» Last week's Ask the Experts
» Check out the Ask the Experts Archive

» Have a question? Ask the experts at BOLexperts@idealog.com!
(Due to the volume of mail received, we cannot guarantee a response.)
» Are you an expert? Let us know by writing to BOLexperts@idealog.com.

OLDEST NO-NO
Q: Who was the oldest pitcher to throw a no-hitter?
-- William G. Boett
A: On June 11, 1990, at the age of 43 years, four months, and 12 days, Nolan Ryan became the oldest pitcher to toss a no-hitter when he did it against the Oakland Athletics. He walked only two, struck out 14, and needed only two hours and forty-nine minutes to complete the masterpiece. Ryan became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for three different teams, and also the first pitcher to do it in three different decades. What made it all the more amazing was that it came in just his second start after coming off the DL. The next season, at the age of 44 years, three months and one day, Ryan threw the seventh and final no-hitter in his career, a 3-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

NEW YORK YANKEES
Q: When did the New York Yankees first add pinstripes to their uniforms?
-- HHSSII@aol.com
A: The New York Yankees first added pinstripes to their uniforms for the 1912 season. At the time, they were still known as the New York Highlanders, though the name "Yankees" was becoming more and more popular, and became the official name the next year. For the next two years, the Yankees shared the Polo Grounds with the New York Giants, and the pinstripes were taken off of the home uniforms. Then, in 1915, they returned, and have not been removed since. The myth that Colonel Jacob Ruppert had pinstripes added in the 1920s to make Babe Ruth look thinner is untrue.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

HOME RUN HITTES
Q: How many players have hit five home runs over two consecutive games?
-- Joseph
A: Twenty-one players have hit five home runs over two consecutive games. The first player to accomplish this feat was Cap Anson, who did it for Chicago on August 5, and 6, 1884. The most recent player to do it was Manny Ramirez, who did it on September 15 and 16, 1998. Only two players, Mark McGwire and Ralph Kiner, have done it twice in their careers.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

WINNING PITCHERS
Q: How many pitchers have won 300 games in their careers?
-- KWANGSONC@aol.com
A: Twenty pitchers have won 300 or more games in their careers. They are (with number of victories): Cy Young - 511 Walter Johnson - 417 Christy Mathewson - 373 Grover Cleveland Alexander - 373 Warren Spahn - 363 Kid Nichols - 361 Pud Galvin - 361 Tim Keefe - 342 Steve Carlton - 329 John Clarkson - 327 Don Sutton - 324 Nolan Ryan - 324 Phil Niekro - 318 Gaylord Perry - 314 Tom Seaver - 311 Hoss Radbourn - 308 Mickey Welch - 307 Eddie Plank - 305 Lefty Grove - 300 Early Wynn - 300
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

RIPPING REDS
Q: How many Cincinnati Reds have gotten 2,000 hits with the team?
-- Princess
A: Only four players have gotten 2,000 or more hits while playing with the Cincinnati Reds. They are: Pete Rose - 3,358 Dave Concepcion - 2,488 Johnny Bench - 2,048 Barry Larkin - 2,008
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Q: Who was the regular centerfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the late 1970s?
-- Dave White
A: The Dodgers had no regular centerfielder in the late 1970s. In fact, from 1975-1980, they featured a different player in centerfield each year. The centerfielders were: 1975 - Jimmy Wynn 1976 - Dusty Baker 1977 - Rick Monday 1978 - Billy North 1979 - Derrel Thomas 1980 - Rudy Law
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

» New questions and answers are posted every Wednesday.