Hits and Runs XI

Jan 29, 2024

“Baseball is not a conventional industry. It belongs neither to the players nor management, but to all of us. It is our national pastime, our national symbol, and our national treasure.” ~ John Thorn in “Baseball: Our Game”

If you’re a long-time reader of “Comments” you are familiar with the theme of this titled post. But if you are a new subscriber (welcome) or reader, it’s little snippets of baseball “stuff” that I took note of but didn’t feel I could use for a full article which I eventually put into a compilation like this. Sit back and enjoy the read.

“When I’m in a slump, I comfort myself by saying if I believe in dinosaurs, then somewhere, they must be believing in me. And if they can believe in me, then I can believe in me. Then I bust out.” ~ Mookie Wilson, New York Mets LF.

During World War II the US Army designed hand grenades in the shape of baseballs because they believed every young American should be able to throw it with distance and accuracy.

In the last seven seasons, there’s been 254 complete games thrown. Bob Gibson had 255 in his career.

“The first books I was interested in were all about baseball.” ~ Charles Kuralt, American Journalist.

The last MLB player to start and finish 162 regular season games over one year was Juan Pierre of the 2004 Miami Marlins.

Cookie Rojas, a 5 time All-Star second baseman played at one time or another all nine positions 2B-1447 games, CF-124, LF-79, 3B-46, SS-39, RF-10, C-7, 1B-2, and P-1.

“Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss?” ~ Dizzy Dean, HoF Pitchers and longtime broadcaster.

From 1994-2008, Greg Maddux started 496 games, he had 482 walks.

“Baseball is a drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast.” ~ Joe Garagiola in “Baseball Is A Funny Game”.

Mark Buehrle is in the Top 100 All-Time in:

· Starts

· Wins

· Innings Pitched

· Pitching WAR (although I’m not a big WAR guy)

Plus, he’s a 5-Time All-Star, won 4 Golden Glove Awards and had 15 consecutive seasons with 10+ wins. As well as being the only pitcher besides Sandy Koufax (HoF Class of 1972) and Cy Young (HoF Class of 1937) to pitch a perfect game, a no-hitter, and win a World Series with the same team. BBWAA take note.

“The doctor’s x-rayed my head and found nothing.” ~ Dizzy Dean, HoF Pitchers and longtime broadcaster.

Switching sports for a second to basketball. There are only three players to win 3 MPV Awards in a row, they were:

Bill Russell 1961, 1962, and 1963

Wilt Chamberlain 1966, 1967, and 1968

Lary Bird 1984, 1985, and 1986.

“Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?” ~ Jim Bouton

Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox is considered to be one of, if not the best hitter in MLB history. “Comments” has chronicled some of his achievements in the past, but this says quite a bit about his character besides his hitting ability. On the last day of the 1941 season, Williams’ batting average was .3995, which rounded up would be a .400 average. He was asked by his manager, Joe Cronin if he wanted to play or sit out one or both scheduled games of the double-header. Ted played both games, respecting the game and went 6 of 8. He finished the season with a .406 batting average. He is the last player to hit over 400 for a season. (Yes, MLB used to schedule double-headers and the game’s best players played in BOTH without “expanding the roster” for the day. He played in 143 of his team’s 154 games that year.)

“You’ve got to be bleeping me!” ~ Ken “Hawk” Harelson

The amazing left-hander, Sandy Koufax once said, the only way to pitch to Roberto Clemente “Was to roll the ball up to the plate.”

Howard Ehmke, a 35-year-old journey man pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics, started and won the first game of the 1929 World Series 3 to 1 and struck out 13 batters, then a WS record. Connie Mack chose to start Ehmke over Lefty Grove and George Earnshaw (a 24-game winner that year). Ehmke had appeared in only 11 games all season. The Athletics won the Series 5-1 over the Chicago Cubs. Howard later opened Ehmke Manufacturing Company, developing the first tarp to cover baseball infields. It was first used and Shibe Field, home of the Athletics.

“Baseball is an American icon. It is the Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, ‘In God We Trust’, Mount Rushmore, ice cream, apple pie, hot dogs, and rally monkeys. Baseball is America.” ~ Victor Baltov, Jr. in “Baseball Is America”. (CLICK HERE to read about hotdogs and the game.)

In 1977, Mary Shane became the first female play by play announcer for an MLB team, the Chicago White Sox. She joined their broadcast team but was let go before the season ended. She was characterized as a hard-working professional, but it seems they had an issue with her voice. She eventually became the first female reporter to cover the Boston Celtics for the Worcester Telegram. She died of a heart attack in November of 1987 at the age of 42.

“I can see how Sandy Koufax won twenty-five games. What I don’t understand is how he lost five.” ~ Yogi Berra

(Jim Leyland having a “heater” in the dugout. Found on the internet. Assuming Public Domain.)

Again, my congrats to Jim Leyland on his Hall of Fame election by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee’s vote. He received 15 of the 16 votes. Leyland was a solid baseball guy and contributed much to the game. He is also remembered for taking Barry Bonds to task in Spring Training. I have never cared much for Bonds and his exclusion from the Hall is justified in my opinion. There is a phrase about “integrity and character” being attributes that need to be considered by the voters in the voting rules, I personally feel that Bonds didn’t display much in this department. He did call Leyland with his congratulations after the announcement though. There are two clips concerning the spring training incident. CLICK HERE to see the incident and Bonds being a Prima Dona. CLICK HERE to see Leyland and Bonds go at it. (Warning: Adult “Baseball” Language).

If you are new to “Comments” feel free to browse the Archives for past articles. If you enjoyed this one, please click on the previous posts of this theme, “Hits and Runs”, “Hits and Runs II”, “Hits and Runs III”, “Hits and Runs IV” “Hits and Runs V”. “Hits and Runs VI”, “Hits and Runs VII”, “Hits and Runs VIII”, “Hits and Runs IX” and “Hits and Runs X”.

Thanks for your support.

~ Coach Mike

Comments From Coach Mike

Discussion about this post