Random unbelievable baseball facts, trivia, and/or oddities

[no10pin]

Originally Posted by eye4talent

I don’t really follow MLS, but there’s no denying its emergence. It’s certainly fair to consider it a primary American pro sport. And it has a full sleight of games today.

As for the traditional Big Four… MLB hardly holds games anymore on the Thursday after the the all-star game. For instance, no games tomorrow.


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Also, professional sports doesn't just mean team sports. There might be a tennis tournament going on across the pond that a few folks care about.

[eye4talent]

For the first time since 1894, there were four games played on a day (July 18, 2023) in which both teams scored at least 10 runs.


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[Skipscards]

George Brett is one of just 33 players with 3,000 Hits.
He is one of just 19 players with 3,000 Hits and 1,500 RBIs.
He is one of just 14 players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, and 300 HRs.
He is one of just 8 players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, and 600 Doubles.
He is one of just two players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, 600 Doubles, and 200 SBs...(Aaron)
He is one of just two players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, 600 Doubles, and 100 Triples...(Musial)
He is the only player with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, 600 Doubles, 200 SBs, and 100 Triples.

[Skipscards]

Shohei Ohtani is the third player since 1900 with a HR, SB and scoreless pitching outing in the same game. The first was Christy Mathewson (9 IP in 1905), the second was Pablo Sandoval (1 IP in 2019).

[Skipscards]

The 1915 A's dropped 56 wins after losing the 1914 World Series. They had won 4 of the previous 5 AL Pennants (including 3 World Championships) but sold off a bunch of their players.

They scored 200+ fewer runs and allowed 360 more runs!

[no10pin]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

Shohei Ohtani is the third player since 1900 with a HR, SB and scoreless pitching outing in the same game. The first was Christy Mathewson (9 IP in 1905), the second was Pablo Sandoval (1 IP in 2019).

You could win a lot of bar bets with that fact! Panda would be way down on anyone's list to have two of those 3 things.

[Bunny Hop]

Originally Posted by no10pin

You could win a lot of bar bets with that fact! Panda would be way down on anyone's list to have two of those 3 things.

It's true, although Kung Fu Panda was always something of a renaissance player so it feels somewhat less shocking to learn that he's on the list, imo.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

Shohei Ohtani is the third player since 1900 with a HR, SB and scoreless pitching outing in the same game. The first was Christy Mathewson (9 IP in 1905), the second was Pablo Sandoval (1 IP in 2019).

Rick Wise pitcher a no hitter and hit 2 HRs in the same game. That is far more impressive in my opinion.

[no10pin]

Originally Posted by rats60

Rick Wise pitcher a no hitter and hit 2 HRs in the same game. That is far more impressive in my opinion.

I remember seeing an article on that game on the anniversary of it last year. That was something that will never be duplicated, and later that same year he had another crazy game.

Got off to a slow start giving up 3 runs in the first inning, and then proceeded to retire 32 batters in a row, which is the second longest streak in one game ever. He then ended the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th.

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by rats60

Rick Wise pitcher a no hitter and hit 2 HRs in the same game. That is far more impressive in my opinion.

Sure. And Kerry Wood struck out 20 in one 9 inning game. Also more impressive. There’s a lot of random, unbelievable baseball facts out there.

[atk825]

Zack Short is the first person with the last name Short to play short in the majors

[rats60]

Originally Posted by no10pin

I remember seeing an article on that game on the anniversary of it last year. That was something that will never be duplicated, and later that same year he had another crazy game.

Got off to a slow start giving up 3 runs in the first inning, and then proceeded to retire 32 batters in a row, which is the second longest streak in one game ever. He then ended the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th.

An interesting fact about the #1 longest streak of batters retired. When Harvey Haddix retired 36 Braves in a row, the Braves were stealing signs from the bullpen. The Braves knew every pitch that was coming. Haddix only had 2 pitches, fastball and curve, yet they didn't come close to a hit until Joe Adcock's double to right-center in the 13th inning. Right Fielder Joe Christopher almost caught Adcock's fly ball. If Roberto Clemente hadn't been out with an injury, he most likely makes the catch.

[Skipscards]

Bobby Witt is the first player in history with 20 HRs and 30 SBs in each of his first two seasons.

[thenightman]

So, here's one I just found out not too long ago.

Back in 1952ish, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants were in a bidding war to acquire a young star. The Braves offered $50 more a month and the Giants wouldn't beat it, so the young star signed with the Braves.

That young star was Hank Aaron.

Could you imagine how many WS the Giants might have won with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in their lineup?

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by thenightman

So, here's one I just found out not too long ago.

Back in 1952ish, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants were in a bidding war to acquire a young star. The Braves offered $50 more a month and the Giants wouldn't beat it, so the young star signed with the Braves.

That young star was Hank Aaron.

Could you imagine how many WS the Giants might have won with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in their lineup?

A. More people would appreciate Eddie Matthews
B. The Giants get McCovey 6 years later

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

A. More people would appreciate Eddie Matthews
B. The Giants get McCovey 6 years later

A. There's been some regression in appreciation for Mathews, but there's still a ton of respect on his name.

B. With all due respect to Mr. McCovey, he's no Hank Aaron.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by thenightman

So, here's one I just found out not too long ago.

Back in 1952ish, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants were in a bidding war to acquire a young star. The Braves offered $50 more a month and the Giants wouldn't beat it, so the young star signed with the Braves.

That young star was Hank Aaron.

Could you imagine how many WS the Giants might have won with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in their lineup?

The Giants were also in a bidding war with the Dodgers over Roberto Clemente. Clemente wanted to play in NYC because of the Puerto Rican population there. If he had known the Dodgers weren't going to put him on their roster and were signing him to keep him away from the Giants, he would have signed with the Giants.

The Braves offered more that both the Dodgers and Giants, but Clemente turned them down because of his desire to play in NYC.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by thenightman

A. There's been some regression in appreciation for Mathews, but there's still a ton of respect on his name.

B. With all due respect to Mr. McCovey, he's no Hank Aaron.

He's not, but peak McCovey was just as good of a hitter as peak Aaron. Both led the league in OPS 3 times, with McCovey leading in home runs three times at windy Candlestick Park and Aaron leading four times.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by rats60

The Giants were also in a bidding war with the Dodgers over Roberto Clemente. Clemente wanted to play in NYC because of the Puerto Rican population there. If he had known the Dodgers weren't going to put him on their roster and were signing him to keep him away from the Giants, he would have signed with the Giants.

The Braves offered more that both the Dodgers and Giants, but Clemente turned them down because of his desire to play in NYC.

The Giants were at the forefront of signing international players in the 50s and 60s. They signed the Alou brothers and Orlando Cepeda, and the first Japanese-born player.

Edit: I just want to clarify, that I know Puerto Rico was part of the US commonwealth when Roberto Clemente signed. But it was an island country very distinct from the US.

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

He's not, but peak McCovey was just as good of a hitter as peak Aaron. Both led the league in OPS 3 times, with McCovey leading in home runs three times at windy Candlestick Park and Aaron leading four times.

Would love to have a pitcher’s thoughts of facing a lineup featuring Mays, Aaron, Cepeda, McCovey, and Felipe Alou - all in their primes.

And while this is purely anecdotal, I think it’s worth mentioning that Bob Gibson, while acknowledging that Mays was a better all-around baseball player, stated that Willie McCovey was the “scariest hitter in baseball.” Coming from Hoot - who was afraid of no one - that’s speaks volumes

[ctau00]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

George Brett is one of just 33 players with 3,000 Hits.
He is one of just 19 players with 3,000 Hits and 1,500 RBIs.
He is one of just 14 players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, and 300 HRs.
He is one of just 8 players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, and 600 Doubles.
He is one of just two players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, 600 Doubles, and 200 SBs...(Aaron)
He is one of just two players with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, 600 Doubles, and 100 Triples...(Musial)
He is the only player with 3,000 Hits, 1,500 RBIs, 300 HRs, 600 Doubles, 200 SBs, and 100 Triples.

Scrub... all these accomplishments and yet he never hit for the cycle.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by ctau00

Scrub... all these accomplishments and yet he never hit for the cycle.

His 3 HR game in the postseason is far more impressive than hitting for a cycle.

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by ctau00

Scrub... all these accomplishments and yet he never hit for the cycle.

Incorrect. King George hit for the cycle twice. Once on May 28, 1979 and again on July 25th, 1990. In fact he was the only player to hit for the cycle in 1990 and one of only 29 in history to do it twice. His first cycle was he first one to end with a walk off HR. Here’s the one from 1990:

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by rats60

The Giants were also in a bidding war with the Dodgers over Roberto Clemente. Clemente wanted to play in NYC because of the Puerto Rican population there. If he had known the Dodgers weren't going to put him on their roster and were signing him to keep him away from the Giants, he would have signed with the Giants.

The Braves offered more that both the Dodgers and Giants, but Clemente turned them down because of his desire to play in NYC.

How did he end up in Pittsburgh?

[atk825]

Originally Posted by thenightman

How did he end up in Pittsburgh?

Rule 5 pick.