Baseball Roundtable makes a case – on the BBRT Facebook page – for Walter Johnson as MLB’s best pitcher ever – and recounts such tales as the Othani-inspired stat fact that – at age 37 – Johnson had a 20-win/20 RBI (107 at bats) season and the story of Johnson’s remarkable 1913 start, when he carried a 0.17 earned run average into mid-May.  Click here to see that top BBRT Facebook story.

On this date (April 9) in 1990, Houston Astros’ first baseman and cleanup hitter Glenn Davis got his season off to a bruising start.  It was Opening Day – Yes, they opened the season as late as April 9 back then. – and the Astros were hosting the Reds.  Davis came to the plate six times and it appears the Reds wanted little to do with him.  Here’s how his day went:

– Bottom of the second inning – Hit by pitch (Tom Browning)

– Third inning – Hit by pitch (Browning)

– Fifth inning – Five-pitch walk (Tim Layana)

– Seventh inning – Strikeout on three pitches (Norm Charlton)

– Ninth inning – Intentional walk (Rob Dibble)

– Eleventh inning – Hit by pitch (Randy Myers)

Astros’ first baseman Glenn Davis set an Opening Day record and tied an overall MLB record by getting hit by a pitch three times in a single game. He was the 11^th MLB player to be hit three times in a contest – a number that has since risen to 28.  He is still the only three-time Opening Day victim.  Davis, by the way, led the NL in HBP that season with eight.

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We interrupt this post for a special announcement. BBRT recently unveiled its 2018 Baseball Roundtable John Paciorek Award honoree – recognizing players who had short, but signficant, major league careers.  For that story, and links to past winners, click here.  Now, back to our regularly scheduled post.

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IS THAT ALL YOU’VE GOT?   I’M STANDING RIGHT HERE!

Seven players share the record for getting hit by a pitch in a single inning – TWICE.

• Reds’ pitcher Willard Smith – April 26, 1959 … Third inning by Milwaukee Braves’ pitchers Lew Burdette and Bob Rush.
• Mets’ LF Frank Thomas – April 29, 1962 … Fourth inning by the Phillies’ Art Mahaffey and Frank Sullivan.
• Rockies’ 1B Andres Galarraga – July 12, 1996 … Seventh inning by the Padres’ Bryce Florie and Willie Blair.
• Orioles’ CF Brady Anderson – May 23, 1999 … First inning, both times by the Rangers’ Mike Morgan.
• Giants’ RF Jose Guillen – September 23, 2010 … Second inning, both times by the Cubs’ Ryan Dempster.
• Cubs’ CF David DeJesus – June 18, 2012 … Seventh inning by the White Sox’ Will Ohman and Hector Santiago.
• A’s LF Brandon Moss – April 25, 2014 … Ninth inning by the Astros’ Josh Fields and Anthony Bass.

Takng One for Team

Nobody led his league in being hit by a pitch more times than  Minnie Minoso, who topped the American League in “plunkings” ten times in a 17-season MLB career (12 seasons of 100 or more games played). The seven-time All Star lead the AL in hit by pitch in 1951, 1952-54 and 1956-61.

ALL TIME HIT-BY-PITCH RECORDS

Career – Top Five

Hughie Jennings – 287

Craig Biggio – 285

Tommy Tucker – 272

Don Baylor – 267

Jason Kendall – 254

Single Season – Top Five

Hughie Jennings – 51 (1896)

Ron Hunt – 50 (1971)

Hughie Jennings – 46 (1897)

Hughie Jennings – 46 (1898)

Dan McGann -39 (1896)

Southpaw Phil Knell, pitching for the American Association Columbus Solons, holds the all-time MLB single-season record for hit batsmen – plunking 54 hitters in 462 innings in 1891. Knell went 28-27, 2.92 that year and led the AA in shutouts with five.

Right-hander Gus Weyhing – who pitched in the American Association 1887-89 and 1891); the Players League (1890) and the National League (1892-1896 and 1898-1901) holds the all-time major-league career record for hit batsmen with 277.  Notably, he led his league in HBP in only two of his 14 MLB seasons – the first two. In his first three campaigns, Weyhing hit 113 batters, 41  percent of his career total. In those first three seasons, he also threw 142 of his career 240 wild pitches (59 percent of his career total).

Since 1900, there have been eight seasons in which a batter had been hit by a pitch 30 or more times – and, in just one of those campaigns, two batters reached the 30+ mark.

1910 – Steve Evans, Cardinals … 31 HBP

1972 – Ron Hunt, Expos … 50 HBP

1986 – Don Baylor, Red Sox … 35 HBP

1997 – Craig Biggio, Astros … 34 HBP

1997 – Jason Kendall, Pirates … 31 HBP

1998 – Jason Kendall, Pirates … 31 HBP

2004 – Craig Wilson, Pirates … 30 HBP

2015 – Anthony Rizzo, Cubs … 30 HBP

2016 – Brandon Guyer, Indians/Rays … 31 HBP

Ron Hunt led his league in Hit By Pitch in an MLB record seven straight seasons … 1968-74.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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

Just some musing from the BBRT “We can be pretty sure that’ll never happen again” file.

On August 29, 1926, Cleveland Indians’ right-hander Emil “Dutch” Levsen had one remarkable day on the mound:

• He started both games of a doubleheader against the Red Sox;
• He went the full nine-innings in both contests;
• He won both games – by scores of 6-1 and 5-1 – tossing two four-hitters;
• He did it all without striking out a single Boston batter.

Dutch Levsen was the last pitcher to record two complete-game victories in a doubleheader – a feat which has been accomplished 52 times (by a total of 42 pitchers) in MLB history. (National League – 35 times/26 pitchers; American League – nine times/nine pitchers; American Association – five times/four pitchers; Players League – three times/three pitchers).

It’s not likely we’ll see anything like Levsen’s performance again.  Let’s face it, we now seldom see:  1) Doubleheaders (particularly single-admission twin bills); 2) Complete games (2017 saw a total of 59 MLB compete games – 1.97 per team);  3) Games in which a team does not record a single strikeout (2017 saw 8.25 strikeouts per team/per game); and, of course, teams sending the same pitcher out to start both ends of a double dip.

Unfortunately, for Levsen, there are indications that tossing both ends of a doubleheader was not such a great idea. The rookie righty (he had been in just 11 games in three previous call-ups) ended that August 28 twin bill with a record of 14-11 and a 2.96 earned run average. He made five more starts that season – picking up two wins and two losses, but also pitching to a 6.21 ERA. His final line on the 1926 campaign was 16-13, 3.41.  Levsen pitched two more seasons for the Indians, going 3-10, 5.47.

Someone has to be first …

The first MLB pitcher to earn two complete-game victories in a single day was William “Candy” Cummings of the National League’s Hartford Dark Blues. Cummings picked up a pair of complete-game wins against the Cincinnati Reds on September 9, 1876. The Hall of Famer – credited with inventing the curveball –  went 145-94, with a 2.42 ERA in six MLB seasons. 

Researching Levsen’s unique doubleheader accomplishment, led me deeper into twin bill history (much like examining MLB’s only all .400-hitting outfield … click here for that post … led me to a look at MLB’s .300-hitting teams … click here for that post.)  Here’s bit of what I discovered about hurlers who earned two complete-game wins in a single day.

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FEWEST RUNS GIVEN UP BY A PITCHER THROWING

TWO COMPLETE GAMES WINS IN A SINGLE DAY … ZERO

Ed Reulbach – two shutouts in one day.

On September 26, 1908, Chicago Cubs’ right-handed hurler Ed Reulbach started both games of a doubleheader (versus Brooklyn).   Reulbach won both games of that twin bill, went the distance in both contests AND did not give up a single run.  He remains the only MLB pitcher to throw two complete game SHUTOUTS on the same day.

The Cubs were involved in a heated pennant race and the pitching staff was reportedly growing arm weary.  So, Cubs’ player-manager Frank Chance called on Reulbach to toe the rubber in both contests against the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers). The high-kicking right-hander responded by shutting down the Brooklyn squad 5-0 in game one and 3-0 in game two – giving up just eight hits in 18 innings on the day.  The extra work didn’t seem to bother Reulbach, as he came back after four days rest to shut out the Reds in his next start.  Just how critical were Reulbach’s two September 26 wins? The Cubs won the 1908 pennant with a 99-55 record – just one game ahead of both the Pirates and the Giants.

We interrupt this story for …

On July 4, 1882, there were plenty of fireworks as Pud Galvin of the National League Buffalo Bisons picked up a pair complete game wins versus the Worcester Ruby Legs – by scores of 9-5 and 18-8.  The 13 runs Galvin surrendered remain the most ever by a pitcher notching a pair of complete games wins in a single day.

Reulbach’s accomplishment should not have been a surprise.  “Big Ed” was on the way to a 24-7, 2.03 season in which he would lead the NL in winning percentage for the third consecutive year.  Reulbach’s final major league tally, over 13 seasons, was 182 wins, 106 losses and a 2.28 ERA. (Over his first four seasons, Reulbach went 78-29, with a 1.70 ERA.)

Now, that’s a bad day at the office … 

While Ed Reulbach managed to toss a pair of shutouts when starting both ends of a doubleheader (see story above). Elon “Chief” Hogsett may have had the worst day ever for a pitcher starting both ends of a double dip. It came on August 18, 1936 – with his St. Louis Browns facing the Detroit Tigers in St. Louis  (Note:  The 32-year-old southpaw had started the season with the Tigers and had been traded to the Browns – after seven seasons with Detroit – in late April.)  The southpaw submariner started Game One of the doubleheader by giving up six straight hits (one out was recorded on the base paths) before being pulled from a game Browns eventually won 10-7.  

Browns’ manager Rogers Hornsby sent Hogsett out to start the second game and he fared even worse in that tilt, giving up five hits and five runs and, again, recording only one out.  His line for the day:  2/3 of an inning pitched, ten hits, nine earned runs and one loss.  Hogsett, who came into the day 10-10 on the year with a 5.64 ERA, finished the day at 10-11, 6.12.   Hogsett pitched in 11 major league seasons, going 63-87, 5.05 ERA – starting 114 games and relieving in 116.

MOST TIMES DELIVERING TWO COMPLETE GAME VICTORIES

IN A SINGLE DAY – THREE

Joe “Iron Man” McGinnity earned his nickname because of his off-season work in an iron foundry, but it was also a pretty apt descriptor of his presence on the mound.  McGinnity started both ends of a doubleheader an MLB record five times in his career, and three times in a single month.  Notably, in August 1903, McGinnity not only started both ends of a doubleheader three times, he also won all six games and completed all six.

Pitching for the New York Giants on August 1, 1903, McGinnity won the first game of a doubleheader against the Braves 4-1 and came back to win the second game 5-2. Just a week later (August 8), he repeated the feat, beating Brooklyn by scores of 6-1 and 4-3. Then, on August 31, he topped the Phillies 4-1 and 9-2.  McGinnity finished the season 31-20, 2.43 and recorded 246 wins, 142 losses and a 2.66 ERA in ten MLB seasons. The Hall of Famer led his league in wins five times, winning percentage twice and earned run average once. A workhorse, he also led the National League in games pitched six times.

PITCHERS WHO WORKED OVERTIME IN WINNING

TWO COMPLETE GAMES IN A DOUBLEHEADER

On July 12, 2017, Pud Galvin of the Buffalo Bisons threw a pair of complete games as Buffalo swept the Troy Trojans by scores of 4-3 and 5-4, with the second game going 12 innings – giving Galvin the high-water mark for most innings pitched in achieving complete games victories in both ends of a twin bill. Others to include an extra inning game in single-handedly completing a doubleheader sweep on the mound are:

• Jack Stivetts, whose Boston Beaneaters – on September 5, 1892 – topped the Louisville Colonels 2-1 (11 innings) in Game One and 5-2 (nine innings) in Game Two;
• Detroit Tigers’ hurler Ed Summers, who – on September 25, 1908 – topped the Philadelphia Athletics 10-5 in Game One and 1-0 in Game Two (ten innings). Summers, by the way, was in his rookie season and went 24-12, 1.64 on the year, with 301 innings pitched.

Put me in coach, I’m ready to play …

Knuckleballer Wilbur Wood is the last pitcher to start both ends of a twin bill – although that was not the original plan.

On July 20, 1973, Wood started the first game of a double header for the White Sox (against the Yankees).  He got off to a good start, whiffing Yankee lead-off hitter 2B Horace Clarke on a wicked knuckler. Unfortunately, the pitch also fooled catcher Ed Hermann and Clarke reached first on a passed ball – which proved the highlight of Wood’s game.  In order, he followed up with: a walk to RF Matty Alou; a two-run double to LF Ron White; a run-scoring single to CF Bobby Murcer; an RBI single to catcher Thurmon Munson; a run-scoring single to 3B Graig Nettles; and an early exit in an eventual 12-2 loss.

Given Wood’s short stint on the mound and the lack of stress placed on a knuckleballer’s arm, White Sox’ manager Chuck Tanner sent Wood back to the mound to start game two. The results were marginally better.  Wood lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and five runs, earning his second loss of the day as the Yankees triumphed 7-0.  Workhorse Wood, by the way, ended the 1973 season with 24 wins and 20 losses, the last American Leaguer to win and lose 20 games in the same season (Phil Niekro did it in the NL in 1979).

FEWEST STARTING PITCHERS IN A DOUBLEHEADER – TWO

When the Boston Braves and Philadelphia Phillies faced off in a double header on August 12, 1921, they collaborated to make MLB history – with both teams sending the same starting pitcher to the mound in both games for the only time ever.  George Smith was the Phillies’ double-starter, while Jack Scott did the honors for the Braves. Scott was the losing hurler in both games, while Smith tossed a 12-hit shutout to win Game Two.  (Both pitchers were knocked out of game one by the third inning, Scott taking the loss, Smith getting a no-decision.) Smith, by the way, was on course for a 4-20, 4.76 season, while Scott would finish the year 15-13, 3.70.  Both hurlers had career records under .500.

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LEAST LIKELY TO PICK UP TWO COMPLETE-GAME WINS IN A DAY

The last National Leaguer to earn a pair of complete-game wins in a single day was the St. Louis Cardinals’ Herman “Hi” Bell, who, on July 19, 1924, stymied the Boston Braves 6-1 and 2-1 – giving up just six hits over his 18 innings. Bell, a 26-year-old rookie, had just one career win and two complete games going into the doubleheader.  Further, he picked up only one more win and one more complete game the rest of the season – finishing at 3-8, 4.92. In eight MLB seasons, Bell went 32-34, 3.69 with 14 complete games in 47 starts.

Hmmm?  The mystery of Babe Ruth’s Pitching Doubleheader

While Babe Ruth isn’t on the list of pitchers who picked up two complete-game victories in a day, he is on record as having once started both games of a twin bill on the mound – under somewhat mysterious circumstances.

It happened on July 11, 1916, when Ruth was on his way to a 23-12 record and league-low 1.74 earned run average for the Red Sox. Red Sox’ manager Bill Carrigan had Ruth on the mound to start the first game (against the White Sox). Ruth pitched to just one batter, and was then relieved by Rube Foster, who finished the 5-3 Boston win.

In the bottom of the first inning, Dave Danforth started on the mound for the White Sox.  Like Ruth, he pitched to just one batter before Chicago manager Clarence “Pants” Rowland brought in Jim Scott, who got knocked around for four runs in 2 2/3 innings. (The White Sox used six pitchers in the game.)  Two starting pitchers, each earmarked to face just one batter – who knows what kind of mind games the managers were playing?

Ruth then started the second game of the double dip, going the distance to top the White Sox 3-1 on a six-hitter.  White Sox second-game starter Mellie Wolfgang also went the distance in Game Two.

 

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook page here.

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

Throughout most of his MLB career, Billy Goodman was a player without a position.  In 1950, for example, Goodman (with the Red Sox) played 45 games in left field, 27 at third base, 21 at first base, five at second base and one at shortstop (12 as a pinch hitter). Okay, a good utility man is not that unusual.  In 1950, however, Goodman became the first (and still only) true utility player to capture a league batting title. Goodman played in 110 games and raked at a .354 pace (150 hits, 91 runs scored, four home runs, 68 RBI – second place in the AL MVP voting).  It didn’t seem to matter where he played or where in the lineup he batted, Goodman just continued to hit. In fact, if you exclude positions on defense or in the lineup in which he played just one game, 1950 saw him hit .300 or better wherever he played and wherever he batted.

Billy Goodman set the stage for his major league utility role early in life – reportedly playing all nine positions over the course of his high school career.  (Note: I prefer to call it his MLB versatility role.) His versatility as an athlete went beyond the baseball field, as he was also top player on his high school basketball and football squads.

Billy Goodman averaged a nice, round .300 over a 16-season MLB career.

Once he began his professional career, there was little double that Goodman was going to hit for average. In 1944, as an 18-year-old – playing at High A for the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association, the 5’11’, 165-pound (he wasn’t going to be a power hitter) Goodman got into 137 games and hit a healthy .336 (the league batting average was .279). After a year off for military service, Goodman was back at Atlanta (now Double A) hitting .389 in 86 games.

Then, in 1947, he started slowly (as a part-timer with the Red Sox), before going down to Triple A Louisville, where he hit .340 in 89 games. He was back in Boston, full-time, in 1948 – where he eventually took over the first base position and hit .310 as a rookie.  Despite his steady bat, Goodman seem to be constantly challenged for playing time (usually by hitters with more power), but thanks to his versatility, he also seemed to consistently “work” his way into the lineup. One thing was for sure, with Goodman around the Red Sox had little to worry about when it came to slumps or injuries – they could just slot Goodman into the position of need and count on him to handle the glove and bat with high professional skill.

In his 16-season MLB career, Goodman played for the Red Sox (1947-57). Orioles (1957), White Sox (1958-61) and Astros (1962).  He appeared in 623 games at second base, 407 at first base, 330 at third base, 69 in left field, 42 in right field, seven at shortstop and 227 times as a pinch hitter. He hit over .300 five times and over .290 eleven times (ten times in the eleven seasons in which he played at least 100 games). He was a two-time All Star. His final line was 1,623 games played, 1,691 hits (.300 average), 807 runs scored, 591 RBI, 19 home runs and 37 stolen bases.

Following his 1962 season with the Astros, Goodman served as player-manager of the Class A Durham Bulls – where (in 1963-64) he managed/co-managed the team to second- and fifth-place finishes, while playing in 114 games and hitting .345.  After that he held a number of scouting, instructional and minor league managing roles (until retirement from baseball in 1977).  He passed away in 1984 (cancer) –  at the age of 58.

Primary Resources:  Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Refeence.com

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

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

Ballpark Tours (BPT) based out of Saint Paul, Minnesota, has been offering baseball fans busloads of hardball fun since 1982.  The tour group, which grew out of the “Save the Met” (outdoor stadium) organization, has taken groups of fans on baseball “treks” of three-to-ten days, ranging as far north as Duluth, as far south as Chattanooga, as far west as Colorado,  as far east as New York City – and simply “as far away” as Cuba. More details later in this  post, but for 2018,  BRT is offering a pair excursions:

• A six-day trip (June 28-July 2) that includes a trio of games at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, as well as minor league tilts in Davenport, Iowa and Geneva, Illinois.
• A ten-day trip that includes three games at Denver’s Coors Field, two games at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium and a pair of minor league contests in Omaha, Nebraska.

A Ballpark Tours trip (I’ve been on 29 of them) is the perfect way to enjoy the national pastime – good times with good friends (old and new) who share a passion for baseball, fun and adventure.  Note:  this is an unsolicited endorsement. As Baseball Roundtable has noted in the past “Once you get on the Ballpark Tours bus, every mile is a memory.”   You also get a chance to create new memories inside and outside the ballpark – great baseball and, as always, Ballpark Tours stays in equally great downtown hotels – close to the action and attractions – and schedules time to enjoy the  local food, arts and entertainment.  To get the flavor of a BPT trek, you can browse reports from past trips by clicking here.

Now, here’s a brief rundown of the 2018 Ballpark Tours offerings, for more info and sign-up, click – link.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH REDUX – AUGUST 3-12.

Photo by Max and Dee

My personal choice … seven games in three cities in ten days – and the opportunity to enjoy plenty of blues, brews and baseball with a typical Ballpark Tours crew.  I was on the original Denver BPT trek and, let me assure you, Coors Field and downtown Denver are well worth the trip.  (Lower Downtown is 28 square blocks of restaurants, clubs, bars and brew pubs.) And, you’ll get to see the Pirates and Rockies in the launching pad that is Coors Field. Free-time in Denver? Choose from among the likes of the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum, as well as – more to my taste – a variety of brewery and distillery tours.

Satchel Paige pitches to Martin Dihigo, with Josh Gibson catching – on the Field of Legends at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

In Kansas City, there is the Cards/Royals I-70 rivalry. And, what’s your free-time pleasure?  The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a must-see if you haven’t already been there – and there’s a great blues and barbeque place practically across the street.  In addition, you can choose from among the likes of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Arabia Steamboat Museum or the Airline History Museum. More sedentary?  How about the Boulevard Brewing Company?  More adventurous?  Kansas City has the Swope Park Zip Line and (this is not a misprint) indoor sky-diving.

And, of course, there is Omaha – featuring the Salt Lake Bees and Omaha Storm Chasers.  From my last BPT trip to Omaha, I fondly remember the foods, fun and shopping in the Old Market area. (Spent a great deal of time, a bit of change, there.)

Time to explore all this? Four nights in Denver, three in Kansas City and two in Omaha.

All in all, a great trip.  A chance to create some unique memories that stretch from the bus to the ballpark and from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to Omaha’s Old Market.  And, I understand, the tour master is exploring the opportunities for some adventures as we cross Nebraska.

I am not gonna miss this one.

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WINDY CITY HIATUS … BLEACHER BUMS XXXVI … JUNE 28 – JULY 2

The Kane County Cougars and Quad City Bandits, as well as three Twins/Cubs tilts in Wrigley Field – AND four nights at Chicago’s fabulous Palmer House Hilton.

This a bit like the Cadillac – or probably Tesla – of baseball tours. Great baseball wrapped up in a package that includes: Wrigleyville; Chicago’s diverse opportunities for dining; the chance to take in lots of live music (with an emphasis on blues), comedy and theater; museums ranging from The Art Institute of Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium to the Museum of Science and Industry (my personal favorite).  Plus, of course, the usual BPT comradery and hoopla.  Do the Windy City and Twins/Cubs baseball in style!

Again here’s a link to your opportunity (to sign up) for a great baseball excursion – click here. 

More photos from past trips:

In 1961 – with Yankee sluggers Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris dominating headlines in their chase of Babe Ruth’s record 60 home runs in a season – Jim Gentile of the Orioles quietly put up quite a season of his own. Gentile hit .302, with 46 home runs and a league-topping 141 RBI.  He also tied the MLB record and set a new AL mark (both since broken) for Grand Slams in a season with five bases-loaded long balls. In addition, he tied an MLB record with two Grand Slams in a game – May 9.  (The current record for Grand Slams in a season is six, reached by the Yankees’ Don Mattingly in 1987 and the Indians’ Travis Hafner in 2006.)

Orioles’ pitcher Chuck Estrada was the sole beneficiary of Gentile’s 1961 offensive outburst – every one of Gentile’s record-tying five four-run blasts was hit in a game started by Estrada (who, as you would expect, picked up a victory in all four contests).  Notably, Gentile hit only one other Grand Slam in his career (June 26, 1960) and – you guessed it – the starting and winning pitcher in that contest was Chuck Estrada.  Gentile went three-for-five in that game (a 9-2 Orioles’ win), with two home runs and seven RBI. So for Gentile, six career Grand Slams – all in games Chuck Estrada started and won.

In 1961, Gentile was pretty much an offensive juggernaut when paired with Estrada.  He played in 29 of Estrada’s 31 starts.  In those 29 games, he hit .356, with 15 home runs and 47 RBI. How potent is that?  Gentile played in 148 games in 1961, If he had hit in the other 119, like he did in the 29 Estrada starts he played in, he would have bashed 77 home runs and driven in 240.  Gentile played in all 15 of Estrada’s victories that season (and in eight of his nine losses). The Orioles scored 88 runs in Estrada’s 15 wins, with Gentile driving in 36 percent of those tallies. (Estrada went 15-9, 3.69.)

For those of you who like a little more – Don’t baseball fans always want that next fact or stat? – here’s some background. Gentile was in the majors with the Dodgers (1957-58), Orioles (1960-63), A’s (1964-65), Astros (1965-66) and Indians (1966). In nine MLB campaigns, he was an All Star in three seasons (1960-61-62) and 1961 was his best year. His career stat line was .260-179-549. That’s 1961 season saw Gentile reach his all-time career highs in nearly every offensive category.  It was the only season in which he reached a .300 batting average, 100 or more RBI and 40 or more home runs (he had a total of five seasons of at least 20 homers – including the 46 in 1961 and 33 in 1962).

Estrada’s best season was his rookie year (1960) with the Orioles, when the 22-year-0ld led the AL with 18 wins (11 losses and a 3.58 ERA). He finished second in the AL rookie of the Year balloting to his Orioles’ teammate, shortstop Ron Hansen, who hit .255, with 22 home runs and 86 RBI.  Estrada was an All Star in just one season – his rookie campaign –  in a career that saw him win 50 and lose 44, with a 4.04 ERA. He pitched for the Orioles (1960-64), Cubs (1966) and Mets (1967).

MORE GRAND SLAM FACTOIDS.

In 1987, Yankees’ first baseman Don Mattingly came to the plate with the bases loaded 21 times – picking up two singles, a double, six home runs and a pair of sacrifice flies. In those 19 plate appearances, he hit .474 and drove in 33 runs. Bases-loaded situations accounted for just 3.3 percent of his plate appearances that season, but 4.8 percent of his base hits, 20 percent of his home runs and 26 percent of his RBI.

Of even greater note, Mattingly’s six 1987 Grand Slams were a single-season MLB record (since tied) and Mattingly – despite a 14-season career that included 163 bases-loaded plate appearances – did not hit another Grand Slam before or after those record-setting six.

 Twins’ first baseman Rich Reese holds a share of the MLB career record for pinch-hit Grand Slams at three. Those three bases-loaded round trippers were the only Grand Slams of his ten-season MLB career – which included 210 pinch-hitting appearances out of a total of 2,224 plate appearances.

BBRT unofficial Baseball Halll of Fame Fan Ballot

Don’t forget to vote in Baseball Roundtable’s unofficial Fan Hall of Fame Ballot. Just click here to access the ballot. When final BBWAA voting is announced Baseball Roundtable will feature a comparison of fan votes versus writer tallies.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Like/Follow the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

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

It’s the MLB awards season and there will be a lot of discussion and debate surrounding the major recognitions like Most Valuable Player, Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year.  (For Baseball Roundtable’s take on the finalists for these honors, click here.)  In this post, I’d like to look at a pair of significant recognitions that tend to garner a little less publicity – the Silver Slugger (for the season’s best offensive performers at each position) and the Gold Glove (for the season’s best defensive performers at each position). If you follow BBRT, you know that I am particularly partial to players that can flash “leather AND lumber.”  So, this post will focus primarily on players who have captured what BBRT terms “MLB’s Heavy Metal Doubleheader” – winning a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season. You will also find lists of the 2017 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winners at the end of the post.

Note: The Hillerich and BradsbySilver Slugger Awards were first presented in 1980 (the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were launched in 1957), so the list of double winners is relatively recent (at least as defined by someone who went to their first World Series game the year the Gold Glove Awards were initiated).

In 2017, four players earned both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger:  Rockies’ 3B Nolan Arenado; Diamondbacks’ 1B Paul Goldschmidt; Royals’ 1B Eric Hosmer; and Marlins’ LF Marcell Ozuna. Let’s take a look at the performance of each of these well-rounded athletes – as well as players who have won a Sliver Sluggers and Gold Glove in the same season in the past.

Nolan Arenado – Third Base, Rockies

Fifth consecutive Gold Glove, third consecutive Silver Slugger, third season with both a Gold Glove and Silver slugger award.

Photo by jenniferlinneaphotography

When it comes to flashing leather and lumber, Arenado is the real deal (and also my favorite current MLB player).  This past season was the 26-year-old’s fifth in the major leagues – and he has captured the NL Gold Glove at 3B in every campaign.  This season, he led all 3B in assists (311), put outs (103) and Defensive Runs Saved (20). Arenado also won the heavily statistically-based Fielding Bible Award at third base (only one award per position is presented each year) – his third such recognition – and had the highest rating among third sackers on the SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) Defensive Index.

On offense, Arenado earned his third straight Silver Slugger Award by hitting .309, with 37 home runs and 130 RBI (his third straight season of 130 or more runs plated). He also led the NL in doubles with 43. In 2015 and 2016, Arenado led the NL in both home runs and RBI.

Mike Hampton is the only pitcher ever to win a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger in the same season (Braves – 2003). Ironically, it was the only National League Gold Glove won by a pitcher other than Greg Maddux between 1990 and 2008.

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B Rockies

Third Gold Glove, third Silver Slugger, third season with both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award.

Photo: Arturo Pardavilla III

Goldschmidt is the heart of the Diamonbacks’ squad. Consider his 2017 Silver Slugger credentials – a .297 average, with 36 home runs, 120 RBI, 117 runs scored; and he even threw in 18 stolen bases.

The 30-year-old Goldschmidt’s quest for “metal” seems an odd one.  His first full season in the major was 2012 (he got in 48 games with the D-backs in 2011). He did not win a Gold Glove or a Silver Slugger in 2012 – nor did he capture either of these awards in 2014 or 2016.  However, in the odd-numbered years of 2013-2015-2017, he won them both.   In seven MLB seasons, Golldschmidt has a .299 average, with 176 roundtrippers, 627 RBI and 117 stolen bases.

This past season, in the field, Goldschmidt finsiehd second in putouts among first baseman (1,254), third in assists (103) and second  in Defensive Runs Saved (10).  Goldschjmidt also won the 2017 Fielding Bible Award at first base – his third FBA recognition. Goldschmidt finished second to the Giants’ Brandon Belt at first base on the Society for American Baseball Research Defensive Index.

Ivan Rodriguez (C), Ken Griffey, Jr. (OF) and Barry Bonds (OF) each won the double (Silver Slugger/Gold Glove) crown in a season an MLB-record seven times.

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals

Fourth Gold Glove, first Silver Slugger, first season with both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award.

Photo by Keith Allison

Hosmer played in all 162 games for the Royals in 2017 and earned his first-ever Silver Slugger with a .318 average, 25 home runs, 94 RBI and 98 runs scored. In seven MLB seasons, Hosmer’s offensive line is .284-127-566. In 2017, Hosmer also also picked up his fourth Gold Glove – which did generate some debate. On the season, Hosmer finished fourth among MLB first baseman (second in the AL) with 1235 putouts; ninth in assists (fifth in the AL) with 75, but only 17^th in Defensive Runs Saved. Hosmer also finished 21^st among all MLB first baseman on the Society for American Baseball Research Defensive Index.

The Chicago White Sox are the only team to never have a player capture a Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove in the same season.

Marcell Ozuna, LF, Miami Marlins

First Gold Glove, first Silver Slugger.

Photo by hueytaxi

The 26-year-old Marlins’ outfielder had his best (of seven) MLB seasons in 2017 – hitting .312, with 37 home runs, 124 RBI and 93 runs scored.  In 2017, in fact, Ozuna reached career highs in games, at bats, hits, runs, doubles, home rus and RBI – in the process making his second consecutive  All Star squad.  In the field, Ozuna lead NL left fielders in putouts (305, second in MLB); was second in the NL in LF assists (third among all MLB left fielders) with 10; and led NL LF in Defensive Runs Saved (second overall) with 11. Ozuna led al NL leftfielders in the Society for American Baseball Research Defensive  Index  and finished fouth overall among MLB leftfielders.

So, there are your 2017 “Heavy Metal Doubleheader” winners.  Now, here’s an update on those who have won both awards in the same season in the past.  Since 1980, the combination of a Gold Glove/Silver Slugger has been achieved in a season 182 times by 100 different players.  You’ll find a complete list of the players who have earned recognition as the offensive and defensive leader in their respective leagues in the same season later in this post. (I’m also including lists of 2017’s individual Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winners). Since the Silver Slugger is awarded to three outfielders annually regardless of their position (LF, CF, RF), GG/SS combo lists in this post do not break outfielders out by position. First, a few bits of trivia:

• The fewest GG/SS combo winners in a single season (since 1980) is one – Dodgers’ 1B Adrian Gonzalez in 2014.
• The most players to achieve the GG/SS combo in a season is nine – back in 1984: Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves.
• Ivan Rodriguez (C) won the SS/GG combo for his position a record six consecutive seasons (1995-1999).
• Roberto Alomar (2B) is the only player to win the single-season Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo with three different teams (Blue Jays-1992; Orioles-1996; Indians-1999, 2000)
• Scott Rolen (3B) is the only player to win the SS/GG combo in a season in which he played for two different teams (2002, Phillies/Cardinals). Rolen was traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals on July 29. He played 100 games for the Phillies and 55 for the Cardinals in what would be his only SS/GG combo season.
• Adrian Gonzalez (1B) and Matt Williams (3B) are the only players to capture a SS/GG single-season combination in both the AL and NL. Gonzalez – Dodgers-2014; Red Sox-2011. Williams – Indians-1997; Giants-1993-1994.
• The only team to have three SS/GG winners in the same season is the 1993 Giants (Robby Thompson (2B), Matt Williams (3B), Barry Bonds (OF).
• Outfielders have achieved the SS/GG combo most often (67 times), but if you factor in the potential to outfielders to achieve three combos each season, second baseman have been most successful, putting up 28 SS/GG seasons.
• The top team in terms of SS/GG seasons is the Yankees (13); the NL leader is the Rockies (10).

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Full List of Same Year Gold Glove/Silver Slugger Winners by Season

2017

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals

Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlines

2016

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies

Mookie Betts, Of, Red Sox

Salvador Perez, C, Royals

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs

2015

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies

Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants.

2014

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Dodgers

2013

Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks

J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles

Adam Jones, OF, Orioles

2012

Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees

Chase Headley, 3B, Padres

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates

2011

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox

Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds

Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies

Jacob Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

2010

Joe Mauer, C, Twins

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies

Carl Crawford, OF, Rays

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies

2009

Joe Mauer, C, Twins

Mark Tiexiera, 1B, Yankees

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

Torii Hunter, OF, Angels

2008

Joe Mauer, C, Twins

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox

David Wright, 3B, Mets

Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians

2007

Russell Martin, C, Dodgers

Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers

David Wright, 3B, Mets

Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies

Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2006

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees

Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets

2005

Jason Veritek, C, Red Sox

Mark Tiexierea, 1B, Rangers

Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs

Andruw Jones, OF, Braves

2004

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Tigers

Jim Edmonds, OF, Cardinals

2003

Brett Boone, 2B, Mariners

Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals

Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers

Mike Hampton, P, Braves

2002

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies

Scott Rolen, 3B, Cardinals/Phillies

Eric Chavez, 3B, A’s

Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals

Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers

2001

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2000

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Indians

Darin Erstad, OF, Angels

1999

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Robert Alomar, 2B, Indians

Larry Walker, OF, Rockies

Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

Shawn Green, OF, Blue Jays

1998

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Rafael Palmeiro, 1B, Rangers

Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1997

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros

Chuck Knoblauch, 2B, Twins

Matt Williams, 3B, Indians

Larry Walker, OF, Rockies

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1996

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Orioles

Ken Caminiti, 3B, Padres

Barry Larkin, SS, Reds

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1995

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Craig, Biggio, 2B, Astros

Barry Larkin, SS, Reds

1994

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers

Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Astros

Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros

Matt Williams, 3B, Giants

Wade Boggs, 3B, Yankees

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1993

Robby Thompson, 2B, Giants

Matt Williams, 3B, Giants

Jay Bell, SS, Pirates

Barry Bonds, OF, Giants

Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1992

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Blue Jays

Larry Walker, OF, Expos

Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates

Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1991

Will Clark, 1B, Giants

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Cal Ripken, Jr., SS, Orioles

Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates

Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1990

Benito Santiago, C, Padres

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Kelly Gruber, 3B, Blue Jays

Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates

Ellis Burks, OF, Red Sox

1989

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Eric Davis, OF, Reds

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

1988

Benito Santiago, C, Padres

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates\

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1987

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees

Ozzie Smith, SS, Cardinals

Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

Eric Davis, OF, Reds

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

Andre Dawson, OF, Cubs

1986

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees

Frank White, 2B, Royals

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1985

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers

Tim Wallach, 3B, Expos

George Brett, 3B, Royals

Willie McGee, OF, Cardinals

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1984

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers

Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets

Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs

Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

1983

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers

Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles

Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

Andre Dawson, OF, Expos\

1982

Gary Carter, C, Expos

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Robin Yount, SS, Brewers

Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1981

Gary Carter, C, Expos

Manny Trillo, 2B, Phillies

Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies

Andre Dawson, OF, Expos

Rickey Henderson, OF, A’s

Dwight Evans, OF, Red Sox

Dusty Baker, OF, Dodgers

1980

Keith Hernandez, 1B, Cardinals

Cecil Cooper, 1B, Brewers

Andre Dawson, OF, Expos

Willie Wilson, OF, Royals

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Your  Same-Season, Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo winners listed alphabetically:

Alomar, Roberto … 1992; 1996; 1999; 2000

Altuve, Jose … 2015

Arenado, Nolan … 2015; 2016; 2017

Baker, Dusty … 1981

Bagwell, Jeff … 1994

Bell, Buddy … 1984

Bell, Jay (SS) … 1993

Beltre, Adrian (3B) … 2011

Beltran, Carlos (OF) … 2006; 2007

Biggio, Craig (2B) … 1994; 1995; 1997

Mookie Betts (OF) … 2016

Boggs, Wade (3B) … 1994

Bonds, Barry … 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997

Boone, Brett … 2003

Brett, George … 1985

Burks, Ellis … 1990

Caminiti, Ken … 1996

Cano, Robinson … 2010; 2012

Carter, Gary … 1981; 1982

Chavez, Eric … 2002

Clark, Will … 1991

Cooper, Cecil …1980

Crawford, Brandon … 2015

Crawford, Carl … 2010

Dawson, Andre … 1980; 1981; 1983; 1987

Davis, Eric … 1987; 1989

Edmonds, Jim … 2004

Ellsbury, Jacob … 2011

Erstad, Darin … 2000

Evans, Dwight … 1981

Goldschmidt, Paul … 2013; 2015; 2017

Gonzalez, Adrian … 2011; 2014

Gonzalez, Carlos … 2010

Gordon, Dee … 2015

Green, Shawn … 1999

Griffey, Ken Jr. … 1991; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999

Gruber, Kelly … 1990

Gwynn, Tony … 1986; 1987; 1989

Hampton, Mike … 2003

Hardy, J.J. … 2013

Headley, Chase … 2012

Helton, Todd … 2002

Henderson, Rickey … 1981

Hernandez, Keith … 1980; 1984

Eric Hosmer … 2017

Hunter, Torii … 2009

Jeter, Derek … 2006; 2009

Jones, Adam … 2013

Jones, Andruw … 2005

Kemp, Matt … 2009; 2011

Knoblauch, Chuck … 1997

Larkin, Barry … 1995; 1996

LaRoche, Adam  … 2012

Lee, Derrek … 2005

Martin, Russell … 2008

Mattingly, Don … 1985; 1986; 1987

Mauer, Joe … 2008; 2009; 2010

McCutchen, Andrew … 2012

McGee, Willie … 1985

Molina, Yadier … 2013

Murphy, Dale … 1982; 1083; 1984; 1985

Murray, Eddie … 1983; 1984

Marcell Ozuna … 2017

Palanco, Placido … 2007

Palmeiro, Rafael … 1998

Parrish, Lance … 1983; 1984

Pedroia, Dustin … 2008

Salvador, Perez … 2016

Phillips, Brandon … 2011

Puckett, Kirby … 1986; 1987; 1988; 1989; 1992

Pujols, Albert … 2010

Renteria, Edgar … 2002

Ripken, Cal, Jr. … 1991

Anthony Rizzo … 2016

Rodriguez, Alex … 2002; 2003

Rodriguez, Ivan … 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2004

Rolen, Scott … 2002

Rollins, Jimmy … 2007

Sandberg, Ryne … 1984; 1985; 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991

Santiago, Benito … 1988; 1990

Schmidt, Mike … 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986

Sizemore, Grady … 2008

Smith, Ozzie … 1987

Suzuki, Ichiro … 2001; 2007; 2009

Thompson, Robby … 1993

Tiexiera, Mark … 2005, 2009

Trillo, Manny … 1981

Tulowitzki, Troy … 2010; 2011

Van Slyke, Andy … 1988; 1992

Varitek, Jason … 2005

Walker, Larry … 1992; 1997; 1999

Wallach, Tim … 1985

White, Frank … 1986

Whitaker, Lou … 1983; 1984; 1985

Williams, Matt … 1993; 1994; 1997

Wilson, Willie … 1980

Winfield, Dave … 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985

Wright, David … 2007; 2008

Yount, Robin … 1982

Ryan Zimmerman … 2009

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2017 Silver Slugger Award Winners

Catcher:  Gary Sanchez, Yankees/Buster Posey, Giants

First Base:  Eric Hosmer, Royals/Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

Second Base: Jose Altuve, Astros/Daniel Murphy, Nationals

Third Base:  Jose Ramirez, Indians/Nolan Arenado, Rockies

Shortstop:  Francisco Lindor, Indians/Corey Seager Dodgers

Outfield:

Aaron Judge, Yankees/George Springer, Astrocs/Justin Upton/Angels

Charlie Blackmon, Rockies/Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins, Marcell Ozuna,Marlins

Pitcher:  Adam Wainwright, Cardinals

DH:  Nelson Cruz, Mariners

_______________________________________________________________

2017 Gold Glove Winners

Catcher:  Martin Maldonado, Angels/Tucker Barnhart. Reds

1B:  Eric Hosmer, Royals/Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

2B:  Brian Dozier, Twins/DJ LeMahieu, Rockies

3B: Evan Longoria, Rays/Nolan Arenado, Rockies

SS:  Andrelton Simmons, Angels/Brandon Crawford, Giants

LF:  Alex Grodon, Royals/Marcell Ozuna, Marlins

CF: Byron Buxton, Twins/Ender Inciarte, Braves

RF:  Mookie Betts, Red Sox/Jason Heyward, Cubs

Pitcher:  Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays/Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks

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