Posted on 04/02/2017 10:34:26 PM PDT by TBP
Sportswriter: “You hit only two home runs all last year and already you’ve hit seven this year [1969]. What’s the difference?”
Reds outfielder Alex Johnson: “Five.”
See? Baseball numbers aren’t difficult. But be precise: As players say after a close play, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” And don’t be discouraged if some questions stump you. As Phillies manager Danny Ozark said in 1976, “Even Napoleon had his Watergate.” And as Brewers manager Harvey Kuenn said after losing the 1982 World Series to the Cardinals, “We’re going to hang our heads high.” Now, name the player or players who:
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Ted Williams had a remarkable eye. It is said he could read the stamp on a fast ball and count the threads. His “strike zone” was said to be exact.
One day a rookie pitcher faced him. The first pitch was just at the inside corner. The umpire said ball 1. The pitcher frowned. The next pitch was just on the outside black edge of the plate. Ball two, the umpire said.
Now the pitcher is angry and he steps toward the umpire, a no no, who comes out in front of the plate.
What’s wrong with those pitches blue, he demands.
The ump replied, son, Mr Williams will let you know when it’s strike.
I don’t know poop about, or care about baseball, but reading that quiz made me wonder if people who know all 31 answers actually have any meaningful life.
I have seen two live games over the last year with my co-workers, and I must say that Japanese live baseball is a helluva lot more entertaining than any Giants or A’s game I saw when I was a kid.
Lord I love baseball! Opening day is the most wonderful day.
As a native Cincinnatian I exercise my right to hate Bud Selig for ruining the opening day tradition of the baseball season kicking off in Cincinnati as a member of the Reds threw the first pitch of every baseball season.
Of course, there are many, many more reasons to hate Bud Selig. But that is always number one on my list.
Go REDS!!!!!!!!
Go Reds?? I will be out today at Miller Park cheering on the team.
Go Brewers Go!!
I miss Big Klu, Wally, and Gus. Gone are Frank, Vada, Gordy, Joey, O'Toole and Purkey. My boys of summer whose seasons were wonderfully spun by Waite Hoyt. The modern version, meh.
12/31. I sucked. But I liked it anyway.
Baseball is timeless. 27 outs with the lead has been the standard for over 150 years and now there has been talk about a clock. Replay has been a disaster and a clock would be the end.
You wonder if people.have a meaningful life??? Really?? Some people enjoy baseball. How does it follow that if you are into baseball and the trivia, that you don’t have other meaningful activities in your life?
Waite Hoyt was so good with the rain delay stories that you’d find yourself hoping for a downburst.
My comment was meant to be tounge-in-cheek comical.
I’m as fanatic about rock n roll history as baseball fans are about baseball.
You want to speed up the game? End walk-up music. That makes the process of walking to the batter’s box longer. 30 seconds of walk-up music times a minimum of 54 batters (27 outs per side) makes almost half an hour.
Limiting mound visits is fine with me. Some of teh other changes are fine. I do NOT like the no-pitch intentional walk (and it certainly seemed to surprise Yadier Molina last night.)
Technically, there has “always” been a pitch clock (at least, for as long as I can remember.) The truth of the matter, though, is that there is no penalty. if they called a ball when the pitcher exceeds the allotted time (or a balk if there are men on base), that would be MUCH more effective than a clock.
They’re tough questions, and meant to be.
One that occurred yesterday that I suspect will show up in two or three years, after it’s faded from our immediate memories:
Who is the only pitcher to hit two homeruns on Opening Day?
Oh okay. I was taking you literally.
Hey these are trying times. I will try to lighten up.:)
I love baseball - but wouldn’t dare take that quiz.
I remember 25 years ago when my father and father-in-law discussed baseball.
It seemed to me they knew everything.
As much as I like the sport, the historical facts are not my stong point.
What is it that you find more entertaining?
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