Archives for April 2024

Off to a Good Start – A Look at Pitchers Who Threw Shutouts in their MLB Debuts

April 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment

As of the morning of April 17, 55 players had made their MLB debut thus far in the 2024 season. Twenty-nine of those were pitchers and eight were starters. Of those eight, Shota Imanaga had the most impressive debut outing, going six innings, giving up just two hits and fanning nine (no walks) in a 5-0 win over the Rockies. Six innings is the longest MLB debut outing by any pitcher so far  this season.

That got to me to thinking about debut mound outings and how expectations and results have changed over time, I found that, in the Modern Era (post-1900), 472 pitchers have thrown a complete game of at least eight innings in their first MLB mound appearance. (I chose eight innings because, with a loss, you can throw a complete – non-weather or darkness-shortened – game – of eight innings. My choice of the Modern Era reflects issues with the availability and reliability of pre-1901 game logs.) The chart below shows how the handling of pitchers has changed over time. (At least as measured by MLB debut complete games.) Note:  These numbers and the list at the end of this post may change a bit once Negro League game stats from 1920-48 are fully documented and incorporated into the MLB record books.

Now, 472 outings seemed like a lot of ground to cover.  So, for this post, I limited myself to a look at pitchers who threw a shutout (of at least nine innings) in their first MLB trip to the mound.  There were 67 of those.  (There were also seven MLB debut shutouts of 5-to-7 innings.) The debut-game shutout list includes some familiar names, like Luis Tiant, Dave McNally, Juan Marichal and Schoolboy Rowe, as well as some less well-known monikers like Andy Van Hekken, Tot Pressnell, Tom Tuckey and Vitautis “Vito” Tamulis. I might add that a debut shutout does not offer much in the way of a prediction for the future.  Of the 67 pitchers who three a nine-inning shutout in their debut, 30 finished their MLB career with more wins than losses; 29 with more losses than wins and eight with an even number of wins and losses. (Side note: Vito Tamulis pitched in six MLB seasons (1934-35, 1938-41 … Yankees, Browns, Dodgers, Phillies), going 40-23, 3.97. In his MLB debut – September 25, 1934 – for the Yankees – he shut out the Athletics 5-0, with a seven hitter (one walk/five strikeouts.)

Notably, for six of those pitchers, that debut shutout proved to be their only MLB victory.

The most recent MLB debut shutout was tossed by The Tigers’ 23-year-old southpaw Andy Van Hekken on September 3, 2002 (yes, more than twenty years ago), as the Tigers topped the Indians 4-0 in Detroit.  Van Hekken went nine innings, gave up eight hits and two walks and, surprisingly, fanned just one.  Notably, Van Hekken is also the most recent pitcher to open his MLB career with a complete game of any kind.

Van Hekken’s gem was not a portent of things to come.  In 2002, he pitched in four more games (all starts), going 0-3, 4.29. He was back in the minors to open the 2003 season and never pitched in the major leagues again (although he did pitch professionally (minor leagues, independent, Japan, Korea, China). In 2023, he was hired as pitching coach for Calvin University.

In 13 minor-league seasons, Van Hekken went 105-72, 3.89, logging more than 1,500 innings. He also pitched more than 1,000 frames in foreign leagues.  He is one of just six pitchers to throw a shutout in their MLB debut and never log another MLB victory.

Among the hurlers tossing debut whitewashes, Juan Marichal logged the most MLB wins – going 243-142 over 16 seasons.

 

—Baseball Roundtable Rates the Most Impressive/Interesting MLB Debut Shutouts—

Here are Baseball Roundtable’s favorite debut shutouts.

One: Doing It All – On the Mound and At the Plate … Jason Jennings

On August 23, 2001, Colorado Rockies’ 22-year-old rookie right-hander Jason Jennings made his first MLB appearance – a start on the mound against the New York Mets (in New York). Jennings – a 1999 first-round draft pick – did not disappoint. After a slow start (a single and a walk to the first two batters he faced), Jennings settled in.  In that first big-league appearance, he went the distance – tossing a complete-game, five-hit (four walks/eight strikeouts) shutout.

He did alright at the plate, as well, again after a slow start.  The left-handed hitter popped up to third in his first at bat (ending the first inning, when the Rockies gave him a three-run cushion). Then, in the top of the fourth, he singled to left; in the fifth, he grounded to first; in the seventh he stroked an RBI single to center; and he topped of his first game with a leadoff home run in the top of the ninth. His day? Three-for-five, one run scored, two RBI and a home run – and, of course, that shutout.

 

The Rockies’ Jason Jennings is the only Modern-Era pitcher to toss a shutout and hit a home run in his MLB debut. 

Jennings ended his first MLB campaign 4-1, 4.58 in seven starts and .267-1-2 at the plate. He continued to deliver on that first impression in 2012, when he went 16-8, 4.52 in 32 starts for the Rockies – and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.  That made him 20-9, 4.53 for his first two MLB seasons. He also improved his results at the plate in 2002, raking at a .306 pace (19-for-68), with four doubles and 11 RBI in 30 games.

Jennings’ run, however, did not continue – as he went on to face some control issues as well as elbow problems. The 2002 season was his final .500 or better campaign and, over his final seven seasons (Rockies, Astros, Rangers), Jennings went 42-65, with a 5.06 earned run average. He did notch five more complete games, two more shutouts and a second home run.  His final stat line for nine seasons? Pitching: 62-74, 4.95. Batting: .207-2-26.

Doing It All In Other Ways

Jason Jennings, selected by the Rockies in the first round of the 1999 MLB draft (16th overall), was a star in both high school and college.  He was All-District in high school (Poteet HS –Mesquite, TX) football as a punter/place-kicker and an outstanding pitcher and hitter in baseball (named District Most Valuable Player as a senior when he hit .410 and went 10-3, 0.92 on the mound). He played baseball at Baylor University from 1997-99 and, in 1999, was named the National College Player of the Year by “Baseball America” and “Collegiate Baseball.”  A three-time All-American, Jennings was elected to the Baylor University Hall of Fame (2009).

 

Two: A Whiff Master …  Karl Spooner

Southpaw Karl Spooner was called up to the Dodgers in late 1954 – after going 21-9, 3.14 for the Double-A Fort Worth Cats.  He was an immediate sensation – pitching a complete-game, three-hit shutout against the rival Giants in his September 22, 1954 debut.  In the 3-0 win, Spooner walked three and fanned 15 batters – still the MLB record (since tied) for a pitcher in his first MLB appearance.

Spooner, notably, did not get off to a great start – giving up a single and two walks in the first frame – but pitching out of trouble. Not a single batter reached second base after the first inning and in the seventh and eighth, Spooner faced the minimum six batters and fanned them all (swinging) on a total of 29 pitches.  Spooner cemented the number-two spot on this list (whether it’s a fair way to “score” or not) with his second MLB appearance – another complete-game shutout. This time a four-hit, 1-0 win over the Pirates (September 25) in which he walked three and fanned a dozen.  So, in his first two MLB appearance, Karl Spooner did not give up a run and fanned 27 batters in 18 innings – in a season in which the average strikeouts per nine innings among MLB pitchers was 4.2.   Side note: The Astros’ J.R, Richard tied Spooner’s record of 15K in an MLB debut (September 5, 1971), but gave up three runs (two earned) in his outing.

Clearly, with Spooner, it looked like the Dodgers had an “ace” in the making. That, however, was not to be.  In 1955, a Spring Training shoulder injury took its toll and Spooner pitched only 98 2/3 innings that season – going 8-6, 3.65 in 29 appearances (14 starts). He spent the next three seasons in the minor leagues, before retiring at age 27.  His MLB career (1954-55 … Dodgers) stat line was 10-6, 3.09, with 105 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings.

A Roundtable Extra – Pre-1900

Charles “Bumpus” Jones is the answer to a baseball trivia question – “Who is the only major leaguer to throw a complete-game, no-hitter in his very first MLB appearance?”  At first glance, one might be tempted to reply “Bobo Holloman” – but, while Bobo threw a no-no in his first MLB start, it was preceded by four relief appearances.  Bumpus, however, threw a no-hitter in his first-ever MLB mound appearance.  It came on October 15, 1892 (the final day of the season) against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jones walked four and struck out three in the game – a 7-1 Reds’ win. The only Pirates’ run scored in the third inning on a walk, a stolen base and an error by Jones

 

 Three: One Strike Short of History … Billy Rohr

Red Sox’ lefty Billy Rohr finishes this high on this list based on the pressure of the moment. The 21-year-old made his debut (April 14, 1967) against the Red Sox’ rival Yankees, at the New Yorkers’ 1967 home opener, and his mound opponent was Yankee ace, hero and future Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.

How did the rookie handle the pressure? Well, with two out in the bottom of the ninth, he was protecting a 3-0 lead and had yet to give up a hit (five walks, two strikeouts). In addition, he was dealing with the effects of a sixth-inning line drive off the bat of Yankee’s RF Bill Robinson that had ricocheted off Rohr’s shin to third baseman Joe Foy who threw to first for the out. Rohr had to argue with manager Dick Williams to stay in the game.  Now, with two down in the ninth, all that stood between Rohr and a no-hitter was Yankee catcher Elston Howard.  Rohr got ahead of Howard 1-2 and was one strike away from a no-hitter in his first MLB appearance. The next pitch was called a ball (Red Sox catcher Russ Gibson would forever maintain it was a strike). Then, on a 2-2 count, Howard hit a soft, looping liner over second baseman Reggie Smith – putting an end to the no-hitter. On the very next pitch, Yankees’ 3B Charley Smith flied out to right and Rohr had a one-hit shutout in his MLB debut.

One week later (April 21), Rohr made his second major-league appearance.  Again, he faced the Yankees, this time in Boston. He sparkled once more, holding a 6-0 lead after seven innings. The New Yorkers finally scored off the rookie in the eighth, on an RBI single by Rohr’s debut nemesis Elston Howard.

So, after two MLB appearances, Rohr was 2-0, with two complete games and 0.50 earned run average. It looked like the youngster was on his way. He was not.  Rohr made eight more appearances (six starts) through June 1, going 0-3, 7.71, before being sent back down to Triple- A. (He did make one more appearance, in relief, for Boston in September.) Early in the 1968 season, he was sold to the Indians, where he went 1-0, 6.87 in 17 relief appearances. He made his last MLB appearance on June 26, 1967, although he did toil in the minors until 1972.  After that 2-0, 0.50 start, Rohr ended with an MLB line (1967-68 … Red Sox) of 3-3, 5.64.  Rohr, by the way, was originally signed by the Pirates out of Bellflower (CA) High school, where he went 23-6 with four no-hitters.

 

Four: Youth Will Be Served … Lew Krausse Jr.

The youngest player to throw nine-inning shutout was Lew Krausse, Jr. (18 years-52 days) of the 1961 Kansas City Athletics – and he did it in his MLB debut, just ten days after graduating from high school.  That made plenty of noise on the impression-meter for me. In his June 16, 1961 MLB debut, Krausse pitched three-hit, five-walk, six-whiff shutout in a 4-1 win over the Angels.  He finished that season at 2-5, 4.85 in 12 appearances (eight starts).

Graduating With Honors

Research by Society for American Baseball Research member Larry DeFillipo shows that in his last two high school seasons, Lew Krausse, Jr. went 13-1, 0.09 (yes, the decimal point is in the right place), fanning just over 20 hitters per nine innings.

Control issues and elbow surgery delayed Krausse’s MLB progress and it wasn’t until 1966 that he found a full-time spot on the A’s staff, going 14-9, 2.99. He ultimately pitched in 12 MLB seasons (Athletics, Brewers, Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves), going 68-91. 4.00

 

Five: Russ Van Atta, LHP, Yankees April 25, 1933 … A Shutout and Four Hits

Russ Van Atta was a pitching star at Penn State, where he reportedly lost only one game in four college seasons (before signing with the Yankees in 1928). Van Atta pitched in the minors from 1928 through 1932 (four years with the Double-A American Association Saint Paul Saints, where he went 22-17 in 1932). He made his debut for the Yankees on April 25, 1933, facing the Washington Senators.  (Note: These were not the Senators of later years. In 1933, the Senators went 99-53-1 and finished first in the American League.)

In his debut, Van Atta threw a five-hit shutout (three walks, five strikeouts) as his Yankees won 16-0.  Not only that, he went four-for-four (all singles) at the plate, scoring three runs and driving in one. Van Atta had as many hits in the game as teammates Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig combined.

Van Atta finished his rookie season 12-4, 4.18, in 26 games (22 starts) with ten complete games – and with a .283 average in 60 at bats.

Van Atta looked to be on the cusp of a solid MLB career, only to see it derailed by a “unique” injury. Between the 1933 and 1934 seasons, he injured the index finger on his pitching hand rescuing a dog from a home fire – and it affected his mound performance. He went 3-5, 6.34 in 1934 (28 games, nine starts).  After that season, he was primarily a relief pitcher – leading the AL in appearances in 1935 and 1936.  Van Atta had a seven-season MLB career (1933-39 … Yankees, Browns) and went 33-41, 5.60. As a batter, he went .228-2-17 in 206 at bats.

 

Six: Taking a Perfect Game into the Seventh … Juan Marichal

Juan Marichal was signed by the Giants in 1958 as a 20-year-old out of the Dominican Republic – and made his MLB debut (at age 22) on July 19, 1960.  When called up, he was 11-5, 3.11 in 18 Triple-A starts for the season. The future Hall of Famer showed his credentials as “The Dominican Dandy” right from that very first appearance. He tossed a complete-game, one-hit shutout against the Phillies in San Francisco. Allowing just one walk and fanning a dozen (the Giants won 2-0). He retired the first 19 MLB batters he ever faced (until a seventh-inning error by SS Eddie Broussard put Phillies’ 2B Tony Taylor on base). The first hit against Marichal didn’t come until there were two outs in the eighth (a single by catcher Clay Dalrymple). In the game, only one Phillie reached second base. In his first three MLB starts, Marichal tossed three complete-game victories (one a ten-inning contest) and gave up just three runs in 29 frames.

Marichal pitched 16 MLB seasons (1960-75 … Giants, Red Sox, Dodgers), going 243-142, 2.89.  He was an All Star in nine seasons and a seven-time winner of 20+ games.  Despite seasons of 25-8, 2.41 (1963), 25-6, 2.23 (1966) and 26-9, 2.43 (1968), he never won a Cy Young Award.  In fact, he did not get a single CYA vote in any of those three seasons. The unanimous winners were Sandy Koufax in 1963 and 1966 and Bob Gibson in 1968.

 

Seven:   Up to the Task …  Elmer Myers

Elmer Meyers had a big hill to climb (see what I did there) in his October 6, 1915 MLB debut.  The right-handed Philadelphia Athletics’ rookie was facing the Washington Nationals, with an 85-67 record, while his Athletics were 42-109.    The 21-year-old rookie, called up for a start after a 29-10 season for the Class-D Raleigh Capitols proved up to the task. Myers tossed a nifty two-hit (five walks), 12-strikeout shutout, as Philadelphia prevailed 4-0.  Meyers went on to an eight-season (1915-22 … Athletics, Indians, Red Sox) MLB career, going 55-72, 4.06.

 

 Eight:  Start with a Shutout, Follow Up with a Shutout … Al Worthington

Al Worthington made a name for himself in the major leagues as a reliever – running off a string of seven seasons of double-digits in saves and leading the AL with 18 saves for the Twins in 1969. Worthington gets irony points here, since the respected reliever made this list by virtue of throwing two, complete-game shutouts in his first two MLB appearances. The 24-year-old was in his third pro season and was 9-5, 2.90 for the Minneapolis Millers when he was called up by the Giants. In his MLB debut game on July 6, 1953, he shut down the Phillies on two hits (four walks, six whiffs) as his Giants won 6-0 in New York. Five days later he started again and shut out the Dodgers 6-0 on four hits (one walk, seven strikeouts). It was the only time the NL Champion Dodgers were shutout that season. Things went a little south after that, as his next eight decision were all losses (0-8, 5.13 in that span). He ended his rookie campaign at 4-8, 3.44. Worthington went on to a 14-season MLB career, going 75-82, 3.39 with 111 saves (533 relief appearances, 69 starts).  He was 16-31, 3.99 as a starter and 59-51 (with those 111 saves), 3.11 as a reliever

 

Nine: Slow Joe Off to a Fast Start – Joe Doyle

Known as Slow Joe Doyle for his pace on the mound, Doyle made his MLB debut for the Highlanders (Yankees) on August 25, 1906, shutting out the Indians 2-0 (in New York) on six hits (two walks, five strikeouts). He followed it up August 30 with another complete-game shutout.  This time a two-hitter (no walks, six strikeouts) as the Highlanders beat the Senators 5-0. He finished his rookie season at 2-1, 2.38 and went on to a five-season MLB career (1906-10) with a 22-21, 2.85 line.

 

Ten: Whew. That was a Close One … Jim Scott

Only a” lucky” 13 Modern-Era rookies have faced the tension of a 1-0 shutout victory in their MLB debut. only three of those had to wait until the ninth inning for their team to sore and only one – Number Ten on this list – saw the winning run cross the plate in the bottom of the ninth.

Jim Scott debuted for the White Sox, against the Browns, on April 25, 1909. Scott gave up just three singles and wo walks in his debut, fanning six. His white Sox managed just four singles (six walks) and that lone run in the bottom of the ninth – scored by Freddy Parent on a Browns’ fielding error.

Scott went on to pitch in nine MLB seasons (1909-17) all for the White Sox He went 107-114, 2.30, with his best season coming in 1915, when he went 24-11, 2.03. He was better than his W-L record would indicate, finishing in the league’s top ten: three-times in earned run average; four times in strikeouts; five times in strikeouts per nine innings; four times in shutouts; twice in Walk+Hits Per Nine innings; four times in games started; and twice in complete games.

A Tough Loss

On May 14, 1914, Jim Scott pitched nine no-hit innings for the White sox (versus Nationals, but gave up two hits and one run in the tenth to take a loss.

 

Eleven:  A Pair of Five-Hitters … Johnny Marcum

The Philadelphia Athletics called up 23-year-old Johnny Marcum in September of 19-33 – after a 20-13, 3.74 season for the Double-A Louisville Colonels.  He showed his “stuff” right away. In his first appearance, September 7, he tossed a five-hit (six walks, four whiffs) shutout, as the Athletics topped the Indians 6-0 in Philadelphia. He started again on the 11th and tossed another five-hit shutout (three walks, three whiffs) as the Athletics topped with White Sox 8-0. He finished his rookie season at 3-2, 1.70 and went 65-63 in a seven-season (1933-39) MLB career.

 


Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; the following SABR bios: Bumpus Jones, by Chris Rainey; Fred Clarke, by Angelo Luisa; Billy Rohr, by Alexander Edelman;  “A Most Spectacular Debut” (Russ Van Atta), by Randolph Linthurst.” June 16, 1961: Lew Krausse twirls debut shoutouts 10 tens after High-school graduation”, Larry Defillipo, Society for American Baseball Research.

 

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John Buzhardt – Phillies’ Stopper … Coincidentally

April 15, 2024 by Leave a Comment

This is not an earthshaking blog topic, but the kind of hardball coincidence that catches Baseball Roundtable’s attention.

On July 28, in the second game of a doubleheader, Phillies’ righty John Buzhardt picked up a victory – going the distance as the Phillies topped the Giants 4-3 in Philadelphia.  Over the next 22 days, the Phillies lost a still-MLB record 23 consecutive ballgames. (Remember single-admission doubleheaders).

Then, on August 20, again in the second game of a doubleheader, they broke the losing streak.  And, again, the winning pitcher was Buzhardt – who gave up four runs in a nine-inning complete game as Philly prevailed 7-4 over the Braves in Milwaukee. So, Buzhardt’s two wins were the bookends holding the 23-game losing streak in the middle.  Oh, and what number was Buzhardt wearing? Twenty-three, of course.

Buzhardt’s August 20th win, not only marked the end of the Phillies’ record losing streak, it also marked the beginning of the 1961 Phillies’ longest winning streak. From August 20-25, the Phillies won four in a row.  The last winner in that Phillies 1961-best winning streak?  You got it. Once again,  John Buzhardt with a 9-4 complete-game victory over the Braves.

Buzhardt, by the way, finished the season as 6-18, 4.49. (Those six victories, however, were second most on the team (Art Mahaffey went 11-19, 4.10).  And Buzhardt did take three of the losses in the 23-game streak.  It was not all his fault, however.

A few points to consider.

That 23-game losing streak – during which the Phillies were outscored 133-54 – was part of a 47-107 season that saw the Phillies finish in last (eighth) place – 46 games off the pace.  In the campaign, they scored the NL’s fewest runs (584), and gave up the second most (796) – versus the league average of 700 in each category. They also had the league’s highest earned run average (4.61 vs. the league average of 4.03) and lowest team batting average (.243 vs. the league average of .262).  During the 23-game losing streak itself, the Phillies scored two or fewer runs 16 times.  A few other notables about the streak, it included:

  • 18 road games and just five home games;
  • Seven one-run losses;
  • Three doubleheader sweeps;
  • Four shutouts’ losses, three in consecutive games;
  • and a 31-inning scoreless streak.

Side note: During the season, the Phillies lost 35 one -run games (19 wins), were shut out 15 times and were held to two runs or less 67 times.

The Phillies finished the dismal 1961 season with a phlourish. In their final four games, all at home, they were outscored 33-6, but still managed one win – a 2-1 victory over oaf all pitchers), the Dodgers’ Sandy Koufax.

Now, let’s get back to John Buzhardt.  In his two seasons with the Phillies, the team went 106-202-1. In those two seasons (1960-61, Buzhardt went 11-34, 4.18 (and those 34 losses represented just over 35 percent of his total losses over an 11-season MLB career). Pitching “not for the Phils,” Buzhardt was 60-62, 3.47. For his career (1958-68 … White Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Astros, Orioles) Buzhardt he was 71-96, 3.66. Buzhardt’s two best seasons were 1964-65, when he went 10-8, 2.98 and 13-8, 3.01 for the White Sox.

Again, not a particularly earthshaking post, but I do like the fact that victories by number-23 bookended the Phillies’ record 23-game losing streak.

Primary Resource:  Basevall-Reference.com

 

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Baseball Roundtable’s Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals Ballot

April 13, 2024 by

Early this week, a welcome baseball gift in the mail – my 2024 Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals Ballot – which means I can look forward to some joyous time pondering the character and characters that helped shape the history of our grand game (as presented in the always informative and creative biographies included with the ballot).

I’ll take a look at my choices from this year’s ballot in a bit, but first – for those not familiar with The Baseball Reliquary – a little background.

The Baseball Reliquary is an organization of fans dedicated to the free-spirited celebration of the human side of baseball’s history and heritage. The Reliquary defines itself as “an educational organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of American art and culture through the context of baseball history and to exploring the national pastimes’ unparalleled creative possibilities.”

 

Reliquary (rel′ə kwer′ē)

Noun- a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept and displayed for veneration.

While its “home” is at Whittier College (also home to the Institute for Baseball Studies), the Reliquary is more than just a place.  The Reliquary really resides in the hearts of its founders, members, contributors and honorees – who all are important parts of the organization’s joyful (often irreverent, but always well-informed and fan-centric) celebration of all things baseball.  This celebration is fueled through The Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals, collection of historic artifacts, exhibitions and extensive baseball-related research collection – books, periodicals and papers from distinguished authors, historians and journalists.

The Whittier (CA) College Institute for Baseball Studies is the first humanities-based baseball research center associated with a U.S. college or university,

The Shrine of the Eternals

The Shrine of the Eternals is the Reliquary’s best-known element and its honorees include (among others) a one-armed major league outfielder, a pitcher who once threw a no-hitter while high on LSD, a team owner who sent a midget to the plate, a man in a chicken suit, a member of Major League Baseball’s 3,000-hit club, a manager who won eight World Championships, a cartoon character who pitched his team to more than 1,000 losses, more than one best-selling author, a statistical wizard and even the sports editor of the Daily Worker (American Communist Party newspaper). The honorees are each unique in their roles in – and contributions to – the national pastime, but they all share the distinction of having made a significant impact on the game.

It’s a shrine to “our” great game that connects:

  • Mark “The Bird” Fidrych and the San Diego Chicken;
  • Dr. Frank Jobe and Dr. Mike Marshall (not to mention Dock Ellis);
  • Bob Uecker and Yogi Berra;
  • Luis Tiant and Charlie Brown;
  • Roberto Clemente and Pete Gray;
  • Rube Waddell and Bill “Spaceman” Lee.

This year’s candidates range from players like Rube Waddell, Felipe Alou, Mike Marshall and Julio Franco to such  luminaries as renowned baseball photographer Charles M. Conlon, Wiffle Ball inventor David Nelson Mallany, umpire Joe West, “Kissing Bandit” Morganna Roberts, broadcaster Ernie Harwell and baseball executive Kim Ng.

You get the idea.

Note: The Reliquary also recognizes distinguished service to baseball by a fan (The Hilda Award) and contributions to the preservation of baseball history (The Tony Salin Award).

Artifacts

The Baseball Reliquary’s Collection of what The Roundtable would term “art-ifacts” is as diverse as its roster of Shrine honorees.  The collection includes (but is “oh-so not limited” to) the Walter O’Malley Tortilla, the Roger Bresnahan Potato, the Eddie Gaedel Jock Strap, a Babe Ruth cigar, a Mother Teresa autographed baseball (a whole case actually), a heat-twisted 45-rpm record from the White Sox’ ill-fated Disco Demolition Night; and a San Diego Chicken game-worn costume.

Exhibits

The Baseball Reliquary’s Exhibits have covered such varied topics as Latino and Black baseball history, baseball in foreign policy, baseball literature and art, a celebration of baseball cards, and even the self-defining “Lasordapalooza.”

Join Now and Vote

New members joining The Baseball Reliquary through its website ( www.BaseballReliquary.org  ) by April 22, will receive a copy of the 2024 Shrine of the Eternals biographies and ballot and the opportunity to vote, by April 30, for this year’s nominees. 

 

—–THE SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS 2024 BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE BALLOT—–

Now, on to the Shrine of the Eternals. Before I share my ballot, here’s what the Reliquary has to say about this honor.

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

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

Each year, the Baseball Reliquary submits a list of candidates to its members and the top three vote-getters are honored.  Reliquaries can vote for up to nine nominees.

Here’s a look at those who are getting my votes for this year.

CHARLES M. CONLON (1868-1945) … Picture Perfect

Charles M. Conlon is responsible for some of the most iconic images from baseball history.  From 1904 to 1942, he documented the course of the national pastime (as a hobby), while working as a proofreader for the New York Evening Telegram (later the World-Telegram). Carrying a large Graflex camera and cumbersome glass plate negatives to the ballpark, Conlon produced at least 30,000 portraits and action photos, capturing history in black and white.

Although his photos appeared regularly in the Spalding and Reach Base Ball Guides, The Sporting News, and Baseball Magazine, Conlon’s contribution to the images and history of the game really came to the fore with the publication of Neal and Constance McCabe’s books: Baseball’s Golden Age: The Photographs of Charles M. Conlon (1993); and The Big Show: Charles M. Conlon’s Golden Age Baseball Photographs (2011).

The McCabe’s, making the case that Conlon ranks among the masters of documentary photography, assert: “The ballpark was Conlon’s universe, an inexhaustible source of unforgettable images: a catcher’s mangled hand, a madman kicking up his heels, an umpire lost in thought. He documented baseball obsessively at a time when critics of photography—had they known of his existence—would have questioned his sanity for taking thousands of photographs of so trivial and ephemeral a subject.”

Conlon gets my vote for contributing so significantly to the visual history of the game.

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SEAN DOOLITTLE (1986- ) … A Stand-Up Guy

Sports Illustrated called reliever Sean Doolittle, “the conscience of baseball.”  He was a VOCAL and ACTIVE advocate for the rights of workers, women, immigrants, the LGBTQ community and veterans, as well as against racism and gun violence.

In his own words “As a kid, I remember my parents would say, “Baseball is what you do, but that’s not who you are’ – like that might be my job, but not the end-all, be-all.  I feel like I might even be able to use it to help other people. Sports are like the award for a functioning society.”

Among the two-time All Star’s many activities of conscience were: organizing a 2015 Thanksgiving dinner for Syrian refuges; writing a 2019 Washington Post op-ed piece in support of union workers; boycotting the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals’ visit to the White House; penning a Sports Illustrated column urging the Veterans Administration to expand mental health services for veterans; using social media to address the topics of racial injustice and gun violence; and much, much more.

Doolittle, who retired from the field in 2023, played in 11 MLB seasons (2012-2022 … Athletics, Nationals, Reds, Mariners).  He appeared in 463 games and put up a record of 26-24, 3.20, with 112 saves and 522 strikeouts in 450 2/3 innings. He had five seasons of 20 or more saves.

Doolittle’s willingness to stand up and speak out for what he believes is right make him a solid Shrine of the Eternal’s candidate. Whether you agree with Doolittle’s opinions or not, as Pete Dreier wrote in the opening of Doolittle’s Shrine of the Eternals Ballot Bio, “Sean Doolittle embodies the Reliquary’s rebellious, iconoclastic and irreverent spirit.”

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LUKE EASTER (1915-79) – Scrambling Some Eggs

“Luscious” Luke Easter was one of the most prodigious home run hitters of all time. His titanic blasts were known as “Easter Eggs.” Among his notables, Easter:

  • Was the first player to a homer into the farthest reaches of center field in the Polo Grounds;
  • Hit the longest home run in the history of old Cleveland Municipal Stadium – clearing the distant right field scoreboard; and
  • Was the first player to hit a drive over the CF scoreboard in Buffalo’s Offerman Stadium (at age 42), proving it was no fluke by hitting the second drive to ever to clear the scoreboard just a month later.

Easter began his baseball career in 1937, as an OF/1B and cleanup hitter for the St. Louis Titanium Giants (a company team) – and didn’t play his final game until 27 years later.  Everything about the 6’4”, 240-pound Easter was big – his stature, his bat, his love of the game, his love of life, his relationship with teammates and the fans and, later, even his Buick.

While he began showing his prowess at the plate in the late 1930’s, he really began carving his name into baseball history after getting out of the military in 1943. In 1945, he starred with the barnstorming Cincinnati Crescents (for whom he hit the Polo Grounds home run noted above).

In 1947, he joined the Homestead Grays, where he hit .311, with 10 home runs in 219 at bats.  Research by Society for American Baseball Research Member Justin Murphy indicates Easter followed that up by hitting .363 for the Grays and tying teammate Buck Leonard for the Negro National League (NNL) lead in home runs (13) – helping the Grays to the NNL World Series Championship.

In 1949, Easter signed with the Cleveland Indians and made (what was then considered) his major league debut on August 1 of that season – at age 34 – just the eleventh black player in the major leagues. (MLB has since declared the Negro Leagues from 1920-48 to be major leagues.) While he hit only .222 in 54 games for the Indians, due in part to an injured knee, Easter showed his (already long-proven) power by going .363-25-92 in 80 games at Triple-A San Diego.

Then, in 1950, he hit .280-28-107 in 141 games for the Indians – earning recognition from the Sporting News as the AL’s Most Outstanding Player.  In 1951, he went .270-27-103 for the Tribe and, in 1952, .263-31-97. Age and injuries were already taking their toll, however, and on May 4, 1954, the 38-year-old Easter played his final MLB game.

Ah, but Luscious Luke was not done. He played on in the minor leagues until 1964 – putting up four seasons of 30 or more home runs and 100+ RBI – earning his way into the International League Hall of Fame.

Over his career, Easter also played winter ball in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico and Hawaii. A Winter-League star, Easter hit .402 for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League in 1948-49 (winning league MVP honors); led the Mexican Pacific Coast League (for Hermosillo) in homers in 1954-55; and lead the Puerto Rican Winter League in homers in 1955-56 and 1956-57.

Why does Luke Easter get my vote? Consider that non-other than Bill James rated him the second-best Negro Leagues’ first baseman of all time (behind only Buck Leonard) and Al Rosen (a teammate of Easter on the Indians, as well as a four-time All Star, two-time AL home run leader, 1953 American League MVP and 1989 National Executive of the Year) maintained, “Had Luke come up to the big leagues as a young man, there’s no telling what numbers he would have had.”

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JULIO FRANCO (1958 –) … One For The Ages (Aged?)

If you believe “Old Guys Rule” – Julio Franco should be your king.

Franco is the oldest player to homer in an MLB game. Franco went deep at age 48 years, 254 days, hitting a two-run shot off Arizona’s Randy Johnson as Franco’s Mets topped the Diamondbacks 5-3 on April 26, 2006. In that same game, Franco also became the second-oldest MLB player to steal base – and, thus, the oldest player to homer and steal a base in the same game.

Franco is also the:

  • Oldest player to hit a grand slam (46 years, 308 days) – connecting as a pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves in a 7-2 win over the Marlins on June 27, 2005;
  • Oldest player to record a multi-homer game, belting a pair of homers on June 18, 2005 (age 46 years, 299 days), as his Atlanta Braves topped the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Franco started at first base and went two-for-four with two homers and three RBI;
  • Oldest player to hit a pinch-hit home run, in the eighth inning of a Mets’ 7-2 win over the Padres at San Diego (April 20, 2006 – 47 years, 240 days);
  • Oldest player to steal two bases in a game (and in an inning) – (June 16, 3005 – 46 years, 297 days); and
  • Oldest player to be put into a game as a pinch runner (July 29, 2006 – 47 years, 340 days) … he delivered, promptly stealing second base, going to third on an errant throw.

From 1982 to 1994, Franco played primarily as a middle infielder and DH for the Phillies, Indians, Rangers and White Sox – making three All Star teams (MVP of the 1990 All Star Game), earning five Silver Slugger Awards and leading the American League in hitting at .341 for the Rangers in 1991. In that 1991 campaign, Franco collected 201 hits, 15 homers, 78 RBI, 108 runs scored and 36 steals in 45 attempts. At season’s end, he had hit .300+ in five of the previous six seasons – the lone exception being .296 in 1990.

In 1994, when the remainder of the MLB season was lost to a strike, Franco was in the midst of possibly his best campaign.  After 112 games, he was hitting .319, with 138 hits, 20 home runs, 98 RBI, 72 runs scored, and eight steals.  Franco was determined to keep swinging the bat and signed to play in Japan with the Pacific League Chiba Lotte Marines.  In the 1995 Japanese season, Franco hit .306 and won the Pacific League’s equivalent of the Gold Glove at first base.

Franco returned to MLB in 1996, joining the Cleveland Indians, hitting .322-14-76 in 112 games. In August of the following season, the Indians released Franco – who was hitting .284-3-25 at the time. He finished the 1997 campaign with the Brewers, hitting .241 in 14 games with Milwaukee.

In 1998, at age 39, Franco was back in Japan playing for Chiba Lotte; where he hit .290, with 18 home runs and 77 RBI in 131 games. Then, in 1999, he celebrated turning 40 (when most ballplayers are retired or coaching) by hitting for a .423 average in the Mexican League and getting one late-season MLB at bat with Tampa Bay.

As he moved into his forties, Franco was far from finished as a player. He played in South Korea in 2000 (age 41), hitting .327-22-110.  In 2001, the well-traveled batsman was back in the Mexican League (Mexico City Tigers), where stellar play (a .437 average in 110 games) earned him a spot on the Atlanta Braves’ roster in September. Franco hit .300, with three home runs and 11 RBI over the final 5 ½ weeks of the MLB season.

From 2001 to 2007, the ageless wonder – professional hitter and pretty darn good first sacker – played for the Braves and Mets.  From 2001 through 2006 – ages 42 to 47 – Franco averaged .290 over 581 games.  He hit .222 in 55 games in his final MLB season – 2007 with the Mets and Braves.

Even at 49, Franco was not done battering baseballs. In 2008, he could be found at first base with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (where he hit .250 in 36 games). That season, Franco – after 23 Major League seasons and 30 years after his first professional baseball game – announced his retirement as a player.

Oops? Not so fast. In 2014, at the age of 55, he appeared in seven games for the Fort Worth Cats of the independent United League – going six for 27.   Then in 2015, Franco was signed as player-manager of the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Japanese independent Baseball Challenge League (identified as a semi-pro league).

In 23 MLB seasons, Franco hit .298, with 2,586 hits, 173 homers, 1,285 runs, 1,194 RBI and 281 stolen bases. He also collected 618 minor league (U.S) hits, 316 in the Mexican League, 286 in Japan, 267 in the Dominican Winter League and 156 in South Korea and six in independent ball (U.S.).

Forever young, Mr. Franco – baseball’s Energizer Bunny – got my vote.

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MAMIE “Peanut” JOHNSON (1935 – 2017) … Playing Big

Mamie Johnson was one of three females to play for the Indianapolis Clowns during the declining days of the Negro Leagues (and the only woman ever to pitch in the Negro Leagues). At 5’3” Johnson looked a little small for the baseball diamond, but she played above her height. Johnson took the mound to the Clowns for three seasons (1953-55), running up a 33-8 record – utilizing a deceptive fastball, curve, change, screwball and knuckleball.   Her exploits are chronicled in the children’s book “A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson,” by Michelle Y. Green.

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MIKE MARSHALL (1943 – ) … Is There A Doctor in The House?

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

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

Marshall led his league in games pitched four times and saves three times – finishing 97-112, 3.14 with 188 saves.

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

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DAVID NELSON MULLANY (1908-1990) … A New Meaning To Going Yard

Everyone who has ever swung a plastic bat at a whistling WIFFLE® Ball owes a debt of gratitude to David Mullany.

It all started in 1953, when Mullany saw his 12-year-old son trying to use a plastic golf ball for a game of baseball in their Connecticut backyard. Mullany saw the possibilities (and need) for a ball that could be put in play in a confined area without the risk of damage. He set about developing a light, hollow, plastic ball with eight oblong slots cut into one side (which allowed pitchers to fashion a curve, slider, or knuckleball that could produce a great many a good number of swings and misses or “whiffs.”

Mullany, (by the way played baseball for the University of Connecticut) went on to form WIFFLE® Ball, Inc. in 1954 and was granted a patent for the innovative sphere in 1957.

Has the Wiffle Ball impacted the game and those who play it (particularly in their backyards)?  Well, there has been no change in the basic product over time and more than 60 million wiffle balls have been sold since it came to the market. There are now even Wiffle Ball tournaments and leagues around the country.  More than 60 million Wiffle Balls sold. How many millions of hours of baseball pleasure does that equate to?  Enough for my vote.

In 2017, the WIFFLE® Ball was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

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KIM NG (1968- ) … Breaking New Ground

Kim Ng’s interest in baseball started when, as a young Yankees fan, she played stickball on the street in Queens, New York.  Ng went on to play tennis and softball in high school and four years of softball at The University of Chicago.

After graduating from the University, Ng began her career in baseball in 1990, as an intern with the Chicago White Sox. Her first project was to conduct research on Rule Five draftees, building on her love for and skill in analyzing and interpreting statistics and scouting reports.

From that point, her trajectory showed plenty of velo and launch angle. She became:

  • The youngest person and the first woman to present a salary arbitration case as the Assistant Director of Baseball Operations with the White Sox;
  • An Assistant General Manager with the Yankees (at age 29);
  • MLB Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, becoming the highest-ranking woman working in the Commissioner’s Office.

Then, in November 1920, Ng was hired as the Miami Marlins’ General Manager – the first woman to serve as GM of a major North American men’s sports team. When the Marlins clinched a playoff berth on September 30, 2023, Ng became the first woman GM in MLB history to lead a playoff team.

In 2022, the University of Chicago awarded Kim Ng the Professional Achievement Award and Forbes ranked Ng #5 on its list of the most powerful women in sports.

When it comes to breaking barriers, this power-hitter get my vote.

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Rube Waddell (1876-1914) … Walk On The Wild Side

Rube Waddell is almost universally recognized as the zaniest player in MLB history (that alone should earn him a spot in the Shrine).  Add the fact that he also was one of the best pitchers (at least when he was focused) in the game and Waddell seems a perfect fit for Reliquary honors.

Waddell was known to:

  • Leave a ball game to chase fire engines;
  • Miss a game he was scheduled to start because he was fishing or playing marbles with neighborhood kids;
  • Bring his outfielders in to sit on the grass and then proceed to fan the side;
  • Wrestle alligators in the off-season; and
  • Much too frequently do battle with owners and managers.

Waddell simply was more interested in the freedom to enjoy life and do things his way than in money or professional stability.  But, when Waddell was on his game, he was arguably the best pitcher of his time. The 6’1”, 195-lb. lefty led the AL in strikeouts six consecutive seasons (1902-1907) – by a wide margin.

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

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

Honoring the zaniest player in history – a title it appears Waddell will hold into eternity – just seems right for the Shrine of the Eternals. Rube gets my vote.

Primary Resources: Baseball Reliquary 2024 Shrine of the Eternals Ballot; Baseball-Reference.com

 

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Baseball Roundtable Reviews Target Field’s New Concessions

April 2, 2024 by

Yesterday (April 1), Baseball Roundtable took part in what has become rite of spring – the Twins’ Annual Food and Beverage Preview. Sponsored by the Minnesota Twins and Delaware North (the team’s food and retail partner), this annual media event features a look at (and taste of) the upcoming season’s new Target Field food and beverage offerings.  For true Minnesotans, it’s kind of like munching your way through the State Fair – only in a ballpark.

The Twins Keep Raising the Bar

As I’ve noted here before, when I first began attending MLB games, standard fare consisted of (not always piping-hot) hot dogs and (not always ice-cold) beer (usually just two or three choices) and soda.  For those wanting to step outside the box, there were peanuts, Cracker Jack®, licorice ropes and popcorn (sometimes served in a megaphone-shaped container, popular at the ballpark, not so much at home).  For the really adventurous, there were frozen malt cups (with a wooden spoon after taste).  When pizza and burgers arrived on the scene, we all thought baseball’s culinary landscape was complete.

The 2024 Twins Food and Beverage Preview (like those that went before it) brought home once again how wrong we were about reaching the ultimate in ballpark fare – and how committed the Twins are to continually raising the ballpark food and beverage bar, while also building an ever-stronger Minnesota connections.

Here are a few of Baseball Roundtable’s favorite new Target Field offerings for 2024 – as judged by super-taster Bob King – AKA Bob The Grill Guy – and me.   I’ve noted which are from Minnesota firms.  Note:  Many, not all, of the photos show the sample size from the Food and Beverage Preview, rather than full size offering (generally, if the descriptive sign is in the photo, it’s a full -size offering).  I’ve also noted which new offerings are “Minnesota-made.”  Prices were not available at the event.

 

—-Baseball Roundtable New Food Favorites—-

Number One – East Coast BBQ Mac N’ Meat (Minnesota Made) … Creamy mac and cheese topped with your choice of barbequed chicken, rib tips or pulled pork. Bob and I both rated this as the number-one new food – and we both recommend going with the rib tips (although all three offerings are tasty).   Just the right amount of “smoke” in the sauce, without overpowering the flavor of meet.  The ribs tips (our favorite) were the moistest and meatiest.   Bob called it some of the best he’s had – and went back for seconds, despite the volume of food we had yet to taste.  High praise from “The Grill Guy.”  If we were to pick a new concession “Grand Slam” this year, this would be it. Section 131.

Number Two – Official Fried Chicken Might Buffalo Dry Rub Wings (Minnesota Made) …. A new addition to the Official Fried Chicken line – wings marinated, breaded and pressure-fried. Crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, dry-rubbed with a tasty and proprietary (a secret worth protecting) blend.  We officially declare that Official Fried Chicken knows its chicken. You can’t go wrong with any of their offerings. Section 134.

Number Three – Bussin Birria Tacos (Minnesota Made) … Tender, well-seasoned braised beef, topped with melted cheese and served in a just-crisp-enough griddled corn tortilla – with cilantro, chopped onions and a tasty consommé dipping sauce.  Hrbek’s, Section 114.

Number Four – Tie

Red Cow Ultimate Burger (Minnesota Made) … Certified Angus Beef done just right, topped with Wisconsin-aged cheddar, lettuce tomato, onion and Red Cow Sauce.  If a traditional burger is what you crave after a 6-4-3 double play, this is the one for you.  Red Cow knows its burgers. (This one is as traditional as starting the tenth inning with no one on base.) Section 233.

Burger Fries (Minnesota Made) …  A new take on French fries, turning them into potato nachos. Crisp fries topped with juicy Philly Cheesesteak, American cheese, caramelized onions, jalapenos and Two Mixed Up house sauce. The fries make a Minnesota-nice bed for the juicy cheesesteak mixture and the jalapenos add a little “bite.”  Perhaps not for everyone, but we liked them.  Hint: Take and extra napkin or two.  Thrivent Club.

 

—–Baseball Roundtable New Dessert Favorites—–

 

Number One – S’mores Boozy Ice Cream …. One of several new desserts that represent a new spin on old favorites. Soft-serve chocolate ice cream mixed with vodka and toasted marshmallow syrup – topped with a marshmallow and graham cracker.  Finally, a dessert designed for ice cream-loving  adults (of which I am one).  This will replace soft serve I usually enjoy on game day.  Hint:  Get the kids their own vodka-free ice cream treat before you order this. You won’t want to share. Gate 34.

Numbed Two – Papa Pete’s Mini Donuts (Minnesota Made) … Traditional fried donuts (think County or State Fair) tossed in cinnamon and sugar, but with new taste possibilities offered by dipping choices like hot honey, salted caramel or chocolate. This is a sweet and tasty deal, great for sharing. Section 136.

Number Three – STEPCHLD Sweet Potato Fritters (Minnesota Made) …   Are sweet potatoes a ballpark dessert?  They are now. Especially when transform those yams into tasty fritters topped with maple syrup, cayenne pepper and whipped goat cheese.   The whipped goat cheese cuts the sweetness a bit and the pepper adds a touch of warmth.  Look out sweet potato pie, fritters are coming!  Truly a dessert,  Truly on Deck, Right Field.

 

—–Baseball Roundtable’s Favorite New Adult Beverages—–

 

The Cutwater Crew

Number One – Cutwater Mango Margarita …  The Cutwater Cocktail Bar at Minnie and Paul’s offers a range of premium Cutwater premade cocktails. The Mango Margarita was a big winner with both Bob and me. Minnie & Paul’s, underneath the centerfield neon.

Number Two – Vanilla Creamed Whiskey (Minnesota Made) …  Mixing Keeper’s Heart Rye, with Monin Vanilla Creme Syrup and soda. Taste likes old-fashioned Cream Soda, only with a kick.  Bob noted that he could “get into a lot of trouble with that one.”  You might also consider the Cherry Smashed Whiskey or Irish Mojito. Sophisticated ballpark imbibing. Keeper’s Heart Town Ball Tavern, Section 229.

Spicy Watermelon Margarita – Should be a summer favorite.  Refreshingly light. Hrbek’, Section 114  & Keeper’s Heart Town ball Tavern, Section 229.

 

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—–Other New Offerings—-

Union Hmong Kitchen Banh Mi Brat (Minnesota Made) … Nicely seasoned sausage with pickled vegetables and caramelized garlic aioli.  This puts the James Beard-nominated Union Hmong Kitchen’s twist on the traditional bratwurst. Section 127.

Smashed Baked Potato … Design your own comfort food baked potato, with such toppings as bacon bits, brisket, chili, butter, sour cream, beer cheese and onions. Section 117.

Lord Fletcher’s Walleye Burger (Minnesota Made) … Seared Walleye Burger with smoked tarter sauce. Gate 34 – 10,000 Lakes Bar.

Just A Burger (Minnesota Made) … Double smash burger, topped with lettuce, onion, American Cheese and Two Mixed Up house sauce, served on a brioche bun.  Big enough to share.  Keeper’s Heart Town Ball Tavern, Section 229.

Q’BO Latin Food Chicken Tinga Arepas (Minnesota Made) … First of all, an arepa is a South American dish consisting of ground maize dough stuffed with a variety of fillings. At Target Field, you will find crispy arepa stuffed with Chicken Tinga, cheese, sour cream, Pico de Gallo and pickled onions. Truly on Deck Market – Right Field.

 

Parcelle C.R.E.A.M & BluePrint Smoothies (Minnesota Made) … Parcelle specializes in tasty organic, nutritious food offerings.  The BluePrint Smoothie features: blueberry, avocado, banana, blue spirulina, vanilla protein, coconut milk and agave, while the C.R.E.A.M. Smoothie has strawberry, banana, coconut milk, dates, agave syrup, collagen, peptide and aloe. Section 126.

A Double Header – Curds and Cakes – Section 232

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Here’s 2,000 words worth of images – and one additional word.  Yumm!

—–An Old Standby—–

Target Field has always taken pride in its Bloody Mary’s.  The Ultimate Bloody Mary.  Hrbek’s, Section 114.

—–And Don’t Forget—-

The all-inclusive Legends Landing (Sections S,T,UV) …  Al- inclusive game tickets starting at $42 each, with all-you-can eat hots dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, chips, peanuts, assorted Pepsi products , bottled water and frozen desserts.

The Family Value Stands (Located in Sections 120, 133, 311) … A menu of traditional ballpark staples, all priced under $5..

 

There you have it.  Go Twins – and happy eating.

 

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

100Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.  To see the full list, click here.

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