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On this date (May 18) in 1958, Indians’ rookie Carroll Hardy hit his first major league home run – and it was a big one, a walk-off, in fact. It was a three-run shot in the bottom of the eleventh inning (off Billy Pierce) and it gave the Indians a 7-4 victory over the White Sox. Notably, Hardy was pinch-hitting for a fellow who would later gain quite a reputation for the long ball – Roger Maris. It would be the first of only 17 MLB home runs for Hardy – and it came on his 25th birthday. This dinger, and Carroll Hardy, caught Baseball Roundtable’s eye for a trio of reasons.
First, the thrill it must have been to have your first home run be a walk-off. Second, Hardy is most noted in MLB for his notable pinch-hitting appearances. Third, it gave Hardy the distinction of having both homered in the major leagues and scored a touchdown in the National Football League.
For BBRT’s Minnesota Readers
Carroll Hardy’s last MLB appearance came as a Minnesota Twin. On September 27, 1967, in a game against the Angels (in Minnesota), Hardy pinch hit for Twins’ pitcher Jim Merritt with one out and no one on in the bottom of the ninth inning. (The Twins were down 5-1 at the time). Hardy flied out to second base. Hardy finished that season appearing in nine games for the Twins – going three-for-eight, with a walk, one home run and two RBI.
We’ve already looked at reason one. Let’s move on to two and three.
Carroll Hardy as a pinch-hitter.
Carroll Hardy was a career .225 hitter. However, not only did he pinch hit for Roger Maris, he also – on September 20, 1960, in Ted Williams’ final MLB season – became the only player ever to pinch hit for the Splendid Splinter. It came in the top of the first inning of a game against the Orioles. The BoSox had a runner on first and no one out, with Williams at the plate. Williams (hitting .313 at the time) fouled a ball off his foot and had to leave the game. Enter pinch-hitter Hardy (hitting .217), who hit into a pitcher-to-first double play. (Side note: Hardy was also the final player ever to replace Williams on the field – replacing him in left field in the ninth inning of Williams’ final game – on September 28, 1960. Williams, who had gone deep in the bottom of the eighth, took the field for the top of the ninth, but was called back to the dugout to set the stage for a final standing ovation. Hardy took Williams’ place in front of the Green Monster.) On May 31 of the following season, Hardy pinch-hit for another future Red Sox Hall of Famer, Carl Yastrzemski.
Carroll Hardy and Football
Carroll Hardy played for the San Francisco 49ers (receiver/half-back) in 1955 and, like his first home run (that walk-off I talked about earlier), his first “catch” was memorable – a 78-yard touchdown reception (from quarterback Y.A. Tittle) in a 38-21 win over the Lions. It was the 49ers’ longest play from scrimmage that season. Hardy appeared in ten games in 1955, catching 12 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns and rushing 15 times for 37 yards.
Carroll Hardy – All Around Athlete
Carroll Hardy earned ten varsity sports letters at Colorado University (1951-55). He earned four letters in football; four in baseball; and two in track. Hardy was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. His college football coach (Dial Ward) said he “was the best all around athlete Colorado has ever produced.” Just a few highlights, Carroll Hardy: was a two-time honorable mention All-American in football; was the 1955 Hula Ball Most Valuable Player; gained 238 yards on ten carries in his final game for Colorado and averaged 9.2 years per carry for the season; had a 41.6 yards per kick average as a punter in his final college season; had a career batting average of .392 at Colorado; ran a 9.8 in the 100-yard dash.
Hardy played in eight MLB seasons (1958-64, 1967 … Red Sox, Indians, Astros, Twins) going .225-17-113 in 433 games.
Primary resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Colorado Sports Hall of Fame; Colorado University Athletic Hall of Fame; Carroll Hardy Bio, Society for American Baseball Research, by Bill Nowlin.
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We’ve all heard about hitting for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run in one game), but how about pitching for the cycle? Not really a thing; but it could be. Especially, if you defined pitching for the cycle (giving up a single, double, triple and home run) not just in one game, not just in one inning, not just to four consecutive batters – but to the first four batter you ever faced in a major league game.
Enter Ervin Santana. On this date (May 17) in 2005, Santana made his major league debut – starting for the Angels against the Indians (in Cleveland). The 22-year-old righty had earned his call up with a 5-1. 2.31 record at Double A (Arkansas Travelers). The first batter he faced in the major leagues was Indians’ CF Grady Sizemore, who tripled to deep CF; next was LF Coco Crisp, who doubled down the RF line (scoring Sizemore, but was thrown out trying to stretch the two-bagger into a triple; then came DH Travis Hafner, who singled to CF; the next hitter was Ben Broussard, who launched a two-run home run to right. At this point, Santana has faced four batters in his major league career and had given up three runs. More important (at least to Baseball Roundtable), on his first ten MLB pitches, he had “pitched for the cycle” – surrendering a single, double, triple and home run. He did retire the next two batters on a pop fly and a strikeout, but the damage was done. Santana went four innings in the game, taking the loss and giving up eight hits, three walks and six runs, while fanning one. His next start went better. On May 23, he shutout the White Sox (in Chicago), going the full nine frames and giving up just five hits and one walk, while fanning seven. He ended that rookie season with a 12-8, 4.65 record.
HOME-RUN CYCLE
If you’d like to read about the only professional player to hit for the “home-run cycle” (solo, two-run, three-run and Grand Slam home run in one game), click here.
Santana, still active in 2019, has gone 149-127, 4.09 in 15 major-league seasons (Angels, Twins, Royals, Braves, White Sox). He has won 15+ games in four seasons and was an All Star in 2008 for the Angels (16-7, 3.49) and, in 2017, for the Twins (16-8, 3.28).
The Name Game
Ervin Santana’s given name is Johan Ramon Santana. MLB, however, already had a Johan Santana, so (in 2003) the Santana in this post decided to go by the name Ervin (by the time Ervin Santana reached the major leagues, Johan Santana #1 had a Cy Young Award on his resume).
Primary resource: Baseball-Reference.com.
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Well, the MLB award season is about to move into full swing. With that in mind, Baseball Roundtable would like to share some predictions and preferences for Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards. So let’s get started.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
National League …
Photo by slgckgc 
Okay, this is an easy one. The Mets’ Pete Alonso, at 6’3”, 240-pounds, looks like a power hitter. And, the 24-year-old lived up to that visual promise. What did he do as a rookie?
He did all this while playing in 161 games (second in the NL) and hitting .260, with a .583 slugging percentage (second in the NL). Game. Set. Match.
The fact is, Alonso simply outdistanced (how many feet of home runs did he hit?) the Braves’ 22-year-old righty Mike Soroka, who went 13-4, 2.68, and Padres’ Fernando Tatis, Jr. (.317-22-53, with 16 steals). The 20-year-old Tatis – also an outstanding fielder and skilled base runner – was an early ROY favorite and would have given Alonso a run for the honor if back issues had not limited him to 84 games.
BBRT Prediction: Pete Alonso.
BBRT Selection: Pete Alonso.
American League …
The Astros’ Yordan Alvarez – like the Mets’ rookie Pete Alonso – is a big man who plays big. The 6’5”, 225-pound, left-handed hitter put u p a .313 average, with 27 home runs and 78 RBI in just 87 games (he made his MLB debut in early June). His .314 average was second among AL rookies with at least 200 at bats. (The Twins’ Luis Arreaz hit .334). Alvarez’ 27 home runs trailed only the White Sox’ Eloy Jimenez’ 31. (Jimenez played in 35 more games.) And, Alvarez’ 78 RBI trailed Jimenez by one. The only drawback to Alvarez’ spot among the finalists is that he started 74 of his 83 games at DH. If he captures the Rookie of the Year award, he will be the first primarily DH to do so.
National League ROY finalist Brandon Lowe appeared in the starting Rays’ stating lineup at @B, 1B, RF, LF and DH.
The other finalists were the Rays’ 25-year-old Brandon Lowe, who hit .270-17-51 in 82 games (and get extra points for versatility) and the Orioles’ 26-year-old southpaw John Means, who went 12-11, 3.60 for the Orioles.
BBRT Prediction: Yordan Alvarez.
BBRT Selection: Yordan Alvarez.
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Most Valuable Player
National League
Photo by IDSportsPhoto
This is definitely a three-way race – and any of the three finalists could come away with the honors. Brewers’ RF Christian Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP tied for the batting title – hitting .329. He also bashed 44 home runs (fourth in the NL); drove in 97 runs; scored 100 runs; and led the NL in both on-base percentage (.429) and slugging percentage (.671). Still, he played in only 130 games – missing most of September due to a knee injury.
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger drew an MLB leading 21 intentional walks in 2019.
Photo by Lorie Shaull
Then there is the Dodgers’ RF/1B Cody Bellinger – who put up a .305 average, with 47 home runs (third in the NL), 351 total bases (first in the NL), 115 RBI (seventh); and 121 runs scored (second). Clearly, his offense helped drive the Dodgers. In his favor are both his plus defense and speed (15 stolen bases). Bellinger also had a solid walks-to-whiffs ratio (95 BB/108 K).
The Nationals’ Anthony Rendon led the NL in RBI generated when hitting with two out and runners in scoring position (37). Rendon hit .362-6-37 in those clutch situations.
Finally, we have Nationals’ 3B Anthony Rendon, who hit .319 (third in the NL), with 34 home runs, tallied an NL-leading 126 RBI and scored 117 runs (third in the NL). In addition, Rendon was fourth among NL third sackers in putouts, third in assists and third in double plays. Like Bellinger, Rendon also was solid in the walks-to-strikeouts department (80 BB/86 K).
BBRT: Prediction: Cody Bellinger.
BBRT Selection: Anthony Rendon. (I lean toward Rendon because of the “valuable” role he played in the Nationals’ rebound from a 19-31 start to the season.)
American League …
Photo by KA Sports Photos
If the award were for the Best Player, BBRT would see Mike Trout winning hands down. Despite missing the last half of September (foot injury), Trout – always an MVP candidate – had one of his best seasons ever. He hit a healthy .291, with 45 homers (second in the AL), 104 RBI (ninth), 110 runs scored (sixth) and 11 stolen bases. He also led the AL in both on-base percentage (.438) and slugging percentage (.645) and had 110 walks (second in the AL) and 120 strikeouts.
The Astros’ Alex Bregman was the only MLB player with enough at bats to qualify for the batting title to have more walks than strikeouts in 2019.
Photo by KA Sports Photos
Next up is Astros’ 3B Alex Bregman who hit .296, with 41 home runs (second in the AL), 112 RBI (fifth); and 122 runs scored (fourth). Bregman also had 119 walks (first in the AL) versus only 83 strikeouts. He was second in on-base percentage at .423 (to Trout’s .438) and third in slugging percentage (.592). One key to Bregman’s candidacy is his willingness to fill in at shortstop for the Astros when Carlos Correa was down. On the season, Bregman started 91 games at 3B and 59 at SS.
Of the three American League MVP finalists, A’s shortstop Marcus Semien had the most total bases (343, second in the AL) and the most extra-base hits (83, third in the AL).
Finally, there is the A’s shortstop Marcus Semien – a stabilizing influence in the field and in the lineup. Semien played in all 162 games. On defense, he led all AL shortstops in assists, double plays and fielding percentage, and was second in putouts. At the plate, he had an outstanding year – going .285-33-92, with ten steals and 123 runs scored (third in the AL). Semien finished second in total bases (343). He also finished third in the league in doubles (43) and fifth in triples (7).
BBRT Prediction: Mike Trout. (In his seven full seasons, Trout has won two MVP Awards, finished second four times and fourth once. I think the voters are going to reward that ongoing excellence.)
BBRT Selection: Alex Bregman. (These are three deserving candidates. For me, the value Bregman delivered filling at SS, gives him a slight edge.)
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CY Young Award
National League
Photo by slgckgc
Jacob deGrom won the 2018 Cy Young Award with 10-9 record (in 32 starts), an MLB-low 1.70 earned run average and 269 strikeouts (second in the NL) in 217 innings (second in the NL), This season, he put up similar numbers: an 11-8 record (32 starts); a 2.43 earned run average (second in the NL); and an NL-leading 255 whiffs in 204 innings pitched (third in the NL). DeGrom also finished second in the league in Walks and Hits Per Nine Innings (WHIP) at 0.971, fourth in K’s per nine innings (11.25) and fourth in strikeouts-versus-walks ratio (5.80).
When the Mets’ Jason deGrom won the 2018 Cy Young Award with a 10-9 record, it was the fewest wins ever by a staring pitcher who captured the CYA.
Max Scherzer is also a finalist for NL CYA. The three-time Cy Young Award winner went 11-7 in 27 starts, with a 2.92 earned run average (sixth in the NL) and 243 strikeouts (third) in 172 1/3 innings. He finished first in the league in strikeouts per nine innings (12.69); fourth in WHIP (1.027); and first in strikeouts-versus-walks ratio (7.36).
The third finalist is the Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu, who went 14-5, with an NL and MLB-lowest 2.32 earned run average in 29 starts. Ryu is not in the same league deGrom and Scherzer when it comes to strikeouts (163 in 182 2/3 innings, but his strikeouts-to-walks ratio (6.79) was second only to Scherzer in the senior circuit and his WHIP of 1.01 placed him third in the league.
Three finalists, with a combined total of just 36 wins, guess you need to go deeper into the numbers.
BBRT: Prediction: Jacob deGrom (His leadership in strikeouts and WHIP give him a slight edge, as does the fact that he is the only one of three finalists to each 200 innings pitched.)
BBRT Selection: Jacob deGrom.
American League …
Photo by KA Sports Photos
While the NL CYA finalists won only 36 games combined, the three AL finalists put up 57 victories – and, the AL finalists lineup includes the only two twenty-game winners from the past season.
The Astros’ Justin Verlander led all of MLB with 21 victories (just six losses). His 2.58 earned run average was second in the AL; his Walks and Hits per Nine Innings (WHIP) was first in the AL and MLB at 0.83; He fanned an even 300 batters in 223 innings (leading the AL in innings pitched), while walking just 42 (for an AL-best 7.14 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. In any other year, this might have been a cakewalk for Verlander.
In 2019, Justin Verlander threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays (September 1). It was his third career no-hitter – making him just the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw three or more no-hit games. Verlander walked one and fanned 14 in the game.
But wait. The Astros’ Gerrit Cole notched twenty wins (five losses); put up the junior circuit’s lowest ERA at 2.50 and led the league (and all of MLB) with 326 strikeouts (in 212 1/3 innings). His WHIP (0.90) was second only to Verlander in MLB and he led the way in whiffs per nine innings at 13.81 (the only qualifying pitcher to top 13.00). In strikeouts-to-walks ratio, Cole (at 6.79) finished second to Verlander in the AL.
Also, in the race is the Rays’ Charlie Morton who went 16-6, 3.05, with 240 strikeouts in 194 2/3 innings. A solid year, but it’s tough to compete with two twenty-game winners, who both notched at least 300 strikeouts and sported ERA’s under 2.60.
The Astros’ Gerrit Cole did not lose a game after May 22 – going 16-0, 1.78 in 22 starts.
BBRT Prediction: Justin Verlander. (Wow, you could hardly slip a piece of paper between the Justine Verlander and Gerrit Cole stat sheets. BBRT thinks the voters will look at the one extra win, the no-hitter and leadership in innings pitched as tiebreakers and go with Verlander. Had Verlander fallen one short of 300K, this one might have swung to Gerrit Cole.)
BBRT Pick: Gerrit Cole. (Hedging my bet, I’m going to go with Cole. Yes, one less win, but also one less loss (giving him a nice round .800 winning percentage to Verlander’s .778). Then there are the 13+ whiffs per nine and MLB-tops 326 strikeouts.)
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com
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Regular readers of BBRT know that I have a particular fondness for players that bring “lumber and leather” to their game. With that in mind, this post will focus on players who have captured what BBRT thinks of as “MLB’s Heavy Metal Doubleheader” – winning a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season. You have to admire those players who can earn recognition as be named the best at their positions both defensively and offensively.
Note: The Hillerich and Bradsby Silver Slugger Awards were first presented in 1980 (the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were launched in 1957), so the list of double winners is relatively recent (at least as defined by someone who went to their first World Series game the year the Gold Glove Awards were initiated).
In 2019, four players earned both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger:
Let’s take a quick look at how they earned their gold and silver – and add some “Heavy Metal” trivia. along the way.
Phillies, C, J.T. Realmuto
Photo by IDSportsPhoto
In his sixth MLB season (five as a regular), Realmuto picked up his second Silver Slugger (2018 & 2019) and first Gold Glove Award. On offense, Realmuto hit .275, with 25 home runs, 83 RBI and 94 runs scored. In games he played as a catcher, Realmuto topped NL backstops in hits (144), runs batted in (79) and stolen bases (9). He also finished in the top five among NL catchers in average and home runs (he hit 23 of his home runs while in the catcher’s spot and one each as a DH and one as a pinch hitter). On defense, he led NL catchers in Defensive WAR at 1.9 and threw out an MLB-best 43 base runners – leading the NL with a 46.3 percent caught stealing rate. He also led NL catchers in double plays and finished among the NL’s top five catchers in pitch “framing.”
Mookie Betts, RF, Red Sox
Photo by KA Sports Photos
This is Betts’ second straight season of combined Gold Glove/Silver Slugger excellence – making him the 26th MLB player with consecutive “Heavy Metal” seasons. It was Betts’ third Silver Slugger Award and fourth Gold Glove (in six MLB seasons; five of 100 or more games). On offense, Betts hit .295, with 40 doubles, five triples and 29 home runs. He also had 80 RBI, 97 walks and his 135 runs scored led all of major league baseball. On defense, the far-ranging right fielder was first among AL rightfielders in fielding percentage (.996) and second among AL rightfielders in both putouts (274) and assists (8). When you add in his games in centerfield, Betts led all AL outfielders in putouts (320) and was third in assists (10). His 15 Defensive Runs Saved trailed only the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger among MLB rightfielders.
Cody Bellinger, RF, Dodgers
Photo by IDSportsPhoto
In 2019, Dodgers’ RF Cody Bellinger – in his third MLB season – picked up his first Gold Glove and Single Slugger Awards. (Bellinger started 102 games in RF, 28 at 1B and 21 in CF). Offensively, Bellinger hit .305 (ninth in the NL), with 47 home runs (third in the NL), 115 RBI (seventh in the NL), 121 runs scored (second in the NL) and 15 stolen bases (in 20 attempts). He led the NL in total bases (351) and his NL-topping 21 intentional walks indicate the respect he earned at the plate. In the field, his 10 outfield assists as a rightfielder were second in the league and his .990 fielding percentage led all NL righfielders, as did his 19 Defensive Runs Saved.
Zack Greinke, P, Diamondbacks/Astros
Photo by IDSportsPhoto
Greinke, in his 16th MLB season, picked up his sixth Gold Glove (consecutive) and second Silver Slugger Award. Traded by the Diamondbacks to the Astros (in the AL, with its DH, but don’t get me started on that) at the July trade deadline, Greinke did enough damage with his bat early to earn a Silver Slugger. He got only two at bats with Houston (hitting one double). His overall stat line for the season was 14-for-56 (.280), with four doubles, one triple, three home runs and eight RBI. Although switching leagues put him out of the running for AL or NL defensive leadership, his 68 total chances topped all MLB pitchers, as did his 33 putouts and 34 assists (tying the Braves’ Max Fried). Greinke made only one error, for a .985 fielding percentage.
Zack Greinke (2019 – Diamondbacks Astros) and Mike Hampton (2003 Braves) are the only pitchers to win a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger in the same season.
–A FEW ADDITIONAL BITS OF SAME-SEASON SILVER SLUGGER AND GOLD GLOVER TRIVIA–
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Now, we’ve look at 2018’s “Heavy Metal Doubleheader” winners. Here’s a look back at those who have won both awards in the same season in the past. Since 1980, the combination of a Gold Glove/Silver Slugger has been achieved in a season 194 times by 104 different players. Here are a couple of list that might be of interest. (Since the Silver Slugger is awarded to three outfielders annually regardless of their position (LF, CF, RF), GG/SS combo lists in this post does not break outfielders out by position.)
—Full List of Same-Year Gold Glove/Silver Slugger Winners by Season—
2019
J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies; Mookie Betts, RF, Red Sox; Cody Bellinger, RF, Dodgers; Zack Greinke, P, D-backs/Astros
2018
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox; Nick Markakis, OF, Braves’ Salvador Perez, C, Royals
2017
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals; Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlins
2016
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Mookie Betts, Of, Red Sox; Salvador Perez, C, Royals; Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs
2015
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins; Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants.
2014
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Dodgers
2013
Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles; Adam Jones, OF, Orioles
2012
Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals; Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees; Chase Headley, 3B, Padres; Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates
2011
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox; Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds; Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers; Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies; Jacob Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox; Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
2010
Joe Mauer, C, Twins; Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals; Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees; Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies; Carl Crawford, OF, Rays; Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies
2009
Joe Mauer, C, Twins; Mark Tiexiera, 1B, Yankees; Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals’ Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees’ Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners; Torii Hunter, OF, Angels
2008
Joe Mauer, C, Twins’ Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox; David Wright, 3B, Mets; Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians
2007
Russell Martin, C, Dodgers; Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers; David Wright, 3B, Mets; Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies; Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
2006
Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees; Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets
2005
Jason Varitek, C, Red Sox; Mark Tiexierea, 1B, Rangers; Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs; Andruw Jones, OF, Braves
2004
Ivan Rodriguez, C, Tigers; Jim Edmonds, OF, Cardinals
2003
Brett Boone, 2B, Mariners; Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals; Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers; Mike Hampton, P, Braves
2002
Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies; Scott Rolen, 3B, Cardinals/Phillies; Eric Chavez, 3B, A’s; Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals; Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers
2001
Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
2000
Roberto Alomar, 2B, Indians; Darin Erstad, OF, Angels
1999
Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Robert Alomar, 2B, Indians; Larry Walker, OF, Rockies; Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners; Shawn Green, OF, Blue Jays
1998
Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Rafael Palmeiro, 1B, Rangers; Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners
1997
Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros; Chuck Knoblauch, 2B, Twins; Matt Williams, 3B, Indians; Larry Walker, OF, Rockies; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners
1996
Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Roberto Alomar, 2B, Orioles; Ken Caminiti, 3B, Padres; Barry Larkin, SS, Reds; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners
1995
Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Craig, Biggio, 2B, Astros; Barry Larkin, SS, Reds
1994
Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Astros; Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros; Matt Williams, 3B, Giants; Wade Boggs, 3B, Yankees; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners
1993
Robby Thompson, 2B, Giants; Matt Williams, 3B, Giants; Jay Bell, SS, Pirates; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners
1992
Roberto Alomar, 2B, Blue Jays; Larry Walker, OF, Expos; Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins
1991
Will Clark, 1B, Giants; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Cal Ripken, Jr., SS, Orioles; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates’ Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners
1990
Benito Santiago, C, Padres; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Kelly Gruber, 3B, Blue Jays; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates; Ellis Burks, OF, Red Sox
1989
Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Eric Davis, OF, Reds; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres
1988
Benito Santiago, C, Padres; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins
1987
Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Ozzie Smith, SS, Cardinals; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres; Eric Davis, OF, Reds; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins; Andre Dawson, OF, Cubs
1986
Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Frank White, 2B, Royals; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins
1985
Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Tim Wallach, 3B, Expos; George Brett, 3B, Royals; Willie McGee, OF, Cardinals; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees
1984
Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves
1983
Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos
1982
Gary Carter, C, Expos; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Robin Yount, SS, Brewers; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees
1981
Gary Carter, C, Expos; Manny Trillo, 2B, Phillies; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos; Rickey Henderson, OF, A’s; Dwight Evans, OF, Red Sox; Dusty Baker, OF, Dodgers
1980
Keith Hernandez, 1B, Cardinals; Cecil Cooper, 1B, Brewers; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos; Willie Wilson, OF, Royals
____________________________________________
Your Same-Season, Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo winners listed alphabetically:
Alomar, Roberto … 1992; 1996; 1999; 2000
Altuve, Jose … 2015
Arenado, Nolan … 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018
Baker, Dusty … 1981
Bagwell, Jeff … 1994
Bell, Buddy … 1984
Bell, Jay (SS) … 1993
Cody Bellinger … 2019
Beltre, Adrian (3B) … 2011
Beltran, Carlos (OF) … 2006; 2007
Biggio, Craig (2B) … 1994; 1995; 1997
Betts, Mookie (OF) … 2016; 2018, 2019
Boggs, Wade (3B) … 1994
Bonds, Barry … 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997
Boone, Brett … 2003
Brett, George … 1985
Burks, Ellis … 1990
Caminiti, Ken … 1996
Cano, Robinson … 2010; 2012
Carter, Gary … 1981; 1982
Chavez, Eric … 2002
Clark, Will … 1991
Cooper, Cecil …1980
Crawford, Brandon … 2015
Crawford, Carl … 2010
Dawson, Andre … 1980; 1981; 1983; 1987
Davis, Eric … 1987; 1989
Edmonds, Jim … 2004
Ellsbury, Jacob … 2011
Erstad, Darin … 2000
Evans, Dwight … 1981
Goldschmidt, Paul … 2013; 2015; 2017
Gonzalez, Adrian … 2011; 2014
Gonzalez, Carlos … 2010
Gordon, Dee … 2015
Green, Shawn … 1999
Zack Greinke … 2019
Griffey, Ken Jr. … 1991; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999
Gruber, Kelly … 1990
Gwynn, Tony … 1986; 1987; 1989
Hampton, Mike … 2003
Hardy, J.J. … 2013
Headley, Chase … 2012
Helton, Todd … 2002
Henderson, Rickey … 1981
Hernandez, Keith … 1980; 1984
Eric Hosmer … 2017
Hunter, Torii … 2009
Jeter, Derek … 2006; 2009
Jones, Adam … 2013
Jones, Andruw … 2005
Kemp, Matt … 2009; 2011
Knoblauch, Chuck … 1997
Larkin, Barry … 1995; 1996
LaRoche, Adam … 2012
Lee, Derrek … 2005
Markakis, Nick … 2018
Martin, Russell … 2008
Mattingly, Don … 1985; 1986; 1987
Mauer, Joe … 2008; 2009; 2010
McCutchen, Andrew … 2012
McGee, Willie … 1985
Molina, Yadier … 2013
Murphy, Dale … 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985
Murray, Eddie … 1983; 1984
Marcell Ozuna … 2017
Polanco, Placido … 2007
Palmeiro, Rafael … 1998
Parrish, Lance … 1983; 1984
Pedroia, Dustin … 2008
Salvador, Perez … 2016; 2018
Phillips, Brandon … 2011
Puckett, Kirby … 1986; 1987; 1988; 1989; 1992
Pujols, Albert … 2010
J.T. Realmuto … 2019
Renteria, Edgar … 2002
Ripken, Cal, Jr. … 1991
Anthony Rizzo … 2016
Rodriguez, Alex … 2002; 2003
Rodriguez, Ivan … 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2004
Rolen, Scott … 2002
Rollins, Jimmy … 2007
Sandberg, Ryne … 1984; 1985; 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991
Santiago, Benito … 1988; 1990
Schmidt, Mike … 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986
Sizemore, Grady … 2008
Smith, Ozzie … 1987
Suzuki, Ichiro … 2001; 2007; 2009
Thompson, Robby … 1993
Tiexiera, Mark … 2005, 2009
Trillo, Manny … 1981
Tulowitzki, Troy … 2010; 2011
Van Slyke, Andy … 1988; 1992
Varitek, Jason … 2005
Walker, Larry … 1992; 1997; 1999
Wallach, Tim … 1985
White, Frank … 1986
Whitaker, Lou … 1983; 1984; 1985
Williams, Matt … 1993; 1994; 1997
Wilson, Willie … 1980
Winfield, Dave … 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985
Wright, David … 2007; 2008
Yount, Robin … 1982
Ryan Zimmerman … 2009
_____________________________________________
— 2019 SILVER SLUGGER WINNERS —
American League
C – Mitch Garver, Twins
1B – Carlos Santana, Indians
2B – DJ LeMahieu, Yankees
3B – Alex Bregman, Astros
SS – Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
OF – Mookie Betts, Red Sox
OF – Mike Trout, Angels
OF – George Springer, Astros
DH – Nelson Cruz, Twins
National League
C – J.T. Realmuto, Marlins
1B – Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B – Ozzie Albies, Braves
3B – Anthony Rendon, Nationals
SS – Trevor Story, Rockies
OF – Christian Yelich, Brewers
OF – Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
OF – Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves
P – Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks
____________________________________________________________
— 2019 DEFENSIVE AWARDS —
.Primary resources: MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com; ESPN.com; FanGraphs.com
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DAY EIGHT – WE FOUND PITCHING, FIREWORKS AND A ROCKIN’ BAND – BUT NO BLOODY MARYS
Our baseball adventure continues with a trip to Indianapolis to see the Indianapolis Indians (a Pirates affiliate) take on the Pawtucket Red So. We’ll look at the game later in this post, but first a quick quiz and a few comments on our trip to Indy. For a look at Days One and Two of the tour, click here. Days Three and Four, here. Days Five and Six, here. Day Seven, here. Days Nine & Ten, click here.
Side note: Writing this on a moving bus as my battery winds down. Please excuse any typos.
QUICK QUIZ – WHO/WHAT IS ROWDIE?
Rowdie the Indianapolis Indians’ mascot may very well be having a species-identity crisis. Our group of BPT trekkers made a few guesses with the most common being rat (or rodent of some sort) and possum, What’s your guess? Answer at the end of this post.
We left Louisville at about 11 a.m., after enjoying the (free) breakfast buffet at out Holiday Inn Suites and Express. On the way, we made a stop at the Huber Family Orchard, Vineyard and Winery. A family operation that boasted a winery, distillery, fruits and vegetables, restaurant/bar, ice cream shop and (for Bob) even souvenirs. We enjoyed outdoor dining, wine and spirits tasting, homemade ice cream and freshly picked fruit (“Let’s share a quart” took on a new Ballpark Tours meeting meaning when applied to strawberries.)
GAME TIME … YOU MEAN THE INDIANS HAVE NOTHING TO TO WITH THE INDIAN$?
Next it was on to Indianapolis, where the Indianapolis Indians (a Pirates affiliate) were taking on a familiar group – the Pawtucket Red Sox. On this overcast, slightly drizzly night, we once again had great seats – just beyond third base overlooking the bullpen.
Victory Field has a roomy, walk-around concourse, a view of Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Indianapolis Colts – oh, those pesky naming rights) beyond right-center field; a very clear, easy-to-read video scoreboard; and banners hanging throughout the concourse area honoring past Indianapolis players (like Harmon Killebrew, Roger Maris and Herb Score).
We did see a more crisply played game, with Pawtucket prevailing 4-2. Indiana scored first, as lead off hitter RF Cole Tucker tripled to left and 2B Jake Elmore immediately followed with a double to center. After two outs, CF Jason Martin, singled to center scoring Elmore, but was retired on a bang-bang play at second base (throw by RF Gorkys Hernandez). Starting pitcher Kyle Hart then settled down and tossed six scoreless frames. The Red Sox were held scoreless by Indians’ starter Eduardo Vera until the fourth, when they manufactured a run on a single by CF Rusney Castillo, a double by 1B Josh Ockimey and a sacrifice fly by LF Cole Sturgeon. It would be the only run given up by Vera in six innings of work. The only other scoring came in the top of the seventh, after Vera had been relieved by Chris Stratton – and the Red Sox put across three runs (one earned) on a walk, a single, a double and an error. A few observations:
Friday Night Fireworks contributed to the size of the crowd – and made for nice post-game entertainment.
Refillable popcorn, with vodka lemonade.
The food fell a bit short of Louisville (but, then again, Louisville was exceptional). The breaded pork loin sandwich ($9.50) was well received). I had the foot-long grilled (way better than steam or boiled) hot dog with fried and raw onions and jalapenos ($7). But the real hit may have been the baseball-themed, refillable (no charge) containers of popcorn ($8).
Grilled foot-long, pictured resting upon BBRT’s mandatory scorecard.
If you are waiting for the usual BBRT Bloody Mary review. Bad news! No Bloody Marys at this ball park. Not that they don’t have them, they were totally out of Bloody Mary mix. Since I asked for one pre-game, I assume Bloody Marys are not a priority here. They, however, have all the “fancy” (Tutti-Frutti, anyone) beverages promoted on this sign. What is this world coming to? Next, we’ll have batters waived to first base on an intentional walk. Oh, wait ….
PLAYERS OF THE GAME – GOTTA BE THE STARTING PITCHERS (after what we’ve been seeing)
Kyle Hart, LHP, Pawtucket. Hart went seven strong innings for the win, giving up just five hits and two earned runs, walking none and fanning five. The 26-year-olds ran his record with Pawtucket to 3-1, 3.38 – with just four walks and 19 whiffs in 24 innings. (He was also 3-6, 2.91 with Portland this season.) The 6’5″, 170-pound southpaw was a 19th-round pick (out of Indiana University) in the 2016 draft. In four NCAA seasons (interrupted by Tommy John surgery), he went 27-6, 2.76. In four minor league campaigns, he is 18-23, 2.94.
Eduardo Vera, RHP, Indianapolis. The 24-year-old Vera (6’2″, 195-pounds) pitch six solid innings – six hits, one run, no walks, five strikeouts; but got no decision (he left with a 2-1 lead). Vera signed (out of Mexico) as a 17-year-old in 2012. In seven minor league seasons, he’s gone 28-18, 3.67.
POST GAME … MUSIC AND LIBATIONS
The post-game choice for trekkers was the Slippery Noodle Inn – Indiana’s oldest bar. Good food and drink and, more important, the Big Daddy Caddy Band; which played all kinds of music, tackled pretty much any request and rocked the house.
ROWDIE, THE INDIANS’ MASCOT IS A BEAR. REALLY, I’M NOT KIDDING.
More posts from the road to come.
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Grassroots BaseballPhotographs by Jean Fruth
Sports Publishing, 2019
$60.00
Home sweet home. What makes baseball such an important part of our lives is that the game constantly pays tribute to where the heart is. After all, the only way to score runs is to leave home and then return.
From the foreword to Grassroots Baseball
If anyone can bring home the special passion that beats in the heart of our national pastime, it is photographer Jean Fruth – one of baseball’s preeminent photographers. In her book, Grassroots Baseball … Where Legends Begin, she does just that – presenting more than 250 heart-touching images from amateur fields and ball parks across the United States and from baseball-loving communities around the globe. You will be carried, visually, from the hot and dusty amateur ball fields of the Dominican Republic to the urban youth diamonds of New York City to the site of the Little League World Series in Williamsport to the colorful fields in Mexico upon which Caribbean Series is played – and plenty of places in between. BBRT Note: At the end of this post, you will find a BBRT interview with photograph Jean Fruth.
Jean Fruth’s photographs tell an uplifting story about baseball in its purest form – played for the love of the game. If you are a fan of the national pastime, you should have this book.
Baseball Roundtable
Fruth’s photos tell the story of growing up with baseball – in communities and circumstances ranging from places where home plate is a discarded license plate and baseball gloves are fashioned from old milk cartons to communities where youngsters can take advantage of batting cages and pitching machines. But the real story here may be what the youngsters who play on these diverse fields and in these widely varying conditions have in common. As you look at the faces of the young ballplayers in these photos, you will see grit, determination and concentration; elation and disappointment; quiet reflection and fierce competition; but mostly you will see wide-eyed joy – the joy of being on the ball field playing a game they all love.
The culture of Baseball is much more than what happens on the field. Shooting action is wonderful, but what makes baseball special and photo-worthy is how the sport shapes the culture in which it is played, and how local culture reflects the sport. The stories you can tell through pictures are often a direct reflection of the places in which the game is being played.
Jean Fruth
How good is Jean Fruth’s art? How well does her lens capture the heart and soul of the game? The list of those contributing the words that open and close the book and set the stage for each of its visual chapters tells that story.
Consider this lineup of contributors:
Introduction – Cal Ripken, Jr.
New York – Whitey Ford
Mexico – Fernando Valenzuela
Mobile, Alabama – Hank Aaron
Japan – Ichiro Suzuki
Cape Cod – Craig Biggio
Oakland – Rickey Henderson
Cuba – Tony Pérez
Williamsport, PA – Randy Johnson
Puerto Rico – Iván Rodríguez
Tampa, FL – Wade Boggs
Caribbean Series – Juan Marichal
Aberdeen, ML – Cap Ripken, Jr.
Curaçao – Hensley Meulens
Texas – Nolan Ryan
Afterward – Johnny Bench
And what stories they share! Not so much about their accomplishments on the major-league level, but how they (like most of those pictured in the book) grew up with the game. I won’t share too much, but here are a few examples from their stories.
Randy Johnson – from Grassroots Baseball
“I remember my very first Little League practice. My parents were at work. My five brothers and sisters and I were raised to do things on our own, so I took myself to practice. There we so many people there that I just became confused and went home without playing. Fortunately, when I walked through the door my mom was there. She took me by the hand and made sure my life in baseball started that day … Thanks for getting me to practice, Mom.
Iván Rodríguez– from Grassroots Baseball
I always had a good arm, even as a little kid. When I was nine-years-old, I set my youth league record for strikeouts and no-hitters. At a regional tournament in La Llanura, I hit three batters. My dad pulled me from the game and told me from then on I was going to be a catcher.
By that enough about words – it’s Jean Fruth’s pictures that really tell the story. And, it’s a great and uplifting story about baseball in its purest form. Her photographs capture the colors and drama of the game – whether it’s played on dusty sandlots or in stadiums that hold 45,000; whether the game action unfolds under blue skies and bright sunshine or against the contrast of blue-black skies and bright ballpark lights; and whether that participants are youngsters in short and T-shirts or adolescents in full uniforms. But mostly, again, Fruth’s photographs capture the joy of the game, as it can only be expressed when you are playing for the love of the game. Again, if you are a fan of the game, you should have this book.
Maybe Ken Griffey, Jr. put it best, “Photography and baseball are both arts. Jean beautifully captures the youthfulness and charisma of the game of baseball.”
You can order Grassroots Baseball – Where Legends Begin (a signed copy for $55, including shipping and tax at www.grassrootsbaseball.com
Below is a brief biography and a Baseball Roundtable interview with Jean Fruth..
___________________________________________________
About Jean Fruth
Jean Fruth is one of baseball’s preeminent photographers. A talented and creative portrait, studio and on-location photographer, she first turned her focus intensely on baseball covering the Giants and A’s for more than a decade. She then turned her attention to the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, helping to build the museum’s profile and photo archive by contributing her work to the Hall over a three-year period. While shooting for the Hall of Fame, her year-round baseball calendar started with the Caribbean Series; moved on to Spring Training, the MLB regular season and post season; and, finally, to winter ball in Latin America.
Jean is a traveling photographer for La Vida Baseball and is honored to be recognized by Sony as one of its 41 Sony Artisans of Imagery, worldwide.
—–BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE INTERVIEW WITH JEAN FRUTH.—–
BBRT: Your guest writers for each section provide readers with insight into how they developed their interest in baseball. Can you share some insight into how you first became interested in photography? And, later, what drew you to focus – bad pun intended – on baseball?
Fruth:
I started with a portrait photography business that I owned with two women partners in Healdsburg, California. This was in the pre-digital era, so we worked exclusively with film. We offered portraits in-studio and on-location. We worked with black-and-white film, had a darkroom and would print all of our own work.
While in the portrait business, I started coaching my son’s rookie ball and Little League teams and started shooting his games for posterity. I later sent images of the League’s All-Star games to the local paper and eventually they asked me to shoot high-school sports for them. I shot all sports, but mainly football and baseball. My love for baseball photography started with my son and blossomed when I began shooting Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants games – and then for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
BBRT: Baseball has often been called the most literary of sports, worthy of all the words written about it. From your perspective what also makes it photo-worthy?
Fruth:
The culture of Baseball is much more than what happens on the field. Shooting action is wonderful, but what makes baseball special and photo-worthy is how the sport shapes the culture in which it is played, and how local culture reflects the sport. The stories you can tell through pictures are often a direct reflection of the places in which the game is being played.
BBRT: What do you try to capture when you are taking pictures of the game and those who play and watch it?
Fruth:
My goal is to tell stories. With action photos I want to capture the athlete in peak moments: ball on bat; jumping high in the air against the wall making a catch; running with a helmet flying off; or making the tag at home on a close play. With those shots, ideally they also give a sense of place. Fenway Park has the Green Monster; Wrigley has the ivy; the ballpark in Pittsburgh is surrounded by beautiful bridges; and the Giants have the signature Coca-Cola bottle in left field.
For grassroots baseball, in the south, maybe there was a church in the background to include. In Texas, a billboard promoting barbecue. And then there are the stories. A father and son sitting in a dugout taking a breather from practice in the late afternoon sun. In the Dominican Republic, maybe it’s a kid catching with one shin guard because equipment is hard to come by, or a training facility where players are pulling tires with a rope around their waist to strengthen legs and core, versus having access to a weight room.
BBRT: Is there anything you find especially unique about baseball – from a photographer’s perspective – versus other sports?
Fruth:
Baseball’s ties to community tend to run deep, because of the long connection the sport has in helping to shape culture and values. Those intrinsic links allow photographers to story-tell in more expansive and interesting ways that extend well beyond the ball field.
BBRT: You have quite a lineup of players sharing their stories in the book. How did you choose them?
Fruth:
The goal was to have a legend from each area tell his “grassroots story.” There are so many wonderful legends from all of these areas. Each legend was asked to participate for different reasons. The wonderful part was that when the project was explained and they learned that focus was on kids and the grassroots game, everyone happily accepted my invitation. I already had relationships with many of the legends from photographing them and seeing them in ballparks over the years.
Pudge Rodriguez was one of them. Because we knew each other well, he allowed me to join him when he returned home to Puerto Rico from the New York City press conference announcing that he would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I had the privilege of spending a week documenting his return, not only to his home town, but everywhere on the island that he was celebrated.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and take portraits of so many Hall of Famers including Craig Biggio, Hank Aaron, Whitey Ford, Tony Perez and their families during Hall of Fame Weekend, and develop relationships with them all.
BBRT: Finally, any hints you’d give to all of us amateurs who occasionally try to capture a baseball scene?
Fruth:
Think about your backgrounds. Can you give your image a sense of place?
Think about your angle. Don’t shoot in the same old place each time. Everyone shoots from down first or third base lines. Can you shoot from a different angle? There are lots of images to be made behind a fence. Can you put your lens against the fence around home plate? Try to capture the batter with the runner on third base taking a lead. Can you get the beautiful chalked lines in your shot “down the line?” Can you get down at a low angle making your subject look heroic? Or from up high with a bird’s-eye view?
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Photo by Keith Allison
When Edwin Jackson took the mound for the Blue Jays today, he pitched his way into the MLB record books – becoming the first player ever to take the field for 14 different MLB teams. (Jackson had been tied at 13 with Octavio Dotel). In this post, we’ll look at Jackson’s path (and record) through 14 teams in 17 major league seasons, as well as the record holders for teams played for in a season and even in a single day,
Here’s Jackson’s record – team by team.
How did he do it?
2001
2003
2006
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
________________________________________________
—–Most Teams Played for in a Season—–
In 2018, 32-year-old right-hander Oliver Drake set a new major-league mark by playing for five MLB teams in a single season (previously more than dozen players shared the record at four).
Drake began the season with the Brewers (where he finished the previous campaign), After going 1-0, 6.39 in eleven appearances, he was designated for assignment on May 2 and, on May 5, purchased from the Brewers by the Indians.
He was with Tribe until the final week in May – going 0-0,with a 12.46 ERA in just four appearances – before again being designated for assignment.
May 31, he was selected off waivers by the Angels. Sixteen days (and 0-1, 10.13 record), later he was again designated for assignment. He went unclaimed and reported to the Angels’ Salt Lake City Triple-A affiliate – where he was pretty much lights out. That earned him a trip back to Anaheim, where he added four more appearances, with an 0-0, 3.00 record – and was again designated for assignment.
He was picked up (off waivers) by the Blue Jays on July 26 and was there for just two appearances (giving up three runs in 1 2/3 innings) before again being designated for assignment.
On August 3, he was selected off waivers by the Twins – his fifth MLB team of the season – where he found a bit more success and stability. Pitching for his fifth MLB team of the year, Drake finished the season with Minnesota, getting in 19 games and posting a 2.21 ERA an fanning 22 batters in in 20 1/3 innings pitched.What did that get him? In the off-season, he was again designate for assignment.
Oliver Drake finished the 2018 season with an 1-1 record, a 5.29 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings.
So, have things settled down? Drake was picked up by the Rays (waivers) on November 1, 2018; he was then designated again and picked up (waivers, November 26) by the Blue Jays; before being purchased by the Rays from the Jays on January 4, 2019).
Oliver Drake spent his first nine season in the Baltimore Orioles’ system. He was signed in the 43rd round of the 2008 Amateur Draft by the Orioles and made his MLB debut with the O’s in 2015. He also pitched for the Orioles in 2016 (and part of 2017).
As of this writing Drake is pitching for the Durham Bulls (Rays Triple A affiliate), where he is 1-1, 3.05, with six saves in 16 appearances.
__________________________________________________
—-Most MLB Teams Player for In a Single Day—–
Taking the Field for Two Teams in a Single Day
Three players share the record for the most franchises played for in a single day at two. The first two to accomplish this feat were Max Flack and Cliff Heathcote, who were traded for each other between games of a Memorial Day 1922 Cubs/Cardinals doubleheader. The two outfielders each suited up against their previous team for Game Two. Both went hitless in game one of the doubleheader and both collected hits for their new teams in the second game (Flack a single in four at bats, Heathcote a pair of singles in four trips to the plate).
Joel Youngblood tied the record for teams played for in a single day in 1982, adding a twist – he played for and recorded hits for two different teams in two different cities on the same day. Let’s look at Youngblood’s unique achievement.
On August 4, 1982, Youngblood started his day as a member of the New York Mets, who were playing an afternoon game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Youngblood opened the game in center field, batting third. After striking out in the first inning, Youngblood drove in two runs with a single in the top of the third. Youngblood was unexpectedly replaced in center field by Mookie Wilson in the bottom of the fourth – and told by Mets’ manager George Bamberger that he had been traded to the Expos (for a player to be named later).
The Expos were scheduled to play in Philadelphia in Philadelphia that night, and Youngblood immediately set out to join his new team. He managed to catch a 6:05 p.m. flight to Philadelphia – eventually arriving at Veterans Stadium with the game in progress. To his surprise, there was an Expos uniform, with his name already sewn on the back, waiting for him. The Expos wasted no time getting there newest player into the game. Manager Jim Fanning sent Youngblood into right field and the number-two spot in the batting order (replacing Jerry White) in the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, Youngblood singled in his first Expos’ at bat. Thus, Youngblood collected base hits for two different teams in two different cities in one day.
Youngblood’s feat is even more startling when you consider the pitchers he touched for his two safeties. In Chicago, it was future Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins; while in Philadelphia, it was future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton.
MOST MLB TEAMS PLAYED FOR IN A SINGLE DAY
Max Flack – May 30, 1922: Cubs (RF); Cardinals (RF).
Cliff Heathcote – May 30, 1922: Cardinals (CF); Cubs (RF).
Joel Youngblood – August 4, 1982: Mets (CF); Expos (RF).
Primary Resources: MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com
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Baseball Roundtable Opening Day Trivia Teaser
Between 1972 and 1986, Steve Carlton started 14 of the 15 Phillies’ Opening Day games. Your question: Who was the pitcher who interrupted Carlton’s string? Hint: It happened in 1976, the pitcher was another lefty, a three-time 20-game winner, and had been an All Star the year before. Side note: In his 14 Opening Day starts, Steve Carlton won three and lost nine – with a 4.30 earned run average, 29 walks and 66 strikeouts in 92 innings.
Answer: Jim Kaat, who had a 25-season MLB career – with 283 wins (237 losses). Kaat pitched for the Phillies from 1976-79, putting up a 27-30, 4.23 record. He spent 15 of his 20 seasons with the Senators/Twins. For those who may be wondering whether Carlton’s health played an issue in Kaat’s Opening Day start, Carlton started the second game of the season and went on to a 20-7 record in 35 starts. Side note: Jim Kaat was not only a 283-game winner, but also a 16-time Gold Glover.
So, there’s a bit of Opening Day trivia for Opening Day 2019. Well, it’s kind of Opening Day. I, unfortunately, can’t forget that the Mariners and A’s played the first 2019 regular-season game back on March 20th. (See BBRT’s comments on that turn of events by clicking here.) Still, let’s look at some Opening Day tidbit and targets you may find of interest.
OPENING DAY – THE SUN SHINES ON THE PITCHERS
Come on, Tom Terrific – Let’s get this party started.
Sticking with the theme of our question, no pitcher started more Opening Day games than Hall of Famer Tom Seaver (16). Seaver opened for Mets eleven times, the Reds three times and for the White Sox twice.
Black Jack – Or “They call him the streak.”
Hall of Famer Jack Morris holds the record for the most consecutive Opening Day starts at 14 (eleven for the Tigers, one for the Twins and two for the Blue Jays). Another Hall of Famer, Robin Roberts, holds the record for the most consecutive Opening Day starts for the same team at 12 – for the Phillies from 1950-1961.
In the “back in the day” category, in the 1950’s (1950-59), Robin Roberts won 199 games and threw 3,011 2/3 innings – for an AVERAGE of 20 wins and 301 innings per season.
Opening Day Starts – Gimme five, bro!
Gaylord Perry was honored by the most teams with Opening Day starts. He started on Opening Day for an MLB-record five different teams (Giants, Indians, Rangers, Padres and Mariners).
An Opening Day No-Hitter – A truly ONE-derous feat.
On April 16, 1940, 21-year-old Bob Feller (already in his fifth MLB season) threw the first – and still only – Opening Day no-hitter in MLB history – topping the White Sox 1-0 in Chicago. It was the first no-hitter (of an eventual three) for Feller, who walked five and struck out eight. During the season, Feller would go on to lead the AL in wins (27), ERA (2.61), strikeouts (261), games pitched (43), games started (37), complete games (31), innings pitched (320 1/3) and shutouts (4).
The Longest Day – 15 Shutout Innings.
On April 13, 1926, the Senators’ Walter Johnson pitched a 15-inning, complete game shutout (six hits, three walks, nine strikeouts) as Washington topped the Philadelphia Athletics 1-0 in Washington. The opposing starter, Eddie Rommel tossed the second-most innings in an Opening Day appearance – going 14 1/3, as Washington scored the winning run with one out in the 15th. Johnson, by the way, was 38-years-old at the time.
Fifteen Strikeouts on Opening Day – Tossing the Hitters a Curve.
On April 18, 1960, Camilo Pascual (known for his sweeping curve ball) took the mound at Griffith Stadium for the Washington Senators (against the Boston Red Sox). In 1959, the Senators had finished in last place in the AL, but Pascual had gone 17-10, 2.64, and led the league with 17 complete games and six shutouts. As the Senators’ Opening Day starter in 1960, Pascual picked up right where he left off – tossing a complete game three-hitter, walking three and striking out a still Opening Day record 15 batters in a 10-1 win over the Red Sox.
U Can’t Touch This – 7-0 on Opening Day.
Jimmy Key holds the record for Opening Day wins without a loss at seven – and he did in the minimum seven starts (Blue Jays, Yankees and Orioles). In those seven wins, he threw 44 1/3 innings, with a 3.05 ERA.
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LET’S GIVE THE HITTERS SOME OPENING DAY LOVE.
Knock Three Times – Most Home Runs in an Opening Day Game.
Until last season (March 29, 2018 to be exact) only three players had hit three home runs in an Opening Day Game – all three on April 4. Now the Opening Day record of three home runs is shared by Four players – the Blue Jays’ George Bell, Cubs’ Tuffy Rhodes, Tigers’ Dmitri Young and White Sox’ Matt Davidson.
On April 4, 1988, George Bell – batting clean-up and serving as the DH – became the first major leaguer to hit three home runs in an Opening Day game as his Blue Jays topped the Royals 5-3 in Kansas City. Bell’s power outburst was no surprise. He was coming off a 1987 season in which he hit 47 homers, drove in 134 runs and was the AL MVP. Bell went three-for-four with three runs scored and four RBI, hitting all three home runs off Royals’ starter Brett Saberhagen.
On a windy April 4, 1994, Karl “Tuffy” Rhodes (leading off and playing CF for the Cubs in Chicago) hit three solo shots off Mets’ starter Dwight Gooden. Rhodes also had a single and a walk in five plate appearances. Despite Rhodes’ record-tying performance, the Cubs lost to the visiting Mets 12-8. At the time, Rhodes had played 107 MLB games in four seasons – hitting a total of five home runs. His MLB career consisted of 225 games in six seasons, with a .224 average and just 13 round trippers (with a high of eight in 1994). Rhodes did go on to hit 474 home runs in eleven seasons in Japan.
On April 4, 2005 the Tigers’ Dmitri Young joined Bell and Rhodes on the list of batters with three home runs in an Opening Day game – as the Tigers topped the Royals 11-2 in Detroit. Young started at DH and went four-for-four with four runs and five RBI. Young, an All Star in 2003 and 2007, hit a total of 21 home runs in 2005 – and 171 in 13 MLB seasons. He hit a career-high 29 round trippers in 2003.
On March 29, 2018, as the White Sox topped the Royals 14-7 in Kansas City, DH and (appropriately) clean-up hitter Matt Davidson opened the season with a three-homer, five-RBI game. He went 3-for-four with a walk, four runs scored and five RBI. Davidson went deep off three different pitchers: solo shots in the fourth and fifth off Danny Duffy and Blaine Boyer and a three-run blast in the eighth off Brian Flynn. Davidson, in his fourth MLB season, went on to a .228-20-62 campaign. In his 273 MLB games (as of the opening of the 2019 season), Davidson has just three multi-homer contests. and a total of 49 round trippers.
Seven RBI in an Opener – Bringing the boys home, sweet home.
Being a Twins’ fan, one of my favorite Opening Day records is seven RBI in Game One of the season – shared by the Twins’ Brant Alyea and the Cubs’ Corey Patterson.
On April 7, 1970 – in his very first game as a Twin – LF Brant Alyea drove in an Opening Day record seven runs as Minnesota topped the White Sox 12-0 in Chicago. Batting fifth, Alyea went four-for-four, with two home runs, two singles and two runs scored. The game, it turned out, would foreshadow a strong April for Alyea. In 17 April games, he hit .415, with seven runs, 23 RBI, four doubles and five home runs.
Thirty-three seasons later – on March 31, 2003 – Cubs’ CF Corey Patterson tied Alyea’s record. In a 15-2 win over the Mets in New York, Patterson, batting seventh, drove in seven runs, going four-for-six with two home runs and two runs scored. Patterson, a career .252 hitter (12 seasons), was an Opening Day All Star. In seven Opening Day appearances, Patterson hit .440, with seven runs, 12 RBI and three home runs.
A Long Time Gone – A True Team Effort.
Only two teams have hit six home runs in a season opener:
1988 Mets: On April 4, 1988, the Mets opened the season with a 10-6 win over Les Expos in Montreal – behind home runs by: Darryl Strawberry and Kevin McReynolds (2 homers each); Kevin Elster; and Lenny Dykstra.
2018 White Sox: On March 29, 2018, the White Sox opened the season with a 14-7 win over the Royals in Kansas City. The Sox got three home runs from Mark Davidson two from Tim Anderson; and one from Jose Abreu. Hmmm? As easy as 1-2-3.
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HOW ABOUT SOME PAINFUL OPENING DAY MEMORIES?
Five Whiffs as a hitter – The Sultan of Swing.
On March 31, 1996, White Sox catcher Ron Karkovice set an MLB Opening Day record by striking out five times as Chicago lost 3-2 in Seattle. Karkovice, however, may have been a victim of circumstance.
First, future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson started on the mound for the Mariners – striking out 14 in seven innings (including Karkovice three times).
Second, the White Sox could muster only two runs on four hits over the first nine innings – taking a slim 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth (at that point, Karkovice had fanned just three times).
Third, the Mariners tied the contest in the ninth, and the game went to 12 innings before the Mariners prevailed 3-2. In those three extra innings, Karkovice struck out against Norm Charlton (tenth inning) and Edwin Hurtado (twelfth inning) to set the Opening Day record.
Eleven Walks on Opening Day – We’re gonna take a free ride.
On April 16, 1957, Cleveland southpaw Herb Score set the Opening Day record for pitcher’s walks, delivering eleven free passes to the visiting White Sox. Despite Score’s wildness, it was a close contest, with Score going the distance in a 3-2, 11-inning loss. Score struck out ten and gave just seven hits and two earned runs – stranding 14 Chicago base runners.
The Target? – Not to be the target.
On April 9, 1990, the Astros’ first baseman and cleanup hitter Glenn Davis was hit by a pitch an Opening Day record three times. Davis came to the plate six times and never put the ball in play – but still made only one out. Davis (who led the league in HBP that season with eight) was hit by a pitch three times, walked twice and struck out once as the Astros lost to the visiting Reds 8-4.
BBRT Note: Davis finished Opening Day with a batting average of .000, but an on-base percentage of .833.
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THE KINGS OF OPENING DAY – IN THE BATTER’S BOX AND ON THE MOUND
Photo by wild mercury
Perhaps no one looked forward to Opening Day more than Ted Williams – the king of the Opening Day batter’s box. A career .344 hitter, Williams was even better on Opening Day. Teddy Ballgame played in fourteen openers and was never held without a hit. He compiled a .449 Opening Day average (22 hits in 49 at bats), with three home runs, eight doubles, one triple, nine runs scored, 14 RBI and eleven walks. His Opening Day on-base percentage was .550 and his season-opener slugging percentage was .837.
The Washington Senators’ Walter Johnson can be crowned king of the Opening Day hill. On his first-ever Opening Day start (April 14, 1910), the 22-year-old Johnson tossed a 3-0 one-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Athletics. Sixteen years (and 13 Opening Day starts) later, a 38-year-old Johnson fulfilled his last Opening Day assignment with a 15-inning, complete-game, 1-0 win (6 hits, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts) over the A’s. Johnson holds the record for Opening Day pitching victories with nine (against five losses) and also threw a record seven Opening Day shutouts.Photo by The Library of Congress
AND FOR YOUR OPENING DAY VIEWING PLEASURE.
BECAUSE THIS KIND OF THING NEVER GETS OLD.
Primary Resources: MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com.
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On this date (February 28) in 1966, Los Angeles Dodger pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale began what it arguably the most notable holdout in MLB history. The pair refused to report to Spring Training unless the Dodgers signed them to a $1 million, three-year contract – with each receiving $167,000 annually. The hurlers also said neither would sign separately, the deal was to be a two-fer. Remember, this was at a time when player bargaining rights were considerably restricted – a strong reserve clause, no free agency and no arbitration. Further, Willie Mays was MLB’s highest-paid player at $125,000 annually and no pitcher had ever made a six-figure salary.
Now, Koufax and Drysdale did have some bargaining power. The year before, the two had led the Dodger to the NL pennant and a World Series Championship. During the 1965 season, Koufax had gone 26-8, with a 2.04 earned run average and 382 strikeouts in 335 2/3 innings. The lefty had led the NL in wins, winning percentage, earned run average, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts. Drysdale, meanwhile, had gone 23-12, 2.77, with 210 whiffs in 308 1/3 innings – leading the NL in starts, finishing third in victories and placing in the top ten in nearly every pitching category. Koufax had also won his second Cy Young Award and finished second to Willie Mays in the MVP voting. The pair would not sign until March 30 – and only after a noted television cowboy (no not Gene Autry) had ridden in to help save the day. The haggling had gone back and forth and the pair of hurlers had even signed on to appear in a movie (with actor David Janssen) – with filming slated to start about a week before the season opener – to make clear their willingness to sit out the season. Reports indicate that Chuck Connors – star of the hit television series The Rifleman – played a key role setting up the late March meeting between Buzzie Bavasi and Drysdale (at Nicola’s, a popular restaurant near Dodger Stadium) that led finally broke the impasse – with Koufax signing for $125,000 and Drysdale for $100,000.
What followed the signings was a combination of good news and bad news.
The Rifleman – 1958-63 – was one of televisions most popular westerns.
Now back to the television cowboy – Kevin Joseph “Chuck” Connors was much more than a TV sod buster. Yes, he was the as star of the successful TV western series The Rifleman and had roles in such classic movies as Old Yeller and television presentations like Roots (which earned him an Emmy nomination).
The 6’5” left-hander, however, also played first base for the Chicago Cubs (and made one pinch-hitting appearance for the Dodgers), took the courts as a forward and center for the Boston Celtics, and was drafted by the Chicago Bears.
Here are a few other Connors tidbits:
AS AN ACTOR
AS AN ATHLETE
For the full story on Chuck Connors, click here.
Primary Resrouces: Baseball-Reference.com; “Fifty years ago, Dodgers’ Sand Koufax and Don Drysdale engaged in a salary holdout that would change baseball forever” – Los Angeles Times, March 28, 20166; OurChuckConnors.com; Society for American Baseball Research.
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