored 1,129 and stole 162 bases.

Shawn Green holds the MLB record for most total bases in a single game. On May 23, 2002 – as the Dodgers topped the Brewers 16-3 in Milwaukee – Green hit four home runs, a double and a single in six at bats. He scored six times, drove in seven runs and set a new MLB record (that still stands) of 19 total bases in a game.

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Alex Rodriguez, SS, Mariners (RH) … 42 home runs/46 stolen bases in 1998

You might have expected to see A-Rod on this list more than once, but Rodriguez had only one season of thirty or more steals (46 in 1998, when he was playing shortstop for Seattle.) He also banged out 40 home runs that year, becoming just the third member of the 40-40 Club (Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds preceded Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano would follow). In his 40-40 year, Rodriguez hit .310 and led the AL in hits with 213. His 42-HR season was one of 15 in which he would hit at least 30 long balls (he had five seasons in the 40‘s and three in the 50’s).

In his 22-season MLB career, A-Rod collected 3,115 hits, smacked 696 home runs, drove in 2,086 tallies, scored 2,021 times and swiped 329 bases. He played for the Mariners (1994-2000): Rangers (2001-2003); Yankees (2004-2013, 2015-16). He was a 14-time All Star, three-time MVP and two-time Gold Glover. Rodriguez led his league in runs five times, home runs five times, total bases four times, RBI twice, hits once, doubles once and batting average once.

Alex Rodriguez’ 25 major league Grand Slam home runs are the MLB record.

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Preston Wilson, OF, Marlins, (RH) … 31 home runs/36 steals in 2000

In 2000, the Marlins’ Preston Wilson hit 31 home runs, stole 36 bases and drove in 121 runs. Not bad for a 25-year-old in his second full MLB season. It would be his only 30-steal campaign, although he did reach 20 steals in each of the next two seasons. He topped 30 home runs once more – in 2003, when (as a Rockie) he hit 36 long balls, drove in an NL-best 141 runs and made his only All Star team.

In a 10-season MLB career, Wilson collected 1,055 hits (.264 average), scored 573 runs, hit 189 home runs, drove in 668 and swiped 124 bags. Wilson played for the Mets (1998); Marlins (1998-2002); Rockies (2003-05); Nationals (2005); Astros (2006); and Cardinals (2006-07).

Preston Wilson was the Baseball America 1992 High School Player of the Year – and was the ninth overall pick in the 1992 June MLB draft.

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Bobby Abreu, OF, Phillies (LH) …

31 home runs/36 stolen bases in 2001

30 home runs/40 stolen basses in 2004

Bobby Abreu picked up his first 30-30 season in 2001 – at age 27 – in his sixth MLB season. He earned a second 30-30 stat line three seasons later. Abreu was a true power-speed guy. He had six seasons of 30 or more steals, with a high of 40 in his 2004 30-30 campaign. He reached 30 home runs in just his two 30-30 seasons, but swiped 20 or more bases in 12 campaigns. He was a two-time All Star and won a Gold Glove in 2005.

In 18 MLB seasons, Abreu rang up 2,470 hits (.291 average), 288 home runs, 1,363 RBI, 1,453 runs scored and 400 stolen bases. He led the NL in triples once and doubles once. His 50 doubles in 2002 are tied for the 78th most in any MLB season. Abreu hit .300 or better in six seasons, drove in 100 or more runs eight times and scored 100 or more runs eight times. Abreu played for the Astros (1996-97); Phillies (1998-2006); Yankees (2006-08); Angels (2009-12); Dodgers (2012); and Mets (2014).

Bobby Abreu was a disciplined hitter who drew 1,476 walks – 20th all-time. He drew 100 or more free passes in eight consecutive seasons (1999-2006).

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Jose Cruz, Jr., OF, Blue Jays (SH) …. 34 home runs/32 steals in 2001

In his 2001 30-30 campaign, Jose Cruz, Jr. reached what would prove to be career highs in hits, batting average, runs, doubles, home runs, RBI and stolen bases. His 32 steals that season represented the only year in which he stole more than 15. He topped 30 home runs twice.

In his 12-season MLB career, Cruz had 1,167 hits (.247 average), 204 home runs, 624 RBI, 713 runs scored and 113 stolen bases. He played for the Mariners (1997); Blue Jays (1997-2002); Giants (2003); Rays (2004); Diamondbacks (2005); Red Sox (2005); Dodgers (2005-06); Padres (2007); and Astros (2008).

Jose Cruz Jr. brought good genes to his MLB career. His father, Jose Cruz, Sr., hit .284 over 19 major league seasons. In addition, his uncles, Hector and Tommy Cruz, had MLB careers of nine and two season, respectively.

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Vlad Guerrero, OF, Expos (RH) …

34 home runs/37 stolen bases in 2001

39 home runs/40 stolen bases in 2002

In 2002, as he completed his second consecutive 30-30 season, Vlad Guerrero just missed joining the elite 40-40 club – racking up 39 home runs and 40 steals. Notably, 2001 and 2002 were the only seasons in which Guerrero stole more than 15 bases – notching 77 steals in those two years and just 104 in his additional 14 MLB campaigns. He did top 30 home runs in eight seasons, with a high of 44 in 2000.

In his 16-season MLB career, Guerrero hit .300 or better 13 times, drove in 100 or more runs ten times and scored 100+ runs six times. He also had three 200-hit seasons, leading the NL with 206 hits for the Expos in 2002. He was an All Star in eight seasons. Guerrero played for the Expos (1996-2003); Angels (2004-2009); Rangers (2010); and Orioles (2011). His career stats include 2,590 hits (.318 average), 449 home runs, 1,496 RBI, 1,328 runs scored and 181 steals.

Vlad Guerrero was the American League MVP (Angels) in 2004, when he hit .337, with 39 home runs, 126 RBI, a league-leading 124 runs scored and a league-best 366 total bases.

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Alfonso Soriano, OF/2B, Yankees, Rangers, Nationals (RH) …

39 home runs/41 stolen bases in 2002 for the Yankees

38 home runs/35 stolen bases in 2003 for the Yankees

36 home runs/39 stolen bases in 2005 for the Rangers

46 home runs/41 stolen bases in 2006 for the Nationals

In 2002 (age 26), in just his second full MLB season, Alfonso Soriano of the Yankees joined the 30-30 club and nearly became a member of the 40-40 fraternity – hitting 39 home runs to go with 41 stolen bases. Four seasons later (2006), he cracked the 40-40 barrier, hitting 46 home runs and stealing 40 bases for the Nationals. In between, he notched another pair of 30-30 campaigns. His first 30-30 campaign may have been the most impressive, as Soriano led the AL in at bats, runs, hits and steals; while hitting.300 and driving in 100+ runs – finishing third in AL MVP balloting.

In his 16-season MLB career, Soriano was an All Star seven times (2002-08), stole 30 or more bases five times (40+ three times), launched 30 or more homers in a season seven times, drove in 100+ runs four times and scored 100+ four times. He collected 2,095 hits (.270 average), 412 home runs, drove in 1,159 runs, scored 1,152 times and swiped 289 bases. Soriano played for the Yankees (1999-2003, 2013-14); Rangers (2004-2005); Nationals (2006); and Cubs (2007-13).

Not known for his patience at the plate, in his first 30-30 season, Soriano walked just 23 times, while striking out 157 – but still managed to hit .300. He upped his walks and reduced his whiffs over time, ending with 496 walks and 1,803 strikeouts.

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Carlos Beltran, OF, Royals/Astros (SH) … 38 home runs and 42 stolen bases in 2004

Carlos Beltran retired as a player (at age 40) after the 2017 season. His 30-30 campaign came way back in 2004 – in a season that saw him traded from the Royals to the Astros in late June. Beltran played 69 games for the American League Royals and 90 games for the then National League Astros – and is the only player to play in both leagues in a 30-30 season. He hit 15 home runs and stole 14 bases for Kansas City and rapped 23 round trippers and stole 28 bases for Houston. Beltran put up four seasons of 30 or more home runs (a high of 41 in 2006) and four seasons of 30 or more steals (a high of 42 in 2004).

In his 20 MLB seasons, Beltran was an All Star nine times and a three-time Gold Glover. He collected 2,725 hits (.279 average), hit 435 home runs (fourth-most among switch hitters), drove in 1,587 tallies, scored 1,582 runs and stole 312 bases. Beltran is one of only four players with 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases – and the only switch hitter.

In his rookie season (1999), the 22-year-old Carlos Beltran hit .293, with 22 home runs, 108 RBI, 112 runs scored and 27 stolen bases for the Royals – capturing AL Rookie of the Year honors.

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David Wright, 3B, Mets (RH) … 30 home runs/34 stolen bases in 2007

David Wright was a force for the Mets – bringing power and speed, as well as solid defense at the hot corner (a two-time Gold Glover). While he only topped 30 home runs in a season twice and stole 30 or more bases just once, Wright had five season of 25 or more homers and three seasons of 20 or more steals. In his 30-30 campaign, he reached what would be his career highs in hits, doubles, and batting average – and added a Gold Glove for Good measure.

In his 14 MLB seasons, Wright was a seven-time All Star. He hit over .300 in seven seasons, topped 100 RBI in five and scored 100+ runs twice. Overall, he amassed 1,777 hits (.296 career average), 242 home runs, 970 RBI, 949 runs scored and 196 stolen bases. Wright played his entire career for the Mets.

David Wright hit the first Mets’ round tripper in Citi Field history on April 13, 2009. It was, however, the third official home run in Citi Field. Padres’ leadoff hitter Jody Gerut inaugurated the ballpark with a home run to right to lead off the top of the first and San Diego 1B Adrian Gonzalez belted a solo shot in the top of the fifth. Wright hit the Mets’ first dinger, a three-run blast that tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth. (The Mets eventually lost 6-5.)

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Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies (SH) … 30 home runs/41 steals in 2007

Phillies’ SS Jimmy Rollins made the most of his 2007 30-30 season – translating it into an NL MVP Award. That season Rollins led the league in games, at bats, runs scored and triples, while hitting .296 and earning a Gold Glove on defense. He also reached what would-be his career highs in games, at bats, hits, runs, triples, home runs, RBI and full-season batting average. It was Rollins’ only 30-home run season, but one of ten in which he stole 30 or more bases (a high of 47 in 2008).

In a 17-season MLB career, Rollins led the league in triples four times, stolen bases once and runs scored once. He collected 2,455 hits (.264 average), hit 231 home runs, drove in 936, scored 1,421 times and stole 470 bases (46th all-time). Rollins was a three-time All-star and four-time Gold Glover. He played for the Phillies (2000-2014); Dodgers (2015); and White Sox (2016).

In a portent of things to come, Jimmy Rollins’ first MLB hit was a triple. He would go on to hit 155 MLB triples, leading the NL four times and hitting ten or more three-baggers in five seasons.

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Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds (RH) … 30 home runs/32 stolen bases in 2007

Brandon Phillips smacked 30 home runs and stole 32 bases in 2007, the only season in which he reached either 30 round trippers or 30 steals. In 17 MLB seasons (Phillips was still active in 2018), Phillips has been an All Star three times and won four Gold Gloves. He has reached at least 100 runs scored twice and 100+ RBI once. Phillips has also stole 15 or more bases in seven seasons and hit 15 or more dingers in eight.

Phillips has recorded 2,029 base hits (.275 average), 211 home runs, 951 RBI, 1,005 runs scored and 209 stolen bases. He has played for the Indians (2002-2005); Reds (2006-2017); Braves (2017); Dodgers (2017); and Red Sox (2018).

In 2018, Brandon Phillips became the first player to wear number zero for the Red Sox.

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Grady Sizemore, OF , Indians (LH) … 33 home runs/38 stolen bases in 2008

In 2008, Grady Sizemore hit 33 home runs and swiped 38 bases for the Indian – also earning a spot on the AL All Star team and a Gold Glove for his defensive play in center field. Overall, Sizemore was a three-time All Star and two-time Gold Glover. He topped 30 home runs once (four seasons of 20 or more) and reached 30+ steals twice (four season of 20 or more).

A series of injuries – beginning with elbow issues (that required surgery in 2009) and followed by knee and back surgeries – curtailed Sizemore’s career. Between 2009 and 2015, he played in 100 games in a season only once – missing the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons. In the four seasons between 2005 and 2008, he averaged 160 games per season, with an average stat line of .281-27-81, and 29 steals. In his first four full seasons, he led the AL in games played twice, runs scored once and doubles once; was an All Star three times; and a Gold Glover twice. He also hit 32 triples in that time, reaching 11 twice. From 2009-2015 (excluding 2012-13), he averaged just 84 games a season with an average stat line of .238-8-34, five steals.

In ten MLB seasons (1,101 games), Sizemore collected 1,098 hits (.265 average), hit 150 home runs, drove in 518, scored 66o times and stole 143 bases. Sizemore played for the Indians (2004-2011); Red Sox (2014); Phillies (2014-15); and Rays (2015).

During his MLB career, Grady Sizemore had abdominal, elbow, knee and back surgeries.

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Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins (RH) … 33 home runs/35 stolen bases in 2008

In 2008, Marlins’ 24-year-old shortstop Hanley Ramirez made his first All Star team and joined the 30-30 Club in just his third full MLB season. Ramirez hit .301, led the NL in runs scored with 125, hit 33 home runs and a stole 35 bases. It is one of just two 30-homer seasons for Ramirez (still active after 14 MLB seasons) and one of four 30+ stolen base seasons. (Ramirez stole 51 bases in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.)

Through 2018, Ramirez had 1,825 MLB hits (.290 average), 269 home runs, 909 RBI, 1,045 runs scored and 281 stolen bases. He has been an All Star three times, won the 2009 NL batting title with a .342 average and was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2006.

Ramirez has scored 100+ runs in two seasons, driven in 100+ in two seasons, topped 200 hits once, hit .300 or better five times. He has played for the Red Sox (2005, 2015-18); Marlins (2006-12); and Dodgers (2012-14).

Hanley Ramirez has been a strong post-season performer. In 20 post season games, he has 27 hits (.380 average), one home run, 14 RBI, nine runs scored, two stolen bases and seven walks. His post-season on base percentage is .450.

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Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers (RH) …

31 home runs/31 stolen bases in 2009

32 home runs/30 stolen bases in 2011

Ian Kinsler, still active, has put up a pair of 30-30 campaigns in 13 MLB seasons. Interestingly, the power has seemed to come at the expense of the batting average. In 2009, Kinsler smoked 31 home runs and stole 31 bases. His home runs were up from 18 the previous year, but the batting average was down to .253 (from .319 the previous season). In 2010, Kinsler average was up to .286, but he hit only nine homers in 103 games. Then in 2011, his averaged slipped to .255, but he popped 32 homers and stole 30 bags. Notably, he made the AL All Star team in 2008 and 2010, but not in his 2009 and 2011 30-30 seasons. The 2009 and 2011 seasons were the only ones in which Kinsler reached 30 home runs or 30 steals. He does have five seasons of 20 or more homers and five seasons of 20 or more steals.

Kinsler is a four-time All Star and two-time Gold Glover. To date, he has 1,943 MLB hits (.271 average), 248 home runs, 887 RBI, 1,215 runs scored and 241 stolen bases. He has scored 100 or more runs in six seasons and drove in a career high 92 runs in 2014. Kinsler has played for the Rangers (2006-2013); Tigers (2014-2017); Angels (2018); and Red Sox (2018).

On April 15, 2009, Ian Kinsler went six-for-six as his Rangers topped the Orioles 19-6 in Texas. Kinsler scored six times and drove in four runs. More important, he hit for the cycle, collecting two singles, two doubles, one triple and one home run. That game – and his season totals – made Kinsler the first player to have a 30-30 campaign and hit for the cycle in the same season. (He was joined in that achievement by the Red Sox Mookie Betts in 2018.)

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Matt Kemp, OF , Dodgers (RH) … 39 home run/49 stolen bases in 2011

Oh so, close. When Matt Kemp joined the 30-30 Club in 2011, he was so close to becoming part of the even more elite 40-40 fraternity. With 39 home runs and 40 steals on the season, he was just one long ball shy of the mark. In that 2011 season, Kemp led the NL home runs, runs scored (115) and RBI (126). In addition, he led the NL in total bases (353) and picked up his second Gold Glove for his play in centerfield. Kemp has stolen 30 or more bases three times and topped 30 home runs twice. He finished second in the MVP balloting to the Brewers’ Ryan Braun – despite outdistancing Braun in games played, at bats, runs, hits, home runs, RBI and stolen bases. Braun did top Kemp in batting average .332 to .324.

Kemp, still active, played his 13^th MLB season in 2018 – and put up a respectable .290-21-85 line for the Dodgers (but did not steal a base – how times have changed). Thus far, in his career, Kemp has collected 1,768 hits (.286 average), hit 280 home runs, drove in 1,005, scored 928 runs and stolen 183 bases. He has been all All Star three times, including 2018. Kemp has played for the Dodgers (2006-2014, 2018); Padres (2015-16); and Braves (2016-17).

On October 23, 2018 – in the top of second innings of Game One – Matt Kemp became the 35^th player in MLB history to hit a home run in his first World Series at bat. It was a solo shot off Red sox’ ace Chris Sale. In the bottom of the seventh, Kemp was joined on that list by the Red Sox’ Eduardo Nunez, who hit a three-run homer in his first WS at bat (as a pinch hitter).

It was just the third time two players have hit a home run in their first World Series at bat in the same game. The other two instances were in Game One of the 1988 Series (Mickey Hatcher, Dodgers and Jose Canseco, A’s) and Game One in 2002 (Barry Bonds, Giants and Troy Glaus, Angels).

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Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers, (RH) …

33 home runs/33 stolen bases in 2011

41 home runs/30 stolen bases in 2012

Ryan Braun put together back-to-back 30-30 campaigns in 2011-12 – winning the NL MVP Award in 2011. Those two years represent Braun’s only two seasona with 30 or more steals, mixed in with five seasons of 30 or more home runs. The still active Braun, however, has reached double-digits in steals in 11 of his 12 MLB seasons – and in every season in which he played at least 100 games. In his 2012 30-30 season, he led the NL in runs scored and home runs.

Through his first 12 MLB seasons, Braun has recorded 1,802 base hits (.299 average), 322 home runs, 1,053 RBI, 996 runs and 204 steals. He has topped 100 RBI in five seasons and 100 runs scored in four seasons. He has hit over .300 six times and led the NL in hits once (203 hits in 2009). He is a six-time All Star.

Ryan Braun was offered a baseball scholarship by Stanford University (among other schools), but chose to attend the University of Miami on a full academic scholarship. Among the recognitions he received for his play at Miami were National Freshman of the Year (2003) and Atlantic Coast Conference Player for the Year (2005). In 2005, he played in 58 games for Miami, hitting .388, with 18 home runs, 76 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

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Jacob Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox (LH) … 32 home runs/39 stolen bases in 2011.

Jacoby Ellsbury surprised a lot of people with his power in 2011 – notching his only season (thus far) of 30+ home runs. 2011 is one of only two seasons in which Ellsbury reached double-digits in round trippers (he had 16 in 2014). The 39 steals that completed his 30-30 campaign were no surprise, however. He had already recorded campaigns of 50 and 70 stolen bases. (He would later add season of 52 and 39 steals.) In 2011, Ellsbury reached his full-season career highs in runs, hits, average, doubles, home runs, RBI and total bases. He also picked up his only Gold Glove.

The still active Ellsbury (although he missed the 2018 season with a hip injury that required surgery) has played 11 MLB seasons. He currently has 1,376 hits (.284 average), 104 home runs, 512 RBI, 749 runs scored and 343 steals. He has led his league in stolen bases three times, triples once and total bases once. His only All Star appearance was in his 2011 season (his 30-30 campaign). Ellsbury has played for the Red Sox (2007-13) and Yankees (2014-17).

On May 20, 2009, Jacoby Ellsbury tied the MLB record for most putouts for an outfielder in a nine inning game – with 12, as the Red Sox topped the Blue Jays 8-3 in Boston. Ellsbury, playing center field had two putouts in each of the first four innings, one in the fifth and all three in the sixth – and none in the final three frames.

Others with 12 putouts in a nine-inning contest are Earl Clark of the Braves (May 10, 1929) and Lyman Bostock of the Twins (May 25, 1977). Of interest (maybe), all three were playing centerfield and all three 12 putout games came in the month of May.

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Mike Trout, OF, Angels (RH) … 30 home runs/49 stolen bases in 2012

Mike Trout – still active – got his 30-30 season out of the way early, joining the club at age 20 and in his first full MLB season. That season, the AL Rookie of the Year led the league in runs scored (129) and steals (49), while hitting .326 with 30 home runs. In his first eight MLB seasons (seven full seasons), Trout has hit 30 or more home runs five times and stolen 30 or more bases three times. Another 30-30 campaign may well be on the Horizon.

Trout, about to enter his age-27 season, already has earned Rookie of the Year recognition, two Most Valuable Player Awards (2014 and 2016), led the AL in runs scored four times, RBI once, stolen bases once, walks twice and total bases once. The seven-time All Star has five seasons of 100+ runs scored and two seasons of 100 or more RBI.

Through 2018, Trout has 1,187 hits (.307 average), 240 home runs, 648 RBI, 793 runs scored and 189 stolen bases.

In his seven full MLB seasons, Mike Trout has finished first or second in the AL MVP voting six times. (In 2017, he finished fourth.)

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Jose Ramirez, 3B/2B, Indians, (SH) … 39 home runs/34 stolen bases in 2018

Jose Ramirez – still active – notched his 30-30 campaign in his sixth MLB season (at age 25). In 2018, he reached new career highs in home runs, stolen bases, RBI and runs scored. 2018 was the first season he reached with 30+ HR or 30+ SB.

A two-time All Star, Ramirez led the league in doubles (56) in 2017. He has hit .300+ in two full season, scored 100+ runs twice and driven in 100+ once. Thus far, he had collected 653 hits (.285 average), hit 87 home runs, driven in 308, scored 383 times and stolen 93 bases.

Since making the big leagues, Jose Ramirez has started 327 games at 3B, 199 at second base, 100 at SS, 49 in LF and 4 at DH.

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Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox (RH) … 32 home runs/30 stolen bases in 2018

Mookie Betts put up a 30-30 season in 2018 – the frosting on the cake was a batting title, a Gold Glove and the AL MPV Award. (Betts also led the AL in run scored with 129.) In just his fifth MLB season, the still active Betts set new career highs in runs, doubles, home runs, average and stsolen bases. It was Betts’ first season of at least thirty steals and his second with 30 or more home runs.

Betts is a three-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover. He has topped 100 runs scored in three of his four full MLB seasons, driven in 100- twice, topped 30 home runs twice and stolen 30 bases once (three times 25 or more). Thus far in his career he has 789 hits (.303 average), 111 home runs, 390 RBI, 478 runs scored and 110 stolen bases.

On July 2, 2017 Mookie Betts drove in eight runs while manning the leadoff spot in the Red Sox lineup – tieing the MLB record for RBI in a game by a leadoff hitter. Sharing that record with Betts are: Augie Bergamo, Cardinals ( July 4, 1945); Bill Glynn, Indians (July 5, 1954); Jim Northrup, Tigers (July 11, 1973); and Ronnie Belliard, Rockies (September 23, 2003).

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

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The Four Home Runs Club – An 18-Star Book Review

December 5, 2018 by David

The Four Home Runs Club …

Sluggers Who Achieved Baseball’s Greatest Feat

By Steven K Wagner

Rowman & Littlefield (2018)

$33.00

Spoiler Alert: Baseball Roundtable recommends “The Four Home Run Club” as the ideal Christmas gift for every baseball fan on your list. This is a Grand Slam look at, perhaps, the 18 greatest offensive displays in the history of our national pastime.

“Research is endlessly seductive. Writing is hard work.”

Barbara Tuchman, Best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize winner

When you pick up a Steven Wagner K. Wagner work of prose, it is clear that he is skilled at both research and writing. It is also clear that Wagner has a passion for both story-telling and baseball. Bring all of that together and “The Four Home Runs Club … Sluggers Who Achieved Baseball’s Rarest Feat” is a good read that belongs on every baseball fans bookshelf.

From Bobby Lowe in May of 1894 to J.D. Martinez in September of 2017 – and from players with nicknames like Rocky, the Iron Horse and the Hammerin’ Hoosier to the less likely Scooter and Fat Pat – Steven Wagner’s book takes a look at the eighteen players who have launched an MLB-record four home runs in a single game.

The former United Press International assistant bureau chief put his journalist skills to work in this book, combining ample research with dozens of interviews with individuals who were in the batter’s box, on the mound, in the field or on the bench for the momentous clouts.

Wagner adds in descriptions of the ballparks, cultural context (signs of the times) and a look at the lives (before and after their achievement) of the hitters being recognized. And, of course, there is the obligatory statistical section at the end of the book – career statistics for each player and rankings by career home runs, years of service and age at the time of each player’s four-homer binge. There is so much for the baseball fan in the book’s 18 chapters and approximately 200 pages that I considered the opportunity to review “The Four Home Runs Club” to be an early Christmas present.

It’s all there and in a well-written, well-organized, smooth read – in a style that falls somewhere between modern journalism and the more descriptive sports coverage of the past. To give you a better idea of what I’m talking (writing/reviewing) about, here are just a few highlights of what you can expect. In each case, I can truthfully report, you’ll find much, much more.

First, there are those interesting bits of history that can translate into trivia stumpers:

At 5’10” and just 150 pounds, Boston Beaneaters’ (NL) second baseman Bobby Lowe – the first player to knock four long balls in a single game (May 30, 1984) – was the shortest and lightest ever to achieve the feat. (Lowe, however, may have been a bit heavier post-game. After Lowe’s third home run, Wagner reports, fans showered the field with approximately $160 in coins, a figure equal to “roughly one-third the average annual income for wage earners that year.”)
The four-homer game Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty notched for the Phillies on July 13, 1896 included two inside-the-park round trippers. Delahanty is the only player to include a shot that did NOT clear the fence in a four-homer contest.
The Milwaukee Braves’ Joe Adcock, who launched four home runs against the rival Dodgers on July 31, 1954, came the closest to a five-homer game. In his final at bat, Adcock slugged a double to deep right-center. Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine said the ball “hit a rail and came back onto the field. Six inches higher and he would have had five home runs.”
In his four-homer game (June 10, 1959). The Indians’ Rocky Colavito may have had a bit of extra incentive as a fan dumped a beer on the right fielder after he made a fine running catch on a drive by the home town Orioles’ Albie Pearson in the third inning. As Wagner reports, Colavito spent the game sweaty, sticky and irritated. In Colavito’s own words, “He threw a beer right in my face. I was livid. The nerve of somebody doing that. I’m only doing my job.”
The Cardinals’ Mark Whiten drove in an MLB-record 12 runs in his four-homer game (September 7, 1993); while the Mariners’ Mike Cameron (May 2, 2002) drove in the minimum four.
The Blue Jays’ Carlos Delgado (September 25, 2003) is the only member of the Four Home Runs Club to achieve the feat in the minimum four at bats.
Scooter Gennett (four homers on June 6, 2017) was waived by the Milwaukee brewers (and picked up by the Reds) after Spring Training that season. He went into the game having hit three home runs in his previous 46 games – and having never hit four homers in a month.

You’ll also read about the players lives (and deaths), exploring such topics as Willie Mays’ childhood watching his father playing for the Negro Leagues’ Birmingham Black Barons; Josh Hamilton’s battle(s) with drugs and alcohol; the Bronze Star Gil Hodges won for bravery in World War II; Ed Delahanty’s mysterious and fatal fall/jump from a bridge into the Niagara River at age 35 – and (I repeat) much, much more.

How Young Ryan Gennett became “Scooter”

Excerpt from The Four Home Runs Club …

When the child (Ryan Gennett) got wind that his mother planned to take him to the police station for a lecture on the importance of buckling up in the car, something he had apparently failed to do, he borrowed the alias from the orange-tone Muppet character “Scooter” in hope that it would throw the local authorities off track and keep him out of jail … “I thought I was going to be arrested,” he (Gennett) said. “So, I told the policeman my name was Scooter. After we left there, I didn’t answer to Ryan because I though if I answered to my real name, I might be arrested.”

As Wagner weaves the stories of the Four Home Runs Club, he also takes readers into the ballparks – describing the action inning-by-inning and pitch-by-pitch and providing a well-painted picture of the crowds and the parks themselves. (Consider Philadelphia’s Shibe park, where Lou Gehrig had his four-homer day in 1932. The park held just 23,000 fans and “was built of steel and concrete and boasted an elaborate front entrance and a double-deck grandstand that sported a French-Renaissance portico.” Perhaps more important, the outfield dimensions were not exactly home-run friendly – 378 feet to the left field bleachers, 340 feet to right field and 515 feet to straightaway center.

Wagner further fleshes out each hitter’s story with a look at the signs of the times. Just one example – when examining the Braves’ Bob Horner’s big day (July 6, 1986), Wagner tells readers, “In 1986, the United States needed a happy milestone. The country had largely put behind it the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan five years earlier, however, two years after that a deadly disease with the curious acronym AIDS was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If that weren’t enough, the space shuttle Challenger exploded just months before the 1986 baseball season began, killing all seven crew members. A landmark baseball event would surely boost the nation’s spirits.” Wagner sets the stage for each of the 18 four-homer games with a look at not only what was going on in the national pastime, but also with a look at such era-defining factors as global and U.S. news events of the day, popular culture and life-events affecting the players involved.

All of this adds up to what Baseball Roundtable sees as a four-star – or better, a four-homer – recounting of the national pastime’s 18 four-homer games. The Four Home Runs Club is a fast-paced, informative and entertaining read, which – as I said in the beginning of this review – would make a great addition to any baseball fan’s bookshelf.

Other books by Steven K. Wagner:

Perfect: The Rise and Fall of John Paciorek, Baseball’s Greatest One Game Wonder. Review, click here.

Seinsoth: The Life and Rough-and Tumble Life of a Dodger. Review, click here.

About Steven K. Wagner

Steven K. Wagner has worked as a freelance journalist since 1989. He began his career with the Monmouth Sun-Enterprise in Oregon and worked for the Oregon City Enterprise-Courier and Portland Daily Journal of Commerce before joining United Press International. He has also worked for the Portland Oregonian and has freelanced extensively for the Los Angeles Times, Oklahoma City Oklahoman, Seattle Times, Baseball America and numerous other newspaper and magazines. He is also a lifelong fan of the national pastime.

There’s still time to vote in Baseball Roundtable’s unofficial fan Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot. To access the ballot, click here. For BBRT’s “take” on the 2018 nominees, click here.

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Filed Under: Reviews

Archives for December 2018

Larry Jansen – The Pitcher Who Might Have Been MLB’s First National Rookie of the Year

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The Rule 5 Draft – A Hall of Famer; A Face that Couldn’t be Forgotten; A Flyin’ Hawaiian; and Even Joey Bats

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BBRT Trivia Teaser – And A Look at the 39 Members of MLB’s 30-30 Club

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The Four Home Runs Club – An 18-Star Book Review

The Four Home Runs Club …

Sluggers Who Achieved Baseball’s Greatest Feat

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