Sunday, January 10, 2021

2021-1-04 Unlikely Inside-the-Park Home Runs

MONDAY  —  04-Jan

Q.        Who is the youngest National League player to hit fifty home runs in a season?

Hint:     His given name suggests royalty.  His family name suggests position.  His nickname suggests a more avuncular nature.

Hint:     His father is the only major leaguer to hit fifty home runs in a season with a son who equaled that measure.

A.         PRINCE FIELDER  [B-R Bio]

-  50 HR in 2007 at age 23.

-  Nickname:  “Uncle Phil”.  Nickname of “Uncle Phil” bestowed on Fielder due to his resemblance to the character of the same name who appeared in the television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”

-  Father Cecil Fielder hit 51 HR for DET in 1990.

FCR -  Tara Krieger, New York City

Incorrect guesses:  Duke Snider, Rogers Hornsby, Charlie Keller, Barry Bonds

 

TUESDAY    05-Jan

Q.        Who is the only player to triple twice off a Hall of Fame pitcher in the batter’s major league debut game?

Hint:     In spite of playing a mere fifty-two games that year, he was the only rookie in his league to receive any votes for that honor that year.

Hint:     He was the first player to twice homer in an inning twice in his career?

Hint:     He became the most prolific left-handed home run hitter in the history of the National League.

A.         WILLIE McCOVEY  [SABR Bio]

-  2 triples off Robin Roberts in McCovey’s 1st G in the Bigs 30-Jul-1959 at Seals Stadium.

-  Elected ROY unanimously in 1959 in spite of a strong rookie NL group that year, including Bob Gibson and Maury Wills.  It is interesting to note that his new teammate Orlando Cepeda, who had graciously volunteered to move to LF to make room for McCovey, had also been elected ROY, also unanimously, while playing the same position, just the season prior.

-  HR X 2/inning = 12-Apr-1973, 4th inning; 27-Jun-1977, 6th inning.  Only McCovey, Alex Rodriguez, Jeff King, Andre Dawson and Edwin Encarnacion have accomplished this feat.

-  On 09-Jun-1979, McCovey hit his 512th career HR, passing fellow Giant’s lefty Mel Ott.  Barry Bonds, on 30-May-2001, both tied and passed McCovey on the career NL lefty HR list.

FCR -  Jim Goggin, Williamsburg, Virginia

Incorrect guesses:  Barry Bonds, Ryan Howard, Mel Ott, Ken Griffey, Jr., Stan Musial, Eddie Mathews

 TUESDAY TWICE  —  05-Jan

Q.        Which three-time Most Valuable Player never once led the league in any standard offensive category at any time in his nineteen-year MLB career?

Hint:     He was ordered to wear glasses to correct his vision after being hit in the nose.

Hint:     His thirteen-game hitting streak was stopped on his birthday by a pitcher’s near-no-hitter.

Hint:     His son played for the NFL’s Baltimore Colts.

A.         YOGI BERRA  [SABR Bio]

-  MVP in 1951, 1954 & 1955, all fairly well contested.

-  Glasses came in 1957.

-  Streak stopped 12-May-1956, Yogi’s 31st birthday, by rookie Oriole and fellow Italian Don Ferrarese.  Undeterred, Berra compiled his career-high 19-game hitting streak later that season (29-Aug through 23-Sept).

-  Son Tim Berra played one season for the Colts.  He was nominally a wide receiver, but just returned punts during his only NFL season.

FCR -  Barry Nelson, Guilderland, New York

Incorrect guesses:  Ken Griffey, Jr., Roy Campanella,

 TUESDAY THRICE  —  05-Jan

Q.        Which player started walking an imaginary avian companion while playing for an avian-named team whenever circling the bases (something he does quite frequently)?

Hint:     Assuming good health, he’ll likely climb into the Top 50 career home run hitters in 2021 for his new/old team next season.

Hint:     Six times he has exceeded 100 RBI in a season, once leading the league.

A.         EDWIN (Edwing?) ENCARNACION  [B-R Bio]

-  After homering, he holds his right arm up as if to provide a perch for a companion parrot.  It’s tradition going back to a grand slam he hit in 2012 for the Blue Jays.  Elated, he circled the bases as though banking an airplane.  His TOR teammates encouraged him to do it every time he homered.  He has done it for all 301 HR hit subsequently (although no official records have been kept).

-  His 424 HR have him in 52nd place on the career list.  Assuming good health (and a job), he could Mike Piazza and into 50th.

-  Led the AL w/127 RBI in 2016.

FCR -  Jeff Orner, York, Pennsylvania

Incorrect guesses:  Nelson Cruz

 

WEDNESDAY    06-Jan

Q.        Who is the only player to hit a home run every year from 1963 to 1985?

Hint:     He had a minimum one hundred hits wearing each of six different major league uniforms.

Hint:     Popular wisdom say that he popularized wearing both batting gloves when at bat.

A.         RUSTY STAUB  [SABR Bio]

-  That span was every year of his career.  The most in a season was 30 (1970 w/MON); the least was 1 (1984 & 85 w/NYM)

-  Hit totals:      178 Colt 45’s,

      614 Astros,

      531 Expos,

      582 Tigers,

      102 Rangers and

      709 Mets

   2,716 career total

-  Although the history of the origin of the use of batting gloves in baseball is a bit murky, uniform researcher Paul Lukas tell us that Staub was the first to use two at the same time in every game.

FCR -  Eric Savage, Short Hills, New Jersey

Incorrect guesses:  Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Pete Rose, Carl Yastrzemski

 

THURSDAY    07-Jan

Q.        Who famously got his tower buzzed in the All-Star game by a certain Hall of Fame pitcher.

Hint:     He player opened a bar called Third Base because it is, "… the last stop before you go home."?

Hint:     He learned to hit to the opposite field in his backyard so the baseball wouldn't go into his mother's vegetable garden.

Hint:     Only once in his ten-year MLB career did his OPS+ rating fall below 110.  A hypothetical major league player in the same years has an OPS+ of 100.

A.         JOHN KRUK  [SABR Bio]

-  In the 1993 ASG, Kruk stood in to face Randy Johnson.  Johnson lost control on the first pitch and a fastball went flying 5’ over Kruk’s head.  For the rest of the at-bat, Kruk stood so far away from the plate that Johnson struck him out easily.

-  Actually titled “3B”, he opened it in his home state of West Virginia.

-  Grew up in Keyser, West Virginia, a suburb of Cumberland, Maryland.  He practiced hitting every chance he got but learned how to place his hits.

-  His highest OPS+ was the 150 he put together in 1992 to go along with his .323 batting average.

FCR -  Phil Hertz, Kamuela, Hawaii

Incorrect guesses:  Brooks Robinson, Larry Walker, Ron Santo, Jim Thome, Wayne Boggs, Ken Caminiti

 

IN MEMORIAM    08-Jan

Q.        Which pitcher was sent to the minors to allow room for Sandy Koufax on the Dodgers' roster?

Hint:     In his brief career as a major league pitcher, he stuck out Mickey Mantle 50% of the times he faced him.

Hint:     A former teammate of Jackie Robinson, he was at the ceremony where Robinson's family received the posthumously-awarded Congressional Gold Medal.

Hint:     As a manager he had an unprecedented nine of his rookies win the Rookie of the Year Award.

Hint:     During his tenure as manager, his team won five and a half NL West Division championships, four National League pennants and two World Series.

Hint:     He is famous throughout baseball for his loyalty.

Hint:     He has the fourth most managerial wins among manager who only managed one major league team.

Hint:     He became the first manager to win a World Series and manage an Olympic gold medal winner during his career.

Hint:     The mantle of a distinction he held will now be taken on by Willie Mays. 

Hint:     He phrequently phought the Phillie Phanatic and phinally won.

Hint:     Barry Bonds once gave him a catcher’s chest protector.

Hint:     During most of his managerial career, he struggled with his weight.

A.         TOMMY LASORDA  [SABR Bio]

-  His contract was sold by the Dodgers to the KCA where Lasorda pitched in 18 of his career 26 G.

-  Pitcher Lasorda never achieved a WAR above 0.00, but struck out Mickey Mantle in 2 of their 4 encounters.  Mantle singled in the others.

-  Robinson’s medal was presented by U.S. President George W. Bush in 2005.  Lasorda was a member of the group representing the Dodgers as well as his teammate in 1954-55.

-  Lasorda managed LAD from 1976 to 1996.  The following were first-year players that he gave ample opportunity to perform and perform they did, outdoing all their NL classmates:

                                    1979 Rick Sutcliffe...................... P

1980.... Steve Howe.................... P

1981.... Fernando Valenzuela..... P

1982.... Steve Sax...................... 2B

1992.... Eric Karros..................... 1B

1993.... Mike Piazza.................... C

1994.... Raul Mondesi................ RF

1995.... Hideo Nomo................... P

1996.... Todd Hollandsworth....... P

-  Won NL West in 1977, 1983, 1985, 1988 & 1995.  Won NL pennant in 1977. 1978, 1981 & 1988.  Won WS in 1981 & 1988.  Also won the first half of play in the 1981 split season.

-  Lasorda is the longest-tenured Dodger employee of all time (3 years longer than Vin Scully although Scully had the longest continuous employment streak with them).  He often said that he bled Dodger Blue.

-  His 1,599 wins is only exceeded by the totals of Walter Alston and Mike Scioscia.  Only Scioscia managed fewer seasons.

-  LAD won WS titles in 1981 & 1988. Came out of retirement to lead a group of American players who were mostly unknown minor leaguers at the time.  They dethroned the heavily-favored Cuba team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.  

-  Lasorda, aged 93, had been the oldest living HOFer since the death of Red Schoendienst 06-Jun-2018. 89-year old Willie Mays now assumes that title.

-  After several years of all-in-fun battles with the Phillies’ mascot, Lasorda eventually got his revenge.  Explaining his actions, Lasorda said, “What the Phanatic did wasn't entertainment.  I love the Dodgers, and it wasn't right for him to stomp on the doll with the uniform.  There were a lot of kids there, and he's showing them violence.  He didn't need to do that.”

-  With Lasorda coaching third base in the 2001 All-Star Game, Vladimir Guerrero lost his grip on a swing and the flung bat sent Lasorda sprawling.  Bonds offered Lasorda the protective gear as soon as the manager was on his feet again.  (Had it been a NBA game, he might have been called for flopping.)

-  He explained his expansive girth with, “When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot.  When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot.  When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot.”

FCR -  Leonard Levin, Providence

 

FRIDAY    08-Jan

Q.        Which St. Louis Cardinal All-Star infielder had been the International League Most Valuable Player?

Hint:     Despite having played on thirty postseason victories, he has never played in a World Series game that his team won.

Hint:     Though advanced, the letter is still silent.

A.         JHONNY PERALTA  [B-R Bio]

-  An NL AS at SS for STL in 2015, had also been an AS playing for DET in 2011 & 2013; IL MVP in 2004 playing for CLE’s AAA team, the Buffalo Bisons.

-  Victorious postseason games record:

2007........ ALDS...... 3

2007........ ALCS...... 3

2011........ ALDS...... 3

2011........ ALCS...... 4

2012........ ALDS...... 3

2012........ ALCS...... 4

2012.......... WS........ 0

2013........ ALDS...... 3

2013........ ALCS...... 2

2014........ NLDS...... 3

2014........ NLCS...... 1

2015........ NLDS...... 1

            Total        30

-  Peralta & Jhonny Nunez have the silent ‘h’ in their first names ahead of the ’o’ as sometimes seen in Latin-X culture.  Jhonatan Solano appears to be OK with it too, however, Cueto and Paredes might see it otherwise.

FCR -  Warren Kent, Whitehall, Michigan

Incorrect guesses:  Red Schoendienst, Terry Pendleton, Rocky Nelson

 

SATURDAY    09-Jan

Q.        Who is the only catcher to compile 4,500 plate appearances in the American League during the Designated Hitter Era without ever playing DH?

Hint:     This future All-Star was a member of the Barrington, Illinois Little League team that lost to Derek Bell’s Tampa, Florida team in the 1981 Little League World Series semifinals.

Hint:     At home games he came to the plate with the strains of the refrain from “Whatta Man” by Salt-N-Pepa playing from the loud speakers.

A.         DAN WILSON  [B-R Bio]

-  He had exactly 4,500 PA for SEA from 1994 to 2005.  Only Alcides Escobar, among all AL position players, has had more DH-less PA (5,702) during this Era.

-  MLB AS in 1996.  1981 LLWS.

-  Whatta Man” walk-up tune was played alluding to his nickname: “Dan the Man”.

FCR -  Rick Pyle, Concord, California

Incorrect guesses:  A.J. Pierzynski, Carlton Fisk, Bob Boone, Ivan Rodriguez, Joe Girardi

 

WEEKEND BONUS    09-Jan

Q.        Who is the only player to go 0-for-5 with five strikeouts on Opening Day?

Hint:     Was given a police nickname by team television announcers.

Hint:     For much of his single-team career, he platooned with a future Hall of Famer.

A.         RON KARKOVICE  [B-R Bio]

-  5 Ks = 31-Mar-1996  (Ouch!)

-  Dubbed “Officer Ron Karkovice” by White Sox broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson due to Karkovice’s great defensive prowess in throwing out baserunners attempting to steal.  His career CS% of 41.2% bested all other AL backstops during those seasons by 8% and ranks him among the top toughest-to-steal-against catcher’s all-time.

-  Though they were both right-handed, Karkovice platooned with Carlton Fisk 1986-1993 to ease the physical demands of catching in the majors.

FCR -  Evan Thompson, Mesa

Incorrect guesses:  Fred McGriff, Gary Matthews, Mark Reynolds, Byron Browne, Yogi Berra

 

SUNDAY    10-Jan

Q.        Which one-time Boston Red Sox lefty is the only pitcher whose first hit in the majors was an inside-the-park home run?

Hint:     It was the only home run of his seven-year major league career.

Hint:     He hit it off a pitcher who, only two seasons prior, had won the Cy Young Award.

Hint:     He was the inspiration for this week’s theme.

A.         BUTCH HENRY  [B-R Bio]

-  Hit his HR off Doug Drabek in the 2nd inning of the G on 08-May-1992.  Henry pitched in 38 G for BOS in 1997-98.

-  Since Henry’s feat, Marc Sagmoen, a TEX OF, hit the lone HR of his 21-G career in 1997.  How you ask?  IPHR !

FCR -  Mike Sparks, Sarasota

Incorrect guesses:  Bill Lee, Willard Nixon, Mickey McDermott, Ken Brett, Mike Lee

 

 

WEEKLY THEME – A handful of players deemed unlikely to hit an inside-the-park home run, and yet…

 

Player                      IPHR                     Yrs*    HR*     SB*     3B*

Berra....................... 29-May-1947............... 19..... 358....... 30....... 49

 

 

Encarnacion............. 31-Aug-2007............... 16..... 424....... 61....... 10

................................ 02-Apr-2018

 

 

Fielder...................... 17-Jun2007................ 12..... 319....... 18....... 10

................................ 19-Jun-2008

 

 

Henry**................... 08-May-1992................. 7......... 1......... 0......... 0

 

 

Karkovice................. 30-Aug-1990***.......... 12....... 96....... 24......... 6

 

 

Kruk........................ 24-Sep-1987................ 10..... 100....... 58....... 34

 

 

McCovey................. 15-Sep-1967................ 22..... 521....... 26....... 46

 

Peralta...................... 18-Jul-2010................ 15..... 202....... 17....... 24

 

 

Staub........................ 12-Jun-1966................ 23..... 292....... 47....... 47

 

 

Wilson..................... 10-Sep-1997................ 14....... 88....... 23....... 13

............................... 03-May-1998

 

 

*Career numbers at the end of the 2020 season

**1st career H; Only career HR

***Grand slam

N.B.  Of interest—9 of Babe Ruth’s 714 HRs were of the inside-the‑park variety.  Ruth was not the kind of slow runner we’ve celebrated this week.

 

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

 

Incorrect theme guesses:

 

Monday  -  Most home runs all-time in the Home Run Derby

 

Tuesday - Sons of Major Leaguers

               -  All-stars whose fathers were all-stars

               -  Home Run Derby winner who touched bats with former winner before winning his own title

               -  The slowest player in the history of the team franchise.

               -  Best in their position (first base) for their respective teams (brewers/giants)

               -  All-Stars who have connection to Willie Mays

 

Wed        -  Most RBI's by decade

               -  Slowest players running the bases after a home run

               -  Slowest player in the history of his primary franchise, as measured by stolen base to RBI ratio

               -  Players with more than 1000 career RBI's but fewer than 100 career stolen bases.

               -  Homered before age 20 and after age 4

 

Thursday - 300+ career homers and fewer than 100 career stolen bases

 

Sat          -  Players with fewer than 100 career stolen bases but career WAR greater than 100

               -  Something to do with grand slams

               -  Fewest career steals with at least one inside the park HR

 

Sunday   -  Players with colorful nicknames who achieved one-of-a-kind, unique home run feats

               -  Players with more ITP HRs than stolen bases for a season

 

 

 

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