Here’s some trivia from a trivial mind. The answers to the questions are below the “Did You Know” Section.
#1 Two pitchers have struckout the same number of batters in a game as their age. Name them.
#2 Fergie Jenkins is the only retired pitcher to have more than 3000 strikeouts and less than 1000 walks in a career. Name the active pitcher who currently equals that mark.
#3 The Cubs have been playing the Dodger since 1890. Which team leads in the series (as of May 27, 2008)?
#4 There is only one pitcher to log his 1st and 300th wins with the same team. Who is it?
DID YOU KNOW:
That in 1968 Bob Gibson pitched 28 out of 34 complete games? In the six non-complete games, he was lifted for a pinch-hitter. That means in the entire season, Cardinal’s manager Red Schoendienst did not go to the mound to replace Gibson. Little wonder, Gibson had a 1.12 ERA, .85 Whip, and a 4.32 K:BB. My question is how did he lose nine games? (Season record 22-9).
The Cubs have retired four uniform numbers (not including 42 for Jackie Robinson). Here’s a little history of those numbers.
No one has worn #14 since Ernie. Paul Schramka was the last to wear it before him.
No one has worn #23 since Ryno. Previously Carmen Fanzone, Pete LaCock and Jim Tracy did.
After Billy Williams was traded to Oakland, Larry Biittner and Fritz Connally wore #26
Since Santo went to the White Sox in 1974, 10 Cubs have worn #10. In order:
Billy Graubarkewitz (in 1974!!! The year after Santo left), Mike Sember, Dave Kingman, Leon Durham, Lloyd McClendon, Luis Salazar, Steve Lake, Scott Bullett, Terrell Lowery and Bruce Kimm.
Since 1966 there have been 23 managers for the Cubs. Only six have gone on to manage elsewhere. Marshall (Oakland); Durocher (Hou) – He managed four teams and all four (Dodgers, Astros, Cubs & Giants had .500+ record while he was the manager; Elia (Philadelphia ’88, 153 games), and after he got fired, John Vukovich (Philadelphia, ’88, 9 games) finished the season; Lefebvre (Milwaukee); Baker (Cincinnati).
#1 Kerry Wood, 20; Bob Feller 17
#2 Greg Maddux currently has 3306 strikeouts and 981 walks so far in his career.
#3 The Dodgers lead the Cubs in their franchise series since 1890, BY ONE WIN!!!!
#4 Greg Maddux, with the Chicago Cubs
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Paying Too Much Tribute?
Baseball did a wonderful thing eleven years ago (can it really be eleven years ago?! It seems like only a few years.) They retired Jackie Robinson’s uniform number 42 for all baseball teams. Either that year or a few years later they decided to allow some players wear the number 42 on April 15 as a tribute to Robinson. Then it was expanded where entire teams wear the number 42.
This past April 15th, I was watching a number of games (via Extra Innings) and saw that most teams were wearing the number 42 in tribute. It got me to thinking. “Has this become an overdone production?” Certainly at the 50th anniversary it was a worthy event. But so was having celebrities sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley the year Harry Caray died. Now it’s just stupid. What they should have done at Wrigley is have the parade of stars pay tribute to Harry in 1998 and then starting in 1999 play an audio tape of Harry singing. But instead we have a bunch of people just promoting their latest movie or accomplishment.
Wearing Jackie’s number made sense back in 1997. But now it seems overdone. First of all you have players wearing the number 42 but have no idea who Robinson was. But since the whole team is wearing 42, they have to. The first year it was a nice tribute. Now they should just make a speech from someone who played with or against him before the game or run a video highlight tribute so that the education of what Robinson did could continue.
And selfishly, as a viewer it’s confusing. I believe every team this year had their players wear 42, but no name on the back (which makes sense). But unless you have intimate knowledge of the players, you don’t know who you are watching. Certainly here in Chicago we knew who the players were even without their names on the back. Zambrano, Lee, Ramirez are all pretty identifiable. But as I watched the St. Louis/Milwaukee game, other than Pujols, Fielder and a few others, I had no idea who the players were. That got me to thinking. Do the umpires know each player? What if a weak hitting infielder was due up in a critical moment and the manager sends up another “number 42” to the plate to bat instead? Would anyone know it? Oh I’m sure someone somewhere would figure it out, but could the team get away with it?
Even the announcers were clueless. As the St. Louis broadcast team said of the new Milwaukee pitcher “The new pitcher for Milwaukee is Hanrahan. And the reason we know this is because that’s what we were told.”
And then THAT got me to thinking about owning a Fantasy League Team. I get all excited during the winter preparing for the draft (ok, who am I kidding? My draft prep doesn’t start in earnest until mid-Spring.) I see names of guys that could have their breakout year, and if I’m fortunate enough I acquire one of them at the draft. Then the season starts and I see a game that player is in and suddenly I realize (somewhat embarrassed) I know nothing about the guy. “He’s that tall and thin? He’s white/black? He’s lefthanded?”
Whether we are paying tribute to Jackie Robinson or drafting a Fantasy Team, Abbott and Costello were right. I Don’t Know really is on third.
This past April 15th, I was watching a number of games (via Extra Innings) and saw that most teams were wearing the number 42 in tribute. It got me to thinking. “Has this become an overdone production?” Certainly at the 50th anniversary it was a worthy event. But so was having celebrities sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley the year Harry Caray died. Now it’s just stupid. What they should have done at Wrigley is have the parade of stars pay tribute to Harry in 1998 and then starting in 1999 play an audio tape of Harry singing. But instead we have a bunch of people just promoting their latest movie or accomplishment.
Wearing Jackie’s number made sense back in 1997. But now it seems overdone. First of all you have players wearing the number 42 but have no idea who Robinson was. But since the whole team is wearing 42, they have to. The first year it was a nice tribute. Now they should just make a speech from someone who played with or against him before the game or run a video highlight tribute so that the education of what Robinson did could continue.
And selfishly, as a viewer it’s confusing. I believe every team this year had their players wear 42, but no name on the back (which makes sense). But unless you have intimate knowledge of the players, you don’t know who you are watching. Certainly here in Chicago we knew who the players were even without their names on the back. Zambrano, Lee, Ramirez are all pretty identifiable. But as I watched the St. Louis/Milwaukee game, other than Pujols, Fielder and a few others, I had no idea who the players were. That got me to thinking. Do the umpires know each player? What if a weak hitting infielder was due up in a critical moment and the manager sends up another “number 42” to the plate to bat instead? Would anyone know it? Oh I’m sure someone somewhere would figure it out, but could the team get away with it?
Even the announcers were clueless. As the St. Louis broadcast team said of the new Milwaukee pitcher “The new pitcher for Milwaukee is Hanrahan. And the reason we know this is because that’s what we were told.”
And then THAT got me to thinking about owning a Fantasy League Team. I get all excited during the winter preparing for the draft (ok, who am I kidding? My draft prep doesn’t start in earnest until mid-Spring.) I see names of guys that could have their breakout year, and if I’m fortunate enough I acquire one of them at the draft. Then the season starts and I see a game that player is in and suddenly I realize (somewhat embarrassed) I know nothing about the guy. “He’s that tall and thin? He’s white/black? He’s lefthanded?”
Whether we are paying tribute to Jackie Robinson or drafting a Fantasy Team, Abbott and Costello were right. I Don’t Know really is on third.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Mom For All (the) Seasons
As we celebrate and honor the special women in our lives, I found myself going through the Way Back Machine in my mind, remembering all the Cub games that my mom and I shared.
There was the game in April long ago against the Pittsburgh Pirates, sitting between home and third under the upperdeck where I missed an inning of the game because I was standing in line for a couple of cups of hot chocolate. It was an overcast day with a high of about 38 degrees. I think we lasted until the sixth or seventh inning of a woeful loss only because my feet were numb. She was willing to stay as long as I could handle it, and she did.
There was the game a few years later on a beautiful summer day against the Dodgers we sat down the thirdbase line next to some loudmouth L.A. cop, in town to follow his team. For the whole game we (mainly she) had to listen to him bloviate about every stat and nugget he knew about baseball and the Dodgers (which it turns out wasn’t much, because even as a fourteen year old, I knew how much misinformation he was spewing). The game ended in exciting fashion as the Dodgers had men on first and second, one out. A groundball up the middle and a wild throw as the Cubs tried to turn the doubleplay sent the ball into the stands letting the tying run to score. BUT WAIT!!! The secondbase umpire called interference on the runner trying to break up the doubleplay and therefore ruled the automatic doubleplay that ended the game. But that didn’t end the experience. In overdone, teenage joy I turned to the L.A. cop and screamed at the top of my lungs, over and over, “You lose! You lose! You lose!” As a parent now I am sure she wanted to step in and tell me to calm down, maybe even respect my elders. But she let me have my Cub fan moment.
There was the time (1984 I think) that we had tickets for a game against the Cardinals and we drove all the way down to Wrigley, couldn’t find parking and then drove all the way back home to watch it on T.V. Not once did she complain that we basically drove all the way downtown for nothing.
Fast forward to current times and I watch my betrothed and mother of four sit in sweltering heat watching a slow moving softball game of our oldest daughter as well as on and off frigid conditions to watch our second-grader excel at soccer. And this doesn’t take into consideration the countless hours she is in the backyard working on soccer drills or pitching and fielding batting practice.
She also agreed (and basically suggested) that we name our youngest two after baseball players and the baseball experience. Sports, specifically baseball, continue to weave its way through the fabric of many families. I am fortunate and privileged to be in one such family with women that enjoy the national pastime as much as most men.
Moms are an amazing breed and deserve our undying appreciation, not only on this day, but all days.
And last but not least, we look forward to Mother’s Day because it is CFCL tradition to enjoy this week’s report submitted by the League Secretary.
There was the game in April long ago against the Pittsburgh Pirates, sitting between home and third under the upperdeck where I missed an inning of the game because I was standing in line for a couple of cups of hot chocolate. It was an overcast day with a high of about 38 degrees. I think we lasted until the sixth or seventh inning of a woeful loss only because my feet were numb. She was willing to stay as long as I could handle it, and she did.
There was the game a few years later on a beautiful summer day against the Dodgers we sat down the thirdbase line next to some loudmouth L.A. cop, in town to follow his team. For the whole game we (mainly she) had to listen to him bloviate about every stat and nugget he knew about baseball and the Dodgers (which it turns out wasn’t much, because even as a fourteen year old, I knew how much misinformation he was spewing). The game ended in exciting fashion as the Dodgers had men on first and second, one out. A groundball up the middle and a wild throw as the Cubs tried to turn the doubleplay sent the ball into the stands letting the tying run to score. BUT WAIT!!! The secondbase umpire called interference on the runner trying to break up the doubleplay and therefore ruled the automatic doubleplay that ended the game. But that didn’t end the experience. In overdone, teenage joy I turned to the L.A. cop and screamed at the top of my lungs, over and over, “You lose! You lose! You lose!” As a parent now I am sure she wanted to step in and tell me to calm down, maybe even respect my elders. But she let me have my Cub fan moment.
There was the time (1984 I think) that we had tickets for a game against the Cardinals and we drove all the way down to Wrigley, couldn’t find parking and then drove all the way back home to watch it on T.V. Not once did she complain that we basically drove all the way downtown for nothing.
Fast forward to current times and I watch my betrothed and mother of four sit in sweltering heat watching a slow moving softball game of our oldest daughter as well as on and off frigid conditions to watch our second-grader excel at soccer. And this doesn’t take into consideration the countless hours she is in the backyard working on soccer drills or pitching and fielding batting practice.
She also agreed (and basically suggested) that we name our youngest two after baseball players and the baseball experience. Sports, specifically baseball, continue to weave its way through the fabric of many families. I am fortunate and privileged to be in one such family with women that enjoy the national pastime as much as most men.
Moms are an amazing breed and deserve our undying appreciation, not only on this day, but all days.
And last but not least, we look forward to Mother’s Day because it is CFCL tradition to enjoy this week’s report submitted by the League Secretary.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
To Love and Love Not
Have you ever loved anything so much, but knew it was bad for you? That triple layer, double-chocolate cake that is loaded with calories and cholesterol. The hottest woman alive is interested in you but is packing the mother of all STDs. Those streamlined, sleak looking in-line skates, but you have no coordination to use them? Let me introduce you to Comcast’s Extra Inning Package. What a joy . . . and curse.
One gets to turn on the Dodger game and listen to Vin Scully broadcast a game. Does it get any better than that? The fact that he sits in his booth, alone, and just has a conversation with the microphone – the man is amazing. (That chocolate cake tastes sooooo good!)
One has the ability to, oh say, turn on the Phillies/Giants game. Cool, Charlie Kalas is doing the game. Even better, the Giants take a 4-3 lead in the 10th. So here comes Brian Wilson surfing in for a save. He gets two outs, lets the tying run get on base with a hit and then takes Pat Burrell to a full count. He delivers the pitch and because of this Extra Inning Stupidass Package, one gets to see LIVE Burrell take it over the fence, costing some poor CFCL team a Ho/Sv. (The doctor comes back saying that your cholesterol level has a higher number than the odometer on your five year old car.)
One gets to watch a game until well past midnight as long as there are games on the West Coast. Oh sure, one may have to end up watching an American League game to make this happen, but we can all make sacrifices, can’t we? (Is that goddess looking at me? She’s smiling at me?!)
Each night there are anywhere from four to ten games broadcast on Extra Innings. It’s a bit reminiscent of the old NCAA New Year’s Day Bowl Games: four or five are on in the early evening and four or five are on in the late evening. The only problem is that one finds themselves constantly flipping from one game to another, rather than hunkering down for a specific game. (Wait, what’s this doctor’s note say? SHE HAS WHAT?!)
One gets to listen to Mark Grace and his partner broadcast the Diamondback games. They are an easy listen and fun. Sometimes a little goofy and his partner is dangerously close to being Chip Caray (over the top homer). His broadcast of Doug Davis’ last game before cancer surgery could have been moving but basically was a Doug Davis Cheerfest. Here’s a sidenote, did anyone notice that the third member of that broadcast team (the goof they send out into the stands to find the human interest story – dude’s name is Todd Walsh) looks exactly like Nick Hansen if Nick were heavier and holding a microphone? (Man these in-line skates feel great: polyurethane wheels, extra padded heels, the wind blowing through my hair [work with me people, I’m not just exercising my poetic license – I’m giving it a heart attack]).
Of course being in Chicago the Cubs and White Sox are blacked out which is unfortunate since it would be fun to hear the opposing team’s call once in a while. So instead we get the home version of being able to watch Alfonso Soriano misplay three flyballs into doubles. Don’t worry Cub Fans, we still have another six years to watch Soriano turn Dave Kingman into a Gold Glove outfielder. (Hey!! Where did that turn come from? How do you stop these crazy things? Owwww!!!!! My knee is NOT supposed to be facing THAT direction!)
But Extra Innings let us flip to another game as we work through our frustration. There is always a silver lining among our clouds.
By the way, did anyone happen to notice that Steve’s Stones are in second place? One man’s joy is ten men’s curse.
One gets to turn on the Dodger game and listen to Vin Scully broadcast a game. Does it get any better than that? The fact that he sits in his booth, alone, and just has a conversation with the microphone – the man is amazing. (That chocolate cake tastes sooooo good!)
One has the ability to, oh say, turn on the Phillies/Giants game. Cool, Charlie Kalas is doing the game. Even better, the Giants take a 4-3 lead in the 10th. So here comes Brian Wilson surfing in for a save. He gets two outs, lets the tying run get on base with a hit and then takes Pat Burrell to a full count. He delivers the pitch and because of this Extra Inning Stupidass Package, one gets to see LIVE Burrell take it over the fence, costing some poor CFCL team a Ho/Sv. (The doctor comes back saying that your cholesterol level has a higher number than the odometer on your five year old car.)
One gets to watch a game until well past midnight as long as there are games on the West Coast. Oh sure, one may have to end up watching an American League game to make this happen, but we can all make sacrifices, can’t we? (Is that goddess looking at me? She’s smiling at me?!)
Each night there are anywhere from four to ten games broadcast on Extra Innings. It’s a bit reminiscent of the old NCAA New Year’s Day Bowl Games: four or five are on in the early evening and four or five are on in the late evening. The only problem is that one finds themselves constantly flipping from one game to another, rather than hunkering down for a specific game. (Wait, what’s this doctor’s note say? SHE HAS WHAT?!)
One gets to listen to Mark Grace and his partner broadcast the Diamondback games. They are an easy listen and fun. Sometimes a little goofy and his partner is dangerously close to being Chip Caray (over the top homer). His broadcast of Doug Davis’ last game before cancer surgery could have been moving but basically was a Doug Davis Cheerfest. Here’s a sidenote, did anyone notice that the third member of that broadcast team (the goof they send out into the stands to find the human interest story – dude’s name is Todd Walsh) looks exactly like Nick Hansen if Nick were heavier and holding a microphone? (Man these in-line skates feel great: polyurethane wheels, extra padded heels, the wind blowing through my hair [work with me people, I’m not just exercising my poetic license – I’m giving it a heart attack]).
Of course being in Chicago the Cubs and White Sox are blacked out which is unfortunate since it would be fun to hear the opposing team’s call once in a while. So instead we get the home version of being able to watch Alfonso Soriano misplay three flyballs into doubles. Don’t worry Cub Fans, we still have another six years to watch Soriano turn Dave Kingman into a Gold Glove outfielder. (Hey!! Where did that turn come from? How do you stop these crazy things? Owwww!!!!! My knee is NOT supposed to be facing THAT direction!)
But Extra Innings let us flip to another game as we work through our frustration. There is always a silver lining among our clouds.
By the way, did anyone happen to notice that Steve’s Stones are in second place? One man’s joy is ten men’s curse.
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