21-Mar-2011
MONDAY
Q. What Hall of Famer was named for pitching legend Ryne Duren?
Hint: He was recently beaten out by Mike Quade and displayed his displeasure publicly.
Hint: He was a Parade Magazine All-American as a high school quarterback.
SABR Hint: He was the first player to hit two home runs off of Bruce Sutter in one game.
Twint: He was throw-in in a trade where star shortstops were exchanged.
A. Ryne Sandberg (Quade is the new Cubs manager; All-America list in 1977; Sutter HRs 23‑Jun‑1984; Traded with Larry Bowa for Ivan DeJesus 27-Jan-1982.)
First Correct Respondent – David Matchett, Toronto
TUESDAY
Q. What obsessed Hall of Famer refused to attend motion pictures lest they damage his legendary eyesight?
Hint: Although his name and his stats might indicate that he’s plural, he’s really just one person.
SABR Hint: For six consecutive years, he led his league in Batting Average, On-Base-Percentage, Slugging Percentage, OPS and OPS+.
Twint: He hit teammate Art Fletcher in the face because, "It was the only way I could think of to stop him talking. I couldn't get a word in edgewise."
A. Rogers Hornsby (Stat years 1920-25)
FCR - John Shiffert, Morrow, GA
WEDNESDAY
Q. Who holds the Washington Nationals’ single-season home run record?
Hint: Only Rickey Henderson has hit more leadoff home runs.
SABR Hint: He was once traded for the current (career) major league home run leader.
Twint: He was born in the same city as the Cub’s career home run leader.
A. Alfonso Soriano (46 HR in 2006; Leadoff HRs; Traded for Alex Rodriguez; Sammy Sosa also born in San Pedro de Marcoris in the Dominican Republic.)
FCR - Peter Beagle, Oakland
THURSDAY
Q. Who, according the Baseball Digest, is the only second baseman to regularly bat cleanup for his team?
Hint: Even though he played for the Indians and Blue Jays, all nine of his postseason home runs came as a National Leaguer.
SABR Hint: He was a key piece in helping the Blue Jays win their first championship.
Twint: He has hit more home runs than any second baseman in history.
A. Jeff Kent (Helped the Blue Jays by being traded for David Cone 27-Aug-1992; Edison High School, Huntington Beach, California)
FCR - Jim Casey, Savannah, GA
IN MEMORIAM
Q. Who was the last manager of an American League team in St. Louis?
Hint: He had earlier managed the other team in town.
Hint: He also played for both teams.
Hint: He was the first shortstop to win the BBWAA MVP award.
Hint: He once boasted, “I did everything in baseball. I played, managed, coached and even owned a team.”
Hint: As a player, he won a Most Valuable Player Award without leading the league in any offensive category.
SABR Hint: He was Luis Aparicio’s major league first manager. [I only went to one source and I can't document that this is true. My apologies.]
Twint: He was the quintessential member of the “Gashouse Gang”.
A. Marty Marion, who passed away recently: http://bill37mccurdy.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/marty-marion-dead-at-93/ (1953 St. Louis Browns; 1951 Cardinals; Owned the Houston Buffs 1959-61)
FCR - Bob Kimball, Washington, DC
FRIDAY
Q. Who recorded the final at-bat at Veterans Stadium by grounding into a game-ending double play?
Hint: His high school has had more alumni in the National Football league than any other school.
Hint: It also has an alumnus in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
SABR Hint: His first game as a member of the U.S. team was on a field seemingly named in his honor.
Twint: He will likely begin the 2011 season on the disabled list.
A. Chase Utley (28-Sep-2003; Long Beach Polytechnic High School; Tony Gwynn; Chase Field 07‑Mar‑2006)
FCR - Al Blumkin, Brooklyn
SATURDAY
Q. Who hit the last home run at Shea Stadium?
Hint: His first major league stolen base was a steal of home.
SABR Hint: His own teammate beat him out for Rookie of the Year, though he finished a strong third in the voting.
Twint: His last name means “owl” in Swedish.
A. Dan Uggla (HR 28-Sep-2008; SB 21-Apr-2006; ROY voting 2006)
FCR - Al Blumkin, Brooklyn
WEEKEND BONUS
Q. Who is the only man to manage two different American League teams in the same city?
Hint: Only he, Jimmie Foxx and Lou Gehrig hit two home runs against Bob Feller in 1938.
SABR Hint: He played the violin in the Duck orchestra.
Twint: Pete Ward attended the same high school.
A. Joe Gordon (1961 Kansas City A's, 1969 Kansas City Royals; ’38 HRs 12-Jun & 05-Aug; University of Oregon orchestra; Jefferson High School, Portland, OR)
FCR - Fred Brillhart, Mechanicsburg, PA
SUNDAY
Q. Who was the first post-expansion player to hit three doubles in a World Series game?
Hint: He became the first American League player to homer twice in the first inning of a game.
SABR Hint: The next player up became the second such.
Twint: In 1992, he became the first-ever third-generation big leaguer in baseball history.
A. Bret Boone (WS 2Bs 26-Oct-1999, all off Andy Pettitte; Same inning HRs w/Mike Cameron 02-May-2002; Grandfather Ray and father Bob were major leaguers.)
FCR - Steven Elsberry, Windsor Heights, IA
WEEKLY THEME – Second basemen with two seasons with 30 home runs each.
Boone 2001, 03
Gordon 1940, 48
Hornsby 1922, 25, 29
Kent 1998, 2000, 02
Sandberg 1989, 90
Soriano 2002, 03, 05
Uggla 2007-2010
Utley 2006, 08, 09
First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Joe Ullian, Santa Barbara
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