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: I've heard that there have been 8 players that have struck-out 6 times in a single game.
Rick Reichardt, Billy Cowan, Cecil Cooper, Sam Horn, Alex Gonzales and Geoff Jenkins are the ones I know of. Who are the two others - probably pre-1957?
ANSWER: Dave,
You're right about the time period. The other two guys are: Don Hoak, Cubs, May 2, 1956 (in 17 innings) and Carl Weilman, Browns, July 25, 1913 (in 15 innings).
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QUESTION: I think I have one that could stump you. How many times was Vic Power thrown out trying to steal a base in his baseball career? Anything special in his personal record that happened about the number of steals he was successful in doing?
ANSWER: Hi Dave,
Vic Power was caught stealing 35 times in his career. He was successful 45 times. The only variable I can see in his record on his successful attempts at stealing were the years he was with Cleveland. While an Indian, about three and half seasons, Power stole 24 bases. This is well over half of his total steals. In two of those seasons, 1959 and 1960 he stole 9 bases each, so 40 percent of his career steals came in just two seasons. Another way of looking at it is he had 40 percent of his career steals in 17 percent of his career. Might also mention he was an All Star in both those years.
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QUESTION: That is the answer all the record books give. Which source does Major League Baseball use for its official stats and what official person would you have to contact to get them to really listen to someone if you could prove that some official stat they have given is really wrong? I need to know Tom. :)
Answer Dave,
It goes without saying I'm not going to know if the number is not the one in the records. I think the Elias Sports Bureau is the official source for MLB records now. What I would do if I had your question is contact either:
SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) http://www.sabr.org/sabr.cfm?m=34
There is an "info" link in tiny print at the bottom of this page where you can email them. SABR has been responsible for changing a number of official records.
The BB Hall of Fame Research Center
Phone: (607) 547-0330 or (607) 547-0335
I looked for contact information on the Elias Sports Bureau page, but could find none. They might be able to help also.
OK, now I'm curious. What evidence have you got that Powers' CS stat is wrong?
