01-29-2023, 11:23 AM
(01-28-2023, 12:11 PM)Mick Wrote: 133 players have hit a home run on their first major league at bat. The first two were George Tebeau (Cincinnati Red Stockings) and Mike Griffin (Baltimore Orioles), both on April 16, 1887. The last was Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers on September 9, 2022.Trivia questions:
1) Who were the three players who hit inside-the-park home runs on their first at bat? One was a Giant. Correct on LeMaster. The other two were Luke Stuart (only had 3 ABs in the majors for the 1921 St. Louis Browns) and Walter Mueller (played 1922-26 for the Pirates, only hit 2 career HRs, was father of Don Mueller, really strong player for the NY Giants, led 1954 NL in hits)
2) Two of the 133 made the Hall of Fame, neither on the first ballot. Who were they? Earl Averill and Hoyt Wilhelm
3) Five of the 133 hit grand slams on their first at bats in the majors. Who were they? Bill Duggleby (an average pitcher for PHI and PIT), Jeremy Hermida (2005, FL Marlins), Brandon Crawford, Kevin Kouzmanoff (2006 Indians) and Daniel Nava.
Brandon Crawford First Major League Hit - YouTube
4) Two of those listed above hit a grand slam on the first pitch they ever saw. One was a former Santa Clara U. player. Who were they? Ex St. Francis and SCU team manager, Daniel Nava and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
PHI@BOS: Nava blasts a grand slam in his first at-bat - YouTube
5) 23 of the 133 never hit another home run again. Which of the 133 hit the most career home runs? Gary Gaetti, MN Twins, 360 HRs. Joins 47 other retired players with 350 or more HRs not in the Hall of Fame, like Jeff Kent, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Chili Davis, Matt Williams, Ellis Burks, Dwight Evans, Dave Kingman, Jason Giambi, Jose Canseco, etc.
6) 13 of the 133 were either Giants or A's. Name them. Giants were Buddy Kerr, Whitey Lockman, Les Layton, Hoyt Wilhelm, Bill White, John Montefusco, Johnnie LeMaster, Will Clark and Brett Pill. A's were Ace Parker, Gene Hasson, Joe Keogh, Terry Steinbach and Campy Campaneris.
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