There are plenty of reasons to watch baseball.  You know what I’m talking about: The powerful bats of Bryce Harper and Josh Donaldson; the glove work of Andrelton  Simmons and Kevin Kiermaier;  the speed of Jose Altuve and Dee Gordon; the mound work of Clayton Kershaw and Jake Arietta.  There are also the unfolding “stories” of rookies like Kevin Story and Jeremy Hazelbaker or veterans like Bartolo Colon and David Ortiz.

Yesterday, April 22, we saw examples of another group of reason we watch baseball –and should never leave early. I’m talking about those unique events and plays that make so many games memorable.

• Fans in Chicago saw their White Sox complete a unique 9-3-2-6-2-5 triple play. For those of you who don’t keep score, that means the ball went from the right fielder to the first baseman to the catcher to the shortstop back to the catcher and, finally, to the third baseman. It all started with the Texas Rangers having the bases loaded with no outs. The hitter (Mitch Moreland) lashed what looked to be base hit to right, only White Sox’ right fielder Adam Eaton ran it down. The runners were moving (assuming the safety), so Eaton fired to first baseman Jose Abreu, who put the tag on Texas’ returning base runner Ian Desmond (who overran the bag and was tagged out in foul territory). Abreu then threw to White Sox catcher Dioner Navarro (to prevent the runner on third from scoring). Navarro saw a Rangers’ base runner Adrian Beltre (who started the play on second base) stranded between second and third and fired to White Sox shortstop Tyler Saladino. At that point, Prince Fielder, the Texas runner at third, broke for home. So, Saladino threw back to Navarro, who threw to third baseman Todd Frazier to get the retreating Fielder for the final out of the triple play.  Great play, cast of thousands. THAT was worth the price of admission. (The White Sox, by the way, won the game 5-0.)

Any triple play news reminds BBRT of the time (July 17, 1990) that the Twins completed two traditional 5-4-3 triple plays in a game (the only time a team has achieved two triple play in  a single game) – and still lost 1-0. For the price of one admission, Boston fans got to enjoy the Fenway atmosphere, witness a home team victory and see history made.

• Yesterday, fans in New York saw a little better base running than those in Chicago, as Yankees’ CF Jacob Ellsbury completed a clean steal of home in New York’s 6-3 win over the Rays. The steal came in the fifth inning off Rays’ starter Matt Moore.  With two out, Ellsbury and NY SS Didi Gregorius singled – and then were moved up to second and third on a balk. With LF Brett Gardner at the plate, the infield playing back and Moore pitching out of a full windup, Ellsbury saw an opportunity.  On a 3-1 count,  he broke for the plate as Moore went into his lineup.  Ellsbury was safe on a diving slide, and the pitch was ball four.  Again, that one play well worth the cost of a ticket.

Straight steals of home take BBRT back to 1969 when I was privileged to see Rod Carew steal home at old Met Stadium. (He swiped home seven times that season – one short of Ty Cobb’s AL and MLB record.) It also reminds me of the ironic (or iconic) fact that Babe Ruth stole home more times than Willie Mays or Maury Wills.

• While fans in New York were treated to Ellsbury’s speed, Pittsburgh put on a power display last night. The Pirates 8-7 win over the Diamondback in Arizona featured home runs by SS Jordy Mercer, RF Gregory Polanco and 3B Sean Rodriguez. The special treat? They were three of the six longest home runs hit so far this season (as measured by Statcast). Mercer’s was the year’s longest at 466.1 feet; Polanco took over the number-five spot at 460.7 feet; and Rodriguez  powered in at number six at 458.5 feet. How likely was this? It was the first homer of the year for Mercer and Polanco and just the second for Rodriguez. Worth the price of admission? Maybe not in Arizona, but still a sight to see.

Back on September 14, 1987 – in an 18-3 win over the Orioles (in Toronto) – the Blue Jays hit a single-game record 10 home runs. The hitters:   C Ernie Whitt – 3 HR’s; 3B Rance Mulliniks – 2 HR’s; LF George Bell – 2 HRs; CF Lloyd Moseby; CF (replacement) Rob Ducey; DH Fred McGriff.  Love to have had that ticket.

Even as I write this post – while watching the Twins on TV – a unique point of interest is emerging. National’s starter Tanner Roark is pitching a two-hit shutout.  No so unusual, but he’s also fanned a dozen in just five innings.  And, he has already fanned every Twin in the starting lineup at least once.  History being made? Who knows.  Clearly a performance worth watching.

Interested is some baseball trivia and haven’t taken the BBRT quizzes yet?  Click here for Quiz One and here for Quiz Two.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Updated:  June 5, 2018

Photo by Keith Allison

They’re called immaculate innings – striking out the side on nine consecutive pitches. Not that rare a feat – it’s been accomplished 84 times (by 78 different pitchers).  Most recently yesterday (June 5, 2018), when the Nationals’ Max Scherzer did it in the sixth inning of hs 4-2 win over the Rays in Washington. Scherzer went into the sixth with a 4-0 lead and used just nine pitches to fan Johnny Field, Christian Arroyo and Daniel Robertson (all swinging at strike three). Scherzer, who picked up his tenth win of the season – against just one loss – went eight innings, giving up two runs on five hits, while walking none and fanning 13.  It was a remarkable performance, even for the often remarkable Scherzer.  He threw 99 pitches – and 88 were strikes; he started all but three of the 28 batters he faced with “strike one;” it made Scherzer the first pitcher to reach ten wins this season; and the performance kept him atop the MLB leader board in strikeouts (133 in 87 2/3 innings).

Sandy Koufax logged a record three immaculate innings.

While “Immaculate Innings” aren’t exceedingly rare, multiple Immaculate Innings are pretty unique. Scherzer, in fact, became just the fifth MLB pitcher to record two (or more) immaculate innings in a career – and he joined some pretty good company.  Note: Scherzer’s first immaculate inning came on May 14 of last season (versus the Phillies.)   On April 18, 1964, Sandy Koufax became the first (and still only) MLB pitcher to throw three immaculate innings in his career.  Three other pitchers have tossed multiple (two each) immaculate innings and, like Koufax, they are all in the Hall of Fame: Lefty Grove – who did it for the Athletics; Nolan Ryan – Mets & Angels; and Randy Johnson – Astros & Diamondbacks. BBRT note:  Nolan Ryan is the only pitcher to throw an immaculate inning in both the AL and NL.  The Astros were in the NL when Johnson threw his for them.

 SANDY KOUFAX TOSSED A RECORD THREE IMMACULATE INNINGS

Sandy Koufax’ third  nine-strike, three-strikeout inning came in the third inning of a 3-0 loss to the Reds (April 18, 1964) in LA and his victims were the 7-8-9 hitters: SS Leo Cardenas, C Johnny Edwards and P Jim Maloney.  Koufax gave up three runs on three hits and three walks (and six strikeouts) in that game.

Koufax’  third immaculate inning came almost a year-to-date  after his second such inning. It happend on  April 19, 1963 – when he fanned Houston Colt .45’s 3B Bob Aspromonte, C Jim Campbell and P Turk Farrell (yes, the 7-8-9 hitters again) in the fifth inning  of a 2-0 home win over Houston.  In that contest, Koufax went the distance in a two-hit, two-walk, 14-strikeout victory. The southpaw’s first immaculate inning came on June 30, 1962. That time, he worked the top, rather than the bottom, of the order.  It came in the first inning of a 5-0 no-hit victory over the Mets (in LA) and the victims were LF Richie Ashburn, 3B Rod Kanehl and 2B Felix Mantilla.  Koufax walked five and struck out 13 in what was the first of four career no-hitters.

Immaculate on the Big Stage

The only pitcher to throw a nine-pitch, three-strikeout inning in the World Series is the Royals’ Danny Jackson. On October 24, 1985, Jackson started Game Five of the Series against the Cardinals. He threw a complete-game, five-hitter in beating the Redbirds 6-1.  He walked three and struck out five, including 3B Terry Pendelton, C Tom Nieto and PH Brian Harper on nine pitches in the seventh inning. Jackson had gone 14-12, 3.42 in the regular season He had taken the loss in Game One of the Series, despite giving up only two runs (four hits, two walks, seven strikeouts) in seven innings. His Game-Five win pulled the Royals to 3-2. They eventually won the series four games to three.

Pounding the Strike Zone

Photo by Keith Allison

On April 18, 2012, the Oakland Athletics’ Bartolo Colon had a stretch of 38 straight strikes (from the second pitch of the fifth inning to seventh pitch of the eighth).  The stretch included 17 called strikes, 10 foul balls, 10 balls put into play – and, notably, only one swinging strike. Over the stretch, Colon recorded four ground outs, two strikeouts (one swinging), three fly outs, one pop out and two hits (a single and a double). For the game (he got the win), Colon went eight innings, giving up four hits and no runs, with no walks and five strikeouts.  The A’s topped the Angels 6-0.

IMMACULATE EXTRA INNINGS

Only two  immaculate innings have been thrown after the ninth inning:

• Sloppy Thurston, White Sox, August 22, 1923 … Thurston, who came on in the 11^th inning, threw and immaculate 12^th before giving up a run in the 13^th and taking the loss in a 3-2 Athletics victory.
• Juan Perez, Phillies, July 8, 2011 … Perez came on (against the Braves) in the top of the tenth of a 2-2 game and fanned the side. The Phillies scored on a Raul Ibanez’ HR in the bottom of the inning to give Perez the win.

BBRT side note for Twins fans: While no Twin has ever thrown an immaculate inning, former-Twin LaTroy Hawkins tossed one for the Cubs (against the Marlins) on September 11, 2004. Hawkins came on in the ninth inning to save a 5-2 Cubs win and used just nine pitches to fan three tough hitters: 1B  Jeff Conine, RF Juan Encarnacion and SS Alex Gonzalez.  Here’s a list of pitchers who have thrown an immaculate inning while  facing only three batters in a game – in the ninth inning unless otherwise noted:

• Jim Bunning, Tigers … August 2, 1959
• Doug Jones, Brewers … September 23, 1977
• Pedro Borbon, Reds … June 23, 1979
• Jeff Montgomery, Royals … April 29, 1990
• Stan Belinda, Royals … August 6, 1994
• Todd Worrell, Dodgers … August 13, 1995
• Ugueth Urbina, Expos … April 4, 2000
• Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals …. April 13, 2002
• Rafael Soriano, Rays … August 23, 2010
• Juan Perez, Phillies, 10^th inning … July 8, 2011
• Steve Delabar, Blue Jays, 8^th inning … July 30, 2013
• Rex Brothers, Rockies, 8^th inning… June 14, 2014
• Sergio Casilla, Giants … May 7, 2015
• Drew Storen, Reds … April 18, 2017

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

A look at the Minnesota Twins Home Opener – And, at the end of the post, some unique events from the first week of the MLB season.

 

“There is NOTHING like baseball’s Opening Day. The day drips with symbolism and elicits emotions across our community, our region, and our nation. Every opener should  be a day game. Every kid should have the opportunity to attend. In my view this, is a national holiday.”

                                                                   Dave St. Peter, Minnesota Twins President

The first game of a new season (whether it’s part of MLB’s Opening Day or your team’s Home Opener) does indeed elicit strong emotions.  That may be especially true here in Minnesota, where the return of baseball is one of the most valued rewards for surviving the frigid winter.  Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby once said, “People ask me what I do in winter when there is no baseball.  I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

Here in Minnesota we take a more active approach to winter, but from what I saw on the faces of fans heading for Target Field yesterday, Minnesotans have been eagerly anticipating the return of baseball, their Twins and spring.

Now, BBRT will not ignore the elephant in the room – the Twins’ seventh straight loss to open the season, a not very well-played game and a disappointing outcome for players and fans. This post, however, is more about the opening of a new season and the joy (and optimism) that surrounds the return of baseball each spring.

I’ll also take a look at a few events of Week One (and a day) of the 2016 MLB season that caught my attention.  Here’s a teaser of the kinds of observations you can expect.

The San Diego Padres started out the season by being shutout in their first three games (MLB record), including the most lopsided Opening Day shutout ever – a 15-0 loss to the Dodgers.  Conversely, the Dodgers tied a record, throwing three consecutive shutouts to open the season (full story, click here.)  That caught BBRT’s attention, and I was further intrigued by the fact that after scoring zero runs in their first three games, the Padres turned around and scored 29 in their next two (16-6 and 16-3 wins over the Rockies).

Now to the Twins’ home opener.

PRE-GAME

Home Opener festivities started at 6:00 a.m.  Yes, for those of you from other MLB cities, we “open” pretty much everything we do early here in the Minnesota.  Yesterday, between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m., approximately 1,200 fans made their way to the Target Field (by car, light rail, bus, bicycle and even on foot) to enjoy a complimentary baseball breakfast of brats, hot dogs and coffee – and perhaps share a high-five Twins’ mascot TC Bear.

Twins Fans Elizabeth Wallace and Paul Christensen from Edina showed true Minnesota spirit – enjoying cold pre-game beverages “al fresco,” despite chilly temps and a brisk breeze.

As game time grew closer, downtown Minneapolis parking lots, local eating and drinking establishments and the Target Field Plaza began to fill – despite a crisp 40-degree day (29-degree wind chill) – with fans wearing a variety of Twins’ gear, as well as an eclectic array of gloves, mittens, bomber hats, ear muffs and hoodies.

By noon the heart of Twins Territory was once again beating in downtown Minneapolis – as was the booming base of DJ Mad Mardigan, who was spinning lots of upbeat tunes for the large, festive crowd that had already gathered in the Target Field Plaza –  in anticipation of the 1:00 p.m. gate opening (3:10 game time). Plaza concession stands were open and doing an ironically (given the weather) “brisk” business and, as is always the case, there were plenty of fans taking photos with the statues outside the ballpark (Harmon Killebrew seemed the most popular), as well as sitting in the giant-sized baseball glove near Gate 34.

At one p.m., another Target Field tradition was honored as the ball park gates were opened to fans (and a new season of baseball) by a host of Twins’ legends, including Bert Blyleven, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Tom Kelly, Jack Morris, Dan Gladden, Rod Carew, and Catherine and Kirby Jr. representing the Puckett family.  Once fan got through the gates and past the bag check and  metal detectors, each was handed a free Twins hooded sweatshirt – a truly Minnesota-focused promotion that many fans immediately put to good use.  For a look at BBRT’s post on 2016 Twins’ promotional items, click here.

“Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary.

Once inside the ball park, early arrivals made their way to locations like Hrbek’s, Barrio, The Town Ball Tavern and Two Gingers Pub. At Hrbek’s (near Gate 14), the Prime Rib Sliders were popular and it seemed everyone with a smart phone wanted to take a selfie with the new Buffalo Chicken Wing or “Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary’s. (Try to imagine a large Bloody Mary topped with a Bacon Cheeseburger on a stick and a chicken wing apparently trying to escape the glass.) One of the more popular early gathering spots was the new Minnie and Paul’s pub in center field – featuring food offerings from Pizza Luce and Red Cow, as well as plenty of beverage options.

The fact is, the Twins have done a great job of making a food and beverage experience part of the fans’ baseball experience.  I highly suggest you go to the game hungry.  Note:  BBRT would recommend the Chicken Tikka from Hot Indian Foods, washed down with a Mango Lassi (non-alcoholic) or Longfellow Lemonade (adult beverage). For a look at some of the new foods and beverages for 2016, click here.

The new Minnie and Paul’s pub and The Catch in center field were popular – and in the sun for the whole game.

After a bit of grazing, I made my way to my seat – Section 123, Row 20 Seat Five. Nice lower deck, not too far beyond third base. Other than the chilly breeze (“icy-cold wind” if you prefer), there was plenty of sun and a bright blue sky with just a few start white clouds.

We enjoyed the usual Opener activities (and a few unusual ones). Just a few highlights:

• An MLB video explaining 2016 rule changes.
• The introduction of staff, coaches and players from both teams (the largest rounds of applause went to Twins’ coaches Eddie Guardado and Tom Brunansky; manager Paul Molitor; and players Brian Dozier, Joe Mauer and Trevor Plo-u-u-u-uffe.
• The National Anthem, performed by local singer Caroline Smith, followed by an impressively low flyover by a pair of F-16’s from the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard.

Then came what would prove to be the emotional highlight of the day – the ceremonial first pitch. Twins’ hero, Hall of Famer and seven-time batting champ Rod Carew – who suffered a near fatal heart attack in September  – received a long and warm standing ovation as he made his way to the infield to do the honors. The ovation continued as another Twins’ legend, three-time batting champion and former Carew roommate Tony Oliva delivered the ball to “Sir Rodney.”  Catching the pitch was another three-time batting title winner, Twins’ 1B Joe Mauer.  It was genuinely a feel-good moment – not indicative of what was to come once the pitching began in earnest.

MISCELLANY

Before we get into the game, a few other observations from 2016’s Game One at Target Field:

• I know why they needed to add the expanded safety netting. Lots of fans were more interested in their cell phones than the action on the field.
• Conversely, for the first time in quite awhile, I found myself surrounded by fellow scorecard keepers. (At least four within five or six seats of me.) That was reassuring.
• Yay, a scorecard is still just a buck – and the Twins Magazine is still free.
• Stadium blankets come in every imaginable color.
• It seems everything is “sponsored” these days. We witnessed the “RentersWarehouse Challenge” in the eighth inning.
• Minnesotans are extremely polite when it comes to standing in line and waiting your turn.
• A fan near me documented the weather by using her phone to take a video of the steam rising from the wild rice soup she purchased mid-game.
• Appropriately, one of the between innings songs was Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town.” Unfortunately, they missed the chance to cue up “Cold As Ice” by Foreigner.

THE GAME

Okay, let’s be honest.  It was not a good game for the home squad – a seventh straight loss (the worst start in the team’s Minnesota history). On the offensive side of the ball, we saw the Twins go zero-for-six hitting with runners in scoring position, botch a bunt (resulting in a double play) and deliver some questionably conservative base running (at least in the fans’ eyes). On the defensive side, a wild pitch, a hit batsman, five walks, an error, and two unearned runs. Then, of course, there was the sunny – but chilly and windy afternoon. The fans’ frustration emerged with a scattering of un-Minnesota-like boos and a considerable number of empty seats by the eighth inning. The end result was a 4-1 loss to the visiting White Sox. (There, I told your I wouldn’t ignore the elephant in the room – but I am personally giving the Twins a mulligan on this one.)

THERE’S A LONG WAY TO GO

Needless to say, I have been reading and hearing a lot of post-game doom and gloom.  Let me just say, it is a long season.

“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.”

                                                               Halll of Fame Pitcher Bob Feller

Stats folks have been quick to point out that of the thirty-eight teams that started an MLB season 0-7, only two were able to regroup and finish above .500; that the Twins have scored only 13 runs in seven games and are hitting an MLB-low  .091  with runner in scoring position; and that Twins’ hitters  and have more strikeouts than hits and walks.  (Then again, the Twins had only one win after seven contests last season and finished in second place at 83-79.)  Yes, it’s a depressing way to start the season – but there are 155 games to go.  Oh, and for those who wonder about such things, the worst start to a season in history belongs to the 1988 Orioles, who lost their first 21 games.

Cold Starts Can Be Overcome

In 1991, The Twins – coming off a last-place finish in a seven-team division – got off to a slow start.  As of April 20, they had a 2-9 record (worst in MLB), were 5 ½ games out of first, were riding a seven-game losing streak and had been outscored by 21 runs on the season. By season’s end the Twins had won 95 games – and had become the first MLB team to go from last place one season to World Series Champions the next.

What of 2016?  Well, it’s time for the Twins to dig deep and put a few wins on the board.

“One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once  in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.”

                                                             Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.

So, it’s time for the Twins to go out and prove something.

With that, let’s look at a few unique happenings  from the 2016 season’s first week.

A FEW OPENING WEEK OBSERVATIONS

• Pinch Hitter(s) indeed – a record falls.

On April 8, the Cardinals used three pinch hitters against the Braves and set an MLB record by launching three pinch-hit home runs in a single game (several teams shared the previous record at two). It started with one out in the top of the seventh and the Redbirds trailing the Braves 4-3. Jeremy Hazelbaker pinch-hit for pitcher Jaime Garcia and tied the game on a home run to right-center off Matt Wisler. In the top of the eighth, Aledmys Diaz pinch hit for 1B Matt Adams to lead off the inning – and gave the Cardinals the lead (5-4) on a home run to left off Eric O’Flaherty. Then, with one out in the top of the ninth, Greg Garcia pinch-hit for pitcher Kevin Siegrist and homered to right off John Gant.  The final?  Cardinals 7 – Braves 4.  How likely was this combination? Garcia had two career MLB home runs coming into the game; Hazelkbaker had one; and Diaz had zero.

• Pinch-hitter, indeed – another record falls.

The Tigers opened the 2016 season on April 5 in Miami. That meant playing by National League rules, putting designated hitter Victor Martinez in an uncomfortable spot – on the bench. That didn’t stop Martinez was putting himself on the AL home run leader board.  According to the Tigers, Martinez became the first player to go deep as pinch-hitter in the first two games of the season (for at least as far back as the research goes – 1914).

Martinez’ Opening Day homer came in the top of the ninth, a solo shot to center (pinch-hitting for pitcher Mark Lowe) that gave Detroit a 7-4 lead.  It turned out to be meaningful blast, as the Marlins tied it at seven in the bottom of the inning. (The Tigers went on to win 8-7 in 11 innings).

The next day, Martinez was called upon to pinch hit for pitcher Justin Wilson with one on and two out in the top of the eighth (Tigers leading 5-2). This time he delivered a two-run shot to left-center.  (Detroit won the contest 7-3).

• A Storybook beginning.

Colorado SS Trevor Story staked his claim as a Rookie of the year candidate right out of the gate. On Opening Day (April 4). The rookie went two -for-six, with two home runs and four RBI – becoming the first rookie to homer twice while making his debt on Opening Day. The very next day, he went one-for-four – with a solo home run. Then on April 6, he added a fourth home run – a two-run shot in the first inning. After an off  day, he continued his power surge on April 8, being two more round trippers.  At week’s end (end of play Sunday), Story had played in six games, held a .357 average, with seven home runs and 12 RBI.  For more on some of the records Story set or tied and a look at four other players who homered in the first four games of a season, click here.

• More Why I Hate the DH.

On April 9, Giants fans settled in for an epic pitching duel – as San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner faced off against the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw.  They got the expected mound battle, as the Giants loss to the Dodgers 3-2 in ten innings; with the two starters going a combined 14 innings, giving up three runs and fanning 13. What caught BBRT’s eye was Bumgarner’s  home run off Kershaw in the second inning.  It was Madbum’s second career homer off the Dodgers’ ace – making him one of only 15 players to take Kershaw deep twice.  It was also Bumgarner’s twelfth career homer – tying him with Yovani Gallardo for the most among active pitchers.

On April 10, last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta, not only earned his second win of the week (Cubs 7 – D-backs 3), but also hit a 440-foot, two-run home run to left center – the culmination of an eight-pitch at bat against Shelby Miller.

• An Unruly situation.

Only a week into the season and the new infield slide rule has already had a significant impact on the outcome of two MLB games – prompting early calls for its adjustment.

• A few team stats over the first week (and a day) – stats through Sunday:
  • The Cardinals led all of MLB in fielding miscues – 10 errors in six games. The Nationals, Tigers and Giants had committed just one error each (Giants in seven games, Tigers and Nats four games).
  • The Cardinals also led MLB in free passes, issuing 31 walks in six games, while the Mets walked just seven in five contests.
  • Toronto pitchers fanned the most hitters (64 in seven games), while Clevelands hard-throwing staff fanned the fewest (28, but in only only four games).When you factor in innings pitched, the Orioles were your K leaders with 10.8 per nine innings, while the Rangers are at the bottom at 5.69.
  • Baltimore had MLB’s lowest team ERA at 1.80; Colorado the highest at 7.98.
  • Colorado led all teams in home runs (17 in six games), while the Angels were on the bottom with just one (six games).
  • Minnesota batters struck out an MLB-leading 72 times (does not include Monday’s Home Opener) – exactly twice as many at San Francisco (36 whiffs in seven games).

A Final Thought on Opening Day

On Opening Day, the sun seems a little brighter, the sky a little bluer, the grass a deeper shade of green. Once the game begins, the ball hops off the bat with an especially sharp crack, the pitches seem to have more zip and whir-r-r than ever and the fielders move with a unique combination of grace and energy.  In the stands, the beer is crisp and cold and the hot dogs steam in the cool of early spring.  The fans cheer on their old and new heroes and follow this opening contest with pennant race intensity – the most intense among them logging each play in the new season’s first scorecard.   Baseball Is Back!

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Member:  Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance. 

The Dodgers opened this season with three straight shutouts – sorry, Padres’ fans – only the second team in history to do so.  Before 2016, the 1963 Cardinals were the only other team  to open with three whitewashes.  In a reflection of how the game has changed, the Dodgers used at least three pitchers in each contest.  The 1963 Cardinals accomplished the feat by opening their season with three complete-game shutouts. Read on for the details.

The Dodgers have a long reputation for being pitching rich – having captured an MLB-leading 12 CYA honors. The Braves and Phillies are next at seven each. As the 2016 season opened, LA hurlers may have outdone themselves – tying an MLB record by opening the season with three straight shutouts.

Clayton Kershaw got the Dodgers going with seven scoreless innings on Opening Day. Photo: Ron Reiring.

On Opening Day (April 4) in San Diego, the Dodgers trounced the Padres 15-0, in the worst opening day shutout loss in MLB history. Clayton Kershaw and two relievers gave up a total of four hits and two walks, while fanning 10.

The April 5 game, started by Dodger Scott Kazmir was more competitive, as LA topped San Diego 3-0. Kazmir and a trio of relievers gave up just two hits, no walks and recorded 11 strikeouts.

Then on April 6, the last game of the three-game series, Kenta Maeda and three relievers topped the Padres 7-0 – giving up five hits, once again no walks and fanning seven. Totals for the three games for Dodgers’ pitchers – 27 IP, 11 hits, two walks, 28 strikeouts. For the series LA outscored SD by a 25-0 margin.

Cardinals Finish What They Start

The only other team to open a season with three shutouts was the 1963 Cardinals (April 9, 10 and 13) – whose three-game opening shutout stretch included two games on the road against the Mets (7-0, 4-0) and the home opener against the Phillies (7-0). Another illustration of “How the Game Has Changed” – The Cardinals string of three shutouts to open the season included three complete games (a two-hitter by Ernie Broglio; a four-hitter by Ray Washburn; and a 5-hitter by Curt Simmons. The Phillies finally put up a run against St. Louis in the sixth inning of the Redbirds’ fourth game (April 14). The tally came off starter Ray Sadeki, who gave up four runs in 7 2/3 innings as the Cardinals won 5-4.

A Record to Shoot For

The Dodgers target in today’s matchup with the Giants (Dodgers’ Alex Wood versus Giants’ Jake Peavy) is to open the game with at least five shutout innings (to tie the record for scoreless innings to open a season) and six to break it.  I’ll be watching this one.

You can find a pair of 99-question trivia quizzes here and here.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance. 

“Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary – star of the 2016 Twins Food and Beverage Preview.

Today (April 5), Baseball Roundtable again took part in a new rite of spring. No, it wasn’t the first robin or even the first Spring Training fastball thrown in earnest.  It was the Twins (Seventh) Annual Media Food and Beverage Preview.  Sponsored by the Twins and Delaware North Sportservice (the team’s exclusive food, beverage and retail partner), the annual event features a look at (and taste of) the upcoming season’s new Target Field food and beverage offerings. This year’s preview once again made it clear that the Twins’ continue to “raise the bar” when it comes for food and beverage at the ball park.  The new offering for 2016 range from the “Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary (complete  with a dry-rubbed Buffalo Chicken Wing and Bacon Cheeseburger Slider) to Nutella and Strawberry Sauce Pretzel Bites to Walleye Tacos. Let’s take a look at just a few of the new items that BBRT found both tasty and interesting. (I, unfortunately, have neither the space, nor the time, to touch on all the food and beverage items that were presented on Tuesday. For more information on Twins’ concessions, visit the team’s website – here. 

Cluck and Moo and Buffalo Chicken Bloody Mary’s – A Meal in a Glass

Regular readers know of BBRT’s passion for Ballpark Bloody Marys. Well, the Twins are launching a couple of new ones designed to take this beverage to a whole new level. New to the menu at Hrbek’s (Section 114/Gate 14) is the Buffalo Chicken Wing Bloody Mary ($19) – which includes a Buffalo chicken wing, celery, pickle, multiple cheeses and olives, a pepperoncini and a pepperoni stick.  (Still on the menu is The Bigger Better Burger Bloody Mary – also $19 – basically, the Buffalo Chicken Wing Bloody Mary with a bacon cheeseburger slider taking the place of the chicken wing.) For the really adventurous, there is the new “Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary. Appropriately, you get the slider and the wing with this one ($23). This is truly a meal in a glass. (I’d ask the bartender to make your spicy.) Sad news for its fans, The College Daze Bloody Mary, which featured a slice of pepperoni pizza, has been released.

Longfellow Lemonade – Refreshment for a Hot Day

The Longfellow Lemondade – as refreshing as it get.

Sticking with liquid refreshment for now, one of BBRT’s favorites for the coming season is the Long Fellow Lemonade – an icy cold combination of Minnesota’s L’etoile Vodka, fresh lemon juice and Strawberry Coulis.  It was a great combination of lemon tart and strawberry sweet.  But, be careful, I have a hunch these tasty treats could sneak up on you.  (Near Section 111/112.) This drink really was a home run.

Mango Lassi

If you’re looking for something tasty, refreshing and non-alcoholic – the Mango Lassi from Hot Indian Foods (Section 120) is for you.  This cool beverage has yogurt, milk, mangos and unique spices. It was delicious and would go great with any spicy foods.  BBRT sees this as an inside-the-park homer.

Walleye Tacos

Hrbek’s has gone local on its fish tacos, moving from Mahi Mahi to Walleye. The soft shell treat includes mango salsa, Napa cabbage and fresh lime.

Primed for Prime Rib

Prime rib sliders – a juicy treat.

BBRT is a fan of prime rib and the Prime Rib Sliders at Hrbek’s were among favorite samplings of the day – juicy thin-sliced prime rib, caramelized onions and horseradish boursin spread on a toasted bun.  Tasty, but be ready to wipe the juice from your chin.

Hot Pretzel Bites and Brews

Sweet Pretzel Bites – a true summer desert. Great way to celebrate a Twins home run,/

Target Field is presenting a whole new take on pretzels and beer at Hot Pretzel Bites and Brews (Section 101). Ice cold beers and a variety of fresh hot pretzel bites: Savory – seasoned and topped with rich beef gravy and Monterey jack cheese; Local – topped with Summit Beer cheese sauce and candied bacon, then dusted with cayenne pepper; Sweet (BBRT’s favorite) – topped with strawberry sauce with macerated berries, a Nutella sauce  and whipped cream.

Among the other new foods tasted and previewed:

• The Loon Café’s (near section 101) Pecos River Red Chili (topped with sour cream, green onions and shredded cheese) and Grape Ape cocktail (a signature drink featuring Pinnacle Citron Vodka, sour mix, and Buddy’s Grape soda).
• The Legend’s Club’s Buffalo Chicken Poutine and Chocolate Mousse Cup.
• Senor Smoke’s (Sections 105/205) new Barbacoa and Vegetarian Burritos.

The Twins also unveiled a new pub – Minnie and Paul’s – located in the center field area.  Bright and open, Minnie and Paul’s should prove a popular gathering place for fans.  Among its features will be food from local favorites Red Cow and Pizza Luce, a full bar and selection of draft beers.  Red Cow will offer the Ultimate Red Cow, the Blues Burger, Turkey Burger and Beer Cheese Poutine, while Pizza Luce’s offering will include its Athena Pizza and a special TC Bear Pizza (sausage, Pepperoni, marinated chicken, ground beef, Canadian bacon.)

Of course, many past favorites will be back including Kramarczuk’s Sausages; Tony O’s Cuban; Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen; Mac’s Walleye and Chips; Butcher and the Boar; Izzy’s Ice Cream (which has added Gelato); Hot Indian Foods; Barrio; Murray’s – and I could go on and on.  (Again,visit the Twins Website for more information on concessions – or just wander a bit at the ballpark and you’re sure to come across something tasty.)  Fact is, it’s always a good day to be at the Target Field – especially if you’re hungry.  And, Tuesday was a pretty good day to be a baseball blogger.

Coming soon –  a look a few new foods from other ballparks.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance. 

Well, MLB Opening Day – or, more accurately, Opening Days – is at least partially behind us. (BBRT is old school.  I miss the times when Opening Day featured games in Cincinnati and Washington D.C. and the rest of MLB opened play the following day.) This year, Opening Day, even without postponements, was slated to stretch from Sunday through Tuesday. (So, it’s not over yet.) My feelings on Opening Day(s) aside, let’s look at a few notable occurences from 2016 openers thus far.

Back-to-Back-to-Back Jacks.

On Monday (April 4), for just the third time in MLB Opening Day history, a team launched three consecutive home runs in their first game of the season. The assault came with two out in the eighth-inning of San Francisco’s 12-3 win over the Brewers (unfortunately, for Brewers’ fans, played in Milwaukee). It included a three-run shot to right by lead-off hitter/CF Denard Span, followed up by solo homers (to right and center, respectively) by 2B Joe Panik and C Buster Posey. It was a somewhat unlikely trio.  Span hit five home runs for Washington last season, has never topped eight in an MLB season and came into 2016 with 37 home runs in eight MLB campaigns. Panik, in just his third MLB season, hit eight round trippers (in 100 games) last season. Posey had shown the most power of the three, with 19 HR’s last season, a high of 24 in 2012 and 102 in his first seven MLB seasons.

The two teams to achieve back-to-back-to back dingers on Opening Day before the Giants were the 1997 Padres (in an April 1 12-5 victory over the Mets) and the 1948 Red Sox (in a 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics on April 19).

The Padres’ trio of consecutive Opening Day homers came at home in the sixth inning. With the Padres trailing 4-0, SS Chris Gomez led off with a HR to left center, Rickey Henderson (pinch hitting for pitcher Joey Hamilton) banged one out to deep left and 2B Quilvio Veras poked one down the right field line.  The outburst apparently got the Padres started, as they scored eight more runs in the inning. Again, there were some unlikely long ball candidates in the mix. It was, for example, one of only five 1997 home runs for Gomez, whose career high was 11 in 1995 and who hit just 60 round trippers in 16 MLB seasons. Veras hit a total of  three HR’s in 1997, never hit more than six in a season and ended a seven-year MLB career with a total of 32 long balls.  Future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson was on his way to an eight-homer 1997 season, but would hit 297 in his 25-year MLB careers.

The Red Sox’ trio of consecutive Opening Day homers involved a more likely combination of hitters than the Giants’ or Padres’ groups. Their outburst, in the second inning, came from the 4-5-6 hitters in the lineup. First baseman and cleanup hitter Sam Spence started it off, followed by SS Vern Stephens and 2B Bobby Doerr.   Spence hit a dozen homers in 1948, and 95 in a nine-year MLB career.   Stephens would go on to hit 29 homers that season, had a career high 39 in 1949 and 247 in a 15-year MLB career. Doerr hit 27 long balls in 1948, was consistently in double figures and ende a 14-year MLB career with 223 HR’s.

Off to a Good Start.

On April 4, Rockies’ rookie SS Trevor Story let his bat tell the story – becoming the first rookie to hit two home runs, while making his MLB debut on Opening Day (we do track everything in baseball) – as the Rockies topped the Diamondbacks 10-5 in Arizona. Story’s homers came in the third and fourth innings, both off Arizona ace Zack Greinke. Story ended his MLB debut two-for-six, with two runs scored and four RBI.

Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper got his 2016 off to an MVP start, homering in his first at bat of the season (with two-out in the first inning.)

Ouch! & Ooops!

Ouch! When the Dodgers torched the Padres 15-0 on Opening Day (in San Diego), it was the worst shutout drubbing in Opening Day history.  The Dodgers collected 15 runs on 17 hits and ten walks (no home runs). Meanwhile, Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw held the Padres to one hit in seven scoreless innings. (The Padres collected four hints in the game.)

Oops! The Rangers managed to win their April 4 opener (in Texas) by a score of 3-2 over Seattle – despite collecting only one hit.  All three Texas tallies came in the fifth inning off Mariners’ starter Felix Hernandez. 2B Rougned Odor started it off with a walk; SS Elvis Andrus reached on an error by Seattle 3B Kyle Seager; C Robinson Chirinos sacrificed the runners to second and third; CF Delino DeShields drew a walk, loading the bases; RF Shin-Soo Choo walked, forcing in a run; DH Prince Fielder blooped a single (the Rangers’ only hit of the day) that fell between the left fielder and shortstop, scoring Andrus; 3B Adrian Beltre was safe on a error by SS Ketel Marte, scoring DeShields; finally, 1B Mitch Moreland and LF Ian Desmond went down swinging to end the brutal half-inning. Seattle outhit the Rangers 4-1 and punched two home runs, but still lost the contest.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Member:  Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.