David, Author at Baseball Roundtable

Harmon Killebrew’s Much-Anticipated and Long-Awaited 500th Circuit Clout

August 10, 2020 by David

On this date (August 10) in 1971, Harmon Killebrew hit his much anticipated (and long-awaited) 500^th MLB home run. It was a 385-foot smash to left field (off a curve ball from the Orioles’ Mike Cueller) in the first inning of a 4-3, 10-inning Twins’ loss to the Orioles at Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium.

Why long-awaited? Killebrew had been sitting on number 499 since July 25^th. He hadn’t gone deep in 14 consecutive Twins games (Killebrew played in 13 of those) before that landmark clout. Killebrew had a total of 59 plate appearance and 43 at bats between home run 499 and 500 (includes Killebrew’s final at bat July 25). This from an eventual Hall of Famer, who averaged one home run every 4.2 games played, 17.2 plate appearances and 14.2 at bats over his career.

Another element in the “long-awaited” theme: Killebrew had banged out home run number 498 on June 22 and the Twins, confident the prolific slugger would reach 500 by early July, created commemorative mugs to celebrate the milestone – to be distributed July 6. Oops! Killebrew didn’t knock number 499 until July 25 and it wasn’t until August 10 (more than a month after the give-away) that he made the mugs truly relevant. Harmon expressed the delay (and pressure of the chase) this way, “I didn’t feel the pressure, if that is what you want to call it, until a couple of weeks ago. There was that mug job and people kept asking when I would do it. You try harder in those situations.”(1)

Killebrew, by the way, didn’t make fans wait long for home run 501. It came just two at bats after number 500 – a two run-shot in the bottom of the sixth. For those who like to know such things, both numbers 500 and 501 came off Mike Cueller, who pitched a complete game seven-hitter (three runs) for his 14^th win of the season. In that game, Killebrew went three-for-four with two home runs and drove in all three Twins’ tallies.

Turn About

Harmon Killebrew, ironically (sad face here), hit his 573^rd and final MLB home run against the Minnesota Twins. It came on September 18, 1975 at Metropolitan Stadium (off Eddie Bane) in a game Killebrew’s Royals won 4-3.

Hall-of-Famer Killebrew played 22 MLB seasons, primarily with the Senators/Twins (1954-74). He played one season – 1975 – with the Royals. Killebrew hit .256-573-1,584. He was an All Star in 11 seasons and the 1969 American League Most Valuable Player. He led the American League in home run six times (topping 40 in eight seasons); had nine seasons of 1oo+ RBI (leading the league three times) and scored 100+ runs twice. His best season was 1969, when he was an All Star and the AL MVP – hitting .276 and leading the AL in home runs (49), RBI (140), walks (145), intentional walks (20) and on-base percentage (.427). Heck, he even stole eight bases that seasons (but that’s another story).

Harmon Killebrew was an AL All Star Game starter at three different positions (1B, 3B, LF).

Primary Resources: MLB.com; Stathead.com; (1) “Slow curve gives Killebrew No. 500,” by Mike Lamey, Minneapolis Star, August 11, 1971

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Who Says Pitchers Can’t Hit? Don’t Ask This “Guy.” Or These Other Guys.

August 8, 2020 by David

With the universal Designated Hitter in effect this season – and some (sadly, from BBRT’s view) predicting it will remain in the National League after 2020, there are some things we are going to miss. Okay, maybe most fans won’t miss futile swings by pitchers who just can’t handle a bat (although I do get a kick out of that sometimes). I, for one, will miss good-hitting pitchers that deliver offense, hurlers that know how to lay down a bunt and, even more so, poor-hitting pitchers that surprise us by going on “rampages” at the plate. This post is intended to explain what I’m talking about here (and is part of BBRT’s ongoing #WhyIHateTheDH” stream of thought. So, let’s look at some at-the-plate thrills provided by pitches over the years. The kind of performances we may not see in the future.

In the theme of Don’t Tell this Guy Pitchers Can’t Hit, let start with Guy Hecker.

Guy Hecker, Louisville, Colonels (American Association) … Only pitcher to win a batting title

Okay, it was a different game back in 1886, but Guy Hecker remains the only pitcher to win a batting title, the only pitcher to collect six hits in a game, the only pitcher to score seven runs in a game, the only hurler to collect 15 total bases in a contest and one of just two MLB pitchers to hit three home runs in a game. Hecker won the American Association (considered a major league) batting crown in 1886 with a .341 average (117-for 343). Hecker appeared in 84 games that season (of 136 played by Louisville) and took the mound in 49 (57 percent) of them (48 starts/45 complete games). He also took the field at first base and in the garden. On August 15 of that season, in contest against the Baltimore Orioles, Hecker collected six hits (three singles and three home runs) and was safe on error once – scoring seven times in the 22-5 victory. He also tossed a compete game.

Clearly, Guy Hecker earned his spot at the top of this post.

Guy Hecker still holds the overall (any position) major-league record for runs scored in a game at seven.

Hecker had a nine-season MLB career, going 175-146, 2.93 on the mound (four times winning 20+ games, with a high of 52 wins in 1884) and hit .283, with 19 home runs and 278 RBI in 705 games.

Mike Hampton …. Five Silver Slugger Awards

You couldn’t do this post without including Mike Hampton, who won five Silver Slugger Awards as the National League’s best-hitting pitcher. (The Silver Slugger Awards were established in 1980.) Hampton earned his handful of Silver Slugger recognitions in five consecutive seasons – from 1999 through 2003. Notably, he won them with four different teams: Astros (1999); Mets (2000); Rockies (2001 & 2002); and Braves (2003). Now, we may never see another pitcher hoist a Silver Slugger Award. Note: In 2003, Hampton was a leather and lumber – or heavy metal – guy, winning both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. For more on players to win a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same seasons, click here.

Hampton was two-time All Star during his 16-season (1993-2005, 2008-2010) MLB career. He retired with a 148-115, 4.06 record on the mound and a .246-16-79 batting line (423 games). He hit over .300 in four seasons (a high of .344 in 2002). His best campaign as a hitter was 2001, when he went .291-7-16 in 42 games for the Rockies.

Walk It Off, Jim

With pitchers not coming to the plate, we miss out not only on heavy-hitting performances (like Guy Hecker’s), but also on some pitchers’ at-the-plate oddities. For example, Hall of Famer Jim Palmer is the only player (any position) ever to draw two bases-loaded walks in a single World Series Game. They came in the fourth and fifth innings of an Orioles’ 11-3 win over the Pirates on October 11, 1971. (Palmer walked only three times – versus 41 strikeouts – while hitting .196 during the regular season.) Palmer was a career .174 hitter in the regular season and hit .086 in 20 post-season games. Those two bases-loaded free passes were his only walks in 38 post-season plate appearances. Palmer won 20 or more games in eight of his 19 MLB seasons.

Walter Johnson, Washington Senators … nine-game hitting streak, .433 season average (1925)

You can make a pretty good case for Hall of Famer Walter Johnson being the greatest pitcher of all time: 417 victories; 12 times leading the league in strikeouts; an MLB-record 110 shutouts … and I could go on and on. But this post is about hitting, and the “Big Train” carried a pretty big bat.

Consider the 1925 season, when the 37-year-old Johnson went 20-7, 3.07 on the mound. At the plate, Johnson started the campaign by collecting at least one base hit in his first nine games (appearing in two of those contests as a pinch hitter). After those nine contests, Johnson was hitting a nice round .500 (13-for-26), with one double, one triple, one home run and nine RBI. On the hill, he was 6-1, 1.77. And Johnson didn’t slow down much as the season wore on. He ended up with a .433 average (42-for-97), with three walks (.455 on-base percentage) and just six strikeouts. He also had two home runs and 20 RBI in 36 games. Johnson’s splits were pretty impressive as well. He hit .429 at home and .438 on the road and .529 versus right-handers and .414 versus lefties. He also hit .571 with runners in scoring position (12-for-21) and .500 with runners in scoring position and two out (four-for-eight. Johnson was a career (21 seasons) .235 hitter, with 24 home runs and 255 RBI.

You’ve been “Catfished”

On May 8, 1968, Jim “Catfish” Hunter threw a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins – a 4-0 win in Oakland. Not only did he dominate the Twins from the mound (11 whiffs in the perfect outing), he also roughed them up at the plate. Hunter had a double, two singles, and three RBI in the contest. Note: There have been 23 perfect games in MLB history, the pitchers twirling those gems have recorded at least one base hit in six of them. Hunter is the only one with more than one safety while pitching “perfecto.”

Don Newcombe. Dodgers … .359 average, seven home runs, 23 RBI (1955)

In 1955, the Dodgers’ Don Newcombe became a 20-game winner (20-5, 3.20) for the second time. He also hit .300+ for the second of seven times (in ten seasons) he would reach that mark.

In 1956, Don Newcombe went 27-7, 3.06 on the mound – earning Cy Young AND MVP honors.

Newcombe got his 1955 season at the plate off to a good start. On April 14, in his first appearance of the campaign, he went two-for-four, with two runs, three RBI and two home runs – and he needed to succeed at the plate. Newcombe got the win (10-8 over the Giants), despite giving up eight runs (five earned) in 7 1/3 innings. For the season, Newcombe hit .359 (42-for-117), with seven home runs and 23 RBI. Newk was used 23 times as a pinch-hitter that season, going 8-for-21 (.381) with two walks. For the season, he hit .353 with runners in scoring position. For his career, Newcombe hit .271 (238-for-878) with 15 home runs and 108 RBI. On the bump, the four-time All Star was 149-90, 3.56.

Another Big Don

Don Newcombe was a solid hitting pitcher for the Dodgers – and so was another Big Don – Drysdale. In 1965, when the Dodgers faced the Twins in the World Series, the LA squad had only one hitter with at least 100 at bats and a .300 or better average. That was Don Drysdale at an even .300 (39-for-130). In fact, the most at bats for any other Dodger that hit .300 or better that season was 13. Drysdale was seventh on the team in home runs (seven) and tenth in RBI (19).

Micah Owings, Diamondbacks … Four hits, two home runs, six RBI (August 18, 2007)

Micah Owings did not have the pitching stats of some of the hurlers in this post (six MLB seasons, 32-33, 4.86) – but he could rake. As a rookie, in 2007, Owings had quite a mid-August day against the Braves. He threw seven solid innings (three runs on seven hits, with no walks and seven whiffs. At the plate, his day went like this: two-run double in the second inning; solo home run in the fourth; two-run home run in the sixth; RBI single in the seventh; line out in the eighth. For the season, the 24-year-old rookie hit .333-4-15 in 60 at bats. For his career, Owings hit .283, with nine home runs and 35 RBI in 205 at bats.

A Wise Man Once Put It All TWOgether

Okay, Rick Wise was not a terror at the plate, sporting just a .195 average over 18 MLB seasons. He did, however, put it all together on June 23, 1971. Facing the Reds in Cincinnati, Wise tossed a no-hitter (one walk, three whiffs) in a Phillies’ 4-0 win. He also became the first (and still only) MLB hurler to hit two home runs while pitching a no-no. Wise connected in the fifth (two-run) and eighth (solo) to complete a two-for-four day. 1971 was actually a solid year for Wise, who went 17-14, 2.88 and hit .237 with career highs in home runs (6), RBI (15) and runs scored (14) – in 39 games. In his pitching career, Wise went 188-181, 3.69 and won 15 or more games in six seasons.

Wes Ferrell … 37 home runs as a pitcher, nine in one season

Wes Ferrell was a good (great?) hitting pitcher, holding the record for single-season home runs as pitcher (nine) and career home runs as a pitcher (37 out of 38 career long balls). His career (15 seasons, 1927-41) line was .280-38-208 in 548 games. In 1931, Ferrell hit .319-9-30 in 48 games for the Indians – hitting .389-9-29 as a pitcher (he was also used as a pinch-hitter). On the mound, he went 193-128, 4.04 – winning 20 or more games in six seasons.

Two Grand Slams – One Grand Game

Braves’ right-hander Tony Cloninger got the Independence Day fireworks started early in 1966. On July 3 of that season, Cloninger became the first (and still only) pitcher – as well as the first National Leaguer (any position) – to hit two Grand Slam home runs in a game. In the Braves 17-3 win over the Giants (in San Francisco), Cloninger hit a Grand Slam in the top of the first, added a second Grand Slam in the fourth and poked an RBI single in the eighth. He ended the day three-for-five, with an MLB one-game record (for pitchers) nine RBI. He also pitched a complete-game, seven-hitter. That season, Cloninger hit .234, with five home runs and 23 RBI in 111 at bats. On the mound, he was 14-11, 4.12.

For his career (1961-72), Cloninger was 113-97, 4.07 on the mound and .292-11-67 at the plate. Tony Cloninger’s best season on the hill was 1965, when he went 24-11, 3.29 (yet, somehow manage to lead the league in walks and wild pitches.) Side note: After retiring from MLB, Cloninger became a World-Class Slow-Pitch softball player. In 1978, playing for the United States Slow-pitch Softball Association Major Slow Pitch World Series Champion Howard & Carroll team, Cloninger was selected as the third baseman on the Series’ All World Team. For more on Cloninger, click here.

Jim Tobin, Braves …. Three home runs in a game

The Boston Braves’ Jim Tobin shares the record (with Guy Hecker) for the most home runs in a game by a pitcher at three. In a May 13, 1942 game against the Cubs, Tobin flied out to deep right field in the third inning; homered to lead off the fifth; homered again to lead off the seventh; and hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth (to break a 4-4 tie in a game the Braves won 6-5). On the mound, he earned the victory (a complete game – five runs, three earned, five hits and three walks) – as the Braves topped the Cubs 6-5. Notably, the day before, Tobin was used as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning of a Braves’ 9-8 loss to the Cubs and delivered a two-run homer. So, he had homered four times in the space of five at bats.

Tobin went 105-112, 3.44 in nine MLB seasons (1937-45). As a hitter, he hit .230 (183-for-796, with 17 home runs and 102 RBI. He was used as pinch hitter more than 100 times.

Grandiose Post-Season Visions

Dave McNally – a three-time All Star – racked up a career 184-119, 3.24 record on the mound, winning 20 or more games in four of fourteen MLB seasons. He was also 7-4, 2.49 in 14 post-season appearances. McNally was less effective at the plate, with a .133-9-43 regular-season stat line and a .148 post-season batting average.

In the 1970 post-season, however, McNally turned his bat into a weapon. He went two-for-five with a double in an American League Championship start against the Twins – a complete-game 11-3 win. He then went one-for-four in a World’s Series start against the Reds – his one hit being the first (and still only) World Series Grand Slam hit by a pitcher.

Madison Bumgarner, Giants … Active leading home runs by a pitcher (19), two home runs on Opening Day (2017)

On Opening Day (April 2) 2017, the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner shone on the mound and at the plate. On the mound, he went seven innings (no decision) and gave up three runs on six hits, with no walks and eleven strikeouts. At the plate, he was (arguably) even more effective – becoming the first (and still only) pitcher to hit two home runs in an Opening Day game. His day as a hitter went like this:

Walk in the second inning (on a 3-2 pitch);
Solo home run leading off the fifth;
Solo home run with one out in the seventh;

While Madbum has just a. 177 career average (12 seasons), his 19 long balls are number-one among active pitchers. His career stat line at the plate: .177-19-62. On the mound, Bumgarner is 119-94, 3.16. He is a four-time All Star and has four times won 15 or more games in a season. Bumgarner signed (free agent) with the Diamondbacks before the 2020 season.

Terry Forster … .397 career average

Terry Forster didn’t show much power – no home runs in his 78 regular-season at bats – but he did put the bat on the ball. In 16 MLB seasons (1971-86 … White Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, Braves, Angels), Forster went 31-for-78, putting up a nifty.397 average. Five of his 31 hits went for extra bases – four doubles and a triple. His best season as a hitter was 1972 (White Sox), when he was 10-for-19 (.526), all singles – with one run and three RBI. His final career line at the plate was .397-0-7. On the mound, Forster went 54-65, 3.51, with 127 saves – leading the AL in saves with 24 in 1974. Forster saved 20+ games in three seasons and had an earned run average under 2.50 in five campaigns. In 1978, for the Dodgers, he went 5-4, 1,93, with 22 saves, in 47 appearances. That season he hit .500 (four-for-eight), with a double and two RBI.

Terry Forster made it to the major leagues (White Sox) at the age of 19 – after appearing in just ten games in the minor leagues (Class A).

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; “August 15, 1886: Guy Hecker: Hitting Pitcher,” Society for American Baseball Research, by Bob Bailey; “Wes Ferrell” bio, Society for American Baseball Research, by Mark Smith.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; NationalPastime.com

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Jaime Garcia … “A Travelin’ Man”

August 4, 2020 by David

Jaime Garcia … “A Travelin’ Man”

On this date (August 4) in 2017, southpaw Jaime Garcia (in his ninth MLB season) started on the mound for the New York Yankees (in Cleveland). It was a bit of a disappointment, as Garcia lasted just 4 2/3 innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits and four walks (four strikeouts). He took the loss.

Still, there was a bit of history made on that day. It was Garcia’s third start in fifteen days (not an unusual schedule). What was unusual was that Garcia had made each of those starts for a different team (and all three on the road). The starts went like this:

July 21, Garcia started for the Atlanta Braves (the team he opened the season with), went seven innings (seven hits, three earned runs, one walk, four whiffs) and picked up a win versus the Dodgers. That was Garcia 18^th start for the Braves that season and he had posted a 4-7, 4.30 record.

On July 24, Garcia was traded to the Twins (with Anthony Recker) for Huascar Ynoa.

July 28 … Garcia started for the Minnesota Twins (at Oakland) and went 6 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits and three runs (three walks, seven strikeouts) – picking up another win.

On July 30, after just that appearance for the Twins, Garcia is traded to the Yankees for Dietrich Enns and Zack Littell.

August 4 … the above noted start (and loss) for the Yankees.

Perhaps Garcia could have packed an overnight bag, instead of a suitcase.

Garcia finished the season with the Yankees – going 0-3, 4.82 in eight starts. For the season, Garcia went 5-10, 4.41.

Elias Sports Bureau reports that Garcia was the first MLB pitcher with starts for three different teams in 15 days.

Garcia, who retired before the 2019 season, pitched in 10 MLB seasons, going 70-62, 3.85 in 218 appearances (188 starts). He spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Cardinals (2008, 2019-16) and, over his final two campaigns, pitched for the Braves, Twins, Yankees, Blue Jays and Cubs. His best season was 2010, when he went 13-8, 2.70 in 28 starts for the Cardinals and finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; NationalPastime.com

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Nolan Ryan Didn’t Do It – But Tyler Alexander Did … A Look at Strikeout Streaks

August 3, 2020 by David

Nolan Ryan didn’t do it. Walter Johnson didn’t do it (neither did Randy Johnson). Bob Gibson didn’t to it. Christy Mathewson didn’t do it. But Max Scherzer it …. And Tom Seaver did it one better. And, now, Tyler Alexander had done.

Yesterday (August 3, 2020), Tigers’ southpaw reliever Tyler Alexander did “it “– struck out at least nine batters in a row. In the process, he set the MLB record for consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher and tied the American League record for consecutive strikeouts in a game. Alexander fanned the first nine Reds’ batters he faced in the initial game of Sunday’s Tigers/Reds twin bill. He also came so-o-o-o very close to tying (or even breaking) the overall MLB record for consecutive strikeouts in a game (10 … held by Tom Seaver).

The 25-year-old Alexander, in his second MLB season, came on in the top of the third inning, with the Reds leading his Tigers 3-0. He relieved Tiger starter Rony Garcia after a Nick Castellanos’ home run to open the frame. Alexander proceeded to fan the entire Reds’ lineup in order (on 39 pitches/29 strikes), getting five swinging and four looking. His victims and the counts: 2B Mike Moustakas (2-2); 3B Eugenio Suarez (0-2); DH Jesse Winker (0-2); CF Nick Senzel (1-2); 1B Josh VanMeter (0-2); SS Freddy Galvis (3-2); C Tucker Barnhardt (1-2); LF Shogo Akiyama (1-2); and RF Castellanos (2-2).

Remember, I said he came so very close to tying the overall record of ten straight whiffs? Alexander was one pitch away from that tenth consecutive strikeout when he hit Moustakas with a pitch on a 1-2 count). Who knows, he might even had broken the record, since he fanned the next batter (Suarez) – on five pitches. What if he had snuck that third strike past Moustakas? After fanning Suarez, Alexander walked pinch hitter Matt Davidson (after pinch runner Travis Jankowski was out stealing) and was replaced on the mound by Carson Fulmer. Alexander’s line for the day 3 2/3 IP, no hits, one walk, one HBP and ten strikeouts. (He came into the game with 50 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings (16 appearances/8 starts).

Tyler Anderson broke the record of consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher– set at eight by Yankee Ron Davis (against the California Angels) on May 4, 1981.

We’ll look at those players with at least nine consecutive strikes out in this post, but first a look at the state of the game – from a strikeout perspective.

In today’s throw-hard/swing-hard game, we should not be surprised when whiff records are tied or fall (earlier this season, the Indians’ Shame Bieber tied the MLB record for strikeouts in a pitchers’s first two starts of a season with 27). For that story, click here). MLB has seen a new season record for total strikeouts every year since 2008. Consider that 1987 was the first year MLB topped 25,000 strikeouts, Given, MLB has added four teams since then, but also has added 17,724 strikeouts in a season (2019) – going from 6.0 strikeouts per nine innings to 8.9.

Now those players with nine (or ten) consecutive strikeouts in a game.

Ten Consecutive Strikeouts in a Game— standing all alone.

Tom Seaver, Mets … April 22, 1970.

Seaver started the game (versus the Padres) and seemed to get stronger in the late innings. He went into the top of the sixth with a 2-1 lead, having given up just two hits, two walks and one run (a solo home run by Padres LF Al Ferrara), with nine strikeouts. He got the first two batters on a foul pup up and a fly to right, fanned Ferrara to end the frame and went on to strike out the side in order in the seventh, eighth and ninth. Seaver, in the game, tied Steve Carlton for the most strikeouts in a nine-inning game at 19 (a record since broken).

Seaver, of course, is a Hall of Famer – an All Star in 12 seasons and a three-time Cy Young Award winner. He led the league in strikeouts five times and retired (after 20 MLB seasons … 1967-86) with 3,640 strikeouts in 4,783 innings pitched.

Nine Consecutive Strikeouts in a Game (in addition to Tyler Alexander)

Mickey Welch, New York Gothams (NL) … August 28, 1884

Mickey Welch fanned the first nine batters he faced, as he earned a 10-2 win for his Gothams – over the Cleveland Blues on August 28, 1884. Welch fanned 14 in the contest.

Mickey Welch holes the record for the most consecutive whiffs to start a game.

Welch, a Hall of Famer, pitched 13 MLB seasons (1880-92), going 307-210, 2.71 and fanning 1,850 batters in 4,802 innings. He won 20 or more games in nine seasons (a high of 44 wins in 1885). Ah, it was a different game back then. He never led his league in strikeouts, although he did fan 345 batters in 1884.

Jake Peavy, Padres …. April 25, 2007, Padres

Jake Peavy started against the Diamondbacks (in Arizona) on April 25, 2007. He got the first two batters on a strikeout and ground out before giving up a pair of singles (but getting out of the inning with a runner tossed out a third base). He then struck out the side in order in the second, third and fourth innings (eight swinging, one looking), before walking LF Eric Brynes on a 3-2 pitch to start the fifth (ending his streak at nine). Peavy ended up with a no-decision after going seven innings and giving just two hits and three walks (no runs), with 16 strikeouts.

Peavy was a three-time All Star in a 15-season MLB career (2002-16). He went 152-126, 3.63, with 2,207 strikeouts in 2,377 innings pitched. His best year was 2007, when he led the NL in wins (19 versus six losses), ERA (2.54) and strikeouts (240). He also led the league in whiffs in 2005 and struck out 200 or more batters in three consecutive seasons (2005-07).

Ricky Nolasco, Marlins … September 30, 2009

Rickey Nolasco’s 2009 season might not be considered an artistic success. Although he won 13 games (nine losses), he pitched to a 5.06 earned run average. Starting against the Braves (in Atlanta) on September 30, however, he brought his “A” game. He breezed through the first two innings, giving up just a single and then upped the ante – striking out the side in order in the third, fourth and fifth frames, before giving up a double to 1B Adam LaRoche to open the sixth. Nolasco got the win, going 7 2/3 innings (four hits, two runs, no earned runs, two walks and 16 strikeouts).

Nolasco pitched 12 MLB seasons (2006-17), going 114-118, 4.56, with 1,513 strikeouts in 1,887 2/3 innings. His high in strikeouts for a season was 195 in 2009. His best season was 2008, when he went 15-8, 3.52 for the Marlins.

Aaron Harang, Dodgers …. April 13, 2012

Harang got out of the box quickly against the Padres on April 13, 2012. He gave up a leadoff single to Padres’ CF Cameron Maybin and then fanned the next nine Padres he faced (all swinging third strikes) – until Padres’ LF Will Venable led off the fourth with a home run. (All nine were swinging.) Harang ended up with a no decision, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings, while fanning 13.

Harang pitched 14 MLB seasons, going 128-143, 4.26, with 1,842 strikeouts in 2,322 innings pitched. He led the NL in strikeouts (for the Reds) in 2006 with 216. That was his best season, as he also led the league in wins (16, with 11 losses), starts (35) and complete games (6).

Doug Fister, Tigers … September 27, 2012

Fister was cruising in his September 27, 29012 start against the Royals. After three inning, he had given up no runs (a single and a HBP), had fanned one and haw thrown just 36 pitches. In the fourth inning, he got the first two batters on ground outs, before fanning C Salvador Perez (looking) on an 0-2 pitch. He went on to fan the side in the fifth sixth, as well as the first two batters in the seventh before Perez broke the streak with a ground out short-to-first. Things went a bit south in the eighth inning, as Fister gave up three runs on two double and two singles before being relieved with two outs in the frame. H ended with a no decision, 7 2/3 IP, three runs (two earned), no walks and ten strikeouts. The Tigers did get the win, by a 5-4 score.

In his 10-season MLB career (2009-18) Fister went 83-92, with a 3.72 ERA and 970 strikeouts in 1,422 1/3 innings pitched. His high in strikeouts was 159 in 2018, when he went 14-9, 3.67 in 32 starts (33 appearances). His best season was 2013, when he went 16-6, 2.41 for the Nationals, but fanned only 98 batters in 164 innings.

Max Scherzer, Nationals … October 3, 2015

Like Tom Seaver’s, Max Scherzer’s strikeout steak was part of a double header (Game Two. in this case) and, also like Seaver, he seemed to get stronger as the game went on. Scherzer went into the bottom of the sixth (versus the Mets), having thrown five perfect innings with eight strikeouts. Mets ‘catcher Kevin Plawecki was safe on an error by third baseman Yunel Escobar to end the perfecto, but Scherzer go the next three hitters, including a strikeout of RF Curtis Granderson to end the inning. Scherzer went on to strike out the side in the seventh and eighth innings and got the first two hitters’ on strikeouts in the ninth before Granderson broke up the streak with an infield pop out to end the game. Scherzer end up with a no-hitter (his second of the season), 17 strikeouts and was just an error short of a perfect game. All nine whiffs in Scherzer’s streak were swinging punch outs.

At one point in the October 3 (second game) Nationals/Mets matchup, 11 consecutive batters went down on strikes. The Mets’ Hansel Robles fanned the last two hitters in the top of seventh, Scherzer fanned three consecutive Mets in the bottom of the seventh, the Mets Erik Goeddel fanned all three Nats he faced in the eighth, Scherzer again had a 1-2-3 strike out inning in the bottom of the eighth.

Max Scherzer is in his 13^th MLB season. He is a seven-time All Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner. He has led the NL in strikeouts three times (a high of 300 in 2018) and fanned 200 or more batters in eight seasons. He has also led his league in wins four times, complete games four times and shutouts twice.

Max Scherzer seems to like the record books he share the record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game (20), as well as the record for no-hitters in a season (two).

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Baseball-reference.com; MLB.com

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News, Uncategorized

Baseball Roundtable July 2020 Wrap UP … From Bieber to Bard and More

August 1, 2020 by David

It’s August first and that means we are starting into the second calendar month of a very non-traditional MLB season. We are dealing with a July start, empty stands and “piped-in” fans, COVID postponements, extra innings starting with a runner placed at second base, expanded playoffs and even – “Say it ain’t so, Joe!” – upcoming seven-inning games in double headers. Wow. A lot to take in.

Baseball Roundtable is going to stick with one of its traditions, however. The monthly wrap up. It will be the usual mix of MLB stats and stories that caught my attention, along with selection of BBRT’s players and pitchers of the month. Even though July was a short month (from a games-played perspective), there will be a Wrap Up (who knows when they might pull the plug on the season.)

Given the small sample size and disparities in games played (COVID game postponements limiting the Marlins and Phillies to three games each), BBRT statistical leaders may differ a bit from those on MLB lists. For example, Marlins’ SS Miguel Rojas is listed as the MLB batting leader (.700 average), but he has just ten at bats. BBRT’s leader board requires 20 at bats, so you will find Giants’ SS Donovan Solano at the top (.458 in 24 July at bats.)

So, let’s get to it. First a few general observations.

As usual, pitchers appear to be ahead of hitters early on, with all of MLB averaging .233 and 45 hitters with at least 20 at bats hitting under .200 – including such “names” as George Springer, Kris Bryant, Cody Bellinger; Jose Altuve; and Ronald Acuna, Jr.
As Rod Serling would say, “For your consideration,” 2018 and 2019 National League batting champ Christian Yelich ended July with one hit (albeit a home run) in 27 at bats for a .037 average.
The 2020 season saw only 45 complete-games in 2,429 contests – one every 54 games. Through July 31 this season, we’ve already seen three complete games in 104 contests – one every 35 games.
The Cardinals’ bullpen held opponents to a .100 average in July.
Shane Bieber Bieber fanned 27 batters in 14 July innings, putting up a 2-0 record and a 0.00 earned run average.
Nelson Cruz of the Twins has shown that “40 is the new 30,” leading MLB in RBI with 11 – and putting up a two-double, two-home run, seven-RBI game against the White Sox on July 26.
Nobody had more hits in July than Mariners’ CF Kyle Lewis (rookie status still intact), who collected 15 hits in eight games (.455 average).

More on all of this and more as you read on, but let’s get to the players and pitchers of the month.

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American League BBRT Player of the Month for July – Kyle Lewis, CF, Mariners

Mariners’ 25-year-old rookie CF Kyle Lewis led all of MLB with 15 July base hits and his .455 average tied the Yankees’ D.J. LeMahieu for tops in the AL among batters with at least 20 at bats. Lewis also had two home runs and his eight RBI were second only to Nelson Cruz in the American League. Lewis, a first-round draft pick out of Mercer University in 2016, hit .268 in 18 games with the Mariners in 2019 (after hitting .263 in 122 games at Double A). Lewis, who leads the AL with 13 strikeouts, does need work on plate discipline.

Others considered: BBRT also looked at the Twins’ Nelson Cruz (.333-3-11), but took into consideration that seven of his MLB-best 11 July RBI came in one game. Red Sox’ catcher Christian Vazquez also deserve a shout out. His four home runs tied for the MLB July lead and he added eight RBI and a .348 average.

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American League Pitcher of the Month for July – Shane Bieber, Indians

Shane Bieber. Latest Indians' CYA candidate.

Shane Bieber. One walk – 27 whiffs.

No contest here, as Indians’ right-hander Shane Bieber’s July was one for the record books. On Opening Day (July 24), he fanned 14 Royals in six shutout innings – coming within one of the MLB Opening Day record for whiffs. Then, six days later, he whiffed 13 Twins in eight shutout innings, tying the MLB record for strikeouts in the first two starts of a season. For details on those records, click here. So, here’s Bieber’s line for July: 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 14 innings pitched, seven hits, just one walk and 27 strikeouts. Game. Set. Match.

Shane Bieber fanned at least one batter in every inning he pitched in July.

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National Player of the Month for July – Donovan Solano, 2B, Giants

Photo by mwlguide

Donovan Solano has been around for awhile. He signed as an International free agent with the Cardinals in 2005 and finally made it to the big leagues with the Marlins in 2012. He is now in his seventh MLB season (serving primarily as a utility infielder). Over his first six MLB campaigns, he played in 451 games and put up a .269-13-122 stat line. Since signing a minor-league contract with the Giants in December 2018, Solano has been on fire. He hit .322 in 24 games at Triple A in 2019 and then .330 in 81 games after a call up to the Giants. This July, he has raked at an MLB-best .458 pace (11-for-24), with one home run and ten RBI (trailing only the 11 of the Braves’ Dansby Swanson and Twins’ Nelson Cruz). While he has yet to draw a walk this season, he has fanned only three times in 24 at bats. He puts the ball in play.

Others considered: Braves’ SS Dansby Swanson hit .387, with two home runs and an MLB-best 11 RBI in July. The swing factor here (pun intended) was his 12 strikeouts to Solano’s three (Swanson drew just one walk). Also, Salano’s .458 average was a bright and shiny thing.

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National League Pitcher of the Month – Sonny Gray, Reds

Sonny Gray put up the lowest ERA in the NL (0.71 in 12 2/3 innings pitched). He won both his starts, giving up just four hits and three walks. He also fanned 20 batters (second in the NL to Max Scherzer’s 21) and held hitters to an NL-best .098 average. A nice start for the veteran (in his eighth MLB season) and two-time All Star.

Others considered: Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs got a brief look-see after throwing the season’s first complete-game shutout (a three-hitter against the Brewers) in his first start of the season. He pitched his way out of the competition by giving up six runs in his second start. Max Scherzer’s NL-high 21 July strikeouts also merited some attention, but he went 0-1, 2.84 to Gray’s 2-0, 0.71. It was Gray all the way.

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Now, here are your standing as of end of play July 31. Too early for any analysis, let the numbers speak for themselves. If I had to pick a “surprise” this early, I guess it would be the Padres leading the NL West – and sitting atop all of MLB in July runs scored. They seem to be doing it with a pretty balanced attack – six players with five or more RBI: SS Fernando Tatis, Jr. (9); 1B Eric Hosmer (7); LF Tommy Pham (7); and five each from 3B Manny Machado, CF Trent Grisham, and RF Wil Myers. They also have six players with five or more runs scored and four players with two home runs. The Padres also put their speed to good use, getting stolen bases from six players – with their 14 July steals leading MLB by a wide margin. Your other division leaders (excluding the three games-played Marlins) are pretty much as expected.

—-LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS —–

(as of end of play July 31, 2020)

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 32

AL: Astros (42); Mariners (41); Angels (46)

NL: Padres (52); Braves (46); Cubs (44)

Runs Per Game

Given the small sample – and range in the number of games played – it is important to note that your runs per game leaders were the Padres in the NL (6.50) and the Astros in the AL (6.00). One additional team averaged six or more runs per game in July – Cubs (6.29)

The Rangers scored an MLB-low 13 runs in five July games – and had the lowest R/G (2.60).

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .233 (To qualify for BBRT leaderboard, minimum five games played.)

AL: Red Sox (.264); Mariners (.262); Astros (.249)

NL: Mets (.266); Giants (.257); Cubs (.254)

The Team Mendoza Line

Four teams were hitting below .200 as July play closed: Pirates (.177); Rangers (.180); A’s (.194); Brewers (.198).

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 8

AL: Tigers (15); Twins (12); Angels (12); White Sox (11); Blue Jays (11)

NL: Reds (12); Cubs (12); Dodgers (11); Padres (11)

Who Digs the Long Ball?

The Diamondbacks were power-starved, with just two home runs over their first eight games.

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 3

AL: Mariners (8); Astros (6); Rangers (5); Blue Jays (5)

NL: Padres (14); Mets (5)

Slow Ride. Take It Easy.

Six teams had stolen only one base through July – Red Sox, White Sox, Indians, Marlins, Brewers, Cardinals.

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 62

AL: Tigers (90); Mariners (79); Royals (75)

NL: Braves (93); Mets (75); Padres (75)

Making Contact

Phillies hitters (only three games) fanned an MLB-fewest 18 times as of end of play July 31. Among teams with at least five games played, the Cardinals and Orioles had the fewest whiffs (44).

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 25

AL: Angels (37); Rays (37); Astros (35)

NL: Padres (40; Dodgers (37); Reds (36)

Ouch!

Who crowds the plate? The Cubs led MLB in hit-by-pitch through July 31 at 12 (the MLB team average was 4).

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.26

AL: Indians (2.13); Blue Jays (3.29); Twins (3.34)

NL: Dodgers (2.04): Nationals (2.69); Rockies (2.72)

He Shoots! He Scores!

Mariners’ hurlers had a rough July with an MLB-worst 6.49 ERA. Over in the NL, the Phillies were at the bottom at 5.67.

The Indians had the lowest ERA among starting staff in July at 2.18. The Rockies were the surprise leaders in the NL at 2.46.

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 62

AL: Indians (94); Rays (85); Angels (72)

NL: Reds (93); Diamondbacks (82);Mets (72); Padres (72)

Inning-by-Inning

The Reds also led all of MLB in strikeouts per nine innings at 13.5– finishing July with ten or more whiffs per nine frames were: Indians (11.8); Brewers (11.0); Rays (10.9); and Rangers 10.8; Diamondbacks (10.0)

SAVES … MLB Average – 2

AL: Tigers (4); Indians (4); Twins (3); Mariners (3)

NL: Braves (3); six with two

Firemen

The Cardinals had the lowest bullpen ERA at 0.98, while the A’s pen had the lowest AL ERA at 1.91.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED … MLB Average – 25

AL: Indians (14); Yankees (16); A’s (19)

NL: Cardinals (9); Phillies (10/three games)); Nationals (19); Marlins (19/three games); Reds (19)

Stingy with those Free Passes

Looking at walks per nine innings, the Indians posted the best ratio at 1.3. The only other team with less than two walks per nine frames was the Cardinals at 1.9.

The Diamondbacks’ staff walked the most batters – 44 in 8 games (5.8 per nine innings). The Marlins who played just three games, walked an MLB-worst 6.6 batters per contest.

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Now a few individual highlights.

Late Opener – Kiki is all Four It

Dodgers’ 2B Enrique “Kiki” Hernandez got his season off to a running start. In the Dodgers July 23 opener (at home) against the Giants, Hernandez – a .243 career hitter (starting his seventh MLB season) – went four-for-five, with a home runs, two runs scored and five RBI. It was Hernandez’ first MLB four-hit game, as well as his first five-RBI game. The Dodgers, by the way, prevailed 8-1.

Round. Round. Get Around. I Get Around.

In his MLB career, Kiki Hernandez has played every position except catcher. As the 2020 season opened, he had started 126 games in CF, 110 at 2B, 57 in LF, 54 at SS, 32 in RF, 14 at 3B, 11 at 1B and two at DH. He also made on appearance on the mound, 1/3 inning of scoreless relief.

Kepler Goes Deep – In a Hurry

Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Twins’ RF Max Kepler took White Sox starter Luis Giolito yard on the very first pitch of the game – as the Twins and White Sox opened their 2020 seasons in Chicago. In the very next inning, on a 2-2 count – Kepler went deep again. Two innings into the season and two home runs, not a bad start. The wins won the game 10-5.

The only two players to homer in the first two innings of their team’s season are Kepler and the Angels’ Ted Kluszewski (1961). Kluszewski two blasts were extra special, they came not only in the teams first game of the season, but also the first game in franchise history – a 7-2 win at Baltimore. Side note: They came off pitchers with similar names: Milt Pappas in the first inning and John Papa in the second.

Home Plate is Off Limits

Photo by apardavila

On July 24, as the Cub and Brewers opened the season at Wrigley, Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks threw a complete-game, three-hit shutout (The Cubs won 3-0). In the game – the first Opening Day complete-game shutout since 2013 (Clayton Kershaw) – Hendricks fanned nine and didn’t walk a batter. Surprisingly, in this age of throw-hard/swing-hard baseball, not a one of Hendricks’ 103 pitches reached 90 M.p.h.

Number-Nine. Number-Nine. Number-Nine.

Ironically (?), all three hits off Hendricks belonged to the Brewers’ number-nine hitter, SS Orlando Arcia.

Leaving No Doubt

That Angels and Athletics battled to a 3-3 tie after nine innings in Oakland. That opened the door to MLB’s first extra inning under the new rule, starting extra innings with a runner placed on second base. (A rule many feel puts the legitimacy of victory in doubt.). In the top of the tenth, the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (the last out in the ninth) was placed a second, but erased on a rundown between second and third (as PH Jared Walsh reached first one fielder choice). To make a long inning short, the Angels ended up loading the bases, but did not score.

In the bottom of the inning, A’s SS Marcus Semien (last out of the A’s ninth) was placed on second. Angels’ reliever Hansel Robles then hit Ramon Laureano with a pitch, struck out Matt Chapman; wild pitched Semien and Laureano to third and second; and walked Khris Davis. That loaded them up with one out for Matt Olson, who hit the fist pitch from Robles over the CF fence for a walk-off Grand Slam – making the win a no-doubter, despite the 2020 extra-inning rule.

Worth Waiting For

On July 25, 35-year-old Rockies’ right-hander Daniel Bard took the mound for the first time since April 27, 2013 – a period of seven years, two months and 28 days. Bard was a first-round selection (out of the University of North Carolina) by the Red Sox, sporting a fastball that topped out at at 100+ MPH and was regularly in the mid- to high-90s. He also used a slider and change up. In 2008, Bard was 5-1, 1.51, with seven saves and 107 strikeouts (versus 30 walks) in 46 appearances (77 2/3 innings) at Double A and Triple A.

In his first season with the Red Sox (2009), Bard went 2-2, 3.65 with 63 whiffs (22 walks) in 46 appearances. Then, in 2010 and 2011, he made 70 or more appearances for Boston each season. After three MLB campaigns, Bard had 5 wins (13 losses), with a solid 2.88 ERA in 192 appearance – 213 strikeouts and 76 walks in 197 innings.

One for the Record Books

In 2011, Bard threw a Red Sox-record 25 consecutive scoreless innings (25 appearances from May 27 through July 31).

Then in 2012, the Red Sox attempted to convert Bard to a starter and the wheels seem to come off – and Bard lost command of his pitches. He went 5-6, 6.22 in 17 games, walking 43, hitting eight batters and fanning 38 in 59 1/3 innings for Boston. Sent to Triple A, he did not fare any better (3-2, 7.03 with 29 walks and 32 strikeouts in 32 innings). After that season, Bard pitched only one more MLB inning before retiring in October of 2017. But he didn’t give up and, in 2020, announced he was going to make a comeback. He did some throwing for scouts and, in February, signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies. He was added to the 40-man roster in mid-July and on July 25, came into the game with two outs in the fifth inning and his Rockies leading the Ranger 2-0. Bard went 1 1/3 innings (two hits/one whiff) and, since starter Jon Gray has not gone five innings, Bard picked up the win – his first MLB victory in more than seven years. Notably, Bard threw 20 of 25 pitches for strikes.

You Can’t Win ‘Em All

Three games (and four days) into the strange 2020 season and there was not a single undefeated team. The last time that happened? 1954 (when there were only 16 teams). The deepest MLB ever got into a season with at least one team boasting a perfect record? In games, that would be thirteen – with the 1982 Braves (first loss on the season’s 18^th day) and the 1987 Brewers (first loss on 16^th day of the season) getting off to 13-0 starts .

Off to a Good Start

On July 27, Reds’ rookie catcher Tyler Stephenson – who had come into the game in the top of the seventh inning with the Reds down to the Cubs 7-1 – stepped to the plate for the first time in his MLB career in the bottom of the frame and popped a 1-0 pitch (off reliever Duane Underwood Jr.) 420-feet over the CF fence (making the score 8-2 at the time). Stephenson finished the game two-for-two, with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI. For those who track such things, Stephenson was the 123rd player to homer in his first MLB at bat (this number includes players from the old American Association).

An Even Better Start

Bob Nieman of the 1951 Browns and Keith McDonald of the 2000 Cardinals are the only players to homer in their first TWO MLB at bats. For more on McDonald’s career (he had only three MLB hits – and they were all home runs – click here.

A Lead-Off Two-Run Homer … Never Saw that Before

New rules, new results! On July 29, as the Dodgers topped the Astros 4-2 in 13 innings at Minute Maid Park, the Dodgers’ Edwin Rios became the first MLB player to lead off an inning with a two-run home run. Rios had come into the game as a pinch-hitter to open the 11^th inning (striking out). He then stayed on as DH. In the top of the 13^th, as per 2020 rules, with the scored tied at 2-2, the Dodgers started the frame with Enrique “Kiki” Hernandez placed at second. Rios, the first batter of the inning, then took reliever Cy Sneed deep for a two-run, lead-off homer that proved to be the game winner.

Rollin’ a 300

On July 29, as the Angels faced the Mariners in Anaheim, the Halos’ LF Justin Upton was sitting at 299 career home runs. In the sixth inning, he got the landmark 300th long ball – a three-run shot off the Mariners’ Brian Shaw. Despite Upton’s blast, the Angels lost the game 10-7. As of July 1, Upton (in his 14th MLB season, had a career line of .265-300-941. He is a four-time All Star and has hit 30 or more home runs in four season and stolen 20 or more bases twice.

Back-To-Back, Bro’

On April 23, in the second game of a Braves’ doubleheader against the Rockies (in Colorado), Justin Upton and his brother Melvin were playing LF and CF, respectively. They were also batting second and third in the order. In the top of the fifth inning of that game, they became only the second set of brother to go deep back-to-back in an MLB game. The only other brothers to accomplish the feat are the Pirates’ Lloyd and Paul Waner in 1938.

The Call it the Streak

On July 30, on the back of a ninth-inning, three-run home run by Aaron Judge, the Yankees topped the Orioles 8-6. It was the Bombers 18^th consecutive win over the Orioles – dating back to April 4 of last season. Over those 18 games, the Yankees outscored the Orioles 153-75. Even sadder for the Birds, it was the Yankees 17^th straight win at Camden Yards. The Yankees last lost in Baltimore was on July 10, 2018.

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The Individual July Stats Leaders

One qualifying point here. For percentage stats – like average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage I am listing only those hitters with at least 20 July at bats. The Marlins, of course, had a number of games suspended due to the COVID outbreak. That limited SS Miguel Rojas to just ten at bats. In those ten at bats he hit .700, with a 1.300 slugging percentage and .750 on-base percentage … which leads MLB. Rojas, however, does not qualify for BBRT’s leaderboard.

BATTING AVERAGE – minimum 20 at bats

AL: D.J. LeMahieu, Yankees (.455); Kyle Lewis, Mariners (.455); Hanser Alberto Orioles (.440)

NL: Donovan Solano, Giants (.458); Mike Yastrzemski, Giants (.414); Dansby Swanson, Braves (.387)

A Big O-Fer

The most at bats through July 31 without a it is 21 – Hunter Pence, Giants.

BASE HITS

AL: Kyle Lewis, Mariners (15); Jose Ramirez, Indians (12); David Fletcher, Angels (12)

NL: Mike Yastrzemski, Giants (12); Dansby Swanson, Braves (12); three with 11

HOME RUNS

AL: Christian Vazquez, Red Sox (4); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (4); seven with three

NL: Colin Moran, Pirates (4); Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (3); Trevor Story, Rockies (3); Corey Seager, Dodgers (3); Max Muncy, Dodgers (3)

The Total Picture

The Blue Jays’ Teoscar Hernandez, Tigers’ JaCoby Jones and Giants’ Mike Yastrzemski share the lead in total bases this July at 23.

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Nelson Cruz, Twins (11); four with 8

NL: Dansby Swanson, Braves (11); Donovan Solano, Giants (10); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (9)

OBP – SLG WOW!

Among hitters with at least 20 at bats, Indians’ Joe Ramirez led MLB in on-base percentage at .529 and JaCoby Jones of the Tigers had the highest slugging percentage at .885.

RUNS SCORED

AL: J.P Crawford, Mariners (9); Nelson Cruz, Twins (8); six with seven

NL: Trent Grisham, Padres (9); Freddie Freeman, Braves (8); Mike Yastrzemski, Giants (8)

STOLEN BASES

AL: Ten with two

NL: Tommy Pham, Padres (5); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (3); three with two

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Niko Goodman, Tigers (13); Kyle Lewis, Mariners (13); Evan White, Mariners (13)

NL: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (17); Yeonis Cespedes, Mets (13); Christian Yelich, Brewers (12); Dansby Swanson, Braves (12); Fernando Tatis, Jr. Padres (12)

No Whiff Zone

The Angels Andrelton Simmons has the most at bats without a whiff at 16,

WALKS DRAWN

AL: Yandy Diaz, Rays (9); Carlos Santana, Indians (7); Domingo Santana, Indians (7); Anthony Rendon, Angels (7); J.P. Crawford. Mariners (7); Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox (7)

NL: Eric Sogard. Brewers (7); Freddie Freeman, Braves (7); Marcell Ozuna, Braves (7); Chris Taylor, Dodgers (7); Mike Yastrzemski, Giants (7); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (7)

That Hurts!

The Cubs Anthony Rizzo is available for target practice. He has been hit by a pitch six times already this season. There’s a three-way tie for second place at three plunkings.

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PITCHING VICTORIES

AL: Gerrit Cole, Yankees (2-0), Burch Smith, A’s (2-0); Dallas Keuchel, White Sox (2-0); Shane Bieber, Indians (2-0); Brandon Bielak, Astros (2-0)

NL: Sonny Gray, Reds (2-0); Adam Kolarek, Dodgers (2-0); Ross Stripling, Dodgers (2-0)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (Minimum seven innings pitched)

AL: Shane Bieber, Indians (0.00/14 IP); Lance Lynn, Rangers (0.00/12 IP); Zach Plesac, Indians (0.00/8 IP)

NL: Sonny Gray, Reds (0.71); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (1.29/7 IP); German Marquez, Rockies (1.54/11 2/3 IP)

Take It on Home, Boys

Rick Porcello of the Mets gave up the most runs in July, surrendering 11 runs (nine earned) over two starts (six innings pitched).

STRIKEOUTS

AL: Shane Bieber, Indians (27 – 14 IP); Lance Lynn Rangers (17/12 IP); Dylan Bundy, Angels (15/12 2/3 IP)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (21/12 2/3 IP); Sonny Gray, Reds (20-12 2/3 IP); Luis Castillo, Reds (17/12 IP)

K-Men

Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer stand atop the list of strikeouts per nine innings – at 17.4 and 14.9. respectively.

SAVES

AL: Joe Jimenez, Tigers (4); seven with two

NL: Wade Davis, Rockies (2); Trevor Gott, Giants (2); Mark Melancon, Braves (2); Drew Pomeranz, Padres (2); Archie Bradley, D-backs (2)

One Bad Outing Doesn’t Spoil the Whole Darn Barrel

Wade Davis of the Rockies has two save, despite a 16.88 earned run average in three appearances. Brad Hand of the Indians has two saves, despite a 15.43 earned run average in three appearances.

GAMES PITCHED

AL: Scott Barlow, Royals (5); Buck Farmer, Tigers (5); Greg Holland Royals (5); Evan Marshal, White Sox (5)

NL: Drew Pomeranz, Padres (5); Tanner Rainey, Nationals (5); Tyler Rogers, Giants (5)

I like to Finish What I Start

We saw three complete games in July – one each y the Yankees Gerrit Cole, Cubs Kyle Hendriks and National Matt Scherzer.

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

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Bieber’s 27 (2020) Strikeouts Special … Spooner’s 27 (1954) Whiffs Even More So

July 31, 2020 by David

Indians’ right-hander Shane Bieber tied a major-league record and set a new American-League standard last night (July 30, 2020), when he fanned his 13^th batter in an eight-inning, three-hit, no run performance against the Minnesota Twins. (The Indians won 2-0.) It gave Bieber 27 strikeouts in his first two outings of the seasons. (Bieber fanned 14 Royals in a six-inning scoreless stint on July 24 – a game the Indians also won by a 2-0 score. On the season, Bieber is now 2-0, with a 0.00 earned run average and 27 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched (seven hits and one walk).

Shane Bieber has struck out at least one batter in every inning he has pitched this season.

So, whose records did Bieber tie and break? First, he broke a lesser-known record, held by a more widely known pitcher. That would be the American League mark of 25 strikeouts in the first two appearance of a season – held by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. Ryan set that mark back in April of 1978 (when he was with the Angels) – fanning 13 A’s in a six-inning, no-run, two hit, four walk outing on April 8 and following it up by fanning 12 Twins in a ten-inning, no-run, four-hit, four-walk outing on April 13. Despite, Ryan’s stellar pitching, the A’s split the two games – losing 4-2 to the A’s and dropping the Twins 1-0 in 11 frames. Ryan did not get a decision in either contest.

Now, for the MLB record Bieber tied (perhaps a better-known record by a lesser-known hurler) – the one that really gets Baseball Roundtable’s attention. That is the MLB record of 27 whiffs in a pitcher’s first two mound appearance of a season. That one belongs to the Dodgers’ Karl Spooner and is even more “magical” than Bieber’s recent feat. Why? Because Sponger not only set the record for the most strikeouts in a pitcher’s first two appearance of the season, he did it in the first two appearances in his MLB career.

Spooner truly looked like he was going to be a “pitching phenom” for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1954, Spooner went 21-9, 3.14 at Fort Worth (Double A Texas League), fanning 262 batters in 238 innings – despite missing a month of the season with a knee injury. That performance earned him a late-season call up to the “show” and a September 22 start against the league-leading (and already pennant-clinching) rival New York Giants. How did he do? Spooner went the full nine innings, gave up just three hits and no runs – and set the record for strikeouts in an rookie’s inaugural game by fanning 15 Giants. That earned the 6’, 185-pound, 23-year-old -year-old southpaw a second start (September 26 against the Pirates). He notched a second complete-game shutout, this time fanning a dozen Pirates. So, after 18 MLB innings, he had given up just ten hits and six walks, thrown two complete-game shutouts and fanned 27.

For more on great first-game-ever pitching performances click here.

Unfortunately, Spooner suffered a shoulder injury in Spring Trailing the following year – finishing his first (and last) full MLB season with an 8-6, 3.65 record in 29 appearances (14 starts). He made 28 minor league appearances between 1956 and 1958, but never returned to the majors.

The 25-year-old Bieber, by the way, is in his third MLB season. He was an All Star in 2019, when he went 15-6, 3.28 and led the AL in complete games (3) and shutout (2). His career record stands at 28-13, 3.57, with 404 strikeouts in 343 innings.

Primary resources: Stathead.com; Baseball-Reference.com; Elias Sports Bureau.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Last Team to Hit .300 – Boston Red Sox 70 Seasons Ago

July 30, 2020 by David

When was the last time a team hit at least .300 for a season? That would be the 1950 Boston Red Sox, who hit .302, scored an MLB-high 1,027 runs (6.67 runs per game). Unfortunately, the 1950 BoSox also had the fourth-highest MLB earned run average at 4.88 (second-highest in the AL) – and finished in third place (four games behind the Yankees and one behind the Tigers). In those post, Baseball Roundtable out like to share a few facts and figures about that Boston squad – as well as about other squads that hit .300+ or scored 1,000+ runs or both. So, as Jackie Gleason would have said, “Away we go!”

The 1950 Red Sox were the first team since 1936 to hit.300 for a season, and one of only 21 MLB teams to score 1,000 runs in a campaign (just seven since 1900) – the most recent being the 1999 Indians (1,009 runs).
The Red Sox put up their .302 average, despite missing their top offensive player, Ted Williams, who (due to an elbow injury) played in only 89 games (going .317-28-97).
The lowest average among the seven players who played at least 100 games for the Red Sox in 1950 was .294 (Bobby Doerr, 2B). SS Vern Stephens (.295); CF Dom DiMaggio (.328); 1B Walt Dropo (.322); RF Al Zarilla (.325); 3B Johnny Pesky (.312); and Utility Player Billy Goodman (.353).

Put Me IN coach!

Lefty-swinging Billy Goodman, in his fourth MLB season at age 24, won the American League batting crown with a .354 average, but still could not secure a spot of his own in the Red Sox lineup. Early in the season, Goodman – who had been an All Star at 1B in 1949 – suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of action for the first three weeks in May. When he returned, he had lost his spot in the lineup to Walt Dropo. However, injuries to Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky and Ted Williams opened playing time along the way and the versatile Goodman stepped in. That season, Goodwin started 45 games in LF, 27 at 3B; 20 at 1B; five at 2B; and one at SS. He also started 21 games as the leadoff hitter, 21 in the number-two hole, 40 batting third, one at cleanup; three in the number-six spot; and 12 in the seven-hole.

How important was Goodman to the BoSox, that season he finished second to the Yankees Phil Rizzuto in the MVP balloting. Notably, Goodman, who was hitting .342 at the break, did not make the AL All Star Squad. Goodman hit an even .300 in 1,623 MLB games over 16 seasons (1947-62). For more on Goodman, click here.

The Red Sox .302 average was 20 points higher than the next highest (.282 by the Tigers). Overall, the other 15 MLB teams averaged .263.
In 1950, the Red Sox average 6.67 runs per game – the fourth highest average since 1900. (Since 1900, 29 teams have averaged six runs per game or higher.)

___________________________________________________________

A total of 73 teams have hit .300 or better in a season, with “Roaring 20’s” boasting more than one-third of them. No season, however, saw more .300+ hitting teams then 1930, when nine squads reached that mark: Giants (.319); Phillies (.315); Cardinals (.314); Cubs (.309); Yankees (.309); Dodgers (.304); Indians (.304); Pirates (.303); and Senators (.302).

A total of 21 teams have scored 1,000 or more runs in a season – and six of those squads hailed from Boston. Boston, in fact. has had 1000-run teams in the Players League, American Association, National League and American League.

The 1894 Boston Beaneaters (NL) hold the record for runs scored in a season (1,220).
The Yankee hold the record for the most consecutive seasons scoring 1,000 or more runs at three (1930-32).
The most recent team to plate 1000+ runs in a season was the 1999 Cleveland Indians (1.009).

A few other offensive records:

Highest team batting average: 1894 Phillies (NL) – .350 (some sources say .349).
Highest team batting average since 1900 – 1930 Giants at .319.
Highest runs per game (at least 100-game season) 1894 Boston Beaneaters 9.17 on 132 games.

The 1871 American Association Philadelphia Athletics averaged an all-time MLB-high 13.43 runs per games in a 28-game season.

A few other high-marks

Most hits in a season – 1930 Phillies (1,783)
Most doubles in a season – 2008 Rangers (376)
Most Triples in a seasons – 1894 NL Baltimore Orioles (153)
Most home runs in a season – 2019 Twins (307)

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

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

July 28 … A Tough Day for a Couple of Hall of Famers

July 28, 2020 by David

Three was not always a lucky number for Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Brooks Robinson … at least not on July 28. That date marks two unlikely outcomes – the only time that Stan Musial struck out three times in a game and the only time Brooks Robinson made three errors in a contest. Here’s are the stories.

Stan Musial’s Three Whiffs… July 28, 1963

In his 22-season career, Stan Musial fanned only 696 times. Here I’ll do the math – that translates to once every 4.3 games or once every 18.3 plate appearances. Further, Stan the Man had only one three-strikeout game in his entire career – and that came on July 28, 1963 (Musial’s final MLB season). It was the 2,980^th regular-season game of Musial’s 3,026 game career. Further, the strikeouts came in three consecutive plate appearances (Musial’s only trips to the batter’s box in the game).

It came in the first game of a Cardinals/Cubs doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Twenty-three-year-old southpaw Dick Ellsworth (on his way to a 22-10, 2.11 season for the Cubs) fanned Musial – who started in left field, batting sixth – in the second, fourth and sixth innings. (In the bottom of the sixth Cardinals’ starting RF Charlie James moved to LF, Gary Koth came into to play RF and Musial went to the bench.) The Cubs, by the way, won 5-1 and Ellsworth pitched a complete-game, seven-hitter, with one walk and ten strikeouts.

Baseball’s Up and Downs

Southpaw Dick Ellsworth, who went 22-10, 2.11 in 1963 (when he fanned Stan Musial three times in one game) had lost twenty games the year before (9-20, 5.09). Ellsworth would go 115-137, 3.72 over 13 MLB seasons.

A little refresher on why Hall of Famer Stan Musial was “The Man.” He was an All Star in 20 seasons, a three-time Most Valuable Player and a seven-time batting champion. He finished with a .331 average (3,630 hits), 475 home runs, 1,951 RBI and 1,949 runs scored. Stan Musial stuck out just four times in 23 post-season (all World Series) games – in 99 plate appearances. He also led the NL in hits six times, doubles eight times and triples five times.

So-o-o Close

In 1948, Stan Musial – with 39 home runs – fell just one home run short of tying Johnny Mize and Ralph Kiner for the National League home run crown (despite his 475 long balls Musial never led his league in homers). He lost one homer to a rain out that season. Without that rain out, Musial would have had an offensive sweep, leading the National League in average (.376), hits (230), doubles (46), triples (18), homers, runs scored (135), RBI (131), on-base percentage (.450), slugging percentage (.702), and total bases (429). Oh, and he struck out just 34 times in 698 plate appearances.

___________________________________________________

Brooks Robinson’s Three Boots … July 28, 1971

Sixteen-time Gold Glover Brooks Robinson made just 263 errors in his 23 MLB seasons (2,896 regular-season games). Again, I’ll do the math. That’s one error each 11 games. (It’s also one error every 34.8 chances – .971 fielding percentage). However, on July 28, 1971 (eight years, to-the-date, after Stan Musial’s only three-strikeout game), Robinson had the only three-error game of his career. Even more surprising, all three errors came in the same inning (on two of only three balls handled by Robinson in the game).

It all came down with the A’s batting against Robinson’s Orioles in the top of the fifth inning of a scoreless game.

It started out harmlessly enough, with Orioles’ starter Mike Cueller getting the first two A’s batters (the number seven and eight hitters). Cueller then walked A’s pitcher Blue Moon Odom. Speedy SS CF Bert Campaneris bunted for a base hit, but (attempting to make the play) Robinson threw the ball past first baseman Boog Powell for an error that let Odom go to third and Campaneris to second. Next up was CF George Hendricks, who grounded to third. Robinson booted the grounder (error number two) and then threw wildly to first (error number three). Odom and Campaneris both scored and Hendrick ended up on second base. Cueller then RF fanned Reggie Jackson to end the inning.

The score stayed 2-0 until the bottom of the ninth when Frank Robinson bailed out Brooks by rapping a three-run, walk-off home run off A’s closer Rollie Fingers.

Brooks Robinson was a 16-time Gold Glover, the 1964 AL Most Valuable Player and an All Star in 15 seasons. He finished with a .267-268-1,357 career stat line. He is the all-time leader at third base in games played, putouts, assists and double plays. He led AL third sackers in fielding percentage 11 times, putouts four times, assists nine times and double plays four times. In 39 post-season games, Robinson made four errors in 145 chances (.972 fielding percentage).

Triple Plays – Two Sides of the Coin

Brooks Robinson’s renowned glove was involved in three triple plays during his career. His bat was, however, part of our triple killings. Robinson holds the MLB record for hitting into triple plays at four.

Primary Resources … Baseball-reference.com; Stathead.com; NationalPastime.com

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

From Both Sides Now – Going Yard from Both Sides in a Single Game

July 26, 2020 by David

Photo by rchdj10

Yesterday (July 25, 2020), Chicago White Sox’ 2B Leury Garcia went deep twice against the Twins, as the White bounced Minnesota 10-3, behind a five-home barrage. Garcia – batting in the nine-hole – went three-for-four in the game, with two runs scored and four RBI. Side note: It’s nice to write about something that happened this season for a change.

What made Garcia’s game a bit special in BBRT’s view is that the switch hitter homered from both sides of the plate. He hit a solo shot left-handed to lead off the fifth (off Zack Littell) and added a three-run home run – right-handed – with two outs in the seventh off Devin Smeltzer. It was only the second two-homer game for Garcia (in his eighth MLB season), who has a .257-25-123 stat line in 464 MLB games.

Now, homering from both sides of the plate is not as rare an occurrence as you might think. It’s been done in the regular season a total of 341 times, and by 118 different different players. Still, it a feat the deserve recognition. And, now, here are a few more “From Both Sides Now” tidbits:

The first player to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game was Wally Schange of the Philadelphia Athletics on September 8, 1916.
The career regular-season record for homering from both sides of the plate in the same game is 14 – shared by Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher. Leaders among players homering from both side of the plate in the same game:

____________________________________________________________________

In 2019, two Diamondbacks homered from both sides of the plate in three games each: Ketel Marte (April 5, April 24, May 3) and Eduardo Escobar (June 10, July 17 and August 3.

_________________________________________________________________________

Players to Homer from Both Sides of the Plate in Ten or More Games

Mark Teixeira – 14 times

Nick Swisher – 14

Carlos Beltran – 12

Chili Davis – 11

Eddie Murray – 11

Tony Clark- 10

Ken Caminiti – 10

Mickey Mantle – 10

Only three players have hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the same inning: Carlos Baerga, Indians (April 9, 1993); Mark Bellhorn, Cubs (August 29, 2002); Kendrys Morales, Angels (July 30, 2012).
In 1996, the Padres’ Ken Caminiti hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same game a record four times in a single season – three times in the month of August alone. Note: Caminiti also achieved the feat three times in a single month in September of 1995.

_____________________________________________________________

No team has had more instances of a player hitting long balls from both sides of the plate in a game than the Yankees – 56 times. Here are the perpetrators:

Mickey Mantle (10 time)

Mark Teixeira (9)

Bernie Williams (8)

Jorge Posada (8)

Roy White (5)

Nick Swisher (5)

Tom Tresh (3)

Aaron Hicks (2)

Roy Smalley

Ruben Sierra

Tony Clark

Melky Cabrera

Carlos Beltran

Neil Walker

_____________________________________________________________________

BIG BOMBS IN THE BIG APPLE

From 1955-1965, a game in which a player homered from both sides of the plate occurred in the AL 14 times, with 13 of those being Yankees (Mickey Mantle 10, Tom Tresh 3).

The only non-Yankee to achieve the feat in the AL during that time span was the Red Sox’ Pumpsie Green (August 15, 1961). Green hit a total of just 13 home runs in his five-season MLB career. BBRT Note: Green achieved historic significance as the first African-American player for the Boston Red Sox – the last MLB team to break the color line (1959). In the 1955-65 time span, there were only three NL games which saw a player homer from both sides of the plate – two by the Cubs’ Ellis Burton, one by the Dodgers’ Maury Wills.

Carlos Beltran and Nick Swisher share the record for hitting a home run from both side sof the plate in a single game for the most teams at five: Beltran – Mets, Cardinals, Royals, Astros, Yankees; Swisher – A’s, Yankees, White Sox, Indians, Braves.

Only three players have homered from both sides of the plate in a post-season game.

Bernie Williams, Yankees       ALDS Game Three (October 6, 1995

Bernie Williams, Yankees       ALDS Game Four (October 5, 1996)

Chipper Jones, Braves             NLDS Game Four (October 4, 2003)

Milton Bradley, A’s                ALCS Game Two (October 10, 2006)

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

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Some Less Than Significant Observations from Opening Days 2019 & 2010

July 25, 2020 by David

As the 2020 MLB season opened, I wondered what impact the strange start to this campaign might have on the players and the game – if any. What would the difference be between a July 23 start, with a brief Summer (Spring) Training and the usual March start with a traditional Spring Training (using last season).

Now, I know this is a small sample and pretty meaningless – so I consider this post to be observation, rather than analysis. Basically, I used “all the games played until all the teams had played a game.” For 2019, that was 17 games (The two Mariners/A’s games in Tokyo on March 20 and 21 and the full slate on March 28). For 2020, it was 16 games (Yankees/Nationals and Giants/Dodgers on July 23 and the remaining teams – plus a second Giants/Dodgers game – on July 24),

So, what did I observe? As the chart shows most of the stats were pretty similar (again in a small sample size). There were 7.5 runs per game in 2019’s first 16 games compared to 7.6 RPG in 2020’s first 16 contests. The earned run averages in the span were 3.68 for 2019 and 3.62 for 2020. In both samples, pitchers had the upper hand – which you would expect, on Opening Day you get the “aces” – although average-wise, hitters fared a bit better in 2020 (.219 to .208 in 2019).

The major difference was in home runs. The 2019 sample showing 3.2 long balls per game, versus 1.9 in 2020. The raw number on dingers are even more surprising – 55 homers in 2019’s first 17 games, just 30 in 2020’s first sixteen. Lots of possibilities here – adjustments to the baseball, how a ball travels in an empty ballpark, hitters timing due to short preparations. Ironically, there were actually more games with zero home runs in the 2019 sample (seven) than in the 2020 sample (three). Why? In the 2020 “Opener Sample,” the most home runs in any game was three. The 2020 sample had eight games with more than three (one with ten, one with six, three with five and three with four).

Here are a few more statistical observations.

The fist seventeen games in 2019 saw five shutouts, the first sixteen in 2020 saw four shutouts.
The 2019 sample had four teams scoring ten or more runs in a game, 2020’s sample just two.
In 2019’s first seventeen games, both teams played error-free ball in seven contests, versus six such games in 2010’s first 16 match ups.

Ultimately, no conclusions to be drawn. Just thought I share a few numbers with my fellow stats freaks. (By the way, I am into both stats and stories.)

For a poetic look at Opening Day, click here. For some Opening Day records, click here.

Primary resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Stathead.com.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Harmon Killebrew’s Much-Anticipated and Long-Awaited 500th Circuit Clout

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Who Says Pitchers Can’t Hit? Don’t Ask This “Guy.” Or These Other Guys.

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Jaime Garcia … “A Travelin’ Man”

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Nolan Ryan Didn’t Do It – But Tyler Alexander Did … A Look at Strikeout Streaks

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Baseball Roundtable July 2020 Wrap UP … From Bieber to Bard and More

Now a few individual highlights.

The Individual July Stats Leaders

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Bieber’s 27 (2020) Strikeouts Special … Spooner’s 27 (1954) Whiffs Even More So

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Last Team to Hit .300 – Boston Red Sox 70 Seasons Ago

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July 28 … A Tough Day for a Couple of Hall of Famers

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From Both Sides Now – Going Yard from Both Sides in a Single Game

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Some Less Than Significant Observations from Opening Days 2019 & 2010

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