AboutTom Schott Expertise I will deal with the major leagues only from 19th century to present. I`m good on baseball history, records, statistics, ballparks. Try to stick to on-the-field stuff. I`m not interested in personal off-the-field stuff like spouses, girl friends, drug habits, salaries, mascots, etc. If you already know the answer to the question, please don't ask it. I don't want to play "stump the expert."
Experience I've written on the subject, and I have substantial library of resources.
Publications Numerous encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine articles. One book, several book chapters.
Question QUESTION: On July 4th, Florida scored 17 runs and lost. What is the most runs scored by a team in a losing effort in a nine inning game and also when was the last time a team scored at least 17 runs and lost?
ANSWER: Steve,
The most runs scored by a loser that I've been able to find is 23, in a game on Aug 25, 1922, when the Cubs beat the Phillies 26-23. If you go back into the 19th century and consider the National Association as a major league, the number jumps up to 33 when the Philadelphia Athletics beat the Troy Haymakers, 49-33, in a game on June 28, 1871. (see http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/06281871.htm)
QUESTION: Tom,
I'm guessing that Jason Giambi is the all-time leader in fewest triples per at bat for anyone in baseball history with at least 3,000 at bats. He has only 9 triples in 6,114 at bats (getting his 9th just the other day), giving him a "triple percentage" of just .0015. Boog Powell is close, with 11 triples in 6,681 AB's and a triple percentage of .0016, narrowly beating Giambi. Only 9 triples in a 14 year career is mind-boggling. Even notorious plodders like Harmon Killebrew had 24 and Ernie Lombardi had 27. And guys like Willie McCovey had 46 and Willie Stargell had 55.
Is Giambi the worst ever in that category? And can you furnish a list of the ten all-time worst at getting triples based on at least 3,000 AB's?
Thanks,
Steve
Answer Steve,
Giambi is far from the worst. Mark McGwire and Mike Piazza are worse. So is Cecil Fielder, and many others. I've provided below a list of everybody with 3,000+ ABs and 9 or fewer triples, i.e., guys worse than or equal to Giambi.
Please be aware that these figures are good only through the 2006 season. And I've also not considered guys from the 19th century. This is just modern era, 1901-2006:
Fewest Triples, Career, At Least 3,000 ABs
TRIPLES 3B AB
T1 Joe Oliver 3 3367
T1 John Flaherty 3 3372
T1 Rich Dauer 3 3829
T4 Mike Andrews 4 3116
T4 Mike Lowell 4 4142
T4 Mike Sweeney 4 4404
T4 Charles Johnson 4 3836
T8 Ben Grieve 5 3215
T8 Paul Sorrento 5 3412
T8 Bo Diaz 5 3274
T8 Paul Konerko 5 4561
T8 Ramon Hernandez 5 3148
T13 John Mabry 6 3375
T13 Mark McGwire 6 6187
T13 Scott Hatteberg 6 3813
T13 Greg Brock 6 3202
T13 Earl Williams 6 3058
T13 Gus Triandos 6 3907
T13 Phil Nevin 6 4188
T20 Todd Hundley 7 3769
T20 Cecil Fielder 7 5157
T20 Brian Harper 7 3151
T20 Greg Myers 7 3042
T20 Ron Hassey 7 3440
T20 Mike Stanley 7 4222
T20 Mike Piazza 7 6602
T20 Jorge Posada 7 4308
T20 Paul Lo Duca 7 3274
T29 Bob Horner 8 3777
T29 Ron Coomer 8 3019
T29 Mike Marshall 8 3593
T29 Bubba Phillips 8 3278
T29 Troy Glaus 8 4040
T29 Brent Mayne 8 3614
T29 Scott Brosius 8 3889
T29 Darrin Fletcher 8 3902
T29 Jason Giambi 9 5620
T38 Wayne Gross 9 3125
T38 Mike Matheny 9 3877
T38 Henry Rodriguez 9 3031
T38 Marty Barrett 9 3378
T38 Bill Melton 9 3971
