Texas Rangers’ first baseman Ronald Guzman faced Astros ‘right-hander Justin Verlander for the first time on April 15, 2018 and struck out three times in three at bats – on a total of ten pitches). He next stepped into the batter’s box against  Verlander on May 11 and fanned twice more in two at bats – on a total of nine pitchers.  So, in his first two games against Verlander, Guzman was 0-for-five, with five whiffs on 19 pitchers.  Ouch!  Through the 2019 season, Guzman is o-for-17 against Verlander, with 12 strikeouts.

On the other side of the coin, Yunel Escobar (SS …. Braves. Blue Jays, Rays, Nationals, Angels) faced Verlander 18 times between 2010 and 2013 and never struck out against him (the most plate appearances for any MLB hitter who never fanned against Verlander).  Escobar, however, hit only .200 against the power-pitching righty. For BBRT’s money, the most impressive batter for making contact versus Verlander might be White Sox SS Alex Cintron, who faced Verlander 14 times and never fanned, while collecting six hits (.429 average).

Those of you who read Baseball Roundtable regularly are familiar with the “Who’s Your Daddy?” series – presenting lineup that could be expected to perform unexpectedly well against some of baseball’s best pitchers. In the past, BBRT has featured such pitchers as Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson and Pedro Martinez.  (An explanation of the inspiration behind the “Who’s Your Daddy?” series can be found the end of this post.) Some readers have asked that BBRT include some current pitchers in the series, so this post will focus on 2019 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.  As always, I would stress that the pitchers included in the “Who’s Your Daddy?” series are among the “best in the business.” They are selected not because of the players who performed well against them, but rather because solid hitter performance when they were on the mound was the exception rather than the rule.

Note:  The stats in this post do not include the 2020 season. They will be updated. 

Before we get started on Justin Verlander, here are links to the previous editions of this series:

• Nolan Ryan, click here.
• Sandy Koufax, click here. 
• Pedro Martinez, click here.
• Bob Gibson, click here. 
• Randy Johnson, click here. 
• Greg Maddux, click here. 

Among those planned for the future are Bob Feller, Roger Clemens and Max Scherzer.

NOTE: STATS IN THIS POST AS OF MAY 25, 2020. 

Why Justin Verlander is Part of This Series

Photo by GabboT

Justin Verlander has pitched, through 2019, in fifteen major-league seasons (Tigers, Astros). He is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and one of only ten pitchers to win the Cy Young and MVP Awards in the same season (2011, Tigers). The eight-time All Star has a career record of 225-129, 3.33, with 3,006 strikeouts (only 850 walks) in 2,982 innings pitched.  He has led the AL in wins three times, strikeouts five times, ERA once, winning percentage twice, complete games once, games started five times, innings pitched four times and shutouts once. He also has three no-hitters on his resume.  He has topped 200 strikeouts in nine seasons, reached 300 whiffs in 2019 and has won 15 or more games ten seasons (topping twenty wins twice). Verlander, MVP of the 2017 America League Championship Series, also has 14-11, 3.40 post-season record (31 appearances), with 205 strikeouts in 187 2/3 innings.  A future Hall of Famer. Verlander has earned a spot in the “Who’s Your Daddy?” series.

My God, that guy (Justin Verlander) is throwing 100 miles an hour in the sixth inning. 

                                                                         Hall of Famer Chipper Jones

Now, let’s take a look at the BBRT Justin Verlander “Who’s Your Daddy?’ lineup.  First, some statistical leaders. Then the position-by-position lineup.  All of these stats and selections are based on regular season performance. Note: As you look at the statistics for the players in this lineup, keep in mind that Verlander has held hitters to a .228 average over his career.

Now, that lineup.

Catcher – Salvador Perez …  .413 average, 26 hits, 16 RBI

Salvador Perez’ 26 career regular-season hits tie for the second-most safeties off the two-time Cy Young Award winner – and his 16 RBI tie for the most off Verlander. Perez has hit .375 or better against Verlander in four of the six seasons in which he faced him – with a high of .667 (six-for-nine in 2015.) Perez’ 26 hits and 16 RBI against Verlander are his regular-season career highs versus any pitcher.

Perez has eight MLB seasons under his belt (2011-18 … missing 2019 after Tommy John surgery), all with the Royals. He is a six-time All Star and five-time Gold Glover behind the plate.  He has a .266 career average, with 141 home runs, 543 RBI and 381 runs scored in 942 games. He was also the MVP of the 2015 World Series.

Kind of a (Mad) Bummer

Madison Bumgarner has given up only one run in 36 World Series innings (five appearances).  That tally came off a Salvador Perez home run in Game One of the 2014 WS.

Honorable Mention at catcher goes to Twins’ catcher Joe Mauer, who tied Perez with 26 career regular-season hits off Verlander (second-most), but took 19 more at bats to do it.  Mauer finished .317-4-11 versus Verlander, with 15 walks and 14 strikeouts.  (Mauer’s on-base percentage versus Verlander is .423, Perez’ .418.)

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First Base – Billy Butler … For his body of work & Jose Abreu for his power

First base was a tough choice, coming down to Billy Butler or Bobby Abreu. After much deliberation, BBRT is calling this one a tie. Let’s look at Butler first.  The Royals’ first-sacker has the most career regular-season hits against Verlander (35); the most career RBI (tied with Salvador Perez at 16); the third-most doubles (tied with Joe Mauer (6); and – what really caught BBRT’s eye – a .402 career average against him. Butler’s best season against Verlander was 2013, when he collected nine hits (.600 average) in six games off the righty.

Then there is Abreu, whose six regular-season home runs are the third-most against Verlander.  He can also boast a .364 average (16-for 44) and eight of his sixteen safeties have been for extra bases (.818 slugging percentage.) He probably should have this spot to himself, but Butler’s .400+ average was one of those “shiny objects” I couldn’t resist.  Now, I’m not much for a DH; but if I were to include one in this lineup (Verlander is a career American Leaguer), it would be Abreu.

Bookends

Jose Abreu’s first at bat against Justin Verlander came on April 22, 2014 – and he delivered a home run to deep center.  His most recent at bat against Verlander came on May 21, 2019 – and he delivered a home run to deep center.   The first dinger provided one of just two runs Verlander gave up in seven innings of an 8-6 Tigers’ win over the White Sox; while the latter was the only run (and only hit) that Verlander surrendered in eight frames of a 5-1 Astros’ win over the ChiSox.

Billy Butler played 10 MLB seasons (2007-16 … Royals, A’s and Yankees) and hit .290 (1,479 hits), with 147 home runs and 728 RBI.  He was an All Star in 2012, when he went .313-29-107.

Abreu was the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year (.316-37-107) and is a three-time All Star. In his six MLB seasons (2014-19 … all with the White Sox), he has driven in 100 or more runs five times and hit 30 or more home runs four times.  His career stat line through 2019 is .293-179-611.

Jose Abreu defected from Cuba in 2013, after ten Cuban League seasons in which he hit .341-178-583 (640 games).

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Second Base – Jose Altuve … .500+ average

Jose Altuve hit .563 (9-f0r-16) against Verlander before the two became teammates. In his six game against Verlander, Altuve was never held hitless, scored four runs and even stole home once. Admittedly, a small sample size, but you can’t ignore that .563 average.

In his nine MLB seasons to date (2011-19, Astros), Altuve is a six-time All Star, 2017 American League MVP, a three-time batting champion, four-time league leader in hits, two -time leader in stolen bases and one-time Gold Glover.  He has topped 200 hits in a season four times (from 2014 through 2017, he collected 845 safeties) and stole 30 or more bases in six seasons (a high of 56 in 2014).  His career stat line though 2019 is .315-128-538, with 754 runs scored and 254 stolen bases.

Honorable mention at second base goes to Asdrubal Cabrera, whose 21 regular-season hits tie for the sixth most against Verlander and, while he has hit only .276 against him, Cabrera has launched three three long balls and driven in 11 runs off Verlander.  He might have been the choice at second base if it were not for his 30 strikeouts in 30 regular season games against Verlander – the third-most of any batter.

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Third Base – Lonnie Chisenhall … .340 average, with three home runs

Lonnie Chisenhall is one of only 13 players who have reached double-digit RBI versus Verlander. He reached that figure in 50 plate appearances, despite not picking up his first RBI against Verlander until his 16^th plate appearance against him (seventh game). Chisenhall started nine games against Verlander at third base, six in right field, two in center field and one at DH. His three regular-season home runs and ten RBI against Verlander are the most Chisenhall had against any pitcher.

Chisenhall played in eight MLB seasons (2011-18 … all with Cleveland). He was a .268 career hitter, with 64 home runs and 296 RBI (688 games). During his MLB career, he started 319 games at third base, 196 in RF, 25 at DH, 20 in CF, eight in LF and five at 1B. His best season was 2014, when he hit .280-13-59 in 142 games.

A Tough Day for Verlander

Chisenhall’s best day against Justin Verlander was June 26, 2016, when he came up against him three times in five innings of a Indians’ 9-3 win over the Tigers. Chisenhall singled in the second inning, had an RBI single in the fourth; and hit a two-run homer in the fifth (which knocked Verlander out of the game). Chisenhall’s fifth inning home run was one of four homers against Verlander that inning (Juan Uribe, Tyler Naquin, Mike Napoli and Chisenhall). In 453 starts, Verlander has had only three four-homer games … and this is the only time he gave up four long balls in an inning.

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Shortstop – Jose Ramirez … Good power in the middle infield

The Indians’ Jose Ramirez had a heck of a year against Verlander in 2017. In four games, he went 5-for-8 (.625, with two home runs, four RBI, three walks (.727 on-base percentage) and no strikeouts. Ramirez, as you can see below, has solid career numbers versus Verlander. Those numbers would be even more impressive if it weren’t for the one 2019 game in which Ramirez faced Verlander. Verlander was apparently “on” that day, pitching seven two-hit, shutout innings (fanning 13), as the Astros topped the Indians 2-0. Ramirez faced Verlander three times that day and fanned three times, on a total of 12 pitches.

Ramirez has played seven MLB seasons (through 2019), all with the Indians. He has a career average of .280, with 110 home runs, 391 RBI, 451 runs scored and 117 stolen bases. He has been an All Star twice and led the American League in doubles with 56 in 2017 (tied for the fourteenth most doubles in any MLB campaign). In both 2017 and 2019, Ramirez finished third in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.  Note:  Although Ramirez qualified as the Who’s Your Daddy shortstop, he has started 452 MLB games at 3B, 119 at 2B, 100 at SS, 49 in LF and seven at DH.

A couple of Jose Ramirez trivia tidbits …

•  In 2016, Ramirez batted in every spot in the Indians’ lineup – and played four different positions (2B, 3B, SS, LF); and
• On September 3, 2017, Jose Ramirez tied an MLB record with five extra base hits in a game (three doubles and two home runs) –  as Cleveland topped Detroit 11-1.

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Outfield – Denard Span … .412 average

Denard Span put up a .412 average (19-for-46) against Verlander in 14 games, although he did not get an auspicious start against him. In his first at bat against Verlander – July 13, 2008 – Span fanned on three pitches. In his last two games against Verlander (July 31, 2013 with the Nationals and August 9, 2018 with the Mariners), Span collected two singles, a triple, a home run and a walk in five plate appearances. 

Span played 11 MLB seasons (2008-18 … Twins, Nationals, Giants, Rays, Mariners). He hit .281 (1,498 hits in 1,359 games), with 71 home runs 490 RBI, 773 runs scored and 185 steals. He led the AL and NL in triples once each and hit double-digit triples in three seasons. He also led the NL in hits (184) in 2014, with the Nationals.

Pass the Oxygen, Please …

On June 29, 2010, Span tied the modern-era MLB record by rapping and running out three triples in one game (an 11-4 Twins win over the Tigers). In that game, Span collected three triples, a single and a walk in five plate appearances; scored twice; and drove in five runs.

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Outfield – Alex Rios … .857 average against Verlander in 2013

Alex Rios hit .347 against Justin Verlander (17-for-49) in 17 games.  He was particularly tough on Verlander in 2013, when he faced him seven times in two games and collected five singles and a triple.

Alex Rios played 12 MLB seasons (2004-15 …. Blue Jays, White Sox, Rangers Royals). He hit .277 (1,778 hits) in 1,691 games, with 169 home runs, 794 RBI, 885 runs scored and 253 stolen basses.  He was a two-time all Star.

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Outfield – Matthew Joyce … Slow start, strong finish

Matthew Joyce saw his first action versus Verlander on July 27, 2010 – and struck out swinging in his first two at bats (first and fourth innings). He then added a tie-breaking RBI double in the sixth that proved to be the winning hit in a 3-2 Rays’ victory over Verlander and the Tigers.  He did pretty well after those first two whiffs. In his 20 regular-season plate appearances versus Verlander since that time, Joyce has gotten on base ten times – four singles, two doubles, two home runs, two walks and one safe on an error.

Matthew Joyce has played 12 MLB seasons (2008-19 …. Rays, A’s, Angels, Pirates, Braves, Tigers). He has a .243 career average in 1,311 games, with 145 home runs and 482 RBI. Joyce was an All Star in 2011 (Rays), when he hit .277, with 19 long balls and 75 RBI.

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Pitcher – Julio Teheran … For the Win

Spending his career (to this point) in the American League, with its DH, there have not been very many pitcher’s regular-season at bats versus Justin Verlander. So, this spot goes to the Braves’ Julio Teheran, who faced Verlander just twice, but produced a pair of singles. They came on October 2, 2016 versus Detroit. It was the final day of the 2016 season – and a nice finish for Teheran.  The Braves won 1-0, and Teheran picked up the victory after going seven shutout innings (three hits, one walk, 12 strikeouts) – plus, of course, the two hits off Verlander.

Teheran has pitched in nine MLB seasons (2011-19 … Braves) and put up a 77-73, 3.67 record. He is a two-time All Star and twice won 14 games in a season.  As a hitter, Teheran has 56 hits in 383 at bats (.147 average). In December of last year, he signed (as a free agent) with the Angels.

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Final honorable Mention:  Carlos Santana, with his eight regular-season home runs against Verlander (the most of any hitter to date) deserves a mention here. Santana’s 14 RBI are also the third-most against Verlander – and 13 of his 18 hits against him have gone for extra bases. Santana’s .231 average against Verlander (18-for-78) is what kept him out of this lineup. (Admittedly, I have a batting average/on-base percentage bias.) Santana has started 12 games against Verlander at 1B, nine at DH, eight at Catcher and one at 3B.

Who’s Your Daddy?  What It’s All About.

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

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

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

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

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Hall of Famer James Francis “Pud” Galvin racked up a total of ten (consecutive) seasons with 20 or more losses (1879-1888) during his 15-season MLB career.  However, it was a different game back then. In nine of those seasons, Galvin also won 20 or more games and in eight of them he actually won more games than he lost.  In 1884, Galvin, pitching for the National League Buffalo Bisons, won 24 games more than he lost – going 46-22, 1.99 in 72 starts (71 complete games and a league-topping 12 shutouts.)  In games the stocky 5’8”, 190-pound righty didn’t start on the mound that season, Buffalo went 18-25.

During his ten-year streak of 20-loss seasons, Galvin went 301-253, with a 2.71 ERA and 535 complete games (50 shutouts) in 562 starts. Galvin is said to have featured great control of an excellent fastball; a serviceable off-speed pitch; a deceptive pick-off move; and exceptional fielding skills.  Galvin finished his career with 365 wins (fifth all time), versus 310 losses (second all time), with a 2.85 earned run average. He ranks in MLB’s top ten in innings pitched (6,003 2/3 – second); games started (666 – tenth); and complete games (646 – second).

In MLB history, there have been a total of 499 seasons of 20 or more losses, accomplished (if that is the right word) by 231 different pitchers.  Notably, 291 of those 499 seasons (58.3 percent) occurred before 1900 and since (and including) 1980, there have been only two 20-loss campaigns (A’s Brian Kingman, 1980 and Tigers’ Mike Maroth, 2003).

Here are a few more bits of 20-loss trivia.

• The 1884 season saw the most 20-loss campaigns, as 25 pitchers reached or exceeded twenty defeats. (The 1884 season featured 33 “major league” teams … National League, Union Association and American Association.)
• The most wins in a 20-loss season belong to Hall of Famer Guy Hecker, who went 52-20, 1.80 for the 1884 Louisville Eclipse of the American Association. (The Eclipse went 68-40 that season.) Hecker led the league in wins, earned run average, games (73), starts (73), complete games (72), innings pitched (670 2/3) and strikeouts (385). Hecker finished his nine-season MLB career at 175-46, 2.93, with a .282 batting average (he pitched in 336 games, played first base in 322 and outfield in 75).

On the Mound and at the Plate

Guy Hecker won the American Association ERA title in 1884 (1.80) and the league’s batting title in 1886 (.341).

• The fewest wins in a season with 20 or more losses is one, shared by: John Cassidy (1-21, 3.03 for the Brooklyn Atlantics (National Association) in 1875; and Jack Nabors (1-20, 3.47 for the American League Philadelphia Athletics in 1916). Cassidy pitched in 30 games as a rookie in 1875 and only took the mound twice more in his 11-season MLB career (1875-1885). He hit .246, primarily as an outfielder. Nabors pitched in just three MLB seasons, with 40 of his 52 appearance in 1916.
• In 107 of MLB’s 499 20-loss seasons, the pitcher put up a winning percentage of .500 or better, with Guy Hecker’s .722 (52-20) being the highest ever.

Baseball Roundtable’s 20-20 Guy

Since 1900, only one pitcher has TWICE put up a season of twenty losses immediately after a season of twenty wins.  That would be the White Sox’ Wilbur Wood, who accomplished the feat between 1972 and 1975.

Wood – a southpaw knuckleball pitcher – started his MLB career primarily as a reliever,  just 21 starts in 365 appearances between 1961 and 1970. He was converted to a starter by the White Sox in 1971 and won 20 or more games in each of the next four season.  He played in 17 MLB seasons, going 164-156, 3.13, with 57 saves. He made a total of 651 appearances (297 starts).  Wood was a three-time All Star and led his league in wins twice (losses once), games pitched three times, games started four times, and innings pitched twice.

Side note:  Wood was primarily a fastball-curve pitcher in his early years (going 24-2 as a high-schooler and showing some success in the minor leagues (in 1962, he was 15-11, 2.84 at Single-A); but his stuff didn’t play at the major-league level. That is, not until 1966, when Hall of Fame knuckler Hoyt Wilhelm began working with him on a knuckleball that Wood occasionally used as a trick pitch. 

• The most recent 20-loss season was “achieved” by the Tigers’ Mike Maroth, who went 9-21, 5.73 in 2003. Maroth, a 6’, 180-lb. southpaw, went 50-67, 5.05 in six MLB seasons. Of note is the fact that Maroth was actually the Tigers’ Opening Day starter (a 3-1 loss to the Twins in Detroit) and his nine wins led the Detroit ball club (no other pitcher won more than six games for the Tigers, who  finished 43-119 and 47 games off the pace.)
• Pitchers have reached 20 ore more wins AND 20 or more losses in the same seasons 52 times.

Both Ends Now

The most recent pitcher to notch 20 or more wins AND 20 or more losses in the same season IS Braves’ Hall of Famer knuckleball specialist Phil Niekro, who went 21-20 in 1979, leading the NL in both wins and losses. (He tied his brother Joe in the wins category). Niekro, notably, led the NL in losses for four straight seasons (1977-80). Niekro pitched in 24 MLB seasons (1964-87), going 318-274, 3.35. He was a four-time All Star and led his league in wins twice, winning percentage once, earned run average once, complete games four times and innings pitched four times. He also earned five Gold Gloves.

• The most 20-loss seasons by a pitcher since 1900 is three – ten pitches share that mark.
• The lowest ERA for a pitcher with 20 or more losses in a season is 1.27, by the White Sox’ Ed Walsh in 1910 (18 wins and 20 losses). The league ERA was 2.52 that season.
• The highest earned run average for a pitcher in a 20-loss season is 6.43 for Les German (2-20 for the 1891 Giants and Senators). The league ERA was 4.36.

Leading the League … In A Way

Only three players have led their league in losses four times in a career, Phil Niekro, Bobo Newsom and Pedro Ramos. Ramos and Niekro accomplished the dubious feat in consecutive seasons: Ramos… 1958-61; and Niekro … 1977-80.

• The name game.  Some pitchers (whose names stuck out for me) with 20-loss seasons under their belts: Steve Carlton; Walter Johnson; Jerry Koosman; Mickey Lolich; Don Larsen; Rube Marquard; Joe McGinnity; Denny McLain; Old Hoss Radbourn; Eppa Rixey; Robin Roberts; Red Ruffing; Amos Rusie; Mel Stottlemyre; Luis Tiant; Cy Young.
• Nicknames. Ah, those were the days.  Here are some 20-game losers with nicknames that grabbed me (these are nicknames bestowed upon them by their peers, not selected on their own – as we now see on Players’ Weekend): Ice Box Chamberlain; Egyptian Healy; Phenomenal Smith; Tricky Nichols; The Only Nolan; Brickyard Kennedy; Bullet Joe Bush; Boom-Boom Beck; Pretzels Getzien; Cherokee Fisher; Pink Hawley; Sad Sam Jones; Bobo Newsom.

To wrap this up, let’s look at pitchers, since 1900, who have either followed up a 20-win season with 20 losses in the next campaign, or followed a 20-loss season immediately with a 20-win season.

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

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This week (on May 6, 2020), the Baseball Reliquary announced the 2020 electees to its Shrine of the Eternals; the Reliquary’s fan-centric equivalent to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  It was the twenty-second “Shrine” class (the Baseball Reliquary members annually elect three new members to the Shrine of the Eternals).

The 2020 honorees include “the father of Black baseball” – Rube Foster; one of the game’s preeminent broadcasters – Bob Costas; and “The Clown Prince of Baseball” – Max Patkin. (Each year, Reliquary members and vote for up to nine candidates among 50 nominees, with the top three vote-getters earning election.

For those not familiar with the Baseball Reliquary or its Shrine of the Eternals, honorees are selected on the basis of their contributions to the national pastime both on and off the field.  Criteria for election are: “the distinctiveness of play (good or bad); the uniqueness of character and personality; and the imprint that the individual has made on the baseball landscape.  Electees, both on and off the diamond, shall have been responsible for developing baseball in one or more of the following ways; through athletic and/or business achievements; in terms of its larger cultural and sociological impact as a mass entertainment; and as an arena for human imagination.  Past Honorees include such varied “characters” as a man in chicken suit; a member of MLB’s 3,000 hit club; a cartoon character who accumulated more than 1,000 mound losses; a noted surgeon; a renowned statistician; softball’s mound “king;” and a pitcher who threw a no-hitter while on LSD.  (A full list of past honorees is included at the end of this post.)

For more on the Baseball Reliquary – its collections and exhibits, ties to the Institute for Baseball Studies and the Shrine of the Eternals, click here.  That link will also take you to a look at Baseball Roundtable’s 2020 Shrine Ballot.

Here are the photos and bios, provided by the Baseball Reliquary, of this year Electees.

Rube Foster

Elected to the Shrine of the Eternals in his 22nd year on the ballot, ANDREW “RUBE” FOSTER (1879-1930) was a dominant southpaw pitcher who peaked during the early years of the 20th century. With the Philadelphia Cuban X-Giants in 1902, Foster reeled off 44 consecutive wins and, in the following year, pitched that team to victory over the Philadelphia Giants for “the Colored Championship of the World.” He picked up his nickname when he beat Philadelphia Athletics southpaw Rube Waddell in a 1902 exhibition game.

In 1911, he partnered with the son-in-law of Charlie Comiskey, owner of the White Sox, to found the Chicago American (or Black) Giants. Under Foster’s expert guidance, the Giants crushed opponents, winning every black championship for a decade. After establishing the team as the greatest sporting institution that Black America had ever seen, Foster set his sights higher. During the 1919-1920 off-season, he founded the Negro National League in Kansas City – the first successful, organized black professional baseball league. While still acting as manager of the Giants, Rube took on the additional roles of league president and treasurer, leading the circuit to dizzying heights of success.

The weight of these responsibilities caught up with him in 1926, when he suffered a nervous breakdown. The “Father of Black Baseball” never recovered, dying prematurely in 1930.

The pitcher-turned-entrepreneur, Rube Foster is elected to the Shrine of the Eternals in the same year that he is being honored during the centennial celebration of his greatest achievement, the founding of the Negro National League. “What Rube Foster accomplished in establishing the Negro Leagues against the backdrop of American segregation is monumental and richly deserves to be more than just a footnote in baseball history,” Bob Kendrick, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president, said. “The Negro Leagues would change the game and America too. This milestone anniversary creates a platform to educate the public about this powerful story of triumph over adversity while using the many relevant life-lessons to inspire a nation to embrace diversity and inclusion.”

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Max Patkin

Elected to the Shrine of the Eternals in his first year on the ballot, MAX PATKIN (1920-1999) easily holds the all-time record for playing at the most ballparks in baseball history. The “Clown Prince of Baseball “(the second of that name, technically, after Al Schacht), comic Max Patkin played to adoring crowds in parks and stadia from Key West to Kenosha to Kingman to Keokuk and all points between, around, and beyond for decades.

Entertaining tens of thousands of fans and players with over-sized theatrics and uncanny pantomime skills, Patkin was a traveling one-man cottage industry; moving from one minor-league town to another and sometimes squeezing in an appearance at a major-league park, his annual visits were eagerly anticipated.

After an arm injury ended his minor -league career, Patkin joined the Navy during World War II. While stationed in Hawaii, he pitched for a service team against Joe DiMaggio, who quickly homered off him. When Patkin threw down his glove in feigned anger and began to follow the Yankee Clipper around the bases, imitating his movements, the fans howled and, according to the prevailing origin story, a career was born.

After the war, he was hired as a coach by Bill Veeck of the Indians, but after Veeck sold the team in 1949, Patkin struck out on his own to barnstorm around the country. He would appear more than four-thousand times (his estimate) in ballparks big and tiny, dressed in an over-sized uniform with “?” stitched on back, cap askew, contorting his body and face into hundreds of extreme poses and goofy expressions. Patkin stated proudly that in 50 years (1944-1993), he never once missed a performance. While some found his comedy corny, and contemporaries would now most likely find it hopelessly outmoded – a throwback to big-gesture vaudeville performance practices – Patkin nonetheless endeared himself to fans and players everywhere. In 1988, he attained the zenith of his fame when he was named “King of Baseball” at that year’s annual Winter Meetings, and also appeared in Ron Shelton’s Bull Durham, in which he played himself, this time before millions. If baseball fans in America could adore a funny-looking Jewish son of Russian immigrants and former ballplayer-turned-clown, then there’s hope for this country yet.

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Bob Costas

Elected to the Shrine of the Eternals in his seventh year on the ballot, BOB COSTAS (born 1952), a native of Queens, New York, has been a near-ubiquitous presence in American sports television since his days as a cub reporter at KMOX in St. Louis during the seventies, when he looked all of fourteen-years-old by some reports. But his cuddly demeanor shouldn’t fool you. Costas is among the sharpest, most articulate, gracious, knowledgeable, good-natured, and devastatingly perceptive sports analysts on the air. He is capable of discussing all sports with the air of an expert, but he is often among the first to humble himself by admitting an error or misperception. Costas is at home in the broadcast booth, any broadcast booth – it doesn’t matter if he’s covering the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, the Kentucky Derby, the Olympics (he hosted eleven of ‘em from 1992 to 2016), golf tournaments, or any one of several talk shows. But he is at his happiest and most comfortable when he is talking, broadcasting, or debating baseball.

This eternal kid grew up idolizing Mickey Mantle, the Eternal Kid. The game is in his bones. When he broadcasts a ballgame, his style is informative, but not intrusive; his profound understanding and insights elicit silent smiles of delight, not groans of dismay at the retelling of old war stories; he’s forthright enough to question with vigor conventional wisdom, and smart enough to know when he’s pushed a point too far. Listening to his play-by-play accounts on NBC (for whom he worked from 1979 through 2018) or MLB-TV, you often sense that you’re watching the game while seated beside your smarter kid brother or your favorite uncle. He has been particularly vocal in the recent debate concerning PEDs, holding all parties involved – players, management, the union, the commissioner’s office, the media – accountable to some degree for failure to address the problem in a meaningful and forceful manner. Even the sainted Marvin Miller, the late labor leader, a man whom Costas respected deeply, wasn’t spared the occasional barb.

As excellent an announcer as he is, Costas is an even better interviewer, a talent clearly evident on his talk show, Studio 42 with Bob Costas, broadcast on MLB-TV. Seated informally with one or two guests, and supplemented by film and video clips illustrating the topic under discussion, Costas is able to bring the best out of his subjects, even when the discussion veers into sensitive or painful memories. As viewers, we are fortunate to have a broadcast sports journalist of Costas’ intelligence and skill reporting on the games of our time. Just as the 1960s and ‘70s are remembered as the Jim McKay era in sports reporting, our time will be remembered as the Bob Costas era.

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THE SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS:  2020 VOTING PERCENTAGES

Rube Foster – 42.5%

Max Patkin – 36%

Bob Costas – 32%

Effa Manley – 29%

Mamie “Peanut” Johnson – 27%

Dusty Baker – 25%

Felipe Alou – 22%

Octavius V. Catto – 22%

Rube Waddell – 22%

Melissa Ludtke – 20.5%

Hideo Nomo – 20.5%

Annie Savoy – 20.5%

Mike Veeck – 20.5%

Ralph Branca – 20%

Charles M. Conlon – 20%

Charley Pride – 19.5%

John Young – 19.5%

Charlie Finley – 19%

Jack Kerouac – 19%

Denny McLain – 19%

Bill White – 19%

Chet Brewer – 18.5%

Dr. Mike Marshall – 18.5%

Leo Durocher – 18%

Ron LeFlore – 18%

Ernie Harwell – 17%

Janet Marie Smith – 17%

Julio Franco – 16%

Luke Easter – 15.5%

John Kruk – 15.5%

Jim Thorpe – 15%

Rocky Colavito – 14%

John Thorn – 14%

Fred Merkle – 13.5%

Masanori Murakami – 13.5%

Pete Reiser – 13.5%

Bing Russell – 13.5%

Justine Siegal – 13.5%

Chris Von der Ahe – 13.5%

Dave Parker – 12.5%

Vic Power – 12.5%

Tony Conigliaro – 11.5%

Tug McGraw – 11%

Jim Joyce – 8%

Joe Pepitone – 8%

Charley Lau – 6%

Jesse Cole – 5.5%

Cleon Jones – 5%

Jack Dunn – 2%

Bugs Raymond – 1.5%

Note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Shrine of the Eternals 2020 Induction Day has been postponed until 2021. The three electees for 2020, along with the three electees for 2021, will be formally inducted into the Shrine of the Eternals in a public ceremony on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Again, for more on The Baseball Reliquary, the Shrine of the Eternals and Baseball Roundtable’s Shrine Ballot, click here.  Also, if you are looking for some shelter-at-home reading, while we await the return of baseball, you might find the bio of many past Shrine electees interesting and entertaining – you can find them here.

Primary Resource:  The Baseball Reliquary

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST

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

While we wait for the national pastime’s return, here’s another Baseball Roundtable trivia question.

Question:  On this date (April 21) in 1961, the Minnesota Twins, having relocated from Washington D.C. to the Land of 10,000 Lakes,  played a true “home opener.” That day, they took the field, for the first-ever game  in their new digs – Metropolitan Stadium in  Bloomington, Minnesota.  They lost that contest 5-3. To get this question correct, you just have to tell me what team picked up the victory. Bonus point if you can name the winning pitcher of that contest.  Hint for both answers: The headline for this post points to “tiny bits of irony.”

Answer(s):

In a bit of irony, the Twins – who had moved from Washington D.C.  to Minnesota for the 19861 seasons, lost their first home-open to the “new” Washington Senators. 

The winning pitcher was Senators’ 27-year-old rookie Joe McClain, who had toiled six years in the minors (with a two-season interruption for military service) before getting his major-league break. McClain had been the final pick of the minor league phase of the 1960 MLB expansion draft. The new Washington Senators had taken him out of – you guessed it – the old Washington Senators (now Twins) minor-league system (in 1960, McClain played for the Triple A Charleston Senators.)

For you trivia buffs, McClain

• Was the winning pitcher in the new Washington Senators’ (now Texas Rangers) first franchise victory – a 3-2 complete game win over the Cleveland Indians on (April 14, 1961), the Senators’ second-ever game.
• Pitched the new Senators’ second-ever complete game. Dick Donovan had gone the distance in the Senators’ inaugural game (a 4-3 loss to the White Sox), so McClain missed making new Senators’ history buy once contest.
• Pitched the new Senators’ second-ever complete-game shutout, again missing history by one game. The Senators’ ‘Tom Sturdivant blanked the Red Sox 4-0 on a one-hitter on May 13. McClain shutout the BoSox (3-0) on a five-hit, complete game the very next day.

McClain led the new Senators (who went 61-100) in games started (29), shutouts (2), tied with Dick Donovan and Pete Burnside); innings pitched (212, tied with Bennie Daniels) – while gong 8-18, with a 3.86 earned run average.

McClain, by the way, faced the Twins five times that season picking up three of 1961 (and career) eight MLB victories – going 3-2, 2.84 against his “former franchise. ” He also threw one of his two 1961 (and career) shutouts versus the Twins, a 3-0 three hit victory on July 7.

More on McClain later in this post, but first a little more on that Twins ‘1961 home opener.

The Twins were down 3-0 before they ever stepped into the batter’s box in that home opening contest – thanks in part to a two-run home run by Senators’ 1B Dale Long in the top of the first inning.  The Twins got home runs in the game from Don Mincher (a two-run shot in the fourth,) and Lenny Green (a solo-shot in the eighth that tied the game at 3-3).  The Senators came back with two runs in the top of the ninth (off reliever Ray Moore) and Joe McClain earned the win with help from Dave Sisler in the ninth.

Dale Long shares the record for consecutive games with a home run at eight (tied with Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey, Jr.) Long was the first to achieve this feat. Between May 19 and May 28, 1956, he went yard in eight straight contests, hitting an even .500 (15-for-30), with eight home runs and 19 RBI.

——-A look at Joe McClain – and his painful path to the major leagues ——-

Joe McClain – a 6-foot, 183-pound righthander, was a gifted (and highly scouted) athlete – a three-sport star (baseball,  football and track & field) for Science Hill High School in Johnson City Tennessee.   He was signed by the Saint Louis Cardinals in 1953 after one year at the University of Tennessee.

He started his pro career in 1953 and was sent  “home” by the Cardinals –  going 10-2, 3.42 for his hometown Johnson City Cardinals (Class D).  He showed real promise on the mound, and his natural athleticism was reflected in his .344 batting average (63-for-183, with five home runs). That athleticism may literally have hurt McClain’s career, as he suffered an elbow injury when called on to play centerfield in a pinch.

McLain’s pro career was interrupted by military service  in 1954 and 1955,  and he returned to the Cardinals’ organization (still having problems with his elbow) in 1956.   Those arm troubles forced a change in pitching style and most likely altered the curve of his pro career.  In a 2008 interview, McClain told Tim Hayes of the Bristol Herald Courier, “I would have liked to have gone through my career with the arm I had before the injury and see where the cards fell … I went  from throwing a lot of fastballs to mainly throwing off speed pitches a lot.”

Even with the tender arm (and eventually shoulder), McClain pitched through pain, cortisone shots and other treatments to eventually make his way to the major leagues.

Between 1956 and 1969, McClain went 56-45, 3.58 in the minors (also putting up a .243 batting average). Then major league expansion created an opportunity – with the “new” Senators.

McClain got off to a great start, notching that first-ever (new) Washington franchise victory and, after his first nine major league starts, he was 5-3, 2.63 and had averaged eight innings per outing – with three complete games.  He also had a .273 batting average over those nine contests.  McClain finished the season 8-18, 3.86, with a .206 average.  He came back for the 1962 season, , but went 0-4, 9.38 in ten appearances before being sent down to Triple A.  He did not make it back to the majors and retired after the 1963 season.

Joe McCain’s major-league career may have been a too short and even a bit too painful.  Still, he made it to the major leagues – and that in itself is pretty sweet!  And remember there are those eight MLB wins, seven MLB complete games, two MLB shutouts and even 14 big league base hits (four doubles).  Sweet, indeed!

Primary Resources: Baseball-reference.com; “McClain elected to pitch with pain,” Johnson City Press, October 29, 2012, by Trey Williams; “LOCAL LEGENDS IN THE PROS: McClain made memorable major league debut,” Bristol Herald Courier, October 6, 2008, by Tim Hayes.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST

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

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

Here’s a little diversion, while we shelter at home and wait for baseball to return.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

What somewhat unique achievement do the players in the following line up share? Hint:  It was a stroke of good luck – against notable odds – to have a pitcher qualify for this squad and we’re not likely to see a Designated Hitter join the lineup any time soon.

P -Hal Newh0user … 1B – Jimmie Foxx … 2B – Joe Morgan … 3B – Mike Schmidt … SS – Ernie Banks … LF – Barry Bonds … CF – Mickey Mantle … RF – Roger Maris

Answer:  They all won consecutive league Most Valuable Player Awards during their career.   

Here’s a look at the All-Consecutive MVP lineup, some tidbits about their lives and careers – as well as a few comments on the additional players who won consecutive MVP Awards, but didn’t make the lineup (Dale Murphy, Frank Thomas, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera).

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Pitcher – Hal Newhouser

The only pitcher to capture consecutive MVP Awards was the Tigers’ southpaw Hal Newhauser – who was the AL MVP in 1944 and 1945. In 1944, Newhouser led the major leagues with 29 victories (nine losses) and strikeouts (187), as his Tigers finished second in the American League with an 88-66 record.   He was also second in MLB in ERA, third in shutouts, fourth in complete games, third in W-L percentage, and third in innings pitched.  Notably, the Al MVP race came down to Newhouser and his Detroit teammate Dizzy Trout. Newhauser got fewer first-place votes than Trout, but edged him in total points 236 to 232.  Trout, by the way, went 27-14 and bested Newhauser and led MLB in ERA (2.12), innings pitched (352 1/3), shutouts (7) and complete games (33).  This was a close one.  Winning one of the closest-ever MVP races, put Newhauser in the position to become the only pitcher to capture consecutive league MVP Awards.

Who says pitchers can’t hit?

In his MVP seasons, Newhauser acquitted himself well as the plate, as well as on the mound.   In 1944 and 1945, he went 57 for 229 (.249), with 18 runs scored and 22 RBI (in 878 games).  

Newhouser followed up his 1944 success with a second MVP Award in 1945, when the Tigers finished first in the American League (88-65) and topped the Cubs four games-to-three in the World Series.  That season, Newhouser again lead MLB in wins (25, versus nine losses), and also lead MLB in ERA (1.81), starts (36), complete games (29), shutouts (8), innings pitched (313 1/3) and strikeouts 212.

Newhouser followed up his 1945 MVP season with another worthy of MVP consideration, In 1946, he went 26-9, again leading MLB in wins (tied with Bob Feller) and ERA (1.94), while tossing 29 complete games  and fanning 275 batters in 292 2/3 innings.  That season, Newhouser finished second in the AL MVP race to Ted Williams, who went .342-38-123 for AL Champion Red Sox (the Tigers finished 12 games back, despite going 92-62).

Oh, Not to be 30-Something

Hal Newhauser made his first major league appearance at age 18 (one game for the Tigers in the 1939 season).  When he beat the Red Sox (an 8-4 complete game victory) on his 30^th birthday (May 20, 1951), Newhouser’s career record was 189-134, with a 2.96 ERA. He had, however, already faced shoulder and back issues and from his thirtieth birthday on (he retired as a player in 1955), Newhouser won just 18 more games (14 losses), with a 3.97 ERA.

Over a 17-season MLB career, Newhouser went 207-150, with a 3.06 ERA and 1,796 strikeouts in 2,993 innings pitched. He threw 212 complete games and had 33 shutouts in 374 starts. Newhouser was a six-time All Star and four times won 20 or more games in a season (leading his league in wins in all four of those campaigns).  In his peak years, 1944-48, Newhauser went 118-56, with a 2.35 ERA. Note:  Newhauser would have been a seven-time All Star, but (due to World War II) there were no official All Star selections in Newhouser’s 1945 MVP seasons.

Temper – Temper

Hal Newhouser was known as a perfectionist with a temper and at, at times, a hard-to-control fastball – not a great combination for a pitcher. After a slow start to his major-league career, Newhouser seem to settle into a groove. Some observers speculated that he gained control of his fastball when he gained control of his temper.  Newhauser disagreed, maintaining “I didn’t win because I controlled my temper, I controlled my temper because I began to win.”

                Source, Society for American Baseball Research Newhauser bio – by Mark Stewart.

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C – Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra played on some Yankee teams that were loaded with All Stars and MVP candidates. In fact, during Yogi’s 19-season tenure (1946-63, 1965) with the team, the Yankees won 14 AL Pennants and ten World Series Championships. During that period, Berra won three AL MVP Awards (1951, 1953 and 1954).  To illustrate how tough the competition was – even from just his own team – other Yankees to bring home MVP hardware during that time included Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Elston Howard.

You Can Quote Me on That

He (Yogi Berra) seemed to be doing everything wrong, yet everything came out right, He stopped everything behind the plate and hit everything in front of it.

                                                                   Hall of Famer Mel Ott

He’d (Yogi Berra) fall I a sewer and come up with a gold watch.

                                                                    Hall of Famer Casey Stengel

In 1954, Berra won his second MVP Award (and the first of his two consecutive MVP honors), despite the fact that the Yankees finished second to the Indians (the Yankees did post a 103-51 record that season, but the Indians went 111-43). Berra topped the Indian’s Larry Doby by a 230-to-210 point margin.  Berra may have been helped a bit by the way the votes split out. Four of the top six finishers were from the Indians (Doby, Bobby Avila, Bob Lemon and Early Wynn). Doby, Avila and Wynn each garnered five first-place votes, while Berra picked up seven.  For the season, Berra finished in the American League’s top ten in average (sixth, games played (ninth), doubles (fourth), home runs (seventh) and runs batted in (second).  Berra’s 1955 MVP Award saw him outdistance second-place finisher Al Kaline by 16 points (218-201).

That’ll Do in a Pinch

On October 2, 1947 – in the seventh inning of the third game of the Yankees-Dodgers World Series, – Yogi Berra hit the first-ever World Series pinch-hit home run – bringing the Yankees to within one run of the Dodgers (who were leading 9-7 at the time and would win the contest 9-8). Berra hit the long ball off a pitcher who would give up an even more historic home run in the future – Ralph Branca.

Berra’s Hall of Fame career spanned 19 seasons, over which he hit .285 (2,150 hits), with 358 home runs and 1,430 RBI. He was an All Star in 15 of those seasons.  Berra hit 20 or more home runs in 11 seasons and topped 100 RBI in four. He played on ten World Series Champions and holds the career World Series records for games played (75), at bats (259), hit (71), doubles (10).

It’s Not Exactly Brain Surgery

When Yogi Berra appeared on the soap opera General Hospital in 1962, he played a brain surgeon.

Yogi Berra Museum

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First Base – Jimmie Foxx

Those  eligible for this lineup atsfirst base (winners of consecutive MVP Awards) are pretty impressive – Jimmie Foxx, Albert Pujols and Frank Thomas. Foxx earns this spot for having the most dominating pair of MVP season of the trio.  In Pujols’ consecutive MVP seasons (2008-2009), he put up stat lines of .357-37-116 and .327-47-135 – leading the league in home runs in 2009.  Frank Thomas earned consecutive MVP awards in 1993 and 1994, with stat lines of .317-41-128 and .353-38-101. He did not lead the AL in any of those categories in either season (although they were both clearly MVP-caliber campaigns).  Foxx – the first player ever to capture consecutive MVP Awards –  was the most dominant of the three first-sackers. He won the Triple Crown with a .356-48-163 season in the second of his consecutive MVP campaigns (1933).

Notably, Foxx had even better numbers in all three categories as MVP the year before (.364-58-169), when he led the AL in home runs and RBI.  Under today’s qualifying rules, Foxx would, in fact, have captured the Triple Crown in 1932. He finished second in the AL to Dale Alexander in batting average (by .003).  Under today’s rules, Alexander- who had 454 plate appearances that season – would need 477 plate appearances to qualify for the batting title.  In his two consecutive MVP seasons, Foxx’ Philadelphia Athletics finished second (1932) and third (1933).

Two-for-Three … Not a Bad Day (or season)

When Jimmie Foxx won the American League Triple Crown in 1933, it marked the only season when both the AL and NL boasted Triple Crown winners – and they played in the same city. Foxx was taking the field for the Philadelphia Athletics, while the NL winner, Chuck Klein, played for the Phillies.

Hall of Famer Foxx, nicknamed Double X and The Beast, was known as one of the – if not THE – most powerful and feared sluggers of his time.   He played 20 MLB seasons (1925-42, 1944-45). He was an All Star in nine seasons and a three-time American League MVP. He finished with a .325 batting average (2,646 hits), 534 home runs, 1,922 RBI and 1,751 runs scored. He led his league in home runs four times (had 12 consecutive seasons of 30 or more); RBI three times (13 seasons of 100+ and four seasons pf 150+), batting average twice (topping .300 nine times) and runs scored once (with 100+ runs scored in 11 seasons).  Foxx also hit .344-4-11 in 18 post-season games.

While Foxx was best known for his prestigious home runs, the surprise of his stellar career may have come in his final season (1945), when the 37-year-old – a sure Hall of Famer by this time – answered the call when his team (then the Phillies) found itself short of pitching. Foxx who had taken the mound only once in his career (a 1-2-3 inning for the Red Sox in 1939) volunteered to step on the bump and into the breach.  How did the veteran do?  He made nine appearances, two starts – going 1-0, 1.52 in 22 2/3 innings (fanning ten and walking 14).  With his one clean 1939 inning, Foxx had a 1.59 career ERA.  Side note: Jimmie Foxx’ lone career mound win came on August 19th, as his Phillies topped the Reds 4-2.  The losing pitcher was another Fox (single X), Reds’ starter Howie Fox.

Mystery Solved

When Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, he and all the space scientists were puzzled by an unidentifiable white object. I knew exactly what it was. That was a home run hit off me in 1937 by Jimmie Foxx,

Hall of Famer Lefty Gomez

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Second Base – Joe Morgan

If you like lumber and leather, Hoe Morgan fits the bill.  In 1975 and 1976, when he turned in consecutive MVP seasons to lead his Reds to a pair of NL pennants (and World Series Championships), Morgan was not only one of the best offensive second basemen in MLB, he also earned a pair of Gold Gloves for his defensive play. (Morgan won five consecutive Gold Gloves at 2B … 1973-77).

How valuable was Morgan? In 1975 he earned 21 of 23 first-place votes in the MVP race and outscored runner up Greg Luzinski 321 to 154. The following year, he got 19 of 24 first place votes (the other five went to teammate George Foster) and led runner up Foster 311 to 221 overall.

Doesn’t Flinch in the Clutch

In 1975, Joe Morgan hit .339 with two out and runner in scoring position; while in 1976 he hit .327 in those situations.

Joe Morgan played 22 MLB seasons (1963-84). The Hall of Famer was an All Star in ten seasons . He retired with a .271 average (2,517 hits), 268 home runs, 1,133 RBI, 1,650 runs scored and 689 steals (eleventh all time). He led his league in runs scored once, triples once and walks four times. His keen batting eye helped him to lead his league in on-base percentage four times and compile a .392 career OBP. While he never led the league in steals, Morgan brings speed to this lineup.  He swiped 40 or more bags in nine seasons, including a high of 67 in both 1973 and 1975. He also topped 20 home runs in three seasons and had 100+ walks in eight campaigns.

Getting the Jump on the Opposition

A good base stealer should make the whole infield jumpy. Whether you steal or not, you’re changing the rhythm of the game. Of the pitcher is concerned about you, he isn’t concentrating enough on the batter.,

Joe Morgan

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Third Base – Mike Schmidt

There was plenty of competition at both corner infield spots for a place in this lineup.  (We’ve already talked about the first-base candidates.) At third base, two players have earned consecutive league MVP honors – Mike Schmidt and Miguel Cabrera. BBRT gives Schmidt a slight edge.  In his consecutive MVP seasons (2012-13), Cabrera went a combined .338-88-276, with 398 hits and 212 runs scored for the Tigers.  Included in that total was his 2012 Triple Crown season.  Schmidt’s consecutive MVP seasons (1980-81) produced a .298-79-212 line, with 182 runs scored. (We need to keep in mind that the 1981 season was strike-shortened). Schmidt led the NL in home runs and RBI in each of  his consecutive MVP seasons. The difference maker between Cabrera and Schmidt? Schmidt earned a Gold Glove for his defense in each of his consecutive MVP seasons. Schmidt, by the way, received all 24 first-place votes for NL MVP in 1980 and 21 of 24 in 1981. Cabrera received 22 of 28 votes in 2012 and 28 of 30 in 2013.

Alone at the Top of the List

Mike Schmidt’s 509 home runs, while in the lineup as a third baseman, are the most by any third sacker ever.

Mike Schmidt enjoyed an 18-season MLB career (1972-89 …. all with the Phillies).  He hit .267 (2,234 hits) with 548 home runs, 1,595 RBI, 1,506 runs scored and 174 stolen bases.  Schmidt was a 12-time All Star. He led the NL in round trippers eight times (topping 30 home runs in 13 seasons). He also led the NL in runs scored once, RBI four times (with 100+ nine times), walks four times and slugging percentage five times.  He earned a total of three league MVP Awards (1980, 1981, 1986).

Tied at the Top of the List

Mike Schmidt also holds a share of the record for most home runs in a game.  On April 17, 1976, he sent four balls over the fences in a five-for-six, eight-RBI day.

In addition to his power, Schmidt showed good speed, reaching double-digits in steals eight times, with a high of 29 stolen bases in 1975.

Near the top of the list

Only Babe Ruth won more home runs titles (12) than Schmidt (8).

Only Brooks Robinson has more Gold Glove at third base (16) than Schmidt (10).

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Shortstop – Ernie Banks

Ernie banks has a unique distinction among players with two consecutive MVP Awards. Not only is he the only shortstop to achieve the feat, he is also the only player to win consecutive MVP Award while playing on losing team for both seasons – and one of only two players to twice win an MVP Award (consecutively or not) while playing on a losing squad.

Banks, who was bucking the image of shortstops as glove men, base stealers and slap hitters, won his first MVP in 1958, when he led the NL in games played, home runs (a career high 47) and RBI and finished sixth in batting average.

He followed that with another MVP season in 1959, again leading the NL in games played and RBI (a career-high 143), while finishing tenth in batting average.

The First Ever Moon Shot.

In 1954, Ernie Banks finished second to the Cardinals’ Wally Moon in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting. Moon went .304-121-76 and got 17 votes. Banks went .275-19-79 and got four votes. Two Braves finished third and fourth – Gene Conley and Hank Aaron.

Banks played 19 MLB seasons (1953-71 … all for the Cubs) and was an All Star in eleven of those campaigns. He led the National in games played six times (in his seven first full seasons), home runs twice (topping 20 home runs in 13 seasons – with forty+ dingers in five of those), RBI twice (with 100+ eight times). He also won one Gold Glove.  For his career, the Hall of Famer hit .274, with 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI.  He was known, deservedly, in Chicago as “Mr. Cub.”

For the Love of the Game

Ernie Banks was synonymous with a childlike enthusiasm for baseball.  It was not just great talent, but also his relentless spirit of optimism that made him a back-to-back National League MVP, a Hall of Famer, a member of our All-Century Team, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and, indeed, forever Mr. Cub.

                                                            Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig

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Left Field – Barry Bonds

What can you say about Barry Bonds – good and bad – that hasn’t already been said? The man won a record seven MVP Awards, including two consecutive (1992 and 1993) and another streak of four consecutive (2001-2004.)  And, he nearly had two streaks of four consecutive MVP recognitions.  Bonds won the NL MVP Award in 1990, finished a close second (274-259 and 12 first-place votes to ten) behind the Braves’ Terry Pendleton in 1991, and then won the honor again in 1992 and 1993. The chart below provides the stats for those MVP seasons – and they are remarkable. But then, of course, there is that PED “elephant in the room.” In the seven seasons that Bonds won the NL MVP Award, his team finished first in their division four times and second three times.

Bonds had a 22-season MLB career, during which he was an All Star 14 times, a Silver Slugger winner 12 times, home run champion twice and batting champion twice.  He holds the MLB single-season home run record at 73 (2001, Giants), as well as the career record for long balls (762). He retired with a .298 average (2,935 hits), 762 home runs, 1,996 RBI, 2,227 ruins scored and 514 stolen bases.  He hit 30 or more home runs in 14 seasons, drove in 100 or more tallies in 12 campaigns and hit over .300 11 times (a high of .370 in 2002).  Bonds also earned eight Gold Gloves

A Real Mover and Shaker

Barry Bonds is the only player to win the Most Valuable Player Award in two consecutive seasons while playing for two different team – Pirates (1992) and Giants (1993).

How feared was Barry Bonds at the plate? Bonds led the NL in walks 12 times, amassing an MLB-record 2,558 career walks.  He also led the league in intentional walks 12 times, being intentionally passed an MLB-high 688 times. In 2004, he was intentional passed a record 120 times.  No other player has been intentionally walked more than 45 times in a season (Willie McCovey, 45 in 1969).

The rest of us play in the major leagues, He’s at another level.

                                             Giants’ infielder Rich Aurelia

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Center field – Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantles’ two consecutive MVP Awards came in 1956 and 1957 and included his .353-52-130 Triple Crown campaign in 1956.  Notably, in addition to the 1956 and 1957 MVP honors, Mantle won the MVP award in in 1962 and finished second in 1960, 1961 and 1964 – while playing on Yankee teams that were loaded with potential MVP candidates. Two of Mantle’s three second-place finishes were to teammate Roger Maris, who is also in this lineup of consecutive MVP winners.  In his 1956 MVP season, Mantle led both leagues in average (.,353), slugging percentage (,705), runs scored (132), total bases (376), home runs (52) and runs batted in (130).

Walk, Don’t’ Run

Only Jim Thome hit more regular-season walk-off home runs in his career (13) than Mickey Mantle (12). Note: Mantle is tied with Jimmie Foxx, Stan Musial, Albert Pujols, Frank Robinson and Babe Ruth at 12.

Mickey Mantle played 18 major league seasons (1951-68 … all with the Yankees).  The Hall of Famer was an All Star in 16 of those seasons. He led his league in runs scored five times, home runs four times, walks five times, and batting average and triples once each.  He retired with a .298 average (2,415 hits), 536 home runs (hitting 30 or more in nine seasons), 1,509 RBI (100+ four times), 1,676 runs scored (topping 100 in eight seasons), 1,733 walks and 153 stolen bases. He won a Gold Glove in his 1962 MVP season.  He put up those numbers, despite suffering from Osteomyelitis and dealing with a series of injuries that dampened his numbers (shoulder, rib cage, hip abscess, fractured finger, knee surgeries, broken foot).

Nearly an Annual Affair

In 18 MLB seasons, Mickey Mantle played in 12 World Series.  He holds the all-time record for World Series home runs (18), runs batted in (40) and runs scored (42) in 65 games).

The Final Word … On two good legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer that ever lived.,

                                                                      Hall of Famer Nellie Fox

Also qualifying for this spot was Braves ‘CF Dale Murphy , who won consecutive NL MVP Awards in 1982 and 1983. In 1982, Murphy went .281-36-109, with 232 steals and a Gold Glove.  He followed that up in 1983 with a .302-36-121 season (30 steals and another Gold Glove). Still, Mantle’s Triple Crown season gives him the edge. Murphy, be the way, hit .265 over 18 MLB seasons, with 398 homers, 1,266 RBI, 161 steals, seven All Star  selections and five Gold Gloves.

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RF – Roger Maris

Roger Maris was traded from the Kansas City Athletics to the Yankees after the 1950 season – part of a multi-player deal. At the time, he had three major-league seasons under his belt – with a .249 average, 58 home runs and 203 RBI in 388 games. His best season had been 1958, when he hit .240-28-80 in 150 games.  Whether it was joining the powerful Yankee lineup   or just maturing as a hitter, the move to New York changed Maris’ career path, as he was the American MVP Award his first two seasons in Yankee pinstripes.

A Change of Scenery

In his first three seasons in pinstripes, Roger Maris average 44 home runs and 118 RBI per campaign. They were the only seasons in which he reached 30 homers or 75 RBI.

In 1960, as the Yankees won the pennant with a 97-59 record, Maris set new career highs with a .283 average, 39 home runs and a league-leading 112 RBI – and threw in a Gold Glove for good measure. In 1961, as the Yankees went 109-53 (and won the World Series), Maris, of course, made history.  He won his second consecutive MVP Award, while also setting a new (since broken) single-season home run record of 61.

Making It Count

On October 1, 1961, when Roger Maris hit his historic 61^st home run of the season, he made it count. The blast came in the bottom of the fourth inning and accounted for the only run in a 1-0 Yankee win over the rival Red Sox,

Maris played 12 major-league seasons (1957-68) and put up a .260 average, with 275 home runs and 850 RBI. He was a four-time All Star and led his league in RBI twice and runs, home runs and total bass once each.

Going Yard in Football, Too

Roger Maris set a national high school record, returning four kick-offs for touchdowns in a single game, while playing for Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota. He was offered a football scholarship by the University of Oklahoma, but chose instead to start his baseball career (right out of high school) in the Cleveland Indians organization.

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

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