Trivia notes and questions (some of which may not be answerable)

[Bellhorn04]

There have been some unusual occurrences the last few days - strangely enough, the ones I noticed were all against the Yankees.

 

"Houck is the eighth pitcher - and sixth* starter - since 1901 to throw as many as five innings while allowing two hits or fewer in his first two MLB starts. And he's the first pitcher in Red Sox history to achieve that feat."

[Bellhorn04]

Also in that game on Sunday, Chavis homered in consecutive at-bats in consecutive innings. What I really noticed, though, was that they both came on long at-bats. 6 pitches and 8 pitches for a total of 14. I wonder if that approaches a record for total pitches on home runs in consecutive at-bats? This is one that might not be answerable.

[Bellhorn04]

And last night, a 21-year rookie catcher for the Jays named Alejandro Kirk had 4 hits, including a home run and a double. They said on the telecast (not making this up) he was the first 21-year rookie catcher since 1936 to have 4 hits including a home run in a game.

 

The other amazing thing is that all 4 hits came leading off innings, and the first 3 came in consecutive innings.

[Kimmi]

One I like from this season is when the Padres became the first team ever to hit grand slams in 4 consecutive games.

[notin]

Ian Anderson beat the Red Sox and Yankees in his first two career starts. I believe he’s the first pitcher to do that in a long time...

[Bellhorn04]

Jays #1 catcher Danny Jansen had 4 hits last night against the Yankees. It's the first time in franchise history that 2 Jays catchers have each had 4 hits in a series.

[Bellhorn04]

The Yankees and Jays have played 6 consecutive games in which the winning team scored in double figures.

[Bellhorn04]

In the Yankees' last 16 games, the winning team has scored in double figures 9 times.

[Bellhorn04]

Shaughnessy actually passed on an interesting piece of trivia in yesterday's column (which he got from Tyler Kepner of the NYT).

 

The 'golden pitch'!

 

The golden pitch is a pitch that could either win or lose a World Series. 8 pitchers have thrown one:

 

Christy Mathewson, NY Giants, 1912, Loss (to the Red Sox-in the 8th game!)

Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cardinals, 1926, Win

Ralph Terry, Yankees, 1962, Win

Rollie Fingers, A's, 1972, Win

Jose Mesa, Guardians, 1997, Loss

Mariano Rivera, Yankees, 2001, Loss

Madison Bumgarner, Giants, 2014, Win

Mike Montgomery, Cubs, 2016, Win

[bkzwhitestrican]

What constitutes a game winning/losing pitch, like 3-2 count with bases loaded in the 9th?

[notin]

What constitutes a game winning/losing pitch, like 3-2 count with bases loaded in the 9th?

 

I’m guessing any pitch that could win end the game (so two strikes) but is against the winnng run at the plate. Obviously we’re talking 9th inning, 2 outs, game 7.

 

The lack of a base runner was why Will McEnaney did not have one in 1975…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I’m guessing any pitch that could win end the game (so two strikes) but is against the winnng run at the plate. Obviously we’re talking 9th inning, 2 outs, game 7.

 

The lack of a base runner was why Will McEnaney did not have one in 1975…

 

McEnaney trivia: kicked off high school team for drinking, out partying when Reds called with news they drafted him. After mom informed him the next morning, said, "Hell, I thought she meant the Army..."

[notin]

Since this was 1970 or so, when McEnaney heard he’d been drafted by the Reds, did he actually think it was the VC?

[notin]

The Season of Steven Kwan continues. So far Kwan

 

1. Became the first player in MLB history to reach base 14 times in his first 3 games.

2. Became only one of 6 players in history to reach base 15 times in his first four games.

3. Through the first four games of his career has not swung and missed a pitch!!

Edited April 12, 2022 by notin

[mvp 78]

The Season of Steven Kean continues. So far Kwan

 

1. Became the first player in MLB history to reach base 14 times in his first 3 games.

2. Became only one of 6 players in history to reach base 15 times in his first four games.

3. Through the first four games of his career has not swung and missed a pitch!!

 

934 OPS in AA/AAA last season. He'll be interesting to follow.

[notin]

934 OPS in AA/AAA last season. He'll be interesting to follow.

 

 

There’s a legit comp to Wade Boggs in that both players did nothing but hit for 6 minor league seasons yet neither was ever really considered much of a prospect…

[notin]

The Cubs outscored the Pirates 29-12 in a four game series.

 

And lost three games…

[dgalehouse]

The Cubs outscored the Pirates 29-12 in a four game series.

 

And lost three games…

 

Pythagoras just rolled over in his grave, or wherever he is.

[Bellhorn04]

Has anyone ever had a better doubleheader than Nate Colbert did for the Padres on August 1, 1972?

 

Probably not.

 

Game 1 4 for 5, 3 runs, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Game 2 3 for 4 + a walk, 4 runs, 3 HR, 8 RBI

Total 7 for 10 + a walk, 7 runs, 5 HR, 13 RBI

[mvp 78]

Has anyone ever had a better doubleheader than Nate Colbert did for the Padres on August 1, 1972?

 

Probably not.

 

Game 1 4 for 5, 3 runs, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Game 2 3 for 4 + a walk, 4 runs, 3 HR, 8 RBI

Total 7 for 10 + a walk, 7 runs, 5 HR, 13 RBI

 

He replicated his boyhood hero's fete of hitting 5HR over the course of a double header, which he was in attendance for.

 

"Interestingly, Colbert grew up in St. Louis and, in post-game interview with Tom Emory of the Associated Press, claims to have personally witnessed his boyhood idol's historic feat (correctly identifying both the venue and the day of the week):

 

I was there when Stan hit those five in old Busch Stadium. Hitting five in one day is unreal. I don't remember the exact day, but I know it was a Sunday. Stan was my first hero when I was growing up. I'd be pretty proud to have the kind of batting average he had."

[Bellhorn04]

He replicated his boyhood hero's fete of hitting 5HR over the course of a double header, which he was in attendance for.

 

"Interestingly, Colbert grew up in St. Louis and, in post-game interview with Tom Emory of the Associated Press, claims to have personally witnessed his boyhood idol's historic feat (correctly identifying both the venue and the day of the week):

 

I was there when Stan hit those five in old Busch Stadium. Hitting five in one day is unreal. I don't remember the exact day, but I know it was a Sunday. Stan was my first hero when I was growing up. I'd be pretty proud to have the kind of batting average he had."

 

Cool.

[moonslav59]

Super cool!

 

I remember the day Fed Lynn went 5 for 6 in Detroit. 3 HRs and a triple! 10 RBI in a 15-1 win.

 

His only out was a scorcher- line out to 2B.

 

I also remember Roger's 20 Ks vs SEA in 1986.

Edited April 26, 2022 by moonslav59

[notin]

Has anyone ever had a better doubleheader than Nate Colbert did for the Padres on August 1, 1972?

 

Probably not.

 

Game 1 4 for 5, 3 runs, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Game 2 3 for 4 + a walk, 4 runs, 3 HR, 8 RBI

Total 7 for 10 + a walk, 7 runs, 5 HR, 13 RBI

 

Mrs. Dean.

 

She got to watch (or more likely, listen) her son Jay “Dizzy” Dean throw a one-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the opening game, followed her other son Paul aka Daffy throw a no-hitter in the nightcap…

[mvp 78]

The boys famously fought over who got to ride in the front seat on the way home afterwards. Rough night for mom.

[notin]

The boys famously fought over who got to ride in the front seat on the way home afterwards. Rough night for mom.

 

A no hitter gets the front seat. Every dad knows that…

[Bellhorn04]

How about some insane Ted Williams numbers.

 

Q: In what 2 seasons did Williams have the highest OPS, counting only full seasons, 100 games or more?

A: 1941 and 1957 - 16 years apart!

 

1941 age 22 406/553/735 - OPS 1287

1957 age 38 388/526/731 - OPS 1257

 

Williams had a career OPS+ of 191

[moonslav59]

How about some insane Ted Williams numbers.

 

Q: In what 2 seasons did Williams have the highest OPS, counting only full seasons, 100 games or more?

A: 1941 and 1957 - 16 years apart!

 

1941 age 22 406/553/735 - OPS 1287

1957 age 38 388/526/731 - OPS 1257

 

Williams had a career OPS+ of 191

 

He was so amazing: 10 years leading the league in OPS, and the all time highest career OBP of .482

[Bellhorn04]

When I was looking at Adam Duvall's B-R page I realized that the Braves had traded for him two separate times.

 

I'm thinking there are not many players who fit into that category, being traded for by the same team twice.

 

Doug Mirabelli is another one, of course.

[moonslav59]

When I was looking at Adam Duvall's B-R page I realized that the Braves had traded for him two separate times.

 

I'm thinking there are not many players who fit into that category, being traded for by the same team twice.

 

Doug Mirabelli is another one, of course.

 

It does seem to be a rarity, especially with the Sox.

 

Some players we let go or traded away once and brought back one time at a later time are:

 

George Scott

Mike Stanley

Masterson

HRam

JBJ

T Shaw

Iggy

Workman

 

[Bellhorn04]

It does seem to be a rarity, especially with the Sox.

 

Some players we let go or traded away once and brought back one time at a later time are:

 

George Scott

Mike Stanley

Masterson

HRam

JBJ

T Shaw

Iggy

Workman

 

 

Yes, that seems to be one of our specialties.