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MURDERER'S THROW
Q: Who was the player arrested for killing a seagull?
-- Michelle
A: On August 4, 1983, Dave Winfield was arrested for "causing unnecessary suffering to animals" when he accidentally killed a seagull with an errant throw while warming up before the fifth inning in a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. Afterwards, he was criticized by Canadian fans and environmental groups. He was released from a Toronto jail the next day on $500 bail, and the charges against him were later dropped.
Q: What happened in Joe DiMaggio's first at-bat in the majors?
-- Jim
A: In DiMaggio's first game in the majors, an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals on March 17, 1936, DiMaggio collected four hits on the day, including a triple, but the Yanks ended up losing the game, 8-7.
Because he burned his foot in a diathermy machine during spring training, DiMaggio didn't play in his first official game until May 3, 1936. In his first at-bat, he lined the second pitch into left field for a single, the first hit in his illustrious career. He went on to add two more hits, a single and a triple, and helped the Yankees defeat the St. Louis Browns 14-5.
A: Backup outfielder Roy Johnson wore number one, starting outfielder George Selkirk wore number three, second baseman Tony Lazzeri wore number six, and rookie outfielder Joe DiMaggio wore number nine.
Q: Which baseball great holds the record for most batting titles won?
-- Kathleen T. Brown
A: Ty Cobb holds the record for most career batting titles won with twelve, including nine in a row between 1905 and 1915, another record. Tony Gwynn and Honus Wagner are tied for second with eight batting titles each.
Q: I have a 1920 Les Nunamaker baseball card. Can you tell me which team he was playing for that year?
-- Gary Millen
A: In 1920, at the age of 31, Les Nunamaker played his second straight season with the Cleveland Indians. In 34 games, he hit .333 with 14 RBI and 10 runs scored.
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