Comments on: Gehrig, Stillman & Ryal – At Your Service

By: J.G. Preston

J.G. Preston — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:29:35 +0000

There are more details of the lefthanded shortstop shenanigans (as well as details on lefthanded second basemen and third basemen) in a blog post I did a while back:
http://prestonjg.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/left-handed-throwing-second-basemen-shortstops-and-third-basemen/

By: Johnny Twisto

Johnny Twisto — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:28:01 +0000

Because the PH would have to face one batter before he can be replaced.

Those Gehrig stories just show how ridiculous consecutive-game streaks are.

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:51:17 +0000

Why not do the same trick with pitchers? Start with a "pinch hitter", then bat your normal 1-8 hitters in the 2-9 spots. After the top of the 1st, replace the "pinch hitter" with your pitcher. You now have your regular lineup in place, in the usual order. The only difference is that the pitcher is batting 1st rather than 9th. This should be particularly easy in September, after the rosters have expanded.

By: Lawrence Azrin

Lawrence Azrin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:07:21 +0000

AS #4 referred to, Gehrig had serious back trouble, so manager Joe McCarthy listed him in the line-up as the "shortstop" and batting first, to extend Gehrig's consecutive-game streak, which was over nine years old by this time. Gehrig never actually took the field as SS, since NY was on the road and batting first. Gehrig singled, and was promptly replaced by Red Rolfe, who also took over his usual position of shortstop. A neat little piece of trivia.

By: Steve Lombardi

Steve Lombardi — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:00:56 +0000

Reportedly, Gegrig was "wracked by lumbago" and that's why they pulled the SS lead-off stunt with him. If you do a search of books, via Google, you'll see many references to this.

BTW, in looking this up, here's another nice LH/SS feature that I found:

http://www.immaculateinning.com/2008/08/left-handed-shortstops.html

By: Jahiegel

Jahiegel — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 08:14:30 +0000

FWIW, Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig gives the date of Gehrig's marriage as 29 September 1933.

By: DoubleDiamond

DoubleDiamond — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:32:15 +0000

I recall reading that the one involving Gehrig occurred on the day on which he was getting married.

By: Kahuna Tuna posting as Baab Tabb Kucab

Kahuna Tuna posting as Baab Tabb Kucab — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:18:29 +0000

Gehrig, Stillman and Ryal. How's that for a law firm? Not bad, not bad at all. (Even if it is a triple trochee.) For sheer euphony, though, it finishes a distant second to Pulsipher, Pittsley and Plunk.