2021-06-14 Players 30 years old or older who hit at least 21 triples in a season in the modern era.

This week’s questions and theme were submitted by Patrick Ray, Paradise Valley, Arizona.

 

MONDAY  —14-Jun

Q.  What great two-way player once won over twenty games and scored over forty runs in the same year?

Hint: #1    Seven years later he led the majors in batting, hits, triples, RBIs, total bases, slugging, OPS & OPS+.  He also led the National League in doubles.

Hint: #2    He is the only player not named Ruth to finish his career with at least 50 home runs and 50 pitching wins.

A. CY SEYMOUR  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.      In 1898 Seymour, playing for NYG, had a pitching record of 25-19 & scored 41 times on 82 H and 9 BB.

-   #1   In his career year of1905, playing for CIN, he batted .377, had 219 H, 21 3B, 121 RBI, 325 TB, slugged .559, had an OPS of .998 and an OPS+ of 181.  His 40 2B trailed the 47 that Harry Davis had w/PHA to lead MLB.

-   #2   Career HR = 52; career W = 61.

FCR -  Glenn Guzzo, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Incorrect guesses:  Albert Spalding, Rick Ankiel, Charlie Root, George Sisler, Earl Wilson, Joe Wood, Bullet Rogan, Smokey Joe Wood

 

TUESDAY  —15-Jun

Q.  What future Hall of Famer used his father's lathe to craft his own bat in the minor leagues, and then used it to hit .438 one season?

Hint: #1    He was forced to change teams as the result of an injunction by a state supreme court.

Hint: #2    A statue of his likeness stands in his hometown, funded by donations from local residents

A. ELMER FLICK  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.      For the Youngstown Puddlers of the Inter-State League in 1896, Flick pounded the ball for a .438 batting average with 5 doubles, 9 triples & 6 HR among his 57 H.

-   #1   In 1902, he jumped to PHI’s intracity rivals, PHA, with whom he saw action in only 11 games before joining the Cleveland Blues/Bronchos.  This latter change of scenery occurred because Flick wanted to avoid the legal ramifications of PHI’s court injunctions prohibiting 3 of his teammates who had jumped to the Athletics the previous year, from playing in the state of Pennsylvania for any team except the Phillies.  Flick was not named in the injunctions, but the results affected him.  The move cost Flick a chance to play on a pennant winner with the Athletics, but Cleveland was glad to have a local boy to boost attendance, and Flick was delighted to have his home field in a city a mere 10 miles from where he was born.

-   #2   On 25-Sep-2013 a bronze statue of Flick was unveiled in his hometown of Bedford, Ohio. The Flick statue was created by noted local artist Ron Dewey and is permanently displayed in the Bedford town square.

FCR -  Vince Guerrieri, Elyria, Ohio

Incorrect guesses:  Hugh Duffy, Tip O’Neil, Nap Lajoie, Buddy Burbage, Joe Jackson, Willie Keeler, Jimmy Collins

 

WEDNESDAY  —16-jUN

Q. What future Hall of Famer debuted in centerfield at the age of 18, three weeks after his mother killed his father?

Hint: #1    In that debut performance he doubled in his first at bat against another future Hall of Famer.

Hint: #2    As a manager, he led his team to five consecutive winning seasons.

A. TY COBB  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.     On 08-Aug-1905, Cobb's mother fatally shot his father with a pistol that his father had purchased for her.  The jury thought she was within her rights thinking it was a prowler.

-   #1   3 weeks later, Cobb debuted in CF for DET.  On 30-Aug-1905, in his 1^st major league at bat, he doubled off Jack Chesbro of NYY.

-   #2   As Player-Manager for Detroit, 1922 (79-75); 1923 (83-71); 1924 (86-68); 1925 (81-73); 1926 (79-75)

FCR -  Jeff Kallman, Las Vegas

Incorrect guesses:  Casey Stengel

 

MIDWEEK BONUS  —17-Jun

Q.  What former Cardinal began in Cincinnati and ended his playing career as a Yankee?

Hint: #1    He was the first player in major league history to lead both leagues in a certain major offensive category

Hint: #2    Also the first player in The Bigs to lead any league in a different certain major offensive category for four consecutive years.

Hint: #3    Despite his accomplishments, he only appeared in one All-Star game (the same year he received his lone MVP vote).

A. LANCE JOHNSON  [BR Bio]

-   Ans.     Born 06-Jul-1963 in Cincinnati, OH.  Debuted w/STL 10-July-1987.  Last MLB G w/NYY 27-May-2000 where he played ½ inning of D.

-   #1   1^st to lead both leagues in H (186 for CHW in 1995 and 227 for NYM in 1996).

-   #2   1^st to lead any league in 3B for 4 consecutive years (1991-1994).

-   #3   The 1996 mid-summer classic was Johnson's only ASG.  Had a lead-off 2B & had 2 more H.  He was 18^th in MVP voting that year.

FCR -  Warren Kent, Whitehall, Michigan

Incorrect guesses:  Miller Huggins, Johnny Mize, Paul O’Neill, Enos Slaughter

 

THURSDAY  —17-Jun

Q.  What Hall of Famer was invited to throw out the first ball at the last game played at Crosley Field?

Hint: #1    Over an 18-year career he never struck out more than 25 times in a season.

Hint: #2    He sat out an entire season over a salary dispute.

A. EDD ROUSH  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.     Considered the greatest player in Reds' history at the time, Roush was invited to throw out the 1^st ball at the last game at Crosley Field on 24-Jun-1970.

-   #1   In his career Roush struck out 260 times in 7,373 ABs.  (Note that in 2009 Mark Reynolds struck out 223 times in 578 ABs.)

-   #2   During his playing career, Roush was known for his numerous disputes over salary.  Roush generally skipped spring training, using a holdout as the excuse to report just before the season began.  In 1922 he held out all the way until July.  He sat out the entire 1930 season in another salary dispute, then returned to the Reds for one final season in 1931.

FCR -  Justin Seibel, Irvine, California

Incorrect guesses:  Curt Flood, Nellie Fox, Ernie Lombardi, Lloyd Waner

 

FRIDAY  —18-Jun

Q.  What future Hall of Famer “retired” from major league baseball, only to join a minor league team and lead them to win league championships twice?

Hint: #1    He was a star athlete in high school, leading his team to two consecutive state football championships.

Hint: #2    He was the first modern player to lead both the American League and the National League in home runs.

A. SAM CRAWFORD  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.     After being released by DET in 1917 Crawford joined the minor league Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League, helping them to win league championships in 1918 and 1921.

-   #1   According to a biography from the Nebraska Hall of Fame Crawford was a star athlete at Wahoo High School, leading the team to two state football championships in 1896 and 1897.

-   #2   With CIN, he led the majors in HR in 1901 w/16.  (Only 4 were of the over-the-fence kind.)  With DET in 1908, his 7 HR led the AL.  (This time, 5 sailed over the fence.  Of those, 3 were off future Hall of Fame hurlers.)

FCR -  Robert Reuther, Pittsburgh

Incorrect guesses:  Hal Chase, Buck Freeman 

 

SATURDAY  —19-Jun

Q.  What future Hall of Famer was hitting north of .400 during his rookie major league season before breaking his ankle sliding into home?

Hint: #1    He suffered a fractured skull and other injuries from a crash into an outfield wall.

Hint: #2    After his permanent retirement from his post-playing career in coaching, be became his home state’s banking commissioner.

A. EARLE COMBS  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.     In his rookie season, 1924, Combs played center field and hit .400 before breaking an ankle at CLE's Dunn Field on 15-Jun.

-   #1   Combs had a another serious accident in July 1934.  On a 100°+-day in St. Louis at Sportsman's Park, he crashed into the outfield wall going for a fly ball, sustaining a fractured skull, a broken shoulder and a damaged knee.  He was reportedly near death for several days, and was hospitalized for more than two months.  The next season, he attempted a comeback but suffered another serious injury.  That injury, coupled with the knowledge that the Yankees were set to bring up rookie outfielder Joe DiMaggio the next season, likely influenced Combs' decision to retire at the age of 36.

-   #2   After retiring from baseball in 1954, Combs returned to his 400-acre farm in Madison County., Kentucky.  He served as the state banking commissioner during Governor (and former Baseball Commissioner) A. B. 'Happy' Chandler's 2^nd administration (1955–1959).

FCR -  Bob Trostler, Norwich, Connecticut

Incorrect guesses:  Pete Reiser, Casey Stengel, Ty Cobb, Bob Hazle, Ross Youngs

 

SATURDAY SLEEPER  —19-Jun

Q.  Who was the first player named MVP from a team with a losing record?

Hint: #1    He was the oldest player to die while still an active player in the majors.

Hint: #2    Only Eddie Collins had more career sacrifice hits.

Hint: #3    He was awarded a posthumous Gold Glove.

A. JAKE DAUBERT  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.      NL MVP (Chalmers) in 1913 for BRO who finished 6^th that year with a record of 65-84-3.

-   #1   Daubert died 09-Oct-1924 at the age of 40 after hitting .281 for CIN, from conditions attributed to the lingering effects of a beanball (and an undetected hereditary condition involving the spleen) on 28-May of that season.

-   #2   Finished w/392 Sac H in 15 seasons.  Collins played 25 years to accumulate his 512.

-   #3   He never fielded below the .989 mark.  When SABR & STATS, Inc. decided to award retroactive Gold Gloves for decades prior to when the award started in 1957, Daubert won for the 1910s for 1B in the NL.

FCR -  Joe O’Neill, London, Ontario

Incorrect guesses:  Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente, Hank Sauer, Lou Gehrig 

 

SOLTICE SPECIAL  —19-Jun

Q.  Which right fielder had one of the greatest minor-league seasons of the Deadball Era, leading the PCL in batting average, hits, home runs, total bases and slugging?

Hint: #1    He played for four different franchises over his eight-year major league career, but never placed in the top 10 for MVP.

Hint: #2    He was known for powerful throwing arm and in his rookie year set the league record for assists by an outfielder.

A. MIKE MITCHELL  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.     In 1906, he won the PCL batting championship with a .339 BA, 35 2B, 11 3B, league-leading totals of 7 HR & 285 TB while slugging .466 to help Portland cop the pennant.

-   #1   CIN 1907-1912 (12^th in NL MVP voting in 1911, 1^st year of the Chalmers Award as an MVP), CHC 1913, PIT 1913-14, WSH in the AL in 1914.

-   #2   39 assists in 1907 still 2^nd all-time for a single season among modern outfielders behind Chuck Klein’s 44 in 1930.

FCR -  Ken Kirk, Corning, New York

Incorrect guesses:  Jigger Statz, Ike Boone, Tillie Walker, Gavvy Cravath, Lefty O'Doul, George Stone, Orator Shafer

 

SUNDAY  —20-Jun

Q.  What player’s World Series home run immediately preceded a scoreless innings record that lasted for 43 years?

Hint: #1    He holds the record for fewest RBI to lead the league in a modern, full season.

Hint: #2        His unusual running style presaged a Seinfeld episode.

A. HI MYERS  [SABR Bio]

-   Ans.      In G 2 of the 1916 WS, Myers hit an inside-the-park home run in the 1^st inning off BOS lefty Babe Ruth.  Ruth would not allow another R in the WS for another 29⅔ innings (a WS record broken by Whitey Ford’s 33⅔-inning WS scoreless streak in 1961).

-   #1   His 73 RBI in 1919 led the NL.  Babe Ruth & 10 other ALers each had more that year.

-   #2   Although one of the fleetest runners in the majors, Myers ran with his arms straight down at his sides as though he were carrying 2 heavy objects.  See Seinfeld: Season 8; Episode 22, Original air date: 15-May-1997.

FCR -  Bill Henry, East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Incorrect guesses:  Babe Ruth, Ron Cey, Willie McCovey, Keith Hernandez

 

 

WEEKLY THEME – Players, 30 years of age or older, who hit at least 21 triples in a season in the modern era.

 

Player              Triples    Year     Age      Team     Games      Hits    2B     HR    SO       BA

Cobb..................... 24..... 1917...... 30...... DET...... 152..... 225....... 44...... 6....... 34... .383

Combs................... 22..... 1930...... 31...... NYY...... 137..... 183....... 30...... 7....... 26... .344

Crawford................ 21..... 1912...... 32...... DET...... 149..... 189....... 30...... 4....... 32... .325

       "                      23..... 1913...... 33...... DET...... 153..... 193....... 32...... 9....... 28... .317

       "                      26..... 1914...... 34...... DET...... 157..... 183....... 22...... 8....... 31... .314

Daubert.................. 22..... 1922...... 38...... CIN....... 156..... 205....... 15.... 12....... 21... .336

Flick...................... 22..... 1906...... 30...... CLE....... 157..... 194....... 34...... 1....... 65... .311

Johnson................. 21..... 1996...... 32...... NYM...... 160..... 227....... 31...... 9....... 40... .333

Mitchell................. 22..... 1911...... 31...... CIN....... 142..... 154....... 22...... 2....... 34... .291

Myers.................... 22..... 1920...... 31...... BRO...... 154..... 177....... 36...... 4....... 54... .304

Roush.................... 21..... 1924...... 31...... CIN....... 121..... 168....... 23...... 3....... 11... .348

Seymour................ 21..... 1905...... 32...... CIN....... 149..... 219....... 40...... 8....... 29... .377

Lowering the triples number to 20 would include seasons by Buck Freeman, Joe Jackson, Rabbit Maranville, Bill Terry and Honus Wagner.

 

 

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No one

 

 

 

Incorrect theme guesses:

 

Tuesday -  Most hits in the decade of 1900-09.

               -  Players whose actions/accomplishments/stories are part of Roy Hobbs’ mythic narrative in Bernard Malamud’s “The Natural”.

 

Wed        -  Batters who hit over .400 for a season

               -  Most triples in a season by a left-handed batter since 1900

               -  Players who, in one season, led the league in BA, SLG and OPS, but not OBP

               -  Players who led the league in a category and were also managers

 

Thurs      -  Players with over 20 triples in a season

               -  Most career triples for a left hander since 1900

 

Sat          -  Most triples in a career by an outfielder

               -  1962 Hall of Fame inductees

 

If you know someone who would enjoy receiving daily Horsehide Trivia questions, Have them start by clicking here.

 

This week’s quiz archived here:  http://horsehidetriviA.          blogspot.com/

 

Horsehide Trivia encourages independent research.