Archives for September 2023

Who’s Your Daddy? … Episode 18 … Hoyt Wilhelm

September 25, 2023 by

Welcome to  the 18th post in the Baseball Roundtable’s “Who’s Your Daddy?” series, where we take a look at Roundtable-selected lineups that performed exceptionally well against some of MLB’s greatest pitchers.

As always, I would stress that the pitchers included in the Who’s Your Daddy? series are among the “best in the business.”  They are selected not because of the players who performed well against them, but rather because success among hitters when they were on the mound was the exception rather than the rule.  We’ve looked at pitchers from a wide range of eras – from Carl Hubbell to Bob Feller to Nolan Ryan to Justin Verlander. Note:  For those unfamiliar with the series, it’s origins are explained at the end of this post.

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Before we get started on this edition,  here are links to the previous editions of this series.

Please note: For still active pitchers, the stats are as they stood on the date of the post.

  • Nolan Ryan, click here.
  • Sandy Koufax, click here.
  • Pedro Martinez, click here.
  • Bob Gibson, click here.
  • Randy Johnson, click here.
  • Greg Maddux, click here.
  • Justin Verlander, click here.
  • Bob Feller, click here.
  • Roger Clemens, click here.
  • Max Scherzer, click here.
  • Tom Seaver, click here.
  • Mariano Rivera, click here.
  • Warren Spahn, click here.
  • Lefty Grove, click here.
  • Steve Carlton, click here.
  • Robin Roberts, click here.
  • Carl Hubbell, click here. 

If you go back through past editions of “Who’s Your Daddy?”, you may find a few surprises – like how Will Clark owned Nolan Ryan; Jerry Lynch‘s .714 average versus Sandy Koufax; the fact that Brian Harper faced Roger Clemens 23 times and never struck out; how Ival Goodman (who averaged one home run each 47 at bats over his 10-season MLB career) poked six home runs in just 64 at bats against Carl Hubbell; or that Magglio Ordonez hit .500 in his career versus Mariano Rivera and never fanned against him.

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As I looked back at past posts in the series, I realized the pitchers featured in these posts had been known for a variety  of pitches – blazing fastballs, sweeping curveballs, devastating change ups, wicked screwballs, darting splitters and more.  However, this series has yet to feature a knuckleball specialist. Well, that time has come.  Today, we feature Hall of Famer, and premier knuckleballer, Hoyt Wilhelm.

As Usual, One Things Led to Another

In keeping with the Baseball Roundtable tradition – “When I begin looking into something one thing always seems to lead to another,” the selection of Hoyt Wilhelm for this series was prompted by a report that, when Padres’ rookie knuckleballer Matt Waldron picked up a win  over the A’s on September 16, it was the first MLB win for knuckleball pitcher in nearly five years (since September 20, 2018).  That started me thinking about MLB’s best-ever knuckleballer and led me to feature Wilhelm in the “Who’s Your Daddy?” series.  

Before we get into the lineup of players who fared especially well against Wilhelm, let’s take a look at his unique career.

Photo: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Hoyt Wilhelm was less than 100 days shy of his thirtieth birthday when he made his major-league debut.  Yet, he still fashioned  a 21-season, 1,070-appearance MLB pitching career – making his last MLB appearance (two scoreless inning in relief) just 16 days shy of his fiftieth birthday. But I’m getting ahead of myself.  There is a lot more to the Wilhelm story.

At a time when the knuckleball was primarily used by pitchers who had “aged out” of effective curves and heaters, Wilhelm began using the pitch (actually a fingertip-ball in his case) as his mainstay as a teenager. In 1942, after high school, Wilhelm signed with the Class-D North Carolina State League Mooresville Moors,  who played just 12 miles from his home town of Huntersville. North Carolina. He went 10-3 for Mooresville before being drafted into the Army. He spent three prime years in the military, seeing plenty of combat and receiving a Purple Heart for wounds he suffered in the Battle of the Bulge.

Hoyt Wilhelm pitched his entire MLB career with a piece of shrapnel (from the Battle of the Bulge) lodged in his back.

After his release from the service, Wilhelm returned to  Mooresville, where he went 41-15 over two seasons and, in 1947, he was signed by the New York Giants.  And, the rest, as they say, is history. Working primarily as a starter, he worked his way up from Class-B to Triple-A between 1948 and 1951 – going 56-46 and pitching to a 3.68 earned run average over 813 innings.  For my home state (Minnesota) readers, Wilhelm spent the 1950-51 seasons with the Triple-A Minneapolis Millers – going 26-15, 4.41, primarily as a starter.

In 1952, Wilhelm stuck with the Giants and had a stellar rookie season – appearing in a league-leading 71 games, going 15-3 (his .833 winning percentage led the NL) and putting up a league-leading (among qualifiers – a minimum of 154 innings pitched) 2.43 earned run average. Surprisingly he finished a distant second in the Rookie of the Year balloting to another reliever, Joe Black of the Dodgers.  Black got 19 votes to three for Wilhelm and one each for the Pirates’ Dick Groat and the Braves’ Eddie Mathews.  As the chart below show, it seems like it should have been a lot closer.

A Unicorn

Hoyt Wilhelm remains the only MLB pitcher to win an earned run title in a season in which he did not start a single game. 

To make a long story short, Wilhelm and his knuckler stayed in the big leagues through 1972.  He pitched in 1,070 games (52 starts, more than half of them  in 1959). His 1,018 relief appearances are fifth all-time and his 1,871 relief innings are first all-time, as are his 124 career wins in relief.

How Much Did Hoyt Wilhelm’s Knuckleball Flutter?

In his first 16 years in the major leagues, the teams Wilhelm suited up for led their league in passed balls in 15 campaigns. A couple of other indicators:

  • In 1958, with Wilhelm on the staff, Indians’ catchers committed a league-topping 35 passed balls. In 1959, without Wilhelm in the fold, that number dropped to six.
  • In 1959, Orioles’ catcher Gus Triandos had 28 passed balls – 24 of them came with Wilhelm on the mound.

Side Note:  The statistics for the Hoyt Wilhelm “Who’s Your Daddy?” lineup are not as telling as for the starting pitchers who have been featured in these posts – primarily because batters did not rack up at bats at the same frequency (given Wilhelm’s role as a reliever). For example, 89 MLB batters had 50 or more at bats versus Bob Feller in his 18 MLB seasons, while just ten opposing batters reached up at least 50 at bats versus Wilhelm in 21 seasons. Still, the group featured here makes for an interesting lineup.

Wilhelm was an  All Star in five seasons (eight All Star selections due to the playing of two All Star games from 1959 through 1962) and led the AL in earned run average, appearances and winning percentage twice each.  (Notably, he led the AL in ERA once as a reliever and once as a starter.) Wilhelm finished in the top three in pitching appearances in six times, and in the top three in saves five times. From 1964 through 1968 he pitched in 306 games, with a 1.74 ERA

While Wilhelm was used primarily as a starter in just one of his 21 MLB seasons (1959 Orioles).  He proved he could go the distance. In 32 games that season (27 starts), he went 15-11, led the AL with a 2.19 ERA. Made the All Star team, threw 13 complete game and delivered  three shutouts.

Seeing Floaters? Just Swing.

On September 20, 1958, Hoyt Wilhelm started on the mound for the Orioles (in Baltimore) versus a tough Yankee lineup that included the likes of Mickey Mantle, Bill Skowron, Elston Howard, Bobby Richardson and Hank Bauer. At the time, the Yankees were in first place at 89-58, while the Orioles were in seventh at 68-77. Wilhelm proved up to the task, no-hitting the Yankees in a 1-0 victory. (The only run coming on a seventh inning Gus Triandos’ home run.) Wilhelm walked two and fanned eight in the 99-pitch outing.

 

—The Hoyt Wilhelm -Who’s Your Daddy? ” Lineup—

Let’s start with a few statistics.

Put Me In Coach

Hoyt Wilhelm faced Giants’ 3B  Al Gallagher five times in his career – and never got him out (the most plate appearances for any player with a 1.000 on-base percentage versus Wilhelm). From 1970-72, Gallagher had five plate appearance versus Wilhelm and delivered three singles and two walks.  Gallagher was a .263 hitter over four MLB seasons (1970-73 … Giants, Angels).

On the flip side, you find another 3B – the Red Sox’ Joe Foy.  Foy faced Wilhelm 13 times over four seasons and never reached base against him (the most plate appearances versus Wilhelm for a hitter with 0.000 OBP versus the knuckleballer).  Foy only got the ball out of the infield three times versus Wilhelm.  Foy hit .248-58-291 over six MLB campaigns (1966-71 … Red Sox, Royals, Mets, Senators).

Now for the lineup that best handled Wilhelm’s flutterball.

Catcher – Roy Campanella

Photo: Bowman Gum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The knuckleball may have been hard to catch, but for at least a couple of catchers, it was not so hard to hit. Our starter at catcher is Hall of Famer  Dodger Roy Campanella, who hit .469-2-12 versus Wilhelm over 33 games (1952-57). Campanella’s .469 average versus Wilhelm was the highest among any player with at least 20 career at bats against him.  His fifteen hits were the third-highest against the knuckleballer, as were his 12 RBI. Campanella did not get his first hit against Wilhelm until his ninth plate appearance against him (two walks, a sacrifice, five outs).  From that point on, he went 15-for-15-28, with five walks.

 

Campanella played ten years with the Dodgers (1948-57), hitting .276-242-856 and making eight All Star teams. He played  ten years in the Negro National League II (1937-42, 1944-45), hitting .316-18-163, making three All Star squads and winning the 1944 Negro National League II batting title with .388 average.

Campanella was the National League MVP in 1951, 1953 and 1955.

Going Yard Twice

On August 13, 1953, Hoyt Wilhelm came on to relieve Al Worthington with his Giants leading the Dodgers 8-4, two men on and one out. Wilhelm got Jackie Robinson on an easy fly to second base, before Roy Campanella took a 2-1 pitch to deep RF for a three-run home run – cutting the margin to one. It stayed that way (8-7) until Campanella faced Wilhelm again with two outs in the top of the ninth.  This time Campanella took Wilhelm yard to LF.  The Giants eventually won 9-8 in ten innings.

Have to also give a shoutout to another catcher, Earl Battey, whose .414 average (12-for-29) versus Wilhelm was the second-highest among players with at least 20 at bats against him.

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First Base – Stan Musial

Hall of Famer Stan Musial hit .375 against Wilhelm over 24 games. His four home runs tied for second (career) against Wilhelm. Like Campanella above, Musial had a two-home run game against Wilhelm.  It came on May 2, 1954 in the second game of a doubleheader between Musial’s Cardinals and Wilhelm’s Giants (in St. Louis). In that game, Wilhelm came in to open the bottom of the fourth, with the Giants up 8-3. Musial connected off him for a two-run homer in the fifth and a solo shot in the seventh (his only two at bats versus Wilhelm in the game). The Giants did hang on to win 9-7.

 

 

They Call Him The Streak

Stan Musial’s record against Hoyt Wilhelm was a streaky one. From June 12, 1953 through May 2, 1954, Musial faced Wilhelm seven times and collected  five hits (one single, one double and three home runs) and two walks (one intentional).  Immediately after that streak of success, from June 20, 1954 through May 20, 1956, Musial faced Wilhelm nine times and got on base just once (an intentional walk). In those nine plate appearances, he got the ball out of the infield just once.

Musial was an All Star in 20 of his 22 MLB seasons. He was a three-time NL MVP, seven-time batting champion and led the league in a range of offensive categories: games (five times); runs scored (five times); hits (six times); doubles (eight times); triples (five times); RBI (twice); total bases six times); on-base percentage (six times); slugging percentage (five times); walks (once); and intentional walks (five times). He had a career batting average of .331 (3,630 hits in 10,972 at bats) and, despite 475 home runs, never led the league in homers.

An honorable mention at first base has to go to Steve Bilko, who hit .409 (9-for-22), with two homers and six RBI in 19 games versus Wilhelm. Bilko went  .249-76-276 in ten MLB seasons (1949-54, 1958, 1960-62 … Cardinals, Angels, Dodgers, Reds, Cubs, Tigers).

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Second Base – Tie: Jackie Robinson & Gene Baker

Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson hit .344 versus Wilhelm and drove in five runs in 34 games.  Robinson also drew nine walks (tied for fourth all-time against Wilhelm) for  a .500 on-base percentage versus the knuckleballer – second among MLB batters with at least 20 at bats versus Wilhelm.

Can’t Touch That

In Jackie Robinson’s first six plate appearances versus Hoyt Wilhelm not a ball was put in play – yet he was on base four times.  (three walks, one hit by pitch and two strikeouts.) 

Robinson played in 11 MLB seasons – 1945 with the Kansas City Monarchs and 1947-58 with the Dodgers. He hit .313-141-761, with 200 stolen bases in 1,416 games. He was the 1949 NL MVP, when he led the league with a .342 average and 37 steals – to go with 122 runs scored, 203 hits, 16 home runs and 124 RBI.

Gene Baker hit .467 (7- for-13) versus Wilhelm – with his one walk versus Wilhelm, he matched Robinson’s .500 on-base percentage. In  nine MLB seasons (1948, 1953-58, 1960-61 … Monarchs, Cubs, Pirates), Baker hit .263-42-255. He was an All Star in 1955 (with the Cubs), when he hit .268-11-52 and played in all 154 games.

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Third Base – Rich Rollins

Rich Rollins hit Wilhelm for a .353 average in 33 games, with one home run and six RBI. His best game against the knuckler came on September 7, 1963 – when Rollins went three-for-four with an RBI versus Wilhelm), who pitched the first eight innings of a game his Orioles lost to Rollins’ Twins 4-2 in 12 innings. A Rollins’ two-run single in the twelfth (off Bruce Howard) was the winning hit in the contest.

Rich Rollins played in 10 MLB seasons (1961-70 …  Twins, Pilots, Brewers, Indians).  He hit .269-77-399 in 1,002 games.  His best season was 1962, when he went .298-16-96, with 96 runs scored and made his only All Star team.

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Shortstop – Dick Groat

Photo: Groat:  Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Dick Groat hit Hoyt Wilhelm at a .364 pace (8-for-22).  Notably all eight hits were singles and he had just one RBI versus Wilhelm.  That .364 average, however, puts Groat among the top ten batters with at least 20 at bats versus Wilhelm.  (He’s also one of the most interesting “athletes” on this list – which may have swayed my selection slightly.)

Groat was an All-America at Duke University in both baseball and basketball.  In fact, his best sport made have been hoops. As a senior (1951-52 college basketball season), he averaged 26 points and 7.6 assists per game (leading the NCAA in both categories) and was named the National Collegiate Player of the Year.  In 1952, he also hit .370 and led the Duke baseball squad in hits, doubles, RBI and steals. Duke went 31-7 and made their first College World Series appearance that season.

Dick Groat was the first player elected to both the National Collegiate Basketball and Baseball Halls of Fame.

In 1952-53, Groat (finishing his senior year at Duke) signed (and played) with the NBA’s Fort Wayne Pistons. Shuttling  back and forth between classes at Duke during the week and Pistons games on weekends. He averaged 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a pro. In later interviews, Groat t noted “I never had to practice, just play on the weekend.”

That same year, Groat also signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played 95 games for the Pirates in 1952 – going straight from campus to the majors – hitting .284-1-29, providing superior defense and finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting.

A stint in military service, then disrupted his athletic career(s). After Groat retuned from serving two years in the military, Pirates’ GM Branch Rickey convinced him to focus solely on baseball.  Groat rejoined the Pirates – and the rest is history.

Groat played 14 MLB seasons (1952, 1955-67 … Pirates, Cardinals, Phillies, Giants), hitting .286-39-707, earning All Star honors in five seasons and being selected the 1960 NL Most Valuable Player (that season, he won the NL batting title with a .325 average). Groat also led NL shortstops in putouts in four seasons, assist twice and double plays turned at shortstop five times.

 

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OF – Al Kaline

Photo: From collection of User: JGHowes, self-scanned for Wikipedia. JGHowes at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Hall of Famer Al Kaline hit .348 against Wilhelm in 48 games (66 at bats/77 plate appearances). His four home runs tied for the second most versus Wilhelm, his 17 RBI were first, as were his 23 hits.  In addition, his ten walks ranked second against Wilhelm (a tie with Bob Allison). Overall, he put up a .429 on-base percentage and a .606 slugging percentagte against the crafty knuckleballer.

That’s The Way To Wrap It UP

In his final five seasons against Wilhelm (1965-69), Kaline reached base in 15 of 20 plate appearances: six singles, one double, one triple, one home run, five walks, one safe on an error, five outs.

Kaline played 22 MLB seasons (1953-74) – all for the Tigers. He was an All Star in 15 of those seasons and led the AL in batting in one (1955 at .340). He retired with a .297 average, 3,007 hits, 399 home runs, 1,582 RBI and 1,622 runs scored – as well as 10 Gold Gloves. He hit over .300+ in nine seasons and had 25 or more home runs in seven.

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OF …  Gary Geiger

Gary Geiger hit .379 (11-for-29), with a triple, three home runs (fifth-highest versus Wilhelm) and six RBI  in 17 games versus Wilhelm – and I needed someone with CF experience in the Garden.

Happy Fourth of July

Gary Geiger celebrated Independence Day 1960 by collecting a walk, a surprise bunt single and a two-run home run versus Wilhelm – who had come on in relief of Steve Barber – as Geiger’s Red Sox topped Wilhelm’s Orioles 10-7 in Boston.

Geiger played in 12 MLB seasons (1958-67, 1969-70 … Indians, Red Sox, Braves, Astros).  He career stat line  was .246-77-283 in 954 games.

Photo: Manny’s Baseball Land via tradingcarddb.com, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Geiger, notably, started his professional career primarily as a pitcher (but with some time in the outfield as well). In 1955, Geiger went 20-7, 1.98 with the Class-D Hilton Cardinals, leading the league in complete games (26 in 27 starts), strikeouts (177) and shutouts (8). (All this, despite control problems: 115 walks in 236 innings). The Cardinals’ organization had pretty solid pitching depth and, in 1956 (at Triple-A), Geiger  went 3-2, 3.78 in 29 games on the mound, but also hit .327 in 39 games.  (He also walked 77 batters in 100 innings). The die was cast and Geiger’s  professional career moved forward as an outfielder.

He made it to the major leagues in 1958 (with the Indians) and played 12 often injury-marred  MLB seasons (1958-67, 1969-70 … Indians, Red Sox, Braves, Astros) – hitting .246-77-283 in 954 games.

 

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OF … Carl Furillo

Carl Furillo hit Hoyt Wilhelm at a .333 pace (15-for-32) and, with five walks, had a .409 on-base percentage against him. Furillo’s ten RBI versus Wilhelm tied for the fourth-most against him and his three doubles tied for second (he also had two homers against Wilhelm).  On August 19,1953, Dodgers’ Furillo faced Wilhelm (who came on for the Giants in the third inning, with New York up  5-2) three times. In his three at bats versus Wilhelm that day, Furillo delivered a two-run single to center; a double to left; and an RBI double (also to left).

Catching Up to the Old Master

Carl Furillo had just one hit (a single) in his first 13 career at bats versus Hoyt Wilhelm (July 3, 1952 through July 12, 1953) and, in fact, got just one ball out of the infield during that time (and even that was ground ball that reached left field).  Then (beginning in his second at bat versus Wilhelm on July 12, 1953 through his last at bat versus the knuckleball master on July 18, 1957, Furillo  went 12-for-26 (.462) against him with three doubles, two homers and ten RBI.

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Pitcher – Hal Jeffcoat

Okay, I found an interesting one for this spot. Hal Jeffcoat, who played in 12 MLB seasons (1948-59 … Cubs, Reds Cardinals). Over those12 campaigns he made 245 mound appearances and 559 in  outfield. His best season on the mound was probably 1956, when he went 8-2, 3.84 in 38 games (sixteen starts, two complete games).  His best season at the plate was his rookie campaign (1948), when he hit .279-4-42 in 132 games.

Jeffcoat went 6-for-11 (.545) in 11 games versus Wilhelm  (Jeffcoat played CF in eight of the 11, pitched in three).

Hal Jeffcoat  wen .248-26-188 over 12 MLB seasons (1948-59 … Cubs, Reds, Cardinals) and 39-37, 4.22 as a pitcher.

Like Hoyt Wilhelm, Hal Jeffcoat earned a Purple Heart in World War II. (He was a paratrooper with the 101st airborne. )

Jeffcoat was first recruited as a pitcher, with the endorsement of his brother George Jeffcoat, who made it to the major leagues ahead of him as moundsman. Hal’s three older brothers  all pitched professionally and young Hal had had shown promise in high school and semi-pro ball before serving in the military.

After competing military service Hal signed with the Cubs’ Double-A Nashville Volunteer, who (on the word of his brother George) were expecting a pitching prospect.  Hal  showed up in minor-league camp and  informed his new bosses that he was an outfielder, not a pitcher – and he quickly proved it  – hitting .291-15-75 at Class B and Double-A in 1946 and .346-4-118 at Double -A in 1947, also showing hustle (36 steals in two seasons) and defensive prowess and powerful arm. In 1948, he was with the Cubs (a 23-year-old rookie) and hit .279 in 134 games, while  leading NL centerfielders in outfield assists with 11. (Jeffcoat finished in the top two in CF assists in three of his first four MLB seasons

After a few seasons marked by injuries and  less than stellar offensive production, Jeffcoat agreed to tryout his stuff on the major-league mound.  He made his first MLB pitching appearance in his seventh MLB seasons (1954). And from that time on made just four more outfield appearances.

And, that is how he came to be the pitcher in this Hoyt Wilhelm, “Who’s Your Daddy/”  Lineup.

Primary Resrouces for this post: Baseball-Referene.com; Pirates Star Dick Groat, who also played in the NBA, dies at 92, Will Graves, April 27, 2o23, Associated Press;  Hoyt William Society for American Baseball Research Bio, by Mark Armour; Gary Geiger, SABR Bio, by Norm Ginsberg;  Hal Jeffcoat, SABR Bio, by Andrew Sharp.

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Who’s Your Daddy?  The Inspiration.

On September 24, 2004, in the middle of a tight pennant race, the Yankees handed future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and the Boston Red Sox a tough 6-4 loss.  Martinez went 7 1/3 innings giving up nine hits and five earned runs.  The game came just five days after (in his previous start) Martinez had lasted just five frames against the Bronx Bombers (eight hits, eight earned runs) in a 16-7 loss.

After that second loss, Martinez candidly commented, “What can I say? I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy.”  Little did he know that his comment – and a Yankee fans’ chant of “Who’s your daddy?” would follow him into future starts in New York (all the way to his final MLB start – against the Yankees for the Phillies – in Game Six of the 2009 World Series).

The concept of “Who’s your daddy?” became the inspiration for Baseball Roundtable to take a look at the players who “had the number” of some of MLB’s premier pitchers.  Again, you can find links to the previous “editions” of “Who’s Your Daddy?” near the top of this post.

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Tucker’s Triples …. Not A Good Day To Be On The “Hill”

September 11, 2023 by

No one would have been surprised if Astros’ RF Kyle Tucker was calling for oxygen after yesterday’s (September 10, 2023) 12-2 win over the Padres (in Houston). Tucker not only collected two hits, drove in two runs, scored twice  and stole two bases – he also tied one of MLB’s most unique records, hitting two triples in one inning. (Side note:  They were Tucker’s first two triples of the season.

The San Diego Padres have two pitchers named Hill (Tim and Rich) on their active 2023 roster and, on September 10, the Astros Kyle Tucker tripled off both of them – in the same inning.

Tucker came up against the Padres’ Tim Hill in the bottom of the sixth , with a runner on second no outs and the Astros up 4-1. He drove a 1-1 pitch to deep right field for a triple.  By the time Tucker came up again in the frame, the Astros had scored seven times in the inning and Rich Hill had replaced Tim Hill on the mound.  With one runner on and two outs, Tucker took an 0-2 pitch to deep right-center for his second triple of the inning.

How rare is a two-triple inning? Rare enough that there seem to be some disagreement on just  how rare.  Tucker was reported as the eleventh and twelfth major leaguer to accomplish the feat by various news sources and Baseball-Almanac.com provides a list of players with two triples in an inning and that would make Tucker number thirteen.  (Baseball Roundtable will use Baseball Almanac’s number.)  Eleven, twelve or thirteen (and only six since 1901), it’s pretty darn rare.  For example: There have been two dozen  Perfect Games in MLB; more than 50 fifty players have hit two homers in an inning (five of them twice);  nearly four dozen players have stolen second, third and in an inning (two of them four times);  and MLB has seen more than 300 no-hitters.

The 26-year-old Tucker was hitting .290-26-103 at the close of play September 10 – leading the AL in RBI. He also had 28 steals (in 32 attempts)and 86 runs scored.  The two-time All Star has a career line of .274-99-359, with 81 steals (six MLB seasons.) He has 13 career triples, leading the AL with six in 2020.

Players Pre-1901 with a two-triple inning:

  • Harry Wheeler, Cincinnati (American Association) … July 28, 1882;
  • Joe Hornung, Boston (NL) … May 6, 1882;
  • Harry Stovey, (Philadelphia Athletics (American Association) … August 18, 1884;
  • Heinie Peitz, St. Louis Browns (NL) … July 2, 1895;
  • Frank Shugart, Louisville Colonels (NL) … July 30, 1895
  • Buck Freeman, Boston (NL) … July 25, 1900;
  • Bill Dahlen, Brooklyn Superebas (NL) … August 30, 1900

Primary Resources:  Baseball-References.com;  Baseball-Almanac.com

 

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1916 Giants … MLB’s Streakiest Team

September 7, 2023 by

In today’s post, Baseball Roundtable takes a look at (possibly) the streakiest team in MLB history. As is the Baseball Roundtable tradition, when I look into baseball events (past and current) “one thing always leads to another.” This journey began with my interest in the remarkable 1916 season of New York Giants’ pitcher Ferdie Schupp (more on that in a bit.) However, I soon became distracted by the remarkably streaky season of the 1916 Giants as a whole.

On this date (September 7) in 1916, the aforementioned Schupp started for the Giants against Nap Rucker and the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) at the Polo Grounds. Southpaw Schupp went the distance for the Giants, tossing a two-hitter. Lefty Rucker also went the distance (a six-hitter) and all four runs scored against him were unearned. The win brought the fourth-place Giants record to 60-62 and dropped the second-place Robins to 74-51.

More important, the win was the first of an MLB-record 26-game winning streak for the Giants.  (Side note: the streak was interrupted after 12 games by a 1-1 tie.  However, ties were not counted in MLB standings and, at the time, games were replayed not resumed. Therefore, MLB recognizes the Giants’ streak as the record.)

That the Giants would go on a streak is no surprise.  During the 1916 season, looking at streaks of five or more games, the Giants:

  • Had winning streaks of 26 and 17 games;
  • Suffered losing streaks of eight games (part of 13 losses in 15 games), five games and six games (the latter two part of a streak of 11 losses in 12 games).

The 1916 Giants are the only team with a 20 (or more)-game, in-season winning streak that did not finish in first place. In fact, the Giants started their record winning streak in fourth place, ended the streak in fourth place and finished the season in fourth place. 

The Giants’ two winning streaks provided a record-book bonanza.

  • The 26-game winning streak (September 7 through September 30) involved all home games (part of a 31-game homestand). That gave the Giants the record for the overall MLB winning streak and home winning streak.
  • The 17-game winning streak involved all road games (part of a 21-game road trip). That streak gave the Giants the record for consecutive road wins.  While the Tigers broke the overall record for consecutive road wins in 1983-84, the Giants still share the single-season record of 17 consecutive road wins (with the 1984 Tigers).

A Tiger by the Tail

The 1983 Tigers won their final four road games. Detroit then opened the 1984 season by winning their first 17 road games (on their way to a 35-5 start).  The 17 road wins tied the single-season record for consecutive road wins and (with the four final road wins of 1983) helped set a new multi-season mark for consecutive road wins.

Now, let’s get back to those 1916 Giants.  In their 26-game winning streak, they outscored their opponents 121-32 (not counting the 1-1 tie). The streak included ten shutouts and four one-run victories.

During the streak, southpaw, Ferdie Schupp, the original topic of the research behind this post, started six games and went 6-0, with a 0.33 earned run average.  He tossed six compete games and gave up just three runs (two earned) and just 17 hits in 54 innings.

Schupp (who made his first 1916 MLB appearance on June 13) finished the 1916 season with a 9-3, record and a 0.90 earned run average in 140 1/3 innings. Notably, Schupp’s 0.90 earned run average was – at the time – recognized as the MLB single-season earned run average record. If you look at today’s record books, the single-season lowest ERA record (post-1900) is assigned to the Red Sox’ Dutch Leonard (0.96 in 1914), with statisticians applying the current qualifying standard of at least one inning pitched per team’s game played. But as Daniel Levitt pointed out in his superb article in the 1996 Society of American Baseball Research “Baseball Research Journal (“Lowest Season ERA? Ferdie Schupp.  He meets the Criteria”), the standard for qualifying at the time was a season of with at least ten complete games. Levitt makes a strong case that Schupp should still have the record on the basis of the criteria at the time,  longevity of that recognition and the  lack of new evidence to the contrary. Baseball Roundtable agrees (that was the original focus of this post).

Schupp followed up his 1916 season with a 21-7, 1.95 record for the 1917 Giants (with 25 complete games in 32 starts). His career MLB mark (10 seasons) was  61-39, 3.32.

Here are a few other factoids about 20+ game MLB winning streaks:

  • In their 2017 22-game wining streak, the Cleveland Indians outscored their opponents 142-37, threw seven shutouts and won four one-run games. The streak covered 11 home games and 11 away games. The Indians’ big four starters of Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevenger, Carlos Carrasco and Corey Kluber picked up wins in 17 of the 22 games (they also got the wins in 65 of the team’s 102 2017 victories).
  • The 1935 Cubs outscored their opponents 137-50 in their 1935 21-game winning streak. It included four shutouts and five one-run games – and 18 home games (versus three road games). Eighteen of the Cubs’ 21 wins involved complete games by the Cubs’ starting pitcher (#HowTheGameHasChanged).
  • The 2002 A’s outscored their opponents 141-65 in their 20-game winning streak, which included four shutouts, four one-run games, ten home wins and ten road wins. The final three wins in the A’s streak were walk-off wins at home.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; “Best Season ERA? Try Freddie Schupp,” by Daniel R. Levitt, The Baseball Research Journal, Society for American Baseball Research, 1996.

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Baseball Roundtable August Wrap – Little Leaguers Meeting Big Leaguers, Weddings, Grand Slams, Triple Plays, No-Hitters and More

September 1, 2023 by

The Dog Days of August are behind us and we’ve moved into September.  That means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s August Wrap Up – a look at the stories and statistics the caught Baseball Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as the standings, The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, the Trot Index and more.

And, there was plenty to see around MLB in August:

  • Two no-hitters;
  • A cycle;
  • A pitcher surrendering home runs on each of his first two MLB pitches;
  • A player getting married and hitting a Grand Slam on the same day;
  • A player stroking a record 17 hits in a four-game stretch;
  • A player becoming the first member of the 30-60 Club (HR-SB), with a month to go;
  • A team winning a game despite giving up a Grand Slam with the game tied and later hitting into a triple play with the game tied;
  • A team stealing 39 bases in 28 games and another stealing just one base (in just one attempt) over the entire month;
  • One team playing .800+ ball and one under ,300 for the month;
  • Two qualifying hitters hitting over .400 for the month; and
  • More.

For these tales – and the more – read on.  As usual, we’ll start with a look at Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

AUGUST 2023

NATIONAL LEAGUE

PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Mookie Betts, RF, Dodgers

Easy choice here,  The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hit (literally) a whopping .455, leading all MLB players with at least 75 August at bats (he had 112). He also led MLB with 50 August safeties and, for the month, was first in runs scored (35),  first in home runs (11); and second in RBI (30). He also led all MLB players (with at least 75 August at bats) in on-base percentage (.516) and slugging percentage (.839). His month included a 15-game hitting steak (August 10-27), during which he hit .542 (32-for-59), with four home runs, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored. In the course of the month, he raised his average from .277 to .317. Betts, who was the AL MVP (with the Red Sox) in 2018, put himself into the race for NL MVP in 2023. He  finished August at .317-36-98, with 116 runs scored on the season.

 

Honorable Mentions:   Cubs’ CF Cody Bellinger led MLB in August RBI with 31, while hitting .324 with five home runs and six steals in seven attempts. Braves’ DH Marcell Ozuna put up similar numbers with a .358-9-25 month – tied for fifth in NL HRs and was fourth in RBI. The Phillies’ Bryce Harper rapped an MLB second-best (tied) ten August home runs, while hitting .361, with 24 RBI. The fact is, there were plenty of outstanding Augusts in the NL  – Ronald Acuna, Jr.; Trea Turner; Freddie Freeman and more – but Betts .400+  month clearly rates the top spot.

PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers

This was a close call. Freddy Peralta and the Braves’ Spencer Strider were the only MLB pitchers to record five wins this August and they also tied for the NL lead in August strikeouts (46). Peralta got his wins in five starts (5-0), which edged Strider’s six starts and 5-1 record.  Peralta also put up a 2.10 earned run average (second-lowest in the NL among pitchers with at least 25 August innings) to Strider’s 2.97. Peralta  had a stingy 0.90 WHIP (third among NL pitchers with at least 25 innings) and held hitters to a .162 average (tied for first). After giving up three runs in six innings in his first start of the month (a 6-4 win over the Nationals), Peralta gave up just four runs over his next four starts (24 innings).

Honorable Mentions: The Braves’ Spencer Strider (5-1, 2.97) and  Charlie Morton  ( 4-1, 1.91 in five August starts) were both solid.  The Nationals’ righty Kyle Finnegan pitched in 14 August games and went 2-0, 2.63 with ten saves in ten opportunities.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Julio Rodriguez, CF, Mariners

Another easy choice – another .400+ hitter.  Mariners’ 22-year-old CF (and 2022 AL Rookie of the Year) Julio Rodriguez hit .429 for the month (highest among AL players with at least 75 at bats). His 45 hits led the American League, as did his 30 RBI (in 23 games). He also popped seven round trippers and led the AL with 11 stolen bases (in 15 tries) in August. He also led the AL (minimum 75 at bats) in on-base percentage (.474) and slugging percentage (.724). From August 17 through August 28, he  put together a 13-game hitting streak – during which he hit .516 (32-for-62), with five home runs and 21 RBI. The streak included a five-for-five, five RBI day on August 17. Rodriguez finished August at .286-24-87, with 35 steals on the season.

Honorable Mentions: Rangers’ SS Corey Seager led the AL with ten August home runs, to go with a .337 average, 22 RBI and 21 runs scored. Royals’ SS Bobby Witt, Jr. combined speed and power, hitting .324 for the month, with nine homers, 22 RBI, 20 runs scored and nine steals (in ten attempts).  Finally, Mariners’ RF Teoscar Hernandez went .365-7-22 in 26 games.

PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Cole Ragans, LHP, Royals

Royals’ southpaw Cole Ragans could also have qualified as the MLB surprise of the month, but it made more sense to slot him here. Ragans, pitching for the last-place Royals, went 3-1, 1.72 in six starts. That ERA was the lowest among major leaguers with at least 25 August innings (he had 36 2/3). Ragan also led MLB with 53 August strikeouts, gave up just one home run and walked only nine. Ragans fanned nine or more batters in four of his six August starts  and only once walked more than two. So why did I also think Ragans could have qualified for the Surprise of the Month? He came into August with a 2-3, 5.22 record on the season (after a 0-3, 4.95 record in his MLB debut 2022 season). The Royals acquired the 2016 First Round Draft pick (by the Rangers, out of North Florida Christian High School) in the June trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Rangers.  Looks like it’s working out for both squads.

Honorable Mentions: Orioles’ RHP Kyle Bradish went 3-0, 2.12 in five August starts (with the Orioles winning all five games), fanning 35 batters in 29 1/3 innings. Sonny Gray of the Twins only went 3-2 for the month, but he put up a 2.04 ERA (second in the AL among pitchers with at least 25 August innings) and fanned 41 batters (third in the AL) in 39 2/3 innings (second). He put up a 0.86 WHIP (second among AL pitchers with 25 August innings) and held hitters to a .189 average.

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SURPRISE OF THE MONTHN …. Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Angels

Okay, the fact the Nolan Schanuel is in the major leagues should be  no surprise.  He was, after all, a First Round Draft choice (Angels, out of Florida Atlantic University) and he did hit .386-46-176 over three college seasons (172 games).   What is surprising is how fast he made to the majors. Schanuel was a first rounder THIS JUNE and made his MLB debut August 18  – after just 22 minor-league games,

How has he done?  Well, ten games into his MLB career, he has yet to be held hitless in any contest. In August, he was 12-for-37 (.324), with two home runs, seven RBI and 11 runs scored. Further, his walks (7) outnumbered his whiffs (6) – a .457 on-base percentage. That’s a  pretty surprising  start.  And, of course, that start-of-career hitting streak is still alive.

Honorable Mention:  Tigers’ outfielder Kerry Carpenter had a booming August – going .347-9-20, with 21 runs scored in 27 games. He came into the month hitting .258-11-35 on the season (53 games played), after going .242-6-10 in 31 games for the Tigers in 2022.  Why the surprise?  After all, the 25-year old outfielder did hit .313-30-75 at Double-A and Triple-A a year ago.   The surprise comes because Carpenter (a .272 hitter in his only college season) was a rather unheralded and unnoticed 19th Round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through August,  35.6 percent of the MLB season’s 151,954 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.7%); walks (8.5%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 3,4519 – 33,761.

The 35.6 percent figure is up from 2022’s full season 34.6 percent.  Other recent seasons: 2021 – 36.3 percent; 2020 –  37.3 percent;  2019 – 36.2 percent; and 2018 – 34.8 percent.  By further comparison, in 1990, the Trot Index was 26.1 percent.  

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A few observations,  The Dodgers, Braves and Mariners were the teams to watch in August – all winning 20+ games.

The Dodgers pretty much blew up the NL West race – playing .800+ ball and expanding their Divisi0n lead from 2 1/2 games to 13 1/2.  They were led by the bats of Mookie Betts (.455-11-30) and Freddie Freeman (.374-4-16), but a balanced lineup saw nine players contribute 12 or more RBI during the month (and nine scoring ten or more runs). On the mound, they got four wins each out of starters Lance Lynn and Julio Urias, but just as important, solid work out of the bullpen: Evan Phillips (2.89 ERA and eight saves in eight opportunities);  Brusdar Graterol (0.00 ERA in 11 appearances); Ryan Brassier (0.79 ERA in 11 appearances); Ryan Yarbrough (1.86 ERA and three wins in six appearances).

The AL West Mariners played .777 ball, but they were catching up not running away.  Thanks to a 21-6 month, they moved from fourth place (five games out ) at the end of July to a tie for the Division lead with the Astros. It looks like a good race (Mariners, Astros, Rangers) to the finish. Key contributors to the Mariners’ surge were CF Julio Rodriguez (.429-7-30) and RF Teoscar Hernandez (.365-7-22).  They also got nine homers and 21 RBI out of catcher Cal Raleigh, despite a .221 average for the month. Starters Luis Castillo (4-0, 3.55) and Logan Gilbert (3-0, 2.97) led the mound staff – which also got contributions from Justin Topa (3-1, 0.73 in 14 relief appearances); Isaiah Campbell (3-0, 2.31 in ten relief stints): and Andres Munoz (nine saves and a 1.93 ERA).

Then there are the Braves (21-8 in August), padding a comfortable lead in the NL East. What can you say about a team with Spencer Strider (5-1, 2.92 in August); Charlie Morton (4-1, 1.91);  Max Fried (3-0 3.58); and Raisel Iglesias (7-for-7 in save opportunities and a 0.00 ERA in 13 appearances)? Then there’s that offense: DH Marcell Ozuna (.358-9-25 for the month); 1B Matt Olson (.290-7-23); RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. (.352-6-22) and more;. The Braves had five players with six or more homers in August; eight with 16 or more RBI; five with 20+ runs  scored; and six players who played 15 or more games and.310 or better.

Other notes:

  • The Twins were the only AL Central above .500 for the month (but the Guardians made some interesting waiver moves);
  • The Cardinals and Yankees continue to flounder;
  • The Brewers/Cubs race has gotten interesting; and
  • The Orioles continue to surprise, leading the AL East.

——-Team  Statistical Leaders for August  2023 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League –  Braves (194); Philllies (176); Dodgers (176)

American League – Astros (170); Mariners (159); Rays (152)

The fewest  runs in August  were scored by the Marlins and A’s (96). The only other team under 100 was the Cardinals (98).

AVERAGE

National League – Braves (.299); Dodgers (.292); Phillies (.285)

American League – Astros (.286); Mariners (.285); Rays (.281)

The lowest team average for August belonged to the Yankees at .220. The lowest in the NL was the Reds (.225). 

HOME RUNS

National League – Phillies (59); Braves (53); Dodgers (44)

American League –  Twins (46); Mariners (46); Yankees (44)

The Guardians had the fewest home runs in August at 21.  The Giants were at the bottom of the NL at 22.

The Phillies led MLB in slugging percentage for August at .547.  The Mariners led the AL at .493. 

STOLEN BASES

National League – Reds (35); D-backs (29); Braves (27)

American League – Royals (39); Mariners (31); Guardians (25)

The Giants  stole the fewest sacks in August   – just one  in one  attempt.   The Rangers were at the bottom of the AL, with 11  in 14  attempts. 

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Pirates (113); Dodgers (107); Braves (105)

American League  Astros (118); Yankees (108); Mariners (107)

The Mariners led MLB in on-base percentage for August at .371. The Braves led the NL  at .368.  The Angels had MLB’s lowest  OBP for August  at .279.  The Marlins were at the bottom of the NL at .288.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Rockies (286); Reds (285); Pirates (271)

American League – Tigers (275); Yankees (275); Twins (275)

Brewers’ batters fanned the fewest times in August (192). The only other team under 200 was the Nationals at 195.

Bonus Stats

  • Braves’ batters racked up the most total bases in July at 533.  The Giants were at the bottom of MLB at 311.
  • Four teams (Rays, Yankees, Twins and Brewers) recorded zero sacrifice bunts in August. The Braves have recorded an MLB-lowest two sacrifice bunts all season. Five teams have fewer than five.
  • The Mariners had 26 hit batters in August to lead MLB. The Phillies led the NL with 20.  The Mariners have had an MLB-high 94 hit batters this season. The Tigers have the lowest total at 36.

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Earned Run Average

National League – Dodgers (3.00); Brewers (3.36); Braves (3.60)

American League –  Mariners (3.03); Blue Jays (3.43); Rangers (3.53)

The Angels had the highest August ERA at 6.14.  Eight teams were over  5.00 including the Angels and:  White Sox (5.95); Rockies (5.87): Red Sox (5.33); A’s (5.30); Cardinals (5.28); Royals (5.23); Reds (5.03).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Braves (279); Pirates (256); Brewers (252)

American League –  Ranges (264); Yankees (259); Angels (250)

The Braves averaged an MLB-best 9.85 strikeouts per nine innings in August. The Rangers averaged an AL-best 9.70.  Ten teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better (down from 12 in July).

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League  – Dodgers (67); Giants (68); Cardinals (69)

American League – Rays (47); Mariners (50); Blue Jays (63)

The Mariners  walked an MLB-lowest 1.83 batters per nine innings in August.  The Angels walked an MLB-worst 4.88 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Dodgers (14); Cubs (11); Nationals (11)

American League – Mariners (14); Blue Jays (10); Red Sox (9); Tigers (9)

Bonus Stats:

  • The Nationals gave up an MLB-high 51 home runs in August – The  Braves gave up an MLB-low 25.  On the season, the Nationals have given up an MLB-high 204 long balls, the Cardinals  an MLB-low (136).
  • The Brewers held opponents to an MLB-low .206 average in August; the Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .300 during the month.
  • The Mariners’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for August topped MLB at 4.82. The White Sox had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.79.

——AUGUST 2023 HIGHLIGHTS——

Another No-Hitter

Astros’ southpaw Framber Valdez got August off to a good start, tossing a no-hitter on August 1, as the Astros topped the Guardians 2-0. It was the third no-hitter of the 20232 MLB season. Valdez threw 93 pitches (65 strikes), while walking one and fanning seven.  He actually faced the minimum 27 batters, the only baserunner (walk) was erased on a double play. The first (and only batter) to reach a three-ball count was SS Gabriel Arias (leading off the ninth). Arias  grounded out on a 3-2 pitch. Valdez ended August with a 10-9, 3.38 record on the season,

We Really Do Count Everything

On August 4, Bobby Witt, Jr. went two-for-five with one run scored, two RBI, a stolen base and a home run (his 20th ). MLB later reported that the home run made Witt the first AL/NL player to have at least 20 home runs and at least 30 stolen  bases in each of his first two seasons. (The Royals, by the way, bested the Phillies 7-5. ) Witt ended August at .276-27-82, with 38 steals on the season. (Headed for the 30-30 club.)

A Great Start

Davis Schneider made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays  on August 4 – being called up after going  .275-21-64 in 87 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. The 24-year-old 2017 28th-Round Draft pick (out of Eastern High School in Voorhees, NJ) did not disappoint. Starting at 2B versus the Red Sox (in Boston), he homered off James Paxton in his first MLB plate appearance, joining a host of players to accomplish that feat.

What he did after that, however, set Schneider apart. In his first three MLB games, Schneider went 9-for-13  (.692), with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI – becoming the first player to collect nine hits and two home runs in his first three MLB games.  (Yes, #InBaseballWeCountEverything.) He’s cooled off a bit, but at the end of August he was still hitting .426, with six homers and 14 RBI in 14 games.

Side note:  In six minor-league seasons, Schneider hit .253-59-218.  Apparently, he likes major-league pitching. 

Bring Those Ducks On Home

On August 5, Mariners’ 3B Eugenio Suarez went zero-for-three as Seattle bested the Angels 3-2.  The O-Fer was notable because it marked the first time since July 24 that Suarez went without an RBI.  In the ten games from  July 25 through August 4, Suarez went 13-for-42 (.310), with tw0 home runs and 13 RBI (at least one RBI in each game), setting a new franchise record for consecutive games with an RBI. I wanted to note this achievement because gives me a chance to give a shout out to  Cubs’ 1B Ray Grimes, who holds the MLB record for consecutive games with an RBI at 17.  From  June 27 through July 23, 1922, Grimes played in 17 games, going 29-for-66 (.439), with three home runs and 27 RBI (at least one ribby in 17-straight contests.  Grimes finished the season with 99 RBI (his highest single-season total). In an injury-interrupted  six-season MLB career, Grimes hit .329-27-263 in 433 games.

A Nice Round Number

On August 5, Orioles’ righty Kyle Gibson picked up is 100th career win, as the O’s topped the Mets 7-3 in Baltimore.  Gibson went seven innings, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk, while fanning nine.  Gibson picked up two more wins in August, running his record to 13-8, 5.15 and his 11-season MLB career record to 102-99, 4.58. The 13 wins leads the AL and also ties Gibson’s single-season career high.

A Not So Great Start

On August 6. Reds’23-year-old righty Lyon Richardson made his MLB debut – starting against the Nationals in Cincinnati.  His performance, while not what he had hoped for, did attract the attention of baseball trivia buffs. Richardson started his MLB career by giving up home runs on each of his first two MLB pitches – to Nationals’ shortstop CJ Abrams (his 11th HR of the year) on a 95.5-mph fastball and to RF Lane Thomas (his 19th) on a 96.7-mph heater.  Ultimately, Richardson went three innings and gave up four hits, three walks and four runs, while fanning two, in the Reds’ 6-3 loss.

According to STATS, Richardson is the only pitcher in the past fifty years to give up homers on his first two MLB pitchers.  Baseball Roundtable took another step and searched box scores of the for the 79 pitchers listed by Baseball-Almanac.com as having allowed a home run to the first MLB batter they ever faced and found only one other pitcher who allowed home runs to the first two batters he faced – the Yankees’ Danny Rios on  May 30, 1997 – and he did it in a span of nine pitches.  For more on Richardson, Rios  and a few pitchers who gave up dingers to the first MLB batter they faced, click here.

Yandy is Dandy On His Birthday

On August 8, Rays’ first baseman Yandy Diaz celebrated his 32nd birthday in style – going four-for-four (tying his career high for hits in a game) with a run scored and an RBI as the Rays beat the Cardinals 4-2 in Tampa Bay. Diaz finished August with a .327-17-66 stat line on the season.

Another Feel-Good Debut

Phillies’ left fielder Westin Wilson made his MLB debut on August 9 – after seven minor-league seasons (713 games, 2,866 trips to the plate).  The 17th-round 2916 Draft pick (out of Clemson University) had an enjoyable first MLB outing.   In his first MLB plate appearance – leading off the bottom of the second inning, Wilson hit a 1-1 pitch off McKenzie Gore for a home run to left-center. Two innings later he drew a walk off Gore and picked up his first MLB stolen base four pitches later.  For the game, Wilson was one-for-three, with two walks, three runs scored and one RBI.  Oh yes, and his two outfield putouts, were part of Mike Lorenzen’s no-hitter. (Over his seven minor-league seasons, Wilson hit .255-97-372, with 80 steals.)

Welcome Home, Mike

On August 9, Mike Lorenzen picked up by the Phillies (from the Tigers) in an August 1 trade, made his first home start in a Phillies’ uniform. (He had picked up a road win as a Phillie on August 3.)  In that first start in front of Philadelphia fans, Lorenzen pitched the fourth no-hitter of the 2023 season (the third single-pitcher no-no). He threw 124 pitches (76 strikes), walking four and fanning five as the Phillies won 7-0. It was, by the way, the first complete game  of Lorenzen’s nine MLB seasons (335 games/66 starts).  As August came to a close, Lorenzen was 8-8, 3.73 on the season and 3-1, 4.22 with the Phillies.

Obligatory Ohtani News

On August 9, the Angels’ Shohie Ohtani  picked up his tenth mound win of the season – going six innings and giving up just one run (unearned), as the Angels topped the Giants 4-1 in Los Angeles. In the process, Ohtani recorded another first – becoming the first MLB player to get ten pitching victories and slug 40 or more home runs in the same season.  Side note:  A elbow injury (August 23) will keep Ohtani off the mound for the remainder of this season, but he’ll still be in the lineup at DH.  

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

Photo: D. Benjamin Miller, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In the sixth inning of the Padres August 14  4-1 loss to the Orioles, Padres starter Yu Darvish fanned Orioles’  3B Ramon Urias for his sixth strikeout of the game, 131st of the season and 1,919th of his career. That final number made Darvish the All-Time MLB Strikeout Leader  among players born in Japan (surpassing Hideo Nomo). Darvish, now in his 11th MLB season, ended August with a career record of 103-85, 3.59 – with 1,929 strikeouts in 1,624 1/3 innings pitched.  He took the loss in that August 14 game, giving up four runs over seven innings.

Oops, My Bad!

Cardinals’ top prospect, 21-year-old SS Masyn Winn, made his MLB debut on August 18, as the Redbirds faced the Mets in St. Louis. Winn connected for his first MLB hit (an infield single) in the fifth frame.  Unfortunately, the Cardinals lost the game 7-1. Fortunately, Winn did not lose the ball he tagged for his first hit – but he almost did. Apparently not knowing it was Winn’s first MLB hit, Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso threw the ball (which the umpire indicated would be taken out of play) into the stands. (As Alonso often does with scuffed balls taken out of play.) Goodbye first hit memento. All turned out well, as Cardinals’ security traded the lucky fan an autographed ball, jersey and hat for Winn base-hit horsehide.

The One That Didn’t Get Away

There are a lot of ways to blow the opportunity to win a ball game.  If you have a flair for the dramatic, you might give up a Grand Slam with the game tied or muff a scoring opportunity (with the game tied) by hitting into a triple play. On August 18, the  Rays did both – and still came away with a 9-6 win (over the  Angels).

In the bottom of the second, with the game tied at one apiece, Rays’ starter Erasmo Ramirez gave up a two-out Grand Slam to Angels’ DH Shohei Ohtani (who else?).The Rays fought back and finally retied the game at five apiece in the fifth frame – and even took the lead 6-5 in the top of the seventh.  The Angels retied it at six in the bottom of the inning.  Then, the Rays opened the ninth with a pair of singles (1B Yandy Diaz and LF Randy Arozarena) and seemed poised to move back into the lead (runners on first and second and no outs). A triple play ended the threat. DH Harold Ramirez grounded to SS Luis Rengifo, who tossed to second (Brandon Drury) to force Arozarena, the relay to first retired Ramirez and Diaz, who tried to score from second  on the play, was tossed out 1B Nolan Schanuel  to C Logan O’Hoppe.   Boom – inning and rally over. The Rays, however, held the Angels scoreless in the bottom of the ninth and then scored three in the top of the tenth, earning a 9-6 win.

The Elias Sport Bureau reported that the Rays were only the second team  in AL/NL history to allow a Grand Slam and hit into a triple play in the same  game and still win the contest. (The other was the Indians on September  7, 1979.)

Trea Turner Tees (off) for Two

On August 19, as the Phillies topped the Nationals 4-3 in Washington, Phillies’ SS Trea Turner hit his 13th and 14th home runs of the season.  The two blasts were especially memorable since they both came in the eighth inning and made Turner just the third Phillie ever to homer twice in one frame. Turner led off the eighth inning by raking a 2-0 from Cory Abbott for a home run to left field. By Turner’s second at bat of the inning (with Abbott still on the mound), the Phillies had added six more runs and had a 10-3 lead. This time, Turner took knocked a 1-1 pitch from Abbott for another left field round tripper. (The Phillies eventually won 12-3.) For those who like to know such things, the other Phillies with two-homer innings are: Von Hayes (June 11, 1985) and Andy Seminick (June 2, 1949).

Two-for-Two

Andre Dawson, Edwin Encarnacion, Jeff King, Willie McCovey and Alex Rodriguez are the only AL/NL players to homer twice in one innings twice in their careers – and only Encarnacion accomplished the feat for two different teams (Blue Jays – 2013 & Mariners – 2019).  The others: Rodriguez (Yankees (2007 & 2009); Dawson (Expos 1978 & 1985); King (Pirates 1995 & 1996); and McCovey (Giants 1973 & 1977).

When You’re Hot, You’re Hot

On August 19, the Mariners’ 22-year-old CF  Julio Rodriguez went four-for-six with a stolen base and two runs scored as  Seattle topped  the Astros 10-3 in Houston. It marked Rodriguez’ fourth straight game with at least four hits and gave him  a new (#InBaseballWeCountEverything) MLB record for hits in four consecutive games (17). Rodriguez’s stat line for the four games? He was 17-for-22 (.773) with two doubles, two home runs, five runs scored, eight RBI and five steals (in six attempts). Surprisingly, at least to The Roundtable, he did not draw a single free pass over the four contests.

The four games were part of a 10-game hitting streak (August 13-25), during which Rodriguez hit .500 (25-for-50), with eight  runs scored, 14 RBI ands eight steals.

Little League Classic … An Annual Highlight

Okay, the highlights of the August 20 Sixth Annual Little League Classic took place more off the field than on … as players from the Phillies and Nationals were greeted at the Williamsport Regional Airport on arrival Sunday morning (and rode buses to the Little League World Series Fields with the Little Leaguers); mingled with Little Leaguers and fans (playing catch, signing autographs, taking selfies and more); took to the stands to watch the youngsters play; and took part in the traditional slide down the hill beyond the outfield fences on cardboard boxes.  When big leaguers and Little Leaguers get together, it’s always a joy to behold.

During the big-league game itself, played that evening at Muncy Bank Ball Park at Historic Bowman Field;  several players used custom-decorated bats (allowed just for this event) to commemorate the occasion. Among the more popular models: Phillies Bryson Stott and Weston Wilson used bats painted to look like a number-two pencil (right down to a red eraser at the top of the bat and a black handle to represent the pencil lead); the Nationals’ Joey Meneses had a bat designed to look like a blue Crayon; and Phillie Bryce Harper used a unique green Phillie Phanatic bat.  Among the nearly 20 custom bats, you could also find aliens, liberty bells, stars and stripes and more.

The Nationals prevailed in the actual MLB game (played in front of a crowd of about 2,500 Little leagues and their families) by a 4-3 score.

A Shoutout to the California Little League Squad

Congrats to the Little League squad from El Segundo, California, which defeated Curacao 6-5 in the Little League World Series Final.

Minor-League Extra – More Grand Clam News

On August 27th, Tai Peete –  the Mariners 2023 first-round draft pick –  hit his first two home professional home runs as his Single-A Modesto Nuts topped the San Jose Giants 12-11.  Why are they mentioned in this wrap up.? Those long balls came in consecutive innings (seventh and eighth) and were both Grand Slams.  As of August 31, Peete’s minor-league record was .339-2-18 in 16 games.  Not a bad start for the young man.

More #InBaseballWeCount Everything

On August 27, Diamondbacks’ Rookie of the Year Candidate RF Corbin Carroll went two-for-three and scored a pair of runs as the D-backs topped the Reds 5-2 in Arizona.  Notably, he also swiped his 40th base of the seasons (in 45 tries) – which made him just the  fourth rookie with a 20-homerun, 40-steal season.  (Corbin had 23 home runs and 41 steals to go with a .279 average at the end of August). Other rookies with 20-40 campaigns include: Mike Trout (2012); Mitchell Page (1977); and Tommy Agee (1966).

Now Isn’t That Grand?

The  Minnesota Twins have had a host of home run hitters grace their lineup – Harmon Killebrew, Jim Thome, Nelson Cruz, Bob Allison and  Jimmie Hall  to name a few.  But only one player has ever hit a Grand  Slam in consecutive games while wearing a  Twins’ uniform. Royce Lewis – Twins 24-year-old rookie infielder – hit his ninth and tenth career home runs in games on August 27th and 28th and both were Grand Slams (and crucial to Twins’ victories). In the process, Lewis, with just 50 MLB games under his belt, became the first  MLB rookie  and the first Twin to hit a four-run blast in consecutive games.

Another String of Zeros

On August 28, Pirates’ righty John Oviedo pitched his first MLB complete game – and it was a two-hit shutout, as Pittsburgh topped the Royals 5-0 in Kansas City. Oviedo now 8-13, 4.20 on the season and 12-24, 4.27 over four seasons, notched the the third MLB single-pitcher shutout this August and the 18th of the season. By comparison, there were a total of 16 complete game shutouts in all of the 2022 campaign.

Altuve Hits For The Cycle

Photo: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

On August 28, as the Astros topped the Red Sox 13-5 in Boston, Houston second baseman Jose Altuve hit for the cycle – although it didn’t look that way as the game opened.  Altuve led off the contest with a five-pitch strikeout against Chris Sale. But things got better. Altuve:

  • Doubled to right (later scoring) on the first pitch he saw from Sale leading off the third frame;
  • Singled to left on a 2-0 pitch from Sale leading off the fifth;
  • Came up with two on and one out in the sixth and tripled to center (later scoring) off the first pitch from Kyle Barraclough;
  • Popped out to first off Barraclough on an 0-1 pitch in the seventh;
  • Completed the cycle in the ninth, with a one-out, two-run home run off a 1-1 offering form Barraclough.

Just as a reminder of how good Altuve has been.  He is a three-time batting champion, four-times led the NL in hits and twice led in steals, is an eight-time All-star and was the NL MVP in 2017 (when he hit .346-24-81, with 32 steals and 112 runs scored).

Rolling  a 300

On August 30, as his Phillies lost to the Angels 10-8, Phillies’ 1B Bryce Harper popped his 15th home run of the year – and the 300th of his career.  (Harper finished August at .308-15-55 on the season.) In his 12th MLB season, the 30-year-old Harper has logged four seasons of 30+ home runs (a high of 42, when he was the NL MVP for the Nationals in 2025 – going .330-42-99).

Betts Hits Number 250

On August 31, as the Braves topped the Dodgers 8-7 in LA, Mookie Betts continued his drive toward the NL MVP Award, going two-for-four with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBI.  They were Betts 37th and 38th long balls of the season.  Of note is the fact the his first homer of the game – a three-run shot off Spencer Strider in the fifth inning – was the 250th of his 10-season MLB career.  His 38 homers thus far in 2923 represent his career high.

Ronald Acuna Celebrates A Grand Day in Grand (Slam) Fashion

Ronald Acuna Jr. –
Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Apparently, marriage agrees with Ronald Acuna, Jr.   The Braves’ star got married early on the morning of August 31.  Then, that evening, he hit a Grand Slam home run to help the Braves topple the Dodgers 8-7 in LA. Acuna was three-for-four in the contest, with a stolen base and a walk.  The home run was Acuna’s 30th of the season. Coupled with his 62 stolen bases, it makes Acuna the first-ever member of the 30-60 club (At least 30 homers and 60 stolen bases in a season. )

 

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for August 2023———

AVERAGE (minimum 75 August at bats)

National League – Mookie Betts, Dodgers (.455); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (.374); Bryce Harper, Phillies (.361)

American League –  Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (.429); Donovan Solano, Twins (.368); Teoscar Hernandez (Mariners (.365)

The lowest August average (among players with at least 50 at bats in the month)  belonged to the Giants’ Paul DeJong  at .086 (6-for-70).

HOME RUNS

National League – Mookie Betts , Dodgers (11); Bryce Harper, Phillies (10); Kyle Schwarber, Philllies (10); Jorge Soler, Marlins (10)

American League – Corey Seager, Rangers (10); six with nine

The Dodgers’ Mookie had the highest August slugging percentage (at least 75 at bats) at .839.  The AL leader was the Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez at .724.

HITS

National League – Mookie Betts, Dodgers (51); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (43); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (43)

American League –  Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (45); Jose Altuve, Astros (40); Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (38)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Cody Bellinger, Cubs (31); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (30); Trea Turner, Phillies (26)

American League –  Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (30); Kyle Tucker, Astros (25); three with 22

The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts led MLB (at least 75 August at bats) players in on-base percentage at .516. The AL  leader was the Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez at  .474.  

DOUBLES

National League –   Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (16); Spencer Steer, Reds (11); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (10); William Contreras, Brewers (10)

American League – Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (10); Alex Bregman, Astros (9); Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (9); Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers (9)

TRIPLES

National League – Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (3); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (3); eight with two

American League –  Steven Kwan, Guardians (3); six with two

The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts led MLB in August extra-base hits with 21. The  Red Sox’ Adam Duvall and Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez led the AL in August with 17.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  CJ Abrams, Nationals (13); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (11); Nico Hoerner, Cubs (9)

American League – Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (11); Esteury Ruiz, A’s (10); Dairon Blanco, Royals (9); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (9)

The Guardians’ Jose Ramirez stole the most August bases without being caught (8).

WALKS

National League –  Kyle Schwarber, Philllies (25); Matt Olson, Braves (23): Pete Alonso, Mets (18)

American League –  Aaron Judge, Yankees (20); Alex Bregman, Astros (18); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (18); Jorge Polanco, Twins (18)

The Nationals’ Ildemaro Vargas  led in walks/strikeouts ratio (among batters with at least 75 August plate appearances)  at 1.20 … 6 walks versus 5 whiffs in 26 games.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Elly De La Cruz, Reds (44); Brenton Doyle, Rockies (39); Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds (37); Nolan Jones, Rockies (37)

American League – Eugenio Suarez, Mariners (43); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (39);  Mickey Moniak, Angels (38)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Freddy Peralta, Brewers, (5-0);  Spencer Strider, Braves (5-1); six with four

American League –  Luis Castillo, Mariners (4-0); Pablo Lopez, Twins (4-1); Justin Verlander, Astros (4-1)

The Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright (0-5, 10.89) led MLB in August losses. 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 July innings pitched)

National League –  Charlie Morton, Braves (1.91); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (2.10); Jake Irvin, Nationals (2.35)

American League – Cole Ragans, Royals (1.72); Sonny Gray, Twins (2.04); Kyle Bradish, Orioles (2.12)

The Braves’ Raisel Iglesias  threw the most August innings without giving  up an earned run (13). In 13 August appearances, he gave up 7 hits and no runs, while walking four and fanning 17.  

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Freddy Peralta, Brewers (46K / 30 IP); Spencer Strider, Braves (46K / 36 1/3 IP); Justin Steele, Cubs (41K / 34 1/3 IP)

American League – Cole Ragan, Royals (53K  / 36 2/3 IP); Dane Dunning, Rangers (43K / 33 2/3 IP); Sony Gray, Twins (41K / 39 2/3 IP)

SAVES

National League – Adbert Alzolay, Cubs (10); Kyle Finnegan, Nationals (10); David Bednar, Pirates (8); Evan Phillips, Dodgers (8)

American League – Andres Munoz, Mariners (9); Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (8); three with six

The Nationals’  Kyle Finnegan had the most saves without a blown save in August at ten.

WHIP (Walks +  Hits per Inning Pitched – minimum 25 August innings)

National League – Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (0.80), Julio Urias, Dodgers (0.87); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (0.90)

American League – George Kirby, Mariners (0.80); Sonny Gray, Twins (0.86); Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles (0.91)

Three pitchers with at least 25 August innings pitched held hitters to an MLB -low .162 average: Freddy Peralta, Brewers (30 IP); Charlie Morton, Braves (28 1/3 IP); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (28 2/3 IP).

________________________________________

If the season ended August 31, you playoff teams would be:

National League: Braves, Dodgers, Brewers.  Wild Cards: Phillies, Cubs, Giants.

American League: Orioles, Mariners, Twins.  Wild Cards: Rays Astros, Rangers.

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

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