MLB Off-Topic

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Okay, one of those MLB Central trivia questions popped up on the screen, and I have it paused.

I don't think there was ever any actual text, but basically the question goes like this:

Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are among top three batting title holders in the AL (at .347 and .323, respectively; Altuve is currently second at .329). Name the last pair of players to lead their respective league in the batting title race while playing for the same team.

HINTS:

• It was in 2003
• Their averages were .326 and .325, respectively
• They played for an AL ball club.

My first thought went to Ichiro and another Mariner, but I haven't thought much about it yet since all I've really done was type up this post so far.


EDIT: I just like selectively guessing until I can land on the individual(s), and look up their batting average for that years. So far, Ichiro (M's, was maybe also thinking Martinez), Juan Gonzalez (Rangers, was maybe also thinking Young), and Magglio Ordonez (ChiSox, was maybe also thinking Konerko) are all scratches.


SECOND EDIT: Okay, got one of them. I definitely was overthinking this. I'm not certain I know the other individual though, but now that I know the team it's just a matter of making the right guess.

Spoiler

First person I got was Manny Ramirez. I overlooked it because I for some reason ignored the Red Sox as I saw there were BoSox in relation to the trivia question itself.

Now it's time to ask myself whether David Ortiz was the other guy, or somebody else. Gotta think hard about who was on this team. I mean I don't think someone like Youk was quite that successful a hitter, and I actually don't think he was even on the team yet. Was Damon on the team that year?

THIRD EDIT: I gave up, and oh wow... never would have guessed the other person. Not that I question it after seeing it, but their name flew right by me when it came to question relevance and that particular team. I forgot how good he was that year, average-wise.

[areobee401]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I got the division right but had the wrong pair of teammates.

My guess.

Spoiler

Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano.

How could I forget Bill Mueller?

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Also, happy anniversary to the Jerry Meals blown tag call against the Pirates in which the Braves won in walk-off fashion on a fielder's choice.

I know what you're thinking: that the game started on July 26th of that year. Indeed it did, but it went 19 innings lasting over six hours, therefore the moment occurred on July 27th when all was said and done.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Okay, one of those MLB Central trivia questions popped up on the screen, and I have it paused.

I don't think there was ever any actual text, but basically the question goes like this:

Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are among top three batting title holders in the AL (at .347 and .323, respectively; Altuve is currently second at .329). Name the last pair of players to lead their respective league in the batting title race while playing for the same team.

HINTS:

• It was in 2003
• Their averages were .326 and .325, respectively
• They played for an AL ball club.

My first thought went to Ichiro and another Mariner, but I haven't thought much about it yet since all I've really done was type up this post so far.


EDIT: I just like selectively guessing until I can land on the individual(s), and look up their batting average for that years. So far, Ichiro (M's, was maybe also thinking Martinez), Juan Gonzalez (Rangers, was maybe also thinking Young), and Magglio Ordonez (ChiSox, was maybe also thinking Konerko) are all scratches.


SECOND EDIT: Okay, got one of them. I definitely was overthinking this. I'm not certain I know the other individual though, but now that I know the team it's just a matter of making the right guess.

Spoiler

First person I got was Manny Ramirez. I overlooked it because I for some reason ignored the Red Sox as I saw there were BoSox in relation to the trivia question itself.

Now it's time to ask myself whether David Ortiz was the other guy, or somebody else. Gotta think hard about who was on this team. I mean I don't think someone like Youk was quite that successful a hitter, and I actually don't think he was even on the team yet. Was Damon on the team that year?

THIRD EDIT: I gave up, and oh wow... never would have guessed the other person. Not that I question it after seeing it, but their name flew right by me when it came to question relevance and that particular team. I forgot how good he was that year, average-wise.

Isn't this the year Bill Mueller won the batting title? I can't remember who was #2...I'd guess Nomar or Manny though.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

So...I know a lot has been made of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as a prospect, but I haven't really paid a lot of attention to what he's doing in the minors. Good heavens...the man is hitting .403 in nearly 300 PA's this year. I am excited to see this guy in the majors.

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

So...I know a lot has been made of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as a prospect, but I haven't really paid a lot of attention to what he's doing in the minors. Good heavens...the man is hitting .403 in nearly 300 PA's this year. I am excited to see this guy in the majors.

Yeah, he's absolutely KILLING the minor leagues. Apparently though, the Jays are taking it slow with him and he'll have to play in Buffalo for a while before going to the big club.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

So...I know a lot has been made of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as a prospect, but I haven't really paid a lot of attention to what he's doing in the minors. Good heavens...the man is hitting .403 in nearly 300 PA's this year. I am excited to see this guy in the majors.

The next closest guy in any level of the minors with at least 250 plate appearances is Juniel Querecuto(DBacks) who combined in AA and AAA is hitting .355.

If if I checked properly, the last guy in AA or AAA who had over 300 plate appearances and finished with an average of at least .380 was Rick Short back in 2005 (though he was 32). Last guy under 25 was Sean Casey in 1997.


The fact that Vlad is doing this while also being under 20(5 years younger than the league average age) is even more impressive.

[CBoller1331]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Do either of you guys think Vlad Jr. will be up at all in September? I just can't wait to watch this kid. He seems like a pure hitter

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Isn't this the year Bill Mueller won the batting title? I can't remember who was #2...I'd guess Nomar or Manny though.

You got it. Bill and Manny.

Totally flew by me that Mueller won it then.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

You got it. Bill and Manny.

Totally flew by me that Mueller won it then.

I'm still bitter about how Bill Mueller got his knee mangled up against an unpadded section of Busch Stadium (the one before this one). Ended what was looking like a breakout season for him with the Cubs in 2001.

[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Baseball needs to figure out a time when they can move the HOF commencement and speeches to when baseball isn't happening or the trade deadline is not approaching.

I think baseball should do it the week of the All-Star game. Perhaps not play any games on Sunday and have the HOF speech that nite so fans can make a weekend out of it. Perhaps make it the Wednesday or Thursday after the ASG so that could be a talking point for the players.

Either way, it's a disservice to such a great night. I heard on the Braves telecast that they told the HOFers to limit their speech to 10 minutes...last year they got 15, before it used to be 20? Getting inducted into the HOF ought to be a huge day and telling them to shut up so the trade deadline deals get more press is just wrong.

[CBoller1331]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Baseball needs to figure out a time when they can move the HOF commencement and speeches to when baseball isn't happening or the trade deadline is not approaching.

I think baseball should do it the week of the All-Star game. Perhaps not play any games on Sunday and have the HOF speech that nite so fans can make a weekend out of it. Perhaps make it the Wednesday or Thursday after the ASG so that could be a talking point for the players.

Either way, it's a disservice to such a great night. I heard on the Braves telecast that they told the HOFers to limit their speech to 10 minutes...last year they got 15, before it used to be 20? Getting inducted into the HOF ought to be a huge day and telling them to shut up so the trade deadline deals get more press is just wrong.

Overall I agree with your main point--the HOF induction should definitely be moved to a day with no baseball.....but I feel like the bolded part is due more to the number of players getting inducted this year rather than wanting to give the trades more press

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Baseball needs to figure out a time when they can move the HOF commencement and speeches to when baseball isn't happening or the trade deadline is not approaching.

I think baseball should do it the week of the All-Star game. Perhaps not play any games on Sunday and have the HOF speech that nite so fans can make a weekend out of it. Perhaps make it the Wednesday or Thursday after the ASG so that could be a talking point for the players.

Either way, it's a disservice to such a great night. I heard on the Braves telecast that they told the HOFers to limit their speech to 10 minutes...last year they got 15, before it used to be 20? Getting inducted into the HOF ought to be a huge day and telling them to shut up so the trade deadline deals get more press is just wrong.

I think it was Smoltz who suggested having a week dedicated to the HOF ceremony. Personally I'd have the HOF and the ASG on a weekend. Play the game at Cooperstown and incorporate the HOF as the main event the day before the ASG.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Do either of you guys think Vlad Jr. will be up at all in September? I just can't wait to watch this kid. He seems like a pure hitter

There's 0 reason from a baseball standpoint for him to be called up. Why call up a guy in a lost season and burn a year off his team control? If they call him up, no matter what anyone says, it's because of ownership forcing them to do so, and that'll be a bad sign of things to come in the future (ownership meddling).

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Do either of you guys think Vlad Jr. will be up at all in September? I just can't wait to watch this kid. He seems like a pure hitter

Nope, the earliest I expect him is mid-late May next year.