Baseball Roundtable Looks at the Hall of Fame Golden Days Era Candidates

November 11, 2021 by

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The Baseball Hall of Fame recently announced its candidates for 2022 election by the Golden Days  Era (1950-69) and  the Early Baseball Era (pre-1950) Committees. Voting will take place December 5 for 2022 induction.   In this post, Baseball Roundtable will take a look at the Golden Days Era candidates,  sharing:

  • What Baseball Roundtable’s Golden Days Era ballot would look (if I had one); and
  • Bios, comments and Roundtable rankings for all ten candidates;
  • A thought on what the Golden Days Era Committee might do.

In the coming days, I will do the same for the slate of Early Baseball ERA candidates.

Selecting from among the Golden Days Era candidates proved particularly challenging for several reasons:

  • Since the candidates were pre-screened by an Historical Overview Committee, they all could boast some deserving achievements and attributes;
  • Since I grew up in the Golden Era, I was able to see all the nominated players on the field – and find my choices mixing emotion with reason; and
  • The members of the committee are only allowed to vote for a maximum of four candidates and I limited myself to that same restriction.

The ERA Committees – Background

By way of background, the Hall of Fame Era Committees consider candidates passed over for election to the HOF in the annual Baseball Writers Association of America balloting. The current committees, which meet on a rotating basis are the: Early Baseball Era (prior to 1950);  Golden Days Era (1950-69); Modern Baseball Era (1970-87); and Today’s Game Era (1988 forward). Players to appear on each year’s ballot are selected by an Historical Overview Committee and then are considered by a 16-member Era Committee. Candidates must receive 75 percent support (12 votes) from Era Committee members to achieve election. Candidates whose careers overlap eras are considered on the basis of the time frame in which they made their most significant contributions to the national pastime.

Of the ten candidates  on this year’s Golden Days Era ballot – eight  are returnees from the 2014 Committee ballot (when no candidates were elected):  Dick Allen; Tony Oliva; Jim Kaat; Maury Wills; Minnie Minoso; Gil Hodges; Ken Boyer; and Billy Pierce. Newcomers to the ballot include: Roger Maris and Danny Murtaugh.

HOW BBRT WOULD VOTE IF I HAD A   BALLOT

Let me say, having been born in 1947, I grew up watching most of the candidates on the field.   I have fond memories of Tony Oliva’s knees bent-in stance – and ability to hit pretty much any pitch (in or out of the strike zone);  the drama of the Roger Maris/Mickey Mantle 1961 chase for Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record; the Go-Go White Sox, shaped in part by Minnie Minoso’s speed and never-waning hustle; Danny Murtaugh’s Pirates’  unexpected upset of the Yankees in the 1960 World Series; Maury Wills’ daring on the bases;  Dick Allen’s fierce presence and personality on and off the field; the ability of Gil Hodges and Ken Boyer to change a game with their bats or their gloves; and the way southpaws Jim Kaat and Billy Pierce filled the role of staff “ace” for the Twins and White Sox, respectively.   In rating all these candidates, I did my best to focus on exceptional performance in relation to their Golden Days Era peers – league leadership in key statistical categories, All Star selections, individual awards (Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, MVP, etc.).  I recognize that my selections, which I will present in priority order, may make me look like a bit of a “homer.” (My home base is  Minnesota and two of my top three selections are former Twins.) I do, however, think my reasoning will stand up to scrutiny – and those two candidates were among the top three cote-getters in 2014.

Now, let’s start with the three players, Baseball Roundtable considered no-brainers when deciding how I would vote if I was on the committee.

  1. Jim Kaat (LHP, 1959-83)

Photo: Public Domain via Wiki Commons

Jim Kaat is at the top of my list of players not in the Hall of Fame who should be.  Consider, the southpaw took the big-league mound in 25 seasons; his 283 wins  (237 losses) are 31st all time; his 2,461 strikeouts 44th.   (More than 50 pitchers currently in the HOF have fewer career wins than Kaat.)

A three-time All Star, Kaat won 20 or more games in three-seasons, leading the AL in wins with 25 in 1966.  Kaat also is among MLB’s top 25 hurlers in games started (625, 17th), innings pitched (4,530 1/3, 25th). Then, of course, there are his 16 Gold Gloves (tied with 3B Brooks Robinson) and second only to Greg Maddux for the most Gold Gloves all time. Further, Jim Kaat and Brooks Robinson share the record for consecutive Gold Gloves at 16.

One of the criticisms of Kaat raised during regular BBWAA balloting was that he his win total was inflated by the length of his career (Kaat average 11.3 wins per season over 25 seasons).  From a different perspective, BBRT believes the fact the Kaat had the skills and determination to compete on the major league level from age 20 to age 44 contributes to his Hall of Fame credentials.

In the 2014 Era Committee balloting, Kaat got ten of the necessary 12 votes for election. This should be his year.

Breaking the String – A Piece of Jim Kaat Trivia

From 1972 through 1986,  Steve Carlton started 14 of the 15 Phillies’ Opening Day games. The one year he missed (1976) cost him the record for consecutive Opening Day starts and consecutive opening Day starts for the same team. The pitcher who interrupted the streak was Jim Kaat – a three-time 20-game winner, and a 20-game winner and All Star the year before (for the White Sox). Carlton started the second game of the season.

Jim Kaat played for the: Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (1959-73); Chicago White Sox (1973-75); Philadelphia Phillies (1976-79); New York Yankees (1979-1980); Saint Louis Cardinals (1980-83).

Jim Kaat’s Best Season: 1966 Twins … A league-leading 25 wins (13 losses), with a 2.75 ERA. That season, Kaat also led the AL in starts (41) and complete games (19). Kaat might have that all-important Cy Young Award on his HOF resume, except for the fact that MLB gave out only one CYA in 1966 (the move to a CYA for each league came the following year) and it went to National Leaguer Sandy Koufax (27-9, 1.73 for the Dodgers).

  1. Minnie Minoso (OF/3B, 1946-49, 1951-64, 1976, 1980)*

*Minoso made brief publicity-focused appearances for the White Sox in 1976 and 1980 – which allowed him to appear in MLB in five different decades.

Photo: Bowman Gum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In his first full American League  season (split between the Indians and the White Sox), the 25-year-old Minoso hit .326, leading the AL in triples (14), stolen bases (31) and hit by pitch (16) – finishing second to Yankees’ infielder  Gil McDougald in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Minoso had previously played three seasons in the Negro Leagues (111) games, averaging .313, with nine home runs, 66 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He was the starting 3B in the 1948 and 1948 Negro Leagues East-West All Star Games, before joining the Indians in 1949.

Minoso enjoyed  a 20-season MLB career in which he made nine All Star squads (two Negro League, seven American League), earned three Gold Gloves, led the AL in hits once, doubles once, triples three times, stolen bases three times, total bases once and hit by pitch an MLB-record ten times. He finished with 2,110 hits and a .299 average (topping .300 ten times), 195 home runs (hitting 20+ in a season four times), 1,225 runs (scoring more than 100 runs in a season four times), 1,093 RBI (besting 100 four times) and 216 stolen bases. In addition to those offensive marks, Minoso also led AL left fielders in assists six times, putouts four times and double plays four times.  Minoso was well into his career when the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were established in 1957; yet he still earned Gold Gloves 1957, 1959 and 1960.

Adding to Minoso’s Hall of Fame resume is the fact that he was a groundbreaking “Black Latino” in major league baseball; bringing additional pressure and significance to his on- and off-field performance and persona.  Minoso was the first player of color for the Chicago White Sox (and quickly won over ChiSox fans with his constant hustle), the first Black Cuban to play in the major leagues and the first Cuban to play in the AL/NL All Star game.  His baseball legacy is further enhanced by the fact that he also  played and starred in the Cuban League. He is a member of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame; the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame; the Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame;  The Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals; and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award.

All of this would earn Minoso Baseball Roundtable’s vote for the Hall – plus I’d like to see his full name Saturnino Orestes Armas (Arrieta) Minoso on that HOF plaque.  Minoso got eight votes in the ERA Committee 2014 balloting.

Minnie Minoso played for: New York Cubans (1946-48); Cleveland Indians (1949, 1951, 1958-59); Chicago White Sox (1951-57, 1961, 1964, 1976, 1980); Saint Louis Cardinals (1962); Washington Senators (1963).

Minnie Minoso’s Best Season:  1954 Chicago White Sox … 153 games, .320 average, 182 hits, 29 doubles, 18 triples (league-leading), 19 home runs, 119 runs scored, 116 RBI, 18 stolen bases.

  1. Tony Oliva (OF-DH, 1962-76)

Photo: Public Domain via Wiki Commons

Okay, having two former Twins on my ballot may make me look like a “homer,” but hear me out.  First, it’s ironic that Jim Kaat’s HOF qualifications have been criticized in the past because his career was too long (283 wins over 25 seasons), while Oliva’s HOF credentials have been criticized because – due to injury – his productive career was too short (only 11 seasons out of 15  in which he played at least 125 games, only seven of 140 games or more).

Oliva gets BBRT’s vote because, when he played, he was simply one of the best. In his first eight seasons full seasons (1964-71), he made the All Star team every year.  During that span he produced an annual average of 182 hits (.313 batting average), 22 home runs, 89 runs scored, 90 RBI and ten stolen bases.  During those seasons, Oliva won three batting titles and led the AL in hits  five times. Over his last five seasons, he was hampered by bad knees (eight knee operations) – averaging 96 games per season, with a .278 batting average.

As noted,  Oliva won three batting titles. He led the American League in hits in his first three full seasons and a total of five times. He also led the AL in doubles four times, and topped the AL one time each in runs scored, slugging percentage, total bases and intentional walks.   Tony-O also showed speed on the bases, finishing in double-digits in steals six times, with a high of 19 in 1965.  In his first eight seasons, he received MVP votes every year, finishing in the top six four times. Between 1964 and 1971, He also lead AL right fielders in putouts five times, in assists  twice and in double plays (three times).

Oliva also was a “’plus” defender with a rifle arm in right field, capturing a Gold Glove in 1966.

Oliva played in 15 major-league seasons, retiring with a .304 career average, 1,917 hits, 220 home runs, 870 runs scored and 947 RBI.  He received 11 of the needed 12 votes in the 2014 Era Committee balloting.

While critics might point to the fact that (again due to injury), Oliva’s career included  just 11 seasons in which he played 100+ games and just eight All Star campaigns, Baseball Roundtable would note that the Hall has acknowledge players whose career totals were also impacted by injury issues such as Ralph Kiner  (ten career seasons, six-time All Star) and Sandy Koufax (12 career seasons, six-time All Star.) I believe Oliva’s peak years, three batting titles and five season leading the AL in bits have earned him this vote.)

Tony Oliva played for:  Minnesota Twins (1962-76)

Tony Oliva’s Best Season:  In 1964, 25-year-old rookie, Tony Oliva led the AL in batting average (.323); hits (217); run scored (109); doubles (43); and total bases (374). His nine triples were third in the AL; his 32 home runs sixth; his 94 RBI ninth. He also led AL rightfielder in putouts. He finished fourth in the AL MVP voting. Oliva did not fall prey to the “sophomore jinx.” The following season, he again led the AL in hits and batting average, led the league’s right fielders  in putouts and was second in assists.

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I debated on exercising a fourth vote (as allowed to Era Committee members – and once I decided there were additional worthy candidates, I was able to limit my consideration to two – Dick Allen and Gil Hodges.  It was close, but I would give my fourth vote to Allen.

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  1. Dick Allen (1B/3B, 1963-77)

Dick Allen’s traditional HOF candidacy suffered from a combination of career-shortening injuries and career-complicating controversy.  The fact is, Allen had a fierce presence and demeanor both on and off the field.  It is his on-the-field performance – specifically his at-the-plate performance – that earns Allen BBRT’s Golden Days vote. It is generally agreed that none of his peers hit the ball as consistently hard as Allen did in the pitching-dominated 1960s.

Allen came on with a bang, as a 22-year-old,  in his first full MLB season, leading the NL in runs scored (125), triples (13) and total bases (352), while hitting .318 with 29 home runs and 91 RBI.  His performance earned him the Rookie of the Year Award.  He went on to a 15-year MLB career, during which he was a seven-time All Star and collected 1,848 hits, 351 home runs and 1,119 RBI.  His career batting average was .292, and he topped .300 seven times.  He led the NL in home runs twice (hitting 30+ HRs six times), RBI once (besting 100 three times), walks once, on-base percentage twice, slugging percentage three times and total bases once. I would have liked to see a few more benchmark numbers (400 home runs, 1,500 RBI, .300 career average) or a few more instance of leading his league in key categories, but that was offset by his Rookie of the Year and 1972 AL MVP Award.

Allen fell one vote short in the 2014 Committee balloting.

Dick Allen played for: Philadelphia Phillies (1963-1969; 1975-76); Los Angeles Dodgers (1971); Chicago White Sox (1972-74); Oakland A’s (1977).

Dick Allen’ Best Season:  1972 Chicago White Sox … Played in 148 games, hitting .308, while leading the AL in home runs (37), RBI (113), walks (99), on-base percentage (.420) and slugging percentage (.603) – winning the AL MVP Award.

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So, there are my four votes:  Now, for the remainder of the ballot (in BBRT ranking order).

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  1. Gil Hodges (1B, 1943-63 – military service 1944-45)

Gil Hodges was a slick-fielding first baseman. (Rawlings launched the Gold Glove Award in 1957 and Hodges, already in his 12th MLB season at age 33, began a streak of three consecutive Gold Gloves at first base.) Hodges was also a potent offensive force – an RBI machine.  For the seven seasons from 1949 to 1955, he topped 100 RBI every year – averaging 112 runs driven in per campaign.   He also logged 11 consecutive seasons of 20+ home runs (1949-59), with a high of 42 in 1954.

Gil Hodges is one of only 18 MLB (NL/AL) players to hit four home runs in one game.

In 18 MLB seasons, Hodges was selected for eight All-Star teams, and helped his Dodgers capture seven NL pennants and two World Series championships.  In post-season play, he is remembered his 21 hitless at bats in 1952, but in his other six World Series, he hit .318, with five home runs and 21 RBI in 32 games.

Hodges’ put up a career average of .273, with 370 home runs, 1,274 RBI and 1,105 runs scored.  Without losing those two years to military service, he may well have exceeded the 400 home runs and 1,500 RBI marks. Hodges’ chances for the Hall are diminished a bit by the fact that he never led the league in any of the key offensive categories. After his playing days, he also managed the Washington Senators (1963-67) and New York Mets (1968-71), leading the “Miracle Mets” to the World Championship in 1969.

Gil Hodges – Respected Leader

Gil Hodges was a respected leader in the clubhouse and on the field.  Hall of Famer and Hodges’ teammate Pee Wee Reese once said of him, “If you had a son, it would be a great thing to have him grow up to be just like Gil Hodges.”

Gil Hodges played for: Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1943-61); New York Mets (1962-63).

Gil Hodges’ Best Season:  1954 Dodgers … Hodges played in all 154 games that season, providing sparkling defense along with a .304 average, 42 home runs, 130 RBI and 106 runs scored.

 

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Choosing Between Dick Allen and Gil Hodges

For, Baseball Roundtable, deciding on my  fourth vote – between Dick Allen and Gil Hodges – was a close call. Hodges .273 average worked against him, as did the fact that he never led his league in any of the key offensive categories (average, home runs, RBI, runs scored). His seven consecutive years with 100 of more RBI, his reputation for respected and respectful leadership and his status as a  plus defender worked in his favor, but could no outweigh Allen’s ROY and MVP Awards – and Allen’s .292 career average. How close were these two?  I did a little math, determining each player’s average output over 150 games (pretty much the definition  of a full-time, full season). Allen averaged out at .292-30-96, with 94 runs scored –  Hodges at  .272-27-92, with 80 runs scored.  

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      6. Ken Boyer (3B/1B/CF … 1955-69)

Ken Boyer was a Gold Glove fielder at third base.  In fact, he won five Gold Gloves in a six-season span (1958 to 1963).  He led all NL third baseman in assists twice, putouts once and double plays five times. And I guess he was able to console himself for losing the 1964 Gold Glove to the Cubs’ Ron Santo with the fact that Boyer was voted the NL MVP that season.

You may have heard about (or witnessed) Boyer’s defensive skills at the hot corner, but did you know his MLB career also included time in centerfield (111 games), as well as at first base (65 games) and shortstop (31 games)? In fact, in 1957 – with the Cardinals wanting to develop infield prospect Eddie Kasko and facing a gap in centerfield – Boyer agreed to move to the center of the outfield. In 105 games there, he made just one error and led NL outfielders with a .993 fielding average.  A combination of an injury to Kasko and the Cardinals acquisition of outfielder Curt Flood sent Boyer back to third base in 1958 (and he began a streak of four consecutive Gold Gloves).

In his fifteen-year MLB career, Boyer became known not just as a fine defensive player, but also as a consistent, quality hitter. He retired with 2,143 hits, a .287 average, 282 home runs, 1,104 runs scored and 1,141 RBI – topping .300 five times (with a high of .329 in 1961), hitting 20 or more home runs eight times (with a high of 32 in 1960), driving in 90 or more runs eight times (with a league-leading high of 119 in 1964) and scoring 90 or more runs five times (with a high of 109 in 1961).  The quality of Boyer’s play – in the field and at the plate – earned him seven All Star selections.  He’s held back in the voting by the fact that his offensive numbers are overshadowed by others at 3B – traditionally a power position.

Ken Boyer played for: Cardinals (1955-65); Mets (1966-67); White Sox (1967-68); Dodgers (1968-69).

Ken Boyer’s Best Season: In 1964, Boyer hit .295, with 24 home runs, a league -topping 119 RBI and 100 runs scored – and won the NL MP Award.

  1. Maury Wills (SS/3B, 1959-72)

Maury Wills, in 1962, not only became the first player in the modern era (post-1900) to steal 100 bases in a season (104), he topped the next highest player’s total by 72 swiped bags – and the Dodger shortstop actually stole more bases than every other MLB team.

In 14 MLB seasons, Wills hit .281, with 20 home runs and 458 RBI. However, he was a table-setter, not a middle of the lineup power source.  He scored 1,067 runs and stole 586 bases (20th all time). Wills was  an All Star in five seasons, a two-time Gold Glover and the 1962 National League MVP.  He led the NL in stolen bases six consecutive seasons (1960-65). He also won a pair of Gold Gloves (1961-62).

Wills played for the Dodgers (1959-66, 1969-72); Pirates (1967-68); Expos (1969).

Maury Wills’ Best Season: In 1962, Wills played in an MLB -leading 165 games, hit .299 with 208 hits, led the NL with 13 triples, stole an MLB-leading 104 bases and scored 130 runs. – capturing the NL MVP Award.

  1. Roger Maris , OF (1957-1968)

Roger Maris didn’t put up spectacular career numbers (.260-275-850 in 12 MLB seasons), but he put up some spectacular seasons – winning the American League MVP Award in 1960 and 1961. Maris, of course, is best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s’ single-season home run record, when Maris hit 61 long balls for the 1961 Yankees. He finished that season with a .269 average and leading the league in RBI (141) and runs scored (132). Maris was a four-time All Star and one-time Gold Glover and led the AL in home runs twice, runs scored once, RBI once, slugging percentage once, and total bases once.  He hit 20 or more home runs in six seasons, had 100 or more RBI in three.

Roger Maris is one off just 13 players to win back-to-back MVP Awards. 

Maris played for the Indians (1957-58), Athletics (1958-59); Yankees (1960-66) and Cardinals (1967-68).

Roger Maris’ Best Season: In 1961,Maris went .269-61-141, leading the league in home runs and RBI.  He also led the league in runs scored and total bases.

  1. Billy Pierce (LHP 1945, 1948-64)

Billy Pierce put up a 211-169 line in 18 MLB seasons.  The southpaw starter was an All Star in seven seasons and a two-time 20-game winner – leading the AL in wins (20) for the White Sox in 1957.  He led the AL in ERA (1.97 in 1955), in strikeouts (186) in 1953 and in complete games three consecutive seasons (1956-58). Pierce also led the league in strikeouts per nine innings in 1953 and 1954.

Home Cookin’

In 1962, Billy Pierce (traded to the San Francisco Giants in the off season), proved to really like home cooking – going 11-0 in eleven Candlestick starts, with  his overall 15-6 record helping the Giants tie the rival Dodgers for the pennant. Pierce started Game One of the three-game playoff and ran his 1962 home record to 12-0 (beating Sandy Koufax, tossing a three-hit shutout in an 8-0 win).

Billy Pierce played for the Tigers (1945, 1948); White Sox (1951-1961); and Giants (1962-64).

Billy Pierce’s Best Season: In 1956, Pierce went 20-12, 3.26 – leading the AL in wins, complete games (16)

  1. Danny Murtaugh, Mgr. (1957-64, 1967, 19780-71, 1973-76)

An Historic First

Danny Murtaugh was the first manager to start an entire line up of players of color (September 1, 1971.)  That lineup  included Rennie Stennett, 2B; Gene Clines; Roberto Clemente, RF; Willie Stargell, LF;  Manny Sanguillen, C; Dave Cash, 3B; Al Oliver, 1B; Jackie Hernandez, SS; Dock Ellis, P. The Pirates won the contest 10-7 over the Phillies, with Clemente, Stargell and Sanguillen each collecting two hits and two RBI.

Danny Murtaugh managed in the major leagues for 15 seasons, delivering World Series titles to Pittsburgh in 1960 and 1971. His overall managerial record was 1,115-950 for a .540 winning percentage. His managerial career could have included considerably more victories were it not interrupted (more than once) due to health issues.   Murtaugh was selected The Sporting News Manager of the Year in 1960 and 1970.

As a player, Murtaugh was on the field in nine MLB seasons (1941-43 and 1946-51) going .254-8-219 in 767 games  (playing 2B, 3B and SS). In 1948, he led NL second basemen in putouts, assists and double plays.

Danny Murtaugh managed: Pirates (1957-64, 1967, 1970-71, 1973-76).

Danny Murtaugh played for: Phillies (1941-43, 1946). Braves (1947); Pirates (1948-51).

Danny Murtaugh’s Best Season:  Hard to judge a managers’ best season, but 1960 was Murtaugh’s most memorable. He managed the Pirates to the NL pennant with a 95-59 record and then took on the favored Yankees in the World Series – where Murtaugh and the Pirates prevailed four games-to-three, despite  being outhit (.338 to .256), out-homered (ten-to-four) and outscored (55-to-27).

WHAT WILL THE GOLDEN ERA COMMITTEE DO?

Wow! Tough call here, since that last time there was a slate of Golden Days candidates, it was similar to this year and no one got the necessary 12 votes.  I don’t think that will happen again.  If I had to make a call, I expect no more tan two candidates to make it – and, more likely, just one.  My guess,  only as good as yours, is that Kaat makes it.  I also think Oliva, Minoso and Allen have a chance, but will again fall short. If I had to rate their chances. I’d go: Minoso, Oliva, Allen.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; The Baseball Hall of Fame; MLB.com; the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

 

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Baseball Roundtable Rates the 2021 MVP Candidates — With Perhaps a Surprise or Two

November 4, 2021 by

With the postseason behind us and the awards season ahead, Baseball Roundtable has devoted some time to looking at  (and rating) candidates for the major awards – as well as predicting the winners.  In this post, I look at Most Valuable Player candidates (sharing my ratings for the top five in each league).  For BBRT’s look at Rookie of the Year candidates, click here.  For the Cy Young Award, click here.

AMERICAN LEAGUE MVP

Baseball Roundtable Choice:  Shohei Ohtani

Baseball Roundtable Prediction: Shohei Ohtani

  1. Shohei Ohtani, DH/RHP, Angels … Let’s face it, this was pretty much a slam dunk – despite the Angels’ fourth-place finish. Ohtani delivered value at the plate, on the mound, on the base paths and in the roster flexibility he provided. Ohtani would be in the running for MVP even if he didn’t take the mound. Consider, not only were his 46 home runs third-best in the American League, he was fifth in steals with 26 – power and speed. He also led the league in triples (8) and intentional walks (20) and was third in total walks (96).  Ohtani produced a 100-100 season (100 RBI/103 runs scored). Add his 9-2, 3.18 mound record (23 starts) and 156 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings and you have your AL MVP.  (Three things did trouble me: the .257 average, 189 strikeouts as a hitter and the DH position. Still, what he brought to the plate, on the bases and on the mound made him the clear choice.)
  2. Vlad Guerrero, Jr., 1B, Blue Jays … In almost any other year, the 22-year-old Guerrero would have been clearing a spot on his mantle for this award.  He hit a healthy .311, led the AL in home runs with 48 and was fifth in RBI with 111.  In fact, he teased a Triple Crown for much of the season. In addition, his 123 runs led the league, as did his 363 total bases,  .401 on-base percentage and .601 slugging percentage.  The slugging infielder had 52 multi-hit games – and his 188 safeties were second in the league. Side note:  A bit of a second-half decline probably kept Guerrero from claiming the triple crown.  He was .332-28-73 before the break and .288-20-38 after.  Again, Guerrero’s just 22, there is an MVP award (or two) in his future.
  3. Marcus Semien, 2B, Blue Jays … You have to like a middle infielder with power and Semien fits the bill. This season, he delivered 45 home runs, 102 RBI and 115 runs scored.  He even tossed in 15 steals in sixteen attempts. And, he was durable, playing in all  162 games.  Further, he did all of this while making the transition from being primarily a shortstop to primarily a second baseman (or does that matter with all of today’s defensive shifts). His .265 average was a little troubling, but he earned this spot among MVP candidates.
  4. Salvador Perez, C, Royals … What the heck! In his nine previous MLB seasons, Perez was recognized as a Gold Glove defensive catcher with a little pop – 152 home runs in nine seasons, with a high of 27 in both 2017 and 2018. In 2021, the 31-year-old turned on the afterburners. He tied for the league lead in home runs (48) and lead the league in RBI 121,while hitting .273. Those 48 home runs were the most hit in a season by a player who played at least half his games as a catcher (Perez hit 33 while in the game at catcher, 15 as a DH). For those who like to know these things, Javy Lopez – 2003 Braves – hold the single-season record for home runs hit while at catcher, hitting 42 of his 43 home runs that season as a catcher (one as a pinch hitter.
  5. Tie: Aaron Judge Yankees and Rafael Devers, Red Sox. (Well, we should have some players on this list whose teams made the post season.

Aaron Judge, RF, Yankees … Judge helped power the Yankees with a .287-39-98 line, and also scored 89 runs ans stole  six bases.

Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox … Devers was a critical piece of the Red Sox offense, going .279-38-113, and scoring 101 runs.  (I do like those 100/100 campaigns.)

Another Blue Jay for the List?

Okay, in my top five AL MVP candidates you find a pair of Blue Jays who delivered 100/100 seasons (Vlad Guerrero 111 RBI/123 runs & Marcus Semien (102 RBI & 115 Runs). I could easily have given a third spot to Bo Bichette, who produced 102 RBI and 121 run scored.

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE MVP

Baseball Roundtable Choice:  Paul Goldschmidt

Baseball Roundtable Prediction: Juan Soto

  1. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals ….  Placing Goldschmidt here may surprise a few folks, but Goldschmidt delivered a typically golden season: .294, with 31 home runs, 99 RBI, 102 runs scored and 12 steals (in 12 attempts) – plus Gold Glove caliber defense.  Perhaps even more important – from August 10 through October 3, when the Redbirds went 35-16 and put themselves back in the post-season picture, Goldschmidt went .346-13-36, while playing all but two of those contests.  I give Goldschmidt a slight edge over Juan Soto and Bryce Harper because of his contributions down the stretch – and the fact that his Cardinals did make the post season.
  2. Juan Sot0, RF, Nationals … The 22-year-old hit .313 (second in the NL) on the season, with 29 home runs, 95 RBI (tenth in the league) and 111 runs scored (second).  His .465 on-base percentage (he led the league with 145 walks and 23 intention passes) led the league (and MLB).  Those free passes clearly show how valuable his bat was to the Nationals and how determined opponents not to let Soto beat them. Soto had an especially strong second half, going .348-18-53 after the All Star break (with a .525 on-base percentage). That post-break surge may be what sways voters.  It’s hard to deny a player who gets on base more than half the time over half a season.  On the season, Soto had 41 multi-hit games and and 39 multi-walk games.
  3. Bryce Harper, RF, Phillies … Harper put up a .309-35-84 line, with 101 runs scored and 13 steals in 16 attempts. He also had a league-topping 42 doubles and a league-leading .615 slugging percentage. Like Goldschmidt and Soto, Harper finished strong – going .338-20-50 after the break.
  4. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves … Freeman had an MVP-candidate caliber season (again): .300-31, 83, with a league-leading 120 runs scored. He had the NL’s third-highest on-base percentage (393), drew the third-most walks (85) and he added steady veteran leadership to the Braves, who had to reshape their lineup after key offensive losses and trade deadline moves. Freeman’s 53 multi-it games, trailed only Trea Turner and Bo Bichette (58 each) in MLB.
  5. Fernando Tatis, Jr. , SS, Padres … Had the Padres not faded from the race, Tatis might have been right near the top of this ranking – thanks to a league-leading 42 home runs, coupled with 25 steals (in 29 attempts). He just missed the 100-100 club – with 97 RBI and 99 runs scored. Still, it was a season worth a top-five spot on the BBRT MVP list.

Special Mention

It’s hard to justify a spot on the MVP list for a player who was traded mid-season. (Why would you trade an MVP candidate?) Still, Trea Turner, who went from the Nationals to the Dodgers at the trading deadline, deserves a shout out here. Turner won the NL batting crown with a .328 average, lead the league with 195 hits, scored 125 runs, hit 28 home runs, stole a league-leading 32 bases and was a spark plug for the Dodgers down the stretch.  Still, he put up more than half of that offense while in a National’s uniform.  If had had done all that for the Dodgers, I’d probably slot him in the top three.

Primary Resources: Baseball Reference.com; STATS

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Baseball Roundtable Rates 2021 Potential Cy Young Candidates

November 3, 2021 by

The post season is over and now it’s awards season.  Here is Baseball Roundtable’s look (ratings, selections, predictions) at potential CY Young Award candidates.  For  a look at potential Rookie of the Year candidates, click here.  Coming soon: MVP candidates.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CY YOUNG AWARD

BBRT Choice: Robbie Ray

BBRT Prediction: Robbie Ray

  1. Robbie Ray, LHP, Blue Jays … Robbie Ray went 13-7, with a 2.84 earned run average (lowest among qualifying AL pitchers). He led the AL in strikeouts (248); innings pitched (193.1); games started (tied at 32); and WHIP (among qualifiers – 1.04). He fanned 11.55 batters per nine innings (third among AL starters). With a bit more run support, his record could have been even better.  He went just 1-0 in August, despite having six starts in which he went six or more innings and gave up two or fewer runs.  For the month, he averaged 6.8 innings per start, with a 1.76 ERA and 11.9 strikeouts per nine.  Ray’s was a dominant season.
  2. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Yankees … Gerrit Cole led the AL with 16 wins (versus eight losses) in 30 starts. He tied for the lead in complete games with two and trailed only Robbie Ray in strikeouts (243 to Ray’s 248 in 181 1/3 innings to Ray’s 193 1/3). Cole was also second in WHIP (among qualifiers) at 1.06 (to Ray’s 1.04) and second in the AL in strikeouts per nine innings  (12.06 to Dylan Cease’s 12.28). He was especially hot in the “dog days of August,” when he got three starts ad gave up one run in 17 2/3 innings (13 hits, four walks and 24 strikeouts.) This should be very close; but Ray and Cole are the front runners.
  3. Lance Lynn, RHP, White Sox … Lynn went 11-6 in 28 starts and, although he was five innings short of qualifying for the ERA title, he turned in a sharp 2.69 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Lynn’s chances may be hurt a bit by having just 11 wins.
  4. Jose Berrios,  RHP Blue Jays …. Barrios, who went 12-9, 3.52 was second in the AL only to Robbie Ray in innings pitched (192 to Rays 193 1/3) and his 32 starts tied for the league lead.  He fanned 204 batters (fifth in the AL), his 1.06 WHIP tied for second among AL qualifiers, his 9.56 strikeouts per nine innings were ninth and his 4.53 strikeouts-per-walk ratio was fifth (all among qualifiers). Unfortunately for Barrios, he finished behind Ray and Cole in wins;  ERA; strikeouts and strikeout/nine innings; and WHIP (when you carry it out to three decimal points, Cole was 1.058, Barrios 1.063).  Still, Barrios was a quality, dependable starter for the Twins and Blue Jays and pitched at least six innings in 22 of 32 starts and seven or more frames in eight of those.
  5. Frankie Montas, RHP, A’s … Montas went 13-9, 3.37 (fourth among AL qualifiers) in 32 starts. His 187 innings pitched were third in the AL,  his 207 strikeouts fourth, his 9.96K/9 sixth and his 1.18 WHIP sixth.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CY YOUNG AWARD

I know there are no ties in baseball, but there is a three-way tie for fifth place on this list (with the reasoning explained).

BBRT CHOICE: Zack Wheeler

BBRT: Prediction: Max Scherzer

  1. Zack Wheeler, RHP, Phillies … Wheeler went 14-10, 2.78 (fifth-best NL ERA). His 213 1/3 innings pitched led MLB, and he led the NL in strikeouts with 247. He also tied for the  MLB lead in the “unicorn” categories – complete games (3) and complete-game shutouts (2), He finished fourth in the NL in strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 5.37.  His 14 wins tied for fifth in the NL and three of the four pitchers above him were Dodgers (Julio Urias, Walker Buehler and Max Scherzer).  While Scherzer may be considered a favorite here, the fact that three Dodgers are legitimate contenders may actually help Wheeler – particularly considering that the all of the other starters on this list benefited from higher run support than Wheeler. The Dodgers’ Julio Urias, Max Scherzer and Walker Buehler received more than five runs of support per nine innings (according to STATS), while Wheeler was at 3.67.
  2. Max Scherzer, RHP, Dodgers … Scherzer went 15-4, 2.46 (second among NL qualifies) on the season, with 236 strikeouts (second only to Zach Wheeler’s 247) in 179 1/3 innings pitched. His 0.86 WHIP was the lowest among MLB qualifiers. Scherzer will probably generate a bit of extra support for what he did after moving from the Nationals to the Dodgers (July 30 trade). He was 7-0, 1.98 in eleven starts for the Dodgers (and LA won in his four no-decisions). Notably, this included a hiccup in his final two starts (10 earned run sin 10 1/3 innings).  On the season, Scherzer gave up two earned runs or less in 24 of 30 starts – no earned runs in ten.
  3. Walker Buehler, RHP, Dodgers … Buehler went 16-4, 2.47 (numbers almost identical to Scherzer) in an NL–leading 33 starts. He fanned 212 batters in 207 2/3 innings (second-most IP in the NL), had a 0.97 WHIP and 9.2 strikeouts/nine innings. Finishing behind Scherzer in WHIP, K/9, BB/K ratio will likely deny him the CYA.
  4. Corbin Burnes, RHP, Brewers … Burnes went 11-5, 2.43 (lowest ERA among MLB qualifiers), with 232 strikeouts in just 167 innings.  His 12.6 strikeouts per nine led MLB qualifiers. Burnes also put up a 0.94 WHIP (second among MLB qualifiers to Max Scherzer). Burnes fanned ten or more batters in eight games,  A couple more victories would have helped his case.
  5. (Tie) Julio Urias, Josh Hader, Adam Wainwright

Julio Urias, LHP, Dodgers … There was a time when being MLB’s only 20-game winner would have practically guaranteed the CYA.  Well, Julio Urias was MLB’s only 20-game winner in 2021 (20-3, 2.96) and still finished fifth on this list.  He fanned 195 batters in 185 2/3 innings and put up a WHIP of 1.02. Still, he finished behind all four starters ahead of him on this list in ERA, strikeouts and WHIP.  For BBRT,  20 wins has got to get you at least on the short list.  He could do better than I expect, if enough voters share that old-school sentiment.

Josh Hader, LHP, Brewers … Brewers’ closer Hader went 4-2, with 34 saves in 35 opportunities and 102 strikeouts in just 58 2/3 innings – putting up a 0.84 WHIP and holding hitters to a .127 average.  That kind of lights-relief deserve recognition (and relievers are often underrepresented in the CYA competition.

Adam Wainwright, RHP, Cardinals … The 39-year-old Wainwright finished in the top ten in the NL in wins (second at 17, with 7 losses); ERA (3.05 – tenth); innings pitched (206 1/3 – third); WHIP (1.06 – ninth); complete games (three – tie for first). Have to give a nod to that kind of “veteran” performance (particularly at my age, we oldster need hope).

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

 

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Baseball Roundtable Rates the Rookies – Explores Willie McCovey/Frank Schwindel Link

November 2, 2021 by

In 1959, the Giants’ 1B Willie McCovey won the NL Rookie of the Year Award despite playing in just 52 games.  In 2021, Frank Schwindel of the Cubs (rookie-status intact) put up numbers that mirrored those of McCovey in 1959.

Admittedly, there are a few differences.  McCovey was just 21-years-old and had not played a game at the MLB level before 1959, while Schwindel was 29-years-old, had come to the Cubs (on waivers) from the  A’s in July and had 14 MLB games (American League) under his belt before joining Chicago.  Still, the similarities in their performance led me to take a look at the 2021 candidates for AL and NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards.

Here are my choices; how I predict the vote will go; and my ratings for the top five rookies in each league.

NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

BBRT Choice: Jonathan India

BBRT Prediction:  Jonathan India

  1. Jonathan India, 2B, Reds – The 24-year-old India played in 150 games this season and went .269-21-69, with 12 steals and 98 runs scored. India really came on after the All Star break, 15 of his 21 home runs. India also led all 2021 rookie in walks with 71 and  led MLB with 23 hit-by-pitches – contributing to a .376 on-base percentage.  His overall stat line should earn him the top vote totals.
  2. Frank Schwindel, 1B,Cubs – Okay, I doubt anyone else will have him this high, but the 29-year-old (who came over from the A’s on waivers in July) hit .342, with 13 home runs and 40 RBI for the Cubbies. These numbers (as noted above) are remarkably similar to Willie McCovey’s 1959 line of .354-13-38, when he won the NL Rookie of the Year Award after playing in just 52 games for the Giants.
  3. Patrick Wisdom, 1B/3B/OF, Cubs – The 29-year-old (who had played 43 MLB games over the previous three seasons) came into his own in 2021, going .231-28-61 in 106 games (that average will cost him some votes, but he deserves to be in the mix). Bonus points for versatility in the field.
  4. Dylan Carson, OF, Cardinals – The 22-year-old switch-hitting Redbird outfielder should get a few votes based on his .266-18-65, line (with 79 runs scored).
  5. Trevor Rogers, LHP, Marlins –  The 23-year-old went 7-8 in 25 starts for the Marlins (who finished 28 games under .500), but put up a fine 2.64 ERA and fanned 157 batters in 133 innings.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Overall, this is one of the toughest Rookie of the Year races in recent years.  I could see any of the my top five winning the award: Emmanuel Clase for his 24 saves; Arozarena  with a 20 HR / 20 SB season; Adolis Garcia topping all rookies with 90 RBI; Ryan Mountcastle leading all rookies with 33 home runs; or Wander Franco with his 43-game on-base streak.

BBRT Choice: Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Indians

BBRT Prediction: Randy Arozarena, OF, Rays

  1. Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Indians – Baseball Roundtable is going against the grain here and pick a pitcher (I don’t think the voters will concur). Twenty-three-year-old reliever Emmanuel Clase, went 4-5, with a 1.29 earned run average and 24 saves in 71 games – fanning 74 batters in 69 2/3 innings and putting up a 0.96 WHIP. Clase has an outside chance of capturing ROY if the bevy of rookie hitters who should be in the chase split up the offense-leaning votes.
  2. Randy Arozarena, Of, Rays – Voters are unlikely to forget Arozarena’s  2020 post-season heroics and his 2021 stat line of .274-20-69 is solid. Baseball Roundtable gives the 26-year-old Arozarena an edge over the remaining hitters in my top five, based on his 20 steals and 94 runs scored – and, of course, name recognition.  I believe, he will be the official AL ROY for 2021.
  3. Adolis Garcia, OF, Rangers – The 28-year-old Rangers’ outfielder went .243-31-90, with 77 runs scored. His strikeout-to-walks ratio (194 strikeouts/32 walks) may hurt him a bit. Still, those 16 steals and his defensive work keep him in the running (pun intended).
  4. Ryan Mountcastle. 1B/OF, Orioles – The 24-year-old 1B/OF put up a 2021 stat line of .255-33-89 (with 77 runs scored) for the Orioles. Mountcastle  put up these solid numbers despite a slow start – he was  .198-1-71 in 25 April games and .266-32-82 the rest of the way.
  5. Wander Franco, SS, Rays – The 20-year-old SS may have the best chance of upsetting Arozarena for this award. (I think the voters will rate France a bit higher than I have.) In his 70 games, he went .288-7-39, with 53 runs scored.  He also gained considerable name recognition thanks to his 43-game on-base (via hit, walk or hit-by-pitch) streak (tying Hall of Famer Frank Robinson for the longest such streak by a player 20-year-old or younger).  Fewer games and fewer steals (two to Arozarena’s 20) will cost him some votes.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

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Baseball Roundtable Rates the Top 25 MLB Debuts

November 1, 2021 by

How often have we hears the phrase, “You have only one chance to make a first impression?”  Well, this post is about 25 players who made a grand first impression in their major-league debut games.

Note/Disclaimer: This post does not include Negro Leagues’ debuts. Baseball Roundtable has not yet found a solid and accessible  source of game logs for the Negro Leagues of 1920-48; now officially major leagues. I would welcome suggestions either for a source of Negro Leagues’ game logs or of individual players – and their debut-game stats –  whose Negro League debuts you believe would put them on this list.

The ratings here, of course, are subjective.  They take into account not only the bare stats, but such factors as how unique ( a record 15 strikeouts or five base hits in a debut appearance) they might be; how unexpected (a great debut, which turns out to encompass an entire MLB career): the immediate follow-up (a debut shutout is great, but you get extra credit for following up with a game-two shutout);  the pressure of the moment (recognition of the significance of Opening Day, traditional rivalries or Hall of Fame opposition),  So, let’s get to it.

1. Jason Jennings, RHP, Colorado Rockies … August 23, 2001 … A Shutout and a Homer

Jason Jennings, a 22-year-old right-hander (who batted left – you’ll see the significance in a bit), was called up by the Rockies in late August after going 9-8, 4.42 in 26 starts at Double-A and Triple A.  Jennings  made his MLB debut on August 23 against the Mets in New York.  He proceeded to throw a nine-inning, complete-game shutout – five hits, four walks, eight strikeouts. At that point, he had thrown three complete games and one shutout in 68 minor-league starts (three seasons).

As a bonus, Jennings  also went three-for-five at the plate, with a  home run, one run scored and two RBI – becoming the first  MLB player to pitch a shutout and hit a home run in his first MLB appearance.  Jenning’s day included a pop out to third base in the first inning; a single to left in the third; a ground out to first in the fifth; an RBI single to right-center in the seventh; and a homer to right in the top of the ninth. (The Rockies won the contest 10-0).

Collegiate Star

Jason Jennings was a first-round draft pick (Rockies, 16th overall) in 1999 (out of Baylor University). In his three years at Baylor (1997-99), he was a three-time All American and, in 1999, won both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy.  He posted a three-year pitching record of 27-11, 3.56 and a .344 batting average with 39 home runs in 172 games.  He is generally considered the best player in Baylor baseball history.

Jennings went 4-1, 4.58 in seven 2001 starts; hitting .267 (four-for-fifteen). He followed up by winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2002, with a 16-8, 4.52 record for the Rox – and a .306-0-11 batting line (in 68 plate appearances). That proved to be his best season, as he appeared to succumb to command and injury issues and went 42-65, 5.06 over his final seven MLB seasons. He retired as an active player after the 2012 season, when he went 10-2, 3.58 for the (Independent) American Association Grand Prairie Ground Hogs. His final MLB line (2001-2009 … Rockies, Astros, Rangers) was 62-74, 4.95. As a hitter, he went 68-for-329 (.207), with two home runs and 26 RBI.

Post playing days, Jennings has been involved in The Keeper of the Game Foundation, The Miracle League, The Michael Young Foundation and MLB Baseball Assistance Team.

2. Karl Spooner, LHP, Dodgers … September 22, 1954 … a Shutout, with 15K

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

Spooner, notably, did not get off to a great start – giving up a single and  two walks in the first frame – but pitching out of trouble. Not a single batter reached second base after the first inning and in the seventh and eighth, Spooner faced the minimum six batters and fanned them all (swinging) on a total of 29 pitches.  Spooner cemented the number-two spot on this list (whether it’s a fair way to “score” or not) with his second MLB appearance – another complete-game shutout. This time a four-hit, 1-0 win over the Pirates (September 25) in which he walked three and fanned a dozen.  So, in his first two MLB appearance, Karl Spooner did not give up a run and  fanned 27 batters in 18 innings – in a season in which the average strikeouts per nine innings among MLB pitcher was 4.2.   Side note: J.R, Richard, who (in 1971) tied Spooner’s record of 15K in an MLB debut did not “score” as high as Spooner for two reasons: 1) His debut game was not a shutout; 2) He fanned just five (in five innings) in his second game.  More on Richard later in this listing.

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

3. Billy Rohr, LHP, Red Sox … April 14, 1967 … One Strike Away from History

Billy Rohr got a higher than expected spot on this list at least in part based on the pressure of the moment. He made his debut against the Red Sox’ rival Yankees, at the New Yorkers’ 1967 home opener, and his mound opponent was Yankee ace, hero and future Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.

How did the 21-year-old rookie fare? Well, with two out in the bottom of the ninth, he was protecting a 3-0 lead and had yet to give up a hit (five walks, two strikeouts). In addition, he was dealing with the effects of a sixth-inning line drive off the bat of Yankee’s RF Bill Robinson that had ricocheted off Rohr’s shin to third baseman Joe Foy who threw to first for the out. Rohr had to argue with manager Dick Williams to stay in the game.  Now, with two down in the ninth, all that stood between Rohr and a no-hitter was Yankee catcher Elston Howard.  Rohr got ahead of Howard 1-2 and was one strike away from a no-hitter in his first MLB appearance. The next pitch was called a ball (Red Sox catcher Russ Gibson would forever maintain it was a strike). Then, on a 2-2 count, Howard hit a soft,  looping liner over second baseman Reggie Smith – putting an end to the no-hitter. On the  very next pitch, Yankees’ 3B Charley Smith flied out to right and Rohr had a one-hit shutout in his MLB debut.

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

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

4. Russ Van Atta, LHP, Yankees April 25, 1933 … A Shutout and Four Hits

Maybe it’s the “Ohtani Effect,” but two of my top four on this list are pitchers that threw shutouts and also hit the ball well in their MLB debuts. Russ Van Atta was a pitching star at Penn State, where he reportedly lost only one game in four college seasons (before signing with the Yankees in 1928). Van Atta pitched in the minors from 1928 through 1932 (four years with the Double-A American Association Saint Paul Saints, where he went 22-17 in 1932). He made his debut for the Yankees on April 25, 1933, facing the Washington Senators.  (Note: These were not the Senators of later years. In 1933, the Senators went 99-53-1 and finished first in the American League.)

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

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

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

5. Juan Marichal, RHP, Giants … July 19, 1960 … Taking a Perfect Game into the Seventh

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

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

6. (tie) Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs … May 7, 2010 … Six-RBI Debut

It’s about time we got a position player in here, don’t you think? Starlin Castro made his debut with the Cub on May 7, 2010  (versus the Reds in Cincinnati) at age 20 – and started with a bang. Batting in the eight-hole, Castro got his first MLB at bat with two-on and no one out in the top of the second inning. He hit a 2-2 pitch for a three-run home run off (appropriately) Homer Bailey (I always thought that was an unfortunate name for a pitcher; like Nick Swisher for a hitter). In his second at bat, Castro lined out to center (leading off the fourth). He came up again in the fifth, this time with the bases loaded and two outs.  The result? A triple to deep left center.  So, three at bats into his major league career, Castro had six RBI.  (He was retired in his final two plate appearances.)

Starlin Castro’s six RBI are the MLB record for a player in his first MLB game.

Castro played in 125 games in that rookie season, going .300-3-41, and finished fifth in the NL  Rookie of the Year balloting. (The winner was Giants’ C Buster Posey, who hit .305-18-67). As of the completion of the 2021 season, Starlin had 12 seasons of MLB service (Cubs, Yankees, Marlins, Nationals), with a stat line of .280-138-678 (1,573 games). The four-time All Star has had  three seasons with a .300 or better average, two with 20+ home runs and two with 20+ steals. He led the NL in hits with 207 in 2011, when he hit .307 with 10 homers, 66 RBI and 22 steals. Over his career, he had played SS, 3B and 2B.

6. (Tie) Trevor Story, SS, Rockies …. April 4, 2016 … Two Homers in First Game; Six in First Four

Talk about getting the party started!  Rockies’ SS Trevor story made his debut (at age 23) on Opening Day 2016 –  as the Rockies faced the Diamondbacks in Arizona. The 2011 Rockies’ first-round draft pick was coming off a .279-20-80, 22-stolen base season at Double-A and Triple-A.  Right from his first game, he started powering his way into the record books. After grounding out in the first, he hit a three-run home to right in the third and a solo home run to left in the fourth. He ended the day two-for-six, with four RBI, as the Rockies won 10-5.

Story got a little extra credit (and moved up a couple of spots on this list) for what he did immediately after that multi-homer debut game – going deep in his first four MLB games. Between April 4 and April 8, Story went seven for 19 (.368). Six of his seven hits were home runs and, in the four games, he scored six times and drove in 11. In the process he became the first MLB player to homer in their first three and first four games, as well as the first with two multi-homer games in their first four MLB contests. One wonders what Story could have done in his rookie season if it were not for an early-August injury (thumb) that ended his season., Still, he went .272-27-72 in 95 games.  At the end of the 2021 season, the Rockies’ two-time All Star had a stat line of .272-158-450 – with 100 steals.

8. J.R. Richard, RHP, Astros … September 4, 1971 … A 15K Debut

Public Domain via Wiki Commons.

J.R. Richard was called up in September 1971, after going  12-7, 2.45, with 202 strikeouts in 173 innings for the Triple-A Oklahoma City 89ers. In his very first MLB start (September 4 versus the Giants), Richard went the distance, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits, while walking three and fanning 15 (in a 5-3 win).  Richard places this high on the list because his 15 whiffs place him in a tie for strikeouts in a debut MLB game.  Richard went on to a ten-season MLB career (cut short by a stroke in July of 1980) – all for the Astros. He went 107-71, 3.15, with 1,493 strikeouts in 1,606 innings pitched. He twice topped 300 strikeouts in a season (leading the league both times) and led the league in ERA at 2.71 in 1979. From 1976 until his stroke in mid-season 1980, Richard went 84-55, with a 2.79 ERA and 1,163 strikeouts in 1,239 1/3 innings; also recording 66 complete games and 17 shutouts. A little extra credit here for a dominating career cut short.

9. (Tie) Jay Hughes, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (NL) … April 18, 1898 … A Two-Hit Shutout and then He Got Better

Sacramento, CA-born Jay Hughes made his MLB debut for the National League’s Baltimore Orioles on April 18, 1898 (the Sacramento connection’s importance will become clear soon). The 24-year-old Hughes embarked on his major-league career with a two-hit, complete-game shutout in a 9-0 win over the Washington Senators (Yes, in 1898, the Senators and Orioles were both in the NL) in Washington.  He followed it up with an 8-0, complete-shutout over the Boston Beaneaters in Baltimore.  He gets an edge over a handful of other hurlers who started their MLB careers with consecutive shutouts because Hughes’ second MLB start produced not just a shutout, but a no-hitter. Now, some may be quick to interject that time were different then and maybe the two shutouts were not that impressive.  But wait, in 1898, the MLB team average runs per game was 4.96 and Hughes “victims” – Washington and Boston – averaged 4.54 and 5.74 runs per game, respectively. This compares  pretty well to the 2021 season, when AL teams averaged 4.60 runs per game and NL squads averaged 4.46.

Back to Hughes, he finished his rookie season at 23-12, 3.20 and followed up with a 28-6 season for the Brooklyn Superbas in 1899. Now, of course, this was in the days before the big major-league contracts and Hughes missed his West Coast home territory.  So, in 1900, he left the National League and went back to Sacramento (got married) and put up a 23-9 record for the Sacramento Beavers of the California League. He was lured back the Brooklyn for the 1901-02 MLB seasons – going 17-12, 3.27 and 15-10, 2.94. Still, the West Coast was calling and, in 1903, he made his way to the Pacific Coast League Seattle Siwashes, where he went 34-15, 2.35. He played three more seasons in the PCL before retiring as a player,  Hughes’ MLB career was, by is own  choice, short – but what a start he had, a two-hitter and a no-hitter in his first two games. His career (1898-99 & 1901-02 … Orioles, Superbas) was 83-40, 3.02.

9. (Tie) Charles “Bumpus” Jones, RHP, Cincinnati Reds … October 15, 1892 … A No-Hitter First Time Out

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

A couple of additional notes here.  In 1892, the pitcher’s box was 50-feet from home plate (and Bumpus had made a name for himself pitching at that distance in the minor leagues). In 1893, the mound was moved to 60’ 6” and Jones did not recapture the magic of that no-hitter.  In 1893, he was 1-4, 10.19 for the Red Stockings and Giants. He continued to play professionally, (at least until 1901), but never again pitched in the major leagues. (For my Minnesota Readers, all evidence points to Jones’ last professional start coming on May 4, 1901 –  for the St. Paul Apostles). Jones played two MLB seasons (1892-93 … Giants, Reds), going 2-4, 7.99.

11. Fred Clarke, LF, Louisville Colonels (National League) … June 30, 1884 … Five-Hit Debut

In his first MLB game, 21-year-old  Fred Clarke rapped our four singles and a triple in five at bats (in a 13-6 loss to the Phillies).  He remains the only player to record five hits in a nine-inning MLB-debut game. On the season, Clarke hit .274-7-48 in 76 games.  He delivered on that debut-game promise in 1895, hitting .347 in 132 games.  Clarke  went on to a 21-season Hall of Fame career (1894-1911, 1913-15 … Colonels, Pirates), putting up a stat line of .312-67-1,015, hitting over .300 in ten seasons in which he played at least 100 games (a high of .390 in 130 games in 1897). Clarke also stole 509 career bases and recorded 220 triples (14 seasons of double-digits in triples).  He also enjoyed  a 19-season managerial career (1,602 wins, 1,181 losses … four pennants, one World Series title).

12. Willie McCovey, 1B, Giants … July 30, 1959 … Four-for-Four, Two Triples

Twenty-one-year old McCovey was called up to the Giants in July of 1959. At the time, he was  already in his fifth pro season, hitting .372-29-92 (95 games) for the Triple-A Phoenix Giants. San Francisco dropped the prospect right into the number-three slot in the lineup – and he delivered. As the Giants topped the Phillies 7-2 in San Francisco, McCovey made his MLB debut with a single (off future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts) in the first inning; a triple off Roberts in the fourth; an RBI single off Roberts in the fifth; and a second RBI triple off Roberts in the seventh.  McCovey finished his MLB debut game four-for four – with three runs scored, two RBI and, of course, those two triples.  McCovey shares the record for triples in a debut game.

Notably, McCovey started his MLB career with a seven-game hitting streak, during which he hit .467 (14-for-30), with three home runs, two doubles, two triples, nine runs scored and nine RBI. He went .354-13-38 on the season – winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award, despite playing in just 52 games.   McCovey went on to a 22-season Hall of Fame career (1959-80 – all with the Giants), hitting .270, with 521 home runs and 1,555 RBI. He was an All Star in six seasons, led the NL in home runs three times (hitting 30 or more home runs seven times) and RBI twice.  He was the 1969 NL Most Valuable Player.

13. Cecil Travis, 3B, Senators … May 16, 1933 … Five-Hit Debut (just took a little longer)

Only Fred Clarke (at number-eleven) and Cecil Travis collected five  hits in their MLB debut game. Travis, however, did not pick up his fifth hit until the bottom of the tenth (in a game in which his Senators beat the Indians in 12 innings by an 11-10 score). In the game, Travis went five-for-seven (all singles) and scored three runs. Travis’ hot start should not have been a surprise. In 1931, as a 17-year-old with the Class-A Chattanooga Lookouts, he hit .429 in 13 games. In 1932, still with Chattanooga, he raked at a .356 pace in 152 games. He was again hitting well over .300 for Chattanooga when the Senators  called him up to replace injured third baseman Ossie Bluege. Travis got in nine games between May 16 and May 24 (going nine-for-29 – all singles) before Bluege reclaimed the third base position.  Travis got in another nine contests in September/October and finished the season at .302 for Washington (13-for-43 – with just one extra-base hit) and .352 for Chattanooga.  He won the Senators’ third base job outright in 1934.

Travis enjoyed  a 12-season MLB career (1933-41, 1945-47 … Senators) finishing at .314-27-657 – but without the impact of World War II, his numbers could be notably more impressive. Travis lost nearly four years to military service (all of 1942-44 and most of 1945). In his nine MLB seasons before military service, he went .327-25-581. In the three seasons after his return, he went .241-7-26. In  1941, the season before he began his military service, he hit .359 and led the American League with 218 hits. He also scored 106 runs and drove in 101 that season

14. Kazuo Matsui, 2B, Mets …. April 6, 2004 … Home Run, Two Doubles, a Pair of Walks

In his MLB debut game, Kazuo Matsui came to the plate five times and got on base five times – two doubles, one home run and two walks; scoring once and driving in three as his Mets topped the Braves 7-2 in Atlanta.

Matsui came to Mets after nine seasons in Japan (1995-2003), during which he hit .309, with 150 home runs and 320 stolen bases.  He showed unexpected power with 69 home runs over the 2002-03 seasons.  As noted, he was three-for-three with two walks in his MLB debut.  In addition, he hit the first MLB pitch he ever saw (and the first pitch of the Mets’ 2004 season) for a home run. His  day went: solo home run in the first inning; RBI double in the second; bases-loaded walk in the third; double in the fifth; and intentional walk in the seventh. Matsui’s first-pitch home run, in retrospect,  was unexpected. In seven MLB seasons (2004-10 …  Mets, Rockies, Astros), he hit just 32 round trippers (.267 average, 211 RBI, 330 runs scored and 102 steals).

According the Elias Sports Bureau, Kaz Matsui is  the only MLB player to homer in his first plate appearance in three consecutive seasons (2004-05-06).

After the 2010 season, Matsui returned to Japan, where he played through 2018.

15. Mark Quinn, OF, Royals … September 14, 1999 … Two Homers and a Double

Mark Quinn made his debut as a designed hitter, batting fifth as the Royals took on the Angels in Kansas City. He earned his call up with .360-25-84 season (107 games) at Triple-A Omaha. In his first MLB game, the 25-year-old  popped out in the first inning; doubled to lead off the fourth; hit a two-run home run in the sixth; added another two-run homer in the eighth to finish three-for-four with three extra-base hits, while driving in four of the Royals’ five runs in a 6-5 loss to the Angels.

Quin played in 293 MLB games (1999-2002 … Royals), going .282-45-167. In 2000, he had his best season with a .294-20-78 line in 135 games.

16. John Paciorek, RF, Colt .45’s … September 29, 1963 … 1.000 Career Average

Signed out of Saint Ladislaus High School in Hamtramck, Michigan (where he had starred in football, basketball and baseball), John Paciorek appeared in his first major-league game on the final day of the 1963 season (September 29) at the age of 18.  The 6’ 1”, 200-pound outfielder had spent the 1963 season with Class-A Modesto Colts; where he hit .219-9-49 in 78 games.  The Colts’ parent club, the Houston Colt .45s (that was the current Astros’ franchise name back then), was suffering through a difficult season. The team was 65-96 going into that final game.  Looking to the future, Houston had, in fact, fielded an all-rookie lineup (average age 19) on September 27. Youth was still being served two days later when John Paciorek started his first MLB game. The results were surprising – and worthy of recognition.

Playing right field and batting seventh in a 13-4 win over the NY Mets, Paciorek ended up with three hits and two walks in five plate appearances, with four runs scored and three runs batted in.  Perhaps equally surprising is that it was not only Paciorek’s first major-league appearance, it was to be his only MLB appearance.  Back pain the following spring, followed by surgery (he played 49 minor league games in 1964 and missed all of the 1965 season), put an end to his MLB playing days. (Paciorek did play in four more minor-league seasons.)  Still, you will find John Paciorek in the Baseball Encyclopedia and his is arguably the greatest one-game MLB career ever.  Among one-gamers, he holds the record for times on base and runs scored, and shares the record for batting average, on base percentage and RBIs.

17. Ray Jansen, 3B. Browns … September 30, 1910 … Four Hits in First Pro Game

Like John Paciorek (above), Ray Jansen’s MLB debut game was his only major-league appearance.  Unlike Paciorek, however, Jansen’s MLB debut was also his professional debut. The 1910 season was winding down and the St. Louis Browns  were 54 ½ games behind in the American League race – and apparently decided to give some local talent a “look-see.” (Jansen was born and raised in St. Louis.)  So, on September 19, 1910, we find the 21-year-old Jansen – who had never played professionally at any level – starting at third base and hitting second for the Browns (against the White Sox in St. Louis). Jansen had a good day at the plate – four singles in five at bats, which gives him the record for the most hits by  a player with a one-game MLB career (more #InBaseballWeCountEverything).   He was a little less adept at the hot corner (which may help explain his one-game MLB career), making three errors.  To be fair, the Browns did make seven errors that day (and led the league with 385 on the season). Jansen’s lone game did have an unusual line score. The White Sox scored nine runs on nine hits  (there were four walks and, of course, those seven errors).  The Browns tallied just one run on 16 hits (two triples and 14 singles), with the White Sox making just one error and surrendering no free passes. Jansen did continue his career in the minors, where he played until 1918, hitting .266 with ten home runs in 616 games.

18. Bert Campaneris, SS, A’s … July 23, 1964 … Three-for-Three, Two Home Runs, Stolen Base

Bert Campaneris was not a power threat. In 19 MLB seasons, he hit more than eight home runs in just one campaign (22 long balls in 1970). Still, he did manage to go deep on the very first MLB pitch he ever saw (off the Twins’ Jim Kaat).

Campaneris was called up to the A’s in July of 1964 due to an injury to A’s starting SS Wayne Causey. The 22-year-old Campaneris was in his third professional season and was having a solid season with the Double-A Birmingham Barons (he was hitting .325 with 25 steals for the Barons). In his MLB debut game, Campaneris (playing SS and batting second) hit a solo home run in the first; singled in the third; reached on a Fielder’s Choice and stole second in the fifth; hit a two-run homer in the seventh; and walked in the tenth.  The A’s won 4-3 in 12 innings. Campaneris went three-for-for, with two runs scored, three RBI.

Campaneris enjoyed a 19-season MLB career (1964-81, 1983 … A’s, Rangers, Angels, Yankees), hitting .259-79-646 with 649 stolen bases.  He was a six-time All Star; six-time stolen base leader (with ten consecutive seasons of 30 or more steals).

19. Daniel Ponce de Leon, RHP, Cardinals …. July 23, 2018 … A Comeback after a Comebacker

Public Domain via Wiki Commons

Okay, first, how can you not put a guy named Ponce de Leon on any list.  And, while Daniel Ponce de Leon didn’t pick up a win in his MLB debut (in fact, didn’t get a victory in his first MLB season), getting to the mound was a victory in itself.  He deserves a spot here on the virtue of pure grit and determination.

Ponce de Leon was drafted out of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, Florida) – in 2014. By 2017, at age 25, he had worked his way up the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds – where, on May 9, he was hit in the head by a line drive up the middle, fracturing his  skull.  At the time, he was 2-0, 2.17 on the season. The injury required surgery,  he spent three weeks in the hospital  and did not return to action until Spring Training 2018. He started the 2018 season back at Memphis, where he was 5-2, 2.41, with 71 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings before a July call up to the Cardinals – just 13 months  after what many thought was a career-ending injury.,

So, how did he do in that first MLB appearance?  How about seven no-hit innings against the Reds in Cincinnati (three walks, three strikeouts). Ponce de Leon left the game with a 1-0 lead, but the Reds scored two in the ninth to win the game.  He made a total of 11 appearances in 2018 (four starts) and went 0-2, 2.73 with one save. Ponce de Leon was up and down several times  (between St, Louis, Memphis and Springfield) in 2018 through 2021 – and was released by the Cardinals in September of this year.  To date, his MLB record is 3-8, 4.33 in 57 games (22 starts).

20. J.P. Arencibia, C, Blue Jays … August 7, 2010 … Three Extra-Base Hits

J.P. Arencibia was a first round pick (21st overall) of the Blue Jays (out of the University of Tennessee) in the 2007 draft. He showed a solid power the minors: .254-3-25 in 63 games at Low-A in 2007; .298-27-105 in 126 games at High-A and Double-A in 2008; .236-21-75 in 116 games at Triple-A in 2009; and .301-32-85 in 104 Triple-A Games in 2010. He made his MLB debut on August 7, 2010 in Toronto as the Blue Jays faced the Rays.  It was a slugfest (a 17-11 Jays win) and Arencibia was glad to take part.  He homered off James Shields in the bottom of the second (a two-run shot on the first MLB pitch he ever saw); doubled in the third; singled (and later scored) in the fifth; hit a solo home run in the sixth; fouled out in the seventh; finishing the day four-for-five, with three runs scored, three RBI and three extra base hits.

Arencibia struggled after that first big game. He played ten more games for the Jays that season and had just one single in 30 at bats. Arencibia eventually played in six MLB seasons (2010-15 … Blue Jays, Rangers, Rays), going .212-80-245. He topped 20 home runs in two seasons.

21. (Tie) Al Jurisch, RHP, Cardinals … April 26, 1944 … Working Overtime

Al Jurisch made his MLB debut on April 26th, 1944, as his Cardinals took on the Reds in Cincinnati. Despite throwing 12 scoreless innings that day, the 22-year-old righty got the loss when he gave up a run on a walk-off home run (to 1B and cleanup hitter Frank  McCormick) with two outs in the bottom of the unlucky 13th.  (Jurisch had struck out the first two batters in the inning.) The 12 2/3 innings remains the longest debut outing by an MLB pitcher.  For the game, Jurisch gave up eight hits, walked four and fanned seven.

Jurisch went 7-9, 3.39 in 1944 – appearing in thirty games (seven starts) with five complete games and two shutouts.  It was his best MLB campaign. He pitched in  the majors through 1947 (Cardinals, Phillies),  with a final stat line of 15-22, 4,24.

21. (Tie)  Al Worthington, RHP, Giants …. July 6, 1953 … Start with a Shutout, Follow Up with a Shutout

Al Worthington made a name for himself in the major leagues as a reliever – running off a string of seven seasons of double-digits in saves and leading the AL with 18 saves for the Twins in 1969. Worthington  gets irony points here, since the respected reliever  made this list by virtue of throwing two, complete-game shutouts in his first two MLB appearances. The 24-year-old was in his third pro season and was 9-5, 2.90 for the Minneapolis Millers when he was called up by the Giants. In his MLB debut game on July 6, 1953, he shut down the Philllies on two hits (four walks, six whiffs) as his Giants won 6-0 in New York. Five days later he started again and shut out the Dodgers 6-0 on four hits (one walk, seven strikeouts, It was the only time the NL Champion Dodgers were shutout that season. Things went a little south after that, as his next eight decision were all losses (0-8, 5.13 in that span). He ended his rookie campaign at 4-8, 3.44. Worthington went on to a 14-season MLB career, going 75-82, 3.39 with 111 saves (533 relief appearances, 69 starts).  He was 16-31, 3.99 as a starter and 59051 (with those 111 saves), 3.11 as a reliever

23. Joe Doyle, RHP, New York Highlanders … August 25, 1906

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

24. Johnny Marcum, RHP, Athletics … September 7, 1933 … A Pair of Five-Hitters

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

25. Steve Woodard, RHP, Brewers … July 28, 1997 … Topping Roger Clemens

Steve Woodard was drafted  in the fifth round of the 1994 MLB Draft, out of Hartselle (AL) High School. He made a pretty quick impression, going 8-0, 2.40 in the Arizona (rookie) League as a 19-year-old (1994). Over the next three seasons, Woodard  went 34-16, as he worked his way up the minor-league system. He was called up to the Brewers in July of 1997 – and made his first appearance against the Blue Jays on July 28 in Milwaukee. To add to the pressure – and garner Woodard extra “points” in this listing –  his mound opponent was Roger Clemens, who was 16-3, with a 1.54 ERA going into the game. Woodard proved up to the task, pitching eight innings and giving up just one hit and one walk, while fanning 12. And, he needed to be that good, as Clemens tossed an eight-frame complete game, giving up four hits and one run, while walking one and striking out ten.

Notably, the lone hit the Blue Jays got off Woodard came on the third pitch of the game – a double to Blue Jays lead-off hitter CF Otis Nixon. Nixon stole third with one out, and then Woodard settled down and struck out LF Joe Carter and 1B Carlos Delgado on nine pitches. The only base runner he allowed over the next seven innings came on a third-inning, one-out walk to SS Alex Gonzalez.  Again, he bore down with a runner on base and struck out the next two batters. With one inning of relief from Mike Fetters, Woodard collected a 1-0 win.

Woodard’s debut season did not follow the path of that first game. He ended 1997 at 3-3, with a 5.15 earned run average. Woodard had a seven-season MLB career (1997-2003 … Brewers, Indians, Rangers, Red Sox), during which he went 32-36, 4.94. His best season was 2003, when he went 11-8, 4.52 for the Brewers.

The 25 debut games on this list, of course, are subjective calls. Want to switch someone out?  Below are a few choices that Baseball Roundtable considered.  Or add you own suggestions on the list or its order  in the comments.

Steven Strasburg, RHP, Nationals … June 8, 2010.  The much-publicized debut of Strasburg went well.  He gave up just four hits and two runs over seven innings, with no walks and 14 strikeouts (third most in an MLB debut) – while his Nationals topped the Pirate 5-2.

Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers … June 2, 2015.  Highly-rated prospect Gallo went three-for-four, with a double, home run (and a walk), scoring three times and driving in four, as the Rangers topped the White Sox 15-2 in Texas.

Tom Phoebus, RHP, Orioles … September 15, 1966.  Phoebus made his MLB debut with a four-hit (two walks, eight strikeouts), 2-0, complete-game win  over the Angels.  In his second appearance,  he threw another shutout – a  five-hit, 4-0 win over the Athletics.

Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers … May 13, 2018. Peralta only pitched 5 2/3 innings in his debut (a start against the Rockies in Colorado).  Despite the mile-high air and a lineup that included DJ LeMahieu, Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez, Peralta gave up just one hit (two walks) and struck out 13,  He fanned five of the first six MLB hitters he ever faced (LeMahieu, Blackmon, Arenado, Gonzalez and Story).

Kirby Puckett, CF, Twins … May 8, 1964 … Minnesota fan favorite Puckett rapped four singles in five at bats in his debut game – and went on to hit safely in his first seven MLB contests (16-for-33, .485).

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; the following SABR bios: Bumpus Jones, by Chris Rainey; Fred Clarke, by Angelo Luisa; Billy Rohr, by Alexander Edelman; Bert Campaneris, by Rick Schabowski; Jay Hughes, by Bill Lamb;  and “A Most Spectacular Debut” (Russ Van Atta), by  Randolph Linthurst.

 

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Why I Love Baseball … Guest Post by Author, Poet and Grammy Nominee Leonard I. Eckhaus

October 28, 2021 by

As regular Baseball Roundtable readers know, Baseball Roundtable invites and encourages guest contributions to its “Why I Love Baseball” page. Today, BBRT is pleased to present a guest post from Leonard I. Eckhaus, an award-winning author and poet, two-time Grammy Award nominee and, of course, lifelong fan of the national pastime.  Eckhaus shares his love of the game in the form of a poem.  You’ll find a full biography of Eckhaus and a Baseball Roundtable Q&A with him (exploring his passion for and opinions on the  game) after the poem.  Note: If you are interested in previous guest posts on the topic, click the “Why I Love Baseball” hot link at the top of the page (top line).

 

 

                                  Why I Love Baseball

                                                             By Leonard I. Eckhaus

 

                                   We’re down in the score,

                                   It’s late in the innings,

                                  What we need right now

                                  Is a new beginning.

 

                                   Then – a bunt, a sacrifice,

                                   A stolen base,

                                   Puts a runner at third,

                                   Maybe it’s not too late.

 

                                    A long fly to right,

                                   The runner takes a lead.

                                   Only ninety feet to home,

                                   Hope he has enough speed.

 

                                   A throw from the outfield,

                                   A slide into the plate.

                                  The umpire signals…

                                  The runner is safe!

 

                                  And now the score

                                  Is three to three,

                                 And I’m coming to bat –

                                 It’s all up to me.

 

                                 Once again the ballpark

                                 Has come alive.

                                 As the fans realize

                                 We just may survive.

 

                                The scoreboard lights up,

                                The bulbs all aglow.

                                The fans rise from their seats,

                                Shouting “Go team, go!”

 

                                The organist begins to play

                                Stars and Stripes Forever,

                                The fans begin to scream and chant,

                                Their voices rise together.

                                Excitement building all around,

                                A cacophony… of color and sound.

 

                               And, above it all, you still can hear

                               The vendors’ voices loud and clear,

                               Shouting “Getch’ yer hot dogs,

                               Get yer beer.”

 

                               But I can’t listen,

                               I must concentrate now,

                               Not hear the noise,

                               Not hear the crowd.

 

                              So I stand real still

                              And wait for the pitch.

                              A fastball, a curve –

                              It doesn’t matter which.

 

                             The pitcher and I,

                             We’re on our own.

                             He’s winding up,

                            The pitch is thrown.

 

                             I see it coming,

                             I swing and connect.

                            The ball leaps from my bat

                            It’s better than I expect.

 

                            I look up just once

                            As I’m rounding first base,

                            Running fast as I can,

                            Just in case…

 

                           I hear the roar of the crowd

                           See them get to their feet.

                           As the ball soars out of the park,

                          And into the street.

 

                           And they shout out my name…

                           … And we win the game.

 

                           And then, amidst all the hullabaloo,

                           I know exactly what I have to do.

 

                           So, I tip me hat

                           And I bends me knee,

                           And the cheering explodes…

                          … And I know it’s for me.

 

                          True, it’s only a dream,

                           But that doesn’t matter,

                           Even though

                           I wasn’t really the batter.

 

                          In my dreams at least

                          I can hit a home run

                          Enjoy the thrills,

                          Enjoy the fun.

 

                            Anyone

                            Can play this game

                           And in their mind,

                           Have glory and fame.

 

                          You don’t have to be good,

                          You don’t have to be great,

                          You can just play to have fun –

                           To participate.

 

                            … And that’s why I love baseball!!

Photo by petestokke

Leonard Eckhaus Bio

Leonard Eckhaus is the founder of AFCOM (1980), the leading association in the world for Data Center Managers; the co-founder of LL Music and a two-time Grammy nominee; and an award-winning author and poet.

In 2017, Eckhaus co-founded LL Music, a music production company and record label. He received two Grammy nominations in 2018 for his first album, Rendezvous, featuring the singer, Clint Holmes. A song he wrote for his wife Linda charted on UK Radio in its first week on the air and has received over 50,000 views on YouTube.

Eckhaus’ book, My Journey: (Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way), the Memoirs of Leonard I. Eckhaus, has been selected by UK Talk Radio as one of the top 10 must-read books in 2021. His most recent book, If I Were a Pony, a poem about the relationship between a young lad and his pony, aimed at the grade school audience, has won ten awards including Creative Child Magazine’s 2021 Book of the Year.

Eckhaus established and presided over The Data Center Institute, a think tank of leading computer industry visionaries. He also created, produced and published DCM, an award-winning magazine. His insights into the growth and impact of Data Centers have appeared in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Bloomberg News and others.

Eckhaus has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Linda, for 59 years. They live in Nevada and have been involved in a number of local and state arts-focused organizations.

 

A Baseball Roundtable Interview with Leonard Eckhaus

Roundtable: What first drew you to the national pastime? 

When I was seven- or eight- years-old, my friends and I used to play softball in an old nearby vacant lot. That’s also when every time I got hold of a nickel, I would buy a package of bubble gum that, in addition to the gum, contained five Topps baseball cards. Wish I still had them! A few years later, we switched from softball to baseball.

Roundtable: When did you attend your first baseball game and what was most memorable about it?

In 1951, my parents bought their first TV.  It was a GE 16” combination TV, AM/FM radio and phonograph. When the technician that installed it turned it on, there was a New York Yankee game being played out right before my nine-year-old eyes. I couldn’t believe it! That was the first Major League game I had ever seen. Before that I had listened to them on the radio and had seen clips of baseball games on the newsreels they showed before the main feature started in movie theaters. About a year later, I was able to attend my very first in-person game. It was at the Polo Grounds, New York Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds. I still remember marveling at those huge arms of Ted Kluszewski.

Roundtable: Did you play baseball and, if so, at what levels?

I played in Little League and thought I was a pretty good hitter – until I was 14-years-old and made a team in some other league with players aged 14 to 16. The first time I saw a decent curve ball, I couldn’t stand in there and quickly realized it was time to retire and enjoy baseball from the stands.

Roundtable: What is your concept of the best baseball game?  Indoors/outdoors?  Day/Night? Slugfest/Pitchers’ duel  or somewhere in the middle? Any other qualities you look for in a game?

Baseball today is not quite the same game as it was when I was growing up. The games I liked best were played during the afternoon. Pitchers all hoped to finish every game they started, regardless of the number of pitches they had thrown. I preferred pitchers’ duels and ‘little’ ball, which you hardly ever see today. The skill positions – catcher, shortstop, second baseman – often determined which team won. Bunting was an acquired and important skill. Moving the runner up was the hitter’s goal. A really good ballplayer consistently batted over .280 and had 20+ home runs, season after season.

I am not a fan of trying to “improve” the game by making it easier to hit home runs (lowering the pitcher’s mound) or having more runs scored by using ‘designated’ hitters.  Guess I’m pretty much a traditionalist.

Roundtable: Do you have any favorite players or teams – past or present?

I was always a NY Yankee fan. My favorite players were Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, Hank Bauer, Whitey Ford and Eddie Lopat. But the single most exciting player I ever saw was Nolan Ryan when he played for the then California Angels and I had season tickets. Every time he got two strikes on a batter, the fans would rise to their feet and start cheering, hoping for the strikeout.

Roundtable: Since you are a data management guru, how do you feel about the data and analytics that have become such a big part of today’s game?  Any specific types of data you feel are more or less useful?

When I was growing up, I had a good friend whose life ambition was to become a baseball statistician. When I went to games, I filled out a scorecard, brought it home and saved it. Batting averages, ERA’s, RBI’s, number of home runs … these were the only stats we fans really cared about.

Today’s ability to track everything from pitching speeds to how many times a batter strikes out on a fastball or on a curve, to designing the most effective gloves, take the fundamentals out of the game and replace them with statistics that often, in my opinion, should be left to the players’ intuition. The greatest managers gave their greatest players a lot of freedom to do their job as they saw best.

 

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

 

 

Filed Under: Guest Posts

Baseball Roundtable Picks Braves in Seven … Some Thoughts

October 25, 2021 by

As we move on to the World Series, once again, the statistics seem to establish the Braves as underdogs. However, Baseball Roundtable went with the underdog Braves to top the Dodgers and that worked out – so, I’m doubling down and picking Atlanta to top the Astros. When I picked the Braves over the Dodgers, I noted that Joc Pederson’s key pinch-hit home runs in NLDS Games One and Three seemed to establish the 2021 Braves as a team of destiny. That feeling was reinforced in the seventh inning of Game Six when the Dodgers (down by two) put runners on second and third with no outs and Tyler Matzek came in to pitch and fanned Albert Pujols, Steven Souza, Jr. and Mookie Betts on 11 pitches.  That’s probably the point at which this prediction was cemented.  Whether it’s Pederson, Matzek, NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario, Austin Riley (HR and walk-off single in NLDS Game One) or Will Smith (two wins, four saves and and a o.oo in seven appearances this postseason), the Braves players seem to be stepping up.

Yordan Alvarez, ALCS MVP, hit .522 with six RBI in the six games against Boston. Alvarez Photo: Flickr user thatlostdog–, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Really, when it comes down to it, this predict is about pitching.  Both these teams have solid offenses. The Astros bring more star power to the offense with three players with 30 or more home runs (2B Jose Altuve – .278-31-83); RF Kyle Tucker (.294-30-92); DH Yordan Alvarez (.277-33-104).  SS Carlos Correa added 26 home runs and  92 RBI to go with a .279 average; LF Michael Brantley hit .311-8-47 in 121 games and 3B Alex Bregman contributed .270-12-55 in 91 contests.  The lineup is deep, experienced (the Astros have been to the World Series three times in the past five seasons) and explosive (the Astros have scored 65 runs in ten 2021 post-season games).

Eddie Rosario, NLCS MVP, hit .560 with nine RBI in the six games against the Dodgers.

Of course, the Braves are no slouches on offense. As I’ve noted before, they have perhaps the most powerful infield in MLB right now: 1B Freddie Freeman (.300-31-83); 2B Ozzie Albies (.259-30-106); 3B Austin Riley (.303-33-107) and SS Dansby Swanson (,248-27-88).  And, while they lost a key offensive pieces in Ronald Acuna Jr. and Marcell Ozuna, they made some trade deadlines moves that filled the gap – a mid-July trade for Joc Pederson (.249-7-22 in 64 games for the Braves/.238-18-61 overall) and trade deadline acquisitions of Eddie Rosario (.271-7-16 in 33 games for Atlanta/.259-14-62 on the season); Adam Duvall (.226-16-45 in 55 games for Atlanta/.228-38-113 overall); and Jorge Soler (.269-14-33 in 55 games for Atlanta/.223-27-70 overall). The Braves may not be quite as deep or experienced as the Astros, but there is plenty of punch there.  While the Braves scored 73 fewer runs then the Astros this season (still third-most in the NL), I’d note that Atlanta’s total included 308 plate appearances by pitchers  (.131 average). Offensively, the advantage goes to the Astros – but the difference is not as great as you might think.

Post Trade Deadline – after the Braves’ outfield makeover – Atlanta went 36-19. The Astros went 31-26 over the same period.

Here’s a regular-season stat comparison. Keep in mind, that the designated hitter impacts both the offensive and pitching numbers.

On the mound, the Braves, from my perspective, have a notable  edge. The Braves’ rotation looks solid: Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34), Max Fried (14-7, 3.04) and Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58) will lead the way; with Drew Smyly  (11-4, 4.48 ) the possible fourth starter.  On the Astros’ side of the coin, it seems unlikely ace Lance McCullers will start in the Series. In addition, there are concerns regarding Zack Greinke, who has pitched just 2 1/3 innings this post-season.  Luis Garcia (11-8, 3.30), Framber Valdez (11-5, 3.14) and Jose Urquidy (8-3, 3.62) will be counted on to hold down the Braves. The Braves’ rotation, from Baseball Roundtable’s perspective, seems to offer more potential for going deeper into starts, enabling the Braves to stick to bullpen “roles.”

A Key Question

A key question for the Astros is who shows up to start on the mound – The Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, Jose  Urquidy and Zack Greinke who lasted  a total of 6 2/3 innings  in the first four games of the ALCS or a better version of that rotation? (Valdez went eight strong innings in Game Five and Garcia went 5 2/3 scoreless in Game Six – and Greinke and Urquidy have shown more.) The Astros need some length out of their starters to protect the bullpen.

That bullpens looked fairly well matched. Although the Astros have a slight edge at closer (Ryan Pressley … 2.25 ERA, with 26 saves and 11.4 K/9  in 2021) versus Braves’ closer  Will Smith (3.33 with 37 saves). Lined up behind (actually in front of) Pressley will be  Ryan Stanek (3.42 in 72 appearances, 10.9 K/9), Kendall Graveman (1.77 in 53 appearances for the Mariners and Astros), Brooks Raley (4.78 in 58 games, with 11.9 K/9) and Blake Taylor (3.16 in 51 appearances). Cristian Javier, who made nine starts in 36 appearances, may play an important role if any of the starters falter early.  The Braves will likely use Tyler Matzek (2.57 in 69 games, with 11.0 K/9), A.J. Minter (3,78 in 61 appearances) and Luke Jackson (1.98 in 71 appearances) to get to Smith.  On the surface, the Astros seem to have a bit of advantage.  Their bullpen , however, has been worked harder in the post-season (and have been forced, at times, into varying roles). That, and the extra length the Braves can expect out of their starters, I think, evens things up (or even gives Atlanta a slight edge).

Remember these Names – Smith & Tucker (No, it’s not a law firm.)

So far this post season, Braves’ closer Will Smith has appeared in seven games and picked up two wins and four saves. He’s given up three hits, two walks and no earned runs, while fanning seven. 

Astros’ RF Kyle Tucker leads all hitters this post-season, with 15 RBI in ten 2021 games. 

Here’s a look at who’s hot, thus far in the 2012 post-season. 

Here are post-season stats. Again, keep in mind the impact of the designated hitter.

I may be going against the grain here, but I see a seven-game series, with the Braves winning on the strength of their starting pitching – and a less stressed bullpen.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com.

 

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Filed Under: News

Baseball Roundtable Looks at the NLCS …. A Total Eclipse of the Heart

October 15, 2021 by

So far, this post season, I am running 50 percent on my predictions – about where I’d be if I simply flipped a coin and wrote about the frequency of heads and tails.  I’m not doing myself any favors with my NLCS pick either. In this case, however, my fan’s heart may have eclipsed my analytical (or common) sense.

Me – A Braves’ fan since …

Smart money – and knowledgeable fans and analysts – are going with the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.  I’m going against the grain – anticipating a hard-fought series and picking the Braves.  Let me explain part of the process that got me here.  I was a six-year-old living in Milwaukee when the Braves came to town.  I grew up on a baseball diet of Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette, Billy Bruton (and many more, including the unexpected storm that was Bob “Hurricane” Hazle). The Braves were my first team and Eddie Mathews was my first hero (throughout my baseball and softball years, I always played third base and wore number 41).  I have loyally followed the Braves (and their third sackers) through Mathews, Terry Pendleton, Bob Horner and Chipper Jones – right up to Austin Riley.

So, take that all into consideration as you ponder this prediction – still I think I can at lease a small case for my position. (However, most of the stats I will report here admittedly point to the Dodgers as taking this series.)

The Dodgers, who won 106 games to the Braves 88, also finished strong. LA went 50-21 from August 1 on, while the Braves went 44-28. 

On offense, the Dodgers led the National League with 830 runs scored and 5.12 runs per game.  Still, the Braves were not far behind at 790 runs and 4.91 runs per game (both third in the league). Both teams put up a .244 average and the Braves out-homered the Dodgers by two long balls (239-237). (Yes, I do acknowledge that the Braves played in a decidedly weaker division – but remember, I’m shooting a bit form the heart here.)

The Dodgers’ offense features five players who hit 20 or more home runs, even without the injured Max Muncy’s .249-36-94 stats. The leaders coming into the Championship Series include 2B Trea Turner (.338-10-28 in 52 games for LA); 3B Justin Turner (.278-27-87); and RF Mookie Betts (.264-23-58). There is also plenty of punch available from C Will Smith (25 home runs and 76 RBI); SS Corey Seager (.306, with 16 home runs in 95 games); OF A.J. Pollock (.297-21-69); and versatile Gavin Lux and Cody Bellinger (who seems ready to contribute after a difficult injury-dampened 2021 regular season). This lineup is strong and deep.

Freddie Freeman, steady power source. Photo by dougandme

Just as the Dodgers are missing the bat of Muncy, the Braves will miss Ronald Acuna Jr., who was .283-24-52 in 82 games, as well as trade deadline pickup Jorge Soler (.269-14-33 in 55 games for Atlanta). (Soler is on COVID restriction.) Still, they pack plenty of punch, with perhaps the most powerful infield in MLB right now: 1B Freddie Freeman (.300-31-83); 2B Ozzie Albies (.259-30-106); 3B Austin Riley (.303-33-107); and SS Dansby Swanson (.248-27-88).  The outfield will be some combination of Guillermo Heredia; Adam Duvall; Joc Pederson; and Eddie Rosario. While the Dodgers may be a bit deeper, I think the heart of the Braves’ lineup may be more explosive.

On the mound, it appears (at first examination) to be all Dodgers. Their 3.01 earned run average was the lowest in the majors . Even without Clayton Kershaw, they can put forth a starting trio of Walker Buehler (16-4, 2.47); Julio Urias (20-3. 2.96); and Max Scherzer (7-0, 1.98 for the Dodgers and 15-4, 2.46 overall). If a fourth starter is needed, Tony Gonsolin was 4-1, 3.23 (15 games / 13 starts).  The bullpen features Kenley Jansen (38 saves, 2.22 ERA); Blake Treinen (1.99 ERA in 72 games, with  seven saves); flame-throwing Brusdar Graterol (4.59 in 34 games); and Corey Knebel (2.45 in 27 games).

The Braves’ rotation looks solid: Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34); Max Fried (14-7, 3.04); and Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58). Will Smith (3.33 with 37 saves) will close, with support from Tyler Matzek (2.57 in 69  games); Luke Jackson (1.98 in 71 games); and A.J.Minter (3.78 in 61 games).

The Braves’ overall ERA of 3.89 does not compare well with the Dodgers 3.01 – but the Braves put up a 3.44 ERA after the All Star break,  (Side note:  the Dodgers’ ERA after the break was an even stingier 2.86).

So, given that the Dodgers’ lineup up and pitching staff both look deeper than the Braves, how can I pick Atlanta?  A few factors.  While the Braves were 2-4 versus the Dodgers during the regular season, the run totals were close (Dodges 27-Braves 23) and two of the Braves losses to the Dodgers were one-run games). Two, the Braves, who have home field advantage for the season, won two of three in Atlanta.  Three, the Dodgers had a tougher time getting to this point then the Braves (more competitive division, a Wild Card game, a tougher Division Series) – that may have taken a toll. Four, the Braves, by virtue of wrapping up their Series with the Brewers early, have had more time to set up their pitching staff. Five,  I’m not sure what the impact of the emotional high of getting past the Giants will have on the Dodgers going forward. Six, somehow I think the  Braves’ starting mound trio will be able to hold down the Dodgers’ offense better than the Dodgers can rein in the Braves’ big four. (Okay, so that’s more emotion than evidence.) Seven, Joc Pederson’s two pinch-hit home runs in the ALDS seem to have the “feel” of destiny. Finally, remember, this prediction is at least partially from the heart.

Ultimately, I expect a good series (much more competitive than most expect) and anticipate the Game One winner – Fried versus Scherzer – will take the Series.  I’ll go with the Braves – but logic seems to say otherwise.  MVP? Freddie Freeman or Max Fried. Besides, I’ve been fifty-fifty going with the “favorites.” Maybe it’s time to pick an underdog.

Side Note:  I have now lived in Minnesota for about five decades, so the Twins have my baseball fan’s heart.  However, I still have a soft spot for the Braves (my NL team of preference) – and I’ve even come to forgive them for the move to Atlanta.  (After all, Milwaukee did welcome them from Boston. )

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

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Baseball Roundtable AL Championship Series Pick

October 14, 2021 by

Okay, the Red Sox have surprised me more than once – beating the Yankees and the Rays – so I probably shouldn’t pick against them again.  However, I have to go with the Astros in the AL Championship Series.

Jose Altuve – Potential ALCS MVP.
Photo by apardavila

The reasons?  Pitching and defense – and, maybe, just a little bit of history. Clearly, these are two strong offensive clubs. During the regular season, the Astros averaged 5.33 runs per game (best in the AL), the Red Sox were close behind (fourth at 5.12). The Red Sox boast six players with 20+ home runs – and are led by 3B Rafael Devers (.279-38-113); DH JD Martinez (.286-28-99); RF Hunter Renfroe (.259-31-96); and SS Xander Bogaerts (.295-23-99). 1B Bobby Dalbec and CF Kiki Hernandez also have proven forces to be reckoned with.  The Astros counter with an equally strong lineup – three players with 30 or more 2021 home runs (plus 26 long balls out of SS Carlos Correa). Their offense is led by Correa (.279-26-92); RF Kyle Tucker (.294-30-92); DH Yordan Alvarez (.277-33-104); and 2B Jose Altuve (.271-31-83). And remember, this is a lineup in which 2021 AL batting champion 1B Yuli Gurriel (.319) hits seventh. And let’s not forget LF Michael Brantley and 3B Alex Bregman.  In short, both lineups are strong and deep.  Call it a wash.

Chris Sale – Will he be ready?
Photo by Keith Allison

Now, how about pitching? On the season, the Astros’ 3.76 ERA was fourth in the AL, the Red Sox 4.26 seventh. Neither team can turn to an “ace” starter. The Red Sox had just two pitchers with at least ten wins  (Nathan Eovaldi … 11-9, 3.75 and Eduardo Rodriguez … 13-8, 4.74).  The likely third starter is Chris Sale, who was 5-1, 3. 16 (making his 2021 debut in mid-August after March 2020 Tommy John surgery). Sale, however, was touched by the Rays for five runs in one innings in his first 2021 post-season appearance.  The Red Sox need him to be ready. If he is the Chris Sale of old (a true “ace”), he could be a difference maker.  The Astros had four starters with at least ten wins and look to go with the trio of Lance McCullers, Jr. (13-5, 3.16); Framber Valdez (11-6, 3.14); and Luis Garcia (11-8, 3.80). On the season, Astros’ starters put up a 3.60 ERA, Red Sox starters 4.49). Edge: Houston.

The bullpens look evenly matched (Red Sox bullpen ERA at 3.99; Astros 4.06). Red Sox closer Matt Barnes had a 3.79 ERA with 24 saves); and he’ll be supported by Adam Ottavino (7-3, 11 saves, 4.21), Josh Taylor (3.40 in 61 games); and Garrett Whitlock 8-4, 1,96 in 46 games. Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta could also come of the pen and play a key long relief role if a starter should falter (one of them could draw a start if Sale isn’t ready).  The Astros’ pen will be led by closer Ryan Pressly (26 saves, 2.25 ERA), with a supporting cast that will include: Kendall Graveman (3.13 in 23 games for the Astros); Ryan Stanek (3.42 in 72 games); and Christian Javier (3.55 in 36 games).

Finally, there is the defense – potentially critical in a tight series.  In 2021, the Astros made the fewest errors in the AL (69), the Red Sox the most at 108.  Notable edge: Astros.

Digging little deeper, The Astros won the season series against the Red Sox five games to two and outscored them  42-25.

Then again, the Red Sox come in “hot” on offense. In the Division Series, the Red Sox hit .341, with 56 hits, nine home runs and 26 runs against the  Rays’ lauded pitching staff.  The Astros hit “just” .288” with “only” 40 hits and four  home runs against the White Sox – but, they actually scored more runs in their four games set then the Red Sox did in theirs (31-26).  Another stat that caught my eye was that the Astros scored 18 two-out runs against the White Sox to eight for the Red Sox against the Rays. 

So, there it is.  I’m once again going against the Red Sox, but I expect a tough series with plenty of offense.   Astros in six.  Potential MVP?  I like Jose Altuve or Kyle Tucker.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

 

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October 10, 1920 … Worth the Price of Admission … a Record-Setting Fall Classic Day

October 10, 2021 by

On this date (October 10) in 1920, the Cleveland Indians faced off against the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) in Game Five of the Word  Series.  The nearly 27,000 fans in attendance were about to get much more than they bargained for – a General Admission ticket was $1.10, a First Level Pavilion seat  $3.30 and  Main Level Grandstand seat $5,50.

The Series (best-of-nine) was knotted at two games apiece and  the Indians sent ace righty Jim Bagby  – who had led the AL with 31 wins (12 losses, 2.89 ERA) and a .721 winning percentage. The Robins countered with future Hall of Famer, right-hander Burleigh Grimes – who had gone 23-11, 2.22 and led the NL in winning percentage  at .676.

The expected pitchers’ duel did not materialize. In the bottom of the first inning, Indians’ LF  Charlie Jamieson singled to right, 2B Bill Wambsganss singled to left (Jamieson moving up to second), CF Tris Speaker dropped a bunt single down the third base line and and RF Elmer Smith hit a Grand Slam home run to right field – giving the Indians a four-run lead before Grimes had recorded a single out. (Smith had hit .316-12-103 during the regular season – finishing fifth in the AL in home runs – Babe Ruth led with 54, no one else had more than 19 – and tenth in RBI.) Grimes retired the next three batters and the Indians closed out the frame with a 4-1 lead.

Well, that was a Bit of History – Part One

The Indians’ Elmer Smith’s Game Five Grand Slam was the first-ever World Series Grand Slam home run.

The score remained 4-0 until the bottom of the fourth, when Cleveland  1B Doc Johnston opened the inning with an infield single off Grimes, moved to second on a  passed ball and to third on a Joe Sewell (SS) ground out. Grimes then walked number-eight hitter C Steve O’Neill to get to Bagby, who  homered to center to up the lead to 7-0.

Well, that was a Bit of History – Part Two

Jim Bagby’s three-run home run in Game Five of the 1920 World Series was the first-ever World Series homer hit by a pitcher.  Bagby was a decent hitting pitcher.  On the 1920 season, he had gone .252-1-14.

In the top of the fifth, trailing 7-0, the Robins looked to mount a rally. 2B Pete Kilduff opened with a single to left-center off Bagby and C Otto Miller followed with another single to center, Kilduff going to second.  The next batter, was P Clarence Mitchell (who had come on in relief of Grimes). Sending a pitcher to the plate with a couple of runners on did not work as well for the Robins as it had for the Indians.  Mitchell hit a liner up the middle –  a hit that seemed headed for the outfield.  Indians’ 2B Wambsganss, however, moved to his right, leapt high and snagged the liner. With the runners on the move, Wambsganss stepped on second to retire Kilduff and then turned and tagged Miller who was approaching the keystone  bag.  One play, one defender, three outs.

Well, that was a Bit of History – Part Three

Ed Wambsganss’ unassisted triple play in Game Five of the 1920 World Series remains the only unassisted triple killing in World Series history.

The game ended in an 8-1 Indians victory – despite the fact that the Robins outhit the Indians 13-12. Bagby went the distance, giving up just one tally on 13 hits. He did benefit from three double plays:  LF-C; 3B-2B-1B; 1B-SS-1B; and, of course, one triple play.

The Indians went on to win the best-of-nine series five games-to-two, with Stan Coveleski picking up three complete-game wins (giving up just 15 hits and two runs in 27 innings). Notably, the Indians gave up just six earned runs in the seven games (0.89 ERA).

The Indians’ two historic home runs in Game Five of the 1920 World Series were their only home runs of the Series. There were, in fact, the only two home runs by either squad in the 1920 Fall Classic

The principals:

Jim Bagby

Bagby pitched in nine MLB seasons (1912, 1916-23) – primarily for the Indians. His best season was 1920 (31-12. 2.89, with 30 complete games). He also went 23-13, 1.99 for the 1917 Indians.  His final stat line was 127-89, 3.11.  As a hitter, he went .218-2-60 in 660 at bats.

Elmer Smith

Smith played in ten MLB seasons (1914-17, 1919-23, 1925). 1920 was his best campaign (.316-12-103), as he reached full-season career highs in average and RBI and recorded his second-highest, single-season home run total (he had 16 homers in 1921).  He played in 1,012 MLB games, hitting .276-7-540.

Bill Wambsganss

Wambsganss played in 13 MLB seasons (1914-1926), hitting .259-7-521. His best season at the plate was 1918, when he went .295-0-40 for the Indians, stole 16 bases and scored 34 runs in 87 games. He scored 80 or more runs in four  seasons  and stole 16 or more bases in four seasons. He led the AL in double plays at second base twice, and in putouts and assists at 2B once each. He also led in errors at 2B four times.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

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