Let’s Play Two -Some Doubleheader Trivia and Tidbits

July 20, 2021 by

My Minnesota Twins just came off a stretch in which they played five games in three days – including a pair of doubleheaders.  That sent me to thinking about real doubleheaders. You know, the kind with nine-inning games (Guess you can tell where I stand on this issue). With that in mind, this post will take a look at some doubleheader history.

Now, That’s a Lot of Baseball

The 1945 Boston Braves played an MLB-record 46 doubleheaders. Let’s put that in perspective – 59.7 percent of the games they played that season were part of doubleheaders. How did they do?  They won 42 of those games, lost 48 and tied two.  Basically, they played .466 ball in twin bills, a bit better than their .403 winning percentage on days when they played just one game.  By the way, just so you don’t think those 46 doubleheaders were a one-off event, the 1943 White Sox hold the AL record for doubleheaders in a season at 44.

18 Games in 12 Days

The 1928 Boston Braves played a record nine consecutive doubleheaders over a 12-day span (September 4-15). During the streak, they swept one doubleheader, were swept six times and split two – for a four win-fourteen loss record.  Notably,  six players played every inning of those games (RF  Lance Richbourg; LF Eddie Brown; 1B George Sisler; 2B Rogers Hornsby; 3B Les Bell; SS Doc Farrell). The team used eight different starting pitchers during the 18-game stretch – none more often than Bob Smith, who started four contests (including both ends of one doubleheader).

The stretch of twin bills may have been taxing on the hurlers’ arms. The Braves got just five complete games during the span (27.8 percent of the starts) – well below the MLB average for the year of 50.7 percent and short of the Braves’ average for the rest of the season  (36.2 percent). Bob Smith’s record may be indicative of that wear and tear. In his first start of the stretch (September 5), he tossed a complete-game two-hitter as Boston topped Brooklyn 7-1. On September 10, he tossed a second complete game, a seven-hitter, as Boston lost to the Giants 4-1.  Then on September 14, he failed to make it out of the first inning of the first game against the Giants, giving up four runs without recording an out.  Undeterred, the Braves sent him back out to start the second game of the twin bill – in which he gave up  five runs (three earned) in 6 1/3 innings – taking his second loss of the day.  Side note:  Smith recovered from that tough  two-loss day. He had three more starts that season, pitching 31 1/3 innings in those games (1-2, 2.87). He finished the season 13-17, 3.87 for a Braves team that went 50-103.

One Thing Leads to Another … Bob Smith

Now, I often note how “one thing leads to another” when I embark on research for these posts.  In this case, my interest in Bob (Robert Eldridge) Smith was sparked. Here’s what I learned.  Smith started his MLB career as a shortstop/second baseman, said to have a below average bat and no better than an average glove. He made it to the Braves as a 28-year-old in 1923 and, in his first MLB season, hit .240, with two home runs and 78 RBI. He also was 9-for-20 in stolen base attempts.  He did, however, flash a strong arm and, in 1925, began the conversion to the pitcher’s mound (in 1925, he appeared in 13 games as a pitcher, 15 at second base, 21 at SS and one in CF). By 1926, Smith (at age 31) was pretty much a full-time pitcher – and it saved his career. His mound work kept him in the major leagues until 1937 (age 42) – finishing with a 106-139, 3.94 record and 128 complete games in 229 starts.   In 1928, he was clearly the ace of the Braves’ staff leading the team in wins (13), complete games (14) and innings pitched (244 1/3). From 1926 through 1930, he won at least ten games for the Braves every season. He was traded to the Cubs after the 1930 season and had his career-best season for Chicago in 1931 (15-12, 3.22)

One more tidbit about Mr. Smith.  On May 17, 1927, as the Braves faced the Cubs in Boston, Smith started – and went all 22 innings – as the Braves lost to the Cubs 4-3. Smith gave up 20 hits and four runs (three earned), walking nine and fanning five in this tough loss. It remains the fifth most innings pitched by a starter in an MLB Game.  Here’s the top five:

TIED FOR FIRST– 26 innings.  On May 1, 1920, the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) and Boston Braves played 26 innings to a 1-1 tie, with both starters (Leon Cadore – Robins and Joe Oeschger – Braves going the distance.   No one scored in this one after the sixth inning.

TIED FOR THIRD (and first in the AL) – 24 innings. On September 1, 1906, the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Americans (Red Sox) matched up in a 24-inning duel (in Boston) that the Athletics won 4-1 (with no scoring from the seventh through the 23rd inning). Both starters (Jack Coombs – Athletics and Joe Harris – Americans) went the distance.  Harris took the tough loss (his 18th of the season – versus just two wins). He finished the campaign at 2-21, leading the league in losses. 

FIFTH – 22 innings.  As already noted, on May 17, 1927, Bob Smith pitched all 22 frames as the Cubs topped  Smith’s Boston Braves’ 4-3 in Boston.  Down 3-0 after five innings, Smith held the Cubs scoreless  until the 22nd inning, when a walk, successful sacrifice and single plated the winning run.

Putting Up Crooked Numbers

The record for runs scored in a doubleheader – both teams – is 54.  It has been done twice.  On August 21, 1894,the National League Boston Beaneaters swept a doubleheader from the Cincinnati Reds by score of 18-3 and 25-8. Then, on Independence Day in 1939, there were lots of fireworks on the field in Philadelphia, as the Red Sox topped the Athletics 17-7 and 18-12.

Well, That Didn’t Take Long

The fewest runs scored in a doubleheader? It may surprise you (because it’s not two.)   The answer is one.  On September 4 1902, the Pittsburgh Pirate and Boston Beaneaters matched up in a doubleheader in Boston. Game One went to Boston 1-0 (in one hour and twenty minutes). Game Two ended in a nine-inning 0-0 tie (one hour and 30 minutes).

A Good Days Work

On September 26, 1908, Cubs’ righty Ed Reulbach started both games of a doubleheader against Brooklyn (Superbas).  He went the distance in both contests, giving up just eight hits over the 18 innings.  Reulbach is the only MLB pitcher ever to record two complete-game shutouts in a single day.

Another Good Days Work – or Two

On May 2, 1954, Cardinals’ right fielder Stan Musial hit five home runs in doubleheader (versus the Giants in Saint Louis). Sitting in the stands that day was eight-year-old Nate Colbert who – On August 1, 1972 – would become just the second player ever to hit five home runs in a twin bill. Colbert was playing first base for the Padres, who were taking on the Braves in Atlanta. In his five-homer twin bill, Colbert set the record for RBI in a doubleheader (13). The Cardinals, by the way, split their doubleheader on Musial’s big day, beating the Giants 10-6 in Game One and losing the second game 9-7. The Padres swept the Braves (9-0 and 11-7) on Colbert’s record-tying day.

I Call Trade-Zees

On May 30, 1922, the Cardinals and Cubs matched up in a Memorial Day doubleheader in Chicago. The Cubs took Game One by a 4-1 score – with one of the four tallies driven in by RF Max Flack. Playing CF for the Cardinals was Cliff Heathcote, who went zero-for-three.  In Game Two,  Heathcote and Flack were both starting in the garden – but for the teams they had opposed in Game One.  Traded between games, Flack started in RF, leading off, for the  Cardinals, while Heathcote started in RF, batting fifth for the Cubs. The Cubs won this one 3-1, with Heathcote going two-for-four.  Flack went one-for-four for his new team.

Don’t Worry – I Got This

In August of 1903, the Giants’ Joe McGinnity started  both games of a doubleheader three times – August 1, Augusts 8 and August 31.  In those starts, he picked up six complete-game victories – giving up a total of 10 runs in the six contests. By the way, the Giants played 11 doubleheaders that month. Surprisingly, on the August days when he pitched only one game (another six starts), McGinnity went 1-5 and gave up 28 runs. For the season, he was 31-20, 2.43, with 44 complete games in 48 starts.  No wonder his nickname was “Iron Joe.”

Way Too Much Overtime

On May 31, 1964, Mets fans faced a long day of suffering.  Not only did the New Yorkers lose both ends of a doubleheader to the San Francisco Giants – it took them a doubleheader-record 32 innings (9 hours and 52 minutes) to do it. The Giants won game one 5-3 in a brisk 2:29.  The second game, however, went 23 innings (7:23), with the Giants winning 8-6.   This is the longest doubleheader by innings and the longest in time –  without a weather delay.

On July 2, 1993, the Padres and Phillies split a twin bill in Philadelphia that kept the fans (who stayed on) in the park for more than 12 hours. Consider the patience needed.  The first game was delayed one hour and ten minutes before the first pitch; another one hour and 56 minutes in the fourth inning; and two hours and 48 minutes in the sixth. The teams began play at 4:35 p.m. on Friday, July 2 and wrapped up at 4:40 a.m. Saturday – a doubleheader record 12 hours and five minutes.

Nine-for-Nine

Nine players have collected nine hits in a doubleheader.  The most recent was Lee Thomas of the Angels on September 5, 1961. The Angels’ RF went five-for-five in the first game (on double and four singles), without a run scored or an RBI) as the Angels lost to the Athletics 7-3.  Game Two was more productive for Thomas. He was four-for-six, with three home runs, three runs scored and eight RBI. The Angels, however, still lost 13-12.

Cubs’ Hall of Famer Ernie Banks was quoted often as saying “Let’s play two!”  He was right!

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

 

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Padres’ 24 Runs … What if Both Teams Plated Twenty?

July 17, 2021 by

Yesterday, July 16, 2021, The San Diego Padres bashed the Washington Nationals 24-8 in Washington D.C.  That set me to thinking about high-scoring contests – and led me to seek out information on the highest-scoring game in MLB history.

Turns out, the highest-scoring game in the modern era (post-1901) took place on August 25, 1922 – as the Cubs topped the Phillies 26-23 at Wrigley Field (not so “friendly confines” for pitchers that day).  In the game, the teams combined for a modern-era record 51 base hits.

A few quirky tidbits:

  • The Phillies tallied there 23 runs without the benefit of a single home run – the Cubs had three long balls.
  • The Cubs jumped out to a 25-6 lead after just four innings, but had to hold on for the 26-23 win.
  • In addition to the 51 hits, the game “featured” 21 walks and one hit batsman.
  • The teams scored 49 runs, but still managed to leave 25 runners on base.
  • The Phillies went 15-for-31 with runners in scoring, position; the Cubs 14-for-24 for a combined average with RISP of .527.

Phillies’ starting pitcher Jimmy Ring gave up 16 runs (12 earned)  in 3 1/3 innings for the loss; Cubs’ starter Tony Kaufmann was awarded the win, despite giving up six runs (three earned) in four innings.

  • The Phillies used just two pitchers, the Cubs five.
  • The two teams sent 125 batters to the plate – and only nine struck out.
  • The teams scored a combined 23 two-out runs (12 Cubs, 11 Phillies).
  • The game took only three hours and one minute.
  • There were nine errors and 21 of the 49 runs were unearned.
  • Two Cubs – SS Charlie Hollocher and LF Hack Miller each drove in six tallies.

That Was Fun, Let’s Do It Again Someday

Notably, 57 seasons later – on May 17, 1979 – the Phillies were again matched against the Cubs at Wrigley Field and the two teams produced the second-highest scoring game (and second-most hits) in modern MLB history. This time, the Cubs lost to the Phillies 23-22 in ten innings.

For comparison:

  • The two teams hit a combined eleven home home runs (six for the Cubs, five for the Phillies) – with Dave Kingman hitting three for the Cubs and Mike Schmidt poling two for the Phillies.
  • The Phillies led 15-6 after three innings, still ended up facing extra-innings.
  • The game featured 50 hits, ten walks and one hit batter.
  • The teams scored 45 runs, leavings 22 runners on base.

This game looked like a slugfest from the start.  Cubs’ starter Denis Lamp retired only one batter  –  giving up six earned runs. Phillies’ starter Randy Lerch likewise lasted only one-third inning – giving up five earned. At the end of the first frame, it was Phillies 7 – Cubs 6.

  • The Phillies were ten-for-25 with runners in scoring positions (.400), the cubs were seven-for-19 (.368).
  • The teams used 11 pitchers (Cubs-six … Phillies-five).
  • 127 batters came to the plate, only 11 fanned. Cubs’ batters struck out just four times in 59 plate appearances.
  • The Cubs scored ten two-out runs, the Phillies six.
  • Game time was four hours and three minutes.
  • There were four errors and five unearned runs.
  • The Phillies had four players with at least four RBI: Four each for Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt and Garry Maddox.  Five RBI for Bob Boone.
  • Bill Buckner drove in seven for the Cubs. Dave Kingman plated six.
  • Rawley Eastwick pitched a scoreless ninth and tenth for the win. Bruce Sutter pitched the ninth and tenth for the Cubs and gave up a solo home run to Mike Schmidt for the loss.

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

 

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All About “Cycling” … and It’s Not the Tour de France

July 17, 2021 by

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

Yesterday (July 16, 2012) – as the Padres scored 24 runs, demolishing the Nationals 24-8 – Padres second baseman  Jake Cronenworth hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run in the same game). The 27-year-old, in his second MLB season, went four-for-five, with one run scored and four RBI. Cronenworth, batting in the three-hole, lined out to shortstop in the first inning, hit a two-run double in the second, added a run-scoring triple in the third, poked a solo home run to right-center in the fifth and and beat out a ground ball single in the sixth to complete the cycle.  (Jurickson Profar replaced Cronenworth in the bottom of the seventh.) Cronenworth came into the game hitting .276-12-34 on the season.

Cronenworth’s cycle gives Baseball Roundtable a good excuse to look at some MLB cycle trivia and tidbits.  So, let’s get to it.

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change (primarily additions) as Major League Baseball recognizes and fully incorporates Negro League records from 1920-48 into the MLB record book.

Over the years, the cycle has been a rare, but no exceedingly rare, occurrence.  In fact, the shortened 2020 season was the first campaign since 1983 that was completed without a cycle.  The cycle has been accomplished a total of 332 times by a total of 293 MLB players.  Twenty-seven players have hit for multiple cycles.

The Cycle, Let’s do it Again … and Again … and again

Only five  MLB players have hit for the cycle three times in their careers: John Reilly (Red Stockings, twice in 1883 and Reds in 1890); Babe Herman (Brooklyn Robins, twice in 1931 and Cubs in 1933); Bob Meusel (Yankees in 1921, 1922 and 1928); Adrian Beltre (Mariners in 2008, Rangers in 2012 and 2015); and the still active Trea Turner (Nationals in 2017, 2019, 2021).

Happy Birthday to Me

When “just-turned-28” Trea Turner hit for the cycle on June 30 of this season, he became the first MLB player to hit for the cycle on his birthday. 

Yellow Jersey to the Fastest Cycle Ever

On June 18, 2000, Colorado Rockies’ second baseman Mike Lansing completed the cycle in just four innings – making it  the quickest cycle in MLB history. Notably, Lansing was consistently behind in the counts and three of his four hits came with two strikes.

Lansing, batting second in the order, hit:

  • An RBI triple to right in the first inning, on a 1-2 pitch;
  • A two-run home run (0-1 pitch) in the bottom of the second;
  • A two-run double (2-2 pitch) in the bottom of the third (as the Rockies scored nine times to take a 14-1 lead); and
  • A single (another 1-2 offering) to right in the fourth.

Lansing then struck out in the sixth, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter (Darren Bragg) in the eighth. Lansing ended the day four-for-five, with three runs scored and five RBI, as the Rockies torched the Diamondbacks 19-2 in Denver. Lansing came into the game hitting .274, with ten doubles, three triples and nine home runs on the season.

In addition to his fastest-ever cycle, Lansing shares the record for the most home runs in an inning (two).  On May 7, 1997, he hit a two-run and three-run homer in a 13-run sixth inning, as the Expos topped the Giants 19-3 in San Francisco.  That was his best season in the majors, as he hit .281 and recorded his career highs in home runs (20), RBI (70) and doubles (45).  Lansing had a nine-season MLB career (1993-2001 … Expos, Rockies, Red Sox), hitting .271, with 84 home runs, 440 RBI, 554 runs scored and 119 stolen bases.

Fastest Cycle Ever … From a Career Perspective

Minnesota Twins’ outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle in just his 14th MLB game (September 18, 1980, against the Brewers) – the earliest in an MLB career anyone has ever accomplished the feat.

Two Cycles in One Season

Christian Yelich photo

Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Only five players have collected two cycles in one season. Among those, Brewers’ outfielder Christian Yelich  (photo) is the only one to hit for the cycle against the same team (the Reds) twice in the same campaign. In Yelich’s 2018 MVP season, he hit for the cycle on August 29, as the Brewers topped the Reds 13-12 in ten innings in Cincinnati. He doubled up on cycles on September 17, as the Brewers topped the Reds 8-0 in Milwaukee.

The Cycle … A Family Affair

Only two father-son combinations have hit for the cycle at the Major-league level – and both involved rookies.

Gary Ward (as noted above) hit for the cycle as a rookie for the Twins on September 18, 1980. His son Daryle hit for the cycle for the Pirates (against the Cardinals) on May 26, 2004 (in his seventh MLB season).

Blues Jays’ rookie Cavan Biggio – in a September 17, 2019 game against the Orioles – hit for the cycle in just his 89th MLB game.  Cavan’s father, Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, hit for the cycle (for the Astros versus the Rockies) on April 8, 2002.

The Cycle … Sometimes it Skips a Generation

Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfielder Gus Bell hit for the cycle on June 4, 1951 – as the Pirates topped the Phillies 12-4 in Philadelphia. Fifty-three seasons later – on June 28, 2004 – Phillies’ 3B David Bell (Gus Bell’s grandson) hit for the cycle (also in Philadelphia), as the Phillies topped the Expos 14-6.   Gus and David Bell are the only grandfather-grandson combination to achieve MLB cycles. The Bell’s were a three-generation MLB family.  However, David Bell’s father (Gus Bell’s son) Buddy Bell did not achieve a cycle in his career. (Neither did David’s brother Mike, who played in 19 MLB games in the 2000 season).

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

Adrian Beltre hit a record-tying three career cycles – all at Arlington  Stadium (twice for the Rangers and once for the visiting Mariners, making him the only player to hit for the cycle in the same stadium for two different teams).

On the Big Stage

Brock Holt is the only player to record a cycle in the post season. He did it on October 8, 2018, as the Red Sox beat the Yankees 16-1 in Game Three of the American League Division Series. Holt grounded out in the top of the second inning; had a single and a triple in the Yankees seven-run fourth; grounded out in the sixth; hit a ground-rule double in the eighth; and managed to finish his cycle  with a home run with two outs in the top of the ninth. It was Holt’s second career cycle.  He had a regular-season cycle for the Red Sox on June 16, 2015, as Boston topped Atlanta 9-4 at Fenway. He also completed that cycle with two outs in Boston’s last offensive inning – hitting a triple with two down in the bottom of the eighth.

Shortest Time Between Cycles

John Reilly (Reds) and Tip O‘Neill (St. Louis Brown Stockings, American Association) had the shortest time between cycles at just seven days. Reilly’s came on September 12 and September 19, 1883. O’Neill’s came on April 30 and May 7, 1887.

It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night

The Expos’ Tim Foli is the only player to start a cycle one day and complete it the next. On April 21, 1976, Foli collected a single, double and triple in a contest against the Cubbies that was suspended (pre-Wrigley lights) in the top of the seventh due to darkness. When play resumed the following day, Foli added an eighth-inning home run. (The Expos prevailed 12-6.)

Patience is a Virtue

The longest time between cycles for a player with multiple cycles goes to the Royals’ George Brett (May 28, 1979 and July 25, 1990) at 11-years-58 days.

Something Old … Something New

The youngest MLB player ever to hit for the cycle is the NY Giants’ Mel Ott (age 20, cycle on May 16, 1929).

The oldest player to hit for the cycle is The Angels’ Dave Winfield (age 39, cycle on June 24, 1991).

Sharing the Wealth

Three players have hit for the cycle in both the NL and AL: Bob Watson (NL Astros-1977 and AL Red Sox-1979); John Olerud (NL Mets-1997 and AL Mariners-2001); Michael Cuddyer (AL Twins-2009 and NL Rockies-2014).

Same City – Different League – Same Result

John Reilly collected three MLB cycles. Two for the American Association Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1883 and one for the National League Cincinatti Reds in 1890. 

Quote the Raven, “Nevermore”

The Marlins are the only MLB team to never have a batter record a cycle.

Hitting (running) into an Out for the Cycle

Photo: Library of Congress

Photo: Library of Congress

 

The Yankees’ 1B Lou Gehrig (kind of) earned a cycle by being tossed out at the plate.  On June 25, 1934, as New York topped Chicago 13-2  at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig hit two-run home run in the first inning; a  single in the third; and a double in the sixth. Gehrig came up needing just the triple for the cycle in the seventh and hit a smash to deep center (scoring Yankees’ CF Ben Chapman). Gehrig wasn’t satisfied with a three-bagger and was thrown out at home (8-6-2) trying for an inside-the-park home run – thus getting credit for the triple he needed for a cycle.

So Close … and Yet So Far

DAmonOn June 27, 2003, Johnny Damon was playing CF and leading off for the Red Sox  as they took on the Marlins in Boston.  In a start that brought Boston fans up out of their seats, Damon was three-fourths of the way to the cycle before the first inning was over – and had tied an MLB record with three hits in an inning.  (The Red Sox scored 14 runs in the first inning, on their way to a 25-3 win over the Marlins at Fenway.) Damon who collected a single, double and triple in the bottom of the first, ended the game five-for-seven, with three runs scored, three RBI, a double, a triple and three singles.  He, unfortunately, did not get the cycle. In his final three at bats Damon: struck out; flied out to center; singled to right; singled past third base – ending the game five-for-seven, with three runs and three RBI.

 

 

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

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A Starting Catcher Going 15 Innings – and Other All Star Game Oddities

July 12, 2021 by

Tuesday night’s MLB  All Star Game is just around the corner, which led me to reflect on some events from past All Star contests that we are not likely to see again (as well as a few other All Star Game tidbits). For example. how about a 15-inning All Star Game in which ten of the starting 16 position players played the entire contest – including the  AL’s starter at catcher Bill Freehan.   Or an All Star pitcher and future Hall of Famer giving up seven consecutive hits? Or maybe a hurler starting two All Star games in a single season?  Let look at these stories, other oddities and some All Star stats and records.

—–WE WON’T SEE THAT AGAIN—–

A Catcher Behind the Plate for 15 Innings

In 1967, when the National League topped the junior circuit 2-1 in 15 innings  (at the time, the longest All Star Game ever, later matched by the 2008 All Star contest), the following All Stars started the game and played the entire 15 innings. (Don’t think you’ll be seeing that again).

American League

Bill Freehan, Tigers, C  (Yes, Freehan caught all 15-innings)

Brooks Robinson, Orioles, 3B

Tony Oliva, Twins, Twins, CF

Harmon Killebrew, Twins, 1B

Tony Conigliaro, Red Sox, RF

Carl Yastrzemski, Red Sox, LF

National League

Roberto Clemente, Pirates, RF

Hank Aaron, Braves, started in CF and finished in LF

Orlando Cepeda, Giants, 1B

Gene Alley, Pirates, SS

A Quality Start

MLB defines a quality start as one of six innings or more with three of fewer earned runs given up.  Now, you can argue (correctly, I believe) that 4.50 ERA may not constitute a quality start. Given today’s All Star Game expected one, two or at the very most three-inning pitching appearances, you can confidently say we will not see another quality start in the All Star Game. Historically, there has only been one.  The Yankees’ Lefty Gomez tossed an All Star Game-record six innings in 1935 – giving up just three hits and one run. Also falling into the “We’ll never see that again” category – the American League used just two pitchers in their 4-1 win, Gomez and the Indians’ Mel Harder.

A Pitcher starting two All Star Games in a Single Season

From 1959-1962, MLB featured two All Star Games each season. In 1959, Don Drysdale became the only pitcher to start two MLB All Star Games in a season.  On July 7, he started at Forbes Field and held the AL hitless – with four strikeouts – for three innings. (The NL won 5-4). On August 3, he started at the Los Angeles Coliseum and again went three innings, this time giving up three runs on four hits and three walks (fanning five).

One Team Using Only Eleven Players

When the American League won the 1942 All Star Game, they used an ASG record-low 11 players. All eight position players went the distance and the team used one pinch hitter and one relief pitcher.

Here’s the lineup:

Lou Boudreau SS

Tommy Henrich RF

Ted Williams LF

Joe DiMaggio CF

Rudy York 1B

Joe Gordon 2B

Ken Keltner 3B

Birdie Tebbetts C

Spud Chandler P

Bob Johnson PH

Al Benton P

A Future Hall of Famer Giving Up Seven Straight Hits

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine started the 1992 All Star Game (he came in with a  13-3, 2.57 record). After retiring American League leadoff hitter 2B Robert Alomar on a grounder to second, he surrendered seven consecutive hits – all singles, by the way – to 3B Wade Boggs, LF Kirby Puckett, RF Joe Carter, 1B Mark McGwire, SS Cal Ripken Jr., CF Ken Griffey Jr. and C Sandy Alomar; with the AL plating four runs.  In the process, Glavine set the (still) All Star Game record for hits allowed in an inning – seven.  Surprisingly, he finished the frame and came out for the second inning – giving up two more hits and another run before being pulled.  He set another record – most hits allowed in an All Star Game appearance at nine. I suppose it could happen, but I seriously doubt in manager would leave pitcher in for this kind of treatment any longer.

Atlee Hammaker, holds the record for the most runs surrendered in an All-star Appearance. In the 1983 All Star contest, he  gave up seven earned runs on six nits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning. The big hit was a Fred Lynn Grand Slam – still the only bases-loaded blast in an All Star Game.  1983 was Hammaker only All Star selection in a 12-season MLB career. 

A Ted Williams-style Record Setting Day

Photo by wild mercury

Ted Williams went the distance in the 1946 All Star game – played in front of the home-town fans at  Fenway and – thanks to that full-game experience – wrote his way into the ASG records books in a way we are unlikely to ever see again. Williams came into the game hitting .347, with 23 home runs, 82 runs scored and 71 RBI in 79 regular-season games.  Compared to the day he was about to have that would look like a slump. Here’s how Williams’ day went.

In the first inning, batting third and facing the Cubs’ Claude Passeau, Williams drew a walk and then scored on a home run by the Yankees’ Charlie Keller.

In the bottom of the fourth, leading off against new NL hurler Kirby Higbe of the Dodgers, Williams homered to give the AL a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, with Higbe still in the game, Teddy Ballgame came up again – this time with one out the Senators’ Stan Spence on third and the Browns’ Vern Stephens on second.   This time, Williams delivered a run-scoring single.

In the bottom of the seventh, facing the Reds’ Ewell Blackwell with none on and two out, Williams singled again.

Finally, in the bottom of the eighth – facing the Pirates’ Rip Sewell and his Ephus pitch – with Stephens and the Browns’ Jack Kramer on base, William capped off his day with a three-run homer.

The AL squad prevailed by a 12-0 score – and Williams’ final tally was:  four-for-four, plus a walk, two home runs, four runs scored and five runs driven in.   In the process, Williams set or tied the following All Star Game single-game records:

  • Runs Scored (four – Williams still stands alone); total bases (ten – Williams stands alone);
  • Runs Batted in (five – later, 1954, tied by the Indians’ Al Rosen);
  • Base Hits (four – tying the Cardinals’ Ducky Medwick, 1937, and later matched by the Red Sox’ Carl Yastrzemski, 1970);
  • Home Runs (two – tying Pirates’ Arky Vaughn, who did it in 1942; later tied by the Indians’ Al Rosen in 1954; Giants’ Willie McCovey in 1969; and Expos’ Gary Carter in 1981).

The youngest and oldest All Stars ever were both pitchers: Dwight Gooden (19 years-seven month-24 Days) and Satchel Paige (47 years-seven days).

Playing in 24 All Star Games – Amassing 25 All Star Squad e Selections

Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial all played in 24 All Star Games each    A couple of things are against seeing this record ever matched. 1) It takes an unexpectedly long career to reach these numbers; 2) With 30 teams (rather than the sixteen – or even 24– of the past), it is harder to make an All Star squad. Note: There is some confusion here since, in some years (1959-62), there were two All Star Games.  Aaron holds the record for seasons on an All Star Game team (21), and total All Star Game rosters made (25). Mays and Musial each played in 24 AS Games in 20 All Star seasons.

Willie Mays and Hank Aaron played on the most winning All Star teams (17); while Brooks Robinson player on the most losing squads (15 in 18 All Star appearances).

Fanning Six Future Hall of Famers

The record for strikeouts by a pitcher in an All Star Game is six – Carl Hubbell (1934); Johnny Vander Meer (1943); Larry Jansen (1950); Fergie Jenkins (1967.) Given today’s hard-throwing/free swinging brand of baseball, we may very well see that six-whiff record equaled or surpassed. But I doubt if anyone will match Carl Hubbell ‘s 1934 feat of fanning six future Hall of Famers in the same All Star Game. King Carl, on his way to a 21-win season (the second of five straight 20+ win campaigns), came into the game with a 12-5, 2.76 ERA regular-season stat line. Hubbell had struck out 58 hitters in 156 1/3 innings pitched to that point (it was, indeed, a difference game back then), but he was about to make the strikeout a much bigger part of his game.

The game was played on July 10, 1934 at New York’s Polo Grounds – with screwball-specialist Hubbell starting for the NL and Yankee Lefty Gomez starting for the AL.  Facing an AL line up stacked with some of the game’s greatest hitters, Hubbell got off to a rocky start, giving up a lead-off single to Detroit’s Charlie Gehringer, followed by a walk to the Senators’ Heinie Manusch. Then the fun began, as Hubbell set down five straight future Hall of Famers – all on strikeouts – the Yankees’ Babe Ruth, Yankees’ Lou Gehrig, and Athletics’ Jimmie Foxx to close out the first. The White Sox’ Al Simmons and Senators’ Joe Cronin to open the second.  Hubbell then gave up a single to Yankees’ Bill Dickey, before whiffing Lefty Gomez (also a future Hall of Famer) to end the inning. After an uneventful third inning – two fly outs, a ground out and walk – Hubbell left the game credited with three scoreless innings, two hits, two walks and six strikeouts – all six future Hall of Famers (although Gomez made it as a pitcher – not a hitter).

Oh yes, the AL won the game 9-7, and Hubbell’s feat was amplified by how those HOF whiff victims fared over the rest of the game?  Against pitchers not names Hubbell, they went seven-for-sixteen, with four doubles, five runs scored and three RBI.

–—-A FEW ALL STAR GAME “FIRSTS” AND STILL “ONLYS”—–

First and still only All Star Game Steal of Home … 1934 AS game, fifth inning, two out, two on, NL trailing 8-6, NL 3B Pie Traynor (Pirates)  notches the first (and still only) AS Game steal of home. (AL won game 9-7.)

First and still only All Star Game Grand Slam … 1983 All Star Game, third inning, bases loaded, two outs, AL leading 5-1, AL CF Fred Lynn hits first – and still only – AS Game Grand Slam. (AL wins 13-3)

First and  still only All Star Game Inside-the-Park Home Run … 2007 All Star Game, fifth inning, one on, one out, AL CF Ichiro Suzuki hits first – and still only – AS Game inside-the-park home run.

First and still only two-triple All Star Game … 1978 ASG, Rod Carew, Twins, triples leading off the first and third innings, both off the Giants’ Vida Blue.

–—ALL STAR GAME TARGETS—–

Most Hits in an All Star Game … Four – Joe Medwick (1937); Ted Williams (1946); Carl Yastrzemski (1970)

Most Doubles in an ASG … Two – Nine players (Most recently, the Brewers’ Jonathan LeCroy in 2014.  No surprise, LeCroy had a league-leading 53 doubles that season.)

Most Triples in an ASG …  Two – Rod Carew (1978)

Most Home Runs in an ASG … Two – Arky Vaughn (1941); Ted Williams (1946); Al Rosen (1954); Willie McCovey (1969); Gary Carter (1981)

Most RBI in an ASG … Five – Ted Williams (1946); Al Rosen (1954)

Most Walks in an ASG … Three – Charlie Gehringer (1934); Phil Cavarretta (1944)

Most Batters Strikeouts in an ASG …  Four  (consecutively) – Roberto Clemente (1967)

In the 1967 All Star Game, Roberto Clemente fanned in four consecutive at bats against four different pitchers: Dean Chance (third inning); Gary Peters (sixth); Al Downing (ninth); Catfish Hunter (eleventh). He also had a single in the first (Chance) and a ground out in the fourteenth (Hunter).

Most Stolen Bases in an ASG …  Two – Willie Mays (1963); Kelly Gruber (1990); Roberto Alomar (1992); Kenny Lofton (1996); Starlin Castro (2011)

Most Innings Pitched in an ASG …  Six –  Lefty Gomez (1935)

Most Strikeouts in an ASG … Six –  Carl Hubbell (1934); Johnny Vander Meer (1943); Larry Jansen (1950: Fergie Jenkins (1967)

Most Consecutive Strikeouts in an ASG …  Five – Carl Hubbell (1934); Fernando Valenzuela (1986)

Babe Ruth, appropriately, smacked the first-ever All Star Game home run.

–—CAREER ALL STAR GAME RECORDS—–

AS Game Hits … Willie Mays – 23

AS Game Doubles … Dave Winfield – 7

Gary Sheffield and Moises Alou were selected All Stars while with the most teams at five.     Sheffield – Padres, Marlins, Dodgers, Braves and Yankees; Alou – Expos, Marlins, Astros, Cubs and Giants.

AS Game Triples …Willie Mays and Brooks Robinson – 3

AS Game Home Runs … Stan Musial – 6

Stan Musial hit .317 in 24 All Star games with two doubles, six home runs,10 RBI, and 11 runs scored.

AS Game RBI… Ted Williams – 12

AS Game Walks …Ted Williams – 11

Ted Williams hit .304 in 19 All Star Games, with two doubles, one triple, four home runs, 12 RBI and a.439 on-base percentage. 

AS Game Stolen Bases … Willie Mays – 6

Willie Mays stole six ASG bases in seven attempts. The most ASG steals without being caught belong to Roberto Alomar and Kenny Lofton at five each. 

The Most Positions Played (career) in All Star Games … Pete Rose – 5 (1B, 2B, 3B, LF RF)

AS Game Runs Scored …Willie Mays – 20

PHOTO: New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer, William C. Greene, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Willie Mays hit .307 in 24 All Star games, with two doubles, three triples, three home runs, nine RBI, 20 runs scored and six stolen bases.

AS Game Pitcher Wins … Lefty Gomez – 3

AS Game Total Pitching Appearances … Roger Clemens – 10

AS Games Started (pitcher) … Lefty Gomez, Robin Roberts, Don Drysdale – 5

Lefty Gomez went 3-1, 2.50 in five All Star Game starts (18 innings pitched). 

AS Game Saves ... Mariano Rivera – 4

AS Games Innings Pitched … Don Drysdale – 19 1/3

AS Game Strikeouts … Don Drysdale – 19

Don Drysdale went 2-1, 1.40 in All Star games, fanning 19 batters in 19 1/3 innings (10 hits, four walks). 

Most All Star Games Managed … Casey Stengel – 10 (Stengel also managed the most losses at 6)

Most All Star Winning Teams Managed … Walt Alston – Seven (in eight games)

Note: It’s hard to pick AS Game career leaders in such areas as ERA and batting average. (How many at bats or innings pitched do you use to qualify?) However, here are two BBRT nominations. If you use 20 at bats as a standard, your batting average leader is Charlie Gehringer at .500 (ten-for-twenty in six AS games, plus nine walks). If you use ten innings pitched as a qualifier, only Mel Harder can  boast a 0.00 ERA (13 innings).

All Star Game Scoring Bookends

The highest scoring All Star Game ever took place in 1998 at (Where Else?) Coors Field – as the teams combined for 21 runs in a 13-8 American League win.  Side note: Thirteen is the highest run total ever up by an All Star squad, accomplished by The AL in 1983, 1992 and 1998.

The lowest scoring game (combined) took place in (When else?) in 1968 (The Year of the Pitcher) – as the NL topped the AL 1-0. with the only run scoring on a double play (no RBI in the contest).

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Finally, to wrap up, here’s a dozen AS Game firsts from 1933.

First Venue: Comiskey Park 1 (July 6, 1933).

First AS Game Attendance: 47,595

Final Score of First AS Game: AL 4 – NL -2

First Batter/Pitcher Match Up: NL 3B Pepper Martin (Cardinals) versus Lefty Gomez (Yankees). Gomez retired Martin on a grounder to shortstop.

First Starting Pitchers: AL, Lefty Gomez (Yankees) – NL, Bill Hallahan (Cardinals). Gomez got the first All Star win, Hallahan the first loss.

First Hit: Cardinals’ Chick Hafey (leading off second inning – off the Yankees’ Lefty Gomez). Hafey was starting in LF and batting fourth for the NL.

First Run Scored: AL starting 3B Jimmy Dykes (White Sox).

First RBI: AL starting pitcher Lefty Gomez (Yankees) – drove home Jimmy Dykes (White Sox), who had walked, with a single to center field. Take that, DH Rule.

First Double: Pie Traynor (Pirates), NL pinch hitter – top of seventh off Lefty Grove (Yankees).

First Triple: NL pitcher Lon Warneke (Cubs) – top of the sixth inning off Alvin Crowder (Senators). Take that again, DH Rule.

First Home Run: AL RF Babe Ruth (Yankees), two-run home run, bottom of the third, off Bill Hallahan (Cardinals). So, your first All Star Game double, triple and homer were hit by pitchers or former pitchers.

First Stolen Base: Bottom of first, AL 2B Charlie Gehringer (Tigers).

First Strikeout: Final out, top of second. Pitcher – Lefty Gomez (Yankees). Hitter – NL SS Dick Bartell (Phillies).

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

 

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Rube Marquard and the (possibly) Unlucky Opal

July 3, 2021 by

RUBE MARQUARD.   Photo: Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On this date (June 3) in 1912, New York Giants’ southpaw Rube Marquard ran his 1912 season record to 19-0, with a complete game 2-1 win over the rival Brooklyn Dodgers (at the Polo Grounds). In nine frames, Marquard gave up nine hits and one run (unearned), walked five and fanned three.  Marquard’s nineteen wins (before a loss) to start a season remains the MLB record.

Marquard, coming off a 24-7, 2.50 season in 2011 had (grasp of the obvious here) been dominant through July 3, winning all 18 of his starts (16 complete games) and picking up one win in relief. In those 18 starts, he had given up a total of 40 runs (29 earned). Marquard was particularly tough in May, going 7-0, with a 0.73 earned run average and six complete games in seven starts.  In his non-complete start, he went seven shutout innings (six hits, one walk, nine strikeouts) and left with an 11-0 lead. During his streak, Marquard earned at least two wins versus every National League team (except the Giants, of course). Things didn’t get any easier as the streak went on. The 19 wins included five one-run victories – all coming in the final seven games of the streak.

Hmm?  Legend or reality?  Legend has it that Marquard bought himself a fancy opal stickpin to celebrate after his nineteenth win – and that, when  a friend told him opals were a jinx, he threw the pin away. Whether the story is true (or not), Marquard did take a loss in each of his next three appearances (two starts) and, in fact, went 7-11 for the remainder of the season.  He still led the NL in wins with 26.

Side note  There are some well-known superstitions about opals– such as that white opals are bad luck, but black opals are lucky; if an opal is included in an engagement/wedding ring, the bride will soon become a widow; if diamonds are included in the setting, they negate the negative powers of the opal.

As the chart below shows, Marquard was “exceptional” by league standards through July 3 of the 2012 season – and then pitched slightly below NL season averages for the remainder of the campaign. He did pitch well in the 1912 World Series (which the Giants lost to the Red Sox 4-3-1). Marquard started and won Games Two and Six – picking a pair of complete games – giving up just one run.

Marquard, a Hall of Famer, pitched 18 MLB seasons (1908-25) – going 201-177, 3.08. He had three 20+ win seasons (1911-13) all for the Giants.  In that three -season span, he went 73-28, 2.52. He also led the NL in strikeouts once.

For those who like to know such things, the record for consecutive victories is 24 by Carl Hubbell (July 17, 1936 – May 27, 1937) –  a streak during which Hubbell made 27 appearances (22 starts), threw 19 complete games and put up a 1.82 ERA.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

 

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-48 into the MLB record books.

_____________________________________________

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I tweet baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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

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

 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Baseball Roundtable June Wrap Up … Three-Homer Games, Triples Plays, a No-Hitter and more

July 1, 2021 by

It’s June 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s s June Wrap Up – a look at:

  • June statistics and stories that caught BB Roundtable’s eye in the past month;
  • Leader boards for June and Year-to-Date:
  • BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month;
  •  BBRT’s monthly Trot Index.

Here’s a hint at the kind of things you’ll read about – if you make it to the end of this post.

  • One MLB team playing .700+ ball in June (Brewers) and one playing .111 ball (Diamondbacks).
  • One qualifying batter topping .400 for the month – and one team hitting below .200 (Cubs).
  • One qualifying pitcher putting  up a June ERA under 0.75 – and three teams putting up ERA’s of 6.00 or higher.
  • An “Immaculate Inning.”
  • Four three-homer games.
  • Three triple plays.
  • A record-tying ten consecutive strikeouts.
  • A record-tying third career “cycle.”

So, let’s get started.

———–Baseball Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month … June 2021————

National League

Player of the Month …. Kyle Schwarber, LF, Nationals

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

In June, Schwarber led all of MLB in home runs (16) and RBI (30), while putting  up a .280 average and scoring 22 runs. Schwarber came into June hitting just .230, with nine home runs and 23 RBI. In fact, as of June 11 (after 51 games), his stat line was .218-9-26.  From June 12 to the end of the month (19 games), he raked at a .329 pace, with those 16 home runs and 27 RBI. His hot streak included five multi-homer contests, including a three-homer game on June 20.  The Nationals went 15-4 during the Schwarber surge. From June 19 through June 30, he hit 12 home ruins and drove in 19 tallies in a dozen games.

Honorable Mention(s): Braves’ 2B Ozzie Albies hit .327 in June, with six home runs and 29 RBI (second in MLB to Schwarber’s 30). His 36 hits were third in the NL, as were his ten doubles.  For good measure, he tossed in eight steals. Pirates’ CF Bryan Reynolds hit .376 for the month (best among NL qualifiers), was fourth in the NL in hits (35) popped seven home runs, His 22 RBI trailed only Schwarber and Ozzie Albies (29) in the NL.

In June, 57 percent of Kyle Schwarber’s hits were home runs (28 hits.16 homers). Surprisingly, Schwarber did not have a single double or triple). See what I did there – single, double triple?

Pitcher of the Month … Jacob deGrom, RHP, Mets

Photo: David from Washington, DC, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Another easy pick, Jacob deGrom was lights outs in June – going 3-0 in five starts, with a minuscule 0.67 ERA, a 0.44 WHIP and an opponent’s average against of 0.90 – all MLB’s best among qualifying pitchers for the month. He also fanned 40 batters in 27 innings, while walking just four. In his first two starts of the month, deGrom fanned 23 batters and walked just one in 13 frames.  Oh, and let’s not forget, deGrom hit .333 for the month (three-for-nine, with three RBI) – which was a bit of a slump for him. He was averaging .450 (9-for-20) going into June.

Honorable Mention: The Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks and Dodgers’ Walker Buehler deserve recognition  after being Junes’ only five-game winners. Hendricks was 5-0, 2.97 in six starts; while Buehler was 5-1, 1.85.

 

 

 

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American League

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

Player of the Month – Vlad Guerrero, Jr., 1B, Blue Jays

Vlad Guerrero, Jr.  hit .371 for the month, bashed ten homers (second only to Shohei Ohtani in the AL ), drove in 24 runs (third in the AL), and scored 24 runs (tied for first in the AL). From June 11-14, Guerrero homed in four straight games – driving in eight runs against Toronto’s division rival Red Sox. In June, Guerrero had ten multi-hit games. Just 23 and already in his third season, he ended the month leading MLB (ytd) in  RBI and  was second in the AL in home runs and average.  Could a Triple Crown chase be in the works?

Honorable Mentions(s). This was no easy call. Guerrero’s competition included the Angels’ Shohie Ohtani, who hit .309, with an AL-leading 13 June homers, along with 23 RBI and 20 runs scored (and started five games on the mound, going 2-0, 4.94, with 33 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings).   Then there were the:  Astros’ LF Michael Brantley, who hit .410 for the month (one homer, 15 RBI); Orioles’ CF Cedric Mullins, .380 in June, with eight homers, 16 RBI and seven steals;  Royals’ 2B Whit Merrifield, who had an MLB-high 40 hits in 27 games (.351-4-17, with seven steals); and Tigers’ 1B Jonathon Schoop (.340-10-27). All deserving candidates.

_________________________________________________________

Pitcher of the Month – Sean Manaea, LHP, A’s

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

Despite a 3-2 record, Manaea had an exceptional June, putting up a 1.13 ERA (lowest among AL qualifiers), a 0.97 WHIP (second-best in the AL) and fanning 34 batters in 32 innings – while holding opponents to a .181 average (lowest in the AL among qualifiers). In his two June losses, he gave up three earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, while fanning 18 batters.  He gave up more than one earned run in only one start. On June 3, he tossed a complete-game shutout against the Mariners (four hits, two walks, eight strikeouts). He ended June leading the AL (ytd) in complete games with two – both shutouts.

Honorable Mention(s): Robbie Ray went 4-1, 2.86 in six June starts for the Blue Jays – fanning 53 (best in MLB) and walking just nine in 34 2/3 innings. The Astros’ Framber Valdez went  4-1 in June, with a 2.10 earned run average and 31 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings He walked only seven batters and fashioned a 0.99 WHIP. Chris Bassitt of the A’s also deserved consideration with a June line of 4-0, 2.70, with 35 strikeouts in 36 2/3 frames. Manaea gets the edge with that 1.13 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

_________________________________________________

Surprise Player of the Month – Raimel Tapia, LF, Rockies

Tapia hit .356 for the month, leading the NL with 37 safeties, 15 doubles and 26 runs scored – although he did not show home run power, with no homers and 12 RBI for the month. He also stole six bases in  tries and fanned only 15 times in 113 at bats. Signed as an international free agent back in 2010, Tapia has shown a solid bat (.319 in eight minor league seasons). In his first four looks at major-league pitching (2016-19), he hit .274 in 255 games. Given a chance in the 2020 COVID season, he upped his game (.321 average in 51 games). Through May of 2021, he struggled a bit – .259-5-26 in 52 games, but he turned it around in June, raising his season average to .294.  He was always considered a strong prospect, but I was surprised to see him leading the NL in hits and MLB in doubles and runs scored for June.

 

 

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through June 2021, 37.1 percent of the MLB season’s 89,197 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 (23.9%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

The 37.1 percent figure compares with 2020’s (full season) 37.3 percent;  2019’s (full season) 36.2 percent and 2018’s 34.8 percent Trot Index.  

__________________________________

Three teams won 19 games in June (Nationals, Astros and Brewers). A few comments on those teams in a bit, but of more interest is the Diamondbacks, who managed just three wins (against 24 losses) in June.  Pitching seems to have been the biggest culprit, as the Diamondbacks were one of three teams with  June ERAs of 6.00 or higher. Then again, only two teams scored fewer runs in June than the Diamondbacks, so there is plenty of “credit” to go around.  The Diamondbacks suffered through a 17-game losing streak from June 2 to June 20 – and ended the month on an active four-game loss string.

The Brewers were the only team to play .700 ball for the month – and were led by an offense that scored the most June runs in the NL.  They did it primarily with power (hitting and pitching). Their 39 home runs  were fourth in the NL and staff’s 286 strikeouts first, while their .233 team average was ninth and their team ERA fifth.  Surprisingly, the key offensive contributor may have been SS Willy Adames (.265-5-19), who led the team in June home runs an RBI. (The Brewers had five players with five June homers.) Relievers carried the day pretty often for the Brew Crew. Of the four Brewers with at least three wins in June, three were relievers.

The Astros finished at 19-9 for the month, despite closing June on an active four-game losing streak. As a team, they led the MLB in June runs scored, were third in home runs and first in average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. They also notched the third-lowest ERA (best in the AL).  LF Michael Brantley hit .410 for the month – and the Astros had five qualifying players hit .330 or better. Starters Framber Valdez, Zack Greinke and Luis Garcia made 16 starts and went 10-3, with a combined 2.92 ERA.

The Red Sox built their 19 wins on the AL’s fourth-best batting average and runs scored (ninth in home runs) and sixth-best ERA. Like the Brewers, they brought the heat on the mound – with their staff leasing the AL in strikeouts. A pair of relievers made key contributions. Hirokazu Sawamura went 3-0, 2.25 in 12 appearances (fanning 14 in 12 innings) and Garrett Whitlock went 3-0 0.66 in nine appearances, fanning 15 in 13 innings. Closer Matt Barnes chipped in two wins and six saves. On offense, 3B Rafael Devers, RF Hunter Renfroe, SS Xander Bogaerts and LF J.D. Martinez all had at least fifteen June RBI.

–——Team Statistical Leaders For  June———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Brewers  (147); Reds (137); Nationals (131)

American League – Astros (170); Angels (154); Blue Jays (142)

No one scored fewer runs in June than the Cardinals, who had just 86 runners safely touch home plate. 

AVERAGE

National League – Rockies  (.267); Giants (.259); Nationals (.257)

American League – Astros (.294); Blue Jays (.282); Angels (.270)

The lowest June  team average belonged to the Cubs – well below the Mendoza Lines at .188. The Rays had the lowest June average in the AL at .228.  The Cubs, notably, were second  in the NL in June home runs (40), Nearly one of four (24.5%) of the Cubs’ June hits left the park. 

HOME RUNS

National League – Padres (43); Cubs (40); Nationals (40)

American League –  Yankees (44); Angels (44); Astros (43); Twins (43)

The Diamondbacks  had the fewest June  home runs at 17. The only other teams with less than 20 homers for the month was the Cardinals (19). .

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Braves (22); Marlins (19); Padres (15); Rockies (15); Nationals (15)

American League – Tigers (24); Rays (23); Royals (14); Mariners (14)

The Diamondbacks  stole the fewest bases in June – just four (in eight attempts).

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Brewers (118); Dodgers (111); Braves (108)

American League – Astros (126); Yankees (113); Rays (102)

The Astros led MLB in on-base percentage in June at .378, as well as in slugging percentage at .488.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Cubs (283); Mets (265; Braves (261)

American League – Mariners (275); Rays (253); Tigers  (250)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League –  Giants (3.04); Dodgers (3.17); Nationals (3.40)

American League – Astros (3.34);  A’s  (3.55); Rays (3.,88)

Three teams had ERA’s of 6.00 or higher June: Royals (6.00); Diamondbacks (6.10); Orioles (6.38). 

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (287); Reds (273); Dodgers (272)

American League – Red Sox (258); Angels (251); Rays (50)

The Dodgers had the highest strikeouts per nine innings in June  at 10.78. The White Sox led the AL at 10.09.  Fourteen  teams averaged at least a strikeout per inning for the month.

SAVES

National League – Nationals (12); Dodgers (10); Brewers (10)

American League – Red  Sox (10); White  Sox (9); three with seven

 As you might expect, the Diamondbacks, who won only three games in June, had the fewest saves for the month.  That would be zero, with only two save opportunities.

–——————————June Highlights—————————-

A Complete Game for the Rays? No Way!

On June 3, Ryan Yarbrough started against the Yankees in New York.  Was anyone expecting a complete game?  Hardly. It was the 32nd start of Yarbrough’s four-season MLB career and he had yet to toss a complete game.  Further, the Rays were not known for letting pitchers go the distance.  Their last complete game had come on May 14, 2016 –five seasons and  731 games ago. Yarbrough, however, went the full nine, as the Rays pounded the Bronx Bombers 9-2. He tossed 113 pitches (74 strikes), gave up two runs on six hits (no walks) and fanned six.  His mound opponent, by the way, was none other than Yankee ace Gerrit Cole. Yarbrough ended June 4-3, 4.48 on the season.  The June 3 game was Yarbrough’s first win as a starting pitcher since August 11, 2019.

Immaculate As Can Be

On June 4, Yankee starter Michael King got off to a rocky start giving up a three-run home run to the Red Sox’ Rafael Devers in the top of the first inning. He then settled down and pitched a scoreless second and third frame, before pitching an immaculate inning (three strikeouts on nine pitches) in the fourth. In that inning, he got Red Sox’ RF Hunter Renfroe on swinging on a sinker; 1B Marwin Gonzales on  curve ball; and C Christian Vazquez on  another curve. Despite that sparkling inning, King took the loss (the Yankees fell 5-2), going 5 1/3 innings and giving up six hits and four runs (no walks, five strikeouts). At the end of June, King was 0-4, 4.06.

Going Four-for-Three … Not that Easy

In June, four players had three-homer games – bringing the season total of three-homer contests to nine.

On June 6, the Reds’ LF Jesse Winker popped three home runs in four at bats, driving in six runs as the Reds topped the Cardinals 8-7 in St. Louis.  It was Winker’s second three-homer games of the season. He finished June with a .325-19-48 line on the season – and one shy of Sammy Sosa’s 2001 record of three three-homer games in a season (for the Cubs).

On June 19,  Orioles ‘rookie (although he did play 35 games for the O’s in 2020) Ryan Mountcastle went 4-4 with three home runs as the Orioles  lost to the Blue Jays 10-7 at home.  Mountcastle ended June with a stat line of .263-14-47 on the season. The three-homer game was just Mountcastle’s second multi-homer MLB contest.

On June 20, the Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber (see the NL Player of the Month)  went three-for-four with three home runs and four RBI, as the Nationals topped the Mets 5-2 in Washington D.C.  It was one of five multi-homer games in June for Schwarber. As of June 30, his 2021 stat line was .249-25-53.  Schwarber has had 12 to-homer games.

On June 25, Fernando Tatis Jr., went four-for-five, with three home runs, four runs scored and three RBI – as the Padres topped the Diamondback 11-5 in San Diego.  As the end of June, Tatis stat line for 2021 was .300-26-56.  Tatis was is the tenth-youngest player to log a three-homer game.

Three-for-Three – Triple Plays that Is

June saw a trio of triple plays in major-league baseball – two by the Yankees.

On June 6, the Minnesota Twins escaped the Royals 2-1 – and needed the help of a third-inning triple play to do it. Twins’ rookie Brady Ober was on the mound, with a 1-0 lead, when the Royals’ CF Jarrod Dyson led off the inning with a single to right. C Cam Gallagher followed with another one-bagger, sending Dyson to second. Next up was SS Nicky Lopez, who tried to bunt the runners along – only to have his bunt caught on the fly by Twins’ 1B Miguel Sano (charging in toward the plate). With the runners moving, Sano tossed to SS Andrelton Simmons to double off Dyson, who then threw to second baseman Nick Gordon (who had moved to cover first as Sano charged the bunt attempt) to retire Gallagher for the final out.

On June 17, in an 8-4 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto, the Yankees turned an unusual triple play– going pitcher  to first base to shortstop to catcher to third base to shortstop. It happened in the bottom of the first inning, like this:

  1. Blue Jays’ 2B Marcus Semien opened the inning by drawing a five-pitch walk.
  2. SS Bo Bichette followed with a single.
  3. A Michael King wild pitch moved the runners up to second and third.
  4. DH Vlad Guerrero, Jr. tapped back to the Yankee pitcher (King), who threw to first baseman D.J. LeMahieu for the first out.
  5. LeMahieu then threw to shortstop Gleyber Torres covering second, with both runners trapped off base.
  6. Torres threw to catcher Gary Sanchez, who then threw to third baseman Gio Urshela – who tagged Semien between third and home.
  7. In the meantime, Bichette was trying for third and Torres was moving over to cover the bag.
  8. Urshela threw to Torres, who tagged a sliding Bichette for the third out.

On June 20, the Yankees turned their second triple play of June – and third of the season – and it was a game-ender and game-saver. It came in the top of the ninth with the Yankees holding on to a 2-1 lead over the A’s in New York – and it was a bit more traditional than the play on the 17th. Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman came on to open the ninth and walked A’s 2B Jed L0wrie and LF Tony Kemp on nine pitches.  Chapman fell behind C Sean Murphy 1-0 (and, at that time had thrown only one strike in ten pitches) and then  Murphy hit a sharp grounder to Gio Urshela at third base. Urshela tagged the bag for out number-one and relayed the ball to DJ LeMahieu covering second (for out number-two), who made the throw to Chris Gitten at first for the final out of the 2-1 victory.

Collecting Number 1,000

On June 14, Oakland DH Mitch Moreland rapped a one-out single to left on a 2-2 pitch from the Angels’ Sean Manaea in the  bottom of the second inning and came around to score on a Juan Lagares home run.  The hit gave the A’s a 2-1 lead in a game they would win 8-5. The hit was also the 1,000th safety of Moreland’s 12-season MLB career. Moreland didn’t stay on 1,000 for long,  In  the very next inning, he rapped a two-run single through the infield for number 1.001. Moreland is in his 12th MLB season – and ended June with a .252-182-610 stat line – and 1,0004 hits.

Astros Flying High – and So Is The Baseball

On June 17, as the Astros topped the White Sox 10-2 in Houston, 2B Jose Altuve, LF Michael Brantley and 3B Abraham Toro all went deep.  It marked an MLB record-tying ten consecutive multi-homer games for the Houston squad.  (The following night the White Sox held the Astros to five hits and no long balls in a 2-1 Astros’ win). During the streak, the Astros hit 26 home runs and won eight of ten games, outscoring their opponents 75-40.  The home runs were hit by:

  • Joe Altuve – 8 HR
  • Chas McCormick – 4
  • Carlos Correa – 2
  • Kyle Tucker – 2
  • Yordan Alvarez – 2
  • Yuli Gurriel – 2
  • Alex Bregman – 1
  • Myles Straw -1
  • Abraham Toro – 1
  • Michael Brantley – 1
  • Martin Maldonado – 1
  • Robel Garcia – 1

History in the Making

Angels’ Pitcher/Designated Hitter Shohei Ohtani seems to be making “making history” a personal trademark. He did it again when he started on the mound against the Giants on June 23 and also batted in the number-two spot in the order,  in another example of “In baseball we count everything,” it marked the first time in an MLB game that an American League team chose not to employ a DH, while a National League team used on. Ohtani got no decision after pitching six one=run innings (six, hits, two walks, nine strikeouts) and went zero-for-three at the plate.

Let’s Get This Party Started

Number-one prospect Wander Franco made his long-awaited MLB debut at 3B for  the Rays on June 22 (if anything can be long awaited when you are just 20-years-old).  Franco showed his “stuff” in the game. Franco went two-for-three (including a double, three-run home run and a walk) and contributed a web gem in the field. Wander made it to the majors after 214 minor league games – during which he hit .332-27-145, with 27 steals.  He is still adjusting to major-league pitching, hitting just .194 in eight June games.

Hold the Fireworks

Om June 23, the Angels were down 2-1 to the Giants  in the bottom of the twelfth inning (n Anaheim), when the “placed” runner (SS Jose Iglesias), moved to third on a (LF) Griffin Cannon bunt and scored on a CF Juan Lagares’ single (tying the game at two).  Lagares then went to third on a single 2B David Fletcher and dashed home on a grounder to 1B by RF Luis Rengifo.  Shortly after  Iglesias slid across the plate, fireworks filled the sky and “Angels Win”  flashed brightly across the video boards. Oops! A review of the play showed that Giants’ C Buster Posey had put the tag on Lagares before he crossed the plate.  Back to your seats everyone. Angels’ P Dylan Bundy fanned to end the inning – and the game went on.

The Giant added insult to injury by plating seven runs in the top of the thirteenth and “coasting” to a 9-3 win.

Redemption

On June 23, Giants’ LF Michael Tauchman came very close to etching his way into the MLB records. He fell just a bit short, but he probably considered that a sort of redemption.  Here’s how his day went – as the Giants topped the Rangers 9-3 in 13 innings:

  • Second Inning – Strikeout looking on a 3-2 pitch.
  • Fifth inning, strikeout swinging on a 2-2 pitch.
  • Seventh Innings – (Things go a little worse) – Strikeout swinging on three pitches.
  • Ninth Inning – Strikeout swinging on three pitches.
  • Eleventh Inning – Strikeout swinging on a 1-2 pitch.

When Tauchman came up again with two outs and two on in the 13th inning, he was just one whiff from tying the MLB record for strikeouts by a batter in a game (of any length). Further, a whiff would give him a six-strikeout game in the fewest innings of any batter ever.  Ultimately, he came within one strike of the record, but on a 2-2 pitch from reliever Junior Guerra, Tauchman launched a three-run homer to deep right-center. Tauchman, by the way, had come into the game hitting just .174, with 47 strikeouts in 167 plate appearances (57 games).

No, No! Not Another N0-NO

On June 24, when the Chicago Cubs no-hit the Dodgers 4-0 in Los Angeles,  it marked  the seventh no-hitter of the 2021 season, tying the modern era (since 1900) single-season record for no-hit games. Note:  There were seven no hitters thrown in 1990, 1991, 2012 and 2015 – and eight in 1884.   It was also this season’s first combined no-hitter, with Zach Davies starting  for the Cubs and going six innings, followed by Ryan Tepera (one inning); Andrew Chafin (one inning); and closer Craig Kimbrel (one inning). For more on this game, and other combined no hitter, click here.

Whiff N’Poof

On June 25, in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets in New York, Phillies’ right-hander Aaron Nola did something that Walter Johnson, Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Bob Feller and more never  did.  In fact, he did something that has only been done once on an MLB field – and that was back in 1970 by Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. Nola fanned ten consecutive  hitters in an MLB game, starting with the third batter in the first inning and stretching to the second batter in the fourth.  Notably, the first two Mets’ hitters of the contest gave no indication that Nola was about to start on his historic streak. Mets’ leadoff hitter 2B Jeff McNeil was hit by Nola’s second pitch of the game and two pitches later SS Francisco Lind0r lined a double to left (McNeil going to third).  Then this sequence of outcomes occurred:

  • RF Michael Conforto, strikeout swinging on a 1-2 curve.
  • 1B Pete Alonso, strikeout swinging on a 2-2 curve.
  • LF Dominic Smith, strikeout looking on an 0-2 sinker.
  • C James McCann, strikeout looking on a 1-2 sinker.
  • CF Kevin Pillar, strikeout swinging on a 1-2 change up.
  • 3B Luis Guiillorme, strikeout swinging on a 3-2 curve.
  • P Taijuan Walker, strikeout looking on a 3-2 fastball.
  • 2B McNeil, strikeout swinging on a 1-2 sinker.
  • SS Francisco Lindor, strikeout swinging on an 0-2 curve.
  • Conforto, strikeout swinging on a 2-2 change up.
  • Alonso breaks the streak with a double to left.

Overall, Nola used 46 pitched to log his ten strikeouts.  Only two players pushed him to six pitches in their at bats: number-eight hitter 3B Luis Guillorme and number-nine hitter P Taijuan Walker.

Nola, by the way, went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and no runs, while walking 1 and fanning 12. He left with a 1-0 lead, but got no decision as the Mets won 2-1 in eight.

What Took You So Long?

On June 26, the Diamondbacks topped the Padres 10-1 in San Diego.  It was their first win on the road in more than two months (since April 25) and ended their MLB record 24-game road losing streak.

A Sticky Situation

On June 27, Mariner’s southpaw Hector Santiago became the first pitcher ejected  (and have his glove confiscated) for the use of an illegal, grip-enhancing substance since MLB instituted mandatory umpire checks for the dreaded sticky substances. Santiago has since received a ten-game suspension, which he said he will appeal.

Baseball Roundtable Extra – Happy Birthday to Me

On June 29, Jose Miranda, just called up from Class AA Wichita to the Twins’ AAA squad in Saint Paul, started his first Triple A game – on his 23rd birthday.  Miranda, who had been hitting .345, with 13 home runs and 38 RBI (47 games) at Wichita, certainly knew how to celebrate. In his first Triple A game, he went five-for-six, with three home runs, a double, four runs scored and six RBI – as the St. Paul Saints toppled the Omaha Storm Chasers 15-4 in St. Paul.  Happy Birthday Jose – and welcome to Triple A.

I get By with a Little Help from My Friends

On June 29, the Padres were taking on the Reds in Cincinnati, with Blake Snell slated to start on the bump for the Friars. Oops! Snell took ill and that opened the door to a true “bullpen game.” The Padres pretty much emptied the pen, using eight pitchers to defeat the Reds 5-4. No pitcher tossed more than two innings. Craig Stammen started (his first start since 2018) and went two frames.  Then Nick Ramirez came on for another two innings. Each gave  up three hits and one run. They were followed in succession by Nabil Crismatt (1/3 inning); Austin Adams (2/3 inning); Pierre Johnson (one inning); Drew Pomeranz (one inning); Emilio Pagan (one inning, for the win); and closer Mark Melancon (one inning, for the save.). Reds’ rookie starter Tony Santillan lasted just three frames  (six hits, two walks, three runs, two earned.)  He was followed by seven relievers – putting the game total of pitchers at sixteen.

Sixteen Pitchers … That’s Nothing!

On September 24, 2019, the Rockies topped the Giants 8-5 in sixteen innings (in San Francisco).  The two teams used a record 25 pitchers in the contest – 12 by the Rockies and 13 by the Giants (despite the fact that starter Madison Bumgarner went seven frames). This in contrast to the May 1 1920  26-inning game between the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) and Boston Braces, when both starters  (Leon Cadore, Brooklyn and Joe Oeschger, Boston) went the full 26 innings as the tam played to a 101 ties.

A Good Way to End the Month

On June 30, Nationals’ SS put an exclamation point on the month of June. He went four-for-four – with a single in the first inning,a double in the third, a home run in the fourth and a triple in the sixth.  In the process, he became just the fifth MLB player to hit for the cycle three times in their career.  The Nationals, by the way, won the contest 15-6.  As of June 30, Turner’s stat line was .318-14-38, with a league=leading 18 steals.

——-Individual Statistical Leaders for June ——-—

AVERAGE (75 June  at bats minimum)

National League – Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (.376); Raimel Tapia, Rockies (.345); Trea Turner, Nationals (.345)

American League –  Michael Brantley, Astros (.410); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (.380); Nelson Cruz, Twins (.380)

HOME RUNS

National League – Kyle Schwarber, Nationals (16); Fernando Tatis, Jr,, Padres (10); Adam Duvall, Marlins (9)

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (13); Jonathan Schoop, Tigers (10); Jose Altuve, Astros (10); Vlad Guerrero, Blue Jays (10); Joey Gallo, Rangers (10)

The Rockies’ Raimel Tapia had the second-most at bats in June (113) and the second-most hits (39), but not a single home run (.345-0-12, with 26 runs scored and six steals for the month). 

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Kyle Schwarber, Nationals (30); Ozzie Albies, Braves (29); Adam Duvall, Marlins (23)

American League – Jonathon Schoop, Tigers (27); Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles (26); Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (24); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (24)

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had the highest slugging percentage (among players with at least 75 June at bats) at  .889. Kyle Schwarber of the Nats led the NL at .760.

HITS

National League – Raimel Tapia, Rockies (39);  Trea Turner, Nationals (39); Ozzie Albies, Braves (36)

American League – Whit Merrifield, Royals (40); Cedric Mullin, Orioles (38); J.P. Crawford, Mariners (38)

DOUBLES

National League –  Raimel Tapia, Rockies (15); Nick Castellanos, Res (12); Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (10); Ozzie Albies, Braves (10)

American League – Xander Bogaerts, Reds Sox (10); Elvis Andrus, A’s (10); J.P. Crawford, Mariners (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Sergio Alcantara (Cubs 3); many with two

American League –Luis Arreaz, Twins (3); many  with two

The Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. led all batters (with at least 75 June at bats) in on-base percentage for the month at .465.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (10): Starling Marte, Marlins (9); Ozzie Albies, Braves (8)

American League –Cedric Mullins, Orioles (7); Whit Merrifield, Royals (7); Myles Straw, Astros (6) .

Whit Merrifield and Cedric Mullins were each seven-for-seven in May steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Christian Yelich, Brewers (25); Abraham Almonte (Braves 20); Jonathon India, Reds (19); Juan Soto, Nationals (19)

American League –  Jose Altuve, Astros (24); Joey Gallo, Rangers (23); Carlos Correa, Astros (19); Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees (19)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (37); Ronald Acuna, Jr. (36); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (36)

American League – Jared Walsh, Angels (40);Kyle Seager, Mariners (39); Bobby Dalbec, Red Sox (32)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (5-0); Walker Buehler, Dodgers (5-1); Devon Williams, Brewers (4-1); German Marquez (4-1); Anthony DeSclafani, Giants (4-1); Dylan Cease, White Sox (4-2)

American League – Chris Bassitt, A’s (4-0); Framber Valdez, Astros (4-1); Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (4-1); Dylan Cease, White Sox (4-2)

The Diamondbacks Matt Peacock (0-5) and Cardinals’ Carlos Martinez (1-5) had the most June losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

National League – Jacob deGrom, Mets (0.67); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (1.44); Anthony DeSclafani, Giants (1.69)

American League – Sean Manaea, A’s (1.13); Kyle Gibs0n, Rangers (1.52); Framber Valdez, Astros (2.10)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (47 / 32 IP); Aaron Nola, Phillies (42 / 30 IP); Tyler Mahle, Reds (41 / 29 IP); Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (41 / 31 1.3 IP)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (53 / 34 2/3 IP); Nick Pivetta, Red Sox (40 / 31 2/3 IP); Dylan Cease, White Sox (37 / 30 1/3 IP)

SAVES

National League – Brad Hand, Nationals (10); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (8); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (8); Josh Hader, Brewers (8); Edwin Diaz, Mets (8); Mark Melancon, Padres (8)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (8):  Matt Barnes, Red Sox (6); Lou Trivino, A’s (6)

Brad Hand was 10-for-10 in save opportunities in June. 

 

____________________________________

 

If the season ended June 30, your playoff teams would be:

American: Red Sox, White Sox, Astros.  Wild Cards: -A’s, Rays

National: Mets, Brewers, Giants;  Wild Cards; Dodgers, Padres

——Team  Statistical Leaders through  June ——-—

RUNS SCORED (average 355)

National League –  Dodgers (402); Reds (393); Giants (385)

American League – Astros (454); Red Sox (410); Blue Jays (403)

Four teams averaged five or more runs per game through June: Astros (5.60); Blue Jays (5.17); Red Sox (5.06); and Dodgers (5.03). The Pirates averaged the fewest runs per game through June at 3.51.

AVERAGE (average .239)

National League – Nationals (.252); Reds (.249); Rockies (.245)

American League – Astros (.276); Blue Jays (.266); Red Sox (.260)

The lowest team average through June belonged to the Brewers and Mariners  both  at .216).

HOME RUNS (average 94)

National League – Giants (116); Braves (114); Cubs (107)

American League –  Blue Jays (117); Twins (115); Angels (110)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs through June  at 59. No other team was under 71.

STOLEN BASES (average 36)

National League – Padres (74);  Marlins (51); Phillies (46)

American League – Rays (55); Royals (53); Tigers (50)

The Yankees stole the fewest sacks through June at 17 (in 21 attempts).

WALKS DRAWN (average 265)

National League – Dodgers (346); Padres (319); Brewers (303)

American League – Yankees (326); Rays (315); Astros (307)

The Astros  led MLB  in on-base percentage through  June at .351. The Dodgers led the NL at .336. In slugging percentage, the Blue Jays were also on top at .453, while the Giants  led the NL at .429.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 702)

National League – Brewers (790); Cubs (787); Marlins (763)

American League – Rays (877); Tigers (799); Mariners (780))

Astros’ batters went down on strikes the fewest times through June (592).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.16)

National League – Dodgers (3.19); Giants (3.21); Padres (3.24)

American League – White Sox (3.47); Rays (3.54); Astros (3.68)

Four teams had ERA’s through June at 5.00  or higher– Orioles (5.44); Diamondbacks (5.28); Angels (5.04); and Twins (5.00).  Side note: You don’t want to be a hitter in the NL West.  The three teams with the lowest ERA’s through June were the Dodgers, Giants and Padres.

STRIKEOUTS (average 690)

National League – Brewers (841); Padres (817); Dodgers (816)

American League – White Sox (776); Angels (775); Rays (767)

The Brewers  averaged an MLB-best 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings through June. The White Sox led the AL at 10.3.  Eighteen  teams average at least one whiff per inning.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED (average 265)

National League – Giants (206); Mets (220); Marlins (235)

American League – A’s (220); Yankees (226); Rays (226)

The Giants’  2.4 walks per nine innings through June were MLB’s lowest.  The Cardinals staff walked an MLB-high 4.5 per nine frames through June.

SAVES (average 19)

National League – Padres (29); Giants (28); Dodgers (28)

American League – Red Sox (26); Rays (23); White Sox (23)

No staffs surrendered more home runs through June than the Orioles and Twins at 121. At the other end of the spectrum Marlins’ pitchers had given up an MLB-low 63 dingers. .

 

——-Individual Statistical Leaders through June 30———-

 

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying players – 3.1 at plate appearance for each team game played)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.346); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.327); Jesse Winker, Reds (.325)

American League – Michael Brantley, Astros (340);  Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.339); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (.330)

The lowest average through June  (among qualifiers) belonged to the Brewers’ Jackie Bradley at .165 (33-for-231).

HOME RUNS

National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (26); Kyle Schwarber, Nationals (25); Ronald Acuna, He. Braves (22)

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (28); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (26); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (20): Matt Olson, A’s (20)

No player had more at bats without a long ball through June than Angels’ 2B David Fletcher – .288-0-24 in 292 at bats.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Ozzie Albies, Braves (56); Adam Duvall, Marlins (56); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (56)

American League – Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (66); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (64); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (63)

The Padres Fernando Tatis, Jr.  had the highest slugging percentage (among qualifiers)) through  June  at .705.  The only other players at even .600+ were Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (.685); Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (.675); Reds’ Nick Castellanos (.607); and Braves ‘Ronald Acuna, Jr. (601)

HITS

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (102); Adam Frazier, Pirates (100); Trea Turner, Nationals  (100)

American League – Cedric Mullins, Orioles (99); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (96); Xander Bogaerts,. Red Sox (94)

DOUBLES

National League –  Nick Castellanos, Reds (27): Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (24); Adam Frazier, Pirates (24)

American League – Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (24); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (24); Michael Brantley, Astros (22); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (22)

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had the most extra-base hits through June (49). The Reds’ Nick Castellanos led the NL (44).

TRIPLES

National League – Ozzie Albies, Braves (5); Dave Peralta, D-backs (5); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (5)

American League –Luis Arraez, Twins (4); Akil Baddoo, Tigers (4); Mark Canha, A’s (4); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (4); Amed Rosario, Indians (4); Nick Madrigal, White Sox (4)

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Trea Turner, Nationals (18); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (12); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (16); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (16)

American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (22); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (15); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (15)

The most stolen bases without being thrown out through June was 12  by the Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette.  MLB SB leader Whit Merrifield (Royals) was 22-for-23 in steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (52); Freddie Freeman, Braves (48); Juan Soto, Nationals (48)

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (62); Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (59); Carlos Santana, Royals (52)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (107); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (99); Dansby Swanson, Braves (90)

American League – Matt Chapman, A’s (100); Joey Gallo, Rangers (98); Brandon Lowe, Rays (97)

Only one player in the top 25 in strikeouts has fewer than ten home runs through June. The Royals’ Michael Taylor has 84 whiffs (fifteenth in MLB) to go with a .237-7-29 line.

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League –Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (10-4); Julio Urias, Dodgers (9-3); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (9-7)

American League – Aaron Civale, Indians (10-2); Chris Bassitt, A’s (9-2); Zack Greinke,  Astros (8-2);  Gerrit Cole, Yankees (8-4); Nathan Eovaldi, Red Sox (8-4)

The Reds’ Luis Castillo (3-10, 5.14) and Orioles’ Jorge Lopez (2-10, 5.92) tied for had the most losses through June.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying players … at least one inning pitch for each team game played)

National League – Jacob deGrom, Mets (0.69); Kevin Gausman, Giants (1.68); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.87)

American League – Kyle Gibson, Rangers (2.00); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (2.66); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (2.66)

If you are looking for the likes of The White Sox‘ Lance Lynn or Carlos Rodon (both at 2.06), they are each 1/3 inning short of qualifying (78 2/3 IP, with the White Sox having played 79 games). The highest ERA among qualifiers through June belonged to the Royals’ Brad Keller (6-8, 6.67).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (137 / 7107 2/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (130  / 106 1/3);  Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (124 / 102 1/3 IP)

American League – Shane Bieber, Indians (130 / 90 2/3 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (129 / 101 2/3 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (123 / 88 IP)

Among qualifying pitchers, the Metes’ Jacob deGrom had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through May at 14.08. Carlos Rodon of the White Sox r led the AL at 12.93.

Among qualifying pitchers,  deGrom also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 11.09. No other qualifiers even reached 8.0.  deGrom also led in strikeout per nine innings at 14.08, with no other qualifier reaching 13.

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (25); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (20);  Josh Hader, Brewers (20); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (20); Alex Reyes, Cardinals (20)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (21):  Matt Barnes, Red Sox (18);  Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (16)

The Brewers’ Josh Hader  has the most saves of any pitcher without a blown save (20 saves in 20 opportunities).

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

 

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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

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

 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Remember that Time in 2002 When There was No DH?

June 23, 2021 by

The 2021 season has been one of streaks.  The Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles have endured, respectively,  a  (recently-ended) 17-game losing streak and a 14-game string of losses.   On the other side of the coin, the Oakland A’s have enjoyed a 13-game winning streak and the Rays have put up an 11-game win string,

Side note:  For those who are interested in such things, the D-backs’  recent losing streak lasted from June 2 through June 20. Over that time, they were outscored 119-64; outhit .297 to .215; and out-homered 29 to 10.  The D-backs staff pitched to a 6.88 ERA, compared to the opponents’’ 3.39 and fanned 125 batters, compared to the opponents’ 152.  The D-backs have also suffered a 13-game losing streak this season and, between May 16 and June 20, lost 31 of 33 games. 

In this post, I’d like to reflect on a 10-day streak from June of 2002.  That streak., the product of inopportune scheduling, ran from June 14 to June 23.  It was a streak during which 134 major-leagues gamers were played – without a single contest taking place in an American League Park.  There were 125 inter-league games and nine all-NL matchups. The NL-had the edge over that ten-day span – winning 67 inter-league matchups to the AL’s 58.

What makes this streak unique (at least in a recent history sense) is that for ten days, not a single designated hitter stepped up to the plate. That got me to thinking about how the pitchers from the two leagues matched up – not on the mound, but at the plate.  AL pitchers, it turned out, made it to the plate more often than their NL counterparts (2.4 plate appearances per game to 2.0).  The stats are in the chart below, but perhaps most striking is that  the NL pitchers (who obviously get to the plate more often over a season) proved  clearly more adept at putting the ball in play. AL pitchers struck out in 39 percent of their plate appearances, while NL hurlers fanned 30.1 percent of the time.

There were a few games in that streak in which a pitcher’s performance at the plate caught my eye.

Woody Williams’ day inlcuded a GR 2B; SH; SF; and HBP.

June 16 … Woody Williams of the Cardinals checked a lot of scorekeeper’s boxes as St. Louis topped the Royals 5-1.  Williams had a ground-rule double in the third (and later scored); laid down a successful sacrifice bunt in the fifth; drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth; and was hit by a pitch in the eighth – a pretty productive day at the plate for a pitcher. He also pitched a complete-game five-hitter (one run, one, one walk, six whiffs).  Williams had a decent season at the plate in 2002 – hitting .207 with one home run and three RBI (29 at bats). He had three doubles, but only one  HBP and Sacrifice Fly. He was 9-4, 2.53 on the mound. In his 15-season MLB career he was 132-116, 4.19 on the bump and .194-4-43 at the plate.

June 18 … Jeff Weaver of the Tigers had the worst offensive game for a pitcher during the streak – going zero-for-four with four strikeouts. He made up for it on the mound, however, tossing a complete-game shutout (five hits, two walks, seven strikeouts) as the Tigers topped the Braves 6-0. Weaver came to the plate in only one other game that season – and went two-for-three with an RBI. He finished the season 11-11, 3.52 with an AL-leading three shutouts. In 11 MLB seasons, he went 104-119. 4/71 and hit .207-0-13,

Mike Hampton did more at the plate than on the mound for the Rockies/.

June 20 … In the Rockies’ 14-11 win over the Yankees, the Rox used pitcher Mike Hampton as a pinch hitter for pitcher Dennis Reyes. Hampton singled to open the eighth inning (the Rockies were up 10-9), moved to second on a bunt that turned into a single, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly. Hampton’s use as a pinch hitter was not really a surprise – he was a good hitting pitcher (.246 average with 16 home runs and 79 RBI in 725 career at bats). In 2002, in  fact, Hampton was a better hitter than pitcher. He was 7-15, 6.15 on the mound and .344-3-5 at the plate. For his 16-season MLB career, Hampton was 148-115, 4.06 on the mound. (In 1999, he went 22-4, 2.90 for the Astros – leading the league in wins, winning percentage and finishing second in the Cy Young balloting. He also hit .373 that season.

Mike Hampton won five Silver Slugger Awards as the National League’s best-hitting pitcher.  (The Silver Slugger Awards were established in 1980.) Hampton earned his handful of Silver Slugger recognitions in five consecutive seasons – from 1999 through 2003.  Notably, he won them with four different teams: Astros (1999); Mets (2000); Rockies (2001 & 2002); and Braves (2003).

In 2003, Hampton was a leather and lumber guy, becoming the first pitcher to win both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove in the same season.  (Zack Greinke matched that feat in 2019.) 

In 2001, Hampton homered in three consecutive at bats – his final two trips to the plate in a June 5 start, and his first plate appearance in his next outing (June 10.) That season he hit .291, with seven home runs and 16 RBI in 79 at bats. 

Hampton was two-time All Star during his 16-season MLB career. He retired with a 148-115, 4.06 record on the mound and a .246-16-79 batting line (423 games).  He hit over .300 in four seasons.  While he didn’t hit a homer in his first eight MLB seasons, he went deep 16 times in his final eight campaigns.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

 

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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

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

 

 

 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Baseball Roundtable May Wrap Up … No-Hitters, Triple Plays, Streaks and “Brain Freeze”

June 1, 2021 by

It’s June 1 and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s traditional previous month wrap up – statistics, standings and stories that caught BBRT’s eye over the previous month, as well as the BBRT Players and Pitches of the Month and the BBRT Trot index.  Here’s the kind of thing you’ll read about – if you last to the end of the post. 

  • One player (Nick Castellanos, Reds) hit over .400 for the month;
  • Four teams with earned run averaged under 3.00 for the month and ten starting pitcher with ERA’s under 2.00 for may.
  • An 11-game winning streak and a 14-game losing streak.
  • The third, fourth, five and sixth no-hitters of the young season.
  • The fourth and fifth three-homer games of the season.
  • A player end the month leading his league in home runs and stolen bases.

Changing of the Guard… and It’s Good to be a Junior

At the close of play May 31, four players were tied for the major league-lead in home runs with 16: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (age 23); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (age 28, only 24 MLB games before this season); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (age 22); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (age 22).

  • The second triple play of the season;
  • A player strike out in his first eight MLB at bats (a record) and then collect his first hit, first extra-base hit, first RBI and first run scored – all in the same inning;
  • A on-the-field “Brain Freeze;”
  • The scoring of MLB’s 2,000,000th run.
  • An AL pitcher get is first MLB plate appearances – and go three-for-three; and
  • More

You can read more about these events (and more May stories) in the Highlights Section. First, Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

——Baseball Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month——

National League

Player of the Month … Nick Castellanos  3B/OF, Reds

Castellanos led MLB in May batting average (among players with at least 75 May at bats) at a lofty .409. His 38 hits were third (second in the NL). He also had five home runs, 15 RBI and 18 runs scored.  In addition, he drew 12 walks for a .476 on-base percentage (tops in the majors). Castellanos got hits in all but three of his 24 May games and finished the month on a 17-game hitting streak that included 11 multi-hit games. He also had a five-hit, two-homer game on May 2 – and his Reds needed all of that production, winning 13-12 in ten innings.

Honorable Mentions: The Dodgers’ Max Muncy was also in the running after a .337-10-19 month in which he also moved from first base to second base to accommodate the acquisition of Albert Pujols. (Muncy’s ten May homers led the NL.)  I also gave strong consideration to Padres’ SS Fernando Tatis, Jr.  and his .353-9-26 May stat line.  His homers were second in the NL, his RBI first and he also stole a May-best eight bases. Castellanos’ .400+ average, however, was just too hard to deny.

Pitcher of the Month – Kevin Gausman, RHP, Giants

Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Gausman led all pitchers (tied) with five May wins (no losses) in six starts.  He threw 37 innings and gave up just three earned runs. His 0.73 May earned run average was the lowest among pitchers toiling at least 25 innings during the month. (And he did it without tossing a no-hitter.) His 37 innings pitched were eighth in MLB and his 49 strikeouts tied for third. During May, he never gave up more than one earned run in his six starts.  On May 14, he went eight innings against the Pirates,  giving up one run on five hits while fanning 12.

Honorable Mentions: The Nationals’ Max Scherzer went 3-2, 1.83 in six May starts, with an MLB-leading 57 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings (13.04 whiffs per nine). In his two May losses, Scherzer pitched 13 innings giving up just four earned runs (2.77 ERA), while fanning 19 (walking just two). The Nationals scored a total of one run in those two contests. The Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff also earned a look after putting up a 1.07 ERA in May (two wins and two losses), while fanning 49 batters in 42 innings. He could have used a bit more support. Woodruff gave up just five earned runs in six starts – never more than two in an outing.  In his two wins, he held the opposition scoreless for a total of 14 innings. The Phillies’ Zack Wheeler also earned consideration. Although he was only 2-0 in May, he deserved better. His May ERA was 2.08 and his 57 strikeouts (43 1/3 innings) tied for the MLB lead.

American League

Player of the Month …. Marcus Semien, SS, Blue Jays

Marcus Semien hit .368 for the month (second only to Nick Castellanos in MLB), with eight home runs (tied for fourth in MLB) and 22 RBI ( tied for sixth).  His 42 May hits led the majors and his 23 runs scored tied for third. The versatile infielder hit in all but three of 28 games played and had 12 multi-hit games.

Honorable Mentions: Rangers’ outfielder Adolis Garcia put up a .312-11-27 line in May – leading the major in May homers and tied for second in RBI for the month. He ran neck-and-neck with Semien for this recognition and was edged out primarily due on on-base percentage of .348 to Semien’s .429). BBRT also considered the Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr., who put up a .302-9-22 stat line in 28 games – and also drew 12 walks, while fanning only 16 times.

Pitcher of the Month … Lance Lynn RHP, White Sox

Lynn led the AL (and tied for the MLB lead) with five May victories (5-0, 1.64 in six starts.). He may not have been as overpowering as some of the competition (30 strikeouts in 33 innings), but he kept runners away from the plate. After giving up three runs in his first May start, he gave up only three more earned runs over his next five starting assignments.  He’s a big part of why the White Sox reside in first place.

Honorable Mentions: How can you not mention the Rays’ veteran southpaw Rich Hill?  The 41-yea-old, in his 17th MLB season, was downright stingy in May – pitching to a 0.78 ERA in five starts (three wins- one loss). This followed an April when he produced a 7.25 ERA in five starting assignments.  Quite the turnaround.  I also looked at the White Sox Lucas Giolito, 4-2, 2.41 with 45 whiffs (fifth-best in MLB) in May.

Surprise Player of the Month … Adolis Garcia, OF, Rangers

Adolis Garcia (also an honorable mention for Player of the Month) came into the season with a 0.87 average in 24 MLB games and then hit .242-5-14 in April. Garcia really turned it on in May. In 28 games, he hit .312, while leading MLB with 11 May home runs. His 27 May RBI were second only to the Rays’ Austin Meadow 28.  For good measure, he also tossed in five stolen bases in five attempts. He was a positive surprise for the Rangers.  He could use a bit more plate discipline (six walks and 30 whiffs in May), but Garcia earned surprise recognition for May.

Honorable Mention: More a comeback than a surprise, but still a very pleasant surprise of sorts. The Orioles’ Trey Mancini returned to the major this season after a bout with Stage 3 colon cancer. How is it going?  Mancini’s May stat line was .320-6-25.

 

 

Now how about, BBRT’s regularly featured “Trot Index.”

______________________________________________________

TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through May 2021, 37.4 percent of the MLB season’s 59,398 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 (24.2%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.8%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

The 37.7 percent figure is up slightly from 2020’s (full season) 37.3 percent;  2019’s (full season) 36.2 percent and 2018’s 34.8 percent Trot Index.  

_________________________________________________

N0w, how about a look at May. Here’s how the teams fared last month. As you can see, a couple of teams played .700+ ball in May – the Rays and Cubs.  The Cubs put together a solid month with MLB’s best May earned run average and the NL’s best batting average.  (Their solid May showing included eight one-run victories.) Meanwhile, the NL West remained the closest MLB division race – and, appropriately, the three front runner (Giants, Padres, Dodgers) each scored 155 runs during the month.

The Rays played .786 ball, fueled in part by an 11-game winning streak (May 18-24). During the streak they outscored their opponents 95-43, outhit them .292 to .209 and out-homered them 22 to 15. Rays’ hurler put up a 3.20 earned run average during the streak, compared to the opponents 7.51,  Seven of the eleven games were on the road. When the streak started, the Rays were in fourth place (three games out); When it ended, they were in first place (a half-game ahead of the Red Sox).

Over in the National League, the Padres put together a nine-game winning streak at about the same time (May 14 through May 23). Notably the streak consumed the entirety of a nine-game home stand, and was book-ended by a May 12 3-2 loss at Colorado (second game of a double header) and a May 24 5-3 loss at Milwaukee. During  the streak, the Padres outscored their opponents 66-18 and out hit them .288 to .196 (home runs were even at nine apiece).  The Padres mound staff pitched to a 1.65 earned run  average over the nine games, as compared to their opponents 7.00, and notched 95 strikeouts to the opponents’ staffs’ 61. When the streak started, the Padres were in second place (1 1/2 games behind the Giants). After the ninth win, they were in first place with a one-game lead over the Dodgers.

On the other side of the coin, the Orioles finished May in a (still active) 14-game losing streak – in which they were outscored 93-48.  (I’ll let the stats below tell the story.

——-Individual Statistical Leaders For  May———-

RUNS SCORED

National League –Giants (155); Padres (155); Dodgers (155)

American League – Rays (160); Blue Jays (154); Astros (153)

No one scored fewer runs in May than the Pirates, who plated just 81 tallies.  Others under 100 runs for the month included the Mariners (96) and Marlins (97).

AVERAGE

National League – Cubs  (.262); Nationals (.251); Dodgers (.249)

American League – Blue Jays (.279); Astros (.275); Red Sox (.260)

The lowest May team average belonged to the Mariners at a meager .199. The Brewers were the lowest in the National League at .207.

HOME RUNS

National League – Giants (46); Braves (43); Dodgers (38)

American League –  Blue Jays (42); Twins (41); Rays (40)

The Pirates had the fewest May home runs at 17.  In the American League, the Tigers were at the bottom with 20 May homers. The Rockies (19) and Diamondbacks (18) also finished under 20 home runs in May.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Padres (26); Cardinals (20); Rockies (19)

American League – Rays (23); Tigers (19); Rangers (18)

The A’s stole the fewest bases in May – just four (in seven attempts).

WALKS DRAWN

National League –  Giants (123); Padres (110); Dodgers (109)

American League – White Sox (123); Rays (120); Twins (109)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Phillies (290); Giants (287); Brewers (276)

American League – Rays (311); Tigers (269); Yankees (268)

Astros’ batters fanned the fewest times in May (180).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League –  Cubs (2.52); Padres (2.69); Mets (3.18)

American League – Rays (2.70); White Sox (2.89); Yankees (3.33)

Two teams had ERA’s over 5.00 in May: Orioles (5.89) and Diamondbacks (5.46).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (286); Dodgers (276); Phillies (273)

American League – White Sox (279); Indians (278); Angels (276)

The Brewers had the highest strikeouts per nine innings in May at 10.38. The White Sox led the AL at 10.21.

SAVES

National League – Cardinals (12); Mets (11); Cubs (10); Giants (10)

American League – White Sox (9); Indians (9); Red Sox (9); Yankees (9); Mariners (9)

No, a look at some of the players and plays that caught my eye in May.

–—-MAY 2021 HIGHLIGHTS—-

A Different Kind of RBI Machine

Once again proving #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Mets’ rookie Patrick Mazeika – between May 7 and May 11  – became the first major leaguer in more than fifty years to collect three RBI before his first hit.  He collected those RBI on a pair of fielder’s choices and a bases-loaded walk.

On May 7, pinch-hitting for P Aaron Loup in the bottom of the tenth in a 4-4 game against the Diamondbacks, Mazeika came up with the bases loaded and one out. Mazeika hit a dribbler in front of the plate, the pitcher went for the play at the plate (to stop the winning run), the tag was not made and Mazeika had a walk-off fielder’s choice and his first MLB RBI.

On May 9, he came up as a PH in the bottom of the sixth with the Mets up 2-1 on the Diamondbacks, two outs and the sacks full.  This time, he drew a five-pitch walk for his second MLB RBI.

On May 11, the rookie came up – again as a PH – in the bottom of the ninth with one out, the Mets and Orioles tied at two and runners on first and third.  He hit a slow grounder to first, the Orioles unsuccessfully tried to cut down the winning run at the plate.  End result: Run scored and Mazeika’s  got his third MLB RBI and second “walk-off fielder’s choice.”
On May 16, Mazeika finally got his first MLB hit – and it was a home run, giving him his fourth MLB RBI.

DH? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ DH

On May 4, Braves’ 23-year-old -year-old Huascar Ynoa threw seven strong innings (one unearned run on four hits and two walks) to earn his third win of the season as the Braves topped the Nationals 6-1. He also went one-for-three at the plate – stroking a sixth inning Grand Slam. Notably, it was his second straight start in which he homered (a solo shot on April 28 versus the Cubs) and the third straight start in which he collected an RBI.  At the close of May, Ynoa was hitting .353-2-6 in 17 at bats  and had a 4-2, 3.02 record on the mount.

Ynoa Update – Ouch

After a poor outing on May 16 (five runs surrendered in 4 1/3 innings versus the Brewers), Brave’s righty Huascar Ynoa punched a dugout bench (with his pitching hand). The broken right hand is likely to keep him out for a couple of months, the Braves reported.

More #WeDon’tNeedNoStinkin’DH

Okay, how about an American League pitcher wielding the bat (other than Shohei Ohtani, of course)? On May 4, The White Sox ’25-year-old righty Dylan Cease found himself at the plate for the first time in his MLB career (2019-21). He made the most of it, collecting two singles and a double in three at bats.  Oh yes, he also three six scoreless innings, giving up one hit, three walks and fanning eleven – as the White Sox topped the Reds 9-0. Cease now has an MLB average of 1.000 and a slugging percentage of 1.333.

Or, #WhyNotHaveADH, if he’s a pitcher.

In May, the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (bats left/throws right) got four starts on the mound and went 1-1, 2.38, with 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. At the plate the P/DH hit .245, with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 27 games.

_________________________________________________

Four No-Hitters In May.  Wow. Just. Wow.

May 2021 saw four MLB no-hitters – only the second time in MLB history that we’ve seen for no-hitters in a single calendar month.  (June of 1990 saw no-hitters by Randy Johnson – June 2; Nolan Ryan – June 11; Dave Stewart – June 29; Fernando Valenzuela – June 29).

The four May no-hitters bring this season’s total no-hit games to six – one shy of the modern-era record of seven (1990, 1991, 2912, 2015)  and two short of the all-time record of eight (1884).

Here’s a look at this May’s “no-no’s.”

May 5, John Means, Orioles

Means no-hit the Mariners – and it was the most dominating performance among May’s no-no’s. The only runner to reach base was Mariners’ LF Sam Haggerty, who struck out swinging in the fourth, but reached when the catcher couldn’t handle the third-strike wild pitch. Haggerty was then caught stealing, so Means faced the minimum 27 batters, fanning 12.  He tossed 113 pitches (79 strikes).) The 28-year-old Means is in his fourth MLB season and, at the end of May , he was 4-1, 2.05 on the season and 18-16, 3.47 in his MLB career.  The no-hitter was his first complete game (48 starts).

May 7, Wade Miley, Reds

The 34-year-old southpaw shut down the Indians 3-0 – giving up no hits and just one walk (eight strikeouts). He threw 114 pitches (72 strikes). Miley is in his eleventh MLB season and the no-hitter was his third complete game and first shutout in 261 starts. Through May he was  5-4, 3.26 for the Reds. His career record is 90-89, 4.21.

May 18, Spencer Turnbull, Tigers

Turnbull no-hit the Mariners as the Tigers won 5-0. He walked two (leadoff walks in the seventh to CF Jarred Kalenic and in the fourth to 1B Jose Marmolejos) and fanned nine, tossing 117 pitches (77 strikes).  This may be the season’s most surprising no-hitter thus far.  Coming into the 2021 campaign, Turnbull had an MLB record of 7-23, 4.55. The no-hitter was the 28-year-old right-hander’s first complete game in his four MLB seasons (52 starts). At the end of May, his 2021 record was 4-2, 2.93.

May 19, Corey Kluber, Yankees

The 35-year-old righty no-hit the Blue Jays – giving up just one walk (a four-pitch free pass to 3B Charlie Culberson in the fourth frame), while fanning nine.  He tossed just 101 pitches (71 strikes).  The Yankees prevailed 2-0.  This one was no surprise, Kluber is in his eleventh MLB season, is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and has led his  league in wins twice, complete games three times and shutouts three times.

A couple of no-hit tidbits:

  • This season’s six no-hitters have seen three teams no-hit twice each (Rangers, Indians, Mariners). Just 19 teams have been no-hit twice in a season in MLB history.
  • Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager has been on the field for nine no-hitters (five as a player on the team that was no-hit, four on the team tossing the no-hitter). That’s a record for no-hitter appearances for a single franchise. Bert Campaneris holds the overall record for appearing in no-hitters at 11.

________________________________________________

Grabbing Some Air and a Seat on the Bench

On May 8, Brewer’s reliever Josh Hader  fanned the side in the bottom of the ninth (giving up a single in the midst of the whiffs), as the Brewers toppled the Marlins 6-2.  The first batter of the inning, Corey Dickerson, fanned on three pitches, giving Hader 400 career strikeouts and making him the the quickest ever to 400 whiffs– 234 2/3 innings.

I’m in Control Here

With two outs in the top of the fifth inning of a Brewers’ May 13 2-0 loss to the Cardinals, Brewers’ starter Corbin Burnes walked Cardinals’ SS Tommy Edman on five pitches.  That might not have been significant – except it was Burnes’ first walk of the 2021 season (coming in his sixth start).  It completed a streak that left Burnes holding the record for the most batters struck out before giving up the first walk of a campaign (58) – as well as for the most batters fanned between walks at any point in the season.  Burnes faced 125 batters in his streak and fanned 46.4 percent of them. (For more on Burnes’ streak, click here.)

While Burnes’ still holds the record for strikeouts before a walk from the start of a season, his record for most strikeouts between walks in a season has already fallen to the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole. Cole walked the Blue Jays’ LF Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. leading off the second inning of his start on April 12 and didn’t walk another batter until he issued a free pass to Rangers’ RF Joey Gallo in the fifth inning of the Yankees/Rangers Game of May 17. In between those walks he faced 150 batters and fanned 61 (the new record for strikeouts between walks at any point in a season). Ironically, Gallo ended May leading the AL not in walks, but whiffs at 73). In the midst of his streak, Cole notched his 1,500th MLB strikeout (The Rays’ Brett Phillips on May 12).

250 … That has a Ring to It

This May, the Red Sox’ J.D. Martinez and Braves’ Freddie Freeman each hit their 250th MLB home run. Freeman’s came on May 15 and was his tenth of the season. Martinez’ came on May 20 and was his twelfth of the season.

Zero-to-Fifty in a Hurry

On May 21, Padres’ shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. had a four-for-four day as the Padres pounded the Mariners 16-1. In the course of the game, Tatis popped his eleventh home run of the season – the 50th of his career. Reaching the 50-homer milestone in his 171st MLB game meant he reached the marker faster than any other MLB shortstop and quicker than all but four other major leaguers (any position).  Those ahead of Tatis? Pete Alonso (152 games); Rudy York (153 games); Gary Sanchez (161 games); Mark McGwire (161 games).Making that first solid contact count.

Power and Speed

At the close of May, the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. was tied for the NL lead in home runs (16) and stolen bases. Only three MLB players have led their league in those two categories in the same campaign: Jim Sheckard, Superbas (Dodgers), in 1903; Ty Cobb,Tigers, in 1909; Chuck Klein, Phillies, in 1932. 

 

Well, That’s a First

On May 21, Mets’  22-yer-old rookie outfielder Khalil Lee, who made his MLB debut May 17,  rapped a pinch-hit double in the top of the 12th inning that drove in the go-ahead run as the Mets topped the Marlins 6-5 in Miami. (Lee also scored in the inning – on a triple by another rookie –  CF Johneshy Fargas.  (The Mets plated three runs in the fop of the twelfth, the Marlins got two in the bottom of the frame.)  In the inning, Lee notched a host of personal MLB “firsts”  – his first hit, first extra-base hit, first RBI and first run scored. Not only that, he snapped a record-setting streak of futility. To that point in his MLB career, Lee had come to the plate eight times and struck out all eight (four looking/four swinging) – a record for the beginning of an MLB career.

Baseball Roundtable Extra

University of Nevada infielder Tyler Bosetti set a new Division One NCAA record, hitting home runs in nine straight games between April 24 and May 11. Notably, now in his fourth college season, Bosetti had a total of five homers in his first three campaigns. 

Grand Slam Bookends and More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On May 21, as the Braves thrashed the Pirates 20-1 in Atlanta, Atlanta popped seven home runs – including two Grand Slams. STATS reports they are the first team to collect seven or more home runs and two Grand Slams in the same game. Here is the long ball tally: RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. – Grand Slam in the second; 2B Ozzie Albies – two-run homer in the fifth; 3B Austin Riley – solo home runs in the fifth and seventh; CF Marcell Ozuna – solo in the sixth; SS Dansby Swanson – solo in the seventh; PH Ehire Adrianza – Grand Slam in the eighth.

Winker Going Wild

On May 21, as the Reds topped the Brewers 9-4, Reds’ leadoff hitter and LF Jesse Winker had a four-for-four day – and his first MLB three-homer contest.  Winker popped solo home runs in the third, fifth and eighth innings.  Winker ended the game hitting .356-11-26. It was the fifth three-homer game this season.  The others belong to: The Rockies’ Ryan McMahon (April 6); Red Sox’ J.D. Martinez (April 11); Blue Jays Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (April 27); Twins’ Miguel Sano (May 18).

Like Father Like Son

Two father and son duos have three-homer games on their MLB resumes:

Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. and Cecil and Prince Fielder

Three Can Be a Lucky Number

On May 21, not only did we see the 2021 season’s fifth three-homer game (see above), but also the season’s second triple play – and it was a crucial triple killing, helping the Yankees to a 2-1 win over the White Sox, The score was 1-1 in the top of the ninth, when Yankees’ closer Aroldis Chapman started the inning by walking DH Yermin Mercedes on five pitches (Mercedes was replaced by pinch runner Billy Hamilton) and then mishandling a bunt by CF Leury Garcia  – putting runners on first and second with none out.  Next up was LF Andrew Vaughn, who hit a hard grounder to 3B Gio Urshela (playing near the bag), Urshela stepped on third, fired to 2B Rougned Odor for the second out and the watched as Odor relayed the ball to 1B Luke Voit for out number three. The Yankees then scored in the bottom of the inning to give Chapman the win.

Double Your Pleasure

On July 17, 1990 the Minnesota Twins became the first (and still only) team to turn two triple plays in one game. Both were classic third (Gary Gaetti) to second (Al Newman) to first (Kent Hrbek) triple killings.  The Twins, by the way, lost the game (to the Rd Sox) 1-0.

Major League Brain Freeze

On May 27, the Cubs stole a run from the Pirates during a run-down – between first base and home plate. Here’s how it went down. There were two outs in the top of the third inning with Cubs’ catcher Wilson Contreras on second base. Chicago SS Javier Baez hit a ground ball to third base, but Pirates’ 3B Erik Gonzalez’ throw pulled 1B Will Craig off the bag.  Then, the fun began.

Contreras, of course, was running on the play, approaching third base. Baez instead continuing toward first after Craig caught the ball up the line, retreated back toward home plate.  At this point, all Craig needed to do was go back and touch first and the inning was over, with no run scoring.  Oops! Instead, he chased Baez back toward home. By this time, as Baez approached home plate from the first-base side, Contreras was approaching the plate from the third-base side. Quite a crowd was gathering. Still, Craig just needed to return to first base and touch the bag to end the inning.  Instead, he tossed the ball to Pirates’ catcher Michael Perez (with Contreras sliding under the tag). Still, all that needed to happen was for a Pirate defender to tag first base and retire Baez, with the run not scoring.  (Baez was now again headed toward first and Pirates’ second baseman Adam Frazier was coming over to cover the bag.) Perez, however, threw the ball past Frazier into right field and Baez ended up on second base (later scoring on an Ian Happ single).  Those two odd runs proved important as  the Cubs emerged with a 5-3.  Want to see how it all went down.  Enjoy this YouTube video from MLB.

 

Baseball Roundtable Extra

On May 24, 17-year-old high schooler Frank Mozzicato (Manchester East Catholic High School) – possessor of a low-90’s fastball – tossed his fourth consecutive no-hitter. After the game, his season total included 101 strikeouts and just 15 walks (in 42 innings) and a 0.21 earned run average (just one earned run allowed).

The Two-Million Run Man (apologies to Lee Majors)

On May 29, in the first inning of a game against the Royals, Twins’ DH Nelson Cruz drove in 3B Josh Donaldson to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.  As Donaldson touched the plate, he scored the two millionth run in MLB history (as verified by the Elias Sports Bureau. (Side note:  That designation may change once the Negro League statistics are officially incorporated into MLB’s stat lines.)

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for May———-

AVERAGE (75 May at bats minimum)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.409); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.360): Max Muncy, Dodgers (.330)

American League –  Marcus Semien , Blue Jays (.368); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (.343); Andrew Benintendi, Royals (.340)

The lowest May average (among players with at least 75 at bats) belonged to the Royals’ Jorge Soler at .154 (14-for-91). Eleven hitters with at least 75 May at bats hit under .200 for the month. 

HOME RUNS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (10); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (9); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (8); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (8)

American League –  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (11): Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (9); Mitch Haniger, Mariners (8); Jared Walsh, Angels (8); Ramon Laureano, A’s (8); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (8); Austin Meadows, Rays (8)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr. Padres (26); Eduardo Escobar, Diamondbacks (23); Brandon Crawford, Giants (22)

American League – Austin Meadow, Rays (28); Adolis Garcia, Rangers  (27);  Jose Abreu, White Sox (26)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy had the highest slugging percentage (75 at bat minimum) for May at .714  The only other player at .700+ was the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien (.702)

HITS

National League – Adam Frazier, Pirates (40); Nick Castellanos, Reds (38); Trea Turner, Nationals (35)

American League – Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (42); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (37); Jose Altuve, Astros (36)

DOUBLES

National League –  Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks (10): Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (10); Nick Castellanos, Res (9); Adam Frazier, Pirates (10)

American League – Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (12); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (11); Randal Grichuk, Blue Jays (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Ozzie Albies, Braves (3); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (3)

American League –Amed Rosario, Indians (3)

The Reds’ Nick Castellanos led players with at least 75 May at bats  in on-base percentage at .476.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (8); Trea Turner, Nationals (7); Jonathan Villar, Mets (6); Story, Rockies (6); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (6)

American League –Niko Goodrum, Tigers (7); Whit Merrifield, Royals (7); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (6); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (6); Randy Arozarena, Rays (6)

Whit Merrifield was seven-for-seven in May steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Tommy Pham, Padres (19); Juan Soto, Nationals (19); several with 16

American League – Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (29); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (24);  Carlos Santana, Royals (22)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (34); Andrew McCutchen, Phillies (33); Austin Riley, Braves (33)

American League –Miguel Sano, Twins (38); Michael Taylor, Royals (38); Brandon Lowe, Rays (37); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (37)

The top seven players in batters’ strikeouts for May were in the American League.

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Kevin Gausman, Giants (5-0); Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (4-1); Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (4-1); Julio Urias, Dodgers (4-2)

American League – Lance Lynn, White Sox (5-0); Hyun Gin Ryu, Blue Jays (4-0); Yusmeiro Petit, A’s (4-0); Josh Fleming, Rays (4-1); Lucas Giolito, White Sox (4-2)

The Redss Luis Castillo had the most May losses (0-6, 8.04).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

National League – Kevin Gausman, Giants (0.73); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.07); Taijuan Walker, Mets (1.52)

American League – Rich Hill, Rays (0.78); Kris Bubic, Royals (1.52); Lance Lynn, White Sox (1.64).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Max Scherzer, Nationals (57 / 39 1/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (57 / 36 1/3 IP); Kevin Gausman, Giants (49 / 37 IP); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (49 / 42 IP).

American League – Lucas Giolito, White Sox (45 / 37 1/3 IP); Carlos Rodon, White Sox (44 / 29 2/3 IP); Shane Bieber, Indians (42 / 29 2/3 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (42  / 32 1/3 IP)

Among pitcher with at least 25 May innings, the White Sox’ Carlos Rodon  led in whiffs per nine innings at 13.35. Also, above 13 were The Padres’ Blake Snell (13.33);  Nat’s Max Scherzer (13.04) and Tigers’ Tarik Skubal (13.00). Thirty-four pitchers with at least 25 May innings average 10 or more whiffs per nine.  

SAVES

National League – Alex Reyes, Cardinals (9); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (8); Mark Melancon, Padres (8)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (8):  Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (7); Matt Barnes, Red Sox (6); Ian Kennedy, Rangers (6)

_____________________________________________

If the season ended at the close of play May 31, your post-season team would be:

AMERICAN LEAGUE – Rays, White Sox, A’s.  Wild Cards: Red Sox.  Indians/Astros (tie).

NATIONAL LEAGUE – Mets, Bubs, Giants.  Wild Cards: Padres, Dodgers.

–——Team  Statistical Leaders through  May———-

RUNS SCORED (average 231)

National League –  Dodgers (282); Padres (264); Giants (261)

American League – Astros (284); Rays (273); Red Sox (269)

AVERAGE (average .236)

National League – Nationals (.249); Reds (.246); Dodgers (.246)

American League – Astros (.267); Red Sox (.259); Blue Jays (.258)

The lowest team average through  belonged to the Mariners at a meager .205. The Brewers were the lowest in the National League at .211.

HOME RUNS (average 60)

National League – Braves (81); Giants (78); Reds (73)

American League –  Blue Jays (77); Twins (72); A’s (70)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs through May at 37. In the AL, the Tigers and Royals were at the bottom with 48.

STOLEN BASES (average 25)

National League – Padres (59);  Phillies (33); Cubs (32); Marlins (32)

American League – Royals (39); Rangers (37); Rays (32)

The Yankees  and Reds  stole the fewest bases in  through May (12). The Yankees attempted the fewest steals through May at 16. By contrast, the Padres attempted 74 steals.

WALKS DRAWN (average 177)

National League – Dodgers (235); Padres (220); Giants (215)

American League – Rays (213); Yankees (213); White Sox (214)

The White Sox led MLB  in on-base percentage through  May at .343. The Dodgers led the NL at .338.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 479)

National League – Phillies (544); Brewers (538); Giants (530)

American League – Rays (584); Tigers (549); Rangers (527)

Hmm. What do strikeouts mean? The Rays have the most wins (through May) in the AL and also the most whiffs.  The Tigers have the third-most losses and the second-most  whiffs. In the NL, the Giants have the most wins through May and the third-most whiffs, while the Phillies with the most strikeouts have the fourth-most losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.02)

National League – Padres (2.77); Mets (3.06); Dodgers (3.19)

American League –Yankees (3.20); White Sox (3.23); Rays (3.38)

The highest  ERA through May belonged to the Angles at 5.06. 

STRIKEOUTS (average 479)

National League – Padres (572); Brewers (555); Dodgers (544)

American League – White Sox (530); Yankees (526); Angels (524)

The Padres, Brewers and White Sox all averaged 10.4 whiffs per nine innings through May. Other teams at 10 or more: Mets (10.2); Dodgers (10.1); Angels (10.0); Indians (10.0). The MLB average was 9.2.

WALKS SURRENDERED (average 177)

National League – Cardinals (240); Reds (222); Rockies (204)

American League – Angels (222); Royals (211); Indians (201)

SAVES (average 13)

National League – Giants (21); Padres (20); Cardinals (19)

American League – Indians (17); Mariners (17); Rays (17)

–——Individual Statistical Leaders through May 31———-

 

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying players – 3.1 plate appearance for each team game played)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.356); Jesse Winker, Reds (.348); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.332)

American League –  J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.323); Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.323); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (.321)

The lowest average through May  (among qualifiers) belonged to the Brewers’ Jackie Bradley at .150 (24-for-160).

HOME RUNS

National League – Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (16); Fernando Tatis, Jr. (16); five with 13.

American League –  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (16): Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (16); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (15)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League –Eduardo Escobar, D-backs (39);  Jesus Aguilar, Marlins (38); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (37)

American League – Jose Abreu, White Sox (46); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (43); Vlad Guerrero, Jr.. Blue Jays (42); Trey Mancini, Orioles (42)

The Braves Nick Castellanos had the highest slugging percentage (among qualifiers) through  May at .638.  The only other player at .600+ were the Reds’ Jesse Winker (.635); Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (.634); Braves’ Ronald Acuna, Jr. (618); and Cubs’ Kris Bryant (.611),

HITS

National League – Adam Frazier, Pirates (69); Nick Castellanos, Reds (67); Jesse Winker, Reds (62)

American League – J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (62); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (62); Isiah Kiner-Falefa,Rangers (611); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (61)

DOUBLES

National League –  Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (17); Adam Frazier, Pirates (17); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (16); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (16)

American League – Rafael Devers, Red Sox (17); Joey Wendle, Rays (16); Yuli Gurriel, Astros (15); Austin Meadows, Rays (15)

TRIPLES

National League – Dave Peralta, D-backs (5); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (4)

American League –Akil Badoo, Tigers (4); Nick Madrigal, White Sox (4)

The most extra-bases hits (among qualified players) through May was 31 for the Red Sox’ Rafael Devers. The Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado led the NL with 29. The fewest extra-base hits among qualifiers was seven (by six players).

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (12); Trea Turner, Nationals (12); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (10); Barrett Hampson, Rockies (10)

American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (15); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (10); Tim Anderson, White Sox (9)

The most stolen bases without being thrown out through May was eight by the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien.  MLB SB leader Whit Merrifield (Royals) was 15-for-16 in steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (43); Freddie Freeman, Braves (35); Andrew McCutchen, Phillies (31)

American League – Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (42); Joey Gallo, Rangers (39); Carlos Santana, Royals (38)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (70); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (70); Willy Adames, Brewers (61); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (61)

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (73); Matt Chapman, A’s (70); Nate Lowe, Rangers (67)

The best walks-to-strikeouts ratio through May (among qualifiers) belonged to the Nationals’ Juan Soto at 1.318 (29 walks and 22 whiffs in 40 games).

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League –Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (8-1); Julio Urias, Dodgers (7-2); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (7-4)

American League – Yusmeiro Petit, A’s (7-0); Aaron Civale, Indians (7-2); five with six

The Reds’ Luis Castillo had the most losses through May (1-8, 7.22 in 11 starts). Coming into this season, the 28-year-old Castillo was 32-33, 3.62, 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying players … at least one inning pitched for each team game played)

National League – Jacob deGrom (0.71); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.27); Kevin Gausman, Giants (1.40)

American League – Gerrit Cole, Yankees (1.78); Carlos Rodon, White Sox (1.98); John Means, Orioles (2.05)

Among qualifying pitchers Jacob deGrom held batters to the lowest average through May at .129.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (96 / 76 1/3 IP); Max Scherzer, Nationals (95 / 69 1/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (92 / 75 IP)

American League – Shane Bieber, Indians (110 / 72 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (98  / 70 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (97 / 70 2/3 IP)

Among qualifying pitchers, the Mets’ Jacob deGrom had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through May at 14.47. Shane Bieber led the AL at 13.75. Two others were at 13+: The Brewers’ Freddy Peralta (13.18) and White Sox’ Carl Rodon (13.17). deGrom also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 11.14. The only other qualifier with a ratio of 10+ through May was the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole (10.78).

Among qualifying pitchers,  the Phillies’ Zack Elfin had the best walks per nine innings ratio at 1.06.

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (17); Alex Reyes, Cardinals (15); Josh Hader, Brewers (12); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (12); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (12); Jake McGee, Giants (12)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (13):  Matt Barnes, Red Sox (12); Ian Kennedy, Rangers (11); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (11)

The Cardinals’ Alex Reyes and Brewers’ Josh Hader  are the only pitchers with ten or more saves and no blown save opportunities. Reyes is 15-for-15, Hader 12-for-12.

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

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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A Walk in the Park … Ranking MLB’s Bases-Loaded Intentional Passes

May 22, 2021 by

On this date (May 22) in 1962, the Yankees’ Roger Maris set an MLB record (since broken) by drawing four intentional walks in a single game. As the Yankees topped  the Angels 2-1 in 12 innings (in New York), Maris drew five walks (four intentional) in six trips to the plate.

A Bit of Irony

in his 12-season MLB career, Roger Maris had only one season in which he did not draw a single intentional walk. That was in 1961, when he won his second consecutive AL MVP Award,  broke Babe Ruth’s  long-standing single-season home run record – bashing 61 long balls – and led  the American League in runs scored (132) and RBI (141 – tied with Jim Gentile). It clearly didn’t hurt to be batting in front of Mickey Mantle.

Now, I’ve written about intentional walks (and specifically about Roger Maris’ 1961 lack thereof) in this blog before, but (as often happens) as I reflected that topic, one thing led to another – and I decided to rate the six bases-loaded intentional walks in MLB history.  The rating is based on factors such the intensity and outcome of each.  For example, a bases-loaded intentional  pass that moves the tying run to third base would be worth more than one that puts the tying run on at first base.  Similarly, a bases-loaded free pass with no outs (so three batters must be retired to escape with no further damage) would be worth more than a bases-loaded walk with two outs already recorded (given a similar situation in relation to the score).  Results also played a role, with extra credit if the strategy worked.

Nothing Like Few Walks in the Park

The Cubs’ Andre Dawson drew an MLB-record five intentional passes in a 16-inning game on May 22, 1990.  (Roger Maris still holds a share of the AL record at four.) The Giants’ Barry Bonds is the only MLB player with four intentional passes in a nine-inning contest – and he did it twice in 2004 (May 1 and September 22). The record for total walks of any kind in a game of any length is six: Cubs’ Walt Wilmot (August 22, 1891 – nine innings); Red Sox’ Jimmie Foxx (June 16, 1938 – nine innings); Nationals’ Bryce Harper (May 8, 2016 – 13 innings); Indians’ Andre Thornton (May 2, 1984 – 16 innings); Astros’ Jeff Bagwell August 20, 1999 – 16 innings).

 

–———–Rating the Bases-Loaded Intentional Walks—————

Note:  In this post, BBRT assumes credit/responsibility for implementing the Intentional Walk rests with the manager(s) – even if the pitcher(s) may (or may not) agree with the move. 

Number one (Tie)  … Del Bissonette, Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers),  May 2, 1928

The Dodgers trailed the Giants 2-0 in the top of the ninth inning, when they loaded the bases with two outs (thanks to a pair of singles and a walk). That brought up 1B and number-six hitter Del Bissonette, who had come into the game hitting .345-4-15 (in 15 games). Manager John McGraw had Giants’ pitcher Larry Benton intentionally walk Bissonette, cutting the margin to one run. Benton then pitched to 2B Henry Riconda, who came into the contest with a .220 average and just one home run. While the IBB cost him a shutout, the strategy worked, as Benton went on to fan Riconda to end the game and get the win. Benton, by  the way, had his best MLB season in 1928 (his sixth MLB campaign), leading the league in wins (25 versus nine losses), winning percentage (.735) and complete games (28) – with a 2.73 ERA.  He pitched 13 MLB seasons, going 128-128, 4.03. The other principal in this mini-drama, Bissonette, played five MLB  seasons, going .305-66-391 in 604 games.

This one is at the top for the willingness to allow a run in a two-run game and move the tying tally to third base (and go-ahead run to second) – and delivering the win.

Load ‘Em Up, I’m Ready

Del Bissonette is credited with (on April 21, 1930) being the first MLB player to hit a bases-loaded home run and a bases-loaded triple in the same game.  

Number One (tied) … Barry Bonds, Giants, May 28, 1998

Photo by kevinrushforth

The Giants trailed the Diamondbacks 8-5  in the bottom of the ninth with Gregg Olson on the mound. Olson fanned CF Darryl Hamilton on three pitches  to open the frame, then walked 3B Bill Mueller on four pitches, before giving up a double to 2B  Jeff Kent (Mueller to third) and walking 1B  Charlie Hayes  to load the bases.  Olson then got RF Stan Javier to ground out (second-to-first) with Mueller scoring and Kent and Hayes each moving up a base.   J.T Snow then came on as a pinch hitter and drew a five-pitch walk again loading the bases.  Now, up by two  runs,  manager Buck Showalter ordered Olson to intentionally walk Barry Bonds  (who had drawn an unintentional  walk as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and stayed in the game in LF) – forcing in a run and putting the tying  tally at third base and the go-ahead run at second. Olson then got C  Brent Mayne on a liner to right-center to end the contest and give the Diamondback an 8-7 win.  Bonds was hitting .305-13-41 at the time, while Mayne was no slouch at  .290-2-12 coming into the game.

Top of the List

Barry Bonds led his league in Intentional Walks a record 12 times – the last time in his final season, at age 42. 

Number Three … Napoleon Lajoie, Philadelphia Athletics, May 23, 1901

Nap Lajoie’s Athletics were down 11-7 to the White Sox in the top of the ninth inning, when they mounted a comeback – loading the bases with none out and bringing cleanup hitter 2B Napoleon Lajoie – who came into the game hitting .525 and was on his way to a  .426-14-125 triple crown  season – to the plate. White Sox player-manager Clark Griffith put himself into the game and intentionally  walked Lajoie, forcing in a run and cutting the lead to three. Griffith then got RF Socks Seybold (who would lead the AL in home runs in 1902) and 1B Harry Davis (who would lead the league in round trippers four times  in his career) on ground outs (one run scoring) to save an 11-9 win.  This intentional  walk got extra points for the courage of manager Griffith to take the responsibility on himself – and for setting up a situation in which the bases were loaded, the tying run was at first and he had to get three outs to save the game.

Clark Griffith … A Role(s) Player

Clark Griffith managed the 1901 White Sox to an 83-53 record and first  place in the National League. As a player-manager, he went 24-7, 2.67 on the mound and .303-2-14 (in 35 games) at the plate. .

Number Four … Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers, August 17, 2008

This  game  saw RF Josh Hamilton and his Rangers trailing  the rays 7-2 in the bottom of the ninth.  With Juan Salas on the mound for Tampa, Rangers’ DH Jarrod Saltalamacchia opened the inning with a single, followed by a Chris Davis (1B)  walk. Salas then fanned 3B Travis Metcalf on three pitches. before giving way to Grant Balfour on the mound. Balfour walked 2B Ramon Vazquez  to load the bases, before getting LF Brandon Boggs to hit into a fielder’s choicer (second-to-shortstop) with one run scoring. A walk to SS Michael Young loaded the bases – and Devil Rays ‘manager Joe Maddon ordered Hamilton intentionally walked,  pushing across another run, putting the tying run at first base and bringing  Dan Wheeler in from the bullpen. Wheeler ended the game by fanning Marlon Byrd on five pitches.  Hamilton has come into the game hitting .302 with 28 homers and 112 RBI, while Byrd came in at .290-8-34.

Going Four-for-Two

Josh Hamilton is one of just eighteen MLB players to hit four home runs in a single game. He did it on May 8, 2012 – hitting four two-run home runs and a double in five at bats as his Rangers topped the Orioles 10-3. 

Number 5 … Bill Nicholson, Cubs, July 23, 1944 (second game)

The Giants led the Cubs 10-7 in the top of the eighth inning, but the Cubs were mounting a comeback. Giants’ righty Ace Adams (on in relief of Bill Voiselle) walked Cubs’ 3B  Stan Hack and SS Bill Schuster to open  the inning – and was replaced on the mound by southpaw Ewald Pyle, who issued an unintentional walk to 1B Phil Cavarretta to load the bases. That brought up RF and cleanup hitter Bill Nicholson – who was having quite a  day. In the first game of the Sunday twin bill (remember those), Nicholson had banged out three home runs (three homers and a walk for the game)  as the Cubs won 7-4.   He had already homered in the second inning the second game (his 21st of the season) and Giants’manager Mel Ott wanted no part of the hot hitter. Ewald issued the free pass, plating one run.  Ewald was then replaced by right-hander Andy Hansen who retired LF  Ival Goodman (holding the runners) and then hit CF Andy Pafko with a pitch, bringing in the second run of the inning and keeping the sacks full. 2B Don Johnson then grounded into a force at second,  plating another run – and tying the contest. Righty Bob Barthelson came in to pitch and got PH Billy Holm on a pop out to at least preserve the tie.  The Giants scored twice in the top of the ninth and won the game 12-10. The bases-loaded free pass, however, did not stop the Cubs from tying the game.

Taking the Lead

Bill Nicholson led the National League in home runs and RBI in both 1943 and 1944 … finishing second and third, respectively, in the NL Most Valuable voting in those years.  

Number Six … Abner Dalrymple, Chicago White Stockings (NL), August 2, 1881

The White Stockings, already up  5-0 over the Buffalo Bisons, opened the eighth inning  by loading the bases on consecutive hits by P Fred Goldsmith, C Silver Flint and 2B Joe Quest. Bisons’ manager Jim O’Rourke (presumably) wanted nothing to do with Dalrymple (on his way to a .323 season and the 1878 NL batting champ) and had Joe Flinch walk him intentionally – forcing in a run.  The White Sox eventually won the contest 11-2. The intentional pass was of little consequence in the outcome, but is generally accepted as the first IBB with the sacks full in MLB history.

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun

On July 3, 1883, Abner Dalrymple hit four doubles in a nine-inning game tying an MLB single-game record that he still shares.

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Barry Bonds – King of the Intentional Walk

Notably, when you talk intentional walks, the conversation pretty much starts and ends Barry Bonds. (We need to keep in mind, however, that IBB’s did not become an official statistic until 1955.)   Bonds holds the records for:

  • IBB in a season – 120 with the Giants in 2004.  That’s an intentional  walk in 19.4 percent – or nearly one in five – of Bonds’ plate appearances that season. His record 232 total walks for the season made up 37.6 percent of his plate appearances that campaign.
  • IBB in a career – 688. Second place goes to the still active Albert Pujols of the Angels with 313 as this is written.
  • Most seasons leading the league in IBB – 12.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Almanac.com; Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com. Note:  The Baseball-Almanac Resource included information from research by Bill Deane, Everett Parker and Trent McCotter.  

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, Trivia

Mike Marshall … Very Good at Retiring Batters Late – Less Proficient (fortunately) at Retiring Early

May 15, 2021 by

On this date (May 15) in 1978, Mike Marshall made his first appearance on the mound for my hometown Minnesota Twins.  He came on in the ninth inning (in relief of Greg Thayer) with a runner on first, one out and the Twins and Orioles  tied at 6-6. Marshall closed out the ninth, tossed a scoreless tenth and got the win on a Willie Norwood walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the tenth inning.

Mike Marshall pitched a record 208 1/3 innings in relief in 1974.

That Marshall would be successful in relief was no surprise, nor was the fact that the “closer” would pitch more than an inning.  However, his appearance on the mound was in itself a bit unexpected. Marshall had endured a disappointing 1977 (which included a mid-season team change) and had also undergone back surgery late in the year (as well as knee surgery before the 1977 season). He let it be known that he was retiring as a player.  Marshall was, however, coaxed out of retirement  (in May of 1978) by Twins’ Manager Gene Much.   Was it a good decision? Well, Marshall saved 21 games (and won ten) for the Twins over the remainder of the season – and the following year (as a Twin) led the American League in saves and set the still-standing AL record for appearances in a season by a reliever (89).

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Before, we get a look at Mike Marshall’s overall career on the bump, let me note that 1978 wasn’t the only time Mike Marshall contemplated “early retirement.” And, if he had followed through on either occasion, the MLB record books would look a bit different,

Mike Marshall – A Career that was “One for the Books.”

Marshall was a multi-sport (baseball, football and basketball) athlete in high school.  He was offered a baseball scholarship by Michigan State University, but signed (in 1960) as a free agent with the Phillies. (Reportedly there was some contention over the size of the scholarship.)

Marshall  started his professional career as a shortstop, where he showed promise at the plate.   Between 1961 (at age 18) and 1964, he was promoted every season, moving form Class D to AA. His best season was 1963, for the Class A Magic Valley Cowboys, where he hit .304, with 14 home runs, 76 RBI and ten stolen bases in 107 games.

The grind of everyday play, however, put significant stress on a childhood back injury and, in 1965, Marshall took his shortstop’s arm to the mound – which proved to be a fortuitous  move.  On May 31, 1967, Marshall made his major-league debut – for the Detroit Tigers. That season, he pitched in 37 games, going 1-3, with 10 saves and a nifty 1.98 earned run average.

Thus began Mike Marshall’s major-league odyssey. One that would last 14 seasons, put him on the mound for nine teams, survive one contemplated retirement and one announced retirement, and etch his name into the record books. Oh, and along the way, he would pursue his education part-time. (He would eventually earn a trio of degrees including a Ph.D. in Kinesiology.  Ironically, from the same university whose scholarship he declined.)

By the end of 1973, Marshall had six MLB seasons on his resume (Tigers, Pilots Astros, Expos) – as well as a reputation for being both opinionated and outspoken. At this point in his MLB career, he had a 40-48 record with 85 saves and a 3.21 earned run average. In the 1973 season (Expos), he had led the NL in games pitched (a then modern-era record 92), games finished (73) and saves (31).    Still, after the season, Marshall indicated he was contemplating retirement in order to work full-time on his doctorate.  That, and perhaps his attitude (more than his aptitude), were among the likely factors that contributed to his trade to the Dodgers.  The rest, as they is history – and historic.

A Diverse Repertoire, Particularly for a Reliever

Mike Marshall had a live fastball, slider, sinker and the pitch that built his career – a killer screwball.

In 1974, as a Dodger, he put up the grand-daddy of all relief seasons – becoming the first reliever to win the Cy Young Award and setting the still-standing record for appearances with 106 and innings pitched in a season in relief at 208 1/3. He finished the season 15-12, with a league-topping 21 saves and a 2.42 ERA.  Marshall was called on to go more than one inning in 74 games (68.5 percent of the time); and toiled three or more innings 22 times. A few other facts about Marshall’s remarkable season:

  • In 1974, Mike Marshall pitched 208 1/3 innings in relief.  In 2019, only six MLB starting pitchers toiled for more innings (led by Justin Verlander with 223).  And, in 2019, no MLB relief pitcher reached 100 innings.
  • Marshall’s longest stint came on August 19, when he came on in the seventh inning of a 7-7 game against the Cubs – and went six innings, earning the win as the Dodgers topped the Cubs 8-7 in twelve innings.
  • From June 18 to July 3, Marshall relieved in 13 consecutive regular-season games –an MLB record later tied (1986) by the Rangers’ Dale M0horcic.

How the Game Has Changed

In 1876 (according the Baseball-Reference.com), Jim Devlin pitched (started) all but the final game of the National League’s Louisville Grays’ season (a record 68 consecutive games pitched in) and finished 66 of them.  One season later, he started and finished all 61 of the Grays’ games – the only pitcher ever to pitch all of a team’s innings in a season.  In those two seasons, Devin logged a total of 1,181 innings. Side Note: Sadly, Devlin’s career was cut short when he was banned after the 1877 season, as the result of a game-fixing scandal.

  • From May 17-24, 1974, Marshall pitched eight straight days (no off days in that period).
  • On July 7, Marshall picked up a pair of saves, as the Dodgers swept a doubleheader from the Expos. Marshall pitched 1 2/3 innings in Game One and came back to go three innings in Game Two.

By the end of the 1977 season, it appeared Marshall’s MLB career was over.  His saves were down (just 28 saves over the 1975-77 seasons); his ERA was up (from 2.42 in 1974 to 3.29 in 1975, 3.99 in 1976 and 4.75 in 1977); he had endured a rib cage injury, as well as knee and back surgery; and there was speculation that his vaunted screwball had taken a n irreversible toll on his arm,   After the 1977 season he decided  to retire as a player.  That is until a call from Gene Mauch – who Marshall respected as a manager (and who had proven, while managing Marshall in Montreal, that  he could deal with Marshall’s at times contentious personality and unorthodox approach to the game). As Marshall said later, Mauch was the one baseball man he couldn’t say no to.

Earlier, I touched on Marshall’s first (1978) season in Minnesota.  In his second Twins’ campaign (1979), Marshall – at age 36 – made the record books again, setting  the AL record for appearances by a reliever (89 -tied by Mark Eichhorn in 1987) and total appearances in a season (90). Yes, he started one game. He led the AL in saves (32) and put up a 2.65 ERA.  He pitched 142 2/3 innings and pitched more than one  inning in 50 of his 89 relief appearances; three or more innings ten times.  After that AL record-setting campaign, Marshall pitched just two more MLB seasons (Twins/Mets) appearing in a total of 38 games (4-5, with one save and a 4.41 ERA).

Thus is the saga of Mike  Mike Marshall,  whose final MLB line as 97-112, 3.14, with 188 saves, 724 appearances (24 starts), 1,386 2/3 innings pitched, 52 walks, 880 strikeouts, two All Star selections and one Cy Young Award.  He led his league in mound appearances four times, games finished five times and saves three times. He finished in the top five for the Cy Young Award four times and  in the top-ten for league MVP three times.  He pitched at a time when relievers arrived early and stayed late – and he set the standard for closers willing to work overtime.

For a past post on other MLB fireman who came to work early and stayed late, as well as some statistics that illustrate the changing role of relievers, click here.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; “Mike Marshall, the Best and the Brightest,” Ron Fimrite, Sports Illustrated, July 2, 1979; “43 Years Ago:  Mike Marshall Wins Cy Young,” David Schoenfield, ESPN, November 6, 2014.

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, Trivia, Uncategorized
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