JOE MORGAN [SABR Bio] racked up nearly 700 hundred stolen bases in his career without ever leading the league - 689 career SB. His snowman got frozen on D-Day. Uniform #8 retired 06-Jun-1998 by CIN. He's the only player at his position to twice win the MVP without skipping a season in between. Second baseman, won MVP 1975 & 1976.
ERIC DAVIS is the only Cincinnati Red to homer in his first World Series at-bat - WS HR 16-Oct-1990 off Dave Stewart, the previous season's World Series MVP. Twice in his career he had a game where he hit three home runs and stole a base - 3 HR + SB = 10-Sep-1986, 03-May-1987. He made his ML debut as a pinch hitter, wearing no number. Debuted w/CIN on 19-May-1984 since the only available road uniform didn't yet have a number sewn on. Pinch-hit for P. Bob Owchinko.
CESAR CEDENO was the first Dominican Republic native to homer in an All-Star game - AS HR 1972, in the 6th inning right after he'd replaced Willie Mays in CF. Led the majors in doubles in his 2nd and 3rd seasons in "The Show". Received votes for a .05% share in 1982 for HOF entry. Further research has revealed that all of the following Dominicans received a Hall of Fame vote before Cedeno did: Felipe Alou 1980 Matty Alou 1980 Juan Marichal 1981, 82, 83 Rico Carty 1985 Jesus Alou 1985 Manny Mota 1988, 89 Rico Carty 1985 Cesar Geronimo 1989 CEDENO 1992
Cedeno's last AS appearance as a starter in 1973 and Biggio's start in an AS G was in 1995. Here are the All-Star bench players from HOU during that interregnum:
1974 Cesar Cedeno, OF
1975 Bob Watson, 1b
1976 Cesar Cedeno, OF; Ken Forsch, P
1977 Juaquin Andujar-P
1978 Terry Puhl, OF
1979 C Reynolds, J Andujar, J Niekro, J Sambito
1980 Jose Cruz, OF; J.R. Richard, P
1981 Bob Knepper, P; Nolan Ryan, P
1982 Ray Knight, 3B
1983 Dickie Thon, SS; Bill Dawley, P
1984 Jerry Mumphrey, OF
1985 Jose Cruz, OF; Nolan Ryan, P
1986 Bass, Davis, Scott, Smith
1987 Mike Scott, P
1988 Bob Knepper, P
1989 Mike Scott, P; Glenn Davis, 1B
1990 Dave Smith, P
1991 Craig Biggio, C; Pete Harnisch, P
1992 Craig Biggio, 2B; Doug Jones, P
1993 Darryl Kile, P
1994 Bagwell; Biggio, Caminiti, Drabek, Hudek
LONNIE SMITH was the first player to appear as a designated hitter in four different World Series - DH is the WS of 1980, 82, 85, 92 He was also the first player to appear as a designated hitter in three different World Series, and the first player to appear as a designated hitter in two different World Series. His nickname "Skates" was properly earned. Smith was branded with the nickname "Skates" due to his somewhat awkward footwork while playing the outfield in baseball, and also because of his poor base running in the 1991 World Series (below). The baseball historian Bill James wrote about this nickname at some length. He wryly stated that Smith should have had a post-retirement career teaching (so-called) "defensive recovery and cost containment" since he had excelled at recovering from defensive difficulties in the outfield.
GENE RICHARDS [Wiki] was selected first overall in the 1975 Draft. Chosen 1st round (1st) in the MLB January Draft-Regular Phase out of South Carolina State University, one slot ahead of classmate Willie Mays Aikens. In his first professional season, he led the league in hits, batting average, stolen bases, games played and won the league's MVP. In his rookie season in the majors, he broke a record that had been intact since 1910. He set the modern-day MLB rookie record of 56 stolen bases in 1977, eclipsing Rollie 'Bunions" Zeider's 1910 record by seven. Zeider had been tied by Sonny Jackson in 1966. He once held the San Diego Padres' records for hits in a season as well as the club's career records for triples and steals until Tony Gwynn broke them all.
JUAN SAMUEL was a three-time All-Star, and the first player to have 10 doubles, 10 triples, 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in each of his first four seasons in the majors - 10+ stats in each of 984-87; AS in 1984, 87 & 91. He is still the only rookie with 700 at-bats in a season - 701 AB in 1984. The first of his two career grand slams was the first one Todd Worrell ever surrendered GS off Worrell 09-Jun-1986
OTIS NIXON a former New York Yankee stole more bases in the 1990s than any other major leaguer, not counting minor league stats. Played for NYY in 1983. From 1990 through 1999, had 478 SB, none in the minors. Stole five World Series bases during that span, but didn't bring home a ring. In fact, he made the final World Series out the first year he ever played in the postseason.
Played for ATL in 1992 and was thrown out on an ill-executed (or ill‑conceived) bunt for the final Series out. Played in 2 G for ATL in the 1999 WS, but managed only 1 H and 0 SB. If you add in the bases his brother stole then, it barely increases the total. Younger brother Donell stole 47 bases in the majors but only 5 1990-99. He was the older of the two, but he was still a Junior. His full legal name is Otis Junior Nixon. ME: in 1992 Otis was photgraphed wearing this warmup below. I've owned that same warmup for almost that long, but this was the first time I saw a Brave wearing it.
DAVE COLLINS was the first designated hitter in Seattle Mariners' history. He was also the first ever batter in SEA history 06-Apr-1977. His lackluster performance one season ruined another player's chances with the Yankees. He was drafted by three different teams (twice in the first round) before he reached the majors and it wasn't with any of those three.
Drafted by CIN in the 23rd round of the 1971 amateur draft.
Drafted by KCR in the 1st round of the 1972 amateur draft (Jan secondary).
Drafted by CAL in the 1st round of the 1972 amateur draft (June secondary).
During his sixteen-year major league career, he was released or granted free agency by seven major league organizations and traded away by four more. When George Steinbrenner saw how few bases (13) Collins stole in his one year as a Yankee (1982), the famously patient, wise and practical Mr. Steinbrenner decided that base-stealing was not the way of the future and so traded their top draftee, Otis Nixon before his 2nd season.
Traded by SEA to the CIN for Shane Rawley in 1977. Granted Free Agency by CIN in 1981. Traded by NYY with Fred McGriff, Mike Morgan and cash to TOR for Tom Dodd and Dale Murray in 1982. Traded by TOR with Alfredo Griffin and cash to OAK for Bill Caudill in 1984. Traded by OAK to DET for Barbaro Garbey in 1985. Released by DET in 1986. Released by MON in 1987. Granted Free Agency by CIN in 1987. Granted Free Agency by CIN 1988. Released by CIN in 1989. Granted Free Agency by CIN. Last played for STL in 1990.
ALAN WIGGINS a former Dodger, drafted by the Angels, batted just ahead of Tony Gwynn in the lineup the season the Padres first won the National League pennant. Hit 1 & 2 with Gwynn for SDP in 1984. Drafted by CAL in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 1977 MLB January Draft. Only he, Dave Righetti and John Shelby made it to the majors from that group. Released by CAL, he was signed by LAD & played in their farm system in 1979 & 80. The only year he got MVP votes was the year he led he league in times caught stealing. CS 21 X in 1984. Finished 21st in MVP voting. Attended the same community college where Jackie Robinson's Olympic medalist brother went. Attended Pasadena City College where Mack Robinson had attended (Yes. Jackie went there too).
GERALD YOUNG is the only major leaguer born in Honduras. B. 22-Oct-1964 in Tela, Honduras. Helped set an MLB record because fourteen players drafted by a single team from his draft reached the major leagues - 14 players from the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft chosen by NYM made it to the Mets, among them Dwight Gooden, Floyd Youmans, Roger McDowell, Greg Olson & Rafael Palmeiro. He put on base stealing clinics after his playing career "Base Running Secrets from a Pro"
RODNEY SCOTT a former Cub, finally got some MVP votes when he led the league in triples - 13 3b in 1980. His single MVP vote was good for a tie with Ken Griffey, Sr. et al. However, 6 other future Hall of Famers finished ahead of them and that was in the NL alone. That was good enough for him to tie with the father of a future first-round Hall of Famer. Years later when he was given his release, an All-Star teammate of his was so irritated that he walked off the team. In May 1982, when Scott was released by Montreal, Bill Lee was the teammate who staged the protest. He then finished his career with a handful of games for the Yankees. His disapproving ally, however, never played another game in the majors.
ROGER CEDENO [SABR Bio] his record for stolen bases in a season by a New York Mets player was broken by Jose Reyes. Had 66 SB for NYM. After falling just short of Cedeno's team record twice w/60 & 64, Reyes stole 78 in 2007. Reyes also has positions 3, 6, 13, 31 and 49 on that list. Cedeno occupies 2nd and 45th place. He was released by his final team in the majors by showing up to camp weighing the equivalent in pounds to his career RBI total. Let go by BAL for having a spring training weight of 274 lb on is 6'1" frame. His nephew is Yangervis Solarte who plays for SFG.
ERIC YELDING made it to the majors in spite of making 175 fielding errors over the previous three seasons in the minors. Made 59 errors at multiple positions for the 1986 Ventura County Gulls; another 59 E dividing 1987 between the Myrtle Beach Blue Jays and Double-A Knoxville Blue Jays; then in 1988 at AAA Syracuse, he got his E total down to 35 and was headed for the Bigs. He qualifies for inclusion in this week's theme because his stolen base total one year in the majors trailed only those of Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson. Had 64 SB w/HOU in 1990. Coleman had 77 & Henderson 65. His nickname matches exactly that of another player in this week's quiz. Nickname "Cool Breeze", same as Rodney Scott. He was generously called a utility player, but mostly teams didn't know where to play him in the field. In his five years in the majors, over the span of 368 games, he played at least ten games at six different positions, eight if you're willing to count pinch-hitter and pinch-runner as "positions". Full record
WEEKLY THEME – Players who stole more than 60 bases in a National League season without ever leading the league.
Player SB Year Career WAR
Many people came close but failed to specify National League. Otherwise players such as Chuck Knoblauch, Rudy Law, Miguel Dilone, et al would have shown up. Questions archived here: http://horsehidetriviA. blogspot.com/
|
No comments:
Post a Comment