The MLB regular season is fast approaching and BBRT would like to share thirty things (one for each team), I’d would like to see in 2016. Spoiler alert – a few factors that influenced the selections.
- Only three teams in MLB history have had three 200-strikeout pitchers in a season – there’s a chance that could double in 2016.
- Only three teams have had three players reach 40 HR in the same season.
- The Cubs haven’t won a World Championship since 1908 – and, before that, they hadn’t won one since 1907.
- The Orioles could become the first team with two 250-HR seasons.
- The Giants could become the first team to notch a no-hitter in five consecutive seasons.
- No pitcher has won 25 games in a season since Bob Welch in 1990.
- No Kansas City Royal has ever hit 40 home runs in a season.
- The Red Sox David Ortiz could break some age-40 power records during his “retirement tour.”
- No Padre has ever thrown a no-hitter.
- Before 2015, we hadn’t seen a full-season team ERA under 3.00 since 1988.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Goldschmidt winning the NL MVP
Photo: Arturo Pardavilla III
BBRT consistently maintains an admiration for players who throw “lumber and leather” – and despite the attention often given to the likes of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, perhaps no one does it better than the D-backs’ 1B Paul Goldschmidt. Last season, Goldschmidt hit .321, with 33 home runs and 110 RBI – and tossed in 21 steals (in 26 attempts), as well as his third-straight All Star selection and second Gold Glove in three years. Goldschmidt finished second in the NL MVP voting last season and in 2013 (when he led the league in HR, RBI, Slugging Percentage and Total Bases). How respected is the Arizona 1B? Last season, he drew a league-leading 29 intentional walks. BBRT would like to see Goldschmidt win the NL MVP in 2016.
Atlanta Braves
Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair and Dansby Swanson all playing in Atlanta at some time this season
Atlanta is rebuilding (see the departure over the past two years of Andrelton Simmons, Craig Kimbrel, Justin Upton, Shelby Miller, Evan Gattis and Cameron Maybin). The Braves made what BBRT believes is the best trade of the most recent off season – sending RHP Shelby Miller (6-17, but with a 3.02 ERA in 205 1/3 innings) and 20-year-old LHP Gabe Speier (4-2, 2.86 in 33 games at A level) to the Diamondbacks for OF Endor Inciarte, RHP Aaron Blair and SS Dansby Swanson. Born in Milwaukee and still a Braves’ fan, BBRT would like to see all three of these acquisitions spend time in Atlanta this season. And, the odds aren’t bad.
Inciarte seems a lock for a spot in CF and at the top of the Braves’ lineup. The 25-year-old hit .303 with six home runs, 45 RBI, 73 runs scored and 21 steals for the D-backs last season – and showed Gold Glove caliber fielding skills. Blair looks to have the size (6’5”, 230 pounds), poise and stuff to compete for the number-five spot in the Braves rotation (or earn a call-up in case of injury or inadequacy). The 23-year-old Blair – who made the Conference USA All Freshman team and Conference USA All Star Team (as a Junior) – has run up a 23-13, 3.22 record in three minor league season and went 13-5, 2.92 at AA and AAA last year. Swanson, the number-one overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft is a little bit of a longer shot to make it to Atlanta this season, but may prove the best part of the deal longer-term. A Southeastern Conference All Star and College World Series Outstanding Player (for Vanderbilt University) in 2014, Swanson hit .289 with one home run and 11 RBI in 22 games in the short-season Northwest League last year.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles making a run at 250 home runs
No doubt Camden Yards is hitter friendly. In 2015, the Orioles hit 217 home runs (128 at home and 89 on the road). Their season total trailed only the Blue Jays (232) and Astros (230). It was the Orioles’ fourth-consecutive season of 200 or more home runs (by contrast, there are five MLB teams that have never had a 200-HR season.) This off season, the Orioles made an investment in reaching the 250+ home run mark – resigning Chris “Crush” Davis and adding power hitters Mark Trumbo, Pedro Alveraz and Hyun Soo Kim (28 HR’s in Korea last season) to a lineup that already includes Many Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones. The Orioles have a legitimate chance at 250 home runs. Why does BBRT see that as worthy watching? 1) It would be just the fifth 250-HR season in MLB history; 2) It would make the Orioles the first MLB team with two 250-HR seasons; 3) Long balls can be pretty darn majestic
MLB 250-Home Run Seasons
264 – Seattle Mariners, 1997
260 – Texas Rangers, 2005
257 – Baltimore Orioles, 1995
257 – Toronto Bluer Jays, 2010
Yep, that’s right neither the Yankees (a high of 245 in 2012) nor the Coors Field-based Rockies (a high of 239 in 1997) have hit the 250 mark. Note: The NL team record for home runs in a season is 249 by the 2000 Astros.
The teams that have never had a 200-HR season: Royals (high of 168 in 1987); Pirates (171 in 1999); Padres (172 in 1970); Nationals (194 in 2012); Rays (199 in 2009).
Boston Red Sox
David Ortiz matching his 2015 stat line … .273-37-108
As David Ortiz makes his retirement tour around the major leagues, he is coming off a 2015 (age-39) season of a .273 average, with 37 home runs and 108 RBI. If he can maintain that level of performance (and he has shown little sign of losing power), he would set a new record for home runs in an age-40 season (Darrell Evans holds the record at 34 in 1987) and tie the record for RBI in an age-40 season (Dave Winfield, 1992). Wouldn’t that be a great way for “Big Papi” to bow out? Note: 37 home runs would vault Ortiz past such stars as Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Willie McCovey, Frank Thomas, Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, Mel Ott, Gary Sheffield and Eddie Murray on the All-Time HR list.
Age-40 Season High Marks
Games Played – 156 Dave Winfield, Blue Jays, 1992
Batting Average – .357 Ty Cobb, Athletics, 1927
Hits – 207 Sam Rice, Senators, 1930
Doubles – 35 Sam Rice
Triples – 13 Sam Rice
Home Runs – 34 Darrell Evans, Tigers, 1987
Total Bases – 286 Dave Winfield
Runs – 121 Sam Rice
RBI – 108 Dave Winfield
Stolen Bases – 47 Davey Lopes, Cubs, 1985
Chicago White Sox
A 300-strikeout season for southpaw Chris Sale
Given today’s handling of pitchers, this could be a long shot, but last season (despite a 13-11) record, Sale led the AL in strikeouts with 274 in 208 innings pitched – topping all MLB starters with 11.8 K’s per nine innings. So, while it’s a bit of a long shot, it’s not out of the question. If he did reach the 300 mark, Sale would be the first AL hurler to do so since Pedro Martinez in 1999 (313 K’s). Clayton Kershaw notched 301 strikeouts in the NL last season.
Southpaw Randy” The Big Unit” Johnson notched a record five consecutive 300 strikeout seasons (1998-2002) and, surprisingly, pitched for (Seattle, Houston, Arizona) in that span. Johnson was, in fact, traded in the middle of one of those seasons. In 1998, he fanned 329 hitters – 213 with the Seattle Mariners and 116 with the Houston Astros.
Chicago Cubs
A World Series Championship flag for the friendly confines
The Cubs have the longest World Series Championship drought in MLB – 107 years. Their last WS title came in 1908 (on the heels of a 1907 WS title). BBRT would like to see a World Series win at Wrigley in 2016 – and the Cubs may have the team to do it. They are coming off a 97-win campaign and have talented youngsters like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber in the lineup – not to mention Jason Heyward (signed from the division-rival Cardinals). They also boast a pitching staff with the likes of Jake Arrietta, John Lester, John Lackey (also signed from the Cardinals) and Hector Rondon. This could be the Cubs’ year – and BBRT would like to see it.
Cincinnati Reds
Joey Votto trotting to first base – again and again
Without Todd Frazier’s power bat gone, BBRT is anxious to see just how many times the Reds’ Joey Votto will walk in 2016 – he led the NL with 143 free passes in 2015 and has led the league in four of the past five seasons. It’s likely that only knee surgery (that limited him to 62 games in 2014) kept Votto from tying the MLB record for consecutive seasons leading the league in walks – five by the Phillies’ Roy Thomas (1900-04) and the Giants’ Barry Bonds (2000-2004). I don’t think it would be a stretch to see 150 walks for the Reds’ top hitter in 2016.
Cleveland Indians
Two-hundred strikeouts each for Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar
In 2015, the Indians came within five strikeouts of becoming just the fourth team in MLB history to have three 200+ strikeouts pitchers (1967 Twins, 1969 Astros, 2013 Tigers). Last season Corey Kluber fanned 245 hitters in 222 innings; Carlos Carrasco whiffed 216 in 182 2/3 IP; and Danny Salazar notched 195 K’s in 185 innings. This group of bat-missers is fun to watch – and one of three teams with a chance to have three 200-K hurlers in 2016. (The others are the Tigers and Mets). The odds are long – pitch counts, pitchers’ health, late-inning relief specialists) – but wouldn’t it be fun to see the number of “three 200-K hurlers” teams double in a single season.)
Colorado Rockies
Nolan Arenado at third base and in the heart of the order
Okay, this is personal preference. Having spent my baseball/softball playing years at third base (always wearing number 41 in honor of my favorite player – Eddie Mathews), I am partial to third basemen. When you watch the Rockies, you get to watch one of the best – and a player who meets BBRT’s “lumber AND leather” criteria. Nolan Arenado, who will turn 25 in April, has three big league seasons – and three Gold Gloves – under his belt. In addition, he is coming into his own at the plate, hitting .287-42-130 in 2015 (leading the NL in homers and RBI.) Arenado is clearly a player BBRT would like to see more of in 2016.
Detroit Tigers
A comeback from staff ace Justin Verlander
Long-time Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander has been hit by health issues the past two seasons. In January 2014, Verlander underwent core muscle surgery and he opened the 2015 season on the DL due to a right triceps strain (which ended a string of eight consecutive Opening Day starts for Verlander). Looking at 2015, Verlander went 5-8 and made just 20 starts. It was his first year under 20 starts since 2006, when he won the AL Rookie of the Year Award with 17 wins in 30 starts. From 2006 through 2015, Verlander led the AL in wins twice, winning percentage twice, ERA once, starts three times, complete games once, inning pitched three times and strikeouts three times (winning the Cy Young Award and AL MVP Award in 2011). BBT would like to see Verlander return to his All Star form – and his late-season 2015 performance shows promise (2.80 ERA in his last 15 starts).
Houston Astros
More Jose Altuve, please – a third straight 200-hit season
The Astros have a young, exciting team with plenty of players worth watching – Dallas Kuechel, Carlos Correa and George Springer to name a few. BBRT, however, is most interested in seeming more of the Astros’ top-of-the-order spark plug – Jose Altuve, at 5’ 6”, the majors’ shortest player. The Astros’ second baseman is well worth watching. In his four full MLB seasons, he has been an All Star three times, won a batting title (2014), earned a Gold Glove (2015), led the AL in hits twice, and stolen bases twice, In 2015, he will be going for a third-straight 200-hit season and third-straight stolen base title. BBRT loves to watch this guy get on –and around – the bases.
Ichiro Suzuki holds the record for consecutive 200-hit seasons – ten (2001-2010).
Kansas City Royals
Someone goes crazy and hits 40 home runs
Okay, really not likely, since the Royals’ 2015 home run leader was Kendrys Morales with just 22. Morales, however, has hit as many as 34 in a season (Angels, 2009). Why would BBRT like to see this unlikely occurrence? The Royals are the only team to never have a 40-homer performance. The team’s all-time single-season leader in round trippers is – wait for it – Steve “Bye Bye” Balboni, with 36 in 1985.
Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout. Mike Trout. Mike Trout.
Okay, Mike Trout is worth the price of admission. Last season, he hit .299, with 41 homers, 90 RBI and 11 steals. In four full MLB seasons, he’s been an All Star four times, Rookie of the Year, AL MVP (2014) and led the league in runs three times, RBI once, stolen bases once, walks once and total bases once. His game is just a pleasure to watch – and he’s only 24-years-old. Can’t wait to see more of this guy.
Los Angeles Dodgers
A 25-win campaign from Clayton Kershaw
The last time a pitcher won 25 games was way back in 1990 (Bob Welch, Oakland A’s. 27-6, 2.95). BBRT thinks that, if any of today’s hurler can do it, it is Clayton Kershaw – a three-time Cy Young Award winner, 2014 NL MVP, five-time All Star, four-time ERA leader and three-time strikeout leader (with 301 last season). Just as important, since 2009, Kershaw has averaged just over 31 starts per season. With 30-33 starts, 25-wins is a real challenge (Welsh had 35 starts in his 27-win campaign), but if anyone can do it, it’s Kershaw.
Miami Marlins
Giancarlo Stanton hitting 50 home runs – all of them “no-doubters”
Giancarlo Stanton looks like a power hitter (6’6”, 240-pounts) and he swings like a power hitter (last season a .265 average, but 27 home runs in just 74 games). Unfortunately, the 26-year-old, three-time All Star has trouble staying on the field (only one MLB season of at least 150 games in the past six years). BBRT would like to see Stanton give Miami fans a thrill – staying healthy and challenging the fifty homer run mark.
Milwaukee Brewers
Putting a left-handed starting pitcher on the mound
In 2014 and 2015, the Brewers used zero – that’s nada, nil and none – southpaw starting pitchers. The anticipated 2016 rotation Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson, Taylor Jungmann, Matt Garza and Zach Davies (or Chase Anderson) are all right-handers, so it doesn’t look good for seeing a lefty start a game. The best hope might be 22-year-old Josh Hader (acquired last July from the Astros). In four minor league seasons, Hader is 21-16, with a 2.95 ERA and 398 strikeouts in 363 1/3 innings. BBRT would like to see him break the right-handed streak in 2016.
Minnesota Twins
A .300 season from Joe Mauer
Photo: Ray Dumas
Twins’ first baseman (former catcher) Joe Mauer is a three-time batting champion (the only MLB catcher to win three titles) with a .313 career average. In the past two seasons, however, the six-time All Star and 2009 AL MVP has hit just .277 and .265. Mauer recently indicated concussion symptoms have resulted in blurred vision at times (particularly in bright sunlight) and that he is experimenting with sunglasses at the plate this spring. That change, plus a stronger Twins’ lineup around him, should help Mauer. BBRT would love to see another .300 season out of this hometown hero.
New York Yankees
At least twenty-eight home runs from Alex Rodriguez
The Yankees’ DH surprised a lot of people last year by hitting 33 home runs and driving in 86 – in his 21st MLB campaign and his age-39 season. This year, he joins David Ortiz in an age-40 season that could see either one or both of them eclipse Darrell Evans’ age-40 season record of 34 HR’s. That, however, is not why BBRT would like to see at least 28 round trippers from A-Rod. The fact is, 28 home runs would bring his career total to 715 – one more than Yankee icon Babe Ruth. Not anxious to see A-Rod pass Ruth, but I am interested to see how the Yankees handle that milestone.
Oakland A’s
New Athletic Khris Davis out-homering long-time Oriole Chris Davis
This would be a tough one, but I like the Khris Davis/Chris Davis symmetry. Last season, the Orioles’ Chris Davis led the AL with 47 home runs, while the A’s Khris Davis (then with the Brewers) hit 27. Still, there is hope. It was closer after the All Star break (28 for Chris, 21 for Khris); Khris played in 39 fewer games than Chris (121 to 160); and Khris is two years younger than Chris (28 to 30).
BBRT side note: The Orioles’ Chris Davis has proven pretty versatile in his eight-season MLB career (Rangers/Orioles) – 97 starts at 1B; 85 at 3B; 57 in RF; 11 in LF. And during the 2012 season, he went 1-0 on the mound, tossing the final two innings in an Orioles’ 17-inning, 9-6 win over the Red Sox. Davis pitched two scoreless frames, giving up 2 hits and fanning two – career ERA 0.00.
New York Mets
Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard each reaching 200 strikeouts
MLB has only seen a team with three 200-strikeout pitchers in a single season three times. This season, the Mets’ young pitching staff has a chance to accomplish that feat (and maybe do it one better). Possibilities to reach the 200-whiff figure include: Jacob deGrom (205 K’s in 191 innings last season); Matt Harvey (188 K’s in 189 1/3 IP and another year away from Tommy John surgery); and Noah Syndergaard (166 whiffs in 150 innings). Should any of this trio falter, there’s always Steven Matz (34 K’s in 35 2/3 innings after being called up – and 107 K’s in 105 1/3 minor league innings). Could we see our first team with four 200-strikeout hurlers? BBRT thinks that would look pretty good.
Philadelphia Phillies
A Phillies’ starting pitcher reaching double-digits in wins
This will tell you just how far the Phillies have fallen: In 2015, no Phillies’ pitcher won more than six games(Aaron Harang, 6-15; Cole Hamels, 6-7; Aaron Nola, 6-2; Ken Giles, 6-3). As the Phils go into 2016, only Nola is listed on the their depth chart – Harang is a free agent, reportedly considering retirement; Giles was traded to the Astros; and Hamels was traded to the Rangers at the 2015 trading deadline. Best bets to reach ten wins for the Phillies in 2016? Nola, who made his debut with the Phillies last July and went 6-2, 3.59 in 13 starts, or Jeremy Hellickson (picked up in a trade with the Diamondbacks), who went 9-12, 4.62 for Arizona last season. Still, no sure bets on this one.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Twenty home runs, 20 stolen bases and 20 assists by LF Starling Marte
The 2015 MLB season saw only four 20-20 (HR/SB) players – Brewers’ OF Ryan Braun (25 HR’s/24 SB’s); D-backs’ 1B Paul Goldschmidt (33/21); D-backs’ OF A.J. Pollock (20/39); and Orioles’ 3B Manny Machado (35/20). Coming close was Pirates’ OF Starling Marte (gotta love that name) – who went .287, with 19 home runs and 30 steals. Given that Marte has increased his home run total in each of his three full MLB seasons (12-13-19) and reached 30 steals in each of those seasons (41-30-30), BBRT is counting on seeing him join the 20/20 club in 2016. Getting a bit greedy, I’d also like to see Marte continue the defense that earned him a 2015 Gold Glove and, in the process, add 20 assists to his resume (he had 16 assists in 2015).
Saint Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals again finishing with an ERA under 3.00
The Saint Louis Cardinals won an MLB-best 100 games last season – and they didn’t’ do it with their bats. In 2015. the Cardinals scored the seventh-fewest runs in MLB and hit the sixth-fewest homers – and were out homered by every team in their division and outscored by all but one. The pitching, however, was another story. Saint Louis was the only team with an ERA under 3.00 – at 2.94, more than a quarter of a run better than the second-best Pirates (3.21). The Redbirds also led MLB in quality starts (106), saves (62) and save percentage (80.5%).
BBRT would like to see the Cardinals again finish with an ERA under 3.00 – and there is a chance. They did lose John Lackey to the Cubs and Lance Lynn to Tommy John surgery, but they picked up Mike Leake and will have a full season of “ace” Adam Wainwright. Still, the odds on another sub-3.00 ERA are long. To find the last sub-3.00 season (before the Cards in 2015), you have to go all the way back to the 1989 Dodgers (2.95), and the Dodgers of 1988 & 1989 are the last team to record two consecutive sub-3.00 team ERAs.
San Diego Padres
A no-hitter from the Padres pitching staff
The Padres are the only MLB franchise that has never achieved a no-hitter – despite their history of pitcher-friendly ballparks. BBRT thinks it’s about time to change that. BBRT Note: Last August 14, Matt Kemp achieved the first-ever hitter’s “cycle” in Padres’ history. Time to keep filling in the blanks. BBRT’s vote for the most likely no-hitter candidates: James Shields or Tyson Ross.
San Francisco Giants
A World Series Championship
The Giants have won the past three even-numbered year’s World Series – 2010, 2012 and 2014. Why break the string? If I can’t have a Cubbies’ World Series win (see the section on the Cubs), I’d like to see the Giants continue their even-numbered streak. Short of that, how about a Madison Bumgarner no-hitter (or one by any Giants’ starter) – which would make the Giant only the first team in MLB history to achieve a no-hitter in four consecutive season.
Teams with No-Hitters in Four Consecutive Seasons
LA Dodgers
June 30, 1962 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Mets)
May 11, 1963 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Giants)
June 4, 1964 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Phillies)
September 9, 1965 – Sandy Koufax (vs. Cubs)
SF Giants
June 13, 2012 – Matt Cain (vs. Astros)
July 13, 2013 – Tim Lincecum (vs. Padres)
June 25, 2014 – Tim Lincecum (vs. Padres)
June 9, 2015 – Chris Heston (vs. Mets)
Seattle Mariners
The “return” of Robinson Cano
The Mariners were expecting big things from Robinson Cano when they signed him to a ten-year contract in December of 2103. In 2014, he delivered a solid (not spectacular) season – at .314-14-82, with ten steals. Still, the power Seattle was expecting wasn’t there (Cano averaged 28 HRs a season in his last five years with the Yankees.) In 2015, things got off to a bad start – as Cano hit just .252, with only six home runs in the first half. However, the old Robinson Cano was back in the second half – .331-15-49. He ended the season at .287-21-79 – raising Seattle’s hopes for 2016. Hopefully, we’ll see a full season of that performance. Chances look good as Cano, who played through an abdominal issue and had hernia surgery in the off season, is said to be healthy going into 2016. BBRT would like to see the six-time All Star return to his .300-20-90 form.
Tampa Bay Rays
Blake Snell on the mound
Who wouldn’t want to see Rays’ 23-year-old southpaw pitching prospect Blake Snell on the mound? The 2015 Baseball America Player of the Year started last season at High A Charlotte, where he went 3-0 and pitched 21 consecutive scoreless innings (27 strikeouts), before being promoted to the Double A Montgomery Biscuits – where he ran his season opening scoreless streak to 46 innings. Snell went 5-2, 1.57 at Montgomery, striking out 79 in 68 2/3 innings. This earned him a promotion to Triple A Durham, where he went 6-2, with a 1.80 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. So, his season’s totals were 15-4, 1.41 ERA, 163 K’s in 134 innings. Overall, he has a 33-24 record with a 2.75 ERA in five minor league season. The Rays recently sent Snell to their minor league camp – but BBRT still wants to see him in a Rays’ uniform in 2016.
Texas Rangers
The return of Yu Darvish
First, love the name. Second, a healthy Darvish would boost Texas’ chances to hold off the charging Astros. Darvish missed all of 2015 due to Tommy John Surgery. Darvish was 93-29, with a 1.99 ERA in seven seasons in Japan before joining the Rangers in 2012. Then he went 16-9, 3.90 in his MLB rookie season. In three MLB seasons, Darvish is 39-25, 3.27 with 680 strikeouts in 545 1/3 innings. A 15-win season from Darvish would brighten the picture for the Rangers and their fans. And, BBRT always likes a good comeback.
Toronto Blue Jays
Forty home run seasons by 3B Josh Donaldson, DH Edwin Encarnacion and RF Jose Bautista
In 2015, the Blue Jays came within one dinger of becoming just the fourth team in MLB history to have three players hit 40 or more home runs – as Josh Donaldson rapped 41 round trippers, Jose Bautista clubbed 40 and Edwin Encarnacion fell one short at 39. BBRT is ready to see them join this club.
Teams with Three 40-Homer Players
1973 Braves – Davey Johnson (43); Darrell Evans (41); Hank Aaron (40)
1996 Rockies – Andres Galarraga (47); Vinny Castilla (40); Ellis Burks (40)
1997 Rockies – Larry Walker (49); Andres Galarraga (41), Vinny Castilla (40)
Washington Nationals
Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper. (See the Los Angeles Angels)
Can’t wait to see what last year’s NL MVP does in 2016. Last season – at age 22 – all Bryce Harper did was hit .330, with 42 home runs (tied for NL lead), 99 RBI and a league-leading 118 runs. Hopefully, he’ll put up another strong campaign and, this time, carry the Nationals to the post season.
Some pre-season fun – everything you ever wanted to know about the 500-HR Club, click here.
Ballpark Tours great 2016 excursion (10 days, 10 games, 7 cities), outlined here.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.
Did a little research on Roy Thomas – in this current era of trying to speed MLB games up, I don’t think that he would be able to have such long at-bats if he was playing today!