- The Jerusalem Post highlights efforts to honor Lipman Emanuel Pike, described in an 1893 Sporting News article as “one of the few sons of Israel who ever drifted to the business of ball playing," and praised by one historian as as “baseball’s first great power hitter.” More here, via SABR.
- I am surprised, honestly, that Roberto Alomar will become the first Toronto Blue Jay honoured with having his number retired. They didn't retire Dave Stieb's #37? I'm generally okay with the idea that only HOF inductees should have their numbers retired, absent special circumstances like Darryl Kile, but given Alomar's brief tenure with Our Neighbours to the North, I'd have been fine with one of the other members of the Blue Jays Level of Excellence being recognized as well.
- It's July 21, and the Pittsburgh Pirates remain only a half-game out of first place. Seriously, people, what the hell is going on?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
TWIB NOTES: Three small baseball items.
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I'm OK with Alomar being the first Blue Jay honored, but they also ought to retire Joe Carter's number sometime. He had the most famous homer in franchise history - heck, one of the biggest homers in World Series history - and it wasn't as if he was a one-swing wonder. He drove in over 100 runs in six of his seven seasons with the Jays. By the way, what a blockbuster trade: The Jays got both Alomar and Carter from San Diego while trading away Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez. A lot of star power in that deal.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a life-long Pirates fan. He's finding this season more enjoyable than most.
ReplyDeleteCan they put a guy in the HOF if he played before professional baseball is considered to have started? The article on Pike is very interesting, and sounds like he has a record no one else else (six home runs in a game), but I would guess that the HOF only recognizes players from the professional era. (Could be wrong, can look it up later.).
ReplyDeleteThere are no players in whose careers began before 1871.
ReplyDeleteThat may be technically true, because George Wright & Al Spalding are listed as "Pioneers", but they both played before 1871, and Wright, at least, is primarily in the Hall as a player. Spalding is there for a lot of reasons.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the current Veterans Committee rules, they're not looking at players before 1871, but those rules get changed a lot, so you never know. But while Pike wouldn't be a bad choice, there are several other guys I'd have a bit in front of him from that era - Cal McVey, Joe Start, Dickey Pearce. Plus Ross Barnes, who was dominant in the National Association, but largely because of the "fair-foul bunt", which was outlawed in 1876.
I'm obligated to mention that Lip Pike was selected by the Hall of Merit in its 1940 election. http://tinyurl.com/3bscjgw
The Pirates stuff is ridiculous. Since Tuesday, there's been an ESPN.com feature story, a Grantland piece, a BS Report, a NYTimes story, a big SBNation spread, a big SI.com story and a Deadspin piece - at least. I just want people to stop talking about them, because if there was ever a time to sign a spotlight on a team that's improbably winning and could implode at any time, it's not before they embark on a ten-game set with the Cardinals, Braves and Phillies. If it's not obvious, I am very, very nervous that the other shoe is going to drop and ruin what has been a really fun season. That shoe is either going to be pitching regression, a terrible deadline trade that mortgages the future or Clint Hurdle reaching his goal of three sacrifice bunts in the same inning.
ReplyDeleteThis success has led to the Andrew McCutchen Hairitage shirt, quite possibly the best tee ever designed: http://www.eastbay.com/product/model:170401/sku:26983523/nike-mlb-hairitage-t-shirt-mens/andrew-mccutcheon/pirates/black/&SID=5504&inceptor=1&cm_mmc=SEO-_-Feeds-_-Froogle-_-null
"<span>Can they put a guy in the HOF if he played before professional baseball is considered to have started? "</span>
ReplyDeleteSure, there are plenty of players in who played before 1973.
/rimshot