Enigma #39

[enigma]

3ukk8kk963kk8k79953k63k43k8k4343kk

to find my place:
nkfsnmyxO
nkfsNgovvc
uoxxiByqobc
noxxscwkbDsxoj
Dywlbygxsxq
wsuogsDd
vOxlkbuob
mkDpscrrexdob
Ckxniuyepkh
tswLexxsxq
nyxvkbCox
mrkbvsObylobdcyx
knnsotyCc
miiYexq
wYxdogkbn
Voobsmrwyxn

[Joe]

5e7yh54trjur754675ujfcthtfr

[rkmsuf]

hallammmalllaamma dingdong

[mhass]

That's a lot of k's.

[QuikSand]

Signs that this is not a simple letter-for-letter cipher:

capitalization irregularities
very heavy use of certain letters - especially the relatively unused letters

[gstelmack]

Numbers only appear in the first line.

There is only one capital letter in each of the lower lines.

[Maple Leafs]

3ukk8kk963kk8k79953k63k43k8k4343kk

The user of the letter 'k', along with numbers (especially 3's) suggests it could be baseball related. Maybe a scorecard?

Edit: There are 13 k's. If we take all the outfiled numbers, as well as the lone 3, as flyouts/popouts, that's 8 more outs. That leaves six outs to go, which would be the groundouts -- 63, 53, 63, 43, 43, 43.

Not sure what the 'u' would be. Maybe instead of a popup, it's the first baseman, unassisted?

Probably a red herring, but I'm pleased with how far I got with it.

[QuikSand]

to find my place:

This sounds as thought it woudl lead in to a series of instructions -- I'd be looking for words like "go" or "take" or "start" to lead off the following segment. Alas, it looks like the following stuff is either a series of long words, or else is not segmented into words for us and the "blocks" are just random. I'm guessing the former, but that gets me nowhere.

[QuikSand]

3ukk8kk963kk8k79953k63k43k8k4343kk

The user of the letter 'k', along with numbers (especially 3's) suggests it could be baseball related. Maybe a scorecard?

Okay... maybe K=strikeout, numbers = position of player who made the out, etc.

Lots of 3s make sense... lots of putouts at first base. Promising.

[gstelmack]

The baseball bit would mean this was a perfect game, so the other clues help us figure out which one?

[QuikSand]

There are 15 listings in the bottom part - perhaps they relate to previous perfect games in MLB history? Maybe first and last names of the pitchers? I don't even know if 15 is correct, but it's at least pretty close.

[enigma]

There are 15 listings in the bottom part - perhaps they relate to previous perfect games in MLB history? Maybe first and last names of the pitchers? I don't even know if 15 is correct, but it's at least pretty close.

There are 16 now.

Given this and the last puzzle, the enigma's conclusion is that (s)he isn't being paid enough to proof his(her) puzzles.

[QuikSand]

For reference:

# Pitcher Date & Place Score Strikeouts # Pitches
(Strikes) References
17 Randy Johnson 5-18-2004, Atlanta Arizona-Atlanta (NL) 2-0 13 117 (87)
MLB.com, 5-19-2004
16 David Cone 7-18-1999, New York NY-Montreal (AL/NL) 6-0 10 88 (68)
15 David Wells 5-17-1998, New York NY-Minnesota (AL) 4-0 11 120 (79)
14 Kenny Rogers 7-28-1994, Arlington Texas-California (AL) 4-0 8 98 (64)
13 Dennis Martinez 7-28-1991, Los Angeles Montreal-Los Angeles 2-0 5 96
12 Tom Browning 9-16-1988, Cincinnati Cincinnati-Los Angeles 1-0 7 102 (72)
11 Mike Witt 9-30-1984, Arlington California-Texas (AL) 1-0 10 94 (70)
10 Len Barker 5-15-1981, Cleveland Cleveland-Toronto (AL) 3-0 11 103 (84)
9 Jim "Catfish" Hunter 5-8-1968, Oakland Oakland-Minnesota (AL) 4-0 11 ?
8 Sandy Koufax 9-9-1965, Los Angeles Los Angeles-Chicago (NL) 1-0 14 ?
7 Jim Bunning 6-21-1964, New York Philadelphia-NY (NL) 6-0 10 ?
6 Don Larsen 10-8-1956, New York New York-Brooklyn 2-0
5th Game, World Series 7 97
5 Charlie Robertson 4-30-1922, Detroit Chicago-Detroit (AL) 2-0 6 ?
4 Addie Joss 10-2-1908, Cleveland Cleveland-Chicago (AL) 1-0 3 ?
3 Cy Young 5-5-1904, Boston Boston-Philadelphia (AL) 3-0 3 ?
2 John M. Ward 6-17-1880, Providence Providence-Buffalo (NL) 5-0 ? ?
1 John Lee Richmond 6-12-1880, Worcester Worcester-Cleveland (NL) 1-0 ?

[VPI97]

Okay... maybe K=strikeout, numbers = position of player who made the out, etc.

Lots of 3s make sense... lots of putouts at first base. Promising. Yeah, there's 27 of them....it's definitely baseball.

[Maple Leafs]

There have been 17 perfect games in MLB history.

Randy Johnson had the last one, and he did have 13 Ks in that game.

[Maple Leafs]

3ukk8kk963kk8k79953k63k43k8k4343kk

Yep, this is definitely the linescore for Johnson's perfect game.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gameLog?gameId=240518115&full=1

[VPI97]

<table class="textSm" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="559"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="276"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="276"><tbody><tr align="center" bgcolor="#dedede"><td align="left" width="130">Arizona</td><td width="7%">AB</td><td width="7%">R</td><td width="7%">H</td><td width="7%">RBI</td><td width="7%">BB</td><td width="7%">SO</td><td width="7%">LOB</td><td align="right" width="10%">AVG</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Tracy (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=429710), 3B</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td align="right">.348</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Kata (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=425632), 2B</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td align="right">.254</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Gonzalez, L (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=114935), LF</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td align="right">.271</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Hillenbrand (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=150167), 1B</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td align="right">.261</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Finley (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=114135), CF</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.265</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Bautista (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=110712), RF</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td align="right">.341</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Cintron (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=400090), SS</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.255</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Hammock (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=425631), C</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td align="right">.229</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Johnson (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=116615), P</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td align="right">.150</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Totals</td><td>35</td><td>2</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>17</td><td align="right"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="9">
BATTING
2B: Cintron 2 (9, Hampton, Hampton).
TB: Tracy 2; Hillenbrand; Finley; Bautista; Cintron 5.
RBI: Cintron (11), Tracy (15).
2-out RBI: Cintron, Tracy.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Hammock, Hillenbrand, Bautista, Kata 2.
GIDP: Gonzalez, L.
Team LOB: 9.

</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td><td width="7"> </td><td valign="top" width="276"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="276"> <tbody><tr align="center" bgcolor="#dedede"> <td align="left" width="130">Atlanta</td><td width="7%">AB</td><td width="7%">R</td><td width="7%">H</td><td width="7%">RBI</td><td width="7%">BB</td><td width="7%">SO</td><td width="7%">LOB</td><td align="right" width="10%">AVG</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Garcia (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=150019), SS</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.284</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Franco (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=212297), 1B</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.255</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Jones, C (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=116706), LF</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.238</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Jones, A (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=116662), CF</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.246</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Estrada (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=283051), C</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.333</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Drew (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=136770), RF</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.296</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">DeRosa (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=136660), 3B</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.201</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Green (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=407797), 2B</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.222</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Hampton (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=115399), P</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.200</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">a-Perez (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=120407), PH</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td align="right">.200</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Totals</td><td>27</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13</td><td>0</td><td align="right"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="9">
a-Struck out for Hampton in the 9th. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="9">
FIELDING
E: DeRosa (8, fielding), Estrada (1, drop ball), Hampton (1, throw).
Outfield assists: Jones, A (Hammock at 3rd base).
DP: (Hampton-Garcia-Franco).

</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="276"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="276"> <tbody><tr align="center" bgcolor="#dedede"> <td align="left" width="130">Arizona</td><td width="7%">IP</td><td width="7%">H</td><td width="7%">R</td><td width="7%">ER</td><td width="7%">BB</td><td width="7%">SO</td><td width="7%">HR</td><td align="right" width="10%">ERA</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Johnson (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=116615) (W, 4-4)</td><td>9.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>13</td><td>0</td><td align="right">2.43</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td><td width="7"> </td><td valign="top" width="276"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="276"> <tbody><tr align="center" bgcolor="#dedede"> <td align="left" width="130">Atlanta</td><td width="7%">IP</td><td width="7%">H</td><td width="7%">R</td><td width="7%">ER</td><td width="7%">BB</td><td width="7%">SO</td><td width="7%">HR</td><td align="right" width="10%">ERA</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td align="left">Hampton (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=115399) (L, 0-5)</td><td>9.0</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td align="right">6.36</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">
Pitches-strikes: Johnson 117-87, Hampton 107-71.
Ground outs-fly outs: Johnson 7-7, Hampton 13-8.
Batters faced: Johnson 27, Hampton 38.
Umpires: HP: Greg Gibson. 1B: Bruce Dreckman. 2B: Gerry Davis. 3B: Larry Poncino.
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 5 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:13.
Att: 23,381.

Box score official statistics approved by Major League Baseball and the Office of the Commissioner </td></tr></tbody> </table>

[Maple Leafs]

nkfsnmyxO
nkfsNgovvc

The first one is nine letters and the second is ten. They both start with the same five letters. Seems pretty clear that this is David Cone and David Wells, no?

[Maple Leafs]

Mapping the capital letters in the list to the real names, I get:
EDRITTETSBSESOOL

I did it quickly so there may be a mistake or two in there, but that doesn't seem to spell anything.

[QuikSand]

The series on the bottom translates to:

DAVIDCONE
DAVIDWELLS
KENNYROGERS
DENNISMARTINEZ
TOMBROWNING
MIKEWITT
LENBARKER
CATFISHHUNTER
SANDYKOUFAX
JIMBUNNING
DONLARSEN
CHARLIEROBERTSON
ADDIEJOSS
CYYOUNG
MONTEWARD
LEERICHMOND

[VPI97]

Mapping the capital letters in the list to the real names, I get:
EDRITTETSBSESOOL

I did it quickly so there may be a mistake or two in there, but that doesn't seem to spell anything.
Actually, I got EDRTTTETSBSESOOL

[Maple Leafs]

Actually, I got EDRTTTETSBSESOOLYou're right.

[QuikSand]

If you anagram that mess, you can get a few possible key words... OLDEST and BEST both come to mind.

[Maple Leafs]

If you anagram that mess, you can get a few possible key words... OLDEST and BEST both come to mind.Also BETTER and LOSE... anyone tried any Harvey Haddix variations?

[enigma]

BETTER TOSSED LOST

I don't feel like Enigma-ing, so I'll just leave it alone.

[Maple Leafs]

Nothing kills the interest quite like knowing you won't be first, eh?

[QuikSand]

I suppose you could do some digging, and find out if there was a perfect game where the other pitcher was even more dominant -- maybe onf of the 1-0 wins. I really don't have a good puzzle in store anyway, so that taps my motivation as well.

[ThunderingHERD]

The only thing that comes to mind is the previously mentioned Harvey Haddix game, in which Haddix took a perfect game in to the 13th inning and ended up losing. Not sure what "find my place" means though, I tried a fewl different things based on the Haddix games but they didn't hit.

[Huckleberry]

So they're ordered from most recent to least recent.

I tried "edwalsh" but that didn't work. He struck out 15, walked 1, and allowed 4 hits and lost 1-0 to Addie Joss, who struck out 3.

[enigma]

Oh, ok. The answer was "harveyhaddix".

To summarize, first bit is the scoring line from Randy Johnson's perfect game. The next section are anagrams of the names of the other pitchers that have pitched a perfect game. Once decoded, the capital letters form the final anagram, which translates to "better tossed lost", a reference to Harvey Haddix's 12.2 perfect innings in a losing effort on May 26, 1959.

[Maple Leafs]

Also BETTER and LOSE... anyone tried any Harvey Haddix variations?I was on to something here...

Good puzzle, enigma.

[enigma]

I was on to something here...

Good puzzle, enigma.

Yes, sorry about that. I was working separately, saw that it had to be an anagram, and came up with the answer a few minutes after you did. I should have just shut up and let you take it.