The Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki heads into the All-Star break with 130 base hits, the sixth-highest figure since the All-Star Game began in 1933. Ralph Garr, who had the most with 149 in 1974, finished that season with a .353 average and 214 hits. Here are the other top numbers at the All-Star break listed with the final total for that season.
%% PLAYER TEAM YEAR AT BREAK TOTAL
Ralph Garr Braves 1974 149 214
Matty Alou Pirates 1969 146 231
Darin Erstad Angels 2000 144 240
Rod Carew Twins 1974 143 218
Rod Carew Twins 1977 135 239
Tony Gwynn Padres 1997 130 220
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Seeing double
Giants second baseman Jeff Kent and shortstop Rich Aurilia are just the 17th double-play combo from one team to start the All-Star Game. The first pair of middle infield teammates to start was Joe Gordon and Lou Boudreau of the Cleveland Indians in 1948; the last was Roberto Alomar and Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles in 1996.
Ace of diamonds
Tim Hudson of the Oakland A’s has the best winning percentage of any pitcher with at least 50 decisions since 1900. The five best winning percentages for pitchers with at least 50 decisions:
%% PITCHER RECORD WIN PCT.
Tim Hudson 39-13 .750
Spud Chandler 109-43 .717
Pedro Martinez 132-58 .695
Whitey Ford 236-106 .691
Don Gullett 109-50 .686
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Valentine’s day
New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine will be the 67th National League skipper in the All Star Game’s 72-game history. In their first game as All-Star managers, the 66 before Valentine went 32-34.
Fireworks display
What could be more patriotic than hitting a homer on the 4th of July? Duke Snider leads all major-leaguers with nine homers on Independence Day, with 11 other Hall of Famers joining him among the top 15 on this leaderboard. Mark McGwire leads active players with five.
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PLAYER HRS
Duke Snider 9
Willie Mays 8
Larry Doby 7
Mickey Mantle
Hank Aaron 6
Frank Baker
Harmon Killebrew
Ralph Kiner
Gary Matthews
Dale Murphy
Hank Sauer
Willie Stargell
Billy Williams
Ted Williams
Dave Winfield
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