[Mick]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

[Mick]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

[BostonCard]

In addition to both being born in Donora, PA (nice job Giants), Ken Griffey Junior and Stan Musial Share the same birthday, Nov. 21.

About Donora:

Donora is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, approximately 20 miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. The population was 4,558 as of the 2020 census. Donora was incorporated in 1901. It takes its name from a portmanteau of William Donner and Nora Mellon, wife of banker Andrew W. Mellon.

Crazy that a city with a population of 4558 could produce two all tram greats.

BC

[BostonCard]

In addition to both being born in Donora, PA (nice job Giants), Ken Griffey Junior and Stan Musial Share the same birthday, Nov. 21.

About Donora:

Donora is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, approximately 20 miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. The population was 4,558 as of the 2020 census. Donora was incorporated in 1901. It takes its name from a portmanteau of William Donner and Nora Mellon, wife of banker Andrew W. Mellon.

Crazy that a city with a population of 4558 could produce two all tram greats.

BC

[terry]

The Revenge, Hopkins vs Cal 1990

Yes, Hopkins was the first Stanford player to make 5 field goals in a game. Hopkins attempted 6 field goals and made 5 in the 1990 Big Game, including the game-winner as time expired.

Garcia vs. San Jose State?

Garcia did attempt 5 field goals against San Jose State in 1971, but he missed all of them.

In addition to Josh Karty and John Hopkins, the other Stanford player to make 5 field goals in a game was Nate Whitaker. He had 5 field goals against Notre Dame in 2010. That was the same game in which Owen Marecic scored TDs on two consecutive plays from scrimmage, one on offense and one on defense.

[terry]

The Revenge, Hopkins vs Cal 1990

Yes, Hopkins was the first Stanford player to make 5 field goals in a game. Hopkins attempted 6 field goals and made 5 in the 1990 Big Game, including the game-winner as time expired.

Garcia vs. San Jose State?

Garcia did attempt 5 field goals against San Jose State in 1971, but he missed all of them.

In addition to Josh Karty and John Hopkins, the other Stanford player to make 5 field goals in a game was Nate Whitaker. He had 5 field goals against Notre Dame in 2010. That was the same game in which Owen Marecic scored TDs on two consecutive plays from scrimmage, one on offense and one on defense.

[lex24]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

And yet, if Ryan was pitching today he’d be on a 110 pitch count……. Ryan was generally just getting loose around 100.  Had to consistently be around 150 in his earlier years.

Pitched till he was 45.  And was still throwing mid 90s in his early forties. Never won a CY despite having some ridiculous years.  Such as 1973 21-16. 2.87 ERA 326 IP 162 walks 383 Ks  (Palmer CY) 

1974. 22-16. 2.89 ERA. 332.2 IP. 202 walks 367 Ks (Catfish CY)

Cy voters looked at the W-L record back then. Course, Angels were bad. 79-83 in ‘73 and 68-94 in ‘74.

[lex24]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

And yet, if Ryan was pitching today he’d be on a 110 pitch count……. Ryan was generally just getting loose around 100.  Had to consistently be around 150 in his earlier years.

Pitched till he was 45.  And was still throwing mid 90s in his early forties. Never won a CY despite having some ridiculous years.  Such as 1973 21-16. 2.87 ERA 326 IP 162 walks 383 Ks  (Palmer CY) 

1974. 22-16. 2.89 ERA. 332.2 IP. 202 walks 367 Ks (Catfish CY)

Cy voters looked at the W-L record back then. Course, Angels were bad. 79-83 in ‘73 and 68-94 in ‘74.

[Mick]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

And yet, if Ryan was pitching today he’d be on a 110 pitch count……. Ryan was generally just getting loose around 100.  Had to consistently be around 150 in his earlier years.

Pitched till he was 45.  And was still throwing mid 90s in his early forties. Never won a CY despite having some ridiculous years.  Such as 1973 21-16. 2.87 ERA 326 IP 162 walks 383 Ks  (Palmer CY) 

1974. 22-16. 2.89 ERA. 332.2 IP. 202 walks 367 Ks (Catfish CY)

Cy voters looked at the W-L record back then.  Course, Angels were bad.  79-83 in ‘73 and 68-94 in ‘74.

HoF voters were a little more discerning. He was on 491 of 497 ballots, fifth-highest percentage all time after Rivera, Jeter, Griffey Jr. and Seaver.

Forgot to mention that Ryan was tied with Walter Johnson for most two-hitters. WJ led the league in strikeouts 12 times, Ryan led in 11.

Holds the all time mark for lowest hits per nine innings (6.56, min. 1,000 IP).

And as far as the 150 pitches goes...Ryan threw 235 pitches in a 13 inning game, 19 strikeouts, 10 walks (6/14/74). Started again on three days rest and threw six shutout innings against yankees.

Only pitcher in MLB history to pitch as a teenager and older than 45. Oldest to throw a no-hitter, first at 43/131 days, second at 44/90 days. Struck out 200+ hitters five times in his 40's.

WOn 10 or more games 20 times, tied with Greg Maddux for 2nd most behind Sutton's 21.

He was actually a much sharper pitcher in the post season...half the typical walk rate, just one wild pitch and didn't hit a batter in 58 2/3 postseason innings.

Ryan is the only player to have his number retired by three ball clubs (other than JR); #30 with the Angels, #34 with the Astros and Rangers.

[Mick]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

And yet, if Ryan was pitching today he’d be on a 110 pitch count……. Ryan was generally just getting loose around 100.  Had to consistently be around 150 in his earlier years.

Pitched till he was 45.  And was still throwing mid 90s in his early forties. Never won a CY despite having some ridiculous years.  Such as 1973 21-16. 2.87 ERA 326 IP 162 walks 383 Ks  (Palmer CY) 

1974. 22-16. 2.89 ERA. 332.2 IP. 202 walks 367 Ks (Catfish CY)

Cy voters looked at the W-L record back then.  Course, Angels were bad.  79-83 in ‘73 and 68-94 in ‘74.

HoF voters were a little more discerning. He was on 491 of 497 ballots, fifth-highest percentage all time after Rivera, Jeter, Griffey Jr. and Seaver.

Forgot to mention that Ryan was tied with Walter Johnson for most two-hitters. WJ led the league in strikeouts 12 times, Ryan led in 11.

Holds the all time mark for lowest hits per nine innings (6.56, min. 1,000 IP).

And as far as the 150 pitches goes...Ryan threw 235 pitches in a 13 inning game, 19 strikeouts, 10 walks (6/14/74). Started again on three days rest and threw six shutout innings against yankees.

Only pitcher in MLB history to pitch as a teenager and older than 45. Oldest to throw a no-hitter, first at 43/131 days, second at 44/90 days. Struck out 200+ hitters five times in his 40's.

WOn 10 or more games 20 times, tied with Greg Maddux for 2nd most behind Sutton's 21.

He was actually a much sharper pitcher in the post season...half the typical walk rate, just one wild pitch and didn't hit a batter in 58 2/3 postseason innings.

Ryan is the only player to have his number retired by three ball clubs (other than JR); #30 with the Angels, #34 with the Astros and Rangers.

[Giants]

My favorite Nolan Ryan story has something to do with Will Clark. :)

[Giants]

My favorite Nolan Ryan story has something to do with Will Clark. :)

[Mick]

My favorite Nolan Ryan story has something to do with Will Clark. :)

Will 'The Thrill' recalls debut home run vs. Nolan Ryan

My favorite part is Chili Davis' advice afterward...

[Mick]

My favorite Nolan Ryan story has something to do with Will Clark. :)

Will 'The Thrill' recalls debut home run vs. Nolan Ryan

My favorite part is Chili Davis' advice afterward...

[BostonCard]

Ok, fastball down the middle for you guys.  With Ohtani on the verge of becoming the first to join the 50/50 club, who are the other members of the 40/40 club?

BC

[BostonCard]

Ok, fastball down the middle for you guys.  With Ohtani on the verge of becoming the first to join the 50/50 club, who are the other members of the 40/40 club?

BC

[Mick]

Ok, fastball down the middle for you guys.  With Ohtani on the verge of becoming the first to join the 50/50 club, who are the other members of the 40/40 club?

BC

Bonds. Canseco.

[Mick]

Ok, fastball down the middle for you guys.  With Ohtani on the verge of becoming the first to join the 50/50 club, who are the other members of the 40/40 club?

BC

Bonds. Canseco.

[terry]

Soriano.

Acuna.

[terry]

Soriano.

Acuna.

[Mick]

Last night, the Giants struck out 11 times, the umpteenth time they've struck out 10 or more times in a game this season. The Giants are almost the perfect definition of slightly-below-average hitters...their rank in most hitting categories are at or slightly below MLB averages...save for strikeouts. The Giants are 10th in MLB in strikeouts with 1,259.

Perhaps not surprisingly, their hitting coach is local fan fave Pat "the Bat" Burrell, who is 61st on MLB's all-time strikeout list and maybe not the guy you want in charge of training your hitters.

Trivia question(s): 

1) There are six active players who have more strikeouts than Pat the Bat. Who are they? Giancarlo Stanton (#9), Paul Goldschmidt (#19), Andrew McCutchen (#29), JD Martinez (#41), Freddie Freeman (#50), Eugenio Suarez (#55).

2) There are 16 Hall of Famer hitters who have more strikeouts than Pat the Bat. Who are they?

Reggie Jackson and Jim Thome are #1 and 2, Stargell (#11), Schmidt, McGriff, Tony Perez (#16-#18), Jeter (#22), Griffey Jr. (#28), Biggio & Ortiz (#31-2), Beltre, Brock, Mantle, Killebrew (#37-#42), Rickey H. and Winfield (#46 and #47).

3) There are six players in the Top 100 for strikeouts who played the bulk of their careers with the Giants. Who are they? (I didn't include players who spent a few seasons with the Giants like Andres Galarraga (#7), Jeff Kent (#74), Carlos Beltran (#27), Andrew McCutchen (#29), Evan Longoria (#45) or Dave Kingman (#24).
Bobby Bonds (#30), Chili Davis (#43), Willie McCovey (#65), Barry Bonds (#66), Willie Mays (#72), Jack Clark (#92)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ma...rs_leaders

[Mick]

Last night, the Giants struck out 11 times, the umpteenth time they've struck out 10 or more times in a game this season. The Giants are almost the perfect definition of slightly-below-average hitters...their rank in most hitting categories are at or slightly below MLB averages...save for strikeouts. The Giants are 10th in MLB in strikeouts with 1,259.

Perhaps not surprisingly, their hitting coach is local fan fave Pat "the Bat" Burrell, who is 61st on MLB's all-time strikeout list and maybe not the guy you want in charge of training your hitters.

Trivia question(s): 

1) There are six active players who have more strikeouts than Pat the Bat. Who are they? Giancarlo Stanton (#9), Paul Goldschmidt (#19), Andrew McCutchen (#29), JD Martinez (#41), Freddie Freeman (#50), Eugenio Suarez (#55).

2) There are 16 Hall of Famer hitters who have more strikeouts than Pat the Bat. Who are they?

Reggie Jackson and Jim Thome are #1 and 2, Stargell (#11), Schmidt, McGriff, Tony Perez (#16-#18), Jeter (#22), Griffey Jr. (#28), Biggio & Ortiz (#31-2), Beltre, Brock, Mantle, Killebrew (#37-#42), Rickey H. and Winfield (#46 and #47).

3) There are six players in the Top 100 for strikeouts who played the bulk of their careers with the Giants. Who are they? (I didn't include players who spent a few seasons with the Giants like Andres Galarraga (#7), Jeff Kent (#74), Carlos Beltran (#27), Andrew McCutchen (#29), Evan Longoria (#45) or Dave Kingman (#24).
Bobby Bonds (#30), Chili Davis (#43), Willie McCovey (#65), Barry Bonds (#66), Willie Mays (#72), Jack Clark (#92)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ma...rs_leaders

[BostonCard]

Nice job: Canseco (1988), Bonds (1996), Soriano (2006), Acuña (2023), and now Ohtani are 5/6.  One to go.

BC

[BostonCard]

Nice job: Canseco (1988), Bonds (1996), Soriano (2006), Acuña (2023), and now Ohtani are 5/6.  One to go.

BC

[BobK]

A Rod

[BobK]

A Rod

[Mick]

Stanford has had 78 undrafted free agents make NFL rosters. Seventeen of them had careers lasting five or more years (I'm not counting two who played in the NFL prior to the NFL draft, which started in 1936).

How many can you name?

[Mick]

Stanford has had 78 undrafted free agents make NFL rosters. Seventeen of them had careers lasting five or more years (I'm not counting two who played in the NFL prior to the NFL draft, which started in 1936).

How many can you name?

[BostonCard]

Doug Baldwin.

BC

[BostonCard]

Doug Baldwin.

BC

[Mick]

Doug Baldwin.

BC

Correct, here's the list of Stanford UDFAs with their positions and career years, sorted in declining order of number of seasons played in the NFL:

DB Benny Barnes 11 1972-1982
S Michael Thomas 10 2013-2022
TE Ryan Wetnight 8 1993-2000
LB Milt McColl 8 1981-1988
DE Josh Mauro 8 2014-2021
WR Doug Baldwin 8 2011-2018
DB Johnson Bademosi 8 2012-2019
OLB Brennan Scarlett 7 2016-2022
FB Greg Comella 7 1998-2004
WR Greg Camarillo 7 2006-2012
DB Leigh Torrence 6 2005-2011
LB Donnie Spragan 6 2002-2007
WR Trenton Irwin 6 2019-2024
WR Griff Whalen 5 2013-2017
FB Ryan Hewitt 5 2014-2018
G Nate Herbig 5 2019-2023
WR Gordon Banks 5 1980-1987

[Mick]

Doug Baldwin.

BC

Correct, here's the list of Stanford UDFAs with their positions and career years, sorted in declining order of number of seasons played in the NFL:

DB Benny Barnes 11 1972-1982
S Michael Thomas 10 2013-2022
TE Ryan Wetnight 8 1993-2000
LB Milt McColl 8 1981-1988
DE Josh Mauro 8 2014-2021
WR Doug Baldwin 8 2011-2018
DB Johnson Bademosi 8 2012-2019
OLB Brennan Scarlett 7 2016-2022
FB Greg Comella 7 1998-2004
WR Greg Camarillo 7 2006-2012
DB Leigh Torrence 6 2005-2011
LB Donnie Spragan 6 2002-2007
WR Trenton Irwin 6 2019-2024
WR Griff Whalen 5 2013-2017
FB Ryan Hewitt 5 2014-2018
G Nate Herbig 5 2019-2023
WR Gordon Banks 5 1980-1987

[BobK]

Who is the only player to hit 50 or more HRs and have less strikeouts than HRs ?

[BobK]

Who is the only player to hit 50 or more HRs and have less strikeouts than HRs ?

[Mick]

Who is the only player to hit 50 or more HRs and have less strikeouts than HRs ?

Just a WAG, but...Hank Greenberg?

[Mick]

Who is the only player to hit 50 or more HRs and have less strikeouts than HRs ?

Just a WAG, but...Hank Greenberg?

[BobK]

Nope.

[BobK]

Nope.

[Leftcoast]

Hmmmhhh ... How about Ted Williams or Lou Gehrig (although I'm not sure either was a >50HR guy)?

[Leftcoast]

Hmmmhhh ... How about Ted Williams or Lou Gehrig (although I'm not sure either was a >50HR guy)?