Sunday, January 30, 2011

January 24-30, 2011 Players whose names call to mind Sesame Street characters


Note:  This week’s theme and questions come to us from reader Arieh Siegal of Austin.

MONDAY
Q.         What pitcher holds the record for home runs surrendered in a single season?
Hint:     He was the pitching coach for the Netherlands baseball team in the 2009 World Games.
Twint:    He got his first major league hit off Mel Stottlemyre.
A.         Bert Blyleven (50 home runs allowed 1986; 50 SHO reached in 1985; 40 SHO reached in 1980)
First Correct Respondent - John Shiffert, Morrow, GA

TUESDAY
Q.         Whose 90 career shutouts are a National League record?
Hint:     He was the only player elected to the Hall of Fame in 1938.
Twint:    His 28 wins as a rookie still stands as a modern day record.
A.         Grover Cleveland Alexander
FCR -    Mark Linneman, Sacramento

WEDNESDAY
Q.         Whose double broke up Bill Bevens' no-hitter in the 1947 World Series?
Hint:     It was his only hit of the 1947 World Series.
SABR Hint:       It was the last hit of his major league career.
Twint:    He twice led the league in errors committed by third basemen.
A.         Cookie Lavagetto (WS G 4 03-Oct-1947; NL E leader in 1938, 40)
FCR -    David Girdany, Bedford, PA

MIDWEEK BONUS
Q.         Who logged the last hit and RBI at Philadelphia's Connie Mack Stadium?
Hint:     He was discovered by Buck O'Neil.
SABR Hint:       Scooter may have mixed him up with Hall of Famer Robertson.
Twint:    His best batting average would have led the league by over 20 points, but he didn’t have enough at-bats to qualify.
A.         Oscar Gamble (01-Oct-1970; O’Neill scouted for the Cubs at the time; Announcer Phil Rizzutto dubbed him “The Big O”; .358 in 1979)
FCR -    Chuck Durante, Dover, DE

THURSDAY
Q.         Who holds the career record for the frequency of hitting into double plays?
Hint:     He still managed 27 career triples.
SABR Hint:       He caught both of Johnny Vander Meer’s no-hitters.
Twint:    He's one of only two catchers to win a National League batting title.
Twint:    Actually, he’s both of them.
A.         Ernie Lombardi (DP/24.3 PA [min. 6,000 PA]; No-nos; Batting titles 1938, ’42.) [Turns out, Ernie Lombardi isn't the only NL catcher to win a batting title.  He’d not even the only Cincinnati Reds catcher to do it.  Bubbles Hargrave won the batting title as the Cincinnati Reds' catcher in 1926.]
FCR -    Art Springsteen, Sunapee, NH

FRIDAY
Q.         Who was the last Giants pitcher to throw a no-hitter before Jonathan Sanchez's no-no in July 2009?
Hint:     He was teammates with both Bucky Dent and Jose Rijo.
SABR Hint:       He is one of only a handful of pitchers to hit a home run in his first time at bat.
Twint:    He was the 7th pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year Award in his league.
A.         John "The Count" Montefusco (NH 29-Sep-1976; HR 03-Sep-1974 off Charlie Hough; Teammates w/Columbus in 1984, NL ROY 1975)
FCR -    Tony Landolt, San Francisco

SATURDAY
Q.         Who, in 1948, set a Major League record for highest fielding percentage by a second baseman?
Hint:     Four (and three) years earlier, he led the American League in hits, runs, triples and stolen bases for consecutive seasons.
SABR Hint:       He also led the league in batting the second season, even though he hit .010 lower than the year before.
Twint:    He retired from banking after suffering a heart attack at age 38.
Twint:    He was the victim of a major transit accident a year later.
A.         Snuffy Stirnweiss (.993 in 1948; .309 in 1945 for the title, .319 in 1944; Accident 1958)
FCR -    Chuck Hilty, Reston, VA

SUNDAY
Q.         Who followed Hall of Famer Willard Brown as the second of only four players to have won the Triple Crown in the Puerto Rican Winter League?
Hint:     He won a batting title over Tony Oliva by less than one tenth of a point.
SABR Hint:       He was Vida Blue's minor league mentor.
Twint:    He and Horace Clarke were the baseball specialists for the St. Croix department of Housing, Parks, and Recreation.
A.         Elmo Plaskett (1960-61, other two winners were Wally Joyner and Hector Villanueva; 1962 South Atlantic League .34979 to .34968; Mentored Blue on the 1969 Birmingham A's.)
FCR -    Al Blumkin, Brooklyn


WEEKLY THEME – Players whose names call to mind Sesame Street characters.



First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Jeff Miller, Brookeville, MD (after the Lavagetto question)

Sunday, January 23, 2011

January 17-23, 2011 American League pitchers who received votes, but finished behind their own Cy-Young-Award-winning teammates

MONDAY
Q.         Who was the first reliever to convert 40 consecutive save opportunities?
SABR Hint:       He was the first pitcher to save fifteen post-season games.
Twint:    He was the first pitcher to pitch 100 career complete games while earning 100 career saves.
A.         Dennis Eckersley (Save 1991-92; 100 CG, 390 Saves)
First Correct Respondent - David Krassin, New York

MONDAY BONUS
Q.         Who will likely soon become the Twins’ career saves leader?
Hint:     He and Francisco Rodriguez share a 943 Similarity Score, as listed on Baseball-Reference.
Twint:    He went to high school in Orange County.
A.         Joe Nathan (8 save behind franchise leaders Rick Aguilera; Pine Bush High School, Circleville, NY)
FCR -    David Girdany, Bedford, PA

TUESDAY
Q.         Which pitcher earned the most career wins without ever pitching a shutout?
Hint:     More than 100 of his wins were in relief.
Twint:    He was the first pitcher to save 150 games for the Yankees.
A.         Rich Gossage (124 W; 151 Saves for NYY)
FCR -    David Krassin, New York

TUESDAY BONUS
Q.         Who was drafted as a catcher, but made his major league debut three seasons later as a relief pitcher?
Hint:     He earned the first of his 168 career victories three seasons after that.
SABR Hint:       He was the last pitcher to toss MORE THAN ten innings in a game in the 20th century.
Twint:    He was the last pitcher to win 20 games for each of four consecutive seasons.
A.         Dave Stewart (Drafted 1975, debut ’78, 1st W 81; 20 W 1987-90; 11 IP on 01-Aug-1990)
FCR -    Phil Oppenheim, Sacramento

WEDNESDAY
Q.         What starting pitcher was removed so quickly that the pitcher who relieved him set the record for World Series strikeouts by a reliever?
Hint:     He holds the record for World Series runs-batted-in by a pitcher.
SABR Hint:       He was the first native of his state to receive a Hall of Fame vote.
Twint:    A bat he once borrowed to hit with now resides in the Hall of Fame.
A.         Dave McNally (Moe Drabowsky 11K 05-Oct-1966; 6 WS RBI; 5 HOF votes in 1981, Montana; HOF bat lent to him by teammate Curt Motton.  McNally hit the only WS GS hit by a pitcher 13-Oct-1970)
FCR -    John Rickert, Terre Haute

WEDNESDAY BONUS
Q.         Who was the last pitcher to record the final out in 75 games in a season?
Hint:     He never spent a single day on the disabled list in his twelve seasons in the majors.
Hint:     His college alma mater has campuses in eleven different cities.
SABR Hint:       His only career hit came off Tim Belcher.
Twint:    Only Mariano Rivera has won as many Rolaids Relief Awards.
A.         Dan Quisenberry (76 in 1985; University of La Verne; 5 RRAs)
FCR -    Andrew Milner, Bryn Mawr, PA


MIDWEEK BONUS
Q.         What pitcher led his league in win/loss percentage the year his team swept the Yankees in the World Series?
Hint:     He was Frank Robinson’s teammate on two different teams.
SABR Hint:       He lead the American League in saves the first two seasons it was an official stat.
Twint:    He was the first pitcher to appear in 50 games for ten consecutive seasons.
A.         Ron Perranoski (16-3, .842% in 1963; Robinson’s teammate on ’72 Dodgers & ’73 Angels; Saves leader 1969-70; 50 G 1961-70)
FCR -    Paul Hirsch, Danville, CA

THURSDAY
Q.         Who was the pitching coach for the Chinese National Team in the 2010 Asian Games?
Hint:     He received exactly zero Hall of Fame votes the only time his name appeared on the ballot.
Hint:     Dave LaRoche was a high school teammate.
SABR Hint:       He was the keynote speaker on SABR Day in America at the largest chapter meeting held that day.
Twint:    George Brett was also a high school teammate.
A.         Scott McGregor (HOF vote 1994; Bob Davids Chapter 30-Jan-2010; El Segundo [CA] High School)
FCR -    Al Blumkin, Brooklyn

FRIDAY
Q.         Who was the last player named the Sporting News Man of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year in the same season?
Hint:     After his final 20-win season, it was a full decade before any pitcher on his team again won 20 games in a season.
Twint:    Following his career, he was the Executive Vice-President for Munro Oil Tool, Inc. in Lafayette, Louisiana.
A.         Ron Guidry (1978; 22 W in 1985, 22 W for Andy Pettitte in 1996)
FCR -    Andrew Milner, Bryn Mawr, PA

IN MEMORIAM
Q.         Who is the last player traded during a season in which he won a home run title?
Hint:     He also led the league in RBI and strikeouts that year.
Hint:     He only played four games that year for the team that traded him away.
SABR Hint:       He played the most games with the Philadelphia A's without ever having played for Connie Mack.
Twint:    He was nicknamed "Ozark Ike" when he played for the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League in 1948.
A.         Gus Zernial (1951, traded from the White Sox to the A’s; 528 G)
FCR -    Dave Serota, Kalamazoo

FRIDAY BONUS
Q.         Who was the starting pitcher of the victorious team in the famous “Denkinger” game?
Hint:     His team was once eliminated from the postseason when he lost a 3-hit complete game 1-0 on a fielder’s choice.
Hint:     He surrendered one of the most famous walk-off home runs in World Series history.
SABR Hint:       In spite of a fourteen-year career in the majors, he was never named to an All-Star team.
Twint:    He attended university in Oxford.
A.         Charlie Leibrandt (1985 WS G6; CG FC 1984 ALCS G3; WS HR to Kirby Puckett, G 6 1991; Miami U., Oxford, OH)
FCR -    Jim Casey, Savannah


IN MEMORIAM 2
Q.         Who was the Toronto Blue Jays first ever manager?
Hint:     He saw his team draw over 1,000,000 fans each of their first three years in a market known better for hockey.
SABR Hint:       He played for the Braves before they moved to Milwaukee and coached for them after they moved from Milwaukee.
Twint:    He was traded to the Dodgers for Andy Pafko.
Twint:    He never played for the Dodgers, but coached for them in the majors for four seasons.
A.         Roy Hartsfield (1977; ’77-’79; Boston Braves 1950-52, Atlanta Braves coach 1973; Pafko trade 1953, L. A. Dodgers coach 1969-72)
FCR -    Peter Beagle, Oakland

IN MEMORIAM 3
Q.         Who was the first player to collect ten career pinch-hit home runs?
Hint:     He was Indiana’s first “Mr. Basketball”.
Hint:     He was the only player on the Cincinnati Redlegs not elected to start the 1957 All-Star game.
SABR Hint:       He was an All-Star the next season.
Twint:    His brother coached Oscar Robertson at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis to two state basketball titles.
A.         George Crowe ([Home run maven David Vincent tells us that Crowe was actually the first to hit 12, 13 & 14 PH HRs.  Cy Williams was actually the first to hit 10 & 11.] Crowe broke Williams’ record 16-Jul-1960; 1939; 1955-56)
FCR -    Chuck Durante, Dover, DE

IN MEMORIAM 4
Q.         Who was the last Detroit Tiger to hit three home runs in a game until Bill Freehan did it in 1971?
Hint:     He succeeded Billy Martin and Dick Williams.
Hint:     He was the Most Valuable Player of the American Association just before coming to the majors.
SABR Hint:       He was a personal friend of reader Dave Raglin.
Twint:    Teammate Paul Foytack nicknamed him “Wheatie” for his strapping physique and healthy lifestyle.
A.         Steve Boros (3 HR game 06-Aug-1962; Succeeded Martin as mgr of the A’s in 1983, succeeded Williams as Mgr of the Padres in 1986)
FCR -    Phillip Oppenheim, Sacramento

SATURDAY
Q.         Who was the last American League pitcher IN THE 20TH CENTURY to lead the league in winning percentage in consecutive seasons? [Pedro Martinez has done it in the 21st.]
Hint:     He was the first Blue Jays pitcher to strike out MORE THAN ten batters in a game.
Hint:     He played Clu Hayward in the movie Major League.
SABR Hint:       He was the last pitcher to give up a post-season home to Reggie Jackson.
Twint:    He was known for such odd behavior as fidgeting and pacing around the mound, crossing his eyes and sticking his tongue out at batters.
Twint:    He occasionally dry-heaved at the back of the mound, and would scream at umpires while he was in the stretch.
A.         Pete Vuckovich (W% 1981-82; 12 K game 26-Jun-1977; Hayward role; Jackson HR ALCS 06-Oct-1982; Save 07-Apr-1977)
FCR -    Phillip Oppenheim, Sacramento

SATURDAY BONUS
Q.         What former Giant was the first pitcher born in Puerto Rico to win 20 games in a season in the majors?
Hint:     He wasn’t, however, the first to win 18.  That was done 35 years earlier.
Hint:     He was also not the first to win 19.  That was done 14 years earlier.
Hint:     He is, as of this writing, the ONLY native Puerto Rican to win 20 games in a season.
SABR Hint:       He was the Yankee staff's biggest winner over their three AL championship seasons from 1976-78.
Twint:    He was the first pitcher to be traded for Bobby Bonds.
A.         Ed Figueroa (20-9 1978; Hiram Bithorn 18-12 in 1943, Juan Pizarro 19-9 in 1964; 55 W; trade w/Mickey Rivers 11-Dec-1975)
FCR -    John Rickert, Terre Haute

WEEKEND BONUS
Q.         Who was an All-Star only once, in spite of being one of the first pitchers to make $1,000,000 in a season?
Hint:     Only 12 pitchers have thrown more career innings for the White Sox.
Hint:     He was the first pitcher to be traded with Bobby Bonds.
SABR Hint:       He is the currently pitching coach for the Charlotte Knights.
Twint:    After Reb Russell in 1913, he was the next White Sox P to earn 20 victories in a season before turning 25.
A.         Richard Dotson (AS 1984, $1,075,000 1987; 1,606 IP; trade w/Thad Bosley 05-Dec-1977; 22 W in 1983 @ age 24)
FCR -    Rod Nelson, Detroit

SUNDAY
Q.         Who signed the first ten-year contract after the advent of free agency?
Hint:     He led his league in losses the first year of the contract.
SABR Hint:       He was released halfway through the contract.
Twint:    In his penultimate season, he pitched a two-hit shutout in front of 73,000 fans—the largest crowd in seven years in the majors.
A.         Wayne Garland (10 years, $2.5M in 1976 w/Cleveland; 19 L 1977; SHO 03-Jul-1980)
FCR -    John Sours, Smyrna, GA

SUNDAY BONUS
Q.         What former All-Star had accumulated 107 wins over nine seasons for his team, but was traded straight-up for an outfielder with a .242 career average?
Hint:     That outfielder would only hit .233 over the next two seasons for them.
Hint:     His son Jeff was USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year for the 2006-07 and now plays for the Edmonton Oilers.
SABR Hint:       He was tagged with his team’s only loss in their first seventeen games of the season.
Twint:    He was the only pitcher to suffer a loss for the Tigers in the 1984 World Series.
A.         Dan Petry (Traded for Gary Pettis; Jeff Petry; 1st L 19-Apr-1984; WS L 10-Oct-1984)
FCR -    Dave Raglin, McLean, VA

WEEK-ENDING BONUS
Q.         What pitcher, despite having only one career save, and that in Rookie-A ball, was anointed closer of his major league team?
Hint:     Five years later and still pitching in the majors with 118 appearances, he still doesn’t have a major league save.
Hint:     During his two weeks as closer he earned no saves, had three blown saves and four losses.
SABR Hint:       He was the first major leaguer who had been a starter on the Lake County Captains.
Twint:    He has twice won 15 games for his team since taking the spot in the rotation opened up by the departure of Cliff Lee.
Twint:    His namesake made a deal with the devil.
A.         Fausto Carmona (Indians 2006; Captains; Close career 23-Jul- to 05-Aug-2006)
FCR -    Neil Cohen, Brooklyn


WEEKLY THEME – American League pitchers who received votes, but finished behind their own Cy-Young-Award-winning teammates.

Pitcher                     Year       Placed     Teammate             Team
Carmona                  2007       4th            C. C. Sabathia       Indians
Dotson                     1983       4th            LaMarr Hoyt           White Sox
Eckersley                 1990       5th            Bob Welch            A’s
Figueroa                   1978       7th            Ron Guidry            Yankees
Garland                    1976       8th            Jim Palmer            Orioles
Gossage                  1978       5th            Ron Guidry            Yankees
Guidry                      1977       7th            Sparky Lyle           Yankees
Leibrandt                  1985       5th            Bret Saberhagen    Royals
McGregor                 1980       6th            Steve Stone          Orioles
McNally                    1969       4th            Mike Cuellar           Orioles
Nathan                     2004       4th            Johan Santana       Twins
Nathan                     2006       5th            Johan Santana       Twins
Perranoski                1970       7th            Jim Perry               Twins
Petry                        1984       5th            Willie Hernandez    Tigers
Quisenberry              1985       3rd            Bret Saberhagen    Royals
Stewart                     1990       3rd            Bob Welch            A’s
Vuckovich                1981       4th            Rollie Fingers        Brewers


First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No one

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Answers for the Week of January 10-16, 2011 - Players with more than 10 letters in their last names who have homered in the postseason.

MONDAY
Q.         What Hall of Famer’s name was so troublesome to spell that he is more commonly known by his three-letter nickname?
SABR Hint:       He was the last player to lead the leagues in runs with fewer than 100 (in a full season).
Hint:     He wasn’t really Irish.
Twint:    His rosary beads were likely tucked inside his uniform.
A.         Carl Yastrzemski (“Yaz”; he was a devout Catholic who attended Notre Dame)
First Correct Respondent - Bob Dorrill, Kingwood, TX

TUESDAY
Q.         Who is the only shortstop to hit two grand slams in a single game?
Hint:     He is the only player in his franchise’s history to hit more than 50 doubles in a season twice.
SABR Hint:       It’s possible his batting gloves are loose.
Twint:    He’s married to the ultimate soccer mom.
A.         Nomar Garciaparra (GS game 10-May-1999; 51 2b in 2000, 56 in 2002; Famous for tightening his batting gloves multiple times each at bat; Wife is soccer great Mia Hamm.  They have two children.)
FCR -    Bob Kimball, Washington, DC

WEDNESDAY
Q.         Who secreted the ball that recorded the out signaling the first World Championship for his franchise in multiple generations?
Hint:     He was once traded for a multiple-time batting champ (or at least the trade involved both of them).
SABR Hint:       He was a high school teammate of Alex Rodriguez.
Twint:    His mother claimed that his purpose in life was to teach people how to pronounce the family name.
A.         Doug Mientkiewicz (Game 4 2004 WS; 3-team trade involved Nomar Garciaparra; Westminster Christian High School [Miami, FL])
FCR -    Robert Muse, Bob Muse, San Diego

THURSDAY
Q.         With whom is Derek Jeter tied as the longest-tenured New York Yankees player captain?
Hint:     He was voted on for the Hall of Fame, but never got more than 2% of the vote.
SABR Hint:       He was the last player to win the MVP award for the original American League Washington Senators.
Twint:    He was the youngest manager in major league history.
A.         Roger Peckinpaugh (8 years; MVP 1925; Age 23 in 1914)
FCR -    Matt Gibson, Barboursville, WV

FRIDAY
Q.         Which teammate saved Frank Robinson from drowning at a team party?
Hint:     After breaking fingers twice in three years, he switched to the now-popular hinged mitt on the advice of a teammate.
SABR Hint:       In spite of hitting .221 and .215, he was elected to two consecutive All-Star teams.
Twint:    He became B. J. Surhoff’s mentor.
A.         Andy Etchebarren (Party 1966; switched mitts in 1968 on the advice of teammate Clay Dalrymple)
FCR -    David Krassin, New York

SATURDAY
Q.         Whose .412 World Series batting mark led his team to a championship title?
Hint:     In spite of that performance, he was pinch hit for in Game Seven.
Hint:     He currently resides mere minutes from where this question was composed.
Twint:    He is the minor league fielding coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
A.         Steve Lombardozzi (1987 WS; Fulton, MD)
FCR -    Brian Engelhardt, Reading, PA

SUNDAY
Q.         Whose career was ended by a foul ball during a game?
Hint:     He was on deck at the time.
Hint:     He was the first player to hit a home run into the left field bleachers in Yankee Stadium after the stadium reopened following the 1976 renovation.
SABR Hint:       He toiled for five different major league teams, one of them in two separate stints, over an 11-year major league career.
Twint:    He was traded three times for players who were All-Stars during their careers.
A.         Juan Encarnacion (On-deck accident 30-Aug-2007; HR 24-Jul-2001; Dmitri Young, Ryan Dempster, Brad Penny)
FCR -    Paul Hirsch, Danville, CA


WEEKLY THEME – Players with more than 10 letters in their last names who have homered in the postseason.

Encarnacion      11         1 in Game 2, 2003, NLDS; 1 in Game 1, 2003 NLCS
Etchebarren      11         10-Oct-1973 ALCS, Game 4
Garciaparra       11         3 in 1998 ALDS; 2 in 1999 ALDS; 2 in 1999 ALCS
Lombardozzi     11         17-Oct-1987 Game 1, WS
Mientkiewicz      12         2 in 2002 ALDS
Peckinpaugh     11         15-Oct-1925 Game 7, WS
Yastrzemski      11         3 in 1967 WS; 1 in Game 2, 1975 ALCS


First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – David Matchett, Toronto (after the Peckinpaugh question)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Answers for the Week of January 3, 2011: Outfielders with five hits in a single game in the 2010 season.

MONDAY
Q.         What three-time All-Star was a first overall draft pick, but did not see action in the majors until eight years later with a different team.
Hint:     He was a two-time winner of the North Carolina Gatorade High School Player of the Year Award.
Hint:     His All-Star appearances were with yet a third team.
Hint:     He was a Rule 5 draftee with yet a fourth team.
Twint:    He sports substantial body art.
A.         Josh Hamilton (#1 pick 1999 draft; Gatorade winner 1998-99; Texas Rangers; Cubs with Rule 5; http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/012708dnspowebrangersz.218a1b6.html
First Correct Respondent - David Krassin, New York

TUESDAY
Q.         What Milwaukee Brewers player was the fastest player in franchise history to reach 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 career home runs?
Hint:     The only season he didn’t make the All-Star team, he was named Rookie of the Year.
Twint:    His nickname is “The Hebrew Hammer”
A.         Ryan Braun (10HR in 38 G, 15 in 50, 20 in 64, 25 in 82 and 30 in 94; 2007, AS since)
FCR -    Blake Sherry, Dublin, OH

WEDNESDAY
Q.         Whose eye-popping outfield catch in the 9th inning kept Armando Galarraga’s perfect game intact?
Hint:     Baseball America named him the best 12-year-old baseball player in the nation, and the best 15-year-old baseball player three years later.
Hint:     Most observers thought he would be the Rookie of the Year Award winner, but he finished second to a record-setting closer.
Twint:    Though drafted 259th overall, he was offered an $800,000 signing bonus.
A.         Austin Jackson (02-Jun-2010; B.A. rankings 1999 and 2002; 2010 ROY 2010 Neftali Feliz; Bonus by the Yankees, a record signing bonus for an 8th round pick.)
FCR -      Rod Nelson, Detroit

MIDWEEK BONUS
Q.         Whose first big league home run was grand slam off of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza?
Hint:     His commonly used name is abbreviated from the back half his already hyphenated middle name.
Twint:    He became the fourth player in the past 25 years to hit his first career grand slam before his 21st birthday.
A.         Mike Stanton (18-Jun-2010; Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton; GS <21 with Jose Reyes, Andruw Jones & Alex Rodriguez)
FCR -    Bill Gemmell, Hackensack, NJ

THURSDAY
Q.         Who hit the most total home runs in the 2007 Home Run Derby?
Hint:     Inappropriate comments to fans after he had a five-strikeout game led to a public apology.
Hint:     In 2003 he won the Double-A Eastern League MVP.
Twint:    His middle name might mislead some.
A.         Alex Rios (19 HRD HRs; Played for New Haven; Israel, but he is Puerto Rican Catholic)
FCR -    Dave Serota, Kalamazoo, MI

FRIDAY
Q.         What batter holds the Dodgers all-time mark for strikeouts in a season?
Hint:     He also holds 2nd and 5th places as well.
Twint:    According to "People" magazine, he is dating pop singer Rihanna.
A.         Matt Kemp (170 K in 2010)
FCR -    Alan Work, White Plain, NY

END-OF-THE-WEEK BONUS
Q.         Whom did the Pirates named him the organization's Minor League Player of the Year after his first full year as a professional?
Hint:     Bobby Cox compared him favorable to Andrew Jones at the same stage of development.
Twint:    He has no known connection to NSA.
A.         Andrew McCutchen (POY 2006; Hails from Ft. Meade [Although it’s the one in Florida, not Maryland])
FCR -    Mitchell Below, Oakland

SATURDAY
Q.         What former Baylor Bear (not bulldog) played alongside the son of a major league All-Star in high school?
SABR Hint:       He’s played with dogs, cacti and spinners.
Twint:    He was traded to his current team in exchange for a Cy Young Award-winning pitcher.
A.         David Murphy (Josh Barfield, son of Jesse Barfield; 1999 Lowell Spinners, Portland Sea Dogs 2005, Peoria Saguaros; traded for Eric Gagne, other players and cash were involved.)
FCR -    Joe Merrill, Brunswick, ME

WEEKEND BONUS
Q.         Who hit two home runs on Opening Day in 2010?
Hint:     The first of the two was a water landing.
Twint:    He hit 10 home runs in his first full month in with his current club.
A.         Garrett Jones (2 HR 05-Apr-2010; 1st HR landed in the Alleghany River; 10 HR in Jul-2009)
FCR -    Al Blumkin, Brooklyn

SUNDAY
Q.         Who caused an international incident by slamming Yang Yang?
Hint:     His father is a well-known skateboarding enthusiast.
Twint:    He batted .400 at Chabot Community College.
Twint:    Until 2010, he was one of the few major leaguers to bat without batting gloves.
A.         Nate Schierholtz (In the 2008 Olympics, he collided with China backup catcher Yang Yang at home on a sacrifice fly, a play that resulted in a confrontation between the teams.  Jim Lefebvre, manager of the Chinese team, was ejected as a result; Father Vai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GLlgOkc_30; )
FCR -    Weston Smith, San Francisco


WEEKLY THEME – Outfielders with five hits in a single game in the 2010 season. (Braun, Kemp as well as Prince Fielder all went pentagonal on the same day.  Jones and McCutchen, hitting 3rd and 4th in the line-up, did it in the same game!

Braun           02-Aug   @   the Cubs
Hamilton       20-Jun    @   the Astros
Jackson       30-Apr    @   the Angels
Jones           14-May   @   the Cubs
Kemp           02-Aug   vs.  the Padres
McCutchen   14-May   @   the Cubs
Murphy         20-Sep   vs.  the Angels
Rios             30-Aug   @   the Indians
Schierholtz   28-Apr    vs.  the Phillies
Stanton        11-Aug   @   the Nationals

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No one.  (Not even a close guess.)