According to the Baseball-Reference uniform number database, Onelki Garcia was the first player to appear in a major league game wearing #98.
If Garcia were a Yankee, they’d retire the number just to be on the safe side.
The Baseball-Reference Play Index says Garcia is the 21st pitcher in their database whose career started by walking the first batter he faced and then being pulled.
Darren Oliver made his major league debut on September 1, 1993 and issued an intentional walk, and then got pulled. Not all four of Oliver’s pitches were intentional walks. Billy Hatcher was on first, stole second and opened up a base, so Rangers manager Kevin Kennedy (did you know he used to manage in the big leagues) had Oliver walk Mike Greenwell and then brought in Mike Schooler to retire Luis Ortiz to get out of the inning.
Two pitchers, Tom Baker of the 1963 Giants and Art Reinhart of the 1919 Cardinals, started their careers by hitting the first batter they faced. In Reinhart’s case, he hit the first batter he faced with his first pitch and then didn’t appear in the majors again until 1925. (I had looked up this info earlier on some microfilm for someone else. I just didn’t know it.)
Four pitchers started their career by giving up a home run to their first batter in relief and then got pulled. Actually, Andy Messersmith wasn’t pulled. He came into relief in a game for the Angels back in 1968 against Boston in a bases loaded, no out situation in a 1-1 tie and gave up a grand slam to Ken Harrelson. You can put it on the board….
TAFKA_Gagne55
Tom Baker was a pitcher? I suppose with all the traveling through time and space, getting himself into a baseball game at some point would be a thing to do.
ASW1
“Are there bad problems?” :
None that I can see – I do agree that Nolasco has pretty much solidified his #3 status at this point in time.
Home field advantage has proven to be no advantage at all when it comes to the postseason, almost to the point that it might be better that the Dodgers DON’T secure it.
As was posted here days ago :
“Since the beginning of the wild-card era in 1995, the team with the best regular-season record has won the World Series just three of 18 times.”
And: Over this same 18 year period, “5 wild cards have won the WS” – from Bob_H
The Dodgers have already proven they play well on the road.
When it comes to the playoffs, it’s been proven time and time again – home field advantage is a mirage – looks good from a distance, but utterly useless.
berkowit28
The “wild card era” has changed since the introduction of the second wild card last year. Time will tell if that makes a difference: I’m inclined to think it will, and that we’ll have to start calling it the “two wild cards era”. Now the two wild card teams are pretty well forced to use their best, ace pitcher in the wild card playoff, since they’re putting their entire season on the line in this one game. They then won’t be able to use him more than once in the LDS which starts the very next day, and usually not until game 3 at the earliest. I believe that will put them at a disadvantage against their opponent, the team with the best record in the league, which has a rest day during the WC playoff and can then start their ace in game 1 and if necessary again in game 4.
Over time, I think this will turn out to be a distinct advantage and we’ll see fewer wild card teams in the later stages of the postseason, and effectively will favor the chances of the team with the best record in the league over the two other divisional leaders as well, towards getting as far as the LCS anyway.
dalegribel
I can only agree. Wonder what Tony LaRussa would do though?
Bob_Hendley
Ryu starting at home would certaintly be an advantage (if Ricky doesn’t take the slot).
Bob_Hendley
The Hawk used to call his own shots?
dalegribel
Bob, your ability to research this stuff amazes me more than the facts. :)
KT
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale47s
The #SFGiants currently have 2nd worst winning percentage by defending World Series champ behind only 97 #Marlins per Bill Arnold
ASW1
And the Marlins don’t count – they were dismantled after winning the WS – Gnats were gunning for a repeat.
foul tip
LATd–
On hitters who’ve broken up no-nos, starting with Chavez/Petit–
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130911/perfect-games-broken-up-eric-chavez/?sct=mlb_wr_a1
btimmer
The Braves beat the Marlins 6-1 this morning before some invited guests at Marlins Park.
berkowit28
Do you know what the attendance was? It must have been near record lows.
btimmer
15,274 was announced.
berkowit28
Not too terrible, considering. Just bad.
Bob_in_Vegas
In my humble — but correct :) — opinion, here are the priorities:
1. Win the West
2. Get healthy AND playable
3. Determine postseason roster (that key Kemp spot is depending on #2 above . . . what once seemed a given, that Matt is on such a roster, now seems questionable at best, highly questionable at worst)
4. Position pitching for postseason
5. Offer me my postseason tickets . . . enough of them that I can share the wealth here on DT!
scooplew
No. 5 on your list should clearly be No. 1.
Bob_in_Vegas
Can’t be postseason tickets until they qualify for it! Not being negative, just karmically not auditing poultry until they’re born.
btimmer
The Nats finished a four-game sweep at Citi Field over the Mets and outhomered them 13-0. Old Friend Aaron Harang gave up three homers today.
foul tip
And struck out 10 over 6 IP. All solo shots, only one other hit. Feast or famine, evidently.
It was….. a quality start.
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers9m
#Dodgers lineup vs. Giants: pic.twitter.com/SsW7lvqyrf
John_from_Aus
The real lineup up tonight I see
ASW1
Have to keep it real against the Hated Ones.
Bob_in_Vegas
I like the 9/1 punch of Zack and Puig . . . but Zack will have to be motoring around the basepaths!
ASW1
Zach fast enough to steal bases!
scooplew
That walk didn’t damage Darren Oliver’s future. He is still in the major leagues. In fact, he pitched an inning in relief yesterday for Toronto. On a lovely June day in 2001, I had great seats behind home plate at Dodger Stadium for a gave vs. the Rangers. Oliver and Texas beat the Dodgers and Luke Prokopec, 12-7. It was a forgettable game that I can’t seem to forget.
ASW1
Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Yasiel Puig (R) RF
2. Carl Crawford (L) LF
3. Hanley Ramirez (R) SS
4. Adrian Gonzalez (L) 1B
5. Andre Ethier (L) CF
6. Juan Uribe (R) 3B
7. A.J. Ellis (R) C
8. Mark Ellis (R) 2B
9. Zack Greinke (R) P
San Francisco Giants
1. Angel Pagan (S) CF
2. Marco Scutaro (R) 2B
3. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
4. Buster Posey (R) C
5. Hunter Pence (R) RF
6. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
7. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
8. Gregor Blanco (L) LF
9. Matt Cain (R) P
btimmer
NPUT at top of hour