2021-03-01 No strikeouts in 10 or more at-bats against Nolan Ryan

MONDAY  —  01-Mar

Q.        Who was the first player in the Modern Era to end a postseason series with a home run?

Hint: #1    He hit his first two home runs in the majors while he was still a teenager.

Hint: #2    He was the first National League second baseman to win more than one Gold Glove.

A.         BILL MAZEROSKI  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  On 13-Oct-1960 his HR put PIT over the top, winning the WS.

-  #1     B. 05-Sep-1936, he homered on 16-Aug-1956 & then on 19-Aug-1956(1).  He turned 20 before he hit his 3^rd.

-  #2     Maz won GG in 1958, 60, 61, 63-67 for a total of 8, a record not broken for 24 years when Ryne Sandberg won his 9^th.

FCR -  Roy Glasser, Valrico, Florida

Incorrect guesses:  Joe Morgan, Tommy Henrich, Bobby Thomson, Daniel Murphy

 

TUESDAY  —  02-Mar

Q.        Which one-time Washington National was the first player to hit a home run from each side of the plate in the same inning?

Hint: #1    He was the first player to come to bat with the “Macarena” playing as his walk-up music.

Hint: #2    He is history’s first second baseman to collect 200 hits, 20 HR, 100 RBI and hit .300 in consecutive seasons, assuming 95% of games played at second base.

A.         CARLOS BAERGA  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  On 08-Apr-1993, in the bottom of the 7^th, Baerga homered off lefty Steve Howe & righty Steve Farr.  Mark Bellhorn and Kendrys Morales have done it since.  Baerga’s last year in the majors was 2005 w/WSN.

-  #1     “Street & Smith's Baseball 2002” claims this, but doesn’t provide a date.

-  #2     Impressive 1992 & 93 stats.

FCR -  Aaron Likavec, North Ridgeville, Ohio

Incorrect guesses:  Alfonso Soriano, Kendrys Morales, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jose Vidro, Dale Murphy, Robbie Alomar, Danny Espinosa

 

WEDNESDAY  —  03-Mar

Q.        Whose 8^th inning double broke up Jim Lonborg’s bid for a World Series no-hitter?

Hint: #1    He was a teammate of Felipe Alou when the Dominican Republic won its first gold medal at the Pan American Games.

Hint: #2    He led the Cardinals in steals every season from his debut until Lou Brock joined the team.

A.         JULIAN JAVIER  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  WS 2B = 05-Oct-1967.  Javier died at 2B and Lonborg got a shutout.  Javier was a major contributor to STL’s victory as he hit .360 and fielded splendidly, making 12 putouts, 4 double plays & 20 assists.

-  #1     DR won he baseball gold in the Pan Am Games in 1955.  It was their only medal.

-  #2     Led STL in SB 1960-63.

FCR -  Madison McEntire. Bryant, Arkansas

Incorrect guesses:  Curt Flood, Bobb y Tolan, Orlando Cepeda

 

MIDWEEK BONUS  —  03-Mar

Q.        Who had the lone opponent’s hit in what Juan Marichal called “my best game ever”?

Hint: #1    He was only the third Rookie of the Year from his franchise, now in its 140^th year of operation.

Hint: #2    His nephew was a coach with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

A.         TOMMY HELMS  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  At “The Stick” on the evening of 12-Sep-1969, Helms singled off Marichal leading off the 3^rd and was then thrown out at 2B trying to steal in a “strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out” double play.  Dick Dietz was the catcher.

-  #1     NL ROY for CIN in 1966.  Previous CIN ROY winners were Frank Robinson in 1956 and Pete Rose in 1963.  The Reds franchise began in 1882 as The Cincinnati Red Stockings in the American Association.  They joined the National League in 1890 and shortened the name to Reds.

-  #2     His nephew, Wes Helms, became a coach with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2018 as well as for the Birmingham Barons in 2019.

FCR -  Richard Lerner, Silver Spring, Maryland

Incorrect guesses:  Ken Hubbs, Mack Jones, Vada Pinson, Clay Dalrymple, Warren Spahn, Dick Allen, Pete Rose, Dick McAuliffe

 

THURSDAY  —  04-Mar

Q.        Who was the last pitcher to rack up twenty complete major league games in a season?

Hint: #1    He was the first player to be awarded $1 million salary through salary arbitration.

Hint: #2    He was a coach for his country’s team in four World Baseball Classic Tournaments.

A.         FERNANDO VALENZUELA  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  Had 20 CG in 1986.

-  #1     Valenzuela won the arbitration case as spring training began in his 3^rd full season.  The previous high had been Bruce Sutter’s $700,000 3 years before.

-  #2     Served as a coach for the Mexican team in 2006, 2009, 2013 & 2017.

FCR -  John Michael Pierobon, Fort Lauderdale

Incorrect guesses:  Bert Blyleven, Joaquin Andujar, Nolan Ryan, Dennis Martinez, Tom Candiotti, Mario Soto

 

FRIDAY  —  05-Mar

Q.        Who was selected #1 overall in the June Amateur Draft by the Mets the year before they won a World Series?

Hint: #1    Hal of Famers who teammates of his include Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Willie Stargell and Rod Carew.

Hint: #2    He had zero strikeouts in 33 World Series plate appearances, a record for a single World Series.

A.         TIM FOLI  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Taken 1^st in the 1^st round in 1968, Foli made the big team in 1970.

-  #1     The full list of his Hall of Fame teammates:  Bert Blyleven, Rod Carew, Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Phil Niekro, Tony Perez, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Willie Stargell & Dave Winfield.

-  #2     W/PIT in the 1979 WS,  he came to bat 33 X, had a 2B, a 3B & 0 Ks.

FCR -  Phil Hertz, Kamuela, Hawaii

Incorrect guesses:  Shawn Abner, Gregg Jefferies, Greg Goossen, Dave Parker, Steve Chilcott, Cleon Jones, Darrell Jackson, Shawon Dunston

 

SATURDAY  —  06-Mar

Q.        Who was the first player to have no fewer than 685 at-bats in consecutive seasons?

Hint: #1    No right-handed batter has ever come to the plate more times in a season than he did in his seventh major league season.

Hint: #2    Every year he led the majors in at-bats, he made the All-Star team and received MVP votes.

Hint: #3    Those were the only three seasons he played for his second team.  Every year he played for his other three MLB teams, he led in no major offensive category, was never an All-Star and never got even a single MVP vote.

A.         DAVE CASH  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Had 687 AB in 1974 & 699 AB in 1975.  Only Jimmy Rollins (2006-2007) has done it  since then.

-  #1     His 766 PA in 1976 tops all other righties.

-  #2     Led MLB in AB, was an NL AS and received MVP votes in 1974, 1975 & 1976…

-  #3     …while playing for PHI.  His seasons playing for PIT, MON & SDP were somewhat less noteworthy.

FCR -  Mark Hayne, Dumfries, Virginia

Incorrect guesses:  Jimmy Rollins, Juan Samuel, Matty Alou, Willie Wilson, Pete Rose, Ichiro Suzuki, Juan Pierre, Cesar Tovar Sandy Alomar

 

SUNDAY  —  06-Mar

Q.        Who was the last out in Kenny Rogers' perfect game?

Hint: #1    He was hit in the wrist by a coach’s fungo bat during Spring Training, breaking his wrist and putting him out of action for nearly half the season.

Hint: #2    He had been selected as his team’s most valuable player just year before.

A.         GARY DISARCINA  [Wiki Bio]

-  Ans.  Rogers’ perfecto = 28-Jul-1994

-  #1     Hit by coach George Hendrick's fungo bat in the spring of 1999, breaking his wrist & sidelining him for 2 months.  For him the 1999 season began 22-Jun.

-  #2     The Angels’ MVP in 1998.

FCR -  Brett Moore, Studio City, California

Incorrect guesses:  Rusty Greer

 

WEEK’S FINALE  —  07-Mar

Q.        Which former first-team All-American Seminole beautifully flouted one of the Yankees’ best-known team guidelines?

Hint: #1    He comes from the same hometown as Hi Bithorn, Carlos Baerga and Jorge Posada.

Hint: #2    A year after he led the Padres in fielding, he was blackballed by MLB for reasons that remain unclear more than three decades later.

Hint: #3    He returned to the majors thanks to a big-hearted decision by George Steinbrenner.  (Not a typo.)

A.         JUAN BONILLA  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  When he joined NYY in 1985, he sported one of the darkest, fullest moustaches ever seen on a Yankee.  When he played at Florida State, he was voted 1^st-Team All-American in 1976 by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

-  #1     Bonilla and more than 25 other major leaguers were born in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

-  #2     What most people agree on now is that his sitting out the 1984 season happened for the flimsiest of reasons.  He was overjoyed at being able to return  again to play.

FCR -  Daniel Blumenthal, Falls Church, Virginia

Incorrect guesses:  Oscar Gamble

 

 

WEEKLY THEME – Batters who faced Nolan Ryan ten times and never struck out against him.  This week’s theme was suggested by reader Tom Lee of Nashville.

 

Batter            PAs

Baerga............ 12

Bonilla............. 11

Cash............... 11

Disarcina........ 11

Foli.................. 10

Helms............. 13

Javier.............. 18

Mazeroski....... 11

Valenzuela..... 11

 

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Mark Hayne, Dumfries, Virginia (after Javier)

 

 

 

Incorrect theme guesses:

 

Monday  -  Players to play more than 162 games in a season

               -  Members among 500 oldest living MLB players

 

Tuesday -  2nd basemen who appeared at the 2002 All Star game that ended in a tie.  (Mazeroski was introduced pre-game along with other old timers.)

 

Wed        -  Second basemen who have homered in a World Series game

 

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2021-02-22 Players whose college mascot was a Wildcat

MONDAY  —  22-Feb

Q.        Who was the catcher for David Cone's perfect game?

Hint: #1    He once turned down the volume on a famous teammate’s boombox in the clubhouse.  It was considered an act of bravery.

Hint: #2    He started where most advertisers on Madison Avenue want to start.

A.         JOE GIRARDI  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Cone’s perfecto 18-Jul-1999.

-  #1     When Girardi played for the Cubs, Sammy Sosa was famous for blasting his music in the Cubs’ old cramped Wrigley Field clubhouse.  Most teammates just tolerated it.  However, one day in 2002 Girardi turned down the volume on Sosa’s boombox and raised the volume on the main clubhouse stereo.  There were reports that the two then had to be separated.  But later they said there was no trouble and Girardi said they have a “fine” relationship.

-  #2     Girardi was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, a city long held by marketing executives to best represent and, in a sense, speak for, the American consumer (“Will it play in Peoria?”).  Girardi attended high school at Spalding Catholic, to date, its only MLB alum.

FCR -  Tara Krieger, New York City

Incorrect guesses:  Jorge Posada, Jim Leyritz, Don Slaught

 

TUESDAY  —  23-Feb

Q.        Who is the only World Series MVP to be traded for a pitcher who threw a perfect game?  (This question is chronology-free.)

Hint: #1    He grew up in Milwaukie, but lived in Oregon.

Hint: #2    The first time he was ever in a major league stadium was as a major leaguer.

Hint: #3    He replaced Monday’s answer as a manager.

A.         SCOTT BROSIUS  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Brosius was WS MVP in 1998 when NYY swept SDP.  He had been traded the year before for Kenny Rogers whose perfect game was 28-Jul-1994.

-  #1     Milwaukie (note spelling) is in Oregon, a suburb south of Portland.

-  #2     Debut 07-Aug-1991.  Had simply never attended an MLB G.

-  #3     Brosius replaced Girardi as manager of Team USA attempting to qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo.

FCR -  Michael Temple, Chicago

Incorrect guesses:  Boone, Aaron Boone, Ralph Terry

 

WEDNESDAY  —  24-Feb

Q.        Who is the only Yankee to lead the American League in RBI while hitting fewer than twenty home runs that same season?

Hint: #1    The previous year, he had led the league in home runs with fewer than twenty-five.

Hint: #2    He began and ended his MLB career in Philadelphia, but with different teams in different leagues.

A.         NICK ETTEN  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  In 1945 hit 111 RBI and 18 HR.

-  #1     Hit 22 HR in 1944.

-  #2     Began his career playing for PHA in 1938-39, teams that lost 99 & 97 G.  Finished playing for PHI in 1947.  They only lost 92 G.

FCR -  David Serota, Kalamazoo

Incorrect guesses:  Vic Power, Bob Meusel, Home Run Baker

 

MIDWEEK BONUS  —  25-Feb

Q.        Which Phillies outfielder hit the first home run the Washington Nationals ever surrendered.

Hint: #1    During his first five full seasons in the majors, he led the league in stolen bases, but it wasn’t until the year after that string that he led in times caught stealing.

Hint: #2    He shoved Fernando Vina the day after Albert Belle had flattened Vina with a forearm shiver to break up a double play.

A.         KENNY LOFTON  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  1^st WSN HR given up 04-Apr-2005.  It was 1 of only 2 Lofton hit that year.

-  #1     Led in SB 1992-96, even leading MLB every year of that streak but 1995.  CS 20 X in 1997 led the majors in that category for his only time in his 17-year, 622-SB career.

-  #2     Belle got Vina on 31-May-1996 because…  Lofton’s action the following day 01‑Jun‑1996 was while emotions were still raw.

FCR -  Lee Dembart, Hollywood, California

Incorrect guesses:  Eric Young, Sr., Michael Bourn, Shane Victorino

 

THURSDAY  —  25-Feb

Q.        Who threw the first pitch at night in a game at Sportsmans Park?

Hint: #1    The first batter he ever pitched to in a major league game was Babe Ruth.  He struck him out on four pitches.

Hint: #2    He developed a submarine delivery after injuring his arm as a quarterback playing football in college where his nickname was Big Six.

A.         ELDEN AUKER  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  1^st night G at Sportsmans Park 24-May-1940.  His opposite number that night was Bob Feller who hit the 1^st of his 8 career HR off Auker in the 3^rd.

-  #1     Auker describes his 1^st batter 10-Aug-1933.  [OK, here’s the truth:  Auker NEVER struck out Ruth in 8 career MLB PAs.  In fact, Ruth “owned” Auker going 5-7 (.714) with 2 HR.  Auker didn’t even face NYY in his ML debut.  The above audio interview is an incorrect remembrance. Maybe he faced The Babe in an exhibition game when he fanned him, but never did so in the regular season.]

-  #2     Played football for Kansas Agricultural and Mechanical College (today Kansas State University).  Hurt his arm in the 1^st G in 1928 playing QB, but persevered and in 1931 as a halfback was voted All-Big Six Conference, hence his nickname.

FCR -  Terry Sloope, Cartersville, Georgia

Incorrect guesses:  Mort Cooper, Christy Mathewson, Johnny Vander Meer, Bob Feller, Ewell Blackwell, Walter Johnson

 

FRIDAY  —  26-Feb

Q.        Which Tri-Cities native was the winning pitcher of the first World Series game played at night?

Hint: #1    He once lost his bid for a no-hitter when a player doubled with one out in the ninth inning.

Hint: #2    His nickname has a double origin.

A.         BRUCE KISON  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  After PIT starting P Luke Walker gave up 3 R in the 1^st inning of G 4 of the 1971 WS, Kison entered & pitched 6⅓ scoreless innings.  Was Born in Pasco, Washington, which with the cities of Kennewick & Richland form the area known as the Tri-Cities.

-  #1     That double was by Ken Landreaux on 23-Apr-1980.  Incidentally, it was the 1^st G of Landreaux’s 31-G hit streak, the longest one in the majors that year.

-  #2     He was called “Buster” honoring silent-film physical comedian Buster Keaton and the fact that he did not like batters to crowd the plate and would “bust” them inside, especially early in his career.

FCR -  Jim Casey, Savannah

Incorrect guesses:  Bill Bevens, Johnny Vander Meer, Dave McNally, Vinegar Bend Mizell, Kent Tekulve, Bruce Alison

 

T.G.I.F. SPECIAL  —  26-Feb

Q.        Which catcher was knocked out by a basket of produce thrown from the upper deck during the Tigers-Indians game?

Hint: #1            When Bob Feller struck out eighteen in a single game only he and one other teammate escaped the dreaded K.

Hint: #2            He was the first native of his state to receive a Hall of Fame vote.

A.         BIRDIE TEBBETTS  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Tebbetts was not in the game but in the bullpen on 27-Sep-1940 when a fan, wanting to hide tomatoes, eggs, etc., from stadium police who were combing the stands for unruly fans throwing things, filled a basket with the garbage and threw it over a railing.  It landed on Tebbetts' head and knocked him cold.  When the police identified the culprit to Tebbetts he said he would handle the matter himself—and busted the fan in the nose!

-  #1     On 02-Oct-1938(1) DET came to play CLE.  Ace Bob Feller racked up 18 strikeouts, breaking his own Tribe 1-G record set 2 years earlier.  Roy Cullenbine and Tebbetts not only did not strike out but they were mostly responsible for the Tiger victory that day.

-  #2     Born in Vermont  (although he spent most of his years growing up in neighboring New Hampshire) , he received 8 HOF votes in 1958 and another 1 vote in 1960.

FCR -  Mark Pattison, Washington, DC

Incorrect guesses:  Mickey Cochran, Rudy York, Ray Hayworth, Matt Batts

 

SATURDAY  —  27-Feb

Q.        Which catcher/pinch-hitter’s lone hit deprived a future Hall of Famer of a no-hitter in his major league debut?

Hint: #1    He was double Del’ed before he reached the majors.

Hint: #2    In the majors, he played for one manager who took his team to the World Series every season he played for him

Hint: #3    His primary manager, however, managed 4 teams over 26 years yet never managed a single World Series game.

A.         CLAY DALRYMPLE  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Juan Marichal’s first game as a big leaguer was at Candlestick Park on a cool evening on 19-Jul-1960.  Marichal got his no-no on 15-Jun-1963, almost exactly 3 years after his near-miss debut.

-  #1     NL champs MLN invited Dalrymple to their 1959 spring training camp where he received catching tips from veteran catchers Del Crandall and Del Rice.

-  #2     He played under Gene Mauch PHI/1960-68 and for Earl Weaver BAL/1969-71.

FCR -  Bill Deane, Cooperstown

Incorrect guesses:  Del Unser, Del Crandell, Elston Howard, Smoky Burgess, Gus Triandos, Moe Berg, Johnny Blanchard

 

WEEKEND BONUS  —  27-Feb

Q.        Who recently became the first (and still only) player in Cleveland Indians history to reach a combination of 1,000 hits, 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases?

Hint: #1    In his sixth season in the majors, his team made it to the World Series only to face the team he grew up cheering for.

Hint: #2    He regularly sings between pitches when he’s on defense in the field.

A.         JASON KIPNIS  [B-R Bio]

-  Ans.  His final CLE totals are 1,120 H, 123 HR & 135 SB.

-  #1     In the 2016 WS, the Indians faced the Cubs.  Kipnis’ devotion to the Cubs as a fan was so strong, had to issue public statements assuring teammates, fans, friends and CLE management that he was completely focused on beating CHC.  Although the Indians lost the Series, he was true to his word and held his own, hitting .290 with a Series-leading 5 extra base hits and 18 total bases.

-  #2     He has a fondness for the songs of British songstress Adele and says that singing them helps him relax during the heat of competition.

FCR -  Mike Sparks, Sarasota

Incorrect guesses:  Michael Brantley, Kenny Lofton, Joe Carter, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana

 

SUNDAY  —  28-Feb

Q.        What pitcher set the record for innings pitched in relief when he relieved the starter with two outs in the first inning of a game and worked the next eighteen plus innings?

Hint: #1    The effort essentially cost him his career.

Hint: #2    He was a Double Unique for exactly 298 days.

A.         ZIP ZABEL  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  He beat Brooklyn & got his 5^th W of the 1915 season on 17-Jun by pitching the final 18⅓ innings.

-  #1     After that game, Zabel only had a handful of start in the majors as he had begun to experience arm trouble as a result of that game.

-  #2     He debuted in 1913, but Zip Collins came along the very next year.  Double-Uniques listed here.

FCR -  Luis Belman, East Bernard, Texas

Incorrect guesses:  Ernie Shore, Eddie Rommel, Zip Zane

 

WEEK’S FINALE  —  28-Feb

Q.        Whose sterling (platinum?) career MLB batting average of 1.000 came at the expense of All-Star Milt Pappas?

Hint: #1    He was kept on the roster for an entire season to keep him from being drafted by other MLB teams.

Hint: #2    An unspecified injury cut short his career.

A.         DAVE GRAY  [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  On 20-Jun-1964, Gray entered the G in the 5^th & pitched through the end of the G, except for 1 batter whom teammate Pete Charton came in & induced a fly out to CF.

-  #1     It, 1964, was his only season in the majors, kept on BOS under the terms of the Bonus Rule then in force.

-  #2     Classmates from high school referred to how together they, “…agonized over the injury that forced him out of baseball.”

FCR -  Mike Sparks, Sarasota

Incorrect guesses:  John Paciorek, Jeff Banister, Frank Leja

 

 

WEEKLY THEME – Players whose college mascot was a wildcat.

 

Auker.................. Kansas State

Brosius............... Linfield University

Dalrymple........... Cal State Chico

Etten................... Villanova University

Girardi................. Northwestern University

Gray.................... Weber State University

Kipnis.................. University of Kentucky

Kison.................. Central Washington University

Lofton.................. University of Arizona

Tebbetts.............. University of New Hampshire

Zabel................... Baker College

“Wildcat” was a Broadway musical starring Lucille Ball.  It was her only Broadway show.

 

 

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – David Washburn, Marietta, Georgia

 

 

 

Incorrect theme guesses:

 

Monday  -  Big 10 alumni who became managers

               -  Catchers who became Managers of the Year

               -  Former catchers who managed after their career

 

Tuesday -  Three World Series wins, one all star appearance

               -  Yankee managers born in the 2nd half of the 20th Century

               -  1998 Yankees opening day starting lineup

 

Wed        -  Yankees, only one All Star appearance

 

Sunday   -  One shot wonders

               -  Something to do with the Cubs

               -  Something to do with Harry Cary

               -  Something to do with Chicago

               -  Sweet Home Chicago

               -  Guys with sports equipment in their name

 

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

 

Horsehide Trivia encourages independent research.