2024-11-11 Players who hit home runs in each of three consecutive innings in one game

MONDAY  — 11-Nov

Q.  Who is the only player in the Expansion Era to have more than 420 total bases in a season?

Hint: #1  He is the only player to hit twenty home runs in a single calendar month in the majors.

Hint: #2  The 145^th and 146^th home runs of his career were hit in the same inning.

A.  SAMMY SOSA  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Sosa’s 425 Total Bases in 2001 is the most in a year since Stan Musial posted 429 in 1948.

-  #1  In July of 1998, Sosa went deep and hopped 20 times.

-  #2  On 16-May-1996, in the 7^th inning, Sosa led off with a HR to RF off HOU’s Jeff Tabaka.  Then, 2 outs later, Sosa victimized Jim Dougherty, going to LF-CF.

FCR -  Jimmy Goggin, Williamsburg, Virginia

Incorrect guesses:  Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Carlos Bertran, Robinson Cano

 

 

MONDAY MATTERS — 12-Nov

Q.  Who is the only player to receive the Platinum Glove Award an unthinkable six years running?

Hint: #1  He was the first player to win a Gold Glove Award in his rookie season.

Hint: #2  Not too bad with the bat either.  He led  the National League in home runs three times, led in doubles once and led the majors in RBI twice.

A.  NOLAN ARENADO  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  From 2017 through 2022, Arenado was acknowledged as the finest defensive player in the entire National League.  4 X w/COL & 2X w/STL.  This year’s winners.

-  #1  Arenado won the NL GG for 3B from his 1^st season, 2013 and didn’t stop winning for 10 years—through 2022.

-  #2  NL HR leader 2015 (42), 2016 (41) & 2018 (39); in 2B in 2017 (43).  MLB RBI leader 2015 (130) & 2016 (133).

FCR -  Jake Rinloan, Chico, California

Incorrect guesses:  Jim Rice, Bengie Molina

 

TUESDAY  — 12-Nov

Q.  Which six-time Silver Slugger Award winner has been voted MVP of a postseason series and the league MVP in the same season?

Hint: #1  He has played for teams in two leagues without changing positions or cities.

Hint: #2  He has more postseason home runs than either Derek Jeter or David Ortiz.

A.  JOSE ALTUVE  [BR Bio]

-  Ans.  Altuve won the SS in 2014-2018, 2022.  He was MVP of the 2019 ALCS & of the 2017 AL season.

-  #1  He played for the NL Houston Astros 2011-2012.  Has played for the AL Houston Astros 2013-2024.

-  #2  Altuve = 27 HR in postseason play;  Jeter = 20; Pujols = 19.  Full list.

FCR -  Jake Hicks, Stevenson, Alabama

Incorrect guesses:  Sammy Sosa, Carlos Beltran, Kyle Schwarber, Jimmy

 

 

TUESDAY THE 2^nd TIME  — 12-Nov

Q.  Who was the National League home run leader the season the Yankees first played in the World Series?

Hint: #1  He is the only twentieth-century second baseman of six feet four inches or taller with 1,000 games in the majors and at least 100 at second base.

Hint: #2  There is controversy surrounding his election to the Hall of Fame.

A.  GEORGE KELLY [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Kelly’s 23 HR paced the NL in 1921, setting a new Giants franchise record.  (There’s no purpose mentioning who led the other league that year.)

-  #1  Teammates called him “Long George Kelly” or “High Pockets Kelly”.  He stood out at least for his height.  For example.

-  #2  Kelly was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.  However, his selection is controversial.  With his modest career WAR (25.9), most now say he was undeserving of the recognition & was only elected by the Veterans Committee in 1973 because it consisted of his former Giants teammates, Frankie Frisch & Bill Terry, themselves gaining HOF status only after 7 & 15 votes respectively.

FCR -  David Holtz, Northridge, California

Incorrect guesses:  Rogers Hornsby, Jeff Kent, Dave Bancroft, Frankie Frisch

 

 

WEDNESDAY  — 13-Nov

Q.  Who was the first player after Carl Yastrzemski to lead his league in all three legs of the Triple Crown?

Hint: #1  He hit forty home runs for the team who released him right after the season.  He was picked up by another team and promptly hit forty for them.

Hint: #2  He is the only player to be hit-by-pitch each of the first three games in a season.

A.  ANDRES GALARRAGA  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  In 1993 w/COL, Galarraga led MLB in BA: w\.370.  In 1996, Galarraga’s 47 HR led the NL.  His 150 RBI led the NL & the Majors, completing all 3 stats needed for a TC, if it were done that way.

-  #1  He hit 41 HR but was released on 27-Oct-1997 by COL.  ATL signed him 20-Nov-1997 & the following season he hit 44 HR for them.

-  #2  Was plunked playing for ATL by former teammates on COL.  On 03-, 04-, & 05-Apr-2000,. He was drilled by Pedro Astacio, Rolando Arrojo & Brian Bohanon respectively.

FCR -  Chris Connor, Allen, Texas

Incorrect guesses:  Miguel Cabrera, Frank Robinson, Manny Ramirez

 

 

THURSDAY  — 14-No

Q.  Who is the only player to win the silver Slugger Awards at two positions in the same season?

Hint: #1  This six-time All-Star was the next player to hit four home runs in a game after Scooter did it.

Hint: #2  He signed with a new team the very next season and proceeded to lead the majors in Runs-Batted-In and Total Bases and help lead his new team to a World Series Championship.

A.  J.D. MARTINEZ  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  In 2018, he became the first player in MLB history to win the award at 2 different positions in a single season.  He won the SS as both an outfielder & as a DH playing for the BOS.

-  #1  Scotter Gennett hit 4 HR in a G on 06-Jun-2017 for CIN.  Three months later Martinez had a great day on 04-Sep-2017 when he hit 4 out at Chavez Ravine.  Martinez was an AS in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 & 2023.

-  #2  After being granted fee agency by ARI after the season in 2017, he signed with BOS & became an important part of their WS run, trailing only MVP Mookie Betts in WAR for the year & finishing 4^th in the MVP voting himself.

FCR -  Gabe Kinstlinger, Reisterstown, Maryland

Incorrect guesses:  Shohei Ohtani, Josh Hamilton, Eddie Mathews

 

 

FRIDAY  — 15-Nov

Q.  Which one-time San Francisco Giants utility infielder/outfielder is the only Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year from the Tennessee Smokies?

Hint: #1  His teammates dubbed him “Sparkles”.

Hint: #2  The year he won his first NL MVP, he led the senior circuit in WAR and helped his team win an award they had not won since radio was widely available.

A.  KRIS BRYANT  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  The Smokies are an AA affiliate of CHC & Bryant won the award in 2014.  W/SFG, he played 26 G at 1B & 30 G in the OF, all positions.

-  #1  Other nicknames he has had to abide are “Silk” & KB.

-  #2  CHC won the WS in 2016, their 1^st since 1908.  Bryant’s WAR was 7.3 & his MVP was 1-vote shy of being unanimous.

FCR -  Jesse Asbury, Norman, Oklahoma

Incorrect guesses:  Ernie Banks, Joey Amalfitano

 

 

FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL  — 15-16-Nov

Q.  Which former Spinner holds the Toronto Blue Jays record for being hit by a pitch the most times in one season?

Hint: #1  His final stop as a pro was as a Bluefish.

Hint: #2  “Ahoy!  I see trouble ahead!”

A.  SHEA HILLENBRAND  [Wiki Bio]

-  Ans.  Hillebrand was plunked 22 X in 2005, which led the majors.  In 1996, he played 72 games for the Low-A Lowell Spinners in the New York–Penn League.

-  #1  He called it a career in 2012 after playing in the Atlantic League, batting .194 for the Bridgeport Bluefish.

-  #2  Hillenbrand is perhaps infamously remembered for an off-the-field controversy during his time with TOR.  In 2006, he wrote, "This is a sinking ship" on the clubhouse bulletin board, criticizing the team's management & atmosphere.  The incident led to a confrontation with manager John Gibbons & to Hillenbrand’s eventual release from the team.

FCR -  Mark DeLodovico, Rockville, Maryland

Incorrect guesses: 

 

 

SATURDAY  — 16-Nov

Q.  Who is the winningest manager in the history of the Toledo Mud Hens?

Hint: #1  He was the Detroit Tigers’ manager for their final season at Tiger Stadium.

Hint: #2  He was Phil Niekro's 3,000^th  career strikeout victim.

A.  LARRY PARRISH  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Parrish led Toledo for 9 seasons:  2003-06; 2008-10 & 2014-15.  His record is highlighted by back-to-back Governors' Cup championships in 2005 & 2006.

-  #1  Parrish led DET for 2 years, 1998 & 1999, the latter being the last year of that storied baseball domicile.

-  #2  K’ed by Knucksie on 04-Jul-1984, 4^th inning; advanced to 1B on PB.  Six Rangers struck out, no one more than once.

FCR -  Vince Guerrieri, Elyria, Ohio

Incorrect guesses:  Jim Leyland, Sparky Anderson, Brad Ausmus, Alan Trammell, Buddy Bell, Lance Parrish

 

 

SATURDAY BONUS  — 16-Nov

Q.  Which former Dodger and Platinum Glove Award winner hit two home runs in his second major league game?

Hint: #1  He was one of the rare players to receive and sign a ten-year contract.

Hint: #2  In four separate seasons, he finished fifth, fourth, third and second in league MVP voting.

A.  MANNY MACHADO  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  In the G on 10-Aug-2012, Machado homered off KCR’s Luke Hochevar in the 5^th and 6^th innings.  In 2013, he also won the Platinum Glove Award, recognizing him as the best overall defensive player in the entire American League regardless of position.  He played for LAD in 2018, helping them reach the World Series.

-  #1  In February 2019, Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres.

-  #2  He finished 5^th (2016), 4^th (2015), 3^rd (2020) & 2^nd (2022).

FCR -  Scott Kent, Celina, Texas

Incorrect guesses:  Trea Turner, Adrian Gonzalez, Adrian Beltre

 

 

SUNDAY  — 17-Nov

Q.  Which one-time Tiger wore a hat size greater than Bruce Bochy’s?

Hint: #1  He was the next batter to homer in each of seven consecutive games after Barry Bonds did it.

Hint: #2  He led his avian college team to the NCAA tournament twice.

A.  KEVIN MENCH  [Wiki Bio]

-  Ans.  Boche’s is famously 8⅛, but Mench’s is 8¼ !  [To determine hat size, divide the circumference of the skull in inches by π (3.14159, etc.) & round up to the nearest ⅛".]  Mench also played for the Hanshin Tigers of the Japan Western League in 1990.

-  #1  His rampage of 7 straight Gs w/a HR =  21-; 22-; 23-; 24-; 25-; 26-; & 28-Apr-2006.  Bonds’s string was 12-20-Apr-2004.

-  #2  A native of Delaware, Mench led the U. of Delaware Blue Hens to the NCAA tournament in 1998 & 1999.

FCR -  Mark Hayes, Dumfries, Virginia

Incorrect guesses: 

 

 

SUNDAY EXTENDED  — 17-Nov

Q.  Which Sooner had the most American League strikeouts over his first five full years prior to 1950?

Hint: #1  He was only the second player on the home team to hit a home run into the upper deck of Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

Hint: #2  He had his best day, however, in his last year in the majors and on the road to boot.

A.  PAT SEERY [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Seerey was born in Oklahoma, the “Sooner State” & posted K totals of 99, 97, 107, 66 & 102, totaling 465.

-  #1  This HR feat had only been done previously by fellow Indians outfielder Jeff Heath.  The other players to do it are Rudy York, Ted Williams, George McQuinn & Dale Mitchell.

-  #2  On 18-Jul-1948, Seerey was playing for the White Sox against the A’s in Shibe Park in Philadelphia.  He went deep four (4!) times at the expense of some better-than-average pitching.  Also, during that game he also qualified for this week’s theme.

FCR -  Bill Rudolph, Collingswood, New Jersey

Incorrect guesses:  Pete Incaviglia, Allie Reynolds.

 

 

WEEK’S FINALE  — 17-Nov

Q.  Who broke Cody Bellinger’s record for most home runs in a calendar month by a National League rookie?

Hint: #1  In August of that season, he became the first player in MLB history to hit 7 home runs in his first 10 games.

Hint: #2  In his first complete season in the majors, he set MLB records for… most home runs in his first career 12, 14, 16, 17 & 25 games.

Hint: #3  He received not a single vote for consideration as the National League Rookie of the Year.

A.  ARISTEDES AQUINO   [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  The Cincinnati Reds’ Aquino broke the rookie mark of 13 HR in a month set by LAD’s Bellinger in June 2017, by hitting 14 in August 2019.

-  #1  On 10-Aug-2019, he hit three home runs in the game against the Chicago Cubs, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit seven home runs in their first 10 career games.

-  #2  Elias Sports says Aquino in 2019 hit the most home runs of any player in his…

First 12 career games (8);

First 14 career games (9);

First 16 career games (10);

First 17 career games (11); &

First 22 career games (12).

-  #3  The year was filled with excellent rookie performances.  Sure, but ZERO votes?

FCR -  Bruce McClure, New London, New Hampshire

Incorrect guesses:  Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, Kris Bryant, Yasiel Puig, Jeff Francoeur, Pete Alonso, Patrick Wisdom

 

 

WEEK’S THEME – Players who hit home runs in each of three consecutive innings in one game

 

Player/Date        Inn/P     Inn/P       Inn/P   Team  Opp

Altuve                         1               2                    3            HOU      TEX

5-Sep-2023            Eovaldi        Eovaldi-b   Eovaldi-c

 

Aquino                        2               3                    4            CIN        CHC

10-Aug-2019      Hendricks    Hendricks-b   Maples

 

Arenado                     4^th              5^th                 6^th           COL       SDP

19-Jul-2017          Richard          Q’bush     Q’bush-b

 

Bryant                         7               8                    9            CHC       WSN

17-May-2019          Miller        Barraclough   Grace

 

Galarraga                   6               7                    8            COL       SDP

25-Jun-1995         Sanders           Blair      Valenzuela

 

Hillenbrand                4               5                    6            ARI        COL

7-Jul-2003           Jennings      Jennings-b     Cruz

 

Kelly                            3               4                    5            NYG       CHC

17-Sep-1923         Aldridge       Aldridge-b  Aldridge-c

 

Machado                     1               2                    3            BAL        CHW

07-Aug-2016         Shields        Shields-b     Albers

 

Martinez*                   7               8                    9            ARI        LAD

4-Sep-2017             Baez             Fields          Font

 

Mench                         5               6                    7            TEX       LAA

30-Jun-2005          Peralta          Woods     Woods-b

 

Parrish                        3               4                    5            MON      ATL

30-Jul-1978            Boggs            Skok        Skok-b

 

Seerey*                       4               5                    6            CHW      PHA

18-Jul-1948           Savage          Schieb     Schieb-b

 

Sosa                            3^rd                       4^th                 5^th           CHC       COL

10-Aug-2002        Chacon        Chacon-b     Corey

 

*Hit a 4^th HR in the same game.

 

First Correct Respondent identifying theme – Warren Kent, Whitehall, Michigan (after Hillenbrand)

 

 incorrect theme guess:

 

Tues    -  Players who won particular awards exactly six times

 

 

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