Home Runs Off Two Bob Millers – Ronald Acuna’s Streak – Some BBRT Rants and Raves

Double Vision – Or, “That’s Your Uncle(s) Bob.”

On August 15, 1962, the Phillies topped the Mets 9-3 in the first game of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds.  No big surprise there, as the Mets’ record going into the game was 30-88. What was more surprising was that Phillies’ outfielder Don Demeter hit his 19th and 20th home runs of the season in the game – off a right-handed and a left-handed “Bob Miller.” Oh yes, and he did it while playing two different defensive positions.

In the third inning, with the Phillies’ up 2-0, Demeter (who had started the game in left field and in the five-spot in the order) smacked a solo shot off starter (right-hander) Robert Lane Miller. Then in the ninth inning, Demeter – who had moved to center field in the seventh – hit a three-run homer (extending the Phillies’ lead to 9-2) off southpaw reliever Robert Gerald Miller. Two homers, in one game, off two Bob Millers, a right-hander and a port-sider.

Demeter, notably, was on the way to his best-ever major league season. In 1962 (his sixth of eleven MLB seasons), he achieved his career highs for average (.307), home runs (29), RBI (107), runs scored (85), hits (169) and doubles (24). The two Millers?  Starter Bob Miller went 1-12, 4.89 in 1962 (69-81, 3.37 with 52 saves in 17 MLB seasons). Reliever Bob Miller went 2-2, 7.08 in 1961, the last of his five MLB seasons (6-8, 4.72).

Now, events like Don Demeter’s home runs in the same game off a righty and lefty both named Bob Miller are just the kind of thing that catches BBRT’s eye. But, even more eye-catching is the recent work of Atlanta Braves’ 20-year-old rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna, Jr.  As of Tuesday night, Acuna was hitting .288, with 19 home runs and 43 RBI in 67 games.  And, he’d tossed in eight stolen bases in ten tries.  And, there is more. See the bullets below for just a few of the landmarks Acuna has reached.

In the past five games (August 11-14), the Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. has hit .500 (10-for-20), with six home runs, 12 RBI and nine runs scored. He’s walked three times and fanned just twice.

• Acuna has homered in five straight games – becoming the youngest player to accomplish that feat.

• Acuna homered, in his first at bat, as the leadoff  hitter, in the three most recent of those contests – becoming the youngest player ever to accomplished that feat (and just the second all-time … Brady Anderson had leadoff  homers for the Orioles in four straight in 1996).
• As part of the three-game leadoff homer streak, Acuna led off both games of a doubleheader (August 13) with a home run – becoming the youngest ever and just the fourth player in MLB history to accomplish that feat (Harry Hooper in 1913; Rickey Henderson in 1993; Brady Anderson in 1999).

—THE OLD AND NEW OF IT – SOME RANTS AND RAVES—

Yep, I’m kind of old school, but after returning from my annual Ballpark Tours trip (seven games in three cities in ten days) here are few random observations (that readers may or may not agree with):

• I don’t care much for the DH or challenges/replays. My gut says bad calls even out – and it is still a “game.”
• I’m okay with defensive shifts. Good hitters should learn to “hit the other way.”
• I can’t stand the “wave ‘em to first” intentional walk. Too much like slow-pitch softball.
• The food options at ballparks are better than ever. I do NOT miss the days when the extent of the menu seemed to be hot dogs, beer, popcorn, cotton candy, licorice ropes and Frosty Malts. Let’s eat!

I’m all for more emotion on the ball field. 

On Sunday, Cubs’ rookie David Bote came into Chicago’s contest against the Nationals as a pinch-hitter with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the sacks full of Cubs (Jayson Heyward, Albert Amora and Kyle Schwarber) and the Cubs trailing 3-0.  With the Cubs down to their last strike (a 2-2 count on Bote), Bote took Ryan Madson  deep for what is termed an “Ultimate Slam” – a walk-off Grand Slam when your club is down by three runs.

An excited Bote celebrated with what could best be described as a “subdued” bat flip. The rookie later apologized for the show of emotion. From Baseball Roundtable’s point of view, no apology necessary. The nation’s “game” could use more on-the-field emotion – from bat flips, to high fives to fist bumps.

• I like the drama of a “closer” coming into the game with ominous or aggressive walk-on music (not as enthusiastic about having seventh- and eighth-inning specialists).
• I care about how many home runs a player has hit and how far the long ball I just witnessed traveled. Launch angle and exit speed?  Not so much.
• Today’s crop of young ballplayers is the best/most-exciting I’ve seen in decades. I’m reminded of the group I witnessed coming up in the ‘50s.
• I’m disappointed by the ever-declining number of people who keep a score card at the game – and the ever-increasing number of people who seem glued to their smart phones.
• I kind of like the video board activities between innings, especially those that focus on fans having fun – Kiss Cam, Air Guitar, etc.  (With the condition that it be between innings.)
• Three hours doesn’t seem that long to me when I’m in a ballpark.
• Bunting seems to be a lost art – although National Leaguers appear to be marginally better at the sacrifice.
• I’m not much for video boards urging fans to “make noise.” Fans should know when there’s a reason to cheer, shout or clap.
• I don’t care for the characters in costume races (sausages, presidents, dental care products, etc.). The one exception is “The Freeze” in Atlanta. I love that guy.  (I also like when they have a youngster come out between innings to “steal” a base in 20-or-30 seconds. Let’s get the kids involved.)
• Ban the wave – Or, please, don’t start it with two on and no outs in a one-run game (that happened on my recent baseball trip).
• It’s great to see youngsters running the bases on Kids’ Days at various ball parks – and also great to see an adult snag a foul ball and give it to a kid.
• Fireworks Fridays work for me.
• Players who sign autographs for fans are good for the game.
• Any more than three ceremonial “first” pitches are too many. One minor league game on our trip featured 17 folks making tossing a first pitch (with varying degrees of success and comedy).
• The national anthem is supposed to be sung at a brisk pace.
• Walk-up music is great, especially when you can make the connection to the player.
• If I catch a home run, I’m not throwing the ball back, no matter which team hit it.
• Players’ Weekend nickname jerseys? Genius! I wish MLB players had more regular nicknames –  miss the days of Stan the Man, The Splendid Splinter, Dr. Strangeglove, The Mad Hungarian, etc.  Who knows, maybe some of the Players’ Weekend monikers will stick.
• Don’t people know that you stop walking to your seat and turn and face the flag when the National Anthem begins?
• I understand those 50-50 or 60-40 charity raffles support good causes, but they seem a little “carnival-like” to me.
• Not a fan of pitch counts, especially when the starter is cruising along with a shutout (or even a no-hitter.)
• The biggest differences observed between Triple and Major League ball was pitchers’ control and fielding skills.
• Possible dumbest rule ever? Starting extra innings with a runner at second.
• Robot umpires calling balls and strikes? Please, NO! Pitchers and batters adjusting to the umpires “zone” is part of the game.  I, personally, like to watch how pitchers and catchers work to try and expand the zone.
• In general, it seem to me that we need more vendors in the stands.
• I really like concourses thet let you go all around the ballpark/playing field. 
• Not fond of the areas you seem in some parks that have everything from mini-golf, to merry-go-rounds to batting cages.  Who’s watching the game?
• Team Hall of Fames are a great place to visit – before the game.
• I appreciate fans who arrive early and stay until the last out.  At one contest, I saw a group take their seats in the bottom of the third and then leave (their squad was down by four runs)  in the seventh.
• Best play in baseball?  Tough one.  I love the ballet of the 6-4-3 and 4-6-3 double play.  Stolen home runs are spectacular. Triples (or the rare inside-the-park home run) always get me up out of my seat – as does a steal of home (only seen three of those).  Side note: Through July, about 35 percent of MLB plate appearances ended in a trot (to first base on a walk, hit by pitch or catchers’ interference; back to the dugout on a strikeout; or around the bases on a home run). I prefer more actions in the field or on the basepaths.

Well, now that I’ve gotten all that off my chest.  Have a great day and “Play Ball!”

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT.

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