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The Rule 5 Draft – A Hall of Famer; A Face that Couldn’t be Forgotten; A Flyin’ Hawaiian; and Even Joey Bats

December 16, 2018 by David

This past Thursday, MLB held its 2018 Rule 5 Draft – and, while Rule 5 pickups can really only be e-value-ated sometime down the road, there were a handful (that would be five – four fingers and a thumb) names I found intriguing. I’ll take a quick look at those players in this post, but spend more time reflecting on a handful (plusone) MLB Rule five Draft moves BBRT’s finds intriguing. Those include:

The “Pirating” of arguably the best player ever taken in the Rule 5 Draft;
A Hawaiian who didn’t start flyin’ until being exposed to the Rule 5 Draft twice;
How the Twins turned one Rule 5 pick (who never took the mound for them) into two Cy Young Awards AND CASH;
A Rule FIVE draftee who appeared on the roster of a record FIVE different teams (and at FIVE different positions) the season after he was drafted;
The “catch and release” of a player who was selected in the MLB Draft five times before signing, was later exposed to the Rule 5 Draft and went on to hit 400+ home runs; and
A Rule 5 draftee whose Face, name and arm the legendary Branch Rickey just could not resist.

But first a few interesting names from this year’s Rule 5 Draft. (Note: Only certain players not protected on each club’s forty-man roster can be selected in the Rule 5 Draft – at a cost of $100,000. The player must be kept on the selecting team’s roster for the entire upcoming season or offered back to the team from which they were selected for $50,000.)

Richie Martin, SS

The former 2015 first-round pick of the A’s was the first player taken in the draft (by the Orioles). The 23-year-old is best known for his defensive skills (soft hands/good arm), but last year the 5’11”/190-pound right-hander hit .300-6-42, with 25 stolen bases at Double A Midland and may be coming into his own at the plate. He has shown steady improvement in the batter’s box over the past three minor league seasons (.224-.266-.300). There are those who say his range may be better suited to second base. The Orioles, who won only 47 games last season, are pretty thin in the middle infield, so Martin has a good chance to stick with the team.

Sam McWilliams, RHP

At 6’7”/190-pounds, McWilliams – taken by the Royals from the Rays with the second pick in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft – has the kind of size MLB teams like to see on the mound. The long and lean righty, however, still has a lot to prove. The 22-year-old is 23-26, 3.77 in five minor league seasons, with 305 strikeouts in 403 1/3 innings.

McWilliams is seen to have a considerable upside, with a low-90’s fastball, a slider and an improving changeup. He was drafted right out of high school by the Phillies (Round 8, 2014); traded to the Diamondbacks (for Jeremey Hellickson in November of 2015) and traded to the Rays (with Colin Poche for Steven Souza, Jr.) in May of 2018. He may have found a landing place in the Royals’ bullpen. (Keep in mind the Royals finished at the bottom of the AL Central last season.)

Reed Garrett, RHP

Reed Garrett, plucked from the Rangers by the Tigers, brings a mid-90’s fastball and a hard slider to Detroit. In 2018, the 25-year-old righty pitched for the Frisco RoughRiders at Double A and the Round Rock Express at Triple A. The 6’2”/210-pounder went a combined 4-1, 2.04 with 21 saves and 61 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. Expect him to get a genuine opportunity to secure a spot the Bengal bullpen.

Joe Conner, INF

Like Sam McWilliams (two spots above), Joe Conner has already packed his bags a couple of times – traded from the Pirates (who drafted him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft) to the Braves and then sent on to the Dodgers last year. The Reds snatched Conner from the Dodgers in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. The 6’/205-pounder has shown versatility, last year playing first base, second base, third base and DH at Double A and Triple A. He also has shown some power – .299-17-55 in 106 minor league games in 2018. The 26-year-old has also played both corner outfield spots in the minors and could stick with the Reds as a utility player and bright-handed bat off the bench.

Brandon Brennan, RHP

Brandon Brennan moved from the Rockies to the Mariners in the Rule 5 Draft and, given the moves the Mariners have been making this off season, the 27-year-old could very well stick in the Settle pen. Brennan – drafted by the White Sox in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB draft – pitched in the White Sox system from 2012 through 2018. (He was signed by the Rockies recently as a free-agent). In 2018, Brennan went 5-4, 3.25 in 44 appearances at Double A – using a low- to mid-90s fastball, complemented by a slider and a changeup. The key to the Mariners’ interest, though, may have been his 79 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings. He also pitched in the Mexican-Pacific Winter league this past year, putting up a 2.51 ERA in 12 appearances.

So, there are a few 2018 Rule 5 Draftee that caught BBRT’s eye. Now let’s look at some of the more interesting Rule 5 selections from the past.

Roberto Clemente – Da Bums’ Big Blunder

Okay, this is probably the number-one story told whenever the history of the MLB Rule 5 Draft is being discussed. Roberto Clemente is arguably the best player ever picked up in the Rule 5 Draft – and clearly did more for the team that drafted him than another player.

Clemente signed with the Dodgers (out of Puerto Rico) at 19-years-old in February of 1954. The Dodgers apparently felt they could keep the unprotected bonus baby under the radar in the minors – limiting his playing time and, at times, even having him take batting practice with the pitchers, rather than the position players.

Roberto Clemente was the first Latin American player to earn a World Series Most Valuable Player Award. It came in 1971, when he hit .414 against the Orioles.

Oops! The Dodgers’ strategy didn’t work. On November 22, 1954, Pittsburgh used a Rule 5 Draft pick to pirate Clemente away from the Dodgers. It was easily the most productive (from the Pirates’ point of view) and destructive (from the Dodgers’ perspective) Rule 5 transaction ever.

Clemente went on to play 18 MLB seasons – all with the Pirates – earning his way into the Hall of Fame. He was 12-time All Star, 12-time Gold Glover, four-time batting champion and the 1966 National League MVP. Exactly what did the Pirates get (and the Dodgers lose)? How about 3,000 MLB hits, a .317 career average, 440 doubles, 166 triples, 240 home runs, 1,305 RBI, 1,416 runs scored?

Clearly, for the Dodgers, Roberto Clemente is THE one that got away.

Shane Victorino – Prodigal Son Not Returned

Shane Victorino, who became known as “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” with the Phillies, started his professional career (like Roberto Clemente, above) in the Dodgers’ organization. And, with Victorino, the Dodgers had two bites at the apple.

Victorino – born in Wailuku, Hawaii – was selected by the Dodgers (as an 18-year-old) in the sixth round of the 1999 MLB Draft. Victorino worked his way up in the Dodgers’ system – from Rookie ball to AA between 1999 and 2002.

Victorino was left unprotected and picked (from the Dodgers) by the Padres in the 2002 Rule Five Draft. He made his MLB debut with San Diego in April of 2003, but played just 36 games with the Padres and hit a meager .151. In late May, Victorino was returned to the Dodgers.

He played two more minor league seasons in the Dodgers’ system and – again unprotected – was selected by the Phillies in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft. (Note: In 2004, at AA and AAA, Victorino hit .289, with 19 home runs and 16 steals.) Victorino didn’t make the Phillies major league squad out of Spring Training and was offered back to the Dodgers. This time, the Dodgers rejected the return and the Phillies were able to assign Victorino to their Triple A affiliate (Scranton/Wilkes Barre), where he really took off – hitting .310-18-70 in 126 games and earning International League All Star and MVP recognitions.

On June 3, 2007, as the Phillies celebrated Shane Victorino Day (even flying Victorino’s father in from Hawaii for the game), “The Flyin’ Hawaiin” topped off the celebration with a ninth-inning, game-winning, walk-off home run.

The rest is history, the two-time Rule 5 draftee, played eight seasons with the Phillies, hitting .279 with 88 home runs, 390 RBI and 179 stolen bases,. During his time in Philly, he led the NL in triples twice, won three Gold Gloves and was an All Star twice. He played a total of 12 MLB seasons and hit .275-108-489, with 731 runs scored, 231 steals and four Gold Gloves.

Johan Santana – Johan, we hardly knew ya!

In 1999, Jared Camp was in his fifth professional season – taking the mound for the Cleveland Indians’ affiliates at the A Double A and Triple A levels. He went combined 4-4, 2.81 and fanned 91 batters in 83 1/3 innings. That same season, 20-year-old Johan Santana went 8-8. 4.66 for the Astros’ Single A farm team – fanning 150 batters in 160 1/3 innings pitched. Neither pitcher was protected going into the 1999 Rule 5 Draft – in which the Twins had the first pick and the Marlins the second. And that’s where the fun begins.

The Twins took Camp with the first pick, while the Marlins took Johan Santana second. The Twins immediately sent Camp to the Marlins for Santana and cash. Ultimately, Santana for Camp and cash proved a Rule 5 “draft-and-trade” steal for Minnesota.

On June 12, 2012, Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in New York Mets’ history.

Camp never pitched in the major leagues, while Santana went on to became a four-time All Star (three times as a Twin). He spent eight of his 12 MLB seasons with Minnesota – going 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA, recording the league’s lowest ERA twice, leading the league in wins once and strikeouts three times. In 2008, the former Rule Five pick was traded to the Mets (bringing the Twins Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra). He pitched four season for New York (46-34, 3.18) winning another ERA title.

Jose Bautista – Doesn’t Anybody Want This Guy? Or “Country Roads Take Me Home.”

Jose Bautista was signed by the Pirates in the 20^th round of the 2000 MLB draft and, by 2003, had shown some promise in the minors (three seasons, 249 games, .287 average, 20 home runs, 110 RBI, 12 stolen bases).

In December 2003, an odyssey that began with the Rule 5 draft would see Bautista become the first player to appear on five different MLB rosters in a single season – and end up back home with the same organization that originally lost him in the Rule 5 Draft. His season went like this:

December 15, 2003 … picked selected (from the Pirates) by the Orioles in the Rule 5 draft – opened the season with the Orioles;
June 3, 2004 … waived by the Orioles, picked up by the Rays;
June 28, 2004 … sold by the Rays to the Royals;
July 30, 2004 … traded by the Royals to the Mets;
July 30, 2004 … traded by the Mets to the Pirates.

In that post-Rule 5-Draft 2004 season, Bautista actually appeared on the field for four MB teams – Orioles (16 games); Devil Rays (12); Royals (13); and Pirates (23). In addition, he appeared, briefly, on the Mets’ MLB roster. He also appeared in MLB games at five different positions – third bases, left field, center field, right filed and DH.

In 2018, Jose Bautista became the first player to homer for three different teams in the same division in the same season – two round trippers for the Braves, nine for the Mets and two for the Phillies. (Yes, Virginia, in baseball we track everything.)

Bautista ended his first MLB season hitting .205, with no home runs and two RBI in 88 at bats. To date, in 15 MLB seasons, Bautista (who has earned the nickname “Joey Bats”) has hit .247, with 344 home runs and 1,032 RBI. He’s a six-time All Star and led the AL in home runs in 2010 and 2011 (54 and 43 round trippers, respectively) with the Blue Jays.

Darrell Evans – Catch and Release

It took a long time for an MLB team to “catch” Darrell Evans. He was drafted five times (Cubs, Yankees, Tigers, Phillies, Athletics) before he finally signed with the A’s in 1967. (Evans, at the time of those many MLB Draft selections, was starring in both baseball and basketball at Pasadena Junior College.) However, after just two minor league seasons (A’s system) and a shoulder injury, he was left unprotected and picked up by the Braves (1968 Rule 5 Draft). Here’s a look at Evan’s Draft record:

Picked by Cubs in 13^th round of 1965 MLB draft – did not sign.
Picked by Yankees in 2^nd round of the 1966 MLB Draft – did not sign.
Picked by Tigers in the 5^th round of the 1966 (secondary) MLB Draft – did not sign,
Picked by Phillies in the 3^rd round of the 1967 amateur draft – did not sign.
Signed by the Athletics out of the 7^th round of the 1967 (secondary) MLB Draft.
Picked up by the Braves in the 1968 Rule 5 Draft.

Darrell Evans was the first player with a 40-home run season in both the NL and AL. He hit 41 for the Braves in 1973 and 40 for the Tigers in 1985.

Evans played with the Braves for nine seasons – hitting .246 with 131 home runs and 424 RBI, topping 20 home runs three times (a high of 41 in 1973). He went on to a 21-season MLB career, during which he hit .248, with 414 home runs and 1,354 RBI.

Elroy (Roy) Face – A Boyhood Hero Makes His Mark

Roy Face was signed by the Phillies (free agent) in 1949 (age 21) – and he got off to a pretty good start. Pitching for the Bradford Blue Wings of the Class D Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (PONY) League, Face went 32-7, 2.88 (primarily as a starter) in 1949 and 1950. Branch Rickey, at the time President/General Manager of the Dodgers, apparently like what he saw and snatched Face from the Phillies in the 1950 Minor League Draft.

In the Dodgers’ system, Face continued to thrive as a starter. In 1951 and 1952, he went a combined 37-20, 2.80. After four minor league campaigns, Face had 69 wins, just 27 losses, with a 2.84 earned run average – and he had pitched 840 innings. Still, the Dodgers left Face unprotected in the December 1952 Rule 5 draft. Branch Rickey, then General Manager of the Pirates, proved he could remember a “Face,” an arm and a name. At Rickey’s direction, the Pirates picked up Face in the Rule 5 Draft.

In 1959, Elroy Face went 18-1 in relief for the Pirates. His .947 winning percentages is the highest ever for a qualifying pitcher (at least one decision for every ten team games) and the most wins in relief ever in an MLB season. Face also had ten saves that campaign, when he pitched in 57 games and put up a 2.70 ERA in 93 1/3 innings.

Face went on to a 16-season (1953, 1955-69) MLB career (15 seasons with the Pirates) during which he became one of National League’s premier relievers. He was a three-time All Star, led the league in appearances twice and saves three times. Face’s final stat line was 104-95, 3.48, with 848 appearances, 191 saves, and 877 strikeouts in 1,375 innings pitched. Just 5’8” and 155 pounds, the diminutive Face was one of my boyhood heroes.

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

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BBRT Trivia Teaser – And A Look at the 39 Members of MLB’s 30-30 Club

December 11, 2018 by David

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE TRIVIA TEASER

Can you name the two MLB players who hit for the cycle in the same season they recorded a 30-30 (HR-SB) campaign Hint: One of the two has rolled a perfect (300) game in the Professional Bowling Association World Series of Bowling and hit a home run in the MLB World Series.

TRIVIA TEASER ANSWER

Ian Kinsler (2009) and Mookie Betts (2018) are the only two major leaguers to record a 30-30 campaign and hit for the cycle in the same season. Betts has also bowled three sanctioned 300 games, including one in the 2017 PBA World Series of Bowling qualifying round – and hit a home run in the final game of the 2018 MLB World Series.

In 2018, two major leaguers achieved 30-30 (HR-SB) seasons – Mookie Betts of the Red Sox and Jose Ramirez of the Indians. That brings the total number of players to achieve a 30-30 campaign to thirty-nine. Those thirty-nine players have produced a total of 62 30-30 campaigns.

As you consider the membership of the 30-30 Club, you’ll see lots of familiar names – from Hank Aaron and William Mays to Alex Rodriguez and Jeff Bagwell to Mike Trout and Mookie Betts. You’ll also find some surprises – like Tommy Harper and Brandon Phillips. And, of course, the father-son combination of Bobby and Barry Bonds dominate the roster.

This post will look at each of member of the 30-30 Club in detail, but first a few bits of 30-30 trivia.

The first player to achieve a 30-30 season was Ken Williams of the 1922 Saint Louis Browns.
Only two players have recorded five 30-30 seasons and it must be in the genes. They are Bobby Bonds (father) and Barry Bonds (son).

Bobby Bonds and Alfonso Soriano are the only players to have a 30-30 season in both leagues. Bonds for the (Giants 1969, 1973), Yankees (1975), Angels (1977), White Sox/Rangers (1978). Soriano for the Yankees (2002, 2003), Rangers (2005) and Nationals (2006).
Bobby Bonds and Carlos Beltran are the only players to play for two teams in a 30-30 season and Beltran is the only player to complete a 30-30 MLB season while playing in both leagues. Bonds (White Sox and Rangers in 1978) – Beltran (Royals and the then NL Astros in 2004).
The first switch hitter to record a 30-30 season was the Mets’ Howard Johnson in 1987.
The most 30-30 campaigns in any one season is four – and that has been done four times (1987-1996-1997-2011).
The only player to record three consecutive 30-30 seasons is Barry Bonds (1995-96-97). Six players have recorded back-to-back 30-30 seasons: Willie Mays (1956-57); Bobby Bonds (1977-78); Ron Gant (1990-91); Vlad Guerrero (2001-02); Alfonso Soriano (2002-03 & 2005-06); and Ryan Braun (2011-12).

Nine players have recorded a 30-30 season AND hit for the cycle in their MLB careers. Eric Davis; Alex Rodriguez; Dante Bichette; Jeff Bagwell; Vlad Guerrero; Ian Kinsler; Mike Trout; Matt Kemp; and Mookie Betts.
In 1988, the A’s Jose Canseco became MLB’s first 40-40 player – hitting 42 home runs and swiping 40 bags. Since then, there have been three more 40-40 campaigns: Barry Bonds (42-40 in 1996), Alex Rodriguez (42-46 in 1998) and Alfonso Soriano (46-41 in 2006).
Mike Trout is the youngest player ever to join the 30-30 Club, having his 30-30 season in 2012 at age 20 – and he is also the only player to join the club in his rookie season.
Only two teams have had two 30-30 players in the same season – the 1987 Mets (Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry) and the 1996 Rockies (Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks).

A few other “factoids.”

There have been just four 40-40 seasons: Jose Canseco (A’s, 1988); Barry Bonds (Giants, 1996); Alex Rodriguez (Mariners, 1998); and Alfonso Soriano (Nationals, 2006).
There have been only two 30-50 (30 homers-50 steals) seasons: Eric Davis (Reds, 1987); Barry Bonds (Pirates, 1990).
The most home runs ever hit in a 30-steal campaign is 49, by Larry Walker (Rockies, 1997).
In the 62 30-30 seasons, the player achieving the milestone has been an All Star selection 43 times. (70.5 percent – There were no All Star selection in 1922.)
In 17 of the 62 30-30 seasons, the achieving player has also won a Gold Glove.

JUST HOW HARD IS IT TO GET TO 30-30?

Among the 40 players with at least one 30-30 season, three joined the “Club” in the only season in which they reached either 30 home runs or 30 steals (although one of those players, Jose Ramirez is still active). Another fourteen members of the 30-30 Club reached 30 steals just once and five reached 30 home runs just one time in their careers.

In six of the 62 30-30 seasons, the player has gotten exactly 30 home runs; while, in nine, the player has stolen exactly 30 bases. No player has ever hit 30-30 “on the nose.” The Rangers’ Ian Kinsler came closest in 3008, with 31 home runs and 30 steals.
In 26 of the 62 30-30 seasons, the player has hit .300 or better, with Larry Walker‘s (Rockies) .366 in 1997 being the highest average. The lowest average ever for a 30-30 player belong to Ron Gant of the Braves at .251 (1991).
Eight of the 62 30-30 season have featured 200 or more base hits, topped by Alex Rodriguez; 213 hits for the Mariners in 1998. Fewest hits in a 30-30 season? That would be 139, by Eric Davis of the Reds in 1987.
How about RBI? Ken Williams, the first 30-30 Club member (Browns, 1922), set the bar high at 155 runs plated in his 30-30 campaign. It has yet to be matched. There is a tie for the fewest RBI in a 30-30 season (67) – Raul Mondesi (Dodgers, 1990) and Hanley Ramirez (Marlins 2008).
Runs scored? The 30-30 player has scored at least 100 runs in 51 of the 62 campaigns. The high of 143 is shared by Larry Walker (Rockies, 1997) and Jeff Bagwell (Astros, 1999). The fewest runs scored in a 30-30 season is 74 by Ron Gant (Braves, 1991).
A couple of more trivia bits. The most doubles in a 30-30 season goes to the Yankees’ Alfonso Soriano with 51 in 2002. Two players have actually reached 20 triples in a 30-30 season: Willie Mays of the Giants in 1957 and Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies fifty years later.

Running the Table

30-30 … MVP … All Star … Gold Glove … Silver Slugger

Just four players have achieved a 30-30 campaign, been an All Star, won a Gold Glove and earned a Silver Slugger Award all in the same season: Dale Murphy (Braves, 1983); Barry Bonds (Pirates, 1990 & Pirates, 1992); Larry Walker (Rockies 1997); Mookie Betts (Red Sox, 2018).

Jimmy Rollins is a unique outlier in this group. In his 2007, 30-30 season, he won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at the shortstop position and was the National League MVP – but did not make the All Star team.

Now a look at each member of the 30-30 Club – chronologically based on the season they joined.

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MLB’S 30-30 CLUB

Ken Williams, OF, Saint Louis Browns (LH) … 39 home runs/37 stolen bases in 1922

The left-handed hitting Ken Williams was in his seventh MLB season (age 32) when he became the first member of MLB’s 30-30 club. It was a banner year for the 6-foot, 170-pound fly chaser, as he notched what would be his career highs in games (153), runs (128), home runs (39), RBI (155) and total bases (367) for the second-place (93-61) Browns. Williams led the AL in homers, RBI and total bases.

Williams played 14 MLB seasons (1915-16, with the Reds; 1918-27 with the Browns; 1928-29 with the Red Sox). He collected 1,552 hits (.319 average), with 196 home runs and 154 stolen bases. He hit 30 or more home runs only once (twenty-plus an additional three times) and stole at least 30 bases only once (reaching 20 an additional two times).

Ken Williams was the first American Leaguer to hit two home runs in one inning – August 7, 1922, in the sixth inning of a Saint Louis Browns 16-1 win over the Senators.

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Willie Mays, OF. Giants (RH) …

36 home runs/40 stolen bases in 1956

35 home runs/38 stolen bases in 1957

The “Say Hey Kid,” in 1956, became the first right-handed hitter and first National Leaguer to join the 30-30 club. The following year, Mays became the first player to have multiple (and consecutive) 30-30 seasons. In both 1956 and 1957, Mays led the NL in steals (he would also lead in the category in 1958 and 1959) and, in 1956, he also had 26 doubles and 20 triples to go with his 35 home runs. 38 steals – making Mays just the second member of the 20-20-20-20 Club (doubles-triples-home runs-stolen bases). The first was the Cubs’ Wildfire Schulte (1911). Mays and Schulte were joined in the 20-20-20-20 Club in 2007 by the Tigers’ Curtis Granderson and Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins. Rollins and Mays are the only player whose 20-20-20-20 seasons also included 30 HRs and 30 SBs.

It’s no surprise to find Mays in the 30-30 Club. In 22 MLB seasons, Mays led his league in home runs four times (topping thirty 11 times, with a high a 52 in 1965) and led his league in steals four times (stealing thirty or more three times, with a high of 40 in 1956). He also was the league leader in triples three times, total bases three times, runs twice, hits once and batting average once. In addition, he earned Rookie of the Year honors, a pair of NL MVP Awards and a dozen Gold Glove recognitions. Mays played for the Giants (1951-52, 1954-72) and Mets (1972-73). He collected 3,283 hits (.302 average), 660 home runs, 1,903 RBI and 338 stolen bases.

Willie Mays hit 51 home runs as a 24-year-old in 1955 and 52 long balls as a 34-year-old in 1965 – the longest time ever between two MLB 50-HR seasons.

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Hank Aaron, OF, Braves (RH) … 44 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1963

In 1963, Aaron hit an NL leading 44 home runs and swiped 31 bases (the only 30-steal season in his MLB career – although he did top 20 steals in five additional campaigns). That season, Aaron led the league in home runs (44), runs (121), RBI (130) and total bases (370) – while hitting .319. In his 23-season MLB career Aaron hit thirty or more home runs in 15 campaigns (forty or more eight times).

In his 23-season MLB career, Aaron led his league in total bases eight times, home runs four times, doubles four times, RBI four times, batting average twice, runs three times and hits twice. He captured one MVP Award and earned three God Gloves.

Aaron retired with 3,771 hits (.305 average), 755 home runs, 2,297 RBI, 2,174 runs scored and 240 stolen bases. He played for the Braves (1954-74) and Brewers (1975-76).

Hank Aaron, who played in the major leagues from 1954 through 1976, was the last former Negro Leagues player on a major league roster.

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Bobby Bonds, OF, Giants, Yankees, Angels …

32 home runs/45 steals for the Giants in 1969

39 home runs/43 steals for the Giants in 1973

32 home runs/30 steals for the Yankees in 1975

37 home runs/41 steals for the Angels in 1977

31 home runs/43 steals for the White Sox in 1978

In the ten MLB seasons from 1969 to 1978, outfield Bobby Bonds wrote the record book for 30-30 seasons. He achieved a record five such campaigns (a record tied later by – wait for it – his son Barry). He also became the first player with a 30-30 season for more than one team; the first player with a 30-30 season in both the National and American Leagues; and the first player to go 30-30 while playing for two teams in the same season. Notably, Bonds also had his first 30-30 season in his first full MLB season (at age 23); although he had played 81 MLB games the year before, so did not qualify as a rookie. In 1978, when he played for the White Sox and Rangers, Bonds hit 29 of his 31 long balls for Texas and swiped 33 of his 43 bases for Texas. (He was traded by the White Sox to the Rangers in mid-May for Rusty Torres and Claudell Washington.)

While never leading his league in home runs or stolen bases, Bonds (in 14 MLB seasons) hit 30 or more home runs in a season six times and stole 30 or more bases ten times (40 or more seven times). He led his league in runs scored twice, total bases once and earned three Gold Gloves. Bonds finished his career with 1,886 hits (.268 average), 332 home runs, 1,024 RBI, 1,258 runs scored and 461 stolen bases. He played for the Giants (1968-74); Yankees (1975); Angels (1976-77); White Sox (1978); Rangers (1978); Indians (1979); Cardinals (1980); and Cubs (1981).

Bobby Bonds played his first seven MLB seasons with one team – the Giants. Over his final seven MLB season, he put on the uniform of seven different teams.

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Tommy Harper, 3B/2B/OF, Brewers (RH)… 31 home runs/38 stolen bases in 1970

Tommy Harper is one of the biggest surprises on this list. In 1970, the American League Brewers’ (former Seattle Pilots) first season, the 29-year-old Harper reached what would be career highs in games (154), hits (179), doubles (35), home runs (31), RBI (82) and batting average (.296). His 30-30 season was the only time Harper topped 17 round trippers in his 15-season MLB career. He did, however, lead his league in stolen bases twice (with a high of 73 in 1969), topping 30 steals in four campaigns. He also led the NL in runs scored in 1965 (Reds) with 126. In his 30-30 season, Harper started 128 games at 3B, 22 at 2B and 13 in the outfield.

Harper accumulated 1,609 MLB hits (.257 average), 146 home runs, 972 runs, 567 RBI and 408 steals. He played for the Reds (1962-67); Indians (1968); Pilots (1969); Brewers (1970-71); Red Sox (1972-74); Angels (1975); A’s (1975); and Orioles (1976).

Tommy Harper was the first player ever to come to bat for the short-lived Seattle Pilots. He doubled – becoming the first Pilot player to record an MLB hit and scored the team’s first run (on a home run by Mike Hegan).

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Dale Murphy, OF/1B/C, Braves (RH) …. 36 home runs/30 stolen bases in 1983

Thirty home runs was no big challenge for Dale Murphy, he topped in thirty round trippers in six of his 18 MLB seasons (a high of 44 in 1987) and twice led the NL in long balls. His 30-30 season in 1983, however, was the only time he reached 30 steals and in only one other campaign did he reach 20 thefts.

In 18 MLB seasons, Murphy collected 2,111 hits (.265 average), hit 398 home runs, had 1,266 RBI, scored 1,197 runs and stole 161 bases. He led his league in games played four times (1982-85), home runs once, RBI twice, total bases once and runs scored once. He also earned five Gold Gloves. Between September 26, 1981 and July 8, 1986, Murphy played in 740 consecutive games, MLB’s 13^th longest streak. Murphy played for the Braves (1976-90); Phillies (1990-922); and Rockies (1993).

In his 1983 30-30 season, Murphy won his second consecutive National League MVP Award – one of only 13 players to win consecutive MVP honors.

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Joe Carter, OF/1B Indians (RH) … 32 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1987

In 1987, the Indians’ Joe Carter made the 30-30 Club – a distinction he missed by a whisker the previous year, when he smacked 29 home runs and stole 29 bases. In 1987, Carter hit just .264 (down from .302 in 1986), but rapped 32 home runs and stole 31 bags. It would be his only season of 30 or more steals (he did steal twenty or more in six seasons) and one of six seasons in which he reached 30 home runs.

In a 16-year MLB career, Carter – a five-time All Star – played for the Cubs (1983); Indians (1984-89); Padres (1990); Blue Jays (1991-97); Orioles (1998); and Giants (1998). He collected 2,184 hits (.259 average), 396 home runs, 1,445 RBI, 1,170 runs scored and 231 stolen bases.

Joe Carter, playing for Wichita State University, was the Sporting News College Player of the Year in 1981. That season, in 69 games played, Carter hit .411, with 24 home runs, 88 runs scored, 120 RBI and 24 stolen bases (25 attempts).

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Eric Davis, OF, Reds, 1987 (RH) … 37 home runs and 50 stolen bases in 1987

Eric Davis was a speed and power guy, six times reaching at least 20 home runs (topping thirty twice) and seven times topping 20 steals. Although he never led his league in steals, he stole a high of 80 bases in 1986. (The Cardinals’ Vince Coleman stole 107.) In his 1987 campaign, Davis hit .293, with 37 home runs, 120 runs scored, 100 RBI and fifty stolen bases.In 17 MLB seasons, Davis collected 1,430 hits (.269 average), scored 1,430 runs, drove in 934, hit 282 round trippers and swiped 349 bases. Davis played for the Reds (1984-91, 1996); Dodgers (1992-93); Tigers (1993-94); Orioles (1997-98); Cardinals (1999-2000); and Giants (2001). He was a two-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover.

Eric Davis and Barry Bonds are the only players to steal at least 50 bases in their 30-30 season.

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Howard Johnson, 3B/SS/OF, Mets (SH) …

36 home runs/32 steals for the 1987 Mets

36 home runs/41 steals for the 1989 Mets

38 home runs/30 steals for the 1991 Mets

Howard Johnson had just three seasons of 30+ home runs – and he reached at least 30 stolen bases in all of them (he had four seasons of 30 or more steals). In his three 30-30 campaigns, Johnson led the NL in runs scored once (1989), home runs once (1991) and RBI once (1991). In those three 30-30 campaigns, he hit 74 long balls left handed (1,084 at bats) and 36 homers right handed (605 at bats).

Johnson played 14 MLB seasons: Tigers (1982-84); Mets (1985-93); Rockies (1994); and Cubs (1995). He amassed 1,229 hits (.249 average); 228 home runs, 760 runs scored, 760 RBI and 231 stolen bases. He was a two-time All Star.

Howard Johnson started his professional career as a pitcher (Tigers’ system), but was quickly converted to shortstop and then to third base. In his MB career, he played 1,032 games at 3B, 273 at shortstop and 221 in the outfield.

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Darryl Strawberry, OF, Mets (LH), 1987 … 39 home runs/36 stolen bases

Darryl Strawberry was in his fifth MLB season when he put up a 30-30 campaign for the Mets. While he topped 25 stolen bases in five seasons (1984-88), 1987 was the only season he reached 30 steals. Strawberry hit 30 or more home runs in three seasons, 20 or more in six. In 1988, Strawberry came within a whisker of back-to-back 30-30 seasons, leading the NL with 39 home runs and stealing 29 bases.

Strawberry was an eight-time All Star. In a 17-season MLB career, he had 1,401 hits, 335 home runs, an even 1,000 RBI, 898 runs scored and 221 steals. He topped 100 RBI three times and 100 runs scored twice. He played for the Mets (1983-1990); Dodgers (1991-93); Giants (1994); and Yankees 1995-99).

Darryl strawberry was the 1983 NL rookie of the Year (Mets), when he hit .257, with 26 home runs, 74 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 122 games.

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Jose Canseco, OF/DH, A’s (RH) 1988 … 42 home runs/40 stolen bases

In 1988, the A’s Jose Canseco achieved a 30-30 season and more. That year, Canseco became the first 40-40 player – launching an AL-best 42 home runs and stealing 40 bases. For the year, he hit .307, led the AL with 124 RBI and won the league MVP Award. It was Canseco’s only season with at least 30 steals (he did top 25 two additional times) and one of eight seasons in which he topped 30 home runs.

In 17 seasons, the five-time All Star collected 1,877 hits (.266 average), 462 home runs, 1,407 RBI, 1,186 runs scored and 200 steals. He led his league in home runs twice.

Jose Canseco was the 19865 AL Rookie of the Year. The 20-year-old hit just .240 in 157 games, but hit 33 home runs and drove in 117 tallies.

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Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates & Giants …

33 home runs/52 stolen bases for the Pirates in 1990

34 home runs/39 stolen bases for the Pirates in 1992

33 home runs/31 stolen bases for the Giants in 1995

42 home runs/40 stolen bases for the Giants in 1996

40 home runs/37 stolen bases for the Giants in 1997

Barry Bonds is one of only two MLB players to record five 30-30 campaigns – and the other is his father Bobby Bonds. In his 22-season career, Bonds had 14 seasons of at least 30 home runs and nine seasons of at least 30 stolen bases. He was the NL MVP in his first two 30-30 seasons (he was the NL MVP a total of seven times).

In his career, Bonds led the NL in runs once, home runs twice, batting average twice, RBI once, walks 12 times and intentional walks 12 times. He was an All Star selection 14 times and an eight-time Gold Glover. Bonds collected 2,935 hits (.298 average), hit 762 home runs, drove in 1,996 runs, scored, 2,227 and swiped 514 bases.

In 2004, Barry Bonds drew a record 120 intentional walks. He also drew the second-most intentional walks in a season (68 in 2002) and third-most (61 in 2003). Fourth on the list is Willie McCovey, with 45 intentional passes in 1969.

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Ron Gant, OF, Braves (RH) …

32 home runs/33 steals in 1990

32 home runs/34 steals in 1991

Ron Gant put together back-to-back 30-30 seasons for the Braves in 1990-91. In his 16-season MLB career, Gant hit 30 or more home runs four times and stole 30 or more bases in three seasons.

Gant’s career stat line includes 1,651 hits (.256 average), 321 home runs, 1,008 RBI, 1,080 runs scored and 243 stolen bases. He was a two-time All Star. Gant played for the Braves (1987-1993); Reds (1995); Cardinals (1996-98); Phillies (1999-2000); Angels (2000); Rockies (2001); A’s (2001, 2003); Padres (2002).

In 1994, Ron broke his leg in a dirt-bike accident and missed the entire 1995 season. He came back with the Reds in 1995 and made the NL All Star Team – finishing the season at .276-29-88, with 23 stolen bases in 199 games.

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Sammy Sosa, OF, Cubs (RH) …

33 home runs/36 stolen bases in 1993

36 home runs/34 stolen bases in 1995

Sammy Sosa recorded a total of three seasons of 30 or more steals in his MLB career – and two of those coincided with campaigns of 30 or more home runs. Overall, Sosa had 11 seasons with 30+ round trippers.

In his 18-season career, Sosa collected 2,408 hits (.273 average), hit 609 home runs and amassed 1,667 RBI. He also scored 1,475 runs and stole 234 bases. Sosa was a seven-time All Star, the 1998 NL MVP and led the league in runs three times, total bases three times, home runs twice and RBI twice. Sosa played for the Rangers (1989, 2007); White Sox (1989-1991); Cubs 1992-2004); and Orioles (2005). In the five seasons from 1998 to 2002, Sosa averaged just over 58 runs per season.

Sammy Sosa is the only MLB player to hit at least sixty home runs in a season three times (66 in 1998; 63 in 1999; 64 in 2001) and yet did not lead his league in home runs in any of those seasons.

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Dante Bichette, OF, Rockies (RH) … 31 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1996

Dante Bichette had just one season of at least thirty stolen bases – and it coincided with one of his three seasons of at least 30 home runs.

In 14 MLB seasons, Bichette was an All Star four times, led the NL in hits twice, home runs once, RBI once and total bases once. He played for the Angels (1988-90); Brewers (1991-92); Rockies (1993-1999); Reds (2000); and Red Sox (2000-01). He collected 1,906 hits, hit 274 home runs, drove in 1,141, scored 934 times and stole 152 bases.

Dante Bichette hit the first home run in Colorado Rockies history. It was off the Mets’ Brett Saberhagen on April 7, 1993 – the only run in a 6-1 Rockies loss in New York.

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Ellis Burks, OF, Rockies (RH) … 40 home runs/32 stolen bases in 1996

Ellis Burks had just one season of at least 30 steals – which happened to line up with his one season of at least 40 home runs (he did have another three seasons of 30 or more long balls). In his 30-30 season, Burks led the league in runs scored (142) and total bases (392) and topped 200 base hits (211, .344 average).

In his 18-season MLB career, Burks had 2,107 hits (.291 average), 352 home runs, 1,253 runs scored, 1,206 RBI and 181 steals. Burks played for the Red Sox (1987-92, 2004); White Sox (1993); Rockies (1994-98); Giants (1998-2000); and Indians (2001-03); Burks was a two-time All Star and one-time Gold Glover.

In 1996, Ellis Burks and Dante Bichette both achieved 30-30 seasons for the Rockies. The only other teammates to put up 30-30 campaigns in the same season are Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry of the 1987 Mets.

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Barry Larkin, SS, Reds (RH) … 33 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 1996

Barry Larkin found the fountain of power in 1996 – bopping a career-high 33 home runs (he only reached 20 round trippers in one other season). He also swiped 36 bases, earning his spot in the 30-30 club. That season, Larkin also notched what would be his career highs in RBI (89), runs scored (117), walks (96) and total bases (293).

In his 19-season MLB career – all with the Reds – Larkin was a 12-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover. Larkin collected 2,340 hits over his career, with 198 home runs, 960 RBI, 1,328 runs scored and 379 stolen bases.

Barry Larkin was the 1995 NL MVP, when he hit .319, with 15 home runs, 66 RBI, 98 runs scored. He also swiped 51 bases (in 56 attempts) and won a Gold glove – leading the Reds to the NL Central Division crown. Although his 1996 season was arguably better, the Reds finished third (81-81) and dropped to 12th in the MVP balloting.

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Jeff Bagwell, 1B , Astros (RH) …

43 home runs/31 stolen bases in 1997

42 home runs/30 stolen bases in 1999

Jeff Bagwell – one of the Astros’ “Killer Bees” (Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman) of the 1990s, put together a pair of 30/30 seasons, each time topping 40 home runs. Notably, while Bagwell hit 30 or more home runs in nine seasons, he only reached 30 steals twice. In 1997, Bagwell hit .286, with 43 home runs and 41 steals. Two years later, he hit .304, with 42 home runs and 30 steals. In that 1999 campaign, he led the NL in runs with 143, while also drawing a league-topping 140 walks.

In 15 MLB seasons, Jeff Bagwell collected 2,314 hits (.297 average) and amassed 449 home runs, 1,529 RBI, 1,517 runs scored and 202 stolen bases. He was the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year, 1994 NL MVP and a four-time All Star. He also earned a Gold Glove in 1994. He led the NL in runs three times and RBI once. In his 1994 MVP season, Bagwell hit .268, with a league-leading 104 runs scored, an NL-best 116 RBI – as well as 39 home runs and a league-topping 300 total bases.

Jeff Bagwell is the only MLB player to achieve six consecutive seasons (1996-2001) of 30 home runs, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored and 100 walks. During that span he hit .301, with 236 home runs, 754 RBI, 765 runs scored, 121 steals and 733 walks. That makes his season average in that period .301, 39 home runs, 126 RBI, 128 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and 12 walks. A Killer Bee, indeed.

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Raul Mondesi, OF, Dodgers (RH) …

30 home runs and 32 stolen bases in 1997

33 home runs/36 stolen bases in 1999

Raul Mondesi had multiple opportunities to join the 30-30 Club – recording three seasons of 30 or more stolen bases to go along with three seasons of 30 or more home runs. He matched 30’s up twice – in 1997 and 1999. In 1997, he hit .310 with 30 long balls, 87 RBI and 32 steals (47 attempts). Two years later, despite hitting .253, he had his second 30-30 campaign, with 33 home runs, a career-high 99 RBI and 36 steals in 45 tries.

In his 13-year MLB career, Mondesi had 1,589 hits (.273 average), 909 runs scored, 860 RBI, 271 home runs and 229 steals. He was the NL Rookie of the Year as a 23-year old in 1994, when he hit .306-16-56 in 112 games. He was an All Star once (1995) and a Gold Glover twice. He never scored or drove in 100 runs in a season, but came close – scoring 98 runs in a season twice and driving in 99 in 1999.

Raul Mondesi was the first Dodger to have a 30-30 season.

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Larry Walker, OF, Rockies (LH) … 49 home runs/33 stolen bases in 1997

Larry Walker had just one 30+ stolen base season in his 17-year MLB career – and he smacked 49 home runs in that same campaign. It was 1997, and Walker hit .366, with an NL-leading 49 home runs, 130 RBI, 143 runs scored, 33 steals and a league-leading 409 total bases. That season, he set his career highs in games, at bats, hits, runs, doubles, home runs, RBI and total bases. That offense – and a Gold Glove – earned him MVP honors in his 30-30 season.

Walker collected 2,160 career hits (.313 average), 383 home runs, 1,311 RBI, 1,355 runs scored and 230 stolen bases. He won three batting crowns, led his league in doubles once, home runs once and total bases once. He also picked up seven Gold Gloves and was an All Star five times.

In the three season from 1997 to 1999, Larry Walker averaged .369 – putting up averages of .366, .363 and .379. Hitter-friendly Coors Field played a role, as Walker hit .397 at home over those seasons. But he was no slouch on the road (.314).

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Shawn Green, OF, Blue Jays (LH) … 35 home runs/35 stolen bases in 1998

Shawn Green had just one season of 30 or more steals – 35 for the Blue Jays in 1998. That same year he also rapped 35 home runs. In fact, between 1998 and 2002, Green’s home runs totals (for the Blue Jays and Dodgers) were 35, 42, 24 and 49. The two-time All Star improved nearly across the board in the season following his 30-30 campaign – improving his average from .278 to .309; hits from 175 to 190; doubles from 33 to a league-leading 45; homers from 35 to 42; RBI from 100 to 123; runs scored from 106 to 134; and total bases from 321 to a league-topping 361. His stolen bases, however, dropped from 35 to 20.

In his career, Green topped 100 runs scored in four seasons, had 100 or more RBI in four seasons, hit 40+ doubles in three seasons and 40+ home runs in three seasons. Green played for the Blue Jays (1993-1999); Dodgers (2000-2006), and Mets (2006-07. He collected 2,003 hits, hit 328 home runs, drove in 1,070 runs, scored 1,129 and stole 162 bases.

Shawn Green holds the MLB record for most total bases in a single game. On May 23, 2002 – as the Dodgers topped the Brewers 16-3 in Milwaukee – Green hit four home runs, a double and a single in six at bats. He scored six times, drove in seven runs and set a new MLB record (that still stands) of 19 total bases in a game.

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Alex Rodriguez, SS, Mariners (RH) … 42 home runs/46 stolen bases in 1998

You might have expected to see A-Rod on this list more than once, but Rodriguez had only one season of thirty or more steals (46 in 1998, when he was playing shortstop for Seattle.) He also banged out 40 home runs that year, becoming just the third member of the 40-40 Club (Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds preceded Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano would follow). In his 40-40 year, Rodriguez hit .310 and led the AL in hits with 213. His 42-HR season was one of 15 in which he would hit at least 30 long balls (he had five seasons in the 40‘s and three in the 50’s).

In his 22-season MLB career, A-Rod collected 3,115 hits, smacked 696 home runs, drove in 2,086 tallies, scored 2,021 times and swiped 329 bases. He played for the Mariners (1994-2000): Rangers (2001-2003); Yankees (2004-2013, 2015-16). He was a 14-time All Star, three-time MVP and two-time Gold Glover. Rodriguez led his league in runs five times, home runs five times, total bases four times, RBI twice, hits once, doubles once and batting average once.

Alex Rodriguez’ 25 major league Grand Slam home runs are the MLB record.

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Preston Wilson, OF, Marlins, (RH) … 31 home runs/36 steals in 2000

In 2000, the Marlins’ Preston Wilson hit 31 home runs, stole 36 bases and drove in 121 runs. Not bad for a 25-year-old in his second full MLB season. It would be his only 30-steal campaign, although he did reach 20 steals in each of the next two seasons. He topped 30 home runs once more – in 2003, when (as a Rockie) he hit 36 long balls, drove in an NL-best 141 runs and made his only All Star team.

In a 10-season MLB career, Wilson collected 1,055 hits (.264 average), scored 573 runs, hit 189 home runs, drove in 668 and swiped 124 bags. Wilson played for the Mets (1998); Marlins (1998-2002); Rockies (2003-05); Nationals (2005); Astros (2006); and Cardinals (2006-07).

Preston Wilson was the Baseball America 1992 High School Player of the Year – and was the ninth overall pick in the 1992 June MLB draft.

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Bobby Abreu, OF, Phillies (LH) …

31 home runs/36 stolen bases in 2001

30 home runs/40 stolen basses in 2004

Bobby Abreu picked up his first 30-30 season in 2001 – at age 27 – in his sixth MLB season. He earned a second 30-30 stat line three seasons later. Abreu was a true power-speed guy. He had six seasons of 30 or more steals, with a high of 40 in his 2004 30-30 campaign. He reached 30 home runs in just his two 30-30 seasons, but swiped 20 or more bases in 12 campaigns. He was a two-time All Star and won a Gold Glove in 2005.

In 18 MLB seasons, Abreu rang up 2,470 hits (.291 average), 288 home runs, 1,363 RBI, 1,453 runs scored and 400 stolen bases. He led the NL in triples once and doubles once. His 50 doubles in 2002 are tied for the 78th most in any MLB season. Abreu hit .300 or better in six seasons, drove in 100 or more runs eight times and scored 100 or more runs eight times. Abreu played for the Astros (1996-97); Phillies (1998-2006); Yankees (2006-08); Angels (2009-12); Dodgers (2012); and Mets (2014).

Bobby Abreu was a disciplined hitter who drew 1,476 walks – 20th all-time. He drew 100 or more free passes in eight consecutive seasons (1999-2006).

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Jose Cruz, Jr., OF, Blue Jays (SH) …. 34 home runs/32 steals in 2001

In his 2001 30-30 campaign, Jose Cruz, Jr. reached what would prove to be career highs in hits, batting average, runs, doubles, home runs, RBI and stolen bases. His 32 steals that season represented the only year in which he stole more than 15. He topped 30 home runs twice.

In his 12-season MLB career, Cruz had 1,167 hits (.247 average), 204 home runs, 624 RBI, 713 runs scored and 113 stolen bases. He played for the Mariners (1997); Blue Jays (1997-2002); Giants (2003); Rays (2004); Diamondbacks (2005); Red Sox (2005); Dodgers (2005-06); Padres (2007); and Astros (2008).

Jose Cruz Jr. brought good genes to his MLB career. His father, Jose Cruz, Sr., hit .284 over 19 major league seasons. In addition, his uncles, Hector and Tommy Cruz, had MLB careers of nine and two season, respectively.

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Vlad Guerrero, OF, Expos (RH) …

34 home runs/37 stolen bases in 2001

39 home runs/40 stolen bases in 2002

In 2002, as he completed his second consecutive 30-30 season, Vlad Guerrero just missed joining the elite 40-40 club – racking up 39 home runs and 40 steals. Notably, 2001 and 2002 were the only seasons in which Guerrero stole more than 15 bases – notching 77 steals in those two years and just 104 in his additional 14 MLB campaigns. He did top 30 home runs in eight seasons, with a high of 44 in 2000.

In his 16-season MLB career, Guerrero hit .300 or better 13 times, drove in 100 or more runs ten times and scored 100+ runs six times. He also had three 200-hit seasons, leading the NL with 206 hits for the Expos in 2002. He was an All Star in eight seasons. Guerrero played for the Expos (1996-2003); Angels (2004-2009); Rangers (2010); and Orioles (2011). His career stats include 2,590 hits (.318 average), 449 home runs, 1,496 RBI, 1,328 runs scored and 181 steals.

Vlad Guerrero was the American League MVP (Angels) in 2004, when he hit .337, with 39 home runs, 126 RBI, a league-leading 124 runs scored and a league-best 366 total bases.

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Alfonso Soriano, OF/2B, Yankees, Rangers, Nationals (RH) …

39 home runs/41 stolen bases in 2002 for the Yankees

38 home runs/35 stolen bases in 2003 for the Yankees

36 home runs/39 stolen bases in 2005 for the Rangers

46 home runs/41 stolen bases in 2006 for the Nationals

In 2002 (age 26), in just his second full MLB season, Alfonso Soriano of the Yankees joined the 30-30 club and nearly became a member of the 40-40 fraternity – hitting 39 home runs to go with 41 stolen bases. Four seasons later (2006), he cracked the 40-40 barrier, hitting 46 home runs and stealing 40 bases for the Nationals. In between, he notched another pair of 30-30 campaigns. His first 30-30 campaign may have been the most impressive, as Soriano led the AL in at bats, runs, hits and steals; while hitting.300 and driving in 100+ runs – finishing third in AL MVP balloting.

In his 16-season MLB career, Soriano was an All Star seven times (2002-08), stole 30 or more bases five times (40+ three times), launched 30 or more homers in a season seven times, drove in 100+ runs four times and scored 100+ four times. He collected 2,095 hits (.270 average), 412 home runs, drove in 1,159 runs, scored 1,152 times and swiped 289 bases. Soriano played for the Yankees (1999-2003, 2013-14); Rangers (2004-2005); Nationals (2006); and Cubs (2007-13).

Not known for his patience at the plate, in his first 30-30 season, Soriano walked just 23 times, while striking out 157 – but still managed to hit .300. He upped his walks and reduced his whiffs over time, ending with 496 walks and 1,803 strikeouts.

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Carlos Beltran, OF, Royals/Astros (SH) … 38 home runs and 42 stolen bases in 2004

Carlos Beltran retired as a player (at age 40) after the 2017 season. His 30-30 campaign came way back in 2004 – in a season that saw him traded from the Royals to the Astros in late June. Beltran played 69 games for the American League Royals and 90 games for the then National League Astros – and is the only player to play in both leagues in a 30-30 season. He hit 15 home runs and stole 14 bases for Kansas City and rapped 23 round trippers and stole 28 bases for Houston. Beltran put up four seasons of 30 or more home runs (a high of 41 in 2006) and four seasons of 30 or more steals (a high of 42 in 2004).

In his 20 MLB seasons, Beltran was an All Star nine times and a three-time Gold Glover. He collected 2,725 hits (.279 average), hit 435 home runs (fourth-most among switch hitters), drove in 1,587 tallies, scored 1,582 runs and stole 312 bases. Beltran is one of only four players with 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases – and the only switch hitter.

In his rookie season (1999), the 22-year-old Carlos Beltran hit .293, with 22 home runs, 108 RBI, 112 runs scored and 27 stolen bases for the Royals – capturing AL Rookie of the Year honors.

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David Wright, 3B, Mets (RH) … 30 home runs/34 stolen bases in 2007

David Wright was a force for the Mets – bringing power and speed, as well as solid defense at the hot corner (a two-time Gold Glover). While he only topped 30 home runs in a season twice and stole 30 or more bases just once, Wright had five season of 25 or more homers and three seasons of 20 or more steals. In his 30-30 campaign, he reached what would be his career highs in hits, doubles, and batting average – and added a Gold Glove for Good measure.

In his 14 MLB seasons, Wright was a seven-time All Star. He hit over .300 in seven seasons, topped 100 RBI in five and scored 100+ runs twice. Overall, he amassed 1,777 hits (.296 career average), 242 home runs, 970 RBI, 949 runs scored and 196 stolen bases. Wright played his entire career for the Mets.

David Wright hit the first Mets’ round tripper in Citi Field history on April 13, 2009. It was, however, the third official home run in Citi Field. Padres’ leadoff hitter Jody Gerut inaugurated the ballpark with a home run to right to lead off the top of the first and San Diego 1B Adrian Gonzalez belted a solo shot in the top of the fifth. Wright hit the Mets’ first dinger, a three-run blast that tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth. (The Mets eventually lost 6-5.)

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Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies (SH) … 30 home runs/41 steals in 2007

Phillies’ SS Jimmy Rollins made the most of his 2007 30-30 season – translating it into an NL MVP Award. That season Rollins led the league in games, at bats, runs scored and triples, while hitting .296 and earning a Gold Glove on defense. He also reached what would-be his career highs in games, at bats, hits, runs, triples, home runs, RBI and full-season batting average. It was Rollins’ only 30-home run season, but one of ten in which he stole 30 or more bases (a high of 47 in 2008).

In a 17-season MLB career, Rollins led the league in triples four times, stolen bases once and runs scored once. He collected 2,455 hits (.264 average), hit 231 home runs, drove in 936, scored 1,421 times and stole 470 bases (46th all-time). Rollins was a three-time All-star and four-time Gold Glover. He played for the Phillies (2000-2014); Dodgers (2015); and White Sox (2016).

In a portent of things to come, Jimmy Rollins’ first MLB hit was a triple. He would go on to hit 155 MLB triples, leading the NL four times and hitting ten or more three-baggers in five seasons.

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Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds (RH) … 30 home runs/32 stolen bases in 2007

Brandon Phillips smacked 30 home runs and stole 32 bases in 2007, the only season in which he reached either 30 round trippers or 30 steals. In 17 MLB seasons (Phillips was still active in 2018), Phillips has been an All Star three times and won four Gold Gloves. He has reached at least 100 runs scored twice and 100+ RBI once. Phillips has also stole 15 or more bases in seven seasons and hit 15 or more dingers in eight.

Phillips has recorded 2,029 base hits (.275 average), 211 home runs, 951 RBI, 1,005 runs scored and 209 stolen bases. He has played for the Indians (2002-2005); Reds (2006-2017); Braves (2017); Dodgers (2017); and Red Sox (2018).

In 2018, Brandon Phillips became the first player to wear number zero for the Red Sox.

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Grady Sizemore, OF , Indians (LH) … 33 home runs/38 stolen bases in 2008

In 2008, Grady Sizemore hit 33 home runs and swiped 38 bases for the Indian – also earning a spot on the AL All Star team and a Gold Glove for his defensive play in center field. Overall, Sizemore was a three-time All Star and two-time Gold Glover. He topped 30 home runs once (four seasons of 20 or more) and reached 30+ steals twice (four season of 20 or more).

A series of injuries – beginning with elbow issues (that required surgery in 2009) and followed by knee and back surgeries – curtailed Sizemore’s career. Between 2009 and 2015, he played in 100 games in a season only once – missing the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons. In the four seasons between 2005 and 2008, he averaged 160 games per season, with an average stat line of .281-27-81, and 29 steals. In his first four full seasons, he led the AL in games played twice, runs scored once and doubles once; was an All Star three times; and a Gold Glover twice. He also hit 32 triples in that time, reaching 11 twice. From 2009-2015 (excluding 2012-13), he averaged just 84 games a season with an average stat line of .238-8-34, five steals.

In ten MLB seasons (1,101 games), Sizemore collected 1,098 hits (.265 average), hit 150 home runs, drove in 518, scored 66o times and stole 143 bases. Sizemore played for the Indians (2004-2011); Red Sox (2014); Phillies (2014-15); and Rays (2015).

During his MLB career, Grady Sizemore had abdominal, elbow, knee and back surgeries.

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Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins (RH) … 33 home runs/35 stolen bases in 2008

In 2008, Marlins’ 24-year-old shortstop Hanley Ramirez made his first All Star team and joined the 30-30 Club in just his third full MLB season. Ramirez hit .301, led the NL in runs scored with 125, hit 33 home runs and a stole 35 bases. It is one of just two 30-homer seasons for Ramirez (still active after 14 MLB seasons) and one of four 30+ stolen base seasons. (Ramirez stole 51 bases in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.)

Through 2018, Ramirez had 1,825 MLB hits (.290 average), 269 home runs, 909 RBI, 1,045 runs scored and 281 stolen bases. He has been an All Star three times, won the 2009 NL batting title with a .342 average and was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2006.

Ramirez has scored 100+ runs in two seasons, driven in 100+ in two seasons, topped 200 hits once, hit .300 or better five times. He has played for the Red Sox (2005, 2015-18); Marlins (2006-12); and Dodgers (2012-14).

Hanley Ramirez has been a strong post-season performer. In 20 post season games, he has 27 hits (.380 average), one home run, 14 RBI, nine runs scored, two stolen bases and seven walks. His post-season on base percentage is .450.

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Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers (RH) …

31 home runs/31 stolen bases in 2009

32 home runs/30 stolen bases in 2011

Ian Kinsler, still active, has put up a pair of 30-30 campaigns in 13 MLB seasons. Interestingly, the power has seemed to come at the expense of the batting average. In 2009, Kinsler smoked 31 home runs and stole 31 bases. His home runs were up from 18 the previous year, but the batting average was down to .253 (from .319 the previous season). In 2010, Kinsler average was up to .286, but he hit only nine homers in 103 games. Then in 2011, his averaged slipped to .255, but he popped 32 homers and stole 30 bags. Notably, he made the AL All Star team in 2008 and 2010, but not in his 2009 and 2011 30-30 seasons. The 2009 and 2011 seasons were the only ones in which Kinsler reached 30 home runs or 30 steals. He does have five seasons of 20 or more homers and five seasons of 20 or more steals.

Kinsler is a four-time All Star and two-time Gold Glover. To date, he has 1,943 MLB hits (.271 average), 248 home runs, 887 RBI, 1,215 runs scored and 241 stolen bases. He has scored 100 or more runs in six seasons and drove in a career high 92 runs in 2014. Kinsler has played for the Rangers (2006-2013); Tigers (2014-2017); Angels (2018); and Red Sox (2018).

On April 15, 2009, Ian Kinsler went six-for-six as his Rangers topped the Orioles 19-6 in Texas. Kinsler scored six times and drove in four runs. More important, he hit for the cycle, collecting two singles, two doubles, one triple and one home run. That game – and his season totals – made Kinsler the first player to have a 30-30 campaign and hit for the cycle in the same season. (He was joined in that achievement by the Red Sox Mookie Betts in 2018.)

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Matt Kemp, OF , Dodgers (RH) … 39 home run/49 stolen bases in 2011

Oh so, close. When Matt Kemp joined the 30-30 Club in 2011, he was so close to becoming part of the even more elite 40-40 fraternity. With 39 home runs and 40 steals on the season, he was just one long ball shy of the mark. In that 2011 season, Kemp led the NL home runs, runs scored (115) and RBI (126). In addition, he led the NL in total bases (353) and picked up his second Gold Glove for his play in centerfield. Kemp has stolen 30 or more bases three times and topped 30 home runs twice. He finished second in the MVP balloting to the Brewers’ Ryan Braun – despite outdistancing Braun in games played, at bats, runs, hits, home runs, RBI and stolen bases. Braun did top Kemp in batting average .332 to .324.

Kemp, still active, played his 13^th MLB season in 2018 – and put up a respectable .290-21-85 line for the Dodgers (but did not steal a base – how times have changed). Thus far, in his career, Kemp has collected 1,768 hits (.286 average), hit 280 home runs, drove in 1,005, scored 928 runs and stolen 183 bases. He has been all All Star three times, including 2018. Kemp has played for the Dodgers (2006-2014, 2018); Padres (2015-16); and Braves (2016-17).

On October 23, 2018 – in the top of second innings of Game One – Matt Kemp became the 35^th player in MLB history to hit a home run in his first World Series at bat. It was a solo shot off Red sox’ ace Chris Sale. In the bottom of the seventh, Kemp was joined on that list by the Red Sox’ Eduardo Nunez, who hit a three-run homer in his first WS at bat (as a pinch hitter).

It was just the third time two players have hit a home run in their first World Series at bat in the same game. The other two instances were in Game One of the 1988 Series (Mickey Hatcher, Dodgers and Jose Canseco, A’s) and Game One in 2002 (Barry Bonds, Giants and Troy Glaus, Angels).

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Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers, (RH) …

33 home runs/33 stolen bases in 2011

41 home runs/30 stolen bases in 2012

Ryan Braun put together back-to-back 30-30 campaigns in 2011-12 – winning the NL MVP Award in 2011. Those two years represent Braun’s only two seasona with 30 or more steals, mixed in with five seasons of 30 or more home runs. The still active Braun, however, has reached double-digits in steals in 11 of his 12 MLB seasons – and in every season in which he played at least 100 games. In his 2012 30-30 season, he led the NL in runs scored and home runs.

Through his first 12 MLB seasons, Braun has recorded 1,802 base hits (.299 average), 322 home runs, 1,053 RBI, 996 runs and 204 steals. He has topped 100 RBI in five seasons and 100 runs scored in four seasons. He has hit over .300 six times and led the NL in hits once (203 hits in 2009). He is a six-time All Star.

Ryan Braun was offered a baseball scholarship by Stanford University (among other schools), but chose to attend the University of Miami on a full academic scholarship. Among the recognitions he received for his play at Miami were National Freshman of the Year (2003) and Atlantic Coast Conference Player for the Year (2005). In 2005, he played in 58 games for Miami, hitting .388, with 18 home runs, 76 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

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Jacob Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox (LH) … 32 home runs/39 stolen bases in 2011.

Jacoby Ellsbury surprised a lot of people with his power in 2011 – notching his only season (thus far) of 30+ home runs. 2011 is one of only two seasons in which Ellsbury reached double-digits in round trippers (he had 16 in 2014). The 39 steals that completed his 30-30 campaign were no surprise, however. He had already recorded campaigns of 50 and 70 stolen bases. (He would later add season of 52 and 39 steals.) In 2011, Ellsbury reached his full-season career highs in runs, hits, average, doubles, home runs, RBI and total bases. He also picked up his only Gold Glove.

The still active Ellsbury (although he missed the 2018 season with a hip injury that required surgery) has played 11 MLB seasons. He currently has 1,376 hits (.284 average), 104 home runs, 512 RBI, 749 runs scored and 343 steals. He has led his league in stolen bases three times, triples once and total bases once. His only All Star appearance was in his 2011 season (his 30-30 campaign). Ellsbury has played for the Red Sox (2007-13) and Yankees (2014-17).

On May 20, 2009, Jacoby Ellsbury tied the MLB record for most putouts for an outfielder in a nine inning game – with 12, as the Red Sox topped the Blue Jays 8-3 in Boston. Ellsbury, playing center field had two putouts in each of the first four innings, one in the fifth and all three in the sixth – and none in the final three frames.

Others with 12 putouts in a nine-inning contest are Earl Clark of the Braves (May 10, 1929) and Lyman Bostock of the Twins (May 25, 1977). Of interest (maybe), all three were playing centerfield and all three 12 putout games came in the month of May.

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Mike Trout, OF, Angels (RH) … 30 home runs/49 stolen bases in 2012

Mike Trout – still active – got his 30-30 season out of the way early, joining the club at age 20 and in his first full MLB season. That season, the AL Rookie of the Year led the league in runs scored (129) and steals (49), while hitting .326 with 30 home runs. In his first eight MLB seasons (seven full seasons), Trout has hit 30 or more home runs five times and stolen 30 or more bases three times. Another 30-30 campaign may well be on the Horizon.

Trout, about to enter his age-27 season, already has earned Rookie of the Year recognition, two Most Valuable Player Awards (2014 and 2016), led the AL in runs scored four times, RBI once, stolen bases once, walks twice and total bases once. The seven-time All Star has five seasons of 100+ runs scored and two seasons of 100 or more RBI.

Through 2018, Trout has 1,187 hits (.307 average), 240 home runs, 648 RBI, 793 runs scored and 189 stolen bases.

In his seven full MLB seasons, Mike Trout has finished first or second in the AL MVP voting six times. (In 2017, he finished fourth.)

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Jose Ramirez, 3B/2B, Indians, (SH) … 39 home runs/34 stolen bases in 2018

Jose Ramirez – still active – notched his 30-30 campaign in his sixth MLB season (at age 25). In 2018, he reached new career highs in home runs, stolen bases, RBI and runs scored. 2018 was the first season he reached with 30+ HR or 30+ SB.

A two-time All Star, Ramirez led the league in doubles (56) in 2017. He has hit .300+ in two full season, scored 100+ runs twice and driven in 100+ once. Thus far, he had collected 653 hits (.285 average), hit 87 home runs, driven in 308, scored 383 times and stolen 93 bases.

Since making the big leagues, Jose Ramirez has started 327 games at 3B, 199 at second base, 100 at SS, 49 in LF and 4 at DH.

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Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox (RH) … 32 home runs/30 stolen bases in 2018

Mookie Betts put up a 30-30 season in 2018 – the frosting on the cake was a batting title, a Gold Glove and the AL MPV Award. (Betts also led the AL in run scored with 129.) In just his fifth MLB season, the still active Betts set new career highs in runs, doubles, home runs, average and stsolen bases. It was Betts’ first season of at least thirty steals and his second with 30 or more home runs.

Betts is a three-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover. He has topped 100 runs scored in three of his four full MLB seasons, driven in 100- twice, topped 30 home runs twice and stolen 30 bases once (three times 25 or more). Thus far in his career he has 789 hits (.303 average), 111 home runs, 390 RBI, 478 runs scored and 110 stolen bases.

On July 2, 2017 Mookie Betts drove in eight runs while manning the leadoff spot in the Red Sox lineup – tieing the MLB record for RBI in a game by a leadoff hitter. Sharing that record with Betts are: Augie Bergamo, Cardinals ( July 4, 1945); Bill Glynn, Indians (July 5, 1954); Jim Northrup, Tigers (July 11, 1973); and Ronnie Belliard, Rockies (September 23, 2003).

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

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BBRT Looks Ahead to the 2018 Fall Classic

October 22, 2018 by David

Okay, it’s on to the Fall Classic – and it should be a good matchup, with two storied franchises that both boast deep and versatile lineups and solid pitching staffs. It’s going to be a tough call. However, before I get into Baseball Roundtable’s predictions – and I haven’t been all that accurate this post season, I had the Astros/Dodgers pegged for the matchup – and also swung and missed on the Cbus/Rockies Wild Card game – I’d like to share a brief “old school” rant.

Subterfuge or Strategy? An “Old-School” Rant.

Photo by Michael & Sherry Martin

Despite being Milwaukee-born, I was rooting for the Dodgers to take the NL Championship Series. My allegiance swung over to the West Coast in Game Five. Now, while I’m a bit old school, I still have no major problem with the recent development of the “bullpen game” – when you have an “opener” from the bullpen start the contest and then go to either a “primary pitcher” or a “committee” approach. That is, I have no problem with it when used as a strategy for “getting outs.” I do, however, take issue with the Brewers’ announcing southpaw Wade Miley as the starter in Game Five, then pulling him after one batter and going to right-hander Brandon Woodruff (with Miley planned as the Game Six starter). That seemed more like subterfuge than strategy to me.

Enough of my rant. Here’s BBRT’s prediction for (and a few comments on) the upcoming World Series. In addition, some thoughts on a handful of “things to watch for” – like the implications of the Dodgers drawing the most walks in the post-season thus far and the Red Sox giving up the most free passes. I’d really like to take the coward’s way out and just say whichever team wins Game One (particularly if it’s a Chris Sale/Clayton Kershaw matchup) will win the title in seven games. It really looks that close to me. However, that would, indeed, be the coward’s path to prediction. So, I am going to pick the Red Sox to win Game One – and the World Series in seven games. BBRT gives the edge to the Red Sox due to home field advantage, the more likelihood of putting up crooked numbers and the fact that the Red Sox (particularly the rotation and bullpen) should be better rested – particularly given the fact that, as this is written, the Dodgers still haven’t announced their Game One starter.

Let’s look a little deeper.

THE LINE UPS

Mookie Betts brings speech and power.
Photo by Keith Allison

These are two pretty evenly matched teams – which both generate a lot of offense and show enough depth for considerable lineup versatility. The Dodgers launched an NL-best 235 home runs (while hitting .250 at a team). The Red Sox show slightly less power (despite the DH) with 208 long balls, but did put up a .268 regular-season average and an MLB-tops 876 runs scored. (The Dodgers led the NL with 804 tallies). In the post season, that relationship of power and average has held. The Dodgers have 13 home runs and 43 runs scored in 11 games; while the Red Sox have scored 56 runs (in just nine games). The BoSox have hit .253 to the Dodgers .218, but trail in long balls 13-9. The Red Sox’ ability to put runners on the base paths (an MLB-best .339 on base percentage in the regular season and a .341 OBP in the post season – secondly only to the Astros’ .369 – may make them more likely to put up a big inning. The Dodgers are not far behind, with a regular-season OBP of .333 and a post-season mark of .324. Thus far in the post-season, the Red Sox have put up seven innings of three or more runs (in nine games) and the Dodgers have put up five such frames in eleven games. So, the Red Sox appear a bit more likely to put up a “big inning.”

A HANDFUL OF THINGS TO WATCH FOR – NUMBER ONE

Who will run the bases? During the regular season, the Red Sox showed more of a propensity to create a little disruption on the base paths – stealing 125 bags to the Dodgers 75. In the post-season, however, the Dodgers have swiped 13 bases (11 games) to the Red Sox’ five (nine games). Will the Red Sox turn Mookie Betts (30 steals in 36 attempts), Andrew Benintendi (21 for 24 in steal attempts) and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (17 for 18) loose? (In addition, Ian Kinsler – picked up by the Sox at the trade deadline – had 16 steals on the season, including seven in ten attempts for the BoSox.) And will the Dodgers, who were led in the regular season by Yasiel Puig’s 15 steals in 20 attempts, continue their aggressive post-season base running? (Cody Bellinger, who swiped 14 bags in the regular season, has four stolen bases in this post-season). Another thing to keep an eye on is the Red Sox’ propensity for taking the extra base and testing opposing outfielders.

Yasiel Puig brings excitement to the Dodgers’ lineup.
Photo by apardavila

The Dodgers have eight players who hit at least 20 regular-season home runs – 1B Matt Muncy (.263-35-79), who spent notable time at 1B, 2B and 3B); 1B/CF Cody Bellinger (.260-25-76); OF Joc Pederson (.248-25-56); C Yasmani Grandal (.241-24-68); OF Yasiel Puig (.267-23-63); 2B/SS/OF Enrique Hernandez (.256-21-52); OF Matt Kemp (.290-21-85) – and mid-season pickups SS Manny Machado (who hit .297-37-104 for the Orioles and Dodgers combined) and versatile corner infielder David Freese (.296-11-51 for the Pirates and the Dodgers), who could be an important asset against the Red Sox southpaws. The presence of Freese, Brian Dozier and Chris Taylor gives the LA squad some options both in terms of the lineup and bench moves.

You could say almost the same things about the Red Sox. While they have only four players with 20+ home runs, they have legitimate MVP candidates in RF Mookie Betts (.346-32-80, with 30 steals) and DH J.D. Martinez (.330-43-130). In addition, SS Xander Bogaerts gave the BoSox 23 home runs and drove in 103 (with a .288 average). There is also LF Andrew Benintendi (.290-16-87, 21 steals) and CF Jackie Bradley Jr., who drove in nine runs in the five-game AL Championship Series. Like the Dodgers, the Red Sox have depth and versatility with 1B Mitch Moreland (.245-15-68); 3B Rafael Devers (.240-21-66); utility man Brock Holt (.277-7-46, with seven steals in 109 games); and trade deadline pickups 2B Ian Kinsler (.240-14-48, with 16 steals) and 1B/OF Steve Pearce (.384-11-42 in 76 games).

Overall, I see a slight edge in the lineup for Boston.

A HANDFUL OF THINGS TO WATCH FOR – NUMBER TWO

Think about this – the Dodgers have drawn more free passes this post season than any other team (50 in eleven games), while the Red Sox’ staff has given up more walks than any other team (40). Note; The Dodgers also drew more regular season walks (647) than any other team in MLB; while the 512 walks given up by Boston pitchers was in the middle of the pack (number 17).

The Dodgers go deep in counts and are more than willing to take a walk – running up pitch counts early and putting additional stress on starters and the bullpen. Over a seven-game series, that stress could add up – and create some problems for Boston.

THE ROTATIONS

When it comes to starting pitching it looks like:

The Red Sox’ Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11); David Price (16-7, 3.58). Rick Porcello (17-7, 4.28); and Nathan Eovaldi (6-7, 3.81).
The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw (9-5, 2.73); Walker Buehler (8-5, 2.62); Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 1.97); and Rich Hill (11-5, 3.66).

Over the course of the season, Dodgers’ starters put up a 3.19 earned run average (second only to the Astros’ 3.16), while Boston’s starters’ ERA was eighth in MLB at 3.77. A couple of factors to consider here. How much will the extra rest mean for Boston and will Chris Sale bounce back from his stomach problems? From a starting rotation standpoint, it looks pretty even. BBRT, on first glance, would give a slight edge to Sale and Price over Kershaw and whomever emerges at the number-two spot for LA (likely Ryu) – based primarily on the number of high-stress pitches tossed in this post season. On the other side fo the coin, there are Sale’s recent health problems and Price’s less than stellar post-season record. You might keep an eye on Dodgers’ rookie Walker Buehler, wisely being held for a “home start,” who was akey member of the rortation after being called up from Triple A. Ultimately, a toss-up.

A HANDFULL OF THINGS TO WATCH FOR – NUMBER THREE

Who will start Game One for the Dodgers, who used ace Clayton Kershaw to close out Game Seven against the Brewers? It has not been announced as I put this post together. BBRT is rooting for a Sale/Kershaw battle, but no matter who takes the mound for the Dodgers, Game One will be critical for both sides. Update: Since this was first posted, LA has announced Kershaw as the Game One starter – that add to the importance of this game and makes it a must-watch.

THE BULLPENS

The regular-season bullpen earned run averages for the Dodgers and Red Sox were identical (3.72) and the innings pitched by the relief staff were very close (587 1/3 for the Red Sox and 581 1/3 for the Dodgers). In fact, almost all the bullpen stats were parallel. The Red Sox’ pen fanned 628 batters, just three more than the Dodgers – and batters hit .235 against the Red Sox’ pen and .231 against the Dodgers’ relievers. If there is a potential issue, it is walks (remember, we’ve already seen how patient the Dodgers’ hitters can be), where the Red Sox’ relievers gave up 245 walks to 199 for the LA pen.

I see an edge for the Dodgers’ pen, despite their extra post-season workload.

A HANDFUL OF THINGS TO WATCH FOR – NUMBER FOUR

Which starters will end up taking the mound in relief? Already this post season, the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill and the Red Sox’ Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello have all been called on for relief duty. How many times members of the rotation are called in from the pen may say a lot about how this World Series is going.

The Dodgers’ are led by closer Kenley Jansen (1-5, 3.01,38 saves, 3.01), who has been a bit homer-prone (13 in 71 2/3 innings this season); Pedro Baez (4-3, 2.88); Scott Alexander (2-1, 3.69) and (probably for middle innings) transitioned starter Kenta Maeda. The Red Sox look to Craig Kimbrel (5-1, 2.74, 42 saves) to close out and expect to see innings from Matt Barnes (6-4, 3.65) and Ryan Brasier (3-0, 1.60); among others.

These two bullpens look pretty even, but you can give an edge to LA based on a post-season bullpen ERA of 1.30 to the Red Sox’ 3.62.

A HANDFUL OF THINGS TO WATCH FOR – NUMBER FIVE

Could we see Red Sox’ RF Mookie Betts at the two-bag? The Red Sox lose the DH spot when they play in LA and there is talk that RF Mookie Betts could move into 2B in order to put J.D. Martinez’ glove in the outfield – and, of more impotance, his very potent bat in the lineup. Not such a far-fetched idea.

Betts, a Gold Glove outfielder, is a superb athlete, who started more than 200 games at 2B in the minor leagues (and started 14 games at 2B in his rookie MLB season). Watch for that development. Should the Red Sox make the move, it will be interesting to see the impact defensively – and how it balances against Martinez’ impact offensively. If it were me – and this is why I am writing a blog and not managing a team – I would use Betts at 2B, unless I had left Boston with a two-games to none lead. Then I’d keep him in RF until LA pulled within one game.

So, there you have BBRT’s observations on the upcoming series. It will be close – perhaps determined by whether Boston defends home field advantage in Game One. It may also come down to star power. Who will lead their team to a championship – Manny Machado or Mookie Betts. Or who will prove to be the ace that shuts down one of these two offenses – Clayton Kershaw or Chris Sale? Or maybe someone come out of the blue to surprise us all and prove to be the Series MVP? (After all, the World Series MVP list includes such names as Pat Borders, Scott Brosius, Rick Dempsey and Ray Knight. ) If I had to predict a surprise World Series MVP for this year, I’d go with Dodgers’ 1B David Freese to win his second career WS MVP (he won it with the Cardinals in 2011) or Red Sox’ 3B Eduardo Nunez to power some key hits and make a couple of notable defensive “saves.” Ultimately, though, BBRT sees the Red Sox in seven, solid pitching from both Sale and Price (who turns around his post-season reputation) and an WS MVP Award for either Mookie Betts or Andrew Benintendi. However, I would not place any kind of bet on any of those predictions.

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MLB’s Only All-Hispanic All Star Game … and a look at Latino MLB greats.

October 12, 2018 by David

On this date (October 12) 55 years ago (1963), MLB hosted it first (and only) Hispanic All-Star Game – which, coincidentally, was also the last major league contest ever played at New York’s Polo Grounds (the Mets moved to Shea the next season). In this post, Baseball Roundtable will:

Reflect on the 1963 Hispanic All Star Game;
Review the All-Time Latino All-Star Team named by MLB in 2012 (based on a survey of baseball experts), as well as the Latino Legends team selected by the fans in 2005.
Share a few of BBRT’s All-Time Latino MLB selections (and comment on potential future additions to that roll).

Side note: Throughout the reporting related to these “All Time” squads, the terms Hispanic and Latino are used relativley interchangeably. So, BBRT will follow suit.

THE 1963 MLB HISPANIC ALL STAR GAME

Vic Power was selected as the top Hispanic MLB Playeer in 1963.

Vic Power was selected as the top Latino MLB Playeer in 1963.

The 1963 MLB Hispanic All Star Game drew a rather meager crowd of 14,235 to see such stars as Juan Marichal, Roberto Clemente, Luis Aparicio, Tony Oliva, Minnie Minoso, Felipe Alou, Orlando Cepeda and Vic Power. In pre-game ceremonies, Vic Power was honored as the number-one Latino player; Juan Marichal as the top Latino pitcher; and Orlando Cepeda as the most popular Latino player. Here’s the box score for the contest, won the by National Leaguers by a 5-2 score.

AL 000 000 0002 2 7 2

NL 100 301 00x 5 9 2

AL AB H R RBI

L. Aparicio SS 4 0 0 0

V. Power 1B 3 0 0 0

J. Becquer 1B 1 0 0 0

T. Oliva RF 5 0 2 1

H. Lopez LF 2 0 1 0

M. Minoso LF 2 0 0 0

J. Azcue C 4 0 0 0

R. Majias CF 3 0 1 0

F. Mantilla 3B 4 0 0 0

Z. Versalles 2B 4 1 1 0

P. Ramos P 2 0 1 0

D. Segui P 2 1 1 0

L. Cardenas SS-2B 4 0 0 0

F. Alou LF 4 0 1 1

O. Cepeda 1B 3 1 1 0

R. Amaro 1B 1 0 0 0

T. Gonzalez CF 3 2 2 0

R. Clemente RF 2 0 0 0

A. McBean P 1 0 1 1

J. Pignatano C 1 0 0 0

E. Bauta P 0 0 0 0

J. Javier 2B 2 1 2 1

C. Fernandez 3B 2 0 0 0

C. Baragan C 3 0 0 0

J. Marichal P 1 0 0 0

M. Mota RF 2 0 2 2

2B – Oliva; 3B – McBean; SB – Taylor, Javiar, Aparicio

Pitching

AL IP H R ER BB SO

P. Ramos (L) 5 6 4 4 1 4

D. Segui 3 3 1 1 1 1

J. Marichal 4 2 0 0 0 6

A. McBean (W) 4 3 0 0 2 4

E. Bauta 1 2 2 2 1 0

—–ALL TIME LATINO ALL STARS (2012) AND LATINO LEGENDS (2005)—–

Now, let’s look at the All-Time Latino All-Star team of 2012, with the 2005 Latino Legends team selected by the fans.

2012 2005

Catcher Ivan Rodriguez Ivan Rodriguez

First Base Albert Pujols Albert Pujols

Second Base Roberto Alomar Rod Carew

Third Base Alex Rodriguez Edgar Martinez

Shortstop Louis Aparicio Alex Rodriguez

Outfield Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente

Outfield Ted Williams Manny Ramirez

Outfield Reggie Jackson Vlad Guerrero

Designated Hitter Edgar Martinez

RH Pitcher Juan Marichal Juan Marichal/Pedro Martinez

LH Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela Pedro Martinez

Closer Mariano Rivera Mariano Rivera

Manager Felipe Alou

You can form your own opinions – and even put together your own all-Latino team. Here, for what they are worth, are BBRT’s comments on the 2005 and 2012 selections, as well as on current players who may very well prove to be future “Latino Legends.”

Catcher – Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez is a clear choice and was the backstop on both the 2005 and 2012 teams. Hard to argue with 13 Gold Gloves, 14 All-Star selections, a league MVP Award, 2,844 hits, a .296 career average, 311 home runs and more than 1,300 runs scored and RBI.

In today’s game, the Cardinals’ Yadier Molino deserves mention – 15 MLB seasons, eight Gold Gloves, nine All Star Selections and a .282 average, with 146 home runs and 859 RBI.

First Base – Albert Pujols made both the 2005 and 2012 lists and the stats tell the story. Having just completed his 18^th MLB season, Pujols has 3,082 hits, a career .302 average, 633 home runs, 1,982 RBI, a Rookie of the Year Award, three MVP Awards and ten All-Star Selections. Orlando Cepeda and Rafael Palmeiro are the closest competitors, but Pujols belongs on top.

Second Base – Wow, two Hall of Famers here – Roberto Alomar (2012 list) and Rod Carew (2005). A tough one. Carew clearly leads the “Awards Race” – Rookie of the Year, an MVP Award, seven batting titles, 18 All-Star selections in 19 seasons. Still, BBRT would go with Alomar. While Carew leads Alomar in hits (3,053 to 2,724) and career average (.328 to .300), Alomar (a 12-time All Star) leads Rapid Rodney in runs scored (1,508 to 1,424), RBI (1,134 to 1,015), home runs (210 to 92) and stolen bases (474 to 353). The clincher, however, comes not at the plate or on the base paths – Alomar leads in Gold Gloves 10 to 0.

If you were selecting an All Time Latino/Hispanic team today, the Astros’ Jose Altuve would be right up there at 2B with Roberto Alomar and Rod Carew. After eight MLB seasons, the 28-year-old Altuve already has an MVP Award and three batting titles – as well as six All Star selections, two stolen base titles, a .316 career average, four 200+ hit seasons and a Gold Glove.

Third Base – Interesting results here. The 2012 team has Alex Rodriguez (who made one of the Latino All Star lists as a shortstop and one as a third baseman) and the 2005 team has Edgar Martinez (who made one list as a DH and one as a third baseman). BBRT is taking the easy way out and going with A-Rod at the hot corner (and, as you will see later, Martinez at DH). Rodriguez was a 14-time All Star, three-time MVP, five-time league home run leader and one-time batting champion. If that’s not enough, he tallied 3,115 hits, 696 home runs, 2,086 RBI, 2,021 runs, 329 stolen bases and a .295 career average.

The Rangers’ Adrian Beltre should draw support for future All-Latino teams – thanks to his superior combination of leather and lumber. Beltre ended his 2018 season with five Gold Gloves, 3,166 hits, 477 home runs, 1,707 RBI, 1.,524 runs scored 121 steals and a .286 average.

Also on the horizon is Rockies’ 3B Nolan Arenado (born in California, but of Cuban/Puerto Rican descent). In six MLB seasons, the 27-year-old has won five gold gloves, is a four-time All Star, led the NL in home runs three times and in RBI twice. His current career average is .291, with 186 home runs and 616 RBI.

The Yankees’ 23-year-old Miguel Adujar still has a lot to prove – but a rookie season line of .297-27-92 show the potential to join the ranks of all-time Hispanic players.

Shortstop – Placing A-Rod at third base on BBRT’s All-Latino team paves the way for BBRT’s shortstop pick – Louis Aparicio (from the 2012 list). Although not blessed with a powerful bat (.262 career average with 83 home runs), Aparicio led the AL in stolen basis nine times (and totaled 506 stolen bases), scored 1,335 runs, earned 10 All-Star selections and captured nine Gold Gloves. Fortunately, I could place A-Rod at third and give this slick-fielding speedster his due.

Most likely to give Luis Aparicio competition (for All-Time Latino shortstop) on future lists is the Indians’ Francisco Lindor. The 24-year-old, a four-season MLB “veteran,” already has three All Star selections and a Gold Glove. Over those four seasons, he has hit .288, with 98 home runs (71 in the past two campaigns), 310 RBI and 71 steals.

Outfield – I have to start with Roberto Clemente (on both the 2005 and 2012 lists): 12-time All Star; 12-time Gold Glover; four-time batting champ and one-time NL MVP; who collected 3,000 hits, 240 home runs, 1,416 runs scored and 1,305 RBI.

Next is the less obvious pick – Ted Williams (2012 list). How does Ted make the all-Latino list? Very simply, his mother was Mexican. Williams needs no justification, but here a partial list: 17 All-Star selections; six batting titles; two MVP Awards; four home run titles; two Triple Crowns; a .344 career average; 521 home runs; 1,798 runs scored; and 1,839 RBI. No doubt, Teddy Ballgame is in.

BBRT’s final choice in the outfield reflects a combination of logic and sentiment. First, BBRT eliminated controversial choices, particularly any possible PED issues. BBRT also considered attitude and how the player contributed to the reputation of the game. That led to agreement with the fans’ 2005 choice Vlad Guerrero – nine-time All Star, League MVP, 449 home runs, 1,496 RBI, 1,328 runs scored, 181 stolen bases. There were plenty of choices here, all falling behind for one reason or another – Manny Ramirez, Juan Gonzalez, Reggie Jackson, Sammy Sosa and Minnie Minoso – to name just a few. BBRT also had a soft spot for Tony Oliva – an eight-time All-Star and three-time batting champ (his home run, runs scored and RBI totals just didn’t match up with Vlad).

Among today’s outfield “stars,” the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton is gaining ground. In nine seasons, the 28-year-old has been an All Star four times, won the 2017 NL MVP Award, captured a pair of home run titles and one RBI crown. He already has 305 home runs and 772 RBI on his resume – but the .268 career average may keep him on the bench with the All-Time Latino team.

Looking to the longer-term future, the Braves’ 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuna, Jr. (.293-26-64, 16 steals in 111 games) and Nationals’ 19-year-old freshman Juan Soto (.292-22-70 in 116 games) are off to good starts.

DH – I needed a spot for Edgar Martinez. He’s a seven-time All-Star, two-time batting champ, who retired with 2,247 hits, a .312 average, 309 home runs, 1,219 runs scored and 1,261 RBI – most accumulated at DH.

If BBRT was filling out a new All-Latino list (rather than reflecting on the 2005 and 2012 selections), I’d go with David Ortiz who, in 20 seaons, made ten All Star teams, hitting .286, with 541 home runs and 1,768 RBI – and became a true Boston hero.

Right-Handed Starter – Tough contest, and while the 2012 experts went for Juan Marichal, BBRT is selecting Pedro Martinez (who made it on the 2005 squad along with Marichal). Here’s the case: While Marichal leads Martinez in wins 243 to 219, Martinez holds the edge in winning percentage .687 to .631. Then there is earned run average – Marichal holds a slight edge 2.89 to 2.93, but measured against their peers, Martinez led his league in ERA five times to just once for Marichal. Marichal did have six twenty-win seasons to just two for Martinez, but Pedro captured three Cy Young Awards to one for Juan. Marichal also hold a big lead in complete games 244 to 46, but led the league in complete games twice to Martinez’ once. Martinez enjoys a big league in strikeouts 3,154 to 2,303, leading his league three times to none for Marichal. Tough to compare pitchers from different eras, but for BBRT – when compared to his peers – Martinez was more dominant than Marichal. So, Pedro gets a VERY SLIGHT edge.

In addition to Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal, BBRT would give consideration to: Bartolo Colon (247-188, 4.12) – how can you ignore a player known as “Big Sexy”, who also has four All Star selections, two twenty-win seasons and a Cy Young Award; Dennis Martinez (245-193, 3.70 in 22 MLB seasons), a four-time All Star; and Luis Tiant (229-172, 3.30), a four-time twenty-game winner.

Among the current crop of hurlers who could work their way up the rankings are the Indians’ Carlos Carrasco (17-10, 3.38 last season), who has three 200+ strikeout seasons in the past four campaigns; 23-year-old German Marquez of the Rockies, who went 14-11, 3.77 with 230 whiffs in 196 innings in 2018; and two-time All Star, 26-year-old, Cardinal Carlos Martinez (54-38, 3.37).

Finally, you have to recognize the Marlins’ Jose Fernandez, who was well on his way to a spot near the top of this list before his untimely death in 2016 (at age 23). In his final season, Fernandez went 16-8, 2.86, with 253 strikeouts in 182 1/3 innings.

Left-Handed Starter – For lefties, Fernando-mania (Fernando Valenzuela) reigns on both lists … although the statistics are far less gaudy than a handful of other Latino lefties. This six-time All Star rang up a 173-153 career record with one Cy Young Award; a 3.54 ERA; one-time league leadership in wins; three-time leadership in complete games; one-time leadership in shutouts; and 2,074 strikeouts (one strikeout crown) – to go along with a personality that brought new life to and spurred greater Latino interest in West Coast baseball.

If BBRT was making the selection from a blank slate, I’d have gone with Hall of Famer Lefty Gomez (189-102, 3.34 over 14 seasons), a seven-time All Star, four-time twenty-game winner (led the AL in wins twice), two-time AL ERA leader, three-time league leader in shutouts and three-time league leader in strikeouts.

Closer – All you need to say is Mariano Rivera and “case closed.” Rivera racked up a major league record 652 saves to go with an 82-60 record and 2.21 ERA, leading the AL in saves three times and earning 13 All-Star selections. As a closer, he was as close to a sure thing as you can get.

There are a couple of “up-and-comers: in the All-Latino closer category; 23-year-old Roberto Osuna of the Astros, who already has 116 saves (10-15, 2.78 with 272 strikeouts in 245 2/3 innings) and Yankees’ flamethrower Aroldis Chapman (30-24, 2.24, 236 saves in nine seasons), with 798 punch outs in 478 2/3 innings. However, it’s a long way to 600 saves, so Rivera’s spot looks pretty darn secure.

BBRT welcomes your comments on these choices, or other nominees to rank among the greatest Latino players of all time.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Baseball Roundtable 2018 Division Series Predictions

October 4, 2018 by David

Well, the Wild Card round is over, and Baseball Roundtable was one-for-two on two on prediction – whiffed on the Rockies, got the fat part of the bat on the Yankees. Time now to look at the Division Series. Again, you really can’t take these to the bank, but you may at least find these observation interesting.

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Brewers over the Rockies

Christian Yelich … driving the Brewers’ success.
Photo by hueytaxi

These are two potent offenses – playing in a couple of hitters’ parks. The Brewers come in led by RF Christian Yelich (.326-36-110 and 22 steals); 1B Jesus Aguilar (.274-35-108); and CF Lorenzo Cain (.308, with ten home runs, 90 runs scored and 22 steals). The Rockies counter with 3B Nolan Arenado (.297-38-100, with 104 runs); SS Trevor Story (.291-37-108, with 22 steals); and Charlie Blackmon (.291-29-70 and 119 runs).

The Rockies may be a bit road-weary, having played three of the past four day in three different time zones – including 13 grueling innings versus the Cubs on Tuesday. The Brewers last played in Monday’s Tiebreaker against the Cub.

Pitching-wise, the Rox’ top two starters are Kyle Freeland 17-7, 2.85 and German Marquez (14-11, 3.77) – and each will get just one start in the NLDS. Young (23-year-old) righty Antonio Senzatela (6-6, 4.38) will get the first-game start for Colorado; likely to be followed by southpaw Tyler Anderson (7-9, 4.55) – with Freeland and Marquez slated for Games Four and Five in Colorado. The Brewers are slated to go with an “opener” for the Division Series opener – and, for this old schooler, that a little scary. Jhoulys Chacin (15-8, 3.50), Wade Miley (5-2, 2.57) and Gio Gonzalez (7-11, 4.57) are likely starters going forward. Starting pitching looks to be pretty much a “wash.”

Gio Gonzalez could be a difference maker. He was 7-11, 4.57 with the Nationals, but 3-0, 2.13 in five starts after coming over to the Brew Crew.

On the Rockies’ side of the ledger, you can’t overlook 24-year-old, left-handed swinging outfielder David Dahl, who went .287-9-27 in 24 September contests and .273-16-48 in 77 games on the season.

I’d give the Brewers’ bullpen an edge in depth (Corey Knebel, Josh Hader, Jeremy Jeffress and Joakim Soria versus Wade Davis, Adam Ottavino, Seunghwan Oh and Scott Oberg) – although both pens bring some quality arms.

Ultimately, BBRT see the Brewers a little deeper on offense (Ryan Braun/Travis Shaw) and in the pen. Couple that with the fact that the Rockies had the roughest path (travel and competition-wise) to this round and BBRT gives the edge to the Brewers. Plus, I just don’t think the red-hot Christian Yelich will let them lose this series. Lots of scoring, but the Brewers prevail.

Dodgers over Braves

Hyun-Jin RyuPhoto by Keith Allison

The Dodgers out-homered the Braves by 60 and outscored them by 45 – and still the difference-maker in this matchup is likely to be pitching. The Dodgers’ rotation of Clayton Kershaw (9-5, 2.73); Rich Hill (11-5, 3.66); Walker Buehler (8-5, 2.62); and Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 1.97) was part of the reason LA had the NL’s lowest team ERA. The Braves counter with Mike Foltynewicz (13-10, 2.85); Julio Teheran (9-9, 3.94); Sean Newcomb (12-9, 3.90); and Anibel Sanchez (7-6, 2.83) – but it’s clearly edge Dodgers. For the Braves to have a chance, Foltynewicz has to be on top of his game (and win a pair of starts). Note: Hyun-Jin Ryu will start Game One for LA.

Both bullpens can be effective, but Dodger’ closer Kenley Jansen (38 saves, 3.01 earned run average) has been a bit homer-prone (13 in 71 2/3 innings this season). Other key bullpen arms for LA include: transitioned starter Kenta Maeda, Alex Wood and Pedro Baez. The Braves look to Arodys Vizcaino to close out games – with a supporting cast that includes A.J. Minter, Jonny Vebters and Brad Bach.

Dodgers’ reliever Pedro Baez is one to watch in this series. From August 13 to the season’s end, he gave up just one earned run in 19 appearances (19 1/3 IP) for a 0.47 ERA

The line-up sees the Braves with a nice mix of veterans (1B Freddie Freeman at .309-23-98 and OF Nick Markakis at .297-14-93) and talented youngsters (20-year-old 2B Ozzie Albies at .261-24-72, 14 steals; 20-year-old Ronald Acuna Jr. at .293-26-64; and 24-year-old 3B Johan Camargo at .272-19-76).

A key to this series may be how the Braves’ youngsters – Ronald Acuna, Jr., Ozzie Albies and Johan Camargo handle the post-season pressure.

The Dodgers bring a more veteran crew with eight players launching 20+home runs each and such “names” as SS Manny Machado (.297-37-107 for the Orioles and Dodgers), Matt Kemp (.291-21-85), CF Cody Bellinger (.260-25-76) and the mercurial RF Yasiel Puig (.267-23-63, with 15 steals.

Keep an eye on the Dodgers’ 1B Matt Muncy, who had a career year at .263-35-79.

The Braves made the post-season perhaps a year earlier than expected and – coming up against the Dodgers – BBRT see it as a “wait until next year” finish.

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Astros over Indians

Justin Verlander … 290K. Photo by Keith Allison

Probably the toughest division Series to call. Who would have thought that the first team in MLB history to have four 200-strikeout pitchers in the same season (Indians’ Corey Kluber … 20-7, 2.89, 222K; Mike Clevinger … 13-8. 3.02, 207K; Carlos Cararasco … 17-10, 3.38, 231K; and Trevor Bauer … 12-6, 2.21, 22K ) could be at a disadvantage in starting pitching? But the Astros offer up Justin Verlander (16-9, 3.07, 290K); Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.88, 276K); Dallas Keuchel, 12-11, 3.74); and Charles Morton (15-3, 3.13, 201K). That Astros’ quartet helped Houston notch MLB’s lowest starting staff ERA (3.16) and highest strikeouts per nine innings (10.37).

In the bullpen, both teams throw out some quality arms. Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, Brad Hand and Oliver Perez for Cleveland and Roberto Osuna Hector Rondon, and Ryan Pressly for the Astros. On the season, the Astros had a 3.03 bullpen ERA, the Indians’ 4.60. Trevor Bauer (12-6, 2.21 with 221 strikeouts in 175 1/3 innings will be in the bullpen for (at least the start of) this Series. He could prove an interesting weapon.

The Indians went 91-71 and ran away with the AL Central. However, they ran up a 49-27 record against the weak Central – and were two games under .500 (42-44) against everyone else.

Offensively, it’s a good match up. The Indians, led by SS Francisco Lindor (.277-38-92, with 25 steals) and 3B Jose Ramirez (.270-39-195, 34 steals) put up 818 runs and hit 216 round trippers. The Astros had a more balanced offense and finished with 797 runs and 227 homers. Among the key Houston contributors were 2B Jose Altuve (.316-13-61, 17 steals); 3B Alex Bergman (.281-31-103, 10 steals); and 1B Yuli Gurriel (.282-13-85).

Game One Will Set the Tone

The first game of this Series will feature two former Cy Young Award winners (and 2018 CYA candidates) facing off. For the Indians, it will be Corey Kluber and for the Astros it will be Justin Verlander. Given the matchups we are likely to see, getting that first-game win may be critical.

Ultimately, BBRT thinks the Astros’ edge in pitching – and more balanced offense – will carry the day.

Red Sox over Yankees

Chris Sale … BoSox key. Photo by Keith Allison

Will good pitchings top good hitting? BBRT is betting on it. The Yankees blasted an MLB-record 267 home run this year – and I’m still betting Boston veterans Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11) and David Price (16-7, 3.58) can lead Boston to a win in this Series. Additional starts will come from among Rick Porcello (17-7, 4.28); Nathan Eovaldi (6-7, 3.81); and Eduardo Rodriguez (13-5, 3.82). The Yankees counter with Luis Severino (19-8, 3.39); Masahiro Tanaka (12-6, 3.75); J.A. Happ (7-0, 2.69 with the Bombers); and possibly C.C. Sabathia (9-7, 3.64).

A Couple of Potential Difference Makers

Two trade-deadline pickups could be difference makers for the Yankees. Starter J.A. Happ, who came over from Toronto, was 17-6, 3.65 on the season – but 7-0, 2.69 for the Yankees. (He will likely get two starts if needed.) 1B Luke Voit, acquired from the Cardinals (he played just eight 2018 games for the Redbirds), was .333-14-33 in 39 games for the Yankees.

The Yankees have an edge in the pen (a 3.38 bullpen ERA to the Red Sox’ 3.72 and 11.4 strikeouts per nine relief innings to the Red Sox’ 9.62). Among the keys to the Yanks’ pen are Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and Zach Britton, while the Red Sox look to Craig Kimbrel, Matt Barnes and Joe Kelly.

The Yankees had one the most powerful and most balanced attacks in baseball, getting at least 20 home runs from each of the slots (1-9) in the lineup.

On offense, the Yankees have a lot of balance with some key contributors being DH Giancarlo Stanton (.266-38-100); 1B Luke Voit (.33-14-33 in 39 games with New York); and RF Aaron Judge (.278-27-67 in 112 games). The Red Sox counter with the likes of DH J.D. Martinez (.330-43-139); RF Mookie Betts (.346-32-80); and SS Xander Bogaerts (.288-23-103).

Red Sox Difference Makers

A couple of veteran names that don’t get called out often enough (they are competing with Mookie Betts and J.D.martinez for the Red Sox spotlight) could make a difference in this Series. If either 1B Mitch Moreland (.245-15-68) or 2B Ian Kinsler (.240-14-48, with 16 steals) gets hot, they could really lengthen the Red Sox’ offense.

In reality, despite all those Yankee homers, there two offenses are pretty even. The Red Sox put up an MLB-best 876 runs in 2018; the Yankees were second at 851. Ultimately, I am going with pitching and betting that Sale and Price and carry the day. Still, given the long-standing rivalry and the make-up of these two squads, this should be an explosive and competitive series.

The Story Will be…

The story of this series will be written by Chris Sale in Game One. He has to shut down the Yankees’ offense in Fenway. If not, it could prove a long and disappointing Series for Boston fans – and a bad prediction by BBRT.

________________________________

I’ll have more on the NLCS as the next post-season round approaches, but here’s BBRT’s look forward.

NLCS

Dodgers over Brewers … The Dodgers just have too much offense and pitching for the Brewers to handle.

ALCS

Astros over Red Sox … The Astros may be the best – and most balanced – team (offensively and on the mound) in baseball.

World Series – Astros over Dodgers.

Wow! A great one. However, BBRT see the Astros pitching shutting down the Dodgers and World Series MVP is likely to be Verlander or Altuve.

I tweet Baseball @DavidBBRT.

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Johnny Allen – and an underrated/under-recognized/near-perfect season

October 3, 2018 by David

Here’s just a little something from BBRT to contemplate while waiting for tonight’s Yankees/A’s contest. And it has, appropriately, a bit of a Bronx Bomber hook. It’s about a little recognized and underrated hurler named Johnny Allen.

In the thirty days from September 3 to October 3, 1937, Indians hurler Johnny Allen started and completed eight games winning seven (losing one). During that span, he also made one relief appearance (no decision).

Over the 1937 season and first half of 1938, Allen went 27-2, 2.82 – completing 24 of 36 starts.

On this date (October 3) in 1937, Cleveland right-hander Johnny Allen (who originally came up with the Yankees) was starting for the Indians (against the Tigers) in Detroit. Since September 3, he had thrown one 2 1/3-inning relief stint (no decision) and started seven games. He had completed and won all seven of those starts, throwing 63 innings and giving up just 14 earned runs. On the season, he was a perfect 15-0 (despite missing about a month-and-a-half with appendicitis) and carried a 2.62 earned run average. Going for his eighth win in 30 days (September 3 – October 3), Allen was in a position to record the most wins ever in an undefeated MLB season.

It was not to be, however, but through no fault of Allen. The righty – known for a lively fastball and solid curve – went the distance that day, giving up a second-inning run on a double by Tigers’ RF Pete Fox and a single by 1B Hank Greenberg. It was the only run he would give up in a complete game – his eighth in 30 days – five-hitter. (Side Note: In an article for the Society for American Baseball Research, author Jon Weeks reports that the single actually was a grounder muffed by Cleveland 3B Odell Hale and Allen had to be restrained twice “when he tried to assault the error-prone third-sacker.” Baseball-Reference.com has the grounder scored as a base hit.)

Unfortunately, Tigers’ southpaw Jack Wade – who came into the game at 6-10 on the season, with a 5.64 earned run average, pitched the game of his career. He tossed a nine-inning, one-hit shutout – topping Allen 1-0 and putting the Indians’ hurler’s season mark at 15-1. How surprising was Wade’s performance? His MLB career record (eight seasons) ended at 27-40, 5.00.

Getting back to the underrated and under-recognized Allen – he came up to the majors in 1932, after going 21-9 in the International League (Toronto and Jersey City) the year before.

As a 27-year-old MLB rookie, Allen went 17-4, 3.70 and led the AL in winning percentage at .810. In four seasons with New York his record was 50-19, 3.79 – before attitude (anger) issues contributed to a trade to Cleveland in December of 1935

Hall of Fame outfielder Al Simmons (.334 career average) once said, “The pitcher who gave me the most trouble was Johnny Allen … He threw hard and with a side arm. He was particularly tough with men on base.

(Article by Jimmy Jemail, August 8, 1955, Sports Illustrated.)

Allen flourished in Cleveland, going 20-10, 3.44 in the 1936 season, following that with his 15-1 record in 1937. He started 1938 in the same near-perfect fashion and was 12-1, with a 2.98 ERA at the All Star Break. Then, injury struck (some say something went awry in his shoulder during his All Star appearance, others say he slipped in the shower). After the break, Allen was 2-7, 6.29 – and, over the next six seasons, he won only 43 games (37 losses). He finished with a career mark of 142-75, 3.75. Before the 1938 injury he was 97-31, 3.44 – afterward 45-44, 4.20.

Johnny Allen pitched three innings in the 1938 All Star Game – giving up two hits and one run and fanning three (Leo Durocher, Billy Herman, Mel Ott).

Allen’s temper was a consistent matter of concern (part of the reason he suited up for five different teams in his 13 MLB seasons) – to the point of a fine and suspension for attacking an umpire in 1942. Ironically, after retiring as a player, Allen became a minor league umpire – even rising to Umpire-In-Chief in the Carolina League.

Primary sources: Baseball-Reference.com; Society for American Baseball Research.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Joe Mauer’s Final Game

September 30, 2018 by David

For BBRT’s Minnesota readers … no explanation necessary. Had to add the question mark!

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New York Yankees – Kings of the 100-Win Campaigns … and other 100-win tidbits

September 30, 2018 by David

Yankee Stadium … 100-win seasons live here.
Photo by Steven Pisano

Yesterday, (September 30, 2018), the Yankees picked up their 100^th win of the season becoming the third American League team to reach 100 victories this year (Red Sox – 107 wins/Astros 102, with one game to go). It was both the Yankees’ 20th 100-win season (extending their own recrord)and the first time we have seen three 100-win teams in one league.

We have seen three 100-win teams in a single season in the past (just n in the same league).

1942: Cardinals (106-48); Dodgers (104-50 wins); Yankees (103-51)
1977: Royals (102-60); Yankees (100-62); Phillies (101-61)
1998: Braves (106-56). Astros-NL (102-60); Yankees (114-48)
2002: Yankees (103-58); A’s (103-59); Braves (101-59)
2003: Braves (101-61); Giants (101-61); Yankees (101-61)
2107: Indians (102-60); Astros-AL (101-61); Dodgers (104-58).

So, looking at the seven seasons (including 2018) in which there have been three 100-win teams, the Yankees have been involved six times; Braves three times; and Astros three times.

____________________________________________

100-WINS- NO REWARD

What really struck BBRT were those eight instances when an MLB team notched 100 wins – and still didn’t get a whiff of the post-season. As yon might expect, they all occurred before the 1994 establishment of the Wild Card system. Let’s look at those:

1909 Chicago Cubs – 104-49 … finished second, 6 ½ games behind the Pirates
1942 Brooklyn Dodgers – 104-50 … finished second, two games behind the Cardinals
1954 Yankees – 103-51 … finished second, eight games back of the Indians
1961 Tigers – 101-61… finished second, eight games behind the Yankees
1962 Dodgers – 102-63 … finished second, one game back of the Giants
1980 Orioles – 100-62 …finished second, three games behind the Yankees
1993 giants – 103-58 … finished second, one game behind the Braves

______________________________________________________

In MLB history, 105 teams have put together seasons of at least 100 wins.

No franchise has had more 100- win seasons than the Yankees with 20 (including 2018) … the only other franchise with at least ten 100-win campaigns is the Athletics (10).
The National League leader is the Cardinals at nine.
The Astros are the only franchise to deliver a 100-win season in both the American and National Leagues.
Teams which have never had a 100-win season are the Rays; Blue Jays; Rangers; Brewers; Nationals; Marlins; Rockies; and Padres.

Three Straight 100-win Seasons

There have been just five runs of three-straight 100-win seasons in MLB history.

Philadelphia Athletics

1929 (104-46)

1930 (102-52)

1931 (102-52)

Saint Louis Cardinals

1942 (106-48)

1943 (105-49)

1944 (105-49)

Baltimore Orioles

1969 (109-53)

1970 (108-54)

1971 (101-57)

Atlanta Braves

1997 (101-61)

1998 (106-56_

1999 (103-59)

New York Yankees

2002 (103-58)

2003 (101-61)

2004 (101-61)

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Scherzer Rolls a 300 – Joins an Elite Pitching Fraternity

September 25, 2018 by David

Photo by Keith Allison

Tonight (September 25, 2018), three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer became the 40^th pitcher in major league history – and just the 17^th since 1900 – to reach 300 strikeouts in a season. Scherzer ran his 2018 total to 300 by fanning ten Marlins in seven innings (five hits, one earned run and no walks) as the Nationals won 9-4. On the season, Scherzer is now 18-7, 2.53 with 300 strikeouts in 220 2/3 innings pitched. Scherzer fanned one batter each in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings and two each in the second, fourth and seventh. His tenth victim of the game and 300th of the season was Marlins’ LF Austin Dean for the second out in the seventh.

Here, in honor of Scherzer’s feat, are a few 300-strikeout tidbits.

41 MLB pitchers have turned in 67 seasons of 300 or more strikeouts – 31 of those before 1900.
1884 saw a record 15 pitchers notch at least 300 strikeouts – since then, there have never been more than five in any single season (1886). Since 1900, there has never been more than two 300 strikeout pitchers in any season.
Currently active pitches with 300-strikeout seasons, in addition to Scherzer, are: Chris Sale (308 in 2017) and Clayton Kershaw (301 in 2015).

The Exclusive 500 Club

Only one MLB pitcher has ever fanned 500 batters in a season – and that was Matt Kilroy, who whiffed 513 batters in 583 innings as a 20-year-old rookie with the 1884 American Association Baltimore Orioles. Of course, it was a different game back then.

In 1884, Kilroy started 68 of the Orioles 139 games (49 percent) – and completed 66 of them. (That season, American Association starting pitchers finished an average of 96 percent of their starts.) Despite five shutouts and a 3.37 earned run average (the league ERA was 3.44), Kilroy finished 29-34 for the last-place (46-85) Orioles.

While Matt Kilroy is the only major league pitcher to ever reach 500 strikeouts in a season, five more have reached 400.

There were no 300-strikeout campaigns between 1912 (Walter Johnson – 303) and 1946 (Bob Feller – 348).
Rube Waddell’s 349 strikeouts in 1904 stood as the post-1900 record for 61 years (Sandy Koufax – 382 in 1965). Koufax’ record held for just eight seasons (Nolan Ryan – 383 in 1973, still the post-1900 MLB record). Koufax still holds the NL post-1900 record for whiffs in a season.
The only team to boast two 300+ strikeout pitchers in the same season is the 2002 Diamondbacks – Randy Johnson (334) and Curt Schilling (316).
The decade of the ‘70s (1970-79) saw 11 seasons of 300 or more whiffs by a pitcher – the most in any decade post-1900.
From 1900 through 1962, there were a total of just five 300 or more strikeout campaigns.

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

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A Look at The Past (and not so bright future) of Complete-Game Shutouts

September 22, 2018 by David

Cy Young – Library of Congress photo.

On this date (September 22) in 1911, right-hander Cy Young won his 511^th and final major league regular-season game. It was, fittingly, a complete-game shutout – a 1-0 Boston Rustlers win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. It brought Young’s career record to 511-313, and he should have quit while he was ahead. The 44-year-old Young, in his 22nd MLB season, was 7-6 on the on the 1911 season at the time. Young pitched just three more games that season – going 0-3 and giving up 21 runs in 22 2/3 innings.

That final win – again, a complete-game shutout – led Baseball Roundtable to look at the past (and likely dismal future) of complete-game white-washings. As Idid that, I learned that Young was one of just 26 pitchers in MLB history to notch double-digit shutouts in a season.

Trivia Teaser – Who was the last pitcher to log double-digit complete-game shutouts in a season?

That would be southpaw John Tudor of the Cardinals – back in 1985. That season, Tudor went 21-8, with a 1.93 earned run average for the Redbirds. He tossed 14 complete games in 36 starts, and ten of those complete-game outings were shutouts. It was the only season Tudor’s 12-campaign MLB career in which he threw more than two shutouts. (He had a career total of 16 CG shutouts.) Tudor finished his career at 117-72, 3.12, with 50 complete games in 263 starts.

The last American Leaguer to throw at least ten shutouts in a season was Orioles’ right-hander (and Hall of Famer) Jim Palmer in 1975. That season, Palmer went 23-11, 2.09 and tossed 25 complete games in 38 starts. Palmer’s career line was 268-152, 2.86 with 211 complete games and 53 shutouts in 521 starts.

There have been 28 instances of pitchers logging ten or more shutouts in a season – and 26 pitchers have accomplished the feat. Only two have logged ten or more shutouts in a season more than once: The Phillies’ Grover Cleveland (Pete) Alexander (12 shutouts in 1915 and an MLB-record 16 shutouts in 1916) and the White Sox’ Ed Walsh (10 shutouts in 1906 and 11 whitewashings in 1908).

How Likely Are We to See Ten Shutouts in a Season in Today’s Game?

Since the 2000 season, only one pitcher has thrown at least ten complete games in a season (James Shields of the Rays with 11 in 2011) – much less ten shutouts.

In 2017, the most shutouts by any pitcher was three (Corey Kluber, Indians and Ervin Santana, Twins) and the most complete games was five (same two pitchers). As this post is written no pitcher has more than two complete games or more than one CG shutout in the 2018 season.

A few more shutout tidbits.

Walter Johnson (Senators … 1907-1927) holds the career shutout record with 110. No one else has more than 90.
The record for shutouts in a season is 16 shared by Grover Cleveland (Pete) Alexander (Phillies, 1916) and George Bradley (Saint Louis Brown Stockings, 1876).

Babe Ruth shares the AL record for shutouts in a season by a southpaw at nine (Red Sox, 1916). Yankee Ron Guidry also threw nine shutouts (1978).

Walter Johnson, who drew the Opening Day assignment in 14 seasons, threw a record seven Opening Day shutouts.

On August 10, 1944 The Braves’ Red Barrett shutout the Red 2-0 – throwing only 58 pitches (the fewest pitches ever – not just in a shutout, but in a nine-inning complete game of any score.) Barrett pitched a two-hitter with zero walks and zero strikeouts.

Don Drysdale of the Dodgers tossed a record six consecutive complete-game shutouts between May 14, 1856 and June 4, 1968.

Playing the Lead Role

In 2008, C.C. Sabathia led the AL, NL and MLB in shutouts. He started the season with the Cleveland Indians and was 6-8, 3.83 with three complete games and two shutouts before being traded to the NL Milwaukee Brewers on July 7. With the Brewers, Sabathia went 11-2 with seven complete games and three shutouts. His two AL shutouts tied for the American League lead, while he three whitewashings tied for the NL lead.

______________________________________________________________

Pitchers with Ten or More Shutouts in a Season

George Bradley, 1876 St. Louis Brown Stockings (NL) ….. 16

Pud Galvin, 1884, Buffalo Bisons (NL) ….. 12

Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn, 1884 Providence Grays (NL) ….. 11

Jim McCormick, 1884 (two teams) ….. 10

John Clarkson, 1885 Chicago White Stockings (NL) ….. 10

Ed Morris, 1886 Pittsburgh Alleghenys (AA) ….. 12

Dave Foutz, 1886 Saint Louis Browns (AA) ….. 11

Tommy Bond, 1879 Boston Red Stockings (NL) ….. 11

Christy Mathewson, 1908 Giants (NL) ….. 11

Cy Young, 1904 Boston Americans (AL) ….. 10

Ed Walsh, 1906 White Sox (AL) ….. 10

Ed Walsh, 1908 White Sox (AL) ….. 11

Jack Combs, 1910 Athletics (AL) ….. 13

Smokey Joe Wood, 1912 Red Sox (AL) ….. 10

Walter Johnson, 1913 Senators (AL) ….. 11

Grover Cleveland Alexander, 1915 Phillies (NL) ….. 12

Grover Cleveland Alexander, 1916 Phillies (NL) ….. 16

Dave Davenport, 1915 St. Louis Terriers (FL) …..10

Carl Hubbell, 1933 Giants (NL) ….. 10

Mort Cooper, 1942 Cardinals (NL) ….. 10

Bob Feller, 1946 Indians (AL) ….. 10

Bob Lemon, 1948 Indians (AL) ….. 10

Sandy Koufax, 1963 Dodgers (NL) ….. 11

Dean Chance, 1964 Angels (AL) ….. 11

Juan Marichal, 1965 Giants (NL) ….. 10

Bob Gibson, 1968 Cardinals (NL) ….. 13

Jim Palmer, 1975 Orioles (AL) ….. 10

John Tudor, 1985 Cardinals (NL) … 10

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