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By: Austin Alexander-February 3, 2006  More than any other sport, baseball and its storied history are about the game’s statistics. A player’s mettle is often measured by his batting average, homerun totals or his earned run average. Using stats have become an easier way to compare generations of players and debate “who’s really the best.” While I tend to be more of a baseball historian than the casual observer, I still believe there are certain numbers that are synonymous with the game itself. Below are twelve numbers you need to know: 12) 59-Orel Hershiser’s consecutive scoreless innings streak in 1988. He broke the 20-year old record of fellow Dodger Don Drysdale, he posted zeroes in 58 straight. 11) 130-Rickey Henderson’s single season record for stolen base accomplished in 1982. He passed Lou Brock’s previous record of 118. Henderson went on to run past Brock’s all-time mark of 938 as well. Henderson retired (we think he’s done) with 1,406. Henderson also holds the MLB record for runs scored and walks in a career. 10) 1.12-Bob Gibson’s ERA in 1968, still remains a single-season low. As an aside, this was the year the pitching mound was raised from 12 to 15 inches. In 1968, Carl Yastrzemski won the AL batting crown with a record-low .301 batting average and Denny McClain won 31 games, the last time a pitcher eclipsed the 30-win mark in a season. 9) 73-Barry Bonds homerun total in 2001. Bonds broke the record that Mark McGwire had had set three years before. In 1998, McGwire blew past Roger Maris’ 61 dingers hit in 1961. 8) 511-Cy Young’s career win total. Number two on this list is Walter Johnson’s 416 wins. As a comparison, Roger Clemens presently has 341 victories in his 22 seasons. Young also holds the record for losses in a career, 313. 7) 7-Nolan Ryan’s final tally of no-hitters. Ironically the final no-no of his career was at the age of 44. Ryan also had 13 one-hitters. Sandy Koufax comes in second in this category with four no-hitters, Ryan passed him in 1981. 6) .406-Ted Williams’ batting average in 1941. Williams is the last person to hit over .400, Tony Gwynn has come the closest hitting .394 during the strike-shortened 1994 season. 5) 4,256-Pete Rose’s record number of hits in a career. He surpassed Ty Cobb’s total of 4,191 in 1985, a mark that stood for 57 years. 4) 42-Jackie Robinson’s uniform number. Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and had his number retired by all of professional baseball in 1997. 3) 2,632-Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak. Ripken did not miss a game from 1982-1999, breaking Lou Gehrig’s mark of 2,130 in 1995. Gehrig’s record stood for 56 years. 2) 56-Joe DiMaggio’s consecutive game hitting streak in 1941. Of note, after having the streak snapped in Cleveland, Joltin’ Joe went on to hit in 16 more games in a row. In the minor leagues, he pieced together a 61-game hitting streak as a member of the San Francisco Seals. Pete Rose has come the closest, 44 games in 1978. Jimmy Rollins will open 2006 in pursuit of this record, he is sitting on 36. 1) 755-Hank Aaron’s record total of homerun’s in a career. He passed the immortal Babe Ruth with number 715 in 1974. Barry Bonds is closing in on baseball’s most sacred record, he presently has 708. Bonus: For those of you wondering how many of these facts are inaccurate, the last number you need to know…ZERO! .

By: Austin Alexander-February 3, 2006  More than any other sport, baseball and its storied history are about the game’s statistics. A player’s mettle is often measured by his batting average, homerun totals or his earned run average. Using stats have become an easier way to compare generations of players and debate “who’s really the best.” While I tend to be more of a baseball historian than the casual observer, I still believe there are certain numbers that are synonymous with the game itself. Below are twelve numbers you need to know: 12) 59-Orel Hershiser’s consecutive scoreless innings streak in 1988. He broke the 20-year old record of fellow Dodger Don Drysdale, he posted zeroes in 58 straight. 11) 130-Rickey Henderson’s single season record for stolen base accomplished in 1982. He passed Lou Brock’s previous record of 118. Henderson went on to run past Brock’s all-time mark of 938 as well. Henderson retired (we think he’s done) with 1,406. Henderson also holds the MLB record for runs scored and walks in a career. 10) 1.12-Bob Gibson’s ERA in 1968, still remains a single-season low. As an aside, this was the year the pitching mound was raised from 12 to 15 inches. In 1968, Carl Yastrzemski won the AL batting crown with a record-low .301 batting average and Denny McClain won 31 games, the last time a pitcher eclipsed the 30-win mark in a season. 9) 73-Barry Bonds homerun total in 2001. Bonds broke the record that Mark McGwire had had set three years before. In 1998, McGwire blew past Roger Maris’ 61 dingers hit in 1961. 8) 511-Cy Young’s career win total. Number two on this list is Walter Johnson’s 416 wins. As a comparison, Roger Clemens presently has 341 victories in his 22 seasons. Young also holds the record for losses in a career, 313. 7) 7-Nolan Ryan’s final tally of no-hitters. Ironically the final no-no of his career was at the age of 44. Ryan also had 13 one-hitters. Sandy Koufax comes in second in this category with four no-hitters, Ryan passed him in 1981. 6) .406-Ted Williams’ batting average in 1941. Williams is the last person to hit over .400, Tony Gwynn has come the closest hitting .394 during the strike-shortened 1994 season. 5) 4,256-Pete Rose’s record number of hits in a career. He surpassed Ty Cobb’s total of 4,191 in 1985, a mark that stood for 57 years. 4) 42-Jackie Robinson’s uniform number. Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and had his number retired by all of professional baseball in 1997. 3) 2,632-Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak. Ripken did not miss a game from 1982-1999, breaking Lou Gehrig’s mark of 2,130 in 1995. Gehrig’s record stood for 56 years. 2) 56-Joe DiMaggio’s consecutive game hitting streak in 1941. Of note, after having the streak snapped in Cleveland, Joltin’ Joe went on to hit in 16 more games in a row. In the minor leagues, he pieced together a 61-game hitting streak as a member of the San Francisco Seals. Pete Rose has come the closest, 44 games in 1978. Jimmy Rollins will open 2006 in pursuit of this record, he is sitting on 36. 1) 755-Hank Aaron’s record total of homerun’s in a career. He passed the immortal Babe Ruth with number 715 in 1974. Barry Bonds is closing in on baseball’s most sacred record, he presently has 708. Bonus: For those of you wondering how many of these facts are inaccurate, the last number you need to know…ZERO! .

  Baseball Superstitions By: Austin Alexander February 21, 2006   Anyone who has ever been around our national pastime much at all knows how quirky baseball players, its coaches and fans can often be. For over a hundred years, many of the game’s greats have provided us with comical stories about what gets them ready or keeps them on a hot streak. On the flip-side some interesting stories have abounded of ways to end a personal or team slump. Most people are familiar with, perhaps, baseball’s oldest and most traditional superstition—avoiding the foul line. Next time you go to a game, watch everyone. Watch them during batting practice and the pre-game. Watch them in between innings as both teams enter and exit the field. Watch a pitching coach during a mound visit. Sometimes players will even go to the extreme by getting a running start and leap over the entire basepath! Very, very seldom will you witness someone breaking this unwritten rule of baseball. If you ever do see a baseball player or coach “buck the system”, it is generally an act of rebellion against the baseball god’s! Baseball players are no different than the fans who cheer for them. How many times have you been present during a big ballgame, whether you are participating or rooting vigorously for your favorite team? Here’s the scenario. Your club is trailing 2-1 in the top of the 7th inning, all of the sudden you stage a rally. You push two runs across and there is still only one out! All of a sudden someone in the dugout invariably will yell, “Same spots, hurry up and get in your same spots!” Or maybe in the bleachers, the patron beside you thinks now is the time to use the restroom or grab a hot dog. Immediately, everyone wearing the same colors threaten to block the aisle, how dare he or she decide to make a move right now? It never fails, we’ve all been there! If a player is “going good”, very seldom will he want to change anything over the course of the day that has been working for him. Many a player has been known to take wake up at the same time and take the same route to the ballpark. Some keep a consistent diet during a hot streak. Some dress in the same order, maybe even with the same socks or undershirt that have kept him hot. If a new bat is hitting for you, you won’t be the first to sleep with your new-found weapon! When a player’s production begins to go in the tank, sometimes they resort to desperate measures. Number changes and new “intro” songs become a quick-fix. Many ballplayers over time have blind-sided their girlfriends with “the break-up talk”, not because she did anything wrong but as a result of the .181 batting average he’s carrying since she came on board! Funny, to the player, it always seems be an outside force that creates failure! These examples are just a few of many superstitious actions ballplayers will try to pin their successes or defeats to. In our next exploration into superstitions in baseball, we’ll take a look at major league players that you know and determine the real reasons they have success and the lengths they will go to to reverse their fortunes when things go south. .

  Baseball Superstitions By: Austin Alexander February 21, 2006   Anyone who has ever been around our national pastime much at all knows how quirky baseball players, its coaches and fans can often be. For over a hundred years, many of the game’s greats have provided us with comical stories about what gets them ready or keeps them on a hot streak. On the flip-side some interesting stories have abounded of ways to end a personal or team slump. Most people are familiar with, perhaps, baseball’s oldest and most traditional superstition—avoiding the foul line. Next time you go to a game, watch everyone. Watch them during batting practice and the pre-game. Watch them in between innings as both teams enter and exit the field. Watch a pitching coach during a mound visit. Sometimes players will even go to the extreme by getting a running start and leap over the entire basepath! Very, very seldom will you witness someone breaking this unwritten rule of baseball. If you ever do see a baseball player or coach “buck the system”, it is generally an act of rebellion against the baseball god’s! Baseball players are no different than the fans who cheer for them. How many times have you been present during a big ballgame, whether you are participating or rooting vigorously for your favorite team? Here’s the scenario. Your club is trailing 2-1 in the top of the 7th inning, all of the sudden you stage a rally. You push two runs across and there is still only one out! All of a sudden someone in the dugout invariably will yell, “Same spots, hurry up and get in your same spots!” Or maybe in the bleachers, the patron beside you thinks now is the time to use the restroom or grab a hot dog. Immediately, everyone wearing the same colors threaten to block the aisle, how dare he or she decide to make a move right now? It never fails, we’ve all been there! If a player is “going good”, very seldom will he want to change anything over the course of the day that has been working for him. Many a player has been known to take wake up at the same time and take the same route to the ballpark. Some keep a consistent diet during a hot streak. Some dress in the same order, maybe even with the same socks or undershirt that have kept him hot. If a new bat is hitting for you, you won’t be the first to sleep with your new-found weapon! When a player’s production begins to go in the tank, sometimes they resort to desperate measures. Number changes and new “intro” songs become a quick-fix. Many ballplayers over time have blind-sided their girlfriends with “the break-up talk”, not because she did anything wrong but as a result of the .181 batting average he’s carrying since she came on board! Funny, to the player, it always seems be an outside force that creates failure! These examples are just a few of many superstitious actions ballplayers will try to pin their successes or defeats to. In our next exploration into superstitions in baseball, we’ll take a look at major league players that you know and determine the real reasons they have success and the lengths they will go to to reverse their fortunes when things go south. .

I was reading your column today about Kirby Puckett’s death. His death really saddens me, not just as a Twins fan, but personally. His plaque in Cooperstown says "infectious enthusiasm.” He played the game like a kid who just enjoyed what he was doing and it had an effect on everyone around him. The Twins would not have won a World Series in ‘87 and ‘91 without him. I remember telling my wife during the ‘91 World Series what a great player he was and her telling me, "he was fat.” I guess, to her, he did not fit the stereotype of what an athlete should look like.   A lot of today’s athletes are huge athletic specimens that make Kirby look like he did not belong in pro sports. But he had that one thing that cannot be seen from a  physical aspect. He had a love and passion and respect for the game and those around him that made them all believe that they could do the impossible. The ultimate team player. It is a shame my son will never really get to see him play the game they way it should be played.   You get to go around and watch kids play the game I have always loved. Please find us the next Kirby Puckett. .

I was reading your column today about Kirby Puckett’s death. His death really saddens me, not just as a Twins fan, but personally. His plaque in Cooperstown says "infectious enthusiasm.” He played the game like a kid who just enjoyed what he was doing and it had an effect on everyone around him. The Twins would not have won a World Series in ‘87 and ‘91 without him. I remember telling my wife during the ‘91 World Series what a great player he was and her telling me, "he was fat.” I guess, to her, he did not fit the stereotype of what an athlete should look like.   A lot of today’s athletes are huge athletic specimens that make Kirby look like he did not belong in pro sports. But he had that one thing that cannot be seen from a  physical aspect. He had a love and passion and respect for the game and those around him that made them all believe that they could do the impossible. The ultimate team player. It is a shame my son will never really get to see him play the game they way it should be played.   You get to go around and watch kids play the game I have always loved. Please find us the next Kirby Puckett. .

  The Right Way By: Austin Alexander March 7, 2006   When word of Kirby Puckett’s passing reached me late Monday, it struck a nerve as it did with baseball fans everywhere, especially my generation.   You see, Kirby Puckett was never my favorite player. I was never a Twins fan. I didn’t know him, I don’t even know someone who knew him. His homerun in Game 6 back in 1991 against Atlanta was like a dagger in the hearts of many people in the South.   Yet when I learned of his death, a part of my baseball childhood died too.   The last two days I have heard countless stories from former teammates, friends and coaches who knew Kirby well. What we saw through the TV set for twelve years was exactly who Puckett was as a person and a ballplayer.   Puckett loved baseball. He loved his team, his city and people from every walk of life. He won gold gloves in a dome where other outfielders cannot even find the baseball. He played his entire career for one team. He thrived in big games. He was champion. He didn’t walk, run or look like a Major Leaguer…but he was and he was a darn good one.   When it boils down to it, everyone was a Kirby Puckett fan. The short, squatty little lovable dude with the big smile is a player everyone liked and so we voted him into All-Star Game after All-Star Game.   I am only 31 years old. I have followed Major League Baseball and its players since I could pick up a remote control and read a newspaper. I remember when Mickey Mantle died. I recall when Joe DiMaggio passed and Ted Williams too. They were my heroes and their pictures flood my house…but I didn’t see them play.   I remember Kirby’s rookie season and collecting his first card. I witnessed his crowning moments on the diamond. I felt sorry for him when glaucoma forced his early retirement.   I saw his career come full circle and end in death this week. Puckett marks the first Hall of Famer whose entire career spanned my lifetime.   Today I’ve spoken with a few other baseball coaches that are around my age…and of course Kirby’s name came up. Each agreed, his passing is a “right of passage” for our generation.   When I first found the bad news to be fact, I called my parents. My mother answered, she had not even heard about his stroke. I told her simply, “Kirby died…” and she knew exactly who I was referring to.   Kirby Puckett played baseball the right way. He relished everyday that he was fortunate enough to play this great game. I hate that today’s young players never got to see him play, I can only hope that all the highlight reels this week will remind us and reveal to the next generation how to love baseball. We received an email from a reader of the website who is a Minnesota-native in response to this excerpt on Puckett. To take a look at his perspective, click here. .

  The Right Way By: Austin Alexander March 7, 2006   When word of Kirby Puckett’s passing reached me late Monday, it struck a nerve as it did with baseball fans everywhere, especially my generation.   You see, Kirby Puckett was never my favorite player. I was never a Twins fan. I didn’t know him, I don’t even know someone who knew him. His homerun in Game 6 back in 1991 against Atlanta was like a dagger in the hearts of many people in the South.   Yet when I learned of his death, a part of my baseball childhood died too.   The last two days I have heard countless stories from former teammates, friends and coaches who knew Kirby well. What we saw through the TV set for twelve years was exactly who Puckett was as a person and a ballplayer.   Puckett loved baseball. He loved his team, his city and people from every walk of life. He won gold gloves in a dome where other outfielders cannot even find the baseball. He played his entire career for one team. He thrived in big games. He was champion. He didn’t walk, run or look like a Major Leaguer…but he was and he was a darn good one.   When it boils down to it, everyone was a Kirby Puckett fan. The short, squatty little lovable dude with the big smile is a player everyone liked and so we voted him into All-Star Game after All-Star Game.   I am only 31 years old. I have followed Major League Baseball and its players since I could pick up a remote control and read a newspaper. I remember when Mickey Mantle died. I recall when Joe DiMaggio passed and Ted Williams too. They were my heroes and their pictures flood my house…but I didn’t see them play.   I remember Kirby’s rookie season and collecting his first card. I witnessed his crowning moments on the diamond. I felt sorry for him when glaucoma forced his early retirement.   I saw his career come full circle and end in death this week. Puckett marks the first Hall of Famer whose entire career spanned my lifetime.   Today I’ve spoken with a few other baseball coaches that are around my age…and of course Kirby’s name came up. Each agreed, his passing is a “right of passage” for our generation.   When I first found the bad news to be fact, I called my parents. My mother answered, she had not even heard about his stroke. I told her simply, “Kirby died…” and she knew exactly who I was referring to.   Kirby Puckett played baseball the right way. He relished everyday that he was fortunate enough to play this great game. I hate that today’s young players never got to see him play, I can only hope that all the highlight reels this week will remind us and reveal to the next generation how to love baseball. We received an email from a reader of the website who is a Minnesota-native in response to this excerpt on Puckett. To take a look at his perspective, click here. .