Comments on: Random Recap for Saturday, June 4: Albert Phattens Up; Padres Streaking at Home?

By: JW Lewis

JW Lewis — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:43:07 +0000

Heck even The Babe fouled on off, once in awhile. My average is closer to that of one Mario Mendoza so you may figure out, I am indeed a long suffering Bucs fan. Although I am old enough to remember 2 Series Titles and a few more Divisionals. The Sunday Pittsburgh Post-Gazette even had a Sports Section headline the day after they reached 30-30 in '05... ".500 At Last" I believe, in "Germany Surrenders" font size. Should have saved that edition!

By: Neil L.

Neil L. — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:48:15 +0000

@20
JW Lewis, are you a long-suffering Pirates fan?

You corrected the BRef Zen-master, JA, so gently! 🙂

By: John Autin

John Autin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:16:27 +0000

@20, JW Lewis -- Thanks for the reality check. I appreciate all corrections, but this one especially so, because it made me aware of a fundamental methodical error. I had searched the Play Index for Pittsburgh's most wins in their first 57 games over the past 15 years or so. Upon seeing that they had not won more than 28 of their first 57 games since 1999, I failed to consider the possibility that they had a hot streak after the 1/3 point in some subsequent season that lifted them to .500. "Doink!" The only acceptable defense would be that I was in a coma at the time. (My attorneys are considering it....)

By: JW Lewis

JW Lewis — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:55:07 +0000

Correcting myself..."only" 95 Losses.

By: JW Lewis

JW Lewis — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:52:42 +0000

Awful late with this (summer weekends and all) but Pirates were 30-30 after game of June 11, 2005. They proceeded to lose to the then-Devil Rays the next day to start a streak of losing 17 of their next 23 and wound up with their standard 97 Losses on the season.

Otherwise fine stuff JA.

By: Zim

Zim — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:53:56 +0000

Thanks John! I'll take the information on Soderholm and the Killebrew pinch slam as an even better reward.

It was classic as they flashed to Dinkelman's family booing along with many other Twins fans as he was given the free pass.

By: John Autin

John Autin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:11:38 +0000

@17, Zim -- Fabulous catch on Dinkelman. As a reward, I will not chastise you for failing to subscribe to the Play Index (this time), but instead will tell you that the other player known to have both a HBP and an IBB in his MLB debut was Eric Soderholm in 1971, also with the Twins. Also: -- Like Dinkelman, Soderholm also collected a hit in his debut -- in fact, a HR. -- Soderholm's IBB came in the 6th inning of a tie game, with men on 2nd & 3rd, 1 out, and the #8 hitter due up, catcher Phil Roof. The A's sent in Mudcat Grant to relieve, the Twins sent up Harmon Killebrew to pinch-hit, and Harmon smacked the only pinch-grand slam of his career. -- Soderholm was the #1 overall pick in the 1968 draft.

By: Zim

Zim — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:04:08 +0000

In the Twins win over the Royals, Twins journeyman rookie Brian Dinkelman was hit by a pitch in his first PA and was later intentionally walked. He also registered his first big league hit. I thought it very odd that the Royals would walk a career minor leaguer in his first big league game, but they were clearly scared of the power of the Dinkelman!

I found one other player to have a HBP and IBB in his debut, but couldn't tell who without a subscription.

By: Game 59 « The Writer's Journey

Game 59 « The Writer's Journey — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:38:58 +0000

[...] game against the Dodgers. Five different relievers were used for less than an inning each. The B-R blog notes that the last manager to so ineffectively use his bullpen was Dusty Baker himself last year. [...]

By: Johnny Twisto

Johnny Twisto — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:16:58 +0000

JA, I don't think there's any need to list all the games. All the scores are easily available on B-R's front page, or at MLB.com or wherever.