While we all anxiously await the next exciting adventures of a new baseball season, here’s a look at some record holders which may be challenged this season, or perhaps not. Some of these arguably quirky stat summations may forever maintain their status, nonetheless are fascinating in a sport where the past and the present eternally intertwine.
- This slugger has the highest total of home runs – over 500 – and yet somehow never managed to lead his league in home runs in any one season.
- Willie McCovey
- Rafael Palmiero
- Jim Thome
- Harmon Killebrew
- This slugger enjoyed batting in just about any ballpark, and holds the record for hitting home runs in 45 major league stadiums.
- Sammy Sosa
- Ken Griffey, Jr.
- Alex Rodriguez
- Gary Sheffield
- Talk about an on-base percentage! This prolific hitter once got on base in 84 consecutive games.
- Pete Rose
- Ichiro Suzuki
- Joe DiMaggio
- Ted Williams
- A pitcher who can also hit is obviously a great asset. This hurler holds the record for most home runs ever banged out by a member of the mound brigade, a category which likely will never be touched in the DH era.
- Don Drysdale
- Warren Spahn
- Wes Ferrell
- Red Ruffing
- A pitcher who fields his position well is also a valuable commodity. This pitcher holds the record for most Gold Gloves, and actually owns more golden hardware than any player at any position.
- Jim Kaat
- Greg Maddux
- Jim Palmer
- Phil Niekro
- Since the Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1947, when Jackie Robinson was honored as its first recipient, this team has produced the greatest number of first-year honorees.
- Oakland A’s
- New York Yankees
- Louis Cardinals
- Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers
- This batting champ holds the record for least strikeouts – just seven times sent back to the bench empty-handed – on his way to the title.
- Nap Lajoie
- Honus Wagner
- Joe DiMaggio
- Luke Appling
- These days, a reliever who completes some 70-80 innings per season is considered a rubber-armed workhorse, but this reliever once pitched over 200 innings in relief – in the same season!
- Hoyt Wilhelm
- Mike Marshall
- Dennis Eckersley
- Roy Face
- Speaking of those fabulous firemen who rescue faltering starters in the later innings, this efficient bullpen trooper once retired 46 consecutive batters. And here’s a hint, youngsters, we’re not talking about some long ago member of baseball’s history. You’ve seen or heard of this guy.
- Yusmiero Petit
- Brian Wilson
- Mariano Rivera
- Francisco Rodriguez
- Ouch! This battered ballplayer went through his career being hit by a pitch only 285 times! And yes, that’s the record.
- Ron Hunt
- Don Baylor
- Craig Biggio
- Pete Rose
BONUS QUESTION: Batters are striking out at record rates. This team now holds the record for strking out the most batters – as a staff – for the entire 162-game season (1,450). It’s a relatively recent record. Who now claims this distinction?
- 2007 BOSTON RED SOX
- 2010 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
- 2013 DETROIT TIGERS
- 2014 CLEVELAND INDIANS
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ANSWERS:
- B (569)
- A (45)
- D (1949)
- C (38, Ruffing hit 36)
- B (18)
- D (16)
- A (1902)
- B (1974)
- A
- C
BONUS QUESTION: D
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