Hits and Runs XVII

Jun 17, 2025

“If it looks good, swing at it. If it doesn’t, don’t swing.” ~ Yogi Berra

I’m sorry for the long absence; I’m still sorting out this semi-retirement phase of life. Training a few clients, doing a few fitness classes, laying the foundation for my journey of a “musical career”, finally hitting the golf course, trying to keep some people and aspects that are important (and I can’t live without) in the forefront, reconnecting with folks that are dear to me, looking into / making travel plans, and just seeing what life has to offer. As you have experienced, I put writing on the back burner for a tad, this is a “known” endeavor, but “Comments” is back.

So, with this post, I’m easing my way back into the writing habit. If you’re a long-time subscriber, you are familiar with this themed post; if you’re a newer subscriber or reader (welcome and please tell others about us), I occasionally write these “Hits and Runs” to get rid of notes that I feel wouldn’t be a complete article, but that they have readability value as snippets. So, sit back and enjoy the quotes, short facts and snarky comments.

“Baseball is more than just a sport; it’s a part of our lives. It’s something that connects us all summer long.” ~ Alex Chester

Random fact, Gordy Howe played professional hockey from 1946 through 1980. During that time span, Bobby Orr was born, played his whole NHL career, retired and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” ~ Babe Ruth

Ichiro Suzuki averaged 2 hits per game for a 63-game span in 2004. That is a .453 average for over two months of baseball. He is the only player to have ever done that in MLB history.

Ty Cobb once hit .400 over a span of 800 games. Since then, no one has hit .400 over a span of 200 games in the last 90 years.

“We were going to have a human sacrifice, but nobody volunteered.” ~ Terry Francona, the Cincinnati Reds manager, on solving the team’s scoring woes.

Babe Ruth was the first player to reach 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 home runs in a career.

When asked about Earl Campbell’s inability to finish a one mile run in training camp, Bum Philips, his coach said, “Hell, if it’s third-and-a-mile, we won’t give it to him.”

“Surround yourself with people who will leap out of the dugout should you ever charge the mound.” ~ Undetermined Pittsburg Pirate player.

“The Oakland A’s were killed by greed. Do not allow the people responsible for this to spin it any other way. John Fisher did not have to move his team. Major League Baseball and its owners did not need to be complicit in it. This was a choice. A wring one, History will sneer.” ~ Jeff Passan

The Carolina Disco Turkeys gave a lifetime ban to John Fischer, the A’s owner from all of their home games due to moving his team to Las Vegas (via Sacramento).

“Are you kidding, blind people come out to listen to him pitch.” ~ Reggie Jackson when asked if Tom Seaver threw hard.

In 1995, Tony Gwynn had 15 strikeouts in 585 at-bats. In 2025, Rafael Devers had 15 strikeouts in 19 at-bats.

Tony Gwynn had 5 seasons where he had more stolen bases than strikeouts.

A $500.00 bat doesn’t fix a $1 swing.

In 2001, Randy Johnson struck out 419 batters.

In 2023 the NL strike out leader was Kyle Schwarber with 215; the AL strike out leader was Eugene Suarez with 214. Tony Gwynn’s total strike out total for the decade of the 90s was 188.

“The only people I ever felt intimated by in my whole life were Bob Gibson and my daddy.” ~ Dusty Baker

Will Clark homered in his first at-bat in A-ball, AA, AAA, and then in the Major Leagues.

What a great opening to the 2025 season. The first ball / strike wasn’t a pitch because of the pitch clock. Ball One. Manfred is an ass.

“Nobody talked about my defense or that I used to steal bases too.” ~ Tony Gwynn

“Never save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain.” ~ Leo Durocher

“When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story.” ~ Bob Gibson

Some days you’re Randy Johnson and some days you’re the bird. CLICK HERE.

“If I’d done everything I was supposed to, I’d be leading the league in homers, have the highest batting average, have given $100,000 to the Cancer Fund, and be married to Marie Osmond.” ~ Clint Hurdle

“Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.” ~ Vince Lombardi

Frank Thomas is the only baseball player with over 10,000 plate appearances who never recorded a sacrifice bunt.

“There is but one game and that game is baseball.” ~ John McGraw

“Baseball was once America’s heartbeat, now it’s a business with a scoreboard.” ~ Jacques Barzun

“You could be a kid for as long as you wanted when you play baseball.” ~ Cal Ripken Jr.

The biggest baseball coincidence ever. Or at least he is the most consistent player ever. Khris Davis hit .247 in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

“Wait a minute, you gonna make $70 million a year and you can’t play basketball 3 or 4 days a week? They fly private. They got the best medical staff ever created. People working in the steel mills every day, I’m pretty sure they tired too, but they go to work every day.” ~ Charles Barkley, when asked about the “load management” in the NBA.

“You know why I am a millionaire? Because I can put my fastball wherever I want to. Do you know why I own beachfront property in L.A.? Because I can change speeds. O.K., questions?” ~ Greg Maddux

A young women caught a home run ball hit by Japanese MLB star, Shohei Ohtani during the World Baseball Classic. Someone next to her asked to see the ball, and it was passed around the stadium for others to admire before it was returned to her after everyone had a turn.

“There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all.” ~ Lou Gehrig

“Bob Gibson was so mean; he’d knock you down and then meet you at home plate to see if you wanted to make something of it. Gibson was the toughest pitcher I ever faced. He was also a great teammate and friend.” ~ Dick Allen

“Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism, and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again.” ~ Ernie Banks

“When baseball is brought up in conversation to a baseball person it brings them to life. Their eyes light up and they become kids again.” ~ George Will

“You’re prettier than a well-turned double play.” ~ Bill Mazeroski

In two different seasons, Greg Maddux had a higher batting average than he allowed to hitters.

Babe Ruth committed 179 errors during his major league career. He also recorded 4,787 putouts, 569 assists, and 86 double plays, for a career fielding percentage of 0.968. He stole 123 bases and stole home plate 10 times. He hit some home runs too.

Jamie Farr who played Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on the tv program M.A.S.H. was inducted into the Toledo Mudhens Hall of Fame.

Brent and Wayne Gretzky hold the NHL record for most combined points by two brothers: Wayne with 2857 career points and Brent with four.

Marvin “Bad News” Barnes, a power forward that played in the old ABA refused to board a plane going from Louisville to St. Louis, when the rest of his team did. The flight was scheduled to arrive in the Central Time Zone before it’s departure from the Eastern Time Zone. He rented a car instead and drove. Barnes said, “I ain’t getting in no damn time machine.”

Earl Weaver, the Baltimore Orioles had a pocket sewn into his jersey to hold a pack of cigarettes. Earl was also ejected from both games of a doubleheader, not once but three times, and twice before the game even got started.

On May 13, 1952, Ron Necciai, struck out all 27 batters in nine innings for his no-hitter. He retired every single hitter he faced by striking them out. This has never occurred again in any pro game. Ron was 19 years old and playing in the Class-D minors at the time.

“When they operated, I told them to put in a Koufax fastball. They did – but it was Mrs. Koufax’s.” ~ Tommy John

Stan Musial had 3,630 career hits. 1,815 at home, and 1,815 away.

“I didn’t throw the first punch. I threw the second four.” ~ Billy Martin

“I hit a homer off Gaylord Perry, and he said it was the worst day of his life. Not his baseball life, but his whole life.” ~ Bob Uecker

“Rickey don’t like Rickey getting taken out of the game.” ~ Rickey Henderson

“No. I only got old.” ~ “Cool Papa” Bell, when he was asked if he ever got tired of playing baseball.

Jim Brown, the Cleveland Browns fullback averaged 14.9 yards per carry, 39.6 PPG in basketball and pitched two no-hitters in baseball during his senior year at Manhasset High School.

After Greg Maddux broke Jim Kaat’s record for most Gold Gloves, Kaat told him, “the only record I have now is the oldest pitcher to steal a base”. Maddux stole a base and called Kaat to let him know.

Earl Weaver’s Ten Laws of Baseball

1. No one’s going to give a damn in July if you lost a game in March.

2. If you don’t make any promises to your players, you won’t have to break them.

3. The easiest way around the bases is with one swing of the bat.

4. Your most precious possessions on offense are your 27 outs.

5. If you play for one run, that’s all you’ll get.

6. Don’t play for one run unless you know that run will win a ballgame.

7. It’s easier to find four good starters than five.

8. The best place for a rookie pitcher is long relief.

9. The key step for an infielder is the first one – left or right – but before the pitch is hit.

10.The job of arguing with the umpires belongs to the manager, because it won’t hurt the team if he gets kicked out of the game.

Rest in Peace George Wendt (October 17, 1948 – May 20, 2025). A Chicago boy who made good.

(George Wendt at old Comiskey Park, circa 1990. Found on the internet. Assuming Public Domain.)

Congratulations to Gage Wood of Arkansas, who pitched only the third no-hitter in the history of the College World Series on June 16, 2025. 19 of the 27 outs were strikeouts. Enjoy the moment young man and well done.

Thanks for your support,

~ Coach Mike

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