Sunday, October 29, 2023

2023-10-23 Baseball people with a middle name of Joseph

MONDAY  — 23-Oct

Q.  Which former Orioles player is third on the all-time career on-base percentage list,  trailing only Ted Williams and Babe Ruth?

Hint: #1  He made eight errors in ten chances in his first professional game.

Hint: #2  The two seasons he led the majors in walks, he also led in runs.

A.  JOHN McGRAW   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  McGraw’s OB % = .466 (Williams’ is .482, Ruth’s .474).  He played and managed the NL Orioles in 1899 & the AL Orioles in 1901 & 1902.

-  #1  8 E = playing for the 1890 Olean Miners.

-  #2  In 1898, McGraw’s 143 R & 112 BB were tops in the NL, the only league then extant.

FCR -  Terry Walters, Wabash, Minnesota

Incorrect guesses:  Willie Keeler, Cal Ripken, Tim Raines, Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, Jose Batista

 

 

TUESDAY —— 24-Oct

Q.  Who was the first batter to hit a grand slam off Roger Clemens?

Hint: #1  He (not Clemens) homered in his firs major league at bat.

Hint: #2  A Gold Glove winner, All-Star and Silver Slugger, he surprised his teammates with his sudden religious conversion.

A.  GARY GAETTI   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  In Clemens’ 10th season, on 05-Sep-1993, Gaetti homered in the 6th inning, batting in Brian McRae, Wally Joyner & Brent Mayne ahead of him.

-  #1  In his debut MLB G, Gaetti homered off Charlie Hough in the 2nd inning on 20-Sep-1981.

-  #2  After a sudden conversion in the middle of the 1988 season, Gaetti’s teammates were amazed that he had so  suddenly abandoned his previous near-libertine lifestyle.

FCR -  Art Mugalian, Minneapolis

Incorrect guesses:  Shawn Green, Will Clark, Carlos Baerga, Mike Piazza

 

 

WEDNESDAY  —— 25-Oct

Q.  Who managed the championship team of the league that only existed in 1890?

Hint: #1  He was the first player to hit a home run on Opening Day.

Hint: #2  His base running prowess was so admired that a song was composed honoring him for it.

Hint: #3 When he was asked if he drank during games, responded, “It depends on the length of the game.”

A.  KING KELLY   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  As an active player/manager (.325 BA with 51 SB), Kelly led the champion Boston Reds of the Players League to a 81-48-4 record, 6.5 G ahead of the 2nd-place team which had the league’s founder on its roster.

-  #1  OD HR = 01-May-1880.  Source:  Baseball-Almanac’s HR log for Kelly.

-  #2  The song, "Slide, Kelly, Slide" was America's first "pop hit" record.  Here it is in a 1900 version.  In 1927, it  inspired a film version of Slide, Kelly, Slide.  The tune was originally recorded on a cylinder for play on the phonograph Thomas Edison invented in 1877.  It was also sung by famous Vaudeville and dance hall star Maggie Cline.

-  #3  Source:  “1001 Fascinating Baseball Facts”

FCR -  Art Mugalian, Minneapolis

Incorrect guesses:  John Montgomery Ward, Billy Hamilton, Bill McGunnigle

 

 

MIDWEEK BONUS  — 25-Oct

Q.  Which All-Star moundsman is the only pitcher ever to lose a World Series game to the San Diego Padres?

Hint: #1  He was picked ahead of his Hall of Fame teammate in the same draft.

Hint: #2  He played for that franchise in parts of three decades.

Hint: #3  His son was drafted in the 2nd round by Montreal 30 years after he was drafted.

A.  DAN PETRY   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  SDP has been to the WS 2 X: 1984 & were swept 1998. They won G #2 in 1984 & lost the WS 4 G to 1.

-  #1  Petry was chosen 2nd in the 4th round of the 1976 draft.  Fellow Tiger Jack Morris was taken 2nd in the following round.

-  #2  Petry played for DET 1979-80; 1981-1987; & 1991.

-  #3  Son Jeff Petry was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League’s 2006 draft and credits father Dan for much of his success on the ice.

FCR -  Tom Cleary, Macungie, Pennsylvania

Incorrect guesses:  Jack Morris, Lee Smith, Frank Tanana, Tim Lollar, Milt Wilcox

 

 

THURSDAY  — 26-Oct

Q.  Who is the Giants’ career leader in triples and stolen bases?

Hint: #1  At a very young age, he pitched in a game against the team that would later that year, win the very first major league World Series.

Hint: #2  His nickname was related to  how much he talked.

A.  MIKE TIERNAN   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  He  finished with 162 3B and 428 SB.

-  #1  In 1884, Tiernan played town ball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  At age 17, he once struck out 15 Providence Grays in an exhibition game.  19th-century post season play-off were called World Series in 1894, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 & 92.

-  #2  Because he generally avoided the press and did not protest when umpires made questionable calls, he was known as “Silent Mike”.

FCR -  Barry Nelson, Guilderland, New York

Incorrect guesses:  Dummy Hoy, Willie Mays, George Burns, Gavvy Cravath, George Davis

 

 

FRIDAY — 27-Oct

Q.  Which one-time Tigers player had a hit in ten consecutive at bats for the Cincinnati Reds?

Hint: #1  He was the team MVP with a team in the first year after he was traded to them.

Hint: #2  He was the foil of a clever MLB television promotion commercial co-starring Tony Gwynn.

A.  BIP ROBERTS  [Wiki Bio]

-  Ans.  After the 10th AB, Roberts streak was broken when he was walked in the 3rd inning on 23‑Sep‑1992 by LAD rookie pitcher Pedro Astacio.  Astacio had given up Roberts’ 10th H, a single, in the 1st inning.  Roberts’ previous 9 for 9 were accumulated on 19-, 20- & 22-Sep-1992.  Roberts had played in 34 G for DET in 1998 before finishing his career with OAK later that same year.  The record for all-time longest consecutive AB hit streak is a 3-way tie: CHC's Johnny Kling (1902), BOS's Pinky Higgins (1938) & DET's Walt Dropo (1952), who all had H in 12 straight AB.

-  #1  Roberts became an All-Star and received league MVP votes only after the Padres, for whom he had played for five full seasons, traded him.  CIN voted him team MVP in 1992.

-  #2  See TV spot here.

FCR -  Michael Schneider, Wilmington, Delaware

Incorrect guesses:  Dmitri Young, Sean Casey, Eric Davis

 

T.G.I.F. EXTRA — 27-Oct

Q.  Which BLTR future member of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets was the MVP of the 1981 American Legion World Series?

Hint: #1  A former Texas Rangers hitting coach, he had starred for his university before going professional.

Hint: #2  He is the cousin and godson of his former manager.

A.  DAVE MAGADAN   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Played for WS champs NYM as a rookie in 1986.

-  #1  Coached for TEX 2013-15. He played for the University of Alabama & they remember him fondly.  Magadan had a stellar three-year career with the Crimson Tide, capped by a phenomenal junior season that saw him set the SEC single-season record with a .525 batting average. 

-  #2  Magadan played a half season w/SEA in1993, managed by Lou Piniella, his cousin & godfather.  Both are from the Tampa Bay area.

FCR -  Robert Osman, Great Neck, New York

Incorrect guesses:  Graig Nettles

 

 

SATURDAY — 28-Oct

Q.  Which one-time BBTR Boston first baseman was assaulted by Philadelphia fans because he led his team's stalling tactics in hope of having the umpire declare the game suspended?

Hint: #1  In his third year in the majors, playing for the Baltimore Orioles, he led the league in hits, batting average and hit by pitch, yet did not manage any votes for Most Valuable Player.

Hint: #2  Known for making flashy, one-handed scoops with his small glove, he was nicknamed "Foghorn" for his loud-mouthed style as a base coach.

A.  TOMMY TUCKER   [Wiki bio]

-  Ans.  Tucker played for the Boston Beaneaters of the NL for 7 seasons, thrice when they were NL champs 1891, 1892 & 1893.  (See 11th paragraph of the SABR Bio for details of the suspended game attempt.)

-  #1  In 1889, his 3rd year for BAL of the AA, Tucker had the best year of his 13-year career.  He played in 134 of their 139 G, led the AA in H (196), BA (.372), OBP (.450), OPS (.934), OPS+ (169) & HBP (33).  He did it all in an era before the concept of MVP was known.

-  #2  Tucker, possibly the most colorful first baseman of his era, presaged the 1st-base fielding styles of players such as Joe Judge, George Burns & Vic Power.  Tucker, making one-handed scoops of wild throws from his infielders, with his small glove, was novel for his era.

FCR -  Ken Kirk, Corning, New York

Incorrect guesses:  Candy LaChance, John McGraw, Hughie Jennings, George Myatt

 

 

SATURDAY BONUS — 28-Oct

Q.  Which former Salt Lake Bees player “stole” a foul ball from famous Boston Red Sox fan Ben Affleck?

Hint: #1  His timely home run helped lock in his franchise’s first World Series championship.

Hint: #2  He is now works in the front office of a different World Series participant.

A.  HOWIE KENDRICK  [Wiki Bio]

-  Ans.  In Kendrick’s rookie year, playing 1B for LAA, on 30-Jul-2006, he caught a pop foul headed directly for the eager, waiting hands of Ben Affleck.  Fans sitting nearby booed Affleck for not taking the ball away from Kendrick. The event landed Kendrick's picture in People magazine. In an edition of the syndicated Access Hollywood, Kendrick presented Affleck an autographed baseball for his birthday.  Kendrick played for SLcB for parts of 2006-09.

-  #1  HR = Inning 7, G 7 in the 2019 WS

-  #2  Since 16-Nov-2021, Kendrick has been a special assistant to PHI's GM Sam Fuld.  PHI played HOU in the 2022 WS.

FCR -  Tom Veal, Spanaway, Washington

Incorrect guesses:  Ed Spiezio, Tim Naehring, Doug Mientkiewicz, Sam Fuld, David Freese

 

 

SUNDAY  — 29-Oct

Q.  Which umpire worked exclusively behind home plate for the first sixteen years he umpired?

Hint: #1  During his 37 years on the diamond, he was the first umpire to wear a chest protector and one of the first to use visible arm signals to coincide with his calls.

Hint: #2  An early ballplayer and bartender, he never reached the majors as a player.

A.  BILL KLEM   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  The Hall of Fame tells us, Klem spent the 1st 16 years of his career behind the plate because of his superior ability to call balls & strikes.  For the best view, Klem taught his fellow umpires to stand slightly to the side & work the “slot” between the catcher and the batter.

-  #1  Klem was the "Old Arbitrator" & the "father of baseball umpires". He umped in the NL from 1905 to 1941.  He worked a record 18 World Series.

-  #2  His admiration for AL ump Silk O’Loughlin led Klem to umpiring as a career.

FCR -  Obrey Brown, Tallahassee

Incorrect guesses:  Beans Reardon, Jocko Conlan, Jocko Conlon

 

 

SUNDAY BONUS — 28-Oct

Q.  Which World Series champion gave at least two meanings to the word “strut”?

Hint: #1  Highly-respected SABR researchers call him, “one of the greatest baseball players ever.”

Hint: #2  He was one of the first “bad boys” among sports stars, with a violent streak compounded by his alcoholism.  His interest in Broadway eventually led to a prominent role away from baseball.

A.  MIKE DONLIN   [SABR Bio]

-  Ans.  Teammates & the public in general instantly recognized Donlin’s self-confidence.  His distinctive walk, while done in obvious composure reminded onlookers of the gait of a turkey.  He was called “Turkey Mike” during much of his both of his careers.  He was part of manager John McGraw’s powerful, early twentieth-century New York Giants & played in the watershed 1905 World Series. 

-  #1  Authors Steve Steinberg & Lyle Spatz, whose book on the life of Donlin will be published by the University of Nebraska Press in spring 2024, also call him, “a larger-than-life athlete who flirted with sports greatness and a rare figure who achieved success in different entertainment realms.”

-  #2  Donlin was fascinated by the New York Broadway scene and married a Broadway actress.  He was also famous for ignoring team curfews, often returning late & drunk.

FCR -  Bill Deane, Cooperstown

Incorrect guesses:  Ross Youngs, King Kelly

 

 

WEEK’S FINALE  — 29-Oct

Q.  Who leads the Angels’ franchise in career games, hits, RBI, doubles & total bases, among many others.

Hint: #1  He played for four major league teams in Southern California.

Hint: #2  Between 1936 and 2023, only Carlos Delgado hit more doubles in an American League season.

A.  GARRET ANDERSON   [Wiki Bio]

-  Ans.  The Angels’ leaders page shows the frequency of Anderson’s statistical leadership.

-  #1  Anderson played for the California / Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim & Los Angeles Dodgers 1994-2010.  He also played for ATL in his penultimate season, 2009.

-  #2  With HOF Charlie Gehringer’s 60 2B for DET in 1936 as a starting point, only Delgado’s 57 in 2000 exceeds Garret’s 56 of 2002 in that time span.  George Kell (1950), Nomar Garciaparra (2002), Brian Roberts (2009) & Jose Ramirez also hit 56 2B in a season.

FCR -  Jeremy Frank

Incorrect guesses:  Tim Salmon, Vladimir Guerrero

 

 

 

WEEK’S THEME – A cross-section of players & others whose middle name is Joseph.

 

Player                                  Career WAR

 

Garret Joseph Anderson............................ 25.7

 Michael Joseph Donlin........................... 28.8

 Gary Joseph Gaetti..................................... 42.1

 Michael Joseph “King” Kelly..................... 46.0

 Daniel Joseph Petry.................................... 17.1

 David Joseph Magadan.............................. 21.1

 John Joseph McGraw................................. 45.7

 Howard Joseph Kendrick........................... 35.0

 William Joseph Klem............................... ~

 Leon Joseph  “Bip” Roberts....................... 20.5

 Michael Joseph Tiernan............................. 41.5

 Tommy Joseph Tucker............................... 25.4

 

 

First Correct Respondent identifying themeWarren Kent, Whitehall, Michigan (after Kelly)

 

 

Incorrect theme guesses:

 

Wed     -  Players with gangster/criminal nicknames

            -  MLB third basemen with the middle name Joseph

            -  Players who sons became professionals in other major sports

 

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