Horsehide-Trivia

[obxyankeefan]

I want to say this one is Bench. But looking it up I was wrong

 

[Cedrique]

Which talented prospect drew such large bonus offers to sign that major league baseball decided to institute a draft? Hint: #1 Ironically, he was soon to be drafted. Hint: #2 In 2015, he was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Friday's question answered: Q. Who is the oldest player in major league history to hit twenty home runs before the All-Star break? Hint: #1 He was the first player in his team’s history to hit safely six times in one game. Hint: #2 He once homered and stole home in the same game. Hint: #3 A Sports Illustrated poll voted him the second nicest major league player—after Jim Thome. A. RAUL IBANEZ [B-R Bio] - Ans. In 2013, during his third stint with the Mariners, Ibanez his 20th HR on 02-Jul, two full weeks before that year’s All-Star Game in New York City. He had turned 41 the previous month, making him the oldest player to hit 20 HR before the break. (He even hit 4 more before the break.) - #1 On 22-Sep-2004, Ibanez had 6 singles for SEA as they dominated LAA 16-6. - #2 HR + SB/H = 12-Sep-2005. [Aren’t those the 2 hardest ways to score a run?] - #3 SI polled 290 major leaguers in 2017 for these results. FCR - Mark DeLodovico, Rockville, Maryland​

~ D. Bruce Brown​

Don Drysdale?

 

[Old Sweater]

Don Drysdale?

Drysdale didn’t play college ball.

 

[Cedrique]

Drysdale didn’t play college ball.

so that's a no ?

 

[Old Sweater]

so that's a no ?

I can say yes to that no now. I didn’t know the answer, I just knew Drysdale didn’t play college ball.

Sunday, June 1

Who was Bobby Shantz’s personal catcher during Shantz’s Most Valuable Player season?









Hint: #1 He (not Shantz) was a three-sport athlete at a Division 1 university.




Hint: #2 He played his first major league game without the benefit of any minor league experience because so many scouts saw him play in the military.








Saturday's question answered:

Q. Which talented prospect drew such large bonus offers to sign that major league baseball decided to institute a draft?

Hint: #1 Ironically, he was soon to be drafted.

Hint: #2 In 2015, he was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

A. RICK REICHARDT [Wiki Bio]

- Ans. Reichardt was the subject of a fierce bidding war, eventually signed by the Angels and scout Nick Kamzic on 24-Jun-1964 for a then-record $200,000. He debuted in the majors just over two months later, on 01-Sep-1964. The following year, MLB instituted its first amateur draft to prevent such costly free-for-alls.

- #1 Despite being one of college baseball’s top hitters, Reichardt was also drafted by the NFL’s Baltimore Colts after starring at fullback for Wisconsin. He led the Badgers to the Super Bowl in 1962.

- #2 He was the first baseball player in Big Ten history to win the conference batting title in consecutive years: .429 in 1963 & .443 in 1964.



FCR - Victor Piacentile, Yorktown Heights New York



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

I think it is safe to say Rick Reichardt led the Wisconsin Badgers to the 1962 Rose Bowl, not the Super Bowl.

 

[Old Sweater]

Sunday, June 1


Which one-time Baltimore Oriole is the last person to qualify for this week’s theme?









Hint: #1 He holds the record for most RBI in one inning.




Hint: #2 He was born in the most fecund of all baseball cities.








Sunday's question answered:

Q. Who was Bobby Shantz’s personal catcher during Shantz’s Most Valuable Player season?

Hint: #1 He (not Shantz) was a three-sport athlete at a Division 1 university.

Hint: #2 He played his first major league game without the benefit of any minor league experience because so many scouts saw him play in the military.

A. JOE ASTROTH [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Astroth helped his battery mate lead the majors in WAR (9.4) in 1952 & win the AL MVP in spite of doing it for the lackluster (79-75-1) Philadelphia A’s. In 32 of the 33 Shantz starts & 23 of 24 of his pitching wins, it was Astroth behind the plate.

- #1 At the University of Illinois, Astroth was a three-sport athlete, playing baseball, football & basketball for the Fighting Illini.

- #2 Astroth joined the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII, but was able to play enough baseball to impress not only his coach, Babe Young, but A’s scout Tom Fleming & Hall of Famer George Sisler, representing the Dodgers.



FCR - Harvey Hurwitz, Huntington Woods, Michigan



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Cedrique]

Sunday, June 1


Which one-time Baltimore Oriole is the last person to qualify for this week’s theme?









Hint: #1 He holds the record for most RBI in one inning.




Hint: #2 He was born in the most fecund of all baseball cities.








Sunday's question answered:

Q. Who was Bobby Shantz’s personal catcher during Shantz’s Most Valuable Player season?

Hint: #1 He (not Shantz) was a three-sport athlete at a Division 1 university.

Hint: #2 He played his first major league game without the benefit of any minor league experience because so many scouts saw him play in the military.

A. JOE ASTROTH [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Astroth helped his battery mate lead the majors in WAR (9.4) in 1952 & win the AL MVP in spite of doing it for the lackluster (79-75-1) Philadelphia A’s. In 32 of the 33 Shantz starts & 23 of 24 of his pitching wins, it was Astroth behind the plate.

- #1 At the University of Illinois, Astroth was a three-sport athlete, playing baseball, football & basketball for the Fighting Illini.

- #2 Astroth joined the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII, but was able to play enough baseball to impress not only his coach, Babe Young, but A’s scout Tom Fleming & Hall of Famer George Sisler, representing the Dodgers.



FCR - Harvey Hurwitz, Huntington Woods, Michigan



~ D. Bruce Brown

Brady Anderson

 

[Old Sweater]

I had to look up fecund

 

[Old Sweater]

Monday, June 2

Which catcher caught four shutouts in one World Series?









Hint: #1 He introduced the use of shin guards as well as other protective equipment for catchers.




Hint: #2 His nickname was based on the place where he claimed to have been born.




Hint: #3 He had such a quick temper that SABR describes him as “…inherently tactless.”



~ D. Bruce Brown

^^^ I’ve read which catcher had introduced some catcher gear but my old noggin can’t pull up a name. It has to be whoever caught Mathewson & McGinnity I think.

 

[Old Sweater]

^^^ Roger B?

 

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday, June 3

Which Hall of Famer once had a seven-for-seven day?









Hint: #1 He once caught all three games of a tripleheader, then caught both games of a doubleheader the following day.




Hint: #2 The fact that he stole 196 bases in his career would catch most fans by surprise.








Monday's question answered:

Q. Which catcher caught four shutouts in one World Series?

Hint: #1 He introduced the use of shin guards as well as other protective equipment for catchers.

Hint: #2 His nickname was based on the place where he claimed to have been born.

Hint: #3 He had such a quick temper that SABR describes him as “…inherently tactless.”

A. ROGER BRESNAHAN [SABR Bio]

- Ans. In the 1905 World Series, all five games were complete-game shutouts. Christy Mathewson threw three of them, Joe McGinnity tossed the fourth—and Bresnahan was behind the plate for all four Giants victories, as well as for their lone loss in G #2.

- #1 A New York Times article from 1907 said, ”On Opening Day, Bresnahan created somewhat of a sensation when he appeared behind the bat for the start of play, by donning cricket leg guards.” He was also an early adopter of the padded chest protector and batting helmet. Interesting addition details here.

- #2 Bresnahan regularly insisted that he was born in Tralee, Ireland—his parents’ home town. In fact, he was born & died in Toledo, Ohio. The nickname “The Duke of Tralee”, however, stuck.

- #3 His long history of ejections as a player & manager attest to his combative personality.



FCR - Mary Shea, Milwaukee



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

I looked up which catcher had 196 stolen bases. When he became manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers the team played a few seasons under a shortened version of his last name

 

[obxyankeefan]

Rennie Stennett went 7 for 7 when I was a kid and they listed the other two or three to do it. I can't remember who they were.

 

[Old Sweater]

Rennie Stennett went 7 for 7 when I was a kid and they listed the other two or three to do it. I can't remember who they were.

I said the Dodgers played a few seasons by the shortened version of the catchers name. The Dodgers went by this nickname from 1914-1931

 

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday Twice, June 3

Who is the only person in MLB history to spend his entire playing career with one team and entire managing career with another team with 10+ years in both places?









Hint: #1 …and never had to relocate his family.




Hint: #2 As a player, he helped his team win three division titles, four postseason berths and two World Series championships.




Hint: #3 As a manager, he led his team to six division titles, four second-place finishes, seven postseason spots and the only World Series title in that franchise’s history.








Tuesday's question answered:

Q. Which Hall of Famer once had a seven-for-seven day?

Hint: #1 He once caught all three games of a tripleheader, then caught both games of a doubleheader the following day.

Hint: #2 The fact that he stole 196 bases in his career would catch most fans by surprise.

A. WILBERT ROBINSON [SABR Bio]

- Ans. Better known for managing Brooklyn to 2 National League pennants, “Uncle Robbie” also had a day at the plate that will likely never be forgotten. On 10-Jun-1892(1), while catching for the NL Baltimore Orioles, he went 7-for-7 with 6 singles, a double & 11 RBI in a 9-inning win over the St. Louis Browns (NL). Click here for details.

- #1 According to Baseball’s 1st Stars, Robinson once caught all 3 games of a tripleheader, then both ends of a doubleheader the next day. (Additional source welcome.)

- #2 Listed at 5'8" tall & weighing 215 pounds in his playing days, Robinson did not likely appear as a threat on the basepaths. Perhaps that lulled opposition into paying less attention than they should have?



FCR - Ted Cox, Chicago



~ D. Bruce Brown

 

[Old Sweater]

Catcher Mike Scocia?