Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Reader's Challenge: Who Loves Ya, Baby?

While it's still Valentine's Day (barely, but we have three hours or so of it left here in Texas), it seems only right to do the whole Candy and Flowers thing, maybe a Hart-shaped box of the former and some Roses as the latter?

That's right, it's a very special reader's challenge edition of Baseball's Hall of Names as we assemble ...

CANDY AND FLOWERS AND MID-FEBRUARY HARTS
** indicates Hall of Famer
* indicates All-Star

As a matter of course, because it's never a good idea to repeat yourself on Valentine's Day, we will limit this team to using a surname just once. However, we will open the floor, in the spirit of good relationships, to first names and nicknames -- after all, what holiday is more about nicknames than Valentine's Day?

Player/Manager: Bobby Wine (16-25 with '85 ATL)

Lineup
C
1B
2B Cupid Childs (.306, 1888-1901)
SS Leo Cardenas (.2657 in 16 years)
3B Jim Ray Hart* (.278, 170 homers in 12 years)
LF Ellis Valentine* (.278, 123 homers in 11 years)
CF
RF Darryl Strawberry* (335 homers, exactly 1000 RBI)
DH Ruben Angel Sierra* (four-time All-Star, 306 homers)

Bench
C
IF Bobby Wine (.215 career; '63 Gold Glove SS)
IF Jim Brideweser (2B/SS/3B hit .252, 1951-57)
OF
OF
UTIL Pete Rose* (4256 hits; 600+ games at five positions)

Rotation
RHSP Candy Cummings** (145-94 in just six years)
LHSP Slim Love (28-21, 1913-20)
RHSP Bob Groom (119-150 in 10 years)
LHSP
5SP-X

Bullpen
CL-X
RH-SET
LH-SET Wes Flowers (2-2 with 1940, '44 BRK)
RH-LONG
LH-LONG Royce Ring (0-2 with 2005 NYM)

Love Notes ... Seven men with the surname "Valentine" have played in the major leagues, but only Ellis ever made an All-Star team (or deserved to, for that matter) ... Twice as many Harts, 14, have reached the big leagues, but just one, Jim Ray, made an All-Star team ... Jim Ray Hart and Ellis Valentine retired with identical .278 career batting averages ... Nobody named "Heart," or even nicknamed that, has ever reached the major leagues ... It seems most of the guys named "Angel" have been middle infielders and lefty relievers, and we already have our fill of those, so let's go with a natural DH with the middle name "Angel," though that does perhaps belie its owner's actual personality ... Maybe Miguel Angel "Mike" Cuellar would be better?

Soeaking of pitching, want some holiday Candy? Well, of the seven men nicknamed that who played big league ball, Mr. Cummings not only won 145 games and is credited with inventing the curveball, but he's also in the Hall of Fame ... It's almost anti-Valentine's Day to go with a guy named "Slim Love," but believe it or not he's the only player to ever bear that surname into the majors ... Nobody named "Wedding" has ever rreached the major leagues, but we can comfortably pair Bob Groom with Jim Brideweser and get the point across ...

And the Challenge: Okay, that's more than half the roster, 14 of 25 spots, filled. How can we finish up this team? Be sure the name ties in obviously to the holiday, or else provide an explanation of it ... tortured logic and far-reaching puns welcome and invited!

Posted by Mick Doherty on Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:09 PM EST.

Reader's Challenge: Who Loves Ya, Baby? | 35 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

eeleye - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:19 PM EST (#141196) #

You forgot Gaylord Perry.

eeleye - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:20 PM EST (#141197) #

And BABE Ruth.

Mike Green - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:39 PM EST (#141198) #

Tom Matchick was a utility player in the 60s. I'd say that the name worked with the times. You could play Rose at first and give Tom the utility role, or you could be adventurous in the outfield and put Strawberry or Valentine in center and Rose in left.

Mike Green - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:42 PM EST (#141199) #

Sandy Amoros made a famous catch and would be at his best on Valentine's Day.

6-4-3 - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:43 PM EST (#141200) #

Valentine's Day needs some Sweet Music, and this team could use Frank Viola as a starter.

Mick Doherty - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:45 PM EST (#141201) #

Ah, Ruth. Sure, we actually had an entire All-Babe team not that long ago. While I tried to avoid replicating the All-Female Names team ("That Chick's a Real Doll, Babe") I think Ruth at least has the generic Valentine's Day nicname for your sweetie feel. Sweetie? Hey, Rick Sweet can catch for this team!

But Gaylord Perry, you're gonna have to 'splain that one, son. I don't get it.

6-4-3 - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:45 PM EST (#141202) #

Also, if stretches involving foreign langauges are acceptable, Jeff FranCOEUR could be a backup outfielder.

loquax - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:49 PM EST (#141204) #

I regret that my knowledge of slang forces me to put forward the name of Urban Shocker. For the more adventurous on Valentine's day, I suppose.

loquax - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 10:56 PM EST (#141205) #

Sugar Caine (53-60, '32-'38) should be on there somehow too.

VBF - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 11:00 PM EST (#141207) #

Ah yes, the official version of this thread.

loquax - Tuesday, February 14 2006 @ 11:13 PM EST (#141209) #

How about Rick Honeycutt to round out the rotation?

OK I'm done now.

rtcaino - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 01:32 AM EST (#141213) #

Candy Maldonado

Tom Servo - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 03:01 AM EST (#141215) #

How about Rick Sweet for catcher?

Beau Bell spent some time at first, so he could fill in there.

In the same spirit, what about the super-injured Albert Belle?

We could also use Beauty McGowan, an outfielder I would never have found nor heard of if not for BBRef. :D

Since it is now 3am, it is time to go to bed. Hockey at 7!

Anders - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 03:43 AM EST (#141216) #

Lou Whitaker was apparently 'Sweet Lou'
Billy Kissinger had no discernable skills, other than a sweet name
And if your feeling adventurous, Im sure Richie Sexson could make it in there somehow

Mick Doherty - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 10:09 AM EST (#141223) #

I'm sure I missed some of the excellent suggestions, so help fill in the blanks -- tow in the bullpen, two on the bench -- but we're close! Here's another take ... Make Rose, thorns and all, the player/manager so Robbie Wine can take daddy's place on the bench as the backup catcher ... he also starts at 1B. I'm not sure about having Viola in the rotation since Sweet is the catcher (and why Whitaker didn't make the team), so another LHSP or another backstop would also be welcome!

Player/Manager: Pete Rose* (412-373)

Lineup
C Rick Sweet (.234, 1978-83)
1B Pete Rose* (4256 hits; 600+ games at five positions)
2B Cupid Childs (.306, 1888-1901)
SS Leo Cardenas* (.2657 in 16 years)
3B Jim Ray Hart* (.278, 170 homers in 12 years)
LF Ellis Valentine* (.278, 123 homers in 11 years)
CF Sandy Amoros (.255, 1952-60)
RF Darryl Strawberry* (335 homers, exactly 1000 RBI)
DH Ruben Angel Sierra* (four-time All-Star, 306 homers)

Bench
C Robbie Wine (.146, 1986-87)
IF Tom Matchick (.215, 1967-72)
IF Jim Brideweser (2B/SS/3B hit .252, 1951-57)
OF/RHRP Bill Kissinger (7-25; .280, 1895-97)
OF
UTIL

Rotation
RHSP Candy Cummings** (145-94 in just six years)
LHSP Slim Love (28-21, 1913-20)
RHSP Bob Groom (119-150 in 10 years)
LHSP Frankie "Sweet Music" Viola
5SP-RH Sugar Caine (53-60, 1932-38)

Bullpen
CL-LH Rick Honeycutt* (109-143, 38 saves)
RH-SET
LH-SET Wes Flowers (2-2 with 1940, '44 BRK)
RH-LONG
LH-LONG Royce Ring (0-2 with 2005 NYM)

Mick Doherty - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 10:33 AM EST (#141226) #

The old thread VBF pointed out, which I had forgotten about, also provides us with Ron Darling, Ed Hug, Paul or Raul Casanova, "Moonlight" Graham, Lee Lacy and some others ...

loquax - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 11:57 AM EST (#141233) #

Do people give Lilies for valentine's? If so, I can think of another LHSP...

Mick Doherty - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 12:30 PM EST (#141235) #

That exact question was asked in the old thread -- see, history does repeat!

Maybe we've done it already, again I can't remember, but I have meant to start a "How does your garden grow?" HON thread, for Pete Rose, Ted Lilly, Ron Gardenhire, Guy (or David) Bush, Bert Weeden, Damian Moss, Mickey Grasso ...

You get the idea.

Craig B - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 02:50 PM EST (#141241) #

Bobby Valentine would make an excellent utilityman. He was an excellent utilityman in real life, and also a fine manager...

Craig B - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 02:51 PM EST (#141242) #

Oh! And what about "Gorgeous George" Sisler? Hall of Famer, no less.

Mick Doherty - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 04:10 PM EST (#141248) #

I thought about Bobby V. -- not Sisler, though, missed that one -- but figured "baseball from a Canadian perspective' dictated Ellis get the nod.

NickOfTime - Wednesday, February 15 2006 @ 06:35 PM EST (#141251) #

How depressing is this: I'm a Michigan Wolverines fan. :( I blame my high school football coach for getting me into the football team and I've always cheared for the basketball team too as a result. It's too bad that right now they are suspended from the NCAA Tournament.

Geoff - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:27 AM EST (#141259) #

First name I thought of when I saw this was Maldonado's, who has been mentioned. Candyman's got to get a spot at least on the bench.

Geoff - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:32 AM EST (#141260) #

So what if Mr. Cummings may have invented the curveball. Maldonado was a better player in 1992.

Geoff North - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:40 AM EST (#141261) #

Does Leo "The Lip" Durocher have enough of a connection (multiple lips being needed for a favorite valentines day activity) to take over the managerial spot from Rose?

Geoff - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:42 AM EST (#141262) #

Bob Friend for long relief?
Seem Studly as an outfield reserve?
and Richie Sexson on the bench?

Geoff North - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:45 AM EST (#141263) #

Hugh Duffy would make a fine outfielder and would give out lots of "hug"s I'm sure...

Geoff - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:48 AM EST (#141264) #

Spades Wood

Mick Doherty - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:24 PM EST (#141284) #

Maybe I'm getting old or slow, but as with Eli's "Gaylord Perry" nomination above, I don't get the Spades Wood suggestion. Is it a deck of cards hearts/spades thing? I assume not since that's not really a Valentine's Day reference, but that's all I can come up with.

We could probably DO a deck of cards HON team, for that matter ... Ace, Deuce, Trey, Jack, King and Queen would all be represented, I'm sure, along with Spades, Jim Ray Hart and young Texas hurler Thomas Diamond, that'd make a fine "Club."

Mick Doherty - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:41 PM EST (#141286) #

Pretty good roster! Rose, with his move to the bench, keeps the manager's slot over replacing Ellis with Bobby Valentine, though there's an argument to be made there ... The Father & Son Casanova Catchers bump both Robbie Wine and Rick Sweet off the team entirely, meaning Bobby Wine is still eligible (and still not making the team) and "Sweet Music" plays on in the rotation ... Finding Darling and Friend allow us to bump Groom and Caine down to the bullpen, thus completing the All-Valentine's Day roster! Good job, everyone.

Player/Manager: Pete Rose* (412-373)
Player/Coach: Bobby Wine (16-25)

Lineup
C Paul Casanova* (.225, 50 homers in 10 years)
1B "Gorgeous George" Sisler** (.340, 2812 hits)
2B Cupid Childs (.306, 1888-1901)
SS Leo Cardenas* (.2657 in 16 years)
3B Jim Ray Hart* (.278, 170 homers in 12 years)
LF Ellis Valentine* (.278, 123 homers in 11 years)
CF Sandy Amoros (.255, 1952-60)
RF Darryl Strawberry* (335 homers, exactly 1000 RBI)
DH Ruben Angel Sierra* (four-time All-Star, 306 homers)

Bench
C Raul Casanova (.232 in 7 years through 2005)
IF Tom Matchick (.215, 1967-72)
IF Jim Brideweser (2B/SS/3B hit .252, 1951-57)
OF/RHRP Bill Kissinger (7-25; .280, 1895-97)
OF Seem Studley (2-for-21 with 1872 Washington)
UTIL Pete Rose* (4256 hits; 600+ games at five positions)

Rotation
RHSP Candy Cummings** (145-94 in just six years)
LHSP Slim Love (28-21, 1913-20)
RHSP Ron Darling* (136-116)
LHSP Frankie "Sweet Music" Viola* (176-150)
5SP-RH Bob Friend* (197-230 in 16 years)

Bullpen
CL-LH Rick Honeycutt* (109-143, 38 saves)
RH-SET Sugar Caine (53-60, 1932-38)
LH-SET Wes Flowers (2-2 with 1940, '44 BRK)
RH-LONG Bob Groom (119-150 in 10 years)
LH-LONG Royce Ring (0-2 with 2005 NYM)

Mick Doherty - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:42 PM EST (#141287) #

Remove the "Player/" part of Wine's "Player/Coach" designation and the above is pretty rock-solid.

Fawaz - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 02:03 PM EST (#141290) #

I suspect the Gaylord Perry suggestion is a reference to sexual preference and the Wood suggestion is a reference to an often necessary condition for boom-boom.

Geoff - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 03:11 PM EST (#141293) #

The reason the Spades Wood suggestion didn't make sense is that I forget that not all use nested comments, so it would not be clear that my post was in reply to the mention of the HoN gardening edition.

But if I inspire you to create more HoN teams, all the better I suppose.

Geoff - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 03:13 PM EST (#141294) #

I suppose Richie Sexson is a little too racy to replace Reuben Angel Sierra?

Mick Doherty - Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 04:17 PM EST (#141303) #

I just thought "Angel" was more Valentine-y than Richie "Be careful to use protection when you have" Sexson.

I'm too lazy for nested comments; too much scrolling involved. But I understand now, and that Spades Wood, I suppose he could really rake!

Reader's Challenge: Who Loves Ya, Baby? | 35 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.