Yesterday (October 3, 2015), Nationals’ right-hander Max Scherzer (the 2013 Cy Young Award winner – while with the Tigers) threw his second no-hitter of the 2015 season – beating the Mets 2-0 (second game of a double header) in New York. Which game it was doesn’t matter, but I seldom get a chance to use the phrase “double header” these days.  Scherzer is on one of just five pitchers to throw two no-hitters in the same regular season, joining Johnny Vander Meer (Reds-1938), Allie Reynolds (Yankees-1951), Virgil Trucks (Tigers-1952), and Nolan Ryan (Angels-1973), In addition, Roy Halladay threw a regular-season and post-season (NL Division Series) no-hitter for the Phillies in 2010. BBRT Note: Vander Meer’s no-hitters came in consecutive starts, the only consecutive no-hitters by a pitcher in MLB history.

In both of his 2015 no-hitters, Scherzer was just one mistake away from a perfect game. On June 20, Scherzer had a 6-0 lead and a perfect game with two outs in the ninth against the Pirates. He got within one strike of perfection, running up a 2-2 count on pinch hitter Jose Tabata. Tabata then fouled off three pitches before Scherzer hit him on the elbow with a breaking ball. Mad Max retired the next hitter (2B Josh Harrison) to preserve the no-hitter, but that perfect game was oh, so close. There wasn’t as much tension in yesterday’s missed “perfecto.”  The only base runner came on a throwing error by National’s 3B Yunel Escobar in the sixth inning. For more from BBRT on near perfect games, click here. 

Here are a few other stats from Scherzer’s no-hitter against the Mets.

• Scherzer fanned 17 batters in the game, tying Nolan Ryan for the most strikeouts in a no-no. Ryan walked four in his 17-strikeout no-hitter on July 15, 1973; which also happened to be Ryan’s second no-hitter of the season.
• Scherzer’s 17 strikeouts were the most ever in a no-hitter without a walk. The record had been held by the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, who fanned 15 in a June 18, 2014, no-hitter. The only opposition base runner to reach in Kershaw’s game came on an error by Dodgers’ SS Hanley Ramirez.
• Strikeouts were the name of the game in Scherzer’s no-no. In addition to Scherzer’s 17 punch outs, four Mets’ hurlers combined to whiff 18 Nationals’ batters – setting a new combined MLB record of 35 strikeouts in a nine-inning game.
• Scherzer went one-for-three at the plate (just more on why I hate the DH).
• Scherzer struck out every member of the Mets’ starting nine at least once – except for pitcher Matt Harvey (who only batted once).
• Scherzer struck out at least one hitter every inning, and appeared to get stronger as the game went on. He fanned nine over the first six innings – and eight over the final three. (Scherzer threw 109 pitches, 80 for strikes.)

Scherzer’s masterpiece was the seventh no-hitter of 2015, one short of the MLB record of eight, set in in 1884 (four in the American Association, two in the Union Association, two in the National League). This season’s seven no-hitters ties the modern era (post-1900) record – reached in 1990, 1991 and 2012.

No Hitters in Both Leagues

Five pitchers have thrown no-hitters in both the NL and AL – and five catchers have caught no-hitters in both leagues.

The Pitchers:

Nolan Ryan: Seven total no-hitters: AL … California Angels (4) and Texas Rangers (2); NL …  Houston Astros (1)

Cy Young: Three total no-hitters; AL …  Boston Americans/Red Sox (2); NL … Cleveland Spiders (NL).

Jim Bunning: NL … Philadelphia Phillies; AL … Detroit Tigers.

Hideo Nomo: NL … Los Angeles Dodgers; AL … Boston Red Sox.

Randy Johnson:  AL … Seattle Mariners; NL … Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Catchers

Gus Triandos:  AL … Baltimore Orioles (Hoyt Wilhelm, 1958); NL … Philadelphia Phillies (Jim Bunning, 1964).

Jeff Torborg: NL … Los Angeles Dodgers (Sandy Koufax, 1965); AL … California Angels (Nolan Ryan, 1973).

Darrell Porter: AL … Kansas City Royals (Jim Colborn, 1977); NL … St. Louis Cardinals (Bob Forsch, 1983).

Ron Hassey: AL … Cleveland Indians (Len Barker, 1981); NL … Montreal Expos (Dennis Martinez, 1991). BBRT Note: Both of these were perfect games, making Hassey the only player to catch two MLB perfect games.

Drew Butera: AL  …Minnesota Twins (Francisco Liriano, 2011); NL … Los Angeles Dodgers (Josh Beckett 2014).

 

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Rliquary; Baseball Bloggers Allliance.

The September stretch run is complete – but there is still meaningful baseball to be played in the first few days of October – particularly in the AL, where Houston is within striking distance of the Rangers (2 ½ games behind) for the West Division title and the Angels and Twins are hot on the heels of the Astros for the final Wild Card spot.

Baseball’s hottest team in September was the surging Cubs, who went an MLB-best 19-9 (.657). The Cubs did it with pitching – sporting MLB’s lowest ERA (2.73 for the month), led by Jake Arrieta, who went 4-0, with a minuscule 0.45 September ERA.  The Cubs gave up the fewest runs in baseball in September (92), while scoring the fifth-most (141). Other teams with strong Septembers were the Angels and Blue Jays (each at 18-9), and the Rangers (18-10). The worst September won-lost marks went to the Oakland A’s in the AL (8-19) and the San Diego Padres in the NL (9-18). The Padres did, however, record the highest number of in-stadium births (more to come on that).  BBRT will look a bit deeper into September team performance later in this monthly update, but first let’s consider where things stood as of “the end of business” on September 30 – and touch on a few September events that caught BBRT’s eye.

If the Season Ended September 30 …

There are still a few post season spots to be determined, but if the end of September marked the end of the regular season, here’s how the playoffs would look:

• AL … Division Champions: Blue Jays; Royals; Rangers. Wild Cards: Yankees, Astros. Note: The Angels are just ½ game behind the Astros in the race for the final Wild Card spot – with the Twins 1 ½ games back of Houston.
• NL … Division Champions: Mets; Cardinals; Dodgers. Wild Cards: Pirates, Cubs.

You will find full end-of-September standings at the end of this post.

 A Few September “Events” That Caught BBRT’s Attention

 The Three R’s – Reds’ Rookie Rotation

On September 11, when Reds’ rookie pitcher Michel Lorenzen took the mound against the Cardinals in Cincinnati, it marked the 42nd consecutive game in which the Reds started a rookie hurler (an MLB record). The previous high of 41 was set by the 1902 Cardinals.  Lorenzen, by the way, went just five innings, giving up two runs on ten hits – but got the win.

The Reds have boasted (if that’s the right word) an all-rookie rotation since trading veteran starters Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake before the July 31 trading deadline.  The last non-rookie to start for the Reds was Leake on July 28.  At the close of September, the Reds had expanded their record to 60 consecutive rookie starts (19 wins, 41 losses over that time), and should reach 64 by season’s end.

David Ortiz Joins 500 Club

On September 12, as the Red Sox pasted the Tampa Bay Rays 10-4, David Ortiz bashed a pair of round trippers – the 499th and 500th of his career (33rd and 34th of 2015).

Ortiz is 27th player to reach the 500-home run mark and the fourth player to collect number 500 in a multi-homer game – joining Harmon Killebrew, Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols.  For more on Ortiz and the other 500 Club members click here.

 Send the Lefty to Right

We’ve read a lot about position players taking the mound this season. In the September 15th Rockies/Dodgers contest (won by the Rockies 5-4 in 16-innings), we learned that “turnabout is fair play,” as Rockies’ southpaw hurler Jason Gurka was called on to finish the game in right field after a Carlos Gonzalez injury. The real story here, however, is the “everyone gets to play” records that were tied or broken.

• The Rockies’ used 30 players in the game (only in September), tying the MLB single-game record.
• The Rockies’ set an MLB single-game record using 13 pitchers;
• The teams used a combined 58 players and 24 pitchers – both MLB single-game records.

The five-hour and 23-minute game also featured 11 pinch-hitters and three pinch-runners, 24 hits, nine walks and four errors.

I’m just thankful I wasn’t keeping score.

Making an Entrance

Young Levi Stiles knows how to make a grand entrance. Levi was born on Thursday, September 24, during the Padres/Giants game at Petco Park.  Key words here AT PETCO PARK. For those of you who track such things (and we do track everything in baseball), Levi came into the world:

• At 6-pounds-14-ounces, 20.5 inches;
• In the bottom of the third inning, with the Padres leading 3-2;
• On a gurney near the team store in Petco’s Palm Court Plaza.

San Diego eventually won the game 5-4 on a pinch-hit RBI single by Alexi Amarista in the bottom of the ninth (Levi had left early.).  The announced attendance of 31,137 was reported to be off by one – paid attendance could be on the money.  Levi Stiles is now the youngest fan ever to attend a MLB game, a record that could be tied, but will never be broken.

A-Rod Continues His “Comeback” Season

On the same night (September 24) that Levi Stiles was born at Petco Park, Yankee DH Alex Rodriguez walked in the third inning and came around to score on a Carlos Beltran home run. The run – part of a 3-2 Yankee home win over the White Sox – made A-Rod  just the eighth MLB player to reach 2,000 runs, as well as just the second player (Hank Aaron was the first) to reach 3,000 hits, 2,000 RBIs and 2,000 runs scored in their career.

Notably, Rodriguez reached all three landmarks … 2,000-runs, 2,000-RBI and 3,000-hits … this season – his 21st MLB campaign.

KC Grabs First Division Title Since 1985

When the Royals topped the Mariners 10-4 on September 24th, they clinched their first division title since 1985.  Why does BBRT put that here?  So I can add the fact that the Royals were the first expansion team to capture a Division Title (1976); League Pennant (1980); and World Series Championship (1985) – all in different seasons.

The “In’s” and “Out’s” of the Power Game

On September 25, Phillies’ rookie LF Aaron Altherr had quite a game – going 4-for-5, with two runs scored and five driven in. He added to the excitement with a pair of home runs – one of the traditional “it’s outta here” mode and one (a Grand Slam) of the “run-like the wind” inside-the-park variety.  The Phillies rode Altherr’s big game to an 8-2 win over the Nationals in Washington.  Altherr’s 11 total bases in the game, incidentally, matched the Nationals’ team total. 

Home Cookin’

Here’s a couple of examples of sweet home cooking. Astros’ ace southpaw Dallas Keuchel topped the Rangers (in Houston) 4-2 on September 27, going seven innings and giving  up just two hits and one run, while fanning ten Texas hitters. In the process, Keuchel set a record for the most home victories without a loss in an MLB season.  Keuchel, 19-8 on the season, is 15-0 at home this year.  Through September, the Cy Young Award candidate’s home record is 15-0, with a 1.46 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings pitched. Away from Minute Maid Park, Keuchel is 4-8, 3.82, with 74 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings. If Houston makes the post-season, look for Keuchel to start at home.

On September 25, the Marlins topped the Braves (at Marlins Park) by a score of 12-11. Miami starting pitcher Jose Fernandez gave up six runs on nine hits in just five innings – but still made a bit of pitching history. Fernandez got the victory (running his record to 6-0 on the season). On a more historic note, the 22-year-old right-hander earned his 17^th  career home victory – without a home loss – becoming the first MLB pitcher to win his first 17 home decisions.  Fernandez has made 26 career starts at Marlins Park, where he has a 1.40 ERA.  In 21 road starts, Fernandez is 5-9, 3.78.

STATS TIME (or time to stop reading if stats don’t grab you)  

A Few Team Observations

As of the end of play on September 30, the Cardinals (.629) and Pirates (.604) were the only teams playing .600 or better ball – and only the Cardinals had 100 victories (100-59). The best record in the AL belonged to the Blue Jays (92-66, .582). Only two teams played under .400 ball through September: The Phillies (61-97, .386) and the Reds (63-95, .399). The worst winning percentage in the AL belonged to the A’s (66-93, .415).

A sampling of team stats through- and in-September:

• The Blue Jays continued to lead all of MLB in runs scored with 873 – 122 ahead of the closest challenger (the Yankees at 751). The Jays were also September’s top scoring team with 153 runs in the month, two ahead of the Red Sox and Rangers. The top scoring team in the NL through September was the Cubs (713 runs), while the Mets led the NL in September tallies with 148. The Braves were MLB’s lowest-scoring team through September (561 runs), as well as in September (just 85 runs, the only team under 100). In the AL, The White Sox scored the fewest runs through September at 612, while Detroit scored the fewest in September at 112.
• The Cardinals gave up the fewest runs through September (513), and had MLB’s lowest ERA (2.91, the only team under 3.00). In the AL, the Astros had the lowest total runs allowed and best ERA at 606 and 3.57, respectively. The leaders for the month of September were a bit surprising. The Cubs at 2.73 and the Mariners at 3.47 had the NL’s and AL’s lowest September ERAs.
• Through September, only the Rockies carried an ERA above 5.00 (5.05). The Tigers had the AL’s worst ERA at 4.69.
• Toronto led all of MLB in home runs through September at 227.  Notably (thanks DH), all four teams with 200+ homers through September were in the AL (Blue Jays, Astros, Orioles, Yankees). The Dodgers led the NL with 183 round trippers. Least power?  The Braves were the only team with less than 100 long balls, 96. The White Sox trailed in the AL with 136 homers.  The Astros topped all teams in September HRs with 44, while the Mets led the NL with 42. The Braves (13) and the Tigers (18) were the only teams with less than 20 September dingers.

Now, here are your month-of-September and through-September batting and pitching leaders:

Month-of-September Batting Leaders

In September, only the Rangers’ Shin-Soo Choo topped .400 (.404 for the month), and he turned those hits into tallies, tying for the MLB lead in September runs scored.  If I had to pick my hitters of the month. I’d go for a two-way tie in each league.  In the NL, the Nationals’ Bryce Harper (.341-10-19) and Rockies’ Nolan Arenado (.339-11-32). In the AL, the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre (.327-4-29) and the surprising Chris Davis (for his average) of the Orioles (.295-10-20). Harper, Arenado and Davis were the only players with double-digit home runs in September; Arenado and Beltre were 1&2 in RBI for the month; and Harper led the NL in runs scored.

There were some unexpected names on the September leader board: Martin Prado (.395 average); Greg Bird (8 HR); Justin Bour (25 RBI).

Here’s the list of in-September batting leaders.

AVERAGE (minimum 75 plate appearances)

AL                                         

Shin-Soo Choo, RF ,  Rangers – .404

Mookie Betts, CF, Red Sox – .389

Adam Eaton, CF, White Sox – .373

NL

Martin Prado, 3B, Marlins – .395

Yunel Escobar, 3B, Nationals – .365

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – .343

HRs

NL

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 11

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 10

Four with nine

AL

Chris Davis, 1B, Orioles – 10

Joe Bautista, RF, Blue Jays – 9

Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 8

Greg Bird, 1B, Yankees – 8

RBI

AL

Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers – 29

David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox – 25

Jose Bautista, RF, Blue Jays – 25

Prince Fielder, DH, Rangers – 25

NL

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 32

Justin Bour, 1B, Marlins – 25

Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies – 24

RUNS SCORED

AL

Sin-Soo Choo, RF, Rangers – 26

Mookie Betts, CF, Red Sox – 26

Xander Bogaerts,SS, Red Sox – 23

NL

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 25

Matt Carpenter, 3B, Cardinals – 22

Christian Yelich, LF, Marlins – 22

STOLEN BASES

NL

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – 11

Ender Inciarte, RF, D-backs – 8

Angel Pagan, CF, Giants – 6

Charlie Blackmon, CF, Rockies – 6

AL

Kevin Pillar, CF, Blue Jays – 8

Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers – 7

Ben Revere, LF, Blue Jays – 6

Month-of-September Pitching Leaders

We saw three five-game winners in September: David Price (Blue Jays) and Cody Anderson (Indians) in the AL and, of course, Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) in the senior circuit.  Still the mound star of the month had to be the Cubs’ Jake Arrieta, who became the first pitcher to 20 wins this season and went 4-0 for September with a 0.45 ERA, giving up just 2 earned runs in 40 innings and notching 39 strikeouts versus just four walks.  Arrieta is just continuing on from his sterling August, when he went 6-0 with a 0.43 ERA.  He has, in fact, given up just four runs in 82 1/3 innings over his last 11 starts.

WINS

AL

Cody Anderson, Indians – 5-0, 1.38 ERA

David Price, Blue Jays – 5-0, 2.32

Five with four victories

NL

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 5-1, 1.84 ERA

Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 4-0, 0.45

Zack Grienke, Dodgers – 4-0, 2.04

Gerrit Cole, Pirates – 4-1, 3.29

ERA (minimum 20 innings pitched in the month)

AL

Rich Hill, Red Sox – 1.17

Cody Anderson, Indians – 1.38

Jose Quintana, White Sox – 1.50

NL

Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 0.45

Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – 1.48

John Lackey, Cardinals – 1.78

STRIKEOUTS

AL

Rick Porcello, Red Sox – 45 (43 1/3 IP)

Drew Smyly, Rays – 45 (36 IP)

Carlos Carrasco, Indian – 43 (25 2/3)

NL

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 58 (44 IP)

Max Scherzer, Nationals – 50 (41 2/3)

Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – 50 (30 1/3)

SAVES

AL

Houston Street, Angels – 9

Andrew Miller, Yankees – 8

Brad Boxberger, Rays – 7

NL

Mark Melancon, Pirates – 8

Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers – 7

Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 7

John Axford, Rockies – 7

A.J. Ramos, Marlins – 7

___________________________________________________________________

And now the MLB Leaders Through September

BATTING AVERAGE

NL

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – .331

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – .331

Buster Posey, C, Giants – .321

AL

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers – .334

Xander Bogaerts, SS. Red Sox – .323

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – .310

HR

AL

Chris Davis, 1B, Orioles – 45

Nelson Cruz  RF, Mariners – 44

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 41

Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 41

NL

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 41

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 41

Carlos Gonzalez RF, Rockies – 40

RBI

NL

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 127

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – 106

Matt Kemp, RF, Padres – 100

AL

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 123

Jose Bautista, RF. Blue Jays – 113

Chris Davis, 1B. Orioles – 112 

RUNS

AL

Josh Donaldson, 3B. Blue Jays – 122

Jose Bautista, RF, Blue Jays – 107

Brian Dozier, 2B, Twins – 101

Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 101

NL

Bryce Harper, CF, Nationals – 117

A.J. Pollock, CF, D-backs – 107

Matt Carpenter, 3B, Cardinals – 101

STOLEN BASES

NL

Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds  – 57

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – 56

Charlie Blackmon, CF, Rockies – 42

AL

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – 38

Lorenzo Cain, CF, Royals – 28

Billy Burns, CF, A’s – 26

Jarrod Dyson, RF, Royals – 26

Through September Pitching Leaders

WINS

NL

Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 21-6 (1.83 ERA)

Gerrit Cole, Pirates – 19-8 (2.60)

Zack Greinke, Dodgers – 18-3 (1.68)

Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 18-9 (2.93)

AL

Dallas Keuchel, Astros – 19-8 (2.47)

Felix Hernandez, Mariners – 18-9 (3.53)

David Price, Tigers/Blue Jays – 18-5 (2.45)

Collin McHugh, Astros – 18-7 (3.98)

ERA

NL

Zack Greinke, Dodgers – 1.68

Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 1.82

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 2.16

AL

David Price, Tigers/Blue Jays – 2.45

Dallas Keuchel, Astros – 2.47

Sonny Gray, A’s – 2.73

STRIKEOUTS

AL

Chris Sale, White Sox – 267 (201 2/3 IP)

Chris Archer, Rays – 248 (207 IP)

Corey Kluber, Indians – 236 (214 IP)

NL

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 294 (229 IP)

Max Scherzer, Nationals – 259 (219 2/3 IP)

Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 234 (218 1/3 IP)

SAVES

AL

Brad Boxberger, Rays – 40

Huston Street, Angels – 40

Andrew Miller, Yankees – 36

NL

Mark Melancon, Pirates – 51

Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals – 48

Jeurys Familia, Mets – 42

 

______________________________________________

 

To close, here are the MLB standing as of September 30

 

AL EAST

Blue Jays         92-66   .582

Yankees           86-72   .544     6.0

Red Sox           78-80   .494     14.0

Orioles             77-81   .487     15.0

Rays                77-81   .487     15.0

AL CENTRAL

Royals             91-67   .576

Twins              82-76   .519     9.0

Indians            78-79   .497     12.5

White Sox       74-84   .468     17.0

Tigers               73-85   .471     18.0

AL WEST

Rangers           86-72   .544

Astros              84-75   .528     2.5

Angels             83-75   .525     3.0

Mariners          75-84   .472     11.5

A’s                  66-93   .415     20.5

NL EAST

Mets                89-69   .563

Nationals         80-78   .506    9.0

Marlins            69-89   .437    20.0

Braves             64-94   .405     25.0

Phillies            61-97   .386     28.0

NL CENTRAL

Cardinals         100-59 .629

Pirates             93-63   .604     4.0

Cubs                93-65   .589     6.5

Brewers            68-90   .430     31.5

Reds                63-95   .399     36.5

NL WEST

Dodgers            88-70   .557

Giants              83-75   .525     5.0

D-backs           77-81   .487     11.0

Padres             73-85   .462     15.0

Rockies             66-92   .418     22.0

 

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

On September 3, 2015, Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz became just the 27^th MLB player to collect 500 home runs – leading off the fifth inning of a game at Tampa Bay with a 432-foot solo shot to right-center off the Rays’ Matt Moore. It was the 39-year-old Ortiz’ second home run of the game, making him one of just four players to collect number 500 in a multi-homer effort (joining Harmon Killebrew, Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols). Ortiz also had a three-run homer and a single in the game (before being lifted for a pinch runner in the seventh), and is one of just three players to collect three hits in their 500^th home run game (joining Harmon Killebrew and Alex Rodriguez).  Ortiz’ landmark long ball got BBRT thinking about (and researching) the 500-HR Club and its elite membership.  Here’s are the highlights of what I found – followed by a brief look at each of the 500-HR Club’s 27 members – the day they hit number 500, their career stats and a few facts that make each of them unique.

• Among the 500-HR Club’s 27 members, 15 hit right-handed, ten hit left- handed and two were switch-hitters.
• The Club had only one member (Babe Ruth, who hit his 500^th in 1929) until the 1940s. By decade here’s how many players reached the 500 mark: 1940s – 2; 1960s – 5; 1970s – 4; 1980s – 2; 1990s – 2; 2000s – 9; 2010-15 – 2.
• The 500-HR Club members captured a total of 87 league HR titles, with Babe Ruth leading the way with twelve.
• Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Thomas and Gary Sheffield are the only members to never lead their league in homers.
• The 27 Club members were selected as All Stars in a cumulative 292 seasons. (Hank Aaron is at the top with 21 All Star seasons – Babe Ruth had the fewest at two, but the All Star Game wasn’t established until 1933, in the 20^th of Ruth’s 22 MLB seasons).
• Two-thirds (18) of the Club members won at least one league MVP Award, and they won a cumulative 39 MVP recognitions. (Barry Bonds is on top with seven, with three MVPs each for Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols.)
• Ted Williams was the oldest upon reaching 500 HRs, at age 41 years, 291 days. (Remember, Williams lost nearly four full seasons to military service – WW II and Korea).
• The youngest player to reach 500 HRs is Alex Rodriguez (32 years, 8 days).
• Mark McGwire reached 500 home runs in the fewest at bats of any player – 5,487. The only other player to reach that mark in less than 6,000 at bats is Babe Ruth (5,801).
• Eddie Murray took the most at bats to reach 500 dingers – 11,095.
• Eddie Murray is the only member of the 500-HR Club to never hit 40 homers in a season (career-high of 33 in 1983).

LUMBER AND LEATHER

 The 500-HR Club is not only about power hitting. Twenty-four of the 27 members of the 500-HR Club were active after the Rawlings Gold Glove Award was established – and more than half (13) were honored with a Gold Glove for their fielding.  Those 13 players earned a combined 57 Gold Gloves – led by Willie Mays with 12.  Here’s a list of players with 500 or more homers and at least three Gold Gloves.

                        Willie Mays … 12 GG

                        Mike Schmidt … 10

                        Ken Griffey, Jr. … 10

                        Barry Bonds … 8

                        Hank Aaron … 3

                        Eddie Murray … 3

                        Rafael Palmeiro … 3

 

• First base was the most popular position at the time of the 500^th – with nine players starting the landmark game at first. (Some, like Mickey Mantle, Eddie Mathews and Ernie Banks made their reputations at other spots – CF, 3B, SS.)
• While no player has hit number 500 while at the second base or shortstop position, Mike Schmidt did move from 3B to shortstop in his 500^th home run game. He started the game at 3B, hit number 500 in the top of the ninth and moved to shortstop in the bottom of the inning.
• Five players hit their 500^th from the Designated Hitter position.
• Gary Sheffield is the only player to hit number 500 as a pinch-hitter.
• Jim Thome is the only player whose 500th home run was a game-winning, walk-off blast.
• Only four players nailed number 500 in a multi-homer game (Harmon Killebrew, Mark McGwire, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz.)
• No one has ever hit a Grand Slam for HR number 500. Fifteen of the 27 historic dingers were solo shots; five were two-run homers; seven were worth three tallies.
• Fourteen number 500s were hit in home games, 13 on the road.
• The team that boasted the newest 500-HR Club member won the game 18 times (nine losses).
• The season count at the time of the 500^th HR achievement ranges from the 14^th season (four players) to the 22nd (one). The 16^th season seemed to be the charm, with the most players (eight) reaching 500 in their sixteenth campaign.
• Ten of the 27 club members were either 34- or 35-years-old when they hit number 500.
• Barry Bonds hit the most home runs in the season he reached 500 with 73 (.328-73-137). The fewest HRs in the season when a player reached 500 is ten – Gary Sheffield (.276-10-43) and Eddie Murray. (.357-10-34).
• Barry Bonds is the only player to belong to the 500-HR Club and the 500-Stolen Base Club.
• Babe Ruth is the only member of the 500-HR Club who is also a twenty-game winner as a pitcher – 23-12 in 1916, 24-13 in 1917.
• Nine members of the 500-HR Club have career average of .300 or better: Ted Williams (.344); Babe Ruth (.342); Jimmie Foxx (.325); Manny Ramirez (.312); Albert Pujols (.312); Hank Aaron (.305); Mel Ott (.304); Willie Mays (.302); Frank Thomas (.301).

Now, here’s a closer look at the 500-HR Club members, in the order they joined.

1920s

Babe Ruth, New York Yankees – August 11, 1929

Babe Ruth hit his 500^th long ball as his Yankees lost to the Cleveland Indians (in Cleveland). The 34-year-old Ruth started in RF that day, batting fourth.  He went two-for-four scoring twice – hitting a single and a solo home run.  Ruth was in his 16^th MLB season.  He would play six more years in the majors.

Babe Ruth’s  stats in 1929:  .345-46-154 (the 46 HRs led the AL). Career stats: 342-714-2,214.  Ruth was a twelve-time league leader in HRs, who led AL with as few as 11 (1918) and as many as his career-high 60 (1927). He was a two-time All Star (the first AS game was in 1933) and one-time MVP.

Babe Ruth factoid: Babe Ruth is the only member of the 500-HR club who was also a twenty-game winner as a pitcher (23-12 in 1916 and 24-13 in 1917, both for the Red Sox).

1940s  

Jimmie Foxx,  Boston Red Sox – September 24, 1940

Foxx, who spent most of his 20-year major league career with the Athletics and Red Sox, was in his 16^th season when he hit number 500. It came in a 16-8 Boston win at Philadelphia (first game of a doubleheader). The 32-year-old Foxx started at 1B (batting fourth). He went two-for-five in the game, lacing a single and a solo homer.  He ended the contest with two runs scored and one RBI. Foxx was a four-time league HR leader, with a high of 58 in 1932.

Jimmie Foxx’ 1940 stats: .297-36-119.  Career stats: .325-534-1,922. Fox was an All Star in nine seasons and a league MVP three times.

Jimmie Foxx factoid: Foxx won the Triple Crown as a Philadelphia Athletic in 1933 – going .356-48-163.  It was the only year that featured a Triple Crown  winner in both leagues – and both players played in Philadelphia.  The Phillies’ Chuck Klein won the NL Triple Crown at .368-28-120.

Mel Ott, New York Giants – August 1, 1945

Mel Ott, starting in RF and batting third, went two-for-four with a single and his 500^th career home run (two runs scored, two RBI) – a solo shot – as the Giants topped the Braves 9-2 in New York. Ott, 36-years-old at the time, was in the 20^th of 22 MLB seasons.  Ott was a six-time league HR leader, with a high of 42 in 1929.

Mel Ott’s 1945 stats: .308-21-79. Career stats: .304-511-1,860. Ott was an All Star in 11 of 22 seasons.

Mel Ott factoid:  Ott was the first NL player to reach 500 home runs.

1960s

Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox – June 17, 1960

Teddy Ballgame would have gotten to 500 a lot sooner if he hadn’t lost all or part of five seasons to military service (1943, 44, 45, 52, 53). As it was, he popped number 500 in his last (19th) season at age 41.  Williams hit his landmark shot against the Cleveland Indians (in Cleveland). The third-inning, two–run blast gave the Red Sox a 3-1 lead, and was the final scoring of the game.  Williams, who started in LF and batted third, went one-for-three with one run scored and two RBI. Williams was lifted for a pinch runner in the seventh.  Williams was a four-time league leader in HRs, and hit his career-high of 43 in 1949.

Ted Williams’ 1960 stats: .316-29-72.  Career stats: .344-521-1,839.  He was an All Star in 17 of his 19 seasons and a two-time AL MVP.

Ted Williams factoid: Ted Williams is one of only 45 players to homer in their final MLB at bat – and the only member of the 500 club to do so.

Willie Mays, SF Giants – September 13, 1965

The Say Hey Kid rapped home run number 500 against the Houston Astros (in Houston), as the Giants topped the Texas team 5-1. The solo shot was Mays’ 47^th of the season, and he went one-for-four before being lifted in the bottom of the ninth. Mays started the game in CF, batting third.  The 500^th dinger came in the 35-year-old Mays’ 14^th season and he went on to play eight more  years in the majors. Mays was a four-time league leader in HRs, and hit a high of 52 in 1965.

Willie Mays’ 1965 stats: 317-52-112 (the 52 HRs lead the league). Career stats: 302-660-1,903.   Mays was an All Star in 20 seasons, and NL MVP twice.

Willie Mays factoid: Willie Mays flashed leather as well as lumber, winning 12 consecutive Gold Gloves (1957-68).

Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees – May 14. 1967

The 35-year-old Mantle was in his 17^th  (and second to last) MLB season when he cracked his 500^th home run (hitting left-handed) – as his Yankees topped the Orioles 6-5 in New York. Mantle started at 1B and batted third. His home run was a seventh-inning solo shot and he finished the game two-for-four (he also had a single), with two runs scored and one RBI.  Mantle was a four-time league HR leader, with a high of 54 HRs in 1961 (when Roger Maris led the AL with 61 HRs).

Mickey Mantle’s 1967 stats: .245-22-55.  Career stats: .298-536-1,509. Mantle was an All Star in 16 seasons and a three-time AL MVP.

Mickey Mantle factoid: Mantle hit 372 regular season home runs left-handed and 164 right-handed. 

Eddie Mathews, Houston Astros – July 14, 1967

35-year-old Eddie Mathews, who built a reputation as the Braves’ 3B, was starting at 1B for the Houston Astros (batting fifth) when he hit his 500^th career long ball. It was a three-run shot in the Astros’ 8-6 victory over the Giants in San Francisco. Mathews also had a single in the game – going two-for-four with one run scored and three RBI. Number 500 came in Mathews’ 16^th of 17 MLB seasons.  Mathews was a two-time league HR leader, and hit a career-high 47 dingers in 1953.

Eddie Mathews’ 1967 stats: .236-16-57. Career stats: .271-512-1,453. Mathews was an All Star in nine of his 17 seasons.

Eddie Mathews factoid:  Mathews was the only player to play for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta.

Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves – July 14, 1968

“The Hammer” hit his 500^th as the Braves topped the Giants 4-2 in Atlanta.  Aaron started the game in RF, batting third and went two-for-three (three-run home run and single) in four at bats, scoring once and driving in three. Aaron’s was 34-years-old and in his 15^th MLB season when he hit number 500. He played eight more seasons, finishing his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976.  Aaron was a four-time league HR leader, and hit a career high 45 HRs in 1962.

Hank Aaron’s 1968 stats: 287-29-86.  Career stats: 305-755-2,297. Aaron was an All Star in 21 of his 23 seasons and the NL MVP in 1957.

Hank Aaron factoid: Hank Aaron and Braves’ 3B Eddie Mathews (another member of the 500-HR Club) hit more home runs while teammate (863) than any other pair of MLB teammates – edging the Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig combination by four round trippers.

1970s

Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs – May 12, 1970

Ernie Banks rapped his 500^th home run, fittingly, in a Cubs’ victory (4-3 over the Braves) at Wrigley Field. Banks, the prototype power-hitting shortstop for most of his career was 39-years-old and playing 1B (batting sixth). His home run was a two-run shot and his only hit in the game (one-for-three, one run, two RBI). Banks led the NL in home runs twice, and hit a high of 47 in 1958. He was in his 18^th of 19 MLB seasons when he hit number 500.

Ernie Banks’ 1970 stats: .252-12-44.  Career Stats: .275-512-1,636.  Banks was an All Star in 11 of 19 seasons and a two-time NL MVP.

Ernie Banks factoid(s): Banks was the first NL player to win back-to-back MVP Awards (1958-59) – despite playing for a losing Cubs’ team in both seasons. Despite earning his reputation as a shortstop, Banks played more games at 1B (1,259) than shortstop (1,125).

Harmon Killebrew, Twins – August 10, 1971

Harmon Killebrew drove in all the Twins’ runs in a 4-3 loss to the Orioles in Minnesota – banging out his 500^th and 501^st round trippers.  Batting third and playing first base, Killebrew hit number 500 (a solo shot) in the bottom of the first. He added a two-run shot in the sixth and a single in the eighth – finishing the game three-for-four with two runs scored and three RBI. The 35-year-old Killebrew was in his 18^th (of 22) MLB seasons. Killebrew was a six-time league HR leader, and hit a career-high 49 round trippers in 1964.

Harmon Killebrew’s 1971 stats: .254-28-119. Career stats: .256-573-1,584.  Killebrew was an All Star in 11 seasons and the 1969 AL MVP.

Harmon Killebrew factoid: In 1968, Killebrew became the first player to be named an MLB All Star at three different positions in his career – 1B, 3B, LF.  (Pete Rose later surpassed “Killer,” playing 1B, 2B, 3B, LF and RF in All Star competition.)

Frank Robinson, Orioles – September 13, 1971

Frank Robinson started in RF (batting fourth) for the Orioles in the game that saw his 500^th round tripper – a 9-1 win over the Tigers in Baltimore. The 36-year-old Robinson went two-for-four in the game (a three-run homer and a single), scoring twice and collecting three RBI.  Robinson was in his 16^th of 21 MLB seasons.  Robinson won one league HR title, when he hit his career-high 49 HRs in 1966. That same season he won the AL Triple Crown and MVP Award.

Frank Robinson’s 1971 stats: 281-28-99.  Career stats: .294-586-1,812.  Robinson was an All Star in 12 seasons and a two-time MVP (once in each league).

Frank Robinson factoid: Frank Robinson captured just about every MLB award possible: NL Rookie of the Year (1956); NL MVP (1961): AL MVP (1966); World Series MVP (1966); All Star Game MVP (1971); AL Manager of the Year (1989). He was also a Triple Crown (Average-HRs-RBI) winner (1966) and Gold Glover (1958).

 Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants – June 30, 1978

The forty-year-old McCovey hit number 500 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Braves in Atlanta.  McCovey went two-for-two (a double and a solo homer) before being lifted for a pinch runner in the fourth inning.  He started the game at 1B, batting cleanup. The Braves eventually won the game 10-9. McCovey scored once and drove in one.  Big Mac was a three-time league HR leader, and hit a high of 45 in 1969.  McCovey’s 500^th came in his 20^th of 22 MLB seasons.

Willie McCovey’s 1978 stats: .228-12-64.  Career stats: .270-521-1,555. McCovey was an All Star in six seasons and the 1969 NL MVP.

Willie McCovey factoid:  Despite playing only 52 games in his  rookie season (1959), McCovey won the Rookie of the Year Award (hitting .354 with 13 homers and 38 RBI in just 192 at bats).

1980s

Reggie Jackson, California Angels – September 17, 1984

Reggie Jackson hit his 500^th HR in a 10-1 loss to the Royals in Anaheim. Jackson started at DH and batted sixth – going one-for-three with a solo home run, his 22nd round tripper of the season. The 38-year old Jackson was in his 18^th season when he hit number 500. He played three more campaigns. Jackson was a four-time league HR leader, and hit a high of 47 in 1969.

Reggie Jackson’s 1984 stats: .223-25-81. Career stats: .263-563-1,702. Jackson was an All Star in 14 seasons and the 1973 AL MVP

Reggie Jackson factoid. Jackson holds the MLB record for strikeouts, 2,597.

Mike Schmidt, Phillies – April 18, 1987

Mike Schmidt notched his 500^th round tripper in an 8-6 Phillies’ win over the Pirates (in Pittsburgh). The 37-year-old Schmidt started the game at 3B (batting cleanup) and finished at shortstop. His three-run home run in the top of the ninth gave the Phillies (who were trailing 6-5) their eventual two-run victory. Schmidt went one-for-four in the game, scoring twice and driving in three.  2008 was Schmidt’s 16^th MLB season, and he went on to play two more years.  Schmidt was an eight-time league leader in home runs, and hit a high of 48 in 1980.

Mike Schmidt’s 1987 stats: .293-35-113. Career stats: .267-548-1,595. Schmidt was an All Star in 12 seasons and a three-time NL MVP.

Mike Schmidt factoid:  An eight-time NL home run leader, Mike Schmidt also won ten Gold Gloves – and won a Gold Glove in six of his HR-leading campaigns.

1990s

Eddie Murray, Baltimore Orioles – September 6, 1996

Switch-hitting Eddie Murray was DH-ing and batting second for the Orioles when he hit number 500 – a solo shot (in a one-for-four day) against the Tigers in a 5-4 home loss. It was fitting that Murray, who spent the best seasons of his 21-year MLB career with the Orioles hit it as an “O” in Baltimore – but that was not a sure thing.  The forty-year-old Murray has started the season with the Indians, but was traded to Baltimore on July 21 (for pitcher Kent Mercker).  Murray was in his 20^th MLB season when he stroked number 500. Murray led league in home runs once (22 in the strike-shortened 1981 season), and hit career high 33 home runs in 1983.

Eddie Murray’s 1996 stats: .257-10-34.  Career stats: .287-504-1,917.  Murray was an All Star in eight seasons.

Eddie Murray factoid:  Murray is the only member of the 500-HR Club to never reach 40 homers in a season (high of 33).

Mark McGwire, Cardinals – August 5, 1999

On August 5, 1999, the Saint Louis Cardinals lost to Padres 10-3 in Saint Louis, but the home town fans did get to see Mark McGwire’s 500^th (and 501^st) MLB home run(s). Both were solo shots, number 500 in the third inning and 501 in the eighth. The 35-year-old McGwire started at 1B, batting third.  The two homers were his only hits in four at bats.  They were his 43^rd and 44^th of a season in which he would hit 65 round trippers – after pounding 70 in 1998.  HR number 500 came in McGwire’s 14^th (of 16) MLB seasons. McGwire was a four-time league HR leader, with a high of 70 in 1998.

Mark McGwire’s 1999 stats: .278-65-147 (leading the league in home runs and RBI).  Career stats: .263-583-1,414. McGwire was an All Star in 12 seasons.

Mark McGwire factoid; No one reached 500 home runs in fewer at bats than McGwire (5,487).

2000’s

Barry Bonds. SF Giants – April 17, 2001

Bonds hit number 500 (a two-run shot) in a 3-2 win over the Dodgers in San Francisco.  Bonds started in LF, batting third. He went one-for-four that day, with one run and two RBI. It was the 36-year-old Bonds’ 16^th MLB season – and he went on to play six more campaigns. His 500^th was Bonds’ sixth home run in a season when he would hit an MLB-record 73 round trippers. Bonds was a two-time league HR leader, with a high of 73 (MLB single-season record) in 2001.

Barry Bonds’ 2001 stats: .328-73-137. Career stats: .298-762-1,996.  Bonds was an All Star in 13 seasons and the NL MVP a record seven times.

Barry Bonds factoid: Barry Bonds is the only player with 500+ home runs (762) and 500+ steals (514).

Sammy Sosa, Cubs – April 4, 2003

Sammy Sosa hit his 500^th on the road, as his Cubs lost to the Reds 10-9.The solo shot was his only hit in four at bats (one run, one RBI). The 500^th HR came in the 34-year-old Sosa’s 15^th season and he played three more campaigns. Sosa played RF and batted third in the contest. Sosa twice led his league in HRs, and hit a career-high 66 in 1998.

Sammy Sosa’s 2003 stats: .279-40-103. Career stats: .273-609-1,667. Sosa was an All Star in seven seasons and the 1998 NL MVP.

Sammy Sosa factoid: Sosa three times topped 60 home runs in a season – but did not lead his league in any of those seasons.  Sosa hit 66 HR’s in 1998 (Mark McGwire hit 70). 63 in 1999 (McGwire hit 65) and 64 in 2001 (Barry Bonds hit 73.) Sosa did lead the NL in home runs in 2000 (50) and 2002 (49).

Rafael Palmeiro, Texas Rangers, May 11, 2003

The Rangers scored big at home on the day Rafael Palmeiro hit number 500 – topping the Indians 17-10. Palmeiro’s home run was a a three-run shot. Palmeiro, playing first base and hitting fourth, also had a double in his five at bats (two runs scored, three RBI).  Palmeiro was 38-years-old and in his 18^th of 20 MLB seasons when he connected for number 500. He never led his league in HRs, and hit a high of 47 in 1999 and 2001.

Rafael Palmeiro’s 2003 stats: .260-38-112.  Career stats:  .288-569-1,835. Palmeiro was a four-time All Star.

Rafael Palmeiro factoid: Rafeal Palmeiro has the most career home runs of any player without a HR title to his credit.

Ken Griffey, Jr., Seattle Mariners – June 20, 2004

Ken Griffey, Jr. hit his 500^th home run against the Cardinals – as his Reds topped the Redbirds 6-0 in Saint Louis. The 34-year-old Griffey started the game in CF, batting clean-up. He went one-for-three (solo home run), scoring one and driving in two. The 500^th HR came in Griffey’s 16^th MLB season, and he played a total of 22 years in the major leagues. Griffey was a four-time league HR leader, and hit a high of 56 in 1997 and 1998.

Ken Griffey, Jr.’s 2004 stats:.253-20-60. Career stats:  .284-630-1,836.  Griffey was an All Star in 13 seasons and the 1997 AL MVP.

Ken Griffey, Jr. factoid.  On September 14, 1990, the Seattle Mariners faced off against the Angels in Anaheim, with the Mariners’ Ken Griffey, Sr. in LF and Ken Griffey, Jr, in RF.  The father-son combination was batting two and three in the order.  In the first inning, they made history, becoming the only father-son combination to his back-to-back home runs in an MLB game.  A “by the way” piece of trivia.  The Griffey’s shared first name is George – George Kenneth Griffey, Sr. & Jr.

Frank Thomas, Toronto Blue Jays – June 28, 2007

The Big Hurt, who gained fame with the White Sox (winning consecutive AL MVP Awards in 1993-94), hit home run number 500 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.  It came in an 8-5 Toronto loss to the Twins in Minnesota. Thomas was the Jays’ DH in the game (batting fifth). The 39-year-old slugger (in his 18^th of 19 MLB seasons) went two-for-four (double and three-run homer). Thomas never led his league in HRs, and hit a career-high 43 in 2000.

Frank Thomas’ 2007 stats: .277-26-95. Career stats: .301-521-1,704. Frank Thomas was an All Star in five seasons and a two-time AL MVP.

Frank Thomas factoid: Thomas is one of only three players with 500+ homers  to never lead his league in round trippers. Rafeal Palmeiro and Gary Sheffield are the others.

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees – August 4, 2007

Alex Rodriguez hit number 500 as the Yankees topped the Kansas City Royals 16-2 in New York.  The 32-year-old A-Rod started at 3B, hitting fourth.  He was three-for-four (two singles and a three-run homer) when he was replaced in the top of the eighth inning. His scored three and drove in three in the game.  The landmark round tripper came in Rodriguez’ 14^th MLB season. He is still active in 2016. A-Rod has led his league in home runs five times, and hit a career-high 57 in 2002.

Alex Rodriguez’ 2007 stats: .314-54-156. Career stats (through 2015):  .297-687-2,055.  Rodriguez has been an All Star in 14 seasons and is a three-time AL MVP.

Alex Rodriguez factoid:  August 4 is a good day for A-Rod. On August 4, 2007, he became the youngest player to reach 500 home runs (32 years, 8 days). On August 4, 2010, he became the youngest to reach 600 home runs. (35 years 8 days).  

Jim Thome, White Sox – September 16, 2007

Jim Thome, starting at DH for the White Sox (in Chicago), hit number 500 in a 9-7 win over the Angels.  The 37-year-old Thome was in his 17^th  season of a 22-year MLB career. Thome went one-for-five in the game (a two-run homer).  His 500^th long ball may have been the most dramatic on this list – a walk-off two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth that capped a White Sox comeback from a 6-0 deficit. Thome won one league HR crown, and hit a high of 52 HRs in 2002.

Jim Thome’s 2007 stats: 275-35-96.  Career stats:  .276-612-1,699. Thome was an All Star in five seasons.

Jim Thome factoid; Jim Thome is one of only two players with two post-season Grand Slam homers (Shane Victorino is the other).

Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox  – May 31, 2008

The Red Sox were on the road (at Baltimore) when Manny Ramirez hit number 500 (in a 6-3 Red Sox’ victory). The 36-year-old Ramirez (he celebrated his birthday the day before) started in LF and went one for five (solo home run) with one run scored and one RBI. Ramirez was in his 16^th of 19 MLB seasons at the time. Ramirez won one HR title, and had a high of 45 round trippers in 1998.

Manny Ramirez’ 2008 stats: .332-37-121. Career stats: .312-555-1,831. Ramirez was a 12-time All Star.

Manny Ramirez Factoid:  Ramirez is one of only two players to be traded in the same season he joined the 500-HR club  – going to the Dodgers in a three-way deal on July 31, 2008. (The other is Eddie Murray.) 

Gary Sheffield, New York Mets – April 17, 2009

Like Ted Williams, Sheffield launched home run number 500 in his final (22nd) MLB season. Sheffield was 40-years-old at the time and playing for the Mets (his eighth MLB team). Sheffield’s home run came as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning in a Mets’ home game against the Brewers.  His solo shot tied the game (eventually won by the Mets) at four.  It was Sheffield’s first home run for the Mets. Sheffield never led his league in home runs. He hit a career high 43 in 2000.

Gary Sheffield’s 2009 stats: .276-10-43. Career stats: .292-509-1,676. Sheffield was an All Star in nine seasons.

Gary Sheffield factoid:  Sheffield is the only player to hit home run number 500 as a pinch hitter. A “by the way” piece of trivia.  Sheffield was released by the Tigers in March of 2009 – while sitting on 499 career homers – and signed by the Mets.  

2010s

Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels – April 22, 2014

At age 34, Albert Pujols – playing 1B and batting third – hit his 499^th and 500^th home runs as his Angels beat the Nationals 7-2 in Washington. He got started early, with a three-run shot in the first inning for number 499 and added a two-run homer in the fifth for the historic number 500. He ended the day two-for-four with two runs scored and five RBI.  Pujols has twice led his league in HRs, and hit a high of 49 in 2006.

Albert Pujols’ 2014 stats: .272-28-105. Career stats (through 2015): .312-560-1,698. Pujols has been an All Star ten times and is a three-time NL MVP.

Pujols’ factoid:  In his second season with the Cardinals (2002), Pujols played first base, third base, shortstop, left field, right field and DH.

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox – September 12, 2015

Boston’s “Big Papi” David Ortiz hit his 500^th career long ball against the Tampa Bay Rays – as his Red Sox topped the Rays 10-4 in Tampa. The 39-year-old (in his 19^th MLB season) started at DH, batting sixth – and collected two home runs in the game (his 499^th and 500^th). Number 499 was a three-run shot in the first inning, while number 500 was a solo shot in the fifth.  Ortiz is a one-time league HR leader, and hit a career high 54 in 2006. Ortiz is still active in 2016.

David Ortiz’ 2015 stats: .273-37-108. Career stats (through 2015): .284-503-1,641. Ortiz has been an All Star in nine seasons.

David Ortiz’ factoid: David Ortiz has 446 homers as a DH (the most all-time at the position),

 

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Yesterday (September 11, 2015), in the eighth inning of a 14-8 win over Kansas City at Baltimore, the Orioles became the first team in MLB history to hit two grand slams in an inning twice. (Six other teams have accomplished the feat one time.)   The long ball hitters were an unlikely pair – LF Nolan Reimond and C Steve Clevenger.  It was the first-ever Grand Slam for each player.  Reimond has shown some power in the past, with a seven-season stat line of .250-48-152 (.239-4-13 in 44 games in 2015) and a season high of 15 home runs in his 2009 rookie season.  Clevenger is in his fifth MLB season (.227-3-39 in 136 total games.) The Grand Slam was his second home run in 2015 (18 games played).  The Orioles scored ten times in the eighth on six hits, a walk, a hit by pitch and an error.

In this post, BBRT will take a look at some facts from the eight two Grand Slam innings – and provide a few details on the first seven double-GS innings.

• The Orioles are the only team to hit two Grand Slams in an inning twice – yesterday and on August 6, 1986.

 

• The Orioles are the only team to hit two Grand Slams in an inning – and still lose.  (August 6, 1986 … a 13-11 loss to the Rangers.)

 

• The Cardinals’ Fernando Tatis is the only player to hit two Grand Slams in an inning. (August 23, 1999). 

 

• The Mets and Cubs are the only teams to both hit two Grand Slams in an inning and give up two Grand Slams in an inning.

 

• Five of the eight Two-Grand Slam innings were achieved by the home team.

 

• Eleven is the most popular number of runs scored in a two-GS inning – four times (nine runs twice and 13 and ten once each).

 

• There has never been an extra inning with two Grand Slams.

 

• There has been one instance of two Grand Slams in an inning in every inning (one-through-nine) except the seventh.

 

Now some details.

 August 16, 1890

The first team to have a two-Grand Slam inning was the 1890 Chicago Colts (Cubs), who accomplished feat while scoring 13 runs in the fifth inning of an 18-5 win over the Pirates at Chicago.  The home runs were hit by rookie catcher Malachi Kittridge, who ended the season at .201-3-35; had a career stat line of .219-17-391 in 16 seasons; and never topped three home runs in a campaign.  The other Grand Slam was hit by 3B Tom Burns, who had his best season (of 13 MLB campaigns) in 1890, going .277-5-86.  His career line was .266-39-683.

July 18, 1962

It would take 72 seasons before a second team achieved a two-grand-slam inning.  On July 18, 1962, the Minnesota Twins, playing Cleveland in Minnesota, got the game off to a running start with an 11-run first inning – featuring Grand Slams by two prominent sluggers: LF and future Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew and RF Bob Allison.  Killebrew was on his way to an AL-leading 48-home run, 126-RBI season; while Allison would finish the season with 29 long balls and 102 RBI.  Final score: 14-3.

Killebrew’s career stat line (22 seasons) was .256-573-1,584 and he led the AL in home runs six times and RBI three times.  Allison topped 20 home runs six times in 13 MLB seasons, with a high of 35 in 1963.  His career stat line – .255-256-796.

 July 30, 1969

On July 30, 1969, the Astros went into the top of the ninth (of the first game of a double header) leading the home town New York Mets by the narrow margin of 5-3 – three outs, seven hits, four walks, one passed ball, 11 runs and two Grand Slams later it was a rout (final 16-3). Astros’ SS Denis (yes, one “n”) Menke and CF Jimmy Wynn (known as the Toy Cannon) provided the power.  Menke would finish the season .269-10-90 and would hit 101 homers in 13 MLB seasons.  Wynn would go .269-33-87 for the season. Over 15 MLB campaigns, the 5’ 10’, 160-pound outfielder would hit 291 home runs (20 or more eight times) and steal 225 bases.  Overall, it was a bad day for the Mets, who also dropped the second game – by an 11-5 score.

April 12, 1980

The Brewers jumped all over the Red Sox 18-1 in Milwaukee on August 12, 1980 – thanks in good part to a nine-run, two-Grand Slam bottom of the second. The dingers came off the bats of the Brewers’ corner infielders – 1B Cecil Cooper and 3B Don Money.  It was the first homer of the young season for Cooper the second for Money. Cooper would go on to hit .352 in 1980, swatting 25 homers and leading the AL with 122 RBI. His career stat line (17 seasons) would be .298-241-1,125. Money ended 1980 at .256-17-46 in just 86 games – and would hit 176 round trippers in 16 MLB seasons.

 August 6, 1986

In August of 1986, The Baltimore Orioles actually managed to hit two Grand Slams in one inning – in a losing cause.  Trailing the Rangers 6-0 going into the bottom fourth, the Orioles treated their home fans to a nine-run, two-Grand Slam inning.  They had plenty of help from the Rangers.  The inning went like this: walk; walk; walk; Grand Slam; single; walk; fly ball out; fly ball out; walk; error; Grand Slam; ground out. Despite the big inning, the Orioles lost the game 13-11, as the Rangers plated five runs in the second, one in the third, six in the eighth and one in the ninth. Notably, the Orioles got their 11 runs on just seven hits.

The fourth inning Grand Slams were delivered by DH Jim Dwyer and LF Larry Sheets. Dwyer finished the season with a .244 average, eight home runs and 31 RBI in 94 games (and hit 77 home runs in 18 MLB seasons). Sheets wrapped up 1986 with a .272 average, 18 home runs and 60 RBI (112 games) and then hit a career-high 31 long balls the following season.  He had a total of 94 home runs in eight MLB seasons.

April 23, 1999

The Cardinals’ 12-5 victory over the Dodgers (in LA) on April 23, 1999, was truly historic.  In that game’s 11-run top of the third, not only did the Cardinals hit two Grand slams, Cardinals’ 3B Fernando Tatis became the first (still only) player to hit two Grand Slams in one inning – both off  LA starter Chan Ho Park. They were Tatis’ fifth and sixth homers in the Cardinals’ first 15 games of the season – and gave him 19 RBI.  1999 was Tatis’ best MLB season (of 11) ever, He reached ultimate career highs in hits (160), average (.298), doubles (31),  home runs (34), RBI (107), runs scored (104) and SB (21). Tatis’ career line was .265-113-448.

July 16, 2006

The Mets topped the Cubs in Chicago on July 16, 2006, by a 13-7 score. Trailing 5-2 going into the top of the sixth, the Mets rallied to score 11 times – including eight runs on Grand Slams by CF Carlos Beltran and LF Cliff Floyd. The inning featured  eight hits (three HRs), three walks and an error.

The sixth inning Grand slam was Floyd’s ninth home run of the season and second of the game (he hit a solo shot the previous inning), while Beltran’s round tripper was his 26th of the year. Beltran finished 2006 at .275, with career highs in home runs (41) and RBI (116).  Going into the 2015 season (still active), Beltran had topped 20 home runs in 12 seasons and exceeded 100 RBI eight times.  As of this September 12, his 2015 stat line was .278-15-53.  Floyd hit .244, with 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 2006 and .278-233-865 in 17 MLB seasons.

 

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Yesterday (August 24), as the Mets trounced the Phillies 16-7 (in Philadelphia), the two teams tied the NL record for combined home runs in a game at eleven – thanks in most part to the Mets’ franchise-high eight round trippers. In the process, the two teams set a new MLB record for the most players hitting a home run in a game at ten – seven Mets and (with “a little help from my friends”) three Phillies. The eleven home runs were just one short of the MLB record for a game – accomplished twice, both times in a White Sox/Tigers contest – more on that later.

The Mets/Phillies game featured home runs by the hitters in the one-through-seven spots in the Mets line-up – including two home runs by 2B Wilmer Flores and single shots by C Travis d’Arnaud, 1B Daniel Murphy, 3B David Wright, LF Yeonis Cespedes, CF Juan Lagares, and RF Michael Cuddyer. Chipping in one each on the Phillies’ side of the long-ball ledger were C Cameron Rupp, 1B Ryan Howard and RF Dominic Brown.

 

 

Two Twelve Home Run Games

There have been two MLB games featuring a record 12 home runs – May 28, 1995 (White Sox at Tigers) and July 2, 2002 (Tigers at White Sox).

The White Sox won the first of those games by a 14-12 score (after the Tigers had jumped out to an early 7-1 lead), despite being out-homered 7-5. Going yard for Chicago were C Ron Karkovice (two home runs), 1B Frank Thomas, 2B Ray Durham and SS Craig Grebeck. The losing Tigers got two home runs each from CF Chad Curtis, 1B Cecil Fielder and DH Kirk Gibson, as well as one round tripper from 2B Lou Whitaker.  It was quite a show for the fans. The Tigers were up 7-1 after two innings; still led 11-10 after six; saw the game tied 11-11 in the seventh; and fell behind by the final 14-12 score in the eighth.

On July 2, 2002, the two teams put on their own offensive fireworks display again – this time in Chicago. The White Sox again prevailed, topping the Tigers 17-9 – with the home runs even at six apiece. The Sox got two round trippers each from C Sandy Alomar and RF Magglio Ordonez and one each from CF Kenny Lofton and 3B Jose Valentin.  On the Tigers’ side, DH Dmitri Young hit a pair of long balls, while 2B Damion Easely, LF George Lombard, CF Wendell Magee and RF Robert Fick had one each.  For trivia buffs, the White Sox’ Frank Thomas and Ray Durham were the only players to appear in both games.

Home Run Hitters Seeing Red(s)

The fact that both twelve-homer games have featured the White Sox and Tigers is one of those baseball coincidences that appeal to BBRT. Here’s another.  Only five times has an MLB team hit five home runs in an inning.  Once in the American League (the Minnesota Twins on June 9, 1966) and four times in the National League.  If you are looking for a reason NL teams have achieved this power feat so many times, you have to look no further than Cincinnati.  Turns out that the Reds have been the victims of ALL FOUR five-homer NL innings (June 6, 1939 – by the Giants; June 2, 1949 – by the Phillies; August 23, 1961 – the Giants again; April 22, 2006 – by the Brewers).  For more details on these five-homer innings, click here.

Eight Players on One Team Go Deep

The Mets home run barrage fell one short of the record for the most different players on one team hitting a home run in a game.  That goes to the Reds, who had eight players go deep in a 22-3 win at Philadelphia on September 4, 1999. Homering for the Reds were C Ed Taubensee (twice), C Brian Johnson, 2B Pokey Reese, 3B Aaron Boone, 3B Mark Lewis, Greg Vaughn, CF Jeffrey Hammonds, RF Dmitri Young.

Blue Jays Clear the Fences Ten Times in One Game

As far as total home runs by one team in a game – that goes to the Toronto Blue Jays, who had ten players go yard in an 18-3 home win over the Orioles on September 14, 1987.  Catcher Ernie Whitt did the most damage with three home runs, 3B Rance Mulliniks and LF George Bell chipped in two apiece, DH Fred McGriff added one HR the Jays got two homers out of the CF spot (Lloyd Moseby and Rob Ducey).

 

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Today’s post is spurred the recent spate of position players taking the mound – plus today’s 70th anniversary of, perhaps, one of the most surprising pitching appearances ever by a position player (Hall of Fame slugger Jimmie “The Beast” Foxx).

A lot already has been written this year about position players taking the mound.  The appearance that grabbed BBRT’s attention took place on Sunday August 16, when we saw a position player (Oakland 1B Ike Davis) pitching to a pitcher (Baltimore reliever Jason Garcia) – and walking him. What made this especially unique is that it took place in the DH-embracing American League, in which pitchers seldom bat. It was, by the way, Davis’ second pitching appearance of the season (totaling two scoreless innings). Davis, of course, may come by his penchant for taking the mound naturally.  He is the son of former MLB reliever Ron Davis – who notched 130 saves in 11 big league seasons.  Still, this has been a big year for position players on the mound.

On June 16^th and 17^th alone , six position players took the mound – and two teams brought multiple position players on in relief.  The players: June 16 – Rays’ 2B Jake Elmore, Rays’ utility infielder Nick Franklin and Phillies’ 1B Jeff Francoeur; June 17 – Indians’ utility player Ryan Raburn, Indians’ OF David Murphy and Padres’ SS Alexi Amarista.

Still, position players taking a turn on the hill is nothing new (except maybe in this year’s numbers). Such renowned hitters as Ty Cobb, Ted Williams and Stan Musial all recorded brief stints on the mound (1, 1, and 2 career pitching appearances, respectively).  This brings me, finally, to today’s topic – a more unusual position player pitching appearance – by one of MLB’s most prolific sluggers.

JIMMIE FOXX STARTS ON THE HILL – AUGUST 19, 1945

On August 16, 1945, Philadelphia Phillies’ 37-year-old first baseman Jimmie Foxx – who had led his league in HRs four times, RBI three times, batting average twice and won a Triple Crown (1933) –  not only took the mound for the Phillies, he started the game.   It was the second game of a double header against the Reds) and Foxx went 6 2/3 innings for the win, giving up just four hits and two earned runs, while walking four and striking out five. Foxx, in his final MLB season, took the mound nine times (starting twice) that year – going 1-0, with a 1.59 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.  Add in a previous (1939) one-inning pitching appearance for the Red Sox and the Hall of Fame slugger retired with a 1.52 ERA.  Foxx, known as “Double X” or “The Beast,” for his hitting prowess, apparently could be a bit of a beast on the mound as well. Foxx earned his weay into the BB HOF with a career .325 average (20 seasons), 534 home runs, 1,922 RBI and, of course, that flashy 1.52 ERA.

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