Baseball Roundtable

JULY WRAP – One team rakes at a .323 pace, another puts up a 2.60 ERA.

August 1, 2017 by David

It’s August 1, which means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s look back at July – the stats, the stories and the highlights. We could call July Dodger Month, Beltre Month, Altuve Month, Paxton Month or maybe even Devers Month. Here are a few notable highlights:

Adrian Beltre had a milestone month – picking up his 3,000^th base hit (July 30); 5,000^th total base (July 7); and 1,600^th RBI (July 14). Better start clearing a sport on the wall at Cooperstown.
The Dodgers went a sparkling 20-3 for the month, expanding their NL West Division lead to 14 games over the Diamondbacks.
The Astros’ Jose Altuve’s month of July included a 19-game hitting streak, during which he hit .524.
James Paxton was the only pitcher to win six games – going 6-0, with a 1.37 ERA for the Mariners – who went only 8-12 in the games Paxton didn’t start.
Boston Red Sox’ rookie Rafael Devers was a .296 hitter over four minor league seasons, but he appears to like major league pitching even better. The 20-year-old made his major league debut on July 25 (becoming MLB’s youngest active player) and, in six July games, hit .417 (10-for-24) with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored.
The Astros hit a remarkable .323 at a team for July (the only team above .300), while the Dodgers put up a stingy 2.60 ERA for the montk (the only team below 3.00).

Still, the best moniker for July might be trade deadline month – as lots of players were moved as we approached the July 31 trade deadline. We’ll take a look at all this and the month’s highlight and statistical leaders coming up. But first the standings and Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

THE STANDINGS

The Dodgers went 20-3 for the month (an .870 winning percentage) and are now 74-31 on the season – the only team playing .700 ball. Pitching led the way for the boys from LA, as their 2.60 earned run average was far and away the lowest in MLB for the month. While the Dodgers 107 runs scored in July ranked 22nd among MLB teams, they still managed to outscore the opposition by 38 runs. Leading the way for the Dodgers in July was the now DL-ed Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 0.72 ERA); the surprising Rich Hill (4-0, 1.45); and, of course, Kenley Jansen with nine saves in ten opportunities.

If you are looking for offense, the Astros rode a month in which they led the majors in runs scored (174); batting average (a resounding .323); and home runs (44) to a 15-9 July record – despite MLB’s ninth worst ERA for the month (5.08). Leading the way for the Astros were Jose Altuve (.485 for the month); George Springer (.403); Alex Bregman (.329); and Evan Gattis (.322).

Other squads putting up solid July results (at least 15 wins) were the Cubs and Nationals (16-8), Royals (16-10) and Indians (15-11).

The worst July record belonged to the White Sox (6-19) in the AL and the Reds (8-18) in the NL.

If the season ended July 31, your playoff teams would be.

AL: Division Leaders – Yankees, Indians, Astros. Wild Cards: Red Sox and Royals.

NL: Division Leaders: Nationals, Cubs and Dodgers; Wild Cards: Diamondbacks anad Rockies/

Notably, there are three competitive division races: In the NL Central, the Cubs lead the Brewers by 2 ½ games; in the AL Central the Royals are two games back of the Indians; and in the AL East, the Yankees jhold just a ½-game dge on the Red Sox.

A full chart of July 31 standings and month of July won-lost records appears at the end of this post.

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

NL Player of the Month – Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies

Photo by jenniferlinneaphotography

I love those players who give you plenty of offense AND defense and no one does it better than four-time (in four seasons) Gold Glover at third base Nolan Arenado. He’s also a two-time NL RBI leader (and current 2017 leader) and two-time league home run champ. So, what did he do to earn Player of the Month for July? He hit .389, with eight home runs, 18 runs scored and an MLB-leading 30 RBI (in just 22 games played). Also under consideration were Rockies’ CF Charlie Blackmon, who hit .370, with seven home runs, 13 RBI and an MLB-leading 29 July runs scored. Blackmon also had three triples in July, adding to his season total of 13 three-baggers – six more than the next-best total. I also took a look at the Marlins’ RF Giancalo Stanton. who led MLB with 12 July home runs – to go with a .289 average and 23 RBI.

NL Pitcher of the Month – Rich Hill, LHP, Dodgers

This was a tough choice, but I went with Dodgers’ veteran Rich Hill. He went 4-0 in five starts (no NL pitcher won more than four games in July), with a nifty 1.45 ERA (behind only fellow Dodger Clayton Kershaw and the Phillies’ Aaron Nola among National Leaguers with at least 25 innings pitched in July). The 37-year-old southpaw also walked just five batters, while fanning 40, in 31 innings. Also in the running were Kershaw (3-0, 0.72 in four starts); Nola (3-1, 1.32 with 43 strikeouts in 34 innings); and Max Scherzer (3-0, 2.84 with a league-topping 50 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.)

AL Player of the Month – Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros

What can you say about a guy who hits an MLB-leading .485 for the month, raps out an MLB-tops 48 hits, gives you a little power (four home runs) and speed (eight stolen bases), while also scoring 22 times and driving in 21? Jose Altuve’s July totals incuded a 19-game hitting streak, during which he hit .524, with ten doubles, one triple, four home runs, 21 runs scored and 19 RBI. Clearly, Altuve does it all – and is a deserving Player of the Month. Also considered were Rangers’ 3B Adrian Beltre who – as noted earlier – achieved several milestone including his 3,000^th MLB hit. At age 38, Beltre went .341-4-14 for the month. Clearly, twenty years into an MLB career and Beltre can still rake. Orioles’ 2B Jonathan Schoop was also on the radar for this recognition after a .343-9-28 month of July.

AL Pitcher of the Month – James Paxton, LHP, Mariners

Photo by hj_west

Mariners’ southpaw James Paxton put up stellar numbers in July – going 6-0, with a 1.37 ERA in six starts. (Numbers which look even better given Seattle’s 14-12 record for the month.) Paxton also fanned 46 batters, while walking just six, in 39 1/3 Innings. The 28-year-old Paxton is now 11-3 on the season, with a 2.68 ERA. So, how does it add up? For July, Paxton was in the AL’s top five in starts, wins, inning pitched, strikeouts and ERA. Coming into 2017, Paxton was 18-15, 3.43 in fifty MLB starts over four seasons. Also in the running was Red Sox’ ace Chris Sale (3-1, 1.04 with a league-leading 56 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.)

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NOW FOR SOME JULY HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT GOES AROUND, COME AROUND

Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

On July 15, Cody Bellinger become the first Dodgers’ rookie to hit for the cycle – going four-for-five – with the requisite single, double, triple and home run – notching three RBI and two runs scored in a 7-1 Dodgers’ win over the Marlins. It was the first four-hit game of the 22-year-old rookie’s career – and his 26^th home run of the season. For a look at all the MLB rookies who have hit for the cycle, click here.

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE HOME RUN – HOW ABOUT A WALK-OFF WALK

Dodgers’ rookie Cody Bellinger added four home runs to his rookie-season total in July – and ended the month at 28. However, it wasn’t all about the long ball. On July 8, Bellinger propelled the Dodgers to their 60^th win of the season (the first team to reach 60 wins in 2017) by waiting out a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the tenth inning – giving the Dodgers a 5-4 win over Rays in LA. Of course, as it seems is always the case this year, the long ball did play a part. Bellinger had tied the game with a home run in the bottom of the eighth. Keep an eye of this rookie. After nine home runs in May and 13 in June, he slipped to four in July. Time for some adjustment?

LOOK OUT JOE! HERE COMES THE JUDGE!

Photo by apardavila

On July 7, Yankees’ rookie phenom Aaron Judge hit his 30^th home run of the season – eclipsing Joe DiMaggio’s Yankee rookie record of 29 home runs – with plenty of season left. Judege ended July with a stat line of .303-34-75 – leading MLB in home runs and slugging percentage and topping the AL in runs scored and walks. Oh yeah, and he won the All Star Game Home Run Derby.

CRUZIN’ TO NUMBER 300

On July 7, Seattle DH Nelson Cruz hit his 300^th round tripper as the Mariners bested the Oakland A’s 7-2 to snap an eight-game losing streak – it was his 16th home run of the season and his second in July. He finished the month with seven July homers, 21 on the season and 305 career blasts.

WOMEN BELONG IN BASEBALL

On July 15, Stacy Piagno made her first start on the mound for the Sonoma Stompers of the (independent) Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs – as they took on the Pittsburg Diamonds. Piagno pitched seven innings, giving up just one run on four hits and notching four strikeouts as Sonoma prevailed 16-1. With that outing, Piagno became the third women to notch a professional baseball victory since the 1950s – following Ila Borders and Eri Yoshida to victories from the hill.

HOW ABOUT SHOWING A LITTLE RESPECT

Max Scherzer –
ambushed by the Diamondbacks.
Photo by Keith Allison

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer came into his July 21 start against the Diamondacks with an 11-5, record and a sparkling 2.01 ERA. The Diamondbacks showed the Nationals’ ace very little respect, however. After three batters and just ten pitches, the Diamondbacks had three homne runs and a 3-0 lead. Lead off hitter/RF David Peralta homered to deep right, followed by CF A.J. Pollock’s blast down the left field line and 3B Jake Lamb’s RF home run. The three round trippers tied the MLB record for consecutive home runs to start a game.

How unexpected was the three-homer barrage? Scherzer had allowed just one home run over 34 2/3 innings in his past five starts. Scherzer did settle down and lasted five innings (eight hits, two walks, five runs and nine strikeouts – no decision) as the Nationals fell to the D-backs 6-5.

PARITY?

The MLB All Star competition is as even as can be: 43 AL wins, 43 NL wins, two ties – AND both teams have scored exactly 361 runs over the 88 games.

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

On July 23, The Orioles’ Zach Britton set a new AL record by converting his 55th straight save opportunity – pitching a scoreless ninth in a 9-7 win over the Astros. Britton extended his record with saves (versus the Rangers) on July 29 and July 30. He’s still a long way form the MLB record, however. That belongs to the Dodgers’ Eric Gagne, with 84 straight conversions from August 28, 2002 to July 3, 2004.

A BALANCED ATTACK

Photo by Keith Allison

On July 24, 1B Carlos Santana provide some well-balanced offense for the Indians. The switch hitter homered both left-handed and right-handed, as the Indians stopped the Reds 6-2. It was the fourth time in his career that Santana had homered from both sides of the plate in the same game. For those interested – through June of this year, the feat had been accomplished 312 times at the major league level. In 2017 alone, the Indians have accomplished it four times (Jose Ramirez twice, Francisco Lindor and Santana). Others to go yard from both sides in a game this season include the Yankees’ Aaron Hicks, Astros’ Marwin Gonzalez, Blue Jays’ Kendrys Morales, Dodgers’ Yasmani Grandal and Phillies’ Freddie Galvis. Nick Swisher and Mark Tiexiera share the MLB record for career games with home runs both left- and right-handed at 13.

MINOR LEAGUE NO-O-OTE

On Sunday, July 23, the Rookie Level Gulf Cost League (GCL) Nationals used four pitchers to throw a pair of seven-inning no-hitters. In Game One of a doubleheader (a 4-0 Nationals’ win over the Marlins), Joan Baez went six innings (no hits, one walk, seven strikeouts), with Jose Jimenez throwing the final frame. Game Two (Nationals 1 – Marlins 0) saw Jared Johnson go four no-hit innings (one walk, two strikeouts), with Gilberto Chu tossing the final three (no walks, four whiffs.)

A TRIPLE PLAY PRODUCES A RUN – A FIRST FOR FRAZIER

On July 25, in his first at bat at Yankee Stadium, Todd Frazier came to the plate in the bottom of the second inning, with the sacks full and no one out. Matt Holliday was on third, Didi Gregorius on second and Chase Headley on first. All had reached via singles. Frazier, facing rookie starter Luis Castillo, hit a one-hopper to Reds’ SS Jose Peraza. Peraza tagged second for out number one, then threw to 1B Joey Votto for the second out. As this traditional double play was completed, Holliday scored from third. Things then got interesting. Gregorius, who had been on second, stopped between second and third and basically found himself in the proverbial “pickle” between Reds’ 3B Eugenio Suarez and Peraza. In the end, the Reds recorded a 6-6-3-3-5-6 triple play and the Yankees recorded a run. Ultimately, the Bronx Bombers prevailed 4-2 – but it was a pretty memorable first Yankee Stadium at bat for Frazier. It also was just the tenth time (in 712 triple plays) that a run has scored on an MLB triple killing.

BACK – TO BACK-TO BACK-TO BACK … AND THEN SOME

On July 27, the Washington Nationals put an exclamation point on what some are calling “The Year of the Home Run” by tying a pair of MLB long-ball records – powering an MLB-record-tying four consecutive home runs and a record-tying five home runs in an inning. The third-inning outburst led to seven runs as Washington topped the Brewers 15-2 in D.C. It was the only the sixth time an MLB team has notched a five-dinger inning (and the eighth time a team had rapped four consecutive home runs) and featured long balls by CF Brian Goodwin (his tenth of the season); SS Wilmer Difo (third of the season); RF Bryce Harper (27th); 1B Ryan Zimmerman (21st); and 3B Anthony Rendon (21st). For full details on the other record holders, click here.

WORKING ON THE SOUTH 40

Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

No player has ever hit 40 home runs in a Royals’ uniform (they are the only team without a 40-HR player in their history), but Mike Moustakas seems to be on his way. On July 28, Moustakas ripped his 30th home run of the 2017 season – a three-run shot as the Royals topped the Red Sox 4-2 in Boston. (It was the streaking Royals ninth straight win.) The home run made “Moose” the fastest Royal to reach thirty long balls – coming in his 364th at bat of the season. Previously, another third sacker – Gary Gaetti – was the quickest Royal to thirty dingers in a campaign at 410 ats bats (in 1995). Gaetti hit 35 that season, one short of Steve Balboni’s Royals’ record. Nicknames seem to be all the rage for Royals’ home run hitters – Moustakas is known as “Moose,” Gaetti as “G-Man” or “Rat” and Balboni as “Bye Bye.”

——STAT TIME … FOR THE MONT OF JULY AND YEAR-TO-DATE (throogh July 31)—-

—–TEAM BATTING LEADERS … MONTH OF JULY—–

Average (MLB Average – .257)

NL: Rockies- .297; Marlins – .279; Dodgers – .275; Nationals – .275

AL: Astros – .323; Tigers – .280; Royals – 279

Runs Scored (MLB Average – 117)

NL: Rockies – 148; Marlins – 139; Nationals – 128

AL: Astros – 174; Royals – 141; Indians – 135; Tigers – 135

WE’LL TAKE THE LOW ROAD

The White Sox and Angels plated the fewest runs in MLB in July – with only 88 runners crossing the plate for each squad. (The Reds were the lowest in the NL with 93 tallies.) The White Sox also had the lowest batting average for the month at .229; while the Giants showed the least power with an MLB-low 14 round trippers during the month. The Astros hit more than 100-points higher than the White Sox and bashed more than three times as many home runs as the Giants.

Home Runs (MLB Average – 31)

NL: Cubs – 40; Nationals – 37; Marlins – 35; Dodgers – 35

AL: Astros – 44; Rangers – 41; Royals – 38

Stolen Bases (MLB Average – 12)

NL: Brewers – 20; Reds – 15; Braves – 15

AL: Astros – 23; Royals – 22; Indians – 20

I THINK I’LL JUST WAIT HERE

The Mets attempted (and achieved) MLB’s fewest stolen bases in July – going three-for-five in steals. The Blue Jays had the worst rate of success – swiping four bags in eight tries.

Walks (MLB Average – 82)

NL: D-backs – 101; Reds – 96; Marlins – 91

AL: A’s – 112; Indians – 106; Blue Jays – 105

GRABBING A LITTLE AIR

The Brewers led all of MLB in strikeouts in July with 254 whiffs – which equates to just over ten per game.

—–TEAM PITCHING LEADERS … MONTH OF JULY—–

Earned Run Average (MLB Average – 4.37)

NL: Dodgers – 2.60; Cardinals – 3.06; D-backs – 3.48

AL: Red Sox – 3.24; Indians – 3.36; Mariners – 3.68

PUTTING UP SOME CROOKED NUMBERS

Eleven teams had ERA’s over 5.00 for July. The White Sox led (trailed?) all of MLB at 5.68, while the Rockies gave up an NL-leading 5.38 earned runs per nine innings.

Fewest Runs Allowed (MLB Average – 117)

NL: Dodgers – 69; D-backs – 87; Cardinals -94; Pirates – 94.

AL: Indians – 94; Red Sox – 101; Angels – 102

IT’S OUTTA HERE

Your team leader in home runs allowed in July was the White Sox – the ChiSox staff gave up 47 long balls; while the Reds topped the NL with 44. On the other side of the coin, the Dodgers gave up an MLB-low 17 July dingers.

Strikeouts (MLB Average – 209)

NL: Nationals – 229; Reds – 227; Brewers – 220

AL: Red Sox – 265; Yankees – 264; Indians – 251

Fewest Walks Allowed (MLB Average – 82)

NL: Dodgers – 49; D-backs – 62; Cardinals – 64

AL: Twins – 65; Indians – 68; Orioles – 72

LET ME TAKE YOU ON A FREE RIDE

The Blue Jays gave up an MLB-high 118 walks in July; while the Braves provided an NL-leading 108 free passes. The only other teams to exceed 100 walks allowed were the White Sox and Marlins (106 each).

Saves (MLB average – 6)

NL: Dodgers – 10; Padres – 10; five with seven

AL: Rays – 9; Mariners – 8; two with seven

OUCH!

The Diamondbacks had the worst save/opportunity percentage in July – blowing five of seven save opportunities – for a 28.6 percent success rate. The MLB average for the month was 66.0 percent.

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—–INDIVIDUAL BATTING LEADERS FOR THE MONTH OF JUlY—–

Average (minimum 50 at bats)

NL: Gerardo Parra, Rockies .443; Chris Taylor, Dodgers – .394; Anthony Rendon, Nationals – .392

AL: Jose Altuve, Astros – .485; George Springer, Astros – .403; Alex Pressley, Tigers – .380

Home Runs

NL: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins – 12; Bryce Harper, Nationals – 9; three with eight

AL: Rougned Odor, Rangers – 10; Mike Moustakas, Royals – 9; Jonathan Schoop, Orioles – 9

IT SEEMS LIKE HE’S ALWAYS ON BASE

Among players with at least 50 July at bats, only two got on base at least half the time. Your on-base-percentage leaders were: Jose Altuve, Astros – .523; Anthony Rendon, Nationals – .500.

RBI

NL: Nolan Arenado, Rockies – 30; Marcel Ozuna Marlins – 27; Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins – 23

AL: Jonathan Schoop, Orioles – 28; Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox – 25; Mookie Betts, Red Sox – 23

Runs Scored

NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies – 29; Bryce Harper, Nationals – 26; Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins – 25

AL: Alex Bregman, Astros – 24; Eric Hosmer, Royals – 22; Jose Altuve – Astros -22

WAIT FOR IT. WAIT FOR IT.

The Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson was MLB’s most patient hitter in July – averaging 4.83 pitched per plate appearance – edging the Twins’ Joe Mauer at 4.82.

Stolen Bases

NL: Billy Hamilton, Reds – 11; Dee Gordon, Marlins – 9; four with five

AL: Rajai Davis, A’s – 9; Whit Merrifield, Royals – 9; Jose Altuve, Astros – 8

Walks

NL: Joey Votto, Reds – 23; Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs – 22; two with 19

AL: Edwin Encarnacion, Indians – 20; Brett Gardner , Yankees – 20; Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays – 19

WAY BELOW THE M-LINE

The lowest average (minimum 50 June at bats) for the month went to the Twins’ Jorge Polanco at .078 (four-for-51).

—–INDIVIDUAL PITCHING LEADERS … THE MONTH OF JULY—–

Wins

NL: Seven pitchers with four

AL: James Paxton, Mariners – 6-0, 1.37; three with four

ERA (Minimum 25 July innings)

NL: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 0.72; Aaron Nola, Phillies – 1.32; Rich Hill, Dodgers – 1.45

AL: Chris Sale, Red Sox – 1.04; James Paxton, Mariners – 1.37; Sonny Gray, A’s – 1.48

GETTING UP THERE A BIT

The worst ERA among pitchers with at least four starts or 15 innings pitched in July went to the Marlins’ Tom Koehler, who had four July starts and put up a 9.87 ERA in 17 1/3 innings. Using those same parameters in the AL,we find the Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr., with an ERA of 9.64 in four June starts (18 2/3 innings).

Strikeouts

NL: Max Scherzer – 50 (31 2/3 IP); Aaron Nola, Phillies 43 (34 IP); Rich Hill, Dodgers – 40 (31 IP)

AL: Corey Kluber, Indians – 56 (34 1/3 IP); Chris Sale, Red Sox – 56 (34 2/3 IP); three with 46

Saves

NL: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 9; Greg Holland, Rockies – 7; A.J. Ramos, Mets/Marlins – 7

AL: Alex Colome, Rays – 9; Edwin Diaz, Mariners – 8; two with seven

TOUGHEST OUTING OF THE MONTH

The Blue Jays’ Glenn Sparkman may have had the toughest outing of the month. The rookie righty was brought into a July 2 game against the Red Sox in the top of the seventh and the Blue Jays already down 7-1. Sparkman’s appearance went: single; single; single; strikeout; double; single; double; double. Ultimately, he gave up seven earned runs in 1/3 of an inning – for a July ERA of 189.00. In his only previous MLB appearance (June 30), also against the Red Sox, he went 2/3 of an inning, giving up no earned runs, despite allowing two hits and a walk. There is clearly a potential for better things to come – Sparkman has a 2.65 ERA in five minor league seasons, with 267 strikeouts in 268 1/3 innings.

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NOW THE YEAR-TO-DATE STATS (Still with me?)

—–TEAM BATTING … YEAR-TO-DATE LEADERS—–

Average (MLB Average – .255)

NL: Nationals – .275; Rockies – .274; Marlins – .266

AL: Astros – .292; Indians – .264; Yankees – .262

THAT’LL DO IN A PINCH

No team pinch hits more successfully than the St. Louis Cardinals – whose batters have gone 45-for-141 in pinch-hitting appearances this season, leading MLB in pinch hits and PH batting average (.319). Just down I-70, you’ll find the Royals, with the fewest pinch hits (two) and the lowest pinch-hitting average through July (.105).

Runs Scored (MLB average – 490)

NL: Nationals – 575; Rockies – 564; Dodgers – 535

AL: Astros – 623; Yankees – 557; Rangers – 516

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

Only the Astros topped 600 runs (through July) at 623. The Padres, on the other hand, have scored more than 200 times fewer than Houston, with San Diego notching just 400 runs. The Astros also lead the majors with 172 home runs, with the Giants the only team under 100 round trippers (82).

Home Runs (MLB Average – 132)

NL: Nationals – 158; Brewers – 156; Mets – 152

AL: Astros – 172; Rangers – 160; Rays – 154

A SWING AND A MISS

Only two teams had more than 1,000 batters’ whiffs through July: the Brewers (1,040) and Rays (1,037). Looks like a tight race for the most free-swinging squad.

Stolen Bases (MLB Average – 55)

NL: Brewers – 89; Reds – 83; D-backs – 72

AL: Angels- 88; Rangers – 81; Red Sox – 65

—–TEAM PITCHING LEADERS … YEAR-TO-DATE (July 31)—–

Earned Run Average (MLB average – 4.35)

NL: Dodgers – 3.09; D-backs – 3.43; Cardinals – 3.82

AL: Red Sox 3.70; Indians – 3.71; Yankees – 3.83

I’D GIVE IT A FIVE

Only two teams had ERA’s over five through July – The Reds at 5.28 and the Orioles at 5.07.

Fewest Runs Allowed (MLB average – 490)

NL: Dodgers – 350; D-backs – 404; Cardinals – 445

AL: Indians – 409; Boston – 435; Yankees – 438

DODGERS’ STAFF AT THE TOP

The Dodgers’ rotation had the best starters’ ERA in the MLB (through July) at 3.25; while the Astros’ starters were best in the AL at 3.96. In the bullpen, Cleveland ruled at 2.77. The Dodgers had the best bullpen ERA in the NL (and second-best in MLB) at 2.83.

If you’re wondering why the Nationals (despite a big lead) were active in the trade deadline market for relievers, Washington was one of only two teams with a bullpen ERA over 5.00 through July 31 – the Tigers at 5.25 and the Nationals at 5.05.

Strikeouts (MLB average – 866)

NL: Dodgers – 991; D-backs – 971; Nationals – 949

AL: Astros – 1064; Indians – 1022; Red Sox – 1007

Fewest Walks Allowed (MLB average – 343)

NL: Dodgers – 275; Pirates – 297; Cardinals – 314

AL: Indians – 288; Red Sox – 293; Yankees – 318

PUTTING UP SOME GOOD RATIOS

Through July, the Dodgers lead the NL in strikeout-to-walk ratio at 3.60; while the Indians top the AL at 3.55. Other teams with a better than three-to-one ratio: Red Sox (3.44); Astros (3.16); Yankees (3.12); D-backs (3.02). Common denominator? We’ll likely see all of them in the post season. Also, only two teams are averaging at least ten strikeouts per nine innings: Astros (10.18); Indians (10.01).

Saves (MLB Average – 25)

NL: Rockies – 35; Dodgers – 33; Brewers – 32

AL: Rays – 35; Twins – 29; Blue Jays – 29

LETS CONVERT

The major-league team average for save conversions through July was 64 percent. No team was under 50 percent, but Texas (17-for-34) was right at the low-water mark.

—–INDIVIDUAL BATTING LEADERS YEAR TO DATE—-

Average (qualifying)

NL: Justin Turner, Dodgers – .356; Daniel Murphy, Nationals – .332; Bryce Harper, Nationals – .329

AL: Jose Altuve, Astros – .368; Eric Hosmer, Royals – .323; Jean Segura, Mariners – 322

Home Runs

NL: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins – 33; Cody Bellinger, Dodgers – 28; four with 27

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 34; Mike Moustakas, Royals – 30; Justin Smoak, Blue Jays – 30

HE KEEPS HITTING THOSE THREES

The Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon has 13 triples through July – no other player has more than seven.

RBI

NL: Nolan Arenado, Rockies – 91; Marcell Ozuna, Marlins – 81; two at 80

AL: Nelson Cruz, Mariners – 79; Jonathan Schoop, Orioles – 77; Aaron Judge, Yankees – 75

Runs Scored

NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies – 93; Bryce Harper, Nationals – 86; Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs – 82

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 83; George Springer, Astros – 82; Jose Altuve, Astros – 74

Stolen Bases

NL: Billy Hamilton, Reds – 44; Dee Gordon, Marlins – 38; Trea Turner, Nationals – 35

AL: Cameron Maybin, Angels – 25; Jarrod Dyson, Mariners – 23; Jose Altuve, Astros 22

LEADERS IN A FEW OTHER CATEGORIES

Base Hits: Jose Altuve Astros (AL) – 148; Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (NL) – 141

On Base Pct: Justin Turner, Dodgers (NL) – .455; Jose Altuve, Astros (AL) – .430

Slugging Pct: Aaron Judge, Yankees (AL) – .639; Bryce Harper, Nationals (NL) – .627

Strikeouts: Miguel Sano, Twins (AL) – 144; Will Myers,Padres (NL) – 127

—–PITCHING LEADERS … YEAR TO DATE (July 31)—–

Wins

NL: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 15-2, 2.04; Zack Greinke, D-backs – 13-4, 2.84; four with 12

AL: Chris Sale, Red Sox – 13-4, 2.37; Jason Vargas, Royals – 13-4, 3.00; two with 11

ONE (or more) THAT GOT AWAY

Rick Porcello of the Red Sox leads MLB in pitcher’s losses – with 14 losses (versus just four wins) to go with a 4.55 ERA (that would indicate he deserved better). Over in the NL the loss leader is the Padres’ Clayton Richard (5-12, 5.40).

ERA (qualifying)

NL: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 2.04; Max Scherzer, Nationals – 2.23; Gio Gonzalez, Nationals – 2.66

AL: Chris Sale, Red Sox – 2.37; James Paxton, Mariners – 2.68; Corey Kluber, Indians – 2.90

Strikeouts

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals – 201 (145 1/3 IP); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 168 (141 1/3 IP); Jacob deGrom, Mets – 162 (139 2/3 IP)

AL: Chris Sale, Red Sox – 211 (148 1/3 IP); Chris Archer, Rays – 177 (142 IP); Corey Kluber, Indians – 161 (114 2/3 IP)

LIKE THE LONG BALL?

If you like big flys, show up when the Angels’ Ricky Nolasco or the Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka are on the mound. They share the MLB lead in home runs allowed at 27.

Saves

NL: Greg Holland Rockies – 33; Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 27; three with 22

AL: Alex Colome, Rays – 39; Brandon Kintzler,Twins – 28; Robert Osuma, Blue Jays – 26

A PITCHER’S BEST FRIEND

No one has induced more double play grounders this season (through July) than Marcus Stroman of the Blue Jays with 23 … to go with a 9-5, 3.08 record.

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

I tweet baseball @David BBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baaseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Five Home Runs in an Inning – Fireworks Times Six

July 28, 2017 by David

Bryce Harper. Photo by Keith Allison

Yesterday, the Washington Nationals tied an MLB record by bashing five home runs in one inning – as they scored seven runs in the third inning of a 15-2 bashing of the Brewers in Washington. It was the only the sixth time an MLB team has notched a five-dinger inning and featured long balls by CF Brian Goodwin (his tenth of the season); SS Wilmer Difo (third of the season); RF Bryce Harper (27^th); 1B Ryan Zimmerman (21^st); and 3B Anthony Rendon (21^st). We’ll take a look at the historic innings in detail in this post, but here are a few facts from th MLB’s five-homer innings.

A five-HR inning has been achieved five times in the NL – just once in the AL, by the Minnesota Twins on June 9, 1966.
The Cincinnati Reds have been the victims of four of the six five-homer innings.
The Milwaukee Brewers are the only team to both give up a five-homer inning and achieve a five-homer inning.
The home team has put on the power display five of the six times.
Fourteen of the 30 home runs have come with two outs.
Pitchers have contributed (as hitters) HRs in two of the six five-homer innings.
The Reds have been the “victims” in four of the six five-homer frames.
One of the five-homer innings was kept alive by three fielding errors.
One of the five-homer innings included two home runs by one player in the inning.
Two of the six power outbursts included an inside-the-park home run.
The five-homer innings have featured the scoring of 50 runs – the fewest at six, the most at 12.

Now, let’s take a closer look at those five-homer barrages.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

June 9, 1966 … Minnesota Twins versus Kansas City Athletics

Harmon Killebrew was a big gun in the Twins’ five- homer inning.

Things did not start out well for the Twins on the day of their historic power display. With the game being played at Metropolitan Stadium (Bloomington, MN), the Athletics got off to a fast start, knocking out Twins’ ace Camilo Pascual in the top of the first. (Pascual lasted 2/3 of an inning, giving up four runs on three hits and a walk.) With Catfish Hunter on the mound, the Twins’ chances looked slim. The Twins scored one in the fifth and two in the sixth (on a Harmon Killebrew home run) and then, trailing 4-3, broke the game open with five home runs in the seventh.

It started innocently enough with a Catfish Hunter walk to C Early Battey, followed by an infield fly out for 2B Bernie Allen. That brought pinch hitter (for the pitcher) Rich Rollins to the plate, and he hit the inning’s first homer (just the second of ten HRs Rollins would hit in 1966). Lead-off hitter SS Zoilo Versalles followed with his fifth homer of the year – and Paul Lindblad replaced Hunter on the mound. Lindblad got Twins’ LF Sandy Valdespino on a grounder to short, but then gave up consecutive round trippers to RF Tony Oliva (his 14th) and 1B Don Mincher (his 6th). That brought John Wyatt in from the bullpen and he quickly gave up a home run to 3B Harmon Killebrew (his second of the day and 11th of the year). Wyatt then gave up a double to RF Jimmie Hall and C Earl Battey reached on an error before 2B Bernie Allen ended the inning on a ground ball (catcher to first).

The Inning’s HR Hitters: Rich Rollins, Zoilo Versalles, Tony Oliva, Don Mincher, Harmon Killebrew

Final Score: Twins 9 – Athletics 4

_____________________________________

NATIONAL LEAGUE

June 6, 1939 … NY Giants versus Cincinnati Reds

Pitcher Manny Salvo hit an inside-the-park home run in Giants five-homer inning.

The first-ever five-home run MLB inning took place in New York on June 6, 1930, as the sixth-place Giants (20-24 record) surprised the league-leading Reds (29-15) by a 17-3 score, plating all 17 runs in the first five innings.

The record-setting power display came in the bottom of the fourth inning, with the Giants already up 6-0. Peaches Davis, who had relieved Johnny Vander Meer in the first inning (Vander Meer had given up six hits and three runs in 2/3 of an inning), retired Giants’ LF Jo Jo Moore and SS Billy Jurgess to start the inning. Then the wheels came off. C Harry Danning laced a home run to center (his sixth). Then clean-up hitter Mel Ott drew a walk, 1B Zeke Bonura singled and CF Frank Demaree hit the second home run of the inning (his second of the season). That ended Davis’ day and brought Wesley Livengood (whose MLB career would consist of five appearances and a 9.53 ERA) to the hill. Livengood was not so good, he walked Tony Lazzeri and then gave up a home run to 2B Burgess Whitehead (the first of only two he would it in 1939). Giants’ pitcher Manny Salvo was up next. A weak hitter (at best), Salvo surprised everyone in the ball park with the only home run of his five-season MLB career – an inside-the-park round tripper off the right field fence. Next up was lead-off hitter Jo Jo Moore, who hit the fifth and final homer of the inning (and his second of the day). And, all of this with two out. Livengood’s line for the day: 1/3 inning pitched, three hits, two walks, four earned runs (3 HRs).

The Inning’s Home Run Hitters: Harry Danning, Frank Demaree, Burgess Whitehead, Manny Salvo, Jo Jo Moore

Final Score: Giants 17 – Reds 3

____________________________________

June 2, 1949… Philadelphia Phillies versus Cincinnati Reds

Andy Seminick hit two round trippers in the Phillies’ five-homer inning.

Ten seasons passed before the next five-homer inning – and the victims were again the Reds. This time the bashing came off the bats of the Phillies (in Philadelphia). It started out as a close game, with the Reds actually leading 3-2 after seven innings behind a strong performance by starting pitcher Ken Raffensberger (who would win 18 games that season). Things, however, went awry in the bottom of the eighth.

CF Del Ennis (the Phillies’ clean-up hitter) led off the inning with a home run (his seventh of the season), which was followed by C Andy Seminick’s second home run of the game – marking Raffensberger’s exit. Jess Dobernic came on in relief and retired RF Stan Hollmig on a liner to short before giving up a home run to 3B Willie Jones (his third of the year). Dobrenic then induced a soft fly ball out to second base by 2B Eddie Miller, bringing up P Schoolboy Rowe, who had relieved Philadelphia starter Curt Simmons in the top of the eighth (Stan Lopata had pinch hit for Simmons in the bottom of the seventh.) Rowe promptly rapped a home run to left (the only home run of the year for the 39-year-old veteran, in his last MLB season). Kent Petersen came on in relief of Dobernic and added fuel to the fire in this order: walk to CF Richie Ashburn, double to SS Granny Hamner, 1B Eddie Waitkus safe on an error (Ashburn scores), an Ennis single to right (Hamner scores), and Seminick’s second home run of the inning (third of the game and seventh of the season). That was the end of the home runs, but the inning continued with the Phillies adding another run on a hit batsman and a triple. Suddenly a 3-2 Reds lead was a 12-3 deficit.

The Inning’s Home Run Hitters; Del Ennis, Andy Seminick (2), Willie Jones, Schoolboy Rowe

Final Score: Phillies 12 – Reds 3

________________________________

August 23, 1961 … San Francisco Giants versus Cincinnati Reds

Jim Davenport contributed a three-run inside-the-park homer to the Giants record-tying inning.

Twelve seasons after five-home inning number two, it happened again – and for the third straight time, the Reds were the victims – and this time they were at home. On August 23, 1961, another close game became a late-inning route. The Reds trailed the San Francisco Giants 2-0 after eight innings with both starters (Juan Marichal for the Giants and Joey Jay for the Reds) still in the game. A low-scoring game was expected, Marichal game into the contest with a 12-7 record for the third-place Giants, while Jay was 18-7 for the first-place Reds.

In the top of the ninth, however, the Giants broke the contest wide open. 1B Willie McCovey opened with a double off Jay and then scored on an error by Reds’ 2B Don Blasingame after a Willie Mays pop out. LF Orlando Cepeda and RF Felipe Alou followed with a pair of deep home runs (to center and left, respectively). It was Cepeda’s 36th of the year and Alou’s 15th. That brought Jim Brosnan in from the bullpen – and led to a fly ball out by C John Orsino, singles to SS Jose Pagan and Marichal, 2B Joey Amalfitano reaching on an error by Reds’ third baseman Gene Freese (Pagan scoring), a three-run inside-the-park home run by 3B Jim Davenport (his 8th homer of the year) and a single to McCovey. Next in the line of fire (relieving Brosnan) was Bill Henry, who gave up a two-run homer to Willie Mays (his 34th of the season), a single to Cepeda, and had Alou reach on Freese’s second error of the inning (and the Reds’ third miscue of the frame). Orsino then took Henry deep (just his second of the year) before Pagan struck out to mercifully end the 12-run, ninth-inning uprising.

The Inning’s Home Run Hitters: Orlando Cepeda, Felipe Alou, Jim Davenport, Willie Mays, John Orsino

Final Score: Giants 14 – Reds 0

______________________

April 22, 2006 … Milwaukee Brewers versus Cincinnati Reds

Prince Fielder put the “cherry on top” (old
school analogy) for the Brewers.

The Brewers were less than hospitable hosts to the Reds on April 22, 2006 – when they pounded the visitors 11-0, racking up the fourth five-homer inning against the Reds’ franchise along the way. The outburst came in the bottom of the fourth inning with starter Brandon Claussen still on the mound and the Reds trailing 3-0.

Milwaukee 3B Bill Hall (the number-six hitter) started it with a home run (his third of the young season). Then 2B Richie Weeks singled to left, scoring on C Damian Miller’s home run (his first of the year). That seemed to establish a (brief) HR-1B-HR pattern, as Brewers’ pitcher Dave Bush followed the Miller home run with a single and CF Brady Clark backed up the Bush single with his first home run of 2006. SS J.J. Hardy broke the pattern with a home run (his 3rd of the year). At this point, Claussen had faced six batters in the inning, giving up four home runs and two singles – and his day was done. Chris Hammond came on in relief and provided just that, striking out the first two batters he faced (RF Geoff Jenkins and LF Carlos Lee). Then Prince Fielder gave the Brewers a piece of the five-homer in one inning record, hitting his third of the year. The carnage ended on a fly out to center by Hall.

The Inning’s Home Run Hitters: Bill Hall, Damian Miller, Brady Clark, J.J. Hardy, Prince Fielder

Final Score: Brewers 11 – Reds 0

_______________________________

July 27, 2017 … Washington Nationals versus Milwaukee Brewers

The Nationals (60-39, running away with the NL East) faced off (at home) against the Milwaukee Brewers, who were trying to keep pace with the division-leading Cubs in the NL Central. Washington was starting its staff “ace” – Max Scherzer – going for his twelfth win. Milwaukee countered with Michael Blazek getting his first start of the season (fifth appearance). It was also the first start of Blazek’s four MLB seasons (109 appearances). After Scherzer worked a 1-2-3 top of the first, Blazek gave up a two-run home run to Bryce Harper to fall behind 2-0. Neither team scored in the second and Scherzer continued to hold the Brewers scoreless in the top of the third.

In the bottom of the third, Scherzer drew a walk to start things off. CF and leadoff hitter Brian Goodwin followed with a home run to right (his tenth HR of the season); Then SS Wilmer Difo hit one out to right-center (his third HR of the season); RF Bryce Harper hit his second long ball of the game (27^th of the season) to left-center; and Ryan Zimmerman added the fourth consecutive blast of the inning (his 21^st of the year) to left-center. Daniel Murphy followed with a fly out to center, and 3B Anthony Rendon followed with the fifth homer of the inning (his 21^st), this one to straight-away center. That prompted a pitching change. New Brewer moundsman Wily Peralta gave up two singles and a double – and one more run – before getting out of the inning. At the end of the frame, the score stood Washington 9 – Milwaukee. And, the Nationals weren’t done yet. They added six more runs in the bottom of the fourth on five hits (two more home runs) and a walk.

The Inning’s Home Run hitters: Brian Goodwin; Wilmer Difo; Bryce Harper; Ryan Zimmerman; Anthony Rendon

Final Score: Nationals 15-Bewers 2

FOUR IN A ROW – THAT’S A RECORD, TOO!

The Nationals also became just the eighth tEAM to hit four consecutive home runs in an inning. Here’s the list.

Boston Red Sox: April 22, 2007 – Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek

LA Dodgers: September 18, 2006 – Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Russell Martin, Marlon Anderson

Minnesota Twins: May 2, 1964 – Tony Oliva, Harmon Killebrew, Bob Allison, Jimmie Hall

Cleveland Indians: July 31, 1963 – Woodie Held, Pedro Ramos, Tito Francona, Larry Brown

Milwaukee Braves: June 8, 1961 – Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock, Frank Thomas

Chicago White Sox: August 14, 2008 – Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, Juan Uribe

Arizona D-backs: August 11, 2010 – Adam LaRoche, Miguel Montero, Mark Reynolds, Stephen Drew

Washington Nationals: July 27, 2017 – Brian Goodwin, Wilmer Difo, Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Pitch Counts? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Pitch Counts!

July 27, 2017 by David

Don’t Worry Boss I Got This … One Pitch – Three Outs – One Win

One and done, that was Ken Ash’s day on July 27, 1930 – when he threw just one pitch, but recorded three outs and earned a major league victory.

Ken Ash was a journeyman right-hander who spent more time in the minor leagues than in the majors. Between 1924 and 1940, he toiled in the minors for 14 seasons – appearing in 462 games – winning 176, losing 153. He did make it to the big leagues in four of those seasons (1925, ’28, ’29, ’30), going 6-8, with a 4.96 ERA in 55 games. He also made his way into the record books as the only MLB hurler to record three outs on one pitch.

It happened 87 years ago today and here’s how it went down.

The Cubs were batting against Ash’s Reds in the top of the sixth, down 2-1, when Reds’ starter Larry Benton got into trouble. He started the inning by giving up a triple to Cubs’ 3B Woody English. This was followed by a run-scoring single to RF Kiki Cuyler, a run-scoring double to CF Hack Wilson, a wild pitch (moving Wilson to third) and, ultimately, a walk to LF Danny Taylor. That was all for Benton and Ash came in from the bullpen to face Cubs’ first sacker Charlie Grimm.

Grimm grounded Ash’s first pitch to Reds’ shortstop Hod Ford. Wilson moved off the bag at third – expecting the Reds to take the double play, allowing him to score. Ford, instead, fired the ball to Reds’ third baseman Tony Cuccinello, as Wilson broke for home. Cuccinello sent the horsehide on to catcher Clyde Sukeforth, who tagged Wilson for the first out of the inning. Seeing the potential for a rundown between third and home, Grimm rounded first and headed for second. Oops! Taylor was still at second. Grimm reversed toward first, but Sukeforth threw to Reds’ first baseman Joe Stripp, who laid the tag on Grimm for the second out. Not to be outdone by Grimm’s base running miscue, Taylor broke for third. Stripp threw to Cuccinello who tagged Taylor to complete a 6-5-2-3-5 triple play. Red Lucas pinch hit for Ash in the bottom of the inning – as the Reds took a 6-3 lead. The lead held and Ash got the win – as well as the distinction of recording three outs on a single pitch. Thanks, in part, to some remarkably aggressive – and inept – Cubs’ baserunning.

NO PITCH COUNT NEEDED – NO PITCH NEEDED

Although the Reds’ Ken Ash did record a victory and get three outs on just one pitch (on July 27, 1930) he does not hold the record for the fewest pitches thrown in a major league win. Although tracking is not complete, there have been at least two instances of pitchers “earning” a victory without throwing a single pitch to the plate. The most recent no-pitch win came on July 7, 2009 – and went to Alan Embree of the Rockies. Embree came into a game against the Nationals in the top of the eighth inning with the contest knotted at four runs apiece, two out and the Nats’ Austin Kearns on first. Embree’s first throw was not to the plate, but rather to Rockies’ first baseman Todd Helton. Kearns was caught off base and broke for second. He was eventually tagged out by Embree in a 1-3-6-1 run down. Seth Smith pinch-hit for Embree in the bottom of the inning as the Rockies scored (and held on) to give Embree the win – without tossing a single pitch.

The Orioles’ B.J. Ryan also earned a victory without tossing a pitch – in a very similar situation. On May 1, 2003. Ryan came on in the bottom of the seventh with the Tigers up on the Orioles 2-1. There were two outs and the Orioles’ SS Omar Infante was one first. Ryan’s first toss went to 1B Jeff Conine and Infante broke for second – where SS Deivi Cruz took the throw from Conine and applied the tag. The Orioles scored three times in the top of the eighth to take the lead, Buddy Groom pitched the eighth for Detroit and Jorge Julio closed it out in the ninth – giving Ryan a no-pitch victory.

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

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Old Sports Cards’ Ten Favorite Baseball Cards

July 22, 2017 by David

To most of us, as soon as we started playing or watching baseball, we also started buying. collecting and trading baseball cards. I fondly recall waiting for each year’s newly released Bowman or Topps cards to make it to the dime store. As kids, we searched through the packets for our favorite players, bemoaned how quickly we accumulated multiples of seldom-played utility infielders, negotiated trades with the fervor of Frank Lane and even invented games using the statitistics on the backs. (I also remember getting a sore jaw from chewing so much bubble gum, but can’t deny enjoying the sweet scent that stayed on the cards and the sharp crack when you bit into a partiularly dry piece of gum).

With all of this in mind, Baeball Roundtable is pleased to share a guest post from Ross Uitts – founder of the web/blog site Old Sports Cards (oldsportscards.com). Uitts is a lifetime sports card collector who shares information and insight about collecting, buying, grading – and enjoying – cards from across the sports spectrum. Among his recent posts: 1952 Topps Baseball Cards: Key Facts, Values And Checklist; The 60 Most Valuable Baseball Cards – The All Time Dream list; Eleven Stan Musial Baseball Cards You Need to Own; and The Best Sports Card Auctions. You can visit Uitts’ site by clicking here – and BBRT will be adding a permanent link to Old Sports Cards to the list on the right hand side of this page.

So, here is Ross Uitts look at his ten favorite baseball cards. Enjoy.

My Ten Favorite Baseball Cards

by Ross Uitts

For decades, baseball fans young and old have turned to baseball cards as a way to connect more with their favorite teams and players. In my case, growing up as a kid in the late 1980’s, that meant I was chasing cards of Don Mattingly, Cal Ripken Jr. and Ken Griffey Jr. just to name a few. They may not have been the most expensive baseball cards, but that didn’t matter to me.

Prior to the internet, card backs offered one of the best ways to keep up with my favorite players’ statistics and development. And trading them amongst friends naturally became a great way to share our passion for the game.

I collected basketball and football cards, too, but I think I speak for most sports card collectors when I say that baseball cards were always the most desirable in general. Baseball is our country’s national pastime after all. And trading cards were almost everywhere when baseball was at its peak in popularity from the early 1900’s through the 1950’s.

During that time period, tobacco and confectionery companies promoted their products by distributing them with cards of baseball’s greatest icons like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. And while there were dozens of baseball card issues from that era, there were very few football, basketball and hockey cards by comparison. That’s probably one of the biggest reasons baseball cards are more popular: they just had a head start in production, creating a larger fan base along the way. Kind of the same reason Superman is more popular than Iron Man: he just had a head start.

Coming back to the 1980’s, we saw collector demand for those old baseball cards became huge. Kids who collected in the 1920’s to 1950’s were bitten by the nostalgia bug and wanted cards they either lost or threw away back then. The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle was one of the cards to lead the way. Prices rose and people famously started to even consider them as investments safer than stocks, real estate or bonds. That pushed their fame into the mainstream media and even into the minds of non-collectors. I think that’s why even non-collectors can probably tell you what the Holy Grail of baseball cards is (the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner), but may not know the Holy Grail of basketball (the 1948 Bowman George Mikan) or football cards (the 1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski).

Having said all this, what would be my top ten favorite baseball cards of all time? After giving it some hard thought, I’ve narrowed it down to just ten … but it wasn’t easy. If you asked me again in a week, the list may very well change a bit. But here is my list for now:

1955 Topps Sandy Koufax Rookie Card

The Dodgers have been and always will be my favorite team. And although it’s hard for me to pick a favorite from among the many Dodger legends, Koufax has always narrowly beaten the others out for me. From 1961 to 1966, he turned in one of the most dominant six-year stretches that the game will likely ever see. His legend is forever cemented in baseball history, and as a Dodger pitcher, he holds the top spot for me.

1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson Rookie Card

Robinson comes in at an extremely close second place on my list of Dodger favorites. His impact on the game of baseball and American history as the first to break the MLB color barrier cannot be overstated. His 1948 Leaf rookie card is a key to the set and is instantly recognizable. The set design is fairly basic by hobby standards, but the imagery and eye appeal of Jackie’s card is pretty hard to beat.

1909-11 T206 White Border Honus Wagner

It’s the Holy Grail of baseball cards, so I’d be crazy to leave this off the list. Some say Wagner demanded compensation from the American Tobacco Company for using his image. Others believe he merely didn’t want his image associated with promoting tobacco to kids. Either way, his card was pulled from production, making it far more scarce than many other cards in the iconic set. So much so, that it’s value has steadily climbed into the seven-figure range and anytime one surfaces for sale or auction, it usually ends up in the news. I can’t imagine making a list without this card on it.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311

Here’s another card that’s likely on every collector’s top ten favorites list. And for many, it actually sits on top ahead of the T206 Wagner. It’s become highly debated as to whether the 1952 Topps Mantle is actually the face of the hobby. The story of the card and how it became so valuable is amazing. It’s not his rookie card, that would be his 1951 Bowman issue. So that’s not why it’s valuable. It’s valuable because it’s the most iconic card in the most iconic post-War baseball card set. Furthermore, it’s a “high-number” card, meaning it was part of the last run of cards, cards #311 to #407, to be printed during the summer of 1952. Kids were becoming more interested in football cards late that summer, so Topps shortened production of the high-number cards. And on top of all that, Topps famously dumped thousands of high-number cards into the ocean during the 1980’s, resulting in even fewer copies in existence today.

1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb Tobacco (Ty Cobb Back)

I absolutely love this card and it’s a prime example of how subtle nuances within the hobby can skyrocket the value of a baseball card. The T206 set is special for many reasons, but one of them is, without a doubt, the numerous brand advertisements on the backs – 16 different backs in total. Estimates place the number of front/back combinations around 5,500, which led to this set being nicknamed “The Monster.” With approximately 22 or fewer known to exist, all in low grades, the “Ty Cobb back” is the rarest of them all. Even without the “Ty Cobb back,” it’s still an incredibly popular and valuable card. But having that distinct back puts it way over the top of any other Cobb card out there.

1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth

As I mentioned earlier, from the early 1900’s through the 1920’s, many tobacco and confectionery companies distributed their products with baseball cards as a way to boost sales. Baseball was the biggest sport in the country by far and Babe Ruth sat atop as the king of the game. Since he was the game’s most popular player during that era, Ruth appeared on dozens of cards. But it’s actually his 1933 Goudey #53 that was printed later on that’s my personal favorite Ruth card. He appeared on three other cards in the set (#144, #149 and #181), but this is his most iconic. His 1916 M101-5/4 Sporting News rookie card would blow this one out of the water in terms of price. But, in my opinion, the eye appeal of this Ruth card is unmatched by any other.

1910 T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson’s 1909-11 American Caramel E90-1 issue is his recognized rookie card and his most valuable overall, but I’ve always found this one to be his most interesting. The set itself is extremely rare and features hundreds of Minor League ball players. On this card, Jackson is shown as a member of the Cleveland Naps’ minor league team, the New Orleans Pelicans. He dominated the minors and the Naps would call him up late in the 1910 season. The rest is history. Few collectors are ever able to see this card in person, making it one of the hobby’s rarest of all.

1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card

Clemente was an amazing player on the field and an amazing person off the field. Few players are able to exhibit the amount of character that he showed. His rookie card sits atop the Koufax and Killebrew rookies as the keys to the 1955 Topps set. And it’s one of the most iconic cards of the 1950’s in general. It’s a must have for any Clemente fan or any serious vintage collector.

1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie Card

Mays and Mantle both appeared in the 1951 Bowman and 1952 Topps sets. But unlike Mantle, Mays’s 1951 Bowman rookie card is actually more valuable than his 1952 Topps issue. Mays was card #261 in the 1952 Topps set, which put him outside the “high-number” series cards (#311 to #407) and therefore his ’52 Topps card isn’t as scarce. Had his been a high-number card in the ’52 Topps set, there’s no doubt that card would be more expensive than his 1951 Bowman issue. Either way, his ’51 Bowman rookie card is instantly recognizable and, in my opinion, features some of the best imagery of any vintage baseball card. Such a great depiction of one of the game’s greatest — if not the greatest.

1948 Leaf #8 Satchel Paige Rookie Card

Few players are more interesting than Satchel Paige. Not only did he bring an amazing skill set to the game, he did it with showmanship and charisma. His 1948 Leaf #8 rookie was a single print, making it even more rare than others in the set. Add the fact that it can be incredibly difficult to find in higher grades (due to poor print quality and focus) and it becomes arguably the toughest post-War card to collect.

So there you have it, my ten favorite baseball cards. It was difficult having to leave cards like the 1954 Topps Hank Aaron, the 1925 Exhibits Lou Gehrig, and the 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams among others off the list. But I had to draw the line somewhere.

If I had to give someone advice on collecting old baseball cards, I think it would be in the same spirit as this list: decide on the cards you like and stick with them.

The number-one thing to remember is that you should always collect what you love. Take my list for example. There are cards out there worth more money than some of those I mention above. But what most hobby veterans will tell you is that card values will always fluctuate. So if the value of your cards happens to decrease, would you rather hold cards you love or hate?

Don’t chase money. Stick to Hall of Famers or your favorite team players and you’ll enjoy the hobby as it was meant to be.

Baseball Roundtable thanks Ross Uitts and Old Sports Cards for this guest post. Whether you collect baseball cards or are just a fan who remembers them fondly, I suggest you visit oldsportscards.com. Lots of interesting information there. For example, in the “Eleven Stan Musial Baseball Cards You Need to Own” post, I learned that there are fewer Musial cards than those of some other stars of his era because, between 1954 and 1957, Stan the Man just “didn’t want to sign (a contract) for cards.”

There also are post on topics like the Best Baseball Blogs for Every Team in the Big Leagues and the Best Cities for Baseball Collectors and Enthusiasts. You’ll also find “Buyers Guides” for the cards of players ranging from Babe Ruth to Satchel Paige to Tony Gwynn – in which Uitts comments on what makes the cards so special AND what makes the players so special. I’m sure you’ll find some of your favorites. (And, of course, there is info on trading cards from other sports – basektball, football, hockey – if you are so inclined.

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: Guest Posts

Baseball In Its Purest Form

July 21, 2017 by David

Just a couple of days ago, this blog looked at a Roseville (MN) Youth Baseall Championship game. (I love this game at all levels – and this may be its purest.) For that post click, here. It was a see-saw contest that ended on a legitimate triple play. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a camera with me – just my phone. Fortunately, Douglas and Tamar Saum were shooting the game for the Roseville youth baseball organization. Baseball Roundtable thanks them both for letting BBRT share these great shots that reflect what our national pastime really is all about. I wanted to share them with all BBRT readers because I believe they will rekindle memories of that time when baseball – from pick-up games to Little League to Wiffle Ball (TM) in the backyard to World Series shutouts tossed into a pitchback to games we invented using the statisticas on the back of baseeball cards – first became part of our lives. All photos by Douglas and Tamar Saum.

I hope you enjoy this look at baseball being played (as well as coached and umpired) for the love of the game.

Coming soon: A guest post from Ross Uitts of Old Sports Cards on his ten favorite baseball cards o(f all time.

Good form, intense concentration, getting that force out at the two bag.

The crowd rewards a safety as the runer gets to first.

Making contact is so satisfying.

The opposition agrees … getting the bat on the ball is a tension reliever.

The dugout can be a stressful place when you find your team trailing.

A triple play - a victory - a chanmpinship - and a hat toss for the Red Sox.

A triple play – a victory – a championship – and a hat toss for the Red Sox.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Baseball Reliquary 2017 Shrine of the Eternals Induction

July 18, 2017 by David

The Baseball Reliquary – the national pastimes’ most fan-centric organization – Sunday (July 17) held induction ceremonies for its 2017 Shrine of the Eternals class. Joining such already enshrined baseball luminaries as Roberto Clemente, Dizzy Dean, the San Diego Chicken, Bill James and Dr. Frank (Tommy John surgery) Jobe were: legendary Dodgers’ broadcaster Vin Scully; player turned self-deprecating broadcaster Bob Uecker; and famously inept – but immensely popular – pitcher (and cartoon icon) Charlie Brown.

Also honored (for fan contributions) were Negro Leagues players advocate Cam Perron and (for contributions to preservation of baseball history) Latino Baseball History Project founder Dr. Richard Santillan.

The ceremonies – already established as a traditionally both raucous and reverent event – were held before a packed house of baseball fans at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium in the Pasadena (CA) Central Library. They included musical performances (Take Me Out to the Ball Game) by the Symphomaniax (a musical quartet representing the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra); plenty of cow bell ringing; and a keynote address by award winning writer/journalist and Detroit Tiger/Mark Fidrych fan Dave Mersey.

Before taking a look at this year’s electees, I’d like to provide a brief overview of both the Baseball Reliquary and its Shrine of the Eternals. If you are a baseball fan and not a Reliquary member, it’s time you considered joining this free-spirited (if somewhat eccentric) organization dedicated to celebrating the human side of our natinal pastime. (If you’ve been following Baseball Roundtable, you’ve read this pitch before. Please bear with me.) The Baseball Reliquary is a fan-focused organization committed to recognizing baseball’s place in American culture and to honoring the character and characters of the national pastime. It pursues that mission through its collection of artifacts, traveling exhibitions, ties to the Whittier College Institute for Baseball Studies and (perhaps, most visibly) through its own version of the Baseball Hall of Fame – the Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals. For more on the Baseball Reliquary, click here.

The Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals

Similar in concept to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Shrine of the Eternals differs from the HOF in that statistical accomplishment is not the principal criterion for election. The Baseball Reliquary believes that the election of individuals on merits other than statistics and playing ability offers the opportunity for a deeper understanding and appreciation of baseball than has been provided by “Halls of Fame” in the more traditional and conservative institutions. Criteria for “Shrine” election include: the distinctiveness of play (good or bad); the uniqueness of character and personality; and the imprint that the individual has made on the baseball landscape. Each year, the Baseball Reliquary submits a list of candidates to its members and the top three vote-getters are honored.

Now the 2017 honorees:

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2017 SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS HONOREES

Vin Scully (1927- ) – 59.5%

Photo courtesy of The Baseball Reliquary/

If anyone’s career is appropriate to a spot in the Shrine of the Eternals, its Vincent Edward “Vin” Scully – whose career as a baseball broadcaster was a close to eternal as anyone has ever come – 67 years behind the microphone. (Note: Scully’s total of 59.5 percent of the vote is the highest figure since the annual Shrine of the Eternals election process was inaugurated in 1999, topping the 53 percent totals of Bill “Spaceman” Lee in 2000 and Buck O’Neil in 2008.) Scully was the voice of the Dodgers from 1950 until his retirement after the 2016 season, as well as NBC’s lead television broadcaster for much of the 1980s and the voice of the World Series for CBS radio in the 1990s.

I have never seen an exact count of the number of games Scully “called” during his career, but we do know he was on the broadcast team for 28 World Series, 21 no-hitters and three perfect games.

The fluid sound of Scully’s voice and his often poetic anecdotes, became as much the sound of major league baseball as the crack of the bat, the slap of leather ball into leather glove or the shouts of vendors eager to part with hot dogs or beer.

How impressive are Vin Scully’s credentials? Here are just of few of the recognitions he has received: Baseball Hall of Fame Ford Frick Award (1982); Lifetime Achievement Emmy and induction into National Radio Hall of Fame (1995); three-time national Sportscaster of the Year (1965, 1978, 1982); American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame (1992) and Sportscaster of the Century (2000) recognitions; MLB Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award (2014); and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016). Again these are just a few of his recognitions. (Scully, for example, was also named California Sportscaster of the Year 32 times, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more than one street named after him.) And now, he takes his place in the Shrine of the Eternals. For more on Scully, try The Vin Scully Story, by Carl Smith (2009).

At times I’ll be listening to him and I’ll think, “Oh, I wish I could call upon that expression the way he does. He paints the picture more beautifully than anyone who’s ever called a baseball game.”

Dick Enberg

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Bob Uecker (1934- ) – 37%

Photo courtesy of The Baseball Reliquary/

Dubbed “Mr. Baseball” by TV talk show host Johnny Carson for his tongue-in-cheek approach to the national pastime, Bob Uecker finally has his seat “in the front row” – as a Shrine of the Eternals inductee.

Uecker has clearly made baseball his life and Milwaukee his hardball home. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Uecker grew up watching the minor-league Milwaukee Brewers and signed his first professional contract with the major-league Milwaukee Braves (1956). Uecker – a catcher by trade – made his big league debut with the Braves in 1962 (after six minor league seasons, during which he played 557 games and hit .274, with 78 home runs and 254 RBI). In six major league seasons (Braves, Cardinals, Phillies), Uecker played in 297 games and hit an even .200, with 14 home runs and 74 RBI.

Bob Uecker has the ability to translate failure into success – particulary if that success is measured in good will and smiles. His self-deprecating approach to having reached the ultimate level of the national pastime somehow brings us all a little closer to the game.

Uecker retired as a player after the 1967 season and began a full-time career as play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971 – a position he still holds. Over the years, he has also served as a baseball color commentator for ABC (1970s) and NBC (1990s); hosted a pair of syndicated sports television shows; appeared as broadcaster Harry Doyle in the “Major League” movies; and played a key character in the sitcom Mr. Belvedere. Uecker received the National Baseball Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick Award for his work as a baseball broadcaster in 2003.

What separates Uecker from many former players-turned-broadcasters is his dry and self-deprecating sense of humor. For example, of his original signing, he says “I signed with the Milwaukee Braves for three-thousand dollars. That bothered my dad at the time because he didn’t have that kind of dough. But he eventually scrapped it up.”

Anybody with ability can play in the big leagues. To last as long as I did with the skills I had, with the numbers I produced, was a triumph of the human spirit.

Bob Uecker, reflecting on his MLB career

Uecker’s wit (and knowledge of and love for the game) not only earned him a spot in the broadcast booth, but also pop-culture stardom through dozens of appearances on the Tonight Show and a starring role in a series of Miller Lite commercials (as well as his movie and TV roles).

In addition the Ford Frick Award, Uecker was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame (2001); the Braves Wall of Honor (2009); and on August 31, 2012, the Brewers erected the Uecker Monument outside Miller Park – alongside the statues of such heroes as Hank Aaron and Robin Yount. The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association named Uecker as Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year five times and inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2011. For more on Uecker, try his book “Catcher in the Wry.”

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Charlie Brown (1950- ) – 25.5%

Image courtesy of The Baseball Reliquary.

Charlie Brown – created ty the late Charles M. Schulz – takes the field (the mound actually) for the love of the game – and in the process teaches us a lot about humanity and grace (under pressure and in the face of disappointment).

Brown is both the manager of the Peanuts baseball team and, almost always, its pitcher. While he imagines himself as possessing a blazing fastball, sharp-breaking curve and devastating change up, he usually ends up literally being upended and undressed by line drives up the middle. Still, he shows up and takes his turn on the mound – with optimism – game after game, loss after loss, come rain or shine. Despite decades of disappointment, Charlie has never lost hope – nor waned in his love of the game.

Charlie Brown is all about hope, optimism and perseverance. There is always the next contest or the coming season.

Brown is truly the underdog’s underdog – even his favorite player reflects his approach to the game (and life). It’s not Mantle, nor Mays, nor Trout, but rather little-known Joe Shlabotnik. Yet, in his enduring passion for the game and his unbreakable spirit (in the face of what some say is close to 1,000 losses versus single-figure wins), we can all learn a lesson about the importance of optimism, perspective and perseverance in the face adversity. Note: At their peak, Charlie Brown and his team’s exploits appeared in more than 2,500 newspapers in 75 countries.

There’s something lonely about a ball field when it’s raining.

Charlie Brown

As is noted in the final line of Charlie Brown’s Shrine of the Eternals nomination “Yes, Charlie Brown may be a blockhead, but in his unshakeable belief in himself and his imagination, he will always be a winner.” He clearly won enough hearts to take a place in the Shrine of the Eternals.

Scully, Uecker and Brown join 54 previous inductees to the Shrine of the Eternals. For the full list, click here.

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Additional Awards were presented to:

The Hilda Award – Cam Perron

The Hilda Award – established in memory of legendary Brooklyn Dodgers’ super-fan Hilda Chester – recognizes distinguished service to the game by a baseball fan. The 2017 Hildo went to Cam Perron.

As a middle-schooler, Perron began writing letters seeking the autographs of veteran Negro League players. Perron’s early interest in the Negro Leagues quickly grew into a true passion for those too often unsung heroes of the Negro Leagues. By his freshman year in high school, Perron was organizing annual Negro Leagues reunions, bringing together (and celebrating) players who had been out of touch (and, perhaps, out of mind) for decades. In addition to brining new light to the accomplishments of Negro Leagues heroes, Perron also has been a key force in securing pensions for many of the players through a program offered by Major League Baseball. A 2016 graduate of Tulane University, Perron, now 22-years-old, continues his research into – and promotion of – Negro Leagues players and history. In those efforts, he regularly communicates with former players. He was recently spotlighted on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

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Tony Salin Memorial Award – Dr. Richard Santillan

The Tony Salin Award – named in memory of the late baseball author and historian – recognizes individuals for their commitment to the preservation of baseball history. The 2017 recipient, Dr. Richard Santillan, has taught Chicano Studies for the past 45 years in the California State University system. He also is a founding member of the Latino Baseball History Project at California State University, San Bernardino.

Since 2011, Santillan also has been the lead author for a bokseries on Mexican-American baseball (Arcadia Publishing). The series showcases Mexican-American baseball and softball photos (and stories) through the lens of race, class, gender, political and civil rights, the border, prejudice and discrimination. It also reflects on how baseball and softball have served as political tools to advance equality and social justice. This summer will see the release of the eleventh and twelfth books in the series (eleven covering Houston and Southeast Texas and twelve covering El Paso). Three more books will be released in 2018. Dr. Santillan and his wife, Teresa, also recently donated their Los Angeles Dodgers collection, one of the largest private Dodgers collections in the world, to the Baseball Reliquary. It is housed at the Institute for Baseball Studies at Whittier College.

Coming Soon: Announcement of BBRT’s Killebrew and Sano bobblehead giveaway; a special guest post from Ross Uitts Old Sports Cards (oldsportscards.com) on his ten favorite baseball cards of all time.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook page, here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: News

Thanks to Cody Bellinger – A Look at Rookie Cycles

July 17, 2017 by David

Okay, what do Cody Bellinger and Eric Valent have in common? Or Dave “King Kong” Kingman and Michael “Pinky” Higgins? Or Mox McQuery and Oddibe McDowell?

The answer: They all hit for the cycle as major league rookies. On July 15, as much was made of Cody Bellinger becoming the first Dodger rookie to hit for the cycle, I started wondering just how many of MLB’s 310 cycles were achieved by rookies. I’ve identified 25 such occurences and we’ll take a look at each of those players in this post, but first a few bits of trivia.

No Cliff Hanger – Getting the Cycle Out of the Way

Cliff Heathcote (Cardinals, 1918) is the youngest rookie to hit for the cycle (20 years, 171 days), but not the youngest player ever to achieve the feat. On May 16^,1929, the Giants’ Mel Ott hit for the cycle at 20 years, 75 days of age – but he was already in his fourth MLB season.

Heathcote does hold the record for record a cycle earliest in a major league career. His came in just his sixth MLB appearance – and included his first-ever MLB double, triple and home run.

A few other “stats”:

Of the 25 rookie cycles, six (24 percent) were achieved by center fielders batting lead off;
In five of the 25 rookie cycles, the home run was the players’ first major league round tripper.
The Giant’s Fred Lewis completed a rookie cycle on May 13, 2007 that included his first MLB triple, first MLB home run and just his second MLB double.
Carlos Gomez, still active, is the only player to (thus far) to achieve a second cycle after notching a rookie cycle. Gomez’ rookie cycle came in 2008, his second cycle this April.

Eight is Enough?

We’ve already seen five cycles this season: Wil Myers (April 10); Trea Turner (April 25); Carlos Gomez (April 29); Nolan Arenado (June 18); Cody Bellinger (July 15). The most cycles achieved in any one season? Eight. Those came in 1933 (Pepper Martin, Chuck Klein, Arky Vaughn, Mickey Cochrane, Pinky Higgins, Jimmie Foxx, Earl Averill, Babe Herman) and 2009 (Orlando Hudson, Ian Kinsler, Michael Cuddyer, Melky Cabrera, Troy Tulowitzki, Felix Pie, B.J. Upton).

Now here are the 25 player to hit for the cycle as rookies:

Cody Bellinger, Dodgers … July 7, 2017

The Dodgers’ 22-year-old All Star rookie was in his 72nd MLB game, playing at 1B and batting cleanup when he completed his cycle in a 7-1 LA victory over the Marlins. Bellinger went four-for-five with two runs scored and three RBI – in a game that included his 16th double, second triple and 26^th home run. As I write this post, Bellinger stands at .268-26-61 on the season and his MLB career. Note: I was going to get this out a day earlier, but I took time out to attend a youth baseball game (see more on that here.)

Brandon Barnes … Astros, July 19, 2013

The 27-year-old outfielder hit for the cycle in his 119^th MLB game. He went five-for-five in the game with three runs scored and two RBI, as the Astros lost to Seattle 10-7. The triple was his only three-bagger of the season. Barnes finished 2013 at .240-8-41 (11 steals) in 136 games. In five MLB seasons, he went .242-19-100.

Carlos Gomez, Twins … May 7, 2008

Twenty-two-year-old Gomez remained a rookie in 2008, despite his 127 MLB at bats in 2007. He hit for the cycle in his 86^th career game. Gomez, leading off and playing CF, went four-for-six with two runs scored and three RBI in the game (he struck out in his other two at bats) – as the Twins ripped the White Sox 13-1. Gomez finished the season at .258-7-59 and remains active in MLB (as this is written, his career line is .256-128-485).

Fred Lewis, Giants … May 13, 2007

Lewis was 26-years-old and playing in just his 16^th MLB game when he completed his cycle. Lewis was leading off and playing CF in the Giants’ 15-2 thrashing of the Rockies. Lewis went five-for-six in the game (two singles), with three runs scored and four RBI. The extra-base hits were the second double, first triple and first home run of his career. Lewis finished the campaign at .287-3-19 in 58 games. He played seven seasons in the majors, with a .266-27-136 line (535 games). Notably, he hit nearly as many triples (21) as home runs (27) in his career.

Luke Scott, Astros … July 28, 2006

The 28-year-old Scott (playing right field) was in his 45th MLB game when he hit for the cycle in perfect reverse order – home run in the fourth inning, triple in the fifth, double in the seventh, single in the eleventh. Scott went four-for-six in the contest, which the Astros lost to the Diamondbacks 8-7 in eleven innings. Scott scored once and drove in five. Scott had his best MLB season in 2006, going .336-10-37 in 65 games. In a nine-year MLB career, he went .258-135-436.

Eric Valent, Mets … July 29, 2004

The 27-year-old rookie had already spent part of three seasons (2001-2003) in the majors, but still qualified as a rookie (he had appeared in just 47 MLB games) when he entered the 2004 season. On July 29, Valent was playing left field and batting seventh for the Mets, who would go on to beat the Expos 10-1. Valent went four-for-four, with three runs scored and three RBI (he also drew a walk). The season was the best of Valent’s MLB career (205 games in five seasons) – and the only campaign in which he played in more than 28 MLB games. In 2004, he went .267-13-34 in 130 contests. His career line was .234-13-37.

Travis Hafner, Indians … August 14, 2003

The 26-year-old Hafner was in his 81^st career MLB game (in the DH spot) when he collected his cycle. He went four-for-five that day, with three runs scored and two RBI. His Indians topped the Twins 8-3. It was his first triple of the season. He ended 2013 at .254-14-40 and hit .273-213-731 over 12 MLB seasons.

Chris Singleton, White Sox … July 6, 1999

Singleton was a 26-year-old rookie when he hit for the cycle – in his 61^st MLB game. Playing center field and batting second, Singleton went five-for-six (an extra single thrown in) with three runs scored and four RBI. Chicago still lost to Kansas City 8-7. Singleton finished the season at .300-17-72 and hit .273-45-276 in six MLB campaigns. His rookie season saw Singleton achieve career highs in hits (149), doubles (31), triples (6), home runs (17), RBI (72) and batting average (.300).

Alex Ochoa … Mets, July 3, 1996

Alex Ochoa was a 24-year-old Mets’ rookie when he hit for the cycle. Ochoa started in right field and went five-for-five (the extra hit was a double) as the Mets beat the Phillies 10-6. Ochoa scored three times and collected three RBI in the game. He finished the 1996 season at .294-4-33 (in 82 games). Ochoa played in eight MLB campaigns, hitting .279-46-261.

Ray Lankford, Cardinals … September 15, 1991

Lankford, at 24-years-old, hit for the cycle in his 170^th career game, as the Cardinals bested the Mets 7-2. Lankford, leading off and playing center field, went four-for-four with four runs scored and one RBI. Lankford ended 1991 at .251-9-69 – also stealing 44 bases and leading the NL in triples with 15. He had a 14-season MLB career, hitting .272-238-874 and swiping 258 bags. He twiced topped 30 home runs and exceeded 30 steals three times.

Oddibe McDowell, Rangers … July 23, 1985

The 22-year-old McDowell was in his 59^th career game when he hit for the cycle – leading off and playing CF as the Ranger topped the Indians 8-4. McDowell went five-for-five that day (an extra single), scoring three times and driving in three. He finished his rookie campaign at .239-18-42 and went .262-74-266 in seven MLB campaigns.

Gary Ward, Twins, September 18, 1980

The 26-year-old Ward achieved the cycle in just his 14^th career MLB game. He went four-for-five, with two runs and two RBI as the Twins lost to the Brewers 9-8. It was Ward’s second double, second triple and first home run of the season and his career. (He was leading off and playing left field.) Ward finished 1980 at .463-1-10 in 13 games and went on to a 12-season MLB career and a line of .276-130-597.

Dave Kingman, Giants … April 16, 1972

Kingman was 23-years-old and in his 43^rd MLB game when he hit for the cycle – scoring three runs and driving in six as his Giants topped the Astros 10-6. The big guy was at third base for the game, in which he went four-for-five. In what would turn out to be typical Kingman fashion, he hit .225-29-83 for the year (with 140 strikeouts in 135 games). For his 16-season MLB career, Kingman hit .236-442-1,210. He also picked up two home run titles and hit a high of 48 dingers in 1979.

Vic Wertz, Tigers, September 14, 1947

Wertz hit for the cycle in his 88^th career game (at age 22) – as his Tigers bested the Senators 16-6 in the first game of a doubleheader. Wertz went four-for-five, with five runs scored (he also drew a walk) and four RBI. The left fielder finished the season at .288-6-44 and enjoyed a 17-season MLB career (.277-266-1,178), hitting 20 or more home runs in six seasons and topping 100 RBI five times.

Bill Salkeld, Pirates … August 4, 1945

The 28-year-old rookie was in his 60^th MLB game, starting behind the plate for the Pirates, when he completed his cycle. Salkeld went five-for-five (an extra single), scored once and drove in five. The RBI are notable, since they were the Pirates entire output in a 6-5 loss to the Cardinals. He finished the season at .311-15-52 (95 games) and played 356 games over six MLB campaigns (.273-31-132). Salkeld hit only two triples in his MLB career.

Leon Culberson, Red Sox … July 3, 1943

The 24-year-old Culberson was in just his 31^st career game when he hit for the cycle – and did it in natural order with a single in the first inning, a double in the third, a triple in the sixth (the first of his career) and a home run in the eighth (of the inside-the-park variety). Culberson, playing CF and leading off, went four-for-five with three runs scored and two RBI as the Red Sox topped the Indians 12-4. Culberson hit .272-3-34 that season, and .266-14-131 over a six-season MLB career.

Bobby Rosar, Yankees, July 19, 1940

The 26-year-old was in his 72nd career game when he hit for the cycle. He went four-for-five with four runs scored and four RBI as the Yankees blasted the Indians 15-6. The New York catcher finished the season at .298-4-37 in 73 games. He had a 13-season MLB career and a stat line of .261-18-367. Despite his low batting average, Rosar – a fine defensive catcher – was a five-time All Star and still holds a share of the AL record for consecutive games in a season without an error by a catcher (117).

Moose Solters, Red Sox … August 19, 1934

A 28-year-old rookie, Solters was in his 76^th career game when he hit for the cycle as the Red Sox lost to Detsroit 8-6 in the first game of a doubleheader. The Boston center fielder went four-for-five, with two runs scored and three RBI. (He went zero-for-four in Game Two.) Solters finished the season at .299-7-58 in 101 games. His line over a nine-season MLB career was .289-83-599.

Roy Carlyle, Red Sox … July 21, 1925

Carlyle was 24-years-old and in his 48^th career MLB game when he hit for the cycle in the first game of a doubleheader. The Boston left fielder went four-for-five with two runs scored and four RBI as the Red Sox beat the White 6-3. Carlyle finished the season at .325-7-49 in 94 games. He played only one more MLB campaign (1926) and ended his MLB career at .312-9-76 in 174 games. It was his glove that did him in. Carlyle’s career fielding percentage was just .910. In 233 career chances in the outfield, he booted nearly one in ten (21 errors).

Pinky Higgins, Athletics … August 6, 1933

The 24-year-old third baseman was in his 115^th MLB game when he achieved the rookie cycle. Higgins went four-for-five in the game, with three runs scored and five RBI as his A’s beat the Senators 12-8. Higgins finished the season at .314-13-99 (34 doubles and 12 triples). In a 14-season MLB career, Higgins hit .292-140-1,075.

Cliff Heathcote, Cardinals … June 13, 1918

The 20-year-old Cardinals’ center fielder hit for the cycle in just his sixth major league game – a feat only slightly diminished by the fact that he had nine at bats in the 19-inning, 8-8 tie with the Phillies. Heathcote went four-for-nine in the game, with two runs scored and three RBI. The extra base hits were the first double, first triple and first home run of his MLB career. Heathcote finished the season at .259-4-32 in 88 games. In a 15-season MLB career, he hit .275-42-448. Like so many of the rookies on this list, Heathcote was leading off and playing center field.

Bill Collins, Doves (Boston) … October 6, 1910

The 28-year-old rookie outfielder achieved the first natural cycle (single, double, triple and home run in that order) as the Doves (Braves) beat the Phillies 20—7. I have not tracked the specifics, but I do know it was either the 150^th or 151^st game of Collins’ MLB career. That season, Collins finished .241-3-40 in 151 games – and he would play only 77 more MLB games, ending at .224-3-54. But he will always be the first play to achieve a cycle in natural order.

Pre-1900 things get a bit sketchier (and records less complete), but I have identified three “rookie cyclers” from the era. Note: I made some subjective judgments (rookie eligibility was not clearly defined back then). Basically, I took into consideration what is generally considered major league experience. For example, Fred Carroll hit for the cycle on May 2, 1887 – in his first year with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys of the National League. While it was his first year with the NL version of the Alleghenys, he had spent the previous two seasons with the American Association (considered a major league) Alleghenys, which joined the National League in 1887. With that in mind, I did not include his 1887 cycle as a rookie achievement.

Bill Van Dyke, Toledo Maumees (American Association) … July 5, 1890

The 26-year-old outfielder/third baseman finished the season at .257-2-54. He went on to play one season each for the National League Saint Louis Browns (1892) and Boston Beaneaters (1893). His final major league stats – .253-2-56 in 136 games. The home run included in his cycle was his first MLB round tripper. Despite Van Dyke’s game, the Maumees lost to the Syracuse Stars 13-12.

James “Chippy” McGarr, Philadelphia Athletics (American Association) – September 23, 1886

Before joining the Athletics in 1886, McGarr had just 19 games and 70 at bats with the Union Association Chicago/Pittburgh team (also known as the Chicago Browns/Pittsburgh Stogies). That stint came in 1884, the only year of the franchise. In 1886, he joined the Athletics and put together a .266-2-31 season (71 games at shortstop). On the day the 23-year-old hit for the cycle, his Athletics topped the St. Louis Cardinals 15-6. McGarr put up ten major league seasons, with a line of .269-9-388. The home run included in his cycle was his first major league long ball.

William “Mox” McQuery, Detroit Wolverines (National League) … September 28, 1885

The 24-year-old first baseman was in his second major league season (first in the NL), but had only 132 at bats with the Union Association’s Cincinnati Outlaw Reds the previous year (so still qualified as a rookie under today’s rules). McQuery hit .273-3-30 in 70 games for Detroit in 1995 and .271-13-160 in five major league seasons (Union Association, National League, American Association). The Wolverines topped the Providence Grays 14-2 on McQuery’s big day.

All in A Days (or two days) Work

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 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.)

Key sources for this post: Baseball-Reference.com; The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Baseball-Almanac.com; The Baseball Encyclopedia.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Youth Baseball – A Championship Sunday

July 16, 2017 by David

The players gave it their all – and so did the coaches, umpires and fans. (Oh yes, and the concessions crew.)

Okay, I love writing (made a career of it). Now that I’m retired, I love writing about baseball. Even more I love watching baseball – at any level. So, I took a break from a blog post I’m working on – focused on all the MLB rookies who have hit for the cycle – to take in a game between the Red Sox and Angels. They were playing for all the marbles – the Roseville (MN) Youth Baseball League Championship in their classification. (I have a nearby neighbor who coaches and whose son plays – and made the league All Star Team. The AS Game, by the way is next week.)

Let me say, this game was all that the national pastime is about. Those youngsters were intense and competitive, yet still having fun (and enthusiastically encouraged by their coaches and fans). Not only that, they were on the field – together – playing and supporting each other as a team; no matter what the skill level. (And, of course, they were out in the sunshine – not on their computers or smartphones.)

It was, as the photo of the scoreboard indicates, a see-saw battle, with plenty of tension to go around. We saw a couple of nice running catches in the outfield, some well-handled grounders, some very well-hit balls, a few walks and strikeouts and, yes, a few misplays. We also saw a group of youngsters giving 110 percent all the way – with neither side giving in. The Red Sox (my neighbor’s team) prevailed 16-12. And, for those who like to know such things, the game ended on a legitimate triple play! Top of the last inning, Red Sox up 16-12 and the Angels get the first two players on base (first and second). The next batter hit a hard – HARD – line drive that everyone (myself included) thought was headed for right-center. Somehow the pitcher leapt and captured the liner in the webbing of his glove. The runners were moving and a quick toss to first and relay to second and 1-3-4 (maybe 1-3-6) – Triple Play – Game Over – Championship Secured. If you want to really see the joy of the game, watch a group of grade school youth baseball players celebrate a champinship clinched with a triple play.

Playing for the love of the game – and these, of course.

Oh yes, admission was (of course) free and the concessions (profits supporting youth baseball) were great. I managed to get by on a hot dog, chips and two Diet Cokes ($5.00 total). The Shaved Ice – blueberry, lime and cherry – was (from my observation) the crowd favorite.

All I can say is, if you ever get a chance to take in some youth baseball – TAKE IT. It was a wonderful, uplifting way to spend an afternoon. And, it will make you feel even better about this great game of ours. I want to thank all the players, coaches, umpires and fans who made BBRT’s summer Sunday a special one.

The fans took their shade where they could find it.

Coming up: Posts on MLB rookies who hit for the cycle and The Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals induction ceremonies (which took place today).

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; and Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Julio Franco – The Definition of “Oldest To …”

July 11, 2017 by David

SPOILER ALERT – A HINT AS TO WHAT THIS BLOG POST is ALL ABOUT

On July 29, 2006, the Mets’ Julio Franco became the oldest player ever put into an MLB game as a pinch runner (47 years, 340 days). In that contest, the Mets’ first baseman and cleanup hitter Carlos Delgado was hit by a pitch in the top of the third inning in the New Yorkers’ 11-3 win at Atlanta. Franco came in as a pinch runner (stayed in at first base, going two-for-three) and promptly stole second base, going to third on an errant throw.

Four days ago (July 7), my home town Minnesota Twins signed 44-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract with hopes that he could work his way into the Minnesota rotation. That is not as “long” a shot as one might think. While Colon was just 2-8 (8.14 ERA) with the Braves this season, from 2013 (his age-40 season) to 2016, the big right-hander was 62-40, 3.59 and twice an All Star (2013 and 2016).

Julio Franco – Old Guys rule and he is their king!

As happens so often (even more now that I am approaching another “landmark” birthday), this piece of current baseball news led me to reflect on a past baseball occurrence. In this case, it was balloting for the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame class – in which no players were elected – and, in which, Julio Franco (a 23-season major leaguer, with 2,586 hits and a .298 career average) got only six (1.1 percent) votes. That made Franco a “one-and-done” HOF candidate (at least until his name comes up for Era Committee consideration).

In the meantime, BBRT would like to make a blatant pitch – Julio Franco for the Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals. For those of you not familiar with The Baseball Reliquary – a unique, fan-focused, baseball organization – click here for information on the Reliquary, its Shrine of the Eternals and the upcoming 2017 “enshrinement” ceremonies (2:00 p.m., July 17 at the Pasadena (CA) Central Library). Note: If you are a baseball fan and not a Baseball Reliquary member, I highly recommend joining.

Now, for that blatant pitch. Just what is it that makes Julio Franco so special? For one thing, when he was Bartolo Colon’s age (44), Franco still had five major league seasons left in his bat and glove. By virtue of that longevity – and his status as a truly professional hitter – Franco holds a host of MLB “oldest to” offensive marks. For another, Franco’s professional (not just major league) playing career stretches from his teens into his mid-50s. Finally, he took his steady bat around the world – playing in the U.S., Japan, Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Korea. Side thought: If you were an MLB general manager and someone brought you a player guaranteed to deliver a .298 average over 23-seasons, how quickly would you sign him?

TWENTY FOR TWENTY-FIVE … NOT TOO BAD

Only 25 Major League home runs have been hit by players who have passed their 45^th birthday – and Julio Franco hit 20 of them. Cap Anson had three (all in 1897 – the year of his 45^th birthday); Jack Quinn had one (in 1930, just shy of his 47^th birthday); and Carlton Fisk had one (in 1993 at 45-years, 102-days old).

Consider the long -ball records held by the ageless Franco:

The oldest player to homer in a MLB game. Franco went deep at age 48 years, 254 days, hitting a two-run shot off Arizona’s Randy Johnson as Franco’s Mets topped the Diamondbacks 5-3 on April 26, 2006). In that same game Franco also became the second-oldest MLB player to steal base – and, thus, the oldest player to homer and steal a base in the same game.
The oldest player to hit a grand slam (46 years, 308 days) – connecting as a pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves in a 7-2 win over the Marlins on June 27, 2005.
The oldest player to record a multi-homer game, belting a pair of homers on June 18, 2005 (age 46 years, 299 days), as his Atlanta Braves topped the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Franco started at first base and went two-for-four with two homers and three RBI.
The oldest player to hit a pinch-hit home run, in the eighth inning of a Mets’ 7-2 win over the Padres at San Diego (April 20, 2006 – 47 years, 240 days).

A NOD TO TODAY’S 2017 ALL STAR GAME

Cal Ripken Jr. holds one of the “oldest to” records to elude Julio Franco. Ripken is the oldest player to homer in an All Star Game. It came in 2001, -hen Ripken – at 400 years, 320-days of age – not only homered, but also took home the game’s MVP Award. Ripken’s blast came leading off the bottom of the third against the Dodgers’ Chan Ho Park. It was Ripken’s 19^th All Star Game and the Iron Man’s final MLB season.

Julio Franco not only holds a host of “oldest” marks for power, he also proved that you can run right past age 40. On June 16, 2005 – at age 46 years, 297 days – Franco became the oldest player to have a multi-stolen base (2) game, as his Braves topped the Reds 5-2; as well as the oldest player to steal two bases in an inning. Franco singled to lead off the seventh inning, and stole second and third (around an Andruw Jones groundout) before scoring on a Johnny Estrada double.

A COUPLE OF OTHER OLDIES, BUT GOODIES

Charlie O’Leary of the St. Louis Browns – on September 30, 1934 … at 58-years, 350-days of age – rapped a pinch-hit single and scored a run, as the St. Louis Browns lost to the Detroit Tigers 6-2 in the last game of the regular season. The feat made O’Leary the oldest MLB player to record a hit and the oldest to score a run. Side note: O’Leary’s last at bat (and last MLB hit) before that day came on October 5, 1913 – a 21-season gap.

In a bit of irony, the oldest major leaguer to record an RBI was a pitcher – the Rockies’ Jamie Moyer, who, on May 16, 2012 – at the age of 49 years, 180 days – drove in two runs in a 6-1 Rockies’ win over the Diamondbacks. Moyer also went 6 1/3 innings in picking up his second win of the 2012 season. Moyer is also the oldest pitcher to notch a major league victory – at 49-years, 150-days old).

Need more convincing as to Franco’s “Shrine-worthiness?” Let’s look at his career in a bit more depth. Franco (full name Julio Cesar Franco Robles) started his professional career in 1978 at the age of 19 – hitting .305 with the Butte Copper Kings of the Pioneer League (Rookie level). A Phillies’ farm hand, the young Dominican infielder hit .300 or better each minor league season (A, AA. AAA) until making his major league debut in 1982.

JULIO FRANCO – FOR BASEBALL RELIQUARY SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS

If you believe “Old Guys Rule” – Julio Franco should be your king.

From 1982 to 1994, Franco played primarily as a middle infielder and DH for the Phillies, Indians, Rangers and White Sox – making three All Star teams (MVP of the 1990 All Star Game), earning five Silver Slugger Awards and leading the American League in hitting at .341 for the Rangers in 1991. In that 1991 campaign, Franco collected 201 hits, 15 homers, 78 RBI, 108 runs scored and 36 steals in 45 attempts. At season’s end, he had hit .300+ in five of the past six seasons – the lone exception being .296 in 1990. In that six-year span, Franco hit .313, with 67 home runs and 155 stolen bases.

In 1994, when the remainder of the MLB season was lost to a strike, Franco was in the midst of possibly his best campaign. After 112 games, he was hitting .319, with 138 hits, 20 home runs, 98 RBI, 72 runs scored, and eight steals.

JULIO FRANCO MISSED THIS ONE

Jason Giambi is the oldest player to hit a walk-off, game-winning home run (42 years, 202 days), as his Indians topped the White Sox 3-2 on July 29, 2013.

Franco was determined to keep swinging the bat and signed to play in Japan with the Pacific League Chiba Lotte Marines. In the 1995 Japanese season, Franco hit .306 and won the league’s equivalent of the Gold Glove at first base. Franco returned to MLB in 1996, joining the Cleveland Indians, hitting .322-14-76 in 112 games. In August of the following season, the Indians released Franco – who was hitting .284-3-25 at the time. He finished the 1997 campaign with the Brewers, hitting .241 in 14 games with Milwaukee.

In 1998, at age 39, Franco was back in Japan playing for Chiba Lotte; where he hit .290, with 18 home runs and 77 RBI in 131 games. Then in 1999, he celebrated turning 40 (when most ballplayers are retired or coaching) by hitting for a .423 average in the Mexican League and getting one late season MLB at bat with Tampa Bay.

As he moved into his forties, Franco was far from finished as a player. He played in South Korea in 2000 (age 41), hitting .327-22-110. In 2001, the well-traveled batsman was back in the Mexican League (Mexico City Tigers), where stellar play (a .437 average in 110 games) earned him a spot on the Atlanta Braves’ roster in September. Franco hit .300, with three home runs and 11 RBI over the final 5 ½ weeks of the MLB season.

From 2001 to 2007, the ageless wonder – professional hitter and pretty darn good first sacker – played for the Braves and Mets. From 2001 through 2006 – ages 42 to 47 – Franco averaged .290 over 581 games. He hit .222 in 55 games in his final MLB season – 2007 with the Mets and Braves.

Even at 49, Franco was not done battering baseballs. In 2008, he could be found at first base with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (where he hit .250 in 36 games). That season, Franco – after 23 Major League seasons and 30 years after his first professional baseball game – announced his retirement as a player.

Oops? Not so fast. In 2014, at the age of 55, he appeared in seven games for the Fort Worth Cats of the independent United League – going six for 27. Then in 2015, Franco was signed as player-manager of the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Japanese independent Baseball Challenge League (identified as a semi-pro league); and he is currently listed as a hitting coach with the KBO (Korea) League Lotte Giants organization. Note: Franco has also managed in the Gulf Coast League (Rookie level), Venezuelan Winter League and Mexican League.

Need more evidence to support Franco’s candidacy for the Shrine of the Eternals? In 23 MLB seasons, Franco hit .298, with 2,586 hits, a .298 average, 173 homers, 1,285 runs, 1,194 RBI and 281 stolen bases. He also collected 618 minor league (U.S) hits, 316 in the Mexican League, 286 in Japan, 267 in the Dominican Winter League and 156 in South Korea and six in independent ball (U.S.).

Clearly, Julio Franco is a player whose skills were evident across time and geography and whose contributions and character deserve Baseball Reliquary consideration.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

2017 Home Run Derby Brings out the “BIG” Guns

July 4, 2017 by David

Giancarlo Stanton defends his 2016 Home Run Derby Crown – and has home field advantage. Photo by Corn Farmer

The 2017 Home Run Derby participants have been announced, and it’s clearly a “big boys” contest.

The average size of 2017’s All Star Home Run Derby contestants: Just over 6’ 3 ½” tall; and slightly more than 239 pounds.

As we look at this year’s lineup of HR Derby bashers, the Royals’ Mike Moustakas is the “little guy” at a mere 6’, 215 pounds. At the other end of the spectrum is the Yankees’ Aaron Judge at 6’7”, 282-pounds.

Before we look at each contestant separately, here are a few factoids about the field. ALL STATS AS OF JULY 3.

The average age is 26 years (and one month), with the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon the oldest contestant at 31, the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger the youngest at 21.
The field averages just over four MLB seasons each, with the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton leading the way (in his eighth MLB season at age 27) and Cody Bellinger in just his first MLB season. (Note: The Yankees’ Aaron Judge also qualifies as a rookie, but he did see some MLB time in 2016.)
The eight contestants have 164 home runs this season (as of July 30) – an average of 20.5 each.
Aaron Judge leads the field with 27 home runs as of July 3; his Yankee teammate Gary Sanchez has the fewest at 13.
The eight players have 633 total career home runs (79.1 average), with Giancarlo Stanton leading the way at 229 and Cody Bellinger with the fewest at 24.
The two rookies in the field are also the two MLB league home run leaders – Aaron Judge leading the AL with 27 and Cody Bellinger tied for the NL lead with 24.
Perhaps, surprisingly, the participants include the MLB’s 2017 triples leader – the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon with ten (no other MLBer has more than five).
Three of the contestants have at least five stolen bases this season – Charlie Blackmon and Aaron Judge with six, Cody Bellinger with five.
The field includes the defending HR Derby Champion – Giancarlo Stanton won in 2016.
Giancarlo Stanton leads the field with two previous HR Derby appearances – it is the first appearance for all of the other seven contestants.
Giancarlo Stanton is the only contestant with a 30-home run season and/or a league HR title on his resume (.289-37-105, capturing the 2015 NL HR crown). He also topped thirty in 2011 and 2012.
Charlie Blackmon has more career stolen bases (107) than home runs (92).
All eight participants have played with only one MLB team in their careers.
All the outfield seats should offer fly ball opportunities – four of the hitters swing from the left side, four from the right.

Now, let take a look at each participants (alphabetical order) – all statistics as of July 3.

If BBRT had to pick the top three finishers, I’d go with: 1) Giancarlo Stanton; 2)Miguel Sano; 3) Aaron Judge.

Cody Bellinger, LH, OF/1B, Dodgers – 2017 stats: .260-24-56

The 6’4”, 210-pound Dodgers’ rookie is tied for the NL lead in home runs (24) at just 21-years-old. He also had five homers in 18 Triple A games before being called up. The 2017 HR Derby’s youngest participant, Bellinger already has six multi-homer games under his best, as well as a streak of ten home runs in ten games. Showed his power potential in the minors, with 56 home runs in the 2015-16 seasons.

Charlie Blackmon, LH, OF, Rockies – 2017 stats: .313-18-59

The 6’3”, 210-pound Blackmon – in his seventh MLB season – is the oldest competitor in this year’s HR Derby at 31. Blackmon, who has a total of 92 career home runs, seems to be maturing into his power. His best season was 2016, when he hit .324-29-82, his only season with at least 20 round trippers. Blackmon has 107 career stolen bases – with a high of 43 in 2015. The remaining seven Derby competitors have a total of 63 career steals – and 35 of those belong to Giancarlo Stanton.

Justin Bour, LH, OF, Marlins – 2017 stats: .289-18-54

The 6’3”, 265-pound Bour is in his fourth MLB season. The 29-year-old has 57 career round trippers (329 games) and hit a career-high 23 (.262-23-73) in 2015. Bour is one of five National League Final Vote candidates for an All Star roster spot. Perhaps the home field advantage will work for him in the voting and the HR Derby,

Aaron Judge, RH, OF, Yankees – 2017 stats: .330-27-62

At 6’7”, 282-pounds, the 25-year-old Judge is the “big” gun of this competition. He’s still a rookie, despite playing 27 games for the Yankees (four home runs) in 2016. His 27 homers lead the AL – and he launched the longest Statcast™-measured home run of 2017 – 495-feet on June 12. Judge hit 60 home runs in 372 minor league games. Playing in New York probably prepares you for the pressure of the Derby. Judge has 31 career MLB home runs.

Mike Moustakas, LH, 3B, Royals – 2017 stats: .270-23-56

The 6’, 200-pound Moustakas is in his seventh MLB season – and I’m not sure anyone saw those 23 home runs (by July 3) coming. The 28-year-old has 104 career home runs and this is only the third time he has reached 20 in a season. Only Moustakas and Giancarlo Stanton – among the eight competitors – has at least 100 MLB round trippers. Moustakas’ previous high was 22 (.284-22-82) in 2015. He is showing real “pull” power this season, ripping 21 of his 23 homers to right. (And, there is no shift in the HR Derby.)

Gary Sanchez, RH, C, Yankees – 2017 stats: .294-13-40

A 6’2”, 240-pounds, Sanchez is in the middle of the Derby field when it comes to size. The 24-year-old only has 13 home runs on the season, but don’t let that number fool you. The Yankee backstop has missed 21 games due to injury. In just 107 MLB games over two seasons, Sanchez has 33 career home runs. He can go deep.

Miguel Sano, RH, 3B, Twins – 2017 stats: .278-20-60

The 6’4”, 260-pound Sano – at 24-years-old – continues to mature as a hitter. In his third MLB season, Sano has 63 MLB home runs in 272 games. Last season, he hit .236-25-66 in 116 games and he is sure to pass all those marks this year. Hits them long, high and hard. In 2012-13, he hit 67 home runs and drove in 217 in 274 minor league games.

Giancarlo Stanton, RH, OF, Marlins – 2017 stats: .262-21-50

The 6’6”, 245-pound Stanton – at 27-years-old – is already in his eighth MLB season. He has 229 career round trippers and has topped 20 long balls in each of his MLB campaigns. His best season was 2014, when he hit .288-37-105. He is the defending HR Derby Champion – and also competed in the 2014 HR Derby. He holds the record for the longest home run in the Statcast™ era at 504-feet (August 16, 2016). He also holds the record for home runs in a single Home Run Derby (61 in 2016). Hitting in his home park, Stanton looks like the favorite to me.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

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