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

Honus Wagner: The Flying Dutchman

Honus Wagner was signed by the Louisville Colonels of the National League making his debut in 1897 after spending only two seasons in the minor leagues. He would play in Louisville through the 1899 season, the National League contracted to 8 teams, and Wagner would go to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he would spend the rest of his career.

Wagner considered by many to be the best all around player of the Dead Ball Era. He hit 101 home runs with 1,732 RBI with a batting line of .328/.391/.467. He stole 722 bases in his career, and was the best shortstop of his era.

Wagner would win 8 National League batting titles, 5 times he would lead the league in RBI, and 5 times he would lead the league in stolen bases.

He would lead the Pirates to their only World Series Championship during his career in 1909. His #33 was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1936, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

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

Tom Burns Chicago White Stocking

Tom Burns was part of Cap Anson’s famed “stonewall infield” from 1883-1889 for the Chicago White Stockings. During that time the White Stockings would win back-to-back National League pennants in 1885-1886.

It was during the 1883 season on September 6 that Burns would put his mark on baseball history. In 18-run 7^th inning against Detroit, he hit two doubles, and a home run in route to a 26-6 White Stocking win. His three hits in the inning wouldn’t be matched again until 1953.

He would .264 with 39 home runs and 653 RBI during his career. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates 1892, and the Chicago Orphans (White Stockings/Cubs) 1898-1899. He died at 44 of heart disease while managing in the Eastern League.

Al "Scoop" Oliver Professional Hitter

Al Oliver broke into the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in1968, and with his official taking place in 1969. Oliver finished with a batting line of .285/.333/.445 with 17 home runs and 70 RBI. It was just the beginning of a long and productive career.

In 18 seasons, Oliver won three silver slugger awards, he was a 7 time all-star, and won a World Series Championship with the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1982, while playing for the Montreal Expos, Oliver was the National League leader in RBI, batting average, doubles, and hits.

His career ended after the 1985 season. He finished with a career batting line of .303/.344/.451. He had 2743 hits over the course of his career with 219 home run and 1326 RBI.

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

Knuckleball Pitcher Wilbur Wood

Wilbur Wood struggled early in his career with the Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates. After being traded to the Chicago White Sox, he took Hoyt Wilhem’s advice to rely on his knuckleball. It would launch his career. In 1968, he set a then major league record of 88 appearances.

In 1971, Wood was moved to the starting rotation, and delivered with four consecutive 20 game win seasons. He would lead the American League in wins in 1972-73, and was an American League all-star in 1971-1972, and 1974.  His career was derailed in 1976, when a line drive from the bat of Ron LeFlore shattered his left kneecap. After returning from his injury in 1977, he wasn’t as effective with his knuckleball, and retired after the 1978 season. He finished his career with a 164-156 won-loss record, and an ERA of 3.24.

The Alou Brothers

They were three brothers that all escaped poverty in the Dominican Republic, and were each signed by the San Francisco Giants.  The Alou brothers were the first set of three siblings to play in the outfield together on September 15, 1963. They were also the first set of three siblings to bat in the same half inning only 5 days earlier. They never started a game together in the outfield.

Jesus Rojas Alou at the time of his signing the Giants considered him the best prospect of the three brothers. The Giants signed him for $4,000. July 10, 1964 was the best game of his career going 6 for 6 with a home run and five singles. He never developed the power the Giants expected. He had a career high of 9 home runs in  1965. 1970 with the Houston Astros was his best offensive season slashing .306/.335/.384, but with only one home run his was traded to the Oakland Athletics. In Oakland, he would be part of the 1973-1974 Oakland A's World Series Champions. Always a solid outfielder, he had a long career with 15 seasons in the Major Leagues.

Mateo "Matty" Rojas Alou made his Major League debut for the Giants on September 26, 1960.  His career was wasting away in San Francisco as platoon player. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and under the instruction of Harry "The Hat" Walker his career was revived. In his first season with the Pirates in 1966, he won the National League batting title hitting .342/.373/.421. It was the start of a four-year stretch where he hit .330 or above. He was a National League all-star in 1968-1969. He was also a member of the 1972 Oakland A's World Series Champions. He closed out his career with the Cardinals, Yankees, Padres, and a three-year stint in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Felipe Rojas Alou signed with the Giants in 1955 for$200. When he made his debut in 1958, it would be the start of a 17-year career in Major League Baseball. It wasn't until 1961 that he started to get enough playing time for his power to blossom. He hit 18 home runs that season, he would hit 25 and 20 respectively before being traded to the Milwaukee Braves. In 1966, he enjoyed the best season of his career hitting 31 home runs with 74 RBI. He topped the National League in runs scored (122), hits (218), and had the best slash line of his career .327/.361/.533/.894. 1968, he again led the NL in hits with 210 hits, but at 33 his power was tapering off at a rapid rate. He would bounce between the Oakland A's, New York Yankees, Montreal Expos, and Milwaukee Brewers to close out his career. He was 3-times all-star (62, 66, and 68). He served as manager of the Montreal Expos from 1992-2001, and was National League Manager of the Year in 1994. He also managed the San Francisco Giants from 2003-2006. In 2015 he was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, and 2016, Alou was elected to the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.

.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.

Roberto Clemente Baseball Star And Humanitarian

April 17, 1955. Roberto Clemente begins his Hall of Fame career with a single off Johnny Podres of the Dodgers. Clemente would bang out 2,999 more hits before he tragically lost his life in a plane crash on December 31, 1972. Clemente was bringing relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua when the plane he was in crashed. His career slash line was .317/.359/.475 with 240 home runs and 1305 RBI. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in1973 via of a special election.

Clemente was an All-Star 12 times in 18 seasons of play, and saw action in 15 games . He was the National League MVP in 1966, and World Series MVP in 1971, 12 times he won the Gold Glove award from 1961 to 1972.  He won four batting titles in 1961,  1964,  1965,  and 1967. His number #21 was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

He will be remembered not only for his play on the field, but his charity work that participated in the off-season. 

The Pirates Willie "Pops" Stargell

1979 was a banner year for the Pittsburgh Pirates and slugger Willie Stargell. Stargell would be named National League MVP, NLCS MVP, and World Series MVP in winning the three awards he became the only player to take home the awards. More remarkable he did it at age 39. He hit 32 home runs and had 82 RBI.

Overcoming racial prejudices in the minors leagues Stargell, he would make his debut with the Pirates in 1962 with his official rookie season in 1963. He spent 21 seasons with the Pirates. He hit 475 home runs and had 1540 RBI. After his award winning career in 1979, Stargell career went into decline. When Stargell retired in 1982, the Pirates retired his #8. 

Stargell was a seven-time National League all-star. The Pirates would win the World Series championship in 1971 and 1979. In 1971, he would hit a league leading 48 home runs with 125 RBI both would be career highs. In 1988 he would be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Jim "Mudcat" Grant

Jim "Mudcat" Grant made his Major League debut in 1958 with the Cleveland Indians. He was given the nickname Mudcat by roomate Larry Doby. Who claimed he was "ugly as a Mississippi Mudcat." The name stuck, and Grant won ten games in his rookie season winning, in which he made 28 starts and 14 appearances out of the bullpen.

Grant would write his own chapter into baseball history by becoming the first black pitcher in the American League to win twenty games. He did it in 1965 with the Minnesota Twins, when he went 21-7 with an ERA 3.30. His 21 wins were the best in the American League, along with a league leading 6 shutouts in the leading the Twins to the American League pennant. In the World Series, he would become the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, and in game six of the series he launched a three run homer, making him only the second pitcher from the American League history in accomplish the feat.  He was honored by The Sporting News that season as their Pitcher of the Year.

Grant was an American League all-star in 1963 and 1965. After 1966, he worked out of the bullpen, and as with many relief pitchers it was have arm will travel.  He made stops with the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates and two tours with the Oakland Athletics.  He finished with a won-loss record of 145-119 with a career ERA of 3.63. He earned 54 saves along the way.

Grant wrote a book titled The Black Aces: Baseball's Only African-American Twenty-Game Winners. Featuring a chapter on each of the African-American pitchers who have accomplished the feat.  A book I can recommend.

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Bob Gibson Throws A No-hitter

August 14, 1971. Bob Gibson hurls a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was Gibson's first no-hitter in his Hall of Fame career. Gibson fanned ten Pirates with only three walks.

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

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

Chicago Cubs Rookie Willson Contreras Hits Home Run

June 19, 2016. Chicago Cubs rookie catcher Willson Contreras hits a two-run blast on the first pitch thrown to him in the Major Leagues. The home run helped lead the Cubs to a 10-5 win, and a sweep of the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

Sammy Sosa-Tony Womack Hit Inside-The-Park Home Runs

May 26, 1997. The Chicago Cubs Sammy Sosa and the Pittsburgh Pirates Tony Womack both hit inside-the-park home runs in the 6th inning at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.  The Cubs win the game 2-1.

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

Darryl Strawberry Hits First Career Home Run

May 16, 1983. Rookie outfielder Darryl Strawberry hits his first career home run off the Pittsburgh Pirates Lee Tunnell. Strawberry would hit 335 home runs during the course of his often troubled 17-year career.

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

Sam "Toothpick" Jones Hurls No-Hitter

May 12, 1955. Sam "toothpick" Jones completes an improbable no-hitter in a 4-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jones walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning, and then proceeded to fan Dick Groat, Roberto Clemente, and Frank Thomas. Jones was the first African-American to toss a no-hitter in Major League Baseball. He is the ninth rookie to accomplish the feat.

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

Carl Hubbell Hurls No-Hitter

May 8, 1929.  New York Giants southpaw Carl Hubbell hurls a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates in an  11-0 romp. Hubbell will go on to post an 18-6 record in second season with the Giants. It had been thirteen years since the last no-hitter by a lefty.

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

Butch Henry's Inside-The-Park Home Run

May 8, 1992. Houston Astro southpaw pitcher Butch Henry becomes the first player to have an inside-the-park home run as their first major league hit. Henry slashed a line drive off the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Doug Drabek. It would be the only home run of Henry's career.

Jack McCarthy Sets Record

April 26, 1905, Chicago Cubs outfielder Jack McCarthy throws out three runners at home plate preserving a 2-1 Cubs victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. All three out resulted in double plays. The 36-year old journeyman outfielder played for Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Superbas, Cleveland Naps, and the Cincinnati Reds, He finishes with a slash line of .287/.333.365.