Nine chapter members met Thursday, November 18 at Iron Works BBQ in downtown Austin. Off-season discussion topics were wide ranging, including current trade and free-agent market activity, the recently completed playoffs and World Series, the Cy Young voting, and the Astros’ new TV contract to appear locally on AT&T u-Verse via ROOT Sports.
Mike Dillon posed a quiz topic that we worked on as a group — With Albert Pujols recently joining the 500-home run club, could we name all the previous 500 home run hitters? There are now 26 players who have hit at least 500 career home runs. See how many you can name.
Monte Cely covered the status of the 2015 Hornsby Chapter Winter Meeting agenda. Wally Moon, 1954 NL Rookie of the Year, and Alyson Footer, MLB network national correspondent, will be our two headliners. The upcoming Winter Meeting will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Texas State University. More details will be forthcoming.
Our next chapter meeting will be Tuesday, December 16 at 6pm back at Iron Works BBQ. A reminder and call for rsvp’s will be emailed to chapter members as that date approaches.
Title: Houston Baseball – The Early Years 1861-1961
Editor and Contributors:
Mike Vance (editor) with Bill McCurdy, Bob Dorrill, Joe Thompson, Steve Bertone, Marsha Franty and Mickey Herskowitz
Published: 2014 by Bright Sky Press; 368 pages; ISBN – 978-1-939055-74-3; $49.95 new
Special purchase offer: While they last, SABR Hornsby Chapter members can purchase this book for $40.00, delivered. Send a check made out to "Houston Baseball – The Early Years" c/o Bob Dorrill, 2318 Crimson Valley Court, Kingwood, TX 77345.
This book is a project of SABR’s Larry Dierker Chapter and chronicles baseball in Houston prior to the arrival of the Major League Colt .45s in 1962. Individual chapters cover different eras of baseball in Houston – including: Ante-bellum early baseball (1836-1861); pre-professional ball (1861-1887); early professional baseball (1888-1905); the Texas League and affiliation with the Cardinals; and the Post-WWII era and transition to the Majors.
Other chapters portray Houston’s ballparks, the Dixie Series, Black baseball, Amateur and Semi-Pro ball, and Spring Training/Exhibition baseball in Houston.
No matter your particular interests in baseball, this well-researched and richly illustrated book has something for everyone. Details of ante-bellum baseball (yes, there was baseball in Houston before the Civil War helped the sport to expand), the Buffaloes’ long relationship with Branch Rickey and the Cardinals, and the machinations that brought major league baseball to Houston, all offer revealing insight into the history of baseball in the Bayou City.
Whether or not you’re from Houston, a Buffs or Astros fan, a SABR member should enjoy this outstanding book.
A small group of hearty Hornsby members traveled to the northwestern lands of Cedar Park to watch the San Francisco Giants get even with the Kansas City Royals in Game 4 of the 2014 World Series.
Fueled by delicious cheeseburger sliders, cookies and brownies by host Jim Baker along with a mayonnaise-less cole slaw by Raeanne Martinez, five members provided our own commentary to much of the game, which the Giants won 11-4 after trailing early 4-1.
While there was no official World Series trivia quiz, there was plenty of chatter on social media to challenge us. After Giants reliever Yusmeiro Petit (he of the robust .049 batting average) hit a bloop single in the 4th inning, the television broadcast noted that that was the first hit by a reliever in a World Series since Al Leiter did it in Game 4 in 1993 in which the Blue Jays outlasted the Phillies, 15-14.
Jayson Stark of ESPN noted on Twitter the name of the last National League reliever to get a hit in the World Series, so I proffered it as a question. After a few seconds of cranial gear-turning, Ryan Pollack offered, “Jesse Orosco?” Resident Mets fan and expert Jim Baker scoffed and said Orosco was a horrible hitter and couldn’t have been the correct answer, but, of course, it was! Orosco got a hit in Game 7 in 1986! (Later, Raeanne Martinez found Orosco’s career batting average, .169, confirming Baker’s suspicion.)
Speaking of Ryan Pollack, he noted that his first Hornsby Chapter meeting was the year before at the group’s World Series Watch Party. Also, Ryan got married a few weeks after SABR 44 in Houston and watched the stars align to attend ALCS Game 1 in Baltimore – it’s been quite a year for him! (You can read about Ryan’s Game 1 experience by clicking here.)
There was also an update on recently moved-away Eric Robinson, whom we had last heard had moved to West Texas seeking fame and fortune. Raeanne Martinez bumped into him at a book festival in Midland two weeks ago. Eric shared with Raeanne that he met Jim Morris, the relief pitcher who made his MLB debut at age 35 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999.
Many thanks to Jim Baker for hosting the World Series Watch Party for the fourth consecutive year. As I have always found, watching baseball with my knowledgeable Hornsby pals is the best way to watch baseball.
This was the 95th consecutive month in which the Hornsby Chapter has met.
The November meeting hasn’t been scheduled yet, but we’ll announce the date as we get closer.
(Note: Giants vs. Royals graphic illustration by Jim Baker)
Eleven chapter members and guests met for barbeque in downtown Austin, chatting about teams fighting for playoff spots in the final week of the regular season.
Jan Larson and Gilbert Martinez shared some stories about the last two Astros home games over the weekend. Martinez also did his best to discount the rumor that he fathered Astros phenom Jose Altuve. No one knows for sure, but the rumor appears to have started in West Texas earlier this week.
Baseball conversations focused on some of the favorite teams of the members in attendance. Ryan Pollack is encouraged by the play of his Baltimore Orioles, despite losing some key players to injury and suspension. The key down the stretch, he said, has been pitching and defense, but Pollack noted that the O’s have also benefited from the down years by the Rays and Red Sox.
Dan Walsh said he feels good about his Los Angeles Dodgers winning the NL West.
Mike McNulty and others wondered if the Boston Red Sox will rebound next season. We talked about ESPN writer Jayson Stark’s recent column that posed this question, “Has there ever been a team that lost 111 games or more one year and then won more games than the defending World Series champs the next?” The short answer is no, and, according to Stark, it’s not even close. But, going into games on Tuesday, the Houston Astros had one more win (69) than the Red Sox and was even in losses.
The New York Yankees fans in attendance – Jan Larson and Michael Hammond – both think that their team needs a lot of help if Derek Jeter’s final season is to be extended.
Speaking of Jeter, Larson has plans to be at Jeter’s final game at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 25. Of greater interest to Martinez (and perhaps few others), Larson will also be at the Astros-Mets game at Citi Field the next night.
Another topic of discussion included the overall improvement by the Astros this season, but some expressed worry about the team’s missteps this season – such as the failure to sign their No. 1 draft pick and two others, and the firing of manager Bo Porter.
The chapter will next meet on Saturday, Oct. 25, for Game 4 of the World Series. As we have done in recent years, we’ll gather for a watch party at the Cedar Park home of Jim Baker. More details to follow, including the names of the teams to play in the aforementioned World Series. Stay tuned for more details.
We will be gathering at Iron Works BBQ located at 100 Red River in downtown Austin on Tuesday, September 23 starting at 6:00 p.m.
There is a small parking lot on-site, a larger lot on the south side of Cesar Chavez plus large pay lots across the street to the east. Please RSVP to Jan Larson at jan.a.larson@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Questions 1-14 are worth 1 point, 15-23 worth two points, 24 is worth three points and 25 is worth 5 points.
(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. Name the first designated hitter in major league history.
Ron Blomberg, 1973
2. Name the only pitcher to hit two grand slams HR in one game.
Tony Cloninger, 1966.
3. This pitcher holds the record for most World Series wins during a career.
Whitey Ford
4. After Babe Ruth, who was the first player to hit 500 home runs in his career?
Jimmy Foxx
5. For players who began their career after 1950, the highest career batting average is held by …
Tony Gwynn, .338 BA
6. This player holds the record for most runs scored during his career.
Rickey Henderson
7. Name the youngest player to win a league batting title.
Al Kaline, 20 in 1955
8. The first home run in the Astrodome was hit by …
Mickey Mantle
9. This player holds the record for most career hits in All-Star games.
Willie Mays
10. The only player to win the World Series MVP award while playing for the losing team.
Bobby Richardson, Yankees, 1960
11. Name the only player to win the league MVP award in both leagues.
Frank Robinson
12. The first player to sign a contract of $1,000,000 per year was …
Nolan Ryan
13. This player has the most career wins for a left-handed pitcher.
Warren Spahn, 363 wins
14. The first player to steal 100 bases in one season.
Maury Wills, 1962, 104 SB
15. For 50 years, Hank Aaron was the first player listed in the Baseball Encyclopedia or other player registers. Name the player who replaced Aaron as the first name listed in a player register.
David Aardsma
16. The most RBI by one player in a game is 12. Name the two players who accomplished this feat.
Jim Bottomley, 1924 and Mark Whiten, 1993
17. The record for most strikeouts by a pitcher in one game is held by …
Tom Cheney, 21K (16 IP)
18. Name the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter on opening day of a season.
Bob Feller
19. Name the player who has won the most Gold Gloves during his career.
Greg Maddux, 18
20. The first relief pitcher to win a Cy Young award was …
Mike Marshall, 1974
21. Name the only player to win Rookie-of-Year, MVP, and Cy Young awards during his career.
Don Newcombe. RoY (1949), CY & MVP (1956)
22. The first Latin American player to win an MVP was …
Zoilo Versalles, AL – 1965
23. Name the only player to get a hit for two different teams in two different cities on the same day.
Joel Youngblood, 8/4/82
24. With a record of 211 wins and 222 losses, this is the only pitcher to win 200 games during his career, and have an overall losing record.
Bobo Newsom
25. Name the only player in the Hall-of Fame to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat AND he did not hit another home run during his 20 year career.
Ten members gathered at Iron Works BBQ in downtown Austin for the August meeting of the Rogers Hornsby Chapter. Topics of discussion included Gary McIntosh’s fantasy baseball league, Jose Altuve’s chase for the Houston Astros’ team record for hits in a season and Mike McNulty’s recent trip to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Dan Walsh presented a trivia quiz that was won by Jan Larson. The date of the September meeting is TBD. Details will be forthcoming.
Southern League: A True Story of Baseball, Civil Rights, and the Deep South’s Most Compelling Pennant Race
by Larry Colton, 321 pages, published-2013
As a sabermetrician examines statistics in context, author Larry Colton examines baseball and civil rights in the same way with his well researched book on The Birmingham Barons’ 1964 season. This was a particularly critical time in the history of our nation. It’s one thing to be in the midst of the pressure of an exciting pennant race. But if you were of Latin or African-American descent during 1964, playing baseball in the deep south, then that takes on quite a different dimension of pressure. The players of color weren’t only targeted by the fans, but by other players, the police, politicians, and business owners. After baseball had been disbanded there for two years for reasons directly related to segregation, Birmingham was granted a AA franchise by The Kansas City Athletics. With the Civil Rights movement as a backdrop to baseball (or is it baseball as a backdrop to the Civil Rights movement?), the reader can view a turbulent time in American history through the eyes of the players, manager, and owner.
Many of the "players" are well-known. You will, of course recognize the names ‘Blue Moon’ Odom, Tommie Reynolds, Paul Linblad, Haywood Sullivan, Campy Campaneris, Ken Sanders, Charlie Finley, The 16th St. Baptist Church, The KKK, Bull Connor, and George Wallace. Others such as Albert Belcher and Hoss Bowlin are not not so well known, but pivotal characters in their own right.
The book by Larry Colton, who made his own barely-brief big-league appearance, is a quick read. Anyone with any interest in minor league baseball and how the game affected and was affected by the social climate of those times will enjoy learning about these subjects through the eyes of those who lived them.
The August chapter meeting will return to the friendly confines of …. Iron Works BBQ in downtown Austin (were you expecting Wrigley Field?) on Tuesday, August 26 starting at 6:00 p.m. No need to RSVP. Just come along and bring your appetite for barbeque and baseball.
If SABR 44 were a baseball game, you could say that members of the Rogers Hornsby Chapter were deeply involved in all facets of the game as they had a hand in nearly all aspects of the convention.
A team made up of mostly Hornsby members were runners-up in the trivia contest; two members snagged foul balls at the Astros game; one member gave a very interesting talk about the Houston Eagles; and several members had the winning bids in the silent auction, including such items as Diamond Club seats behind home plate at the Astros game, a Jose Altuvé game-used, cracked bat and a piece of the original Astrodome turf.
Though no official count was taken, it appeared that the Hornsby Chapter had the largest representation at the convention, and we made our presence felt. The Larry Dierker Chapter, led by Bob Dorrill and Marsha Franty, hosted and coordinated the convention and were greatly assisted by the Hornsby Chapter.
The conference was filled with research presentations and panels on the history of the Houston Colt .45’s and Houston Astros.
Both the Houston Astros and Sugar Land Skeeters played a big part in the convention. Tal Smith, former Astros president and current special adviser to the Skeeters, spoke at the convention and hosted members at Constellation Park. The Astros president Reid Ryan and general manager Jeff Luhnow spoke on panels and fielded questions from the audience. More than a dozen former Astros and Colt .45 players were featured on panels, including Larry Dierker, Art Howe, Alan Ashby, Roger Clemens, Enos Cabell, Jose Cruz, Bob Watson, Bob Aspromonte, Hal Smith and Jimmy Wynn, among others. There was also a media panel consisting of longtime Astros broadcaster Bill Brown; Alyson Footer, national correspondent with MLB and former social media director with the Astros; Evan Drellich, Astros beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle; Buck Martinez, former player and current broadcaster with the Toronto Blue Jays; and Brett Dolan, radio broadcaster formerly on the Astros broadcast team.
In addition to a walking tour of old baseball sites around Houston, there were outings to Constellation Field to watch a Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, and to Minute Maid Park for a Blue Jays-Astros game.
In fact, both games had SABR members buzzing about what they experienced and saw – and what they nearly saw. The Skeeters’ starting pitcher Clint Everts came within two outs of no-hitting the Brideport Bluefish, giving up two hits and one walk through 8.1 innings.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, the Astros game featured several interesting tidbits: Jon Singleton had a thrilling inside-the-park home run that resulted after replay review overturned an out call at home; Jose Altuvé had two more hits, adding to his Major League hits total, and scored from first base after two errant throws; highly touted Astros prospect Mike Foltynewicz had his Major League debut; and the roof was open for an uncharacteristically cool August night. In fact, Minute Maid Park had its roof open at game time in August for the first time since 2004. In addition, Hornsby Chapter director Jan Larson and C. Paul Rogers III of the Banks-Bragan Chapter both won the auction for Diamond Club tickets. In the second inning, Raeanne and Gilbert Martinez joined them in the Diamond Club after receiving a surprising upgrade from their regular season ticket seats (check out a screen-grab from the television broadcast of Jon Singleton’s mighty swing; Gilbert and Raeanne can be see behind the umpire). In addition, chapter members Michael Hammon and Ryan Pollack caught foul balls while sitting with 500 of their closest SABR friends along the first base line.
One of the most popular attractions at any SABR convention is the trivia contest, and this year was no exception. The Hornsby +1 team consisted of Bill Gilbert, Jan Larson and Tom Thayer plus David Kaiser of the Lajoie-Start Chapter. In addition to the usual trivia questions one might expect, the contest also featured physical demonstrations of gestures by baseball players, including batting stances of Stan Musial and Hunter Pence. The Hornsby +1 team lost to a team from New England that called themselves the Misspelled Tulowitskis. For more about the trivia contest, click here.
In the research presentations, Hornsby’s own Eric Robinson gave his presentation on the brief life of the Houston Eagles, the only Negro League team to be based in Texas. His presentation, like many at SABR 44, was well received.
For more details about the convention schedule and summaries, please click here.
Many thanks to all the Hornsby and Dierker chapter members for volunteering and giving up some time to staff the chapter and silent auction tables and monitor the presentation rooms. Also, a special thanks to all SABR staff and interns for helping make SABR 44 one of the best conventions ever.
SABR 45 will be in Chicago next year from June 24 to 28. Upon the conclusion of SABR 44 in Houston, a number of SABR members took to social media to start counting down the days to Chicago.