Baseball Roundtable

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This week, we’re looking at triples and you can’t talk three-baggers without focusing on the Pirates and Forbes Field.

On September 5, 1925, the Pittsburgh Pirates set an MLB record that still stands, by legging out eight triples in their 15-5 win over the Cardinals in the second game of a doubleheader at Forbes Field (you’ll see why the location is significant later in the post). The Pirates, by the way, won the first game 4-1, without the benefit of a single three-bagger.

In their 15-5 win, the Pirates collected 19 hits (thus, 42.1 percent  of their hits in the game were three-baggers). They recorded:

• Two triples in a three-run first inning;
• Two in a four-run third frame;
• One in a four-run fourth;
• One in a two-run sixth
• One in a one-run seventh; and
• One in a one-run eighth.

In the two frames in which they did not record a triple, the Buccos did  not score.

Also of interest, at least to The Roundtable, Pirates batting in the first-through-sixth spots in the batting order all recorded at least one triple. That gave Pittsburgh a share of the record for most players notching a triple in a game (6). Here are the Pirates who tripled in the record-setting performance, in their batting order,  with their  1925 triples totals in parenthesis:

• CF Max Carey, two triples (13 triples on the season);
• 2B Eddie Moore, one triple (8);
• RF Kiki Cuyler, one triple (a league-leading 26);
• LF Clyde Barnhardt, two triples (11);
• 3B Pie Traynor, one triple (14)
• SS Glenn Wright, one triple (10).

Other teams with six players tripling in a game: 1901 Chicago White Stockings (September 15 – second game – 9-4 win over the Brewers); 1912 Athletics (May 18, 1912 in a 24-2  win over the Tigers); and 1915 Federal League Newark Peppers (in an April 19, 1915 13-2 win over the Baltimore Terrapins).

For Those Who Might Like To Know Such Things

In their September 15, 1901 win over the Brewers, the White Stockings  hit five triples in the eighth inning, still the single-inning MLB record.

 What also caught The Roundtable’s eye is that the previous record of seven triples in a game was set just 38 days earlier (April 22, 1925) by the same Pirates’ squad. It came in a 6-1 win over the Cubs (at Forbes Field) and, in that one, 63.6 percent of Pittsburgh’s 11 hits went for three bases.  In that game, Barnhardt had two triples, Traynor had two; Cuyler had one and Pirates’ pitcher Johnny Morrison (who pitched a complete-game, five-hitter) had two three-baggers. (They were Morrison’s only triples of the season and two of six he would hit in ten MLB seasons.)

Seven appears to be the magic number for triples, as teams have recorded six triples 12 times in MLB history (all before 1925), but only the Pirates have surpassed six three-baggers.

The last team to record five triples in game was the Reds, in a 17-9 win over the Rockies (in Colorado) on July 13, 2019. Those triples went to CF Nick Senzel (two); 3B Eugenio Suarez; LF Phil Ervin; 2B Jose Peraza.

A few other triples tidbits,

• There have been a total of 66 team seasons of 100 or more triples, none since the 1932 Washington Nationals (100); led by SS Joe Cronin (18); 2B Buddy Meyer (16); LF Heinie Manush (14); and CF Sam West (12). Overall, 19 Nationals hit at least one three-bagger that season.
• Of the 66 team seasons of 100 more triples, 19 belong to the Pittsburgh NL franchise.

For your viewing pleasure, a look at the decline in the frequency of triples over time.

Forbes Field, Where Triples Found a Home

In his Society For American Baseball Research article in the Baseball Research Journal “Triples, Pirates and Forbes Field,” researcher Richard L. Burtt wrote: “The size and configuration of this park was conducive to batted balls rolling a long way, to outfielders running no end while chasing the ball and then throwing to deep cutoff men.” Seamheads.com provides a pretty good look at those dimensions. A Seamheads’ chart shows when Forbes Field opened in 1909, it was just 306-feet down the LF line However, that was lengthened to 360-feet in 1911 and stayed between 360-365 feet until the Pirates last season there (1970).  CF ranged between 409-442 feet during the Pirates’ stay at Forbes, while left-center ranged between 355-406 feet and right center 363-408 feet. It was between 359 and 376 feet down the right field line from 1909 through 1925, when expanded seating cut the distance down the line to 300 feet (but hitters had to overcome a 28-foot-high wall/wire screen combination to hit fence-clearing home run).

Yep, triples found plenty of nourishment in Forbes Field.  In fact, in the 62-seasons Forbes Field served the Pirates, the team finished first or second in the NL in triples 46 times (leading the league in 29 seasons).  Clearly, it was a triples park.  However, I’d add that the Buccos appeared to be a “triples-forward” franchise.  In the first ten seasons after the team moved to the more traditionally dimensioned Three Rivers Stadium, the Pirates finished first or second in the NL in triples seven times.

More Triples Tidbits

• The single-season (team) record for triples is 150 (in 129 games) by the 1894 Baltimore Orioles (NL).
• The Modern Era (post-1900) team triples record is 129 by the 1912 Pirates.
• The last team to hit at least 100 triples in a season was the 1932 Washington Nationals (100). By comparison, the Diamondbacks led MLB in 2026 regular-season triples with 42.
• Only three MLB players have hit four triples in a game: George Strief, American Association Philadelphia Athletics (June 25, 1885); Bill Joyce, National League New York Giants (May 18, 1897); Rap Dixon, Negro League Chicago American Giants (August 6, 1930).
• In the Modern Era, 49 players have hit three triples in a game, but only Dave Brain did it twice in his career and he did it twice in a season (1905) and for two different teams (May 29 for the Cardinals and August 8 for the Pirates. (Elmer Flick also had two career three-triple games, but one was pre-1900 (June 20, 1898 and July 6, 1902)
• The most recent three-triple game was turned in by the Marlins’ Xavier Edwards on September 27, 2024.
• The most triples in a season by a player is 36 by the Pirates’ OF Owen Wilson in 1912. The career record for triples is 309 by Sam Crawford (seasons 1899-1917).

The Decline and Fall of the Triple

In 1900, 5.6% if all MLB hits were triples; in 1950 that figure was 3.5%; in 2000, it was 2.1%; and in 2026 it was 1.7%.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Seamheads.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; “Triples, Pirates and Forbes Field,” by  Richard L. Burtt, Society for American Baseball Research.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  More baseball commentary and blog post notifications.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1190

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding) a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site. (Check out the expanding Sandlot Section.)

We’ve enjoying almost-October (post-season) baseball and and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s September Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more. I’m a bit  behind schedule on this one, as usual the final month of the season has a lot of highlights and historic moments.

Here are just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• Aroldis Chapman‘s 400th career save;
• Two more Immaculate Innings (Justin Martinez and Payton Tolle);
• Jose Altuve‘s 2,500th MLB hit;
• A new rccord for batter’s strikeouts in a season (Colson Montgomery);
• A new member of the 40-40 Club (Pete Crow-Armstrong);
• A pitcher surpassing 1,000 100 MPH+ pitches in a season (Jacob Misiorowski);
• A player with 56 career MLB homers … each off a different pitcher (Jordan Walker);
• and much, much more.

Read on for the stories, as well The Roundtable’s usual Players and Pitchers of the Month, stat leaders, Trot Index (and, of course, as always, trivia(l) tidbits).

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THER MONTH

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pitcher of the Month … Jared Jones, RHP, Pirates

Two bright and shiny things about Jared Jones caught my eye. One: His 0.93 September earned run average (five starts/29 innings), lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 September innings. Two: His forty September strikeouts, which led the NL and was second only to the Guardians’ Gavin Williams’ 44 in MLB. The case was made further by his 3-0 record; the fact that Jones walked only four batters;  a microscopic 0.59 WHIP (lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 September innings) and .133 average against (second only to the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler in MLB).  Jones gave up just three runs in his five September starts and they all came in a five-inning, September 16 outing versus the Brewers. Jones was a bit of a surprise. He came into September with a 2-6, 4.83 record on the season and a career MLB line (two seasons) of 8-14, 4.45. This season, he was coming off May 2025 arm surgery.

Honorable Mentions: Dodgers’ southpaw Tarik Skubal was tough down the stretch, one of just two NL pitchers (and the only NL starter) with four September victories (no losses in five starts). He put up a solid 2.25 ERA; tied for the MLB lead with 32 September innings; and fanned 33, while walking just six. Phillies’ righthander Zack Wheeler went 3-0, 1.71 in five starts, fanned 39 (just six walks) in 31 2/3 innings.

Player of the Month – Jackson Chourio, LF,  Brewers

Photo: Sewageboy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Brewers’ LF Jackson Chourio, was second in the NL in hits (33) and led the league in September runs scored with 25 (in 24 games). Chourio also had five September homers and 18 RBI. He hit .337 for the month, which included three four-hit games. He was a sparkplug in the Brewer’s offense.

Honorable Mentions: Brewers’ 2B Brice Turang led NL batters (with at least 70 September at bats) with a .361 average, hit four homers and tied for second in the NL in September RBI (22 in 24 games). His 30 September hits tied for sixth in the NL. Reds’ SS Elly De La Cruz hit .348 for the month, tied for the league lead in September home runs (9), drove in 19 and stole six bags. His 31 hits tied for fourth in the NL.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Pitcher of the Month – Cade Smith, RHP, Guardians

Wow!  This was a tough one.  You had the likes of the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, with a miniscule 0.63 WHIP, who gave up just 12 hits in 30 September innings (but had just two wins); the Rays’ Freddy Peralta with four wins and a 0.96 September ERA; Reid Detmers of the Angels, who went 3-0, 2.40 and fanned 37, while walking just four. The Roundtable, however, will go with Guardians’ reliever Cade Smith, who (with Cleveland fighting for a post-season positioning) delivered the goods.  Smith appeared in 11 games in September; went more than one inning in five; and picked up three wins and six saves (in six opportunities). He gave up just three hits, two walks and one HBP in 13 innings (a 0.73 average against and 0.38 WHIP) and fanned 21 batters. At one point in the month, he appeared in three of Cleveland’s games in a row, collecting two saves and a win (facing 12 batters without allowing a baserunner – and fanning five.)

Honorable Mentions: The Yankees’ Cam Schlittler  went 2-0m with a 1.20 earned run average, His 0.63 WHIP was the AL’s best (among pitchers with at least 20 September innings), as was his .119 average against. Freddy Peralta, Rays, went 4-0, 0.96 in five starts. Reid Detmers, pitching for an Angels’ team that went 9-15 in September, went 3-0, 2.40 and fanned 37 batters, while walking just four, in 30 innings.

Player of the Month – Carter Jensen, C, Royals

Carter Jensen, the 23-year-old Royals’ C, may not be one of the flashier names, but his moniker is high across the September AL leader board.  In the AL, his .338 average was third among AL players with at least 70 September at bats; his eight home runs tied for second; his 20 RBI fifth; his 19 runs scored fifth. His 19 September extra-base hits led MLB, as did his 63 total bases. All-around, a performance worthy of recognition.

Honorable Mentions: Orioles’ 1B Pete Alonso led MLB with 11 September homers and tied for the RBI lead with 22, but that .262 average placed him a bit behind Jensen. Astros’ C Yainer Diaz led the AL in hits (30) and September average at .357 (minimum 70 at bats), but lagged in runs and RBI (and just two walks versus 14 strikeouts bothered me).

Surprise Player of the Month- Tie: Javier Sanoja, 3B, Marlins

Marlins’ 24-year-old 3B Javier Sanoja led MLB with 34 September base hits and had the fifth-highest average (.351) among hitters with at least 70 September at bats.  He also had five home runs, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored. Sanoja had 12 multi-hit games in his 24 September games and was held hitless only three times. He did all this while appearing at SS, 2B and 3B. Sanoja signed with the Marlins in 2019, as an international free agent. He was a solid hitter in the minor leagues (.277 over four seasons). Coming into the 2026 season, he had a .241 average in two major-league seasons (133 games) – and had earned a 2025 Gold Glove (utility player).  Sanoja was not a total surprise. He did come into September hitting .280 on the season. The final month hot streak raised his season average to .295. More to come, for sure.

Honorable Mentions: Cardinals’ 22-year-old rookie catcher Leo Bernal, made is MLB debut September 1 (with six minor-league seasons – 485 games and a .278-16-77 2026 Triple-A season  – already under his belt).   He didn’t disappoint.  In fact, he surprised, going .284-5-21 in 24 games.  A good case could be made for Bernal over Sanja for this spot. If Pirates’ P Jared Jones hadn’t been my NL Pitcher of the Month (see that section above), he would have been in the running here.

____________________________________

THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

For the 2026 season,  35.13% of MLB’s  183,849 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). (This compares to 34.8% for the 2025 season). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.1%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%).  These numbers, notably, have been relatively stable over the past few seasons.

I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

_________________________________________

——-Team Statistical Leaders September 2026 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Brewers (146); Mets (134); Padres (134)

American League – Tigers (126); Mariners (126); White Sox (121); Guardians (121)

The fewest runs in September were scored by the Red Sox  (71). In the National League, it was the Phillies (89).

2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Cubs (850); AL-White Sox (776)

AVERAGE

National League – Padres (.281); Brewers (.276)’ Rockies (.261)

American League – Mariners (.264); Tigers (.258); Blue Jays (.256)

The lowest team average for September belonged to the Red Sox at .219. Bringing up the bottom in the NL were the Phillies (.226).

 2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Brewers (.258); AL-Rays (.258)

HOME RUNS

National League – Mets (38); Dodgers (35); Padres (33)

American League – Astros (43); Guardians (35); Athletics (34)

The fewest home runs in September were hit by the Phillies (17). In the American League, it was the Blue Jays at 21.

2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Cubs (220); AL-Astros (226)   

TOTAL BASES

National League – Padres (387); Dodgers (365); Rockies (363)

American League – Astros (376); Guardians (352); Tigers (361)

The Padres led MLB in September Slugging Percentage at .469. The Astros led the AL (.461)

DOUBLES

National League – Phillies (47); Dodgers (44); Nationals (43)

American League – Red Sox (56); Blue Jays (50); White Sox (48)

TRIPLES

National League – Rockies (13); Padres (11); Marlins (9)

American League – Twins (7); Tigers (6); White Sox (50; Astros (5)

For the full season, the Diamondbacks led MLB with 42 triples.  The Blue Jays were at the bottom with 8.

 STOLEN BASES

National League – Nationals (30); Padres (29); Brewers (27)

American League – Rays (27); Royals (21); Mariners (21)

The Blue Jays stole the fewest sacks in September at six – in nine attempts.  The Diamondbacks stole the fewest bags in the NL – seven in nine attempts.  

2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Nationals (178 in 218 attempts); AL-Rays (164 in 218 attempts) 

WALKS DRAWN

National League – Dodgers (119); Brewers (100); Mets (93)

American League – Tigers (107); White Sox (98); Mariners (95)

The Dodgers led MLB in September on-base percentage at .355. The Tigers led the AL at .348. The Reds had MLB’s lowest September OBP at .293.  The Red Sox anchored the AL at .295. 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Giants (240); Brewers (231); Reds (229)

American League – Angels (249); White Sox (247); Orioles (246)

Blue Jays’ batters fanned the fewest times in September (159). The Phillies fanned the fewest times in the NL at 172.

 On the season, no team fanned fewer times than the Rays (1,145). The Angels struck out the most times (1,550).

__________________________________________________

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Dodgers (3.13); Brewers (3.76); Braves (3.95)

American League – Yankees (3.15); Red Sox (3.17); Rays (3.37)

The Rockies had the highest September ERA at 6.30.  The Athletics had the highest ERA in the AL at 5.81. The other teams at 5.00 or worse were the Reds (5.80); Royals (5.26); and Marlins (5.03).

2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Brewers (3.50); A:-Yankees (3.24)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Dodgers (272); Pirates (226); Brewers (221)

American League – Guardians (256); Twins (239); Mariners (229)

The Dodgers averaged an MLB-best 10.93 strikeouts per nine innings in September. The Guardians averaged an AL-best 10/38.  Twelve teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

2026 Full Season Leaders: NL-Phillies (1,577); AL-Guardians (1,530)

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League –   Dodgers (55); Mets (61); Phillies (62)

American League – Rays (68); Yankees (68); Red Sox (72)

The Dodgers walked an MLB-lowest 2.21 batters per nine innings in September.  The Reds walked an MLB-worst 4.69 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Pirates (13); Brewers (11); three with eight

American League – Red Sox (9); Orioles (7); Twins (7)

The Nationals  blew the most saves in September  – seven (in 15 opportunities). 

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Dodgers (1.06); Brewers (1.19); Pirates (1.22)

American League: Rays (1.11); Yankees (1.14); Tigers (1.18)

_________________________________________

Bonus Stats:

• The Royals gave up an MLB-high 42 home runs in August. The Red Sox gave up an MLB-low 18 home runs. On the season, the Athletics gave up an MLB-high 247 homers; the Red Sox and MLB-low 153.
• The Nationals blew an MLB-high 42 saves on the seasons (84 opportunities).

—–SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS—–

#InBaseballWeCountEverything

On September 2, as the White Sox topped the Twins 4-1 in Chicago, ChiSox’ 38 Miguel Vargas and SS Colin Montgomery each hit their 30^th home run of the season. STATS reported it was the first time two White Sox players hit their 30^th homer of a season in the same game.

250, By Josh!

On September 4, Astros’ closer Josh Hader notched his 23^rd save of the season, as the Astros beat the Diamondbacks 3-1 in Houston.  In the process, he became just the 41^st MLB pitcher (and just the sixth southpaw) to reach 250 career saves. At season’s end, Hader had 253 career saves.

That’s 30 … Finally!

On September fifth, in a 6-4 loss to the Twins (in Chicago), White Sox’ rookie 1B Munetaka Murakami popped a first-inning, two-run home run off Twins’ starter Taj Bradley. It was Murakami’s 30^th dinger of the season (and his first long ball after 74 consecutive homer-less plate appearances, dating back to August 18).  He joined ChiSox’ 3B Miguel Vargas and SS Colson Montgomery in the 30-homer club (they both reached the mark one day earlier (in a 4-1 win over the Twins). It marked just the fourth time the White Sox have had three thirty-homer players in the same season.  Murakami joined the White Sox this season after hitting 256 home runs in eight seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball League … an NPB-record 56 long balls in 2022. Murakami ended the season at .207-35-77.

Another Bobblehead Long  Ball

It seems like I’m always writing about players hitting homers on their Bobblehead Day.  The Reds handed out Elly De La Cruz bobblers on September 5 – and Elly thanked them with a first-inning home run (number 22 on the season) that started the Reds on their way to a 5-3 win over the Brewers. De La Cruz finished 2026 at .283-30-79, with 30 stolen bases.

A Cole-d Start For Gerrit

On September 6, Yankee start Gerrit Cole got off to a cold start against the Padres (in San Diego). After facing three batters (RF Fernando Tatis, Jr.; 2B  Jake Cronenworth; and 3B Manny Machado) and tossing just fifteen pitches, Cole was down 3-0 and had surrendered three home runs. It was just the twelfth time in MLB history a team had opened a game with its first three batters going yard. More uniquely, in the process, Cole became the first MLB pitcher to open record two games in which the opposing team’s first three batters went deep. Cole’s other such outing came on June 9, 2022, when Twins’ 1B Luis Arreaz, CF Byron Buxton and SS Carlos Correa opened the game with long balls (those came in just eight pitches). The Yankees came back to win that one 10-7 (despite Cole giving up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings).

Cole, by the way, went seven innings in a 4-3 loss in the September 6 game , giving up another homer (C Luis Campusano) to open the bottom of the seventh.

400 For Chapman

On September 6, the Red Sox brought Aroldis Chapman in from the pen to close out a 3-1 win over the Red Sox. It was a bit tense as, after retiring the first batter on a fly ball, he gave  up a single to Orioles’ 1B Pete Alonso and then wild-pitched him to second.  Now, Chapman had to face the Sox’ number-three and -four hitters, DH Colby Mayo and 3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The 38-year-old Chapman (in his 17^th MLB season) fanned them both to record his 33^rd save of the season – and to become just the ninth MLB pitcher to reach 400 career saves.  In true Chapman form, the final pitch of the game was a 101-mph fastball. 2026 is Chapman’s tenth season with thirty or more saves.

Luzardo Shuts ‘Em Down

These days, a complete-game shutout is always a highlight.  On September 7. Phillies’ southpaw Jesus Luzardo threw his first-ever MLB shutout … as the Phillies edged the Braves 1-0 (In Philadelphia). Luzardo threw a two-hitter, walking one and fanning a dozen. (The 109-pitch outing was also the first complete game of his eight-season MLB career. )

For Phillies’ readers, the only run in the game came on a Kyle Schwarber  homer in the bottom of the eighth. Luzardo finished the 2026 season at 14-5, 2.87.

Power and Speed

It’s hard to say if he Athletics’ 23-year-old rookie CF Henry Bolte was channeling Ricky Henderson or Usain Bolt.  On September 7, as the A’s edged the Blue Jays 6-5 in Sacramento, Bolte socked a home run and stole three bases – all in the first five innings. He walked, stole second and eventually scored in the first; walked, stole second and third and scored in the third; and homered to lead off the fifth. He came just the fifth A’s player to homer and steal three or more bases in a game (and the first since Ricky Henderson homered and stole four sacks in an October 1991 contest). A’s to go deep and steal at least three bases in a game: Henderson (three times); Bert Campaneris (two times); Jose Canseco; Billy Werber; and Bolte.

Yankee Doodle Dandies

On September 8, behind the seven-inning, three-hit, one-run, 10-strikeout  performance of Cam Schlittler, the Yankees topped the Rockies 5-3 (in New York) to run their 2026 record to 82-62 … and clinch their 34^th consecutive winning season. It was, by the way, Schlittler’s 13^th win, versus six losses (2.01 ERA) and the twentieth time (in 30 starts this season) he allowed no more than one run.

Thar’ She Blows!

On September 8, the Nationals took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth at San Diego. In that eighth frame, a pair of Nats’ relievers, however, game up four runs on three hits, three walks and a wild pitch (there was also a passed ball in there). It makes the Highlights because it marked Washington’s 38^th blown save of the season (breaking the previous all-time record of 37, held by the 2024 White Sox). The Nationals ended the season with 42 blown saves in 84 opportunities. Note: Saves have been an official statistic since 1960.

Three-For-Thirty … Yep, It Can Be A Positive

On September 8, Blue Jays’ rookie 3B Kazuma Okamoto hit his 30^th home run of the 2026 season, as Toronto bested the A’s 4-2 in Sacramento. It made him the third rookie to reach 30 homers this season (a new MLB record for rookies with 30 homers in a season) … joining Reds’ 1B Sal Stewart and 1B White Sox’ Munetaka Murakami.  Of course, we should take into considerations that both Okamoto and Murakami had considerable experience in Japan before signing MLB contracts.

2,500 For Altuve

On September 9, in an Astros’ 11-7 loss in Philadelphia, Houston star 2B Jose Altuve went one-for-four (a double). The two-bagger was the 2,500^th hit of Altuve’s 16-season MLB career. Altuve is a nine-time All Star, three-time batting champion and 2017 AL MVP. He has topped 200 base hits in four seasons, hit 20 or more home runs in seven seasons and stole 30 or more bases in six.

De La Cruz Be Cruzin’

From September 5 through September 9, Red SS Elly De La Cruz went 9-for 19 (.474) with five home runs and nine RBI. (He was held hitless on September 11.)  In that September 5-9 streak, he homered in five consecutive games, the longest such streak by a switch hitter in franchise history. Yes, #InBaseballWeCountEverything. De La Cruz finished the 2026 season at .283-30-79, with 30 stolen bases,

You Go, Junior

On September 11, as the Rays topped the Astros in Tampa, Rays’ 23-year-old 3B Junior Caminero smacked a two-run, bottom-of-the-ninth, walk-off homer to provide the margin of victory – and also make the Rays (88-59) the first team to clinch a post-season berth.

I would note that , while Caminero is in his fourth MLB season, he played just 50 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2025, his first full MLB season, he knocked 45 homers. Given his July 5, 2003 birth date, 2026 is considered his age-22 season. Therefore, Caminero has joined Eddie Mathews as the only players with 40-homer seasons in their age-21 and age-22 seasons (I never miss a chance to mention my all-time favorite player; Mathews.) Only one player has notched a 40-homer campaign in their age-20 season, Mel Ott of the 1929 Giants.

Another Immaculate Inning

On September 11, the Texas Rangers brought reliever Justin Martinez on in the sixth inning, trailing the Diamondbacks 4-1. Martinez threw just nine pitches, but he made them count, tossing 2026’s third Immaculate Inning (nine pitches, three outs, all strikeouts). It was Martinez’ only inning in the 9-1 loss. Others with an Immaculate Innings to that point in 2026: Taj Bradley, Twins and Michael Soroka, Diamondbacks.

That Didn’t Take Long … Tolle Joins the Immaculate Inning Club

On September 13, in a 4-1 win over the Royals (in Boston), Red Sox’ 23-year-old southpaw Payton Tolle pitched six scoreless frames (four hits, one walk, seven strikeouts, no decision.) He “announced his presence with authority” in the first frame … fanning the first three batters 3B Nick Loftin, SS Bobby Witt, Jr. and DH Jac Caglianone on nine pitches. He also fanned the first batter in the second inning (1B Salvador Perez), but needed five pitches for that one. Tolle finished the season at 9-6, 3.03 in 26 starts.

Game, Set, Match

On September 14, the Dodgers beat the Reds 4-1 in Cincinnati, behind the arm of Tarik Skubal (seven scoreless innings) and home runs by LF Teoscar Hernandez and RF Kyle Tucker.  The win ran the Dodgers 2026 record to 91-59 and enabled them to clinch a record-tying 14th consecutive post-season berth (tying the Braves 1991-2005 streak) … keeping in mind that it is easier to reach the post-season these days (then in the times when only the first-place finisher from each league went directly to the World Series.)

Then, on September 16, the Dodger again topped the Reds – this time by an 8-2 score – to clinch the NL West Crown for the  13th time in the past 14 seasons. Among the heroes this time were RF Kyle Tucker (four-for-five, two runs scored, three RBI, two doubles, one home run) and reliever Landon Knack (got the win with four innings of scoreless relief.)  For those who like to know such things, the only team to unseat the Dodgers as NL Division champs in the past 14 season is the 2021 Giants, who went 107-55 and edged the Dodgers by just one game. (The Giants had the best record in all of MLB that season).

For Pete’s Sake

On September 14, as his Cubs bested the Braves 4-3, Cubs’ leadoff hitter and CF Pete Crow-Armstrong had quite a night, going four-for-five with a double, a home run, a stolen base, one run scored and four RBI. The home run, Alonso’s 42^nd of the season, moved him into a tie with Billy Williams for the most home runs in a season by a left-handed hitter in Cubs’ (very long) history. Two days later, September 16, he broke the tie with a smacking two home runs in Cubs’ 8-4 win over the Braves.  PCA ended the season with a .280-45-107 stat line.

For Another Pete’s Sake, Again & Again

On September 15, as his Orioles topped the Mets 7-5 in 11 innings (in New York), Orioles’ 1B Pete Alonso went one-for-five, with a solo home run in the ninth (tying the game at three apiece.) For Highlights purposes, the ninth-inning long ball, Alonso’s 36^th of the season was his 300^th career homer. Elias Sports Bureau reported that Alonso is now the 19^th MLB player to reach 300 homers. In his eight MLB seasons 2019-26, Alonso has topped thirty home runs seven times (missing thirty only in the COVID-shortened 2020 season). His resume includes a rookie record 53 home runs in 2019. Alonso finished the 2026 season with a .263-47-113 stat line; leading the AL in homers and RBI.

More Pete Stuff

On September 16, the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong went three-for-for with 11 total bases (two homers and a triple). That gave him a tie with the Nelson Cruz (2019 Twins) for the Modern-Era record for most games with double-digit total bases in a single season. For those who like to know such things, the career record of 21 such games belongs to Babe Ruth.

It’s History-Making … You Can Look It Up

On September 18, as the Padres topped the Rockies (in Denver), Padres’ 20-year-old rookie catcher Ethan Salas made history. Salas, batting in the nine-hole, went two-for-four, with three  RBI.  What caught The Roundtable’s eye was that his two safeties were both home runs – a solo shot (off Mason Adams) leading off the second inning and a two-run homer in the fifth off Nick Frasso – and they were Salas’ first two MLB dingers (coming in his ninth MLB game).  The history? At 20 years – 107 days old, Salas became the youngest catcher in MLB history to record a two-homer game (and the youngest Padre, any position, to do so). #InBaseballWeCount Everything.

Salas signed with the Padres (as a 16-year-old) as an International Fee Agent in 2023. In four minor-league seasons, he hit .246-23-160 in 285 games. At the time of his callup to San Diego, he was hitting  .326-3-24 at Triple-A El Paso (24 games), after starting the seasons .286-7-37 in 72 games at Double-A San Antonio.

For Those Who Like To Know Such Things

The youngest MLB player to hit two homers in a game as Danny Murphy of the 1961 Cubs. At 19 years-35 days, Murphy (batting second and playing RF) hit a  pair of long balls in a Cubs’ 5-2 win over the Cardinals in St. Louis. It was the 33 MLB game and second and third MLB homers for Murphy who made his MLB debut in 1960.

Forty for Yordy

On September 17, as the Astros bested the Royals 6-2 in Houston, Astros’ DH Yordan Alvarez went two-for-four, with a home run (a solo shot off Seth Lugo in the fifth inning). It was Alvarez’ fortieth homer of the 2026 season, his first 40-homer campaign.  Alvarez has had four seasons of 30+ homers (2021-22-23-24) in his seven MLB seasons and never hit fewer than 31 homers in a season in which he played at least 100 games.  Alvarez finished the season with a .316-42-106 stat line; leading the NL in: batting average; walks (109); on-base percentage (.432); slugging percentage (.601)and total bases (341).

A Grand Day For Jose

On September 18, as the Guardians beat the Athletics 5-3 in Cleveland, Guardians’ 3B Jose Ramirez went two-for-five with a home run and two RBI.  The solo home run, in the fourth inning produced Ramirez’ 1,000th career MLB RBI.

A Record For The Rook

September 19, in the Royals’ 6-5 loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh, Royals’ 23-year-old rookie catcher Carter Jensen  (leading off) popped a solo home run in the third inning. It was his 25^th long ball of the season, setting a new Royals’ franchise record for homers in a season by a rookie. Jensen ended the season at .239-27-81.

20-20 (3x) Before 23

On September 20, in a 3-0 win over the Orioles, Brewers’ leadoff hitter and LF Jackson Chourio went one-for-three with a walk.  He also stole second base after his sixth-inning walk.  That gave him 20 steals on the season and, coupled with his 24 home runs, made him the first player in MLB history with three 20-20 seasons before turning 23-years-old.  More #InBaseballWeCountEverytnhing.

Side note: It also made Chourio one of just three players (any age) to start their MLB career with three consecutive 20-20 campaigns (Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt, Jr.). Chourio ended the season at .291 (with 25 homers and 23 steals).

September Might Be MLB Pete Month

On September 21, Orioles’  1B Pete Alonso (signed by the O’s this past December), went two-for-four, with two home runs and three RBI, as Baltimore bested Toronto in Baltimore.  The long balls were Alonso’s 39^th and 40^th home runs of the season.  In the process, Alonso – who hit 53 home runs in his first MLB season (as  a Met) – became (according to Ellias Sports Bureau) just the fourth player to hit forty home runs in his first year with a franchise multiple times. He joined: Nelson Cruz (Orioles, Mariners; Twins); Juan Soto (Yankees, Mets);  and Jim Thome (Phillies, White Sox).  Not bad company.

Hot Wheels

On September 22. Phillies’ righty Zack Wheeler fanned 11 Brewers in 5 2/3 innings (three hits, three runs, one walk, no decision), as the Phillies beat Milwaukee 6-4. In the process, he set a new Phillies’ franchise record by fanning the first seven batters of the game. His third strikeout, closing out the first inning was also the 2,000^th strikeout of Wheeler’s 12-season MLB career. The 36-year-old finished 2026 at 13-5, 3.06, in 27 starts.

Strikeouts For Sale

On September 23 , Braves’ 37-year-old southpaw Chris Sale (while getting a no-decision in the Braves’ 3-2, ten-inning win over the Reds) pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, giving up four hits and one walk, while fanning ten. Sale’s tenth strikeout of the game (Reds’ 1B Sal Stewart in the sixth inning) was Sale’s 200^th strikeout of the 2026 season. Side note: Sale faced Stewart three times in the game and fanned him all three. Sale has now recorded nine seasons of 200 or more strikeouts and is one of just nine pitchers with at least nine 200-strikeout seasons (Nolan Ryan leads the way with 15 such seasons.) The Dreaded Pitch Count: Sale, having thrown 97 pitches, was replaced on the mound by Victor Maderos (with two out and no one on base.)

Sale finished the 2026 season (his sixteenth MLB campaign) at 14-9, 2.16, with one complete game in 27 starts and 200 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings pitched.

First Season of the Women’s Pro Baseball League

The Batting Leaders:

Average (minimum 50 plate appearances): Denae Benites, NY ( .552 … 32-for-58)

Home Runs: Home Runs: Denae Benites, NY (11); Kelsie Whitmore, SF (11)

RBI: Denae Benites, NY (37)

Runs Scored: Denae Benites, NY (25)

Stolen Bases: Denae Benites, NY (15)

Pitching Wins: Michelle Roche, LA (3-1) ; Kelsie Whitmore, SF (3-1); Jaida Lee, NY (3-1); Claire O’Sullivan, NY (3-1); Liz Gilder, SF (3-2)

ERA (mínimum 15 IP); Meggie Meidlinger, LA (1.83)

Strikeouts: Jaida Lee, NY (23 K/ 17 1/3 IP)

The post-season finals – an all-California Affair – saw the San Francisco Firebells and Los Angeles Queens battling it out. LA looked to be in charge winning the first two, but San Francisco staved off elimination, winning the next two and setting up a winner-take-all final game.

In that game, the Queens Ayami Soto (who owns three Women’s Baseball World Cup MVP Awards, started on the bump for LA.  She earned the first-ever WPBL Championship MVP Award – tossing the league’s first-ever complete- game shutout, as the Queens prevailed 2-0. Exciting end to an exciting season. Congratulations to the WPBL.

Not The Record He Was Looking For

On September 24, White Sox SS Colson Montgomery went zero-for-four, with one strikeout as the ChiSox beat the Royals 9-1 in Kansas City, giving him 223 whiffs on the season and “besting” the American League record of 222 (Adam Dunn 2012), while  tying the MLB mark of 223 (Mark Reynolds, 2009).  The tie didn’t last long; Montgomery topped the overall marker with his 224^th strike out of the season the very next game (a White Sox’ 6-1 win over the Rockies in Chicago). It came in the fifth inning on a 3-2 pitch from Tomoyuki Sugano (a called third strike).

September proved a tough month for Montgomery.  After .214-29-77 in 129 games through August (fanning 185 times in 545 plate appearances … 33.9%), he put up a .099-2-10 line in 24 September games (fanning 42 times in 93 plate appearances, 45.2 percent). He ended the season at .197-31-87, with 227 strikeouts.

On the brighter side, only one player has driven in more runs in a sub-.200 season than Montgomery’s 87, that is the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, who went .197-47-104 in 2023 (Schwarber’s 47 long balls are the most in a sub-.200 season). Montgomery’s 31 homers are third in a sub-.200 season behind Schwarber, Joey Gallo (38 for the Yankees/Rangers in 2013) and Mark Reynolds (32, 2010 Diamondbacks).

Does It Seem Like Everything Is About A Pete?

On September 24, as the Cubs edged the Marlins 2-1, Chicago’s Pete Crow-Armstrong walked and stole second in the bottom of the first.  It was PCA’s 40th steal of the 2026 season and, when coupled with his 45 homers at the time, made him just the seventh MLB player to notch at least 40 homers and steal at least 40 bases in a season. The others are:  Jose Canseco; Barry Bonds; Alex Rodriguez; Ronald Acuna, Jr; and Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is the only MLB player with a 50-50 season (54 homers and 59 steals in 2024).

Lucas Laucnhes A Few

On September 24, Astros’ 23-years-old rookie CF Lucas Spence hit his first MLB home run (in his 16^th MLB game). He also hit his second and third MLB homers in the same game – going three-for-four with five RBI. He became just the third MLB player to hit their first three MLB homers in the same game, joining Cardinal’s LF Joshua Baez, who went deep three times in his MLB debut game this August 15 (the first MLBer to homer thrice in his debut game) and White Sox’ C Seby Zavala, who homered three times in his 18^th MLB games (July 31, 2021).

Wait Until Next Year

On September 25, Cardinals’ 24-year-old RF Jordan Walker, in his 435th career MLB game, hit his 56th career home run (and 29th and final homer of the 2026 season), as the Cardinals topped the Dodgers 8-6 in ten innings (in LA). The highlight? Each of his 56 MLC career home runs has been  hit off a different pitcher. Elias Sports Bureau reported that is the second-longest, MLB career-opening home run streak off different pitchers (since at least 1900). Number-one? Willy Adames, whose first 57 MLB homers came off 57 different hurlers.

Three For Thirty/Thirty

On September 25, as the Reds lost 6-5 to the Blue Jays in Toronto, Red SS Elly De La Cruz, went one-for-four (a double) with one run scored and one RBI. Notably, after doubling in the third inning, De La Cruz stole third.  It was his 30^th double of the season and, more notably for the Highlights Sections, his 30^th 2026 stolen base.

It made De La Cruz just the fourth Reds’ player with a 30-30 (HR/SB) season (Brandon Phillips, Barry Larkin, Eric Davis) and the third MLB player to reach the mark in 2026 (Pete Crow-Armstrong and CJ Abrams). For those who like to know such things:

• 42 MLB players have reached the 30-30 mark (82 times), led by Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds (five each);
•  2025 saw the most 30-30 seasons, with seven (Corbin Carroll, Jazz Chisholm, Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto);
• 42 players have reached the 30-30-30 (doubles, HRs, steals) mark, led by Afonso Soriano (four times).

Going Up In Flames

On September 27, Brewers’ flamethrower (24-year-old) Jacob Misiorowski made his final start of the 2026 regular season. It was a fairly mundane outing for The Miz … 5 1/3 innings, two hits, no runs, five strikeouts in his 16^th win (versus five losses). Notably, Misiorowski ended the season with MLB’s lowest qualifying ERA (1.80) and most strikeouts (252 in 178 2/3 innings). The highlight for The Roundtable? Misiorowski threw a record (since the pitch-tracking era began in 2008) 1,115 pitches of 100-mph or faster; breaking the old record (Jordan Hicks, 2018) by a whopping 442 pitches. In 2026, Misiorowski not only led all MLB pitchers in triple-digit offerings, he threw more pitches at 100-mph or more than any other MLB team.

They’re All In!

As the 2026 closed on September 27, the following players had appeared in all 162 games: Ozzie Albies, Braves; Junior Caminero, Rays; Pete Crowe-Armstrong, Cubs; Bryce Harper, Phillies; Matt Olson, Braves; Bryan Reynolds, Pirates; Sal Stewart, Reds.

A Bit More “Pete” Highlight History

Surprisingly, since RBIs became an official stat in 1920, no player captured both an American and National League RBI title.  Until, 2026, when the Orioles’ Pete Alonso added an American League RBI title (113 RBI) to his 2002 NL RBI Crown (131 RBI with the Mets).

Lindor Rolls A 300

On the final day of the regular season, Mets SS Francisco Lindor went two-for-four with a walk, two runs scored and one RBI. One of his two  hits was a second-inning solo home run … his 21^st of the season and, more important for these highlights, the 300^th dinger in his 12-season MLB career.  With his 219 career stolen bases, Lindor is now just the second MLB switch-hitter with at least 300 homers and 200 stolen bases, joining Carlos Beltran (435 homers and 312 stolen bases).

—INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR SEPTEMBER—

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 70 at bats)

American League: Yainer Diaz, Astros (.357); Víctor Mesa, Rays (.355); Carter Jensen Royals (.338)

National League: Brice Turang, Brewers (.361); TJ Rumfield, Rockies (.359); Javier Sanoja, Marlins (.351)

The AL 2026 Batting Champion was the Astros’ Yandy Diaz (.316). In the NL, it was The Diamondbacks Gabriel Moreno (.311)

HITS

American League: Yanier Diaz, Astros (30); Randy Arozarena, Mariners (29); Dominic Canzone, Mariners (29)

National League: Javier Sanoja, Marlins (34); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (33); Cole Carrigg, Rockies (32)

The Royals’ Carter Jensen led all MLBers in September extra-base hits with 19 – ten doubles, one triple and eight home runs.  

HOME RUNS

American League: Pete Alonso, Orioles (11); Zac Gelof, A’s (8); Carter Jensen, Royals (8); Isaac Paredes, Astros (8); Vinnie Pasquatino, Royals (8)

National League: Nolan Arenado, D-backs (9); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (9); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (8)

The Royals’ Carter Jensen led all hitters with at least 70 at bats in September slugging percentage at .788. The D-backs; Nolan Arenado the NL at .723.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Pete Alonso, Orioles (22); Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals (22); Riley Greene, Tigers (21); Isaac Parades, Astros (21)

National League: William Contreras, Brewers (24); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (22); Bruce Turang, Brewers (22)

The full-season RBI leaders were: NL-Alec Burleson, Cardinals (116)  AL-Pete Alonso, Orioles (113). Also in triple-digits in RBI were: Sal Stewart, Reds (111); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (107); CJ Abrams, Nationals (106); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (106); Jordan Walker, Cardinals (102); Junior Caminero, Rays (101); and Brice Turang Brewers (100).

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Randy Arozarena, Mariners (25); Zack Gelof, A’s (22); Luke Keaschall, Twins (20); Ben Rice, Yankees (20)

National League: Jackson Chourio, Brewers (25); Brice Turang, Brewers (25); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (20)

The Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong led MLB in runs scored for the season at 119. Seattle’s Randy Arozarena led the AL with 113.

DOUBLES

American League: Carter Jensen, Royals (10); eight with seven

National League: Mookie Betts, Dodgers (9); Bryson Stott, Phillies (9); three with eight

TRIPLES

American League:  Luke Keaschall, Twins (3); Dominic Canzone, Mariners (2); Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (2)

National League: Jake McCarthy, Rockies (6); Dustin Harris, Padres (3); Geraldo Perdomo, D-backs (3); Javier Sanoja, Marlins (3)

Corbin Carroll led MLB in 2026 triples with 17. Carroll and Jake McCarthy (13) were the only players in double figures in three baggers.  Carroll has now led the NL in triples four consecutive seasons.

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Miguel Vargas, White Sox (9); Bobby Witt, jr., Royals (9); Chandler Simpson, Rays (8)

National League: Jackson Chourio, Brewers (9); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (9); CJ Abrams, Nationals (8); Jonah Cox, Giants (8)

The Nationals’ Nasim Nunez led MLB in 2026 steals with 49 (59 attempts). The Phillies’ Bryson Stott stole the most bases without getting caught in 2026, with 27.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Munetaka Murakami, White Sox (46); Colson Montgomery, White Sox (42); Spencer Jones, Yankees (34)

National League: Jordan Walker, Cardinals (35); Jonah Cox, Giants (34); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (30); Austin Riley, Braves (30)

Five players fanned at least 200 times in 2026: Colson Montgomery, White Sox (227, a new MLB single-season record); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (220); Zach Neto, Angels (215); Austin Riley Braves (201).

WALKS

American League:  Wyatt Langford, Rangers (19); Mike Trout, Angels (18); Ben Rice Yankees (17)

National League: Jake Bauers, Brewers (19); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (19); Brice Turang, Brewers (17)

The highest on-base percentage among players with at least 70 September at bats was .475, by the Brewers’ Brice Turang. The AL leader was the Yankees’ Ben Rice at .450.

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:  Freddy Peralta, Rays (4-0); Hunter Gaddis, Guardians (4-0); Sean Burke, White Sox (4-1)

National League:  Tarik Skubal, Dodgers (4-0); Cade Gibson, Marlins (4-1); five with three wins

The 2026 season leaders in wins were the Red Sox’ Sonny Gray (18-5, 2.72) and Phillies’ Christopher Sanchez (18-7, 2.91)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 September innings)

American League: Freddy Peralta, Rays (0.96); Drew Rasmussen, Rays (1.05); Ranger Suarez, Red Sox (1.09)

National League: Jared Jones, Pirates (0.93); Robert Gasser, Brewers (1.67); Zack Wheeler Phillies (1.71)

The 2026 season ERA leaders were: AL-Cam Schlittler, Yankees (1.95). NL-Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (1.80)

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Gavin Williams, Guardians (44K / 28 1/3IP); Logan Gibson, Mariners (39K / 25 2/3IP); Hunter Brown, Astros 38K / 26 1/3IP); Cam Schlittler, Yankees (38K / 30IP)

National League: Jared Jones, Pirates (40K / 29 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (39K / 31 2/3IP); Tyler Glasnow, 36K / 22 1/3 IP); Tarik Skubal, Dodgers (33K / 32IP)

The Brewers Jacob Misiorowski led MLB in 2026 strikeouts (252 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings). The AL leader was Gavin Williams (248 strikeouts in 184 1/3 innings)

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 20 August innings)

American League: Cam Schlittler, Yankees (0.63); Cal Quantrill, Rangers (0.74); Carlos Rodon, Yankees (0.75)

National League:  Jared Jones, Pirates (0.59); Michael Soroka, D-backs (0.73); Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers (0.74

Among pitchers with at least 20 September innings, the Yankees Cam Schlittler’ held batters to the lowest average at .119.

SAVES

American League:  Cade Smith, Guardians (6); Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox (5); Josh Hader, Astros (5); Kenley Jansen, Tigers (5)

National League:  Mason Montgomery, Pirates (11); Mason Miller, Padres (6); Emilio Pagan, Reds (6)

Bryan Baker of the Rays and the Guardians’ Cade Smith tied for the 2026 full-season lead in saves with 41 each. The Padres Mason Miller led the NL with 38.

Primary Resource: Stathead.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  More baseball commentary and blog post notifications.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1189

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding) a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site.

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This Tuesday, due to some family obligations, I didn’t have time for one of those in-depth statistical searches for MLB unicorns. But I did have a headline that had been stuck in my baseball brain for quite a while “”It’s George, by Henry!”  (If that phrasing rings true with you, you’re probably nearly as old as I am and are already wearing your reading glasses. And, if “That’s Your Uncle Bob!” strikes a chord, you may be even older.

Anyway, I decided to meet my Tuesday obligation with a short post on notable players named George or Henry, but not known by their given name (along with a couple of other bits of name-related minutia).  Now, in the George and Henry section, I eliminated MLB notables like Babe Ruth and Sparky Anderson (both Georges) because those are true nicknames that stuck. ( also eliminated “Hanks” like Aaron and Greenberg, since Hank is the most commonly accepted substitute for Henry.

So, let’s look at a few notable players that some fans may not know by their given names.

By George!

Tom Seaver: The Hall of Fame 311-game winner’s given name is George Thomas Seaver.

Ken Griffey, Jr.:  Hall of Famer George Kenneth Griffey, Jr. popped 630 home runs as “Ken.”

Ken Griffey, Sr.:  The original George Kenneth Griffey was the original MLB Ken Griffey and played in 19 MLB seasons. (Not in the Hall, but deserving of mention here.)

Oh, Henry!

Photo by rchdj10

Lou Gehrig:  Okay, I’m taking a little poetic license here, Although some sources cite Gehrig name as Henry Louis Gehrig, the Hall of Famer and 17-season Yankee star was born Heinrich (Americanized to Henry) Louis Gehrig.  Gehrig may be MLB’s king of nicknames: known during his career as Buster, Biscuit Pants, The Big Dutchman, Columbia Lou, Larruppin’ Lou and, of course, the Iron Horse.

Now, As long as we’re e on names, I’ll add The Roundtable’s favorite “coincidence” from 2026 – which takes name coincidences “to the Max.”

To The Max

On June 29, 2026, as the Dodgers took on the Athletics in Sacramento, there was a double Max Muncy sighting. Playing third base and batting seventh for the Dodgers was a Max Muncy born on August 25, 1990.  Playing third base and batting seventh for the Athletics was a Max Muncy born on August 25, 2002. Coincidence upon coincidence: Same name; same position on the field; same spot in the batting order; same birthday.

The Dodgers won the game 9-4 and also prevailed in the battle of the Muncy(s). The Dodgers’ Muncy went two-for-five with a homer, two RBI and a run scored.  The A’s Muncy went one-for-three with a walk and a run scored.  Oh, by the way, the two Muncy(s) are not related.

That’s Your Uncle Bob! … I’ll have another Miller, Please.

On August 15, 1962, the Phillies topped the Mets 9-3 in the first game of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds.  No big surprise there, as the Mets’ record going into the game was 30-88. What was more surprising was that Phillies’ outfielder Don Demeter hit his 19th and 20th home runs of the season in the game – off a right-handed and a left-handed “Bob Miller.” Oh yes, and he did it while playing two different defensive positions.

In the third inning, with the Phillies’ up 2-0, Demeter (who had started the game in left field and in the five-spot in the order) smacked a solo shot off starter (right-hander) Robert Lane Miller. Then in the ninth inning, Demeter – who had moved to center field in the seventh – hit a three-run homer (extending the Phillies’ lead to 9-2) off southpaw reliever Robert Gerald Miller. Two homers, in one game, off two Bob Millers, a right-hander and a port-sider.

Demeter was on the way to his best-ever major league season. In 1962 (his sixth of eleven MLB seasons), he achieved his career highs for average (.307), home runs (29), RBI (107), runs scored (85), hits (169) and doubles (24). Hopefully, he celebrated the day and the season with an ice-cold Miller.

The two Millers?  Starter Bob Miller went 1-12, 4.89 in 1962 (69-81, 3.37 with 52 saves in 17 MLB seasons). Reliever Bob Miller went 2-2, 7.08 in 1961, the last of his five MLB seasons (6-8, 4.72).

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  More baseball commentary and blog post notifications.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1188

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding) a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site. (Check out the expanding Sandlot Section.)

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This week we’re looking at multi-hit games, specifically – at the first chart shows –  the career leaders in games with five or more hits. However, the post goes much deeper – delving into such areas as:

• Players with the most five (or more)– hit games in a season;
• Players with five-hit games after turning forty;
• Teenagers with MLB games with five hits;
• The record for hits in an MLB game (nine innings and extra innings);
• Players with the most career six-hit games.

As you can see in the chart, Ty Cobb is the all-time MLB leader in games with five or more hits (14), followed by Pete Rose (10). No surprise there, those two are also the top two all-time hit leaders. I was a bit surprised, when looking at this top  eight, to find two players with fewer than 3,000 career hits and career batting averages below .300.

If I was going to pen (key) a trivia question here, it would be “What player, among the top eight in all-time games with five or more hits, has the fewest total career hits and lowest career batting average?”  That would be Rabbit Maranville (tied for fifth on the list with eight five-hit games and with a career average of just .258 and 2,605 total hits).  Maranville, in fact, hit .300 or better just once – in a season in which he appeared in only 11 games. He is the only player among the top eight who never hit .300 or better in a season in which qualified for the batting title.

When you look at the most games with five or more hits in a single season, you find three of those leading the way with four such games in a season can also be found in the career top eight.   The lone exception is Ichiro Suzuki, who most likely would be in the all-time top eight if he hadn’t spent so much time in Japan.

Now for some Trivia(l) Tidbit-style observations.

Oldest Players With a Game of Five or More Hits

Pete Rose leads the way here with a five-hit game at age 45 years-119 days. That’s nearly three years older than number-two on the age list (Nelson Cruz at age 42 years–302 days).  Rose’s final five-hit game came on August 11, 1986, when he had four singles and a double in five plate appearances, as the Reds lost to the Giants 13-3 in Cincinnati. (Rose drove in three of the four Reds’ tallies.) Rose had a total of 10 five-hit games (two after turning forty).

Paul Molitor had the most five-hit games after turning forty, with three.  Molitor  has a career total of seven five-hit games.  All three of those in his 40’s came with the Twins.  He also had three such games with the Brewers and one with the Blue Jays.

Others with five-hit games after turning forty (one each); Ty Cobb; Johnny Cooney; Stan Musial; Davey Lopes; Bob Boone; Carlton Fisk; Craig Biggio; and Chipper Jones.

Players with Five-Hit Games as Teenagers

Only four players have notched an MLB five-hit game before turning twenty.  The youngest was the Cubs’ Phil Cavarretta at 19 years-33 Days of age. It came on August 21, 1935, as his Cubs beat the Phillies 19-5 in Philadelphia. Cavaretta started at 1B, batting sixth, and went five-for-six (a double and four singles), with two runs scored and four RBI. Cavaretta, who debuted in the majors as a 17-year-old, was in his 121^st big-league game at the time.

Others with five-hit games as teenagers (all 19): Les Mann, 1913 Braves; Cecil Travis, 1933 Nationals; and Claudell Washington, 1974 Athletics.

Most Hits in an MLB Game of Any Length

Photo: Goudy, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On July 10, 1932, Indians’ SS and number-two hitter Johnny Burnett had an MLB-record nine hits, as his Indians lost to the Athletics 18-17 in 18 innings (in Cleveland). Burnett went  9-for-11, with two doubles, four runs scored and two RBI in the contest. Burnett came into the game hitting .298 on the season and was at .323 at the end of the day.  He finished the 1932 season at .297-4-53 in 129 games and had a .284 average over his nine-season MLB career.

Others with seven or more hits in an extra-inning contest (all with seven) are: Rocky Colavito, Tigers, June 24, 1962 (22 innings, 11 plate appearances); Cesar Gutierrez, Tigers, June 21, 1970 (12 innings, 7 plate appearances); and Brandon Crawford, Giants,  August 8, 2016 (14 innings, 8 plate appearances).

Five MLB players have collected seven of more hits in a game, but not one of those37  hits was a home run.

Most Hits in a Nine-Inning Game

Photo: Hostess via tradingcarddb.com, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pirates’ 2B Rennie Stennett holds the record for the most hits in nine-inning game, with seven hits in a 22-0 Pirates win over the Cubs (in Chicago) on September 18, 1975. Stennett, batting leadoff, went seven-for-seven, with two doubles and a triple, five runs scored and two RBI. Stennett was a career .274 hitter over 11 MLB seasons.

Multiple Six-Hit Games

While MLB has seen 119 six-hit games, only four players have had two six-hit games: Jim Bottomley (1924 & 1931); Jimmie Foxx (1930 & 1932); Doc Cramer (1932 & 1935); and Kirby Puckett (1987 & 1991).

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  More baseball commentary and blog post notifications.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1187

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding) a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site. (Check out the expanding Sandlot Section.)

Each year, since 2014, Baseball Roundtable has announced a John Paciorek Award (JPA) honoree. The JPA recognizes players who have had short, sometimes very short, major-league careers, but whose accomplishments, nonetheless, deserve recognition.  Past winners have included:  a player who collected at least one base hit in every MLB game he played; a player whose every MLB hit (three safeties in nine career at bats) was a home run;  a player who had only one MLB at bat, but earned  a World Series ring and a Purple Heart;  a war hero who pitched in the majors on one leg; and much more.  There are links to the bios of past honorees later in this post.

(Note: Information on John Paciorek’s career – the inspiration for the JPA – can be found at the end of this post. Paciorek’s day in the sun constitutes arguably the best one-game MLB career ever.)

This year’s John Paciorek Award honoree is 6′-4″, 255 lb.  155-lb. DH/1B Larry “Bucky” Jacobsen, whose active MLB career lasted 7 1/2 weeks (Mariners) in 2004, but whose perseverance, passion for the game, power and personality made a fan favorite in Seattle.

When  Jacobsen made it to the big leagues with the Mariners in mid-July of 2004, he had a look about him that made you anticipate power.  He was clearly a “big” big leaguer.   Conservatively 6’4” and 255 pounds, with a bald head, a red beard, broad shoulders, huge biceps and a big smile, he looked like he could be downing trees and selling Brawny(R) paper towels. And, it didn’t take nim long to show Seattle fans that he was in the “lumber” business. In his first three MLB games (in Seattle), he went five-for-eight (.625), with two home runs, four runs scored, five RBI, four walks (.769 OBP) and three strikeouts.

But, I’m getting ahead of the Jacobsen story.  The fact is, Jacobsen’s trip to the big leagues (and his brief stay) demanded perseverance and commitment.

Jacobsen was a seventh-round pick (Brewers) in the 1997 MLB Draft – out of Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston, Idaho), where – in his final college season (1997) –  he hit .354-22-73 and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

In six seasons in the Brewers minor-league system, Jacobsen hit .295, with 94 home runs and 501 RBI (in 550 games). He built a reputation as a big man, with broad shoulders and bulging biceps, a quick and friendly smile and the ability to launch baseballs into orbit. Yet, he still hadn’t gotten a taste of the big leagues. Along the way, he also suffered a knee injury (2001 collision with a tarp) that, while it may have hampered his mobility, did not seem to impact his ability to pulverize baseballs.  (That knee injury would eventually require multiple surgeries and cut short his career on the field.)

In mid-June, 2002, Jacobsen (hitting .253-11-39 for the BrewerS’ Huntsville Double-A club) was released by the Brewers and quickly signed as a free agent with the Cardinals. He finished the season hitting .294-4-21 in 34 games for the St. Louis Double-A New Haven Ravens. The Cardinals released Jacobsen after the season (October of 2002), then resigned him in December. He  continued to persevere and had a great season for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies in 2003 (.298-31-84 in 131 games); leading the league in home runs, runs scored and total bases, finishing second in RBI and third in slugging percentage.

Despite that performance, October, once again, did not seem to be a lucky month for Jacobsen, as the Cardinals released him in October of 2003. However, his luck, was about to change.

Jacobsen signed with a free agent with the Mariners on November 10, 2004 and his career skyrocketed with the Mariners’ Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. After 82 games with Tacoma, he had a .312 average, with 26 home runs and 86 RBI.  And, now in his eighth professional season, Jacobsen finally was called up to “The Show” – the night after he won the Pacific Coast League All Star Game Home Run Derby (where it was reported he launched one shot of more than 500-feet).    Side note: It wasn’t his first Home Run Derby win. In 2000, Jacobsen won the Southern League All Star Game Home Run Derby.

Show-time for Jacobsen was short,  but memorable – and deserving of a spot on the Baseball Roundtable John Paciorek Award honorees list.

Jacobsen made his MLB debut on July 16, 2004 (Indians at Mariners) for the 33-54 Mariners, whose fans were looking for some good news (beyond Ichiro Suzuki’s .320 average). They found it in Jacobsen, who in his first three games went 5-for-8 (.625), with four walks (.750 on-base percentage), two home runs, five RBI and four runs scored. He smacked his third home run in his sixth game (July 21) – a walk-off homer on the first pitch in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Mariners a 6-5 win over the A’s.

Jacobsen quickly developed a fan following (and proved to be especially fan friendly– quick to sign autographs and talk to fans at the ballpark and outside of it.) Over his first 42 games, he also continued to show solid power (.275-9-28), hitting safely in 32 games and recording ten multi-hit and eight multi-RBI contests.  Ultimately, his power, performance, personality and ties to the region (while he was born in Wyoming, he went to high school in Hermiston, Oregon and college in Pendleton, Oregon and Lewiston, Idaho) made him and instant hero in Seattle (keeping in mind that he plied his baseball skills for eight seasons in the minors to get there.)

Unfortunately, that past knee injury caught up with him, benched him in September and led to multiple surgeries and an end to his big-league career.  (From 2005 through 2007, Jacobsen did suit up in Triple-A, High-A, Rookie ball, the Independent Atlantics League and in Mexico.)

Primary Resources:  stathead.com; lcwarriors.com, website of the Lewis-Clark State College Warriors; Coaches Recall Big League Bucky, East Oregonian, August 7, 2004; Bucky Jacobsen Too Big to Ignore, By David Andriesen, Seattle-Post Intelligencer, July 15, 2004); Whatever Happened to Bucky Jacobsen?, by Geoff Bake, Seattle Times, January 21, 2007; Biggest Batter Blasts Most Homers at Derby, by Todd Shanesy, goupstate.com, June 20, 2000.

___________________________

PAST JPA HONOREES

Here’s a look at – and links to – past JPA Award honorees:

2014 – Brian Scott Dallimore

In his first start (not his first game) for the 2004 Giants, Dallimore had two singles, a Grand Slam (his first MLB hit and only MLB home run), a walk and a hit by pitch.  For the full JPA take on Dallimore’s 27- game MLB career, click here.

2015 – Roy Gleason

Gleason played in just eight MLB games, had a double in his only MLB at bat – but also earned a World Series ring (1963) and a Purple Heart. Ultimately, he was the only ballplayer with MLB experience to serve on the front lines in Vietnam. For the full JPA take on Gleason, click here. Note: Gleason’s life is detailed in the book “Lost in the Sun – Roy Gleason’s Odyssey from the Outfield to the Battlefield.”

2016 – John Allen Miller

Miller played just 32 MLB games (during the 1966 and 1969 seasons), taking the field (at 1B/LF/3B/2B) for the Yankees and Dodgers. Miller collected ten hits in 61 MLB at bats (.164 average) and hit just two home runs – but he made those long balls count – becoming one of just two players in MLB history to homer in their first and final official appearances in a major-league batter’s box. For more on Miller, click here.

2017 – Chris Saenz

RHP Chris Saenz’ big day came on April 24, 2004 – when he was called up from Double-A Huntsville (where he was 1-1, 3.86) to make a spot start against the Saint Louis Cardinals, whose powerful lineup included the likes of Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and Reggie Sanders.   The rookie went six innings, giving up just two hits, three walks and no runs, while fanning seven. Two days after this debut, he was on his way back to Huntsville, where he suffered an elbow injury and never returned to the majors. Statistics before 1900 can be sketchy, but baseball-reference.com shows that Saenz is the only pitcher to complete a one-game MLB career of at least five innings pitched, without giving up a single run (earned or unearned). For more details on this JPA honoree, click here.

2018 – Keith McDonald

McDonald’s MLB career (Cardinals 2000-2001) covered just eight games and 11 plate appearances (nine at bats) and three hits – but he made them count.  All of McDonald’s safeties were home runs – making him the only MLB player with more than one career hit who can look back on major league career in which his every hit was a home run. .For the full story, click here.

2019 – Harley Hisner

Hisner’s MLB tenure encompassed the day of September 30, 1951. That’s when the 24-year-old righty faced the New York Yankees – and a lineup that included five future Hall of Famers: Mickey Mantle in RF; Joe DiMaggio in CF; Phil Rizzuto at SS; Johnny Mize at 1B; and Yogi Berra behind the plate. In his very first MLB inning, Hisner faced five batters, four of them future Hall of Famers, and gave up two singles and no runs.  His place in history? One of those singles was Joe DiMaggio’s last MLB safety. For more on Hisner and his ongoing involvement in and love of the game (he went on to earn the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association Colin Lister Award for “dedication to the game of baseball and its historic legacy,” click here.

2020 – Bert Shepard

Shepard set aside his baseball mound dreams in 1943 – after four minor-league seasons – to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he became a P-38 Lightning fighter pilot. Shepard was shot down on his 34th combat mission and, while a prisoner of war, his wounds resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee.  Upon his release (a prisoner exchange), Shepard did not surrender his dreams and fought his way to the major leagues. He made one major-league appearance (for the Washington Senators), pitching 5 1/3 innings of three-hit, one-run ball.  While Shepard’s MLB career consisted of that sole appearance, he did continue to pitch, coach and manage in minor leagues – and his story proved an inspiration for disabled veterans.  For more of Bert Shepard story, click here.

2021 – Henry Schmidt

Henry Martin Schmidt didn’t make it to the big leagues until eight seasons after his professional (minor-league) debut.  In fact, he was just two months shy of his 30th birthday when he first took the major-league mound.   Why did it take so long?  Simple answer – location.  He had considerable difficulty “locating” his pitches.  While it took a long time for Schmidt to make it to the major leagues, it didn’t take him long to leave MLB. He lasted just one season – and is the only pitcher in MLB history who was a 20-game winner in his only major league season. Why was his MLB career so short? Simple answer – location.  He did not care for the geographic “location” of major-league baseball. For more on Henry Schmidt’s unusual career, click here.

2022 – Karl Spooner

Southpaw Spooner holds a share of the record for strikeouts in an MLB debut (15) and also threw complete-game shutouts in each of his first two starts.  After earning a late September (1954) call-up (to the Dodgers), the 23-year-old rookie was thrown right into the fire – starting on September 26 against the league-leading and Dodgers’ chief rival Giants.  His  27 strikeouts in his first two appearances also remain an MLB record.   A shoulder injury suffered in 1955 Spring Training cut Spooner’s career short. He  didn’t get his first start of the 1955 season until May 15 and finished the season, his last in the major leagues, 8-6, 3.65 in 29 games (14 starts).   Spooner pitched for three more seasons in the minors, but never recaptured 1954 glory.  For the full Karl Spooner story, click here.

2023 – Glenn Williams

Williams had a 13-game major-league career – all in June of 2005 and all with the Minnesota Twins.  Over his 13-games in “The Show,” Williams hit a robust .425 and collected at least one hit in every game he played.  Williams holds the MLB record for the longest MLB career for a player who was never held hitless in any MLB game he appeared in.  For the full Glenn William story, click here.

2024 – Irv Waldon

Waldron, who played just one MLB  season (1901) ,  still holds the record for base hits (186), runs scored (102) and total bases (226) by a player who played just one MLB campaign.   Further, Waldron made his “jump” from the minor leagues to the majors without changing cities, teams or even leagues, For the full Waldron story, click here. 

—–INSPIRATION FOR THE JPA—–

John Paciorek – signed out of Saint Ladislaus High School in Hamtramck, Michigan (where he had starred in football, basketball and baseball) – appeared in his first major-league game on the final day of the 1963 season (September 29) at the age of 18.  The 6’ 1”, 200-pound outfielder had spent the 1963 season with Class-A Modesto Colts. The Colts’ parent club, the Houston Colt .45s (that was the current Astros’ franchise name back then), was suffering through a difficult season. The team was 65-96 going into that final game.  Looking to the future, Houston had, in fact, fielded an all-rookie lineup (average age 19) on September 27. Youth was still being served two days later when John Paciorek started his first MLB game. The results were surprising – and worthy of recognition.

Playing right field and batting seventh in a 13-4 win over the NY Mets, Paciorek ended up with three hits and two walks in five plate appearances, with four runs scored and three runs batted in.  Perhaps equally surprising is that it was not only Paciorek’s first major-league appearance, it was to be his only MLB appearance.  Back pain the following spring, followed by surgery (he played 49 minor league games in 1964 and missed all of the 1965 season), put an end to his MLB playing days. (Paciorek did play in four more minor-league seasons.)  Still, you will find John Paciorek in the Baseball Encyclopedia and his is arguably the greatest one-game MLB career ever.  Among one-gamers, he holds the record for times on base and runs scored, and shares the record for batting average, on base percentage and RBIs.

Paciorek, by the way, went on to become a high school teacher and multi-sport coach and is the author of the books (Plato and Socrates – Baseball’s Wisest Fans;  The Principles of Baseball: And All There Is To Know About Hitting; and If I Knew Then What I Know Now. You also can enjoy Paciorek’s prose (and expertise) at his blog “Paciorek’s Principles of Perfect Practice” by clicking here. You can find out even more about Paciorek in Steven Wagner’s 2015 book Perfect: The Rise and Fall of John Paciorek, Baseball’s Greatest One-Game Wonder.

And for a sample chapter of Paciorek’s most recent book, “Simplicity – The Principle of Perfection in the Science of the Universe and World of Baseball,” click here.

A final note. John Paciorek’s insight into the national pastime should come as no surprise. Paciorek comes from a true “baseball family.”  He was the first born of eight siblings and was followed to the big leagues by younger brothers Jim and Tom Paciorek.  (Like John, Jim’s MLB career was short – 48 games for the Brewers in 1987. Brother Tom, however, achieved a .282 average over an 18-season MLB career.

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site. (Check out the expanding Sandlot Section.)

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1186

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This week’s episode is a bit of a potpourri. (How often will I get to use “potpourri” in a baseball blog?) But there is a central theme, the changing relationship of walks to strikeouts … explored from several angles.

Let me start by sharing how the topic came to be – another example of how “With the Roundtable one thing always seems to lead to another.”   It started with me pondering about the fact that there have been five nine-inning games in which a pitcher struck out a record (for a nine-inning game) twenty batters (Roger Clemens twice, Randy Johnson, Max Scherzer and Kerry Wood) and the combined total of walks in those five game was zero.

Those five 20K-0BB games, pulled me down a strikeouts-versus-walks rabbit hole … and I took a dive into games in which a pitcher fanned ten or more batters without issuing a single walk. As you might guess, and the chart below helps shed some light on, the 0-10+ outings have become much more common. In fact, this season (through September 7), there have been more such games (170) than from 1900 through 1964 (158).  The chart provides part of the explanation – showing that, while the rate of walks per nine innings has been relatively stable over the decades, the rate of strikeouts per nine innings has increased notably.

This, of course, is just a teaser.  I dug quite a bit further and, if you read on, you’ll get a look at looks at such topics as the players with the most zero-walk/double-digit strikeout games in a career and in a season; total zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout performances by decade; how the percentage of such games in which the qualifying pitcher was on the mound at least seven innings has declined; the shortest and longest outings to produce a zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout stat line; oldest and youngest with a zero-walk/double-digit strikeout game; and more.

Brief Diversion … Well, actually a 16-inning diversion.

I would guess 96% of reader know this, but the record for strikeouts by a single pitcher in an MLB game is 21 and it belongs to the Senators’ Tom Cheney (September 12, 1962 in a 2-1 win over the Orioles). Cheney pitched a 16-inning complete game that day. Eight of those strikeouts came in extra-innings, including the record 21^st, as he recorded the final out, on his 228^th pitch of the game. (He did walk four in the outing; so it was not a zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout game.)

Did that climbing pitch count wear him down? Cheney pitched seven no-hit innings from the ninth through the fifteenth.  Cheney, by the way, went 7-9. 3.17 in 1982, with four complete games and three shutouts. His career line (eight MLB seasons) was 19-29, 3.77.

Back to the original topic(s) … High Strikeout Games With Zero Walks

Zero-Walk-Double-Digit-Strikeout Performances by Decade

As the chart below shows, zero-walk/double-digit strikeout performances have been on the rise (and that holds true even if you factor in expansion). Remember that, as noted earlier, this season (through September 7), there have been more such games than from 1900 through 1964.

The chart also shows a drop, starting around the year 2000, in the percentage of such outings that saw the achieving pitcher on the mound for at least seven innings.

Most Zero-Walk/Double-Digit-Strikeout Games In A Career

Here are the pitchers with 20 or more zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout games in their careers.

This Ten-Strikeout Thing is Getting Old

Randy Johnson is the oldest pitcher to toss a zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout game (44 years – 300 days of age). Johnson, in fact, tossed 11 such games after his fortieth birthday. Others to throw a zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout game after forty years of age include: Nolan Ryan (7); Curt Schilling; Gaylord Perry; J0hn Smoltz; Max Scherzer; Rich Hill; and Roger Clemens. This, of course, leads to a great trivia question. Who is the only pitcher to toss a zero-strikeout/double-digit-strikeout game after age 40 and not record at least 3,000 career strikeouts? (You can add the hint that he didn’t even make the 1,500-strikeout club).  That w0uld be Rich Hill, with 1,432 strikeouts in 21 MLB seasons (2005-2025). Hill pitched in the major leagues from 2005 through 2025 (for 14 different MLB franchises) and went 90-76, 4.02 in 388 appearances (250 starts) and 1,432 strikeouts in 1,418 innings pitched.  

Most Zero-Walk/Double-Digit-Strikeout Games In A Season

Garrett Cole (2019 Astros) and Tarik Skubal (2025 Pirates) share the record for the most zero-walk-double-digit strikeouts games in a season at seven.

Longest Zero-Walk/Double-Digit-Strikeout Outing

The Giants’ Carl Hubbell notched the longest zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout outing.  On July 2, 1933, he went the distance in an 18-inning win over the Cardinals, giving up six hits and zero walks, while fanning twelve.

Shortest Zero-Walk Double-Digit-Strikeout Outing

On July 17, 1909, the Red Sox’ Smoky Joe Wood set the record for the shortest zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout outing, pitching four innings of relief in a 6-4 Boston win over the Cleveland Naps.  He pitched four innings of one-run ball, giving up five hits and no walks, while fanning ten.  The 19-year-old finished the season at 11-7, 2.18 in 24 appearances (19 starts).  His career stat line was 117-57, 2.-3 over 11 seasons.

On June 2, 2025, the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard (in a starting role) tied Wood. In four innings of a 7-2 loss to the Padres, he walked none and fanned ten.  He also gave up seven runs on ten hits.

Teenagers To Have a Zero-Walk-Double-Digit-Strikeout Outing

The Red’s’ Gary Nolan was the youngest pitcher to have zero-walk/double-digit-strikeout outing at 19 years and 11 days of age (June 7, 1967 versus the Giants).  A list of pitchers to throw a qualifying outing as teenagers includes: Gary Nolan (2X); Dwight Gooden (2X); Smoky Joe Wood.

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site. (Check out the expanding Sandlot Section.)

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1185

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This week our primary focus in players who share the record for the most stolen bases in a single MLB game.

Side Note:  This is the Modern ERA record (the modern/current stolen base stat rules were implemented in 1898). Elias Sports Bureau does credit Billy Hamilton of the Phillies with seven steals in an August 31, 1894 game and the White Stockings’  George Gore is reported (per an article by Society of American Baseball Research  member Jerry Grillo) to have seven steals in a June 26, 1881 contest (stolen bases were not an officially recorded statistic at the time.) Special thanks to Mike Robinson for alerting The Roundtable to the pre-1898 info.

Eddie Collins, 1912 Athletics

Photo: Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Eddie Collins is the unicorn in this group, the only  player to steal six bases in a game twice in his career – and he did it twice in the same season (as well as twice in the same month),  Collins is also:

• The first MLB player to steal six bases in a game; and
• The only player on this list to have a caught stealing in a six-theft contest.

On September 11, 1912 – as his Athletics beat the Tigers 9-7 in Detroit – Collins (batting third and playing 2B) went three-for-five, with two runs scored and one RBI.  After grounding out in the first inning; he had an RBI single in the third and stole second; he was safe on an error  in the fourth, then stole second (going to third on an error) and then stole home; he singled again in the sixth, stole second, advanced to third on an error and was caught attempting to steal home; in the eighth, he singled and stole second and third. The speedy outburst gave him 53 steals on the season.

Then just 11 days later (September 22), as the Athletics topped the Browns 8-2 in St. Louis, Collins again broke free for six steals. Batting third and playing second base, Collins went four-for-five, with three runs scored and one RBI

He started his day reaching first base on a fielder’s choice and then stealing second.  After that: he led off the third with a bunt single and later scored (but did not steal a base); bunted for a single again in the fifth, stole second and later scored; singled to LF in the seventh, stole second (advancing to third on a bad throw by the catcher) and later stole home; hit an RBI single to center in the eighth and stole second and  third while the next batter was at the plate.

Collins finished the 1912 season at .348-0-64, with league-leading 137 runs scored and 63 steals in 85 attempts. He was second in steals in the AL to Clyde Milan’s 88.

Hall of Famer Collins played in 25 MLB seasons (1906-30 … all for the Athletics.  He went .333-47-1,299, with 1,821 runs scored, 3,315 hits and 741 steals  (eighth all-time) in 937 attempts. Collins led the league in steals four times and stole 40 or more bases in ten seasons. He also led the league in runs scored three times

Otis Nixon, 1991 Braves

For 79 years, Eddie Collins stood as the only MLB player to steal six bases in a game. Then, on June 16, 1991, Brave’s RF and leadoff hitter Otis Nixon logged six steals as the Braves lost to the Expos 7-6 in Montreal. Nixon went three-for-five, with two runs scored in the game.

Nixon opened the contest with a single and signaled what was to come by stealing second and third before scoring the game’s first run. Going forward, he led off the third with a bunt single and again stole second and third before scoring (on the second and third pitches to the next batter). Nixon then grounded out to end the fourth; and lined out to end the sixth.  With the Braves trailing 7-6 in the top of the ninth, Nixon did all he could to will them to victory. He led off with a single, and stole second; then with two out he stole third, but and was stranded.

In the 1991 season, Nixon went .297-0-26, with 81 runs scored and 72 steals in 93 attempts. His 72 steals were second in the NL to the Expos’ Marquis Grissom. Nixon played in 17 MLB seasons (1983-99 … Yankees, Indians, Expos, Braves, Red Sox, Rangers, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Twins), going .270-11-318, with 878 runs scored and 620 steals in 806 attempts. While he never led the league in stolen bases, he swiped forty or more bags in nine campaigns.

Eric Young, Sr., Rockies, June 30, 1996

June 30, 1996 was quite a day for the Dodgers and Rockies, who faced off at Coors Field. The Rockies prevailed 16-15 in a game that featured a combined 38 hits, 10 home runs, 14 stolen bases and five errors. In the entire contest, there was only one three up/three down half inning, In addition to scoring a combined 31 runs, the two teams left 20 runners on base over the nine frames.

Rockies’ 2B and leadoff hitter Eric Young, Sr. went two-for-five, with a walk, three runs scored and one RBI.  He also stole a record-tying six bases in six attempts.

Young led off the bottom of the first inning by grounding out third-to-first. He led off again in the third and singled. After SS Walt Weiss fanned, Young stole second and third base while LF Ellis Burks was at the plate. Burks eventually walked (on four pitches, apparently Young’s activity on the bases was a bit unnerving for the Dodgers’ Hideo Nomo). Then, on an 0-1 pitch to RF Dante Bichette, Young completed his trip around the bases by stealing home. With Young off the basepaths, Nomo fanned the next two batters  (1B Andres Galarraga and 3B Vinny Castilla) on eight pitches.

Young came up again in the fourth, with two out and CF Quintin McCracken on third (McCracken had walked and stole second and third during a P Roger Bailey strikeout).  Young stole second and later scored. In the fifth, Young was safe on a fielder’s choice and stole second, but was stranded. Young reached on an error in the seventh and later scored, but did  not steal any bases. In the eighth, with the Rockies up 14-12, Young singled, stole second, but was stranded.

In 1996, Young hit  .324-8-74, with 113 runs scored and a league-leading 53 steals in 72 attempts. Young played in 15 MLB seasons (1992-2006 … Rockies, Dodgers, Cubs, Brewers, Giants, Rangers, Padres), going .283-79-543, with 996 runs scored and 465 steals in 633 attempts. He stole 30 or more bases in nine seasons … 50+ three times), but led the league just once.

In 1996, Eric Young, Sr. struck out just 31 times in 643 plate appearances.  

Carl Crawford,  2009 Rays

Photo:Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Carl Crawford had his six-steal day in  May 3, 2009 in a Rays’ 5-3 win over the Red Sox (in Tampa). Crawford, batting second and playing LF, went four-for-four, with a walk, two runs scored and one RBI.

In the first inning, Crawford walked, stole second (going to third  on the catcher’s throwing error) and later scored. In the third, he had an infield single and stole second. In the fifth, he singled and stole second and third (but did not score).  In the seventh, he singled, stole second and eventually scored.  In the eighth, he singled and stole second.

In 2009, Crawford went .305-15-68, with 96 runs scored and 60 stolen bases (in 76 attempts).  His 60 steals were second to the Red Sox’ Jacoby Ellsbury in the AL.

Crawford played in 15 MLB seasons  (2002-2016 … Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers). He was a four-time All Star and a one-time Gold Glover. He final stat line was .290-136-766, with 998 runs scored and 480 steals (in 589 attempts). He led the league in steals four times and stole 40 or more bases in seven seasons )five of those 50 or more).

The Other Side of the Coin

Forty-eight players have been caught stealing at least three times in a single MLB game, but only one of those was caught four times.  That unicorn is Giants’ 2B Robby Thompson, tossed out on the basepaths four times in a Giants’ 7-6 loss to the Reds (in Cincinnati) on June 27, 1986.

In that one, Thompson, at 2B and batting in the two-hole, flied out to right in the top of the first inning. He hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 1-1 in the third. He hit a single to center (with the Giants up 5-1) in the fourth, but was thrown out trying to steal second.

In the top of the sixth (Giants up 5-2), Thompson hit an RBI groundball single to extend the lead and was then again caught on a steal attempt.  In the top of the ninth, with the game now tied at six apiece, Thompson singled, but was again caught trying to swipe second. In the eleventh Thompson fanned on a wild pitch with two out, but reached first on the errant pitch.   The extra-innings and Thompson’s reaching safely on a strikeout-wild pitch gave him the opportunity to stand (unenviably) alone as the only MLB player caught stealing four times in a single game. And, he cashed in that opportunity,  again being tossed out trying to steal second.  The Giants finally scored in the top of the twelfth for a 7-6 win.

In that 1986 season, Thompson (in his rookie MLB campaign) hit .271-7-47, with 73 runs scored and 12 steals (in 27 attempts). Thompson played in 11 MLB seasons (1986-96 … Giants) and was a two-time All Star.  His final stat line was .257-119-458, with 671 runs scored and 103 steals in 165 attempts. His best season was 1993, when he hit .312-19-65, with 85 runs scored and ten steals. That season, he set his career highs in average, home runs and RBI.

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” that looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site. (Check out the expanding Sandlot Section.)

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1183

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This week, I was all set to do a Trivia(l) Tidbit focused on players who have stolen six bases in a single MLB game (watch for that topic next week), but Cardinals’ rookie OF Joshua Baez’ “unicorn” three homers in his first three MLB at bats in an August 15, 8-4 win over the Cubs was impressive enough to send me off in a different direction.

For example, I was impressed by the fact that Baez’ homers went to all fields – center, left and right (in that order) – and that they were hit off a fastball, changeup and slider (also in that order).

It also struck me that as I write this, Baez has a share of the record for the most major- league hits by any player whose every major-league hit was a home run. (In three games since his three-homer debut, Baez has gone 0-for-14, with six strikeouts.) So, for now, Baez shares this record with another Cardinal, C/PH Keith McDonald.

Three MLB Career Hits … All Home Runs

I’ll digress for a minute to look at McDonald’s record, which I am sure will soon once again be his alone.  McDonald got his first taste of MLB action on July 4, 2000 (in St. Louis), pinch-hitting (for SS Edgar Renteria) in the bottom of the eighth inning – with the Cardinals ahead by a 13-3 score.  After hitting just one home run in 177 at bats at Triple-A that season, McDonald sent a 2-2 pitch out of the park to left-center. McDonald did not play in the Reds/Cardinals July 5 tilt, but on July 6, he started at catcher against the Reds, batting in the number-eight spot.  He got his first at bat of the game in the bottom of the second, with the Cardinals trailing 3-2. He tied the game with a home run on a 1-0 pitch – becoming just the second MLB player ever to homer in their FIRST TWO plate appearances. McDonald, who ended up with a total of only 11 MLB plate appearances (in eight games in 2000-01), had one other hit (also a home run) and is the only player to retired with more than one MLB hit whose every MLB hit went the distance., McDonald’s final MLB stat line  . .333-3-5.

Now back to my main topi , Baez’ MLB debut and some three-homer game trivia.

Let’s start with a deeper look at Baez’ inaugural MB game. Baez made his first trip to the plate as a major-leaguer in the top of the first – with one on and two out –  and hit the first pitch he saw (a fastball) from Cubs’ starter Matthew Boyd for a (449-foot) home run to center.  In the process, Baez became just the thirty-third player to hit the first major-league pitch he ever saw for a home run.

He came up again leading off the fourth and made more (and rarer) history. Baez worked a 3-2 count and again homered off Boyd – this time to left (off a changeup).  This made him the ninth MLB player to homer twice in his first MLB  game,  the  third to homer in his first two major-league plate appearances and just the second to homer in his first two MLB plate appearances in the same (MLB debut) game.

In the sixth, with Boyd still on the bump, there was more history to be made. Baez  hit a 1-0 slider for a two-run home run to right.  At this point, the Cardinals had a 6-3 lead and Baez had driven in five of the six tallies.  This made him the first player to homer in his first three MLB trips to the plate.  As noted earlier, he also joined, albeit surely temporarily, McDonald as the only MLB player with more than one MLB hit, whose every career MLB hit was a home run.

Baez came up once more in his inaugural game and flied out to left off Colin Rea.

Now a few more tidbits:

• Baez is the 34^th youngest player to have a three-homer game. The youngest is Al Kaline at 20 year-119 days (April 17, 1955). The only other player to have a three-dinger contest before age 20 is Eddie Mathews at 20 years – 350 days (Sept. 27, 1952). Side note: I never miss a chance to mention Mathews, my childhood hero and all-time favorite player.
• Baez is one of only six MLB players with five or more RBI in their MLB debut game. The Cubs’ Starlin Castro holds the debut-game record at six RBI (May 7, 2010). Castro also is the youngest player with five or more RBI in an MLB debut (20 years – 44 days).

Three Made Baez A Unicorn

Before Joshua Baez, the only two players to homer in their first TWO MLB plate appearances were: St. Louis Browns’ LF Bob Nieman, who homered in his first two MLB at plate appearances in his debut game (against the Red Sox in Fenway – on September 14, 1951) and the Cardinals’ Keith  McDonald in the July 4 and July 6, 2000 games (as noted earlier in this post).  

For those who like a little background, Baez was a second-round pick (54^th overall) in the 2021 MLB draft – out of Southfield High School in Brookline Massachusetts (signing for $2.25 million).  Baez was hitting  .256, with 34 home runs, 90 RBI and 21 stolen bas s in 103 games at Triple-A Memphis. In six minor-league seasons, Baez has gone .251-78-275, with 149 steals in 452 games. He seemed to find his power stroke in 2025 (as a 22-year-old), going .287-20-79 at High-A and Double-A.  Previously, he had not hit more than 11 home runs in any minor-league season.

Baez Showcases His Power at Triple-A

On June 16 of this season, Joshua Baez, playing for the Triple-A Memphis Red Birds smacked four home runs in a 12-5 win over the Nashville Sounds. He famished the game four-for-five, with the four home runs, four runs scored and seven RBI.

The oldest player to hit three or more home runs in a game was Stan Musial, with three homers in a July 8, 1962 Cardinals’ 15-1 win over the Mets.

That Was Fun … Let’s Do It Again

No one put together two three-homer games in a shorter span of time than the Angels’ Doug DeCinces. He smacked three homers in an August 3, 1982 5-4 loss to the Twins, then just four days and four games later (August 8) launched a trio of dingers in  a 9-5 win over Seattle.

That season, DeCinces went .310-30-97 and reached what would be his career highs in: average (.301); home runs (30); RBI (97); runs scored (94); hits (173); doubles (42); triples (5); and total bases (315). The performance was driven by a sterling second half.  At the All Star break, DeCinces (who did not make the AL All Star team) was hitting .268-10-47 (in 85 games). In 68 games after the break, he hit .340-20-50.

Over a 15-season MLB career (1973-87 … Orioles, Angels, Cardinals), DeCinces went . .259-237-879.

A final chart:

Final (side) Note: Only nine players have hit two or more home runs in their MLB debut game and three of those occurrences have come this season: Joshua Baez, Cardinals; Chase DeLauter, Guardians; and Jose Fernandez, Diamondbacks.  The others: Bob Nieman, 1951 Browns; Bert Campaneris, 1964 Athletics; Mark Quinn, 1999 Royals; J.P. Arencibia, 2010 Blue Jays; Trevor Story, 2016 Rockies; Charlie Reilly, 1889 Columbus Solons (American Association).

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; Three Homers in 1st three at bats?! Baez first to accomplish feat in epic big league debut, by Zach Sweet, MLB.com

Side Note: The Roundtable does not carry ads. However, I am making a small exception.  On the sidebar to the right of the screen (under Links), you’ll see a “widget” hat looks like a baseball with “We Fit Baseball Fans To A Tee” in it.  My brother and I – more for fun that profit – have launched (and are expanding a line of baseball-themed T-Shirts, Mugs and Hats that you might find interesting,  Just click on the image to go to the site.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1183

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

Thiis week, as you can see in the chart, we are looking at 20-20-20 and 20-20-20-20 seasons.

• The triple seems to be the key to the 20-20-20-20 and 20-20-20 season. While the seven players on these two lists combined to lead the league in triples a total of 16 times, they each had only one season of 20 or more three baggers.
• Three of the seven are in the Hall of Fame (Jim Bottomley, Willie Mays and George Brett).
• The list includes two primary CF, one RF, one LF, one SS, one 3B and one 1B.
• All seven achieved their twenty-something(s) seasons in their “twenty-somethings” (four in their age-26 seasons, three in their age-28 seasons).

Let’s take a look at these seven players (their 20-20-20-20 or 20-20 20 season and careers).

I’ll try to put them in the order I rank their notable season – which is, of course, purely subjective.  I should note that after the first three, I could easily have juggled the order. (You will probably surmise I gave an edge to players who were MVPs in their 20-20-20 or 20-20-20-20 seasons.)

Jimmy Rollins, SS, 2007 Phillies

Photo: Scinsvche, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In his qualifying season, Rollins led the league in games played (162, the most in any season on either list).  He also led the league in runs scored with 139, again the most of any season on either list. His 41 steals  are the most ever in a 20-20-20-20 season. His  212 hits tie George Brett for the most in a 29-20-20-20 or 20-20-20 season.  Rollins’ 380 total bases are the most among players in a season qualifying for either list. He is also one of just three players to hit at least 30 homers while qualifying for either list. He is the only player on either list to hit under .300 in their qualifying season.

Overall, Rollin played in 17 MLB seasons (2000-2016 … Phillies, Dodgers, White Sox – all but two for the Phillies). He hit .264-231-936, with 1,421 runs scored and 470 stolen bases. He was a three-time All Star, four-time Gold Glover and the 2007 NL Most Valuable Player (in his 20-20-20-20 season). He led the NL in triples three times and steals once (46 in 2001) and hit 20+  home runs in four seasons (once reaching 30). Rollins had four seasons of 40 or more stolen bases and six more of thirty or more.

Willie Mays, CF,  1957 Giants

Photo: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mays’ 35 home runs were the most in any season qualifying for either list and his 38 stolen bases second only  to Rollins. In addition, his .333 average is the second highest on either list and the highest among those who had 20 or more steals.

The Hall of Famer played in 23 MLB seasons (1948, 1951-73 … Black Barons, Giants, Mets), going .301-660-1.909, with 2,068 runs scored and 339 steals. Mays was an All Star in 20 MLB seasons. He was the 1951 NL Rookie of the Year; 1954 and 1965 NL MVP; and a 12-time Gold Glover. Mays led the league in home runs four times, stolen bases four times; triples three times; total bases three times; runs twice, hits once and batting average once. He hit forty or more homers in six seasons, twice topping 50, and stole thirty or morebases three time. Surprisingly, he never led the league in RBI.

Jim Bottomley, 1B, 1928 Cardinals

Photo: The New York Times, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bottomley was one of just two players to led his league in home runs while qualifying for either list. His 20 triples also led the NL, as did  his 136 RBI (the most RbI in any season on either list.  His 123 runs scored trail only Jimmy Rollins on either list. He was the NL MVP in his 20-20-20 campaign.

The Hall of Famer played in 16 MLB seasons (1922-37 … Cardinals, Reds, Browns), hitting .310-219-1,422,  with 1,177 runs scored and 58 steals. Bottomley led the league in doubles twice, RBI twice, total bases twice and hits, triples, and home runs once each.

Frank Schulte, RF, 1911 Cubs

Photo: Charles M. Conlon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While Schulte only had 24 home runs in his 20-20-20-20 season, no one else in MLB had more than 16 that year and his 107 RBI led the National League.  (He was the NL MVP in his four-twenty year.) Those 107 RBI tied for third among the seven seasons on the two lists.

Schulte played in 15 MLB seasons (1904-1918 … Cubs, Pirates, Phillies, Nationals), going, .270-92-793, with 906 runs scored and 233 stolen bases.  He led the league in home runs twice and in triples, RBI and  total bases once each. (He did not lead the league in triples in his 20-20-20-20 season.)

George Brett, 3B, 1979 Royals

Brett is all tied up in these stats. Brett’s 212 hits tied for the most in any qualifying season on either list; his 42 doubles also tied for first;  his 107 RBI tied for third; and his 20 triples tied for third (a five-way tie). His .329 average is third and his 119 runs fourth.

The Hall of Famer played in 21 MLB seasons (1973-93 … Royals), going .305-317-1,596, with 1,583 runs scored and 201 steals.  He was a 13-time All Star, a three-time batting champion and the 1980 AL MVP (.390-24-118). He hit over .300 in 11 seasons. Brett led the league in triples three times; batting average three times; hits three times; doubles twice; and total bases once.

Jeff Heath, RF,  1941 Indians

Heath’s .340 batting average was tops in any qualifying 20-20-20-20 or 20-20-20 season, and his 123 RBI were second only to Jim Bottomley’s 1928 qualifying campaign.  Heath’s 199 hits were third among those on the two lists. His 20 triples led the league.

Heath played in 14 MLB seasons (1936-49 … Indians, Browns, Nationals, Braves), going .293-194-887, with 777 runs and 56 stolen bases. The two-time All Star  led the league in triples twice and hit .300 or better in seven seasons. He came close to a 20-20-20-20 season, stealing 18 bases in his 20-20-20 campaign. It was the only time he reached double-digit steals in a season.

Curtis Granderson, CF, 2007 Tigers

Granderson’s 23 triples are the most of any season on either list and his 26 steals are third. Notably, in his qualifying season, he was only caught stealing once. His 74 RBI are the lowest on either list.

Granderson played in 16 MLB seasons (2004-19 … Tigers, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Brewers, Marlins), going .249-344-937, with 1,217 runs scored and 153 steals. He was a three-time All Star and led the league in triples twice, runs scored once and RBI once. He had four seasons of 100+ runs scored; two of 100+ RBI; four of 30 or more home runs (two of forty or more); and three of 20 or more steals.

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT. Follow me there for post notifications and links.

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1183