Horsehide-Trivia

[obxyankeefan]

Tony Fernandez. When did he play for the Reds?

 

[Old Sweater]

Tony Fernandez. When did he play for the Reds?

I forgot all about Tony Fernandez until I saw the name. bbref has him playing 104-games for the Reds in 1994 right before playing just 108-games for the Yankees in 1995

Dang he passed in 2020 at 57yo

 

[obxyankeefan]

I forgot all about Tony Fernandez until I saw the name. bbref has him playing 104-games for the Reds in 1994 right before playing just 108-games for the Yankees in 1995

Dang he passed in 2020 at 57yo

I remember seeing a chart around ,2005ish, that listed the last cycle for each team. Fernandez doing it for the Yankees stuck with me. Amazingly the Yankees have only had 2 players hit for the cycle in the last 50+ years.

 

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday-May 6th

Who is the only Dirtbag with an unassisted triple play on his major league résumé?









Hint: #1 He’s also the only one with a cycle in the majors.




Hint: #2 His college uniform number has been retired, but not by the school he played for.






Monday's question answered:

Q. Which former Cincinnati Red was the last twentieth-century player to hit for the cycle for the New York Yankees?

Hint: #1 His value to the Yankees at shortstop may have delayed the rise of Derek Jeter in their organization.

Hint: #2 He was the first Dominican to play two thousand games at shortstop in the majors.

A. TONY FERNANDEZ [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Fernandez had his cycle for NYY on 03-Sep-1995. Only Melky Cabrera has done it for them this century. Fernandez played for CIN in 1994.

- #1 Fernandez joined NYY in 1995. Jeter debuted that same season, but only played 15 G for them.

- #2 Fernandez’s 2,158 games at shortstop were later surpassed by Miguel Tejada (2,171) and Julio Franco (2,522, though many of Franco’s came at other positions).



FCR - Brett Moore, Studio City, California



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

Mike Cameron, the most unlikely 4 HR guy

Okay, you’re right. The answer was in the week’s summary that I don’t post here because of the character limit.

WEEK’S FINALE — 04-May-2025
Q. Which outfielder was once traded for Ken Griffey Jr.—and had previously been traded for Paul Konerko?
Hint: #1 He once homered four times in a single game, half of those in the first inning.
Hint: #2 He won Gold Gloves in both leagues and reached the 20–20 club with four different franchises.
A. MIKE CAMERON [B-R Bio]
- Ans. Cameron was dealt from CHW to CIN for Konerko in 1998, then from CIN to SEA in the 2000 blockbuster that sent Griffey to the Reds.
- #1 On 02-May-2002, he hit 4 HR for SEA at CHW, including two in the 1st inning off Jon Rauch and Jim Parque.
- #2 Gold Glove CF for SEA (AL) and SD (NL), he had 20–20 seasons with SEA, NYM, MIL & SD.
FCR - Will Middleton, Salt Lake City

 

[Old Sweater]

Wednesday-May 7th

Who is the only player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run in the final game of the regular season that both clinched a playoff berth and eliminated another team?









Hint: #1 In his first season, he was voted Rookie of Year unanimously, made the All-Star team and got MVP votes.




Hint: #2 In his second season, he added a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger.








Tuesday's question answered:

Q. Who is the only Dirtbag with an unassisted triple play on his major league résumé?

Hint: #1 He’s also the only one with a cycle in the majors.

Hint: #2 His college uniform number has been retired, but not by the school he played for.

A. TROY TULOWITZKI [B-R Bio]

- Ans. Tulo attended & played for the Long Beach State University baseball team, officially called The Sharks & when he played there, the 49ers. They have been unofficially nicknamed "Dirtbags" since 1989 when they advanced to the College World Series despite lacking a home park & practicing on an all-dirt field. On 29-Apr-2007, the Rockies SS turned the 13th of the 15 unassisted triple plays in MLB history.

- #1 His cycle was on 10-Aug-2000. He remains the only major leaguer with both a cycle & an unassisted triple play to his name.

- #2 The U. of Texas, Austin retired his # 2 in 2021. He became a volunteer assistant coach for the longhorns in 2019 after retiring from MLB midseason. Despite his brief time on staff, UT recognized his impact on their program.



FCR - Evan Thompson, Mesa



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

Midweek Bonus

Who is the only Hall of Fame-eligible position player to lead the American League in WAR during a full-length season and never appear on a Hall of Fame ballot again after his first year?









Hint: #1 The year he led the majors in being hit-by-pitch, it was with a total nearly three times higher than his next-highest of any of the seventeen years of his career in The Bigs.




Hint: #2 Not since a certain Boston Red Sox pitcher did it has a batter won the American League home run title with fewer than this guy hit in his only HR title year.

^^^ taking a shot with Don Baylor








Wednesday's question answered:

Q. Who is the only player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run in the final game of the regular season that both clinched a playoff berth and eliminated another team?

Hint: #1 In his first season, he was voted Rookie of Year unanimously, made the All-Star team and got MVP votes.

Hint: #2 In his second season, he added a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger.

A. EVAN LONGORIA [B-R Bio]

- Ans. Game(s) 162 of the 2011 season was probably the wildest season finish in MLB history. Longoria's 12th-inning HR gave TBR the 8–7 win over the NYY—clinching the AL Wild Card for his team & eliminating BOS, who had just fallen to BAL mere minutes earlier. This was only completing the drama that Longoria had ignited by homering in the 8th inning to spark TBR’s comeback from a 7–0 deficit.

- #1 ROY, ASG, MVP

- #2 GG, SS



FCR - Jaime Aron, Dallas



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

Thursday-May 8th

Among major leaguers native to the state of Arkansas, who is the only player ever to hit thirty-five home runs in a season? Hint: #1 He won World Series with two different franchises. Hint: #2 His nickname is a piece of equipment. Midweek Bonus question answered: Q. Who is one of the few Hall of Fame-eligible position players to lead the American League in WAR during a full-length season and never appear on a Hall of Fame ballot again after his first year? Hint: #1 The year he led the majors in being hit-by-pitch, it was with a total nearly three times higher than his next-highest of any of the seventeen years of his career in The Bigs. Hint: #2 Not since a certain Boston Red Sox pitcher did it has a batter won the American League home run title with fewer than this guy hit in his only HR title year. A. BOBBY GRICH [SABR Bio] - Ans. In 1973, Grich led the AL in WAR (7.8). Notwithstanding, Grich received only 2.6% of the vote in his only year of Hall of Fame eligibility in 1992. Jason Giambi & Rico Petrocelli followed similar paths. - #1 Grich was hit 20 X w/BAL in 1974. He never exceeded 8 in any other season. - #2 Grich tied for the AL HR title in strike-shortened 1981, hitting 22, as did Tony Armas, Dwight Evans & Eddie Murray. Babe Ruth, still a full-time pitcher in 1918, hit 11 HR, tying him with Tillie Walker, OF for PHA for the AL lead. Ruth then topped the AL in HRs in 11 out of the next 13 seasons, leading majors outright in 8 of those years. FCR - Mark Haynes, Dumfries, Virginia​

~ D. Bruce Brown​

 

[Old Sweater]

Friday-May 9th

Of whom was it said, “He has more friends than Leo Durocher has enemies!” ?








Hint: #1 He received Most Valuable Player votes in eight consecutive seasons.




Hint: #2 During a straight five-year run, he led the majors in caught stealing but also he led his league in stolen bases in two of those seasons.








Thursday's question answered:

Q. Among major leaguers native to the state of Arkansas, who is the only player ever to hit thirty-five home runs in a season?

Hint: #1 He won World Series with two different franchises.

Hint: #2 His nickname is a piece of equipment.

A. PAT BURRELL [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Only Burrell. He hit 37 HR for PHI in 2008.

- #1 He was on the squads, Phillies and Giants, who won World Series in 2008 & 2010.

- #2 He was (is?) called “Pat the bat”, evoking his prowess at the plate.



FCR - Doug Greenwald, San Francisco



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

M.C.N.S.V. Special

Who is the most recent player to lead his league in stolen bases for five consecutive years? Hint: #1 His career batting average is higher than Mickey Mantle’s, but still below .300. Hint: #2 He tied a nineteenth-century Hall of Famer when he scored in eighteen straight games. Hint: #3 Although he played a total of a decade for one MLB team, he also played for ten additional teams before retiring after seventeen seasons. Friday's question answered: Q. Of whom was it said, “He has more friends than Leo Durocher has enemies!” ? Hint: #1 He received Most Valuable Player votes in eight consecutive seasons. Hint: #2 During a straight five-year run, he led the majors in caught stealing but also he led his league in stolen bases in two of those seasons. A. STAN HACK [SABR Bio] - Ans. Early in his career, his convivial nature & positive attitude sometimes went too far. He was often carried home drunk by teammate & drinking buddy Pat Malone. - #1 Hack was never a serious contender for a league MVP, but the respect he had in the games showed when he placed 7th, 15th, 8th, 12th, 20th, 19th, 26th & 11th 1938 through 1945. - #2 In an era known for fewer stolen bases, Hack led the NL in SB w/16 & 17 in 1938 & ’39. He might have trying to revive the importance of the stolen base single-handedly when he was thrown out 18, 19, 15, 18 & 22 X from 1936-40. FCR - Waker Arnold, Jay, Vermont​

~ D. Bruce Brown​

 

[Cedrique]

M.C.N.S.V. Special

Who is the most recent player to lead his league in stolen bases for five consecutive years? Hint: #1 His career batting average is higher than Mickey Mantle’s, but still below .300. Hint: #2 He tied a nineteenth-century Hall of Famer when he scored in eighteen straight games. Hint: #3 Although he played a total of a decade for one MLB team, he also played for ten additional teams before retiring after seventeen seasons. Friday's question answered: Q. Of whom was it said, “He has more friends than Leo Durocher has enemies!” ? Hint: #1 He received Most Valuable Player votes in eight consecutive seasons. Hint: #2 During a straight five-year run, he led the majors in caught stealing but also he led his league in stolen bases in two of those seasons. A. STAN HACK [SABR Bio] - Ans. Early in his career, his convivial nature & positive attitude sometimes went too far. He was often carried home drunk by teammate & drinking buddy Pat Malone. - #1 Hack was never a serious contender for a league MVP, but the respect he had in the games showed when he placed 7th, 15th, 8th, 12th, 20th, 19th, 26th & 11th 1938 through 1945. - #2 In an era known for fewer stolen bases, Hack led the NL in SB w/16 & 17 in 1938 & ’39. He might have trying to revive the importance of the stolen base single-handedly when he was thrown out 18, 19, 15, 18 & 22 X from 1936-40. FCR - Waker Arnold, Jay, Vermont​

~ D. Bruce Brown​

Vince Coleman?

 

[Old Sweater]

Vince Coleman?

The BA would have to be .299 Coleman’s is .264

 

[Old Sweater]

Saturday-May 10th

Who was the first National League Third Baseman to win the BBWAA Most Valuable Award?









Hint: #1 He won the award the season after being traded away by a team that came to regret it for decades.




Hint: #2 He played an important role in helping his team to reach the World Series for the first time in thirty-four seasons.








M.C.N.S.V.* Special question answered:

Q. Who is the most recent player to lead his league in stolen bases for five consecutive years?

Hint: #1 His career batting average is higher than Mickey Mantle’s, but still below .300.

Hint: #2 He tied a nineteenth-century Hall of Famer when he scored in eighteen straight games.

Hint: #3 Although he played a total of a decade for one MLB team, he also played for ten additional teams before retiring after seventeen seasons.

A. KENNY LOFTON [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Lofton led the AL in SB 1992-’96 w/66, 70, 60, 54 & 75.

- #1 Lofton his .299 over his career compared to that slacker Mantle with his .298.

- #2 Slidin’ Billy Hamilton got a R in every G 06-Jul thru 02-Aug-1894. Lofton got his string going 15-Aug thru 03-Sep-2000. The Yankees’ Red Rolfe had tied Hamilton in 1939, 9-25-Aug.

- #3 Lofton was a Cleveland Indian from 1992 to ’96 then 1998 to 2001 & finally retired in 2007, returning to CLE to finish.



FCR - Benjamin Chase, Huron, South Dakota

*French for T.G.I.F.



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

^^^ Ken Boyer?

 

[Hunter Montana]

Terry Pendleton?

 

[Old Sweater]

Sunday-May 11th

Who has hit the most career home runs by an American League third baseman?









Hint: #1 He once held the record for the most career home runs without ever having hit three in one game.




Hint: #2 He was the first Yankees captain after Thurman Munson's death.








Saturday's question answered:

Q. Who was the first National League Third Baseman to win the BBWAA Most Valuable Award?

Hint: #1 He won the award the season after being traded away by a team that came to regret it for decades.

Hint: #2 He played an important role in helping his team to reach the World Series for the first time in thirty-four seasons.

A. BOB ELLIOTT [SABR Bio]

- Ans. 1947 NL MVP. He had received MVP votes in other years, but only in 1947 did he take home the award.

- #1 Elliott had been traded to BSN by PIT after their 1946 season. He won the MVP the very next year, making him the first player traded away by the Pirates to win the award immediately afterward—a move long regarded as one of the worst trades in Pittsburgh franchise history.

- #2 His 6.3 WAR in 1948 led all Braves’ position players by a large margin. Jeff Heath was 2nd with 4.8. That franchise won the NL flag, the last time before that was 1914 when as underdogs they stunned baseball & swept Connie Mack’s mighty Philadelphia A’s.



FCR - Jim Cochran, Tuscaloosa, Alabama



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

Sunday-May 11th

When Eric Karros set the Los Angeles Dodgers career home run record, whose mark did he surpass?









Hint: #1 No one else drafted in the same round as this former Cougar even made the majors."




Hint: #2 He recovered but, he once appeared in an episode of the television show “ER”.








Sunday's question answered:

Q. Who has hit the most career home runs by an American League third baseman?

Hint: #1 He once held the record for the most career home runs without ever having hit three in one game.

Hint: #2 He was the first Yankees captain after Thurman Munson's death.

A. GRAIG NETTLES [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Nettles did play for a time in the NL but his AL total is 319. His total of 390 is career 3rd among all third basemen.

- #1 Nettles’ 390 HR were all pf the 1-m& 2-RBI variety. The current record holder is Rafael Palmeiro (569 HR).

- #2 Nettles captaincy was announced 29-Jan-1982. Munson had died in 1979.



FCR - Stuart Klugman, St. Charlies, Illinois



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

^^^ Duke Snider?

 

[Old Sweater]

Whose 295 plate appearances are the most in World Series history?









Hint: #1 As a manager, however, he lost his only two appearances in the World Series.




Hint: #2 He appeared in the movie “That Touch of Mink”.



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[MilkSpiller22]

yogi??