Baseball
Happy Birthday to the Style Master himself Mr. George Hendrick! Known as the 1st MLB player to wear his pants down to his ankles. George sported a logo-less batting helmet for a bit too, after a hot streak. They called him ‘Silent George’ for his years of not talking to the media. Quiet guys rule!
On September 30th, 1972 ‘The Great One’ Roberto Clemente laced a double into left centerfield to become the 11th Major League Player to reach 3,000 hits. It would ultimately be Roberto’s final career hit. Fast forward 20 years, to the 30th of September 1992 during a night time affair in Anaheim. Kansas City Royals DH George Brett goes 4 for 4 to reach the 3,000 hit plateau in a 4-0 Royals win. During the 20 year period between Roberto & George 6 other MLB sluggers reached the 3,000 hit milestone. I’ve got an Issue of Blaze going out to the 1st person who DM’s over those 6 players.
On September 8th, 1993 Astros Pitcher Darryl Kile pitched the 6th No-Hitter within the confines of the Houston Astrodome. Can you guys name the Astros Pitcher who threw the 1st No-No inside the so called ‘Eighth Wonder of the World' ? R.I.P.
Can you name this Mystery Marlin? He only appeared in 5 games for the Fish back in 1998, going 5 for 18 with 5 RBI before he was traded away. He also recorded one of his 8 career triples over his sixteen seasons while with the Black & Teal.
Birthday shout out to the ‘Caveman’ Don Robinson. Don was a half-way decent hitter for a pitcher over his 15 year career. He won 3 Silver Slugger awards, and finished with a .231 batting average and 13 home runs. In 1990 he became the 1st pitcher to hit a pinch hit homer since 1971.
Kenny Lofton is one of only two dudes to play in the World Series & the NCAA Final Four. Kenny was a backup Point Guard on the ‘87-’88 Arizona Wildcat team led by Sean Elliott & Steve Kerr that reached the Big Dance. He didn’t even play Baseball until his Junior year of College. Happy B-Day Kenny!!
Can you name the other player to have played in both?
On May 14th, 1988 St. Louis Cardinals play everywhere guy, Jose ‘The Secret Weapon’ Oquendo moved to the mound from 1st base in the 16th inning of a marathon night against Atlanta. After pitching a couple of scoreless frames, Jose gave up a two run double to Ken Griffey Sr. taking the 7-5 loss for the Birds. It was the first time in twenty years that a non pitcher was apart of a decision.
Who can tell us the Outfielder who earned a Pitching Win back in 1968?
The Day Rocky Pitched - By John Thorn
Rocky Colavito
Have a good Weekend Dudes & Dudettes !! Keep your eye on the ball.
Happy 4/20!! Born on this day #23 in your programs ‘The Hitman’ Don Mattingly. 1987 Topps were the first Baseball Cards I collected. When I got my first Beckett Price Guide some years later I can totally remember running out to my Dad’s workshop to tell him my ‘87 ‘Donnie Baseball’ was worth a whopping $2.25.
Lots more fun facts about Don in Issue 6 of Blaze! My favorite is that he hit 6 grand slams in 1987, and those were the only grand slams of his 14 year career.
Hall of Famer Dave Winfield converted from a Pitcher to an Outfielder during his two seasons (’71&’72)with the collegiate summer league team The Alaska Goldpanners. Winfield went 13-4 with 143 strikeouts in his 128 innings pitched for the Panners, while also hitting .308 with 18 HR’s & 72 RBI’s in 84 games. In 1973 Winfield was actually drafted into 4 professional Leagues!! The Padres selected him 4th overall in the MLB Draft. Two basketball franchises picked him for his skills on the hardwood, the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA & the Utah Stars of the ABA and just for the hell of it the Minnesota Vikings selected the former Minnesota Gopher in the 17th round of the NFL Draft despite Dave having never played college football. Happy Birthday Dave-O !!
Did you know that Pete Rose recorded the most outs in MLB History? Rose was called out 10,328 times over his career. Of course, ‘Charlie Hustle’ also holds the records for most at bats, (14,053)and hits.(4,256)
April 3rd, 1989 - In his very first Major League at-bat Ken Griffey Jr. hits a rocket double to left centerfield off Oakland A’s pitcher Dave ‘Smoke’ Stewart. Junior went 1-3 with a walk in the 3-2 Mariners loss.
Did you know Gary Carter hit a home run on four straight Opening Days? ‘The Kid’ did this between 1977-1980 when he was a member of the Montreal Expos.
