MLB Unusual Walk Offs

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Ivan Rodriguez Defensive Highlights

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Ken Holtzman

Ken Holtzman’s misfortune was to break in with the Chicago Cubs in 1966, when the Cubbies would finish dead last in the National League. In his rookie campaign, he would finish with a record of 11-16 with an ERA of 3.79.

In 1969, on August 19, 1969, he would throw his first no-hitter besting the Atlanta Braves. June 3, 1971, Holtzman would no-hit the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. It would be the first no-hitter in that in the history of Riverfront Stadium. Holtzman was the first pitcher in modern baseball to toss two no-hitters.

After the 1971 season, he was traded to the Oakland A’s for an outfield named Rick Monday. Holtzman would have his best seasons in Oakland.

He was a two time all-star, three time World Series Champion with the Oakland A’s 1972-1974. The 1973 season would be his only twenty win season. He would finish his career with a record of 174-150 with an ERA of 3.49. He had 1,601 career strike outs. He made stops with the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and came back to finish his career with the Cubs.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Derek Jeter Career Highlights

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Derek Jeter Career Highlights

Future first ballot Hall of Famer Derek Jeter will have his number retired by the New York Yankees this weekend. He was the team Captain of the Yankees from 2003-2014.

He had a career batting average of .310 with 260 home runs, and 1,311 RBI. His 3,465 hits has him sixth on the all-time list.

Jeter was a 14 times all-star, 5 time World Series champion, 2000 World Series MVP, AL Rookie of the Year in 1996, 5 time Gold Glove winner, 5 times he won the Silver Slugger award, 2 time Hank Aaron award winner, and the 2009 Roberto Clement Award.

Alfonso Soriano's Amazing Four Game Stretch

Alfonso Soriano had one of the most productive four game stretches in major league baseball history. He had 13 hits, and drove in 18 runs from August 13-16, 2013.

Soriano broke in with the New York Yankees in 1997. Always an offensive threat Soriano hit 412 home runs with 1,159 RBI before retiring at the end of the 2014 season.

He had been a seven time all-star and four time Silver Slugger award winner while hitting .270 over the course his career.

New York Yankees rookie outfielder Aaron Judge is turning heads with his with his hot start. He is only the third Yankee to hit as many as 12 home runs in the first 25 games of the season. The other two are Babe Ruth and Alex Rodriguez.

As of May 3, 2017, he has hit 13 home runs with 27 RBI, and is threat to break Joe DiMaggio’s Yankee rookie record of 29 home runs.

Judge made his debut in 2016, where he struck out 42 times in 84 at bats. In a similar at bat totals this season, he reduced the total to 26 times in his first 83 2017 at bats.

It should be a fun story to follow for baseball fans in 2017.

Mel Allen Voice of the New York Yankees

Mel Allen began his sports broadcasting by calling Alabama Crimson Tide football games. Later while working for CBS, Allen was assigned to the 1938 World Series as a color commentator to begin his career in baseball.  He began doing games for the Yankees in June of 1939.

After serving in WW II, and beginning in 1947 through 1964, before his contract was not renewed in 1965. He would rejoin the Yankees in 1976, and in 1977 Mel Allen was the voice This Week In Baseball. He broadcast a game in 1990 for WPIX to make him the first seven decade broadcaster.

Allen also broadcast for the Milwaukee Braves in 1965, 1968 Cleveland Indians television. He broadcast 12 Rose Bowls, 2 Orange Bowls and 2 Sugar Bowls.

He was one of the first two to receive the Ford C. Frick award for broadcasters along with Red Barber.

Chicago Cubs: Tinker to Evers to Chance

Between 1902 and 1912 the trio of Joe Tinker shortstop, Johnny Evers second base, and Frank Chance. The trio were elected by the veterans committee in 1946 to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  During their time with the Cubs, they won 1907-1908 World Series, and four National League pennants. The only two World Series championship in Chicago Cubs history mastering the Detroit Tigers in both series.

 Franklin Pierce Adams of the New York Evening Post made the trio famous by penning the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon." It was originally titled "That Double Play Again" when it was published on July 12, 1910. The poem launched the trio into baseball immortality

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It is well documented that Evers and Tinker didn't speak to each other after September 14, 1905. Evers took a cab to the ballpark leaving Tinker in the hotel lobby, and they ended up having a fist fight on the field. 

Frank Chance managed the Cubs from 1905-1912, and afterwards managed both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He was a lifetime .296 hitter and twice led the National League in stolen bases.  Tinker would be a player-manager for the Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. He only hit .262 in his career.  Johnny Evers would hit .270 over the course of his long career. In era of high batting averages, the trio were helped by the famous poem.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Kong: Dave Kingman

Dave Kingman was known for his ability to crush long towering home runs, a poor glove, and an abrasive personality. Kingman was drafted by the San Francisco Giants out of USC (University of Southern California) in 197. He made his Major League debut in 1971 with his first full season in 1972, a strike delayed season, he hit for the cycle on the second game of the season (April 16, 1972). Kingman would hit 29 home runs that season with 83 RBI, but he would finish with a sub par slash line of .225/.303/.478 which would become indicative of what was to come in his career.

His offensive numbers continued to dip over the next two seasons. The Giants gave up on Kingman as a third baseman after making 12 errors in only 59 chances in 1974. His run production had slipped from his rookie campaign. He hit only 18 home runs with 55 RBI, and a slash line  of .223/.302/.440. He would be traded to the New York Mets after the 1974 season. 

In New York, he was moved to the outfield where he put up career high in 1975 in home runs with 36 and RBI with 88. During the 1976 season on June 4th, he would hit three home runs in an 11-0 thumping of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would accomplish this feat five times in his career. He also set a new high in home runs during the season with 37. 

The 1977 was a poor season for Kingman, who was traded to the San Diego Padres, and after performing poorly was waived and claimed by the California Angels on September 6th. Only nine days later he was shipped to the New York Yankees. He is one of the few players in Major League history to play for four teams in the same season.

In 1978, he would sign as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs.  He would hit 28 home runs and drive in 79 runs in his first year on the north side of Chicago. He followed it up by having the best year of his career hitting 48 home runs driving in 115 with the best slash line of his career at .288/.343/.613.  He was named to the National League all-star team for the second time in his career. He was an all-star with the Mets in 1976, and would be named an all-star with the Mets again in 1982. The Cubs tiring of Kingman's personality traded the outfielder back to the New York Mets.

In his last six seasons he hit thirty or more home runs four times. Including the last three seasons with the Oakland A's. Despite hitting 35 home runs with 94 RBI , he wasn't offered a contract. Despite lofty home run totals Kingman was plagued by a poor slash his entire career finishing .236/.302/.478. He hit 442 home runs in his career with 1210 RBI. He became the first hitter with more than 400 home runs not to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He was entertainment on many mediocre teams in New York, Chicago, and Oakland.

New York Yankees Catcher Elston Howard

Elston "Ellie" Howard was one of the best catchers in storied history of the New York Yankees. Following in the footsteps of a the great Yogi Berra. In his career with the Yankees, he would be on four World Series champion teams. His career started in the Negro Leagues with the famed Kansas City Monarchs under Buck O'Neill.  Where he would be the roommate of a future member of the baseball Hall of Fame, a kid named Ernie Banks. In 1950, he was signed by the New York Yankees. Howard was signed as an outfielder, and it wasn't until the spring training of 1954.

In 1955, he made his debut with the Yankees.  He would spend his first three seasons playing between outfield, and serving as the backup catcher. In his first season, he hit .290/.336/.477 slash line with 10 home runs, with 43 RBI, in 305 plate appearances. On April 14, 1955, he became the first black player to wear the uniform of the New York Yankees. 

During the course of his career, he was a 12 time all-star in as a member of the New York Yankees. 1963 was his best season, he hit 28 home runs with 85 RBI, and a slash line of .287/.342/.528. He would be named Most Valuable Player in the American League, and becoming the first black player to win the award in the junior circuit. He also was the Gold Glove award winner that season, and would capture the award again in 1964. 

He finished his playing career with the Boston Red Sox. After his playing days, he would return to the Yankees as a coach for two seasons, and being a part of the staff on the World Series champions in 1977 and 1978. Tragically Howard would die at the young age of 51 of heart failure after being diagnosed with myocarditis. His #32 was retired by the Yankees. 

.The Cleveland Indians Sudden Sam McDowell

Sam McDowell was 6-5 southpaw with a nice easy motion when he delivered the ball to plate gave rise to the nickname Sudden Sam. McDowell broke in with the Cleveland Indians as an 18-year old. When in his only appearance he walked five, and fanned 5 hitters in a 6.1 innings of work. It was an omen of things to come for McDowell.  in 1962 & 1963, he struggled to find his spot on the pitching staff. 

1964 was to be McDowell's break out season. He finish with a won-loss record of 11-6 with an ERA of 2.70, he walked 100 batter, while striking out 177, in 173.1 innings of work.  In 1965, he would go 17-11 with a league leading ERA of 2.18. He would lead the league in strike outs with 325, walks 132, and 17 wild pitches. Effectively wild?  Five of the next six seasons he would lead the American League in strikes outs.  Five of the next seven seasons, he would lead the league in walks.  1970 would be his only 20 win season of his career, and after that season his numbers began to tail off. 

After the 1971 season he was traded to the San Francisco Giants where he won 10 games in 1972. McDowell would make stops at the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates before calling it a career. He was six time American League all-star (1965, 1966, 1968-1971).  His won loss record was 141-134 with an ERA of 3.17, and finished with 2,453 strike outs.

Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series Walk-off Home Run

Bill Mazeroski "Maz" hit the most dramatic home run in World Series history. When in the 1960 World Series, he launched the only walk-off game 7 home run in World Series history. The New York Yankees had the tied the game at 9-9 with a pair of runs in the top of the winning before he hit the home off Ralph Terry in the bottom of the inning. Mazeroski would play all 17 seasons of his career for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a part of the 1960 and 1971 World Series champions.

Maz was more known for his glove than his bat.  He was a ten time National League all-star. He won the Gold Glove award on eight occasions, and Maz is considered one of the best defenders at second base in the history of Major League Baseball. He was elected by the Veterans Committee to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. The Pittsburgh Pirates retired his #9 in 1987.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Randy Velarde's Unassisted Triple Play

May 29, 2000. Oakland A's second baseman Randy Velarde completes only the tenth unassisted triple play in major league history against the New York Yankees,

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Derek Jeter Eighth Yankee To Get 2,000 Hits

May 26, 2006. The New York Yankees Derek Jeter reaches the 2,000 hit with a roller  down the third  base line off the Kansas City Royals pitcher Scott Elarton.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Cherokee Nation's Ben Tincup

Image courtesy of http://www.baseball-birthdays.com/

May 22, 1914. Right-hander Ben Tincup made his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies becoming the first member of the Cherokee Nation to Major League Baseball. Tincup would have his career interrupted by his service in World War I. He pitched briefly for the Chicago Cubs in 1928. He had a won-loss record of 8-11 with an ERA of 3.10 during his career.

After his active career was over Tincup was a minor league umpire, and manager.  He would serve in the major leagues as a coach with the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, he also scouted for the Boston Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Tincup died July 5, 1980 at 87 years of age.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Pete Grays Leads St. Browns Over The Yankees

May 20, 1945. Pete Gray sparks the St. Louis Browns in a doubleheader sweep of the New York Yankees. He has three hits in the first game, and scores the winning in run in the nightcap. Gray, who had only one arm (childhood injury) records ten putouts in the game.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Red Sox-Yankees Bench Clearing Brawl

May 20, 1976. A collision at the plate between Lou Pinella of the Yankees and Carlton Fisk of the Red Sox sparks a bench clearing brawl. Red Sox pitcher Bill "The Spaceman Lee" suffers a separated shoulder while fighting with Craig Nettles. It will be an injury that will hamper him during the rest of his career.

Joe DiMaggio Begins 56-Game Hitting Streak

May 15, 1941. The New York Yankees Joe DiMaggio begins his record breaking 56-game hitting streak. Chicago White Sox pitcher Edgar Smith serves up the hit that begins the streak. The streak will not be stopped until July 17 in Cleveland.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Doc Gooden Tosses No-hitter

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May 14, 1996.  The New York Yankees Doc Gooden hurls a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners in a 2-0 victory. He becomes the eighth New York to toss a no-hitter. Gooden's career had tanked having gone almost two years without a victory, and was close to be released because of a slow start in 1996