Baseball Daily Miscellany

In April 2007, both Steve Finlay and Matt Herges set a new major-league record by virtue of having appeared for every club in a five-team division. Finlay got there first, making his debut for the Colorado Rockies on 4 April and Herges joined his new teammate on 19 April when he pitched in relief at Coors Field in an 8-1 loss to his first team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On 22 August 1965, Dominican pitcher Juan Marichal was batting for the San Francisco Giants against arch rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park. Facing the sublime Sandy Koufax in the bottom of the third inning, Marichal was becoming increasing frustrated that catcher Jonny Roseboro’s return throws to Koufax were sailing far to close to his head. After an exchange of words, Roseboro rose to his feet and removed his protective helmet which prompted Marchial to hit Roseboro over his unprotected head with his bat! The incident sparked a 15 minute brawl and Roseboro needed 14 stitches. Marchial was ejected from the game, banned for nine days and fined $1,750. Roseboro eventually forgave Marchial and the two became good friends.

Last players at bat in old stadium before franchise relocation:

*The original Washington Senators moved to Minneapolis-St Paul in 1960 but a new Senators team was formed in the Capital for the 1961 season, playing initially at Griffith Stadium. This franchise moved to Texas after the 1971 season and became known as the Texas Rangers.

Only four players in major league baseball history have achieved the accolade of hitting 40 home runs as well as accumulating 40 stolen bases in the same single season.

Bobby Bonds achieved 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases on a record 5 separate occasions. This achievement was matched by his son Barry when he joined the 40-40 club in 1996. No other player has achieved 30-30 on more than 3 occasions. 

Barry & Bobby Bonds

In 1965, former Negro League star and Cleveland Indians pitcher Satchel Paige made a special appearance for the Kansas City Athletics for just one game. He had retired from major league baseball 12 years earlier but still managed to pitch three innings against the Boston Red Sox without giving up a run. Aged 59, the appearance made Paige the oldest player ever to appear in the big leagues.

The Gold Glove is awarded at the end of each Major League season to the player in each of the nine fielding positions to have the most superior individual fielding performance. In total eighteen are awarded as there are separate awards for the American and National League. Three are awarded in each league for the outfield positions but they do not differentiate between right, centre or left field. The most won in each position are as follows:

“I could field as long as I can remember, but hitting has been a struggle all my life” Brooks Robinson.

Inspired by new Japanese recruit Ichiro Suzuki, the 2001 Seattle Mariners equaled the modern record for games won in a season after overcoming 116 teams to level with the 1906 Chicago Cubs. The Cubs had a better winning percentage (.748) than the Mariners (.716) as the 1906 season only consisted of 155 games. Despite these achievements, neither team went on to triumph in the World Series.