Bill Gilbert’s 2013 analysis of the Hall of Fame Vote may be downloaded here: Analyzing the 2013 Hall of Fame vote
Rating the 2013 Hall of Fame Candidates Based on Win Shares
Bill Gilbert’s 2013 analysis of Hall of Fame Candidates based on win shares may be downloaded here: Rating the 2013 Hall of Fame Candidates Based on Win
Triple Milestones – 2012
Triple Milestones – 2012
By Bill Gilbert
Offensive production in the major leagues was mixed in 2012. The number of runs and home runs per game both increased in 2012 after reaching 20-year lows in 2011. Batting average was the same as in 2011 but on-base average dropped to .319, the lowest figure since the 1980s. However slugging average increased from .399 in 2011 to .405 in 2012
Year Runs/Game HR/Game BAVG OBA SLG OPS Triple Milestone Hitters
—- ——— ——- —- —- —- — ————————
1990 8.51 1.58 .258 .324 .386 .710 2
1991 8.62 1.61 .255 .323 .384 .707 3
1992 8.23 1.44 .256 .322 .377 .699 2
1993 9.20 1.78 .266 .332 .404 .736 5
1994 9.85 2.07 .270 .339 .424 .763 3
1995 9.69 2.02 .267 .338 .417 .755 8
1996 10.07 2.19 .270 .340 .427 .767 21
1997 9.53 2.05 .267 .337 .419 .756 7
1998 9.58 2.08 .266 .335 .420 .755 14
1999 10.17 2.28 .271 .345 .434 .779 19
2000 10.28 2.34 .271 .345 .437 .782 26
2001 9.55 2.25 .264 .332 .427 .759 21
2002 9.24 2.09 .261 .331 .417 .748 12
2003 9.46 2.14 .264 .332 .422 .754 8
2004 9.63 2.25 .266 .335 .428 .763 12
2005 9.18 2.06 .265 .330 .419 .749 10
2006 9.72 2.22 .269 .336 .432 .768 13
2007 9.59 2.04 .268 .336 .423 .759 8
2008 9.30 2.01 .264 .333 .417 .750 7
2009 9.23 2.02 .262 .333 .418 .751 6
2010 8.77 1.90 .257 .325 .403 .728 6
2011 8.57 1.87 .255 .321 .399 .720 7
2012 8.64 2.03 .255 .319 .405 .724 4
Home runs were up in 2012 as several power hitters emerged. Six players hit 40 or more home runs in 2012 compared to two in 2011. The 30 home run level was reached by 27 players in 2012 compared to 24 in 2011 and 18 in 2010.
A useful indicator for tracking offense is the number of players who hit for both power and average by achieving a .300 batting average, 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in. A record 26 players reached all three milestones in 2000, but that figure has dropped significantly in recent years. Only four players reached all three milestones in 2012, the lowest since 1994, as 23 of the players with 30+ home runs failed to reach 100 RBIs and bat .300. Miguel Cabrera and Ryan Braun were the only players who made it in both 2011 and 2012.
Joining Cabrera and Braun in the .300-30-100 club were Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder. It was the second time for Beltre and the first time for Fielder, bringing the total to 171 players who have registered at least one .300-30-100 season starting with Babe Ruth in 1920.
Following is a listing of players who achieved triple milestones in 2012.
Player Times BAVG-HR-RBI Comments
American
Miguel Cabrera 6 .330-44-139 Won the AL Triple Crown.
Adrian Beltre 2 .321-36-102 Last time was in 2004.
Prince Fielder 1 .313-30-108 Had .299-38-120 in 2011.
National
Ryan Braun 3 .319-41-112 Also stole 30 bases..
Four players achieved triple milestones in 2011 but fell short in 2012:
2011 2012
Player Times BAVG-HR-RBI BAVG-HR-RBI
Paul Konerko 3 .300-31-105 .298-26-75
Jose Bautista 1 .302-43-103 .241-27-63
Jacoby Ellsbury 1 .321-32-105 .271- 4-26
Matt Kemp 1 .324-39-126 .303-23-69
Troy Tulowitzki 1 .302-30-105 .287- 8-27
All but Konerko missed significant playing time with injuries.
Billy Butler of the Royals came close to Triple Milestones with.313-29-107.
The following list contains the names of players, active in 2012, who have had multiple .300-30-100 seasons in the past but have not done it in the last three years. Many have been limited by injuries. Some are still very productive players like David Ortiz and Matt Holliday, but not at the same level they were in their peak years. Since this list was started in 2004, not one player has come back with another .300-30-100 season.
Last
.300-30-100 .300-30-100
Player Seasons Season 2012 Comments
Alex Rodriguez 8 2008 .272-18-57 Another injury filled year.
Todd Helton 5 2003 .238- 7-37 Severe decline continues.
Chipper Jones 5 2001 .287-14-62 Still productive in final year.
Jason Giambi 4 2002 .225- 1- 8 Not much left.
Lance Berkman 3 2006 .259- 2- 7 Lost season due to injuries.
David Ortiz 3 2007 .318-23-60 Lone bright spot for Red Sox.
Mark Teixeira 3 2008 .251-24-84 Has become a .250 hitter.
Jim Thome 2 2002 .252- 8-25 Still adding to home run total.
Aramis Ramirez 2 2004 .300-27-105 Almost made it.
Travis Hafner 2 2006 .228-12-34 Not enough for a DH.
Vernon Wells 2 2006 .230-11-29 Continues to disappoint.
Matt Holliday 2 2007 .295-27-102 Came close in 2012.
Aubrey Huff 2 2008 .192- 1- 7 Looks like end of the line.
David Wright 2 2008 .306-21-93 Good enough for big contract.
In his 1988 Baseball Abstract, Bill James referred to triple
milestone seasons as "Hall of Fame Seasons". This was because all of the
eligible players with 5 or more triple milestone seasons had been
elected to the Hall of Fame. This correlation was broken in 2011 when Juan Gonzalez and Jeff Bagwell fell short of election in their first year of eligibility.
The Detroit Tigers had two players with triple milestones in 2012. Twenty nine of the thirty major league teams have now had at least one triple milestone hitter since the year 2000. Kansas City has not had a triple milestone hitter since Danny Tartabull in 1991, but Billy Butler came close in 2012.
Five minor league players also recorded triple milestone seasons in 2012 including two who finished the season in the major leagues.
Player Team (Level) Organization Age BAVG-HR-RBI
Darin Ruf Reading (AA) Philadelphia 25 .317-38-104
Philadelphia (NL) .333- 3- 10
.318-41-114
Will Myers NW Arkansas (AA) Kansas City 21 .343-13- 30
Omaha (AAA) .304-24- 79
.307-37-109
Jedd Gyorko San Antonio (AA) San Diego 23 .262- 6- 17
Tucson .328-24- 83
.311-30-100
John Lindsey Laguna (MEX) Detroit 35 .341-21- 64
Toledo (AAA) .270-15- 47
.310-36-111
Anthony Rizzo Iowa (AAA) Chicago Cubs 22 .342-23- 62
Chicago (NL) .285-15- 48
.310-38-110
No college players achieved triple milestones in 2012
Pitchers also strive for triple milestones – 20 wins, 200 strikeouts and an ERA under 3.00. Three pitchers made it in 2012, the most since 1974, The three who made it in 2012 are:
Pitcher Wins-Strikeouts-ERA
Gio Gonzalez 21-207-2.89
R. A. Dickey 20-230-2.73
David Price 20-205-2.56
Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw both made it in 2011 but fell short in wins in 2012. The three who made it in 2012 all accomplished it for the first time.
A complete list of hitters with triple milestone seasons since 1920 can be found at Baseball-Almanac, with the following link.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/triple_milestones.shtml
Pre-Holiday Hot Stove
A small but enthusastic group of chapter members gathered at Iron Works BBQ on Thursday, December 20 for some baseball talk, barbeque and holiday treats.
A wide-ranging assortment of baseball-related topics were covered including current topics such as the offseason acquistions by the Toronto Blue Jays, the signing of Josh Hamilton by the Angels, the trade of R. A. Dickey by the Mets and the signing of Carlos Pena by the Astros as well as topics from the past such as the Pythagorean W-L record of the ’62 Mets and the one game career of Houston Colt .45 player John Paciorek.
Monte Cely provided copies of the itinerary for the upcoming chapter Winter Meeting. Gilbert Martinez updated the group on potential construction disruptions that may affect the Winter Meeting venue on the Texas State University campus.
A potential group outing to the Rangers – Padres exhibition game in the Alamo Dome in San Antonio scheduled for March 30, 2013 was also discussed. More information will be forthcoming as the date approaches.
The monthly meeting for January will be the annual Winter Meeting. We encourage all chapter members to attend.
Thanks to Monte Cely (more specfically his wife, Linda) for supplying the assortment of desserts for the December meeting.
December Meeting
We will be gathering at Iron Works BBQ located at 100 Red River in downtown Austin on Thursday, December 20 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.
Book Review – Cuban Star
Cuban Star
How One Negro-League Owner Changed the Face of Baseball
by Adrian Burgos, Jr.
A Baseball Book Review
Monte Cely
(512) 310-9777
Cuban Star is the story of Alejandro “Alex” Pompez, a baseball Hall-of-Famer who played major roles in the Negro Leagues and in the integration of major league baseball.
Pompez was born in 1890 in Key West, Florida to immigrants who had fled the Spanish colonial regime in Cuba. Pompez’ father was active in the fight for Cuban independence, and this book explains the importance of “beisbol” as a symbol of the resistance struggle against the Spanish and as a means of raising funds to support the 1890’s revolution.
Pompez lived in Key West and in Tampa before moving to Harlem as a young man. He built a business empire that included “running the numbers” as well as promoting sporting events, including his New York “Cubans” ball club. He was instrumental in bringing many darker-skinned Latinos into the Negro Leagues. As integration gradually destroyed the Negro leagues in the late 40’s to early 50’s, Pompez re-invented himself as a “super-scout” for the New York/SF Giants. In that role, he served as both recruiter and mentor for the first wave of dark-skinned Latins joining organized baseball.
This book paints a story of baseball integration that is very different from the well-known version featuring Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey. Alex Pompez was at the center of that integration story, especially as it involved the Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans that entered baseball in the 1950-60s. It’s a compelling and informative story that should be of interest to SABR members.
Here are the key statistics:
Book: Cuban Star – How One Negro-League Owner Changed the Face of Baseball
Author: Adrian Burgos, Jr.
Author’s Credentials: Burgos is a professor of history at the University of Illinois. His previous book on baseball is Playing America’s Game: Baseball, Latinos and the Color Line. His work has also been featured in The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, as well as on ESPN.
Published: 2011, Hill and Wang; ISBN: 978-0-8090-9479-0.
Length: 302 pages.
Price: Retail list – $28.00; Online – from $2.00 (used) + shipping.
Seventh Annual Winter Meeting
Society for American Baseball Research
ROGERS HORNSBY CHAPTER
Seventh Annual WINTER MEETING
at TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
OLD MAIN BUILDING, ROOM 320
San Marcos, Texas
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2013
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THE LINEUP (in alphabetical order):
AARON BAGGETT & GRANT MORGAN – will present their research on umpire ball/strike behavior.
BILL BROWN – Houston Astros broadcaster and author of My Baseball Journey: A Sportscaster’s Story. More info on Bill and his book are at www.mybaseballjourney.com
MIKE CAPPS – Director of Broadcasting for the Round Rock Express – AAA affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
BOB DORRILL – will update us on plans for the 2014 SABR Convention to be held in Houston
TOM KAYSER – President of the AA Texas League
NORMAN MACHT – noted author and storyteller extraordinaire will deliver the baseball quiz and tell us about Connie Mack’s 150th anniversary celebration, at which Norman was a featured guest.
JUDY OSKAM – Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University
BOB THOLKES – will present his research on base ball in the 1840s thru the Civil War.
We’ll also have our usual features:
LUNCH – register upon arrival and sign up for your lunch choices; it’ll be delivered — all for a nominal charge. NOTES – we must have your lunch order by 10am in order to get delivery by noontime; we can only accept cash.
BOOK EXCHANGE – members are encouraged to bring a baseball book to exchange.
MEMORABILIA DISPLAY – there is scheduled time after lunch for memorabilia owners to describe & discuss.
DRESS CODE – wearing your favorite team’s cap, jersey, or sportswear is always encouraged.
Contact any member of the organizing committee if you have any questions or need more info:
Gilbert Martinez : gmartinez46@austin.rr.com
Monte Cely : cely@swbell.net
Jan Larson : jan.a.larson@gmail.com
Steve Fall : sportsresource@mindspring.com
COME EARLY, STAY LATE, HAVE FUN !
The meeting will be on the third floor in the Old Main building on the Texas State University campus. Look for the elevator on the first floor, or use the stairs. Here’s a photo of Old Main:
Directions to Texas State University-San Marcos
If you’re traveling north from San Antonio, take I-35 and take Exit 206, Aquarena Springs Drive.
If you’re traveling south from Austin, take I-35 and take Exit 206, Aquarena Springs Drive.
Travel west on Aquarena Springs Drive, which turns into University Drive. After crossing the San Marcos River, you will come to a traffic light. Turn right onto Sessom Drive. Just before the first light, turn left on State Street and go up a steep road toward Old Main. Go through a gate (the gate should be up) and continue up the hill. At the top of the hill, make a sharp left turn and drive up to Old Main. Look for parking on this road that winds around the side and back of Old Main.
You can find additional parking at the Pleasant Street Garage, located at the corner of N. LBJ and Pleasant Street. To reach this garage, after you pass through the gate, continue up the hill, then down the hill to the stop sign on Pleasant Street. Turn left; the entrance to the parking garage will be on your left.
You do not need a parking pass to park on campus – however, do not park in spaces not marked as parking spaces or in handicapped parking (unless you have the appropriate tag displayed).
The meeting room is on the third floor in Room 320. There is an elevator on the first floor, or you can take the stairs.
If you get lost or need help, call Gilbert Martinez (cell phone: 512-963-1263).
Use this link to see a Googe map showing the Texas State campus in relation to I-35:
Use this link to see a closer view of Old Main and the campus:
Hot Stove chatter and BBQ
Eight members enjoyed barbeque in downtown Austin while discussing the announcement of various baseball awards.
Jan Larson pitched a fun quiz focusing on prominent players and plays throughout baseball history, holding the group to high expectations. Tom Thayer took first prize, a Tim Kurkjian book, while Jim Baker placed second and took home a Dusty Baker toothpick-holder bobble-head. Click here to try your hand at the quiz, or go to the Contests tab above.
Discussions also included initial reaction to the latest franchise fire sale of the Miami Marlins franchise, the Silver Slugger Awards, the prospect of an Ozzie Guillen-Bobby Valentine talk show, the National League and American League Managers of the Year, and Brian Kenny’s Clubhouse Confidential show on MLB Network.
This was the 72nd consecutive month that the chapter has met. In December, we seek to tie Barry Bonds’ single-season home run record of 73.
The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at Iron Works BBQ in downtown Austin.
Moments in Time
Moments in Time
by Jan Larson
Presented at chapter meeting November 13, 2012
(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
| 1. | This New York Giants outfielder hit the “shot heard ‘round the world” in 1951 |
Bobby Thomson |
| 2. | This Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher gave up the “shot heard ‘round the world” in 1951 | Ralph Branca |
| 3. | Name the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder that hit a pinch hit, walk off home run off a future Hall of Fame reliever to win Game One of the 1988 World Series. | Kirk Gibson |
| 4. | Name the Hall of Fame reliever that gave up the home run in Q3 | Dennis Eckersley |
| 5. | This outfielder scored the game tying run in the bottom of the ninth of Game One of the 1988 World Series | Mike Davis |
| 6. | The New York Yankees outfielder “call his shot” before homering in Game Three of the 1932 World Series | Babe Ruth |
| 7. | This Chicago Cubs pitcher served up the “called shot.” | Charlie Root |
| 8. | Name the little-used reserve catcher whose two out, ninth inning single drove in the tying and winning runs in Game Seven of the 1992 NLCS | Francisco Cabrera |
| 9. | Name the player that scored the tying run on the hit in Q8 | David Justice |
| 10. | Nolan Ryan struck out this future Hall-of-Famer for the final out of his seventh career no-hitter on May 1, 1990 | Roberto Alomar |
| 11. |
The Yankees Roger Maris hit his 61st home run of the 1961 season off this Red Sox pitcher |
Tracy Stallard |
| 12. | Who was the 3’7” player that pinch hit for the St. Louis Browns in 1951? |
Eddie Gaedel |
| 13. | Who was the Tigers’ pitcher that walked the player in Q12 on four pitches? |
Bob Cain |
| 14. | This Braves reliever struck out Pete Rose for the final out in the game that broke Rose’s NL record 44 game hitting streak | Gene Garber |
| 15. | Name the Red Sox catcher whose twelfth inning, walk off homerun won Game Six of the 1975 World Series |
Carlton Fisk |
| 16. | Name the Reds’ pitcher that gave up the homerun in Q15 | Pat Darcy |
| 17. | This Red Sox outfielder’s home run in the tenth inning of Game Six of the 1986 World Series gave the Sox a short-lived lead over the New York Mets | Dave Henderson |
| 18. | Name the player that scored the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning of Game Six of the 1986 World Series | Ray Knight |
| 19. | Name the player that scored the winning run from first on an eleventh inning double in the Mariners’ 6-5 over the Yankees in Game Five of the 1995 ALDS | Ken Griffey, Jr. |
| 20. | Name the winning pitcher in the game in Q19 | Randy Johnson |
| 21. | This Pirates’ pitcher tossed twelve perfect innings but lost in the 13th in a game at Milwaukee in 1959 | Harvey Haddix |
| 22. | Name the winning pitcher in the game in Q21 | Lew Burdette |
| 23. |
This outfielder homered off an “eephus” pitch in the 1946 All-Star game |
Ted Williams |
| 24. | This pitcher threw the eephus pitch in Q23 | Rip Sewell |
| 25. | This Cubs catcher hit the walk off “homer in the gloamin’” to defeat the Pirates in 1938 | Gabby Hartnett |
| Tie Breaker | How many runners were on base when Henry Aaron hit his 715th career home run on April 8, 1974? If there were one or more, name those players | 1, Darrell Evans |
Baseball Super Freaks
When I was a kid, I remember having a set of baseball cards that were a bit unusual. It’s essentially a mashup of baseball players and monsters called Super Freaks by Donruss in the 1970s. A recent garage cleaning unearthed these invaluable (to me) cards. Nostalgia kicked in and I can’t bear to keep this to myself.
I don’t have the full set (note to self: next quest is to scour ebay and complete my set, thereby achieving The Joy That Knows No Bounds), but I have a good number of them.
The illustrations are top notch, and the baseball humor is quite good. Oh, what fun is in store for you, the gentle reader: a pitcher who nibbles (literally)!; an umpire so good he makes calls before the play is over!; a freak beaned in the head by a ball that went over the centerfield wall for a home run (take that, Jose Canseco!); a catcher who tends to look away just as the pitch is made!
So, without further ado, here are the ones I have:
Norris the Nibbler — A long time favorite freak. He is known far and wide for his constant nibbling; baseballs that is. It is really hard to complete a game with Norris around because he eats all the balls.
Arnie the Agile — A Super Freak in every sense.Arnie can catch any ball that comes within 20 feet without moving. Even though he is extremely quick on the basesball diamond… it takes him several minutes to sit down.
Shecky the Shortstop — Shecky is famous the world over for his quadruple plays (one for each eye). He has the unusual ability to watch three bases and the ball at the same time. He is a real hero with the clean-up crew.
Ozzie the Outfielder — Ozzie is a flashy freak. He has great ability to be alert at all times.The reason for this, of course, is because one head can sleep while the other thinks about playing ball.
Paul the Pitcher — Even though Paul is a pitcher, he sometimes plays catcher and he is terrific… who wouldn’t be with all those arms! He is a real threat when he is on the mound.
Slurp the Second Baseman — This freak will go to the Baseball Hall of Fame next year. There his tongue will be removed and hung in the trophy case to inspire all the second basemen around the world.What could be a better tribute to a freak who can catch a line drive with his tongue?
Sam the Switch Hitter — Sam can keep the best pitchers confused.As a matter of fact, he confuses himself, he fans and the umpires. If he didn’t have such a good personality, no one would tolerate him.
Oink the Ump — Oink has been an umpire in the Major Leagues for many years. He has the amazing ability to make a call before it actually happens. His lack of vision does not keep him from knowing just where the play is going to happen.
Benny the Base Runner — When Benny runs the bases, everyone is stricken with fear because he sounds like a stampede coming. Second and Third basemen have been known to run and hide when Benny gallops past first base.
Ollie the Outfielder — Ollie is an ex-bat boy, as anyone can see, who finally made the Big Leagues. Because of Ollie’s unusual abilities, rarely does a home run get past him.
The Bomber — This pitcher has one secret pitch no one can hit. If there is a full count on the batter, the next pitch he throws is the bomb.This pitch blows up the batter completely.
Hank the Hitter — Hank has the highest batting average in the Major Leagues.Any throw that comes close to the plate is certain to become a home run.
Richard the Runner — Richard has great speed and can slide link no other Super Freak. He can literally bury an opposing player when he charges a base. Incidentally, his roommate is Speed E. Freak.
Bo the Book-Maker — Bo was fired for betting many years ago, yet he still hangs around the stadium. He lives on left over hot dogs and popcorn and sleeps on the bleachers. Obviously, his diet doesn’t agree with him.
Sperry the Spit-Ball — Sperry can throw a spit-ball so wet that it has to be caught in a towel. He was voted the favorite freak of the year.
Nevin Nothing — Nevin’s biggest thrill in baseball was made his first year when a wild pitch him in the head and bounced over the centerfield fence. It took Nevin 15 minutes to run the bases in his dazed condition.
Ronnie the Reader — Ronnie the bookworm on the team. He plays centerfield so that he can read while playing. Even though his attention isn’t fully on the game, he seldom misses a pop fly.
Bob the Slob — Without doubt, Bob is the biggest slob in the Super Freak League. Rumor has it that he has not had a shower since he has been playing ball. He has been walked more than any other player because no one can stand to be close to him.
Harry the Hypnotist — Harry is a terrible pitcher, but he can hypnotize the batter and make him swing at anything that is thrown. Harry holds the record for continuous strike-outs.
Super Scooper — This freak is in the All Star ranks because of his ability to scoop up grounders. He is so good at it that he doesn’t even use a glove. He does, however, complain his toothpaste bill is too high.
Stupe the Second Sacker — This young freak was acquired from the Southern Freak Farm just last year and has become a favorite in a short time.With his exceptional vision, very little escapes his eyes.
Marvin the Mouth — The only accident that happened in Spring training was when Strike Out King threw his bat and it landed in Marvin’s mouth. Prior to this, Marvin could be heard for miles when arguing with the umpire.
Freddie Far-Out — Freddie is probably the freakiest freak of all. Being odd does not affect his playing ability. Freddie is extremely versatile and can play almost any position, including water boy.
Henry the Horrible — Henry announces all Super Freak ball games. He is well known for his colorful narrations, knowledge of the game, his relationship with all the players and his terrible looks.
Sam the Slammer — Sam swings the biggest bat in baseball.When he hits a ball, nothing is left but sawdust.The problem is that he rarely hits one. He holds the record of strike-outs.
Speed E. Freak — The fastest freak in baseball… he can actually run the bases twice while his ball is in the air. Opposing teams fear his fantastic speed.
Sylvester the Center Fielder — Sylvester’s main responsibility is to catch flies. HIs teammates know the only thing he can do well is attract them… probably because he washes his hair in ketchup.
Strike Out King — This guy has been struck out more than any other freak.The opposing pitcher knows the safest place to throw the ball is right under his nose. He tries to make friends, but just can’t mainly because he is just too nosey.
The Nose — This freak truly has a nose for the game. In fact, he uses it to catch those pop flies that other players find difficult to handle. He can smell a hit long before it happens.
Sammy Springer — Sammy was an All-American center on the Super Freak High School Basketball team. He switched to baseball last year and started at shortstop because of his ability to jump 20 feet into the air and catch any ball that comes by.Truly a Super Freak.
Pork E. Pine — No opposing player dares to slide into this guy’s base. In his twenty years in the Major Leagues. No one has ever gotten past him without getting the point.
Second Baseman — This player has an unbeatable way of firing a ball back to home plate. He uses a sling shot.The accuracy and speed is amazing. It is really tough for the opposing team to score a run when the ball is hit to this guy.
George the Glob — George has the unusual ability to cover a lot of ground in a short time with his four legs. Even though he is a Glob, he is a real asset in covering the outfield responsibilities.
Gavin the Goof-Off — Even though Gavin has four eyes, he has a tendency to look away just as the pitch is thrown.This is terrible for a catcher, but Gavin has so much to see.
Bernard the First Baseman — This guy plays ball with the spirit of a warrior. He guards first base like he owns it.A tough player to get past.
Alert Albert — Albert never pays attention to the game. He will look away anytime his name is called. Because of this, he has very few teeth left in his head.
Foul Ball Fred — This guy’s responsibility has been to scoop up foul balls and he’s been at it so long that he has become a foul character.The team keeps him around because he works for nothing.
Herman the Hideous — Herman is the most versatile freak. He can play any position… including the coach. He is so ugly that everyone ignores him other times. A Super Freak in every sense!
I hope you enjoyed these as much as I have. My favorites are Norris the Nibbler and Super Scooper. What would we do without cherished memories?
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