Had Babe Ruth staved off death, he would have turned 115 today.
Here’s mud in your eye, Bambino!
February 6, 2010
–a strange coincidence–
During the 8 years that
President George W. Bush
gave the state of the union speech (2001-2008),
the Yankees failed to win any
World Championships.
However, the Bombers WERE successful
both the year prior (2000)
and in the first year after (2009).
IN THE MIDDLE
1989 was the last season in which a closer led baseball in games pitched. Since then, it’s always been middle relievers.
3 Comments »Congrats to the HAWK
Interesting fact about Andre Dawson:
His lengthy career (1976-1996) overlapped with both Henry Aaron
and Derek Jeter.
You can find out tons more on Andre Dawson in the “Rollie Fingers Baseball Bible”
THE VALUE of a CLOSER
In 2007, the Indians went to the playoffs after closer Joe Borowski converted 45
out of his 53 save opportunities.
But in 2008, the Tribe was forced to resort to using a committee of closers. Unfortunately, the group only managed to save 31 out of their 51 save opportunities.
Overall, the Tribe won 15 fewer games in 2008 than they did in 2007. Of course, the blame was shared by the entire team, but it stands to reason that had Cleveland possessed a lights-out closer — that it would have meant a difference of 15-20 extra victories.
20 Comments »NL RIVALRIES
Would it surprise you to learn that the Dodgers and Reds have interchangably finished in first and second place
on FOURTEEN different occasions?
That’s quite the rivalry they had there!
Yet, somehow they are never in the conversation when the subject of
historic rivalries comes up.
Ever wonder which two teams finished 1-2 most often from 1876-1968? If you’re guessing either Giants-Dodgers or Cubs-Cardinals, you would be sorely mistaken.
To find the answer without having to painstakingly look it up, feel free to friend me (Yellowstone Ritter) on FACEBOOK to get that and other insights into the books Rollie and I create with Clerisy Press.
Leave Us A Comment!Next Month’s Book
is called the ROLLIE FINGERS BASEBALL BIBLE
(the sequel to Rollie’s Follies)
and it will also be chock full of topical, original and occasionally..hilarious material.
Ever wonder what teams waited the longest to win a world championship (besides the Cubs?) …it’s in the book.
Very soon, the publication will be available for purchase through this website but as of right now is available to be pre-ordered through a number of internet book sites such as amazon.com
Leave Us A Comment!TRIANGULATION
June 3, 1990 — Busch Stadium
The Cardinals beat Don Zimmer’s
Cubs 7-4
when
they broke the game open in the bottom of the 3rd inning with five runs.
Tom Pagnozzi, Vince Coleman, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, Pedro Guerrero, Terry Pendleton and Milt Thompson all contributed to the onslaught.
For the opposition, Andre Dawson and Mark Grace both went 2 for 4 for the Cubs on that day. Also on the short end of the stick were future managers Joe Girardi and Ryne Sandberg.
Why am I bringing this all up now?
…because it was the last game that
Andre Dawson, Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey were all in uniform
at the same time in the same stadium.
Congratulations to the
Hall of Fame Class of 2010!!!!!
Randy Johnson’s 10 most frequent foes:
1. HOF Rickey Henderson
2. Ivan Rodriguez
3. Phil Nevin
4. Ruben Sierra
5. Devon White
6. Adrian Beltre
& Juan Gonzalez
& Mike Stanley
9. Paul Lo Duca
10. HOF Kirby Puckett
The Japanese Factor
..a little update from chapter 9 in the first book (Rollie’s Follies) will follow this blurb. Chapter 9 was the one where we compared how moving to America has affected the stats of various hitters and pitchers.
Leave Us A Comment!