What do the following have in common – a one-armed major league outfielder, a pitcher who once threw a no-hitter while high on LSD, a team owner who sent a midget to the plate, a man in a chicken suit, a member of Major League Baseball’s 3,000-hit club, an MLB manager who won eight World Championships, a baseball card designer, a surgeon, a labor leader, a statistical wizard and more than one best-selling author?

Stumped?  These diverse individuals are all past electees to The Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals – an honor intended to recognize individuals who have had impact on our national pastime that goes beyond statistics and touches upon the culture and character of the game – with a particular focus on the fans’ point of view.

The Baseball Reliquary this week announced its 2016 Shrine of the Eternals electees:

• a former Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award Winner, MVP and first African American 20-game winner;
• an MLB All Star outfielder, NFL Pro Bowl running back and media/marketing icon;
• a sportswriter who “wrote the book” on first-person accounting of baseball games, penned hundreds of articles and more than two dozen books, and was named Magazine Sportswriter of the Year.

Before we take a detailed look at this year’s electees (and BBRT’s ballot), I’d like to provide readers with a brief overview of both the Baseball Reliquary and its Shrine of the Eternals.

The Baseball Reliquary (BBRT is a proud member) is a free-spirited organization dedicated to celebrating the human side of baseball’s history and heritage.  The Reliquary is truly a fan-focused organization, committed to recognizing baseball’s place in American culture and to honoring the character and characters of the national pastime. The Reliquary pursues that mission through its collection of artifacts, traveling exhibitions, ties to the Whittier College Institute for Baseball Studies and (perhaps, most visibly) through its own version of the Baseball Hall of Fame – the Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals.  For more on the Baseball Reliquary, and why you should become a member, click here.

Now, to the Shrine of the Eternals. Here’s what the Reliquary has to say about this honor.

Similar in concept to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Shrine of the Eternals differs philosophically in that statistical accomplishment is not the principal criterion for election. The Baseball Reliquary believes that the election of individuals on merits other than statistics and playing ability will offer the opportunity for a deeper understanding and appreciation of baseball than has heretofore been provided by “Halls of Fame” in the more traditional and conservative institutions.

Criteria for election shall be: the distinctiveness of play (good or bad); the uniqueness of character and personality; and the imprint that the individual has made on the baseball landscape. Electees, both on and off the diamond, shall have been responsible for developing baseball in one or more of the following ways: through athletic and/or business achievements; in terms of its larger cultural and sociological impact as a mass entertainment; and as an arena for the human imagination.

Each year, the Baseball Reliquary submits a list of candidates to its members and the top three vote-getters are honored.  Note: The induction ceremony for this 18th Shrine “class” will take place Sunday, July 17, 2016 at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium in the Pasadena (California) Central Library.

So, let’s take a look the 2016 electees – Don Newcombe, Bo Jackson and Arnold Hano. Voting percentage for all the candidates can be found at the end of this post.

DON “NEWK”  NEWCOMBE

Photo: Courtesy of Baseball Reliquary.

Elected to the Shrine of the Eternals in his first year on the ballot, Don Newcombe began his baseball career in 1944, as an 18-year-old pitcher with the Negro National League Newark Eagles. By 1946, he was a Brooklyn Dodger farmhand (Thank you, Mr. Rickey) and, by 1949, he was a starting pitcher for the Dodgers – going 17-8, 3.12 and winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award.  Remember, this was 1949 and “Newk” was facing many of the same racial pressures and prejudices as Jackie Robinson. Newcombe answered those considerable challenges with his arm and his competitiveness – becoming one of those most feared and respected pitchers in the game. His success helped pave the way for future Black major leaguers – particularly pitchers. Newcombe won 19 games (11 losses) in 1950 and, in 1951, became MLB’s first African American 20-game winner (20-9, 3.28). Then, after losing two prime years to military service, Newcombe returned for seven more MLB seasons.  Ultimately, he was a 20-game winner three times – including 1956, when he went 27-7, 3.06, won the first-ever Cy Young Award and was selected the NL MVP.  Notably, Newcombe was also no slouch at the plate. He hit .271, with 15 homers in his MLB career, and was, at times, used as a pinch hitter.  (After his MLB career ended, Newcombe played one year in Japan – as an outfielder/first baseman). Note: Newcombe is credited as the first former major leaguer to play in the Japanese League.

Newcombe not only found himself facing off against opponents in the batter’s box, he also faced (an admitted) fight with alcohol.  He eventually won that battle – and is credited with using his success to help others meet the challenge of substance abuse.  Newcombe ended his career a four-time All Star – with a 149-90, 3.56 record. In 1970, Newcombe was picked by the Dodgers to run baseball’s first Community Relations program. Newcombe also has received the “Beacon of Hope” award, presented at the Annual MLB Civil Rights Game. He remains in baseball and with the Dodgers as a Special Advisor to the Chairman. Congrats to this deserving new member of the Shrine of the Eternals.

VINCENT EDWARD “BO” JACKSON

Photo” Courtesy Baseball Reliquary

Vincent Edward “Bo” Jackson remains one of the most recognizable names in American sport – more than 20 years after he left the playing field, or more accurately playing fields.  Jackson was a multi-sport star – an MLB All Star outfielder (1989) and an NFL Pro Bowl Selection (1990) at running back (an injury kept him out of the game). He was also a Heisman Trophy winner (recognizing the year’s most outstanding collegiate football player) for Auburn University in 1985.  At Auburn, Jackson lettered in football, baseball and track.

After college, Jackson would go on to play four seasons at running back with the Los Angeles Raiders (1987-90), averaging 5.6 yards per carry and scoring 16 rushing and two receiving touchdowns.  Jackson’s football and baseball careers overlapped – as Jackson patrolled the outfield (and DH-ed) for the  Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and California Angels from 1986-94 – becoming known for spectacular outfield play, long home runs and speed on the bases. It was Jackson’s versatile athleticism, in fact, that led to his gaining status as a marketing icon.

In 1989, the Nike athletic shoe company began one of the most successful ad campaigns in history with a series of “Bo Knows” television spots. These featured Jackson being lauded for his athletic versatility by stars from other sports – “Bo Knows Baseball,” “Bo Knows Tennis,” “Bo Knows Cycling,” etc.  Jackson was acknowledged as knowing a range of sports including (but not limited to) baseball, football, basketball, tennis, running, cycling, weight lifting. There was even a shot of Jackson playing guitar – and doing it rather badly – with Bo Diddley commenting ”Bo, you don’t know Diddley!”  The spots proved extremely popular – and made Jackson one of the most recognized individuals in all of sports.

It clearly appeared that “Bo Knew” the sky was the limit.   He was a MLB All-Star, NFL All Pro, college football legend, and a media and advertising icon.  In 1991, however, things (including Jackson’s hip) took a turn for the worse. In a 1991 playoff game between the NFL Bengals and the LA Raiders, Jackson sustained a career-threatening (eventually career-ending) hip injury on what appeared to be a routine tackle at the end of a 34-yard run.  After surgery and rehab, Jackson made a baseball comeback with the White Sox.   In his first at bat back in the majors (1993), he belted a home run against the Yankees. He would go on to hit 16 home runs in 85 games and win the 1993 Comeback Player of the Year Award.  However, the hip injury has blunted a couple of key weapon in his arsenal – his electrifying speed and spring. Before his injury, Jackson had stolen 81 bases in 534 games. In 160 games after his return to MLB, he stole just one. Jackson retired as a member of the Angels during the 1994 baseball strike.  Is final season, Jackson his .273, with 13 home runs and 43 RBI in 75 games. In his eight MLB season (694) games, Jackson hit .250 with 141 home runs 416 RBI and 82 steals – and a penchant for the dramatic. Now, Bo Knows The Shrine of the Eternals. And, we still don’t know what might have been.

For more on Bo Jackson, you might try the book “Bo Knows Bo” by Bo Jackson.

ARNOLD HANO

Photo: Courtesy Baseball Reliquary

Perhaps no individual play has been more “immortalized” in baseball history than Willie Mays’ over the shoulder catch of a deep drive off the bat of the Indians’ Vic Wertz in Game One of the 1954 World Series.  And, one of the best – actually the description most often credited as being “the” best – accountings came from the pen of Arnold Hano. It’s included in Hano’s book A Day in the Bleachers – an eyewitness report of that game that is said to have changed the face of first-person sports writing/reporting. Hano’s prose is as classic as the play itself. If you haven’t already read this one, you might want to give it a try.

And, there was no one better to undertake that task than Arnold Hano – a nearly life-long Giants fan (after a brief affection for the Yankees), whose infatuation with writing and editing came almost as early as  his love of the national pastime.  Hano’s literary career began as an eight-year-old, when he and his older brother began a mimeographed neighborhood newspaper. Hano followed that passion for wordsmithing into an early career as an editor in the book publishing world –  a career path that changed after that September 29, 1954 World Series contest. (Much to the benefit of baseball fans.)

In fact, the critical success of Hano’s A Day In the Bleachers – with new editions published in 1982, 2004, 2006 – catapulted Hano to the top echelon of sport writers. Over the years, Hano’s work has appeared in the likes of Sport, Sports Illustrated, True’s Baseball Yearbook, the Saturday Evening Post and major news media like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. He’s written more than 500 articles and more than two dozen books (more than one million copies sold) – including biographies of such stars as Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax and Roberto Clemente. He was also a regular contributor to the annual Baseball Stars series of biographies and, in 1967, published his own volume of baseball bios – The Greatest Giants of Them All. In 1964, Hano was named the Magazine Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Hano’s career is documented in the recently released film – Hano! A Century in the Bleachers.

Notably, Hano was more than a sportswriter. He was instrumental in civil rights and environmental protection efforts and, in 1953, he won the Sidney Hillman prize for a piece on the plight of California’s immigrant population. A writer who changed the face of sports writing – and worked to change our culture as well – Hano got my vote.

INTERESTED IN BASEBALL BOOK REVIEWS?  CLICK HERE.

So there’s the 2015 Shrine of the Eternals inductees.  Now here’s a look in alphabetical order) at those who got BBRT’s vote, but didn’t make the final three. (I did cast a vote for Hano.)

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Reuben Berman (1890-1977)

On May 16, 1921, during a game between the Giants and Reds played at New York City’s Polo Grounds, Reuben Berman captured a foul ball that was hit into the stands. The custom at the time was to return the ball to the playing field. In fact, some teams even employed security guards to retrieve balls if the fans declined to return them. In some extreme cases, arrests were made and charges (larceny) filed.  On that day in May of 1921, Berman, refused to return a foul ball – and, when confronted, tossed the ball deeper into the stands. After what some reported as an exchange of profanities and a minor scuffle, Berman was ejected from the Polo Grounds.  Berman, however, was not done with the Giants.  He filed a lawsuit against the club asserting he was illegally detained and had suffered mental anguish and a loss of reputation because of the incident.  The case went all the way to the New York Supreme Court, which found in Berman’s favor, granting him the sum of $100 (he had asked for $20,000). The $100 victory is not what got Berman my vote for the Shrine of the Eternals, it was the impact on fans of his stubbornness – and what became known as “Reuben’s Rule” or “Berman’s Law.” Berman’s case was the most important step in establishing the fans’ right to that precious souvenir – an official, game-used baseball. Every time we see a scrum (for a baseball) in the stands, or a one-handed (beer or baby in the other hand) catch of a foul ball, or a smiling youngster showing off his white, red-stitched prize, we can than Reuben Berman.

Ted Kluszewski (1924-1988)

I love to recognize players who do something we are not likely to see again (last year, I cast a ballot for Denny McLain, MLB’s last 30-game winner).  This year, I voted for Ted “Big Klu” Kluszewski – perhaps the last of the true power hitters who also practiced exceptional plate discipline.  In 1954, for example, Big Klu hit .326, with 49 home runs and 141 RBI – a season made even more remarkable by the fact the Kluszewski struck out only 35 times (versus 78 walks). I doubt if we’ll ever see another player top 40 home runs, without reaching 40 whiffs.  Kluszewski, in fact, had a streak of four seasons (1953-56) when he hit over .300, drove in 100+ runs, bashed 35+ home runs – and struck out no more than 40 times in any season.  In those four season, Kluszewski hit 171 home runs – and fanned 140 times (average 43 HR’s and 35 whiffs a season). It should also be noted that Kluszewski led NL first baseman in fielding percentage every year from 1951 through 1955. Unfortunately, a back injury in 1956 hampered his performance (he played until 1961).

Kluszewski is also noted for adding a bit of flair to the game, making his own intimidating fashion statement. Klu complained that his uniform jersey was too tight for his large and powerful biceps. He went on to have the sleeves cut from his jersey – exposing his bare arms from the shoulder.  (This was considered a bold move at that very conforming time in the game’s history.)

Kluszewski only appeared in one post-season – hitting  .391, with three homers and ten RBI in the 1958 World Series (for the White Sox).  True to his form – Big Klu did not strike out even once (25 plate appearance) in the Series.  For trivia buffs, left unprotected in the  1960 expansion draft, Kluszewski hit the first-ever home run for the expansion Angels (a two-run shot in the first inning of the Angels’ first game –  April 11 versus the Orioles). He added a punctuation mark, by hitting the Angels second–ever home run (a three-run shot) the very next inning. The Angels won 7-2, and Kluszewski did not strikeout. It was the first game of his last MLB season. Ultimately, however, what we all remember is those sleeveless jerseys and muscular arms.  This four-time All Star – whose last name also ends with “ski” – got my vote for the Shrine.

Mamie “Peanut” Johnson (1935 – *)

Mamie Johnson was one of three females to play for the Indianapolis Clowns during the declining days of the Negro Leagues (and the only woman ever to pitch in the Negro Leagues).  Johnson took the mound to the Clowns for three seasons (1953-55), running up a 33-8 record.  Her exploits are chronicled in the children’s book A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, by Michelle Y. Green.

Effa Manley (1900-81)

The first woman enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, during the 1930s and 1940s, Effa Manley ran the day-to-day operations of the Negro National League Newark Eagles (owned by her husband Abe Manley) – at a time when baseball, on the field and in the executive offices, was considered a “man’s domain.”  Effa, often thought of as a light-skinned black, was actually white.  She, however, grew up with a black stepfather and mixed-race siblings and was active in the New Jersey branch of the NAACP and Citizen’s League for Fair Play.  Effa Manley deserves recognition for overcoming both racial and sexual barriers as she exercised leadership in the national pastime. Multiple books have been written about Manley’s accomplishments. BBRT recommends:” Queen of the Negro Leagues: Effa Manley and the Newark Eagles, by James Overmyer;

David Mullany (1908-90)

David Mullany was the inventor of the Wiffle® Ball (1953), which ultimately changed backyard baseball for millions of young (and old) players and fans. I know I loved my white perforated plastic ball and yellow plastic bat – and played more than one backyard World Series opener with them (without shattering a single window).  Today, there are Wiffle Ball fields, leagues and tournaments.  The company is still operated by the Mullany family and you can learn more by visiting their website (www.wiffle.com)  You might also be interested in Wiffle Ball: The Ultimate Guide by Michael Herman.

Pete Reiser (1919-81)

Combine Willie Mays’ skill set (younger folks, think Mike Trout) with Pete Rose’s hustle and Yasiel Puig’s on-field abandon and you have Pete Reiser. In his first full MLB season (CF, Dodgers), a 22-year-old Reiser dazzled defensively and led the NL in runs scored (117), doubles (39), triples (17), batting average (.343), total bases (299) and hit by pitch (11) – tossing in 14 home runs and 76 RBI for good measure. Unfortunately, unpadded outfield walls, helmet-less at bats (the fiery Reiser was a frequent target) and aggressiveness on the base paths (Reiser twice led the NL in stolen bases) took their toll.

In his ten-season career, Reiser endured five skull fractures, a brain injury, a dislocated shoulder and a damaged knee.  He was carted off the field 11 times during his career (six times unconscious) and once actually given last rites at the stadium – and he played on. The three-time All Star retired as a player with a .295 career average, playing in 861 games over ten seasons. No telling what he might have done with padded outfield walls and batting helmets.  Pete Reiser was a true – and talented – gamer. For more on Reiser, try Pete Reiser: The Rough and Tumble Career of the Perfect Ballplayer, by Sidney Jacobson.

I

Rube Waddell (1876-1914)

Rube Waddell is pretty much granted the title of the zaniest player in MLB history – but he also was one of the best (at least when he was focused on the game). Waddell was known to wrestle alligators, leave a ball game to chase a fire engine, miss a game he was scheduled to start because he was fishing or playing marbles with neighborhood kids, bring his outfielders in to sit on the grass and then proceed to fan the side – and frequently do battle with owners and managers.  Waddell was more interested in the freedom to enjoy life and do things his way than money.  But, when Waddell was on his game, he was arguably the best pitcher of his time. The 6’1”, 195-lb. lefty led the AL in strikeouts six consecutive seasons (1902-1907) – by a wide margin.

How good was Waddell?  In 1902, he joined the Philadelphia Athletics in June – making his first start on June 26 (with just 86 games left in the season). Waddell proceeded to win 24 games (the league’s second-highest total) against seven losses, with a 2.05 ERA.  Despite his shortened season, he led the AL with 210 strikeouts, fifty more than the runner-up (none other than Cy Young).

In 1904, Waddell set a modern (post-1900) MLB record with 349 strikeouts that stood until 1965.  Waddell, elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946, finished with a 193-143, 2.16 stat line – leading the AL in strikeouts six times, ERA twice, wins once and complete games once. For more on Waddell, BBRT suggests: Rube Waddell: The Zany, Brilliant Life of a Strikeout Artist, by Allan Howard Levy and Just a Big Kid: The Life and Times of Rube Waddell, by Paul Proia.

John Young (1949-*)

A 6’3”, 210-pound, left-handed first baseman, John Young hit .325, with four home runs, 60 RBI and 26 stolen bases (in 29 attempts) in 99 games at Single A Lakeland (Tigers’ farm team) as a twenty-year-old (in 1969). The first-round draft choice (16th overall in the 1969 draft)  truly looked like a player with promise – and, in fact, enjoyed a big league cup of coffee with the Tigers in 1971 (two games, four at bats, two hits, one run, one RBI, one double). A wrist injury derailed his playing career, but didn’t dampen his love for the game and he went on to a long career as a scout. It was during his scouting days that Young developed a concern for the decline of baseball among young people – particularly in the inner cities.  In response, Young came up with the concept for the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. Officially launched in 1989, the RBI program is now supported by all thirty MLB clubs and is active in approximately 200 communities – with more than 250,000 participants annually.  Overall, MLB teams have donated more than $30 million to the program. (The program also includes educational and life skills components.) A few RBI alumni in the major leagues include: Carl Crawford, Justin Upton, CC Sabathia, James Loney, Manny Machado and Yovani Gallardo.

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THE SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS:  2016 VOTING PERCENTAGES

Don Newcombe – 42.0%

Bo Jackson – 38.0%

Arnold Hano – 26.0%

Chet Brewer – 25.3%

Charlie Brown – 24.7%

Charlie Finley – 24.7%

Bob Costas – 24.0%

Rocky Colavito – 23.3%

Luke Easter – 22.7%

Charles M. Conlon – 21.3%

J.R. Richard – 21.3%

Effa Manley – 20.7%

Nancy Faust – 19.3%

Ernie Harwell – 19.3%

Hideo Nomo – 19.3%

Pete Reiser – 19.3%

Jose Canseco – 18.7%

Lisa Fernandez – 18.7%

Mamie Johnson – 18.7%

Dr. Mike Marshall – 18.7%

Bert Campaneris – 18.0%

Denny McLain – 17.3%

Rube Foster – 16.0%

Fred Merkle – 16.0%

Annie Savoy – 16.0%

Ted Kluszewski – 15.3%

Tug McGraw – 14.7%

Bing Russell – 14.7%

Rube Waddell – 14.7%

Reuben Berman – 14.0%

Joe Pepitone – 14.0%

Rusty Staub – 14.0%

Margaret Donahue – 13.3%

Phil Pote – 13.3%

Vic Power – 13.3%

Charley Pride – 13.3%

John Young – 13.3%

Octavius V. Catto – 12.0%

Daniel Okrent – 12.0%

Steve Wilstein – 12.0%

Dave Parker – 11.3%

Chris Von der Ahe – 11.3%

Mike Hessman – 10.7%

Dan Quisenberry – 10.7%

John Montgomery Ward – 10.0%

Wayne Doba – 7.3%

Isabel Alvarez – 6.7%

Emilio Cordova – 6.7%

Billy Scripture – 4.0%

Dr. David Tracy – 0.7%

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For a full list of past Shrine of Eternals honorees, click here.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

Last April, BBRT featured a blog post about the historic start to Kansas City outfielder Paulo Orlando’s MLB career. On April 9, the 29-year-old rookie collected his first major league hit – a triple to deep center.  Orlando’s next start came on April 12.  In that game, he collected two hits in five at bats (and scored three runs). Not really unusual, unless you consider the fact that both his hits were triples –  making Orland0 the first player ever to log triples for his first three MLB hits.  Notably, in his next two games, Orlando added two more hits – a triple and a single.  So, after four MLB games, Orlando had five hits, four of them triples.

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This season, we’ve all been reading about a rookie who has gone Orlando one base, two games (and more) better. I’m talking, of course, about Rockies rookie SS Trevor Story, who has homered in each of this season’s four Rockies’ contests (which also happen to be Story’s first four MLB games.  In those for games, Story has gone 7-for-19 (.368), with six home runs (his first four MLB hits were homers), six runs scored and 11 RBI. In the process, Story has become the:

• First player to hit two home runs in an Opening Day MLB debut (the fifth to hit two round trippers in his debut regardless of the day of the season).
• First player whose first four major-league hits went yard.
• First player to homer in his first four MLB games.
• Fifth player to hit home runs in the first four games of a season: Willie Mays, Giants (1971); Mark McGwire, Cardinals (1998); Nelson Cruz, Rangers (2011); Chris Davis, Orioles (2013).
• First player to hit six home runs in the first four games of a season.

Homers in First Four Games of a Season

Willie Mays (1971)

 7-for-18 (.388); five runs; one double’ one triple; five home runs; nine RBI.

Mark McGwire (1998)

7-for-16 (.438); five runs; one double; fuor home runs; 12 RBI.

Nelson Cruz (2011)

5-for-14 (.357); five runs; four home runs; four RBI.

Chris Davis (2013)

9-for-15 (.600); five runs; three doubles; four home runs; 16 RBI.

Trevor Story (2016)

7-for-19 (.368); six runs; six home runs; 11 RBI.

Next stop of the list?  The record for consecutive games with a home run is eight: Dale Long, Pirates (1956); Don Mattingly, Yankees (1987).

So, today, the Story continues.

As Spring Training 2015 winds down, Tigers’ RF J.D. Martinez showed he was ready for the regular season. Yesterday (March 31), Martinez launched three home runs in four at bats as the Tigers downed the Yankees 10-6. Martinez showed power to all fields, homering to left field in the first inning, right field in the fourth and center field in the seventh. The first two round trippers came off the Yankees’ Chad Green, while the final blast came off Conor Mullee. Martinez ended the day three-for-four, with three HR’s, three runs and four RBI.  Martinez is coming off a 2015 season when he went .282-38-102 and had a three-HR game (also against the Yankees) in a 12-4 win on June 21 in New York. Martinez’ big day put him at .255-7-15 for the Spring. Last spring, before his big season, Martinez went .313-5-11.

Martinez’ performance reminded BBRT of the day in 1995 when – at least for one game – Henry Rodriguez was the Spring Training Sultan of Swat.

On April 23, 1995 (more on why they were playing Spring Training games that late in April in just a bit),  Dodgers’ RF Henry Rodriguez went four-for-four with a Spring Training single-game record four home runs as the Dodgers topped the Mets 8-4.  It was the final game of Spring Training and Rodriguez finished the exhibition season with a .405 average and seven homers. Note:  Of Rodriguez’ four long balls – two came off Bret Saberhagen and two off Josias Manzanillo.  Rodriguez was coming off a 1994 season when he hit .268 with eight homers and 49 RBI in 104 games for the Dodgers. After his big spring game, he got off to a slow start and was traded to the Expos in May. He finished the season hitting just .239 with two home runs in 45 games. The following season, he had a breakout year, in which he was  an All Star and reached what would be career highs in home runs (36(, RBI (103), while hitting .276. From 1996 to 2000, Rodriguez hit 139 homers for the Expos and Cubs. (In Montreal, fans often tossed Oh Henry! candy bars onto the field  after Rodriguez’ home runs. He finished an 11-season MLB career with a .259 average, 160 home runs and 523 RBI.

Now, as to why Spring Training games were still being played on April 23.  It was the result of the 1994-95 MLB strike, which began on August 12, 1994 and was suspended on April 2, 1995 – the longest work stoppage in MLB history. As a result, the 1995 season began on April 25 (allowing a brief Spring Training for striking players) and was shortened to 144 games. It was a tough time for fans. (I still have a t-shirt that reads simply “Victim – 1994-95 Baseball Strike.” ) BBRT Note:  Team owners did choose to open Spring Training in February with “replacement players” and some spring games were actually played using replacements.  More on the replacement players (and particularly those who eventually made it to the major leagues) in a future post.

Coming soon:  MLB Opening Day hitters’ and pitchers’ targets.

For thirty things BBRT would like to see this season, click here.

National League predictions, click here. American League, click here.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

The MLB regular season is fast approaching and BBRT would like to share thirty things (one for each team), I’d would like to see in 2016.  Spoiler alert – a few factors that influenced the selections.

• Only three teams in MLB history have had three 200-strikeout pitchers in a season – there’s a chance that could double in 2016.
• Only three teams have had three players reach 40 HR in the same season.
• The Cubs haven’t won a World Championship since 1908 – and, before that, they hadn’t won one since 1907.
• The Orioles could become the first team with two 250-HR seasons.
• The Giants could become the first team to notch a no-hitter in five consecutive seasons.
• No pitcher has won 25 games in a season since Bob Welch in 1990.
• No Kansas City Royal has ever hit 40 home runs in a season.
• The Red Sox David Ortiz could break some age-40 power records during his “retirement tour.”
• No Padre has ever thrown a no-hitter.
• Before 2015, we hadn’t seen a full-season team ERA under 3.00 since 1988.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Paul Goldschmidt winning the NL MVP

Photo: Arturo Pardavilla III

BBRT consistently maintains an admiration for players who throw “lumber and leather” – and despite the attention often given to the likes of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, perhaps no one does it better than the D-backs’ 1B Paul Goldschmidt. Last season, Goldschmidt hit .321, with 33 home runs and 110 RBI – and tossed in 21 steals (in 26 attempts), as well as his third-straight All Star selection and second Gold Glove in three years. Goldschmidt finished second in the NL MVP voting last season and in 2013 (when he led the league in HR, RBI, Slugging Percentage and Total Bases). How respected is the Arizona 1B? Last season, he drew a league-leading 29 intentional walks.  BBRT would like to see Goldschmidt win the NL MVP in 2016.

Atlanta Braves

Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair and Dansby Swanson all playing in Atlanta at some time this season

Atlanta is rebuilding (see the departure over the past two years of Andrelton Simmons, Craig Kimbrel, Justin Upton, Shelby Miller, Evan Gattis and Cameron Maybin).  The Braves made what BBRT believes is the best trade of the most recent off season – sending RHP Shelby Miller (6-17, but with a 3.02 ERA in 205 1/3 innings) and 20-year-old LHP Gabe Speier (4-2, 2.86 in 33 games at A level) to the Diamondbacks for OF Endor Inciarte, RHP Aaron Blair and SS Dansby Swanson.  Born in Milwaukee and still a Braves’ fan, BBRT would like to see all three of these acquisitions spend time in Atlanta this season.  And, the odds aren’t bad.

Inciarte seems a lock for a spot in CF and at the top of the Braves’ lineup.  The 25-year-old hit .303 with six home runs, 45 RBI, 73 runs scored and 21 steals for the D-backs last season – and showed Gold Glove caliber fielding skills.  Blair looks to have the size (6’5”, 230 pounds), poise and stuff to compete for the number-five spot in the Braves rotation (or earn a call-up in case of injury or inadequacy). The 23-year-old Blair – who made  the Conference USA All Freshman team and Conference USA All Star Team (as a Junior) – has run up a 23-13, 3.22 record in three minor league season and went 13-5, 2.92 at AA and AAA last year.  Swanson, the number-one overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft is a little bit of a longer shot to make it to Atlanta this season, but may prove the best part of the deal longer-term. A Southeastern Conference All Star and College World Series Outstanding Player (for Vanderbilt University) in 2014, Swanson hit .289 with one home run and 11 RBI in 22 games in the short-season Northwest League last year.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles making a run at 250 home runs

No doubt Camden Yards is hitter friendly.  In 2015, the Orioles hit 217 home runs (128 at home and 89 on the road). Their season total trailed only the Blue Jays (232) and Astros (230). It was the Orioles’ fourth-consecutive season of 200 or more home runs (by contrast, there are five MLB teams that have never had a 200-HR season.) This off season, the Orioles made an investment in reaching the 250+ home run mark – resigning Chris “Crush” Davis and adding power hitters Mark Trumbo, Pedro Alveraz and Hyun Soo Kim (28 HR’s in Korea last season) to a lineup that already includes Many Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones.  The Orioles have a legitimate chance at 250 home runs.  Why does BBRT see that as worthy watching? 1)  It would be just the fifth 250-HR season in MLB history; 2) It would make the Orioles the first MLB team with two 250-HR seasons; 3) Long balls can be pretty darn majestic

MLB 250-Home Run Seasons

264 – Seattle Mariners, 1997

260 – Texas Rangers, 2005

257 – Baltimore Orioles, 1995

257 – Toronto Bluer Jays, 2010

Yep, that’s right neither the Yankees (a high of 245 in 2012) nor the Coors Field-based Rockies (a high of 239 in 1997) have hit the 250 mark. Note: The NL team record for home runs in a season is 249 by the 2000 Astros.

The teams that have never had a 200-HR season:  Royals (high of 168 in 1987); Pirates (171 in 1999); Padres (172 in 1970); Nationals (194 in 2012); Rays (199 in 2009).

 

Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz matching his 2015 stat line … .273-37-108

As David Ortiz makes his retirement tour around the major leagues, he is coming off a 2015 (age-39) season of a .273 average, with 37 home runs and 108 RBI.  If he can maintain that level of performance (and he has shown little sign of losing power), he would set a new record for home runs in an age-40 season (Darrell Evans holds the record at 34 in 1987) and tie the record for RBI in an age-40 season (Dave Winfield, 1992).  Wouldn’t that be a great way for “Big Papi” to bow out?  Note: 37 home runs would vault Ortiz past such stars as Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Willie McCovey, Frank Thomas, Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, Mel Ott, Gary Sheffield and Eddie Murray on the All-Time HR list.

Age-40 Season High Marks

Games Played – 156                Dave Winfield, Blue Jays, 1992

Batting Average – .357           Ty Cobb, Athletics, 1927

Hits – 207                               Sam Rice, Senators, 1930

Doubles – 35                           Sam Rice

Triples – 13                             Sam Rice

Home Runs – 34                     Darrell Evans, Tigers, 1987

Total Bases – 286                    Dave Winfield

Runs – 121                              Sam Rice

RBI – 108                               Dave Winfield

Stolen Bases – 47                    Davey Lopes, Cubs, 1985

Chicago White Sox

A 300-strikeout season for southpaw Chris Sale

Given today’s handling of pitchers, this could be a long shot, but last season (despite a 13-11) record, Sale led the AL in strikeouts with 274 in 208 innings pitched – topping all MLB starters with 11.8 K’s per nine innings. So, while it’s a bit of a long shot,  it’s not out of the question. If he did reach the 300 mark, Sale would be the first AL hurler to do so since Pedro Martinez in 1999 (313 K’s).  Clayton Kershaw notched 301 strikeouts in the NL last season.

Southpaw Randy” The Big Unit”  Johnson notched a record five consecutive 300 strikeout seasons (1998-2002) and, surprisingly, pitched for (Seattle, Houston, Arizona) in that span. Johnson was, in fact, traded in the middle of one of those seasons. In 1998, he fanned 329 hitters – 213 with the Seattle Mariners and 116 with the Houston Astros.

Chicago Cubs

A World Series Championship flag for the friendly confines

The Cubs have the longest World Series Championship drought in MLB – 107 years. Their last WS title came in 1908 (on the heels of a 1907 WS title).  BBRT would like to see a World Series win at Wrigley in 2016 – and the Cubs may have the team to do it.  They are coming off a 97-win campaign and have talented youngsters like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber in the lineup – not to mention Jason Heyward (signed from the division-rival Cardinals).  They also boast a pitching staff with the likes of Jake Arrietta, John Lester, John Lackey (also signed from the Cardinals) and Hector Rondon.  This could be the Cubs’ year – and BBRT would like to see it.

Cincinnati Reds

Joey Votto trotting to first base – again and again

Without Todd Frazier’s power bat gone, BBRT is anxious to see just how many times the Reds’ Joey Votto will walk in 2016 – he led the NL with 143 free passes in 2015 and has led the league in four of the past five seasons. It’s likely that only knee surgery (that limited him to 62 games in 2014) kept Votto from tying the MLB record for consecutive seasons leading the league in walks – five by the Phillies’ Roy Thomas (1900-04) and the Giants’ Barry Bonds (2000-2004).  I don’t think it would be a stretch to see 150 walks for the Reds’ top hitter in 2016.

Cleveland Indians

Two-hundred strikeouts each for Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar

In 2015, the Indians came within five strikeouts of becoming just the fourth team in MLB history to have three 200+ strikeouts pitchers (1967 Twins, 1969 Astros, 2013 Tigers). Last season Corey Kluber fanned 245 hitters in 222 innings; Carlos Carrasco whiffed 216 in 182 2/3 IP; and Danny Salazar notched 195 K’s in 185 innings. This group of bat-missers is fun to watch – and one of three teams with a chance to have three 200-K hurlers in 2016. (The others are the Tigers and Mets).  The odds are long – pitch counts, pitchers’ health, late-inning relief specialists) – but wouldn’t it be fun to see the number of “three 200-K hurlers” teams double in a single season.)

Colorado Rockies

Nolan Arenado at third base and in the heart of the order

Okay, this is personal preference. Having spent my baseball/softball playing years at third base (always wearing number 41 in honor of my favorite player – Eddie Mathews), I am partial to third basemen.  When you watch the Rockies, you get to watch one of the best – and a player who meets BBRT’s “lumber AND leather” criteria.  Nolan Arenado, who will turn 25 in April, has three big league seasons – and three Gold Gloves – under his belt. In addition, he is coming into his own at the plate, hitting .287-42-130 in 2015 (leading the NL in homers and RBI.)  Arenado is clearly a player BBRT would like to see more of in 2016.

Detroit Tigers

A comeback from staff  ace Justin Verlander

Long-time Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander has been hit by health issues the past two seasons. In January 2014, Verlander underwent core muscle surgery and he opened the 2015 season on the DL due to a right triceps strain (which ended a string of eight consecutive Opening Day starts for Verlander). Looking at 2015, Verlander went 5-8 and made just 20 starts. It was his first year under 20 starts since 2006, when he won the AL Rookie of the Year Award with 17 wins in 30 starts.  From 2006 through 2015, Verlander led the AL in wins twice, winning percentage twice, ERA once, starts three times, complete games once, inning pitched three times and strikeouts three times (winning the Cy Young Award and AL MVP Award in 2011). BBT would like to see Verlander return to his All Star form – and his late-season 2015 performance shows promise (2.80 ERA in his last 15 starts).

Houston Astros

More Jose Altuve, please – a third straight 200-hit season

The Astros have a young, exciting team with plenty of players worth watching – Dallas Kuechel, Carlos Correa and George Springer to name a few.   BBRT, however, is most interested in seeming more of the Astros’ top-of-the-order spark plug – Jose Altuve, at 5’ 6”, the majors’ shortest player. The Astros’ second baseman is well worth watching. In  his four full MLB seasons, he has been an All Star three times, won a batting title (2014), earned a Gold Glove (2015), led the AL in hits twice, and stolen bases twice,  In 2015, he will be going for a third-straight 200-hit season and third-straight stolen base title.  BBRT loves to watch this guy get on –and around – the bases.

Ichiro Suzuki holds the record for consecutive 200-hit seasons – ten (2001-2010).

Kansas City Royals

Someone goes crazy and hits 40 home runs

Okay, really not likely, since the Royals’ 2015 home run leader was Kendrys Morales with just 22.  Morales, however, has hit as many as 34 in a season (Angels, 2009). Why would BBRT like to see this unlikely occurrence?  The Royals are the only team to never have a 40-homer performance.  The team’s all-time single-season leader in round trippers is – wait for it – Steve “Bye Bye” Balboni, with 36 in 1985.

Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout. Mike Trout.  Mike Trout.

Okay, Mike Trout is worth the price of admission.  Last season, he hit .299, with 41 homers, 90 RBI and 11 steals.  In four full MLB seasons, he’s been an All Star four times, Rookie of the Year, AL MVP (2014) and led the league in runs three times, RBI once, stolen bases once, walks once and total bases once.  His game is just a pleasure to watch – and he’s only 24-years-old.  Can’t wait to see more of this guy.

Los Angeles Dodgers

A 25-win campaign from Clayton Kershaw

The last time a pitcher won 25 games was way back in 1990 (Bob Welch, Oakland A’s. 27-6, 2.95). BBRT thinks that, if any of today’s hurler can do it, it is Clayton Kershaw – a three-time Cy Young Award winner, 2014 NL MVP, five-time All Star, four-time ERA leader and three-time strikeout leader (with 301 last season). Just as important, since 2009, Kershaw has averaged just over 31 starts per season. With 30-33 starts, 25-wins is a real challenge (Welsh had 35 starts in his 27-win campaign), but if anyone can do it, it’s Kershaw.

Miami Marlins

Giancarlo Stanton hitting 50 home runs – all of them “no-doubters”

Giancarlo Stanton looks like a power hitter (6’6”, 240-pounts) and he swings like a power hitter (last season a .265 average, but 27 home runs in just 74 games). Unfortunately, the 26-year-old, three-time All Star has trouble staying on the field (only one MLB season of at least 150 games in the past six years). BBRT would like to see Stanton give Miami fans a thrill – staying healthy and challenging the fifty homer run mark.

Milwaukee Brewers

Putting a left-handed starting pitcher on the mound

In 2014 and 2015, the Brewers used zero – that’s  nada, nil and none – southpaw starting pitchers.  The anticipated 2016 rotation Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson, Taylor Jungmann, Matt Garza and Zach Davies (or Chase Anderson) are all right-handers, so it doesn’t look good for seeing a lefty start a game. The best hope might be 22-year-old Josh Hader (acquired last July from the Astros). In four minor league seasons, Hader is 21-16, with a 2.95 ERA and 398 strikeouts in 363 1/3 innings. BBRT would like to see him break the right-handed streak in 2016.

Minnesota Twins

A .300 season from Joe Mauer

Photo: Ray Dumas

Twins’ first baseman (former catcher) Joe Mauer is a three-time batting champion (the only MLB catcher to win three titles) with a .313 career average.  In the past two seasons, however, the six-time All Star and 2009 AL MVP has hit just .277 and .265.  Mauer recently indicated concussion symptoms have resulted in blurred vision at times (particularly in bright sunlight) and that he is experimenting with sunglasses at the plate this spring. That change, plus a stronger Twins’ lineup around him, should help Mauer.  BBRT would love to see another .300 season out of this hometown hero.

New York Yankees

At least twenty-eight home runs from Alex Rodriguez

The Yankees’ DH surprised a lot of people last year by hitting 33 home runs and driving in 86 – in his 21^st MLB campaign and his age-39 season.  This year, he joins David Ortiz in an age-40 season that could see either one or both of them eclipse Darrell Evans’ age-40 season record of 34 HR’s. That, however, is not why BBRT would like to see at least 28 round trippers from A-Rod.  The fact is, 28 home runs would bring his career total to 715 – one more than Yankee icon Babe Ruth.  Not anxious to see A-Rod pass Ruth, but I am interested to see how the Yankees handle that milestone.

Oakland A’s

New Athletic Khris Davis out-homering long-time Oriole Chris Davis

This would be a tough one, but I like the Khris Davis/Chris Davis symmetry.  Last season, the Orioles’ Chris Davis led the AL with 47 home runs, while the A’s Khris Davis (then with the Brewers) hit 27.  Still, there is hope.  It was closer after the All Star break (28 for Chris, 21 for Khris); Khris played in 39 fewer games than Chris (121 to 160); and Khris is two years younger than Chris (28 to 30).

BBRT side note: The Orioles’ Chris Davis has proven pretty versatile in his eight-season MLB career (Rangers/Orioles) – 97 starts at 1B; 85 at 3B; 57 in RF; 11 in LF.  And during the 2012 season, he went 1-0 on the mound, tossing the final two innings in an Orioles’ 17-inning, 9-6 win over the Red Sox.  Davis pitched two scoreless frames, giving up 2 hits and fanning two – career ERA 0.00.

New York Mets

Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard each reaching 200 strikeouts

MLB has only seen a team with three 200-strikeout pitchers in a single season three times. This season, the Mets’ young pitching staff has a chance to accomplish that feat (and maybe do it one better). Possibilities to reach the 200-whiff figure include: Jacob deGrom (205 K’s in 191 innings last season); Matt Harvey (188 K’s in 189 1/3 IP and another year away from Tommy John surgery); and Noah Syndergaard (166 whiffs in 150 innings). Should any of this trio falter, there’s always Steven Matz (34 K’s in 35 2/3 innings after being called up – and 107 K’s in 105 1/3 minor league innings). Could we see our first team with four 200-strikeout hurlers? BBRT thinks that would look pretty good.

Philadelphia Phillies

A Phillies’ starting pitcher reaching double-digits in wins

This will tell you just how far the Phillies have fallen: In 2015, no Phillies’ pitcher won more than six games(Aaron Harang, 6-15; Cole Hamels, 6-7; Aaron Nola, 6-2; Ken Giles, 6-3). As the Phils go into 2016, only Nola is listed on the their depth chart – Harang is a free agent, reportedly considering retirement; Giles was traded to the Astros; and Hamels was traded to the Rangers at the 2015 trading deadline.  Best bets to reach ten wins for the Phillies in 2016? Nola, who made his debut with the Phillies last July and went 6-2, 3.59 in 13 starts, or Jeremy Hellickson (picked up in a trade with the Diamondbacks), who went 9-12, 4.62 for Arizona last season.  Still, no sure bets on this one.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Twenty home runs, 20 stolen bases and 20 assists by LF Starling Marte

The 2015 MLB season saw only four 20-20 (HR/SB) players – Brewers’ OF Ryan Braun (25 HR’s/24 SB’s); D-backs’ 1B Paul Goldschmidt (33/21); D-backs’ OF A.J. Pollock (20/39); and Orioles’ 3B Manny Machado (35/20).  Coming close was Pirates’ OF Starling Marte (gotta love that name) – who went .287, with 19 home runs and 30 steals.  Given that Marte has increased his home run total in each of his three full MLB seasons (12-13-19) and reached 30 steals in each of those seasons (41-30-30), BBRT is counting on seeing him join the 20/20 club in 2016.  Getting a bit greedy, I’d also like to see Marte continue the defense that earned him a 2015 Gold Glove and, in the process, add 20 assists to his resume (he had 16 assists in 2015).

Saint Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals again finishing with an ERA under 3.00

The Saint Louis Cardinals won an MLB-best 100 games last season – and they didn’t’ do it with their bats.  In 2015. the Cardinals scored the seventh-fewest runs in MLB and hit the sixth-fewest homers – and were out homered by every team in their division and outscored by all but one. The pitching, however, was another story. Saint Louis was the only team with an ERA under 3.00 – at 2.94, more than a quarter of a run better than the second-best Pirates (3.21). The Redbirds also led MLB in quality starts (106), saves (62)  and save percentage (80.5%).

BBRT would like to see the Cardinals again finish with an ERA under 3.00 – and there is a chance. They did lose John Lackey to the Cubs and Lance Lynn to Tommy John surgery, but they picked up Mike Leake and will have a full season of “ace” Adam Wainwright. Still, the odds on another sub-3.00 ERA are long. To find the last sub-3.00 season (before the Cards in 2015), you have to go all the way back to the 1989 Dodgers (2.95), and the Dodgers of 1988 & 1989 are the last team to record two consecutive sub-3.00 team ERAs.

San Diego Padres

A no-hitter from the Padres pitching staff

The Padres are the only MLB franchise that has never achieved a no-hitter – despite their history of pitcher-friendly ballparks. BBRT thinks it’s about time to change that. BBRT Note: Last August 14, Matt Kemp achieved the first-ever hitter’s “cycle” in Padres’ history. Time to keep filling in the blanks. BBRT’s vote for the most likely no-hitter candidates: James Shields or Tyson Ross.

San Francisco Giants

A World Series Championship

The Giants have won the past three even-numbered year’s World Series – 2010, 2012 and 2014. Why break the string?  If I can’t have a Cubbies’ World Series win (see the section on the Cubs), I’d like to see the Giants continue their even-numbered streak. Short of that, how about a Madison Bumgarner no-hitter (or one by any Giants’ starter) – which would make the Giant only the first team in MLB history to achieve a no-hitter in four consecutive season.

Teams with No-Hitters in Four Consecutive Seasons 

LA Dodgers

June 30, 1962 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Mets)

May 11, 1963 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Giants)

June 4, 1964 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Phillies)

September 9, 1965 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Cubs)

SF Giants

June 13, 2012 – Matt Cain (vs. Astros)

July 13, 2013 – Tim Lincecum (vs. Padres)

June 25, 2014 – Tim Lincecum (vs. Padres)

June 9, 2015 – Chris Heston (vs. Mets)

 Seattle Mariners

The “return” of Robinson Cano

The Mariners were expecting big things from Robinson Cano when they signed him to a ten-year contract in December of 2103. In 2014, he delivered a solid (not spectacular) season – at .314-14-82, with ten steals.  Still, the power Seattle was expecting wasn’t there (Cano averaged 28 HRs a season in his last five years with the Yankees.) In 2015, things got off to a bad start – as Cano hit just .252, with only six home runs in the first half.  However, the old Robinson Cano was back in the second half – .331-15-49. He ended the season at .287-21-79 – raising Seattle’s hopes for 2016. Hopefully, we’ll see a full season of that performance.  Chances look good as Cano, who played through an abdominal issue and had hernia surgery in the off season, is said to be healthy going into 2016.  BBRT would like to see the six-time All Star return to his .300-20-90 form.

Tampa Bay Rays

Blake Snell on the mound

Who wouldn’t want to see Rays’ 23-year-old southpaw pitching prospect Blake Snell on the mound? The 2015 Baseball America Player of the Year started last season at High A Charlotte, where he went 3-0 and pitched 21 consecutive scoreless innings (27 strikeouts), before being promoted to the Double A Montgomery Biscuits – where he ran his season opening scoreless streak to 46 innings. Snell went 5-2, 1.57 at Montgomery, striking out 79 in 68 2/3 innings. This earned him a promotion to Triple A Durham, where he went 6-2, with a 1.80 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings.  So, his season’s totals were 15-4, 1.41 ERA, 163 K’s in 134 innings. Overall, he has a 33-24 record with a 2.75 ERA in five minor league season. The Rays recently sent Snell to their  minor league camp – but BBRT still wants to see him in a Rays’ uniform in 2016.

Texas Rangers

The return of Yu Darvish

First, love the name.  Second, a healthy Darvish would boost Texas’ chances to hold off the charging Astros.  Darvish missed all of  2015 due to Tommy John Surgery. Darvish was 93-29, with a 1.99 ERA in seven seasons in Japan before joining the Rangers in 2012. Then he went 16-9, 3.90 in his MLB rookie season. In three MLB seasons, Darvish is 39-25, 3.27 with 680 strikeouts in 545 1/3 innings.  A 15-win season from Darvish would brighten the picture for the Rangers and their fans.  And, BBRT always likes a good comeback.

Toronto Blue Jays

Forty home run seasons by 3B Josh Donaldson, DH Edwin Encarnacion and RF Jose Bautista

In 2015, the Blue Jays came within one dinger of becoming just the fourth team in MLB history to have three players hit 40 or more home runs – as Josh Donaldson rapped 41 round trippers, Jose Bautista clubbed 40 and Edwin Encarnacion fell one short at 39. BBRT is ready to see them join this club.

Teams with Three 40-Homer Players

1973 Braves – Davey Johnson (43); Darrell Evans (41); Hank Aaron (40)

1996 Rockies – Andres Galarraga (47); Vinny Castilla (40); Ellis Burks (40)

1997 Rockies – Larry Walker (49); Andres Galarraga (41), Vinny Castilla (40)

Washington Nationals

Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper.   (See the Los Angeles Angels)

Can’t wait to see what last year’s NL MVP does in 2016.  Last season – at age 22 – all Bryce Harper did was hit .330, with 42 home runs (tied for NL lead), 99 RBI and a league-leading 118 runs. Hopefully, he’ll put up another strong campaign and, this time, carry the Nationals to the post season.

Some pre-season fun – everything you ever wanted to know about the 500-HR Club, click here. 

Ballpark Tours great 2016 excursion (10 days, 10 games, 7 cities), outlined here. 

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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