Today I Learned

Short form notes on things I learn

A.J. Burnett, Josh Johnson, and Josh Beckett

A.J. Burnett, Josh Johnson, and Josh Beckett all came up through the Marlins organization and had notable MLB pitching careers.

Bert Campaneris Played All Nine Positions

On September 8, 1965, Bert Campaneris became the first player in AL/NL history to play all nine positions in a single game, for the Kansas City Athletics against the California Angels.

Jim Corsi's 1989 BABIP

Jim Corsi’s 1989 A’s bullpen line was a BABIP standout.

Mike Trout 2012-2016

2012-2016: Mike Trout recorded 47.1 WAR, leading all hitters. Next hitters: Robinson Cano 32.5, Adrian Beltre 30.5, Josh Donaldson 30.3, Miguel Cabrera 29.6. AL Rookie of the Year 2012: Trout 10.5 WAR; runner-up Yoenis Cespedes 4.0. AL MVP finishes: wins 2014 and 2016; runner-up 2012 (Miguel Cabrera 7.1 vs. Trout 10.5), 2013 (Miguel Cabrera 7.5 vs. Trout 8.9), 2015 (Josh Donaldson 7.4 vs. Trout 9.5). He conceivably could have (and perhaps should have) won the AL Rookie of the Year and five consecutive AL MVPs in this five-year span.

1996 A's Opened Season in Las Vegas

The Athletics opened the 1996 season in Las Vegas at a minor league park while renovations to the Oakland Coliseum were still underway, the first major league games in a minor league venue since 1957.

Robbie Grossman and the AL Central

Robbie Grossman is the only player in AL history to appear for all of the Twins, Tigers, Royals, and White Sox in their career.

Mike Norris and George Brett in 1980

Mike Norris won 20 games in 1980 for the A’s, throwing 284.1 innings and 24 complete games, and finished second in the AL Cy Young race to Steve Stone of the Baltimore Orioles while receiving MVP votes that year.

A's Trivia and More

Here are a handful of baseball nuggets I stumbled upon today.

1994 All-Star Game

The 1994 all star game, a stacked, great game played in front of 59,568 fans in Pittsburgh at Three Rivers Stadium, taught me a cool tidbit about Randy Johnson.

NL Silver Slugger Thoughts

After playing immaculate grid today, I had some learnings while browsing the NL Silver Slugger history.

Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson played for each team in the AL East.

Rafael Palmeiro and Brian Roberts

Today I learned about this connection between All-Stars Rafael Palmeiro and Brian Roberts.

Jose Fernandez

Jose Fernandez surpassed rookie limits in 2013, the same season as Hyun Jin Ryu, Julio Teheran, Shelby Miller, Chris Archer, Martin Perez, Dan Straily, and Nolan Arenado.

No Hitters

Today in Immaculate Grid, I tried to use Roger Clemens for 2,000 K’s and No Hitter.

Randy Winn and Mark DeRosa

Today in Immaculate Grid, I had two really nice picks: Mark DeRosa for Giants and Braves, and Randy Winn for Giants and Cardinals.

40-HR 200-Hit Players

Through 2024, 37 players have had both a 200-hit season and a 40-homer season in their career (not necessarily the same season). Source

30 HR in 60 G

JD Martinez hit 30 homers in 60 games in 2017, 29 of those homers came after he was traded from Detroit to Arizona on July 18, 2017.

Mike Cuellar

Mike Cuellar was really good from 1969-1974.

1986 AL ROY

Jose Canseco was the beneficiary of an imperfect Rookie of the Year vote in 1986.

Nelson Cruz + A's

Nelson Cruz was in the A’s organization before he made his MLB debut.

Ruben Sierra's 1993

Ruben Sierra’s age-27 season with the A’s was a rough year at the plate that still produced a 20/20 season and 101 RBI.

The K.C. Pennant Porch

In April 1964, Athletics owner Charlie Finley built the “K.C. Pennant Porch” in right field at Municipal Stadium, bringing the fence in to match Yankee Stadium’s dimensions exactly.