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THE EX-CUB FACTOR
Q: I am interested in the history of the "Ex-Cub Factor." What is it, exactly how did it get started, and how is it connected to the World Series?
-- Tav Canu
A: The Ex-Cub Factor was a phrase coined by Ron Berler in a 1981 Boston Herald article. In it, he stated that since the 1981 New York Yankees had five ex-Cubs on their team, they were doomed to lose in the World Series. He was right - they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. Berler went on to say that players who had played for the Cubs carried with them a part of "Cubness," or failure, that stuck with them their entire careers, and no team with too many ex-Cubs could ever be successful. As it stands, since 1945, the last year the Cubs won the pennant, only one team with three or more ex-Cubs has gone on to win the World Series -- the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

HISTORY OF THE CINCINNATI REDS
Q: I would like to know when the Cincinnati Reds had their first starting lineup and who the players were. Also, weren't they called the Red Stockings?
-- Earl Kays
A: The 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings are generally considered the first professional baseball team, because they were the first organization to pay their players. Although no official league had been formed, they played two seasons against independent teams and finished with a total record of 135-6. The team now known as the Cincinnati Reds was first formed in 1890, joining seven other teams to form the National League. Their starters were: Jerry Harrington, C John Reilly, 1B Bid McPhee, 2B Left Marr, 3B Ollie Beard, SS Bug Holliday, OF Joe Knight, OF Hugh Nicol, OF Billy Rhines, SP
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

THE MOST HOME RUNS GIVEN UP IN THE WORLD SERIES
Q: Do you know what pitcher has given up the most World Series home runs and how many?
-- Rich Powsner
A: In twelve career World Series games, spanning six series, Catfish Hunter allowed nine home runs -- the most in World Series history.
Back to top	-- James G. Robinson

HOW MANY SEASONS HAVE BEEN LOST TO PLAYER STRIKES?
Q: How many Major League Baseball seasons were lost due to strikes?
-- Ccsabol@aol.com
A: No entire seasons have been lost due to strikes, but Major League Baseball has had seven strikes or work stoppages: 1972: 13 days 1976: 17-day lockout in spring training 1980: 7 days during spring training 1981: 50 days 1985: 2 days 1990: 32-day lockout 1994-5: 232 days, '94 World Series cancelled
Back to top	-- Alex Friedman

THE DH RULE
Q: If Mike Piazza started a game as the DH and Todd Pratt as the catcher, but Pratt got hurt, could the Mets keep Pratt in the lineup by making him the DH and put Piazza behind the plate?
-- Ed Leonard
A: Once the DH comes into the game defensively, he cannot be replaced. The pitcher would have to bat in Pratt's spot in the order.
Back to top	-- Alex Friedman

THE FIRST BLACK PLAYER FOR THE PIRATES
Q: Who was the first African-American to play for the Pirates?
-- Neal Van Veen
A: The first black player for the Pittsburgh Pirates was Curt Roberts, who played 171 games for them at second base from 1954-1956. Before coming to the Pirates, he played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League, and became a defensive star at second base in Denver of the Western League.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

MANAGERS THAT WERE ONCE YANKEES
Q: Which current managers have played with the New York Yankees?
-- George Bradley
A: Five current managers have spent part of their playing careers with the New York Yankees. They are: Lou Piniella - 1974-1984, 1037 games Don Baylor - 1983-1985 - 420 games Bobby Cox - 1968-1969, 220 games Felipe Alou - 1971, 131 games Johnny Oates - 1980-1981, 49 games
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

Dazzy Vance
Q: Did Dazzy Vance pitch for the 1934 Cardinals during the World Series? Was he even playing with them that season?
-- Seth Damm
A: 43-year-old Dazzy Vance did indeed play for the Cardinals in 1934, and he even made a brief World Series appearance. He pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief of Tex Carleton in Game Four, striking out three without allowing a run.
Back to top	-- Alex Friedman

Hank Thompson
Q: What number did Hank Thompson wear while playing for the New York Giants?
-- Mark Rettie
A: Playing for the New York Giants from 1949-56, Hank Thompson wore the number 16. He batted .267 for his career, and was the first black player in Browns and Giants history.
Back to top	-- Alex Friedman

IRISH MCILVEEN
Q: Who was Irish Mac or Irish McIlveen and what teams did he play for? I was told that he played for the New York Yankees in the early 1900s, but I also heard that he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1906 and for a team called the New York Highlanders in 1908-1909. Could this all be the same person?
-- JTMFLA@aol.com
A: Irish McIlveen, who was indeed Irish (born in Belfast), had his first taste of major-league action by playing five games for the 1906 Pittsburgh Pirates, and played a total of 48 games for the New York Highlanders (later known as the Yankees) over the next two seasons. McIlveen finished his career with a total of 177 at-bats in his three seasons.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

1957 MILWAUKEE BRAVES
Q: I would like to know the World Series lineup for the '57 Braves.
-- Hatley Elementary
A: The 1957 Milwaukee Braves, who beat the New York Yankees in seven games, sported this lineup: Red Schoendienst - 2B Johnny Logan - SS Eddie Mathews - 3B Hank Aaron - CF Frank Torre - 1B Andy Pafko- RF Wes Covington - LF Del Crandall - C Warren Spahn - SP
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

PITTSBURGH PIRATES VS. ATLANTA BRAVES
Q: What is the Pittsburgh Pirates' all-time win/loss record against the Braves (since they moved to Atlanta), and what is their record since 1989?
-- Mark Faulk
A: The Pittsburgh Pirates, founded in 1882, have compiled a 227-213 record against the Atlanta Braves. Since 1989, they have a 45-76 record against them, or a .371 winning percentage.
Back to top	-- Christos Plakas

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