2023-08-21 Players who finished second in Rookie-of-the-Year voting but are now in the Hall of Fame

 

MONDAY  — 21-Aug

Q.  Who eclipsed Babe Ruth’s most cherished record in 1961?

Hint: #1  He (not Ruth) is the pitcher with the most World Series game losses.

Hint: #2  His manager called him “Slick”, but his teammates, the media and the public settling on a more dignified sobriquet.

A.  WHITEY FORD  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  While pitching for BOS, Ruth put together a sting of 29⅔ straight innings where he gave up no HR in the postseason:  1916 WS: G2 through 1918 WS G4.  Ford threw 33⅔ straight scoreless innings in the WS of 1960, 1961 & 1962, silencing the Pirates, Red & Giants.

-  #1  Ford pitched in so many WS, it seems reasonable he’d be the one to take these 8 WS G losses.

-  #2  When we hear “Chairman of the Board” in a baseball setting, it’s seldom a reference to a team owner.

FCR -  Michael Green, Las Vegas

Incorrect guesses:  Roger Maris, Don Drysdale

 

 

MONDAY BIS —  21-Aug

Q.  Which switch-hitter was the first third baseman to have 100+ RBI in six consecutive seasons?

Hint: #1  He was the first player to have more than one multi-home-run game against Randy Johnson but was the only player to strike out three times in Johnson’s perfect game.

Hint: #2  He once opined that to qualify for an award like a league Rookie of the Year, a player should not have played in another major league before.

A.  CHIPPER JONES   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Jones had 100+ RBI in each of 1996-2001.

1)    #1  He homered off Johnson on 05-Sep-1999 & 05-Sep-2000.  Johnson’s perfecto: 18-0May-2004.

-  #2  When Hideo Nomo came to MLB from the Japanese Leagues and won the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year Award, Jones, who would have won otherwise, let his philosophy on the subject be known.

FCR -  Jeff Freedman, Westwood, California

Incorrect guesses:  Harvey Hurwitz, Huntington Woods, Michigan

 

 

TUESDAY —  22-Aug

Q.  Who was the first qualifying Baltimore Orioles pitcher to lead the majors in both ERA and ERA+ in the same season?

Hint: #1  In 1998, his record for career major league pitching appearances was broken by Dennis Eckersley.

Hint: #2  When he no-hit the Yankees, he became the first Oriole to claim a no-hitter.

A.  HOYT WILHELM   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  In 1959, Wilhelm’s ERA was 2.19, but his ERA+ was 173.  Jim Palmer with his 169 in 1975, is the only other Orioles hurler to do so.

-  #1  Wilhelm’s career total of 1,070 G, set in 1972 was passed by Eckersley in 1998.  Eckersley had the total title for only one season.  He was passed by Jesse Orosco who still leads in the category w/1,252.

-  #2  Since Wilhelm’s 1-0 no-no against the NYY on 20-Sep-1958, only Tom Phoebus (27‑Apr‑1968), Jim Palmer (13-Aug-1969) & John Means (5-May-2021) have thrown Oriole complete game no-hitters.

FCR -  Kevin Johnson, Broken Arrow, Arizona

Incorrect guesses: 

 

 

TUESDAY TWICE —  22-Aug

Q.  Which Hall of Famer once won the AAA International League’s Triple Crown, its Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Awards all in the same season?

Hint: #1  He is the only player to lead the American League in home runs and triples outright in the same season?

Hint: #2  No other player has ever grounded into as many as thirty-five double plays in a single season, yet he did it twice in two  years.

A.  JIM RICE   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Won accolades while playing BOS AAA farm team, the 1974 Pawtucket Red Sox.

-  #1  Rice led the majors in HR (46) and triples (15) in 1978.  [Note: With more than ⅔ of the 2023 season completed, LAA’s Shohei Ohtani currently leads the AL in HR with 43 & is tied for the lead in 3B w/KCR’s Bobby Witt at 7. So… ? ]           

-  #2  GIDP 36 in 1984 & 35 in 1985.    Art Howe hit .338 to Rice’s .337 that season, but despite showing up at the top of B-R’s leaderboard for that season, Howe did not accumulate enough PAs to qualify for the batting title.

FCR -  John Romps, Greenland, New Hampshire

Incorrect guesses: 

 

 

WEDNESDAY  — 23-Aug

Q.  Which member of the 3,000-hit club collected the most career hits as a designated hitter?

Hint: #1  No other batter had a season with more hits in the season he turned forty years old.

Hint: #2  He won what many people think Joe Carter won.

A.  PAUL MOLITOR  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Of Molitor’s 3,319 career hits, 1,457 were while batting DH.

-  #1  Molitor led the AL with 225 H in 1996.  He turned 40 on 22-Aug that year.

-  #2  Molitor was the MVP of the 1993 WS, hitting .458 with an OPS of 1.457.  He was on 1^st B after a single, just ahead of Carter’s  spot in the line-up.

FCR -  Rich Lerner, Silver Spring, Maryland

Incorrect guesses:  Edgar Martinez, Rafael Palmeiro, Tim Raines, George Brett

 

 

WEDNESDAY BONUS — 23-Aug

Q.  Who was the first San Diego Padres player to win the Gold Glove Award in back-to-back seasons?

Hint: #1  He was the first National League player to receive the Branch Rickey award.

Hint: #2  Three additional Hall of Fame players were born in his native city.

A.  OZZIE SMITH   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Smith’s GG for SDP were in 1980 & 1981.

-  #1  Rickey Award is given to an active player who demonstrated high standards and social concern through contributions to the community.  It was first awarded in 1992 & last awarded in 2014.  Smith was the 1994 winner.

-  #2  Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey & Satchel Paige were also born in Mobile, Alabama.

FCR -  David Serota, Kalamazoo

Incorrect guesses:  Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield, Steve Garvey, Ken Caminiti, Roberto Alomar, Edgar Martinez, Randy Jones

 

 

THURSDAY —  24-Aug

Q.  Who is the only player to lead his league ten times in being hit by pitch?

Hint: #1  He was the last player to have a ten-year gap in his major league service.

Hint: #2  He hit his second American League home run during the game Mickey Mantle hit his first.

A.  MINNIE MINOSO   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  HBP leader = 1951-1954; 1956-1961

-  #1  While playing in the minors between 1965 & 1975, Minoso excelled in several Mexican leagues.

-  #2  HR G = 01-May-1951

FCR -  Kevin Johnson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Incorrect guesses:  Hughie Jennings, Eddie Yost, Dave Winfield

 

 

FRIDAY — 25-Aug

Q.  Which one-time Giant spurned over 100 football scholarships to sign with the Montreal Expos as a shortstop?

Hint: #1 He is the last player to homer twice in an All-Star game.

Hint: #2 He played more than one hundred fifty fames at catcher the year he only allowed one passed ball all season.

A.  GARY CARTER   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  He played for SFG in 1990.

-  #1  2 HR = Carter represented MON in the 1981 ASG in Cleveland, the starter at C.  Described in the box score (2, 1 off Ron Davis, 7^th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep CF, 1 off Ken Forsch, 5^th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep LF).

-  #2  In In 1978, Carter played 152 G at C.  In Montreal on 22-Apr-1978 in the 3^rd inning, a passed ball on a pitch thrown by teammate Wayne Twitchell, allowed 2 runners to move up a base each.  Neither scored that inning & MON won 7-3.  It was the  only PB charged to :Carter all year.

FCR -  Chris Betsch, New Albany, Indiana

Incorrect guesses:  Tim Raines, Mike Schmidt, Joe Morgan

 

 

SATURDAY — 26-Aug

Q.  Whose record for grand slams in a season by a National League player did Albert Pujols tie in 2009?

Hint: #1  His nephew’s third home run in the majors, was off a pitcher destined for the Hall of Fame.

Hint: #2  He is the only player at his position to win consecutive league MVPs.

A.  ERNIE BANKS   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  In 1955, Banks made headlines when he set a major league record for most grand slams in a year by hitting 5!  Cardinal Albert Pujols tied him when he had 5 in 2009.  Banks hit his 5 on 11‑May-; 29-May-; 17-Jul(1)-; 02-Aug & 19-Sep-1955 off pitchers Russ Mayer, Lew Burdette, Ron Negray, Dick Littlefield & Linde McDaniel, respectively.

-  #1  HR by nephew Bob Johnson, took Dennis Eckersley deep (HOF on 07-May-1982).  Johnson had 9 career HR.  His famous uncle had 512.

-  #2  Banks was voted NL MVP in 1958 & 1959.

FCR -  Bob Trostler, Norwich, Connecticut

Incorrect guesses:  Mike Schmidt, Yogi Berra

 

 

SATURDAY EXTRA — 26-Aug

Q.  Which former Yankee got a chance to play on the same team with his son in the majors?

Hint: #1  The year he led the league in batting average, he also led in on-base percentage.

Hint: #2  The following year, however, he led the majors in runs scored.

A.  TIM RAINES   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Tim & Tim, Jr. played together for the 2001 Baltimore Orioles.

-  #1  in 1986, he led the NL in BA (.334) & PBP (.413).

-  #2  With 123 R, led everybody as his 133 R total had in 1983.

FCR -  Jeffrey Fink, Howell, New Jersey

Incorrect guesses:  Ken Griffey, Yogi Berra

 

SUNDAY — 27-Aug

Q.  A former Mets infielder was the first player to hit into four double plays in a single major league game.  What is his name?

Hint: #1  Only two people have been a player-manager since he was.

Hint: #2  He and his brother played together for Milwaukee one year.

A.  JOE TORRE   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  On 21-Jul-1975, Torre had 4 plate appearances & 4 X grounded into a double play.  Facing HOU’s Ken Forsch, Torre donated the “pitcher’ best friend” to the proceedings in the 1^st, 3^rd, 6^th & 9^th (All but the 6^th inning GIDP, ending the inning).  Played for NYM 1975-77.

-  #1  As manager of NYM in 1977, having played more than 100 G for them the year before with respectable stats, he put himself in as a player at 3^rd & 1^st a total of 17 X that year.  Don Kessinger was player-manager of CHW in 1979 & Pete Rose was player-manager for CIN 1984-85.

-  #2  Frank Torre, 9 years Joe’s senior, played for PHI as well.

FCR -  Eric Stone, Los Gatos, California

Incorrect guesses:  Gil Hodges, Goose Goslin, Robinson Cano, Frank Thomas

 

WEEK’S FINALE  — 27-Aug

Q.  Who did Bill James choose as the best second basement ever to play in the majors.

Hint: #1  Three times he stole sixty bases or more in a season, but never once led the league.

Hint: #2  No second baseman has more career bases on balls.

A.  JOE MORGAN   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Check out the whole list.  (Most grammarians no longer believe that “whom” is obligatory).

-  #1  Morgan stole 67 in 1973, 67 in 1975 & 60 in 1967, with Davey Lopes & Lou Brock stealing the spotlight in those years.

-  #2  Morgan was walked 1,865 X in his career.  The next closest is Eddie Collins w/1,499.  (Minimum 85% G played at 2^nd base.)

FCR -  Bruce McClure, New London, New Hampshire

Incorrect guesses:  Eddie Collins

 

 

 

WEEK’S THEME – Players who finished second in Rookie-of-the-Year voting but are now in the Hall of Fame

 

HOFer      Year  Lg   WAR      ROY                    WAR

Banks...... 1954... NL.... 2.5........ Wally Moon.............. 3.0

Carter...... 1975... NL.... 3.3........ John Montefusco..... 6.4

Ford......... 1950... AL..... 2.5........ Walt Dropo.............. -0.6

Jones....... 1995... NL.... 2.7........ Hideo Nomo............. 4.7

Minoso..... 1951... AL..... 0.3........ Gil McDougald......... 4.5

Molitor..... 1978... AL..... 2.7........ Lou Whitaker............ 3.8

Morgan.... 1964... NL.... 5.7........ Jim Lefebvre............ 4.6

Raines...... 1981... NL.... 3.5........ F. Valenzuela........... 5.3

Rice.......... 1975... AL..... 3........... Fred Lynn................. 7.4

Smith........ 1978... NL.... 3.3........ Bob Horner.............. 2.1

Torre........ 1961... NL.... 3.4........ Billy Williams............ 1.2

Wilhelm.... 1952... NL.... 2.6........ Joe Black................. 4.3

 

 

 

First Correct Respondent identifying theme – No one

 

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2023-08-14 Pitchers who hit home runs in World Series their team won.

14-Aug-2023

 

MONDAY  — 14-Aug

Q.  Which one-time Bluejay was the first pitcher to win the National League Cy Young Award by unanimous vote?

Hint: #1  In nine of his seventeen seasons pitching in the majors, he struck out batters at least 200 times in each of them.

Hint: #2  He was the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Three Rivers Stadium.

A.  BOB GIBSON  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Attended Creighton University (Bluejays) in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.  CYA in 1968.  He won again in 1970 &. missed repeating a unanimously by a single vote.

-  #1  Had 200+ K: 1962-66; 1968-70; 1972.  All 3 of Sandy Koufax' Cy Young Awards were won unanimously, but they were all MLB, not NL.

-  #2  No-hitter 14-Aug-1971.

FCR -  David Bodemer, Talmadge, Ohio

Incorrect guesses:  Steve Carlton, Sandy Koufax, Roy Halladay, John Candelaria, Dave Stieb, Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens, Tom Seaver

 

TUESDAY  — 15-Aug

Q.  Who holds the record for hitting the most career doubles among pitchers?

Hint: #1  He was the star of the team that ended the Yankees’ string of straight World Series championship wins at four.

Hint: #2  He played professional basketball in Philadelphia.

A.  BUCKY WALTERS  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  He hit 99 career doubles.  It turns out, however, that 34 of Walters’ doubles were hit while he was playing 3B & another 2 when pinch-hitting.  Red Ruffing is the career leader for doubles while pitching.  Ruffing hit 87 as a P, 7 as a PH and 1 as a RF.

-  #1  NYY won WS in 1936, 1937, 1938 & 1939, but the 1940 crown went to CIN who defeated DET* in 7 G.  Walter’s contribution on that team was significant.  The reigning NL MVP, he led his team in WAR, pitching victories, tied for the lead in Ks.  He led the  NL in wins, ERA, WHIP, innings pitched & finished 3^rd in MVP voting.

-  #2  Basketball career with the Philadelphia Moose, et al.

FCR -  Kyle Sammin, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania

*It could be argued that DET really ended the NYY WS string in 1940 by winning the AL pennant.

Incorrect guesses:  Johnny Vander Meer, Schoolboy Rowe, Hal Newhouser, Don Newcombe, Mort Cooper, Gene Conley, Carl Hubbell

 

 

WEDNESDAY  — 16-Aug

Q.  Whose records for most career strikeouts by an American League lefty did CC Sabathia break?

Hint: #1  According to the late David Vincent, he was the first person in his franchise’s history to homer in his first World Series at‑bat.

Hint: #2  His team’s spring training workouts often involved badminton racquets.

A.  MICKEY LOLICH  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Lolich’s AL Ks totaled 2,679.  Fellow lefty Sabathia passed him in 2016, finishing with 2,965 AL career K.

-  #1  Lolich’s HR on 03-Oct-1968, in the 2^nd G of the WS, was the only one in his 16-year MLB career.  David Vincent was a tireless researcher and gave this gem to me personally at a SABR meeting in Arlington, Virginia.

-  #2  Detroit Tigers playing badminton during spring training, Tampa, FL, 19-Mar-1969.  Photo by Walter Iooss Jr.-Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

FCR -  John Rickert Terre Haute, Indiana

Incorrect guesses:  Eddie Plank, Lefty Grove, Nolan Ryan, Rube Wadell, Randy Johnson, Lefty Gomez

 

 

MIDWEEK BONUS  — 16-Aug

Q.  Who was the first pitcher to hit a home run and pitch a shutout in the same World Series game?

Hint: #1  He was portrayed in a popular baseball movie by someone who is also in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Hint: #2  In spite of nineteen solid seasons, he only received MVP consideration the year he led the majors in shutouts.

A.  JESSE HAINES  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  HR + Shutout:  1926 WS, G 3.  It was the only HR hit that day.

-  #1  He was portrayed by Bob Lemon in the movie "The Winning Team".  Haines (1970) & Lemon (1976) are both now in the HOF.

-  #2  With 6 SHO in 1927, Haines finished 8^th in NL MVP voting.

FCR -  Mark Hayne, Dumfries, Virginia

Incorrect guesses:  G.C. Alexander, Whitey Ford, Jim Bagby (Sr.), Red Ruffing, Dave McNally, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth

 

 

THURSDAY  — 17-Aug

Q.  Who was the first pitcher to hit a grand slam in the World Series?

Hint: #1  He surrendered a Hall of Famer’s 3,000^th hit while pitching for the team from that batter’s hometown.

Hint: #2  No other pitcher born in his home state, had more career strikeouts or shutouts than he did.

A.  DAVE McNALLY  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  On 13-Oct-1970, in the 6^th inning of G 2 of the WS, McNally homered for BAL with the bases loaded off CIN’s Wayne Granger.

-  #1  Future Hall of Famer Baltimore-born Al Kaline, was there on 24-Sep-1974 to face the Orioles with his Detroit Tigers.  Batting as DH that night, his double off McNally was the 3,000^th hit hit of his career.  He added a single later, also off McNally.

-  #2  McNally finished his MLB career with the most wins, All-Star appearances, G started or Ks of any pitcher born in the state of Montana.

FCR -  David Ramsden, Barcelona

Incorrect guesses:  Jim Bagby, Sr.

 

 

FRIDAY  — 18-Aug

Q.  Who is the only player to get two doubles in the World Series after having exactly zero hits of any description during that season?

Hint: #1  The next year he never even came to the plate before October.  Then he proceeded to add a third double to his postseason résumé.

Hint: #2  He once threw a no-hitter without striking out a single batter against a team headed for postseason play and with three future Hall of Famers in the lineup.

A.  KEN HOLTZMAN  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  In the 1973 regular season, starting pitcher Holtzman had but 1 PA , his team taking full advantage of the new DH rule.  He drew a walk in that trip to the plate.  However, in G1 & G7 of the 1973 WS, he hit doubles, both off the Mets’ John Matlack.

-  #1  In the 1974 WS, Holtzman doubled off the Dodgers’ Andy Messersmith in G1.

-  #2  On 19-Aug-1969, Holtzman managed to get 27 Braves out, not one of them, however, on a strikeout.  Henry Aaron, Orlando Cepeda & Phil Niekro accounted for 8 of those outs.  ATL won the NL West* in 1969.

FCR -  Rich Lerner, Silver Spring, Maryland

*Yup, West.  Atlanta.  Georgia!  Signaling the decline of geography studies throughout the country.

Incorrect guesses:  Sad Sam Jones, Mike Moore

 

 

SATURDAY  — 19-Aug

Q.  Who was the first Cleveland pitcher to win thirty games in a single season?

Hint: #1  No pitcher over the past century has had more wins in a single season.

Hint: #2  His nickname of Sarge came from a Broadway show.

A.  JIM BAGBY  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Bagby’s career year of 1920 saw him lead the AL with 31 victories.  He is the only CLE hurler to ever win 30 G in one year. 

-  #1  Bagby’s 31 wins in 1920 was only matched (by Lefty Grove in 1931 and Denny McLain in 1968), but never surpassed

- #2  Bagby’s career spanned the years of World War I and most thought his nickname was a reference to time in the military, but he actually received the moniker from one of his teammates after they attended a Broadway play called Boys Will Be Boys (by humorist Irvin S. Cobb).  The play had a random character named Sergeant Jimmy Bagby.

FCR -  Richard Tourangeau, Boston

Incorrect guesses:  Jim McCormick, Early Wynn, Bob Feller, Stanley Coveleski, Addie Joss

 

 

SUNDAY  — 20-Aug

Q.  Which pitcher claimed the penultimate World Series game victory the last time the Phillies went all the way?

Hint: #1  He once surrendered a grand slam on the very first major league pitch seen by the rookie batter.

Hint: #2  His unlikely homer run in the fifth inning of the contest referenced in the Q. above qualifies him for inclusion in this week’s theme.

A.  JOE BLANTON  [Wiki Bio]

-  Ans.  PHI beat TDR in the 2008 WS & Blanton was the winning pitcher in G4.

-  #1  Blanton threw a fastball over the heart of the plate with the bases loaded in the 2^nd inning on 12‑June-2010.  BOS Rookie Daniel Nava blasted it into the bullpen at Fenway.

-  #2  See week’s answers & theme.  (He now lives in Montana. I wonder if he ever runs into McNally?)

FCR -  Ben Blotner, Columbus, Ohio

Incorrect guesses:  Cole Hamels

 

 

 

WEEKLY THEME – Pitchers who hit home runs in World Series their team won.*

 

Pitcher            Team     WS           G# / Date           Opp/Team                        WAR

 

Bagby......... CLE....... 1920........... 5/10-Oct....... Burleigh Grimes/BRO             30.9

 

Blanton....... PHI........ 2008................. 4............. Edwin Jackson/TBR.................... 11.8

 

Gibson**...... STL........ 1967............ 7/12-Oct....... Jim Lonborg/BOS.................... 89.1

.................... STL........ 1968............ 4/06-Oct....... Joe Sparma/DET

 

Walters........ CIN........ 1940............ 6/07-Oct....... Fred Hutchinson/DET......... 53.5

 

Lolich.......... DET....... 1968............ 2/03-Oct....... Nelson Briles/STL.................... 48.0

 

Haines**...... STL........ 1926............ 3/05-Oct....... Dutch Ruether/NYY.................... 32.6

 

Holtzman..... OAK...... 1974............ 4/16-Oct....... Andy Messersmith/LAD...... 27.3

 

McNally....... BAL....... 1970 (gs) .... 3/13-Oct....... Wayne Granger/CIN.................... 25.5

 

 

* NL/AL WS (1903- ).

**Hall of Famer

 

 

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Joe Cohen, Holden, Massachusetts

 

 

Incorrect theme guesses:

 

Monday  -  Three or more complete games in a single World Series

 

 

Tues       -  Games or victories (played in a WS)

               -  Victories (in a WS)

               -  Most shutouts on the ROAD in a career

               -  Pitchers whose team lost in the world series the year they were regular-season MVP

 

 

Thu         -  Pitchers who hit a HR and pitched a shutout in same WS game

               -  Pitchers with HR in games they won in a 7 game WS where they won the WS

               -  Pitchers who hit WS home runs

               -  Pitchers that hit a HR and won 2 or more games in same WS

               -  Pitcher who hit HR in WS in the same game that they pitched a complete-game win

               -  Pitchers who have hit World Series home runs

 

FRI          -  Pitchers whose only home run came in the World Series

               -  Pitchers who hit a grand slam in the World Series with a double and walk

 

Sun         -  Pitchers who rake

               -  Pitchers who have hit home runs in the playoffs/World Series.

               -  Pitchers who won WS games that they homered in

 

 

 

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