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The Newsletter of the Halsey Hall Chapter
Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)
January 2012
Editor:
Stew Thornley
Upcoming Stuff—Lots of It
The next Hot Stove Saturday Morning, an informal breakfast gathering for the purpose of talking baseball, will be at 9:00 on January 7 at Bakers Square in Richfield (66th Street to the east of Xerxes Avenue). After the breakfast members are invited to the Hosmer Collection in the Minneapolis Central Library to view the Charles O. Johnson collection, consisting of books and materials from the former executive sports editor at the Minneapolis Star and Minneapolis Tribune.
The annual Hot Stove League get-together will be Saturday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at the home of Kevin Hennessy, 608 Grand Avenue, St. Paul 55102, 651-492-2298. This is an informal gathering to munch and drink, talk baseball, and watch baseball videos. There may even be a revival of the Dead or Alive quiz.
The Halsey Hall Chapter will participate in Twins Fest January 27 to 29 and will be promoting membership and the SABR convention coming to Minneapolis. Members are needed to staff the chapter table. If interested, contact Rich Arpi.
The chapter book club’s next selection is Big Hair and Plastic Grass: A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America in the Swinging ‘70s by Dan Epstein. The book club will meet on Saturday, February 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the Barnes and Noble cafe in Har Mar Mall in Roseville. Har Mar Mall is located on Snelling Avenue about a mile and a half north of the state fairgrounds. For more information, contact Art Mugalian, 612-721-2825.
The Spring Chapter Meeting will be Saturday, April 21 at the Grace University Lutheran Church, 324 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, 612-331-0125. That evening, the group will have a viewing party, watching the Twins-Rays game, which begins at 6:00, at a local watering hole. In between, it may be possible for the group to tour the baseball exhibit at the new Minnesota African American Museum in south Minneapolis.
During the business meeting, three members will be elected to the chapter’s board of directors to succeed outgoing directors Jerry Janzen, Cary Smith, and Bob Tholkes. Anyone interested in running for a two-year term may contact Nominating Committee Chair Kevin Hennessy at 651-492-2298.
Members are invited to submit a proposal to make a research presentation at the meeting. Proposals must be made in writing (e-mail is fine) to Research Committee Chair Bob Tholkes, 3966 NE Reservoir Boulevard, Columbia Heights, Minnesota 55421-4069, and should include a title and brief outline of what the presentation will consist of with emphasis on the research that will be included. Standard presentations are 20 minutes (with an additional eight minutes for questions) although the duration may be longer or shorter depending on the needs of the presenter and of the schedule. The Research Committee (which also consists of Dan Levitt, Cary Smith, Stew Thornley, and Rich Arpi) will finalize the schedule of research presentations by April 7, two weeks before the meeting, so proposals must be submitted by then.
And don’t forget SABR 42, which will be at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center from Wednesday, June 27 to Sunday, July 1, 2012.
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Welcome, New Members
We are no longer getting regular updates on new SABR members in our area, and some of you who have joined recently may not have heard from us. We want you to know that we’re happy to have you and hope you will attend our upcoming events as well as get involved in our activities, including this summer’s SABR convention in Minneapolis.
We’d also like to introduce you to others in our newsletter. If you have joined in the last year and not yet been contacted by our chapter, please contact Stew Thornley, 651-415-0791, the chair of the membership committee. Thanks a lot.
Dan Levitt Has Three Articles in Can He Play?
Dan Levitt has three articles in the SABR book, Can He Play? A Look At Baseball Scouts And Their Profession , which is available as a free download to members through February 29. Members can also purchase an actual copy of the book for the special price of $9.99 plus shipping.
Dan’s articles in Can He Play? are about the development of the scouting staff for the New York Yankees and profiles on scouts Paul Krichell and Bill Essick.
Proofreeders, Anyone?
Joe Niese is worcking on a book about Hall of Famer Burlie Greimz and is need of someone whom can spot misteaks and pherrit out typoes. If u r gr8 at such stuff, contact Joe, 603 Bridgewater Ave
Chippewa Falls, Wiscosin 54729-2707, and the too of ewe can spoot the spit about the project.
Analogies as Good or Bad as a Camilo Pascual Curve Ball or a Tsuyoshi Nishioka Swing
Stephen Wilbers, in his Wilbers’ Monthly Writing Tip, used Red Smith as an example of appealing to the senses to make writing vivid. Instead of, “He was such a good pitcher he could get anything past even the best batters, ” Smith wrote of Whitey Ford, “He could throw a lamb chop past a hungry wolf. ”
Here are a few other analogies that could make Whitey Ford spin in his grave if he weren’t still alive:
- The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn’t.
- He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
- McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty Bag filled with vegetable soup.
- From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you’re on vacation in another city and “Jeopardy” comes on at 7 p.m. instead of 7:30.
- Her hair glistened in the rain like nose hair after a sneeze.
- Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
- The politician was gone but unnoticed, like the period after the Dr. on a Dr Pepper can.
- John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
- His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
- The snake’s belly was as yellow as Jason Varitek attacking Alex Rodriguez while still wearing his catcher’s mask.
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Answers to Trivia Quiz
Answers to the trivia quiz from the December The Holy Cow!
- Who holds the major league record with 19 total bases in one game?
Shawn Green, May 24, 2002
- What Yankee broke up a no-hitter in the ninth inning three times within a month in 1970?
Horace Clarke
- Name the four players who have played all nine positions in the same major league game.
Bert Campaneris, September 8, 1965
Cesar Tovar, September 22, 1968
Scott Sheldon, September 6, 2000
Shane Halter, October 1, 2000
- Who are the four Minnesota Twins who hit consecutive home runs in the 11th inning of a game against the Kansas City Athletics May 2, 1964?
Tony Oliva
Bob Allison
Jimmie Hall
Harmon Killebrew
- Name the 16 pitchers who have pitched perfect games since 1920, including the post-season (must have been at least nine innings completed as perfect games, not broken up in extra innings).
Charlie Robertson, April 30, 1922
Don Larsen, October 8, 1956 (World Series)
Jim Bunning, June 21, 1964 (first game of doubleheader)
Sandy Koufax, September 9, 1965
Catfish Hunter, May 8, 1968
Len Barker, May 15, 1981
Mike Witt, September 30, 1984
Tom Browning, September 16, 1988
Dennis Martínez, July 28, 1991
Kenny Rogers, July 28, 1994
David Wells, May 17, 1998
David Cone, July 18, 1999
Randy Johnson, May 18, 2004
Mark Buehrle, July 23, 2009
Dallas Braden, May 9, 2010
Roy Halladay, May 29, 2010
- What pitcher gave up Mark McGwire’s 70th home run in 1998?
Carl Pavano
- Who was the pitcher who gave up Barry Bonds’s record-breaking 756th home run?
Mike Bacsik, Washington
- Who is the only major leaguer to hit two grand slams in one inning?
Fernando Tatis, April 23, 1999
- Who are the only two players to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning?
Carlos Baerga, April 8, 1993
Mark Bellhorn, August 29, 2002
- What is the longest major league game in terms of innings?
Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Boston Braves, May 1, 1920
- Who was the last player to get three hits in one inning? (Hint: He did it as a member of the Boston Red Sox.)
Johnny Damon, June 27, 2003
- Since intentional walks became an official statistic, who is the only player to be intentionally walked five times in one game?
Andre Dawson, May 22, 1990 (16-inning game)
- Who made the last unassisted triple play in the major leagues?
Eric Bruntlett, Philadelphia, August 23, 2009
- Since runs batted in became an official statistic, who are the only two players to drive in 12 runs in one game? (Hint: Both did it for the Cardinals.)
Jim Bottomley, September 16, 1924
Mark Whiten, September 7, 1993 (second game of doubleheader)
- When Mookie Wilson hit the grounder through Bill Buckner’s legs to allow the winning run to score in the sixth game of the 1986 World Series, who was the runner who scored from second to end the game?
Ray Knight
- On July 17, 1990 the Minnesota Twins became the only team to make two triple plays in the same game. Both were turned by the same fielders. Who were they?
Gary Gaetti
Al Newman
Kent Hrbek
- What four men have managed the Yankees and the Mets?
Casey Stengel
Yogi Berra
Joe Torre
Dallas Green
- Sparky Anderson and Tony LaRussa have managed a World Series winner in both leagues. Who are the other five managers to have managed in the World Series for both the American and National League?
Joe McCarthy
Alvin Dark
Yogi Berra
Dick Williams
Jim Leyland
- Who are the players who have won back-to-back Most Valuable Player Awards since the award was established in 1931? (Hint: All positions have been covered by these players; three first basemen and four outfielders have had back-to-back MVPs.)
1B – Jimmie Foxx, 1932-1933
1B – Frank Thomas, 1993-1994
1B – Albert Pujols, 2008-2009
2B – Joe Morgan, 1975-1976
SS – Ernie Banks, 1958-1959
3B – Mike Schmidt, 1980-81
OF – Mickey Mantle, 1956-1957
OF – Roger Maris, 1960-1961
OF – Dale Murphy, 1982-1983
OF – Barry Bonds, 1992-1993 and 2001-2004
C – Yogi Berra, 1954-55
P – Hal Newhouser, 1944-1945
- Who were the last player-managers in the National League and the American League?
Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds, National League
Don Kessinger, Chicago White Sox, American League
- Who are the 20 players who have reached 3,000 hits since 1969?
Hank Aaron
Willie Mays
Roberto Clemente
Al Kaline
Pete Rose
Lou Brock
Carl Yastrzemski
Rod Carew
Robin Yount
George Brett
Dave Winfield
Eddie Murray
Paul Molitor
Tony Gwynn
Wade Boggs
Cal Ripken
Rickey Henderson
Rafael Palmeiro
Craig Biggio
Derek Jeter
- Name the 10 pitchers who reached 300 wins since 1981?
Gaylord Perry
Steve Carlton
Tom Seaver
Phil Niekro
Don Sutton
Nolan Ryan
Roger Clemens
Greg Maddux
Tom Glavine
Randy Johnson
- Who broke up Armando Galarraga’s perfect game with a controversial single with two out in the ninth inning in 2010?
Jason Donald
- The first two perfect games in major league history were pitched five days apart. Who were the pitchers?
John Lee Richmond (Lee Richmond), June 12, 1880
John Montgomery Ward June 17, 1880
- Two pitchers in the 300-win club got their final win at the Metrodome. Who are they?
Tom Seaver, August 18, 1986
Steve Carlton, August 8, 1987
- Who is the only pitcher to have a perfect game broken up by a walk with two out in the ninth inning? (He still finished with a no-hitter.)
Milt Pappas, September 2, 1972
- Name the four families that have had three generations of players in the major leagues (grandfather-father-son)
Bell: Gus/Buddy/David and Mike
Boone: Ray/Bob/Aaron and Bret
Coleman: Joe/Joe/Casey
Hairston: Sam/Jerry/Jerry and Scott
- Who hit the first grand slam in the All-Star Game?
Fred Lynn, 1983
- Who is the only player to win a Most Valuable Player award as a shortstop and as a center fielder?
Robin Yount
- Wally Pipp is famous for losing his job to Lou Gehrig, who played in every game for the Yankees from June 1925 through April 1939. Who replaced Lou Gehrig at first base?
Babe Dahlgren
Tiebreaker: Name the 26 players who have hit at least 50 home runs in a season.
Brady Anderson
Jose Bautista
Albert Belle
Barry Bonds
Cecil Fielder
Prince Fielder
George Foster
Jimmie Foxx
Luis Gonzalez
Hank Greenberg
Ken Griffey Jr.
Ryan Howard
Andruw Jones
Ralph Kiner
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Willie Mays
Mark McGwire
John Mize
David Ortiz
Alex Rodriguez
Babe Ruth
Sammy Sosa
Jim Thome
Greg Vaughn
Hack Wilson
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Calendar
January 7—Hot Stove Saturday Morning, Bakers Square, 66th and Xerxes, Richfield, 9:00 a.m. For more information, contact Mark Johnson, 952-831-1153.
January 15—Convention Committee. For more information, contact Stew Thornley, 651-415-0791.
January 22—Research Committee. For more information, contact Bob Tholkes, 763-781-6161.
January 27-29—Twins Fest, Metrodome. For more information, contact Rich Arpi, 651-739-6986.
February 4—Book Club, Barnes & Noble, Har Mar Mall, Roseville, 9:30 a.m., Big Hair and Plastic Grass: A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America in the Swinging ‘70s by Dan Epstein. For more information, contact Art Mugalian, 612-721-2825.
February 12—Halsey Hall Chapter Board Meeting, 6 p.m. For more information, contact Brenda Himrich, 651-415-0791.
April 21—Spring Chapter Meeting. Grace University Lutheran Church. Minneapolis. For more information, contact Howard Luloff, 763-208-1637.
June 27-July 1, 2012—SABR Convention, Marriott City Center Hotel, Minneapolis.
Board of Directors 2011-2012
President—Brenda Himrich
Vice President—Fred Buckland
Secretary—Art Mugalian
Treasurer—Jerry Janzen
Gary DeSmith
Cary Smith
Bob Tholkes
The Holy Cow! Editor—Stew Thornley
Webmaster—John Gregory
Halsey Hall Chapter Web Page
Past issues of The Holy Cow! are available on-line.
Chapter History
Chapter Procedures and By-Laws
Society for American Baseball Research
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