Baseball Trivia (General)/Questions Answered by Expert Steve L
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Pitching stratedgy | 4/16/2006 |
| Q: I have always wondered why is it that stats are kept on weather a pitcher is left or right handed ... A: First, from the BATTER'S point of view: It's EASIER to hit a LEFT-HAND pitcher if you're a ... | |
| Umpires' Calls | 1/26/2006 |
| Q: , My name is Sarah Bricault and I am currently developing a science fair project that relates ... A: Please understand that this is merely an approximation, but it seems to me that while there are ... | |
| 1969 Los Angeles Dodgers | 10/7/2005 |
| Q: I know Wally Moon was in right & dUKE sNIDER WASIN LEFT. wHO PLAYED CENTER? A: Moon was out of baseball by 1965, and Snider left the Dodgers after '62, so I assume you mean the ... | |
| Peter Principle | 10/2/2005 |
| Q: I'm a 1st-year Sociology teacher trying to develop a project for my HS students on the Peter ... A: SO many players have been rewarded far beyond their capabilities, and have failed to justify those ... | |
| umps | 8/23/2005 |
| Q: How much money do major league umpires make? A: According to documents obtained by USA Today and reported by sportsbusinessnew.com, the new ... | |
| Players/Mgrs. from the Dominican Republic | 8/8/2005 |
| Q: I am really hoping you can find this answer for me. My husband seems to think there are a large ... A: There are 385 players who were born in the Dominican Republic. Click on this link for a complete ... | |
| Team Bullpen Statistics | 8/4/2005 |
| Q: That much I did before I asked you and it shows me the ERA for all 30 teams this year (that is my ... A: mlb.com doesn't have this capability. Go to ... | |
| hometown choice | 8/3/2005 |
| Q: This is a very oddball question, but I have to try to resolve it or go on seething. I hope you can ... A: I don't think you can discuss team loyalty in terms of “should,” because there's often no logic to ... | |
| Hitter's Park | 6/10/2005 |
| Q: What makes a hitter's park? For instance, I know that Colorado is a major hitter's park, but I don't ... A: Smaller parks are generally considered to better hitter's parks (e.g. Ebbets Field was, and so are ... | |
| TOP 10 PITCHERS OF ALL TIME | 5/16/2005 |
| Q: 1. Walter Johnson 2. Cy Young 3. Roger Clemens 4. Christy Matthewson 5. Sandy Koufax 6. Grover ... A: Pretty good list, Matt. The top 20, according to my colleagues at baseball-fever.com are: 1. ... | |
| Don Hoak | 4/28/2005 |
| Q: Ok, Steve. You seem to be the senior guy here so I'm asking you. What do you know about Don Hoak, ... A: Don Hoak was a third baseman for a variety of teams in the 50s and 60s, best known probably for his ... | |
| The symbol K for strikeout | 3/22/2005 |
| Q: Would you kindly tell me how long the K has been used as a symbol for a strikeout when scoring a ... A: Koufax's name will always be synonymous with "strikeouts," but the use of "K" for strikeout goes ... | |
| Foul Balls | 2/21/2005 |
| Q: What is the record for most foul balls in a single at bat and who holds it? I know its not a stat ... A: You're right; foul ball records are not kept, but baseball author Bill James once wrote that Roy ... | |
| baseball history question re: pitching | 1/14/2005 |
| Q: Im almost certain that in the very early days of local organized baseball pitchers tossed the ball ... A: This may be more than you asked for, but... The first Major League Code of 1876 brought in the ... | |
| peewee reese | 1/3/2005 |
| Q: Do you know how Peewee Reese (or Reece) acquired his dreadful sobriquet? I believe his real first ... A: Harold Henry Reese, beloved captain of the Brooklyn Dodgers, got his nickname as a young champion ... | |
| Record for baserunners thrown out at 2nd | 12/30/2004 |
| Q: Steve-- Wow. Thank you for that insightful analysis. Can I trouble you for a couple more questions? ... A: If he were playing today, when batting averages are higher than in previous decades, the catcher you ... | |
| Record for baserunners thrown out at 2nd | 12/30/2004 |
| Q: Steve- Thanks a million for getting back to me so quickly. So...if no record exists that you're ... A: George: For the first few years of Schalk's career, (1912-1917), the stolen base was at its peak as ... | |
| Record for baserunners thrown out at 2nd | 12/30/2004 |
| Q: Steve-- Thank you for your assistance. I am looking for a certain statistic that I have thus far ... A: Boy, that's a tough question! While I can't find the exact statistic, here's the best I can come up ... | |
| Question relation to Atlantic baseball nine possibly bklyn team??? | 12/10/2004 |
| Q: Here goes. I collect old original baseball prints and newspapers relating to new york baseball ... A: Steve: Sorry for the delay, but I just returned from a business trip and saw your question. The ... | |
| the throw | 11/26/2004 |
| Q: Im only 12 and new to baseball but ive heard of Ichiros the throw. I read it was like a laser beam! ... A: On April 11, 2001, in Oakland, Ichiro charged an eighth-inning single by Ramon Hernandez and cut ... | |
| Baseball | 11/17/2004 |
| Q: 20 playershave hit 500 or more career home runs in their career. One team has the most with 3 ... A: I can't find ANY team with THREE players who hit ALL of their 500 home runs with the same team. The ... | |
| Ex-Pro players as coaches | 11/11/2004 |
| Q: Steve, My workmates and I were marveling over the fact that many NFL coaches have never played in ... A: The following four managers NEVER PLAYED major league ball: Jack McKeon:Florida Dave Miley: ... | |
| Night batting vs. day | 10/27/2004 |
| Q: A friend makes the point that old-time hitters had a big advantage because they didn't play night ... A: In 2004, MOST teams hit better in DAY games than at night, although there a few exceptions. ... | |
| baseball trivia | 10/25/2004 |
| Q: Is it true there was a Yankee,Brklyn Dodger,NY Giants COMBINED exhibition game? 40's-50's Roughly: ... A: To benefit War Bonds, the Dodgers, Giants, and Yankees played a unique six-inning exhibition game on ... | |
| Baseball Trivia | 10/7/2004 |
| Q: I found a baseball in a bunch of boxes. It is signed by what looks to be the whole team, about 24 ... A: The ball is from the 1988 PITTSBURGH PIRATES -- the only year when ALL of the players were on the ... | |
| inside the park home runs | 9/28/2004 |
| Q: What 2 players were the last to hit back-to-back inside the park HR's? A: On 8/27/77, TOBY HARRAH and BUMP WILLS of the Texas Rangers hit back-to-back inside the park home ... | |
| The "K" denoting a strikeout | 9/27/2004 |
| Q: What is the origin of the "K" used to mark a strikeout in scoring. Thanks, Dave Weston A: Henry Chadwick, one of the first newspaper journalists to take a literary interest in baseball, ... | |
| runs scored | 9/24/2004 |
| Q: What are the MLB records for most runs scored in a game by a single team? also in a game by both ... A: The MODERN record for most runs by a single team is 29, by the Red Sox against the St. Louis Browns ... | |
| St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa's career | 9/23/2004 |
| Q: Prior to managing the Cardinals, manager Tony LaRussa was manager of the Chicago White Sox and ... A: LaRussa did play infield; he was an 18-year-old shortstop when he made his major league debut with ... | |
| Why didn't Babe Ruth pitch for the Yankees" | 9/19/2004 |
| Q: I've always assumed that Babe Ruth didn't pitch (as well as hit) for the Yankees because it would ... A: I don't know about it being tiring, but I do know that Ruth's pitching had decreased while he was ... | |
| how many-and which-major league... | 9/18/2004 |
| Q: how many-and which-major league teams have had 4 or more players hit 30 or more home runs in a ... A: There have been TEN teams that have had 4 players with 30+ home runs in a season: 1977 Dodgers 1995 ... | |
| tommy brown | 9/11/2004 |
| Q: The Dodgers had a brooklyn born player named Tommy Brown on their roster during the 40's and 50's ... A: Brown, who was the youngest player ever to make the Major Leagues (he was 16), and the youngest ever ... | |
| World Series wins | 8/30/2004 |
| Q: my question is this: Which 10 or 11 teams have won the most world series since 1903? I have a list ... A: Here are the top World Series winners: NY Yankees..........26 St. Louis Cardinals..9 ... | |
| pitching | 8/26/2004 |
| Q: what was the fast pitch and who threw it thank you A: In Order by Fastest Observed Speed (Listing Has Only The Fastest Known Speed by the Pitcher ) ... | |
| New York Giants Manager - John McGraw | 8/23/2004 |
| Q: I came across a very interesting tidbit on New York Giants manager, John McGraw, and would like to ... A: Dianna: Luther ("Dummy") Taylor played for McGraw and the Giants from 1900-1908. McGraw learned ... | |
| How can batting average be higher than on base percentage? | 8/9/2004 |
| Q: I noticed (on ... A: I think you'll find that almost EVERY player has a higher On Base percentage than Batting Average. ... | |
| Homeplate - Brooklyn Dodgers | 8/8/2004 |
| Q: Steve! My family was in the city a few years ago and looked for the sight of the old Ebbetts Field. ... A: Thom! Delighted that you have such an interest in "my" Dodgers! Unfortunately, nothing remains of ... | |
| fireman of the year | 7/28/2004 |
| Q: I would like to know if the fireman of the year award is the same as the rolaids relief man award. ... A: The ROLAIDS RELIEF AWARD was started in 1976 in an effort to honor the top closer from each league. ... | |
| triple headers | 7/23/2004 |
| Q: in the history of baseball has anyone pitched all 3 games of a triple header? i remember some ... A: A number of pitchers, including Grover Cleveland Alexander, Ed Walsh, Cy Young and Carl Mays, have ... | |
| top 100 ops list--1965 thru 1988 | 7/13/2004 |
| Q: The top 10 career OPS hitters are in descending order: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie ... A: The FIVE Boston OPS leaders in the '65-'88 perriod are: Yaz (4 times) Lynn (2x) Evans (2x) Boggs ... | |
| AL PItcher | 7/12/2004 |
| Q: Who was the last AL pitcher to hit a homerun in a world series game, and regular season game? A: Dave McNally of the Orioles hit a home run (a GRAND SLAM, at that!) in the 1970 World Series, and ... | |
| No Pepper Games | 7/6/2004 |
| Q: I've notices signs that read "No Pepper Games" stenciled on the walls at several ballparks. They ... A: A Pepper Game is a warm-up exercise in which players standing a short distance from a batter field ... | |
| baseball standings | 7/5/2004 |
| Q: I'm a big baseball fan, and I'm trying to explain the game to a friend who doesn't know much about ... A: Let's use today's NL West Standings as an example: W L GB San Diego ... | |
| Baseball hits | 6/28/2004 |
| Q: Hey Steve, I was having a debate with my friend about this question...how many hits can you have in ... A: The first two batters each get a hit, but are thrown out on the bases. The next three batters also ... | |
| Brooklyn Dodger history | 6/11/2004 |
| Q: Steve, A co-worker of mine asked me what teams Jackie Robinson played for before the bums. As for ... A: I misunderstood your question; I thought you meant any other MAJOR LEAGUE team. You're right. ... | |
| Brooklyn Dodger history | 6/11/2004 |
| Q: Steve, A co-worker of mine asked me what teams Jackie Robinson played for before the bums. As for ... A: Robinson never played for any other team but the Brooklyn Dodgers. In fact, when the Dodgers sold ... | |
| early baseball -- balls and strikes | 5/17/2004 |
| Q: I'm writing a children's cartoon that features early baseball. Can you tell me when "balls and ... A: Baseball's first set of rules, the original Knickerbocker Rules, were established by Alexander ... | |
| Bats | 5/9/2004 |
| Q: Why aren't aluminum bats allowed in the MLB, what is the size limits for wooden bats in the MLB A: According to the Official Rules: 1.10 (a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2 ... | |
| Negro Leagues | 5/7/2004 |
| Q: Do you know who josh gibson was? If so can you tell me some info on him for my school project A: A strong and agile catcher at 6' 1", 215 pounds, Gibson was the Negro Leagues' greatest home run ... | |
| Pitchers | 5/5/2004 |
| Q: Do sumbarine pitchers grip the ball different than overhanders when it come to fastballs and curves? ... A: Sorry I can't help you with the submarine pitchers' grip, but the fastest recorded pitch was 103 ... | |
| winning pitcher | 5/4/2004 |
| Q: Lets say the Cubs are on the road at Houston. They score 2 runs in the top of the first. Kerry Wood ... A: Wood, of course, cannot be the winning pitcher, since he did not pitch at least five innings. See ... | |
| #11 | 4/28/2004 |
| Q: can you give me some past and present number 11 baseball greats? A: I don't know about the present, but these former players wore #11: Carl Hubbell (from '33-'43) Luis ... | |
| Baseball rules | 4/27/2004 |
| Q: If a fielder drops or misplays a ball in foul territory WITHOUT any outside interference (fans or ... A: The short answer to your question is Yes, it's considered an error. According to the official ... | |
| Righty-Lefty | 4/20/2004 |
| Q: Steve,your direction to the ESPN site did the trick. It was easier than you had anticipated, as it ... A: Bill: I'm glad you found what you were looking for, but I don't think it answers your originalThe ... | |
| Righty-Lefty | 4/20/2004 |
| Q: Can you find,or develop, a stat that shows what the average batting average for the major leagues ... A: This link http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/statistics will show lefty/righty ... | |
| 500 Home Run Club | 4/19/2004 |
| Q: I need to know all the major league players (both living and deceased) who have hit over 500 home ... A: There are 19 players who have hit 500 or more home runs: 1. Hank Aaron 755 2. Babe Ruth 714 ... | |
| pinch hitting | 4/19/2004 |
| Q: This week Barry Bonds homered in all 5 games. The only game of the 6 the Giants played which he did ... A: According to the following Official Rule, Bonds DOES have a 5-game HR streak. The intentional walk ... | |
| Obscure questions | 3/22/2004 |
| Q: -YES!!! He is a 40 and 50"s Brooklyn fan!!!!!!!!! My husband is onsiderably ypunger and he is DYING ... A: Ok, we'll start with some easy ones: 1. Which Brooklyn player made his debut along with Jackie ... | |
| Obscure questions | 3/22/2004 |
| Q: ! My husbands partner ( he is a Dallas Police Detective) is a HUGE Dodgers fan and my hisband always ... A: Dee, I was a BROOKLYN Dodgers fan -- not the LOS ANGELES Dodgers. In fact, once Sandy Koufax ... | |
| Baseball Trivia Question... | 3/13/2004 |
| Q: Is it true that The Yankees are the only team with a better winning record going into The World ... A: The Yankees lost to the wild-card MARLINS in 2003, but their loss in 2001 to the DIAMONDBACKS was ... | |
| triple play | 3/10/2004 |
| Q: it's me again. That's still not right. In order to get the base runner running from 2nd to 3rd ... A: You misread my answer. The runner on second does NOT have to be tagged out, because the shortstop ... | |
| triple play | 3/10/2004 |
| Q: Steve, the explanation you sent me about how an unassisted triple play can occur, doesn't work, I ... A: Let's try again: The shorstop catches the line drive. Out #1. He steps on second to double the ... | |
| How is it possible to achieve... | 3/9/2004 |
| Q: How is it possible to achieve an unassisted triple play? There have been 12 in the history of major ... A: Here's one possibility: With runners on first and second and nobody out, the batter hits a line ... | |
| Did Fidel Castro try out | 3/4/2004 |
| Q: I am a student in a journalism information gathering class. One thing I am trying to find out for ... A: There has been a long-standing rumor that Castro tried out for, but was rejected by, a major league ... | |
| Fidel's dream | 2/29/2004 |
| Q: I was just talking to a friend who insisted that Fidel Castro tried out for the Orioles; but I ... A: There has been a long-standing rumor that Castro tried out for, but was rejected by, a major league ... | |
| Pitching Rotations | 12/4/2003 |
| Q: The 2003 yankees had a starting pitching rotation which had a total of 858 career wins when they ... A: There's never been a starting rotation with as many wins as the 2003 Yankees. So far here are some ... | |
| pitching rotation | 10/4/2003 |
| Q: can you explain the evolution of the four man pitching rotation to the five man rotation? when and ... A: The five-man rotation was a product of the early 1970s, when an era of free experimentation in our ... | |
| the designated hitter rule | 9/20/2003 |
| Q: , here's one that should be easy for you. do you know when the designated hitter rule in the ... A: 12-10-1972: The American League first adopts the designated hitter rule for a three year ... | |
| Which New York team? | 9/3/2003 |
| Q: There is a no hitter that was played on 9/8/93 by pitcher Daryl Kile...the score was Houston 7 New ... A: Kile pitched for the Houston Astros of the National League, so the team he no-hit was the New York ... | |
Baseball Trivia (General)
Answers by Expert:
Steve L
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
As a fan for over 50 years, I know strategy, history, statistics, obscure trivia. If I don`t know the answer, I have all the reference books and sources necessary to find it. Specializing in the 40s and 50s -- especially the Brooklyn Dodgers! I LOVE this game!
Experience
I've been a highly-rated expert on this subject on another Expert site
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NY Times
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