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TRIPLE PLAYS
Q: Which players have performed unassisted triple plays?
-- Barry
A: In the history of baseball, only eleven players have achieved the feat of single-handedly recording three outs on one play. They are (with date of occurrance): » Neal Ball, Cleveland Indians, July 19, 1909 » George Burns, Boston Red Sox, September 14, 1923 » Ernie Padgett, Boston Braves, October 6, 1923 » Glenn Wright, Pittsburgh Pirates, May 7, 1925 » Jimmy Cooney, Chicago Cubs, May 30, 1927 » Johnny Neun, Detroit Tigers, May 31, 1927 » Ron Hansen, Washington Senators, July 30, 1968 » Mickey Morandini, Philadelphia Phillies, September 20, 1992 » John Valentin, Boston Red Sox, July 8, 1994 » Randy Velarde, Oakland Athletics, May 29, 2000 In addition to the ten regular season triple plays, Bill Wambsganss turned the only triple play in World Series history on October 10, 1920 in Game Five against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

A LOT OF AT-BATS
Q: Who holds the record for most at-bats in a season?
-- Tony@harvestmeat.com
A: In 1980 Willie Wilson set the record for most at-bats in a season with 705. He played 161 games as an outfielder for the first-place Kansas City Royals, hitting .326 with 230 hits, 79 stolen bases, and 133 runs. Juan Samuel holds the National League record with 701 at-bats, set in his rookie season in 1984. In 160 games, he collected 191 hits, 19 triples, stole 72 bases, and scored 104 runs.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

PHILLIES FIRSTS
Q: Who hit the first home run in Veterans Stadium? I believe it was Roger Freed, but my friend says I am incorrect.
-- Paul Vonzech
A: Phillies' utility man Don Money hit the first home run in Veterans Stadium on April 10, 1971, the Phils first game in their new park. The very next day, outfielder Roger Freed got his name in the record books by becoming the first player to hit a grand slam in the new ballpark.
Back to top	-- Alex Friedman

NEW YORK YANKEES
Q: How many New York Yankees have worn #2?
-- Al Omernick
A: Seventeen players have worn #2 for the Yankees. Mark Koenig was the first, wearing it for two seasons, from 1929-1930, and Frankie Crosetti wore the number the longest, from 1945-1967. Other notables who have worn the number include Bobby Murcer, Dale Berra, Graig Nettles, and Derek Jeter.
Back to top	-- Alex Friedman

BOBS BEANINGS
Q: How many batters has Bob Gibson hit with a pitch?
-- Judithwaeltz@anheuser-busch.com
A: In his 17 major league seasons, the St. Louis Cardinals' Bob Gibson hit a total of 102 batters. His single-season high was 13, achieved in 1963. In 1968, when Gibson had one of the greatest pitching seasons of all time by going 22-9 with a 1.12 ERA, he hit seven batters. In case you were wondering about the other Bob Gibson, the righty only hit two batters in his five years with the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees. In 1985, Gibson's best year, he went 6-7 with a 3.90 ERA, hitting only one batter.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

LOU SCOFFIC
Q: Did a Louie Scoffic play for the St. Louis Cardinals alongside Dizzy Dean, Terry Moore, Spud Davis, and Jim Winford?
-- Linda Hughes
A: Lou Scoffic's only major league experience came in 1936, when the 23-year-old outfielder did indeed play for the Cardinals with teammates Dean, Moore, Spud "Virgil" Davis, and Winford. Scoffic played in four games, going 3-7 with two RBI in helping the Cards go 87-67.
Back to top	-- Alex Friedman

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