Sports question

Guest

Yes, and there have been many strange things in ball games. A batter hit a grounder and ran home after four different errors on that ball. Another guy hit a triple but the runner in front of him ran back to third thinking he could not score. They ran into each other and both were out. The same hitter once did not slide into a base and was called out. When asked about not sliding, he said he did not want to break the 3 cigars in his back pocket. I was at a double header and saw Jim Piersall kicked out of the second game before a pitch had been thrown. He was yelling something at the second base ump. Maybe he did not want to play the second game. As an announcer later, his behavior was unusual and many thought he had not fully recovered from his nervous breakdown while with the Red Sox. He played with intensity, was an excellent defensive center fielder, had very good speed, and had his best hitting year with the Tribe.

Speaking of exciting games, I went to see a double header against the Tigers with a church group, I think. Both teams scored more than 10 runs in both games, and Vic Power stole home in both games. Brooks Robinson said Power was the best defensive first baseman he ever saw. He used a very long glove not allowed today and called it the vaccum cleaner. Cleveland won both games that day, and Power's steal of home was the game winner in one of them.

Cleveland had a kids' day when I was a boy. Any child got in free with an adult. My dad packed the car with kids from the neighborhood and it was like a party. Peanuts were roasted right at the stadium and were hot. The mustard at the stadium was dark and spicy and could not be found in the supermarkets. After the 5th inning, we could move into box seats and the ushers would not stop us. I can still hear the beer vendor as he yelled "Cold beer here" as he walked around the stadium. Beer was in bottles then. Cleveland had a habit of getting great players after they were washed up, so I remember seeing some of them, like Don Newcombe and John Antonelli, and Early Wynn back from the White Sox to win his 300th game. It took him 13 tries. Colavito was like a demigod when I was a teenager, and his stupid trade to Detroit turned off many fans for years. I practiced throwing as he did--he had the best arm in all baseball--and flexing my back with the bat behind it as he did.

In junior high school I got straight A's for three years. The Indians sent me and other A students free box seat tickets for about 6 games, two tickets each, each summer. So many memories.

Subject: Re: Sports question Sun May 04, 2008 8:16 pm

Here's a question about pitchers who are good hitters...

We all know Babe Ruth started out as a pitcher. Today, in the game between the Di-Backs and Mets, Micah Owens pinch-hit in the game. He also pinch-hit yesterday and pitched on Friday night. He's a strapping young 26 year old. The play-by-play guys mentioned that Owens batting average is better than Ruth's was in comparable game appearances as a ptcher.

Who are some of the pitchers who were/are good to better hitters at the plate?

I remember Boston had a pitcher (I believe in the 60's) named Wilson who would occasionally hit the long ball.
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Guest

I think Steve Carlton was good, and more recently maybe one for the Astros or Braves had a bunch of homers. Maddux is good for a lot of singles. Actually, you stole my next question. Gene Bearden leads with career homers for a pitcher (often batting higher than 9th) and Bob lemon is one behind him. By coincidence, they both played for the tribe at the same time and Bearden won the last game of the series in 1948 I believe.

Guest

Tricky technical baseball question--a pitcher has his throws counted in balls and strikes. In which category are hits, outs, and errors counted?

Subject: Re: Sports question Tue May 06, 2008 10:38 pm

The only thing I can think of is "at bats" or batting average.
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Guest

My guess is strikes. If you know a sports writer or other official scorer of some level of baseball, you may get the right answer.

Subject: Re: Sports question Tue May 06, 2008 10:56 pm

The Tigers play by play guys were humorous last night (Monday). Dice-K was pitching. He had something like 7 walks in four innings. One says: "I've never heard of pitcher issuing 7 walks without a visit from the pitching coach!"

They also mentioned that Dice-K had the 2nd lowest batting average against him so far this season. Batters are hitting someting like .167 . He's a different kind of pitcher. Tosses about 90 pitches in 5 innings, and somehow survives.

The Tigers play by play guys also laughed about Varitek's fingers in calling pitches for Dice-K. Varitek has white tape on his fingers for Dice-K as he uses so many different pitches (5, I think.)
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Subject: Re: Sports question Tue May 06, 2008 11:06 pm

It's good to see the Dodgers coming on recently.

The Tribe took care of the Yankees with Dellucci's 3 run homer off of Chamberlain.
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Guest

I like Torre but not the Dodgers. When the Tribe defeats the Yankees, it is always something to cheer about. They have started hitting so slowly so far it is scary. Their division looks like the weakest now instead of the strongest. My preseasan comment about the Sox not making it to the Series this year may have been premature. Baseball is so unpredictable and exciting.

Subject: Re: Sports question Thu May 08, 2008 6:11 pm

On the opening day 40 man Roster this year there was 1 knuckleballer in MLB. In AAA, there were 3 at the beginning of the season.

Who are two knuckleballers who made it to the Hall of Fame?

Bonus question:

Wakefield is presently third in all time wins for the Red Sox. Who are the two ahead of him?

Some pitchers are not beyond tossing a knuckleball or knuckle curve. Last night Detroit's Galarraga threw a floater, almost an ephus ball to Big Papi. He didn't swing but he was called out on strike three. Ortiz was talking to himself the rest of the night... it was quite funny actually.
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Hoyt Wilheim and Phil Niekro. Bonus question I don't know. Mel Garber and Gene Conley played for a good many years with the Sox. Tiant won lots of his games for other teams. Nobody else comes to mind unless Spaceman Lee played there longer than I think. I don't recall how many games Ruth won, but I would choose him as one of my guesses.

Subject: Re: Sports question Thu May 08, 2008 8:53 pm

Cy Young and Roger Clemens...

Wakefield could conceivably pass them...
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Duh. Should have known about Clemens obviously.

New question. There have been 3 two team (same year) professional ball players in recent years, although one of them was in the minor leagues mostly. Name them and two before them. Hint--they did not play pro football, and one played for the Red Sox.

Subject: Re: Sports question Thu May 08, 2008 10:27 pm

Bo Jackson... (although he played football) give me a few minutes on the other
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Subject: Re: Sports question Thu May 08, 2008 10:33 pm

Nope... I can't think of them, although many athletes are courted by different sports, but they often make a decision to go one way... this should be interesting...
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