The calendar has turned over to August, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s July Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more.  (Note: Regular readers know I usually publish this post on the first of the month, but family obligations took precedence.) I should add right up front that I slightly lowered at-bat and innings-pitched minimums to make the monthly leader lists to reflect the All Star break.

Here are just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• The season’s first triple play (Marlins);
• A player with a record-tying  12 consecutive hit (Tyler Tolbert);
• An Ultimate “Ultimate Grand Slam” (Kody Clemens);
• A cycle (Tristan Peters);
• A team (Tigers) scoring in every inning in a game in which they didn’t allow the opposition to score in any inning;
• Nolan Arenado‘s 2,000th hit;
• A catcher (Kyle Higashioka) on the mound, pitching to a pitcher (Victor Mederos);
• An Immaculate Inning (Gavin Williams);
• An $11-million-dollar baseball card (Shohei Ohtani);
• A 15-game winning streak (Red Sox); and
• Much more.

Read on to the Highlights Sections stories.

—Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month for July—

National League 

Player of the Month – CJ Abrams, SS, Nationals

Some tough choices here.  I took a long look at  the Pirates’ Nick Gonzalez’ .388 average and 40 July hits  (both highest among NL players with at least 60 July at bats), as well as Cardinals’ RF Jordan Walker and and Nationals’ RF James Wood  (the only MLB players to both score and drive in at least 20 runs during the month).  Ultimately, I went with National’s SS CJ Abrams, who put together an all-around solid month.

Abrams hit  .348 in July, his ten July roundtrippers led MLB, as did his .742 slugging percentage (among players with at least 60 July at bats). He also drove in 23 July runs, third-best in MLB. His line for the month was .348-10-23, with 17 runs scored and six stolen bases (in seven attempts). When you can get that kind of production out of your SS (and iu a short month … All Star break), you’ve got to be happy. In the course of the month, Abrams had seven multi-hit and seven multi-RBI games.  Just 25-years-old, Abrams is already in his fifth MLb season (and is a two-time All Star).

Honorable Mentions.  Pirates’ infielder Nick Gonzales led MLB with 40 hits in July (in 25 games), going .388-3-14, with 17 runs scored. His .388 average was highest among National  Leaguers with at least 60 July at bats. He recorded a base hit in all but three July games and had 15 multi-hit games.   As noted earlier a pair of NL right fielders each notched at least 20 runs scored AND 20 RBI in the month. The Nationals’ James Wood went .293-9-20, with an NLB -topping 26 July runs scored; while the Cardinals’ Jordan Walker went .260-4-21, with 20 runs scored.

Pitcher of the Month – Chris Sale, LHP, Braves

Going with the 37-year-old veteran (and 2024 Cy Young Award winner) Chris Sale  here. Sale tied for the MLB lead in July wins with four (no losses). In his five starts, he put up a 2.00 earned run average and his tidy 0.81 WHIP was fourth-best among NLers with at least 20 July innings. He fanned 34 batters in 27 innings, walked only four and held hitters to a .186 average.   In his final two starts of the month, he fanned 20 batters in 12 innings, while walking just one.

Honorable Mentions: The Cubs’ Matthew Boyd went 3-0, 1.67 in five starts, put up a 0.99 WHIP and .198 average against.  I cannot leave out the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, who just keeps breaking velocity records for starting pitchers and, in July, put up a 0.67 WHIP, .171 average against and fanned 39 batters, while walking (read carefully here) just one. The Miz’ final line was 2-1, 2.14 in four starts.  I also looked a the Phillies Jesus Luzardo, who went 3-1, 2.59 in five starts – and fanned 41 (third-highest in the NL), while walking just eight. Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.90) deserves a mention for leading the NL in strikeouts 49 (in 27 2/3 July innings), while walking just four.

American League

Player of the Month – Yordan Alvarez, DH, Astros

Yordan Alvarez’ July stat line was .360-9-22. He led the AL in home runs, RBI (the oly AL player to reach 20) and total bases (54). Alvarez was also  second in the AL hits (31). Alvarez had 11 multi-hit games during the month and, from July 10 through July 24, had a 10-game hitting streak during which he went .486 (18-for-37), with five home runs and ten RBI.

Honorable Mentions: Guardians’ LF Steven Kwan put up the highest July average (among players with at least 60 July at bats (.390) – going 30-for-77. Surprisingly, Kwan drove in just six runs and scored only ten during the month. Red Sox’ CF Ceddanne Rafaela led the AL in hits (33), put up a .303 average, and tied for second in RBI (19), as well as swiping five bases in five tires. Astros’ SS Jeremy Pena, went .381-6-13, with 17 runs scored in just 15 games.

A Little Extra

I want to mention a couple of players who had less than the 60 at bats the Roundtable set as a floor for consideration in this section. Royals’ SS Tyler Tolbert had just 40 at bats in 18 games, but he collected 17 hits (.425 average), with three homers and seven RBI.  Astro’s 3B Joshua Kuroda-Grauer went 22-for-53 in 14 games – for a .415 average, with one homer, three RBI and seven runs scored. 

Pitcher of the Month – Dylan Cease, RHP, Blue Jays

Another veteran here, the 30-year-old Dylan Cease went 3-1 for the Blue Jays (who went 11-13 on the month), averaging just over seven innings per start. Cease’s 1.00 earned run average was second in the AL among pitchers with at least 20 July innings; his 0.72 WHIP was also second; and his .1125 average against was third. His 36 innings pitched were second in MLB. On July 25, he threw a complete game, one-hit shutout against one of the hottest teams in baseball – the Red Sox, who were 21-4 in July. 

Honorable Mentions: The Twins Taj Bradley went 3-1, 2.92 in July. His 37 July innings led MLB and his 48 strikeouts were third. He held hitters to a .189 average over the month.  Red Sox’ closer Aroldis Chapman made 12 appearances in July and came away with ten saves (in ten opportunities) amd two wins, pitching to a 0.75 earned run average.

—Surprise Player Of the Month—

Jake Bennett, LHP, Red Sox 

The 25-year-old rookie lefthander tied for the MLB lead in July wins, going 4-1, 2.20 in five starts, showing considerable mound savvy. He didn’t fan that many hitters (21 in 32 2/3 innings), but he walked only four and gave up just one home run. Bennett was probably less of a surprise to BoSox fans than to The Roundtable.  He was  2022 second-round draft pick (Nationals) out of the University of Oklahoma, where he went 17-7, 4.30 over three seasons.   Bennett spent two years in the Nationals’ farm system (had Tommy John Surgery in 2023) before being acquired by the Red Sox in a trade of prospects last December. He was called up to make his  his MLB debut May 1 (at the time he was 3-2, 1.60 at Triple-A).   In May and June, he went 2-3, 3.27 in six starts for the Red Sox. Then, in June, he found himself tied atop the MLB victory leaderboard.  Looking like a very good trade.

Honorable Mentions: Let’s just say that I was surprised to see that the only two players to reach 25 RBI in July were both rookies: Reds’ 22-year-old 1B  Sal Stewart (.250-7-25) and  Pirates’ 22-year-old RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.250-08-25).  Another surprise was Royals’ RH Randy Dobnak, putting up a 1.04 earned run average over 26 July innings. Coming into 2026 Dobnak had a 9-12, 4.86  record over five MLB seasons (2019-21, 2024-25). In his professional career (2017-25), he had had spent one full season and parts of four seasons in the major leagues (all with the Twins) and all or part of eight seasons in the minor leagues.  He had pitched in just six MLB games since 2021.  He started the 2026 season in the Mariner’s system and was 5-5, 4.24 at Triple-A  before being sent to the Royals for cash considerations, The Royals called the 31-year-old up to the majors after two start at Triple-A Omaha.  He made his debut for the Royals July 2 and finished the month at 1-0, 1.04, allowing just three runs over 26 innings,  The Roundtable applauds that perserverane and wishes this former Twinm the besstd goinmg forward as a Royal.

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through July 31,  35.1% of the MLB season’s 125,041  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 (22.4%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.1%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

The 35.1% is up  from the 34.4% through July of 2025. I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 34.9% in 2024; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

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Red Sox Ready To Rumble

The most remarkable performance of the month came from the Red Sox, who went 21-4 and whose .840 winning percentage was the best for any calendar month in franchise history.  At the plate, the charge was led by CF Ceddanne Rafeala (.303-5-19, with 17 runs scored) and 1B Willson Contreras (.323-4-14, with 14 runs scored). Overall, the Red Sox had five players with ten or more RBI, five with 10 or more runs scored; and three with at least five home runs.  LF Jarren Duran drove in 17 runs, despite a .210 average and only one home run; while RF Wilyer Abreu hit only .186 in 25 games, but made it count, with six home runs and 14 RBI.  On the mound, rookie Jake Bennett went 4-1, 2.20  in five starts; veteran Sonny Gray went 4-1, 3.60; and Aroldis Chapman appeared in 12 games, picking up ten saves and two wins (0.75 earned run average for the month.)

The Red Sox surge was built around a 15-game winning streak (July 3-22) – tying the longest  unbeaten streak in franchise history. For those with an interest in such things, the run of victories included: nine away and ten home games; three one-run victories; three shutouts; and just one  extra-inning contest. During the streak the Red Sox scored five or more runs in 12 games and gave up two or fewer run in ten. Overall, the Red Sox outscored their opponents 88-32.   They dominated on the mound and at the plate.  During the streak, the pitching staff put up a 2.37 earned run average to the opponents’ 5.40, and fanned 125 batters to the opponents’ 119. At the plate BoSox hit .327, with 23 home runs to the opponents’ .201 and 11 homers.

An Anomoly

In July, the Nationals led the  National League in: batting average; home runs; stolen bases; total bases; walks; on-base percentage; and slugging percentage.  (They were second in runs scored.) Still, they only went 11-13.  Ah, there was that pesky NL-worst 5.22 earned run average (5.22). 

——-Team Statistical Leaders July  2026 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Braves (144); Nationals (142); Cubs (139)

American League – Red Sox (128); Tigers (126); Astros (119)

The fewest runs in July were scored by the Angels (75). In the National League, it was the Phillies (94).    

AVERAGE

National League – Nationals (.279); Padres (.269); Pirates (.267)

American League – Rangers (.253); Red Sox (.252); Tigers (.252)

The lowest team average for July belonged to the Mariners and Cardinals, both at .216.  

HOME RUNS

National League – Nationals (50); Braves (42); Reds (39)

American League – Astros (38); Rangers (35); Rays (34); Tigers (34)

The fewest home runs in July were hit by the Angels (16). The Cardinals were at the bottom of the NL at 22.

TOTAL BASES

National League – Nationals (442); Braves (407); Pirates (375)

American League – Rays (378); Tigers (361); Rangers (355); Red Sox (355)

The Nationals led MLB in July Slugging Percentage at .532. The Rangers led the AL at .443. The Nat’s were the only team to slug at least .500.

DOUBLES

National League – Brewers (59); Cubs (48); Nationals (46)

American League – Royals (49); White Sox (46); Red Sox (44)

TRIPLES

National League – Brewers (8); Rockies (7); Nationals (7)

American League – Tigers (7); Twins (6); Rays (5)

 STOLEN BASES

National League – Nationals (34); Brewers (29); Padres (27)

American League – Guardians (33); Rays (29); Royals (19); Yankees (19)

The Tigers stole the fewest sacks in July at four  – in an MLB-low seven attempts. The Braves were at the bottom of the NL with seven – in eight attempts.

WALKS DRAWN

National League – Nationals (108); Brewers (104); Padres (97)

American League – Orioles (102); Red Sox (88); Guardians (82)

The Nationals led MLB in July on-base percentage at .363. The Red sox led the NL at .337. The Yankees had MLB’s lowest July OBP at .281.  The Cardinals were at the bottom of the NL at .285. 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Reds (245); Pirates (238); Braves (226)

American League – Yankees (250); Guardians (217); Angels (217)

Blue Jays’ batters fanned the fewest times in July (150). The Nationals fanned the fewest times in the NL at 185.

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Cubs (3.74); Diamondbacks (3.74);  Reds (3.81)

American League – Red Sox (2.91); Yankees (3.03); Tigers (3.04)

The A’s had the highest July ERA at 6.61.  The Nationals had the NL’s highest ERA at 5.22.  Also over 5.00 were the Rangers (5.70) and Rockies (5.02).

The seven lowest July ERAs belonged to AL teams. 

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Phillies (246); Pirates (239); Brewers (237)

American League – Yankees (249); Guardians (236); White Sox (233)

The Phillies averaged an MLB-best 10.63 strikeouts per nine innings in July (the only team to average in double digits). The Yankees averaged an AL-best 9.79.  Eleven teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League –   Brewers (63); Cubs (68); Diamondbacks (70)

American League – Mariners (52); Red Sox (60); Rays (61)

The Mariners walked an MLB-lowest 2.25 batters per nine innings in July.   The Athletics walked an MLB-worst 4.92 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League –Braves (10); Cubs (9); three with eight

American League – Red Sox (13); Rays (11); Orioles (10); Yankees (10)

The Braves blew the most saves in July  – seven (in 17 opportunities). 

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Brewers (1.13); Dodgers (1.25); Reds (1.26)

American League:  Rays (1.02); Yankees (1.12); Tigers (1.13)

Bonus Stats:

• The A’s gave up an MLB-high 45 home runs in July. The Cardinals gave up an MLB-low 18 home runs.
• Rays’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .209 average in July. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .291 average.
• The Brewers’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for July topped MLB at 3.76. The Athletics had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.87.

—–JULY 2026 HIGHLIGHTS—–

Out Of order, But Deserving

Okay, The Roundtable usually presents these highlights in date order, but this is one I really felt deserved to be moved to the top of the list. It involves the Royals’ 28-year-old utility player/pinch runner Tyler Tolbert. Tolbert came into the season (his second on the big-league roster), with a .280 average over 64 MLB games (and a .245 average over six minor-league seasons). Tolbert started this season with the Royals, but was sent back down to Triple-A on April 19 (after just five plate appearances) and then called back up to the Royals on May 22. Long story short, he looked to serve primarily as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.

As of July 1, he had appeared in 29 games for the Royals this season, hitting .200-0-1 in 35 at bats. But Tolbert was about to unleash some offensive fireworks … starting appropriately with a game on the Fourth of July.

Here’s a run down:

• July 4, in a Royals 6-1 loss to the Phillies (in Kansas City), Tolbert started RF, batting ninth. He beat out an infield single in the bottom of the third inning; recorded a groundball single in the hole to RF in the fifth; was removed for a pinch hitter in the seventh.
• July 5, did not play in a 5-2 win over the Phillies.
• July 6, as the Royals swamped the Phillies 15-1, Tolbert, at SS and batting seventh: Beat out a groundball single (to SS) in the first inning; lashed a double to CF in the third; led off the fifth with a home run; added an infield single in the sixth; and a single to center in the eighth.
• July 7, as the Royals topped the Mets 16-12 in New York, Tolbert, in RF batting ninth; hit a two-run homer in the second; rapped a single to right field in the fourth; beat out a groundball single (to 3B) in the fifth; recorded another groundball single (to SS) in the sixth; collected another groundball single (to SS) in the seventh; flied out to right in the ninth.

Now, if you were reading closely, you will see that Tolbert, again hitting just .200-0-1 gaining into the July 4 game, ran off a string of 12 consecutive hits in 12 plate appearances. Tolbert’s hits-in-consecutive-plate-appearances streak tied the MLB record – a feat achieved only twice before in MLB history (Walt Dropo, Tigers, 1952 and Johnny Kling, Cubs, 1901).  Jose Miranda (2024 Twins) and Pinky Higgins (1938 Red Sox) also collected 12 hits in 12 consecutive at bats (but not 12 consecutive plate appearances).

At the end of the July 7 game, Tolbert’s stat line was .396-2-5.  He finished July at .333-6-14 on the season.

Oh, Come On!!!

On July 5, Marlins’ righty Eury Perez was cruising to a win over the Athletics (in Sacramento). After seven innings, The Marlins were up 8-0 … AND Perez had fanned eight and was yet to allow a baserunner.  He was 92 pitches and seven innings into a perfect game. And, this point, Marlins’ Manager Clayton McCullough decided to pull Perez (in his third start since coming back from a leg strain) from the game.

MLB.com reported it was just the third time in the Modern ERA that a pitcher had been pulled from a game with a perfect game intact after at least seven innings.  The other two were the Dodgers’ Rich Hill (September 19, 2016) and Clayton Kershaw (April 13, 2022). In both previous cases, the manager was Dave Roberts (so at least, McCullough took Roberts a little off the hook).

I was at the Kershaw game (April 13, 2022 against my Twins at Target Field). As I reported on this blog then, I joined both Twins and Dodgers fans in voicing my displeasure with the move by  Dodger Manager Roberts. The reason given was a desire to protect Kershaw ‘s arm early in the season after a lockout and short Spring Training. (I should note that in none of these three games resulted a combined perfecto – or even a no-hitter – being completed.  In fact, in the Perez’ game, the Marlins had to hang on for a 9-8 victory.)

Here, I will repeat my comment after witnessing the pulling of Kershaw with a Perfecto intact “I found myself trying to imagine what would have happened  in the same situation with the likes of Jack Morris, Bob Gibson or Don Drysdale on the bump.”

Do We Get Overtime For This?

On July 6, The Dodgers played their 92nd game of the season, picking up their 60th win. But that game and victory were different in all that went before them in 2026. That 60th victory took 11 innings, ending on a walk-off single by C Dalton Rushing – and it marked an end to the Dodgers’ first extra-inning game of the season.

#InBaseballWeCountEvreythuing. The Elias Sports Bureau reports that this is the second-most games before an extra-inning contest in any season. On July 25, 2005, the Red Sox lost to the Devil Rays (they were the Devil Rays back then) 4-3 in ten innings, their first extra-inning game (and 99th game) of the season. The Red Sox, by the way, went extra innings again, the very next game, a 10-inning 10-9 win over Tampa. They, in fact, played eight extra-inning games in their last 63 contests that season (after zero extra innings in their first 98 games).

An Exercise in Futility

On June 6 and 7, while splitting a pair of Games to the Rays in Tampa, the Yankees set a new franchise record for strikeouts in two consecutive games (34) – fanning 17 times in each one.  Key among the culprits were 1B Paul Goldschmidt (seven strikeouts in eight plate appearances over the two games), LF Cody Bellinger (five strikeouts in eight PA), SS Jose Caballero (four strikeouts in seven PA) and 2B Jazz Chisholm, Jr. (four strikeouts in seven plate appearances).

In the first game, a 5-1 Yankees’ win, Caballero was the only Yankee starter not to whiff at least once, and six of the starters recorded multiple strikeouts. In the second game, a 6-4 Yankee loss, Goldschmidt and Caballero each fanned four times in four plate appearances.

More (Sho)hei Time

On July 7, as the Dodgers lost to the Rockies by a 4-3 score (in LA), DH Shohei Ohtani rapped his 20th home run of the season, a solo shot of Mike Lorenzen, leading off the bottom of the first inning. While it didn’t lead to a Yankee win, it was a significant blow – Ohtani’s 300th MLB career homer.  The blast came in his 1,102st career MLB game.  The Elias Sports Bureau indicated the only players to get to 300 faster are: Aaron Judge (953 games); Ralph Kiner (1,086); Ryan Howard (1,091) and Juan Gonzalez (1,093).

It also made Ohtani just the second player to leadoff a game for this team with a 300th career blast (joining Steve Finley). And, of course, one must keep in mind that Ohtani also has recorded 755 strikeouts as a pitcher. Only one other player with at least 300 home runs has at least 500 punchouts as a pitcher (Babe Ruth at 501). Third on the list is Jimmie Foxx with 11 strikeouts as a moundsman.

Coming Out Hot

On July 7, as the Pirates crushed the Braves 12-4 in Pittsburgh, Pirates’ 1B Ryan O’Hearn came out hot.

• In the bottom of the first, he hit a Grand slam off Braves’ starter Hurston Waldrep;
• In the third frame, he took Waldrep deep again, a three-run shot this time;
• In the fourth, he grounded out (off reliever Connor Thomas), with two on and one out;
• In the sixth, he torched Thomas for his second three-run dinger of the game.

At this point, O’Hearn had driven in all ten Pirate runs (they led 10-2). And, with three innings left to play, the MLB records of four homers in a game and 12 RBI in a game were a possibility.  He got one more hit – a single of Jorge Mateo in the eighth – but still an unforgettable day at the plate.

For those who like to know such things, 17 players have recorded ten or more RBI in a game and, of those, 11 hit three or more home runs in the contest.  Mark Whiten’s is the most notable of these offensive outbursts. On September 7, 1993, Whiten had a game in which he tied the record for homers in a game (4) AND the record for RBI in a game (12). He’s the only player to reach both those marks in the same contest.

Feel Good Story For July

On July 9, 26-year-old, Eduardo Valencia made his MLB debut – pinch-hitting for Tiger’s DH Kerry Carpenter, leading off the bottom of the seventh inning, with his Tigers ahead of the Athletics 3-1. It was a BIG moment for Valencia, in his eighth professional season (he signed with the Tigers, out of Venezuela, as an 18-year-old in 2018), having hit .273-52-262 in 439 minor-league games . When he weas called up, the C-1B was hitting .267-16-49 at Triple-A Toledo (following a breakout .311-24-95 season at Double-A and Triple-A in 2025). His trip to The Show has not been an easy one, interrupted by hamstring injuries, Tommy John surgery and hand surgery.

Well, if making the BIGs, was BIG, Valencia made it even BIGGER. In that first MLB  plate appearance, he hit a 2-1 pitch from the Athletics Hogan Harris for a 425-foot home run to center field He came up once more in the game, with two out and one on in the eighth, and got a different kind of introduction to the major leagues – being hit by a pitch from Mark Leiter, Jr.

Getting A Running Start

On July 12, Rockies’ RF Jake McCarthy popped his tenth home run of the 2026 season.  He did not, however, enjoy a leisurely trot around the bases.  The four-bagger was an inside-the-parker, leading off the game (top of the first), on a 0-1 pitch from the Giants’ Trevor McDonald. (It would be the only run plated by the Rockies, who dropped a 3-1 decision  to the Giants.  But that’s not what made the running four-bagger a highlight.  The roundtripper was McCarthy’s second lead-ff inside-the-park home run of the season.  One June 20, He led off the bottom of the first (of  a 2-1 Rockies’ home win over the Pirates) with an inside-the-park home run off a 2-1 pitch from Pirates’ ace Paul Skenes. It made McCarthy the first player to notch a pair of leadoff inside-the-park homers in the same season since Edd Roush (yes, it has two d’s) in 1929. Side Note: McCarthy indicated he had not had an inside-the-park homer at any level until this season. That, indeed, makes it a Highlight.

A Bicycle with a Banana Seat

On July 10, as the White Sox rippled the Athletics 14-1 in Chicago. ChiSox CF Tristan Peters (hitting in the nine-hole), had quite the day. Peters, who played for the Savannah Bananas in 2021, delivered like this:

• Bottom of the third inning … Double to CF off Aaron Civale;
• Bottom of the fifth … Groundball single (Civale);
• Bottom of the seventh … Two-run home run off Justin Sterner AND an RBI-triple off Mason Barnett.

Yep, a four-for-four day, with a cycle.  It was, by the way, the third cycle of 2026: Peters; Bryce Harper, Phillies (June 20); and Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (June 15).

Well, That’ll Turn Your Season Around

Nationals’ 1B Andre Chaparro came into the Nats’ July 17 game against the Athletics (in Sacramento), hitting .167-1-7 on the season (31 games) and with just  five hits and three RBI since July 1 (19 games.) Then, as the Nationals trounced the Athletics 23-4, Chaparro (oddly, still batting in the three-hole), went four-for-five, with two home runs, a walk,  four runs scored and eight RBI.  So, to that point in the season, that one game saw Chaparro collect: 23.5% of his total hits on the season; 23.5% of his total runs scored; 66.6% of his total home runs; and 53.3% of  his total RBI.  Not a bad day at the office.  (Of course, it was  at Sutter Health Park.)

A Little Role Reversal or “DH? I don’t need no stinkin’ DH”

On July 17, with the Braves leading the Rangers 12-0 in the top of the eighth (in Atlanta), Braves’ skipper Walt Weiss decided to give his All Star position players a little “time off.”  So, C Joey Bart (batting in the leadoff spot) replaced All Star C Drake Baldwin; Jorge Mateo (batting in the two-hole) replaced All Star 2B Ozzie Albies and starting DH Dominic Smith (staying in the six-hole) moved over to 1B, replacing All Star Matt Olson at 1B. That third move  (Smith’s move from DH) meant the Braves lost their DH and new pitcher Victor Mederos took a spot in the batting order (Olson’s number-three spot).  Fate stepped in to make it a memorable move.

It was a lopsided game and the Rangers brought in a position player (catcher Kyle Higashioka) to pitch the bottom of the eighth. (It was Higashioka’s third “pitching” appearance of the season. ) As fate would have it, Maderos was slated to bat sixth in the inning and the Braves went: home run, (Austin Riley); groundout (Jim Jarvis); walk (Brewer Hicklen); line out (Bart); ground rule double (Mateo).  This brought Mederos to the plate with runners on second and third and two out.  So, we now had a catcher on the mound and a pitcher at the plate. Maderos responded (using Olson’s bat and batting gloves) to this role reversal by hitting a 42 MPH,  1-1 offering from Higashioka past Rangers’ 3B Josh Jung for a two-run single.

Champions Are Always Ready

On July 18, the Chicago Cubs invited member the Cubs 2016 World Series Champion team to take part in the christening of a new Champions Gate” monument outside Wrigley Field – and then, later, the champion teammates settled in to enjoy the game (versus the Twins) in the right field bleachers. In the bottom of the first inning, Cubs’ 1B Michael Busch blasted a homer to deep right field off Twins starter Taj Bradley. Who should catch the long ball? None other than Anthony Rizzo, first baseman for that 2016 World Series Championship team. Rizzo held the ball aloft – along with his toddler son – as his 2016 teammates and Chicago fans cheered and applauded his effort. Seem like a highlight to me.

Oh, and the Cubs won the game 6-2.

Complete Game, Always A Highlight

On July 19, Dodgers’ righty  Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw his first-ever MLB Regular season  complete game, tossing a four-hitter (two runs, no walks, seven strikeouts), as the Dodgers topped the Yankees 8-2 in New York.  Yamamoto used 102 pitches (69 strikes ) to complete the gem, which came in his 66^th MLB regular-season start. It ran his 2026 record to 10-6, 2.78 in 18 starts. As July closed out, MLB had seen a total of 12 complete games this season.

Why did I use the modifier regular-season to describe Yamamoto’s  July complete game? Notably, last year, Yamamoto pitched a complete game in the National League Championship and another in the World Series, making him just one of two pitchers (the other is Josh Beckett) to throw their first two MLB complete games in the post-season.

Hunting The Long Ball

On July 19, Rockies’ C Hunter Goodman went three-for-four, with three runs scored and five RBI, as Colorado lost to the  Reds 9-6 in Colorado. Notably, three of his hits were home runs, giving him 30 on the season and marking his second three-homer game of the season (the first was in an 8-5 win over the Twins at Target Field) on June 27. The July 19^th performance made him the first Rockies’ player with two three-homer games in a season. Hunter finished July with a .251-31-60 stat line on the season. Notably, despite Coors Fields reputation as a hitters’ paradise, 18 of Goodman’s 31 2026 long balls have come on the road.

2,000 for Nolan

On July 20, in Diamondbacks 5-2 loss to the Athletics, Arizona 3B Nolan Arenado collected a fifth-inning  double off Jeffrey Springs (it was Arenado’s only hit in a one-for-four performance). It makes the highlights because it was the 2000^th hit in Arenado’s 14-season MLB career. It also made Arenado one of only six players to amass the combination of at least 2,000 hits, 350 homers and ten Gold Gloves. The other five, by the way, are all in the Baseball Hall of Fame: Willie Mays, Johnny Bench, Al Kaline, Mike Schmidt and Ken Griffey, Jr. Not bad company. For those who like to know such things, Arenado was a Gold Glover at third base in each of his first ten MLB seasons (2013-2022).  Over his first ten seasons, Arenado hit .289, with 1,520 hits,  299 home runs and 968 RBI.

First Triple Play Of The 2026 Season

On July 21, the Miami Marlins turned the first tuple play of the 2026 MLB season – and it was a true around-the-horn triple killing. In came in the bottom of the eighth with the Astros up 5-3 and Zach “Password” Brzykcy on the  mound for Miami. Astros’ DH Yordan Alvarez led off with a groundball single between first and second (on an Brzykcy’s first pitch).  3B  Isaac Paredes then singled  to center on a 2-2 pitch. Next up was 2B  Jose Altuve, who grounded a 1-0 pitch to Miami third basemen Leo Jimenez, who stepped on the bag for out number-one and then fired to 2B Xavier Edwards for out number-two. Edwards pivoted and fired to  1B Kyle Stower and the triple killing was compete. The Astros, by the way, prevailed in the game 5-3.

What!  Someone Upstaged the “Sho”

Okay, this a little of #InBaseballWeCountEverything. On July 23, as the Blue Jays lost to the Red Sox 6-4 in Fenway Park, Blue Jays ‘ 3B Kazuma Okamoto went two-for-five, with one run scored and three RBI. One of his hits was a seventh-inning, three-run homer, his 23rd home run of the season. That gave Okamoto sole possession of the record for home runs by a Japanese-born player in his rookie MLB season (surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s 22 in 2018.   Okamoto signed with the Blue Jays this January, after 11 seasons in Japan, where he topped 30 home runs in six campaigns, a high of 41 in 2023

Immaculate Inning, But Not Quite Enough

On July 23, Guardians righty Gavin Williams had swing-and-miss stuff, fanning 11 batters (no walks) in seven innings versus the Twins (in Cleveland). In the fourth inning, with the game still tied 0-0, he threw 2026’s second Immaculate Inning (three up- three down – three strikeouts -nine pitches) – fanning Twins’ CF Byron Buxton, C Ryan Jeffers and DH Josh Bell on nine pitches.  He  fanned Buxton on a four-seam fastball, Jeffers on a sweeper and Bell on a sinker (all three went down swinging). Despite Williams’ sterling performance, the Twins prevailed, winning 3-1 in 12 innings. Williams gave up just one run in his seven-inning stint.

Movin’ On Up … with Salvy

On July 25, as the Royals edged the  Tigers 3-2 in Kansas City, Royals’ C/DH Salvador Perez hit his 15th home run of the 2026 season, a solo shot off Kyle Finnegan leading  off seventh (and tying the game at 2-2). For highlights purposes, it was his 318th career home run (all as a Royal), moving him past George Brett for the most career homers by a player in a Royals’ jersey. The 36-year-old Perez, in his 15th MLB season, ended July with a .214-15-45 stat line on the season.

A National(ly) Recognized Figure

On July 26, as the Nationals topped the Diamondbacks 10-7 ats Nationals Park, Nationals’ SS CJ Abrams went three-fo- five with two runs scored and three RBI. Two of his hits were home runs, giving him 27 on the season and the franchise record for the most homers in a season by a SS (previously held by Ian Desmond, with 25 in 2012).

Here We Go Again – Another Bobblehead Day Saga

It seems like every month we find a player delivering on their Bobblehead Day.  This time it was White Sox’ 1B Munetaka  Murakami, who delivered a three-for-five day, with two homers and six RBI July 26, when the White Sox gave away bobblehead commemorating Murakami’s Opening Day home run in Milwaukee. The White Sox, by the way, won the game 12-3.

Murakami signed with the White Sox this pasts off-season after eight seasons in in Japan, where he was a two-time Most Valuable Player and won the Japanese Triple Crown with a .318-56-134 season in 2022.

The Miz Strikes Again

On July 26, in a Brewers 11-2 win over the Rockies, Brewers’ flamethrowing right Jacob Misiorowski fanned the first seven batters he faced (and 12 of the first thirteen). In the five-inning outing, “The Miz” relied on his four-seam fastball (using it on 66 of 83 pitches) – and every single four-seamer reached at least 100 MPH, beating his own record (in the pitch tracking era) of 58 pitches of 100 MPH or more in a single outing.  Misiorowski got the win, running his record to 11-4, 1,58.

Really Small Ball

On July 27, the Astros came to the plate in the top of the ninth trailing the Angels 4-2.  They then mounted a comeback that saw them plate four runs on just one hit.  It went like this:

• CF Taylor Trammell… hit by an 0-1 pitch from Jose Fermin, goes to second on a passed ball, while 1B Christian Walker is at bat;
• Walker singles to center, Trammell goes to third;
• Nick Allen runs for Walker;
• CF Lucas Spence safe on an error by Angels’ second baseman Vaughn Grissom, Trammell scores, Allen to third;
• C Christian Vazquez out (bunting) on a flyball to 1B;

Sam Bachman replaces Fermin on the mound.

• SS Jeremy Pena grounds to third, reaches first base (fielder’s choice) as Allen is retired at home;
• DH Yordan Alvarez is intentionally walked, loading the bases;
• 3B Isaac Parades is hit by a pitch, forcing in a run;
• RF LaMonte wade Jr. walks, forcing in a run, Cam Smith pinch runs for Wade;
• 2B Jose Altuve is safe on an error by the pitcher, another run scores;
• Trammel bats for the second time in the inning and strikes out.

Total: Four runs; one hit; two hit by pitch; two walks; two errors; one passed ball.

The Angels did not score in the bottom of the ninth, with the Astros winning 6-4.

Another Feel Good Story … The Travels, Travails and Trials Of A Ballplayer 

Twenty-nine-year-old Yankees’ catcher Ali Sanchez, who began his professional career in 2014 (as a Mets” farmhand), has been around.  He toiled (Catchers do toil, don’t they?) in the Mets’ farm system until 2020, when he saw action in five MLB games. In 2021, he found himself in the Cardinals’ farm system, seeing  action in just two major-league games. In 2022, he was claimed (off waivers) by the Tigers in June and spent the year at Triple-A (in the Cardinals’ and Tigers’ systems).

In October, after the 2022 season, the Pirates selected him off waivers (from the Tigers) and then in December, he was selected off waivers by the Diamondbacks and spent the 2023 season at Triple-A.

In November 2023, he was again granted free agency and signed with the Pirates in December.

In March of 2024, he was granted free agency and signed with the Cubs, who sold him to the Marlins in June. He spent most of the season at Triple-A, but did take the field for 21 MLB games for the Marlins.

In October 2024, he was again a free agent and, in December,  he signed with the Blue Jays, who granted him free agency June 5, 2025 and then resigned him June 6. In August of that season, he was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox and 13 days later again granted free agency.  Two days after that (August 23), he signed as a free agent with the Mets, who traded him to the Red Sox on August 31. On the season, he appeared in 57 minor-league games and 12 MLB contests (eight for the Blue Jays and four for the Red Sox).

On October 6, 2025, he was again granted free agency and in signed with the Yankees.   At this point in his professional career, he had appeared in just 50 MLB games (for five different teams) and had a stat line of .183-0-4.

The Yankees started Sanchez at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre and called him up to the big club in early June, with C Austin Wells facing health issues.  Sanchez was hitting  .227-6-11 at Triple-A at the time.) Long story short. Oh never mind, it’s already a long story. On June 27, in his 13^th pro-season and after  737 minor-league games and 75 MLB games, Ali Sanchez hit his first MLB home run in a Yankees’ 9-5 win over the White Sox in Chicago. It was a three-run shot, off a 3-2 pitch from Sean Newcombe, in the top of the eighth inning – a moment Sanchez has waited a long time for and one he’ll never forget. Clearly, Sanchez is a feel-good story of perseverance.

Challenges: You  Win Some, You Lose Some – and Sometimes You Even Lose the Ones You Win

In the first inning of a Guardians/Reds doubleheader (in Cincinnatti), the Guardians got off to a fast start, quickly loading the bases with one out in the top of the first (groundout, single, error, walk). A flyout to short centre was next and the Reds’ were so very close to escaping with no damage. That brought up Guardians’ 1B Kyle Manzardo to face Reds’ starter Chase Burns. Monzardo worked the count to 2-2, and appeared to be hit on the right hand by a high-and-inside 98.8 MPH  four-seam fastball, forcing in a run and leaving the bases loaded.  However, Reds’ manager Terry Francona challenged the umpire’s call, winning the challenge, sending the runner back to third base and bringing Manzardo (who came into the game hitting .211-11-32) back to the plate.  Manzardo hit the next pitch for his first career Grand Slam and the Guardiana went on to win 6.5. (Sweet justice in my book.)

Tigers Plate At Least  One Run In Every Inning

On July 28, the Tigers ended a three-game losing streak by toppin the Orioles 14-0 in Detroit. They gave the home town fans a treat, scoring in every inning and (per Elias Sports Bureau) becoming just the second team in the Modern Era to sore in every inning in a game in which the opposition did not score in any inning (joining the 1935 Pirates in a September 6 13-0 win over the Dodgers.   In the July 28, game,  the Tigers collected 19 hits (with two home runs from  C Eduardo Valencia and one long ball from 2B Gleyber Torres) and drew four walks.

Rumors Surround Skubal, As He Notches K Number 1,000 As A Tiger

On July 29, with trade deadline rumors flying surrounding his possible departure from Detroit, Tarik Skubal …. facing the Orioles in Detroit … placed an exclamation point on his Tigers’ career.  Skubal went 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on four hits (one walk), while fanning six. His first strikeout of the contest, Orioles’ leadoff hitter/LF Taylor Ward in the top of the first, was Skubal’s 1000^th strikeout as a Tiger.  As of July 31, had notched 1,005 strikeouts in 863 1/3 MLB innings.

Skubal left the game in the top of the seventh, with two men on,  one out and the Bengals leadings 7-1.  The Tigers, expected by many to be sellers at the seadine, went on to lose the game 10-9 in 12 innings.

100 For Torkelson … That Pairs Well With That

In the same game (July 29) that Tarik Skubal notched his 1,000th career MLB strikeout (see Highlight just above), Tiger 1B Spencer Torkelson hit his 20th home run of the season and the 100th of his five-season (1022-26) MLB career.

#InBaseballWeCountEverythning. Sarah Langs (MLB.com) reports that (per Elias Sports Bureau) it is the fourth time time MLB history that a team has seen a player hit his 100th home run and another (on the same team) notch his 1,000th strikeout in the  same game.  The other pairings: Mark Kotsay and Barry Zito, 2006 Athletics; Jay Johnstone and Dick Ruthven, 1983 Cubs; and Dwight Evans and Mike Torrez, 1979 Red Sox.

An Ultimate “Ultimate” Slam

On July 30, at Target Field, the Twins were paying a painful game against the Royals. The Twins hadn’t recorded their first hit until the seventh inning  (a single by C Ryan Jeffers), had surrendered a run on a fielding gaff in the fifth and were facing a 3-0 deficit with two out and no one on base in the ninth (and they still had just the one hit),  Then things took an historic turn. Jeffers was hit by a pitch by the Royals’ Lucas Erceg,

Next up was Twins 2B Royce Lewis, who  singled to shallow center  on a 2-2 pitch (one strike away from defeat).

Next up was DH Josh Bell, who fouled off a couple of pitches (again one strike away from defeat), before drawing a walk.

That brought Matt Strahm in from the bullpen to replace Erceg.

At the plate was RF Kody Clemens and Strahm quickly got ahead of him 0-2, putting the Twins again one strike away from a 3-0 loss.  Clemens, however, hit Strahm’s 0-2 offering to deep right-center for  a Grand Slam home run – known as an “Ultimate  Slam,” defined as a walk-off Grand Slam with your team trailing by three runs.

Thanks primarily to Elias Sport Bureau, it didn’t take long to understand the historic significance of this Ultimate Slam. The big blast:

• Was the 34^th Ultimate Slam in MLB history;
• Was the first Ultimate Slam, since pitch tracking began in 1988, to be hit on a two-out, 0-2 count;
• Was the first time ever that a team, after being held hitless for at least six-plus innings, won a game with a walk-off Grand Slam;
• Made the Twins only the third team in MLB history to hit a walk-off Grand Slam after having bases empty and two out in the final inning.

Icing on the cake. It was Twins’ Manager Derek Shelton‘s 56th birthday birthday.

Oh yes, and luckily, I was at the game, with my brother Bob and buddy Scotty  – a good time was had by all.

Okay, This Is Getting Out Of Hand … An $11 MIllion Baseball Card … And No Bubble Gum

Thanks to Bryan Horowitz (MLB.com) for this reporting. As July reached it’s 31st day, it was reported that a Shohei Ohtani (one-of-0ne) Topps Back to Back Gold Gold Logoman Autograph Relics baseball card (pulled from a Topps Chrome Pack in late July) was sold at auction for $11 million. This comes about eight months after an Ohtani Topps Chrome Logoman Autograph card was sold at auction for $3 million.  For a little background, the Logoman patch cards involve MLB major-award winners wearing a gold MLB logo patch on the back collar of their jerseys. When a player has a momentous game while wearing the patches, those patches are then embedded in a one-of-one Topps card which is autographed by the player. The $11 million card featured two patches:  one worn in an Ohtani two-homer game in September 2025 and another worn when he hit a leadoff homer at Dodger Stadium April 12 of this season.

Too much information. Only two sports cards have sold for more than $11 million: A 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection  Dual Logoman Auto (featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant) at $12.9 million and a 1952 Mickey Mantle ($12.6 million).

—–July 2026 Individual Stats—–

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 60 June at bats)

American League: Steven Kwan, Guardians (.390); Jeremy Pena, Astros (.381); Chandler Simpson, Rays (.365)

National League: Nick Gonzales, Pirates (.388); Curtis Mead, Nationals (.367); Gabriel Moreno, D-backs (.362)

The lowest July average among players with at least 60 at bats belonged to the Orioles’ Leody Taveras at .133 (8-for-60).

HITS

American League: Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox (33); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (31); Chandler Simpson, Rays (31)

National League: Nick Gonzales, Pirates (40); Gabriel Moreno, DibvaCks (34); Michael Harris II, Braves (34)

The Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong and Marlins’ Heriberto Hernandez led MLB in July extra-base hits with 16.  (Crow-Armstrong with eight doubles, two triples and six home runs); Hernandez with eight doubles and eight home runs.)

HOME RUNS

American League: Yordan Alvarez, Astros (9); Ben Rice, Yankees (8); Junior Caminero, Rays (7)

National League:  CJ Abrams, Nationals (10); James Wood, Nationals (9); Matt Olson, Braves (9)

The Nationals’ CJ Abrams led all players with at least 60 June at bats in slugging percentage at .742. The Astros’ Yordan Alvarez led the AL at .721.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Yordan Alvarez Astros (22); Ben Rice, Yankees (19); Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox  (19)

National League: Sal Stewart, Reds (25); Esmerlyn Valdez, Pirates (25); CJ Abrams, Nationals (23)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Caleb Durbin, Red Sox (18); Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox (17); Randy Arozarena, Mariners (17);  Jeremy Pena, Astros (17); Miguel Vargas, White Sox (17)

National League: James Wood, Nationals (26); Matt Olson, Braves (21); Jordan Walker, Cardinals (20); JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals (20)

DOUBLES

American League: Miguel Vargas, White Sox 10); Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox (9); Lane Thomas, Royals (8); Andruw Monasterio, Red Sox (8)

National League: Alex Bregman, Cubs (10): Brice Turang, Brewers (9); Garrett Michell, Brewers (9)

TRIPLES

American League:  Kody Clemens, Twins (3); eight with two

National League: Otto Lopez, Marlins (3); Bryson Stott, Phillies (3); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (3)

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Chandler Simpson, Rays (8); Tyler Tolbert, Royals (7); Kahlil Watson, Guardians (7)

National League: Elly De La Cruz, Reds (10); Esteury Ruiz, Marlins  (9); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (7);  Nasim Nunez, Nationals (7)

The Reds’ Esteury Ruiz stole the most July bases without getting caught (9).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Carter Jensen, Royals (39); Jazz Chisholm, Jr. Yankees (32); Cal Raleigh, Mariners (32)

National League: Eugenio Suarez, Reds (41); Austin Riley, Braves (40); Esmerlyn Valdez , Pirates (38)

WALKS

American League:  Taylor Ward, Orioles (20); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (17); Jackson Holliday, Orioles (16)

National League: James Wood, Nationals (25); Juan Soto, Mets (18); Drake Baldwin, Braves (17); Ell De La Cruz, Reds (17)

The highest on-base percentage among players with at least 60 July at bats was .488, by the Red Sox’  Willson Contreras. The NL leader was the Nationals’ Curtis Mead at .465.

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:  Jake Bennett, Red Sox (4-1); Sonny Gray, Red Sox (4-1); 13 with three

National League:  Brandon Pfaadt, D-backs (4-0); Chris Sale, Braves (4-0); Foster Griffin, Nationals (4-1)

Three pitchers recorded four July losses: Athletics’ Gage Jump (1-4, 5.87); Padres’ Griffin Canning (1-4, 5.50); and Phillies’ Aaron Nola (0-4, 4.34).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 June innings)

American League: Troy Melton, Tigers (0.92); Dylan Cease, Blue Jays (01.00); Randy Dobnak, Royals (1.04)

National League: Kyle Leahy, Cardinals (1.38); Shota Imanaga, Cubs (1.53); Matthew Boyd, Cubs (1.67)

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Gavin Williams, Guardians (51K / 31 2/3 IP); Taj Bradley, Twins (48K / 37 IP); Dylan Cease, Blue Jays (46K / 36 IP)

National League: Zack Wheeler, Phillies (49K / 27 2/3 IP); Paul Skenes, Pirates (42K / 31 2/3 IP): Jesus Luzardo, Phillies (41K / 31 1/3 IP)

INNINGS PITCHED

American League: Taj Bradley, Twins (37); Dylan Cease, Blue Jays ((36); Seth Lugo, Royals (33 1/3)

National League: Shane Drehan, Brewers (36); Sandy Alcantara, Marlins (35); Matthew Boyd, Cubs, (32 1/3)

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 20 July innings)

American League: Paul Blackburn, Yankees (0.69); Dylan Cease, Blue Jays (0.72); Cam Schlittler,Yankees (0.73)

National League: Jared Jones, Pirates (0.63); Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (0.67); Logan Henderson, Brewers (0.76)

Among pitches with at least 20 July innings, the Yankees’ Paul Blackburn held batters to the lowest average at .0.94.

SAVES

American League:  Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox (10); Bryan Baker, Rays (9); David Bednar, Yankees (7); Louis Varland, Blue Jays (7)

National League:  Raisel Iglesias, Braves (7); Mason Miller, Padres (7) ; Trevor McGill, Brewers (6)

Aroldis Chapman of the Red Sox saved the most games without a blown save in July (10).  

 

If the season had ended July 31, the playoff teams would have been:

National League

Dodgers, Brewers, Braves     Wild Cards: Cubs, Diamondbacks, Phillies

American League

Rays, White Sox, Astros       Wild Cards: Yankees, Red Sox, Twins  (Twins and Guardians had same record, Twins held tiebreaker edge.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; MLB.com; Elias Sports Bureau

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  

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

P 1181

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.  This week, we’re looking at pitchers who turned in seasons of twenty or more victories after turning age forty.

Here’s the chart, and details follow.

Warren Spahn, LHP

In 1963, Braves’ southpaw Warren Spahn – in his age-42 season – became (and still is) the oldest MLB pitcher to record a 20-win season, going 23-7, 2.60, with an MLB-leading 22 complete games in 33 starts. That season Spahn finished second in the NL in shutouts (7) third in wins, seventh in earned run average and eighth in innings pitched. Even at 42, Spahn did not fade as the season wore on. He was 12-4, 2.67, with 11 complete games in the first half and 11-3, 2.54, with 11 complete games in the second half.  His 23 wins in 1963 are the most ever for a pitcher in a post-40 season.

Spahn is also one of only two MLB pitchers to log two 20-win seasons after turning 40 (Cy Young is the other). In 1961, at age 40, Spahn went 21-13, 3.02 in 38 starts leading the NL in wins, earned run average complete games and shutouts (4).

Spahn played in 21 MLB seasons (1942, 1946-65 … with the Braves in all but his final season, which he split between the Mets and Giants). His 363 MLB wins are the most ever for a southpaw and he recorded 13 seasons of 20 or more victories, leading the NL in wins eight timers (five seasons consecutively from 1957 through 1961), ERA three times, complete games nine times (seven consecutively, 1957-63), shutouts four times, innings pitched four times and strikeouts four times. His final MLB stat line was 363-245, 3.09 with 382 complete games and 63 shutouts in 665 starts (750 appearances).

Cy Young, RHP

Cy Young was the first pitcher to record a 20-win season after turning forty, when he went 21-15, 1.99 (as a 40-year-old) for the 1907 Red Sox. Then, he proved it was no fluke, by going 21-11, 1.26 for the 1908 Red Sox in his age-41 season. Young, of course, holds the record for MLB victories at 511.  He pitched in 22 MLB seasons (1890-1911 … Cleveland Spiders, Saint Louis Browns, Boston Americans/Red Sox, Cleveland Naps), going 511-315, 2.63 and holds the all-time MLB records for wins (511), losses (315), starts (815), complete games (749) and innings pitched (7356). Side note: Over his 22-season MLB career, Young averaged 334 1/3 frames pitched per season.

Young had 16 seasons of 20 or more wins (five of those 30 or more); leading the league in wins five times. He also led the league in earned run average twice, games started once, complete games three times, shutouts seven times, innings pitched twice and strikeouts twice.

 

Jamie Moyer, LHP

Jaimie Moyer is the pitcher with the most recent 20-win season after turning forty. In 2003, he went 21-7, 3.27 for the Seattle Mariners. That season, he had one complete game in 33 starts. Moyer was a poster-boy for longevity on the mound, pitching in 25 MLB seasons (1986-91, 1993-2010 and 2012 … Cubs, Rangers, Cardinals, Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Phillies, Rockies). He recorded his first MLB win on June 16, 1986 (at age 23) and his final MLB win on May 16, 2012 (at age 49), one month shy of 24 years later.

Over his 25 MLB seasons, Moyer went 269-209, 4.25, with 33 complete games and ten shutouts in 638 starts (696 appearances). He was a 20-game winner only twice.  In his age-40 season and in his age-38 season (2001, when he went 20-6, 3.43 for the Mariners).

Moyer did win at least ten games in 15 seasons and finished above .500 in 15. He is the only pitcher on this list not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Phil Niekro, RHP

Phil Niekro had perhaps the most unusual post-40, 20-win season. In 1979, pitching for the Braves, the 40-year-old Niekro went 21-20, 3.39. He currently holds the distinction of being the last MLB pitcher to win at least 20 games and lose at least 20 games in the same season.

In that age-40 campaign, Niekro led the league in wins AND losses, games started (44), complete games (23), innings pitched (342), home runs allowed (41), walks allowed (113), and hit-by-pitch (11).

Niekro pitched in 24 MLB seasons (1964-87 … Braves, Yankees, Indians, Blue Jays), going 318-274, 3.35, with 245 complete games and 45 shutouts in 716 starts (864 total appearances). He led the league in wins twice, losses four times (consecutively 1977-80), earned run average once, games started four times, complete games four times, innings pitched four times and strikeouts once.  He won 20 or more games in three seasons and twice lost 20 in a season.

Grover Cleveland Alexander, RHP

Grover Cleveland  Alexander went 21-10, 2.52, with 22 complete games in 30 starts (37 appearances), as a forty-year-old, for the 1927 Cardinals. It was the last of nine 20+ win seasons (three of 30 or more) for Alexander. Alexander led the league in wins five times, earned run average four times (four consecutively, 1914-17) , games started three times, complete games six times (four consecutively, 1914-17), shutouts seven times, innings pitched seven times (four consecutively 1914-17) and strikeouts six times( four consecutively 1914-17). (From 1914 through 1917, Alexander averaged 30.3 wins, a 1.74 ERA, 35 complete games and 377 innings pitched per season. )

Alexander pitched in 20 MLB seasons (1911-30 … Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals), going 373-208, 2.56 with 436 complete games and 90 shutouts in 600 starts (696 appearances).

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  

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

P 1180

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This week, we’re looking at the 300-inning season, starting with the question “Who was the last pitcher to throw 300 or more innings in a single season?”  That would be Steve Carlton of the Phillies, way back in 1980, when he went 24-9, 2.34 (with 13 complete games in 38 starts and 304 innings pitched).

Well, as usual, one thing led to another and I took a deeper look a season of 300 or more innings pitched.  There have been 864 such seasons, with 486 in the 28 seasons from 1872-99 and 378 in the 126 completed seasons since 1900 (the Modern Era).  Going a little deeper, there have been 120 such campaigns in the Live Ball Era (the 106 seasons since 1920) and, of course, zero since Steve Carlton in 1980.

I kept looking into 300-innings-pitched seasons by era. (Side note here: The most innings pitched in any MLB season, per stathead.com, is 680 by Will White of the 1879 Reds. How different was the game back then?  White started 75 of the 81 games the Reds played – and completed every start.  That season, in fact, six pitchers worked more than 500 innings and the eight National League teams used a total of 25 pitchers. (You can see why I chose to look at innings pitched stats by era.)

No pitcher has thrown more 300-innings-pitched seasons than Cy Young, with 16. No one threw more such seasons in the Modern Era than Christy Mathewson (11) and the record for  most 300-innings-pitched seasons tossed in the Live Ball Era (since 1920) is six, shared by Robin Roberts and Gaylord Perry.

Cy Young threw 300 or more innings in 16 of his 22 MLB  seasons (1890-1911), topping  400 innings in five seasons. He threw his final 300-inning-pitch season in his age-40 campaign (going 21-15, 1.99 for the 1907 Red Sox).  That season, he made 43 appearances – and completed 33 of 37 starts. He finished his career at 511-315, 2.63 and holds the MLB records for wins, losses, starts (815), complete games (749), innings pitched (7,356).  Note:  Pud Galvin is second on the all-time innings pitched list 1,353 2/3 innings behind Young.)

A sign of the times: Despite all those innings, Young only led the league in inning pitched twice in his career.

Christy Mathewson holds the Modern Era (since -1900) record for seasons of 300 or more innings pitched with 11. Mathewson pitched in 17 MLB seasons (1900-1916), going 373-188, 2.13.  He made 636 appearances and completed 435 of 552 starts (4,788 2/3 career innings). He led the league in inning pitched just once in his career.  Young had his first 300-inning season in his age-20 season (1901) and his final 300-inning season in his age-33 campaign (1914).

 

Robin Roberts shares the Live Ball (since 1920) Era record for 300-innings-pitched seasons at six. He ran off a starting of six consecutive seasons of 300+ innings from 1950 through 1955; leading the National League (and MLB) in Innings pitched each season from 1951 through 1955. During his streak of 300-innings-pitched seasons, Roberts also led the NL in wins four times, starts six times and complete games four times. During the streak, he completed 161 of 232 starts.

Roberts pitched in 19 MLB seasons (1948-66), going 286-245, 3.41 with 676 appearances and 305 complete in 609 starts.  The seven-time All Star pitched a total of 4,688 2/3 MLB innings.

Gaylord Perry also recorded four seasons of 300 or more innings pitched. His came during a seven-season span (from 1969 through 1975). He led the major leagues in innings pitched in 1969 and 1970; led the AL in complete games in 1972; led MLB in CG in 1973;  topped MLB in wins  1970; and led the AL in victories in 1972.

Perry pitched in 22 MLB seasons (1962-83). A five-time All Star and two-time Cy Young Award winner, he finished with a career line of 314-265, 3.11 in 777 appearances, with 303 complete games in 690 starts and 5,350 total innings pitched.

 

 

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

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

 

P 1179

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.  (Disclaimer: Game-by-game stats from 1920-48 Negro League games have not been fully incorporated into MLB records.)

This week, we’re looking at a bit of an obscure record, held by a player who is far from obscure. I might add this Tuesday’s topic has a (tenuous) tie to this tonight’s All Star Game.

The related trivia question is, “What player holds the record for the most pinch-hitting appearances in a single season?”  The answer is Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, who appeared in 109 games (in his age-43 season) as a pinch hitter for the 2017 Marlins.  Oh, for that tie to the AS Game: Suzuki was an MLB All Star for ten consecutive seasons and the MVP of the 2007 MLB All Star Game (a 5-4 AL win), after going three-for-three, with one run and two RBI and hitting the first (and still  only) All Star Game inside-the-park home run.  Side note: In his MLB career, Suzuki had 117 regular-season home runs and one post-season dinger and none were inside-the-parkers.

One for the Ages.

From 2013 through 2013 (his age-27 through age-39 seasons), Ichiro Suzuki appeared in 2,061 MLB games and just 31 (1.5 percent) as a pinch hitter.  From 2014 through 2019 (his age-40 through age-45 seasons), Suzuki appeared in 592 MLB games, 240 (40.5 percent) as a pinch hitter. In 2017, he appeared in 136 MLB  games, 109 (80.1 percent) as a pinch hitter.

More About the Remarkable Career of Ichiro Suzuki

Suzuki was signed by the Orix Blue Wave of the Japan Eastern League, as an 18-year-old, in 1992 (after hitting .502 for his high school career). He spent most of his first two seasons in the minor leagues.   Then, in 1994, he made the Blue Wave squad full-time.  Over the next seven seasons, as a full-time player, Suzuki never hit under .343. During that span, he won seven consecutive batting titles, seven consecutive Gold Gloves and three consecutive MVP Awards. By the time he signed with the Mariners (November of 2000), he had collected 1,278 hits in Japan.

If there were any doubt about Suzuki’s ability to translate his slight stature, exceptional speed and unorthodox hitting style to the U.S. major leagues, they were quickly erased.  In his first season with the Mariners, Suzuki led the AL lead in batting average (.350); led MLB in hits (242): topped the majors in stolen bases 56; and earned a Gold Glove. Oh, and he was also an American League All Star, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.  Suzuki was a no-doubter.

Ichiro went on to collect 200+ hits in each of his first ten MLB seasons (including a new MLB single-season record 262 safeties in 2004. He also stole 30 or more bases in nine seasons. In his first  ten MLB campaigns (through his age-36 season), Suzuki led the league in hits seven times, won two batting titles and earned ten Gold Gloves. Over those first ten campaigns, he hit .331-90-558, with 2,244 hits, 1,047 runs and 383 steals.  Suzuki played a total of 19 MLB seasons, going .311-117-780, with 1,420 runs scored, 3,089 hits and 509 steals. And, remember, this was after nine seasons, seven batting titles and more than 1,220 hits at the highest level of competition in Japan.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.  Of note is the fact is one of the 394 voters who cast ballots did  not vote for Suzuki.

Best Retirement Party Ever

It appeared as if Ichiro Suzuki was headed for (or in) retirement as a player in 2018. He played in a total of 15 games for the Mariners that season, making his last on-field appearance May 2.  After that he served primarily as a mentor and batting-baserunning-defense instructor. But fate (or the Baseball Gods) had a more spectacular retirement party in mind for Suzuki.  In 2019, MLB slated a  season-opening series with the Mariners facing the Athletics (March 20-21) in  Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Suzuki started both games fort Seattle, in front of  a packed house of home-country fans. In the eighth frame of Game Two, Suzuki left the field to a thundering standing ovation. After the game, he announced his retirement  as a player.

 

Well, enough about Suzuki (although he deserved every word and more). Here are a few other quick pinch-hitting tidbits.

• No player made more plate appearances as a pinch hitter than Lenny Harris … 836 during his MLB career (1988-2005). He also holds the record for most career pinch-hit at bats at 804 and most career pinch hits (212).  His pinch-hit stat line was .264-5-90 and his career line was .269-37-369 in 1,903 games.   Over his career, Harris appeared in at least 50 games at 1B,  2B, 3B, SS, LF and RF. He  appeared as a pinch-hitter for eight MLB teams (Reds, Dodgers, Mets, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Cubs, Marlins).
• Matt Stairs holds the record for pinch hit home runs in a career (23), punching pinch-hit homers for the Athletics, Brewers, Pirates, Royals, Tigers, Blue Jays, Phillies and Padres. Over his 19-season MLB career (1992-93, 1995-2011), Stairs hit  .257-23-87 as a pinch-hitter.  His overall stat line was .262-265-899.
• The record for consecutive pinch hits in a season is eight; Dave Philly, appropriately of the Phillies, in 1958 and Rusty Staub of the Mets in 1983.
• The record for pinch hits in a single season (28) belongs to John Vander Wal of the 1995 Rockies. That season, Vander Wall had 85 pinch-hitting plate appearances (72 at bats).  He went .389-4-17, with 12 walks as a pinch batter. Vander Wal played 14 MLB seasons (1991-2004), going .261-97-430 in 1,372 games.  His career pinch-hitting line was .236-17-95 in 624 plate appearances.
• The record for pinch hit home runs in a single season is seven: shared by Dave Hansen of the 2000 Dodgers and Craig Wilson of the 2001 Pirates.

Primary Resources: Ichiro Suzuki, Society for American Baseball Research bio, by Douglas Jordan; Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  

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

 

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It’s July 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s June Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more.  Just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• The end of a streak of 54 2/3 scoreless innings pitched (Cristopher Sanchez);
• A batter successfully challenging three strike calls in a single plate appearance;
• Freddie Freeman moving into the top 100 all-time in base hits;
• The youngest player ever to hit an “Ultimate Grand Slam” (Braden Montgomery);
• Max Scherzer‘s 3,500th strikeout;
• Perhaps the most dominant “Maddux” ever thrown (Jacob Misiorowski);
•  A game which featured two (unrelated) Max Muncy‘s who share an April 25 birth date – each playing third base and batting seventh for their respective teams;
• 2026’s first “cycle”  (Pete Crow-Armstrong);
• George Springer‘s and Mookie Betts‘ 300th career homers;
• A game in which one team had one player hit two homers in an inning (Kyle Schwarber) and another hit for the cycle (Bryce Harper);
• A player collecting 15 RBI in two days (Dansby Swanson); and
• Much more.

For the stories and stats, read on.

—–BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERs OF  THE MONTH (JUNE)—–

AMERICAN  LEAGUE

Pitcher of the Month – Drew Rasmussen, RHP, Rays

Okay, it’s unusual to see a pitcher who goes 3-2 recognized as Pitcher of the Month, but the Rays’ Drew Rasmussen had an exceptional June. His 0.82 earned run average was the lowest in the AL (among pitchers with at least 25 June innings) and second only to the Giants’ Logan Webb’s 0.71  (again, among MLB pitchers with 25 June innings).  (It should also be noted that the Rangers’ Jacob deGrom was the only AL pitcher to reach four wins in June.)

In five starts (33 innings), Rasmussen gave up just 16 hits and four walks, while fanning 39. His WHIP of 0.61 and average against of .142 were the best among AL pitchers with at least 25 June innings.

In Rasmussen’s two June losses, the Rays scored a total of one run (he was the losing pitcher in a 1-0 and a 2-1 game).

Honorable Mentions: The Rangers’ Jacob deGrom led the AL in June wins, going 4-1, 3.00 in six starts. He led the AL in strikeouts with 45 (in 36 innings) and walked just eight.  The Red Sox’ Sonny Gray went 3-0, 2.14 in five starts, fanning 34 and walking just seven. The Mariners’ Logan Gilbert went 3-1, 2.84 in five starts, fanning 38 and walking six. Rangers’ closer Jacob Latz notched 11 saves in 11 opportunities, fanned 19 in 16 innings and recorded a 1.13 June ERA.

Player of the Month Dillon Dingler, C, Tigers

Wow! The Rays’ Yandy Diaz’ .385 average was one of those bright and shiny things that catch The Roundtable’s eye. But I looked a little deeper and went with Tigers’ C Dillon Dingler. He had just two fewer hits than Diaz, and had more home runs, RBI and runs scored.  Dingler went .333-8-25. His 25 RBI led the AL, as did his 22 runs scored. (The three walks versus 24 strikeouts were a bit troubling, but the overall production was there.) Dingler, who had eleven multi-hit games in June, was one of only three AL players to have 20 or more RBI and 20 or more runs scored in the month.  (The others were the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez and A’s Nick Kurtz.)

Honorable Mentions:  I have to include Rays’ DH Yandy Diaz and his .385 June average. Diaz led the AL in hits with 37.  He had one home run, 15 RBI and 15 runs scored. Tampa Bay 3B Junior  Caminero led the AL lead with ten June home runs and put up a .327 average with 24 RBI.  Royals’ RF Jac Caglianone went .309-9-19  for the month.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pitcher of the Month

Tie:  Logan Webb, RHP, Giants; Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers; Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins

Okay, this is wishy-washy, but I could find good reasons to honor all three.  So, I’ll declare a tie and forgo “Honorable Mentions.”

Logan Webb went 3-1 in five starts and pitched to a tidy 0.71 earned run average in 38 innings (second most in ther NL).  That ERA was the lowest in MLB among pitchers with at least 25 June innings. Webb gave up just 19 hits and four walks, while fanning 29. His June WHIP of 0.61 was the best among NL  pitchers with 25 June innings and his average against (.148) was the NL’s third-best. I n his lone loss, he pitched a complete game in a 2-1 loss to the Giants.

Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers keeps lighting up radar guns and pitched to a 3-1 record in four June starts.  Among NL pitchers with at last 25 June innings, his 0.96 ERA was second- best and a 0.71 WHIP third.  His .128 average against was best in MLB. In his four June starts, he fanned 38 batters and walked eight in 28 innings. Misiorowski’s month included a “Maddux” – a complete game shutout in less than 100 pitches. In that game, he set a record for strikeouts in a Maddux, fanning 15 Phillies in a 6-0 win.   

Sandy Alcantara’s numbers were not as flashy as a few others the NL, but he clearly pitched well enough to win – running up a 6-0, 3.35 record in six starts. Like his six wins, his 40 1/3 June innings pitched topped all of MLB.  Those six victories were one of those bright and shiny things that The Roundtable could not ignore. Alcantara pitched into the seventh inning in all but one of his starts.

Player of the Month – Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Cubs

Nothing wishy-washy here.  Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) did it all. Hit for average – his .381 average led all NL players with at least 75 June at bats and his 40 June hits led MLB.  Hit for power – his eleven home runs tied for second in the NL. Flash some speed – his eight June steals tied for second in the NL.  Armstrong also drove in 20 runs, scored 21 and put up a .468 on-base percentage. His month include 12 multi-hit games and  a 14-game hitting streak, during which he went .441-6-14).

Honorable Mentions: Nationals’ 1B Luis Garcia led MLB with 27 June RBI, to go with a .306 average, 11 homers and 17 runs scored. Brewers’ LF Jackson Chourio hit .319-10-25, with 23 runs scored. He was one of just four MLB players to hit double-digit dingers in June and his 37 June hits were second only to Crow-Armstrong.   Rockies’ C Hunter Goodman led MLB with 13 June home runs, to go with a .250 average, 25 RBI and 19 runs scored.

 

——SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE MONTH—

Jacob Latz, LHP, Rangers

Okay, maybe the Rangers saw this coming, but I was surprised to see southpaw Jacob Latz leading MLB in June saves – with 11 saves in 11 opportunities; allowing just two runs in 16 innings, while fanning 19 and walking four.  Latz was a fifth-round pick (Rangers) in the 2017 draft (out of Kent State University – although he did not play here). He was drafted first in 2014 (Blue Jays, eleventh round), after a 10-0, 0.23 high school season as a senior, but chose instead to attend Louisiana State University.  At LSU, he missed the 2015 season due to elbow issues (medical redshirt ) and pitched in just seven games in 2016 (0-1, 7.56). Latz transferred to Kent State University for 2017, but had to sit out the season due to transfer rules. He then signed with the Rangers in 2017.

Leading up to 2026, he played in eight minor-league seasons, going 23-17, 3.94 (132 games/62 starts) and saw action with the Rangers in three seasons (4-4, 3.08, one save in 83 games, nine starts).  This season started with Latz filing a middle-relief role, but he earned a shot at the closer role by mid-April – and he has run with it. Since April 15, he is 1-0, 1.71, with 18 saves in 20 opportunities and 33 strikeouts to just six walks in 31 2/3 innings.

Honorable  Mention: Twins’ LF Trevor Larnach, a 2018 first-round pick (Twins) out of Oregon State University, is in his sixth MLB season.  From 2021-2025, he went .241-52-198 in 442 games for the Twins. This season looked similar.  Through May, Larnach was .253-3-16 in 48 games. Then came the June surprise, with Larnach raking at  a .342 pace (23 games), with two homers, 11 RBI, and 13 runs scored.

__________________________________________________

THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through June  30,  35.3% of the MLB season’s 97,000  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 (22.1%); walks (9.0%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

The 35.3% is up slightly from the 34.5% through June  in 2025. I have also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 34.9% in 2024; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

__________________________________________________

 

 

——-Team Statistical Leaders June  2026 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League:  Brewers (162); Phillies (153); Dodgers (147)

American League:  Twins (146); Athletics (142); Royals (140)

The fewest runs in June were scored by the Braves (77). In the American League, it was the Guardians (87).    

AVERAGE

National League:  Brewers (.281); Rockies (.274); Dodgers (.271)

American League:  Twins (.271); Royals (.264); Rangers (.262)

The lowest team average for June belonged to the Braves at .213 – the Guardians were at the bottom of the AL at .218.

HOME RUNS

National League:  Phillies (42); Pirates (40); Rockies (40)

American League:  Tigers (49); Athletics (46); Twins (43)

The fewest home runs in June were hit by the Braves (19). The Guardians were at the bottom of the AL at 21.

TOTAL BASES

National League:  Brewers (447); Rockies (437); Pirates (420)

American League:  Twins (435); Tigers (418); A’s (398)

The Rockies led MLB in June Slugging Percentage at .487. The Tigers led the AL (.476)

DOUBLES

National League:  Rockies (59); Brewers (52); Pirates (52)

American League:  Royals (53); Angels (47); White Sox (46)

TRIPLES

National League:   Cubs (8); Nationals (8); Marlins (8)

American League:  Tigers (7); Orioles (6); Red Sox (5); Angels (5)

 STOLEN BASES

National League:  Nationals (31); Padres (30); Marlins (26)

American League:  Yankees (32); Royals (28); Mariners (23)

The Dodgers and Astros stole the fewest sacks in June at seven – in 11 attempts for the Dodgers and nine for the Astros.   

WALKS DRAWN

National League:  Cubs (117); Brewers (115); Dodgers (111)

American League:  Rays (96); A’s (94); Orioles (93); Astros (93)

The Brewers led MLB in June on-base percentage at .359. The Rays led the AL at .343. The Braves had MLB’s lowest June OBP at .270.  The Guardians anchored the AL at .285. 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League:  Phillies (257); Reds (254); Pirates (254)

American League:  Orioles (261); Angels (251); A’s (248)

Diamondbacks’ batters fanned the fewest times in June (169). The Twins fanned the fewest times in the AL at 176.

__________________________________________________

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League:  Marlins (3.01); Brewers (3.82) Padres (3.98)

American League:  Tigers (3.14); Red Sox (3.55); Yankees (3.71)

The A’s had the highest June ERA at 6.20.  The Rockies had the highest ERA in the NL at 6.17. Also over 5.00 were the Royals (5.60) and Twins (5.59)

STRIKEOUTS

National League:  Brewers (278); Phillies (273); Pirates (241)

American League:  Astros (254); A’s (253); Angels (249)

The Phillies averaged an MLB-best 10.32 strikeouts per nine innings in June. The Mariners averaged an AL-best 9.47.  Ten teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League:  Cardinals (73); Marlins (79); Braves (79)

American League:  Rays (55); Rangers (61); Tigers (62)

The Rays walked an MLB-lowest 2.18 batters per nine innings in June.  The Reds walked an MLB-worst 4.47 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League:  Marlins (9); Phillies (9); Dodgers (8)      `

American League:  Rangers (15); Astros (11); Blue Jays (10)

The Nationals blew the most saves in June  – ten (in 17 opportunities).  The Padres went five-for-five in converting save opportunities.   

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League:  Marlins (1.15); Brewers (1.18); Mets (1.21); Dodgers (1.21)

American League:  Rays (1.11); Tigers (1.13); Mariners (1.16)

Bonus Stats:

• The A’s gave up an MLB-high 50 home runs in June. The Marlins gave up an MLB-low 22 home runs.
• Marlins’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .220 average in June. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .295 average.
• The Mariners’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for June topped MLB at 3.96. The Royals had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.83.

—–JUNE 2026 HIGHLIGHTS—–

 

Happy Birthday To You (and me)

June 1, was three-year-old Nolan deGrom’s third birthday.  It just so happens his dad Jacob deGrom was on the mound that day (facing the Cardinals in St. Louis), making his fourth attempt to move from 99 career victories to the century mark. Well, happy birthday father and son!  Jacob threw five shutout innings on Nolan’s day, giving up four hits and one walk while fanning eight and running his career record to 100-69.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

In the seventh inning of the Padres’ 3-2 loss to the Phillies on June 3, Padres’ SS Jackson Merrill poked a ground ball, RBI single off Phillies’ southpaw Cristopher Sanchez. This makes the highlights list because it halted Sanchez’ streak of scoreless innings at 54 2/3 – dating back to   the first inning of a game on April 30.   Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Sanchez’ streak is the fifth longest since 1893 (when the mound was moved to its present distance from home plate) and the longest over that period by a southpaw. Ahead of Sanchez are: Orel Hershiser, 1988 Dodgers (59 IP); Don Drysdale, 1968 Dodgers (58); Walter Johnson, 1910 Nationals (55 2/3); and Jack Coombs, 1910 Athletics,  (53).

Leave Me In Coach, I’m Ready To Play!

Don Drysdale’s 1968 streak of 58 consecutive scoreless innings, included a record six consecutive complete-game shutouts (May 14, 1968 through June 4, 1968).  Despite that streak, he finished  the season at 14-12, but with a 2.15 earned run average (sixth-lowest in the National League). Eight of Drysdale’s 14 wins were shutouts.

The Dodgers scored two or fewer runs in 18 of Drysdale’s starts. They finished seventh that season (76-86), scoring the NL’s fewest runs (470, 2.9 per game).

Off To A Good Start

On June 6, in the top of the ninth inning, Royals’ SS Bobby Witt, Jr., in just his fifth MLB season and 691^st career game, drove in what proved to be the winning run in a Royals’ 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Twins.  Notably, it was Witt’s 400^th career MLB RBI, making the 25-year-old just the fifth MLB player with 400 or more RBI and 150 or more steals before his 26^th birthday (joining Mike Trout, Cesar Cedeno, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ben Chapman).

Witt closed June at .290-12-36, with 44 runs scored 28 steals line on the season. In his first four MLB seasons (2022-2025), Witt stole 30 or more bases four times and hit 20 or more home runs four times. He logged 30-30 (HR.SB) seasons in 2023 & 2024.

That’s A Little Bottom Heavy

On June 7, as the Angels topped the Dodgers 13-5 at Dodger Stadium, the bottom of the order more than earned it halos. The bottom of the order (6-7-8-9 spots) – RF Jo Adell, 3B Nick Madrigal, CF Jose Siri and C Sebastian Rivero – went a combined 13-for-15, scoring ten runs and driving in ten. In the spirit of #InBaseballWeCountEverything,” the Elias Sports Bureau reported that the Angel quartet’s combined .867 average for the game was the highest by a group of bottom-four lineup members in the Modern Era (since 1900).

More Baseball News To Challenge My Patience

On June 8, in a Reds’ 6-2 loss in San Diego, Reds’ SS Matt McLain had a challenging at bat in the eighth inning.  He came up versus Padres’ reliever Jason Adam with two outs, no one on and the Reds down 3-2. On a 1-0 count, McLain challenged the  strike call. It was reversed, sending the count to 2-0. On 2-0, McLain again challenged the strike call.  It was reversed, sending the count to 3-0. On 3-1, McLain again challenged the strike call and it was again reversed, giving him a walk.  It made McLain the first MLB hitter to successfully challenge three pitches in a single at bat. I guess that deserves a tip of the cap (I guess).  Side note: Going into the game, McLain had challenged only one call this season.

Boom. Boom. Boom-Boom!

The Athletics introduced themselves to Las Vegas (their future home) with a grand display of fireworks.  Whether it was the minor-league Las Vegas Ballpark, the quality of the pitching, the spirit of the moment or the hot high-roller air, the first-ever Athletics’ MLB contest in Las Vegas was a big “hit.” (The A’s will move from Sacramento to a new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip in  2028.) The June 8 game was part of a special six-game “homestand” in Las Vegas.

The final score of the 12-inning Las Vegas contest was 15-14 in favor of the visiting Brewers.  Fans were treated to plenty of flying horsehides – 34 combined hits, 11 home runs (seven by the losing Athletics).

It was A Challenging Game to Watch

The June 8 Athletics/Brewers contest saw an MLB single-game record 16 ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenges – with 11 umpire’s calls overturned.

More #InBaseballWeCount(or measure)Everything

On June 9, the Yankees’ rookie RF Spencer Jones popped his first MLB home run.  The second-inning, two-run shot was crucial to the New York 3-2 win over the Guardians in Cleveland. The counting/measuring? Statcast reported the dinger’s 112.2 MPH off the bat made it the hardest hit first career MLB home run by a Yankee  since Statcast began tracking (2015).

Doin’ The Freddie

On June 9, Dodger 1B Freddie Freeman, batting third in the LA lineup, went two-for-four, with a walk , two runs scored and an RBI as LA topped Pittsburgh 12-3. The highlight came in the Dodgers’ ten-run seventh inning. Freeman walked (and later scored) in his first plate appearance of the inning. He came up again in the frame (after the Dodgers had put nine runs on the board) and rapped an RBI single to center on the first pitch he saw from Brandon Bidois. Why a highlight?  It was the 2,500^th base hit of the 36-year-old Freeman’s career.   The 2,500^th safety placed Freeman number 102 all-time in MLB base hits (by June’s end he had 2.523 hits, moving up to number 98).  That 2,500^th safety also made him the only active player with 2,500 hits. Considering Freeman ended June with a .293-13-46 stat line on the season, there should  be plenty of hits left in his bat.  Perhaps he can see 3,000 on the horizon.

Let’s Get This Party Started … How About With A Walk-Off?

On June 9, 23-year-old Braden Montgomery made his MLB debut in RF, batting sixth, as his White Sox topped the Braves 6-5 in Chicago.   Debut-Day was a big day for Montgomery, who was hitting .315-4-19 for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (29 games), when called up.  He made it a bigger day, by  going two-for-five with one run and three RBI – including  a game-winning, walk-off, two-run, home run in the bottom of the tenth  (off Braves’ closer Raisel Iglesias) to give the ChiSox the 6-5 victory.

In the process, Montgomery (per the Elias Sports Bureau) became just the fifth player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run in his MLB debut.

The others (with their career MLB stat lines) are: Billy Parker, 1971 Angels (.222-3-21 in three seasons/94 games); Josh Bard, 2002 Indians (.254-39-220 in 10 seasons/586 games); Miguel Cabrera, 2002 Marlins (.306-511-1,881 in 2,797 games/21 seasons); Carlos Perez, 2015 Angels (.218-17-78 in 278 games/five seasons).

For those who like to know such things, Montgomery was a 2024  first-round draft pick (Red Sox) out of Texas A&M (he also played at Stanford). In three college seasons, he hit .317-62-203 in 187 games). Note: He was among the players traded to the White Sox in the December 2024 trade that sent Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox. In two minor-league seasons, Montgomery  hit .284-22-109 in 177 games.

A Grand Walk (Off) In (and out of) The Park

On June 10, the Giants (playing at home) trailed the Nationals 9-1 going into the bottom of the eighth. They staged a remarkable comeback, scoring five in the eighth and five in the ninth for a 11-10 win.  The big blow came from rookie DH Bryce Eldridge. Eldridge came up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the Giants trailing by three (10-7). He delivered a walk-off Grand Slam (off an 2-0 pitch from Mitchell Parker) for the win. In baseball parlance, this was an “Ultimate Slam” – a walk-off, Grand Slam with your team trailing by three.

#InBaseballWeCountEverything, the blast made him the youngest MLB player ever to hit an Ultimate Grand Slam (21 years-233 days), besting Roberto Clemente (21 years-342 days). Clemente’s Ultimate Slam, by the way, it was more of a run-off than a walk-off. It was an inside the park Grand Slam, giving the Pirates a 9-8 win over the Cubs.

From May 23 through June 17, Giants rookie 1B Bryce Eldridge had a streak of 22 consecutive games getting on base. Over that time, Eldridge went 31-for-77 (.403) with 14 walks, five homers and 19 RBI.  In the process he raised his average from .139 to .319. On June 19, Eldridge took and O-Fer (four) against the Marlins, ending the streak.

The 21-year-old Eldridge was a First-Round pick (19th overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft.  When called up from Triple-A Sacramento in early May, he was hitting .333-5-22 (30 games).  Eldridge did see limited action with the Giants a year ago .107-0-4 in ten games, retaining his rookie status for 2026. In four minor-league seasons, he hit .285-59-216. 

3,500 For Mad Max

On June 10, the Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer got knocked around a bit by the Phillies in Toronto.  He gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings (five hits, three walks, four strikeouts). Not exactly highlight material.  However, Scherzer did earn a spot here in the top of the first inning, fanning Phillies’ leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber  on a 1-2 changeup for his (Scherzer’s) 3,500th career strikeout, putting him at number eleven on the all-time K list (only nine whiffs out of the top ten).   Scherzer finished June with 3,503 career strikeouts,

The Second “Maddux” of 2026

On May 12, the Twins’ Bailey Ober threw a “Maddux” – a complete-game (at last nine innings) shutout of less than 100 pitches – using 89 pitches to shutout the Marlins 3-0 (two hits, no walks, seven strikeouts).   One month later, on June 12,  the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski celebrated the one-year anniversary of his MLB debut by  throwing perhaps the most dominant Maddux ever, shutting out the powerful Phillies 3-0 on 95 pitches.  Why was this one special?

• The Miz fanned 15, the most strikeouts ever (since pitch counts have been tracked) in a Maddux (he walked none);
• 74 or his 97 pitches (77.9 percent) were strikes;
• Twelve of his strikeouts came on pitches of at least 100 MPH, 10 at least 101, eight at least 102, six at least 103 and two at least 104;
• He faced the minimum 27 batters, the only baserunner was erased on a double play;
• His 58 pitches of at least 100 MPH beating his own record for most pitches of at least 100 MPH in a game.
• He went to Ball Two on only five batters.

 Unlucky 13 — Well, In Some Ways (Or Going So Far To Get So Close)

On June 13, Dodgers’ starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto (say or key that three times fast), had it all going his way (or so it seemed). With two out the eighth inning in his start against the White Sox (in Chicago), he was on the brink of MLB history. He had retired the first 23 batters in order. Then an error by SS Mookie Betts let White Sox’ 2B Chase Meidroth reach base (Perfect Game gone). Yamamoto got the next batter Jacob Gonzalez on a ground out (no-hitter and shutout intact, Dodgers up 7-0). In the bottom of the ninth, on an 0-1 count, on Yamamoto’s 109^th pitch, White Sox’ CF Tristan Peters homered to left (shutout gone, but chance for Yamamoto’s first MLB complete game still there). Yamamoto retired the next batter (C Edgar Quero) on a flyout to center and was then relieved by Alex Vesia.  At the close of Juine, Yamamoto was 8-5, 2.67 on the season.

Twenty-Three Skiddoo

On June 14, Rockies’ starter Tomoyuki Sugano was rocked for nine hits (two walks) and eight earned runs in just five innings of “work” (97 pitches). Still, he came away with his seventh win of the season – leaving the contest after five frames with the Rockies in front 14-8.  In the game, the Rox set a new franchise record for runs scored – charging to a 23-9 win over the Athletics. Colorado had 24 hits (six homers).  All of this, perhaps, should come as no surprise. Between June 8 and June 14, the A’s (who will move to a new ballpark in Las Vegas in 2028 and currently call Sacramento home) played six games as the Las Vegas minor-league park.  That park made Coors Field look like a pitcher’s  park.  In the six games in Vegas, a total of 96 runs were scored and 35 homers hit.

First Cycle of the Season – Something To Crow About

On June 15,  Cubs’ CF/leadoff hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong hit the first cycle (single, double, triple, home run in one game) of the 2026 season.  As the Cubs topped the Mets 5-4 in Chicago, Armstrong: homered off Mike Lorenzen to open the bottom of the first; tripled off Lorenzen leading off the bottom of the third; doubled (still Lorenzen) with one out in the fifth; singled (off Brennan Bernardino) to open the seventh; and hit a sac fly (off Victor Vodnik) with one out in the eighth. It was the sixth four-hit game of Crow-Armstrong’s four-season MLB career.  He finished June .284-18-46, with 20 stolen bases on the season.

Vengeance Is Mine

On June 15, Tigers’ 3B Colt Keith (great baseball name) came up in the bottom of the first inning, with two outs and the bases loaded. He was hit by a pitch on the first offering he saw from Astros’ starter Kai-Wei Teng.  (Side note: Teng’s first frame did not see a ball put into play:  walk-strikeout-strikeout-walk-hit by pitch- hit by pitch- strikeout.) The plunking seemed to wake up Keith’s bat. After hitting just one home run in his first 65 games played this season (.257-1-10), Keith went on to hit a two-run homer off Teng in the third inning; strikeout (versus Al Blubaugh) in the fifth; hit a two-run home run (off Jayden Murray) in the seventh; and hit a solo home run (off Bryan Abreu in the ninth).  Side note: Keith is now the second-youngest Tiger to homer three times in a game (at 24-years and 305-days old), second only to Tigers’ legend Al Kaline (20-years and 119 days).

Rolling A 300

On June 16, as the Blue Jays topped the Red Sox 6-1, Toronto DH/leadoff-hitter George Springer hit a two-run home run (off a 1-0 pitch from Ryan Watson) in the top of the ninth. It was Springer’s seventh dinger of the season and, more important (from a highlights perspective), the 300^th of his 13-season MLB career (2014-26 … Astros, Blue Jays). The four-time All Star has hit 20 or more home runs in nine seasons (a high of 39 in 2019) and stolen 15 or more bases in four campaigns.

1,000 for Freeland

On June 19, Rockies’ southpaw Kyle Freeland picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching 7 1/3 innings (four hits, two runs, no walks, eight strikeouts), as the Rockies topped the Pirates 4-3 in Colorado.  His seventh strikeout of the game (Marcell Ozuna on a 3-2 pitch in the seventh) inning was his 1,000^th career strikeout, making him just the second pitcher to record 1,000 K’s in a Rockies’ uniform. (The first was German Marquez, who fanned 1,069 in nine seasons  as a Rockie.)  Freeland is in his tenth season with the Rox.

Save Those Ticket Stubs

On June 20, as the Phillies topped the Mets 15-3, in Philadelphia,  43,402 fans at Citizen Bank Park were treated to two doses of MLB history, as Phillies’ DH Kyle Schwarber hit two homers in one inning and Phillies’ 1B Bryce Harper hit for the cycle.  So, save those ticket stubs – a great bit of memorabilia. Oh wait, electronic tickets! Well, if the Phillies are smart (or maybe just benevolent), they’ll offer to print tickets for those who attended the game.  Anyway, here’s how it went down.

Phillies’ power-hitting Schwarber, hitting in number-two slot, poked a pair of homers in the bottom of the third inning. He led off the inning with a blast to RF (off a 1-1 pitch from Freddy Peralta) and, later in the frame, hit a three-run homer to right (on a 2-1 pitch from Cionel Perez). Schwarber added a third roundtripper in the seventh. On the day, Schwarber was four-for-five (three homers and a double), with  four runs scored and six RBI. As June came to a close,  Schwarber’s stat line was .256-30-55.

In the same game, Harper (batting in the number-three spot):

• Hit a solo homer (off Peralta) with two out in the first;
• Doubled to right in the third (off Peralta), after Schwarber’s dinger leading off the inning;
• Added a two-out single (off Perez) when he came to the plate for the second time in the third inning (again after a Schwarber home run);
• Slashed a two-run triple in the fifth (off Tobias Meyers) – completing the cycle in five frames.

Harper had one more at bat, grounding out (again after a Schwarber home run)  in the seventh. For more on two-homer innings, click here.

A Milestone for Sandy

On June 23, Marlins’ pitcher Sandy Alcantara (the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner) reached a Marlins’ milestone in a 6-4 Marlins’ win over Texas (in Miami). Alcantara ran his 2026 record to 8-4, 4.01, going 6 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on five hits (three walks/four strikeouts). His final strikeout of the game, Rangers’ C Kyle Higashioka in the sixth inning, gave Alcantara 1,002 punchouts as a Marlin – making the franchise’s all -time strikeouts leader. (Alcantara, who started his career with the Cardinals, also recorded ten whiffs in a St. Louis uniform.)

Ouch! What A Way To End A Streak

The Athletics’  Zack Gelof – who has played at least ten games at 3B, 2B and center field this season – came into the A’s game of June 23 on a 24-game hitting streak. From May 25 through June 22, Gelof had gone .351 (33-for-94), with five homers, 12 RBI and 19 runs scored.  On June 23, Gelof flied out leading off the game (played in San Francisco).  In the bottom of the second Giants’ 3B Matt Chapman hit an RBI single  to left, but was thrown out attempting to stretch into double. The throw came from A’s left fielder Tyler Soderstrom to Gelof (playing second). On the play Chapman stepped on Gelof’s right hand (later diagnosed as a laceration and contusion – let’s s say bloody and bruised), knocking him from the game (and ending the hitting streak). The A’s lost the game 3-1 and Gelof  was listed as day-to-day. Gelof, who came into the 2026 season a .225-33-88 hitter over three seasons (237 games), was hitting .282-11-29 at the time of his injury.

The Great Dansby

A month worth of RBI in two days, that’s what Cubs’ SS Dansby Swanson produced on June 23-24. On the 23rd, Swanson went two-for-three, with a home run and four RBI, as his Cubs topped the Mets 9-6. In a double header the very next day, Swanson went two-for-four, with two home runs and seven RBI in Game One and three-for-five with four RBI in Game Two.  (The Mets won the two games by 10-3 and 10-5 scores, respectively.)  Two days, seven hits in 12 at bats, three homers, 15 RBI and four runs scored. Before the two-day RBI binge, Swanson had 41 RBI in 73 games this season.

It Ain’t Over ‘till It’s Over

On June 23, the Phillies, playing in Washington, found themselves down 8-6 to the nationals, with two outs, no one on and two balls and two strikes on Phillies’ SS Trea Turner.  They were literally down to their last strike.  Well, Turner kept things alive with a single off Brad Lord – and the next nine Phillies’ batters (including Turner once again, went: game-tying homer by  LF Brandon Marsh; single, single, go-ahead homer by 2B Bryson Stott, walk, single, double, walk before an inning-ending strikeout.  Outcome? Phillies, one strike away from defeat, went on to a 14-9 win.

But wait, there’s more. The very next day (June 24), the Phillies were again down to their last strike – trailing the Nationals 4-3, with two outs, on one and a 1-2 count on PH Derek Hill.  On the next pitch, Hill took reliever Richard Lovelady deep to right for a two-run go-head homer. (The Phillies won again, this time 5-4 as the Nats went down in order in the bottom of the ninth.)

Just slightly less drama the next night (June 25).  This time, the Phillies and Nats were tied 5-5 going into the ninth, when DH Kyle Schwarber led off with a single and 1B Bryce Harper hit a go-ahead, two-run homer. The Phillies went on to score three more run and take a 10-5 victory,

Elias Sports Bureau reports that the Phillies are the first team to hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning of three consecutive games. #InBasebeallWeCountEverything.

You Can Betts On It

On June 24, as the Dodgers topped the Twins 4-3 in Minneapolis, LA SS Mookie Betts (batting clean-up) went three-for-four with one run, one RBI and one home run. It’s the home run we are interested in.  It was Betts’ ninth of the season and his 300^th career roundtripper. Betts,m an eight-time All Star now in his 13th MLB season,  has eight seasons of 20 or more homers (four of 30+) on his MLB resume.

Okay, Now We’re Getting A Little Carried Away With These New Stats

Just read an MLB.com report that Giants’ OF Victor Bericoto  homered on June 24 and 25 and the two homers had identical exit velocities of 108.7 MPH, traveled an identical projected distance of 445 feet to left-center and had respective hang times of 5.2 and 5.3 seconds. For those who like to know such (more important) things, Bericoto’s June 24 long ball was a walk-off game-winner with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of a Giants’ 2-1 win over the A’s, while his June 25 blast was a two-run shot in the sixth inning of a Giants’ 9-6 loss to the A’s.

Rookie Closes June On A Roll

Pirates’ rookie RF Esmerlyn Valdez had a tough day on June 25 (despite a Pirates’ 5-1 win over Seattle). The 22-year-old, batting out of the six-hole, struck out swinging in the second and fourth innings and went down looking in the seventh. That dropped his  average on the season (12 games) to .152.  Then, a light seemed to go on, in the month’s last five games (June 26-30), he went ten-for-fifteen (.667), with two doubles, four homers, four walks, six RBI and only two strikeouts. In the process, he became just the third  Pirates’ rookie to go deep in four straight games (Dick Stuart & Garrett Jones).  (Side Note: Valdez was called up to the Pirates – from Indianapolis – on May 22, sent back down on May 28 and recalled on June 11. )  As we closed out June, Valdez MLB stat line was ,313-6-12 in 17 games.

Mad Max – All He Does Is Win

On June 26, Marlins’ righty Max Meyer twirled a gem picking up a win, tossing seven two-hit, no-run (two walks/five strikeouts) innings in a 4-0 win over the Cardinals in St. Louis. It makes the highlights because it ran Meyer’s 2026 record to 9-0 (2.60 earned run average) in 17 starts – and made  him the only pitcher left this season with at least ten starts and no losses.

Remember When They Called The White Sox The “Hitless Wonders”

On June 27, the White Sox put a “Big Hurt” (pun intended) on the Royals (in Chicago).  They collected 23 hits in a 22-1 win over Kansas City. The highlight or lowlight, depending on your point of view, was the third inning, when the ChiSox plated ten runs on eight hits and two walks. a few notes:

• CF Tristan Peters (6 RBI), 3B Miguel Vargas (5 RBI) and 1B Jacob Gonzalez (5 RBI) became just the second trio of White Sox batters to have at least five RBI in the same game. First trio? April 23, 1955 (Sherman Lollar Bob Nieman and Minnie Minoso).  Side note: Peters and Gonzalez contributed their ten RBI out of the number-eight and -nine spots in the batting order.
• Eleven batters had plate appearances for Chicago in the game and all 11 got on base at least once.
• Eight White Sox batters recorded at least two hits;

Goodman A Good Man With The Bat

On June 27, as Colorado rocked the Twins 8-5 in Minneapolis, Rockies’ C Hunter Goodman (who launched 31 homers last season) had his first career MLB three-homer day – driving in five of the Rox’ eight tallies (giving him 47 RBI on the season). The offensive outburst made him the fourth-fastest (in terms of team games) catcher to reach 25 homers in a season.  And, as the chart below shows, he’s in some pretty good company.

Okay, This Is Getting A little Repetitive

You’ve seen plenty of highlights focusing on player going deep on their Bobblehead Night. Well. It happened again. On June 27, as the Giants topped the Braves 5-0 in San Francisco (on Rafael Devers Bobblehead Night), Devers smacked a pair of home runs  (a solo shot in the second inning and a three-run blast in the third).  It was Devers’ first multi-homer game of 2026. Still, the prize for the “Best Bobblehead Day” remain in the hands (and bat) of the Twins’ Byron Buxton, who celebrated his 2025 Bobblehead Day (July 12) by hitting for the cycle: single in the first inning; triple in the second; double in the third; single in the fifth; home run in the seventh.

This One Isn’t Going Into The Spokes

Okay, it’s getting a little crazy out there.  It was reported that, on June 28, a 2018 Topps Ohtani Chrome SuperFactor Rookie baseball card sold at auction for a bit over $2.5 million dollars.

Favorite Coincidence of the Month … Muncy(s) To The Max

Regular readers know how The Roundtable likes a good coincidence. Well on June 29, as the Dodgers took on the Athletics in Sacramento, there was a double Max Muncy sighting. Playing third base and batting seventh for the Dodgers was a Max Muncy born on August 25, 1990.  Playing third base and batting seventh for the Athletics was a Max Muncy born on August 25, 2002. The Dodgers won the game 9-4 and also prevailed in the battle of the Muncy(s). The Dodgers’ Muncy went two-for-five with a homer, two RBI and a run scored.  The A’s Muncy went one-for-three with a walk and a run scored.  Oh, by the way, the two Muncy(s) are not related.

Another Wrigley Wal (off) In The Park

On June 29, the Cubs edged the Padres 3-2 (in Chicago) on a Seiya Suzuki walk-off, RBI single with two out in the bottom of the ninth. Why a highlight? It was the Cubs’ MLB-leading tenth walk-off win of the season. 1B Michael Busch is Cubs’ Walk-Off King – driving in the walk-off run in three of the ten games.  For those who like to know such things, the Cubs have just two walk-off losses on the season.

A Rookie’s June Shower of Hits

Royals’ Rookie C/DH Carter Jenson (he played 20 games for the Royals in 2025, so his rookie status is still intact for 2026) ran off a 20-game hitting streak from June 6 through June 30 – the still-active streak is the  longest ever for a Royals’ rookie. During the streak, Jenson went 28-for-81 (.351), with five home runs, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. For those who like to know such things, the longest hitting streak ever by a rookie is 34 games (1987, Benito Santiago, Padres). Jenson ended June with a .251-11-45 line on the season.

Look Out, Going Deep … Again … Finishing With A Flourish

On June 30, as the Rays topped the Royal 5-1, the Rays’ 22-year-old 3B Junior Caminero went deep (and we need to add a key word) again. It was his fifth straight game (going back to June 25) with a home run.  During that run, Caminero went ten-for-twenty (.533), with seven homers and 15 RBI. The Rays, by the way, won all five. Caminero ended June hitting .294-23-52 on the season – following a .264-45-110 season as a 21-year-old in 2025.

Well, That’s The First 1,000

On June 30, the Padres topped the A’s 9-3 in Sacramento, running their season record to 43-41. From a Highlights’ perspective, it was Padres’ Manager Dave Roberts’ 1,000^th managerial victory, It came in his 1,606^th game as a manager, making Roberts the “fastest” manager to reach the 1,000-win mark.  That distinction was previously held by Cap Anson, who got to 1,000 wins in managerial game 1,641.

Let’s Try Something A Little Different

Going into their game against the Angels on June 30, the Mariners were the only team in MLB to score more than half (50.9 percent) of their 2026 runs via the home run. They closed June with a 8-3 win over the Angels in which the Mariners collected 13 hits – 12 singles and a double.

–INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR JUNE—

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 June at bats)

American League: Yandy Diaz, Rays (.385); Yordan Alvarez, (.344); Trevor Larnach, Twins (.342)

National League: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (.381); Luis Arreaz, Giants (.354); Jung Hoo Lee, Giants (.340)

The lowest June average among players with at least 75 at bats belonged to the Red Sox’ Jarren Duran at .144 (14-for-97).

HITS

American League: Yandy Diaz, Rays (37); Dillon Dingler, Tigers (35); Junior Caminero, Rays (32); Yordan Álvarez, Astros (32)

National League: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (40); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (37); six with 35

The Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong led MLB in June extra-base hits with 18 (five doubles, two triples and eleven home runs).

HOME RUNS

American League: Junior Caminero, Rays (10); Jac Caglianone, Royals (9); Nick Kurtz, Athletics (9)

National League:  Hunter Goodman, Rockies (13); Luis Garcia, Nationals (11); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (11)

The Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong led all players with at least 75 June at bats in slugging percentage at .781. The Rays’ Junior Caminero led the AL at .673.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Dillon Dingler, Tigers (25); Junior Caminero, Rays (24); Nick Kurtz, A’s (23); Pete Alonso, Orioles (23

National League: Luis Garcia, Nationals (27); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (25); Hunter Goodman, Rockies (25)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Dillon Dingler, Tigers (22); Jac Caglianone, Royals (21); three with 20

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (23); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (23); Trea Turner, Phillies (23)

DOUBLES

American League: Brandon Nimmo, Rangers (10); Carter Jensen, Royals (9); Willson Contreras, Red Sox (8);  Tristan Peters, White Sox (8)

National League: Manny Machado, Padres (9); TJ Rumfield, Rockies (9) Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (9)

TRIPLES

American League:  Leody Taveras, Orioles (3); five with two

National League: Luis Arreaz, Giants (4); Kyle Stowers (Marlins (3); 13 with two

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (11); Jazz Chisholm, Yankees (10); Henry Bolte, A’s (7); Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (7)

National League: Nasim Nunez, Nationals (10); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (8); Jackson Merrill, Padres (8); Esteury Ruiz, Marlins (8)

The Padres’ Jackson Merrill stole the most June bases without getting caught (8).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Nick Kurtz, A’s (41); Zach Neto, Angels (40); Colson Montgomery, White Sox (37)

National League: James Wood, Nationals (43); Brandon Marsh, Phillies (38); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (38); Kyle Stowers, Marlins (38); Brice Turang, Brewers (38)

WALKS

American League:  Nick Kurtz, A’s (21); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (19); Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (19)

National League: Jake Bauers, Brewers (22); Juan Soto, Mets (21); Michael Busch, Cubs (20)

The highest on-base percentage among players with at least 75 June at bats was .468, by the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong. The AL leader was the Rays’ Yandy Diaz at .465.

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:  Jacob deGrom, Rangers 4-1); 21 with three

National League:  Sandy, Alcantara (6-0); John King, Marlins (5-0); seven with four

The Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly led MLB with five June losses (0-5, 7.31 in five starts).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 June innings)

American League: Drew Rasmussen, Rays (0.82); Slade Cecconi, Guardians (1.88);  Tanner Bibee, Guardians (1.89)

National League: Logan Webb, Giants (0.71); Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (0.96); Foster Griffin, Nationals (1.15)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 June innings or at least four June starts was 10.00 by the Athletics’ Jeffrey Springs (0-2, 10.00 in six starts, 30 earned runs in 27 innings).

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Jacob deGrom, Rangers (45K  / 36 IP); Joe Ryan, Twins (43K / 33 IP); Cam Schlittler, Yankees (42K / 32 IP)

National League: Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies (41K / 37 2.3 IP);Chase Burns, Reds (40K / 27 1/3 IP); Paul Skenes, Pirates (39K / 27 2/3 IP)

INNINGS PITCHED

American League: Shane Baz, Orioles (36 2/3); Jacob deGrom, Rangers (36); Gage Jump, A’s (35)

National League: Sandy Alcantara, Marlins (40 1/3); Logan Webb, Giants (38); Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies (37 2/3)

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 25 June innings)

American League: Drew Rasmussen, Rays (0.61); Tanner Bibee, Guardians (0.72); Logan Gilbert, Mariners (0.79)

National League: Logan Webb, Giants (0.61); Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers (0.64); Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (0.71)

Among pitches with at least 25 June innings, the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski held batters to the lowest average at .128.

SAVES

American League:  Jacob Latz, Rangers (11); Louis Varfland, Blue Jays (9); Josh Hader, Astros (8)

National League:  Jhoan Duran, Phillies (9); Riley O’Brien, Cardinals (7); Pete Fairbanks, Marlins (6); Raisel Iglesias, Braves (6); Tanner Scott, Dodgers (6)

Jacob Latz of the Rangers saved the most games without a blown save in June  (11).  

Bonus:

Among pitchers who faced at least 75 batters in June:

• The Astros’ Tatsuya Imai fanned the most batters per nine innings at 15.28;
• The Tigers’ Tarik Skubal had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 15.0. (He walked two batters and fanned 30 in 22 1/3 innings.)

 

If the season ended June 30, your post-season teams would be:

American League:  Rays, White Sox, Rangers    WC: Yankees, Guardians, Mariners.

National League:  Dodgers, Brewers, Braves       WC: Phillies, Cardinals, Mets

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; MLB,com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

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Freeman  All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.   As June winds down, it seems appropriate to focus on a record that was set many moons (and many Junes) ago. The bit of trivia we are looking g at is ”What MLB pitcher holds the record for the most victories in a calendar month?”

J0hn Clarkson

That distinction, by a wide margin goes to Hall of Fame righty John Clarkson and his remarkable 15-win June for the  the 1885 Chicago White Stockings. It was, of course, a different game back then (for example a 50-foot pitching distance, six balls for a walk and pitchers throwing from a flat surface).  Still, consider this: 1) The White Stockings played 23 games that month – and Clarkson started 16 of them; 2) Chicago won 22 games that June and Clarkson won 15 of them (setting the previously noted record for wins in a month by a pitcher). Clarkson’s  lone mark in the defeat column that month was a June 25 2-0 loss to the Phillies. Note: Clarkson was called into heavy duty on the mound due to an injury to Larry Corcoran.

Clarkson finished the 1885 season with a 53-16, 1.85 record in 70 games (all starts – 15 more than his nearest competitor).  He recorded  68 complete games (a 13-game advantage over second place) and ten shutouts (a three-game lead). He also led the league in innings pitched (623 – 131-inning advantage), and strikeouts (308 – a 50-whiff lead).

Over a 12-season MLB career (1882, 1884-94 … Worcester Ruby Red Legs, Chicago White Stockings, Boston Beaneaters, Cleveland Spiders), Clarkson went 328-178, 2.82. He led the league innings pitched four times;  in wins, starts, complete games and strikeouts three times each;  shutouts twice; and ERA once.  With the Beaneaters in 1889, he won the pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts.

Now, I did note that baseball was a bit of a different game back then, so I also looked into the pitchers who share the record for the most wins in a month in the modern Era (post 1900) at ten.  That would be the 1910 Philadelphia Athletics’ Jack Coombs and, depending on your preferred sources, possibly Rube Waddell of the 1902 Athletics.  For more on those two, read on.

Jack Coombs … Philadelphia Athletics, July 1910

Athletics’ righthander Jack Coombs pitched in 11 games (10 starts) in July of 1910.  He went 10-1, 1.10. Coombs completed all ten of his starts and threw five shutouts. In games he started, he was 10-1, with a 0.91 earned run average. (The American League overall earned run average was 2.52.) Coombs’ only loss during the month came against the Nationals in Washington on July 7, when he pitched a complete game in a 4-1 loss. Coombs gave up four runs (two earned) on nine hits and five walks in that game.  For the season, Coombs was 31-9, 1.30 in 45 games (38 starts). He threw 35 complete games (second in the league) in 38 starts and led the AL with 13 shutouts. He was also first in WHIP (0.820), second in the league in earned run average and hits per nine innings (5.892) and third in innings pitched (353) and strikeouts (224). Despite a heavy workload, as the season wore down, from September 5 through September 25, he threw a then-record 53 consecutive scoreless innings, still the fourth-longest single-season scoreless inning streak in the Modern Era.

Winning The Big One

After leading the 1910 Athletics to the American League pennant, Jack Coombs pitched three complete games (all wins) in six days, as the Athletics topped the Cubs in the World Series in five contests. During the Series, Coombs went 3-0-3.33 on the mound and  .385 (5-for-18) with three RBI at the plate.

Coombs pitched in 14 MLB seasons (1906-1918, 1920 … Athletics, Robins, Tigers), going 158-110, 2.78 in 354 games (268 starts), with 187 complete games and 35 shutouts. From 1910 through 1912, he went 80-31, 2.64, twice leading the league in victories.  Side note  Coombs lost considerable time in 1913 and 1914 (Typhoid Fever) getting in just four games over the two seasons.

George “Rube” Waddell, Philadelphia Athletics, July 1902 … MAYBE

Now this is a pretty unique player and an equally unique situation, Waddell did not join the Athletics until late June of 1902.  He had been pitching for Los Angeles Looloos of the independent California League (a look at Waddell’s life story and reputation as, perhaps, the zaniest player in MLB history makes the Looloos an appropriate landing spot).

Long story short, Waddell was lured from California to Philadelphia, making his debut with the Athletics on June 26.  In the month of July, Waddell appeared in 12 games and went 10-1 (or 9-1) with three (or two) of his victories coming in relief.

Now, here is the unique “situation” I addressed earlier. On July 8, Waddell came on in relief in the fifth inning with the A’s up 9-6 (starter Bert Husting had been touched for six runs in four innings). Waddell retired the side in order in the fifth.  The A’ then scored 12 in the top of the sixth and manager Connie Mack pulled Waddell and brought in Lewis Wiltse. Now, at the time, the rules for awarding a win were more like flexible guidelines for the scorekeeper. (The five-inning minimum for a starter to earn a win, for example was not on the books.) Various sources disagree on whether Waddell got the win. In his article “Rube Waddell in 1902,” published in the 1979 Baseball Research Journal (SABR), researcher/writer Peter Palmer credits Waddell with the win (he also notes that “The McMillan Research team gave him (Waddell) the win in this game, but other sources, including Sporting Life, did not.”  Digging further, I found that Baseball-Almanac.com credits Waddell with the win and Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org do not. Those latter two sources credit the win to Bert Husting, who left the game with a 9-6 lead after four innings on the mound. I’ll let the reader be the judge.  The fact is, Waddell’s July 1902 run deserves recognition one way or the other.

Making UP For Lost Time!

In 1902, despite not joining the Athletics until late June, Rube Waddell went 24-7, 2.05 – finishing second in the AL in wins and ERA, while also leading the league in strikeouts with 210 (50 ahead of second-place finisher Cy Young).  Not bad for joining the team and league with 40 percent of the season over.  

Waddell pitched in 13 MLB seasons (1897, 1899-1910 … Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Orphans, Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns), going 193-143, 2.16 in 407 games (340 starts), with 261 complete games and 50 shutouts.

Power Pitching

In 1904, Rube Waddell fanned 349 batters for the Athletics (110 more than the runner-up in Ks).  It set a modern record for strikeouts in a season that lasted until 1965 (Sandy Koufax – 383).  IN 1904, Waddell averaged 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings.  The next highest was 6.6 (Chief Bender) and the MLB average was 3.8.

For a lot more on the Waddell, a truly eccentric lefty,  click here.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball Almanac.com; “Rube Waddell in 1902,” by Peter Palmer, published in the 1979 Baseball Research Journal; “The Great Pennant Race of 1885,” by John J. O’Malley, published in the 1977 Baseball Research Journal.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

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It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This one takes us back a bit. On June 7, 1922, As his Pirates lost to the Giants 9-8 in 18 innings (in Pittsburgh), Pittsburgh CF Max Carey had a record-setting day at the plate. Carey came to the plate nine times and collected three hits and six walks. He remains the only player to reach safely in every plate appearance nine times in a single contest.  Side note: Cubs’ 3B Stan Hack once reached base nine times in a game (another 18-inning affair), but he had ten plate appearances (one sacrifice bunt). The usual disclaimer: Negro League single-game statistics from 1920-48 have not been fully incorporate into MLB records.

In his record-setting game, Carey scored three runs, drove in two and had one double and three stolen bases.

Well, as usual, with The Roundtable, one thing led to another.  First, I was drawn to another unicorn day: May 8, 2016, when Nationals’ RF Bryce Harper reached base seven times in seven plate appearances in a 13-inning Nationals’ 4-3 loss to the Cubs – without getting a single official at bat – a “feat” yet to be duplicated.   Harper:

• Walked on four pitches in the first inning, with one on and one out;
• Walked on five pitches in the third, with one out and no one on;
• Was intentionally walked in the fourth, with runners on second and third and two out;
• Was hit by a pitch, with one on and one out in the sixth;
• Walked on five pitches in the eighth, with one out and no one on base;
• Was intentionally walked in the tenth, with runners on second and third and two out;
• Was intentionally walked in the twelfth wit, runners on second and third and wo out.

With the “wave ‘em to first” intentional walk rule not yet in effect (it took effect the following season), Harper “saw” a total of 27 pitches (assuming he saw the one that hit him) of which only two were (called) strikes. He, in fact, never swung the bat in his seven trips to the plate.

Again, as usual, that was not enough for The Roundtable. I got to thinking back about Max Carey getting on base nine times in nine plates appearance in that 1922 extra-inning game and set out to find the record for getting on base in every plate appearance in a nine-inning (or less) contest.

As you look at the chart, you may notice:

 

• Rennie Stennett’s “seven times up – seven times on” game saw him collect seven base hits, still the MLB  record for hits in a nine-inning game;
• Harry Craft hit for the cycle in his “lucky number seven” day and it was never in doubt. He doubled in the second, tripled in the third, singled in the fourth and completed  the cycle with a homer in the fifth;
• Sean Casey hit two homers when he rolled his lucky seven;
• Mel Ott‘s “Highway to Seven” included five walks and only two hits., as did Ben Chapman‘s.

 

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

 

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

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Note:  This Tibit Tuesday, orginally published June 16, was updated to include Kyle Schwarber’s two-homer inning on June 21.

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

In an eight-day span in June, MLB saw two player launch two homers in an inning.  On June 12, Astros’ DH and number-two hitter Yordan Alvarez hit his 23^rd and 24^th home runs of the season. Not totally remarkable, he is a good hitter in the midst of an outstanding season.  As of June 21, when this post was updated, Alvarez was second in the AL in batting average (.320) and RBI (55) and leading the league in home runs (24, tied), hits (90); total bases (177) and slugging percentage (.630). His total bases and slugging percentage were leading MLB.  Noteworthy, from the Tidbit point of view, is that he hit both homers in the first inning of an Astros’ 10-8 win over the Royals (in Kansas City). In his first at bat of the frame, he hit a two-run homer on a 3-2 pitch from Royals’ starter Luinder Avila. Alvarez came to the plate later in the inning with the bases loaded (Mason Black on the mound). The Houston DH tattooed a 1-0 pitch off Black to deep center for a Grand Slam.  One inning, two homers, six RBI. Not a bad start – and it turned out the Astros needed all those runs.

Then on June 20th, Phillies’ power-hitting DH Kyle Schwarber, also hitting in the lucky number-two slot, poked a pair of homers in the bottom of the third inning of a Phillie’ 15-3 win over the Mets. He led of the inning with a blast to RF (off a 1-1 pitch from Freddy Peralta) and, later in the frame, hit a three-run homer to right (on a 2-1 pitch from Cionel Perez). Schwarber added a third roundtripper in the seventh. As of June 21, Schwarber’s stat line was .254-28-49. He was leading MLB in homers and leading the NL in slugging percentages (.595) and  total bases (166).

As always, “One thing led to another,” and I got to thinking about two-homer innings – and whether they are any baseball unicorns to be found among them. First of all, a player launching two homers in an inning is not a unicorn-worthy feat.  It’s happened 66 times since 1900 (71 if you go back to 1880 and include the Players League and American Association of the time). Side note: 33 of those two-homer innings have occurred since the year 2000. 

So, what about that unicorn? It appears in the form of Red Sox’ 2B Bill Regan, who  rapped two home runs in the fourth inning of a Red Sox 10-5 win over the White Sox (in Chicago).  The first one was the easy one. He led off the inning with a home run over the LF wall (off Ted Blankenship (The Red Sox were down 3-0 at the  time).  By the time Regan came to the plate again in the inning, the Sox were up 6-3, Sarge Connally was on the bump for Chicago, there were two out and a runner on first – and Regan smacked a line drive to deep center field. Only this time, he had to run.  He dashed his way to an inside-the park two-run homer to give the Red Sox an 8-3 lead.

That performance made Regan the only MLB player in the Modern Era (post-1900) to hit an inside-the-park and over-the-fence homer in the same inning. In addition, Regan’s 18 career home runs are the fewest ever by a player with a two-homer inning on his resume. Regan played six MLB seasons (1926-31 … Red Sox, Pirates), going .267-18-294 in 641 games. Disclaimer: Negro Leagues’ single-game statistics from 1920-48 have not been fully incorporated into MLB record books. 

Well, as usual, one thing led to another.  So here are a few more two-homer innings tidbits.

Going Where No Man Has Gone Before … Or Since

Seventeen players have launched a Grand Slam as part of a two-homer inning, but on April 23, 1999, Cardinals’ 3B Fernando Tatis not only hit two homers in an inning – he hit two Grand Slams in one inning (giving him unicorn status that he still retains). It was the 11-run third inning of the Cardinals’ 12-5 win over the Dodgers in LA.  Equally surprising to BBRT is the fact that Dodgers’ starter Chan Ho Park was on the mound for both Grand Slams (the second finally drove Park from the game).  This gives both Tatis and Park (the only pitcher to give up two Grand Slams to the same hitter in an inning) unicorn status.  Park’s inning went like this:  single – hit batsman – single – Tatis’ Grand Slam – ground out, first base-to-pitcher – home run (by C Eli Marrero) – walk – walk – fielder’s choice – error by first baseman – single – fly out to right field – Tatis’ second Grand Slam – relieved by Carlos Perez, who got the final out of the inning on a foul pop up.

Teaming Up for a Two-Homer Inning

On May 2, 2002, Brett Boone and Mike Cameron became the first (and still only) two teammates to hit two home runs in one inning in the same game – and they did it in the same inning (a ten-run first in a 15-4 win over the White Sox) and they did it back-to-back (out of the number-two and number-three holes in the batting order). Now, that is a double unicorn.

2 X 2 = A Record

To date, only five  players have achieved two home runs an inning twice in their careers:

• Jeff King, Pirates (April 8, 1995 and April, 30, 1996);
• Willie McCovey, Giants (April 12, 1973 and June 27, 1977);
• Andre Dawson, Expos (June 30, 1978 and Sept. 24, 1985);
• Alex Rodriguez, Yankees (September 5, 2007 and October 4, 2009).
• Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays and Mariners (July 26, 2013 and April 8, 2019, respectively).

From Both Side Now

The Indians’ Carlos Baerga (August 8, 1993), the Cubs’ Mark Bellhorn (August 29, 2002) and the Angels’ Kendrys Morales (July 30, 2012) are the only players to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning.

Two in One Frame … Why Not Double Up with Two More?

The Braves’ Bobby Lowe (May 30, 1894) and Mariners’ Mike Cameron (May 2, 2002) each achieved a two-homer inning in the midst of a record  four-homer game.

Bothersome Brothers

Brett Boone (May 2, 2002) and Aaron Boone are the only two brothers to both go deep twice in one MLB inning. Brett has the career edge in MLB home runs – 252 to Aarons’s 126.

A Winning ‘Ticket

No team that had a player record a two-homer game has ended up  on the wrong side of the final score in that contest.  The closest call came on July 22, 2006, when Tampa Bay SS (and leadoff hitter) Julio Lugo hit a pair of two-run homers in the fifth inning versus the Ori0les. Tampa ended the inning with a 10-3 lead over Baltimore. The Devil Rays extended the lead to 13-3 in the sixth, but the Orioles scored nine in the seventh.  Tampa ultimately escaped with a 13-12 victory.

Lucky 13

The sixth inning has seen the most two-homer inning (by one player) performances, with 13.  The ninth inning has seen the fewest, with one. On May 2, 2025, the Tigers broke up a 1-1 tie with eight runs in the top of the ninth – versus the Angels). Detroit DH Riley Greene broke the tie, opening the inning with a solo home run off Kenley Jansen. Greene came up later in the inning (against Jake Eder) and added a three-run dinger.  No player has ever hit two-home runs in an extra inning.

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

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

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It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.  (Yes, I know it’s Monday, but I’ve got a conflict tomorrow and “better a day early than a day late. ”

This week we’re exploring the answer to the gripping (for some of us) question, “Who is the only MLB player in the Modern Era to have a season of at least one hundred plate appearances and put the ball in play every time – zero strikeouts and zero walks?”  The records cited in this post will be for the Modern Era.

Perhaps not the answer you would expect. It was Braves’ right-handed pitcher Johnny Sain, who returned from three years of military service in 1946 and put up 20-14, 2.21 record on the mound (with a league-leading 24 complete games) and hit .298-0-17. Within that batting stat line, you’ll find zero walks and zero strikeouts in 104 plate appearances (40 games).  Side note: In 1948, Sain nearly repeated the feat. He not only was once again a 20+ game winner on the mound, in 40 games (118 plate appearances), he fanned only once (he did draw three walks). That season, he hit .346-0-18..

Going a little deeper:

• From his last two at bats on July 21, 1942 through his game of June 22, 1947, Sain appeared in 69 games (153 consecutive plate appearances) without drawing a walk or striking out.
• For his career, 433 games (857 plate appearances) and had just 24 walks and 20 strikeouts. (I’ll do the math; that’s one strikeout every 42.9 plate appearances.) His final offensive stat line was .245-3-101.

Sain’s professional baseball career took some interesting  turns.  Signed as a teenager, he went  58-41, 3.60 over six minor-league seasons before making his MLB debut (as a 24-year-old) with the 1942 Braves. In his first season with Boston, Sain was used primarily in relief, going 4-7, 3.90 with six saves (awarded retroactively). Then, along came World War II and a draft notice.

In 1943, Sain enlisted in the Navy, where he completed flight training, apparently with such “flying colors” that he served as a Navy flight instructor. During his service, he also took time to  pitch for the “North Carolina Pre-Flight” baseball team, known as the Cloudbusters.

Babe’s Send Off

On July 28, 1943, Johnny Sain pitched for his Navy Cloudbusters baseball team in an exhibition game at Yankee Stadium to raise war-relief funds.  The opposition was a team of New York Yankee and Cleveland Indian reserves. Adding to the attraction was the Yankee-Indians team’s third-base coach – 48-year-old retired major-leaguer Babe Ruth.  Sain was told to take it easy on Ruth, who ultimately walked.  Why is that here in the Tidbits?  It was Babe Ruth’s last at bat in an organized baseball game.

Thanks to Jan Finkel, who wrote Johnny Sain’s Society for American Baseball  Research Bio. 

Sain was discharged and returned to professional baseball – and the Braves – in 1946 and quickly proved that the three-year hiatus from the majors had not dulled his skills. In fact, it may have sharpened them. (Sain would later say learning to fly improved his ability to concentrate.)

Whatever the reasons, Sain’s return to civilian life and the baseball diamond was a success.  In his first year out of a Navy uniform and back in a Braves’ uniform (1946), Sain went 20-14, 2.21, leading the National League in complete games (24) and finishing second in ERA, wins and games started and third in strikeouts.

A few other tidbits I stumbled across in putting together this post:

• Sain is one of just three Modern Era players with a season of 100 more plate appearances and zero strikeouts: OF Lloyd Waner had 234 plate appearances in 77 games (Braves, Reds, Pirates) in 1941 and hit .292-0-11,with zero whiffs and 12 walks; C Bill Randon had 108 plate appearances in 39 games (Reds) in 1920 and hit .283-0-10, with zero strikeouts and five walks.
• Fifty players have recorded seasons of 100 or more plate appearances with zero walks (all but eight were pitchers). Atop this list is White Sox’ P Ed Walsh, who (in 1907) came to the plate 156 times and hit .162-1-10, with zero walks (44 strikeouts). Among position players the leader is Phillies’ C Craig Robinson, who came to the plate 148 times in 1973 and went .226-0-7 with zero walks (25 strikeouts).

A Brief Diversion … How The Game Has Changed

Reggie Jackson struck out more than 100 times in a record 18 (out of his 21) MLB seasons, leading the league in strikeouts five times). Babe Ruth also led the league in strikeouts five times, but did not strikeout 100 times in any 22 seasons.

Back to Johnny Sain.

In his first three seasons back from the Navy, Sain was a two-time All Star and three-time 20-game winner (29-14, 2.31 in 1946; 21-12, 3.52 in 1947; and 24-15 in 1948). In 1948, he led the NL in wins, starts and complete games.

Things went a bit south in 1949 for Sain, as he developed a sore shoulder (perhaps from overwork the previous three season, or a screwball he experimented with, or both).  He ended the season at 10-17, 4.81. Although he rebounded to 20-13, 3.94 in 1950, things still did not seem quite right  and, after starting 1951 at 5-13, 4.21, Sain was traded to the Yankees in late August  (for Lew Burdette, who would beat the Yankees three times in the 1975 World Series). Sain went 2-1, for the Bronx Bombers in 1951 (seven games/four starts).

Sain pitched for the Yankees from September 1951 through mid-May 1955 (traded to the Athletics during his final MLB season). To give you some idea of how his role changed in New York (perhaps recognizing a tender shoulder): Eighty percent of Sain’s 257 appearances with the Braves were starts, while 75 percent of his 155 appearances with the Yankees were in relief. Notably, Sain adapted well. In 1954, he went 6-6, 3.16 for New York, appearing in 45 games (all in relief) and leading the AL in games finished (39) and saves (awarded retroactively) with 26.

In 11 MLB seasons, Sain went 138-116, 3.49, with 53 saves (412 appearances, 245 starts). He was a three-time All Star and led the league once in wins and once in saves.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Johnny Sain Society for American Baseball Research Bio, by Jan Finkel.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

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