Quiz – How did they end up on this list?

Sorry, couldn’t think of any clever title for this one.

Here is a short list of players to compile a most unusual season. In fact, no other players since 1901 have done so.

What are the season accomplishments that only these players have compiled?

Player
Billy Hatcher
Frank Baumholtz
Hersh Martin
Johnny Cooney
Ethan Allen
Jigger Statz
Joe Judge

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 9/13/2012.

Hint: there is a rookie playing this season who is currently on track to join this group.

Congratulations to Nick Pain! He identified that these are the only players since 1901 to have a qualifying season with an extra-base hit total more than 50% larger than their RBI total (i.e. XBH > 1.5 * RBI). Zack Cozart, the Reds rookie shortstop, is on pace to join this group. He is also on pace for the lowest RBI total for any qualifying season with 15+ HR.

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Admin

Andy

12 years ago

Did you accidentally publish this a couple of hours ago with no title?

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to Andy

No. At least not that I’m aware of.

Editor

John Autin

12 years ago

Reply to Andy

Andy, I was the one who accidentally published a quiz and then killed it.

topper009

12 years ago

Well they all had a season with more 2Bs than RBIs, and Zach Cozart has 32 of each this year, but the PI shows 27 qualifying seasons of 2B>RBIs so there must be more to it.

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to topper009

On the right track.

topper009

12 years ago

Reply to Doug

I was going to say also H=G, but that must be an odd coincidence. In seasons with more 2B than RBIs:
Hatcher 1990 139 G 139 H
Martin 1931 111 G 111 H
Cozart 2012 127 G 127 H

but the rest dont fit

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to topper009

Odd coincidence. Not one that I noticed. 🙂

Brooklyn Mick

12 years ago

They all finished their careers with strikeout per plate appearance ratios of 10% or less.

topper009

12 years ago

Reply to Brooklyn Mick

That list would not be complete without Joe Sewell and his 1.4% K/PA ratio.

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to Brooklyn Mick

Sorry, that’s not it. Remember, looking for unusual single seasons.

Gary Bateman

12 years ago

More extra base hits than RBI’s in a batting title qualifying season?

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to Gary Bateman

There are more players than these on that list. But, it’s on the right track.

Richard Chester

12 years ago

They all have 4 or more triples and fewer than 140 games played but Case, Dykstra and Bartell also meet those qualifications.

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Have to step away now. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I’m sure you’ll have it solved by then.

Josh

12 years ago

More 2Bs and BBs than RBIs?

Insert Name Here

12 years ago

Reply to Josh

Ethan Allen never did it, so that can’t be it…

Insert Name Here

12 years ago

In addition to 2B > RBI, I noticed that they are all outfielders, except Judge, who is a first baseman. However, the PI shows 13 results for 2B > RBI among 1B and/or OF, so that’s not it.

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Okay, I’m back.

So far, comment #8 is the closest to the mark.

12 years ago

Reply to Doug

So comment #8 is a better fit than #3?

Editor

John Autin

12 years ago

Well, my brainstorm went nowhere. I saw that Hatcher also had SB>RBI in the same season as 2B>RBI, but Judge is the only other guy from the list who meets that criterion.

12 years ago

Hmmm…I think the reason we’re having difficulty with this quiz is someone clearly jiggered with the stats of Jigger Statz! (someone HAD to say it!). 🙂

Nadig

12 years ago

They also all have 3B greater or equal to HR in the same season of 2B greater than RBI.

topper009

12 years ago

Reply to Nadig

If I assume Zach Cozart is the current rookie on pace then thats not it, he has 3 3Bs but 15 HRs

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to topper009

Yes, that part is right. Cozart is the one on track to join this group.

12 years ago

Reply to Doug

Cozart’s (potentially) on the list because he a) bats leadoff 2) has been dreadful with runners in scoring position. Slash line of .160/.188/.245 in 102 PAs.

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Wow. Didn’t think it would be this hard.

#8 is still the closest AND it correctly identifies the only variables involved in the query.

Editor

John Autin

12 years ago

XBH >= 30, and XBH > RBI.

BTW, I think Cozart is the only one with RBI > 30 in the target season.

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Reply to John Autin

Sorry. Actually, 6 players did that just last season.

Also, Cozart is on track to have the lowest RBI total for anyone with 15+ HR in a qualifying season. Currently, he is two RBI behind Eric Young’s total in 2003. Two players (Scott Hairston 2008, Daryl Boston 1988) had one fewer RBI than Cozart’s current total with 15+ HR in a non-qualifying season.

Nick Pain

12 years ago

XBH is at least 1.5 times RBI.

12 years ago

Reply to Nick Pain

Hmmm….I think you’re correct! The one question I have is about Lenny Dykstra’s 1981 season. His ratio is exactly 1.5. Is he not included because only seasons above 1.5 are included or is it because (due to the strike season) he only had 386 PAs?

Editor

John Autin

12 years ago

Reply to Ed

Ed, that’s a funny “typo” — putting 1981 when you meant 1994.

12 years ago

Reply to John Autin

Yeah for some reason the ’81 strike is more clearly stamped in my mind.

Richard Chester

12 years ago

Reply to Nick Pain

XBH>1.5 times RBI and qualified for the batting title.

Brooklyn Mick

12 years ago

Reply to Nick Pain

In Johnny Cooney’s only qualifying season he had 22 XBH and 30 RBI, so that rules out XBH at least 1.5 times RBI.

Richard Chester

12 years ago

Reply to Brooklyn Mick

Brooklyn Mick: In 1938 Cooney had the then qualifying 432 AB, 25 doubles, 5 triples and 17 RBI. The season you are referring to is 1936.

Brooklyn Mick

12 years ago

Reply to Richard Chester

Thanks Richard. I forgot about the qualification changes over the years.

Brooklyn Mick

12 years ago

Reply to Nick Pain

Good job Mr. Pain!

Author

Doug

12 years ago

Nick Pain (comment #28) has got it.

These are the only players since 1901 having a qualifying season with an extra-base hit total more than 50% larger than their RBI total (i.e. XBH > 1.5 * RBI).

Zack Cozart, the Reds rookie shortstop, is on pace to join this group. He is also on pace for the lowest RBI total for any qualifying season with 15+ HR (see comment #27).