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SPITBALLS
Q: When the spitball was outlawed, some pitchers were granted permission to throw spitballs for the rest of their careers. Who was the last one?
-- Richard Schultz
A: The spitball was once legal and used commonly. The pitch was banned before the 1920 season, but 17 pitchers who used it regularly were allowed to continue to do so until they retired. The last pitcher to employed the pitch was Burleigh Grimes, who retired in 1934 after 19 seasons.
Q: How many times have the Red Sox won a World Series and in what years? Also when have they been in the playoffs?
-- Betty White
A: The Red Sox have had poor playoff success of late, much of which is attributed to the Curse of the Bambino. Here are the years they made the playoffs and World Series:
1999 Wild Card
1998 Wild Card
1995 Division Winner
1990 Division Winner
1988 Division Winner
1986 Division Winner, lost in World Series
1975 Division Winner, lost in World Series
1946 AL Pennant, lost in World Series
1918 AL Pennant, won in World Series
1916 AL Pennant, won in World Series
1915 AL Pennant, won in World Series
1912 AL Pennant, won in World Series
1903 AL Pennant, won in World Series
Q: What happened to Rodney Scott after he left the Montreal team?
-- Alicia Minley
A: Rodney Scott played for the Montreal Expos for three-and-a-half seasons before finishing up his career in 1982 with the New York Yankees. He also played for the Royals, A's, and Cubs.