Dubious HOF Statistical Records

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Niekro has got to be top 5 for losses too. Probably one of very few HOF'ers to lose 20 in a season.

Nah. Lots of them did it. However...

Phil is the only guy to lead the league in wins AND losses in the same year!

[Econteachert205]

Tony Mullane for losses?

[Keith H. Thompson]

a dubious record, for sure. Somewhat depending upon the reporting source, Sam Thompson (Detroit 1885-1888, Philadelphia 1889-1898, Detroit 1906, HOF 1974) in 1895 became either the first of four men to record three outfielder-to-catcher assists in a game, or the only man ever to record four in a game.

A curious record at best, dependent of course upon four base runners on third attempting to score after a Thompson catch. Thompson was an outstanding right fielder, and among all outfielders who played more than 1,000 games , his assist-per-game ratio (one every 4.9 games) is the highest in history.

He also compiled the highest fielding average of any outfielder who played 1,000 games and whose career concluded before the 20th century.

[clydepepper]

On his very last pitch as a Major Leaguer, Nolan Ryan set the career record for most Grand Slams surrendered by one pitcher - as Dann Howitt (who?) of the Mariners took him deep in the first inning on September 22, 1993.


Since then, this dubious record has been tied by one now-retired reliever and then broken by a now-retired starter. Anyone want to guess who these non-HOF pitchers are?



Bert Blyleven, who had never surrendered more than 24 homers in any single season, set the Gopher-Ball record in 1986 with 50 and then gave up another 46 in 1987.

In 1988, he only gave up 21, but led the lead with 16 HBPs...hmmmm.


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[Jim65]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

On his very last pitch as a Major Leaguer, Nolan Ryan set the career record for most Grand Slams surrendered by one pitcher


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The other side of the coin, Jim Palmer never gave up a grand slam or back-to-back HRs in his entire career.

[paul]

Vic Willis lost 29 games in one season, the most since 1900.

[Cubswin82]

Originally Posted by Jim65

The other side of the coin, Jim Palmer never gave up a grand slam or back-to-back HRs in his entire career.

Is this true? If so...that’s a very impressive stat

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Cubswin82

Is this true? If so...that’s a very impressive stat

Yes, it's true that he never surrendered a grand-slam.

IMO, it was a difference in pitching philosophy: Ryan seemed to see such occasions as personal challenges, while Palmer knew that an occasional bases-loaded-walk did less damage. Even as a big Nolan Ryan fan, I have to admit this.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Jim65

The other side of the coin, Jim Palmer never gave up a grand slam or back-to-back HRs in his entire career.

Originally Posted by Cubswin82

Is this true? If so...that’s a very impressive stat

Only partially true.

While it's true that he didn't give up a grand slam, he gave up consecutive homers on five different occasions :

June 23, 1970 (N) at Fenway Park, Red Sox
5th inning
Conigliaro & Petrocelli

July 10, 1973 (N) at Memorial Stadium, Angels
4th inning
Oliver & Stanton (1st of 3 in game, 2 off Palmer)

June 9, 1977 (N) at Fenway Park, Red Sox
3rd inning
Lynn & Rice

April 19, 1980 (N) at Memorial Stadium, White Sox
7th inning
Morrison & Baines

September 1, 1983 (D) at Exhibition Stadium, Blue Jays
4th inning
Whitt & Barfield

[darwinbulldog]

Well, he never gave up consecutive grand slams anyway.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Only partially true.

While it's true that he didn't give up a grand slam, he gave up consecutive homers on five different occasions :

June 23, 1970 (N) at Fenway Park, Red Sox
5th inning
Conigliaro & Petrocelli

July 10, 1973 (N) at Memorial Stadium, Angels
4th inning
Oliver & Stanton (1st of 3 in game, 2 off Palmer)

June 9, 1977 (N) at Fenway Park, Red Sox
3rd inning
Lynn & Rice

April 19, 1980 (N) at Memorial Stadium, White Sox
7th inning
Morrison & Baines

September 1, 1983 (D) at Exhibition Stadium, Blue Jays
4th inning
Whitt & Barfield

I got my info from Wikipedia, I should have known better.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Keith H. Thompson

a dubious record, for sure. Somewhat depending upon the reporting source, Sam Thompson (Detroit 1885-1888, Philadelphia 1889-1898, Detroit 1906, HOF 1974) in 1895 became either the first of four men to record three outfielder-to-catcher assists in a game, or the only man ever to record four in a game.

A curious record at best, dependent of course upon four base runners on third attempting to score after a Thompson catch. Thompson was an outstanding right fielder, and among all outfielders who played more than 1,000 games , his assist-per-game ratio (one every 4.9 games) is the highest in history.

He also compiled the highest fielding average of any outfielder who played 1,000 games and whose career concluded before the 20th century.

Certainly in the spirit of this thread and I’m guessing he may be your great-grandfather. My grandmother was a Thompson before she was a Burkett incidentally.