MONDAY
Q. What Hall of Famer began his professional career as an Eagle and ended it as a Dragon?
Hint: He played college basketball for Claire Bee.
Hint: He played his first minor league game twelve years after his major league debut.
SABR: He was Major League Baseball's first black shortstop.
Twint: He originally played as "Larry Walker".
A. Larry Doby (Newark Eagles 1942, 43, 46, Chunichi Dragons1962; Played basketball at the University of Kansas; 1968 Gulf Coast League Indians; Only game playing SS in the majors 17‑Jul‑1947)
First Correct Respondent – Bob Kimball, Washington, DC
TUESDAY
Q. Who garnered six Hall of Fame votes while still an active player?
Hint: He lost the Rookie of the Year Award despite finishing fourth in MVP voting his rookie year (finished 2nd for ROY).
Hint: His major league career spanned 31 seasons.
SABR: He led the league in getting hit by pitches a record 10 times.
Twint: He was the last Negro League veteran to play in the majors.
A. Minnie Minoso (1951 ROY voting; Debut 19-Apr-1949, final game 05-Oct-1980)
FCR - Paul Vastola, Fanwood, NJ
WEDNESDAY
Q. Who won or saved more than 34% of his team's victories at the age of 46?
Hint: In a big league career that spanned 17 years, the only major league team owners he played for were Bill Veeck and Charlie Finley.
Hint: Carl Yastrzemski was the last player to get a hit against him.
SABR: He was the first former Negro Leaguer to pitch in the American League.
SABR: He was also the last former Negro Leaguer to pitch in the majors.
Twint: He was nicknamed for a piece of luggage.
A. Satchel Paige (12 W 10 S for the 1952 Browns [64-90]; Debut 09-Jul-1948, final game 25-Sep-1965)
FCR - Tim Phares, Laurel, MD
MIDWEEK BONUS
Q. Who never played for the MLB team that signed him despite winning team MVP awards at the AAA level in their system?
Hint: He was once traded for Roger Maris.
Hint: He was selected to the first seven American League Gold Glove teams.
SABR: He stole home twice in one game.
SABR: He was actually four years older than his baseball age throughout his career.
Twint: He was the first native of Puerto Rica to play in the American League.
A. Vic Power (MVPs 1952-53 for the Kansas City Blues; Maris trade [with others] 16-Dec-1953; GG 1958-64; 2 SB 14-Aug-1958)
FCR - Bill Garrod, Edgewood, WA
THURSDAY
Q. Who hit into two double plays and dropped a fly ball on the night in his honor?
Hint: He played on the American League's only two non-Yankee pennant winners in the 1950s.
SABR: He is one of only three players to homer on the first pitch of a World Series game.
SABR: He was never a candidate for President of the United States.
Twint: In his best season he was the only top five MVP vote-getters who isn't in the Hall of Fame.
Twint: He is probably most remembered for a World Series beer incident.
Twint: His nickname was Fuzzy.
A. Al Smith (Al Smith Night 26-Aug-1959; 1954 Indians & 1959 White Sox; WS HR G 1 1954; Best season 1955; Beer)
FCR - Bill Garrod, Edgewood, WA
FRIDAY
Q. Who was traded for sluggers Ray Boone and Ted Kluszewski the same year?
Hint: He was also traded for Billy Martin.
Hint: He was traded on the deadline two years in a row.
SABR: He tied for the league lead in triples two years in a row.
Twint: He was also nicknamed for a piece of luggage.
Twint: His other nickname was Goody.
A. Harry Simpson (Trades 1959; Martin trade {w/ others] 15-Jun-1957; Trades 1957-58; Triples leads 1956-57; “Suitcase”)
FCR - Mike Miller, Dublin, OH
SATURDAY
Q. Who was a Major League All-Star three times before becoming a regular?
Hint: He won his only MVP award by 100 votes over a trio of future Hall of Famers.
Hint: He recorded the highest single season batting mark by catcher since his mentor 25 years earlier.
SABR: Bill James listed him as the 15th best catcher despite the fact he was over 30 before he caught regularly.
Twint: He played for six World Series losers.
A. Elston Howard (MVP in 1963, ahead of Al Kaline, Whitey Ford & Harmon Killebrew)
FCR - David Letizia, Washington, DC
WEEKEND BONUS
Q. Who was the Minnesota Twins’ first .300 hitter?
Hint: He won a Gold Glove Award in his first three years as regular.
Hint: The two pennant winners he played for sandwiched the Yankees' last 5-year pennant streak.
SABR: He was traded for a squirrel.
Twint: He was the top vote-getter on the 1965 AL All-Star team.
A. Earl Battey (.302 in 1961; GG 1960-62; Pennants 1959 White Sox, 1965 Twins; Traded [w/ Don Mincher] for Roy “Squirrel” Sievers 04-Apr-1960)
FCR - Bradley Curtis, Roseville, CA
SUNDAY
Q. Who held his franchise's single season home run record for the first sixteen years of its existence?
Hint: It was eventually tied by Bobby Bonds, then broken by Reggie Jackson five years after that.
Hint: He was one of four teammates selected to the Rookie All-star team his freshman year.
SABR: One year, he led the Carolina League with 51 home runs.
Twint: He ended his career with the same team he started with after a 10-year absence.
Twint: His nickname was Daddy Wags.
A. Leon Wagner (51 HR for 1956 Danville Leafs of the Carolina League)
FCR - Prisco Panza, Milford, CT
WEEKLY THEME – The American League’s first black All-Stars.
Player All-Star year SABR Biography
First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No one
We thank Rick Swaine for this week’s theme and questions. Check out his baseball crossword puzzles at: www.rickswaine.com.
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