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YANKEE PRIDE
Q: Which Yankee team had the most future Hall of Famers?
-- Katags@aol.com
A: The 1928 New York Yankees had seven future Hall of Famers on it -- including their manager -- more than any other team. The team went on to win the World Series by beating the Brooklyn Dodgers in five games. The seven future Hall of Famers playing for that team were (with years of induction):
Q: Who was the only catcher to catch back-to-back no-hitters?
-- Donna Cotter
A: Not suprisingly, the only catcher to catch back-to-back no-hitters caught the only pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters. The catcher for both of Johnny Vander Meer's consecutive no-hitters was Ernie Lombardi. Besides helping Vander Meer with his excellent defense, Lombardi went 3 for 9 in the two games, with two runs scored, two RBI, and a home run.
Q: I know that the 2000 New York Yankees won the World Series despite David Cone's 4-14 record during the regular season. Did any other World Series champion have a pitcher with a worse record?
--
A: No other World Series champion has ever had a pitcher with a worse record than the Yankees' David Cone. However, one other championship team was able to win despite a 4-14 record by one of its starters. The 1980 Philadelphia Phillies overcame starter Randy Lerch's 4-14 record (5.16 ERA) to defeat the Kansas City Royals in six games. Lerch, who made 22 starts and 8 relief appearances during the regular season, was left off the postseason roster.
A: In 1951 -- Mantle's first year with the team -- he switched from number six to number seven in the middle of the season. He went on to wear number seven for the rest of his Hall of Fame career, and even donned the number during a brief stint as first base coach in 1971. The Yankees retired his number on Mickey Mantle Day -- June 8, 1969.
A: For the 1969 Amazing Mets, 22-year-old rookie Gary Gentry posted a 13-12 record. As the third starter behind Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, Gentry picked up some important victories during the Mets run through the World Series. He earned the victory in New York's NL East clinching victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, and also in Game Three of the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.
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