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MENDOZA LINE
Q: What is the exact number for the Mendoza line?
-- Adam Granger
A: "The Mendoza Line", a term coined by George Brett to describe the boundary between mediocre and truly atrocious batting averages, was inspired by shortstop Mario Mendoza, who hit below .200 five times in his nine-year major-league career. Two different numbers are referred to as the Mendoza line: .200 is the most common, but .215 -- Mendoza's career batting average -- is sometimes used.
Q: Could you give me some info on the Gashouse Gang?
-- tacobell_44@hotmail.com
A: "The Gashouse Gang" was the St. Louis Cardinals of the 1930's -- especially the 1934 squad, which went 95-58 and won the World Series. They were a rowdy, passionate team, including ace Dizzy Dean, third baseman Pepper Martin, outfielder Joe Medwick, shortstop Leo Durocher, and manager Frankie Frisch. "They wouldn't let us play in the American League," Durocher is reported to have said. "They'd just say we were a bunch of gas house players."
Q: Who played third base for the Cubs in 1984 NLCS?
-- Corey Leason
A: The third baseman for the Chicago Cubs in the 1984 NLCS was Ron Cey. He hit .158 with one homer in the five-game series, which the Cubs lost to the San Diego Padres 3-2.
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