October 17-23, 2011 The first ten players to hit two home runs in a World Series

MONDAY

Q.         Whose last name developed into an adjective describing tremendous home runs, even while he was still a player?

Hint:     His most famous statue shows him with a mitt that is not his and his most famous photo shows him with a bat that is not his.

Twint:    He himself had no fewer than three nicknames in common usage before he retired.

A.         Babe Ruth (“Ruthian”; Statue at Camden Yards with right-hander’s glove, photo [leaning on Bob Feller’s bat]; “The Bambino”, “The Sultan of Swat”, “The Caliph of Clout”, More of his nicknames)

First Correct Respondent - Dave Serota, Kalamazoo, MI

TUESDAY

Q.         Who is the only manager to win more than 35 World Series games?

Hint:     He was once fined by the commissioner for allowing his picture to appear in a beer ad (his picture, not the commissioner’s).

Twint:    He is the only man to wear the uniforms of, the Yankees, Giants, Dodgers and Mets while all were still New York teams.

Twint:    He once teased Joe Garagiola saying, "When they list all the great catchers—you’ll be there, … listening!"

Twint:    He had the only hit in what otherwise would have been the first ever Opening Day no-hitter.

A.         Casey Stengel (37 WS W; $500 by Ford Frick for Rheingold Beer ad in 1962; Near‑no‑hitter H off Pete Schneider 16‑Apr‑1918)

FCR -    J.R. Richardson, Clarksville, MD

WEDNESDAY

Q.         What Hall of Famer was purchased by the Yankees for half of what Alex Rodriguez made per plate appearance in 2011?

Hint:     He led the league in home runs four times before the trade, but never again after becoming a Yankee.

Twint:    A statue with his likeness was rumored to have been erected on the campus of University of Massachusetts.

Twint:    He was an expert duck hunter and raised hunting dogs.

Twint:    His son Franklin played baseball for the University of Maryland.

A.         Frank Baker (15-Feb-1916 Yankees paid Athletics $37,500, A-Rod’s salary per plate appearance in 2011 $74,766.36; UMass staffers know of the rumor, but no one currently working there has ever seen the statue.)

FCR -    Bill Garrod, Edgewood, WA

MIDWEEK BONUS

Q.         Who is the only manager to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 100-win season?

Hint:     He did it twice, but they only won the World Series in one of those seasons.

Twint:    He took part in the Cherokee Strip, Oklahoma land dash in 1893, but was unable to stake a suitable claim.

A.         Fred Clarke (1902, 1909)

FCR -    Paul Hirsch, Danville, CA

THURSDAY

Q.         What Hall of Famer first honed his athletic skills by tossing fresh eggs against the side of the family's barn?

Hint:     He was the first player in American League history to lead off consecutive games with home runs.

Hint:     The games were played on the same day.

Hint:     Those were half the home runs he had all season.

Hint:     These were also ONLY THE 3^rd AND 4^th HOME RUNS the first two of his then career eleven career home runs that had cleared the fence.

Twint:    He holds the Red Sox franchise record for career stolen bases.

A.         Harry Hooper (HRs 30-May-1913; 300 of his 375 SB were w/Boston AL)

FCR -    Jim McCoy, Melrose, MA

FRIDAY

Q.         What Hall of Famer attempted to use a black and white striped bat during a game, but was stopped by the umpire.

Hint:     He went three for four that day with his more conventional bat.

Hint:     He was the team’s star and this was Opening Day.

Twint:    He won World Series rings for different American League teams eleven years apart.

A.         Goose Goslin (Umpire Harry Geisel ruled bat illegal 12-Apr-1932; 1924 Senators, 1935 Tigers)

FCR -    J.J. McCoy, Washington, DC

END-OF-THE-WEEK SPECIAL

Q.         Who was the first American Leaguer to hit to two triples in a World Series?

Hint:     For good measure, he did it in the same game.

Hint:     For even better measure, three teammates also hit triples in that same game.

Twint:    Earlier that season, he’d hit three triples in a game.

A.         Patsy Dougherty (WS G5 07-Oct-1903; 3b same G Cy Young, Chick Stahl, Jimmy Collins; 3bX3 05-Sep-1903)

FCR -    Dave Serota, Kalamazoo

SATURDAY

Q.         Who led the Federal League in batting average and stolen bases in both of its major league seasons?

Hint:     This led to his being call the Ty Cobb of the Federal League.

Twint:    He is the only 20^th century player to be picked off first base three times in one game.

Twint:    His infield single spoiled spitballer Jimmy Lavender’s no-hit bid.

A.         Benny Kauff (FL 1914-15; Pick-offs 26-May-1916; One-hitter 14-Jun-1916)

FCR -    Rick Huhn, Westerville, OH

WEEKEND BONUS

Q.         Who is the only American League player to collect 120 runs batted in a season while hitting fewer than five home runs?

Hint:     He’d had 118 the season prior with the same home run total.

Hint:     He served as the athletic director and baseball coach for the University of Vermont from 1918-52.

Twint:    No other player, born and raised in Vermont, had more years in the majors.

A.         Larry Gardner (1921; 1920)

FCR -    Tom Zocco, Rocky Hill, CT

SUNDAY

Q.         Who was the first Yankee to get a hit in Yankee Stadium?

Hint:     He lost his starting spot to a Hall of Famer.

Twint:    His team’s owner game him most of the credit for the franchise’s first World Series championship.

A.         Aaron Ward (18-Apr-1923; Tony Lazzeri; Jacob Rupert)

FCR -    Bill Garrod, Edgewood, WA

WEEKLY THEME – The first ten players to hit two home runs in a World Series

Baker           1911     G2, G3      Bio

Clarke          1909     G1, G5      Bio

Dougherty    1903     G2            Bio

Gardner        1916     G3, G4      Bio

Goslin          1924     G2, G4      Bio

Hooper         1915     G5            Bio

Kauff           1917     G4            Bio

Ruth             1923     G2, G6      Bio

Stengel        1923     G1, G3      Bio

Ward            1922     G2, G4

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Joe Ullian, Santa Barbara

October 10-16, 2011 Active players who hold a major league franchise's all-time record for home runs in a seaso

MONDAY

Q.         Who ruptured his Achilles tendon on his team’s final play of 2011?

Hint:     He totaled 100 career home runs faster than anyone in major league history.

Hint:     A week before winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award, he was name the MVP of the Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series.

SABR:  His injury was sustained while playing his “home town team”.

Twint:    He was the first player to win a $10,000,000 arbitration award in his first year of arbitration eligibility.

A.         Ryan Howard (Injury on the final play of NLDS in Philadelphia 07-Oct-2011; 100^th HR in 325^th game 27-Jun-2007; MPV of MLBJASS 08-Nov-2006, NL MVP announcement 20‑Nov‑2006; arbitration award)

First Correct Respondent – Walt Cherniak, Woodbine, MD

TUESDAY

Q.         Who was the first Cleveland Indian to hit thirty home runs a year for six consecutive seasons?

Hint:     He was also the first one to do it seven times.

Hint:     He was named the Best Teammate in Major League Baseball with over three times the votes of any other player.

Hint:     He was traded that very off-season.

SABR:  He set a major league record by scoring in each of the White Sox's first seventeen games one season.

Twint:    His college alma mater awarded him an honorary degree and named their baseball stadium after him.

Twint:    He also played college basketball.

Twint:    He, like many well-tested products, played in Peoria.

A.         Jim Thome (30 HRs 1996-2002; Tribune Co. survey in 2005; R in 17 straight G for 02-Apr-2006 thru 22‑Apr‑2006; Illinois Central College; Thome’s native Peoria, Illinois is a traditional test market for new products and ideas.)

FCR -    Mike McCroskey, Sugar Land, TX

WEDNESDAY

Q.         Who became the youngest player to homer in a World Series on Mickey Mantle’s 65^th birthday?

Hint:     For good measure, he hit another one.

Hint:     He twice won the “Baseball America” Minor League Players of the Year Award.

Twint:    He carries a scar from a childhood iguana bite on his chest.

A.         Andruw Jones (19 years, 180 days 20-Oct-1996; MLPOY 1995-96)

FCR -    David Krassin, New York

MIDWEEK BONUS

Q.         What Ontario native holds the record for postseason home runs for the Milwaukee Brewers?

Hint:     He hit a batting practice home run in Tiger Stadium when he was only twelve years old.

Twint:    His first career hit was off Hideo Nomo, but he never homered off him.

Twint:    He is the youngest player ever to hit 50 home runs in a season.

Twint:    He and his father are the only father/son combination each to hit 50 home runs in a season.

A.         Prince Fielder (4 postseason HR, Ontario, California; 50 HR 2007; Father Cecil Fielder 51 HR 1990)

FCR -    J.R. Richardson, Clarksville, MD

THURSDAY

Q.         Who was given a plaque by his team’s owner declaring him "The greatest clutch hitter in the (100+ year) history of the team"?

Hint:     He still plays for that team.

Hint:     He was the last 20^th century American League position player to go an entire season (minimum at-bats) without a hit.

Hint:     Only three other players in the entire century equaled that mark.

Twint:    He led the American League in run batted in for consecutive seasons.

Twint:    The year before he had 139, but that was only good for second place, behind La Gua Gua.

A.         David Ortiz (Red Sox owner John Henry & president Larry Lucchino on 06-Sep-2005; Larry Littleton [0-23 in 1981], Kevin Elster [0-20 in 1994], Ortiz [0-20 in 1999] [Eddie Tucker] went 0-20 for Cleveland Indians in 1995; Miguel Tejada w/150 RBI in 2004)

FCR -    Joe Merrill, Brunswick, ME

FRIDAY

Q.         Who was the last Colorado Rockies batter to hit forty home runs in a season?

Hint:     He came within one first place vote of winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

Twint:    Only he, Lou Gehrig and Chuck Klein have totaled 100 extra base hits in a season twice.

Twint:    He was the highest-paid National League position player in 2011.

A.         Todd Helton (49 HR 2001; ROY 1998 Kerrie Wood; XBH Gehrig [1927, 30], Klein [1930, 32], Helton [2000-01]; $19,000,000 [partly deferred])

FCR -    Walt Cherniak, Woodbine, MD

SATURDAY

Q.         Who holds the all-time record for the most All-Star votes received by a player in a single season with 7,454,753?

Hint:     Only once before in his eight-year, five-team major league career had he received serious All-Star consideration.

Hint:     His accent belies his nationality.

Twint:    Joey Bats right-handed.

A.         Jose Bautista (AS votes 2011)

FCR -    Matt Dicker, Arlington, VA

SUNDAY

Q.         Whose career .239 batting average over eleven seasons seems at odds with his 2011 $10,000,000 salary?

Hint:     He has played for six different teams in the majors over that span, not counting seven different teams in the minors.

Hint:     That does not count the six minor league teams he played before reach the majors.

Hint:     He also played in the Cape Cod League.

Twint:    He was both a Husky and a Raider.
A.         Carlos Pena (Wareham Gatemen; Northeastern University and Wright State University)

FCR -    David Krassin, New York

WEEKLY THEME – Active players who hold a major league franchise's all-time record for home runs in a season.

Slugger     HRs      Year/Team

Jones         51       2005 Braves

Ortiz           54       2006 Red Sox

Fielder        50       2007 Brewers

Pena           46       2007 (Devil) Rays

Bautista      54       2010 Blue Jays

Helton         49       2001 Rockies

Thome        52       2002 Indians

Howard       58       2006 Phillies

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Walt Cherniak, Woodbine, MD

October 3-9, 2011 Pitchers in the Hall of Fame class of 1946

MONDAY/TUESDAY

Q.         What pitcher holds the 20^th century record for victories in a season?

Hint:     He was a coach on the World Series champion Senators.

SABR:  He lost his coaching job, literally, to a clown.

Twint:    Before coming to the majors, he worked for the state mental hospital in Middletown, New York.

Twint:    He also played baseball for them and the team was called The Asylums.

A.         Jack Chesbro (41 W in 1904; WS 1924; Al Schaact replaced him as coach mid-1924; Asylums in 1894)

FCR -    Michael Frank, New York

WEDNESDAY

Q.         Which Hall of Fame pitcher has the lowest career ERA?

Hint:     No pitcher in the 20^th century ever pitched more innings in a single season.

SABR:  As a batter one season he had 156 plate appearances without ever drawing a walk.

Twint:    He was a Ram but his son, also a major leaguer, played for the Fighting Irish.

A.         Ed Walsh (Career ERA 1.82 [not a typo]; 464 innings in 1908; 0 BB 1907; Fordham University & Notre Dame.)

FCR -    Will McCracken, Bradenton, FL

THURSDAY

Q.         Who managed the Chicago White Sox to their first pennant?

Hint:     He has more career pitching victories than Hall of Famers Waite Hoyt, Catfish Hunter or Jim Bunning.

SABR:  His close relationship with President Roosevelt greatly assisted in enabling major league baseball to continue during the war.

Twint:    Bobo Newsom called him, “… the greatest humanitarian who ever lived.”

A.         Clark Griffith (1901; 237 W;   WWII “Green Light Letter”)

FCR -    Peter Beagle, Oakland

FRIDAY

Q.         What pitcher holds the record for most strikeouts in a season by an American League lefty?

Hint:     He once entered the first game of a double header in relief, recorded the last two outs then tossed a twenty-inning complete game win in the nightcap.

Hint:     He did cartwheels after the victory, not only because he had won, but because he had defeated Cy Young.

SABR:  He was once involved in a trade that included five Hall of Famers.

Twint:    He played for George Stallings, Ollie Beard, Tony Mullane and Frank Graves in his lone season as a Tiger.

A.         Rube Waddell (349 Ks in 1904 w/ the A’s; Double header 04-Jul-1905; 08-Dec-1899 Traded by the Louisville Colonels with Fred Clarke, Honus Wagner and others to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jack Chesbro & others along with $25,000; Minor league Detroit Tigers of 1898)

FCR -    John Shiffert, Morrow, GA

SATURDAY

Q.         What pitcher is the only 300 game winner to have never played minor league ball?

Hint:     No lefthander has more career shutouts.

SABR:  A week after losing his last major league decision to Walter Johnson, going down 1-0 in 11 innings, he announced his retirement.

Twint:    His brother Ira was the baseball coach at Gettysburg College for 35 years.

A.         Eddie Plank (Ira Plank)

FCR -    Walt Cherniak, Woodbine, MD

SUNDAY

Q.         Who won 207 minor league games after accumulating 207 National League wins?

Hint:     By the way, he also had 39 American League wins.

SABR:  All this was after winning an additional 24 games in the minors.

Twint:    He won more games in a season than any other major league Baltimore Oriole in the 20^th century.

A.         Joe McGinnity (26 W for the 1901 Baltimore Orioles)

FCR -    Walt Cherniak, Woodbine, MD

WEEKLY THEME – Pitchers in the Hall of Fame class of 1946

Chesbro            Bio

Griffith              Bio

McGinnity         Bio

Plank                Bio

Waddell            Bio

Walsh               Bio

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Joe Ullian, Santa Barbara

September 26-October 2, 2011 The American League’s first black All-Stars

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 2^nd 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

Doby                1949                Bio

Minoso             1951                Bio

Paige                1952                Bio

Power               1955

Smith                1954                Bio

Simpson           1956                Bio

Howard             1957                Bio

Battey               1962                Bio

Wagner             1962                Bio

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.

September 19-25, 2011 Batters with grand slams for different teams in the same season

MONDAY

Q.         Who is the only catcher to hit .300 or better with 30 home runs in a season five times in his career?

Hint:     He was runner-up in the MVP balloting in consecutive seasons.

SABR:  He was the first catcher to have 200 hits in a season.

Twint:    He was the Dodgers’ first regular-season designated hitter.

A.         Mike Piazza (1993, 95-99; 1996-97; 201 H in 1997, but only 187 came while he was playing C; DH 12-Jun-1997)

First Correct Respondent - J.J. McCoy, Washington, DC

MONDAY A SECOND TIME

Q.         Who, in his first major league at-bat, hit a home run off Nolan Ryan?

Hint:     His 1.335 OPS in three National League Championship Series is the highest on record.

SABR:  His answering machine at home says, “The Thrill is gone.  Leave a message.”

Twint:    No, he’s not THAT guy; not the movie star!

A.         Will Clark (HR 08-Apr-1986; NLCS 1987, 89, 2000; Other famous Will Clark)

First Correct Respondent - Alan Miller, Oakland

TUESDAY

Q.         Which player's sixth career leadoff home run was the one that put him in the 300/300 club?

Hint:     He was the first Arizona Diamondback to win a Gold Glove.

SABR:  He won the major league Player of the Week Award with three different teams a total of five times.

Twint:    He is a member of the Saluki Baseball Hall of Fame and the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame.

Twint:    He once hit two home runs in a game when he was suffering from a bugling vertebral disk.

A.         Steve Finley (300^th HR 14-Jun-2006; GG 1999, 2000; 2 HR 28-Sep-1999)

FCR -    Michael Bender, Derwood, MD

TUESDAY DOUBLE

Q.         Who had the quietest fifty-home run season ever?

Hint:     He was the first player to hit forty home runs in a season while playing for two teams.

Hint:     They were also in different leagues.

SABR:  His cousin won an American League Most Valuable Player Award.

SABR:  Another cousin of his played sixteen years in the majors.

Twint:    He was the last player in the 20^th century to hit two home runs in a World Series game.

A.         Greg Vaughn (50 HR in 1998; 41 HR in 1996 playing for San Diego and Milwaukee; Mo Vaughn AL MVP, cousin Jerry Royster; 2 WS HRs G1 17-Oct-1998)

FCR -    Bill Garrod, Edgewood, WA

WEDNESDAY

Q.         Who hit grand slams off Hall of Famers in the same season while playing for different teams?

Hint:     He hit four additional home runs that year off Hall of Fame pitchers.

SABR:  He was the first Yankee infielder to win a Gold Glove.

Twint:    Six years before his regular season slams, he’d hit one in the World Series.

A.         Joe Pepitone (GS HRs off Nolan Ryan on 10-Jun-1970 & Don Sutton 14-Aug-1970; 2 HR each off Phil Niekro and Gaylord Perry; GG 1965, 66, 69; WS GS 14-Oct-1964)

FCR -    No one (partially, it would appear, because he was the SECOND Yankee IF GG, after Bobby Richardson in 1961)

MIDWEEK BONUS

Q.         Who earned his major league debut as a replacement for his injured Hall of Fame player manager?

Hint:     Even though his debut was in September, he played well enough to earn a World Series share with the team.

Hint:     He watched his grandsons face each other in the 2003 All-Star game.

SABR:  As a scout, he signed Curt Schilling.

SABR:  He tied for the RBI lead in the American League one season.

Twint:    Like his son, he started his professional career as a catcher.

Twint:    He was the leader of the San Diego chapter of the National Lumber Jacks Association.

A.         Ray Boone (Lou Boudreau 1948; 2003 ASG sons Bret and Aaron; RBI lead 1955 w/116)

FCR -    Frank DiPrima, Morristown, NJ

THURSDAY

Q.         Who was the Browns’ batting leader their last year in St. Louis?

Hint:     He was a Red Sox scout for forty years, interrupted by a four-year stint as first base couch for them.

SABR:  He was the only first base coach that manager Eddie Kasko ever had.

Twint:    He got his nickname because it was difficult for him to find shoes narrow enough.

Twint:    His playing career was ended in 1954 by a broken leg.

A.         Don Lenhardt (.317 in 1953; 1957-91 as a scout, first base coach 1970-73

FCR -    Peter Beagle, Oakland

FRIDAY

Q.         Who was announced as the successor to Mike Schmidt when Schmidt retired in 1989?

Hint:     He was traded in early June that same season.

SABR:  He had nine runs batted in a single game two years later.

Twint:    His brother is well-known football player and broadcaster.

A.         Chris James (Traded for John Kruk and Randy Ready 02-Jun-1898; Brother Craig James)

FCR -    Matt Gibson, Barboursville , WV

SATURDAY

Q.         Who is the first post-expansion player to play 40 games at each of the three outfield positions in the same season?

Hint:     That year, he led his team in batting, hits, doubles and at-bats.

Hint:     A certain value-savvy general manager probably knew he was going to do that.

SABR:  At Zanesville High School, graduated 4^th in his class while starring in baseball, soccer and basketball.

Twint:    He had two “Tommy John” surgeries while still a minor leaguer.

A.         Jay Payton (Oakland A’s 2006 LF 51, 44, CF, 41 RF)

FCR -    Joe Ullian, Santa Barbara

WEEKEND BONUS

Q.         Who was the penultimate player to reach the 600 level at Veterans Stadium with a home run?

Hint:     He made his major league debut on the losing end of a no-hitter.

Hint:     He won the 1995 International League MVP award.

SABR:  He won the Doubleday Award in his first season as a professional.

SABR:  He won the award three more times.

Twint:    He was one of the few players allowed to continue wearing #42 after 1997.

A.         Butch Huskey (HR 15-Sep-1997; Debut 08-Sep-1993 [Tanana]; Doubleday Award 1989, 91, 93 & 95)

FCR -    Prisco Panza, Milford, CT

SUNDAY

Q.         Which All-Star second baseman is the third baseman and captain of his Dominican Winter League team?

Hint:     He was the first Washington National to hit a walk-off home run in the 12^th inning or later.

SABR:  After Jim Northrup in 1973, he was the next leadoff batter to have eight RBIs in a game.)

Twint:    In 2005, he started in every spot in the batting order except clean-up.

Twint:    He was the first non-roster invitee to start for the Rockies on Opening Day of 2003.

A.         Ronnie Belliard (Northrup’s 8-RBI game 11-Jul-1973, Belliard’s 23-Sep-2003)

FCR -    J.R. Richardson, Clarksville, MD

WEEKLY THEME – Batters with grand slams for different teams in the same season.  Thanks to David Vincent for this theme and the data to back it up.

Belliard       2009     WAS   (22-Aug)                LAN   (19-Sep)

Boone        1953     CLE    (10 & 24-May)        DET   (19-Jul & 12-Aug)

Clark           2000     BAL    (20-Jul)                  SLN   (24-Sep)

Finley         2004     ARI     (11-May)                LAN   (02-Oct)

Huskey       1999     SEA    (17-May)                BOS  (28-Jul)

James        1989     PHI     (29-Apr)                 SDN  (18-Jul)

Lenhardt     1952     BOS    (19-Apr & 02-Jun)   DET   (09-Jun)

Payton        2005     BOS    (24-Apr)                 OAK  (30-Jul)

Pepitone     1970     HOU    (10-Jun)                 CHN  (14-Aug)

Piazza         1998     LAN    (09, 10 & 24-Apr)    NYN  (22-Aug)

Vaughn       1996     MIL     (16-Jul)                  SDN  (16-Aug)

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No one