Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday became the 11th
major-leaguer to hit three home runs in a game twice in one season. The
“Big Cat,” Johnny Mize, is the only player to accomplish the feat twice.
It was the fourth three-homer game in McGwire’s career. McGwire, also
became the first player to record multiple three-homer games in both
leagues. The 12 players with double three-homer games in a season are: %% Player Team Year
Johnny Mize Cardinals 1938
Johnny Mize Cardinals 1940
Ralph Kiner Pirates 1947
Ted Williams Red Sox 1957
Willie Stargell Pirates 1971
Dave Kingman Cubs 1979
Doug DeCinces Orioles 1982
Joe Carter Indians 1989
Cecil Fielder Tigers 1990
Geronimo Berroa A’s 1996
Steve Finley Padres 1997
Mark McGwire Cardinals 1998
%%
IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR
Mark McGwire’s three-homer outburst Tuesday gave the St. Louis
first baseman 64 home runs in the last calendar year.
THE VOICE
While Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “New York, New York” is played
at the end of every New York Yankee home game, the singer was a life-long
National League fan. Sinatra started out rooting for the New York Giants
and later cheered on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
SINGLES SCENE
Cubs first baseman Mark Grace entered his team’s record book on May
16 when he posted his 1,259th career single. With that hit, Grace passed
Billy Herman for 10th place on the list of Cubs single-hitters. He needs
just 988 more to pass team leader Cap Anson. The major-league record for
one-base hits is Pete Rose’s with 3,215. The nine most single-minded Cubs
were:
Player Singles
Cap Anson 2,246
Stan Hack 1,692
Billy Williams 1,629
Ryne Sandberg 1,624
Ernie Banks 1,574
Jimmy Ryan 1,470
Ron Santo 1,415
Phil Cavarretta 1,395
Don Kessinger 1,336
MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM
David Wells of the New York Yankees became the 15th major-leaguer
to pitch a perfect game. Wells went into the May 17 game with just three
career shutouts in 218 starts and came out with a piece of history.
“Boomer” is only the fourth 30-something to throw a perfect game. The
oldest perfect pitcher was Cy Young at 37 in 1904. The youngest was John
“Monte” Ward at 20 in 1880.
From oldest to youngest, here are the 15 pictures of perfection: %%
Pitcher Perfect Year Age
Cy Young 1904 37
Dennis Martinez 1991 36
David Wells 1998 34
Jim Bunning 1964 32
Sandy Koufax 1965 29
Kenny Rogers 1994 29
Addie Joss 1908 28
Tom Browning 1988 28
Don Larsen 1956 27
Charlie Robertson 1922 26
Len Barker 1981 25
Mike Witt 1984 24
Lee Richmond 1880 23
Jim Hunter 1968 22
John Ward 1880 20
%%
AROUND THE HORN
After leading off last Sunday, Mariners shortstop Alex Rodriguez
has batted in every spot in the Mariners’ batting order. . . . The Rangers
are 25-0 when leading after the eighth inning. . . . On Monday the Devil
Rays became the first expansion team to be in third place this late in the
season since the Royals and Seattle Pilots in 1969. . . . Through Thursday
the Brewers have yet to score in double figures this season. . . . The Red
Sox are 17-3 when rookie Jason Varitek catches. . . . After 44 games, the
Expos are already 16 games behind the Braves. . . . The Angels lead the AL
in double plays with 58 but have used five second basemen to turn them.
