Baseball Roundtable Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday – It’s Been A Hard Day’s Night (and next day).

March 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Once again, it’s time for Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” those one-of-a-kind accomplishment or statistics. Today, we are looking at a unicorn … a once in MLB history feat that (with the new rules) is unlikely to ever be matched.

Photo by Keith Allison

On May 8, 1984, Harold Baines started in RF as his White Sox faced off against the Brewers in Chicago.  A mere 25 hours and 42 minutes later, he would end the contest with the latest home run in MLB history – a 25th inning walk-off. (The game was suspended at 1:03 a.m. May 9 and resumed at 6:30 p.m. (May 9).

Notably, game seemed to be decided more than once. It was tied 1-1 going into the top of the ninth, when the Brewers scored twice off White Sox’ reliever Britt Burns to take the lead. Oops! The bottom of the ninth saw the White Sox tie the game with two tallies of their own.

No one scored between the ninth and the seventeenth innings (when the game was suspended). The goose eggs continued when play resumed, going on until the until the top of the 21st, when the Brewers put up a three-spot on a three-run homer off Ron Reed by Ben Oglivie – and the game again appeared to be over.   The White Sox, however, scored three of their own in the bottom of the inning.

Finally, with one out in the bottom of the 25th, Baines hit a walk-off home run (making it the latest long ball ever) against Chuck Porter (starting his eighth inning of relief) to win it for the ChiSox.

It was Baines’ second home run of the season. (He had come into the game with just one home run in 26 games.)  He went on to a .304-29-94 campaign. The 25th inning homer was one of just seven extra-inning home runs among Baines’ 384 career regular-season dingers.  Baines, a six-time All Star, played in 22 MLB seasons (1980-2001 … White Sox, Rangers, A’s, Orioles, Indians), going .289-384-1,628, with 1,299 runs scored.

A few tidbits:

  • White Sox’ CF Rudy Law, C Carlton Fisk and 2B Julio Cruz, as well as Milwaukee DH Cecil Cooper each had an MLB record-tying 11 at bats in the game. They had three, one and two hits, respectively.
  • Law, Fisk and Baines each had a record-tying 12 plate appearances. Law and Fisk each had one walk, Baines had two free passes.
  • The White used four first basemen: Greg Walker (started); Mike Squires replaced Walker in the top of the ninth; Marc Hill pinch hit for Squires in the 14th and stayed in at 1B; and, in the 22nd inning, Tom Paciorek, who had replaced Ron Kittle in LF in the top of the fourth inning, moved to 1B, replacing Hill.
  • Seven future Hall of Famers played in the game: for the White Sox – catcher Carlton Fisk and winning pitcher Tom Seaver; for the Brewers – starting pitcher Don Sutton, SS Robin Yount. 1B Ted Simmons (who made the Hall as a catcher), RF Harold Baines and closer Rollie Fingers (who blew the save in the ninth).
  • The eight hours and six minutes of playing time made this the longest game in MLB history. The 25 innings tied for the second longest in terms of innings.

Tom Terrific for the Win(s)

The winning pitcher in the longest-ever MLB game (by time, not innings) was future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, who pitched the 25th inning for the ChiSox (on May 9). It was Seaver’s only relief appearance of the season (one of just nine in his career) and his only career win in relief (he also had one save and two losses in that role).

Seaver then started the regularly scheduled May 9 contest and went 8 1/3 innings (three hits, one walk, four earned runs) to pick up a victory as a starter. (White Sox won 5-4).

Bonus Tidbit

Before getting into the details of each of the instances above, here are a few tidbits.:

  • Only one of these players hit two extra-inning home runs in a losing cause – Art Shamsky;
  • Only one included a Grand Slam among his two homers – John Mayberry;
  • Four did not even start in the game in which they had two extra-inning homers – Shasky, Mayberry, Mike Young and Matt Adams;
  • One had a third homer in the game – Shamsky.

Here are the details.

Two disclaimers here. Given statistical accuracy and game formats, I am limiting myself to the Modern Era (post 1900) and not all Negro League game stats have been fully documented and incorporated into the MLB record book. (In 2020, the Negro Leagues from 1920-48 were designated major leagues.)

Vern Stephens – 247 career homers

Stephens drove in all four runs in the Browns 4-3 win over the Red Sox, His day went: a two-run single in the first inning for a 2-0 lead; a flyout to open the fourth, with the Browns up 2-1;  a groundout to end the sixth with the game tied 2-2; a solo homer to lead off the 11th and give the Browns a 3-2 lead  (the Red Sox tied the game in the bottom of the inning); a solo shot with one out in the 13th to provide the 4-3 winning score.

Willie Kirkland – 148 career homers

Kirkland went three-for-eight, with three RBI in an Indians 3-2 win over the Senators.

His day: RBI single in the bottom of the first; groundout to open the bottom of the fourth; strikeout with two on in the sixth; groundout with two on and two out in the eighth (with the game tied 1-1); solo homer to tie the game at 2-2 , leading off the eleventh; ground ball double play to end the thirteenth; ground ball double play for first two outs in sixteenth; leadoff homer in bottom of nineteenth to win the game 3-2.

Art Shamsky – 68 career homers

Shamsky didn’t enter the game until the eighth inning, with his Reds trailing the Pirates 7-6.  In three at bats, he hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to give the Reds an 8-7 lead; hit a solo homer with one out in the tenth to tie the game at nine; hit a two-out two- run homer in the eleventh to tie it at 11-11. Despite Shamsky’s three-for-three, three-homer, five-RBI day, the Reds lost in 13 innings by a 14-11 score.

Ralph Garr – 75 career homers

Garr’s homers were part of a three-for-six day in a Braves’ 4-3 win over the Mets in Atlanta. His day: one-out single in the first inning; groundout in the third, with the Braves trailing 2-1; groundout in the sixth (still 2-1); pop out in the eighth (still 2-1); solo home run in the tenth to tie the game at 3-3 (off Mets’ starter Tom Seaver, who was still in the game); solo home run with two outs in the twelfth for a 4-3 Braves win.

Mike Young – 72 career homers

Young entered this contest in the fifth inning, with his Orioles up 5-2 over the Angels; He: struck out to open the fifth; singled with two out in the seventh; led off the tenth inning with a solo home run to tie the game at six; after the Angle scored in the top of the twelfth, Young hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the frame to win it 8-7.

John Mayberry – 56 career homers

MLB’s second John Mayberry (son of the first John Mayberry) came on in the bottom of the seventh with his Phillies tied 2-2 with the Marlins. He fanned to end the inning (with a runner at second). He then: hit a solo homer to lead off the tenth and tie the game at 3-3 and hit a two-out Grand Slam in the bottom of the eleventh to secure a 7-3 win.

Matt Adams – 118 career homers

Adams entered this game in the fourth inning with his Cardinals tied with the Reds at 2-2.  He got his first at bat in the top of the sixth, with the game tied at three, a runner on first and two out – he grounded out to end the inning. Adams went on to strike out (with two on) to end the eighth (tied at 3-3); fly out with one on and one out in the eleventh (still 3-3); hit a solo homer to lead off the fourteenth and give the Cardinals a 4-3 lead (the Reds tied it in the bottom of the inning); and hit a solo homer in the sixteenth to provide the 5-4 winning score.

Curtis Granderson – 344 career homers

Granderson’s two homers were part of a two-for-six, two-RBI day, as hit Mets topped the Twins 3-2 in New York. His bat was pretty quiet until the extra frames: pop out in the first; strikeout in the fourth; groundout in the seventh; strikeout in the eighth.  Then, he homered (solo) to lead off the eleventh and tie the game at two and homered with two outs in the bottom of the twelfth to win it 3-2.

Chris Davis – 295 career homers

Davis’ two extra-inning homers were part of a three-for-five, four-RBI day as his Orioles topped the Tigers 13-11 in Detroit. Davis walked (and was stranded) opening the top of the second inning and hit a run-scoring double as the Orioles jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the top of the third.  He then struck out to open the fifth, with the score now 7-4; walked in the seventh (still 7-4); grounded out to end the top of ninth, with the score tied at eight; hit a solo homer leading off the twelfth to give the Orioles a 9-8 lead (the O’s scored two more times in the inning, but the Tigers came back with three runs on five hits to tie it in the bottom of the frame); hit a two-run home run in the top of the thirteenth to provide the 13-11 victory.

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

 

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Opening Day Targets To Shoot For (Or Avoid)

March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

MLB’s Opening Day is just around the corner, with the Dodgers and Cubs opening the season tomorrow in Tokyo.  Baseball Roundtable would like to celebrate the dawn of a new season with an updated version of past-reported Opening Day records for MLB players to shoot for or try to avoid.

Two disclaimers here. Given statistical accuracy and game formats, I am limiting myself to the Modern Era (post 1900) and not all Negro League game stats have been fully documented and incorporated into the MLB record book. (In 2020, the Negro Leagues from 1920-48 were designated major leagues.)

“You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you’re a kid.  You think something wonderful is going to happen.’

                                                                                                           Joe DiMaggio

So, let’s look at some Opening Day stats and stories – some wonderful, some not so great. We’ll start with an MLB Unicorn looking to extend his existing record and add a unique spin to it.

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

Tyler O’Neill, who signed with the Orioles as a free-agent in December, will be looking to extend his enviable record of going deep in five consecutive Opening Day games.  Further, if he should go deep, he will be the first player to homer on Opening Day for three different teams in three consecutive years.

Tyler O’Neill – Opening Day Home Runs

July 24, 2020* … (for the Cardinals versus the Pirates’ Joe Musgrove)

April 1, 2021 …(for the Cardinals versus the Reds’ Cam Bedrosian)

April 7,  2022 ,,, (for the Cardinals versus the Pirate’s JT Brubaker)

March 30, 2013 … (for the Cardinals versus the Blue Jays’ Alek Manoah)

March 28, 2024 … (for the Red Sox’ versus the Mariners’ Cody Bolton)

*Late-starting COVID season.

O’Neill, by the way, has homered in every Opening Day game he has started. His only other Opening Day appearance was in 2019, when he had one plate appearance as a pinch-hitter for the Redbirds and flied out to CF versus the Brewers’ Junior Guerra. In his six Opening Day appearances, O’Neill is 6-for-18 (.333), with five home runs, 11 RBI and seven runs scored.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIVE

Sticking with the number five, on March 30, 2023, Dodgers’ 3B Max Muncy tied the record for strikeouts in an Opening Day game (five strikeouts in five at bats) and set the record for strikeouts in a nine-inning Opener (or any MLB game for that matter. The Dodgers prevailed 8-2 (over the Diamondbacks) despite Muncy’s day:

First Inning – Strikeout with a runner on second and two outs (versus Zac Gallen);

Third inning – Strikeout with a runner on first and two outs (Gallen);

Fifth Inning – Strikeout with runners on first and third and one out (Gallen);

Seventh Inning – Leadoff strikeout (versus Kyle Nelson);

Eighth Inning – Strikeout with a runner on second and two outs (versus Kevin Ginkel).

A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE – AND ANOTHER FIVE-SPOT

Which player became a “victim of circumstance” in setting an Opening Day single-game record by fanning five times ( a record later tied by Max Muncy – see above)? That would be Ron Karkovice.

On March 31, 1996, White Sox’ catcher Karkovice set an MLB Opening Day record by striking out five times as Chicago lost 3-2 in Seattle.  Karkovice, however, may have been a victim of circumstance.

First Circumstance: Future Hall of Famer (and whiff artist) Randy Johnson started on the mound for the Mariners – striking out 14 in seven innings (including Karkovice three times). Johnson holds the record for Opening Day career strikeouts with 107.

Second Circumstance:  The White Sox could muster only two runs on four hits over the first nine innings – taking a slim 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth (at that point, Karkovice had fanned just three times).

Third Circumstance: The Mariners tied the contest in the ninth, and the game went to 12 innings before the Mariners prevailed 3-2.  In those three extra innings, Karkovice struck out against Norm Charlton (tenth inning) and Edwin Hurtado (twelfth inning) to set the Opening Day record.

GIVE ME FIVE, BUDDY!   THESE PLAYERS WERE A “HANDFUL” ON OPENING DAY

In the Modern Era (since 1901) only 14 MLB players have collected five hits (five is a handful, isn’t it?) in an Opening Day game.  Looking for Unicorns within this list, on March 30, 2023, we saw the first (still only) Opening Day in which two players collected five hits (it happened in two different games). The players were Andy Rutschman of the Orioles and George Springer of the Blue Jays. Rutschman also became the first (only) catcher to record a five-hit Opening Day.

Now, there are some potential trivia tidbits (that you can turn into trivia questions) in this list, but here’s one that intrigues The Roundtable.

In a statistical anomaly, seven of the 14 players to enjoy a five-hit Opening Day played the same position.  What position was it?

Your answer:  Second base and the players were Craig Biggio (2001); Jeff Kent (1998); Nellie Fox (1959); Billy Herman (1936); Aaron Miles (2005); Larry Doyle (1915); and Eddie Collins (1913). For those who like to know such things, the list also includes three left fielders, two third baseman, one right fielder and one catcher.  As you might guess, most of these players were batting high in the order:  Five leading off, five batting second, two in the three-hole, one at cleanup and one sixth.

OPENING DAY STARTS – GIMME FIVE!

Gaylord Perry ten scoreless innings in relief (seven hits. one walk, nine whiffs).

Gaylord Perry was honored by the most teams with Opening Day starts. He started on Opening Day for an MLB-record five different teams:

  • Giants (1970);
  • Indians (1972 through 1975);
  • Rangers (1976);
  • Padres (1978-79);
  • Mariners (1983);

Perry pitched in 22 MLB seasons (1962-83 … Giants, Indians, Rangers, Padres, Yankees, Braves, Mariners, Royals). He went 314-265, 3.11, won two Cy Young Awards, led his league in wins three times, winning 20+ games in five seasons.

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THREE’S A CROWD – OR A CROWD OF THREES

Okay, enough of the “fives.” How about threes and fours? The Opening Day, single-game record of three home runs is shared by four players.  The quarter includes: the Blue Jays’ George Bell, Cubs’ Tuffy Rhodes, Tigers’ Dmitri Young and White Sox’ Matt Davidson.  Here’s another anomaly that would make a good trivia question. Three of the four three-homer Opening Day games were logged against the same franchise.  Who were the unlucky opponents in those three triple-round tripper openers?

Your answer.  The Kansas City Royals.  Here’s the full list.

George Bell … On April 4, 1988, Bell – batting clean-up and serving as the DH – became the first major leaguer to hit three home runs in an Opening Day game, as his Blue Jays topped the Royals 5-3 in Kansas City. Bell’s power outburst was no surprise. He was coming off a 1987 season in which he hit 47 homers, drove in 134 runs and was the AL MVP. Bell went three-for-four with three runs scored and four RBI, hitting all three home runs off Royals’ starter Brett Saberhagen.

Tuffy Rhodes … On a windy April 4, 1994, Rhodes (leading off and playing CF for the Cubs in Chicago) hit three solo shots off Mets’ starter Dwight Gooden. Rhodes also had a single and a walk in five plate appearances. Despite Rhodes’ record-tying performance, the Cubs lost to the visiting Mets 12-8. At the time, Rhodes had played 107 MLB games in four seasons – hitting a total of five home runs. His MLB career consisted of 225 games in six seasons, with a .224 average and just 13 round trippers (with a high of eight in 1994). Rhodes did go on to hit 474 home runs in eleven seasons in Japan.

Dmitri Young … On April 4, 2005,  the Tigers’ Young joined Bell and Rhodes on the list of batters with three home runs in an Opening Day game – as the Tigers topped the Royals 11-2 in Detroit. Young started at DH and went four-for-four with four runs and five RBI.  Young, an All Star in 2003 and 2007, hit a total of 21 home runs in 2005 – and 171 in 13 MLB seasons. He hit a career-high 29 round trippers in 2003.

Matt Davidson … On March 29, 2018, as the White Sox topped the Royals 14-7 in Kansas City, DH and (appropriately) cleanup hitter Davidson opened the season with a three-homer, five-RBI game. He went three-for-four with a walk, four runs scored and five RBI. Davidson went deep off three different pitchers: solo shots in the fourth and fifth off Danny Duffy and Blaine Boyer and a three-run blast in the eighth off Brian Flynn. Davidson, in his fourth MLB season, went on to a .228-20-62 campaign.  In his 306 MLB games (2013, 2015-18, 2020, 2022), Davidson had a .220-54-157 stat line.

Three seems to be the sweet spot for rarity on this one.  There have been 100 two-homer Opening Day games. The players with two, two-homer Opening Day contests are: Adam Dunn (2005 & 2007); Juan Gonzalez (1993 & 2001); Eddie Mathews (1954 & 1958);  Raul Mondesi (1995 & 1999); Albert Pujols (2006-2010); and Joe Torre (1965 & 1966)

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A UNICORN OF A WIN

In 1980, Mike Parrot was the Opening Day starter (at home) for the Seattle Mariners – an honor he earned with a 14-12, 3.77 season for the 67-95 Mariners in 1979.   He picked up the win, going 6 1/3 innings in an 8-6 Seattle victory over Toronto. Why then Unicorn designation? Parrot would pitch in 26 more games that season (15 more starts) and not record another victory – ending the campaign at 1-16, 7.28. Parrot pitched in five MLB seasons (1977-81, all for the Mariners) – going in 19-39, 4.87.

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WHO’S ON FIRST? NONE OF YOU. 

Who was the first MLB pitcher to throw nine no-hit innings in an Opening Day start? I’ll toss in a little hint here.  It’s not the Feller you may be thinking of – and it’s not a good Day to guess.

MLB has seen a pair of Opening Day no-hitters, Bob Feller of the Indians on April 16, 1940 and Leon Day of the of the Newark Eagles (Negro National League II) on May 5, 1946.

Still, neither of these gentlemen can lay claim to be the first MLB pitcher to throw nine no-hit innings in an Opening Day start. Back on April 15, 1909 – as the Giants opened against the Superbas (Dodgers) in Brooklyn – Giants’ righty Leon “Red” Ames started and, with just the minimum of support, could have made history. Ames held Brooklyn hitless for nine innings, but got nary a run of support from his batsmen.  Ames finally gave up a hit with one out in the tenth and, while he kept the shutout going through the 12th inning, eventually lost 3-0 in 13 innings.  How the game has changed:  Both Ames and Brooklyn starter Irvin “Kaiser” Wilhelm went the distance.

Ames, by the way, had a 17-season MLB career (1903-10), going 183-167, 2.63. His best season was 1905 (Giants), when he went 22-8, 2.74.

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WALK, DON’T RUN

The record for walks received in an Opening Day game is four – shared by 13 players.  Of those player, only Mike Cameron can lay claim to two four-walk Openers.  On April 2, 2001, playing CF and batting in the two-hole for the Mariners, he drew four walks in five plate appearances as Seattle topped the A’s 5-4 in Seattle.  On April 7, 2009, Cameron againn drew four walks in five plate appearances in an Opener. This time, he was playing CF and batting sixth for the Brewers, as they lost to the Giants 10-6 in San Francisco.

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PLEASE, (DON’T) GIVE ME A BREAK

Robin Roberts holds the MLB record for consecutive Opening Day starts for the same team – 12 for the Phillies from 1950 through 1961. The record for overall consecutive Opening Day starts belong to Jack Morris at 14 (1980-93 – Tigers,  Twins, Blue Jays.)  Looking for a trivia question?   Robin Roberts made 13 Opening Day starts.  Those 12 consecutive for the Phillies and one other.  Who was that 13th Opening Day start for? The 1966 Astros. Roberts, by the way, went seven innings in that 13th Opening Day start, giving up eight hits and two runs (one earned), walking one and fanning none. He took the loss in a 3-2  game versus the Dodgers (in LA).  He was 39 and in his final MLB season at the time.

More: How the Game has Changed

In the 1950’s (1950-59), Robin Roberts won 199 games and threw 3,011 2/3 innings – an average of 301 innings pitched per season.

I’d like to go a little deeper for a tidbit/question in this category. Hall of Famer Steve Carlton started 14 of the 15 Phillies’ Opening Day games from 1972 through 1986. The one year he missed cost him the record for both overall consecutive Opening Day starts and consecutive Opening Day starts for the same team. Who was the pitcher who interrupted Carlton’s streak? 

In 1976, Jim Kaat (like Carlton, a lefty and future Hall of Famer) got the Opening Day nod from the Phillies. Kaat, at the time, was a three-time 20-game winner, and an All Star for the White Sox the year before (he had been traded to the Phillies in December of 1975).   For those who may be wondering whether Carlton’s health played an issue in Kaat’s Opening Day start, Carlton started the second game of the season and went on to a 20-7 record in 35 starts.

Oh, one other tidbit, Tom Seaver holds the record for total opening day starts with sixteen – 11 for the Mets, three for the Reds and two for the White Sox. Seaver recorded seven wins, two losses and seven no decisions on Opening Day,

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Just A chart for your entertainment.

Jim Jones (chart above) stole three bases in three attempts in the 1902 season Opener. Jones then went on to play in 66 more games that season, stealing just four more bases, while being tossed out 13 times.

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TOSSING YOU A CURVE ON THIS ONE

What pitcher holds the mark for the most strikeouts in an Opening Day game? Answer: Camilo Pascual.

This is a bit of a unicorn, as Pascual’s 15 strikeouts on Opening Day 1960 have never been matched. (Three players have fallen just one short of the total: Randy Johnson (twice – 1963 & 1996, Mariners); Don Drysdale (1960 Dodgers); and Shane Bieber 2020 Indians).

On April 18, 1960, Pascual (known for his sweeping curveball) took the mound at Griffith Stadium for the Washington Senators (against the Boston Red Sox). In 1959, the Senators had finished in last place in the AL, but Pascual had gone 17-10, 2.64, leading the league with 17 complete games and six shutouts. As the Senators’ Opening Day starter in 1960, Pascual picked up right where he left off – tossing a complete game three-hitter, walking three and striking out a still Opening Day record 15 batters in a 10-1 win over the Red Sox. It was one of two 15-whiff games in his career.

Pascual pitched 18 MLB seasons (1954-71), winning 174 and losing 170, with a 3.63 earned run average. He was a five-time All Star, two-time twenty-game winner and led the league in complete games, shutouts and strikeouts three times each.

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WALK DON’T RUN

Can you name the pitcher who holds the record for the most walks surrendered in an Opening day game (11)?  Hint, despite the 11 free passes, the opposition only scored three runs (two earned) off him in 11 innings. Answer: Herb Score.

On April 16, 1957, Cleveland southpaw Herb Score set the Opening Day record for pitcher’s walks, delivering eleven free passes to the visiting White Sox.  Despite Score’s wildness, it was a close contest, with Score going the distance in a 3-2, 11-inning loss.  Score struck out ten and gave up just seven hits and two earned runs – stranding 14 Chicago base runners.

Score was the 1955 AL Rookie of the Year, when the 22-year-old lefty went 16-10. 2.85 and led the league in strikeouts with 245.  In 1956, he was even better, going 20-9, 2.53 and again topping the league in whiffs (263). His 1957 season ended on May 7, when he was hit in the face by a line drive off the bat of Yankee Gil McDougald.  Score suffered a broken nose, as well as damage to is right cheekbone and right eye.  He was hospitalized for about three weeks and did not return to the mound that season.

Score came back in 1958, but suffered an elbow injury early in the season (some wondered if he had changed his delivery after the McDougald incident, but Score denied that – and had been pitching well to that point). At any rate,  from 1958 until he retired in 1962, Score was 17-26, 4.43.

The record for Opening Day walks by a pitcher  in a nine-inning game, belongs to Nolan Ryan at 10 … and he won the game. On April 5, 1974, Ryan started for the Angels in the Opener (at the White Sox). It was Ryan’s blazer versus Wilbur Wood’s floater.  After eight innings, the Angels held an 8-2 lead (scoring five runs in the top of the eighth) and Ryan had given up two runs on four hits, while walking ten and fanning five. He was relieved by Dick Selma, who threw a scoreless ninth.

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A PAINFUL WAY TO START THE SEASON

On April 9, 1990, Astros’ first baseman and cleanup hitter Glenn Davis was hit by a pitch an Opening Day record three times. Davis came to the plate six times and never put the ball in play – but still made only one out.  Davis (who led the league in HBP that season with eight) was hit by a pitch three times, walked twice and struck out once as the Astros lost to the visiting Reds 8-4.  Davis finished Opening Day with a batting average of .000, but an on-base percentage of .833.

Second Inning – Davis, leading off, HBP (on 1-0 count) from Tom Browning;

Third Inning – Davis (one out, none on) hit by a 2-2 pitch from Browning;

Fifth Inning – Five-pitch walk off Tim Layana;

Seventh Inning – Davis fans on three pitches from Norm Charlton;

Ninth Inning: Runner on second two out, Davis intentionally walked by Rob Dibble (score tied at four);

Eleventh Inning: Davis hit by pitch (one out, one on) on a 2-2 pitch from Randy Myers.

Davis played 10 MLB seasons (1984-93), hitting .259, with 190 home runs and 603 RBI.  He was hit by a pitch 55 times.

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THE LONGEST DAY– 15 SHUTOUT INNINGS

On April 13, 1926, the Senators’ Walter Johnson pitched a 15-inning, complete-game shutout (six hits, three walks, nine strikeouts) as Washington topped the Philadelphia Athletics 1-0 in Washington.  The opposing starter, Eddie Rommel tossed the second-most innings in an Opening Day appearance – going 14 1/3, as Washington scored the winning run with one out in the 15th.  Johnson, by the way, was 38-years-old at the time.

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YOU CAN’T TOUCH THIS

Jimmy Key holds the record for Opening Day wins without a loss at seven – and he did in the minimum seven starts (Blue Jays, Yankees and Orioles). In those seven wins, he threw 44 1/3 innings, with a 3.05 ERA.

Key played in 15 MLB seasons (1984-98 … Blue Jays, Yankees, Orioles), going 186-117, 3.51. He was a five-time All Star and won 15 or more games in five seasons.

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BRINGING THE BOYS HOME SWEET HOME

The Opening Day single-game record for RBI (seven) is shared by the Twins’ Brant Alyea and the Cubs’ Corey Patterson.

On April 7, 1970 – in his very first game as a Twin (picked up in an off-season trade with the Senators) – LF Brant Alyea drove in an Opening Day record seven runs as Minnesota topped the White Sox 12-0 in Chicago. Batting fifth, Alyea went four-for-four, with two home runs, two singles and two runs scored.  The game, it turned out, would foreshadow a strong April for Alyea.  In 17 April games, he hit .415, with seven runs, 23 RBI, four doubles and five home runs.

On March 31, 2003, the Cubs’ CF Corey Patterson tied Alyea’s record. In a 15-2 win over the Mets in New York, Patterson, batting seventh, drove in seven runs, going four-for-six with two home runs and two runs scored.  Patterson, a career .252 hitter (12 seasons), was a true Opening Day All Star. In seven Opening Day appearances, Patterson hit .440, with seven runs, 12 RBI and three home runs.

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EIGHT IS ENOUGH

Eight is a career magic number for Opening Day. Frank Robinson, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Adam Dunn share the career record for Opening Day home runs with eight each.  Robinsons were all hit in one-homer games, giving him the record for the most Opening Days with a home run.

 

—THE ROUNDTABLE’S KINGS OF OPENING DAY – IN THE BATTER’S BOX AND ON THE MOUND—- 

 

Photo by wild mercury

Perhaps no one looked forward to Opening Day more than Ted Williams – the king of the Opening Day batter’s box.  A career .344 hitter, Williams was even better on Opening Day.  Teddy Ballgame played in fourteen “Openers” and was never held without a hit.  He compiled a .449 Opening Day average (22 hits in 49 at bats), with three home runs, eight doubles, one triple, nine runs scored, 14 RBI and eleven walks.  His Opening Day on-base percentage was .550 and his season-opener slugging percentage was .837.

 

Photo by pingnews.com

The Washington Senators’ Walter Johnson can be crowned king of the Opening Day hill.  On his first-ever Opening Day start (April 14, 1910), the 22-year-old Johnson tossed a 3-0 one-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Athletics.  Sixteen years (and 13 Opening Day starts) later, a 38-year-old Johnson fulfilled his last Opening Day assignment with a 15-inning, complete-game, 1-0 win (6 hits, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts) over the A’s.  Johnson holds the record for Opening Day pitching victories with nine and shutouts with seven.

 

 

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

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Bombs way – The Unlucky Seven … Pitchers Who Gave Up Four Consecutive Home Runs

February 13, 2025 by

This is one of those “one thing leads to another” kind of Baseball Roundtable posts. I started out looking at players who gave up (an MLB-record) five home runs in an inning. There were three.

Nathan Eovaldi faced 11 batters in his five-homer inning, retired two batters and gave up nine runs. In addition to the five homers, he gave up a double and two singles and one batter was safe on an error in the inning. Chase Anderson faced nine batters in his five-homer inning, retired two and gave up seven runs. In addition to the five homers, he gave up a double and a walk in the frame.  Michael Blazek faced just seven batters in his five-homer inning, retired one and gave up six runs.  In addition to the five homers, he walked one batter.

This look at five-homer innings led me to wonder what would happen if I dropped the cut off to four homers in an inning.  Big change. Turns out that’s not so rare.  It brings in 41 more pitchers, including some pretty well-recognized names, like Randy Johnson, Justin Verlander, John Smoltz, Catfish Hunter, Zack Grienke and Mike Caldwell. (Side note: That puts the players detailed in this post in some good company – and remember, every pitcher mentioned here made it to the major leagues.).

Ultimately, 41 seemed like a lot of pitchers to include in a post.  So, one thing led to another and I took a look at players who gave up four consecutive home runs in an inning and – Bingo! – lucky number seven. I had the main topic for this post.

—-MLB PLAYERS TO GIVE UP FOUR CONSECUTIVE HOME RUNS—-

Roel Ramirez, RHP, Cardinals …. August 16, 2020

I’m leading off with Ramirez because he’s a bit of unicorn on this list (most of which will be presented in chronological order).

An MLB Unicorn

Roel Ramirez is the only player to give up four consecutive home runs in his MLB debut.

The 25-year-old Ramirez made his MLB debut on August 16 of the 2020 Covid-disrupted season.  An eighth-round MLB draft signee (Rays, 1987) out of United South High School (Laredo, Texas), he had seven minor-league seasons under his belt (32-24, 3.68) when he made his major-league debut.

Ramirez came on in relief to open the bottom of the fifth, with his Cardinals trailing the White Sox 1-0.  He fanned the first MLB batter he ever faced (on a 2-2 pitch in a tough seven-pitch at bat) – and that was the highlight of his debut.  Here’s how it went:

  • Strikeout of CF Luis Robert, Jr.;
  • Single by RF Nomar Mazara;
  • Single by 2B Danny Mendick, Mazara goes to third.
  • Mendick thrown out attempting to steal second with SS Tim Anderson at the plate.
  • Walk to Anderson;
  • Wild pitch with 3B Yoan Moncada at the plate;
  • Three-run home run by Moncada;
  • Home run by C Yazmani Grandal;
  • Home run by 1B Jose Abreu;

The home runs to Moncada, Grandal and Abreu came in a span of four pitches:  The fifth and final pitch (2-2 count) to Moncada; a 1-0 pitch to Grandal; and the first pitch to Abreu.  

  • Home run by LF Eloy Jimenez;

 Seth Elledge relieves Ramirez and strikes out DH Edwin Encarnacion on three pitches.  

It was Ramirez’ only mound appearance of 2020 (remember due to Covid, there was no minor-league season). In fact, Ramirez has appeared in only one more MLB game. On June 30, 2021, he pitched one-third of an inning in a Cardinals’ 7-4 win versus Arizona. In that one, he gave up one run on three hits and two walks. Since that time, Ramirez has pitched in the Triple-A East; International League; South Atlantic League; Mexican League; and Mexican Pacific Winter League. His current MLB career stat line is 0-0, 81.00 in two games.

———-

Michael Blazek, RHP, Brewers … July 27, 2017

Like Ramirez, Blazek got moved up on this list due to special circumstances surrounding his four-consecutive-homer game.

One For The Books

In a single game, Michael Blazek earned a share of the MLB records for consecutive home runs allowed and home runs surrendered in an inning (five), as well as a share of the  and the Modern Era (post-1900) record for home runs allowed in a game (six). Charlie Sweeney of the 1886 St, Louis Maroons gave up seven homers in a game on June 12, 1886.

Blazek was in his fourth MLB season, when he got a July 27, 2017 start (for the Brewers) against the Nationals in Washington D.C. It was his fifth appearance and first start of the season.  He came into the game with a 2017 record of  0-0, 2.21 over 6 1/3 innings. His career MLB record, at the time, was 8-5, 3.88 in 108 appearances. The July 27 game was his first (and would be his only) MLB start.

Blazek gave up two runs in the first inning on a double by CF Brian Goodman and two-run homer by RF Bryce Harper.  He tossed a scoreless second and then, in the third inning, already trailing 2-0, the roof fell in. It looked like this:

  • P Max Scherzer walked in a seven-pitch plate appearance);
  • Two-run homer (on a 1-0 pitch) by Goodwin;
  • Home run (on a 1-1 pitch) by SS Wilmer Difo;
  • Home run by Harper;

Blazek did not give in to Harper, who had homered off him on the first pitch to him in the first inning. This long ball came on a 3-2 count, on the ninth pitch of the at bat.  That battle may have taken its toll, as Ryan Zimmerman followed with a first-pitch homer.

  • Home run by 1B Ryan Zimmerman;
  • Flyout by 2B Daniel Murphy;
  • Home run by 3B Anthony Rendon.

Wily Peralta relieved Blazek.

Two weeks later, Blazek was designated for assignment and didn’t appear in an MLB game again until 2019, when he pitched in four games for the Nationals. He ended 2017 with an MLB season mark of 0-1, 8.31 in five games. Blazek pitched in five MLB seasons (2013, 2015-17, 2019 … Cardinals, Brewers, Nationals), going 8-6, 4.50 in 113 games.

———-

Paul Foytack, RHP, Angels …July 31, 1963

Foytack’s season record stood at 3-4, 5.31 when he came on in relief in the bottom of the fifth inning of the second game of a doubleheader against the Indians, with his Angels down 5-1. He pitched a scoreless fifth (one single, three infield ground outs) and got the first two outs in the sixth (strikeout, flyout) before things went awry. After those first two sixth- inning outs, it went like this:

  • Home run by 2B Woodie Held;
  • Home run by P Pedro Ramos;

Ramos’ home run was his second of the game and second of the season.

  • Home run by RF Tito Francona;
  • Home run by SS Larry Brown.

Foytack relieved by Jack Spring.

The Angels ultimately lost 9-4, with Foytack getting a no-decision.

Foytack finished 1963 at 5-6, 4.70 in 29 games (21 starts). He played in 11 MLB seasons (1953, 1955-64 … Tigers Angels), going 86-87, 4.14 with seven saves in 312 games/193 starts).  His best season was 1958 (Tigers) at 15-13, 3.44 with 16 complete games. In the four seasons from 1956 through 1959, he went 58-51, 3.72 (winning 14 or 15 games each year) with 51 complete games.

———

Chase Wright, LHP, Yankees…April 22, 2007

Wright, who had gone 12-3, 1.88 for High-A Tampa Yankees in 2006, got his only taste of the majors in 2007.  On April 22, in his second MLB start (and appearance), Wright was facing the Red Sox in Boston. He came into the game 1-0, 5.40, having picked up a win with a three-run, five-inning performance against the Indians in his first MLB start (April 17). Wright held the Red Sox scoreless, despite one hit and three walks, over the first two innings.  He did have to work pretty hard, tossing 52 pitches over the first two innings, many of them under pressure.  Then came the bottom of the third:

  • Flyout by 1B Kevin Youkilis;
  • Flyout by DH David Ortiz;
  • Home run by LF Manny Ramirez;
  • Home run by RF J.D. Drew;
  • Home Run by 3B Mike Lowell;
  • Home Run by C Jason Varitek;
  • Strikeout by CF Wily Mo Pena.

Wright, who was relieved by Colter Bean to start the fourth inning, was soon back in the minors and didn’t pitch in the majors again until September 30 – a two-inning, one-run relief stint versus the Orioles (which was also his final MLB game). He did pitch until 2013, appearing on the mound in the minor leagues, independent ball and the Dominican Republic.)

Wright’s final MLB stat line was 2-0, 7.20 in three games (two starts).

———

Dave Bush, RHP, Brewers … August 11, 2010

Bush was in his seventh MLB season when he started for the Brewers against the Diamondbacks (August 11, 2010).  It was his 24th appearance (23rd start) of the season and he brought a 5-10, 4.78 record into the game. Bush gave up just two singles over the first three frames (and had a 2-0 lead), but things got a little rough in the fourth.  It went like this:

  • RF Justin Upton flyout;
  • Home run by 1B Adam LaRoche;
  • Home run by C Miguel Montero;
  • Home run by 3B Mark Reynolds;
  • Home run by SS Stephen Drew;
  • Single by LF Gerardo Parra;
  • Bunt sacrifice by P Daniel Hudson, with Parra going to second;
  • Flyout by CF Chris Young.

Surprisingly, despite the four-homer inning, Bush did not leave the game. He, in fact, settled down and retired the Diamondbacks in order in the fifth.  He did not make it through the sixth, however, being relieved after giving up two walks and a hit-by-pitch to the first four batters of the inning – leaving the game with the bases loaded and one out. All three runners scored, as reliever Todd Coffey gave up a bases-clearing double to Diamondbacks’ pitcher Hudson (Who needs the DH?).   Bush took the loss in an 8-2 Arizona win over Milwaukee.

Bush finished the 2010 season at 8-13, 4.54 in 32 appearances (31 starts). He pitched in nine MLB seasons (2004-11, 2013), going 56-69, 4.73 in 211 games (187 starts, six complete games, three shutouts).

———-

Craig Stammen, RHP, Padres … June 9, 2019

Stammen was in his tenth MLB season when he took came on in relief to open the eighth inning against the Nationals in a 1-1 tie.  At the time, his season record was 4-2, 3.27 with two saves and 15 holds in 30 appearances. After this appearance, his season ERA would be just over one-run higher (4.28). Here’s how his outing went:

  • C Yan Gomes grounded out to 3B-1B;
  • Home run by PH Howie Kendrick;
  • Home run by SS Trea Turner;
  • Home run by RF Adam Eaton;
  • Home run by 3B Anthony Rendon;
  • Strikeout of LF Juan Soto;
  • Single by 1B Matt Adams.

Miguel Diaz replaced Stammen on the mound.

Stammen took the loss, as his Padres fell 5-2.

Stammen finished the 2019 season at 8-7, 3.29, with four saves in 76 appearances. He pitched in 13 MLB seasons (2009-15, 2017-22 … Nationals, Padres), going 55-44, 3.66, with six saves in 562 appearances (three starts).

———-

Kyle Gibson, RHP, Phillies … July 2, 2022

Gibson was in his tenth MLB season when he started for the Phillies against the Cardinals (in Philadelphia) on July 2, 2022.  It was his 16th start of the season and he came into the game with a 4-3, 4.48 record. I would guess the 27,657 in attendance were – for the most part – pretty disappointed after the top of the first inning. It went like this:

  • SS Tommy Edman, line out to left on a 2-2 pitch;
  • LF Brendan Donovan, ground out to short on1-1 pitch;

Seven pitches, two outs, not a bad start.

  • Single by 1B Paul Goldschmidt on a 1-2 pitch;
  • Two-run home Run by 3B Nolan Arenado on a 2-1 pitch;
  • Home run by 2B Nolan Gorman on a 2-1 pitch;
  • Home run by DH Juan Yepez on a 1-2 pitch;
  • Home run by CF Dylan Carlson on a 1-0 pitch;
  • Flyout by RF Lars Nootbaar on a 2-2 pitch.

Gibson lasted into the fifth inning in the game, giving up six runs in the Phillies’ 7-6 loss.

Gibson finished the 2022 season at 10-8, 5.05 in 31 starts. Active through 2024, his current MLB stat line (2013-24 … Twins, Rangers, Phillies, Orioles, Cardinals) is 112-108, 4.52 in 330 appearances (324 starts), with three complete games (one shutout).

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

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Bobby Witt, Jr. Joins Heavy Metal Club

November 14, 2024 by

Regular readers know that Baseball Roundtable has a particular fondness for players that bring “lumber and leather” to their game. This post/update will focus on players who have captured what the Roundtable sees as baseball’s “Heavy Metal Doubleheader” – winning a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season.  You have to admire those players who can earn recognition as the best at their positions both defensively and offensively.

Note: The Hillerich and Bradsby Silver Slugger Awards were first presented in 1980 (the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were launched in 1957), so the list of double winners is relatively recent (at least  “recent” as defined by someone who went to their first World Series game the year the Gold Glove Awards were initiated).

The Unicorn Season

Since the Silver Slugger Awards were established in 1980, 2023 is the only season in which there were no combination Gold Glove-Silver Slugger Award winners. 

Bobby Witt, Jr.

Photo: Notorious4life (talk) (Uploads), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In 2024, only one MLB player achieved “Heavy Metal” status.  Royals’ SS Bobby Witt, Jr. won his first Silver Slugger Award and his first Gold Glove (in his third MLB campaign).

The 24-year-old Witt won the American League batting crown with a .322 average (a league-leading 211 hits in 636 at bats). He had 32 home runs, 45 doubles, 11 triples, 109 RBI, 125 runs scored and 31 stolen bases in a stellar offensive year.  He was among the AL’s top five batters in hits, average, doubles, triples, runs scored, RBI, on-base percentage. slugging percentage and total bases. He was fifth among AL shortstops in putouts,  fourth in assists and third in double plays. His .974 fielding percentage was second only Corey Seager’s .983 among AL shortstops;  he was the only AL shortstop to start at least 160 games; and his Fangraphs’ Defensive Runs Above Average of 17.6 led AL shortstops.

Witt was the second overall selection (Royals) in the 2019 MLB Draft –  out of Colleyville (Texas)  Heritage HIgh School.

In 2019, Bobby Witt Jr. was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year – after a .515-15-54 Senior year (HS) season.

In two minor-league seasons, Witt hit .283-34-124, with 38 steals.  He made his MLB debut  on April 7, 2022. In his first MLB season, Witt hjit .254-20-80, with 30 stolen bases.  Then, in 2023, he joined the 30-30 (HR/SB) Club, with a season of .276-30-96, with 49 steals. In 2024, he became the first shortstop with more than one 30-30 campaigns.

Witt, Jr.’s father (Bobby Witt) pitched in 16 MLB seasons (1986-2001 … Rangers, A’s, Marlins, Cardinals, Rays, Indians, Diamondbacks), going 142-157, 4.83. His bst season was 1990, when he went 17-10, 3.36 for the Rangers.

— TIDBITS OF SAME-SEASON SS/GG TRIVIA–

  • The Chicago White Sox are the only team to never have a player capture a Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove in the same season.
  • The most players to achieve the GG/SS combo in a season is nine – back in 1984: Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves.
  • Roberto Alomar (2B) is the only player to win the single-season Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo with three different teams (Blue Jays-1992; Orioles-1996; Indians-1999, 2000).
  • Scott Rolen (3B) and Zack Greinke are the only players to win the SS/GG combo in a season in which they played for two different teams. In 2002, Rolen was traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals on July 29. He played 100 games for the Phillies and 55 for the Cardinals in what would be his only SS/GG combo season.  Greinke did it in 2019, when he started the season with the Diamondbacks and was traded to the Astros at the July deadline. Despite moving to the AL with its DH, Greinke’s .280-3-8 season was good enough to earn him a Silver Slugger.
  • The only team to have three SS/GG winners in the same season is the 1993 Giants (2B Robby Thompson, 3B Matt Williams, OF Barry Bonds.

Zack Greinke (2019 Diamondbacks/Astros), Mike Hampton (2003 Braves) and Max Fried (2021 Braves) are the only pitchers to win a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season. 

__________________________________________________________________

HM Streak

____________________________________________________________

Now that we’ve looked at 2022’s “Heavy Metal” honorees, here’s a look back at those who have won both awards in the same season in the past.  Since 1980, the combination of a Gold Glove/Silver Slugger has been achieved in a season 200 times by 106 different players – with 40 players accomplishing the feat more than once and 26 of those winning two or more consecutive SS/GG combinations.   Here are a couple of lists that might be of interest.  (Note: Since the Silver Slugger is awarded to three outfielders annually regardless of their position, the GG/SS combo lists in this post do not break outfielders out by position.)

—Full List of Same-Year Gold Glove/Silver Slugger Winners by Season—

2024

Bobby Witt, Jr., SS, Royals

2023

None

2022

J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Cardinals

Mookie Betts, OF,  Dodgers

2021

Marcus, Semien, 2B, Blue Jays

Max Fried, P, Braves

2020

Mookie Betts, RF, Dodgers

2019

J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies; Mookie Betts, RF, Red Sox; Cody Bellinger, RF, Dodgers; Zack Greinke, P, D-backs/Astros

2018

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox; Nick Markakis, OF, Braves; Salvador Perez, C, Royals

2017

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals; Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlins

2016

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Mookie Betts, Of, Red Sox; Salvador Perez, C, Royals; Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs

2015

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins; Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants.

2014

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Dodgers

2013

Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles; Adam Jones, OF, Orioles

2012

Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals; Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees; Chase Headley, 3B, Padres; Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates

2011

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox; Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds; Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers; Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies; Jacob Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox; Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

2010

Joe Mauer, C, Twins; Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals; Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees; Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies; Carl Crawford, OF, Rays; Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies

2009

Joe Mauer, C, Twins; Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees; Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals; Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees; Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners; Torii Hunter, OF, Angels

2008

Joe Mauer, C, Twins; Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox; David Wright, 3B, Mets; Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians

2007

Russell Martin, C, Dodgers; Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers; David Wright, 3B, Mets; Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies; Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2006

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees; Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets

2005

Jason Varitek, C, Red Sox; Mark Teixeira, 1B, Rangers; Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs; Andruw Jones, OF, Braves

2004

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Tigers; Jim Edmonds, OF, Cardinals

2003

Brett Boone, 2B, Mariners; Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals; Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers; Mike Hampton, P, Braves

2002

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies; Scott Rolen, 3B, Cardinals/Phillies; Eric Chavez, 3B, A’s; Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals; Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers

2001

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2000

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Indians; Darin Erstad, OF, Angels

1999

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Robert Alomar, 2B, Indians; Larry Walker, OF, Rockies; Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners; Shawn Green, OF, Blue Jays

1998

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Rafael Palmeiro, 1B, Rangers; Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1997

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros; Chuck Knoblauch, 2B, Twins; Matt Williams, 3B, Indians; Larry Walker, OF, Rockies; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1996

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Roberto Alomar, 2B, Orioles; Ken Caminiti, 3B, Padres; Barry Larkin, SS, Reds; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1995

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Craig, Biggio, 2B, Astros; Barry Larkin, SS, Reds

1994

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Astros; Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros; Matt Williams, 3B, Giants; Wade Boggs, 3B, Yankees; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1993

Robby Thompson, 2B, Giants; Matt Williams, 3B, Giants; Jay Bell, SS, Pirates; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1992

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Blue Jays; Larry Walker, OF, Expos; Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1991

Will Clark, 1B, Giants; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Cal Ripken, Jr., SS, Orioles; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates’ Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1990

Benito Santiago, C, Padres; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Kelly Gruber, 3B, Blue Jays; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates; Ellis Burks, OF, Red Sox

1989

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Eric Davis, OF, Reds; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

1988

Benito Santiago, C, Padres; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1987

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Ozzie Smith, SS, Cardinals; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres; Eric Davis, OF, Reds; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins; Andre Dawson, OF, Cubs

1986

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Frank White, 2B, Royals; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1985

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Tim Wallach, 3B, Expos; George Brett, 3B, Royals; Willie McGee, OF, Cardinals; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1984

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

1983

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos

1982

Gary Carter, C, Expos; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Robin Yount, SS, Brewers; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1981

Gary Carter, C, Expos; Manny Trillo, 2B, Phillies; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos; Rickey Henderson, OF, A’s; Dwight Evans, OF, Red Sox; Dusty Baker, OF, Dodgers

1980

Keith Hernandez, 1B, Cardinals; Cecil Cooper, 1B, Brewers; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos; Willie Wilson, OF, Royals

_________________________________________

If you want to look up your favorite player(s), here’s an alphabetical list:

Your Same-Season Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo winners listed alphabetically:

Alomar, Roberto … 1992; 1996; 1999; 2000

Altuve, Jose … 2015

Arenado, Nolan … 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2022

Baker, Dusty … 1981

Bagwell, Jeff … 1994

Bell, Buddy … 1984

Bell, Jay … 1993

Bellinger, Cody  … 2019

Beltre, Adrian … 2011

Beltran, Carlos … 2006; 2007

Betts, Mookie … 2016; 2018; 2019; 2020, 2022

Biggio, Craig … 1994; 1995; 1997

Boggs, Wade) … 1994

Bonds, Barry … 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997

Boone, Brett … 2003

Brett, George … 1985

Burks, Ellis … 1990

Caminiti, Ken … 1996

Cano, Robinson … 2010; 2012

Carter, Gary … 1981; 1982

Chavez, Eric … 2002

Clark, Will … 1991

Cooper, Cecil …1980

Crawford, Brandon … 2015

Crawford, Carl … 2010

Dawson, Andre … 1980; 1981; 1983; 1987

Davis, Eric … 1987; 1989

Edmonds, Jim … 2004

Ellsbury, Jacob … 2011

Erstad, Darin … 2000

Evans, Dwight … 1981

Fried, Max … 2021

Goldschmidt, Paul … 2013; 2015; 2017

Gonzalez, Adrian … 2011; 2014

Gonzalez, Carlos … 2010

Gordon, Dee … 2015

Green, Shawn … 1999

Greinke, Zack … 2019

Griffey, Ken Jr. … 1991; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999

Gruber, Kelly … 1990

Gwynn, Tony … 1986; 1987; 1989

Hampton, Mike … 2003

Hardy, J.J. … 2013

Headley, Chase … 2012

Helton, Todd … 2002

Henderson, Rickey … 1981

Hernandez, Keith … 1980; 1984

Eric Hosmer … 2017

Hunter, Torii … 2009

Jeter, Derek … 2006; 2009

Jones, Adam … 2013

Jones, Andruw … 2005

Kemp, Matt … 2009; 2011

Knoblauch, Chuck … 1997

Larkin, Barry … 1995; 1996

LaRoche, Adam … 2012

Lee, Derrek … 2005

Markakis, Nick … 2018

Martin, Russell … 2008

Mattingly, Don … 1985; 1986; 1987

Mauer, Joe … 2008; 2009; 2010

McCutchen, Andrew … 2012

McGee, Willie … 1985

Molina, Yadier … 2013

Murphy, Dale … 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985

Murray, Eddie … 1983; 1984

Marcell Ozuna … 2017

Polanco, Placido … 2007

Palmeiro, Rafael … 1998

Parrish, Lance … 1983; 1984

Pedroia, Dustin … 2008

Salvador, Perez … 2016; 2018

Phillips, Brandon … 2011

Puckett, Kirby … 1986; 1987; 1988; 1989; 1992

Pujols, Albert … 2010

J.T. Realmuto … 2019, 2022

Renteria, Edgar … 2002

Ripken, Cal, Jr. … 1991

Anthony Rizzo … 2016

Rodriguez, Alex … 2002; 2003

Rodriguez, Ivan … 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2004

Rolen, Scott … 2002

Rollins, Jimmy … 2007

Sandberg, Ryne … 1984; 1985; 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991

Santiago, Benito … 1988; 1990

Schmidt, Mike … 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986

Sizemore, Grady … 2008

Semien, Marcus, 2021

Smith, Ozzie … 1987

Suzuki, Ichiro … 2001; 2007; 2009

Thompson, Robby … 1993

Teixeira, Mark … 2005, 2009

Trillo, Manny … 1981

Tulowitzki, Troy … 2010; 2011

Van Slyke, Andy … 1988; 1992

Varitek, Jason … 2005

Walker, Larry … 1992; 1997; 1999

Wallach, Tim … 1985

White, Frank … 1986

Whitaker, Lou … 1983; 1984; 1985

Williams, Matt … 1993; 1994; 1997

Wilson, Willie … 1980

Winfield, Dave … 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985

Bobby Witt, Jr. … 2024

Wright, David … 2007; 2008

Yount, Robin … 1982

Ryan Zimmerman … 2009

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

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First Complete-Game No-Hitters, Getting A Bit Less Rare

November 11, 2024 by

In the 2024 MLB season there were three one-pitcher no hitters – Ronel Blanco, Dylan Cease and Blake Snell.  For two of those pitchers, the no-hitter was their first – and still only – MLB complete game. Snell’s no-no was of special interest to Baseball Roundtable because Snell is already a two-time Cy Young Award winner and this first career complete outing came in his ninth MLB season and 202nd MLB start.  As usual with The Roundtable, one thing led to another and I took a deep dive into Modern Era (post-1900) MLB pitchers whose first MLB complete game was a no-hitter. I came across 29 such instances and, as you might expect, most of them were relatively recent.  (Complete games themselves, of course, are considerably rarer these days and a pitcher practically has to be working on a no-hitter – or at least a shutout – to be extended beyond the acceptable “pitch count.”)  Of the 29 first-complete game no-hitters I found, 23 came after the year 2000 and ten of those since 2020. Note: Negro League stats, particularly game-by game, from 1920-48 are not complete.

For a further point of comparison, I went back to 1953, the year the Braves moved to Milwaukee and my love of everything baseball (and everything Eddie Mathews) was born. That season there were 864 complete games in Major League Baseball – that is 111 more complete games than in the last 12 seasons combined (and remember back in 1953, there were fewer teams, playing a shorter season).

A Diversion – Before the Statistical Meat of this Post 

I still remember vividly (but not fondly) my feelings on April 13, 2002, when I was attending a Dodgers/Twins matchup at Target Field. After 7 1/2 innings, the Dodgers were up 6-0 – but, more significantly, Clayton Kershaw was pitching a perfect game. Nary a twin had reached base and 13 had gone down on strikes. My scorecard was looking like a real keeper – and perhaps I would be among 17,101 fans witnessing a bit of MLB history.  Not meant to happen. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts brought in reliever Alex Vesia to open the eighth frame, despite the fact that Kershaw had thrown just 80 pitches.  Just another look at how hard it is to get a complete game these days.

Now, let’s look at first-complete game no-hitters, prioritized by:

  • First complete-game perfect games;
  • First – and only – MLB career complete-game no hitters; and
  • Simply first complete-game no hitters.  Note: an * indicates the pitcher was still active in MLB in 2024.

FIRST COMPLETE GAME A PERFECT GAME

Philip Humber, RHP, White Sox … April 21, 2012

Photo: Keith Allison on Flickr derivative work: Muboshgu, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Philip Humber tossed his perfect game (his only career complete game) in his seventh MLB season, 56th appearance, 30th start. He was on the mound for the White Sox, facing the Mariners (in Seattle). He threw 96 pitches in his 27-up/27-down performance – fanning nine Mariner hitters – as the White Sox prevailed 4-0. It was just his second start of the season and he had given up just one run (six hits) in 5 1/3 innings in his first outing. After the perfect game, things seemed to go awry. His next time out, Humber gave up nine earned runs in five innings and, in the three starts following the perfecto, he surrendered 20 earned runs in 13 1/3 frames.  He finished the 2012 season – in which he lost about a month due to an elbow issue – at 5-5, 6.44.  The following season (Humber’s last in the major leagues), the righthander went 0-8, 7.90 with the Astros. Humber pitched in eight MLB seasons (2006-2013 … Mets, Twins, Royals, White Sox, Astros).  His career record was 16-23, 5.31 in 97 appearances (51 starts), with, of course, that one very memorable complete game.

Humber was the third overall pick (Mets) in the 2004 MLB draft (out of Rice University, where he had gone 35-8, 2.80, with six complete games in 49 starts, over three seasons).

Dallas Braden, LHP, A’s … May 9, 2010

Photo: Jeff Kubina on Flickr (Original version)  UCinternational (Crop), CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Dallas Braden’s first MLB complete game was not only a no-hitter, but like Humber’s it was a perfect game.  It was not, however, his only MLB complete game.  The perfect outing came on May 9, 2010, as his A’s bested the Rays 4-0 in Oakland.  This first career complete game came in his fourth MLB season (68th appearance/53rd start). Braden fanned six batters in his 109-pitch perfecto and reached ball three on only four of the 27 hitters he faced. Braden threw four more complete games that season, when he finished at 11-15, 3.50.

Braden pitched in five MLB seasons (2007-11), all for the A’s.  He went 26-36, 4.16 for his MLB career – with five complete games (two shutouts).

Braden was signed by the A’s (out of Texas Tech University) in the 24th round of the 2004 MLB Draft.

 

Domingo German*, RHP, Yankees … June 28, 2023

Photo: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Domingo German was 30-years-old and in his sixth MLB season when he threw his perfect game, which was also his first (and still only) MLB complete game. It came in his 85th MLB start (107th appearance) and was part of an 11-0 Yankees win over the A’s (in Oakland). German fanned nine in his 99-pitch (72-strike) outing. He went to a three-ball count on only two of the 27 batters. Interestingly (to me), in the outing that preceded his perfecto, German lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits, two walks and ten runs (eight earned) and, in the outing after his perfect game, German lasted just 4 1/3 frames, giving up nine hits and three runs (two earned).  He finished the 2023 season at 5-7, 4.56.

Domingo German pitched the first perfect game by a player from the Dominican Republic.

German was signed by the Marlins as an international free agent in 2009. He has pitched in seven MLB seasons (2017-19, 2021-24 … Yankees, Pirates). He record stands at 31-29, 4.54. His best season was 2019, when he went 18-4, 4.03 for the Yankees. To date, German has just the one complete game in 91 MLB starts.

FIRST AND ONLY CAREER COMPLETE GAME A NO-HITTER

Bobo Holloman, RHP, Browns … May 6, 1953

Bobo Holloman was the first Modern Era pitcher to throw no-hitter in his first-ever MLB start.  (Tyler Gilbert matched that feat in 2021).  It was a start Holloman “earned” by going 0-1, 8.44 in his first five career MLB appearances (five earned runs in 5 1/3 relief innings). In nis no-hitter, the thirty-year-old rookie shutdown the Athletics (in St. Louis) in a 6-0 win – walking five and fanning three. He made hard work of the final inning, walking the first two batters (PH Elmer Valo and SS Eddie Joost) before inducing a double play grounder (CF Dave Philley). He then walked his third batter of the inning (3B Loren Babe) before getting 1B and cleanup hitter Eddie Robinson on a flyout to right. Holloman finished the 1953 season, his only big-league campaign, 3-7, 5.23 in 22 appearances (10 starts).

Bud Smith, LHP, Cardinals … September 3, 2001

Bud Smith no-hit the Padres 4-0 in San Diego in his lucky 13 MLB appearance (11th start). He walked four and fanned seven in the 134-pitch outing, which ran his rookie season record to 4-2, 3.75. He would finish the campaign at 6-3, 3.83. The following season, Smith would go 1-5, 6.94 – and he ended his MLB career with a 7-8, 4.95 record. (He did pitch in the minors through 2005.)

Smith was signed (by the Cardinals) out of the fourth round of the 1998 Major League Draft. In 2000, he went 17-2. 2.26 at Double-A and Triple-A. Before his 2001 callup, he was 8-5, 2.75 at Triple-A.

Jonathan Sanchez, LHP, Giants … July 10, 2009

Jonathan Sanchez’ no-hitter (and only MLB complete game) came in his fourth MLB season (106th appearance/51st start) – and almost vaulted him into the perfect game portion of this post. Sanchez retired the first 22 batters he faced, fanning nine.  Then, with one out in the eighth, Padres’ LF Chase Headley reached on an error by Giants’ 3B Pablo Sandoval. Sanchez then retired the next five Padres’ batters to complete the 110-pitch no-no with just that one blemish. Sanchez went 8-12, 4.26 in 2009 and 39-58, 4.70 for his eight MLB seasons (2006-2013 … Giants, Royals, Rockies, Pirates). He made 194 appearances – 137 starts.

Sanchez waw a 27th-round pick (Giants) in the 2004 MLB Draft. His best MLB season was 2010, when he went 13-9, 3.07 for the Giants.

Hisashi Iwakuma, RHP, Mariners …. August 12, 2015

Hisashi Iwakuma’s no-hitter (and only complete game) came in his fourth MLB season (his age-34 season), 102nd MLB appearance and 88th start. Iwakuma threw 116 pitches (three walks, seven strikeouts) in topping the Orioles 3-0 in Seattle. The game ran his record to 3-0, 3.86 in a season which would see him go 9-5, 3.54. Prior to joining the Mariners, Iwakuma had pitched 11 seasons in Japan, going 107-69, 3.25, with 48 complete games in 225 starts.  In MLB, he pitched six seasons (2012-17), all for the Mariners – going 63-39, 3.42, with that one complete game in 136 starts (150 appearances). He was an All Star in 2013, when he went 14-6, 2.66. He won 15 or more games in three of his six MLB campaigns.   Iwakuma was just the second Japanese player to pitch an MLB no-no (after Hideo Nomo).

Alec Mills, RHP, Cubs … September 13, 2020

Alec Mills was in his fourth MLB season when he tossed his no-hitter and only compete game. It came in his 28th MLB appearance and 15th start.  Mills was up-and-down (majors-and-minors) over the previous three seasons (from 2016-19, he appeared in 73 minor-league games and 19 MLB games). In 2020, he made his first start for the Cubs in late July. His no-hitter came on lucky September 13, as his Cubs trounced the Brewers 12-0 in Milwaukee. Coming into the game Mills was 4-3, 4.74 on the season. In his no-no, he walked three and struck out five (114 pitches).

Miller finished the season at 5-5, 4.48.  He pitched in seven MLB campaigns (2016, 2018-23), going 12-14, 5.00 in 70 games (39 starts).

Miller was originally signed by the Royals (out of University of Tennessee-Martin) in the 22nd round of the 2012 MLB draft. In 11 minor-league seasons, he threw one complete game in 131 starts.

John Means*, LHP, Orioles … May 5, 2021

John Means threw a no-hitter in Seattle, as the Orioles beat the Mariners 6-0. He walked none and fanned a dozen in his 114-pitch outing and one errant pitch cost him a perfect game – despite the fact that he faced the minimum 27 batters.  In the bottom of the third inning, with none on and one out, Means got ahead of Seattle LF Sam Haggerty 1-2, who then swung and missed (for strike three) a curveball in the dirt (scored a wild pitch) that got past catcher Pedro Severino enabling Haggerty to reach first.  On the first pitch to the next batter Haggerty was thrown out trying to steal and Means retired the next 19 batters in order – for an almost perfect outing for his first career complete game. The no-no came in Means’ fourth MLB season, 39th career MLB appearance and 44th start. He finished the 2012 season at 6-9, 3.62.

Still active in 2024 (2018-24, all for the Orioles) Means has an MLB career record of 23-26, 3.68.  He was 2-0, 2.61 in 2024 before undergoing season-ending surgery. Means was an All Star as a rookie in 2019, when he went 12-11, 3.60 for the Orioles.

Means was selected by the Orioles in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft (out of West Virginia University).

Spencer Turnbull*, RHP, Tigers … May 18, 2021

Spencer Turnbull no-hit the Mariners in a 5-0 Tigers’ win in Seattle – walking two and fanning nine in a 117-pitch outing. The gem came in his fourth MLB season, 51st appearance, 50th start. Turnbull, still active in 2024, has a career stat line of 15-29, 4.26 (78 appearances/67 starts). His career was interrupted by Tommy John surgery in 2021.  He has pitched in the major leagues for the Tigers and Phillies.

Turnbull was drafted by the Tigers in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft (out of the University of Alabama, where he went 11-16, 3.54 in three seasons).

Tyler Gilbert*, LHP, Diamondbacks … August 14, 2021

Tyler Gilbert’s no-hitter/only career complete game came in his first MLB start (fourth MLB appearance) – on August 14, 2021, as his Diamondbacks topped the Padres 7-0 in Arizona.  He walked three and fanned five in the 102-pitch outing. Gilbert finished the 2021 season at 2-2-, 2.15 in nine appearances (six starts). He has been up-and down (Triple-A/Majors) since that time, and his career MLB record is 2-7, 4.23. In nine minor-league seasons, he has made 242 appearances (62 starts) with no complete games, compiling a 41-34, 4.06 record.

Gilbert was a Phillies’ sixth-round pick in the 2015 MLB draft – out of the University of Southern California, where he went 5-2, 2.79 in 2015. He also pitched two years at Santa Barbara City College (15-7, 3.11).

Reid Detmers*, LHP, Angels … May 10, 2022

Reid Detmers no-hitter came in his second MLB season (11th MLB appearance/11th start), as his Angels beat the Rays 12-0 in Anaheim. Detmers walked one and struck out two in his 108-pitch outing.  He went on to finish the season at 7-6, 3.77 in 25 starts. Still active (major leagues 2021-24 … Angels), he has a career mark of 16-28, with just the one complete game in 75 starts. Side note:  His one complete game in 2022 was enough to tie for the AL lead in shutouts that season.

Detmers was an Angels’ first-round draft pick (tenth overall) in 2020 – out of the University of Louisville, where he went 20-6, 3.20 over three seasons.

Mike Lorenzen*, RHP, Phillies … August 9, 2023

Mike Lorenzen’s no-no came in his ninth MLB season (333rd career appearance/64th start). It was Lorenzen’s second appearance for the Phillies (following an August 1 trade from the Tigers). In the 124-pitch outing, he walked four and fanned five, while his Phillies topped the Nationals 7-0 in Washington D.C.  (Seven may have been a lucky number, the 7-0 win moved Lorenzen’s record to 7-7 on the season.) Lorenzen finished the 2023 season at 9-9, 4.18. Still active in 2024, Lorenzen has a career record of 47-44, 3.99 (15 saves) in 368 appearances (93 starts). He still has just the one complete game. Since his MLB debut in 2015, Lorenzen has pitched for the Reds, Angels, Tigers, Phillies, Rangers and Royals. In 2024, the 32-year-old Lorenzen went 7-6, 3.31 for the Rangers and Royals.

Lorenzon was a first-round pick (Reds, 38th overall) in the 2013 MLB draft – out of California State University Fullerton, where he pitched and played outfield. At CSU, he went 5-0, 1.61, with 35 saves (42 appearances, all in relief) and hit .322-11-128 in 167 games.

Let Me Take My Cuts

Mike Lorenzen is a pretty good hitter for a pitcher. In fact, over his MLB career, he has played 34 games in outfield and has been used 29 times as a pinch hitter. He has a .233 career batting average (1-for-133) with seven home runs and 24 RBI.

Ronel Blanco*, RHP, Astros … April 1, 2024

On April 1 of the 2024 season, 30-year-old Astros’ righty Ronel Blanco tossed a no hitter in a 10-0 Houston win over the Blue Jays (in Houston).  Blanco fanned seven and walked two in the whitewashing.  It was his first-ever complete game and only complete game to date. The 105-pitch no-no came in Blanco’s third MLB season, 25th MLB appearance and just his eighth MLB start.  Blanco went 13-6, 2.80 in 2024 and has a career mark of 15-7, 3.31 (2022-24, Astros).

Blanco signed with the Astros in 2016 as an international free agent.(Dominican Republic).

Blake Snell, LHP, Giants … August 2, 2024

On August 2 of the most recent MLB season, Giants’ southpaw Blake Snell no-hit the Reds in a 3-0 win in Cincinnati. – picking up his first victory of the season (running his record on the season to 1-3, 4.29.)  It was the two-time Cy Yong Award winners first (and still only) MLB complete game – coming in his ninth MLB season and 202nd MLB start. In the game, Snell threw 114 pitches, walking three and fanning 11. He fanned the side (three up/three down) in the first and fourth innings and not a single runner reached second base.

The no-hitter remains the only time in his MLB career (211 starts) that that Snell pitched at least eight innings (he has logged seven or more innings in 33 starts).

Snell finished the 2024 season at 5-3, 3.12 in 20 starts – and now had a career mark of 76-58, 3.19 over nine seasons (2016-2024 … Rays, Padres Giants).

Snell was selected by the Rays in the first round of the 2011 draft (out of Shorewood, WA, High School). In his senior year, Snell went 9-0, with a 1.00 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched.

FIRST (BUT NOT ONLY) COMPLETE GAME A NO-HITTER

Bill Stoneman, RHP, Expos … April 17, 1979

Bill Stoneman no-hit the Phillies in 7-0 Expos win in Philadelphia – walking five and fanning eight.  It came in his third MLB season, 60th game and, 22nd start.  It was the first no-hitter for the expansion Expo’s (they had taken Stoneman (from the Cubs) with their ninth selection in the 1968 expansion draft. Stoneman, a 31st round Cubs’ selection in the 1966 MLB draft (out of the University of Idaho) had a 2-5, 4.00 MLB record for the Cubs in 1967-68. In 1969, Stoneman went 11-19, 4.39 for the 52-110 Expos, with eight complete games. He led the Expos in wins, starts (36), complete games (8), shutouts (5), innings pitched (235 2/3) and strikeouts (185).

Stoneman pitched in eight MLB seasons (1967-74 … Cubs, Expos, Angles), going 54-85, 4.08. He threw 45 complete games in 169 starts, including 15 shutouts.

Charlie Lea, RHP, Expos … May 10., 1981

Charlie Lea’s no-hitter came in his second MLB season (27th appearances/233rd start.)  It was part of a 4-0 win over the Giants in Montreal. In a game tied at zero through six frames, Lea walked four and fanned eight.  He threw his second career complete game in his very next start (May 16), a four-hit, 5-0 shutout over the Giants.

Lea pitched in seven MLB seasons (1980-84, 1987-88 … Expos, Twins). He went 62-48, 3.54 in 152 games (144 starts) and tossed 22 complete games. His best season was 1988, when he went 15-10, 2.89. Note: Lea’s career was interrupted by a shoulder injury.

Lea was selected by the Expos in the ninth round of the 1978 MLB Draft – out of the University of Memphis, where he went 9-2, 3.78 in 1978.

Wilson Alvarez, LHP, White Sox … August 11, 1991

In August 11, 22-year-old White Sox southpaw Wilson Alvarez won 7-0 game over the Orioles in Baltimore. It was just his second MLB appearance (he had one start in 1989), first complete game and first MLB victory. Alvarez walked five and fanned seven in his no-no. Side note: In his first MLB appearance (for the Texas Rangers on July 24, 1989), Alvarez started and faced just five batters.  It went single, home run, home run, walk, walk. Although his second MLB start didn’t come until two seasons later, the wait was clearly worth it.

Alvarez pitched in 14 MLB seasons (1989, 1991-99, 2002-05 … Rangers, White Sox, Giants, Devil Rays, Dodgers), going 102-92, 3.96 in 355 appearances (263 starts, 12 complete games). He was an All Star in 1994, when he went 12-8, 3.45 for the ChiSox. His best season was 1993, when he went 15-8, 2.95 for the White Sox.

Kent Mercker, LHP, Braves … April 8, 1994

Kent Mercker was in his sixth MLB season (185th appearances/12th start) when he threw his first complete game – a no-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Dodgers (in LA). It was his first start of the 1994 season. In the game, he walked four and fanned ten, throwing 131 pitches (85 strikes). Mercker pitched a second complete game in 1994 (a July 18, two-hit, 3-2 win over the Pirates in Pittsburgh). He finished the 1994 season at 9-4, 3.45 (20 games/17 starts). Moving between starter and reliever during his career (542 relief appearances/150 starts), his nine 1994 wins would be his second-highest career total (he was 11-11, 5.07 for the Cardinals in 1998).

After his two complete games in 1994, Mercker would pitch another 11 years in the major leagues (492 appearances/122 more starts) without notching another complete game. Overall, Mercker pitched in 18 MLB seasons (1989-2000, 2002-2006, 2008 … Braves, Orioles, Reds, Indians, Cardinals, Red Sox, Angels, Rockies, Cubs), going 74-67, 4.16, with 25 saves.

Mercker was drafted by the Braves in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1986 MLB Draft out of Dublin (Ohio) Coffman High School (where he had a 32-3 record over four seasons).

Jose Jimenez, RHP, Cardinals … July 5, 1999

Jose Jimenez’ no-no came in his second MLB season (19th game/18th start).  It was a bit of a surprise (he came into the game – against the Diamondbacks – with a 3-7 record and a 6.69 earned run average). Jimenez had given up five or more runs in five of his previous seven starts. He used 101 pitches (two walks and eight strikeouts) to no-hit down the Diamondbacks in a 1-0 Cardinals win (the opposing hurler was Randy Johnson, who pitched a four-hitter and fanned 12.)

Jimenez went 5-14, 5.85 that season, his last as a full-time starter. (In his first two MLB seasons, Jimenez made 31 starts in 33 appearances.  Then, from 2000 through 2004, he made just seven starts in 296 appearances.)  He pitched in seven MLB seasons (1998-2004 … Cardinals, Rockies, Indians) and went 24-44, 4.92 with 110 saves (329 games, 38 starts, two complete games.)

Jimenez signed with the Cardinals as a free agent (out of the Dominican Republic) in 1991.

A.J. Burnett, RHP, Marlins … May 12, 2001

A.J. Burnet threw an unusual no-hitter in his second start of the 2001 season.  As his Marlins topped the Padres 3-0 in San Diego, Burnett saw lots of opposing jerseys in his infield – as he gave up nine walks (seven strikeouts) and one hit batsman in his 129-pitch outing. In fact, over the first four innings, he threw 70 pitches –  walking six, hitting one batter and tossing one wild pitch – and still his Marlins led 2-0.  Burnett finished the 2001 season at 11-12, 4.05 for the 76-86 Marlins.

Burnett enjoyed a 17-season MLB career (1999-2015 …Marlins, Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates, Phillies), going 164-157, 3.99, with 24 complete games in 435 starts). His best season was 2008, when he went 18-10, 4.07 for the Blue Jays. He was an All Star once – in his final season – for the 2015 Pirates.  In that campaign, he was 7-3, 3.18 at the break, but 2-4, 6.04 in the second half.

He was drafted by the Mets in the eighth round of the 1995 MLB Draft (out of Central Arkansas Christian High School.)

Derek Lowe, RHP, Red Sox … April 27, 2002

Derek Lowe’s first complete game came in his sixth MLB season, 303rd appearance and 27th start (2002 was his first season as a full-time starter). He went on to pitch through the 2013 season – 378 more appearances, 350 more starts, nine more complete games.

In his 97-pitch no-hitter, a 10-0 Red Sox win over the Rays, Lowe walked one and fanned six. In the game, the Rays hit just five fair balls out of the infield.

An All Star in Two Roles

Derek Lowe made the AL All Star team as a reliever in 2000, when he went 4-4, 2.56 with a league-leading 42 saves for the Red Sox. He later (2006) made the All Star team as a starter (21-8, 2.58, also for the Red Sox).

Lowe pitched in 17 MLB seasons (1997-2013 … Mariners, Red Sox, Dodgers, Braves, Indians, Yankees, Rangers), making 681 appearances (377 starts). He went 176-157, 4.03 (86 saves). Lowe won 15 or more games in five seasons.

Lowe was signed by the Mariners after being drafted in the eighth round of the 1991 MLB Draft out of Edsel Ford High School (where he lettered in baseball, basketball, soccer and gol).

Anibel Sanchez, RHP, Marlins … September 6, 2006

Anibel Sanchez’ no-hitter came early in his career – in his rookie season (at age 22). He would go on to pitch in 16 MLB seasons and record eight more complete games.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Sanchez’ no-no came in his 14th MLB appearance and lucky 13th start.  He walked four and fanned six in the 103-pitch outing – a 2-0 win over the Diamondbacks. (Just two starts later, he pitched his second MLB complete game – in a 2-1 loss to the Braves in Atlanta). Sanchez pitched in 16 MLB seasons (2007-2020. 2022 … Marlins, Tigers, Braves, Nationals). He went 116-199, 4.28 in 364 appearances (361 starts). His best season was 2013, when he went 14-8 for the Tigers and won the AL earned run average crown at 2.57.

Sanchez signed with the Red Sox as an International Free Agent in 2001.

Clay Bucholz, RHP, Red Sox … September 1, 2007

Clay Bucholz no-hit the Orioles (10-0) in Baltimore in just his second MLB appearance (also his second MLB start). In the 115-pitrh outing, he walked three and fanned nine. He made just four appearances in the majors that season, going 3-1, 1.59.  (Bucholz was 8-5, 2.44 at Double-A and Triple-A that year.)

Bucholz went on to a 13-season MLB career (2007-2019 … Red Sox, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays) – with ten of those seasons with Boston. His final MLB stat line was 90-69, 3.98, with ten complete games (six shutouts) in 218 starts (236 appearances).  He was a two-time All Star and his best season was 2010, when he went 17-7, 2.33 for the Red Sox,

Now, that a Pain the Neck (and a spoiled season)

In 2013, Clay Bucholz was 9-0, 1.71 when he was place on the DL (neck strain) in mid-June. He was out until September 10 and finished the season 12-1, 1.74.

 Bucholz was selected by the Red Sox on the first round of the 2005 MLB Draft.   

 Jon Lester, LHP, Red Sox … May 19, 2008

Jon Lester’s first complete game came in his third MLB season, 38th appearance/37th start) – in a 7-0 Red Sox win over the Royals at Fenway. He threw 130 pitches in his no-hitter, walking two and fanning nine. Forty-five days (and eight starts) later he threw another complete game – this one a five-hitter in another 7-0 win over the Yankees. Those two shutouts would lead the AL in whitewashings.

Lester pitched in 16 MLB seasons (2006-2012 … Red Sox, A’s, Cubs, Nationals, Cardinals), going 200-117, 3.66 in 452 appearances (451 starts), He would record 15 complete games. A five-time All Star, Lester won 15 or more games in eight seasons and led the NL with 18 wins for the Cubs in 2018.

Lester was selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2002 MLB Draft – out of Bellarmine Preparatory School (Washington), where he was Washington’s 2000 Gatorade Player of the Year.

Francisco Liriano, LHP, Twins … May 3, 2011

Francisco Liriano’s no-hitter (and first complete game) came in his sixth MLB season (114th appearance/95th start). It was part of a tight pitching duel – won by the Twins 1-0 – with the White Sox Edwin Jackson. Liriano walked six and fanned two in his 123-pitch outing (just 66 strikes). It wasn’t a stellar season for Liriano, despite the no hitter.  He went 9-10, 5.09. (His ERA coming into the no-no was 9.13 in five starts.)  In the starts immediately before and after the no-hitter, Liriano last three innings each time, giving up seven and four runs, respectively.

Liriano pitched in 14 MLB seasons (2005-06, 2008-2019 … Twins, White Sox, Pirates, Blue Jays, Astros, Tigers).  He went 112-114, 4.14 in 419 games (300 starts and three complete games). His best season was 2013, when he went 16-8, 3.02 in 26 starts for the Pirates.

Liriano was signed by the Giants in 2000 as an International Free Agent.

Francisco Liriano won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2010 and the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award with the Pirates in 2013.  He’s the only player to win the award in both leagues.

 Mike Fiers, RHP, Astros …. August 21, 2015

Mike Fiers started the 2015 season with the Brewers and was 5-9, 3.89 when traded to the Astros (July 30). In his third start (fourth appearance) for Houston, Fiers threw a three-walk, ten-whiff, no-hitter versus the Dodgers for his first-ever MLB complete game. It came in his 60th start (75th appearance).  He threw 134 pitches in the no-no (88 strikes).

Fiers pitched one additional complete game in his career (219 appearances/99 starts). He pitched in 11 MLB seasons (2011-2021 … Brewers, Astros, Tigers, A.s) going 75-64, 4.07. His best season as 2018, when he went 12-8, 3.56 for the Tigers and A’s.

Fiers was selected by the Brewers in the 22nd round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

Sean Manaea*, LHP, A’s … April 21, 2018

Sean Manaea threw his first MLB complete game in his third season, 59th appearance and 58th start.  He walked two and fanned ten in that April 21, 2018, 3-0, no-hit win over the Red Sox. Manaea finished 2021 at 12-9, 3.59.  Still active, he has a career 77-62, 4.00 record in nine seasons (2016-24 … A’s, Padres, Giants, Mets). He has thrown two more complete games (both in 2021 and both shutouts). In 2024, he was 12-6, 3.47 in 32 starts for the Mets.

James Paxton*, LHP, Mariners … May 8, 2018

James Paxton’s no-hitter came in his sixth MLB season (82nd appearance, all starts). Pitching for the Mariners, he shut down the Blue Jays 5-0 in Toronto. Paxton walked three and fanned seven in the 99- pitch outing. Just 11 days later (May 19), in a 7-2 win over the Tigers, he threw his second (and to date only other) career complete game. Since that time, he has had 114 MLB starts.  Still active in 2024 (9-3, 4.40 for the Dodgers and Red Sox), Paxton has pitched in 11 MLB seasons (2013-21, 2023-24 … Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers) and has a 73-41, 3.77 career record.  His best season was 2019, when he went 15-6, 3.82 for the Yankees.

Paxton was a fourth-round draft choice (Mariners) in 2010 – out of the University of Kentucky, where he went 11-5, 4.91 over three seasons.

Joe Musgrove*, RHP, Padres … April 9, 2021

Another still-active pitcher, Joe Musgrove tossed his no-hitter in his sixth MLB season, 110th appearances, and 85th starting assignment – as his Padres topped the Rangers 3-0 in Texas. Musgrove didn’t walk a batter and fanned ten in his near-perfect outing. A fourth-inning pitch that hit Rangers’ RF Joey Gallo was all that stood between Musgrove and a perfect game. Later that season, he threw a second complete game – a three-hit shutout, as the Padres beat the Angels 5-0 in Anaheim. To date, he still has just the two complete games.  Musgrove went 11-9, 3.18 in the season of his no-no and ended 2024 with a career record of 66-62, 3.73 (206 games, 180 starts).  He has pitched in nine MLB seasons (2016-224 … Astros, Pirates, Padres.)

Musgrove was the 46th pick (Mariners) in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft (out of Grossmount High School).

Two the Road

While pre-1900 first-complete game no-hitter records are more difficult to document, and were often thrown under different rules (shorter pitching distances, nine-ball walks, for example),  Ted Breitenstein and Charles “Bumpus” Jones deserve some mention here. Each threw a no-hitter in their first MLB start.  Breitenstein for the American Association St. Louis Browns on October 4, 1891 – in a 6-0 win over the Louisville Colonels.  Jones for the Reds on October 15, 1892 in a 7-1 win over the Pirates.

Breitenstein pitched in 11 MLB seasons (1891-1901 … Browns, Reds) and went 160-170, 4.03, with 301 complete games in 342 stats. Jones only pitched in two MLB seasons (1892-93 … Reds, Giants), going 2-4, 7.99, with three complete games in seven starts. His 1993 no-hitter came on the final day of the season.  

 

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

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Trivia(L) Tidbit Tuesday – Johnny Sain, Putting the Ball In Play

July 23, 2024 by

Welcome to another edition Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday, a weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances, statistical coincidences or unusual circumstances.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that caught my attention.

This week, I was drawn to the career of four-time twenty-game winner, righthander Johnny Sain (of “Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain” fame). What grabbed my attention was not his pitching, but his ability to put the bat on the ball.  While, in the past, pitchers were often chided for their futility at the plate, Sain was a tough out.

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Boston Braves’ pitcher Johnny Sain is the only MLB player in the Modern Era to rack up a season of more than 100 plate appearances without a single strikeout or walk.

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Let’s get to the Sain saga.

In 1946, the Boston Braves’ righty was back in baseball after missing three seasons in the military. Sain got right down to business, putting up a 20-14, 2.21 season, with a league-leading 24 complete games in 34 starts. (Sain had made his MLB debut in 1942, primarily as a reliever.) Twenty wins in his first full season as a starter – pretty impressive.  But, again, not what caught The Roundtable’s eye.  That season, Sain came to the plate 104 times and did not strike out or walk once.  He hit .298-0-14 for the campaign – with 28 hits, (25 singles, two doubles, one triple). His 104 plate appearances included ten sacrifice bunts.

Walks aside, Sain also is one of only three players (in MLB’s modern era) to complete a season of 100 or more plate appearances without a single strikeout (the other two did take a few free passes).

Side note: The Roundtable uses the Modern Era since it is more consistent with baseball rules as we know them. For example, Al Spalding of the 1974 Boston Red Stockings holds the MLB record for plate appearances in a zero-whiff season at 365 … but, at that time, batters could call for a pitch in a certain location and the pitchers were expected to comply. It also wasn’t until 1901 in the National League and 1903 in the American League that foul balls counted as strikes.  As far as walks go, in baseball’s earliest days, there simply were no walks. Then, as various times , it took nine, eight, seven and six balls to garner a free pass  – until the current four-ball walk rule was implemented in 1889.  You get the idea.

So, here are your Modern ERA, zero-strikeout season leaders in plate appearances

Third Place … 104 Plate Appearances … Johnny Sain, RHP, Boston Braves

Since Sain prompted this Tidbit, we’ll start here.  As already noted, in 1946, he was a 20-game winner and came to the plate 104 times without striking out. In some ways, he may have done even better the plate in 1947, when he hit .346-0-18 in 118 plate appearances (and had the patience to draw three walks), while going 21-12, 3.52 on the mound. If you look at Sain’s first three MLB seasons (1942, 1946-47, he hit .294 in 252 plate appearances and struck out just twice.  He did not keep up that pace. In 11 MLB seasons (1942, 1946-55 … Braves, Yankees, Athletics) he hit .245-3-101 in 433 games.  Over his career, he struck out a total of 20 times (versus 24 walks) in the regular season, an average of one strikeout every 42.9 plate appearances. He had five seasons with at least 100 plate appearances and three or fewer strikeouts (0,1,2,3,3) On the mound, the three-time All Star went 139-116, 3.49 and four times won 20 or more games in a season (leading the NL with 24 wins in 1948).  He also led the league in complete games twice, saves once and innings pitched once.

Second Place… 108 Plate Appearances … Bill Rariden, C, 1920 Reds

Rariden actually achieved this rare feat in his final MLB season (at age 32). In 39 games, he hit .248-0-10 (five walks). Rariden played in 12 MLB seasons (1909-1920 … Doves/Braves, Federal League Hoosiers, Giants, Reds). He hit .237-7-275 in 982 games. He struck out 256 times in 3,316 place appearances – an average of once every 13 plate appearances (which makes his zero-whiff season a bit of a career outlier).

First Place … 234 Plate Appearances … Lloyd Waner, OF, 1941 Red, Pirates & Braves

Waner, at age 35 and in his 15th MLB season, got into 77 games in 1941, hitting .292-0-11 (drawing 12 walks). The 5’9”, 150-pound Waner played in 18 MLB seasons (1927-42, 1944-45 … Pirates, Braves, Reds, Phillies), hitting .316-27-598, with 1,201 runs scored in 1,993 games.  He averaged jus one whiff per 48.2 plate appearances over his career and had three seasons of 100 or more plate appearances and five or fewer strikeouts (0,5,5). He had nine seasons in which he played in at least 100 games and hit .300 or better. The Hall of Famer led the league in runs scored once (three times stopping 100 runs); hits once (four times topping 200 hits); and triples once.

Joe Sewell – The King of Contact

Joe Sewell is the undisputed “King 0f Contact. In his 14-season MLB career (1920-33 … Indians, Yankees), the 5’6”, 155-pound infielder struck just 114 times in 8,333 plate appearances (1,903 games) – once every 73.1 plate appearances. During the 1920 season, he set two records between the third inning of a game on May 17 and the sixth inning of a September 20 contest. During that span, he logged streaks of 521 plate appearances and 115 games without a strikeout. For his career, the Hall of Famer hit .312-49-1,054, hitting .300 or better in all but four seasons. In 1925, he fanned just four times in 699 plate appearances.

 

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com.

 

 

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Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday … When the Pitchers Ran the Show

July 16, 2024 by

Welcome to another edition Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday, a weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances ,statistical coincidences or unusual circumstances.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that caught my eye.

With the All Star Game tonight, this edition of Trivia(l) Tidbits Tuesday will focus on a time when the pitchers truly dominated the All Star Game.  To view earlier Trivia(l) Tidbit posts, type Trivia(l) in the search box on the  righthand side of the page.

If you look back at the 93 AL/NL All Star matchups, only ten times has the game featured three or fewer combined runs – and just four of those low-scoring affairs have gone extra innings.  What caught the Roundtable’s eye was that three of those ten lowest-scoring All Star Games took place in consecutive seasons (1966-67-68) and two of the four lowest-scoring extra-inning All-Star Games took place in that span.    And, not coincidentally, those three All Star games preceded the lowering of the mound and shrinking of the strike zone going into the 1969 season. (The 1969 All Star Game featured 12 runs (NL 9 – AL 3), 17 hits (three doubles and five home runs.)  Side note:  There were three Negro League All Star games featuring three or fewer runs between 1920 and 1948.

Here are some Trivia(l) Tidbits from the 1966-68 All Star Games:

  • In 1966, the National League prevailed 2-1 in ten innings;
  • In 1967, the National League again won 2-1, this time in fifteen innings;
  • In 1968, the National League won 1-0 in nine frames.

Over those three games (and 34 innings):

  • National League hitters averaged .181;
  • American League hitters averaged .149;
  • National League pitchers put up a 0.53 earned run average;
  • American League pitchers threw to a 1.11 earned run average.

Keep in mind, these were teams whose starting lineups featured the likes of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Dick Allen, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew and Tony Oliva. Aaron, in fact, played every inning of all three games and went two-for-thirteen, with two singles and a walk.

A few other highlights/lowlights:

  • There were only 12 hits in the ten-inning 1966 game, but (despite the pitchers’ dominance) only 11 strikeouts.
  • Brooks Robinson had three of the total of 12 hits in the 1966 game;
  • Bill Freehan caught all 15 innings for the AL in the 1967 game;
  • All three runs in the 1967 game scored on solo home runs. Tony Perez (off Catfish Hunter); Dick Allen (off Dean Chance) and Brooks Robinson (off Fergie Jenkins);
  • There was not a single earned run nor an RBI in the 1968 game.

 

1966 All Star Game

The National League triumphed 2-1, with a run in the tenth inning via a single by Tim McCarver, a sacrifice bunt by Ron Hunt and an RBI-single by Maury Wills (off Pete Richert).

  • The game featured just 12 total hits, six by each squad) – ten singles, one triple (Brooks Robinson) and one double (Roberto Clemente);
  • Brooks Robinson had three hits and scored the AL’s only run (on a wild pitch by Sandy Koufax);
  • Some notable 0h-fers included Hank Aaron (0-4), Willie McCovey (0-3, with a walk), Frank Robinson (0-4) and Tony Oliva (0-4).
  • Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, Ron Santo, Frank Robinson, Tony Oliva, and Brooks Robinson all played the whole game;
  • AL pitchers were Denny McLain, Jim Kaat, Mel Stottlemyre, Sonny Siebert, Pete Richert,
  • NL Pitchers were Sandy Koufax; Jim Bunning; Juan Marichal; Gaylord Perry.

1967 All Star Game

The National League won 2-1 in a marathon 15 innings, scoring in the top of the fifteenth on a home run by Tony Perez (off Catfish Hunter). There were just 17 hits over the fifteen innings – nine by the NL, eight by the AL).

  • Carl Yastrzemski had three hits for the AL, a double and two singles;
  • Bill Freehan caught the whole 15 innings for the AL. Others who played the entire game were Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Orlando Cepeda, Gene Alley, Brooks Robinson, Tony Oliva, Harmon Killebrew, Tony Conigliaro and Carl Yastrzemski;
  • Notable Oh-fers included: Willie Mays (0-4), Orlando Cepeda (0-6), Rod Carew (0-3), Harmon Killebrew (0-6), Tony Conigliaro (0-6), Bill Freehan (0-5);
  • NL pitchers were Juan Marichal, Fergie Jenkins, Bob Gibson, Chris Short, Mike Cueller, Don Drysdale and Tom Seaver;
  • AL pitchers were Dean Chance, Jim McGlothlin, Gary Peters; Al Downing and Catfish Hunter.

1968 All Star Game

The National League won 1-0, scoring one run in the bottom of the first. Willie Mays opened with a single (off Luis Tiant). Mays moved to second on an errant pick-off attempt, then went to third as Curt Flood walked (on a wild pitch) and scored as Willie McCovey hit into double-play (4-6-3).  And, that was it for the scoring.

  • There were no earned runs in the game;
  • Since the only tally scored on a double play, there were no RBIs awarded in the game;
  • There were just eight hits in the game (five by the NL);
  • There were 20 strikeouts (five by Tom Seaver, who faced eight batters in the seventh and eighth innings);
  • No batter had more than one hit;
  • Notable oh-fers included Rod Carew (0-3) and Willie McCovey (0-4);
  • Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron and Orlando Cepeda played the whole game, as did Brooks Robinson and Tony Oliva.
  • AL pitchers were Luis Tiant, Blue Moon Odom, Denny McLain, Sam McDowell, Mel Stottlemyre, Tommy John.
  • NL pitchers were Don Drysdale, Juan Marichal, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Ron Reed and Jerry Koosman.

A Two-Fer

Don Drysdale is the only MLB pitcher to start two All Star Games in the same season – with wildly different results.  (There were two All Star Games each year from 1959 through 1962.) On July 7, 1959, Drysdale started for the NL (in Pittsburgh)  and pitched three perfect  innings (four strikeouts) in a 5-4 National League win. Then, on August 3, 1959, he started for the National League in a 5-3 loss in Los Angeles. This time, he gave up three runs on four hits and three walks (five whiffs) in three innings. 

For a whole lot more on All Star Games, click here.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

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Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday – The Symmetry of MLB’s Shortest-Ever Game

July 9, 2024 by

Welcome to another edition of Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday, a weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that caught my interest. To view earlier Trivia(l) Tidbit posts, type Trivia(l) in the search box on the  righthand side of the page.

This week, we’re leading with a bit of statistical coincidence/symmetry related to MLB’s shortest-ever (by time) nine-inning game.  That would be the Giants’ 6-1 win over the Phillies (in New York) on September 28, 1919.  The game took a brief 51 minutes to complete. The statistical coincidence/symmetry?  Since the hometown Giants had the lead and did not have to bat in the bottom of the –ninth, there were 51 outs recorded.  Fifty-one outs in 51 minutes, making it one-out per minute – and making it easy to relate to exactly now fast the contest went.

Jesse Barnes … Photo: Yi Auctions, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Also catching the Roundtable’s eye was the pitching matchup.  It featured the 1919 National League’s winningest and losingest hurlers.  The Giants’ Jesse Barnes came into the game at 24-9, leading the NL in wins and looking for a benchmark 25th win.  The Phillies’ Lee Meadows came into the game at 12-19, leading the NL in losses and looking to avoid a benchmark 20th loss.   (Barnes, of course, prevailed). Surprisingly, Meadows actually came into the game with the lower earned run average: 2.41 to Barnes’ 2.48.

Now, why the quick pace? It was the first game of a doubleheader on each team’s final day of the 1919 season – and neither team was headed for the post-season. The Giants were in second place at 87-53 and the Phillies in last at 47-90.  (Remember when just the league champions qualified for the post-season?)  The players were anxious to get the season over and head for home. Reports from the time indicted the two teams had a sort of gentlemen’s agreement to speed things up and get the season over with.

How fast was the pace?  Well consider, 8 ½ innings in 51 minutes. If each team rushed on and off the field in just 30 seconds between half innings (and it likely took longer), that would mean a playing time of 47 minutes or about Two minutes and 45 seconds each half inning. Taken a step further, 70 batters came to the plate in the game, again given just 30 seconds to change sides between innings, that would mean the average plate appearance lasted just 40.3 seconds. (Again, my 30 seconds between innings may be a bit low, so I consider these numbers at the lower end of the possible pace of the game.)

Sorry guys, but I gotta get my hits.

Despite the shortness of the game, there was time for every member of the Giants’ lineup, including pitcher Jesse Barnes, to collect least one base hit.

A few other facts about the contest:

  • Seven runs were scored;
  • There were 18 hits (13 for the Giants, five for the Phillies);
  • The Giants put runners on base in six of the eight innings in which they batted;
  • There were also three walks and three strikeouts;
  • There was only one double play an it was a time-consuming 6-5-6-3-4;
  • Each team used the minimum nine players.

Efficiency Expert

Giants’ starter used just 64 pitches to notch a complete game on September 28, 1919.  He faced 33 batters – that’s a stingy average of 1.9 pitches per batter. 

The point being that the game was not a low-it, low-run affair, there were plenty of baserunners.  (Side note: According to Baseball-Reference.com, the average time of a nine-inning game in 1919 was one hour-and-36 minutes.)

A Super Maddux?

On August 10, 1944, Braves’ righty Red Barrett shut down the Reds 2-0 on just two hits (no walks/no strikeouts) in Cincinnati.  He used just 58 pitchers to complete the game – the fewest pitches ever in an MLB nine-inning complete game.  

Now, how about the other end of the spectrum?

Longest Nine-Inning Game

The longest nine-inning MLB game on record took four hours-and-45 minutes. It was played August 18, 2006, and was the second game of a Fenway doubleheader. The Yankees topped the Red Sox 14-11.

That game featured:

  • 17 hits by each team;
  • Twelve pitchers (seven Yankees, five Red Sox);
  • Thirty-four players (19 Yankees, 15 Red Sox);
  • Three New York errors;
  • A combined 13 walks and 15 strikeouts.

FREE BASEBALL

Now, let’s look at extra innings.

The longest game (by time) * – May 8, 1984 …

Milwaukee Brewers versus Chicago White Sox

This one gets an asterisk – because it was not a “continuous” contest.

MLB’s longest-ever (time-wise) game started on May 8, 1984 and was played at (old) Comiskey, with the hometown White Sox prevailing 7-6 in 25 innings (tied for the second-most MLB innings) – in a record-long eight hours-an- six minutes of game time.  The game started at 7:30 p.m. and was suspended after 17 innings (at 1:05 a.m.) due to the American League curfew rule then in force.  Play was resume the following day.

Rollie Fingers’ blown save helped send this game into the record books.

There were plenty of chances for this one to end earlier. The game was tied 1-1 going into the top of the ninth, when the Brewers scored twice off-White Sox’ reliever Britt Burns to take the lead.  With a 2-0 lead, the Brewers brought in future Hall of Fame closer Rollie Fingers and the die seemed cast.  Oops! The bottom of the ninth saw the White Sox tie the game with two tallies of their own.

No one scored between the ninth and the seventeenth innings (when the game was suspended). The goose eggs continued when play resumed, going on until the until the top of the 21st, when the Brewers put up a three-spot on a three-run homer off Ron Reed by Ben Oglivie (scoring Cecil Cooper and 1B Ted Simmons) – and the game again appeared to be over.   The White Sox, however, scored three of their own in the bottom of the inning. and the game continued its march toward the record books.

Finally, with one out in the bottom of the 25th White Sox’ RF Harold Baines hit a walk-off home run (making it, of course, the latest walk-off long ball ever) against Chuck Porter (starting his eighth inning of relief) to win it for the ChiSox.  A few tidbits:

  • White Sox’ CF Rudy Law, C Carlton Fisk and 2B Julio Cruz, as well as Milwaukee DH Cecil Cooper each had an MLB record-tying 11 at bats in the game. They had three, one and two hits, respectively.
  • Rudy Law, Carlton Fisk and Harold Baines each had a record-tying 12 plate appearances. Law and Fisk each had one walk, Baines had two free passes.
  • Chicago’s Dave Stegman, who came on as a pinch runner for DH Greg Luzinski in the eighth inning and stayed in to play LF, struck out a game-high five times in eight at bats.
  • The teams used a combined 14 pitchers (six for the Brewers, eight for the White Sox).
  • Two relievers went seven or more innings: losing pitcher Chuck Porter of the Brewers (7 1/3); Juan Agosto of the White Sox (7 innings) – both logged more innings than their team’s starting pitcher.
  • The White used four first basemen: Greg Walker (started); Mike Squires replaced Walker in the top of the ninth; Marc Hill (pinch hit for Squires in the 14th and stayed in at 1B); in the 22nd inning, Tom Paciorek, who had replaced Ron Kittle in LF in the top of the fourth inning, moved to 1B, replacing Hill.

Tom Terrific for the Win(s)

The winning pitcher in the longest-ever MLB game (by time, not innings) was future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, who pitched the 25th inning for the ChiSox (on May 9). It was Seaver’s only relief appearance of the season (one of just nine in his career) and his only career win in relief (he also had one save and two losses in that role).

Notably, Seaver then started the regularly scheduled May 9 contest and went 8 1/3 innings (three hits, one walk, four earned runs) to pick up a victory as a starter. (White Sox won 5-4).

 

 

 

 

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The Longest (by time) Continually  Played Game – May 31, 1964 …

San Francisco Giants versus New York Mets

The San Francisco Giants topped the New York Mets 8-6 in 23 innings on May 31, 1964 – and took seven hours and 23 minutes to do it.  Not only that, it was the second game of a doubleheader. It is the longest National League game (by time), MLB’s second-longest game (by time) and the longest continually played (by time) game. Remember, that Brewers/White Sox 25-inning, eight hours-plus game was suspended after the 17th frame.

Gaylord Perry tossed  ten scoreless innings in relief (seven hits. one walk, nine whiffs).

This one looked to be over early, as the Giants led 2-0 after just three batters had faced starter Bill Wakefield. LF Harvey Kuenn led off with a walk, RF Jesus Alou stroked a run-scoring double and CF Willie Mays hit a run-scoring single. The Mets came back with one-run in the second and  San Francisco added four more runs on six singles in the top of the third to take a 6-1 lead. The Mets plated two runs in the fifth (on a one-out single by RF Joe Christopher, a run-scoring triple by 1B Ed Kranepool and a two-out run-scoring single by 3B Charley Smith). They tied it in the seventh (Giants’ starter Bobby Bolin was still in the game) on a three-run homer by Christopher. That ended the scoring until the top of the 23rd inning, when the Giants launched a two-out rally against Galen Cisco: SS Jim Davenport, triple; 3B Cap Peterson, intentional walk; PH Del Crandall, run scoring double; RF Jesus Alou run-scoring single. Bob Hendley took the mound for the Giants in the bottom of the inning and retired the Mets in order (two strikeouts and a fly ball) to save the game for Gaylord Perry, who had tossed ten scoreless frames in relief.

Some tidbits:

  • Each team used six pitchers in the contest;
  • There were ten pinch hitters and one pinch runner used;
  • Tom Sturdivant and Larry Bearnath of the Mets pitched in both games of the doubleheader – with Bearnath throwing seven scoreless innings in the second game after giving up one run in two innings in Game One.
  • Galen Cisco, who took the loss for the Mets, pitched nine innings in relief (giving up two runs on five hits).
  • Gaylord Perry got the win for the Giants, tossing ten scoreless innings in relief (seven hits, one walk, nine strikeouts). That season Perry started 19 games and relieved in 25.
  • Gil Garrido, Jim Davenport and Willie Mays all spent some time at SS for the Giants during the game.

Quite A List

The list of pinch hitters used by the Giants was pretty impressive: Duke Snider; Willie McCovey; Matty Alou; Del Crandall; Cap Peterson. Mets’ pinch hitters were not as well known: Jesse Gonder; George Altman; Dick Smith; Hawk Taylor; John Stephenson

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com;  Baseball-Almanac.com; “Nine Innings in 51 Minutes: Major League Baseball’s Fastest Game Ever,” by Dave Caldwell, The Guardian.com, July 4, 2023; “September 28, 1919: Giants and Phillies Record 51 Outs in 51 Minutes, The Fastest Game in Major-League History” , by Larry DeFillipo, Society for American Baseball Research.

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Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday … R-E-S-P-E-C-T – Take Your Base Mr. Baker

July 2, 2024 by

Welcome to the fourth edition of Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday, a weekly (I hope) presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances or statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that caught my eye. Note: For Trivia(l) Tidbit One (brotherly 20-game winners), click here; for the second in the series (a tale of two Bob Millers), click here; For number three (Scot Rolen’s “lucky” break), click here.

Today’s Trivia(l)Tidbit focuses on  a journeyman catcher named Bill Baker who – on September 28, 1943 – was (in a way) shown an unprecedented level of r-e-s-p-e-c-t at the plate. On that day, in the second game of a Pirates/Dodgers twin bill (in Pittsburgh), Baker tied the record for the most intentional walks gifted to a batter in a nine-inning game. Further, to get to the more trivial part of this tidbit, he also set the record for the most intentional walks in a game in which the player was issued a free pass in every plate appearance.

Photo: Cincinnati Reds – 1940 Team Issue, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In that contest, Baker – who came into the game hitting .273-1-24 and had appeared in 61 of the Pirate’s 150 games – started at catcher and was batting in the eight-hole.  He came to the plate four times and was intentionally walked four times, as the Pirates prevailed 4-2 in nine innings (8 ½ really). Four intentional passes remains the record for a nine-inning game and the only other players to reach that mark are Barry Bonds (twice in 2004) and Jeff Heath (1941). Bonds and Heath, however, each needed five plate appearances to “earn” those four free trips to first base.

With the DH rule, it’s doubtful Baker’s record will fall (remember, he was batting in front of the pitcher). Here’s now game went:

  • Second inning – Pirates up 1-0, runners on two outs, runner on second: Intentional Walk from pitcher Curt Davis. Pirates’ pitcher Bill Brandt up next, grounds out to short.
  • Fourth inning – Pirates still up 1-0, one out, runners on second and third. Davis again intentionally walks Baker to get to Brandt. Brandt pops out to the catcher, leadoff hitter (SS Pete Coscaret) flied out to center.
  • Sixth inning – Pirates up 2-0, runner on second and one out. Davis again intentionally walks Baker. Brandt bunts and is safe on an error. Coscaret flies out to center; RF Johnny Barrett strikes out.
  • Eighth inning – Pirates up 3-2, one out, runner on second. Pitcher Les Webber intentionally walks Baker. PH Tommy O’Brien hits an RBI single (Rip Sewell comes in to pinch run for him); Coscaret flies out to center, Barrett walks to load the bases. Fritz Ostermueller relieves Webber and picks Sewell off first.

Baker, by the way, made his MLB debut in 1939, at the age of 29, after six minor-league seasons in which never hit lower than .292. He played in seven MLB seasons (1940-43, 1946, 1948-49 … Reds, Pirates, Cardinals) and hit .247-2-68 in 263 games. (He never played in more than 63 games in a season).

Now, as always for the Roundtable, when looking into an event or stat “one thing leads to another.” So here are a few more Trivia(l) Tidbits related to intentional walks.

For those who like to know such things:

  • The record for intentional passes in a game of any length is five – the Cubs’ Andre Dawson, in a 16-inning 2-1 win over the Reds on May 22, 1990. (Dawson had eight plate appearances).
  • As noted earlier, only three players (Bill Baker, Barry Bonds and Jeff Heath have been issued four intentional walks in a nine-inning game.
  • Five players have received four intentional walks in an extra-inning affair – Bonds, Garry Templeton, Manny Ramirez, Roger Maris, and Ted Kluszewski.

So, Baker finds himself in some pretty good company.

I couldn’t stop myself, so here’s a bit more.

Let’s Do A Power Walk

In MLB history, 56 players have collected 150 or more career intentional walks (topped, of course, by Barry Bonds 688, well head of number-two Albert Pujols at 316). Most of those were power hitters.  In fact, 51 of the 56 logged 240 or more career homers. How about those who did not reach 240 long balls?

  • The fewest home runs by a player with 150 or more career intentional walks is 117 by Ichiro Suzuki (he had 181 intentional walks).
  • The only other players with 150 or more intentional walks and fewer home runs than walks are: Wade Boggs, (180 IBB/118 HR); Tony Gwynn (203 IBB/135 HR); and Pete Rose (167 IBB/ 160 HR).

I’ll Take My Chances Facing This Guy

Roger Maris is the only player with 50 or more home runs in season without a single intentional walk.  It happened in 1961, when he hit 61 homers (it helps to hit in front of Mickey Mantle.) Next on this list is Marcus Semien, who hit 45 homers for the Blue Jays in 2021 without drawing a single intentional pass.  (Ironically, the only season Maris failed to draw a single IBB was his 61-homer campaign. In 1962, when he hit “only” 33 homers, he drew 11 intentional walks, four in one game.)

In 2004, when Barry Bonds drew a record 120 intentional walks, Jim Thome was second in MLB with 26 IBB. Further, only three players drew more total walks that season as Bonds had intentional walks (the Phillies’ Bobby Abreu, Astros’ Lance Berkman and Rockies’ Todd Helton – all with 127). Bonds, by the way drew 232 total walks that season 38.3% of his plate appearances).

Enough rambling, that’s it for this Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

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

Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply Top 66 Baseball Sites list.  For the full list, click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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

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

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, Trivia, Uncategorized

Baseball Roundtable June Wrap Up – Triple Plays, Shutouts, Cycles, Lots of Homers and More

July 1, 2024 by

It’s July 1, and that means it’s time for the Baseball Roundtable monthly Wrap Up for June – a look at the stories and statistics that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as the standings, Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month, the Trot Index and more.

As usual, there a few things unusual over the past thirty days. We saw:

  • the season’s first cycle, by a rookie no less;
  • an inning when, after the nine batters came to the plate, nine batters had also crossed the plate;
  • an 89-pitch, nine-inning compete game;
  • the first-ever pitch-clock violation walk-off win (or loss, depending on your point of view);
  • a rare pitcher-to first-to third triple play;
  • an 89-pitch complete game;
  • a team going deep in 22 straight games;
  • a .409-11-37 June “Judge-rnaut”;
  • a twice in history “utility” player;
  • great performances out of guys named Tobias and Heliot; and
  • much more.

For these stories,  lots of June stats and that much more, read on.,  But first let’s take a look at Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

Baseball Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month for June 2024

National League

Player of the Month – Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers

Photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Shohei Ohtani hit .293 in June and his 12 homers and 24 RBI both led the National League. He also scored an NL-high of 26 runs in June.  From June 16 through June 26, he had a streak of ten consecutive games with at least one RBI (a Dodger-franchise record. In those ten games, Ohtani went .444-8-17.

Honorable Mentions: Reds; 2B Jonathan India led all NL hitters with at least 75 at bats with a June average of .380 (35-for-92). He also had two homers, 16 RBI and 19 runs scored. From June 23 through June 29, India hit at least one double in seven straight games – a Reds-franchise record.  During that span he went 17-for-30 (.567), with ten doubles, nine runs scored and five RBI.  Diamondbacks’ 2B Ketel Marte chipped in a .341 average, with seven homers, 20 RBI and 20 runs scored. Padres’ CF Jackson Merrill hit .303 for the month, with nine home runs (second in the NL) and 20 RBI (tied for sixth).  LF Heliot Ramos of the  Giants went .304-8-24.  More on those last two in the Surprise Player section.

Pitcher of the Month – Tobias Myers, RHP, Brewers 

Photo: Sewageboy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Brewers’ rookie right-hander Tobias Myers went 4-0, 1.44 in five June starts. His ERA was the lowest among NL pitchers with at least 25 June innings; his 0.89 WHIP was second, as was hits .185 average against.  Myers gave up either one or zero runs in four of his five June starts. Plus, my baseball-reference.com search indicates Myers is MLB’s first Tobias. and, let’s not forget, he’s a rookie.

Honorable Mentions: Phillies’ lefty Cristopher Sanchez went 3-0, 1.64 in five starts (33 innings). He fanned 23 and walked just four. His 0.82 WHIP was lowest in the NL among pitchers with at least 25 June innings  and he held hitters to a .207 average. Pirates’ righty  phenom, Paul Skenes went 2-0, 1.78 and fanned 40 (eight walks) in 30 innings.  His 40 whiffs were fourth in the NL for June.

American League

 Player of the Month – Aaron Judge, CF, Yankees (She’s Real Fine, My 409)

Aaron Judge hit .409 – the highest of any MLBer with at least 75 June at bats.  His eleven home runs were second only to the Orioles’ Anthony Santander (13) in the American League and his 37 June RBI far outdistanced the nearest competitor (Santander was second with 26).  Judge also scored 25 runs and even swiped three bases in three tries.  In a six-game stretch from June 4 through June 11, Judge hit .500, with four home runs and 15 RBI. He had 13 multi-hit games during the month and two five-RBI contests. He was a true judge-rnaut.

Honorable Mentions:  Twins’ SS Carlos Correa had a solid month, going .388-5-21, with 21 runs scored, in 25 games, sparking the Twins’ offense. His 38 June safeties trailed only the 39 of the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson and Red Sox’ Jarren Duran,  Henderson also gets an Honorable Mention here. He  hit .342-8-17 and, notably, led MLB in June runs scored with 31.  He was second with 11 June doubles and stole six bases in seven tries.  I’ll toss in two more worthy of consideration: the Orioles’ RF Anthony Santander went .274—13-26 (those 13 long balls were MLB’s June high) and Blue Jays’ 1B Vlad Guerrero, Jr.  came in at .318-8-25.

Pitcher of the Month – Logan Gilbert, RHP, Mariners

Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Wow! Lots of good choices here (as you’ll see in the Honorable Mentions). So, I had to look for a stat that really jumped out at me.  That turned out to be Logan Gilbert’s 31 strikeouts – and just one walk – in 35 2/3 innings. Oh, but there was more – like his MLB-best 0.62 WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched) and his .167 average against. So, while he may mot have had the most wins (he was 2-1), the lowest earned run average (although his 1.51 was third in MLB among pitchers with at least 25 June innings) or the most strikeouts, for me he was the pitcher who best put it all together.  During the month, he had two starts in which he was relieved to open the ninth, whiles till pitching a shutout.

Honorable Mentions: Hunter Brown came into his own in the month of June. The 25-year-old righty came into the month 1-5, 4.95 on the season (after an 11-13, 5.09 2023 campaign) and went 4-0, 1.16 in five June starts – fanning’s 36 batters (eight walks) in 31 innings.  His 1.16 ERA was the lowest in MLB among pitchers with at least 25 June innings.  In his last four starts in June, he gave up just one earned run (a solo home run to Andrew Benintendi).    White Sox’ southpaw Garrett Crochet led the majors in June strikeouts (56 whiffs in 37 2/3 innings in five starts), while walking just six.  He pitched to a 1-1 record despite a 1.91 earned run average for the month. He deserved better than one June win.  He got a no-decision in four games in which he surrendered two or fewer runs.

Surprise Player of the Month: Tie – Heliot Ramos, LF, Giants & CF Jackson Merrill, Padres

Giants’ Of Heliot Ramos, a first-round pick (as a teenager) in the 2017 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut in 2022 (two-for-twenty in nine games).  He was up and down (major and minors) in 2023, hitting .179-1-2 in 25 games with the Giants, but .303-14-51 in 67 games at Single-A and Triple-A. This season, he was called up in May to replace an ailing Jorge Soler.  At the time, Ramos was hitting .296-8-21 at Triple-A. It doesn’t look like he’ll be going back. In 21 May games, he hit .280-2-13 for San Francisco.  And, in June he really opened some eyes with a .304-8-24 line in 27 games. The eight homers were tied for third for June in the NL and the 24 RBI tied (with Shohei Ohtani. not bad company) for first. The Roundtable will be surprised if he sees Triple-A again in 2024.  So, among this month’s recognized players we have a Tobias and a Heliot.

Padres’ rookie CF Jackson Merrill put up a .320-9-20-line in 28 June games. Like Ramos, Jackson was a first-round draft choice., He was taken number 27 (also as a teenager) in the 2019 MLB Draft. He made the Padres’ squad out of Spring Training this year, after a .277-15-64 season (in 114 games) at High-A and Double-A last season. Skipping Triple-A does not seem to have phased him,. After a .280-3-22 showing through May, Merrill showed surprising power in June – putting him second in NL June homers and tied for sixth in June RBI. Those longballs put him in The Roundtable’s Ju e surprise running.

 

 

 

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through June,  34.5% of the MLB season’s 94,570 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.2%); walks (8.2%); home runs (2.8%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 21,017 to 20,495 

The 34.5% figure is down  from 35.5% through June in 2023. I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: in 2023; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

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Only two teams won as many a 17 games in June, the Orioles, who moved into a tie for first in the tough AL East, and the Astros who re-entered the AL West Division race.

The Astros put up MLB’s best June record at 17-8 and they showed  balance in producing those victories – scoring the AL’ s fourth-most runs (136) and giving up the fewest (94). Key contributors on offense were C Yainer Diaz (.363-4-18); LF Yordan Alvarez (349-7-19); and 2B Jose Altuve (.333-4-17).  Overall, they had seven players with at least ten June RBI. On the mound, Hunter Brown went 4-0, 1.15 in five starts, Ronel Blanco went 3-2, 2.59 in five starts and relievers Luis Contreras, Taylor Scott, Bryan King, Ryan Pressley and Bobby Abreu combined to pitch 43 1/3 innings  to a 1.87 ERA, three wins and five saves

When you look at the Orioles (17-12), the first thing that grabs you is their “June Boom” in power.  As a team, they bashed 60 home runs (the next best was the Padres at 42 and the AL June runner-up in long balls was the Twins at 37.  (The Orioles also led MLB in June runs with 163.) RF Anthony Santander led the way with a .264-13-26 month, but the Orioles got home runs from 15 different players in June, with six popping five or more.  Among the key contributors:  SS Gunnar Henderson (.342-8-17) C Adley Rutschman (.290-5-18) and 1B Ryan Mountcastle (.248-5-29).   The Birds also put  up the AL’s third-lowest ERA in June, led by Corbin Burnes (401m 2,12 in five starts) and a bullpen that knew how to “close the door (Burnes was the only starter with an ERA under 4.00 for June. ) Craig Kimbrel went 1-1, 0.96, with six saves in ten appearances and Keegan Akin went 1-0, 1.56 in 11 games.

We Did the Mash —We Did the Monster Mash

The top three teams for home runs in a month are: 2019 Yankees (74 HR in August); 2023 Braves (61 in June); and the 2024 Orioles (60 in June).

Over in the NL, the Mets had the best June record at 16-8.  Like the Ori9oles, they led their league in runs scored (153). They were second in home runs (41 to t e Padres 42). A few of they key contributors were 1B Pete Alonso (.272-5-19); LF Brandon Nimmo (.315-6-21); DH J.D. Martinez (.272-4-20). The Mets had six players with four or more June homers and five with 15 or more June RBI. The run support was needed to support the pitching.  The Mets’ 4.17 ERA was the sixth-highest in the NL for June. They did get some good work from starters Luis Severino (2-0, 3.24) and Jose Quintana (2-0, 3.38) and David Peterson (3-0, 3.68)and they had five relievers with ERAs under 2.,00 for the month, The bullpen recorded six saves (by four different pitchers) in June. Two that stood out were Adrian Houser and Dedniel Nunez, who combined for 15 appearances, 31 innings and a 1.45 EERA.

——-Team Statistical Leaders for June 2024 ———-

 

RUNS SCORED

National League –Mets (153); Padres (146); Dodgers (141)

American League – Orioles (163); Yankees (152); Twins (150)

The fewest runs in June were scored by the Marlins (74). In the American League, it was the A’s at 87.  Also under 100 runs were the Tigers (98) and Cubs (99).

AVERAGE

National League – Mets (.283); Padres (.271); Diamondbacks (.269)

American League –Astros (.281); Twins (.281); Red Sox (.275)

The lowest team average for June belonged to the Mariners at .211. The lowest in the NL was the Marlins (.218). 

HOME RUNS

National League – Padres (42); Mets (41); Dodgers (38)

American League – Orioles (60); Yankees (37); Twins (37)

The Marlins had the fewest June homers at 19.

The Orioles led MLB in slugging percentage for June at .513.  The Mets led the NL at .507.

TOTAL BASES

National League – Padres (434); Mets (423); Dodgers (406)

American League – Orioles (525); Twins (445); Red Sox (397)

STOLEN BASES

National League – Brewers (41); Reds (37); Cubs (36)

American League – Red Sox (31); Mariners (23); Royals (22); Angels (22); Rangers (21)

The Yankees and Marlins stole the fewest sacks in June at seven. The Marlins were 7-for-15 in steal attempts, the Yankees 7-for-13.

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Dodgers (104); Giants (100); Brewers (99)

American League – Yankees (110); Mariners (104); Red Sox (84)

The Mets led MLB in June On-Base Percentage at .358. The Red Sox led the AL at .345.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Rockies (266); Cubs (252); Pirates (243)

American League – Mariners (278); A’s (262); White Sox (251)

Padres’ batters fanned the fewest times in June (169). The Astros fanned the fewest times in the AL at 172.

 Bonus Stats

  • Six teams (Giants, Mets, Tigers, Red Sox, Orioles, Braves) recorded zero sacrifice bunts in June. No team recorded more than six (Padres).
  • The Braves are the only team to not record a single sacrifice bunt since Opening Day.
  • Twins’ batters were hit by a pitch an MLB-leading 23 times in June. The only other team with at least 20 plunkings was the Diamondbacks at 21. Brewers and Marlins batters suffered the fewest HBP (five each).
  • Year-to-date Guardians’ and Twins’ hitters have been plunked an MLB-highest 58 times.
  • The Rockies grounded into an MLB-highest 28 double plays in June. The Cardinals were the only team to ground into fewer than ten double plays in the month (eight).

_______________________________________

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Phillies (3.13); Brewers (3.39); Cardinals (3.46)

American League –Astros (3.54); Mariners (3.57); Orioles (3.73)

The Rockies had the highest June ERA at 6.43 – also north of 5.00 were the Yankees (5.26) and Diamondbacks (5.14).   Surprisingly. Two of these three had June records above .500 (Diamondbacks 16-11, Yankees, 14-13.)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Braves (256); Cubs (238); Cardinals (237)

American League – White Sox (262); Twins (242); Rays (238)

The Braves averaged an MLB-best 9.85 strikeouts per nine innings in June. The White Sox averaged an AL-best 9.41.  Three additional  teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better: Rays – 9.25; Cubs – 9.10; Twins – 9.10.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League – Phillies (50); Nationals (67); Pirates (67)

American League –Mariners (62); Red Sox (64); Tigers (65)

The Phillies walked an MLB-lowest 1.93 batters per nine innings in June.  The A’s  walked an MLB-worst 3.72 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Cardinals (13); Brewers (11); Cubs (8); Dodgers (8); Pirates (8)

American League – Guardians (10); Red Sox (9); Angels (9); Rays (9)

The White Sox blew the most saves in June – converting just five saves in 15 opportunities.

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Phillies (1.07); Dodgers (1.14); Brewers (1.14)

American League:  Mariners (1.08); Twins (1.17); Astros (1.21)

Bonus Stats:

  • The Blue Jays gave up an MLB-high 43 home runs in June. (The Pirates gave up an MLB-low 20 home runs.)
  • The Mariners held opponents to an MLB-low .220 average in June. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .309 average.
  • The Phillies’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for May topped MLB at 4.40. The Angels had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.78.

—JUNE 2024  HIGHLGHTS–– 

Is It Two-for-Five or Five-for-Two?  Here’s a Minor (League) Highlight).

On June 5, Astros’ prospect DH John Garcia, playing for the High-A Asheville Tourists collected five doubles (six at bats) in Asheville’s 18-8 win over Bowling Green. It is thought to be the first documented instance of five-double game in professional baseball (although minor-league game records may be incomplete). Garcia was selected by the Astros in the 19th round of the 2022 MLB draft –     out of Grambling State, where he hit .409-10-67 in 55 games as a sophomore in 2022.

One for the Books

On June 8, in his 12th MLB season and 272nd major-league start the Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman threw his first-ever MLB shutout (his second MLB complete game). It came in a 7-0 win over the A’s. Gausman threw 109 pitches (76 strikes) and gave up five hits and one walk, while fanning ten.

Gausman ended June 6-7, 4.75 on the season.

MLB World Tour

On June 8-9, the Phillies and Mets split a two-game series in London Stadium, with the “Home” team losing each contest. I’m not fond of these “overseas” MLB games, but they drew well, with an announced attendance of 108,956 for the two contests. The games were part of this season’s “MLB World Tour,” with stops in London, Mexico City and Seoul.  The Phillies won Game One 7-2, getting solo homers from 1B Bryce Harper and RF Nick Castellanos and a three-run shot from LF Whit Merrifield. Ranger Suarez picked up his tenth 2024 win (one loss), giving up two runs (eight hits) in 5 2/3 innings (six strikeouts).

In Game Two, the Mets came from behind with three ninth-inning runs – and won 6-5. That top of the ninth did not provide the best example of America’s national pastime. With Joe Alvarado on the mound,  It started with a nine-pitch walk to Mets’  CF Tyrone Taylor, followed by a groundball single by 2B Jeff McNeill (Taylor to third); a groundball RBI single by 3B Mark Vientos (Taylor scoring, McNeill to second); a walk to C Luis Torrens (loading the bases); a strikeout by SS Francisco Lindor; 1B Pete Alonso being hit by a pitch, forcing in a run; and a passed ball with LF Brandon Nimmo at the plate, bringing in another run.  Nimmo eventually struck out and Jose Ruiz was brought in to pitch.  DH J.D. Martinez grounded out to end the frame.  Mets reliever Reed Garrett got the win, while Phillies’ Reliever Jose Alvarado took the loss.

Four-for-Four (Baggers that is).

On June 11, the Dodgers trounced the Rangers 15-2 (in LA).  The highlight for the 51,416 fans on hand probably came in the seven-run sixth inning, which featured home runs by DH Shohei Ohtani (two-run); 1B Freddie Freeman (solo); LF Teoscar Hernandez (two-run); and  RF Jason Heyward (two-run) – all off reliever Grant Anderson, who came on to open the inning and got just two outs before being relieved by Jesus Tinoco.

—For Those Who Like to Know Such Things—

The Most home runs in an inning by an MLB team is five and it’s been done eight times – four of those against the Reds.

Here are the teams and long ball hitters:

Giants … June 6, 1939 … versus Reds: Burgess Whitehead; Manny Salvo; Jo-Jo Moore; Harry Danning; Frank Demaree.

Phillies … June 2, 1949 … versus Reds: Del Ennis; Andy Seminick (2); Willie Jones; Schoolboy Rowe.

Giants … August 23, 1961 … versus Reds: Orlando Cepeda; Felipe Alou; Jim Davenport; Willie Mays; John Orsino.

Twins … June 9, 1966 … versus Athletics: Rich Rollins; Zoilo Versalles; Tony Oliva; Don Mincher; Harmon Killebrew.

Brewers … April 22, 2006 … versus Reds: Bill Hall; Damian Miller; Brady Clark; J.J. Hardy; Prince Fielder.

Nationals … July 7, 2007 …. versus Brewers: Brian Goodwin; Wilmer Difo; Bryce Harper; Ryan Zimmerman; Anthony Rendon.

Yankees …. Sept. 17, 2020 … versus Blue Jays: Brett Gardner; DJ. LeMahieu; Luke Voit; Giancarlo Stanton; Gleyber Torres.

Astros … May 17, 2022 … versus Red Sox: Yordan Alvarez; Kyle Tucker; Jeremy Pena; Michael Brantley; Yuli Gurriel.

Hey you, Get Offa My Plate!

On June 14, with his Phillies up 2-1 over the Orioles, Matt Strahm was called in to start the eighth inning – with the 3-4-5 hitters due up. After retiring the first two batters (1B Ryan Mountcastle and SS Gunnar Henderson), Strahm gave up a home run on a 1-2 pitch to RF Anthony Santander.   Now, a blown save does not always make the highlights, but in this case, it was the first earned run Strahm had given up since Opening Day (when he surrendered two in a loss to the Braves). That scoreless innings streak lasted 27 appearances and a total of 22 1/3 innings (not including the 2/3 inning he pitched before the Santander homer.   The Phillies eventually won the June 14 game 5-3 in 11 innings. 3-1, 1.41 in 34 appearances on the season.

How the Game Has Changed!

Imagine this.  It’s the top of the ninth.  Your squad is up 5-0. Your starter has gone eight frames, giving up two hits and fanning nine. That starter is, let’s say, Bob Gibson or Jack Morris (or you can fill in a favorite here). You are the manager and you tell Gibby that you’re not sending him out for the final inning. My guess is, you’d have to tackle him on his way back out to the mound and pry the ball out of his hand.

Well, that was the situation on June 16th, as the Mariners led the Rangers 5-0 in Seattle, with 6’6” righty Logan Gilbert on the mound. Gilbert had eight shutout innings under his belt, with just two hits and nine whiffs – and, notably in today’s game, 101 pitches. Mariners’ manager Scott Servais sent reliever Austin Voth out to finish the whitewashing.

Wait, there’s more.  In his very next start (June 22 versus the Marlins in Miami), Gilbert cruised through the first eight innings on 92 pitches (four hits, one walk, six whiffs) and was enjoying a 9-0 lead. Once again, Servais went to the bullpen, sending in reliever Eduardo Bazardo to open the ninth and complete the shutout.

Gilbert, by the way, has one complete game in his first four MLB seasons (105 starts. – a nine-inning, 6-0 shutout of the Giants (105 pitches) on July 4, 2023.

A Runaway Win

On June 16, the Red Sox topped the Rival Yankees 9-3 in Boston.  Not only did they out hit the Yankees 14-to-6, they stole a franchise single-game record nine bases.

  • SS David Hamilton stole second base in the second inning; second and third in the fifth inning; and second in the eighth.
  • LF Jarren Duran swiped second base in the first and eighth innings.
  • CF Ceddanne Rafaela stole second base in the second inning.
  • 1B Dominic Smith swiped second base in the second inning.
  • PR/DH Bobby Dalbec stole second base in the seventh.

The Red Sox did have one runner thrown on an attempted steal – RF Rob Refsnyder in the fifth.  Boston stole 31 bases in June,  29 percent of them in that one Yankee tilt.

Coming from Way Back

On June 18, the Dodgers came into the ninth inning (at Denver) trailing the Rockies 9-4. Things did not look good.  While the Dodgers had pulled off comebacks when down by at least five runs in the ninth inning (0r later) six times, the Los Angeles version of the Dodgers (they moved from Brooklyn in 1958) had never mounted that kind of comeback. Now they have.

Enjoying a five-run cushion, the Rockies brought in righty Tyler Kinley to open the ninth. Here’s what went down:

  • CF Andy Pages, the number-five hitter, walked on seven pitches;
  • SS Miguel Rojas singled to right, with Pages going to third;
  • 3B Enrique Hernandez went down swinging on a 2-2 pitch;
  • LF Miguel Vargas walked on seven pitches, loading the bases;
  • Jason Hayward pinch hit for 2B Chris Taylor and popped a Grand Slam to right center, bringing the Dodgers to within one run;

Victor Vodnik replaced Kinley on the mound.

  • DH Shohei Ohtani singled to left;
  • C Will Smith was called out on a 3-2 pitch;
  • Ohtani moved to second n a wild pitch to 1B Freddie Freeman;
  • Freeman was intentionally walked, putting runners on first and second;
  • RF Teoscar Hernandez hit a three-run homer to right-center, putting the Dodgers up by two;
  • Pages, who opened the inning with a walk, flied out to center to end it.

Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips threw a scoreless bottom of the inning to save the win for Los Angeles.

Side Note:  There was an international flair to the Dodgers comeback –  of the nine players who batted that inning: three were from the U.S.; two were from Cuba; and there was one each from Japan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Hey Dad, Look at What I (We) Did!

On Father’s Day (June 16), the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (White Sox Affiliate) took teamwork to a new level – as seven pitchers teamed up to throw a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over the Durham Bulls (in Durham).   With an overworked pitching staff, the Knights had planned on a bullpen game and had promoted southpaw Garrett Schoenle to Triple-A to open the game. Schoenle delivered, going three hitless innings (one walk/four strikeouts). He was followed by lefty Fraser Ellard (one inning and the win); righty Jordan Leasure (2/3 of an inning); righty Joe Barlow (2/3 of an inning); lefty Sammy Peralta (1 1/3 innings): righty Deivi Garcia (1 1/3 innings); and righty Adisyn Coffey (one inning and the save). The final score was 2-0.

Just Walk It Off!

On June 21, Marlins’ SS Tim Anderson stroked an RBI single (on the first pitch of the bottom of the tenth inning) to give the Marlins a 3-2 walk-off win over the Mariners. (It was reliever Austin Voth’s first pitch of the game and scored “placed” runner Jake Burger.) It was the Marlins’ third straight walk-off win and MLB-leading eighth walk-off win of 2024. Voth, of course, took a loss without allowing an earned run and without allowing any runner he put on base to score.

A Better Way to Do It

On the same night (June 21), that Austin Voth took a loss after throwing just one pitch, allowing no earned runs and allowing no runner he put on base to score (see the above highlight), Oakland A’s reliever Sean Newcombe picked up a win without getting credit for facing a single batter. Newcombe came on in relief of Lucas Erceg in the top of the eighth, with the Twins and A’s tied at 3.  There were two out and the Twins had runners on first (CF Austin Martin) and second (C Christian Vazquez). After two pitches to 2B Willi Castro, Newcombe picked Martin off first to end the inning.  The A’s scored in the bottom of the eight and Mason Miller came in to pitch a 1-2-3 ninth to save the “no-batter- faced” win for Newcombe.

What a Way to Lose a Game!

On June 22, the Nationals took then field in the bottom of the ninth inning, with a 7-6 lead over the Rockies in Colorado. They brought in closer Kyle Finnegan (he of 21 saves at that point) to close out the Rox. It was not to be.  After just 12 pitches, the score was 7-7 and the bases were loaded with no outs. (Finnegan gave up consecutive singles to Hunter Goodman, Jack Cave, Brenton Doyle and Ezequiel Tovar.) With the count full on Ryan McMahon, the fans awaited the crucial pitch.  It never came. That’s because Finnegan committed his ninth pitch clock violation of the season (failing to deliver a pitch in the allotted 18 seconds) – which meant it was ball four to McMahon, forcing in the winning run.  It was the first game to end on a pitch violation since the rule was introduced – and perhaps the strangest walk-off ever

Rookie CF Power Burst

Padres. 21-year-old rookie Center field Jackson Merrill has not exactly been known for his power.  In his first 67 MLB games, he hit just three home runs (.276-3-24).  Then, in a ten-game stretch (June 12-22), the rookie blasted seven roundtrippers (.382-7-11 during the stretch).

This One’s Ober the Top!

On June 22, Twins’ starter Bailey Ober (in his 72nd career start (over four MLB seasons), pitched his first complete game – and it was a gem.

Ober completed his nine-inning, four-hit, two-run start (a Twins’ 10-2 win “Ober” Oakland) in just 89 pitches. A feat even more remarkable since he fanned ten batters. MLB.com reported that, since pitch counts began being tracked in 1988, there has been only one other game in which a pitcher fanned ten in a nine-inning complete game of less than 90 pitches – David Cone’s 88-pitch perfect game on July 18, 1999.

In his gem, Ober threw just 19 balls out of 89 pitches; threw five innings of less than ten pitches; and went to a three-ball count on only one batter. He reached 13 pitches in an innings just twice – and one of those was the eighth inning when he fanned the side.

1-3-5 for Three

On June 24, the Phillies jumped off to a quick 4-0 first-inning lead over Tigers (in Detroit). The Tigers however, looked poised to start a bit of a comeback in the third frame. Detroit SS Zach McKinstry opened the inning with a single off Phillies’ starter Aaron Nola and C Carson Kelly followed with another one-bagger – putting runners on first and third with no outs. Nola got out of the jam on his second pitch to the third batter (CF and leadoff hitter Matt Vierling).  Vierling hit a soft liner (on an 0-1 pitch) back to Nola, who grabbed it knee-high for the first out of the inning. Kelly was trapped about half way to second base and Nola threw to first for out number two. Meanwhile, McKinstry, not realizing Nola had caught the liner in the air, thought Nola was throwing to first to get Vierling (rather than Kelly). So McKinstry, already down the third base line, sprinted for home. Phillies’ 1B Bryce Harper threw across the diamond to 3B Alec Bohm to complete the 1-3-5 triple play. According to the Society for American Baseball Research’s Triple Play Data Base, it was the first 1-3-5 triple play since July 11, 1929. The Tigers, victims this time, turned that 1 -3-5 triple killing versus the Red Sox.,

The Phillies went on to an 8-1 win.

Long Ball Streak

The Orioles/Guardians game of June 25 make the highlights for its lack of a highlight.  It marked the first game the Orioles played in June when they did not hit a home run. (Cleveland prevailed 3-2.)

From June 1 through June 23, the Orioles homered in a franchise-record 22 consecutive games. They popped 46 home runs in that span, but surprisingly went only 13-9.

The long ball hitters for the Orioles were

11 homers – Anthony Santander

6 – Gunnar Henderson

5 – Jordan Westburg; Ryan Mountcastle

4- Andy Rutschman

3- Austin Hays

2 – Ryan O’Hearn; Ramon Urias; Colton Cowser; Jorge Mateo

1 – Cedric Mullins; James McCann; Connor orby; Kyle Stowers

—More For Those Who Like to Know Such Things—

The MLB team record for consecutive games with a home run is 31 and it belongs to the 2019 Yankees – notably, it also included a June Boom.  The Yankees’ streak included 57 roundtrippers and stretched from May 26 through June 30.  The Yankees fared better on the scoreboard than the Orioles, going 21-10 during their streak.  Here are the home run totals for the streak:

8 HRs – DJ LeMahieu; Gary Sanchez

7 – Gleyber Torres

5 – Aaron Hicks; Brett Gardner

4 – Cameron Maybin; Gio Urshela; Luke Voit

3 – Edwin Encarnacion; Didi Gregorius

2 – Aaron Judge; Clint Frazier

1 – Austin Romine; Giancarlo Stanton

Another Streak Coming in the Works

The Twins ended June on a still-active streak of 19 consecutive games with a home run. 

Sho(hie) Time

On June 26, Shohei Ohtani batted his way into the Dodgers’ all-time record books – becoming the first Dodger to collect an RBI in ten consecutive games. The ten-game streak began on June 16 and, during it, Ohtani hit .444-8-17 (with 11 walks and just six whiffs.) The Dodgers won eight of the ten contests.  The previous Dodge record of nine straight RBI games was shared by Roy Campanella, Augie Galan, Eddie Brown and Matt Kemp.  (Kemp’s streak was over two seasons – form the end of 2011 to the start of 2012.)

—Even More For Those Who Like to Know Such Things— 

The MLB record for consecutive games with an RBI belong to the White Sox 1B Ray Grimes and was set from June 27 through July 23, 1922. During his streak, Grimes hit .439-3-27.  For the 1922 season, Grimes hit .354-14-99.  Grimes’ career was shortened and hampered by a 1923 back injury. He played in just six MLB seasons, hitting .329-27-263 in 433 games.

Nothing Rocky about Rookie Gavin Stone’s Season

Dodgers’ rookie righty Gavin Stone notched his first career complete game On June 25 – and it was 103-pitch shutout.  The 6’1”, 175-p0und righty gave up just four hits, issued no walks and fanned seven, reaching a three-ball count on only two batters in a 4-0 win over the White Sox.  Stone was signed out of the University of Central Arkansas (fifth round of 2020 draft.), where he was 9-6, 2.42 over three seasons – fanning 109 in 100 1/3 innings. He pitched in eight games (four starts) for the Dodgers in in 2023  and went 1-1, 9.00. (He was also 7-4, 4.74 at Triple-A Oklahoma City that season.)

His June 26 shutout ran his 2024 record to 9-2, 2.73 in 15 starts. Notably, Stone had gone at least seven innings in five of his fifteen starts.  (Okay, that didn’t used to be a bragging p0int, but it is these days.) Stone’s whitewashing was the first Dodgers one-pitcher shutout since April 25, 2022 (Walker Buehler) and the first by a Dodgers’ rookie since May 28, 2013 (Hyun-Jin Ru).

A Heavenly (and perhaps a bit surprising) Start for an Angels’ Rookie.

Angel’s 27-year-old rookie righthander Davis Daniel made his first MLB start on June 27 – and it was a beauty. Daniel went eight shutout innings, giving up just four hits and no walks, while fanning eight.  He threw 99 pitches, 73 strikes. He was pulled from the game by manager Ron Washington after completing the eighth inning and reliever Ben Joyce completed the 5-0 win over the Tigers. (Remember when they would have given him the chance to toss a complete game shutouts (or at least left him in until someone got on base in the ninth?)

Daniel was signed by the Angels out of the Seventh Round of the 2019 MLB Draft – after three seasons with Auburn University, where he went 7-7, 5.37 in 37 games (27 starts). He got his first taste of MLB action with three relief appearances in late 2023 (1-1, 2.19, with seven hits, nine walks and nine strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings pitched). This season he was 5-4, 5.33 at Triple-A Salt Lake City before being called up to replace injured lefty Patrick Sandoval. Over four minor-league seasons, Daniel has gone 16-20, 4.27

Movin’ On Up!

On June 28, Rangers’ starter (and three-time Cy Young Award winner) Max Scherzer gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings in a Rangers’ 2-1 loss to the Orioles (in Baltimore). He fanned four in that game and the first of those four was Scherzer’s 3,372nd whiff – moving him into sole possession of eleventh place on the all-time list (passing Greg Maddux). He finished the night with 3,375 career strikeouts, 18 behind Justin Verlander for tenth all-time.

Nine Batters Up. Nine batter Score.

On June 28, the Padres swamped the Red Sox 9-2 in Boston. The unique thing about the game was that they scored all nine runs in the one inning (the fifth) – when, after nine batters had come to the plate, all nine had also crossed the plate.  Here’s how it went:

Nick Pivetta on the mound for the Red Sox, who are leading 1-0.

Padres’ SS Ha-Seong Kim – Singles on 0-2 pitch;

C Kyle Higashioka – Hits a two-run homer on 1-0 pitch;

RF Bryce Johnson – Hits a ground-rule double on 1-0 pitch;

1B Luis Arraez – Singles on 1-2 pitch, Johnson to third;

Wild Pitch – Arreaz goes to second.

LF Jurickson Profar – Draws a six-pitch walk, loading the bases;

Greg Weissert relieves Pivetta.

2B Jake Cronenworth – Hits a two-run single on an 0-2 pitch, Profar going to second;

3B Manny Machado – Taps an infield single on a 1-2 pitch, loading the bases;

DH Donovan Solano – Hits a two-run single on an 0-1 pitch, Machado to third;

CF Jackson Merrill – Belts a three-run homer on an 0-1 pitch.

At this point, nine batters had come to the plate and nine batters had crossed the plate.

Weissert then got Kim on a strikeout; walked Higashioka; got Johnson on a fly out to left; and ended the inning on a pop out by Arreaz.

Another Shutout

On June 28, Phillies southpaw Christopher Sanchez pitched his first MLB complete game (four seasons/38 starts). It was also his first shutout, as the Phillies topped the Marlins 2-0 in Philadelphia.  Sanchez gave up just three this, walked none and fanned nine.  He threw 101 pitches (73 strikes) and only one batter reached second base in the game.

At the end of June, Sanchez was 6-3, 2.41 on the season.

They Call Him the Streak

From June 7 through June 28, Rays’  1B  Yandy Diaz ran off a 20-game hitting streak – going .360-3-11. Diaz, in fact, had just two June games in which he did not record a hit. It is the longest hitting streak in Rays’ franchise history.

Round, Round, Get Around, I get Around

On June 29, Twins “utility” player Willi Castro played in his 84th game of the season, leading off and starting at second base.  While Castro’s game was less than memorable at the plate (zero-for-five with four whiffs), it was memorable in the field, as the MLB Network reported it was his 20th appearance of the 2024 season at 2B – making him just the second player to appear in at least 20 games at five different positions in the field in one season. (The other is the Tigers’ Zach McKinstry 2023). The in-the-field qualifier is important as the Tigers’ Tony Phillips appeared at at least 20 games at five positions in 1992, but one of those positions was Designate hitter.

As June closed, Castro had appeared in 20 games at 2B; 21 at 3B; 21 at SS; 22 in LF; and 20 in CF (also, two at pitcher).   He had also appeared at more than one position in 19 games.  His batting line with all this moving around?  .276-7-27, with ten steals and 51 runs scored.

First Cycle of the Season

As the Rangers topped the high-flying Orioles 11-2 on June 30, Texas’ 22-year-old rookie leftfielder Wyatt Langford was pretty much right in the middle of all the action – as he hit for the first cycle (single, double, triple and home run in the same game) of the 2024 season. His four-for-five-day, with three runs scored and four RBI included: a flyout in the second inning; a leadoff triple in the fourth; an RBI double in the fifth; a single in the sixth; and a three-run homer in the eighth. At the end of June, Langford. was hitting .260-4-35.

 

–INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR June –—

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 at bats)

American League:  Aaron Judge, Yankees (.409); Carlos Correa, Twins (.388); Steven Kwan, Guardians (.374)

National League: Jonathan India, Reds (.380); Bryce Harper, Phillies (.374); CJ Abrams, Nationals (.373)

The lowest June average among players with at least 75 at bats in the month belonged to the Braves’ Adam Duvall at .136 (12-for-81.)

HITS

American League: Jarren Duran, Red Sox (39); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (39); Carlos Correa, Twins (38)

National League: Jonathan India, Reds (35); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (35); five with 34

The Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson led all MLBers in June extra-base hits with 19 – 11 doubles and 8 home runs.  

HOME RUNS

American League: Anthony Santander, Orioles (13); Aaron Judge, Yankees (11); Royce Lewis, Twins (9)

National League:  Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (12); Jackson Merrill, Padres (9); Jeimer Candelario, Reds (8); Kyle Higashioka, Padres (8); Heliot Ramos, Giants (8)

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Aaron Judge, Yankees (37); Anthony Santander, Orioles (26);Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (25)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (24); Heliot Ramos, Giants (24); Lane Thomas, Nationals (21); Alec Bohm, Phillies (21); Brandon Nimmo, Mets (21)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (31):  Juan Soto, Yankees (27); Aaron Judge, Yankees (25); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (25)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (26); Brandon Nimmo, Mets (24); Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (21); Lane Thomas Nationals (21); Jorge Soler, Giants (21)

DOUBLES

American League: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (11); Willie Castro, Twins (9); Carlos Santana, Twins (9)

National League: Jonathan India, Reds (13); Francisco Lindor, Mets (11); Bryce Harper Phillies (10); CJ Abrams, Nationals (10): Jorge Soler, Giants (10)

TRIPLES

American League:  Riley Greene, Tigers (3); Kyle Isbel, Royals (3); Anthony Volpe, Yankees (3); Wyatt Langford, Rangers (3); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (3)

National League: Elly De La Cruz, Reds (4); Lane Thomas, Nationals (3); nine with 2

The leader in slugging percentage, among players with at least 75 June at bats, was the Yankees’ Aaron Judge at .864. The Phillies’ Bryce Harper led the NL at .714.

STOLEN BASES

American League: David Hamilton, Red Sox (12); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (9); Luis Rengifo, Angels (9)

National League: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (10); Christian Yelich, Brewers (10); Brice Turang, Brewers (9)

The Red Sox’ David Hamilton stole the most June bases without getting caught (12).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Brent Rooker, A’s (37); Zack Gelof, A’s (35); Jose Siri, Rays (33); Luis Robert, Jr., White Sox (33); Anthony Volpe, Yankees (33)

National League: Nolan Gorman, Cardinals (42); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (36); Seiya Suzuki, Cubs (36)

The Reds’ Will Benson fanned 31 times in just 63 June at bats.

WALKS

American League:  Juan Soto, Yankees (31); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (17); J.P. Crawford, Mariners (17); Andy Rutschman, Orioles (17)

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (20); Willy Adames, Brewers (17); Ian Happ, Cubs (17)

Three batters with at least 75 at bats had more walks than strikeouts in June – Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman (16 walks/13 strikeouts); Padres’ Ha-Seong Kim (14 walks/12 strikeouts); Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll, (13 walks/12 strikeouts).

 PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:   Hunter Brown, Astros (4-0); Corbin Burnes, Orioles (4-1); Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles (4-1)

National League:  Kevin Ginkel, Reds (4-0); Tobias Myers, Brewers (4-0); Gavin Stone, Dodgers (4-0); Andrew Abbott, Reds (4-1); Nick Lodolo, Reds (4-1)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 June innings)

American League: Hunter Brown, Astros (1.16); Logan Gilbert, Mariners (1.51); George Kirby, Mariners (1.74)

National League: Tobias Myers, Brewers (1.44); Christopher Sanchez, Phillies (1.64); Paul Skenes, Pirates (1.78)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 June innings or four June starts was 9.39 by the Rockies’ Austin Gomber (0-3, 9.39 in five starts, 23 innings.

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Garrett Crochet, White Sox (56/37 2/3 IP); Taj Bradley, Rays (43/32 1/3 IP); Cole Ragans, Royals (43/35 2/3 IP)

National League: Sonny Gray (42/35 2/3 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers (41/29 IP); Michael King, Padres (41/33 2/3 IP)

Among pitchers who faced at least 100 batters in June, Garrett Crochet of the White Sox had the highest strikeouts-per nine innings ratio at 13.38. The highest strikeouts-to-walks ratio among pitchers to face at least 100 batters in June went to the Mariners; Logan Gilbert, who fanned  31 and walked just one in 35 2/3 innings.

 WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 25 May innings)

American League: Logan Gilbert, Mariners (0.62); George Kirby, Mariners (0.84); Tanner Bibee, Guardians (0.92)

National League: Christopher Sanchez, Phillies (0.82); Tobias Myers, Brewers (0.89); Matt Waldon, Padres (0.90)

SAVES

American League:  Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (8); Carlos Estevez, Angels (8); Pete Fairbanks, Rays (8)

National League:  Ryan Helsley, Cardinals (12); Trevor McGill, Brewers (9); Kyle Finnegan, Nationals (7): Paul Sewald, Diamondbacks (7)

Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals saved the most June games without a blown save with twelve.

 

If the season ended June 30, the playoff teams would have been:

American League: Guardians; Orioles; Mariners  Wild Cards: Yankees, Twins, Royals

National League: Phillies; Dodgers; Brewers    Wild Cards: Braves; Padres; Cardinals

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

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Perhaps the most impactful baseball event this past month, was the combination of the passing of Willie Mays (at the age of 93) on June 18 and the Cardinals/Giants contest at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama – where a 17-year-old Willie Mays played his first professional (and now major-league) game for the Birmingham Balk Barons of the Negro American League.  Note: Rickwood Field, which opened in 1910, is the oldest professional ballpark in America.

Much has been written and said about this event over the past few weeks (and rightfully so) and about the greatness of skills and spirit that May’s brought to baseball, so I won’t go into detail here.

I will say three things that hit me.  First, I was privileged to see Willie Mays play (more than a handful of times).  Second, my love of the national pastime is rooted at least somewhat in my belief that whenever you attend a ball game, there’s also a chance you will see something special or unique – something you may have never seen on the field before. Third, when Willie Mays was on the field, your chances of seeing that something special were dramatically higher than when he was not.

I would also be remiss if I did  not mention the passing of another all-time great, Orlando Cepeda. Baseball will miss these two giants (upper and lower case) of the national pastime.

That said, my Rickwood game highlights were:

  • The ceremonial first pitch from 99-year-old Bill Greason, the oldest living former Negro Leaguer and a teammate of Mays at Birmingham back in 1949. Gleason himself has an historic resume: As a U.S. Marine he fought in the battle for Iwo Jima; he was the first Black pitcher on the St, Louis Cardinals; he has been a Baptist minister for more than 50 years; he was a co-founder of the non-profit American Negro League Baseball Association
  • Reggie Jackson‘s blunt, and forcefully honest, portrayal of the prejudice he faced during his time with the Birmingham A’s of the Southern League.  (It’s been posted and reposted on line. Take the time to watch it).
  • Willie Mays’ son Michael, along with Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds, inspiring the fans in attendance to a standing ovation and chants of Willie-Willie-Willie.
  • The Willie Mays mural in downtown Birmingham.
  • Former Negro League players on the field pre-game – accompanied by Cardinal and Giant players.
  • The comments and stories of Negro League history shared in television coverage throughout the game.

Oh, incidentally, the Cardinals won the game 6-5.

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Judge DR. Buddie, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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