You’ve heard it before, when Baseball Roundtable starts researching  a hardball topic “one thing often leads to another.” In this case, the recent Roundtable post on exceptional, unique or interesting relief appearances (to see that post click here) – intended to provide a bit of relief from news of the CBA impasse –  led reader Leon DeHaven to point The Roundtable in the direction of Dean Stone’s 1954 All Star Game relief stint, when Stone picked up a win without retiring a single batter.

Thirteen pitchers were used in the 1954 All Star Game. It was the only career All Star selection for six of them: Carl Erskine; Marv Grissom; Sandy Consuegra; Bob Keegan; Bob Porterfield; and Dean Stone.

The game proved to be one of the highest scoring in All Star history – an 11-9 American League win – featuring home runs by Ted Kluszewski, Gus Bell, Al Rosen (two homers and five RBI), Ray Boone and Lary Doby. But back to Stone’s appearance.  Stone was called in to replace Bob Keegan with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, with runners on first (Al Dark) and third (Red Schoendienst). (Earlier in the inning, Keegan had given up a two-run, pinch-hit home run  to Gus Bell to give the National League a 9-8 lead.) The pitching change put the southpaw Stone up against lefty batting Duke Snider (who already had three hits and a walk in the game).

As Stone prepared to fire his third pitch to Snider, Schoendienst (apparently hoping to catch the rookie unaware) broke for home. Stone stepped off the rubber and threw to catcher Yogi Berra to retire Schoendienst and end the inning.  In the bottom of the ninth,  the AL scored three runs to take the lead – putting Stone in line for the win. The White Sox’ Virgil Trucks pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to save the victory.

Virgil Trucks, who went 177-135, 3.39 in 17 MLB seasons (1941-43, 1945-58) won 14 or more games in eight MLB seasons (a high of 20 in 1954). He is  best known for throwing  two no-hitters for the Tigers in 1952 – a season in which he won only give games (19 losses).

Over the years, Stones’ All Star Game win has not been without controversy.  While some report that Stone picked up an All Star Game victory “without retiring a batter,” others assert that – since Snider did not complete a plate appearance – Stone’s win came without “throwing an official pitch.”  That demanded further digging. Where did I go to seek an answer to this “thorny” question? To the best source I know for getting an accurate assessment of such issues – Stew Thornley. Thornley is one of MLB’s official scorers (assigned to then Twins),  a datacaster for the MLB.com website and  a member of the MLB Official Scoring Advisory Committee. He also has authored dozens of books and articles on professional baseball and basketball (for a list, click here.) Thornley has won national awards for his baseball research from McMillan Publishing Company, the Society for American Baseball Research, USA Today Baseball Weekly and The Baseball Reliquary. How did Thornley answer the Stone question? Here it is. “There is no ‘official count’ on pitches, but since he (Stone) stepped off, this was a play and not a pitch, so there were only two pitches … It is correct that Stone got a win without retiring a batter, but too often it’s been written that he got a win  without throwing a pitch.”

Thanks For This Story, Stew

In replying to my question on Dean Stone (Remember in Baseball roundtable, one thing always seems to lead to another), Stew Thornley recalled witnessing Jeff Gray pick up two MLB wins on just three pitches.

I did some digging, and here’s the story.  Gray was drafted (by the A’s) out of Missouri State University in the 32nd Round of the 2004 MLB Draft. At Missouri State, the 6’3”, 205-pound righty had gone 23-13, 4.29 over four seasons.  Gray made his MLB debut with the A’s  on September 8, 2008 (as a 26-year-old). He was up and down from 2008-11, going 1-2, 4.57 in 66 games (all in relief) for the A’s, Cubs White Sox and Mariners. In October of 2011, the Twins selected him off waivers (from the Mariners), which is how he came to Thornley’s attention.

Gray’s 2012 season with the Twins was his best in MLB, at least from a W-L standpoint (it was also his final season in the majors).  He went 6-1 (but with a 5.71 ERA). Gray pitched in 49 games for the Twins, but two games in April caught Thornley’s eye (and stuck in his memory). In those two games, Gray tripled his career win total (going from one to three). Put another way, after just one win over four-plus seasons, Gray picked up two victories in the span of three pitches. It went like this:

• On April 11, 2012, the Twins faced the Angels (in Minnesota) and Gray was called in to relieve Carl Pavano in the top of the seventh inning with the Angels up 5-3, two outs and a runner on second. The Angels’ batter was CF and number nine-hitter Pete Bourjos and Gray induced a weak ground out (third-to-first ) on the first pitch he threw.  In the bottom of the inning, the Twins scored three to take the lead.  Glen Perkins replaced Gray in the top of the eighth and set the Angels down 1-2-3. Closer Matt Capps came on for the Twins in the ninth and held the Angels scoreless.  So, Gray picked up the win on one pitch (Perkins got the hold and Capps the save).
• The very next day, again against the Angels, Gray was called in to replace reliever Brian  Duensing with the Angels up 7-6, two outs and a runner on first. The hitter wa 2B (and number-two in the lineup) Howie Kendrick. Gray got Kendrick to ground into a force out (short-to-second) on just his second pitch.  In the bottom of the eighth, the Twins scored four runs to take a 10-7 lead. Capps pitched the ninth and picked up a save, despite surrendering two runs on three hits.  Gray got the win.

Two days, two wins, three pitches.  That’s being in the right place at the right time. Jeff Grays’s career stat line was 7-3, 4.99, with one save (115 appearances.)

Let’s close with a little more a little more on 1954 All Star Game winner Dean Stone. He signed with the Cubs in 1949, right out of high school, but was released  that May and signed as a free agent with the Senators in June.  Stone  pitched pretty well in the Senators’ minor-league system –  including a 17-10, 3.16 season for the Class-B Charlotte Hornets in 1952. He earned a September 1953 call up after an 8-10, 3.33 season at for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts.  He appeared in three games for Washington (one start) and went 0-1, 8.31 in 8 2/3 innings.

In 1954, Stone made the Senators squad out of Spring Training. He jumped out to that 7-2, 3.47 start (before the 1954 All Star Game) and finished at 12-10, 3.22 (31 appearances, 23 starts, ten complete games, two shutouts). It would be his best season in the majors.  In fact, it would be  one of only two seasons in which he recorded a winning record.

From 1955-57, Stone pitched in 104 MLB contests (52 stars), going 12-23, 5.08 for the Senators and Red Sox.

From 1957-1963, Dean Stone pitched for six major-league clubs and four Triple-A squads.

Stone spent most of 1958-61 in the minor leagues (Red Sox and Cardinals systems.) He did into 18 games for the Cardinals in 1959, going 0-1, 4.20. At Triple-A, he showed promise, pitching in 153 games (81 starts) – going 43-31, 3.28. That got the attention of the expansion Houston Colt .45s, who picked him up in the November 1961 Rule Five Draft.  Stone  started the 1962 season with the Astros and threw a pair of complete-game shutouts in his first two appearances  – 18 innings pitched, eight hits, three walks,12 whiffs. He struggled after that hot start, going, 1-2, 6.82 in his next 13 appearances (five starts). He was traded to the White Sox on June 25, where he pitched well out of the pen (1-0, 3.26 with five saves in 27 appearances). After the season, he was sold to the Orioles and, in 1963 (his final MLB season), he went 1-2, 5.12,with one save in 17 relief stints.

Stone played in eight MLB seasons (1953-57, 1959, 1962-63 … Senators, Cardinals, Red Sox, Orioles, Colt  .45s, Orioles) – and put up a career line of 29-39, 4.47 in 215 games (85 starts), with ten complete game and five shutouts.

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Negro Leagues star Ted Radcliffe earned the nickname “Double Duty” for his on-field performance as a pitcher and a catcher.  More recently, Shohei Ohtani has doubled up, showing “power”  as a starting pitcher and a designated hitter. This post focuses on a different kind of double duty: MLB players who have played other sports at the highest level – players who have made a splash on the basepaths and out of the backfield; on the mound and at the free throw line; on a field of grass and a sheet of ice.

In this post, Baseball Roundtable would like to present its 20 “favorite” players who reached the pinnacle in baseball and at least one other leading U.S. sport.  (There isn’t room to note all who qualify. As I began this post, various sources pointed to 69 players to play in both MLB and  the NFL,  13 to play in both MLB and the NBA and one to suit up in MLB and the NHL.) I labeled this list “favorites,” rather than the 20 “best” simply because I am taking into consideration more than their performance in both sports (with emphasis, of course, on baseball(), but also  accomplishments or stats that I  found unique or interesting.

Before we get started, a spoiler alert.  Here’s the kind of info you’ll find along the way:

• Braves’ pitcher Gene Conley is the only person to play on both a World Series winner and an NBA championship team;
• Hinkey Haines was the first player to play on a World Series and NFL Champion;
• Bo Jackson is the only player to be an MLB All Star and an NFL Pro Bowler;
• Deion Sanders is the only athlete to suit up for a Major League Baseball and National Football League game on the same day;
• Carroll Hardy (the only player ever to pinch hit for Ted Williams) had a season in which he hit eight home runs for the Red Sox and another in which he scored four touchdowns for the San Francisco 49ers;
• Famed Olympian Jim Thorpe – thought by many to be the greatest athlete of the 20th century – and lesser-known Steve “Flip” Flipowicz are the only two to play for the MLB New York Giants and NFL New York Giants;
• James Riley is the only person to play in both MLB and the NHL.

So, how about those 20 favorites?  But first, a “Double Duty Extra.”

Double Duty Extra … Jim Thorpe (MLB/NFL)

Jim Thorpe gets a spot all to himself in this post.  Trying to make comparison would be both difficult and perhaps a bit unfair – given the legends that surround Thorpe’s history.  There are those who cite Jim Thorpe as the greatest American athlete of all Time … and they provide plenty of evidence to back up that claim.  After all, Thorpe took the Gold in the 1912 Summer Olympics in both the Pentathlon and Decathlon – winning eight of the fifteen events in the two all-around competition.  In college (Carlisle Indian Industrial School), he starred  in track and field, baseball, football and Lacrosse (and was an  All American in football).

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Save the Last Dance

Jim Thorpe won the 1912 intercollegiate ballroom dancing championship. 

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Thorpe played six MLB seasons (1913-15 & 1917-19, Giants, Reds, Braves), hitting .252, with seven home runs and 82 RBI in 289 games. His final season was his best – with a .327-3-26 line in 62 games.  He was also one of the first stars of National Football League.  Prior to 1920 (you’ll see why that is important in a minute), Thorpe had played with the Canton (Ohio) Bulldogs – leading them to thee Ohio League crowns.  In 1920, he was among the founders – and first president – of the American Professional Football Association, which became the National Football League.  As a player, he was also among the league’s first stars (and drawing cards). Although accurate records are difficult to track down and document, Thorpe was one of the league’s early stars (playing from 1920 through 1928). His bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame website (he is a charter member) states “There is no question he was superb in every way. He could run with speed and bruising power. He could pass and catch passes with the best, punt long distances and kick field goals either by drop-kick or place-kick … He blocked with authority and, on defense, was a bone-jarring tackler.

Now that list.

Number One – Deion Sanders (MLB/NFL)

With his nine-season MLB career and 14-season NFL career (all between 1989-2005), Sanders tops this list on the basis of some unique accomplishments:

• Only person to play in the Super Bowl (for the victorious San Francisco 49ers, 1995, and the winning Dallas Cowboys, 1996) and the World Series (for the losing Atlanta Braves, 1992);
• Only person to hit a major-league home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week;
• Only person to “suit up” for an MLB and NFL game on the same day.

Now, that Would Have Been Quite the Doubleheader

On October 11, 1992, Sanders played for the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL day game against the Miami Dolphins and then flew to Pittsburgh to suit up for the Atlanta Braves’ League Championship Series game against the Pirates that night. (He did not, however, get into the game).

As an MLB player (1989-1995, 1997, 2001) Sanders manned the outfield for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, Sanders played in 641 regular-season games, compiling a .263 average with 39 Home runs, 168 RBI and 186 stolen bases.  His best year was 1992, when he played in 97 games for the Braves – going .304, with a league-leading 14 triples, along with eight home runs, 28 RBI, 54 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.  He followed that up by hitting .533 (8-for-17), with four runs scored, one RBI and five stolen bases in the World Series.

During his NFL career, Sanders earned his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame  – intercepting  53 passes, returning nine for touchdowns;  returning 155 kickoffs for 3,523 yards and three TDs; returning 212 punts for 2,199 yards and six TDs; catching 60 passes for 784 yards and three TDs; and recovering four fumbles (one for a TD). He was an eight-time Pro-Bowler and the NFL’s 1994 Defensive Player of the Year. Sanders squeaks into the top spot on the list (over #2 Bo Jackson)  by virtue of his Football Hall of Fame selection.

Variety is the Spice of Life

During his NFL career, Sanders scored touchdowns  via a pass reception, a pass interception, rushing, punt return, kick-off return and fumble recovery.

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Number Two – Bo Jackson (MLB/NFL)

Bo Jackson had an eight-season career as an MLB outfielder:  Kansas City Royals (1986-90); Chicago White Sox (1991, 1993); California Angels (1994). He also was a running back for the Los Angeles Raiders for four seasons (1987-90).  In 1989, he was selected as an MLB All Star (and MVP of the 1989 All Star Game) and, in 1990,  he was named to the AFC NFL Pro Bowl team.

His best year in MLB was 1989, when he hit .256, with 32 home runs, 105 RBI and 26 stolen bases for the Kansas City Royals.  That same year, he notched 950 yards rushing (5.5 yards per carry) and four rushing touchdowns for the Raiders.  That season he also caught nine passes for 69 yards.

In his MLB career, Jackson played in 694 games, hitting .250 with 141 home runs, 415 RBI and 82 stolen bases.

In his four seasons in the NFL, Jackson rushed for 2,782 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns.  He also caught 40 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns.  Plenty of fans would place Jackson at number-one on this list (and I’d have little argument with that ).

Just think of what Jackson might have done had a not been for a career-altering 1991 hip injury.  Perhaps only “BO Knows”

Make Room on the Mantle

Bo Jackson is one of only two major leaguers to win the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top college football player. Vic Janowicz, who appear later on this list was the first.

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Double-Duty Extra – “Last Night I Spent the Night in Detroit City

Matt Kinzer did not make this list, as his MLB and NFL careers lasted a combined nine games.  He did, however, earn a spot among the “Extras” for playing for both the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions. During the 1987 NFL strike, Kinzer started one game as a punter for the Detroit Lions (seven punts for an average of 34 yards).  It was his only NFL game.  In 1990, he went to the mound in one game for the Tigers (giving up three runs in 1 2/3 innings). He also appeared in nine games for the Cardinals in 1989.

Number Three  – Gene Conley (MLB/NBA)

The 6’ 8” right-handed pitcher excelled at baseball and basketball and holds the distinction of being the only person to play on an NBA Championship squad (Boston Celtics in 1959, 60 & 61) and a World Series Champion (Milwaukee Braves, 1957).

His MLB career spanned 11 seasons:  Boston Braves/Milwaukee Braves (1954-58); Philadelphia Phillies (1959-60); Boston Red Sox (1961-63). Conley pitched in 276 games (214 starts), winning 91 and losing 96 with an ERA of 3.82.  He was a three-time All Star and the winning pitcher in the 1955 All Star Game.  His best year was 1954 when he went 14-9 with a 2.96 ERA.  He pitched in just one game in the 1957 World Series, giving up two runs in 1.2 innings of relief (the starts for Milwaukee went to Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette and Bob Buhl).

Conley’s NBA career was as strong as his MLB run.   At forward and center  –  playing for the Boston Celtics (1952-61) and New York Knicks (1962-64). He came off the bench to score 2,069 points, grab 2,212 rebounds and dish out 201 assists.  He averaged 16.5 minutes, 5.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.  In 33 playoff games, he averaged 14.6 minutes, 6.7 points and 5.1 rebounds.

I Do Love Beantown

Gene Conley is the only athlete to play for the Boston Braves, Celtics and Red Sox.

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Number Four – Brian Jordan (MLB/NFL)

Brian Jordan patrolled considerable territory in his 15 seasons as an MLB outfielder (1992-2006) and three seasons as an NFL safety.  Jordan’s baseball career included time with the St. Louis Cardinals (1992-98); Atlanta Braves (1999-2001, 2005-06); LA Dodgers (2002-03); and Texas Rangers (2004).  He played in 1,456 games, hitting .282 with 184 home runs and 821 RBI.  He was an All Star in 1999, when he hit .282, with 23 home runs, 115 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

His brief NFL career, all as a defensive back with the Atlanta Falcons (1989-91), included five interceptions and four quarterback sacks in 36 games.

Take ‘Em Deep, Brian

In 38 MLB post-season games, Brian Jordan his  six home runs and drove in 27 (,250 average).

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Double Duty Extra – Twice a Giant  in the Big Apple

Steve “Flip” Flipowicz played big-time baseball and football in the Big Apple.  He played for the New York Baseball Giants (outfield) in 1944 and 1945 and for the NFL New York Giants in 1945-46 (running back). He hit two homes runs in 50 games for the baseball Giants and  scored two touchdowns in 21 games for the football Giants.  He also played one season for the Reds (1945). His final MLB line was .223-2-26 in 57 games.

Number Five –  Dick Groat (MLB/NBA)

Dick Groat had a 14-career as an MLB shortstop (1952, 1955-67) with the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants.  He was a five-time All Star and won the 1960 NL Most Valuable Player Award, while helping the Pirates earn the NL Crown (and win the World Series).  That season, he led the NL in batting at .325.  Groat was a career .286 hitter, with 2,138 hits, 39 home runs and 707 RBI.   He was on two World Series winners:  the 1960 Pirates and the 1964 Cardinals.

Groat also played one season (1952-53) for the NBA’s Fort Wayne Pistons, averaging 25.5 minutes, 11.9 points, 2.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Deck the Halls – Plural that is

While at Duke University, Dick Groat was a two-time All-American in both baseball and basketball.  He was the first person selected to both the College Baseball and Basketball Halls of Fame (one of those unique stats that improved his spot on this list).

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Number Six –   Kevin “Chuck” Connors (MLB/NBA/Hollywood)

Six-foot-five with athletic skills and rugged good looks, Connors played for MLB’s Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs and the Basketball Association of America (later rebranded as the NBA)  Boston Celtics (and was also drafted by the NFL Chicago Bears) before going on to play before even larger audiences as the star of the hit television series “The Rifleman.”   He makes this list more on the basis of his acting career (one of those unique or interesting facts that impact this subjective Roundtable list). Connors, ultimately,  appeared not only in The Rifleman, but in more than 40  movies, including a starring role in the classic “Old Yeller,” and made guest appearances on dozens of television shows.

His MLB career included one at bat with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949 and 66 games as a first baseman/pinch hitter for the Chicago Cubs in 1951.  He chalked up a .239 career average with two home runs and 18 RBIs.  In 1946-48, Connors played forward for the Boston Celtics, averaging 4.5 points per game in 53 games played.

Give Me a Break

Chuck Connors is credited with shattering the first professional backboard ever, during a November 1946 Celtics’ pregame warm-up.

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Double Duty Extra – Is There a Draft in Here?

MLB Hall of Famer Dave Winfield was drafted coming out of college by the San Diego Padres (MLB); Atlantic Hawks (NBA); Utah Stars (ABA); and Minnesota Vikings (NFL).

MLB Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn was drafted by the NBA’s San Diego Clippers and the NL’s San Diego Padres – on the same day (June 10, 1981).

Number Seven –  Dave DeBusschere (NBA/MLB)

The best basketball player to ever play major-league baseball, Dave DeBusschere played 12 seasons in the NBA (1962-74, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks), was an eight-time NBA All Star, six-time NBA All-Defensive Player and played on the Knicks’ 1970 and 1973 NBA Championship teams.  DeBusschere is a member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame.  Over his career (875 games), the 6’6” forward/guard averaged 35.7 minutes, 16.1 points, 2.9 assists and 11 rebounds per game.

DeBusschere’s MLB career was considerably shorter than his basketball tenure.  He joined the Chicago White Sox at age 22 in 1962 and pitched in the 1962 and 1963 seasons, logging 36 appearances (10 starts), a 3-4 record and a 2.90 ERA. His brief major league career did include one complete-game shutout.  On August 13, 1963, DeBusschere shut out the Indians 3-0 (in Chicago) on a complete-game, six-hitter – walking one and fanning three.

Let the Kid Do It

In the 1964-1965 season, DeBusschere, just 24-years-old, was appointed player-coach of the Detroit Pistons – becoming the youngest coach in NBA history (another of those unique facts that affects this listing).   From 1964-67, he coached the Pistons to a 79-143 record before going back to a player-only position. 

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Number Eight  –  Frank Baumholtz (MLB/BAA)

Frank Baumholtz enjoyed a ten-season MLB career (1947-49, 1951-57) as an outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.  He played in 1,019 games, finishing with a .290 average, 25 home runs, 272 RBI, 450 runs scored and 20 stolen bases.  His best season was his 1947 rookie year, when he played in 151 games, led the league with 711 plate appearances and hit .289 with five home runs, 45 RBI and 96 runs scored.

Baumholtz played one season of professional basketball (1946-47), as a guard for the Cleveland Rebels of the Basketball Association of America, forerunner of the NBA. He appeared in 45 games, averaging 14.0 points per game.

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Double Duty Extra – The Game with the Little Ball

Sammy Byrd had an eight-season MLB career (1929-34, Yankees and 1935-36 Reds), during which the outfielder hit .274 with 38 home runs and 220 RBI in 745 games. After leaving baseball, at the age of 29, to pursue a professional golf career, Byrd won six events on the PGA tour between 1942 and 1946. Byrd is the only person to play in both MLB’s World Series and the PGA Masters Tournament.

Number Nine  – George Halas (NFL/MLB)

While Football Hall of Famer George Halas may have been “Mr. Everything” in professional football for some six decades – player, coach, owner, promoter, innovator and pioneer – his MLB career was shorter and less noteworthy.  Halas played in 12 games (22 at bats, .091 average) as an outfielder for the 1919 Yankees.  Halas’ status as a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of fame, earned him a spot this high on the list.

During his pro-football playing career (1919-1928), Halas played defensive end and wide receiver for the Hammond All Stars, Decatur/Chicago Staleys and Chicago Bears.  A Bears’ owner from 1920 until his death in 1983, Halas coached the Chicago Bears (and their predecessor Staleys) for 40 seasons (1920-29, 1933-42, 1946-55. 1958-67).  Under his leadership, the Bears won nine Divisional titles, six NFL Championships and only six times finished with a losing record.

Let’s Try Something New

 George Halas is credited with developing football’s  T-formation.

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Number Ten –  James Riley MLB/NHL

Riley finishes in the top ten primarily because he is the only player I could find that played in MLB and the NHL. His baseball career was – and I write this generously – nondescript.  In two MLB seasons (1921 Browns and 1923 Senators), he appeared in just  six games and went zero-for-fourteen. He also played one season (wing) in the NHL, notching two assists in nine games and eight seasons in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association  (a rival to the NHL), where he scored 93 goals. Riley  played eleven seasons in baseball’s minor leagues.

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Double Duty Extra – Can’t Let This One  Skate

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine (a 305-game winner and two-time Cy Young Award recipient) was drafted in the fourth round of the 1984 National Hockey League draft — two rounds ahead of future National Hockey League Hall of Famer Brett Hull.   (Glavine scored 232 points and had 111 goals as a high school hockey player).

Number Eleven  – Clarence “Ace” Parker (MLB/NFL)

Clarence Parker got his MLB career off with a bang, homering in his first at bat for the 1937 Philadelphia Athletics.  It was downhill from there, as Parker played in just 94 games in 1937 and 1938 (SS-3B-OF) hitting .179 with two home runs and 25 RBI.

Parker proved more adept at football, making the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a multiple-threat player.  Playing from 1937 to 1946 for Brooklyn, Boston and New York (and winning the NFL MVP Award in 1940), he completed 335 of 718 passing attempts for 30 touchdowns, rushed 498 times for 1,292 yards and 13 TDs, had eight pass receptions for 229 yards and three TDs, returned 24 punts for 238 yards and one TD, returned five kickoffs for 98 yards, made 25 of 30 point-after-touchdown kicks (but only 1 of 5 field goal attempts) and punted 150 times for a 38.4 yard average.

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Number Twelve – Ernie Nevers (NFL/MLB)

Ernie Nevers is a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a pro, he played for the NFL’s Duluth Eskimos and Chicago Cardinals for five seasons between 1926 and 1931 – earning All-NFL recognition at running back in each of those campaigns. Nevers also pitched for three seasons  (1926-28) for the AL Saint Louis Browns, going 6-12, with a 4.44 ERA in 44 games (12 starts).

A Big Day for Ernie

 On November 28, 1929, Chicago Cardinals’ fullback Ernie Nevers scored six touchdowns and kicked four extra points, accounting for all the Cardinals’ scoring in a 40-6   victory over the Chicago Bears.  The forty points scored in a single game is still the individual NFL record.

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Number Thirteen –  Danny Ainge (NBA/MLB)

Danny Ainge broke into the major leagues at age 20 (in 1979) with the Toronto Blue Jays.  He played just three seasons in the majors – 211 games, with a .220 average, two home runs and 37 RBI.  Primarily a second baseman, Ainge also saw time at third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.  Notably, Ainge’s MLB career overlapped his college basketball career – Brigham University, 1977-81 – where he ran up average of 20.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game and was the 1981 Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year.

Ainge’s NBA career began at age 22 and stretched over 14 seasons (1981-95) with the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trailblazer and Phoenix Suns.  The 6’ 4”, 175-pound guard totaled 11,964 points, 1,133 steals, 4,199 assists, 2,769 rebounds.    Ainge played in 193 NBA playoff games, averaging 26.1 minutes, 9.9 points, 3.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds.  He was a member of the Celtics 1984 and 1986 NBA Championship teams and a 1988 NBA All Star.

Now that’s an All-American

Danny Ainge was selected as a first team High School All-American in baseball, basketball and football.

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Number Fourteen –  Carroll Hardy (MLB/NFL)

Carroll Hardy was a multi-sport talent for the University of Colorado in the early 1950s, lettering in football, baseball and track – earning All-Conference honors in football and baseball.  Immediately out of college, Hardy signed on as a receiver with the NFL San Francisco 49ers.  In 1955, he caught 12 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns, and returned three punts for  65 yards.  Hardy then chose to concentrate on baseball and played eight seasons (1957-64, 1967) as a major league outfielder, getting into 433 games for the Indians, Red Sox, Astros and Twins.  His career average was .225, with 17 home runs and 113 RBI.

Catch the Bench Ted

Carroll Hardy gets extra credit for being the only player to pinch hit for Ted William.

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Number Fifteen – Hinkey Haines MLB/NFL

Henry “Hinkey” Haines played just one season in MLB, hitting .160 in 24 games for the 1923 World Series Champion Yankees. (He appeared in two games in the 1923 World Series.) He took a bigger bite out of the Big Apple in football, where he where he scored 22 touchdowns (14 rushing, six receiving, on punt return, one-kickoff return) over six seasons – and was a star for the 1927 NFL champion New York Giants. Haines rates this high on the list for that “Hinkey” nickname and the fact that he was  the first  player to play for a World Series Champion and NFL Champion during his career.

Nice Six Pack Hinkey

In two years at Penn State, Hinkey Haines earned two varsity letters each in baseball, football and basketball.

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Number Sixteen  – Ron Reed (MLB/NBA)

A  6’6”, 217-pound, right-handed pitcher, Ron Reed,  enjoyed a 19-year career as an MLB starter and reliever (Atlanta Braves, 1966-75; St. Louis Cardinals, 1975; Philadelphia Phillies, 1976-83; and Chicago White Sox, 1984).  Reed’s MLB career record was 146-140, 103 saves, a 3.46 ERA and 1,481 strikeouts in 2,477 2/3 innings pitched.  His best season was 1969, when he went 18-10, 3.47 in 33 starts for the Braves. He had seven season of ten or more wins.

Reed also played forward for two seasons for the NBA Detroit Pistons (1965-66, 1966-67), averaging 18.9 minutes, 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

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Number Seventeen –  Steve Hamilton (MLB/NBA)

The 6’6” left-handed reliever enjoyed a 12-year (1961-72) career with the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, New York Giants and Chicago Cubs – going 40-31 with 42 saves and a career ERA of 3.05.

Hamilton also played two seasons as a forward for the NBA Minneapolis Lakers (1958-60) – averaging 13.3 minutes, 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 82 games.

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Number Eighteen –  Mark Hendrickson  (MLB/NBA)

Hendrickson, a 6’9” left-handed hurler, recorded 10 MLB seasons (328 appearances, 166 starts) with a 58-74 record and a 5.03 ERA.  Between, 2002-2011, he pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.  His best MLB season was 2009, when he went 6-5 with a 4.37 ERA for the Orioles.

Hendrickson also played four seasons (1996-2000) as a power forward in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers.  In 114 games, he averaged 13.2 minutes, 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

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Double Duty Extra – Short but Sweet

Drew Henson played quarterback for the Cowboys (2004-05) and Lions (2008).  He also appeared in eight games for the 2002-03 Yankees, going one-for-nine.  His NFL career consisted of just nine games played, and he completed a total of 11 of 20 passes with one TD and one interception.  Despite this “small sample size,”  he can lay claim to reaching the highest professional level in two sports – and to throwing and NFL Touchdown and collecting an MLB base hit.

Number Nineteen –  Vic Janowicz (MLB/NFL)

Janowicz got in 22 games as a halfback for the Washington Redskins (1954-55), gaining 410 yards on 99 carries with four touchdowns.  He also played 83 games at catcher and third base for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the 1953 and 1954 seasons – hitting .214 with two home runs and ten RBI.  His athletic career was cut short by injures received in an automobile accident (age 26).  He is on this list based on what might have been.

Top Notch College Player

Vic Janowicz, playing for Ohio State University, won the 1950 Heisman Trophy as college football’s best player.

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Number Twenty –  Howie Schultz (MLB/NBA)

Schultz played major league baseball for six seasons (1943-48), spending time at first base with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds.  He played 470 games, hitting .241, with 24 home runs and 208 RBI.

In 1949, the 6’6” Schultz switched to basketball, beginning a three-year stint as an NBA center/forward.  He played for the NBA’s Anderson Packers, Fort Wayne Pistons and Minneapolis Lakers, averaging 5.3 points per game. Let’s face it, every list needs a Howie.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Almanac.com; Baseball-Reference.com; Pro-Football-Reference.com; Basketball-Reference.com; MLB.com; The Day Deion tried to play two, by Michael Clair, MLB.com, October 12, 2021; Dick Groat Bio, Duke Hall of Fame, GoDuke.com;  Legends Profile: Dave DeBusschere, NBA.com; In 1929 Ernie Nevers Scored 40 Points in a Single Game, Jon Turney, Pro Football Journal, September 22, 2019; Before he attained Olympic glory, Jim Thorpe was an athletic hero in Carlisle, by Leah Polakoff, Penn State Commmedia News, October 15, 2013.

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David “Big Papi” Ortiz – top vote getter in Baseball Roundtable’s (unofficial) fan/reader balloting.
Photo by Keith Allison

We’re just nine days away from the official announcement of whom the Baseball Writers Association of American (BBWAA) voted (or did not vote) into the Hall of Fame for 2022.  To help you pass the time (and maybe spur a discussion or two) between now and January 25, I’ll use this post to present the results of Baseball Roundtable’s (unofficial ) Hall of Fame fan/reader voting.

The 140 fans who voted indicated they are not ready to “forgive and forget” when it comes to the PED controversy.  Roundtable readers  tossed a shutout in the unofficial Hall of Fame balloting, with David Ortiz leading all nominees with 65 percent of the votes – well short of the 75 percent needed for induction.  Only four players, in fact, received at least 50 percent of the vote: Ortiz, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Todd Helton. Rounding out the top ten were Jeff Kent, Billy Wagner, Alex Rodriguez, Curt Schilling, Scott Rolen and Gary Sheffield (there is a full chart later in the post).

Players with 50 percent of higher support:

• David Ortiz… 65.0 percent
• Barry Bonds …. 60.7
• Roger Clemens … 59.3
• Todd Helton … 51.4

By comparison, with 42. 9 percent of the official ballots announced/tracked (as of January 15), the 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame Vote Tracker also has Ortiz (83.7 percent), Bonds (77.7) and Clemens (76.5) as its top three vote getters on BBWAA ballots.

Baseball Hall of Fame Vote Tracker

To follow the announced ballots, go the www.bbhoftracker.com … The tracker team does a great job.  They provide not only publicly released (by voters) vote totals, but the votes cast on individual ballots (when the voter has released his or her name) and stats on such measures as votes gained or lost to date among returning voters and support among first-time voters.

It would appear that Ortiz has the best chance of election, with a nice cushion (but with close to 60 percent of the ballots untracked). In regard to Bonds and Clemens, past history (and conventional wisdom) shows vote percentages tend  to drop off as more votes become public. While Ortiz has built a nice cushion, Bonds and Clemens seem likely to again end up short.

For a look at Baseball Roundtable’s early predictions for  2022 voting and bios of the candidates, click here.

Overall, Baseball Roundtable readers spread their votes up and down the unofficial fan ballot, with just one candidate – Jonathon Papelbon – failing to receive at least five percent of the vote (the percentage needed  to stay on the ballot for 2023’s official voting). Looking at the BBWAA votes tracked thus far, it appears about a dozen players will drop off the official  ballot.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE (unofficial) 2022 FAN HALL OF FAME BALLOT RESULTS

Roger Clemens was the biggest gainer among returnees, going in from 23.7 percent in last year’s fan ballot to 59.3 percent this year. That, however, is an anomaly – as Clemens’ fn ballot totals have been mirroring Bonds’ (excluding last year’s unexplained drop).  In 2018, Bonds was at 46.7 percent in the fan ballot to Clemens’ 49.0. In 2019, it was Bonds 43.2 and Clemens 44.8. In 2020, the pair was again close 44.6 percent for Bonds and 46.9 percent for  Clemens.

Outside of Clemens, the biggest gainers on the 2022 fan ballot were Bonds (+16.8 percentage points) and Many Ramirez (+14.7). The biggest decline in the fan ballot went to Omar Vizquel, who went from 66.7 percent last year (another anomaly) to 30.0 percent this year) and Bobby Abreu, who dropped from 37.7 percent to 12.9 percent.

A few other observations:

• Only three of the first-time candidates received more than 10 percent support among readers: David Ortiz …. 65 percent; Alex Rodriguez … 38.6 percent; and Ryan Howard …. 13.6 percent.
• Jeff Kent (at 47.1 percent among readers) continued to poll better among fans than he has on the BBWAA ballot. In previous BBWAA Ballots Kent’s high-water mark is 32.4 percent. Among the others who have consistently performed better in the Roundtables fan ballot than in BBWAA voting are Billy Wagner and Andy Pettitte.

When asked which players not on the ballot belong in the Hall of Famer readers contributed 38 different names, led by Joe Jackson and Pete Rose with eight mentions each.  Notably, five of the 21 players  with more than one mention were selected for 2022 induction by the Era Committees.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-reference; bbhoftracker.com

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In 1952, the Brooklyn Dodgers won the National League pennant – going  96-57-2 behind a lineup that included such stars as Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese and Carl Furillo. They faced the fourth-place Phillies with Robin Roberts on the hill, six times.  Roberts won all six matchups, threw six complete games, allowing just 16 earned runs (2.67 ERA). In Phillies/Dodgers games Roberts did not pitch that season, Brooklyn went 10-6.  

In this post, the 15^th in the Baseball Roundtable “Who’s Your Daddy?” series, we’ll look at a Baseball Roundtable-selected  lineup that performed exceptionally well against Hall of Famer Robin Roberts over their careers. Not surprisingly, the starting nine includes eight Hall of Famers. More on that later, but first a look at what “Who’s Your Daddy?” is all about.

Who’s Your Daddy – A Baseball Roundtable Series

In this series, BBRT presents lineups of players who performed unexpectedly well against baseball’s top pitchers. (An explanation of the inspiration behind the Who’s Your Daddy? series can be found at the end of this post.)  As always, I would stress that the pitchers included in the Who’s Your Daddy? series are among the “best in the business.”  They are selected not because of the players who performed well against them, but rather because success among hitters when they were on the mound was the exception rather than the rule.  We’ve looked at pitchers from a wide range of eras – from Bob Feller to Nolan Ryan to Max Scherzer.  

Before we get started on this edition,  here are links to the previous editions of this series. Please note: For still active pitchers, the stats are as they stood on the date of the post.

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

I should note there’s not many surprises in this edition of “Whose Your Daddy?” Nothing like how Will Clark owned Nolan Ryan, Jerry Lynch’s .714 average versus Sandy Koufax or Junior Spivey’s six hits, one walk and one HBP in his first seven plate appearances versus Greg Maddux. This lineup is loaded with Hall of Famers; those you expect might do well against an exceptional moundsman.

Also, in this “Who’s Your Daddy?” post, I will diverge a bit from tradition.   I would like to both look at the lineup whose numbers seem to indicate they had Roberts’ number and also make my case for Roberts being among the game’s  most underrated pitchers (despite being in the Hall of Fame).

Robin Roberts enjoyed a 19-season MLB career (1948-66 … Phillies, Orioles, Astros, Cubs) – with 14 of those campaigns in a Phillies’ uniform. Roberts was a seven-time All Star, who won 20 or more games in six  consecutive seasons (1950-55).

The Fabulous ‘50s

From 1950-59, Robin Roberts went 199-149, 3.32.). During that period, his Phillies went 767-773-8.  In those ten seasons, Roberts threw 3,011 2/3 innings.  Yes, for a decade he averaged over 300 innings pitched per season. He also tossed 237 complete games and 30 shutouts.  From 1950-55 (six seasons), Roberts  led the NL in wins four times, starts six times, complete games four times, innings pitched five times and strikeouts twice.

Roberts wrapped up his career with a 286-245, 3.41 stat line, with 305 complete games and 45 shutouts. He is in MLB’s top 50 all-time in wins  (28th); innings pitched  (4,688 2/3 – 21st); games started (609 – 20^th); complete games (38^th); and shutouts (29^th). Just to be fair on stats, he also led the league in home runs allowed five times and is second all-time in home runs allowed (505).

Robin Roberts won three varsity letters in basketball at Michigan State, serving as captain of the team for two seasons.  

Roberts’ best season was 1952, when he won an MLB-best 28 games (seven losses), put up a 2.59 ERA (third-best in the NL), led MLB in starts (37), complete games (30); and innings pitched (330). In August and September of that season, he appeared in  14 games (13 starts); going 12-1, 2.83 (with one save). Over those two months, he tossed 12 complete games, including a 17-inning outing against the Braves on September 6.

I Like to Finish What I Start

From August 28, 1952 through July 5 1953, Robin Roberts completed 28 consecutive starts.

So, why do I think Roberts is underrated and should be counted among the all-time greats? Let me make my case.

Consider the fact that Roberts won 136 more games than Sandy Koufax.  Of course, Koufax career was cut short (arm issues) – just 12 seasons to Roberts’ 19.  (I would maintain that Roberts 3,000+ inning workload in the 1950s had an impact on his arm and performance in the 1960s.) So, how about the best four seasons for Koufax and Roberts?  For Koufax that would be his final four campaigns (1963-1966).  In that period, Koufax won three Cy Young Awards and one MVP Award and was generally considered baseball’s best pitcher (some say the best ever).  Roberts’ four peak years would be 1952-55.  Let’s compare.

• Koufax made 150 starts and won 97 games; Roberts made 154 starts and won an identical 97 games (Koufax did have 15 fewer losses).
• Koufax led the NL in wins in three of those four seasons; Roberts led the NL in victories in all four of his peak seasons.
• Koufax led the NL in strikeouts in three of the four seasons; Roberts in two of his four. (Koufax did have three 300+ strikeout seasons).
• Koufax led in complete games twice; Roberts in all four of his peak seasons.
• Koufax led in innings pitched twice, Roberts four times.
• Koufax led in shutouts three times; Roberts did not lead in shutouts in any of his top four.
• Koufax led  in games started once, Roberts in all four.
• Koufax led in ERA four times; Roberts none.

Now, before anyone goes on the offensive, I am not saying Robin Roberts’ “peak four” matched Koufax, only that when you talk about MLB’s best pitchers, they should be discussed in the same paragraph. Clearly, you have to acknowledge, Koufax’s 1.86 ERA and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings over his top four (as compared to 3.18 and 4.7 for Roberts. (But then again, how about Roberts 118 complete games to Koufax’s 89?)

This Kind of Surprised Me

Hall of Famer Greg Maddux was noted for challenging hitters – making them earn their way on base and not wasting a pitch.  Over his career, Maddux walked just 1.80 batters per nine innings. Roberts was even stingier at  1.73.

Let me take my argument in favor of Roberts being underrated a bit further.  How about Bob Gibson? In his 17-season MLB career (1959-75, Gibson won 251 games (174 losses); was a five-time twenty-game winner; led the league in ERA once, wins once, complete games once and strikeouts once. Now, Roberts did play two more seasons than Gibson, so let’s just look at Roberts’ first 17 campaigns. Roberts won 271 games (20 more than Gibson) in his first 17 campaigns (although he did have 54 more losses); won 20 or more games six times to Gibson’s five; led the league wins four times to Gibson’s once; never led the NL in ERA to Gibson’s one ERA title; led in compete games five times to Gibson’s once; and led in strikeouts twice to Gibson’s once.  Gibson did have a notable edge in ERA – 2.91 to 3.40 (again, over 17 seasons) and in strikeouts per nine innings 3,117 (7.2 per 9 innings) to 2,357 (4.5 per 9 innings). Still, I would maintain, Gibson and Roberts belong in the same sentence – particularly when talking about how they  measured up against their peers.

Side note: I received Joe Posnanski’s latest book “The Baseball 100” for Christmas (it was at the top of my list). I was pleased to read that Posnanski also sees Roberts as underrated and suggests he “belongs in every discussion of the greatest pitchers ever.”  By the way, if “The Baseball 100” is not in your library already, I highly recommend you add it.  

A final note:  If I had to vote for the greatest pitcher of all time, I’d most likely go with Walter Johnson.

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He (Robin Roberts) looks like the kind of pitcher you can’t wait to swing at, but you swing and the ball isn’t where you thought it was.

                                                                                    Hall of Famer Willie Stargell

Now, let’s take a look at the Robin Robert’s “Who’s Your Daddy?” lineup.  One bit of explanation here. This is a “weighted” ranking.  Doing well against Roberts in the 1950s is counted more heavily than raking against him in the 1960s.  Why?  Consider:

• From 1950 through 1959, Roberts went 199-149; averaging 19.9 wins, 23.7 complete games; 301 innings pitched per season.
• From 1960 through his final season (1966), Roberts went 53-56, 3.49 … averaging 8.8 wins, eight complete games and 177 2/3 inning pitched per year.  (Did all those innings catch up to him?)

I will drop in the occasional “Better Late Than Never” player this post, acknowledging those who performed exceptional well versus Roberts in the latter part of his career,

Better Late Than Never Prime Example – Manny Jimenez

Kansas City Athletics’ outfielder Manny Jimenez (he also played for the Pirates and Cubs) is the perfect example of a “Better Late Than Never” player for this Robin Roberts’ post. Jimenez was a .217 career hitter (1962-64, 1966-69). Jimenez faced Roberts 28 times in his career (all in the 1962-64 time period). He went 13-for-27 against him – and that .481 average is the highest for any player with at least 25 careers at bats versus Roberts. Jimenez also had three home runs and six RBI in 10 games versus Roberts – and struck out just once.

Two Sides of the Coin

The Twins’ Sandy Valdespino played just two games against Roberts  – May 6 & 31, 1965. In four plate appearances he recorded three singles and a walk – the most plate appearances and at bats  of any batter never retired by Roberts.  On the other side of the coin. Cubs’ outfielder Jim Bolger faced Roberts nine times  (1955-58) and – although he fanned only once, in his very first plate appearance versus Roberts – he never reached base safely against him  His nine plate appearances are the most of any batter with a .000 batting average and on-base percentage versus Roberts

Finally, that lineup, the best (judged somewhat subjectively) lineup against Robin Roberts.  N0te: Game logs (via Baseball-Reference.com are not complete (particularly pre-1955).  I have noted instances were logs are missing from the records.

Catcher – Roy Campanella … 13 home runs in 56 games

Hall of Famer Roy Campanella – a star in the Negro Leagues (.322 average from 1937-45) – broke into the National League in 1948 (the 21-year-old Roberts rookie season).  Campy handled Roberts pretty well over his first three seasons, touching him up  for  a .341 average, with four home runs and nine RBI in 15 games.  Roberts caught up with Campanella a bit after that – holding him to a .247 career average against him. However, Campanella continued to be a thorn in terms of power and pressure. His 13 career home runs against Roberts are the third-most by any opponent and his 30 RBI are tied for fifth.

In his first at bat against Roberts, Roy Campanella struck out swinging.  In his next 14 plate appearances against him (over two seasons), Campanella went seven for ten, with three doubles, one home run, four walks and one more whiff.

Roy Campanella played 18 MLB seasons (1937-45 – Negro Leagues; 1948-1957 – National League). He was a three-time Negro League All Star and an eight-time National League All Star. He was also a three-time NL MVP. In 1942, while with the Baltimore Elite Giants, he led the Negro National League in batting average, runs scored, doubles, runs batted in and walks. His best season was in 1953 (Brooklyn Dodgers), when he hit  .312, with 41 home runs and a league-topping 142 RBI.  His final major league stat line was .283-260-1,017.

You Can Count on Me

Roy Campanella was on the field for a Robin Roberts’ “big moment.” It was the final day (October 1) of the 1950 season. The Dodgers (89-64) were facing the Phillies (90-63).  A Dodgers’s win would force a playoff for the pennant, a Phillies win gave them the crown.  The Dodgers went with big Don Newcombe, an All Star in 1949 and 1950 and 19-10, 3.71 coming into the game. The Phillies went with Robin Roberts (a 1950 All Star), who was 19-11, 3.06 coming into the contest.  On hitch, however, it was Roberts third start in five days. How did he do under immense pressure and on short rest? Roberts tossed a ten-inning complete game, giving up just five nits and one run, as the Phillies won the game (and the pennant), by a 4-1 score. 

Honorable Mentions: Joe Garagiola (a career .257 hitter) hit .449 versus Roberts (19 games). Five game logs are missing from Garagiola’s totals versus Roberts. Smokey Burgess went .337-5-10, with six walks and just one strikeout in 33 games (90 plate appearances) versus Roberts.   Bill Sarni enjoyed a five-season MLB career (1951-51, 1954-56 …. Cardinals & Giants) right in the midst of Robin Roberts’  prime. A .263 career hitter (in 390 games), Sarni hit .342 (13-for 38), with four home runs and six RBI in 11 games versus Roberts (two games are missing from the game logs).

First Base – Stan Musial  …  .384 average

Over his career, Stan Musial hit .331, with a .417 on-base percentage and a .559 slugging percentage.  Against Roberts, he bettered those number in all categories – .384, .432, .680, respectively.  Musial collected  the most hits and most  doubles against Roberts of any player and was tied for fourth in triples and second in RBI. Note: 10 game logs are missing from Stan Musial’s totals versus Roberts.

In Roberts’ six peak year -1950-55 – when he won 20 or more games every season and led the NL in wins four times (putting up an overall 138-78, 2.93 record) – Musial hit .395 against him, hitting over .400 against him in four of those campaigns.

In 220 plate appearances versus Roberts, Musial struck out only 12 times.  Musial faced Roberts in 13 seasons and hit .400 or better against him seven of them. From Opening Day 1955 through September 8, 1959, Musial faced Roberts 74 times and struck out once.

A Big Day for The Man

On June 22, 1955, Robin Roberts and his Phillies faced the Cardinals in St. Louis.  In that game, Musial hit a two-run home run in his first at bat, a solo home run in his second at bat, ground out in his third at bat and tripled in his fourth and final at bat. Roberts, by the way came into the game with a 9-6, 2.32 record on the season.  Notably, Roberts went the distance in a 9-6 Phillies win (despite giving up three homers and four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Stan Musial played in 22 MLB seasons (1941-44, 1946-63), all for the Cardinals. He was an All Star in 20 seasons, a seven-time batting champ (he hit under .300 in only four seasons). He led the NL in runs scored five times, hits six times, doubles eight times (three times collecting 50 or more), triples five times (twice reaching 20), RBI twice, walks once and total bases six times. He was a three-time MVP. His best season was 1948, when he went .376-39-131 – leading the NL in average, RBI, runs, doubles, triples, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and total bases.

Honorable Mentions:  Soon-to-be-inducted Hall of Famer Gil Hodges hit .285-10-31 against Roberts in 73 games. The ten long balls are the sixth-most against Roberts, the 31 RBI tie for second and his 65 hits are third.  Bill White faced Robert 41 times and went .378-4-13. While 12 of White’s 41 plate appearances against Roberts came after 1959, his pre-1960 numbers against him were .393-2-7 in eight games.

Trivia Tidbit: Stan Musial had 1,815 career hits at home and 1,815 career hits on the road.

Better Late Than Never

Willie McCovey hit .452 versus Robin Roberts in 12 games from 1959-1966. In his very first game against Roberts (July 30, 1959), he went four-for -four, with two singles and two triples, three runs scored and two RBI.  Three of McCovey’s 14 career hits against Roberts went for extra bases – and all three were triples. He drove in  total of five runs versus Roberts.   Thanks to Roundtable Reader Jerry Stever for the comment that led to this “Better Late Than Never” addition. 

Second Base (tie) – Bill Mazeroski … .324 average; Jackie Robinson …  nine home runs

Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski was a career .260 hitter with a Golden Glove (eight of them, actually) at second base.  He fared better at the plate against Robin Roberts, compiling a .324 average, with three home runs and seven RBI in 29 games. In eight seasons against Roberts, Mazeroski hit over .300 six times and struck out just four times in 80 plate appearances.

Off to a Good Start

In his first game against Robin Roberts (August 16, 1956), Bill Mazeroski went three-for-three with two singles and a home run – as the Pirates topped the Philllies 4-1 in Philadelphia. Mazeroski was a rookie and Roberts was in ninth season (and had led the NL in wins the four previous campaigns).

Mazeroski played 17 MLB seasons (2,163 games), going .260-138-853. He was an All Star in seven seasons. His best season was 1958, when he hit .275, with 19 home runs and 68 RBI (and won his first Gold Glove). Mazeroski makes this lineup by virtue of hitting 64 points above his career average versus Roberts.

Jackie Robinson hit below his .313 career average versus Roberts, but he made it here on the basis of his power and impact. His nine home runs tied for the seventh-most against Roberts, while his 21 RBI are 12^th.

Hall of Famer Robinson played in eleven MLB seasons (1945, Kansas City Monarchs  …. 1947-56 Brooklyn Dodgers). In 1945, he hit .375 and led  the Negro American League in doubles (13), home runs (4) and on-base percentage (.449). With the Dodgers, he led the National League in stolen bases twice and won the NL batting championship with a .342 average in 1949. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the League MVP in 1949. His best season was clearly 1949, when he hit .342, with 203 hits, 122 runs scored, 38 doubles, 12 triples, 16 home runs, 124 RBI and a league-leading 37 steals.  Robinson’s final stat line was .313-141-761, with 200 stolen bases and 972 runs scored.

Honorable Mention: Jim Gilliam faced Roberts 196 times (between 1953 and 1966). A .266 career hitter, Gilliam hit .311 versus Roberts (in 53 games). Gilliam’s 57 hits are seventh-most against Roberts by any batter.

Third Base – Eddie Mathews … 11 homers and 30 RBI

Eddie Mathews faced Roberts 203 times in his career. The .271 career hitter, hit .323 versus Roberts, with 11 home runs and 30 RBI. Mathew’s 11 round trippers ties for the fourth-most against Roberts; his 30 RBI are fifth; his 13 doubles fourth; and his four triples tie for fourth.

Not a Great Start … Especially for a Power Hitter

In  Eddie Mathews’ first ten plate appearances against Robin Roberts, he tallied a bunt single, six fly outs and two strikeouts.

Mathews fanned 30 times against Roberts, second only to Duke Snider. Three games are missing from Mathew’s game logs versus Roberts.

Eddie, with an Exclamation Point

On June 5, 1955, as the Braves topped Roberts and the Philllies 5-4, Eddie Mathews (in five plate appearances) logged two home runs, a single and walk – with  two runs scored and three RBI. Roberts, as always expected,  went the full nine innings.

Mathews played 17 MLB seasons (1952-68 … Braves, Astros, Tigers). He was an All-Star in nine seasons, led the NL in home runs twice (topping forty long balls four times) and led in walks four times. He retired with a .271-512-1,453 stat line.  His best season was 1953, when he went .302-47-135 for the Braves.  In the nine seasons from 1953 through 1961, Mathews averaged 38 home runs and 104 RBI per year.

I’m a Travelin’ Man

Eddie Mathews is the only player to suit up for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta – although it was a close call.  His stint as a Boston Brave encompassed only their final season in Boston (1952), while his Atlanta playing tenure included only the team’s first season in Georgia (1966). He did come back later to manage the Braves in Atlanta.

Why mention that here?  A segue to the fact that Robin Roberts is the only pitcher to beat the Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves. 

Honorable Mention: Ken Boyer faced Roberts 109 times  and collected 31 hits (.304) , six home runs and 18 RBI (33 games … one game missing from the game logs). Boyer had a .287-282-1,141 line in 15 MLB seasons, was an All Star in seven seasons, a five-time Gold Glover and the 1964 NL MVP.

I think I’ll Stick Around and See How This Ends

On September 6, 1952, rookie Eddie Mathews and his Boston Braves faced Robin Roberts and the Phillies in Philadelphia.  The Phillies trailed 6-1 going into the bottom of the eighth (with Roberts still on the mound), but tied it up in the bottom of the inning.  Roberts shut the Braves out for nine more frames, getting a 7-6, 17-inning complete game win. 

Shortstop – Ernie Banks … Fifteen home runs in 39 games

Only Duke Snider’s 19 home runs off Roberts outpaced the 15 long balls of Hall of Famer Ernie Banks – and Banks had exactly half as many plate appearances versus Roberts as Snider (Snider 260 – Banks 130).  In addition, Banks 31 RBI versus Roberts are second only to Snider’s 50. Banks, a .274 career hitter, hit .339 against Roberts.

Welcome to the Batter’s Box – I Own It

Hit by Pitches were a rarity for Robin Roberts – just 54 in 4,688 2/3 innings (676 appearances).  He did, however, hit Ernie Banks with a pitch the first time they faced off.

In 1957, Banks drove in ten runs in seven games versus Roberts. He had seven hits in those games – four home runs, two doubles and a single. In ten seasons versus Roberts, Banks hit .333 or better seven times (four times over .400).

Ernie Banks played 19 MLB seasons (1953-71) all for the Cubs. He hit .274, with 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI. He was an All Star in 11 seasons and won back-to-back NL MVP  Awards in 1958-59. Banks led the NL in games played six times, home runs twice (topping forty homers in five seasons), and RBI twice. In the four seasons from 1957 through 1960, Banks averaged .293-44-123, with 196 runs scored and 15 steals per season.

Got a Streak Goin’

Between August 20, 1957 and June 4, 1958, Ernie Banks homered in three consecutive games versus Roberts – going five for seven with three home runs, one double, one single and seven RBI.

Honorable Mention: Dick Groat faced Roberts 101 times between 1952 and 1961 and picked up 31 hits (.320 average), with two home runs and six RBI (32 games … one game log missing).  The five-time All Star and 1960 NL MVP was a career .286 hitter.

Bette Late Than Never

Yankee SS Tom Tresh faced Robin Roberts 38 times (12 games) between 1962-65 and touched him for 14 hits and three walks (.400 average), with four doubles a triple, one home run and four RBI.

Outfield – Duke Snider … 19 home runs and 50 RBI

Hall of Famer Duke Snider has to make this lineup. No one hit more home runs against Roberts than the Duke (19) and no one drove in more runs against him than Snider (50).  Couple that with a .295 average – approximately double it to make up a 500 at bat season and a full  Snider season against all Robin Roberts would be in the neighborhood of .295-40-100.

A Slow Starter

In his first three seasons versus Robin  Roberts (1948-50), Duke Snider went eight-for 45 (.178 average). In his next 11 seasons versus Roberts, he hit .321.

In 1954, when Roberts went 23-15, 2.97 and led the NL in wins, starts, complete games, innings pitched, strikeouts and WHIP, Duke Snider hit .545 (12-for-22 against him), with two homers and seven RBI.

Hall of Famer Duke Snider played 18 seasons (1947-64 … Dodgers, Mets, Giants) and put up a .295-407-1,333 stat line. He led the league in runs scored three times (scoring 100 or more runs six times), led in home runs once (hitting 40 or more in five consecutive seasons … 1953-57), led his league in RBI once (topping 100 six times) and led the NL in total bases three times. He was an eight-time All Star.

Outfield –  Walt Moryn …  .362 average, 16 RBI in 26 games

Wow! The only non-Hall of Fame position player in this starting lineup, Walt Moryn is a bit of a surprise, edging such stars as Hank Aaron and  Willie Mays for this spot.  A .266 career hitter, Moryn (1954-61 … Dodgers, Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates) hit .362 against Roberts, with six home runs and 16 RBI.

BOOM!

In 1957-58, Walt Moryn went 16-for-40 (.400) versus Roberts with four home runs and nine RBI in 16 games).

Walt Moryn played eight MLB seasons and put up a .266-101-354 stat line. He hit 20-home runs in two seasons and posted a career high 88 RBI in 1957. He played in 100+ games in five seasons.

Outfield – Ralph Kiner … Eight home runs in 94 plate appearances

Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner’s eight home runs off Robin Roberts are the eleventh-most all time.  However, Kiner accomplished the power feat in just 94 plate appearances. No one ahead of him on the list had fewer 125. In addition, Kiner’s 21 RBI versus Roberts ranked twelfth and, again,  no one ahead of him has fewer than 125 plate appearances.  Notably, in both cases, the player with 125 plate appearances is Hank Sauer – who had 11 homers and 22 RBI versus Roberts, but put up a .198 average against him.  Eight game logs are missing from Ralph Kiner’s totals versus Roberts.

Kiner was a six-time All Star. He led the league in home runs seven times, walks three times, RBI once and runs scored once. In ten MLB seasons (1,472 games), he hit .279, with 369 home runs and 1,015 RBI.  He hit 40 or more home runs in five seasons (50+ twice), drove in 100+ runs in six seasons and drew 100+ walks in six.

I’ll Just Hang on This, Thank You

Ralph Kiner led the NL in home runs as a rookie in 1946 – and repeated as home run champion in each of the next six seasons.

Kiner homered off Robin Roberts in every season he faced him (1948-54) except one – 1948, when he only appeared in one game against Roberts (he did hit a triple in that contest).

Honorable Mentions: Wally Moon, with a career stat line of .289-142-661, hit .344, with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 38 games versus Roberts (two games logs missing).  Another Wally, Wally Post, played in 10 games against Roberts (1952-57 and 1960) and hit .350, with five home runs and 13 RBI.

Better Late than never

Jimmie Hall faced Roberts 34 times (10 games) between 1963 and 1965. He went 15-for-32 (.469) with three walks, four home runs and five RBI.

Pitcher (tie) – Johnny Podres and Warren Spahn

Johnny Podres faced Robin Roberts in nine games (15 plate appearances) and hit an even .400 against him.  For his career, Podres was .190-2-50 at the plate (762 at bats).  In 15 seasons on the mound, he was 148-116, .561. In the eight games he pitched against Roberts (Podres was used once as a pinch hitter against him), Podres went 3-3, 4.28; while Roberts went 2-2, 5.25.  Trivia note:  Podres  finished his MLB playing career the Padres (5-6,4.31 in 1969).

Warren Spahn hit a healthy .286 versus Roberts, with  a home run and three RBI (in 14 games). Spahn was a career .194 hitter (in 2,056 plate appearances) over 21 seasons. His 35 career home runs are the third-most by a pitcher. He also had 57 doubles, six triples and  189 RBI. As pitcher, Spahn went 363-245, 3.09, leading the NL in wins eight times (winning 20 or more games in 13 seasons). In 13 mound matchups against Roberts, Spahn went 11-2, 1.88. In those matchups, Roberts went 3-8, 4.13.  Trivia tidbit: Spahn had 363 wins and 363 base hits.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

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Who’s Your Daddy?  The Inspiration.

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

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

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

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