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. I don't do off-the-field stuff. Please 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.
Organizations SABR
Publications Numerous encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine articles. One book, several book chapters.
Question I know the 1993 Jays had the 3 top BA's in the AL (Olerud, Molitor and Alomar).
Has anyone else accomplished this feat? Has anyone come close?
Thanks for the help.
Answer Revision: Changed Subject
Hello, Tony. Interesting question. The top three hitters with the 1993 Blue Jays was the only time in baseball history that has happened. There have been several near misses. If we define a near miss as 3 of the top five hitters in the league, here's what we come up with.
1919 Detroit 1921 St Louis
1. Cobb 1. Hornsby
2. Veach 3. McHenry
5. Flagstead 5. Fournier
1925 Detroit
1. Heilmann
4. Cobb
5. Wingo
1926 Detroit
1. Manush
3. Forthergill
4. Heilmann
1946 Boston
2. Williams
3. Pesky
5. DiMaggio
1950 Boston
1. Goodman
3. DiMaggio
5. Zarilla
1993 Toronto
1. Olerud
2. Molitor
3. Alomar
Every time this has happened except once (Boston in 1950), at least one Hall of Famer was in the mix. There have been many, many times where a team had 2 of the top 3 hitters in the league, the last time in the NL, Colorado's Walker and Helton, 1-2 in 2001, and in the AL, Yankees Jeter and Cano, 2-3 in 2006.
