Happy 70th birthday to a pioneer, who debuted 50 seasons ago by striking out Charley Smith. And a very happy 83rd to one of his teammates. Now, on to a bunch of first starts tonight — most of which I won’t get to, ’cause we lead with the wild finish:
@Pirates 2, Giants 1 — “Here’s the throw to the plate, the slide, and he is … out!! We go to the 10th inning!”
Wait …
These players enjoy the distinction of a certain seasonal batting feat since 1901 of which only they can boast. What is it?
| Rk | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mark McGwire |
| 2 | Mark Reynolds |
| 3 | Clyde Vollmer |
| 4 | Carlos Pena |
| 5 | Barry Bonds |
| 6 | Kent Hrbek |
| 7 | Jay Buhner |
| 8 | Richie Hebner |
Bonus: Hebner’s season is the most recent with what related accomplishment?
Congratulations to the Goof and Stuart! They teamed up to solve the two parts of today’s quiz, both related to efficient run production. In particular, only our quiz players have a season since 1901 with 80+ RBI produced from fewer than 100 hits. Richie Hebner’s season doing that is also on a second list of players with an 80 RBI season since 1901, with RBIs amounting to more than half of total bases. More after the jump.
This post is for voting and discussion in the 57th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round completes the addition, that was begun in the previous round, of those players born in 1925. Rules and lists are after the jump. Continue reading
It got late early in this round’s balloting, as Yogi Berra ran away with the voting. Yogi becomes the 56th inductee into the High Heat Stats Circle of Greats. Continue reading
@Marlins 5, Dodgers 4 — Miami blew a Jose Fernandez win in the 9th, but they still walked off smiling after Jeff Baker’s winning double. Baker had come up short pinch-hitting in the 7th with two ducks on the pond, but he seized his next chance and bagged the second winning hit of his 10-year career.
Adam Dunn is now three years removed from his historic cratering to a 54 OPS+ in 2011. Since then, he has compiled almost as many strikeouts as total bases, but has still managed a modestly respectable 112 OPS+ with a nice total of 80 home runs and almost 200 RBI.
That one season of 54 OPS+ is the only time in Dunn’s 14-year career that he’s finished south of 100. While nobody else can say that about an OPS+ season in the 50s, other players have turned in truly dreadful campaigns the only time they’ve been below 100 OPS+. More after the jump on the very worst single seasons in otherwise consistently good careers.
@Reds 6, Brewers 2 — Johnny Cueto gave up two solo homers, but nothing else until an infield single in the 8th, lasting through that frame for the 4th straight game. Cincy tallied three in the 4th off Yovani Gallardo, sandwiching a HBP, and Cueto singled home another in the 6th. Tyler Thornburg’s 13-game scoreless streak died in a 2-run 7th, and all the while, Cueto kept firing strikes.
Brewers 2, @Reds 0 — Wily Peralta’s “Little League All-Star” night: 8 scoreless innings on 3 hits, and a dose of Mike Leake’s medicine, breaking a scoreless tie in the 5th with a 2-out, 2-run double. Francisco Rodriguez closed 1-2-3 (yawn), with nothing past the infield — his 17th straight scoreless game. Milwaukee restored a 6-game lead over St. Louis, 7.5 on Cincy and 9.5 on Pittsburgh.
April has come and gone and warmer weather lies just ahead. That will be a relief for those players whose game tends to heat up with the weather.
But, this post is about other players, those who start the year hot. Over a career, there are some players who consistently play their best in the opening month. But, as this post shows, knowing that may not help you predict the league leaders in any given April.
After the jump, more on April’s heroes.
Here’s some stuff that I didn’t get time to fully organize & tidy up…
Rays 2, @Red Sox 1 (day) — Unscheduled rotation anchor Cesar Ramos hasn’t gotten fully stretched out yet, but he’s yielded just 2 runs in 14.2 IP over his last three. Today’s odd outing: 14 outs, one hit, 6 Ks, 6 walks. But Tampa scored the lead run in the 4th on a force-feed by Jake Peavy, who walked three straight. David DeJesus drew the payoff pass, after he hit a tying homer in the prior session.