For Baseball Fans Only

WELCOME
Here we go with a Little Baseball Trivia this week.  Next Friday we
will focus on some trivia about "Oldies But Goodies".  What was
"Puff the Magic Dragon" really about ??




A SHORT CAREER
Larry Yount, older brother of Hall Of Famer Robin Yount, made his
MLB debut on September 17, 1971.   He was called into the game
for Houston to face the Atlanta Braves in the 9th inning but hurt his
shoulder while warming up.  He was immediately taken out of the game.
He never faced a batter.  He never got another chance in the Big
Leagues. 


DONNIE BASEBALL
In 1987 Don Mattingly got into the record books by hitting six grand
slams in one season.  A mark that still stands.  However, those were the
only ones he hit during his entire 14 year career.  In the other thirteen
seasons he hit none.


F.Y.I.
In 1982 Jackie Robinson became the first MLB Player to appear on a
postage stamp.


CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
In an era when a players lifetime statistics and milestones have become so
important it must have been frustrating for Joey Jay when he retired after a
fourteen year career with 99 wins and 999 strikeouts.


A LITTLE IRONY
Lefty O'Doul played MLB from 1919 to 1934 and was a two-time National
League batting champion.  During his career, and after he retired, he made
frequent trips to Japan as a Goodwill Ambassador for the game.  When the
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he was said to have
taken it as a personal affront that bothered him for the rest of his life.
Ironically he died in 1969, on DECEMBER 7TH !!


THE NAMES THE SAME
On September 17, 1984, Glen DAVIS of  the Houstom Astros hit a fly
ball off of pitcher Mark DAVIS that was caught by San Francisco Giants
outfielder Chili DAVIS.


A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
The American Girls Professional Baseball League, featured in the above movie
starring Geena Davis, actually existed.  During the 1950's I grew up in Fort
Wayne, Indiana, which had one of the teams and I actually attended a
game or two.     Here are the final standings from the 1949 season.
...............................................................W........L
..................Rockford Peaches................75........36
..................South Bend Blue Sox.......... 75.......36
..................Grand Rapids Chicks...........57.......54
..................Kenosha Comets..................56.......56
..................Fort Wayne Daisies.............53.......57
..................Muskegon Lassies...............46.......66
..................Racine Belles.......................45.......65
..................Peoria Red Wings................36.......74

NOTE:  Rockford swept South Bend in the World Series 4 games to 0.


BASEBALL BEEN BERRY BERRY GOOD TO ME !!
Bob Uecker, Deion Sanders, Billy Martin and Derek Jeter are the four
MLB players to have hosted Saturday Night Live.  No, Chico Escuela
(Garrett Morris) does not count.




Please Note:   All of my baseball  notes are from my unpublished book
"1,001 Baseball Trivia Facts, Oddities, Lists, Records And Other Vital
Information You Can Use To Impress Others".

Thanks Again
Richard

Family Ties, Elvis, Bond, Charlie & Baseball

WELCOME
Here we go with a few more trivia facts and stories.  Today we have a
little bit of everything. Will be back On Friday (July 29) with the
next edition "For Baseball Fans Only".


BORN ON THE EXACT SAME DAY - THE KEATONS !!
In my last blog I used the above subject for the world of baseball, but it
also applies elsewhere.   Remember the 1980's TV Series "Family Ties"?
The actors that played  Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith
Baxter-Birney), the parents of Alex, Mallory, Jennifer and Andrew,
were born on the exact same day, June 22, 1947.  Here are a few
more members of the club.

President George W. Bush and Sylvester Stallone(July 6, 1946)
Coach Mike Ditka and Assassin Lee Harvey Oswald(October 18, 1939)
Hockey greats  Mario Lemieux and Patrick Roy (October 5, 1965)
Actors Edward Norton and Christian Slater (August 18, 1969)
Princess Diana and Olympian Carl Lewis(July 1, 1961)
Movie Critic Roger Ebert and Beatle Paul McCartney (June 18, 1942)



ELVIS AND THE COLONEL
During the entire time he lived in America Elvis Presley's manager,
"Colonel" Tom Parker, was an illegal alien.   He was born in 1909 as
Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in The Netherlands.  He came to America
permanently at the age of 20 and never left and never obtained citizenship.
Although Elvis served in Germany while in the Army he never performed
overseas because Mr Parker would not be able to obtain a passport.
Elvis' only performance outside of the US were several concerts in Canada
back when a passport was not need to enter that country.  Until the day
he died in 1997 Andreas Cornelius feared deportation.


SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED
Ian Fleming, author of the entire James Bond series of novels, also wrote
the children's story "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang".  Go Figure !!!


SURFIN'  U.S.A.
In 1969 the Beach Boys released their 20th Album and titled it 20/20.  If you
look at Side A you will see that the 2nd cut is a song titled "I Can Hear Music"
written by Phil Spector.   If you look at Side B you will see that the 4th cut is
a song titled "Never Learn Not To Love" written by Charles Manson.  Yes,
that Charles Manson.  It makes we wonder where they send the royalty
checks since both of these men are currently incarcarated for murder charges
in  California Penatentaries.


MY FAVORITE BASEBALL TRADE
During the 1962 season the New York Mets were in need of a catcher and
obtained Harry Chiti from the Cleveland Indians for the usual  "player to
be named later".  At the end of  the season the Mets honored their obligation
and sent the Indians the player they owed them.  They sent them Harry Chiti.
The man was traded for himself !!!


Please Note:   All of my baseball  notes are from my unpublished book
"1,001 Baseball Trivia Facts, Oddities, Lists, Records And Other Vital
Information You Can Use To Impress Others".

Thanks Again
Richard

Birthdays, Beatles and More !!

WELCOME
Thanks for finding my blog.  I plan on updating my trivia facts every
few days so please come back.  Most of them will deal with
baseball, music, etc.  Today we will emphasize the National Pastime.


BORN ON THE SAME DAY
In 1994 an amazing coincidence occurred in baseball when it turns out
that both MVP's that season were born on  the exact same day.
Frank Thomas of the American League  and Jeff Bagwell of the National
League were both born May 27, 1968.   Here are a few more of my
baseball favorites that were "born on the exact same day".

The Yankees Joe Pepitone and the Beatles' John Lennon(October 9, 1940)
1950's infielder Reno Bertoia and Elvis Presey (January 8, 1935)
Braodcaster Mel Allen and Teamster Jimmy Hoffa(February 14, 1913)
Marilyn Monroe (Mrs. Joe DiMaggio) and Andy Griffith (June 1, 1926)

Although They never played baseball it is interesting to note that Charles
Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born on the exact same day,
February 12, 1809.   At least I never saw them play !!!


THE REAL FAB FOUR
After the 2008 Baseball Season both New York baseball Teams closed their
stadiums.   Because of their tradition it was the Yankees closing of their
stadium that seemed to get all the attention.  As baseball fans know it was
the home of four of baseball's greatest, Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle.
On the other hand, the four biggest stars ever to appear at the Met's Shea
Stadium were John, Paul George and Ringo.  Here are the four baseball
parks the the "Fab Four" Appeared in.
...........................................Astrodome(1965)
...........................................Shea Stadium(1965 & 1966)
...........................................Dodger Stadium(1966)
...........................................Candlestick Park(1966)


3000th HIT
Congratulations to Derek  Jeter for getting his 3000th hit, an amazing
baseball milestone.    He joined an elite group which includes Hall Of Famer
George Brett.  On September 30, 1992, George singled for his 3000th hit
and after the applause died down he was promptly picked off first base by
pitcher Tom Fortugno. 


A BAD DAY FOR JOE !!
On July 11, 1975, Joe Torre of the New York Mets set a Major
League Record by grounding into four double plays in one game.  Mets
2nd baseman Felix Millan hit in front of him and went four for four,
all singles.   Torre promptly followed him with four easy ground balls
for the twin killings.  To this day Joe blames Felix for this dubious
feat.

Thanks.....If you have any interesting trivia facts I would be glad
to hear from you...have a great Day !!!


Richard Harris
San Antonio, Texas