Category / Baseball

by jim

Active Batting Leaders – Through 2015

MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles DodgersLast month, we looked at the overall leaders on both sides of the ball from all of the games I’ve attended between 1984 and 2015.  Now that Opening Day is right around the corner, let’s take another look at those numbers, limiting it to players that are still active heading in to the 2016 season.  With Aramis Ramirez hanging up his spikes after last season, we should see a few new names on this list.

Home Runs

Name Total
Alexei Ramirez 34
Carlos Quentin 28
Alex Rios 24
A.J. Pierzynski 20
Juan Uribe 16

Hits

Name Total
Alexei Ramirez 299
A.J. Pierzynski 237
Alex Rios 153
Gordon Beckham 143
Carlos Quentin 120

Runs

Name Total
Alexei Ramirez 133
A.J. Pierzynski 106
Alex Rios 86
Gordon Beckham 81
Carlos Quentin 75

RBI

Name Total
Alexei Ramirez 138
A.J. Pierzynski 98
Alex Rios Continue reading →
by admin

Cubs All Time Leaders – Through 2015

chc_logoWith less than a month until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue things today with the Chicago Cubs.

I’ve seen the Cubs play 374 times at 9 different stadiums in 7 different cities, with the earliest identified game at Wrigley Field on August 4, 1984 against the Mets, through the final two games of last year’s NLCS loss to those same Mets.

Home Runs

Name Total
Sammy Sosa 42
Aramis Ramirez 41
Derrek Lee 38

Hits

Name Total
Derrek Lee 245
Aramis Ramirez 216
Sammy Sosa 136

Runs

Name Total
Derrek Lee 136
Aramis Ramirez 114
Sammy Sosa 102

RBI

Name Total
Aramis Ramirez 151
Derrek Lee 128
Sammy Sosa 97

Doubles

Name Total
Derrek Lee 51
Aramis Ramirez 48
Michael Barrett 29

Triples Continue reading →

by admin

#105 – Juan Pierre

juanpierre

Name: Juan Pierre

Rank: 105

Position: LF

Years With White Sox: 2010-2011

Juan Pierre came to the White Sox from the Dodgers in exchange for Jon Link and John Ely on December 15, 2009.  He moved in to the leadoff spot and left field for the 2010 White Sox, putting up a solid season offensively with a .275 average with 22 extra base hits.  He led all of MLB with 68 stolen bases, the second highest total in franchise history behind Rudy Law’s total of 77 in 1983.

2011 saw Pierre just as effective with the bat, but saw large drop-offs both on the basepaths and in the outfield.  His stolen base total dropped to 27, while he was caught 17 times.  He also tied for the league lead for all left fielders with 7 errors.  Following the season, he became a free agent.

Pierre’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Continue reading →

by admin

Happy Trails

larocheShocking developments out of Glendale today as Adam LaRoche walked out of White Sox camp and is expected to retire.  After telling team management and his teammates about his plans, they spent an hour trying to change his mind.  He is expected to take the next few days mulling over his decision before making things official.

LaRoche signed as a free agent on November 25, 2014, and was expected to provide some left handed power in the middle of the White Sox lineup in 2015.  To say things did not work out as planned would be a tremendous understatement.  His production fell off a cliff, finishing the year with a .207 batting average with only 12 home runs and 44 RBIs.  His second half was even worse, with a .231 OBP and a slugging percentage under .285.

He had appeared in only 2 games this spring while battling a back injury.  By walking away now, he leaves $13 million on the table, money the White Sox can use creatively should they find themselves in contention at the trade deadline.  Meanwhile, this should give Robin Ventura more flexibility while juggling Melky Cabrera, Adam Eaton, Austin Jackson, and Avisail Garcia.

LaRoche’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Continue reading →

by admin

Twins All Time Leaders – Through 2015

Minnesota-TwinsWith 1 month until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue things today with the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins originated in 1901 as the Washington Senators, one of the charter members of the American League.  When Minneapolis was given an expansion team to begin play in 1961, owner Calvin Griffith requested to move the Senators to Minnesota, becoming the Twins, and to have the expansion franchise take over the Senators name in Washington.  I’ve seen them play 48 times at 3 different stadiums, including the division-title deciding game 163 in 2008.

Home Runs

Name Total
Oswaldo Arcia 5
Jason Kubel 4
Brian Dozier 4
Torii Hunter 4

Hits

Name Total
Joe Mauer 36
Justin Morneau 25
Trevor Plouffe 22

Runs

Name Total
Joe Mauer 16
Brian Dozier 11
Trevor Plouffe 10

RBI

Name Total
Justin Morneau 15
Torii Hunter 11
Oswaldo Arcia 11

Doubles

Name Total
Justin Morneau 5
Oswaldo Arcia 5
Joe Mauer 5
Trevor Plouffe 5

Triples Continue reading →

by admin

#106 – Octavio Dotel

odotel

Name: Octavio Dotel

Rank: 106

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 2008-2009

Octavio Dotel joined the White Sox as a free agent on January 21, 2008, signing a two-year deal.  He became a work horse out of the bullpen for Ozzie Guillen during the 2008 season, going 4-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 72 games as the White Sox took home the Central Division title.  Dotel then appeared in all 4 games of the ALDS against the Rays, giving up 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched.

2009 was more of the same for Dotel.  In 10 fewer appearances, he went 3-3, lowering his ERA to 3.32.  Following the season, Dotel became a free agent, ending his White Sox career.

Dotel’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Continue reading →

by admin

#107 – Charles Johnson

cjohnson

Name: Charles Johnson

Rank: 107

Position: C

Year With White Sox: 2000

With the White Sox holding a 9 1/2 game lead in the AL Central just days before the trade deadline in 2000, GM Ron Schueler struck a deal to improve the team for the stretch run and the post-season, picking up Charles Johnson and Harold Baines from the Orioles in exchange for Brook Fordyce and three prospects.  In his first game with the White Sox, Johnson hit a game-winning home run off John Wetteland and guided James Baldwin to his best start in his last 11 outings.

In 44 games over the season’s final two months, Johnson hit .326 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs.  He also provided a stabilizing effect behind the plate for a pitching staff that fell apart due to injuries as the post-season approached.  As the White Sox battled the Mariners in the ALDS, Johnson was one of the few hitters who showed up, going 3-9 in the 3 game sweep.  After the season, he became a free agent, ending his brief, but successful, White Sox career.

Johnson’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Continue reading →

by admin

#108 – Dayan Viciedo

IMG_0892

Name: Dayan Viciedo

Rank: 108

Position: LF

Years With White Sox: 2010-2014

Dayan Viciedo signed a 4-year deal with the White Sox in November of 2008, mere months after defecting from Cuba.  He spent the 2009 season in Double A Birmingham and moved to Triple A Charlotte for 2010.  He spent some time with the big league club in 2010, making his major league debut on June 20 against the Nationals.

He returned to Triple A in 2011, until Carlos Quentin went down with an injury in late August. Viciedo returned to Chicago, this time to stay. He became the everyday left fielder in 2012, putting up decent, if underwhelming numbers. Viciedo became a bit of a conundrum in 2013, as his average improved slightly, but his power numbers decreased.

Viciedo was slated for a platoon role with Alejandro de Aza in 2014, until Avisail Garcia’s shoulder injury opened up a spot for him. By the time Garcia returned, de Aza was in Baltimore and Viciedo had left field all to himself. He was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, though, as his average and OBP fell to a career lows.

Viciedo appeared to be the odd man out that offseason, with Melky Cabrera signed to play left field and Adam LaRoche on board as DH.  With spring training 2015 about to begin and no takers on the trade market, the White Sox cut bait and released Viciedo on February 5th.  Viciedo re-signed with the White Sox organization on a minor league deal on August 1st and became a free agent following the season.

Viciedo’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Continue reading →

by admin

2016 Games Of Interest

2016GiveawaysFireworks Night

Aug 27 (Southpaw Star Wars Bobblehead)

Family Day

Apr 10
Apr 24
May 8
May 22
Jun 12 (Southpaw’s Birthday)
Jun 26
Jul 10
Jul 24
Aug 7
Aug 21
Aug 28
Sep 11
Oct 2

Other Fun Stuff

Apr 9 – White Sox Winter Hat
Apr 23 – Abreu Plush Bleacher Creature
May 7 – Chris Sale K-Counter Bobblehead
May 21 – Homecoming Weekend
Jun 11 – White Sox Hawaiian Shirt
Jul 9 – White Sox Cap
Jul 23 – 1976 Throwback Jersey

by admin

Pirates All Time Leaders – Through 2015

pirates-primaryWith 1 month until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue today with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates began life in 1887 as the Alleghenys, before taking on the Pirates moniker in 1891.  I’ve seen them play 42 times, including a double header sweep in 2003, enabling the Cubs to clinch their first NL Central title and a work outing in 2008 against the White Sox.

Home Runs

Name Total
Brian Giles 3
Jack Wilson 2
Nate McLouth 2
Carlos Garcia 2
Craig Wilson 2

Hits

Name Total
Jack Wilson 27
Jason Kendall 14
Aramis Ramirez 14

Runs

Name Total
Jack Wilson 16
Brian Giles 10
Nate McLouth 9

RBI

Name Total
Jason Kendall 12
Brian Giles 11
Jack Wilson 8

Doubles

Name Total
Freddy Sanchez 5
Aramis Ramirez 4
Abraham Nunez 4

Triples Continue reading →