Baseball fans have long looked forward to spring, when hope springs eternal. And despite a week’s delay in the start of the season, we are all glad that the 2022 season is under way.
In addition to enjoying the start of the season, 14 chapter members and guests had the opportunity to welcome Bailey, our newest member! She’s a freshman in high school with a knack for math and a love for baseball. Bailey (pictured above, first on the left) is interested in statistical research and roots for the Chicago Cubs. According to unofficial records, she may be our youngest member ever! Welcome to the chapter, Bailey! And thanks to Bailey’s parents, Brian Hall and Nicole Bryan-Hall (who took the above photo) for joining us, too.
We talked about a wide range of topics, including the start of the season, Apple TV’s new foray into Friday night baseball, and new baseball rules.
Jerry Miller, winner of last month’s quiz, brought an alliterative-themed quiz to challenge, stymie and stump us. Jim Baker won with 18 points. Ira Siegel followed with 15, and Jan Larson had 14. Jerry presented nice prizes for first and second place (Photos below by Charles Kaufman; Jim Baker, left, and Ira Siegel, right).
Take your swing at Jerry’s quiz below. The answers follow the questions.
This was our 185th consecutive month in which the chapter has met, a streak dating to December 2006.
We’re making plans to attend a Round Rock Express game on May 14 with a traditional pregame dinner at Salt Lick BBQ. More details about purchasing tickets will be forthcoming to the chapter list.
ALLITERATIVE BASEBALL PLAYERS QUIZ
By Jerry Miller
The following quiz is comprised primarily of ballplayers with alliterative names (Don Drysdale, Barry Bonds, etc.). Each letter of the alphabet has been represented; however, where there is no suitable answer, your quiz master has exercised his discretion to temporarily suspend the rules, as indicated. Players’ first names are those used to identify them in baseball-reference.com (e.g.,
Dick Allen rather than Richie Allen, Bob Boone rather than Robert Boone, etc.).
1) A.A. Caught Nolan Ryan’s record-breaking fifth no-hitter in 1981.
2) B.B. Utility player who was the first pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1977 American League expansion draft.
3) C.C. Journeyman shortstop who hit extra inning walkoff home run to clinch the 2016 National League West title for the Dodgers in Vin Scully’s last home game.
4) D.D. Relief pitcher for six American League teams who gave up Hank Aaron’s 755th and last home run in 1976.
5) E.E. Slugging third baseman later converted to a full time DH who hit 424 career home runs, good for third among active players as of his last season (2020).
6) F.F. Three decade pitcher for New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers, whose rotundity earned him the nickname “Fat” and made him a Triple F.
7) G.G. Third baseman for 1987 World Series champion Minnesota Twins, who hit 360 career home runs, but whose devout Christianity offended free spirit teammate Kent Hrbek.
8) H.H. Hall of Fame outfielder who won four batting titles, and whose .342 career batting average is behind only Hornsby and Delahanty among right-handed batters.
9) ii Larry Csonka’s running mate for undefeated Miami Dolphins team of 1972, whose last name included a “double eye.”
10) J.J. 50s/60s pitcher for Braves and Reds who was the first Little League Baseball graduate to play in the major leagues.
11) K.K. Cleveland Indians third baseman who made several dazzling plays to help break Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in 1941.
12) L.L. Third baseman/outfielder who was the last Dodger player to wear #34 before Fernando Valenzuela (it has not been worn since).
13) M.M. Outfielder for Pirates, Expos, and Dodgers, who retired as the all-time leader in pinch hits (since eclipsed).
14) N.N. Rookie pitcher who appeared in six games for Yankees in 2020.
15) O.O. Well-traveled right handed pitcher who pitched for eight teams between 1990 and 2001, including five years with the Cardinals. He won a combined 15 games for two teams in 1999 and was the first Seattle Mariners pitcher to get an RBI.
16) P.P. Journeyman ’60s/’70s infielder who was traded by the Dodgers to reacquire Maury Wills.
17) _.Q. Other half, along with MVP Zoilo Versalles, of 1965 American League champion Minnesota Twins’ double play combination; also later managed the Twins (last name only starts with “Q”).
18) R.R. Utility player for six teams (mostly Phillies and Padres) in ’80s and ’90s. Currently manages the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the AA Oxymoron League.
19) S.S. Journeyman infielder for ’40s/’50s Boston and Milwaukee Braves. Later appeared as the manager for the opposing Pittsburgh team in the climactic scene from “The Natural.”
20) T.T. Rookie of the Year outfielder for the New York Yankees. Appeared in three straight World Series 1962-63-64.
21) U.U. 1999 National League saves leader for Montreal, and the only person that could possibly qualify as the answer to this question.
22) V.V. Six year major league pitcher who appeared in six games for the Phillies in 2020, and who prevented me from being forced to ask for the name of the actress who played Ethel Mertz on “I Love Lucy” (Vivian Vance).
23) W.W. ‘60s/’70s outfielder, primarily for White Sox, affectionately known as “No Neck” (and he really did have no neck).
24) xx Hall of Fame slugger whose last name ends with two Xs, hence his nickname.
25) Y.Y. Journeyman early 2000s reliever for Dodgers whose first name began and ended with “Y.” Or, you can name a right handed relief pitcher from Japan who pitched two seasons for the Royals in 2008-09.
26) zz Name two of the three Hall of Famers (one a 2B, one a SS, one a C) with a “Double-Z” in their last names.
Answers:
Alan Ashby
Bob Bailor
Charlie Culberson
Dick Drago
Edwin Encarnacion
“Fat” Freddy Fitzsimmons
Gary Gaetti
Harry Heilmann
Jim Kiick
Joey Jay
Ken Keltner
Lee Lacy
Manny Mota
Nick Nelson
Omar Oliveres
Paul Popovich
Frank Quillici
Randy Ready
Sibby Sisti
Tom Tresh
Ugueth Urbina
Vince Velasquez
Walt Williams
Jimmie Foxx
Yhency Brazobán/Yazuhiko Yabuta
Tony Lazzeri, Phil Rizzuto, Mike Piazza
P.S.: After preparing this quiz, I discovered a pitcher for the 1913-15 Chicago Cubs named Zip Zabel (real name George Washington Zabel). It turns out he holds the record for most innings thrown by a relief pitcher in a single game, replacing an injured starter in the first inning and pitching 18 1/3 innings until his team scored the winning run in the 19th. It also turns out that, according to his SABR biography, the nickname “Zip” was rarely used. So, if you knew about this guy, you obviously have way too much time on your hands.
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