Baseball Roundtable

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.     

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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

Primary Resouces: MLB.com; Baseball-reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

I tweet baseball @David BBRT

Like/Follow the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.  

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

Photo by DandreaPhotography

Yesterday (September 17, 2018), Brewers’ left fielder Christian Yelich hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run in the same game), as the brew crew topped the Reds’ 8-0 in Milwaukee. It was his second cycle of the 2018 season – and both came against the Reds. (The first cycle was on August 29 at the Great American Ball Park.) In yesterday’s contest, Yelich went four-for-four, with one run scored and four RBI.) He singled in the first inning, doubled in the third, hit a home run (with one on) in the fifth and got the most-often elusive triple in the sixth.

Two cycles in a season is a rare accomplishment indeed. In fact, Yelich is only the fifth major leaguer to accomplish that feat.  The others are:

• Aaron Hill (Diamondbacks, 2012);
• Babe Herman (Dodgers 1931);
• Tip O’Neill (St. Louis Browns, American Association 1887): and
• John Reilly (Cincinnati Red Stockings, American Association, 1883).

Here are a few other cycle tidbits that yo may find of interest.

The Yellow Jersey of Cycles

On June 18, 2000, the Rockies’ Mike Lansing completed the cycle in just four innings – making his the quickest cycle in MLB history – and earning him the “yellow jersey” of baseball cyclists.  Notably, Lansing was consistently behind in the counts and three of his four hits came with two strikes.

Lansing, hitting second in the order, hit an RBI triple to right in the first inning (getting the most difficult leg of the cycle out of the way ) on a 1-2 pitch, added a two-run home run (0-1 pitch) in the bottom of the second, hit a two-run double (2-2 pitch) in the bottom of the third (as the Rockies scored nine times to take a 14-1 lead), and then completed the cycle with a single (another 1-2 offering) to right in the fourth. Lansing then struck out in the sixth, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth.

Quickest Cycle Ever … A Career Perspective

Minnesota Twins’ outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle in just his 14th MLB game (September 18, 1980 against the Brewers) – the earliest in an MLB career anyone has ever accomplished the feat.

Triple Your Pleasure – Triple Your Fun

Four players have hit for the cycle a record three times: Adrian Beltre (Mariners-2008, Rangers-2012 and 2015); Bob Meusel (Yankees-1921, 1922 and 1928); Babe Herman (Brooklyn Robins-1931 twice and Cubs-1933); John Reilly (Red Stockings-1883 twice and Reds 1890).

Gotta Love the Texas – and More of “We Track Pretty Much Everything in Baseball”

Adrian Beltre’s record-tying three cycles – although hit for two different teams – all took place at the Texas Rangers’ home park (Globe Life Park in Arlington).  He cycled there twice for the hometown Rangers and once for the visiting Mariners, making him the only player to hit for the cycle in the same stadium for two different teams.

Shortest Time Between Cycles

John Reilly (Reds) and Tip O‘Neill (St. Louis Brown Stockings, American Association) had the shortest time between cycles at just seven days. Reilly’s came on September 12 and September 19, 1883. O’Neill’s came on April 30 and May 7, 1887.

It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night

The Expos’ Tim Foli is the only player to start a cycle one day and complete it the next. On April 21, 1976, Foli collected a single, double and triple in a contest against the Cubbies that was suspended (pre-Wrigley lights) in the top of the seventh due to darkness. When play resumed the following day, Foli added an eighth-inning home run. (The Expos prevailed 12-6.)

Patience is a Virtue

The longest time between cycles for a player with multiple cycles goes to the Royals’ George Brett (May 28, 1979 and July 25, 1990) at 11-years-58 days.

Something Old … Someting New

The youngest MLB player ever to hit for the cycle is the NY Giants’ Mel Ott (age 20, cycle on May 16, 1929).

The oldest player to hit for the cycle is The Angels’ Dave Winfield (age 39, cycle on June 24, 1991).

Like Father … Like Son

When Twins outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle in just his 14th MLB game (September 18, 1980), he not only recorded the earliest (in terms of MLB games played) cycle ever, he also set the stage for an event that would add to the “rare and unique” nature of his cycle nearly a quarter-century later.   On May 26, 2004, Ward’s son Daryle Ward – playing 1B and batting third for the Pirates as they took on the Cardinals in St. Louis – also hit for the cycle. Gary and Daryle Ward are the only father-son combination (to date) to hit for the cycle.

Sharing the Wealth

Three players have hit for the cycle in both the NL and AL: Bob Watson (NL Astros-1977 and AL Red Sox-1979); John Olerud (NL Mets-1997 and AL Mariners-2001); Michael Cuddyer (AL Twins-2009 and NL Rockies-2014).

Qoute the Raven, “Nevermore”

The Marlins are the only MLB team to never have a batter record a cycle.

A Most Unique Way to Record A Cycle

Photo: Library of Congress

 

The Yankees’ 1B Lou Gehrig (kind of) earned a cycle by being tossed out at the plate.  On June 25, 1934, as New York topped Chicago 13-2  at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig hit two-run home run in the first inning; a  single in the third; and a double in the sixth. Gehrig came up needing just the triple for the cycle in the seventh and hit a smash to deep center (scoring Yankees’ CF Ben Chapman). Gehrig wasn’t satisfied with a three-bagger and was thrown out at home (8-6-2) trying for an inside-the-park home run – thus getting credit for the triple he needed for a cycle.

It Skips A Generation

Pirates’ RF Gus Bell and Phillies’ 3B David Bell are the only grandfather-grandson combination to hit for the cycle (June 4, 1951 and June 28, 2004, respectively).

The Home Run Cycle

Only once in professional baseball has a player hit for the “Home Run Cycle” – solo, two-run, three-run and GrandSlam homers in the same game.  Read that story here.

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtyable’s Facebook page here.

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

How does a pitcher of, at best, minimal skills, who made his professional debut at age 30, appeared in only two games (two innings) and never recorded an MLB win earn the nickname “Victory?”

Charles “Victory” Faust – who had the “good fortune” to pitch for a pennant winner.

Well, it helps if your middle name is “Victor.” It also helps if you believe in fortune tellers, are slightly “off balance” and can find a manager and team that can be convinced you are a good luck charm that can bring them a successful trip to the World Series.  All those forces came  together to create a “perfect storm” in the short, zany and improbable life and major league “career”  of Charles ”Victory” Faust.

Side note:  BBRT has often talked about how, when looking into baseball “tidbits,” one thing can often lead to another – and another – and another. In this case, research BBRT was putting together a post on a unique connection between two players who were hit by a pitch (in their first – and for one only – plate appearance) fifty years apart led BBRT to a look at a third player who also was clipped by a pitch in his first (and only) MLB plate appearance. For a look at the post that led to this article, click here.  Anyway, that’s the roundabout way I got to this post about Charles “Victory” Faust.   

 As I prepared this post, it became clear that record-keeping (and even “eye-witnessing”) were not exact sciences among ballplayers in the early 1900s.  I worked to distinguish between myth and reality as I looked into the life of Charles Faust, but can’t guarantee a bit of myth may have slipped by.  Still, even when you discount likely myth, there is plenty of magic in this Faust-ian tale.

Charles Victor Faust – an awkward and somewhat slow fellow in many ways – grew up on a Kansas farm and did not appear to have an overly bright future. That is, not until the spring of 1911, when he availed himself of a country fair fortune teller – who told him (among other things) that he was destined to marry a California woman named Lulu and pitch the New York Giants to a World Series championship.  The 30-year-old Faust – apparently with child-like enthusiasm, intellect and trust – took the predictions to heart.  Despite his total inexperience as a pitcher, Faust’s focus in life became finding a way to convince Giants’ Manager John McGraw to enable him to pursue his destiny.

In late July, Faust traveled to Saint Louis, where the Giants were facing the Cardinals.  Now, there are a couple of versions of what took place in Saint Louis.  One says that Faust approached McGraw at the team’s hotel and related the fortune teller’s prediction, promising that he would fulfill his destiny and pitch the Giants to the World Championship.  The other is that Faust bought a ticket to the Giants/Cardinals game and, during pre-game warm-ups, simply stepped out onto the field and approached McGraw.

In either case, Faust – who may have seemed a bit odd to McGraw, but was certainly sincere enough – got his tryout with during that day’s pre-game warmups. (The tendency of baseball players and managers of the time toward superstition may have swayed McGraw to want to explore the efficacy of the fortune-teller first-hand; or Faust’s tryout may have been just a whim intended to break up the day’s routine.)

How talented was Faust?  Well, after a few pitches from Faust (who was still in his street clothes), McGraw ditched his glove and caught his offerings barehanded (most likely to embarrass and discourage the eager, but inadequate, hurler).

“His windup was like a windmill. Both arms went around in circles for quite a while before Charlie finally let go of the ball. Well, regardless of the sign that McGraw would give, the ball would come up just the same. There was no difference in his pitches whatsoever. And there was no speed – probably enough to break a plane of glass, but that was about all.”

NY Giants’ CF Fred Snodgrass, describing Charlie Faust’s tryout deliveries in Lawrence S. Ritters’s book “The Glory of Their Times – The Story of the Early Days of Baseball told by the Men Who Played it.”

When McGraw’s bare-handed catching didn’t diminish Faust’s confidence, the manager tried another tack.  He told Faust to take a few batting practice swings. Faust swung and missed a few lollipop offerings, before finally making weak contact. With that contact, McGraw urged Faust to run around the bases – sliding into each one, tattering his Sunday-best clothes, picking up a few scrapes, but (apparently) not bruising his ego or dampening his conviction.

Well, as one might expect, McGraw send the Faust on his way without a contract. The Giants, however, won big that day and when the still undaunted Faust showed up at the park the next day, the players reportedly put him in a spare uniform and sent him on out for another pre-game exhibition of his “skills” (most likely for their own amusement). The ensuing laughter did not embarrass the affable Faust. Rather he liked the attention and felt he had made a step forward in his quest.  That day, with Faust as the pre-game show, the Giants again topped the Cardinals and the following day, they enjoyed a repeat performance from Faust and another victory.  A pattern was developing.

The next day, as the team left Saint Louis, the fun (at least for McGraw) was over and the team unceremoniously ditched the gullible Faust at the railroad station.  Two similar stories are reported here, both have the team sending him back to the team’s hotel on a fool’s errand – to retrieve either his contract or his train ticket. (Neither, of course, existed.  The Giants, without Faust as a good luck charm, lost four of the next six games and were again seeming more like a third- or fourth-place squad than a pennant contender.

When the team returned home to New York, who should be waiting for them but Faust, as enthusiastic as ever about his role as the key to the Giants’ championship.   The ballplayers – and McGraw – again, being a generally superstitious bunch, were receptive to Faust rejoining the squad.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

Faust stayed with the team and became a popular source of pregame entertainment for fans.  He would warm up, take batting practice, shag flies and run the bases – at which times his awkward, but energetic, displays would delight the fans (and sports reporters).  Even opposing players would get into the act, sometime hitting against Faust in their own batting practices and “striking out” against his  soft tosses. There was some less than good natured laughter, but Faust did not seem to notice; relishing his spot on the squad and warming up in the bullpen nearly every game – so he would be ready when he was needed on the mound. (The story goes that when the Giants would fall behind, McGraw would have Faust warmup in the bullpen – and, inevitably, the Giants would rally.)  Faust was fast-becoming the toast of the town.

The definitive look at the improbable MLB career of Charles “Victory” Faust.

Faust, indeed, also proved a good luck charm for the New York squad – some speculated just by keeping the team happy and “loose.”  One thing is clear, his conviction that he and the Giants were headed for greatness was unshakeable – and perhaps contagious. As Gabriel Schechter author of the book “Victory Faust – The Rube Who Save McGraw’s Giants” reports, as the season went on, the team went 36-2 when Faust was with them and just 3-7 when he wasn’t. (A bit of explanation on at least some those absences: Faust became so popular in New York that he was offered a job on vaudeville, telling stories, duplicating his windup and imitating the stars of the game. In his first three days in show business, the Giants went without a win, and Faust returned to his team and what he saw as his true destiny.)  

Still Faust was not satisfied and kept badgering McGraw to give him a chance to toe the rubber in a game.

On October 5, the Giants clinched the pennant, but they still had a week’s worth of meaningless games until the fortune teller-predicted and Faust-promised World Series.  And, Faust was still driven to appear on the mound.  He had not – as predicted – “pitched” the Giants to success.  He was about to get his wish.

On October 7, McGraw relented to Faust’s consistent badgering and brought him in to pitch the ninth inning of a game in which the Giants trailed the Boston Rustlers (Braves) 4-2.  Faust, throwing fat pitches out of his exaggerated windmill-style  windup actually managed to get out of the inning giving up just one run on one-hit (a double) and a sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants made the final out with Faust on deck. But Faust, still showing his unbridled (perhaps slightly off-kilter) enthusiasm took his place in the batters’ box and refused to leave the field.  And then a strange thing happened.  The Boston players “played” along, stayed on the field and pitched to Faust. When he tapped a ball to the infield, the Boston players mishandled each throw and tag attempt until finally retiring a clumsily sliding (but surely smiling) Faust about ten feet from home plate.  Although the at bat didn’t count, Faust had made his (and the fortune-teller’s) dream come true – he had pitched in a major league game.  But he wasn’t done yet.

On October 12, in the final inning of the Giants’ final regular season game, with New York trailing the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) 5-1, Faust pitched again – notching a scoreless frame.  This time, he came to the plate when it counted  And, like their Boston counterparts, the Brooklyn squad played along. Apparently believing there was little chance the awkward Faust could be counted on to hit the ball, Brooklyn pitcher Eddie Dent “dented” Faust with a pitch. Faust then, being largely ignored (or, perhaps, even encouraged) by the Brooklyn team, stole second and third base before scoring on a groundout.  Quite an end to the season, and the World Series was ahead.  It was also quite the end to Faust’s major league career.

Despite Faust’s presence, the Giants lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics four games to two – and McGraw seemed to lose interest in the New York’s good luck charm.

The Giants did not invite Faust back in 1912 – but, no surprise, he showed up anyway.  And, in a tribute to persistence, was again allowed to provide pre-game hijinks at the Polo Grounds (the team declined to pay his travel expenses for away games that season).  Although the Giants (who would have expected otherwise) got off to a 54-11 start, McGraw had tired of Faust’s continued badgering about the opportunity to take the mound – and Faust was convinced to leave the team in mid-season.

The Giants won more than 80 percent of the games they played while Faust was with the team.

Faust moved back to Kansas, then California (perhaps, looking for Lulu) and eventually to Seattle (near one of his brothers) still insisting he would make it back to help the Giants win another pennant. It was not meant to be.  In December of 1914, Faust was committed to an Oregon mental hospital, where he was diagnosed with dementia and (after several weeks of treatment) released in his brother’s care.  Faust died June 18, 1915 (at age 34) of tuberculosis.  Often described a “delusional,” the fact is Charles “Victory” Faust made it to the big leagues and did earn a pair of turns on the mound for a pennant winning club.  In doing so, he carved a spot for himself as one of the more memorable characters in baseball history – and realized a dream that lives in most baseball fans’ hearts.

In 1915, the year Charles “Victory” Faust passed away, the New York Giants finished last in the National League – their first last-place finish since 1900. It would, in fact, be their only last place finish between 1900 and 1943.

Charles “Victory’ Faust – MLB Record

Pitching:

Games … 2.  W-L … 0-0.  Innings pitched … 2.  Hits … 2. Earned runs … 1. ERA … 4.50.

Hitting

Plate appearances … 1.  At Bats … 0.  Hits … 0.  Walks … o.  Hit By Pitch … 1. Stolen bases … 2. Runs scored … 1.  RBI … 0.

A final note:  You can probably file this one under #HowTheGameHasChanged.  There will never be another player like Charles “Victory” Faust.

Primary Resources;  Charlie Faust – Society for American Baseball Research Biography, by Gabriel Schechter; Searching for Victory – The Story of Charles Victor(y) Faust, by Thomas S, Busch, Society for American Baseball Research, Research Journals Archives; Baseball-Reference.com; The Glory of Their Times, by Lawrence S. Ritter, McMillian and Company (1966).

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.

The box score – a thing of beauty.

Consistent with Baseball Roundtable’s reputation as being at least a bit “old school” (Hey, I’m 71, cut me a little slack), I start each day with the scent of hot coffee and newsprint.  Yes, each day during the baseball season, I start my morning with the newspaper box scores.  I look not only to see the standings and who turned in the best pitching or hitting performances, but also any anomalies that grab my attention (and demand further research).  For example, if you look at the box score for the 1968 MLB All Star Game (That was, of course, known as “The Year of the Pitcher.”), you will see that not a single run batted in was recorded.  (More on that in a bit, but let’s look at something more current, a box score item from yesterday that caught my eye.)

Yesterday, September 3, the Brewers topped the Cubs 4-3 with a bottom-of-the-ninth run that scored in an inning in which there were no base hits and no fielder’s errors.   The baseball, in fact, never left the infield. BBRT classifies this inning as one of those “Glad It Happened on the Road” frames.  Had it happened in Chicago, I would have put it in the “You Just Can’t Un-See That” category.

Steve Cishek     Photo by THE Laura Smith

Here’s how it went.  The Brewers had tied it up in the bottom of the eighth on a bases-loaded walk (Carl Edwards pitching to Brewers’ pinch hitter Mike Moustakas.) Edwards had sandwiched two singles and two walks around a pair of strikeouts and Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon had seen enough.  He went to the pen for right-hander Steve Cishek and Brewers’ manager Craig Counsell countered with left-handed pinch hitter Travis Shaw. (It was, by the way, Cishek’s line in the box score that caught my eye. He got the loss, gave up an earned run – but allowed no hits. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.)  It seemed like a pretty solid move. On the season, Cishek had appeared in 65 games, going 4-2 (three saves) with a 1.90 earned run average and 69 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings pitched. The move worked out well in the eighth. Cishek went to 2-0 on Shaw and then ended the inning (and the bases-loaded jam) on a groundball back to the mound.

Now, we go to the bottom of the ninth – the inning most responsible for the box score line that got BBRT’s attention. Cishek opened the inning with a four-pitch walk to the number-seven hitter, Eric Kratz. On his fifth pitch, he hit Brewers’ shortstop Orlando Arcia. Cishek then settled down and fanned LF Curtis Granderson – with both runners moving up on a passed ball (on the fourth pitch of the six-pitch at bat). The next hitter was CF and leadoff man Lorenzo Cain and Cishek again lost the plate – hitting Cain with a 2-0 pitch.  So, at this point, the ninth inning had seen Cishek throw 14 pitches (just three strikes, all to Granderson) – loading the bases with one out, without a single ball leaving the infield.

Christian Yelich’s round out plated the winning run.      Photo by DandreaPhotography

Maddon then brought in Jesse Chavez to face one of the hottest hitters in baseball, Brewers RF Christian Yelich.  Chavez got ahead in the count (1-2) and induced a grounder to third baseman Kris Bryant.  Bryant stepped on third for the force, but Yelich beat the throw to first and the winning run scored on the fielder’s choice – and the ball had still not left the infield. Cishek’s total “day?”  Two-thirds of an inning pitched, 17 pitches (four strikes), one earned run, zero hits, one walk, two hit batsman.

In that September 3 Cubs/Brewers game, Steve Cishek realized the satisfaction of pitching out of someone else’s bases-loaded jam in the eighth and the disappointment of creating his own sacks-juiced jam in the ninth.

So, anyway, that’s the story behind a box score anomaly that caught BBRT’s eye this morning.

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The 1968 MLB All Star Game – The One Without an RBI

Now, back to that 1968 All Star Game.  It was, indeed, The Year of the Pitcher. Denny McLain went 31-6, Bob Gibson put up an MLB-best 1.12 earned run average (seven qualifying pitchers were under 2.00), Juan Marichal tossed 30 complete games, Bob Gibson threw 13 complete-game shutouts, the AL had only one qualifying .300 hitter (Carl Yastrzemski won the batting title at .301), and the Most  Valuable Player Award went to a pitcher in both leagues (Denny McLain in the AL and Bob Gibson in the NL). How dominant were the pitchers? Before the opening of the 1969 season, the pitchers’ mound was lowered from 15 inches to ten inches and the strike zone was shrunk to the distance  between the batter’s armpits and his knees (from the distance between the batter’s shoulders and his knees.)

That season’s All Star Game, played on July 9 at the Astrodome, reflected the pitchers’ dominance over the season – ending 1-0, with a total of just eight hits and (here’s that anomaly) not a single run batted in. The only run (and, ironically, even without an RBI, the run was earned) scored off the American League’s Luis Tiant in the bottom of the first.

Willie Mays scored the only run of the 1968 All Star game – as Willie McCovey hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

It went like this, NL CF Willie Mays started the inning with a single to left.  It appeared that Tiant had Willie picked off first, but the throw went awry and Mays went to second. A wild pitch sent Mays to third – before LF Curt Flood walked. 1B Willie McCovey hit into a 4-6-3 (Rod Carew-Jim Fregosi-Harmon Killebrew) double play, with Mays scoring. (No RBI awarded on a double play.) After a walk to RF Hank Aaron, Tiant got 3B Ron Santo on a short-to-first ground out.  And that was all the scoring for the 1968 All Star contest.  The game featured just eight total hits (four doubles), six walks (all given up by AL pitchers) and 20 strikeouts (nine by AL pitchers, 11 by NL hurlers).

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.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.

Okay, I wake up on Labor Day and my Twins are ten games under .500, 14 games behind the Indians in the AL Central and 18 games behind in the Wild Card chase. Not only that: Brian Dozier (his glove and powerful bat) is plying his trade with the Dodgers; Fernando Rodney (his flamboyance, power arm and “bow and arrow” celebration) is now taking the mound for the A’s; and Eduardo Escobar (his steady bat and fielding versatility) is looking good in Arizona. Beyond that, Byron Buxton was last seen in Rochester; Ervin Santana was last seen with recurring injury issues; and Miguel Sano was last seen struggling at the plate. Heck, even Zack Duke and Lance Lynn are gone.  Ouch!

Still, I can find plenty of reasons to celebrate not only Labor Day, but also the final four weeks of the baseball season.  Here a Baker’s Dozen reasons BBRT will continue to watch the national pastime  intensely..

1. The Wild, Wild West(s)

Can’t wait to see who wins the National League West, where we begin Labor Day action just one game separating the Dodgers (75-62); Rockies (74-62); and Diamondbacks (74-63).

I’m also excited about seeing how far the AL West Division Oakland A’s can go. The A’s – who started the season with MLB’s lowest team payroll – came into Labor Day 26-games over .500 (82-56); just 2 ½ game behind the first-place Astros; and with a 5 ½ game cushion in the AL Wild Card race.

2. The Orioles’ Chris Davis

Orioles’ first baseman/DH Chris Davis has a chance to make history – of sorts. As action opened on Labor Day, Davis had the lowest 2018 batting average (among players with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title) at .177 (75-for-424).

BBRT will be watching to see if he sets a new all-time season low for “qualifiers.” That distinction is now shared by The Brewers’ Rob Deer (1991) and the Braves’ Dan Uggla (2013) at .179 (both went 80-for-448). Deer’s line was .179-25-64, with an AL-Leading 175 strikeouts; while Uggla put up a .179-22-55 season, with 171 whiffs. Chris Davis’ 2018 stat line (as play opens on Labor Day) is .177-16-48, with 171 K’s.

3. J.D. Martinez and the Triple Crown

As play opens today, the Red Sox’ is second in the AL in batting average at .337 (.003 behind teammate Mookie Betts); second in home runs with 39 (one behind the A’s Khris Davis); and first in RBI with 115.  It won’t be easy, but Martinez’ attempt at the Triple Crown is worth watching.

Trivia Tidbit:

In only one season has there been a Triple Crown Winner in both leagues – and, in fact, they played in the same city. In 1933, the Philadelphia Athletics’ Jimmie Foxx won the Triple Crown with a .356-48-163 season.  That same season, the Phillies’ Chuck Klein won the NL Triple Crown with a .368-28-120 campaign.

4. Watching those Whiffs.

As of Labor Day, there were four players on a pace to fan 200 times this season (all in the AL, by the way) – Yoan Moncada, White Sox (189 K’s); Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees (180); Joey Gallo, Rangers (177); and Chris Davis, Orioles (171).  I see this as worth watching for three reasons:

• 2016 is the only season in which MLB has had more than one player with 200 strikeouts (there were two that year, the Brewers’ Chris Carter and Orioles’ Chris Davis.) Note: MLB has seen a total of ten 200-K campaigns.
• If Chris Davis delivers 200 strikeouts, he will tie Mark Reynolds (D-backs) for the most career 200-strikeout campaigns. Reynolds did it in 2008-09-10). Davis racked up 200+ strikeouts in 2015 and 2016.
• Moncada is on a pace for 223 strikeouts this season, which would tie Mark Reynolds for the all-time, single-season high.

5. Strikeout versus Base Hits

We’ve heard a lot about this one – whether strikeouts will, for the first time ever, outpace base hits this season is still in question.  The current count is close – and worth watching – 34,623 strikeouts and 34,833 base hits.

6. The BBRT Trot Index

Okay, I may be the only one watching this.  It’s the baseball Roundtable Trot Index – the percentage of total MLB 2018 plate appearance that end in a trot (to first base on a walk, hit by pitch or catcher’s interference – to the dugout after a strikeout – or around the bases on a home run). At the end of August, 34.6 percent of all plate appearance ended with a no-action (in the field or on the base paths) trot.

7. Edwin Diaz, the Mariners’ Save Machine

Photo by THE Laura Smith

There have been only seventeen 50-save seasons in MLB history – all since 1990 – and Edwin Diaz (the Mariners’ 24-year-old closer) has fifty already this year (making him the youngest player to record a 50-save campaign). Although Francisco Rodriguez’ record of 62 (Angels, 2008) seems out of reach, just seven more saves would tie Diaz with the White Sox’ Bobby Thigpen (57  saves in 1990, the first-ever, 50-save season) for the second-most in a season. I’m hoping he makes a run at Rodriguez.

8. If I Were A Carpenter, I’d Have a Hammer

The Cardinals’ 3B Matt Carpenter went to the park on Labor Day leading the National League with 35 home runs.  Why is that worth watching?  Carpenter is batting leadoff for the Redbirds and, if he wins the home run title, he will be the first leadoff hitter ever to do so.  The Orioles’ leadoff hitter Brady Anderson came close in 1996 – bashing fifty round trippers, missing out on the title (to Mark McGwire) by two long balls.

9. Twenty-Twenty Vision

BBRT will be keeping an eye on Corey Kluber, Luis Severino, Blake Snell, Carlos Carrasco and Max Scherzer – who all have a legitimate chance for twenty victories this season.  We haven’t had five twenty-game winners in a season since 2003 and only had four three times since 2004.

BBRT will also be watching box scores for complete games, since no one has more than two this season (Kluber and Carrasco from the list above) and no team has more than five (Indians).  In fact, ten of the thirty MLB team have yet to record a 2018 complete game.  This could be the first MLB season in which there was not at least one pitcher with four complete games.

Trivia Tidbit:

In 2008, C.C. Sabathia pitched ten complete games – five of them shutouts. Of note is the fact that (thanks to a mid-season trade) Sabathia tied for the league lead in shutouts in both the AL (two for the Cleveland Indians) and the NL (three for the then NL Milwaukee Brewers).

10. A Long Shot at History

Only three times in MLB history has a player led the league in home runs and stolen bases in the same season:  Jimmy Sheckard with nine home runs and 67 steals for the 1903 Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers); Ty Cobb with nine home runs and 76 steals for the 1909 Tigers (Cobb also hit .377 that year, wining the Triple Crown); and Chuck Klein, with 38 home runs and 20 stolen bases for the 1932 Phillies.

Now, it’s a real long shot, but – as of Labor Day – the Indians’ 25-year-old 3B Jose Ramirez was third the AL home run races with 37 (J.D. Martinez of the Red Sox had 39, Khris Davis of the A’s 40) and second in stolen bases with 29 (one behind the Royals’ whit Merrifield and the Mariners Dee Gordon).  Okay, it’s a long shot. But something to root for. It would just take one real hot streak down the stretch.

11. My Braves

I was a Milwaukee native and just six-years-old when the Braves moved there in 1953 – and they still have a place in my heart. After finishing 18-games under .500 in 2017, the Braves looked to be improved and rebuilding.  Yet, here they are, ahead of schedule – 16 games over .500, with a four-game lead in the AL East.   Their chief competition is the Phillies, who finished last in the division and 30 games under .500 in 2017. Can’t wait to see the Braves in the post season. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Phillies there, too.

12. The Stars of Tomorrow – Today

Wow!  There are so many great young (rookie) stars to watch. Here are just a few of the players that fit the bill:

Juan Soto (OF, Nationals), age 19 … .303-16-53 in 92 games.

Ronald Acuna, Jr. (OF, Braves), age 20 … .296-23-50, with 11 steals, in 85 games.

Gleyber Torres (2B, Yankees) age 21 … .282-22-55, with five steals, in 99 games.

Jack Flaherty (RHP, Cardinals), age 22 … 8-6, 2.87, and 149 K in 122 1/3 IP.

Miguel Andujar (3B, Yankees), age 23 … .301-23-76 in 126 games.

Walker Buehler (RHP), Dodgers), age 24 … 6-4, 2.92, and 115 K in 114 IP

Colin Moran (3B, Pirates), age 25 … .280-8-49 in 122 games.

A.J. Minter (LHP, Braves), age 25 … 4-2, 3.06, 12 saves, 86 K in 68 IP.

13. All By Himself

All by himself worth watching – especially now that he’s back on the mound – is 23-year-old Angels’ pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani.  Thus far, he is  .276-15-43, with six steals, on offense and 4-2, 3.31 with 63 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings on the mound.

Of course, let’s not forget – there’s the post-season to take in as well.  But, that’s another story.

For BBRT’s August Wrap Up … the stars, stats and stories of the past month in baseball, click here. 

Primary Resources:  ESPN.com, Baseball-Reference.com

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I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT.

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