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Okay, there's one good thing about interleague play. It lets me write "National League" in a timely fashion. As always, the Trivia Challenge rules are simple: a question is asked and once someone's answer is confirmed (by someone else) to be correct, they have the right to ask the next question.

There's only one additional request: all questions must be NL-based in some way. Let's get started...

The first question comes from "old friend" Jordan Furlong:

There are seven players still active from the 1992 World Series teams. We all know John Smoltz and Mike Timlin are two of them; who are the other five?
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Jordan - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 08:23 AM EDT (#149291) #
It should go without saying, of course, that recourse to Baseball-Reference is not allowed (even if that is where I got the answers in the first place).
Excalabur - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 08:35 AM EDT (#149292) #
Ye gads, that's not easy.  My initial guess included a bunch of players debuting for the Jays and the Braves in '93--I only got one right before checking my answers in bbref.  Good luck to all. 
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 09:09 AM EDT (#149295) #
I assume, of course, that "World Series teams" means players who were on the World Series roster.  I also assume that you saw the announcement at the end of last month that Pat Borders had retired.  I got four and missed two, but can't find the seventh.
TheyCallMeMorty - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 09:16 AM EDT (#149297) #
Just to clarify: Are we considering only players that actually played in the world series?  Because the first person that came to my mind apparently played for the Jays that year, but did not play in the playoffs.

Jordan - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 09:25 AM EDT (#149303) #

Nope, I'm thinking of players who appeared on the rosters of the '92 Braves and Blue Jays, not players who were necessarily on the playoff rosters. If it's any consolation, none of the players appeared in fewer than 9 games during the regular season, so these weren't "one at-bat and out" players. Bruce, Pat Borders isn't one of the seven.

Jordan - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 09:34 AM EDT (#149304) #

You know what? My face is red. There are eight players -- one of them is currently on the long-term DL and should be activated next month. My apologies.

Three were Blue Jays, five were Braves.

smcs - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 09:50 AM EDT (#149305) #
I might be wrong, but I count 11 players who are still active.  4 were Jays and 7 were Braves. 
Jordan - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 09:59 AM EDT (#149307) #

Okay, clearly I needed to have another coffee before launching this question, because smcs is right. To forestall any further embarrassment, here's the complete list:

Toronto: Mike Timlin, David Wells, David Weathers, Jeff Kent

Atlanta: John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Mike Stanton, Kent Mercker, Javy Lopez, Vinny Castilla, Ryan Klesko

Next question goes to smcs, and I'm going back to whatever it is I do.

smcs - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 10:11 AM EDT (#149309) #
What is the lowest batting average to ever lead the National League?
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 10:29 AM EDT (#149311) #
For some reason the number .309 sticks out in my mind...
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 10:32 AM EDT (#149312) #
No, I was wrong on that.  The .309 I remembered correctly, but it was Snuffy Stirnweiss leading the AL, not the NL, in 1945.  I was surprised by the player's identity.
Mike Green - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 10:36 AM EDT (#149313) #
It's probably Roberto Clemente or Matty Alou from the 60s.  I'll say .312.  Yaz has the AL record, I think, with .301.
smcs - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 10:50 AM EDT (#149315) #
You were correct about Yaz, Mike, but you are incorrect about the National League
Brian W - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 11:21 AM EDT (#149320) #
I think it was Tony Gwynn, but I have no idea what the average was.  How about .293?
smcs - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 11:28 AM EDT (#149321) #
Right on the name, but the average was above .300
Mick Doherty - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 11:39 AM EDT (#149323) #
Oh, I remember this ... my senior year in college. Gwynn hit what, .312 or .313 I think? It was less than .315.
Mick Doherty - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 11:41 AM EDT (#149324) #
Yup ... .313 (I looked it up). But in fairness, I wouldn't have gotten that without Brian guessing Gwynn in the first place, so I will defer to him for the next question.
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 11:41 AM EDT (#149325) #

.313, yes Mick.  I say either you or Brian W can go next.  Or both!

Geoff - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 11:48 AM EDT (#149327) #
What are the eligibility rules for being on the World Series team? Jeff Kent was traded to the Mets in August for David Cone. Vinny Castilla never appeared in a game in the WS, not sure if he made it on the roster. Or David Weathers.

And I wouldn't count out Pat Borders from returning again. Even though he has reportedly called it quits recently. Never say die Pat!



smcs - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 11:50 AM EDT (#149328) #
As Jordan said earlier, he was thinking of players who played for either team at any time during the 1992 season.
Geoff - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 12:03 PM EDT (#149331) #
Ah. I missed the rule stated in that comment. Barely squeaks in Klesko and Lopez, and Castilla didn't get in by much. Although I'm pretty sure Klesko and Lopez were on the WS roster.

And David Weathers wouldn't qualify, with 2 games and three and a third innings.

Brian W - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 02:37 PM EDT (#149342) #
OK, I'll toss an easy question out there:

Who was the first NL player to hit 30 home runs in one season?
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 02:49 PM EDT (#149343) #
It would have been in the 1920s... Cy Williams?
dan gordon - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 02:57 PM EDT (#149344) #
I would guess Rogers Hornsby, but I don't know the year or number of homers.  I know he was over 30 a few times.
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 03:15 PM EDT (#149347) #
Dan is right!  Hornsby hit 42 in 1922, and Williams 43 in 1923.
dan gordon - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 03:26 PM EDT (#149348) #
OK, let's stick with the number 30.  Give me the names of the last 2 NL pitchers to win 30 games.
Mick Doherty - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 04:16 PM EDT (#149351) #
Dizzy Dean is one. Wild guess on the other ... Christy Mathewson?
DiscoDave - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 04:17 PM EDT (#149352) #
I believe Dean was one...since Mathewson has been guessed ill go with Pete Alexander as the other
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 04:17 PM EDT (#149353) #

Dizzy Dean and Dazzy Vance?

(Wouldn't that be cool...)

 

Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 04:22 PM EDT (#149354) #
DiscoDave gets it!  You're up!
dan gordon - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 04:27 PM EDT (#149355) #
Yup, Dizzy Dean won 30 in 1934, Grover Cleveland (Pete) Alexander won 30 in 1917.  That was the last of 3, 30+ win seasons for Alexander, who went on to win 373 games in his career.
DiscoDave - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 04:29 PM EDT (#149356) #
cool...ok...let me see...How many NL stolen base crowns did Vince Coleman win?
Mike Green - Tuesday, June 20 2006 @ 08:30 PM EDT (#149373) #
I'll guess 3.
Craig B - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 08:59 AM EDT (#149394) #
Vince didn't have a long career and he played when Tim Raines played as well, but I'd say four.  I know he won in '85 and he probably led in '86 and '87.  I know he ran quite a bit when he was a Met later on; I don't know if it was enough but since stealing bases (other than a year or two) was his only offensive skill, he'd have had to steal a lot of them.
DiscoDave - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 11:17 AM EDT (#149423) #
3 - nope
4 - nope

I was suprised that he did win this many with Raines still in his speed prime.

AWeb - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 12:06 PM EDT (#149432) #
Ok, how about 6? I do remember that Coleman had way more than Raines for several years when he kept stealing 100+ bases. Coleman wasn't very good at getting on, but once he did, he took off. Luckily for him, his total lack of power meant there were always a couple of bases to steal.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 12:09 PM EDT (#149434) #
Right!  You're up, AWeb.
AWeb - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 01:07 PM EDT (#149439) #
It has most recently been accomplished by Dennis Eckersley  in the AL, and oddly 3 times by an AL reliever, but who were the last three pitchers in the NL to win the MVP award?
Mick Doherty - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 01:35 PM EDT (#149442) #
Well, it's been a loong time ... Gibson in '68, certainly. Koufax won at least one. Before that, no idea ... I don't think Spahn ever won. Robin Roberts?
Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 01:38 PM EDT (#149444) #
Gibson, Koufax, and Jim Konstanty in 1950?
Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 01:40 PM EDT (#149445) #
Aargh!  I went back one too far!!
AWeb - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 01:49 PM EDT (#149447) #
Two out of three, with Konstanty being, indeed, too far back. No to Spahn and Roberts as well. The guy also won the Cy Young, which gives you a back end time limit....
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 02:00 PM EDT (#149450) #
Roberts should have won, but lost to Sauer.  It's probably the 1952 winner, but I have not a clue who that would be.  I don't remember the 1962 MVP winner either, so I'll guess Gibson, Koufax and Marichal.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 02:03 PM EDT (#149451) #
No excuse for me.  Having mentioned his name not so long along go, it should have been there...
Geoff - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 02:15 PM EDT (#149452) #
#3 would be the first guy to ever win a Cy Young award, an institution set forth by Commissioner Ford Frick.

Although I don't understand how anyone could know his name without looking it up.
Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 02:29 PM EDT (#149455) #

Yes, Don Newcombe!  Your turn, Geoff.

I didn't know it was possible to be a hardcore fan and not know Newk, but I may actually have read too much about baseball when I was a kid.

Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 02:33 PM EDT (#149457) #
Incidentally, Sal Maglie was 2nd in that MVP vote and I still don't know how that was possible.  Maglie pitched well with a 2.87 ERA, but he only made 26 starts and had a record of only 13-5.  Duke Snider played every day in centerfield and led the league in practically everything and came 10th in the MVP voting.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 02:54 PM EDT (#149465) #
I had forgotten about Newcombe's wonderful year with the bat in 1955, until I checked my answer.
Geoff - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:02 PM EDT (#149467) #
What is the name of the player who was an NL all-star at catcher and an all-star the following year, at second base?
AWeb - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:05 PM EDT (#149468) #
Did Biggio manage that one?
Geoff - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:16 PM EDT (#149473) #
It was Biggio, who was an all-star at catcher in 1991, and at second base in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Incidentally, he also won a Silver Slugger award at catcher in his first full season in 1989.
AWeb - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:23 PM EDT (#149474) #
Alright last one for me, I must stop lurking here for a while.

The AL has managed to win 4 or more consecutive World Series 5 times (by my count), usually due to a dominant Yankees team. The NL has only managed this once, but without any team managing more than one. Name the four teams that combined to win the four straight WS for the NL.

Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:32 PM EDT (#149477) #

I remember that at this time the NL won the All-Star Game every year, too.  It was a big deal when Freddie Lynn hit a grand slam to finally break the NL's long streak.  The NL was as dominant then as the AL is now.

  1. We Are Family Pirates, 1979
  2. Phinally the Phillies, 1980
  3. Garv and the Boys (Dodgers), 1981
  4. Whitey's Cardinals, 1982 (the first World Series I remember)
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:33 PM EDT (#149478) #
Pirates, Phillies, Dodgers, and Cardinals.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:34 PM EDT (#149479) #
Go ahead, Bruce. 
Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:35 PM EDT (#149480) #

Let's get back to the "30" theme.

Which National Leaguer is the last player to have 30 sacrifice bunts in a season?

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 03:57 PM EDT (#149483) #
I guessed Robby Thompson.  Wrong.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 04:01 PM EDT (#149484) #
It actually should be a fairly easy question.  Naming the two players who achieved it prior to this one would be quite difficult.
AWeb - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 05:06 PM EDT (#149499) #
Ozzie Smith? I seem to remember he had a large career total.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 05:15 PM EDT (#149501) #
Here's a clue.  In the last season that the player in question had 30 sacrifices, he also had 32 doubles, 8 triples and 16 homers.
Mick Doherty - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 05:23 PM EDT (#149505) #

This isn't trivia, I really don't know -- has anyone ever run up a "triple double" of XBH (pardon the pun) ... double digits in doubles, triples and homers all in the same season?

Just on a hunch, I checked Willie Mays, the greatest player who ever lived, and not only did he do it FIVE times, one of those was a triple-20! Whoa!

Is this more common than I'd have thought?

Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 05:28 PM EDT (#149506) #
Sure, I think Andy Van Slyke did it.  Mookie Wilson did it.  Williams, Musial, Ruth, Gehrig and Hornsby all did it.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 05:31 PM EDT (#149508) #
And of course, Owen Wilson did it three times, including his odd 19-36-11 line.
Rob - Wednesday, June 21 2006 @ 06:09 PM EDT (#149511) #
has anyone ever run up a "triple double" of XBH (pardon the pun) ... double digits in doubles, triples and homers all in the same season?

Easily. My first thought was Carl Crawford, and he did it last year, along with Ichiro, Sizemore, Rollins, and Furcal. The Lahman database (greatest trivia tool ever) returns about three or four per year.

As for triple-20's: five times since 1900 -- George Brett (1979), Mays in '57, Canadian Jeff Heath (1941), Jim Bottomley (1928) and Frank Schulte (1911).
Geoff - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 01:13 PM EDT (#149554) #
The Atlanta Braves are the oldest Major League franchise in continuous existence today (meaning they never stopped existing). What are the previous two cities and the previous five names they held before they were 'Braves'?
Mike Green - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 01:34 PM EDT (#149558) #
The last NL'er to have 30 sacrifices was Jay Bell of the early 90s Pirates. That should ring some...oh never mind.

The two before him were Craig Reynolds and Roy McMillan.  And that is truly trivia. 
Mick Doherty - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 01:54 PM EDT (#149559) #

Boston Beaneaters, Boston Bees, Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves.

Three cities, five names. Is that right?

Geoff - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 02:00 PM EDT (#149562) #
I was thinking of the team names as separate from the cities, but failed to elaborate. There would be three other names, but it's a dull question anyhow. I've got a better one if I can legitimately get one right, so ask away Mick.
Mick Doherty - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 02:53 PM EDT (#149568) #

Okay, here's an obscure one ...

Many fans know that Bob Watson scored baseball's official "millionth run" in 1975 ... what NL All-Star was racing around the bases (in a different city, natch) just a few seconds after Watson, after homering and incorrectly believing HE was about to score the milestone run?

Mike Green - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 02:58 PM EDT (#149569) #
I don't know, but it sure sounds like Pete Rose...
AWeb - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 02:58 PM EDT (#149570) #
I really have no idea, but Pete Rose?
AWeb - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 03:01 PM EDT (#149572) #
Dam, that was creepy...I change my guess to Rusty Staub, for no reason at all, other than a Canadian connection.
dan gordon - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 03:10 PM EDT (#149573) #
I remember reading about that.  I'm sure it was a Cincinnati player, but I don't think it was Rose.  Ken Griffey??
Mick Doherty - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 03:26 PM EDT (#149574) #

It was not Rose or Griffey. It was not Staub.

A hint: his nickname was Elmer and you get mucho bonus points if you know the Larry Bowa story behind the nickname.

dan gordon - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 03:44 PM EDT (#149577) #
Elmer - that sounds familiar.  Not Bench, not Foster, not Morgan.  Concepcion?
Mike Green - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 04:22 PM EDT (#149580) #
I checked, and it was Concepcion, although bbref does not give a nickname for him.  What is the Larry Bowa story, Mick?
Mick Doherty - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 04:27 PM EDT (#149581) #

Bowa and Concepcion were the two top shortstops in the league, playing for the two best teams. Bowa started calling Concepcion "Elmer," which left young Davey confused and flustered until Bowa explained "I assumed that was your name since every time I look at a Reds box score it reads "E-Concepcion."

dan gordon, over to you.

dan gordon - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 04:33 PM EDT (#149582) #

That's a great story, LOL !!  Thanks for sharing it, Mick.

OK, here's a new question.  Which NL'er won 9 consecutive gold gloves starting in 1965?

Mike Green - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 04:38 PM EDT (#149583) #
Santo?
Geoff - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 04:39 PM EDT (#149584) #
My guess was Jim Kaat, but I checked. He's not the one.
dan gordon - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 04:47 PM EDT (#149585) #

Not Santo.  He won 5 straight starting in 1964. 

AWeb - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 04:52 PM EDT (#149588) #
Too late of a start for Mays, so...Clemente?
dan gordon - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 05:00 PM EDT (#149589) #
Clemente is another good, but incorrect, guess.  He won 12 straight, starting in 1961.
dan gordon - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 07:29 PM EDT (#149594) #

Here's some hints about the identity of the 1965-1973 gold glove winner:

  1. He is in the Hall Of Fame
  2. He played for a team that is currently in the NL Central Division
  3. He is not an outfielder
Craig B - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 09:19 PM EDT (#149596) #
My guess is Bill White. I'm sure that'll be wrong, though.
Craig B - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 09:20 PM EDT (#149597) #
D'oh.  Of course.  It's funny how obvious these things are when you look them up.  :)
Rob - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 09:43 PM EDT (#149599) #
Bench? Might be a little early, but I can't think of anyone else.
Rob - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 09:49 PM EDT (#149600) #
Huh. Wrong Hall of Fame non-outfielder on a NL Central team.
ken_warren - Thursday, June 22 2006 @ 11:19 PM EDT (#149606) #
Didn't Bob Gibson win a lot in his day?
dan gordon - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 12:04 AM EDT (#149610) #
Way to go Ken, you got it !!!  Bob Gibson won 9 straight gold gloves starting in 1965.  Congrats.  Your turn to ask a question.
ken_warren - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 12:29 AM EDT (#149612) #
OK - The fewest RBI's for a NLCS MVP is three (excluding pitchers).  Who did this?
AWeb - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 12:32 AM EDT (#149613) #
I'm guessing Ozzie Smith again, because I can actually remember him winning the award for some reason.
AWeb - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 12:47 AM EDT (#149614) #
Looking it up, I see that I am correct. That was a long shot, I don't think I could name another 5 NLCS MVPs.

Anyway, I'm asking a question about managers. Bobby Cox leads active managers in wins in the NL with 1737.

Who were second and third, as of year -end 2005?

Geoff - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 01:03 AM EDT (#149615) #
Torre and LaRussa must have that locked up.
AWeb - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 01:31 AM EDT (#149617) #
Nope. Strangely, they were tied for fourth at 894 each at the end of 2005, although both have more wins in the AL. In case I wasn't clear, I was asking for wins as an NL manager only.
Pepper Moffatt - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 10:13 AM EDT (#149625) #
How about Alou and Leyland?

If it's not them or Torre or LaRussa, I can't think of who else it could be.  Frank Robinson, maybe?

Bruce Wrigley - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 10:14 AM EDT (#149626) #
Hmm... not Robinson who has managed a lot in the AL.  Jim Leyland is probably one, and I'd say that Dusty Baker's been around long enough in the NL to be the other.
Bruce Wrigley - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 10:17 AM EDT (#149627) #
OK, it looks like Pepper was right in that Felipe Alou and Jim Leyland both have more NL wins than 894, but so does Dusty, and Dusty has more than Alou.
Bruce Wrigley - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 10:32 AM EDT (#149628) #

I may as well ask the next one; if Pep wants to usurp me with a different question that's fine.

There are eight NL franchises that have been around since 1901: Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Pirates, and Reds.  Which of these franchises has waited the longest since their last NL home run champ, and who was the player?  (Ties will count but won't matter here). 

Mick Doherty - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 10:50 AM EDT (#149629) #

Probably don't have to go back TOO far, since Sosa, McGwire, Bonds, Jones, and the one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-others candidate Beltre are all recent.

Let's say Pops -- Willie Stargell for Pittsburgh?

dan gordon - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 12:17 PM EDT (#149636) #
Sounds like you've got it Mick.  I can't think of anybody else for Pittsburgh.  Thome a couple of years ago takes care of Philly, so that leaves only Cinci.  I think George Foster is their last HR leader, but he would be after Stargell, right?
Mick Doherty - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 12:44 PM EDT (#149641) #
Yes, Foster hit 52 in 1977. Stargell was late '60s early '70s, I think. Thome led the league for Philly? I was just going with Schmidt there.
dan gordon - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 01:09 PM EDT (#149644) #
OK, I looked it up, and Foster hit 52 in 1977, as you said, and he also led the league with 40 in 1978.  Stargell led the league in 1971 and 1973.  Thome hit 47 in 2003 for Philly to lead the league.  Looks like the next question is up to you.
Mike Green - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 01:26 PM EDT (#149646) #
I'll give Mick a break.  Which NL parks have the single longest and single shortest dimenstions, and what are those dimensions (to within 5 feet)?

To illustrate, an answer for the AL might be Fenway Park 300 feet (the Pesky Pole) for shortest and Comerica 420 for longest.

Geoff - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 01:33 PM EDT (#149647) #
Does Minute Maid Park have both covered, longest point and shortest?
Mike Green - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 02:08 PM EDT (#149648) #
Minute Maid Park has one of the dimensions.
kinguy - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 02:35 PM EDT (#149654) #
I have no idea of the dimension, but I'll take a stab at AT&T Park in San Francisco as the shortest. 

It strikes me that it doesn't take a moonshot to put a ball over the right field wall and into McCovey Cove.
Mike Green - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 02:59 PM EDT (#149656) #
Well done, Geoff and kinguy.  Minute Maid is longest at 435 to centerfield, while AT &T is shortest at 307 to right.
Mick Doherty - Friday, June 23 2006 @ 05:43 PM EDT (#149669) #
Okay, NOW it's my turn ... since we're talking Giants and Astros, name the former NL All-Star LHSP who split his career between those two teams, winning 53 games for the Giants and 93 for the Astros. Clue: He is better known for a controversial sociopolitical viewpoint, though even not so much for that.
dan gordon - Saturday, June 24 2006 @ 01:21 AM EDT (#149681) #
Well, I have a bit of an advantage here, because I have been a SF Giants fan since before the Blue Jays existed.  The player you are looking for is Bob Knepper.  I believe the views you are referring to had to do with Bob's attitude towards women's place in society.   If memory serves, he felt that women should be, shall we say, subservient to men.
Rob - Saturday, June 24 2006 @ 10:39 AM EDT (#149687) #
I'm pretty sure Knepper is right (the answer, not his views). He's one of only four pitchers with 146 career wins, and none of the others (Tim Belcher, Stan Bahnsen, Ron Reed) pitched for Houston or SF.

Oh, and there's this from 1988. So yeah, you've got it right.

dan gordon - Saturday, June 24 2006 @ 10:53 PM EDT (#149710) #
OK, well, if anybody is still interested, I have come up with another question.  Until the McGwire/Sosa/Bonds slugfest started in 1996, hitting 50 home runs in a season was a really big deal.  The fact that Andruw Jones hit 50+ last year amid very little fanfare shows how much this accomplishment has dwindled in importance.  Prior to 1996, it was downright rare, particularly in the NL.  In fact, only 5 men in the entire history of the NL, prior to McGwire et al in the late 90's, hit 50 or more.  Can you name them all?  A couple are pretty easy, and I would think 4 out of 5 would be very good.  A big gold star to anyone who can get them all.
Poincare - Tuesday, June 27 2006 @ 05:31 AM EDT (#149840) #
What's up guys?  I guess I logged on at just the right time.  This is the type of question I love trying to answer.  I'm sure I got all five including the years and how many:  1) Hack Wilson (1930)-56, 2) Ralph Kiner (1947)-51, 3) Johnny Mize (1947)-51, 4) Willie Mays (1955)-51 and (1965)-52, 5) George Foster (1977)-52.  I know Kiner did it one other time--I believe he hit 54 in 1949, but I'm not 100% sure of that one.  I am 100% sure of the rest.   I swear on my dear mother's life that I didn't even think about looking this up.  I answered strictly from memory like I was supposed to.
Poincare - Tuesday, June 27 2006 @ 05:37 AM EDT (#149841) #
Mick Doherty, I have a little story about Concepcion and Bowa related to yours.  I remember reading it in the Los Angeles Times years ago.  Back when Larry Bowa was managing the San Diego Padres (quite unsuccessfully) Davey Concepcion, in the twilight of his playing career, started calling Bowa "Louie"--saying he assumed that was his name because every time he looked in the boxscore it read L-Bowa.  I've always hated Larry Bowa; I love this story.
Jeremy - Tuesday, June 27 2006 @ 01:49 PM EDT (#149855) #
Hack Wilson, Ralph Kiner twice, Willie Mays twice, George Foster, and Johnny Mize
Craig B - Wednesday, July 19 2006 @ 10:22 AM EDT (#150940) #

Let's revive this NL trivia challenge thread:

Which President of the National League was the first person to invent the concept of the DH?

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