Just a few interesting numbers:
In 1999, Paul Konerko had four triples. From 2000-2012, he’s hit a total of four triples.
Don Kessinger was the starting SS for the Cubs for 12 years and totaled 11 HR. Starlin Castro had 14 HR this past season alone.
Kirby Puckett had 557 AB his rookie season. He hit 0 HR.
Shoeless Joe Jackson hit 54HR for his career. His best season was 1920 when he hit 12HR. The 1919 “Black” Sox weren’t banned until after the 1920 season.
In a 1975 game against the Houston Astros, Felix Millan of the Mets had four hits. The player batting behind him that day was Joe Torre. Torre grounded into four double plays, wiping Millan off base following all four of his hits.
Graig Nettles played 22 years. Despite 390 HR, he never had a 100-strikeout season.
In 1972, Steve Carlton had 30 CG. He pitched 346 innings…and didn’t even lead MLB in IP.
During an 11 year career, Roger Metzger had 5 HR. He had 71 triples.
George Brett was HBP just 33 times in his career. In 1971 the Expos Ron Hunt was HBP 50 times in that one season alone.
In 2012, the Pittsburgh Pirates average age for pitchers was 30.2. That was the first time that Pirate pitchers average age was over 30 since 1962. In contrast, the Mets average age for pitchers has been over 30 years of age in twelve of the past fifteen seasons.
Bert Campaneris played 19 seasons. In 1970 he had 22 HR. His next best HR total season was 1972 when he hit 8HR.
In 1977, inaugural season, Mariners had 64 Wins (.395). Since then, they have had six seasons with a worse winning percentage; the last being in 2010…..that same inaugural team had two players with 90+RBI (Leroy Stanton and Dan Meyer). The 2012 Mariners did not have a single 90RBI player.
Hall of Famer Al Kaline never hit more than 29HR in a season. He had just three seasons over 100RBI.
In 1973, the Mets won the NL pennant at 83-79. Tom Seaver and George Stone combined to go 31-13. The rest of the pitching staff went 51-66…. The 1973 Angels had 72 CG.
Despite a brilliant HOF career, Carl Yastrzemski had 15 seasons where he hit less than 20HR.
Since 1918, the Cardinals have finished last in their division just once (1990).
Perhaps the most despised former Yankee in their history is Ed Whitson. In his two seasons as a Yankee, Whitson was 15-10. I guess a .600 winning percentage doesn’t quite cut it with Yankee fans. Randy Johnson also had a rocky tenure during his time with the Yankees. He was 34-19 during his two years in the Bronx. Talk about a tough crowd.
