The fans speak out

Baseball Digest, July, 2008 by Stan Briczinski, Bill Jones, William J. Carner, Gary Franson, John Cummings, Phil Snyder, Stephen Gorman, Tommy Davis, Marty Petersen, Larry Ranney Anderson, Judy G., Brent E. Newton, Tony Hodges, David Picconi, Doug Wulf, William A. Grossfield, Vince Marzo, Jim Lally, Maynard Tiemann, Doug Cooke, Nathan Jacobson, Bruce Graham, Jonathan Roberts, Harold Rogers, Mark Harrell, Jim Meyer, Joe Simone, Howard Johnson

I have been reading your magazine regularly since 1961 and I enjoy author George Vass' take on the subjects he covers in each issue.

I was amused to see in the May issue that Vass also has noticed that baseball players seem susceptible to an inordinate number of "strange" injuries.

I offer another "strange injury" to his list. It was reported during spring training in 2003 that Richie Sexson of the Brewers missed the team's first intrasquad game after he strained his neck while adjusting his cap during a photo shoot.

Stan Briczinski

West Chester, Pa.

In the May issue of Baseball Digest, your reply to a letter writer's request for an explanation of the so-called "double switch" was accurate, but possibly misleading.

This strategy is not unique to the National League, nor is it limited to pitching changes.

According to Rule 3.03, the manager, when substituting for two or more defensive players (i.e., at any position) at the same time, may alter their positions in the batting order.

Such "lineup switches" (as they would more properly be called) are simply more common in the National League because it is the only professional league that still requires notoriously weak-hitting pitchers to be in the batting lineup.

Bill Jones

Rancho Cordova, Calif.

My favorite player and idol when I was growing up--even though I saw him in the twilight of his great career--was Stan "The Man" Musial.

Although it seems to be overlooked now, his 1948 season was probably the best of any player in history. That year, he led the major leagues in almost every offensive category, including batting average, hits, doubles, triples, RBI, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

Only in home runs did he fall one short of winning the Triple Crown in the National League. He did have that 40th home run, but it came in a rained out game. Can you give me the details of that "rained out" home run?

William J. Carner

Columbia, Mo.

Musial led the majors in many offensive categories as you state, but despite leading the N.L. in RBI with 131, he trailed A.L. leaders Joe DiMaggio (155) of the Yankees and Vern Stephens (137) of the Red Sox.

There has been considerable debate about Musial's frost home run" in 1948 which was hit in game canceled because of rain. Critics say they can't find any written proof that Musial hit a homer in a rained out game in 1948. Stan recently told editor John Kuenster he did hit a homer in a rained out game that season even though he didn't remember the opposing team and we'll take his word for it.

It's possible he hit the home run on August 3 in a rained out game against the New York Giants in the Polo Grounds. The two teams played a doubleheader the next day to make up for the rained out game.

I would like to know when the Silver Slugger Award was established, and what are the qualifications for winning it. Who picks the winners?

Gary Franson

Thornton, Col.

The award was instituted in 1980 and given by Hillerich & Bradsby Co. (manufacturer of the Louisville Slugger bat) in conjunction with The Sporting News to the top hitters in both major leagues at their respective positions.

The awards are chosen by mangers and coaches.

When Jackie Robinson won the first Rookie of the Year Award from the Baseball Writers Association of America in 1947, who finished behind him in the voting?

John Cummings

Boston, Mass.

Robinson finished first with 129 votes, followed by pitcher Larry Jansen of the New York Giants, 105 votes; pitcher Frank Shea of the Yankees, 67; first baseman Ferris Fain of the Philadelphia A's; 43, and outfielder Frank Baumholtz of the Reds, 42.

During the 1988 season, I was able to see Orel Hershiser's amazing scoreless inning streak and Kirk Gibson's improbable home run to win Game 1 of the World Series against the A's.

At the time, I was in awe of Gibson, but as the years passed, I've realized the magnitude of Hershiser's accomplishment.

Your article in the May issue about his streak once again reminded me of his dominance. However, I never picked up on how many complete games he threw in a row.

Would you please print a list of pitchers with the most consecutive complete games thrown?

Phil Snyder

Athens, Ala

Since 1900, Jack Taylor of the St. Louis Cardinals holds the major league record for consecutive complete games in a season with 39 in 1904. The American League mark is 37, held by Bill Dinneen of the Boston Red Sox, also set in 1904.

Taylor also holds the major league record since 1900 for most consecutive complete games in a career with 187 established between June 1901 and August 1906, but this streak was interrupted by 15 additional relief appearances.

How many pitchers have won 20 or more games in a season for a last place team?

Stephen Gorman

Seattle, Wash.

Since 1900, only nine pitchers have won 20 or more games for a last place team. Steve Carlton of the Phillies recorded the most victories (27) for a cellar dweller, winning 45.7 percent of his team's win total. See the accompanying chart.

If a batter is hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and is injured to the extent that he is unable to walk to first base would he still receive credit for an RBI or would the pinch runner get it?