Arizona’s Curt Schilling became the ninth major-league pitcher since 1960 to win 11 games or more by June 7. Schilling went 11-1 in his first 13 starts and improved to 12-1 Saturday. He could become the first pitcher since Denny McLain of the 1968 Detroit Tigers to win 30 games. Wilbur Wood registered the most victories before June 7 since 1960 when he had 13 for the 1973 White Sox. Wood finished that season with a 24-20 record. Pedro Martinez, in 1999, was the last pitcher before Schilling to win 11 by that date. Martinez finished that season 23-4 and won the Cy Young Award.
BRONX-BOUND BONDS
San Francisco’s Barry Bonds will play in Yankee Stadium for the first time this weekend. Of the 17 major-leaguers with 500 or more career home runs, Bonds is one of only five who do not have a Yankee Stadium homer in either a regular-season, postseason or All-Star Game. The other 500-homer men without one are Ernie Banks, Willie McCovey, Mel Ott and Mike Schmidt.
INTERESTING BYPLAY
Interleague play began for the sixth season Friday. From 1997 through 2001, the Florida Marlins and the Oakland A’s had compiled the best interleague marks in their leagues with winning percentages of .607 (51-33) and .581 (50-36), respectively. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays with a .400 mark (28-42) and the Colorado Rockies with a .391 record (25-39) fared worst in each circuit.
SAVING GRACE
Los Angeles Dodger manager Jim Tracy appears to have made an astute move when he decided to use pitcher Eric Gagne as his closer this season. Before 2002, the right-hander was used primarily as a starter but, through Wednesday, Gagne led the majors with 20 saves. In fact, he reached 20 saves faster than any other NL reliever ever, recording his 20th in the Dodgers’ 56th game of the season. Lee Smith reached 20 saves quicker than any other major leaguer when he did so in Baltimore’s 46th game in 1994.
SHOOT FOR THE STARS
Baseball’s amateur draft was last week and more than 1,000 players were selected. Since the draft began in 1965, 51,173 players have been chosen and 11 of those have made it to baseball’s Hall of Fame.
TEAM HALL OF FAMER ROUND
1965 Johnny Bench 1
1965 Nolan Ryan 10
1966 Reggie Jackson 1
1966 Tom Seaver 1
1967 Carlton Fisk 1
1971 George Brett 2
1971 Mike Schmidt 2
1973 Dave Winfield 1
1973 Robin Yount 1
1982 Kirby Puckett 1
1977 Ozzie Smith* 4
* This years inductee
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