David, Author at Baseball Roundtable

Twin Killings – They Can Be Murder on the Offense

May 4, 2018 by David

The ballet of the double play … a beautiful thing.
Photo by roy.luck

If you follow Baseball Roundtable – and I hope you do – you know that I am particularly appreciative of the on-the-diamond ballet of a 4-6-3 or 6-4-3 double play. With that in mind, I wish I had been in the Astrodome back on this day (May 4) in 1969 – when the Astros turned a record seven double plays, while topping the Giants 3-1. Seven twin-killings by a team in nine-innings, that’s a record that still stands. Here’s how it went:

In the top of the first inning, the Giants had one run in, the bases loaded and just one out – and had knocked Houston starter Denny Lemaster out of the game – when reliever Dooley Womack (love that name) got Giants’ left fielder Jim Ray Hart to ground into a 6-4-3 (SS Denis Menke to 2B Joe Morgan to 1B Curt Belfary) double play to end the inning.
In the third inning, with the game tied 1-1, the Giants threatened again, with runners on first and second with one out; when Womack induced a groundball (C Dick Dietz batting) 5-4-3 (3B Doug Rader to 2B Menke to 1B Blefary) twin killing – again ending the inning.
The top of the fourth started with a Jim Ray Hart single off Womack, followed by the Astros’ second groundball 6-4-3 double play. The inning ended when the next Giants’ hitter (SS Hal Lanier) grounded out second-to-first.
The top of the fifth looked a lot like the top of the fourth – with one less exchange of the baseball. Giants’ P Juan Marichal opened with a single off Womack. Next up was Giants’ RF Frank Johnson, who grounded into a second-to-first twin killing. The inning ended when the next batter, 2B Ron Hunt, grounded out third to first.
In the top of the seventh (after a 1-2-3 sixth by Womack), the Giants (now down 2-1) put two men on with one out – and the Astros brought Fred Gladding to the mound. The Giants let Marichal hit for himself –and he grounded into a 6-3 double play to end the threat.
In the top of the eighth, now down 3-1, the Giants opened with a single (off Gladding) by pinch hitter Bob Burda. Gladding then got Ron Hunt to ground into a tougher 3-6 double play, before getting CF Willie Mays on a 6-3 groundout.
Finally, in the ninth, with Giants’ runners on first and third and one out, Gladding appropriately ended the game by getting 3B Bobby Etheridge to hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

A couple of notes: 1) Despite only four strikeouts by Giants’ batters, Houston outfielders recorded only one put out on the afternoon – which included 18 infield assists by the Astros. 2) The Giants turned one double play in the game, when 1B Jack Haittt speared a line drive by the Astros’ Gary Geiger and doubled Curt Blefary off first.

Lots of Multiple Killings – and Still No Wins

The record for turning double plays in game by both teams is ten – in a 6-4 Red Sox home win over the Twins on July 18, 1990. Six of those were turned by the Twins – four by the Red Sox. That double play record came just one game after the Twins became the first (and still only) team to turn two triple plays in a single game. On July 17, the Twins turned a pair of groundball, around-the-horn (3B Gary Gaetti to 2B Al Newman to 1B Kent Hrbek) triple plays in a 1-0 loss to the Red Sox.

A couple of other bits of twin-killing trivia.

The 1990 Red Sox hold the team record for GIDP in a season at 174, as well as a share of the AL single-game record six (which has been done 14 times in the AL, four by Boston). The only other AL team to achieve this negative record more than once is the Blue jay (twice).
Albert Pujols (still active) holds the individual career GIDP record at 365); while the single season record belongs to the Red Sox’ Jim Rice at 36.
Miguel Tejada holds the record for the most seasons leading his league in GIDP at five (2004-05-06 with the Orioles and 2008-09 with the Astros).
The record for most GIDP in a game is four, shared by the Tigers’ Goose Goslin, Tigers’ Victor Martinez and Mets’ Joe Torre.

ONE OF EACH PERSUASION

Only three MLB batters have played in more than 150 games in a season without grounding into a double play – one lefty (Dick McAuliffe, Tigers – 1968); one righty (Craig Biggio, Astros – 1997); and one switch-hitter (Augie Galan, Cubs – 1968).

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball ReliquAry; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2018 Negro Leagues Baseball Museum “Hall of Game” Honorees Announced

May 3, 2018 by David

Seventy-seven MLB seasons – 24 All Star selections – 7 Gold Gloves – 5 Stolen Base Titles – 3 Home Run Crowns – 3 Twenty-Win Seasons – 2 Rookie of the Year Awards – One MVP Award. Those are the considerable – and well-earned – credential of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) 2018 “Hall of Game” class.

_________________________________________

On May 1, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) announced the lineup for its Fifth Annual Hall of Game inductions:

Power-hitting Dick Allen – a two-time league HR champion and 1972 American League MVP.
Eddie Murray – one of the greatest switch-hitters in MLB history, with more than 3,000 base hits and 500+ MLB home runs.
Speedster Kenny Lofton – who not only led the American League in stolen bases five straight seasons, but also earned four consecutive Gold Gloves in center field.
Jim Mudcat Grant– owner of 145 major league victories and the first Black pitcher to win 20 games in the American League, as well as the first Black hurler to win a World Series game for an AL team.
Fireballer J.R. Richard – whose career was cut short (10 seasons) by a stroke, but who can still look back on a twenty-win season, 74 wins over a four-span and two consecutive 300+ strikeout campaigns.

This group will join previous honorees (listed alphabetically): Lou Brock; Orlando Cepeda; Roberto Clemente; Andre Dawson; Ricky Henderson; Fergie Jenkins; Joe Morgan; Tony Oliva; Al Oliver; Tony Perez; Tim Raines; Lee Smith; Ozzie Smith; Louis Tiant, Jr.; Maury Wills; and Dave Winfield. Ceremonies are scheduled for 8:00 p.m., June 9 at the Gem Theatre, 1615 18^th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM HALL OF GAME

The NLBM established its Hall of Game in 2014 to recognize MLB greats “who competed with the same passion, determination, skill and flair exhibited by the heroes of the Negro Leagues.”

Now, let’s take a look at the 2018 Hall of Game class.

Dick Allen – MLB career, 1963-1977

Dick Allen made a name for himself early in his career. In his first full MLB season (1964 – after a 10-game call up in 1963), the 22-year-old Allen played in all 162 Phillies’ games (at third base) – hitting .318, with 201 hits, 29 home runs and 91 RBI. He also led the league in triples (13) and runs scored (125). That performance earned him the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year Award (and a seventh-place finish in the MVP balloting.) The 5’11”, 187-pound Allen went on to live up to that early promise.

In four minor league seasons, Dick Allen hit .306 with 82 home runs and 342 RBI (in 482 games). When he was called up to the Phillies in September of 1963, Allen was hitting .289-33-97 for the International League (AAA) Arkansas Travelers.

Playing for the Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers. White Sox and A’s, Allen led his league in slugging percentage three times, on-base percentage twice, home runs twice, as well as in RBI and total bases once each. In 1972, playing with the White Sox, Allen earned the AL MVP award, hitting .308 and leading the AL in home runs (37), RBI (113), walks (99), on-base percentage (.422) and slugging percentage (.603).

For his MLB career, the seven-time All Star hit .292 (1,848 hits), with 351 home runs, 1,099 runs scored and 1,119 RBI.

Dick Allen collected 79 triples over his MLB career – and had one stretch of four consecutive seasons of ten or more three-baggers.

Jim “Mudcat” Grant – MLB career 1958-71

In 1965, while with the Minnesota Twins, Jim Mudcat Grant became first Black pitcher to have a twenty-win season in the American League – as his 21-7 campaign led the Twins to the American League pennant. Grant led the American League in wins (21), winning percentage (.750) and shutouts (6), while putting up a 3.30 ERA and fanning 142 battersin 270 1/3 innings.

He followed that performance with a pair of victories (versus the Dodgers) in the 1965 World Series – becoming the first Black pitcher to win a World Series game for an American League club.

In a clutch performance in Game Six of the 1965 Fall Classic, Jim “Mudcat” Grant not only earned a complete-game, six-hit, 5-1 victory, but also cracked a sixth-inning, three-run home run to put the game out of reach.

During his career, Grant appeared in 571 MLB games (293) starts, picking up 145 wins (119 losses) and 54 saves, while pitching to a 3.63 earned run average. He fanned 1,267 batters in 2,442 MLB innings. He was a two-time America League All Star (1963 & 1965) was named The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year in 1965. Grant pitched for the Indians, Twins, Expos, Cardinals, Pirates and A’s.

Jim “Mudcat” Grant was the starting pitcher for the Montreal Expos in their first-ever official MLB game.

Following his retirement from the playing field, Grant dedicated himself to promoting the rich history of Blacks in baseball. In 2006, he released released his book The Black Aces, Baseball’s Only Black Twenty-Game Winners – which included a chapter on each of MLB’s Black twenty-game winners and also featured a number of Negro League players Grant felt would have been twenty-game winners had they been allowed to pitch in MLB.

Kenny Lofton – MLB career 1991-2007

After five minor league seasons during which he hit .300 and stole 168 bases (363 games), Kenny Lofton came to the major leagues ready to run. Lofton joined the Houston Astros in a brief late-season call up in 1991 (20 games, .203 average). Then, in the off-season, the 5’11”, 190-pound outfielder was traded by the Astros to the Indians (along with infielder Dave Rhode) for pitcher Willie Blair and catcher Ed Taubensee– a trade the appropriately, paid off for the Indians “very fast.”

In his first full MLB season (1992), the new Cleveland center fielder hit .285, with five home runs, 42 RBI, 96 runs scored and a league-topping 66 stolen bases. Lofton would not relinquish that stolen base title until 1997 – running up totals of 66, 70, 60, 54 and 75 steals between 1992-96.

Kenny Lofton finished second to the Brewers’ Pat Listach (SS/2B/CF) in the 1992 AL Rookie of the Year balloting. You could hardly have slipped the proverbial “piece of paper” between the stats of the two players. Listach played in 149 games, Lofton 148. Listach hit .290 with 168 hits, Lofton .285 with 164 safeties. Lofton hit five home runs and stole 66 bases to Listach’s one home run and 54 steals. Lofton scored 96 runs to Listach’s 93, but Listach drove in 47 to Lofton’s 42. Lofton collected 68 walks to 55 for Listach, and fanned just 54 times to Listach’s 124.

During his career, Lofton played for the Astros (1991), Indians (1992-2001 & 2007); White Sox (2002); Giants (2002); Pirates (2003); Cubs (2003); Yankees (2004); Phillies (2005); Dodgers (2006); Rangers (2007).

In his final MLB season (2007), at age 40, Lofton hit .296 and stole 23 bases in 136 games.

In his career, Lofton earned six All-Star appearances (1994-99) and four Gold Glove Awards (1993-1996). His final regular season stat line: 2,103 games played, .299 average, 2,428 hits, 383 doubles, 116 triples, 130 home runs, 1,528 runs scored, 781 RBI and 622 stolen bases (15th all-time). He hit over .300 in seven campaigns and topped 50 stolen bases in six seasons. He also played in 95 post-season games, hitting .247-7-34, with 34 stolen bases in 40 attempts.

Eddie Murray – MLB career 1977-97

MLB Players with 500 home runs AND 3,000 hits. Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez.

When you are one of just five MLB players to hit 500 home runs and collect 3,000 hits – you are something special. When you are the only switch-hitter in the club, you also know you will be included in any conversation about the “the greatest switch hitters of all time.” That’stheEddie Murray legacy.

First baseman/DH Eddie Murray spent 21 years in the major leagues – primarily with the Baltimore Orioles (1977-88 and 1996). He also took the field for the Dodgers, Mets, Indians, Angels and Dodgers. While his career included just one home run title and one RBI crown, Murray was as steadily excellent as they come. In his first ten MLB seasons, he earned seven All Star selections (he garnered eight overall), three Gold Glove Awards and 1977 AL Rookie of the Year honors.

Eddie Murray drew 222 career intentional walks – tenth all time – leading his league three times.

In a 21-season MLB career, Murray hit 25 or more home runs 12 times, collected 100 or more RBI six times and hit .300 or better seven times. It all added up to 3,026 games played (sixth all-time), a .287 average, 3,255 hits (12^th), 504 home runs (27^th), 1,627 runs scored (41^st) and 1,917 RBI (11^th).

Eddie Murray was a first-ballot inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

J.R. Richard – MLB Career 1971-80

Flamethrower J.R. Richard’s career was cut short by a stroke in 1980. By that time, the big (6’8”, 220-pounts) right-hander had made a name for himself as one of the most feared pitchers in MLB.

When the 21-year-old Richard was called up to the Astros in September of 1971, he was 12-7, 2.45 with 202 strikeouts in 173 innings at Triple A. He made four starts tat month, going 3-1, 3.43 and fanning 29 in 21 innings.

In his very first MLB start – September 5, 1971 – J.R. Richard beat the Giants 5-3, throwing a complete-game seven-hitter and fanning a record-tying (for a first MLB appearance) 15 batters.

Richard was up-and-down (minors/major) until 1975 – as he worked to master control and command of his electric “stuff.” He had his first full MLB season in 1975, going 12-10, 4.39 – and fanning 176 in 203 innings. (He also led the NL in walks with 138) and wild pitches with 20). The following season, he lived up to his full promise, winning 20 games (15 losses), lowering his earned run average to 2.75 and fanning 214 batters in 291 innings. But, the best was yet to come.

Richard won 18 games in each of the next three seasons, put up earned run averages of 2.97, 3.11 and a league-best 2.71 (1979). In 1978 and 1979, he also topped the NL in strikeouts, with 303 and 313, respectively.

Richard looked to be getting even better in 1980. He was 10-4, with a 1.90 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 113 2/3 innings before suffering a career-ending stroke on July 30. For his career, Richard was 107-71 – a .601 winning percentage – with a 3.15 ERA and 1,493 strikeouts in 1,606 innings pitched. He gave up just 6.87 hits per nine innings – three times posting the league’s lowest hits-per-nine figure.

J.R. Richard’s career 6.87 hits allowed per nine innings is the fifth-lowest among pitchers with at least 1,000 MLB innings – trailing only Nolan Ryan, Clayton Kershaw, Sandy Koufax and Sid Fernandez.

________________________________________________

In announcing the 2018 Hall of Game honorees, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick said, “Each of these players was a phenomenal athlete who achieved remarkable stats and records. Buck O’Neil once said of the Negro Leagues that fans couldn’t go to the concession stands because they were afraid they’d miss something they’d never seen before. That’s how these guys played. Fans couldn’t take their eyes off them because they might miss an incredible play. This year’s honorees embody that wonderful Negro Leagues spirit, and we are delighted to welcome as our fifth induction class of our Hall of Game.”

In addition to the Hall of Game inductions, the NLBM will be presenting the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award for “career excellence in the face of adversity” to the award namesake’s daughter, Sharon Robinson – who serves as an educational consultant for Major League Baseball and manages Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life, a baseball-themed national character education curriculum that helps empower students to face obstacles in their lives.

“There’s no one we would rather honor on this special anniversary year than Sharon Robinson,” Kendrick said. “She’s been a phenomenal voice and champion for diversity in sports and is carrying on her father’s legacy in a powerful and effective way.”

THE NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM

Satchel Paige pitches to Martin Dihigo, with Josh Gibson catching – on the Field of Legends at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and illuminating the rich history of black baseball. The museum, built in conjunction with the adjacent American Jazz Museum at the famous 18th & Vine Jazz District, has become an iconic piece of Kansas City’s social and entertainment culture. The NLBM is a privately funded, 501c3 not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1990. The museum’s inception brought together the vision of a group of Kansas City business leaders, historians and former baseball players, headed by the legendary John “Buck” O‘Neil. For more information, visit www.nlbm.com, and follow the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on Twitter @nlbmprez

HY-VEE – Hall of Game Presenting Sponsor

Hy-Vee, Inc. has been the presenting sponsor for the Hall of Game awards since their inception. Hy-Vee is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 245 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. For additional information, visit www.hyvee.com.

Primary Resoures: Negro Leagues Baseball Mueum; Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Baseball Roundtable April Wrap – Home Runs, Strikeouts and a Seven-Defender Double Play

May 1, 2018 by David

HOW THE GAME HAS CHANGED …

On this date (May 1) in 1920, Brooklyn and Boston played to a 26-inning 1-1 tie. Both starting pitchers – Brooklyn’s Leon Cadore and Boston’s Joe Oeschger – went the distance. For the full story, click here.

APRIL PLATE APPEARANCES, BRING MAY RANTS

May is upon us, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable to look back at the previous month’s highlights and lowlights. Before I get into the specificS, however, a brief comment (rant?) on the game as it’s played today. In that May 1, 1920 contest noted above, not only did we see no pitching changes, there were only 22 plate appearances that ended in a trot (back to the dugout, to first base or around the bases) – nine walks, 14 strikeouts, no home runs and no hit batsmen. That’s 11.8 percent of the total plate appearances. Through April of this season, 35.6 percent of all plate appearances have ended in a trot – 22.7 percent by strikeout, 10.1 percent with a walk or hit by pitch and 2.8 percent via the home run.

Of course, it’s not fair to compare to a single-game more than 95 years ago to today’s contests. So, here are a few more recent figures: In 1980, 26.1 percent of all MLB regular-season plate appearances ended in a trot (home run, strikeout, walk, HBP). In 2000, it was 29.9 percent and, last season, it was 34.4 percent. Not sure how most of you feel, but I would prefer a trend toward more – rather than less – action in the field and on the basepaths. (BBRT invites your comments.)

———A LOOK BACK AT 2018 MARCH/APRIL———

Now, on to a look at March/April. The 2018 MLB season started off with a BANG! In 2017, MLB saw a record 6,105 home runs. On Opening Day, March 29, the Cubs’ 23-year-old center fielder Ian Happ hit the very first pitch of the 2018 season (thrown by the Marlins’ José Urena) for a home run. Later that day, White Sox’ DH Matt Davidson became just the fourth player in MLB history with a three-homer Opening Day game. He joined George Bell (1988), Tuffy Rhodes (1994) and Dmitri Young (2005) in that limited membership club.

Over the course of March/April, MLB treated us to such sights as the A’s Sean Manaea throwing 2018’s first no-hitter; Twins’ Joe Mauer collecting his 2,000 MLB base hit; Adrian Beltre passing Rod Carew as the all-time hits leader among Latin-American players; and much, much more.

There were plenty of notable acheivements and performances – but before we dive deep, let’s look at BBRT’s players and pitchers of the month.

________________________________________________

AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH … Didi Gregorius, SS, Yankees

Photo by apardavila

Maybe it should be Didi Degre-Glorious! When you are a middle infielder, batting in the heart of a lineup that includes Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Gary Sanchez – and pretty much outpowering them all – you;’ve got a good thing going. In March/April, Gregorius put up a .327-10-30 line – leading MLB in RBI and home runs (10, tied with the Angels’ Mike Trout and Mariners’ Mitch Haniger). His 24 runs scored tied for MLB’s third-best and he drew 18 walks to just 16 strikeouts.

Other Contenders: Manny Machado , SS, Orioles … Machado slid over from 3B to SS and didn’t miss a beat. His .361 average going in to May leads all of MLB and he also has nine home runs, 22 RBI, 14 runs scored and is two-for-two in stolen bases. His 39 base hits are second only to the Astros’ hit machine Jose Altuve (41). Machado is giving beleaguered Orioles’ fans a reason to come to Camden Yards. Jed Lowrie, 2B, A’s … Lawrie, who came into this season with a career (10-season) batting average of .261, has been Gregorius-lite. Another middle infielder hitting in the heart of the lineup, L0wrie went into May with a .339-6-27 line. Like Machado, he has 39 base hits.

AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH … Sean Manaea, A’s

Sean Manaea, a 6’5″, 245-pound southpaw, was big on the mound in March/April – tossing 2018’s first no-hitter (against the then red hot Red Sox) and putting up the AL’s lowest earned run average (among qualifiers) at 1.03. In six starts, Manaea went 4-2, 1.03, with 37 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings (just 20 hits and seven walks). He went at least seven innings in five of his six starts and never gave up more than two runs in an outing (one shutout, four games of one run, one game of two runs).

Other Contenders: Edwin Diaz, Mariners … With an MLB-leading 11 saves (in 11 opportunities) a 0.63 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings, the 24-year-old closer (who saved 34 games a year ago) earns a spot here. Justin Verlander, Astros … Verlander ended April 4-0, with a 1.36 ERA (second in the AL) and 48 strikeouts (third in the AL) in 39 2/3 innings. Since coming to the Astros last August, Verlander’s regular-season record with Houston is 9-0, 1.22, with 91 whiffs in 73 2/3 innings (post-season; 4-1, 2.21).

NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH … (Tie) Javier Baez, 2B/SS, Cubs & Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves

Middle infielders seem to be all the rage this season – and a couple of second baseman tied (at least in BBRT’s estimation) for BBRT NL Player of the Month. Javier Baez, the NL leader in RBI with 26 – who, this season, has already batted in every spot in the order except leadoff and cleanup – put up a .280-7-26 line in March/April, with 20 runs scored (ninth in the NL) and three steals. Note: Javier has recorded the most games in the number-two and number eight spots in the lineup – ten and eight appearances, respectively. Baez, just 25-years-old, is in his fifth season with the Cubs and is coming off a .273-23-75, 10 stolen bases campaign in 2017.

Then there is Braves’ rookie Ozzie Albies … This 21-year-old MLB freshman is tied for the MLB lead in runs scored (29) and tied for the NL lead in home runs (9). He also has 20 RBI and three steals. Really, you could hardly squeeze a piece of paper between the performances of Baez and Albies.

Other Contenders: Asdrubel Cabrera, SS, Mets … Another middle infielder off to a great start, the veteran Cabrera goes into May hitting .340, with five home runs, 17 RBI and 20 runs scored. His 34 base hits ties him for the NL lead. A.J. Pollock, OF, D-backs … The Diamondbacks’ center fielder has been doing it all. In March/April, he hit .291, with a NL-leading (tied) nine home runs; 24 RBI (third in the NL) and 20 runs scored. He also swiped six bags in eight attempts.

NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH … Max Scherzer, Nationals

Photo by apardavila

Max Scherzer came into May as the only MLB pitcher with five victories (5-1) and an NL-topping 57 strikeouts (39 innings). In addition, his 1.62 ERA was the NL’s third-best. That was enough to make the three-time Cy Young Award winner the BBRT pitcher of the month.

Other Contenders: Patrick Corbin, D-backs … Corbin was hot on Scherzer’s trail with a 4-0, 2.25 line and 55 whiffs in 40 innings; Johnny Cueto, Giants … I couldn’t leave off Johnny Cueto. Yes, he has only 26 strikeouts (in 32 innings), but he finished March/April at 3-0 (in five starts) and his earned run average was an MLB-lowest 0.84 – just three earned run in 32 innings. Cueto can’t help it if the Giants failed to score for him in two starts in which he pitched seven shutout before giving way to the pen.

______________________________________________

IF THE SEASON ENDED APRIL 30 … YOUR PLAYOFF TEAMS WOULD BE

Note: Full standings (as of April 30) can be found at the end of this post.

THE BOOKENDS

Only two teams played .700 or better ball through April – the Red Sox at .750 (21-7) and the Diamondbacks at .714 (20-8). The Astros were the only other team with 20 wins.

On the opposite side of the coin, three teams played under-.300 ball – the Reds at .241 (7-22); Royals at .250 (7-21); and Orioles at .286 (8-20).

Again, if the season ended April 30, your post-season participants …

American League: Boston, Cleveland, Houston. Wild Cards: New York, Seattle.

The most interesting race may be the Red Sox/Yankees – what a surprise. The Red Sox got off to a blazing 17-2 start before a no-hitter by the A’s Sean Manaea seem to take a bit of the wind out of their sails (they went 4-5 from the no-no on.) The Red Sox have excelled on both sides of the game – scoring the second-most runs through April (164) and and giving up the third-fewest (96). The Yankees, on the other hand, while fourth in the AL in earned run average (3.62), in true Bronx-Bomber form, led the junior circuit in home runs (41), runs scored (164). Houston clearly ran the best pitching out there – with a 2.54 ERA through April. The Astros have three of the four lowest American League earned run averages (among qualifying pitchers) through April – Justin Verlander (1.36); Charlie Morton (1.72); Gerrit Cole (1.73).

The worst division appears to be the AL Central – with only the Indians above .500. Overall, the senior circuit’s Central Division’s record is 50-83.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING …

MLB set a new record for weather-related postponements before May 1, with 28. The Twins were hardest hit and played a total of just 24 games between March 29 and April 30. By comparison, the Astros, Rangers, Brewers, Rockies and Padres each played 30 contests.

National League: New York, Chicago, Arizona. Wild Cards: Atlanta Pittsburgh.

In the NL, the most interesting race seems to be in the Central – where the Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates and Cubs are all over .500 and separated by just 1 1/2 games. Meanwhile, Arizona has built up the biggest lead in the NL – 5 1/2 games ahead of the second-place West Division Giants. The Diamondbacks, in fact, won all nine series they completed in March/April. (Note: The Diamondbacks were the only NL team with a March/April ERA under 3.00.)

WHAT A DIFFERENCE …

No team outscored their opponents in March/April by more runs than the Astros (+64). the only other team above +50 was the Red Sox (+63). The NL leader in this category was the D-backs (+39.) On the reverse side of the coin: The Royals ended April at -65. The only other team with a negative run differntial worse than -50 was the Orioles (-54). The largest negative run differential in the NL went to the Marlins at -47.

—–LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS—–

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 125

AL: Yankees (164); Red Sox (159); Astros (149)

NL: Braves (151); Pirates (142); Cubs and Dodgers (133)

The Royals scored an MLB-low 95 runs in March/April. The Marlins were at the bottom of the NL with 96. Other teams scoring fewer than 100 runs through April were the Twins and Orioles (both at 98).

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .244

AL: Red Sox (.273); Rays (.266); A’s (.267); Yankees

NL: Braves (.268); Pirates (.258); Cubs (.252)

The Rockies and Orioles each hit an MLB-low .224 for March/April, The Marlins were at the bottom of the NL at .228. Surprisingly, the AL Central-leading Indians had the AL’s second worst average at .227 and scored the fourth-fewest runs at 102. (They did have the AL’s third-best earned run average.)

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 30

AL: Yankees (41); Blue Jays (40); Angels (38)

NL: Rockies (34) and Diamondbacks (34); Cardinals (33)

The Marlins and Reds were the most power-starved clubs in March/April (20 homers each). The Royals hit just 22 in the AL.

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 14

AL: White Sox (25); Indians, Red Sox and Mariners (17)

NL: Nationals (31); Braves and Brewers (24)

The Cubs stole and A’s each stole only six bags in March/April (lowest MLB total); the Cubs in 11 attempts, the A’s in eight. The Cubs had the worst stolen base percentage – 54.5 percent.

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average -245

AL: Rangers (281); Orioles (274); Yankees (266)

NL: Padres (309); Phillies (279); Rockies (277)

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 97

AL: Yankees (126); Astros (121); Blue Jays (107)

NL: Nationals (127); Phillies (125); Mets (111)

No team grounded into more double plays in March/April than the White Sox (29). The Blue Jays hit into an MLB-low 12 twin-killings.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.12

AL: Astros (2.54); Red Sox (3.34); Indians (3.59)

NL: D-backs (2.96); Brewers (3.20); Cubs (3.33)

Four teams finished March/April with ERA’s over 5.00: Royals (5.33); Reds (5.32); Twins (5.29); White Sox (5.06). No surprise, these same four teams were among the five squads with fewer than ten wins in that span.

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 245

AL: Astros (316); Yankees (285); Red Sox (268)

NL: Dodgers (285); Nationals (284); ; D-backs (280)

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

Cubs pitchers have combined to toss five shutouts through April – all five against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubbies record against the Brewers is 7-1, with a 1.01 earned run average.

SAVES … MLB Average – 7

AL: Mariners (11); Red Sox (9); Angels (8)

NL: Diamondbacks (11); Mets and Rockies (10)

Arizona (11 saves) is the only team without a blown save this season. The Dodgers have the worst save percentage (saves versus save opportunities) at 36.6 percent (four saves in 11 opportunities).

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED … MLB Average – 97

AL: Indians (63); A’s (67); Astros (75)

NL: D-backs (79); Mets (85); Dodgers (88)

The Astros went into May leading MLB with 10.55 strikeouts per nine innings. Two additional teams finished March/April averaging 10+ strikeouts per nine: The Mets (10.06); and the Yankees (10.02).

FEWEST ERRORS IN THE FIELD … MLB average – 17

AL: Astros and Red Sox (8); Angels (10)

NL: Diamondbacks (10); Rockies and Nationals (11)

The Yankees and Rangers led MLB in March/April errors with 25 each, with the Yankees having the lowest fielding percentage at .975.

__________________________________________

—–LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME MARCH/APRIL HIGHLIGHTS—–

Back-to-Back, Jack!

On April 3, The Cardinals opened the game against the Brewers with back-to-back jacks (Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham) on the game’s first three pitches. Then, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Brewers (trailing 4-3) closed out the game with back-to-back home runs from Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun. MLB.com reported it was the first time in MLB history a game opened and closed with back-to-back long balls.

This One’s Gone Platinum

On April 3 and April 8, the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton earned the Platinum Sombrero – recognition for fanning five times in a game. Quite a feat, when you consider that only one other player has notched two five-strikeout games in his career. (That unfortunate was the Blue Jays’ Alex Rios – June 4, 2004 and July 29, 2006.)

Another One Bites the Dust … April 3

Leading off the top of the second inning of the April 3 Rangers/A’s game, Texas 3B Adrian Beltre rapped a single to center off the A’s Kendall Graveman. It was hit number 3,053 for Beltre, tying him with seven-time batting champion Rod Carew for the most hits ever by a player from Latin America. Beltre would pick up the tie-breaking hit on April 5 – a second inning double off the A’s Daniel Mengden.

Youth Not Wasted on the Young

On April 10, Blue Jays’ closer Roberto Osuna picked up his fifth save of the season as the Jays topped the Orioles 2-1 at Camden Yards. The save made Osuna – who became the Blue Jays’ closer at age 20 – the youngest player to reach the 100-save mark (23 years – 62 days), well ahead of the previous holder of that distinction (Francisco Rodriguez at 24-years – 246 days).

One is the Loneliest Number- Especially for the Padres

On April 12, the Giants toppled the Padres 7-0 on a combined one-hitter (Chris Stratton, seven innings/Derek Law, two innings). The one hit came early – in the bottom of the third. The clean single to right field took any potential suspense out of the game, but it was still historic in its own way. The hit came off the bat of Padres’ left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard, who was pinch-hitting for the Padres’ starting pitcher Bryan Mitchell (who, in his three innings on the mound, had already given up four hits, five walks and three runs). What was historic? Elias Sports reports that it marked the first time that a pinch-hitting pitcher got his team’s only hit. (Note: Richard did not take the mound in the contest.) Just one more reason #WhyIHateTheDH.”

On April 20 – a day before the A’s Sean Manaea threw the first no-hitter of the 2018 season, the Padres’ Tyson Ross was working on a no-hitter for 7 2/3 innings. Then with two-out in the eighth inning of a 1-1 ball game, Walker gave up his first hit of the day – a game-tying double to Diamondbacks’ pinch hitter Christian Walker. The hit ended his no-no and his day on the mound. Brad Hand got the last four outs in the one-hitter, and picked up the win after the Padres plated three runs in the top of the ninth.

Why report that as an April highlight? Walker’s lone hit ensured the Padres remained the only team in MLB that has never recorded a no-hitter.

The Family Business

On April 9, during a Double A game between the Trenton Thunder and New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Vlad Guerrero, Jr. hit a home run off Jose Mesa Jr. Now, I really feel old.

Home Town Glory … Say it is so, Joe.

Photo by Keith Allison

Twins’ first baseman (former catcher) Joe Mauer – a native of the Twin Cities – captured a little home town glory on April 12. The three-time batting champion (and 2009 AL MVP) collected his 2,000^th MLB hit in front of the home town fans in the seventh inning of a 4-0 Twins win over the White Sox – making him just one of three players with 2,000 hits for the Twins (joining Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett). The hit was a productive one – a two-run single up the middle. While I chose Adele’s “Home Town Glory” to celebrate this April highlight, the Twins went with Prince’s “Party Like It’s 1999.

In Baseball We Count EVERYTHING

On April 9, as the Nationals topped the Braves 2-0 in Washington, Max Scherzer became only the second pitcher in MLB history to pitch a shutout, fan ten batters AND STEAL A BASE in the same game. The other? Nolan Ryan.

Photo by Keith Allison

I’m Too Sexy – For this Game

Bartolo “Big Sexy” Colon gave Rangers’ fans a thrill on April 15, when the 44-year-old took a perfect game into the eighth inning – against the vaunted Astros’ offense. Unfortunately, a walk to Carlos Correa leading off the eighth ended the perfecto and a Josh Reddick double ended he no-hitter and Colon’s time on the mound – and his opportunity to become the oldest pitcher to complete an MLB no-hitter. True to form, Big Sexy relied on locating his fast(?)ball – with 83 fastballs out of 96 total pitches. By the way, the Rangers won 3-1 in ten innings and, “I’m Too Sexy” was recorded by Right Said Fred in back in 1991 – when Colon was 18-years-old.

Knock Three Times – And Join a Pretty Elite Crowd

Remember the old Tony Orlando and Dawn classic “Knock Three Times” (on the ceiling if you want me)? Well on April 17, the Angels should have wanted no part of Red Sox’ RF Mookie Betts – who knocked three home runs against Halo’s pitching. Batting in the lead-off position, Betts opened the game (in Anaheim) with a solo shot to left-center off early-season sensation Shohei Ohtani. He added another solo dinger – to left – off reliever Luke Bard in the third. Then – after a walk in the fifth – Betts led off the eighth with another round tripper, this one off Cam Bedrosian. Betts joined a pretty good Red Sox hitter – Ted Williams – as the only Sox’ players with three, three-HR games. For those who track such things, Johnny Mize and Sammy Sosa share the MLB career record for three homer games at six – and Betts is just 25-years-old (in his MLB fifth season). Note: BoSox topped the Angels 10-1.

Happy Birthday to You Two

On April 18, the Twins topped the Indians in Puerto Rico (for the story on Hiram Bithorn stadium, click here) in a game that went 16 innings and five hours and 13 minutes. How long was the game? Twins’ 1B Joe Mauer and Twins’ reliever Zach Duke both started the game at age 34 and ended the contest at age 35.

An Inside Job

Carlos Martinez of the Cardinals is (apparently) not afraid to “go inside.” Martinez leads MLB pitchers (through April) in hit batsmen with 8 (next is Toronto’s Aaron Sanchez with six). Still, Martinez is 2-1, with a 1.43 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings. Martinez, by the way, is well down the leader board in wild pitchers, with just one – putting him at no higher than 86th.

A Seven-Player Double Play

On April 19, the Pirates turned – and the Phillies ran (not hit) into – a double play in which no hitter put the ball in play, seven of the Pirates’ nine defenders handled the horsehide and the final out was a tag of a baserunner by the left fielder. The play started with a pick-off attempt and, on the scorecards, looked like this 1-3-4-2-5-8-7. For those who don’t keep score, that pitcher-to first baseman-to second baseman-to catcher-to third baseman-to center fielder-to left fielder. Too hard to explain, so just watch the video below.

https://youtu.be/BsXK6jjTfow

2018’s First No Hitter

On April 21, the A’s Sean Manaea threw the first no-hitter of the 2018 season – and he did it in style. Manaea no-hit the Boston Red Sox, who were 17-2 at the time and were leading MLB in runs scored (123) and batting average (.293). In the 3-0 win, Manaea walked just two and fanned ten.

Put Me In Coach …

Photo by Rob Shenk

Giants’ 3B Pablo Sandoval – in his eleventh season, took the mound for the first time on April 28 (against the rival Dodgers). The Giants were down 15-6 (the regular pitching staff had taken quite a “hit”). Sandoval threw a 1-2-3 ninth (three ground outs) and tossed eight strikes in his 11 pitches.

Three weeks earlier, Mariners’ catcher Bryan Holaday and Rays’ 2B Daniel Robertson also drew late-game assignments – and responded equally well. Holaday’s mound appearance came in the top of the ninth inning with Seattle down 20-1 to the Phillies. Like Sandoval, Holaday “shut’em down,” getting three straight outs (including a strikeout of Rhys Hoskins). He needed just 8 pitches (six strikes). Robertson came on in the bottom of the eighth inhis outing, with the home town Red Sox up 10-3. Robertson also tossed a 1-2-3 inning (three pop/fly outs), tossing seven strikes in eleven pitches.

Other position players to pitch in April (less successfully) included: the Phillies’ Pedro Florimon; Twins’ Ryan LaMarre; Mariners’ Taylor Motter; Reds’ Cliff Pennington; and Brewers’ Herman Perez. Overall, these “hurlers” tossed six innings and gave up five runs on four hits and three walks (three strikeouts) – and saved a few bullpen arms.

Youth Will Be Served

When the Braves called up 20-year-old Uber-Prospect Ronald Acuna in late April, 21-year-old Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies moved from the youngest player in the majors to the second-youngest. How excited are they in Atlanta about these two? Albies got in 27 March/April games – hit .293 and led the league hits (34), runs (29), doubles (12) and home runs (9). Oh, and Acuna? In his first five games, the young outfielder hit .421 (8-for-22), with four doubles, a home run and four RBI.

—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR MARCH/APRIL—

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying hitters)

AL: Manny Machado, Orioles (.361); Jose Altuve, Astros (.347); Mookie Betts (.344)

NL: Odubel Herrera, Phillies (.343); Tommy Pham, Cardinals (.341); Asdrubel Cabrera, Mets (.340)

The lowest average among players with at least 75 plate appearances belongs to the Blue Jays’ Randal Grichuk (.106 … 7-for-66). Note: Grichuk went on the DL in late April with a sprained knee. In the NL, surprisingly, the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo has the lowest March/April average among players with 75 plate appearances at .149.

HOME RUNS

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (10); Didi Gregorius, Yankees (10); Mitch Haniger, Mariners (10)

NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (9); Ozzie Albies, Braves (9); A.J. Pollock, D-backs (9)

Padres’ outfielder Jose Pirela had the most March/April at bats without a home run (123).

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Didi Gregorius, Yankees (30); Jed L0wrie, A’s (27); Mitch Haniger, Mariners (27)

NL: Javier Baez, Cubs (26); Yeonis Cespedes, Mets (25); A.J. Pollock (24)

RUNS SCORED

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (29); five with 24

NL: Ozzie Albies, Braves (29); Bryce Harper, Nationals (23); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (22); Tommy Pham, Cardinals (22)

STOLEN BASES

AL: Dee Gordon, Mariners (10); Tim Anderson, White Sox (8); eight with five

NL: Ender Inciarte, Braves (13); Trea Turner, Nationals (12); Michael Taylor, Nationals (9)

Trea Turner and Michael Taylor of the Nationals are 2-3 in NL stolen bases (combined total of 21) – and neither has been caught stealing this season.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Yoan Moncada, White Sox (47); Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees (43); Carlos Gomez, Rays (40)

NL: Yeonis Cespedes, Mets (43); Trevor Story, Rockies (38); Lewis Brinson, Marlins (37); Paul DeJong, Cardinals (37)

Joe Mauer of the (my) Twins had MLB’s best ratio of walks-to-strikeouts at 2.09 (23 walks and 11 whiffs) among qualifying hitters. The NL leader was Bruce Harper at 1.81 (38 walks and 21 strikeouts).

WALKS DRAWN

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees (25); Joe Mauer, Twins (23); Mike Trout, Angels (20); Alex Bregman, Astros (20)

NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (38); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (24); Cesar Hernandez, Phillies (24)

In March/April, no one saw more pitches per plate appearance (among qualifying hitters) than the Cardinals’ Matt Carpenter (4.61). The AL leader was the White Sox’ Matt Davidson (4.50).

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL: Twelve with four – Those at 4-0 are: Justin Verlander, Astros; Charlie Morton, Astros; Rick Porcello, Red Sox; Hector Valazquez, Red Sox

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (5-1); five with four

Kendall Graveman of the A’s (optioned to Triple A April 26) had the most losses in March/April with an 0-5 record.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying)

AL: Sean Manaea, A’s (1.03); Justin Verlander, Astros (1.36); Charlie Morton, Astros (1.72)

NL: Johnny Cueto, Giants (0.84); Carlos Martinez, Cardinals (1.43); Max Scherzer, Nationals (1.62)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 20 March/April innings or four March/April start belongs to the Rangers’ Martin Perez at 9.67. Others that meet those criteria and logged ERA’s over 8.00 were: Kendall Graveman, A’s (8.89); Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays (8.88); Lance Lynn, Twins (8.37).

STRIKEOUTS

AL: Gerrit Cole, Astros (61 – 41 2/3 innings pitched); J.A. Happ, Blue Jays (50 – 36 IP); Justin Verlander, Astros (48 – 39 2/3 IP)

NL: Max Scheerzer, Nationals (57 – 39 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs (55 – 40 IP); Jacob deGrom, Mets (48 – 39 1/3 IP)

Among pitchers with at least 20 inning pitched in March/April, D-backs’ starter Robbie Ray had the highest rate of strikeouts per nine innings at 14.64 (45 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings). Note: Ray went on the Disabled List in late April – strained obliique. If you drop the qualifying down to 15 innings, Brewers’ reliever Josh Hader comes in at 19.50 – 39 whiffs in 18 frames.

SAVES

AL: Edwin Diaz, Mariners (11); Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (7); Robert Osuna (7)

NL: Wade Davis, Rockies (10); Jeurys Familia, Mets (9); Brad Boxberger, D-backs (9)

INNINGS PITCHED

AL: Corey Kluber, Indians (45 1/3); Sean Manaea, A’s (43 2/3); Gerrit Cole, Astros (41 2/3)

NL: Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks (40); Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (39 2/3); Jacob deGrom, Mets (39 1/3)

GAMES PITCHED

AL: Jose Alvarez, Angels (16); Alex Claudio, Rangers (16); Chris Martin (16)

NL: Bryan Shaw, Rockies (17); Sam Freeman, Braves (16); Dan Jennings, Brewers (16)

________________________________________

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

I tweet baseball @ DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News, Rants & Raves

BBRT’s Top-Three First MLB Mound Appearances

April 30, 2018 by David

Yesterday, April 29, Pirates’ 26-year-old rookie Nick Kingham – who had his professional career interrupted by Tommy John Surgery (2015) – made his first MLB appearance. He made it a memorable one.

The 6’5”, 225-pound right-hander, called up from Triple A the day before, retired the first 20 MLB batters he ever faced – fanning nine of them. That’s right; Kingham was “perfect” through the first 6 2/3 innings of his major league career. The perfect game was broken up on a groundball single by Cardinals’ SS Paul DeJong with two outs in the seventh. Kingham got LF/cleanup hitter Marcell Ozuna on a ground out to third base to end the inning. The rookie righty was then replaced on the mound by Michael Feliz. For his inaugural game, Kingham got the win, throwing seven innings, giving up just one hit and no runs and fanning nine. He threw 98 pitches, 72 for strikes.

One of the best first pitching appearances ever – and given that segue – here are Baseball Roundtable’s choices for the three best first pitching appearances of all time.

Charles “Bumpus” Jones, Reds … October 15, 1892

Bumpus Jones – we do need more nicknames in MLB today – made his MLB debut for the Reds (versus the Pirates) on the final day of the 1892 season. (Coincidentally, it was also the final MLB game to be played with the pitching box just fifty feet from home plate.) Jones appeared to have first-game jitters, walking the first two Pirate batters, then benefitting from a double play (with the second out made at the plate) and getting out of the inning without giving up a hit or a run.

Jones issued another free pass in the second, but the Reds turned another twin killing behind him. He didn’t fare quite as well in the third. After another walk and a stolen base, Jones made a wild throw on a play at first base that let in an unearned run. After that, the rookie settled down and did not allow a base runner over the final six frames – earning a 7-1 victory. In the process he became the first – and still only – MLB pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his first MLB game.

It may have been the change in the pitching distance, but Jones did not live up to that first-game promise. He appeared in only seven more major league games (for the Reds and Giants in 1893) and had a career record of two wins, four losses and a 7.99 earned run average. Still, his status as the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his MLB debut outs Jones in the number one position on this brief list.

Karl Spooner, Dodgers … September 22, 1954

Karl 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 call up to the “show” and a 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 inaugural game by fanning 15 Giants. Not only that, the 6’, 185-pound, 23-year-old -year-old southpaw got one more start that season (September 26 against the Pirates) and notched a second complete-game shutout, this time fanning a dozen. So, after 18 MLB innings, he had given up just ten hits and six walks, no runs, and fanned 27.

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.

Juan Marichal, Giants … July 19, 1960

On July 19, 1960, 22-year-old Juan Marichal made his first MLB appearance – as his San Francisco Giants faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies. The high-kicking right-hander – whose minor league record (three seasons) was 50-26, with a 2.35 ERA and 575 strikeouts in 655 innings – quickly made it clear he would not be going back to the minors.

In that first MLB appearance, Marichal went the distance – tossing a one-hit shutout, walking just one batter and fanning a dozen. Unlike the first two pitchers on this list, Marichal did live up to his early potential – earning 243 MLB victories over 16 seasons, nine All-Star Selections and a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Primary Resources: Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Reference.com

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Before Ohtani, There Was – Van Atta

April 25, 2018 by David

Much has been made this season of MLB rookie (and Japanese-league) sensation Shohie Ohtani – as a hitter and a pitcher. As of today (April 25), Ohtani is 2-1, 4.43 in four games on the mounds and .333-3-11 in eleven contests at the plate.

April 25 is a good day to reflect on Ohtani’s prowress as a hurler and a hitter, since on this date in 1933, a 26-year-old rookie southpaw named Russ Van Atta took the mound for the defending World Champion New York Yankees – and made quite an impression on the mound and at the plate.

Van Atta was facing the Washington Senators in Washington’s Griffith Stadium. It significant to note that this was not the Washington Senators later described as “First in War. First in peace. Last in the American League.” This was the Washington Senators that had finished in the American League’s first division in each of the previous three years – averaging 93 victories per season – and would go on to win the 1933 AL pennant with a 99-53 record. On the day the 6′, 184-pound Van Atta made his debut, three future Hall of Famers were in the Senators’ lineup: left fielder Heinie Manush, right fielder Goose Goslin and shortstop Joe Cronin.

Van Atta had some pretty good players behind him as well. The New York lineup that day featured future Hall of Famers: Babe Ruth (right field); Lou Gehrig (first base); Earle Combs (center field); Joe Sewell (third base); Tony Lazzeri (second base); and Bill Dickey (catcher). The Yankees were the defending AL and World Series Champions and, in the previous seven seasons, had never finished lower than third (capturing four AL pennants). Their 91 wins in 1933, would land them in second place.

With nine future Hall of Famers on the field, it is somewhat surprising that the star of the game – both on the mound and in the batter’s box – was a rookie pitcher making his very first major league appearance. Van Atta not only pitched a complet-game shutout, he collected four hits of his own – and still holds a share of the American League record for most hits in an MLB debut.

In his fifth season of professional baseball (after playing college ball at Penn State),Van Atta earned his chance at breaking into the Yankees’ rotation with a 22-win season for the American Association Saint Paul Saints the year before. He made the most of it.

In his debut, Van Atta threw a complete-game, five-hit shutout. That in itself is a pretty spectacular first MLB appearance, when you consider he was facing the eventual AL Champions. But Van Atta did more than that, he also went four-for-four at the plate, scored three runs, drove in one and recorded a successful sacrifice bunt. (The Yankees won 16-0.) Van Atta went on to have a pretty good rookie season overall. He won 12 games and lost only four (tying for the AL lead in winning percentage), posting a 4.18 ERA and ten complete games. He also hit .283 (17-for-60), with eight runs scored and seven RBI.)

It would, unfortunately, prove to be the best season of what was a short (seven-season) MLB career. In the winter following his rookie performance, Van Atta injured his pitching hand breaking a window to save his family dog (trapped in a house fire) – and the feeling never fully returned to his fingers. Van Atta left MLB with a 33-41 record (5.60 ERA) and a .228 average (47-for-208), with 24 runs scored and 17 RBI. But, oh, that sparkling debut. And he did save the family dog.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook page here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro League’s Baseball Museum.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Eleven Runs on One Hit – Revisiting a Most Peculiar Inning

April 22, 2018 by David

On this Date (April 22) in 1959, the Chicago White Sox completed what may be the weirdest MLB offensive inning ever – an event Baseball Roundtable feels is worth revisiting.

In the seventh inning of a 20-6 road win over the Kansas City A’s, the Chicago White Sox scored 11 runs on just one base hit. In fact, they got only one ball out of the infield.

Nellie Fox drew two bases-loaded walks in the seventh inning of a White Sox 20-6 win.

This unique offensive “outburst” would prove to be a portent of things to come. The 1959 AL pennant-winning White Sox were became known as the “Go-Go Sox” for their ability to manufacture runs despite a punchless offense. (The Sox finished last in the league in home runs and sixth – out of the eight AL teams – in batting average and runs scored, but first in stolen bases and second in walks).

Still, it would have been hard to predict an inning in which the boys from Chicago would plate eleven runs on just one hit (a single) – or to anticipate a frame which included ten walks, a hit batsman, and three opposition errors. Here are few “numbers” from that 11-run inning:

The Sox sent 17 batters to the plate, but collected just one hit – and, in fact, got only one ball out of the infield.
Sox’ hitters stepped into the box with runners in scoring position 14 times.
Sox hitters batted with the bases loaded 12 times and never got the ball past the pitcher.
Eight different White Sox’ players drew walks.
The Sox drew eight bases-loaded walks (and had one bases-loaded hit batsman). and

White Sox 2B Nellie Fox walked twice with the bases loaded in the inning.

Here’s how it went that inning (per baseball-reference.com):

1B Ray Boone is safe on a throwing error by A’s shortstop Joe DeMaestri.
RF Al Smith attempts to sacrifice Boone to second (score was 8-6 at the time) and reaches safely on an error by A’s third baseman Hal Smith.
LF Johnny Callison singles to right. Scoring Boone and Smith (with the help of an error by A’s right fielder Roger Maris). Callison ends up on third.
SS Louis Aparicio walks – steals second (runners now on second and third).
P Bob Shaw walks (loading bases).
PH Earl Torgeson (batting for 3B Sammy Esposito) walks (scoring Callison).
2B Nellie Fox walks (scoring Aparicio).
CF Jim Landis reaches on fielder’s choice – grounding back to pitcher Mark Freeman, who takes the force at home (bases still loaded).
C Sherman Lollar walks (scoring Torgeson, bases still loaded).
Ray Boone makes his second plate appearance of the inning and walks (scoring Nellie Fox).
Al Smith makes his second plate appearance of the inning and walks (scoring Landis).
Johnny Callison, who had the only hit of the inning in his first plate appearance, is hit by a pitch (scoring Lollar, bases still loaded). Lou Skizas comes in to run for Callison.
Louis Aparicio draws his second walk of the inning (scoring Boone, bases still loaded).
Bob Shaw strikes out.
PH Bubba Phillips (batting for Torgeson, who batted for Esposito earlier in the inning) walks (scoring Smith, bases still full).
Nellie Fox draws his second bases loaded walk of the inning (scoring Skizas).
Jim Landis grounds out pitcher to first to end the inning.

The 20-runs the White Sox scored that day were the most they plated in any game that season. Another side note: It did not start out like it was going to be a good day for the White Sox. The A’s knocked Chicago’s starting pitcher Early Wynn – who would go on to lead the AL in wins with 22 – out of the game with six runs on six hits and two walks in the first 1 2/3 innings. The Sox actually trailed 6-1 after two frames. A few other stats:

The Sox collected a total of 16 hits and 13 walks in the contest; which also saw four Kansas City errors.
In addition, to scoring 20 times, Chicago left eleven runners on base.
Nellie Fox was the offensive star of the game – with four hits (five at bats), two walks and five RBI.
The A’s used six pitchers in the contest, three in the seventh inning.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.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

Today, MLB in Puerto Rico Brings Back the Life, Times and Mysterious Death of Hiram Bithorn

April 17, 2018 by David

Sandy Alomar (Jr. & Sr.), Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Carlos Beltrán, José Berríos, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente, Carlos Correa, Carlos Delgado, Francisco Lindor, Javy López, Felix Mantilla (Lamela), Edgar Martínez, Yadier Molina, José Morales, José Pagán, Juan Pizarro, Iván Rodríguez, Eddie Rosario. Those are just a few of the more than 200 Puerto Ricans who have played Major League Baseball. BUT, BEFORE, THEM ALL CAME PUERTO RICO’S FIRST MAJOR LEAGUER – HIRAM BITHORN.

Now, you may wonder why Baseball Roundtable is focusing this post on Hiram Bithorn, particularly since I have touched upon his historic MLB “first” in the past. A confluence of factors contributed to this decision – a perfect storm, if you will.

My patio TODAY … where I should be grilling steaks and listening to the Twins on the radio. Thankfully, they are playing in Puerto Rico.

First, here in Minnesota, we are starving for spring weather – and for baseball. Hit by an historic snowstorm this weekend, we have seen the past three Twins’ home games snowed out. Yes, an April weekend without Twins’ baseball – a shock to the system. We look out our windows now and we see not the green grass upon which the national pastime is played, but 10+ inches of cold, white snow.

Second, thankfully, our Twins are playing the Cleveland Indians in Puerto Rico – where the temperature is expected to reach the mid-80’s and the passion for baseball runs even higher.

Third, the Twins and Indians will be playing in sold out – standing room only –Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

In anticipation of this event – and the return of baseball-watching for Minnesota fans (even if it is just on television) – BBRT would like to present an updated look at Puerto Rican hero Hiram Bithorn.

THE LIFE, TIMES AND MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF HIRAM BITHORN

Today and tomorrow, the Twins and Indians will be playing in Estadio Hiram Bithorn – Puerto Rico’s largest baseball stadium (18,000 capacity – with a reported 39,000 tickets sold for the two-game set). The ballpark is home to the Santurce Crabbers of the Puerto Rico Baseball League. The ballpark is no stranger to major league ball. Hiram Bithorn Stadium also hosted the opening game of the 2001 Major League season (Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays); 44 Montreal Expos home games in the 2003/04 seasons; and, in 2010, a Florida Marlins/New York Mets three-game series.

The ballpark is, as noted earlier, named after Hirzam Bithorn – whose major-league career has made him hero in his country and to the Puerto Rican players who followed him to the big league diamonds. So, with the Twins/Indians tilt coming up, let’s take a look at the short baseball career and life of “Hi” Bithorn – who died under mysterious circumstances in Mexico at the age of 35.

Bithorn was born March 18, 1916 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. As he grew up, Bithorn proved a talented athlete. In 1935, the 19-year-old, 6’ 1” 200-pound Bithorn played in the Central American and Caribbean Games on Puerto Rico’s Silver Medal-winning volleyball team and Bronze Medal-winning basketball team. Bithorn’s game, however, was baseball – and he was already making a name for himself on the mound, drawing crowds wherever he unleashed his high leg kick, blazing fastball and effective curve. Note: While Latino players already had appeared in the major leagues, it has been reported that most Puerto Ricans were considered to be too “dark” for the still “all-white” major leagues. The Puerto-Rican born Bithorn, of mixed descent – primarily listed as Dutch and Spanish – was light-skinned and also spoke English.

A rising star on the ball fields of his native country, Bithorn got a chance to show his stuff to a broader audience in 1936, when the Negro League’s Newark Eagles traveled to Puerto Rico for an exhibition series against MLB’s Cincinnati Reds. The Eagles prepared for the Reds’ matchup by playing against local teams – and Bithorn performed well against them. Well enough that when one of their top moundsmen, Leon Day, went down with an illness, the Eagles recruited Bithorn to fill in on their squad. On March 1, 1936 – pitching for the Newark Eagles – Bithorn (then just 20-year-old) faced the National League Cincinnati Reds. He held the Reds to one run over the first seven frames, but had to be relieved when he ran into trouble in the eighth. Still, Newark won the game and Bithorn made enough of an impression that the 1937 season saw him pitching in the Yankees’ farm system.

He went 16-9 in his first season (with the Norfolk Tars of the Class B Piedmont League) and started 1937 with ten wins against just one loss at Norfolk, before being promoted to Binghamton Triplets of the Class A NY/Penn League – where he won seven more games (against eight losses).

Bithorn continued his move toward the major leagues, playing with Oakland Oaks and Hollywood Stars of the then AA Pacific Coast League, where his best season was 1941, when he went 17-15, 3.59 with 16 complete games and two shutouts for the Stars (while also hitting .286 in 77 at bats).

During his stint in the Pacific Coast League Hiram Bithorn picked up the nickname “The Tropical Hurricane.”

Unfortunately, for Bithorn, the Yankees were loaded with talent and the big leagues seemed far away – until the Cubs acquired him from the Bronx Bombers in the fall of 1941. On April 15, 1942, Bithorn became the first Puerto Rican to appear in a major league game, pitching two scoreless innings in relief (no-hits, one walk, no strikeouts) for the Cubs against Cardinals in Saint Louis. He ended the season 9-14, with two saves, a 3.68 ERA and nine complete games in sixteen starts (Bithorn also made 22 relief appearances) for the sixth-place Cubs.

While playing professional ball in the United States, Bithorn would return to Puerto Rico to play in the Winter League for the San Juan Senators – who made the 22-year-old Bithorn the team’s manager during the 1938 season.

In 1942, Bithorn showed his full potential. With the Cubs finishing fifth (74-79), Bithorn went 18-12, 2.60, with 19 complete games (30 starts) and a league-leading seven shutouts. For the season, Bithorn, in fact, finished in the NL’s top ten in wins, winning percentage, earned run average, WHIP, innings pitched, strikeouts, complete games and shutouts. Clearly, Bithorn was on his way – until World War II intervened and Bithorn lost two MLB seasons to military service.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ALL-TIME PUERTO-RICAN MLB SQUAD

C – Iván Rodríguez

1B – Orlando Cepeda

2B – Roberto Alomar

3B – Edgar Martínez

SS – Francisco Lindor

LF – Carlos Beltrán

CF – Bernie Williams

RF – Roberto Clemente

DH – Carlos Delgado

SP – Javier Vázquez

RP – Roberto Hernández

Bithorn was discharged from the service in September of 1945 and pitched for San Juan in the Puerto Rican championships the following February, where he suffered a hand injury during a play at the plate. As a result, he reported late for Cubs’ Spring Training. Bithorn reportedly had gained about 20 pounds, was having arm problems and didn’t seem to have the same “stuff” as he displayed in that successful 1943 season. The then 30-year-old finished the 1946 season 6-5, 3.84 in 26 games (seven starts). He was sold to the Pirates in January 1947 and selected on waivers (from the Pirates) by the White Sox before the 1947 season opened. He pitched just two innings in relief for the White Sox – picking up what was to be his last major league win.

CATCHER COUNTRY …

Here are just a few of the major-league catchers from Puerto Rico: Iván Rodríguez; Jorge Posada; Yadier Molina; Sandy Alomar, Jr.; Benjie Molina; Geovany Soto. Martín Maldanado; Christian Vazquez; Héctor Ortiz; Héctor Villaneuva; Orlando Mercado.

After his release, Bithorn underwent surgery and missed the 1948 season. He attempted a comeback in 1949, going 4-3 in 13 games at AA Nashville and Oklahoma City. He did not make it back to the major leagues and finished with a MLB line of 34-31, with 5 saves and a 3.16 ERA in 105 games. In his four MLB seasons, Bithorn completed 30 of 53 starts, with eight shutouts.

AN UNTIMELY DEATH

In December of 1952, at the age of 35, Bithorn was shot to death by a police officer under mysterious circumstances in El Mante, Mexico. Various reports indicate the date of his death as anywhere from December 27, 1951 to January 1, 1952. They indicate Bithorn was on his way to visit his mother Mexico (some reports also say he was considering a comeback in the Mexican League). Initial reports said Bithorn had been trying to sell his car when Ambrosio Castillo Cano of the El Mante police force questioned Bithorn and found him unable to produce the paperwork required of such a sale. Cano reported that, at some time during the questioning, Bithorn became violent and he was forced to shoot him. (Bithorn died a few hours later of a gunshot wound to the stomach). Cano also reportedly said Bithorn admitted to being part of a “communist cell.” The details of the incident remain mysterious, but after an investigation, Cano was indicted and sentenced to eight years in the state prison for Bithorn’s homicide.

In 1962, Bithorn’s status as Puerto Rico’s first major-leaguer was honored with the naming of Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

Primary Resources: Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Reference.com; Early Latino Ballplayers in the United States, Nick Wilson, 2005).

I tweet Baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Joy of the Small Sample Size -MLB Stats that Caught My Eye

April 16, 2018 by David

Photo by Keith Allison

Now that we’ve reached Tax Day, Baseball Roundtable would like to take a look at a few MLB statistics – through April 15 – that you probably don’t see much of in regular baseball coverage. Admittedly, we are looking at a pretty small sample size, but the box below illustrates the kind of early-season “numbers” that caught BBRT’s eye.

Rays’ righty Yonny Chirinos, as of April 15, had pitched more innings (14 1/3 innings in two starts and one relief appearance) without giving up a run this season than any other pitcher.

The Mets’ Jose Reyes had the most at bats (16) of any player who had yet to get a hit this season.

The Padres’ Jose Pirela has the most at bats (74) and the most hits (24) without a home runs this season. The other players with at least 60 at bats without a long ball through April 15: D-backs’ Ketel Marte; Reds’ Scooter Gennett; Marlins’ Starlin Castro; Astros’ Jose Altuve; Marlins’ Lewis Brinson.

Then, of couse, there are some team numbers that stand out.

THROUGH APRIL 15 …

The Angels have scored an MLB-best 103 runs in 16 games – the Royals have plated MLB-worst 39 in 13 contests. No surprise, the Angels are 13-3, the Royals 3-10.

The Indians are averaging right on the Mendoza Line (.200) – as a team. Despite the lowest average in the majors, the Tribe is 8-6 on the season.

The Angels have hit more home runs (26) than the Royals (5), Tigers (5), Rays (7) and Marlins (8) COMBINED.

The Brewers blew an MLB-leading seven saves (in just 11 opportunities) – and are still playing .500 ball (8-8). The Braves, meanwhile, have had only two save opportunities – and blew them both – but are 8-6 on the season.

_______________________________________

Here’s a few other stats that caught my attention – all through April 15.

No player has grounded into more double plays than the Marlins’ Starlin Castro – seven times in 15 games. Still, Castro is hitting .295 over 61 bats.

GDP – Through April 15 …

Starlin Castro, Marins – 7; Stephen Piscotty, A’s – 5; Aaron Judge, Yankees – 5.

The Angels’ Albert Pujols led MLB in grounding into double plays in 2017 – with 26. That was 0ne more than the NL leader, Matt Kemp of the Braves.

The Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes and Rockies’ Trevor Story are tied for the most strikeouts by a batter at 26 (in 58 and 62 at bats, respectively). Notably, both are hitting under .200 through April 15.

Most Strikeouts – Through April 15 …

Yeonis Cespedes, Mets – 26; Trevor Story, Rockies – 26; Drew Robinson, Yankees – 25; Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees – 25; Paul DeJong, Cardinals – 25.

BBRT note: Cespedes, despite leading in K’s and hitting just .190, has 12 RBI. Robinson is the only one among these leaders who has fanned in more than half his at bats (25 whiffs in41 at bats).

The 2017 MLB strikeout leader was Yankee rookie Aaron Judge who, last season, set MLB rookie records in both strikeouts (208) and home runs (52).

No one has averaged more pitches seen per plate appearance so far this season than the Twins’ Miguel Sano (4.96) – who is hitting .250-3-8 in ten games.

Pitches Per Plate Appearance – Through April 15 …

Miguel Sano, Twins – 4.96; Jose Ramirez, Indians – 4.73; Matt Davidson, White Sox – 4.67; Todd Frazier, Mets – 4.57; Trevor Story, Rockies – 4.57

Curtis Granderson (Dodgers/Mets) saw the most pitches per plate appearance (among qualifiying hitters) in 2017 at 4.52. Overall, he hit .212-26-64 in 147 games.

The Cubs’ Javier Baez leads the major leagues in intentional walks this season with four, while the Nationals’ Bryce Harper – hitting ,300 with an MLB-best seven home runs – leads in overall walks with 20.

Intentional Walks – Through April 15 …

Javier Baez, Cubs – 4; Freddie Freeman, Braves – 3; Jody Mercer, Pirates – 3; Michael Conforto, Mets – 3.

Total Walks – Through April 15 ….

Bryce Harper, Nationals – 20; Freddie Freeman, Braves – 17; Matt Carpenter, Cardinals – 14; Trea Turner, Nationals – 14.

The Reds’ Joey Votto led MLB with 20 intentional walks in 2017. He also led in total walks with 134.

The Cubs’ Kris Bryant has already been hit by a pitch an MLB-leading five times.

Hit-By-Pitch – Through April 15 …

Kris Bryant, Cubs – 5; Martin Machado, Angels – 4; Robinson Chirinos, Rangers – 4; Jose Abreu, White Sox – 4.

Last season’s MLB hit-by-pitch leader was the Mets’ Anthony Rizzo with 24. The Rangers’ Carlos Gomez led the AL with 19.

Looking at players with at least 10 at bats with runners in scoring position – The Braves’ Dansby Swanson has the best RISP average at .615 (8-for-13).

Average with RISP – Through April, minimum 10 RISP at bats) … Dansby Swanson, Braves – .615 (8-for-13); Freddie Freeman, Braves – .600 (9-for-15); Jose Pirela, Padres – .571 (8-for-14).

Among players with at least 75 at bats with runners in scoring position in 2017, the Nationals’ Daniel Murphy had the highest average with RISP at .409 (47-for-115).

The Dodgers’ Chase Utley, Dodgers’ Kyle Farmer and Cubs’ Tommy La Stella share the lead in pinch hits with four reach. Utley got his in just five pinch-hit at bats, Farmer in six at bats and La Stella in eleven.

The Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki led all MLB players in pinch hits in 2017 with 27 (in 100 pinch-hit at bats). Looking at players with at least 20 pinch-hit at bats, The Cardinals’ Jose Martinez put up the highest pinch-highest average at .462 (12-for-26).

The Mariners’ Dee Gordon leads MLB in stolen bases through April 15 with seven – and also had the most stolen bases through April 15 with being caught. The leaders in caught stealing – all with three through April 15 – are the Padres’ Freddy Galvis (3 attempts); Rays’ Mallex Smith (five attempts); and Cardinals’ Tommy Pham (8 attempts).

Among pitchers with at least 15 innings pitched, the Astros’ Gerrit Cole has fanned the most batters per nine-inings at 15.43.

Strikeouts Per Innings – Through April 15 (minimum 15 innings pitched) …

Gerrit Cole, Astros – 15.93 (36 K/21 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs – 14.24 (29K/18 1/3 IP); Noah Sundergaard, Mets – 13.92 (33K/21 1/3IP).

In 2017, among pithchers with at least 100 innings pitched, Chris Sale led the way with 12.93 strikeouts per nine innings. Among pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched, the leader was the Red Sox’ Craig Kimbrel at 16.43 (126 K in 69 IP).

The Angels’ Garrett Richard leads MLB in walks allowed with 15 (20 innings pitched/24 strikeouts). Special mention goes to the Padres’ Bryan Mitchell, second in walks with 14, but in just 13 2/4 innings.

Most Walks Allowed – Through April 15 …

Garrett Richards, Angels – 15 (20 innings pitched/24 strikeouts); Bryan Mitchell, Padres – 14 (13 2/3 IP/3 K); Carlos Martinez Cardinals – 14 (25 2/3 IP/ 30 K).

The highest earned run average among pitchers with at least two starts in 2018 is 12.00 – A.J. Cole of the Nationals. Chris Tillman has an 11.91 ERA in three starts. At the other end of the spectrum, Yonny Chirinos of the Rays has two starts and one relief appearance and has yet to give up a run (14 1/3 innings).

The highest ERA among qualifyng pitchers (162 innings pitched) in 2017 was 5.52 (Matt Moore, Giants). Note: Jordan Zimmerman had a 6.08 ERA in 29 starts – but only 160 innings pitched.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow’Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

STANTON’S FIVE-K CONTESTS – A SIGN OF THE TIMES

April 12, 2018 by David

The Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton’s two five-strikeout games this season are a sign of the times in major league baseball – a time of hard-throwing pitchers and free-swinging hitters. This post is meant, by the way, not as a judgment – but rather as an observation of how the game has changed and a look at some of the related statistics that caught my eye. Spoiler Alert: This post will appeal most to fellow stat freaks.

Let’s look at a few tell-tale signs of the current homer- and strikeout-heavy era.

THE PLATINUM SOMBRERO

The record for a batter’s strikeouts in a game is five – an accomplishment(?) which earns the mythical “Platinum Sombrero.” As most of you know, Giancarlo Stanton has already had two five-strikeout games this season – and it’s still April. (His five-whiff contests came on April 3 and April 8.) How rare is that? In MLB history, only one other player has two five-whiff games in their career. That distinction goes Toronto Blue Jays’ outfielder Alex Rios, who had five-strikeout games on July 29, 2006 and June 4, 2009.

Overall, there have been 68 five-strikeout games (by 66 players). Here are the documented five-strikeout games totals by decade. Pay particular attention to the numbers since 2000.

—–TOTAL FIVE-STRIKEOUT GAMES BY BATTERS—–

1871-79           1

1880-89           1

1900-09           0

1910-19           0

1920-29           0

1930-39           4

1940-49           1

1950-59           1

1960-69           6

1970-79           9

1980-89           6

1990-99           8

2000-09           17

2010-18           14

There is no doubt strikeouts are on the rise. In fact, MLB has set a new strikeout record in each of the past ten seasons. In 2017, fans saw an average of 16.6 strikeouts every nine-innings. Here’s the chart.

Looking a bit further, in 2017, 140 MLB players struck out at 100 or more times (Aaron Judge topped MLB with 208 whiffs.). Here’s an historic look.

—–MLB PLAYERS WITH 100+ STRIKEOUTS IN A SEASON—–

Year Number of Players

1910                                        0

1920                                        0

1930                                        0

1940                                        1

1950                                        2

1960                                        7

1970                                       27

1980                                       11

1990                                       37

2000                                     58

2010                                       88

2017 140

There are those, of course, who maintain the increased K’s are the price you pay for increased HR’s. And, the chart below would seem to support that. In 2017, we saw the first MLB season with more than 6,000 MLB home runs. A more accurate measure would be home runs per game – and 2017 was a record year there as well.

But there is other evidence to consider.

DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR LONG BALLS WITH STRIKEOUTS?

MLB’s three most prolific home run hitters – Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth – had one season of more than 100 strikeouts (in a combined 67 MLB campaigns) among them. That came in Bonds’ rookie season (1986), when he fanned 102 times. (In the spirit of “how the game has changed,” we should keep in mind that, while Ruth never fanned more than 93 times in a season, he did lead the league in whiffs five times. Neither Aaron nor Bonds – the other two 700+ HR players ever led the league in K’s.)

In 2017, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton (now Yankee teammates) hit a combined 111 home runs – and fanned a combined 371 times. In 1961, Yankee teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle hit a combined 115 home runs – but fanned nearly 200 fewer times (179).

A prime example of the potential to combine power and plate discipline would be Ted Kluszewski, who put together three consecutive seasons of 40 or more home runs with 40 or fewer strikeouts. Note: In 2017, five players hit 40 or more home runs. Of these, J.D. Martinez (45 homer runs) had the fewest whiff at 128.

PLAYERS WITH 40 OR MORE HOME RUNS AND 40 OR FEWER STRIKEOUTS

Mel Ott, 1929 – .328-42-151, with 38 strikeouts,

Lou Gehrig, 1934 – .363-49-165, with 31 strikeouts

Joe DiMaggio, 1937 – .346-46-167, with 37 strikeouts

Johnny Mize, 1948 – .289-40-125, with 37 strikeouts

Ted Kluszewski, 1953 – .316-40-108, with 34 strikeouts

Ted Kluszewski, 1954 – .326-49-141, with 35 strikeouts

Ted Kluszewski, 1955 – .314-47-40. with 40 strikeouts

A UNIQUE 50-HOMER CAMPAIGN

Johnny Mize is the only player to record a season of 50 or more home runs and 50 or fewer strikeouts. In 1947, Mize hit .302-51-138, with just 42 whiffs.

One final reflection. MLB has seen a total of ten player seasons of 200 or more strikeouts (a total of six players) – and all have occured since 2008. In fact, 45 of the top 51 batter-strikout seasons have occured since 2000 – and the top 25 strikeout seasons (by a batter) have all occured since 2004 (18 of those 25 since 2010).

As the 2018 season unfolds, we can continue to expect high strikeout and home run totals. Pitchers are throwing harder, relief pitching is as – if not more – dominant than ever and batters seem to be increasing focused on going deep. As I write this post, MLB teams are averaging just over two home runs (combined) per game and a combined 17.3 strikeouts per nine frames – and that’s despite some pretty frigid weather across much of baseball. We’ve also see this trend reflected in an increasing interest in statistics like pitch velocity, spin rate and swinging strike percentage, as well as batted ball exit velocity and launch angle. Good for the game? Don’t know. Only time will tell. (Although I, admittedly, prefer more action on the base paths and in the field – and less trotting around the bases or back to the dugout.)

By the way, if you are interested in a look at how BBRT readers see today’s game – with opinions on everything from the length (time) of games, the designated hitter, record-breaking performances they would like to witness, favorite ballpark concessions and even Hall of Fame controversies, click here.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News, Uncategorized

Walter Johnson – Best Pitcher Ever?

April 10, 2018 by David

Baseball Roundtable makes a case – on the BBRT Facebook page – for Walter Johnson as MLB’s best pitcher ever – and recounts such tales as the Othani-inspired stat fact that – at age 37 – Johnson had a 20-win/20 RBI (107 at bats) season and the story of Johnson’s remarkable 1913 start, when he carried a 0.17 earned run average into mid-May. Click here to see that top BBRT Facebook story.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Twin Killings – They Can Be Murder on the Offense

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

2018 Negro Leagues Baseball Museum “Hall of Game” Honorees Announced

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Baseball Roundtable April Wrap – Home Runs, Strikeouts and a Seven-Defender Double Play

I tweet baseball @ DavidBBRT

BBRT’s Top-Three First MLB Mound Appearances

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Before Ohtani, There Was – Van Atta

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Eleven Runs on One Hit – Revisiting a Most Peculiar Inning

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Today, MLB in Puerto Rico Brings Back the Life, Times and Mysterious Death of Hiram Bithorn

I tweet Baseball @DavidBBRT

The Joy of the Small Sample Size -MLB Stats that Caught My Eye

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

STANTON’S FIVE-K CONTESTS – A SIGN OF THE TIMES

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Walter Johnson – Best Pitcher Ever?

Featured Trivia Question

Featured Post

Why do you love baseball?

Recent Posts

Baseball Roundtable Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday …. Bases Loaded – The Bombers and Busts

Baseball Roundtable Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday … The Opening Day Record Book & More

Baseball Roundtable Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday – Fast Out of the Blocks … MLB-Debut Strikeout Leaders

Baseball Roundtable Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday – Johnny Burnett and Eddie Rommel … Two Unicorns in the Same Game

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE TRIVIA(L) TIDBIT TUESDAY – 1968 The Year of The Pitcher … Some who honored it, a coupled who defied it

Search

Links