Our mailbox is always full of esoteric questions from our readers. So every week, we pass along some of their most interesting queries to baseball historians who know the answers.
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ON DECK
Q: Who was on deck when Bobby Thomson hit "the shot heard around the world" in 1951?
Q: Who holds the National League record for most consecutive games played?
-- Roger Jeong
A: Steve Garvey holds the National League record for consecutive games played with 1,207. The major-league record is held by Cal Ripken, Jr., with 2,632.
Q: Could you tell me the value of an autographed baseball I have? It's signed by the 1987 Cy Young Award winner -- Steve Bedrosian (Best wishes to Richmond County Little League!)
-- lucas@sylvaninfo.net
A: I would value this ball at 25 to 40 dollars, really rather minimal value.
Q: I am looking for information on a baseball player named Manny Marrero. I think his MLB career was short, with most of it in the minors. Do you have any information?
-- Keith Bayen
A: There is no record of a player named Manny Marrero ever playing in the major leagues.