MONDAY
Q. Whom is Tony LaRussa likely to pass next year in career managerial wins?
Hint: He was the Darth Vader of New York’s “Evil Empire” before Yankees won their first championship.
SABR Hint: As a player, he trails only Ted Williams and Babe Ruth in career on-base percentage.
Twint: He hired and later released Victory Faust.
A. John McGraw (2,763 W, LaRussa has 2,666 as of today; OBP; Faust)
First Correct Respondent - Will McCracken, Bradenton, FL
TUESDAY
Q. Who was the first to win the Manager of the Year awards in both leagues?
Hint: He’s also had knees replaced on both sides.
SABR Hint: He is the only man (player, manager or coach) to be ejected from two World Series games.
Twint: His uniform number 6 will be retired 12-Aug-2011 in Atlanta.
A. Bobby Cox (MGROY AL 1985, NL 1991 et seq.; WS ejewwdunkctions G #3 1992, G #6 1996;
FCR - J.R. Richardson, Clarksville, MD
TUESDAY DOUBLE
Q. Who was the manager of the Twins in their first American League Championship Series?
Hint: As a player, he was the first player to have two hits in an inning on Opening Day.
SABR Hint: It was also the first major league game of his career.
SABR Hint: That game was also the career debut of his teammate and fellow NoCal native, Jackie Jensen.
Twint: A scheme with a chance for atonement in the plot of “Ocean’s 13” was named for him.
A. Billy Martin (1969 ALCS; 18-Apr-1950)
FCR - Bob Kimball, Washington, DC
WEDNESDAY
Q. Who got each of his five World Series championship rings at the end of a seven-game series?
Hint: Ryne Sandberg broke his National League record for fielding percentage.
SABR Hint: He was a Giant for one year and one day.
Twint: His brother Paul was the first baseman for Montreal the year Jackie Robinson joined the team.
FCR - No one
IN MEMORIAM
Q. What pitcher was the first 20-game winner for the Kansas City Royals?
Hint: He was their choice in the 25th round of the draft a year before the franchise existed as a team.
Hint: He never pitched for any other franchise.
Hint: He made a smooth transition to the broadcast booth and was a favorite there with fans.
SABR Hint: He is still the winningest pitcher in the history of the Kansas City Royals 27 years after his retirement.
Twint: Known as a Yankee killer, he was 2-0 with a 2.68 ERA in four ALCS against New York.
A. Paul Splittorff Passed away Wednesday after a struggle with cancer. (166-144; 15 years)
FCR - Alan Work, White Plains, NY
MIDWEEK BONUS
Q. Who led the National League in stolen bases as a rookie even though he only played in 85 games?
Hint: He was twice the Sporting News Manager of the Year, the awards coming a decade apart.
SABR Hint: As a manager, he often held court with the press from his rocking chair.
Twint: He worked at McGovern’s Men’s Store in Chester, PA in the off-season.
A. Danny Murtaugh (Rookie year 1941; TSN MOY 1960, 1970)
FCR - Kenny Fink, Ocala, FL
THURSDAY
Q. Who holds the record for the most RBI in a season without a home run?
Hint: Honus Wagner said, “No one compared with him as a shortstop.”
SABR Hint: He was the first baseball coach at the University of Georgia.
Twint: He was the best man at John McGraw’s wedding.
Twint: He became a major leaguer when his minor league team joined the National League.
A. Hughie Jennings (121 RBI in 1896; UGA coach 1895-97; McGraw, then 23, married Minnie Doyle, the daughter of prominent Baltimore politician Michael Doyle, on February 3, 1897. Jennings was a pall bearer at her funeral a mere two years later. Louisville Colonels joined NL 1982)
FCR - Phil Oppenheim, Sacramento
THURSDAY EXTRA
Q. Which player was elected to the Hall of Fame sixteen years after his brother?
Hint: He was the second oldest player in the league in his rookie year.
Hint: The oldest player only had a single game in the majors.
SABR Hint: He was the oldest player in all but one of his remaining major league seasons.
Twint: His father was a professional bowler.
A. Harry Wright (HOF 1953, younger brother George HOF 1937; Oldest player in 1871 Nate Berkenstock)
FCR - Kenny Fink, Ocala, FL
FRIDAY
Q. Who was the youngest manager ever to lead a team to a World Series championship?
Hint: He played semi-pro ball in the off-season until his team’s management discovered it.
SABR Hint: He won the first job in the majors after hitting .214 as a call-up the year before.
Twint: He set World Series records for a second baseman in chances, put-outs and double plays.
A. Bucky Harris (27 in 1924; Call up 28-Aug-1919)
FCR - Bill Garrod, Edgewood, WA
SATURDAY
Q. Who is the only former Cub to have his ashes sprinkled onto the soil of Wrigley Field? [I’ve since learned that Ron Santo received the same honor.]
Hint: He bought the first ball hit into the centerfield bleachers of the Polo Grounds for $25, from the fan who caught it.
SABR Hint: He was part of the college of coaches, but was never the “head coach”.
SABR Hint: He had been the manager of the team the year prior.
Twint: His sunny disposition earned him his nickname.
A. Charlie Grimm (29-Apr-1953; HR by Joe Adcock’ “Jolly Cholly”)
FCR - Joe Ullian, Santa Barbara
WEEKEND BONUS
Q. Which manager was once fired by Charlie Finley for being “too nice”?
Hint: He started his managerial career in Lewiston, Idaho.
SABR Hint: He got to the postseason in his 14th season as a major league manager.
SABR Hint: He managed another five seasons in the bigs, but never again in the postseason.
Twint: One year, his team had the best record in the majors, but they didn’t make the playoffs.
A. John McNamara (Fired by Finley 1970; 1959 Broncos, 1986 Red Sox; 1981 Reds)
FCR - Randall Chandler, Germantown, TN
SUNDAY
Q. Who managed during a change of venue for two major league teams?
Hint: He suffered a heart attack during spring training 1949.
SABR Hint: He once said, of his team's inflated ERA, "It's not big if you look at it from the standpoint of the national debt."?
Twint: One of his rookie starters pitched a no-hitter on a day when the pitcher was so sick that he had to beg this manager to start.
A. Bill Rigney (Giants NYC to SF, Angels from Los Angeles to California [You know what I mean.]; No-hitter by Bo Belinsky 05-May-1962)
FCR - Phil Oppenheim, Sacramento
WEEKLY THEME – Managers with 1,000 career wins with multiple stints with the one team.
Cox Braves 1978-81; 90-2010
Grimm Cubs 1932-49; 60
Harris Senators 1924-28; 35-42; 50-54
Jennings Giants 1924; 25 (See McGraw)
Martin Yankees 1975-78; 79; 83; 85; 88
McGraw Giants 1902-32 (with brief interruptions in 1924, 25 & 27)
McNamera Angels 1983-4; 96
Murtaugh Pirates 1957-64; 67; 70-71; 73-76
Rigney Giants 1956-60; 76
Schoendienst Cardinals 1965-76; 80; 90
Wright Phillies 1890 (2X)
First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No one
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