Watch out Gregg Olson–there’s a new “O” in town
Posted by Andy on September 24, 2011
Tom Niedenfuer was sweating it. Every day, he'd get up, go get the newspaper from his driveway, and search out the box score for yesterday's Marlins game.
He had to see if Leo Nunez got another save.
| SV ▾ | From | To | Age | Tm | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robb Nen | 314 | 1993 | 2002 | 23-32 | 139 | TOT-FLA-SFG |
| Joe Nathan | 260 | 1999 | 2011 | 24-36 | 153 | SFG-MIN |
| Tom Niedenfuer | 97 | 1981 | 1990 | 21-30 | 112 | LAD-TOT-BAL-SEA-STL |
| Leo Nunez | 92 | 2005 | 2011 | 21-27 | 99 | KCR-FLA |
| Ray Narleski | 58 | 1954 | 1959 | 25-30 | 107 | CLE-DET |
| Ed Nunez | 54 | 1982 | 1994 | 19-31 | 99 | SEA-TOT-DET-MIL-OAK |
Nunez was hot on Niedenfuer's tracks for the third most saves by a player whose last name starts with "N".
And then, earlier this week, it was Christmas in September for Tom Niedenfuer. Leo Nunez was no more. Nunez didn't die nor was he banned from baseball. It just turns out that Nunez wasn't his real name, and now all those achievements recorded under the letter "N" counted for another "N"--nothing.
But for every miracle there is a tragedy. It would appear that the real name of the man formerly known as Leo Nunez is Juan Oviedo. With 92 career saves, where does Oviedo rank on the all-time saves list for "O" players?
| SV | From | To | Age | Tm | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregg Olson | 217 | 1988 | 2001 | 21-34 | 123 | BAL-ATL-TOT-ARI-LAD |
| Jesse Orosco | 144 | 1979 | 2003 | 22-46 | 126 | NYM-LAD-CLE-MIL-BAL-STL-TOT |
Before this week, there were just two "O" guys with at least 50 career saves. Now there are three.
September 24th, 2011 at 9:13 am
Wonderful post!!
September 24th, 2011 at 9:38 am
Very inspired, Andy! This is statgeekery to the next level.
September 24th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Good post, Andy! Funny one.
As an unrelated side-note, Sports Illustrated is reporting that Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are leading the league in RBI/(team runs scored), and that for two teammates to account for 33.5% is that highest in the league. Anybody know offhand what the highest figures of all time are? Just curious.
September 24th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Ironically enough Niendenfuer was the closer of choice for the Baltimore Orioles in 87' and 88' but was granted free agency for some hot rookie in 89' , none other then ROY award winner Greg Olson. Oooooo......... the IRONY!
September 24th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
And, of course, Gregg Olson is a member of the select "First Major League Home Run in His Last Major League At-Bat" club. He did have one more PA (a walk!) after his homer.
September 24th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Who else is in that club?
September 24th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Off the top of my head:
Tim Stoddard
Eddie Miller
Tony Brewer
Chris Jelic
George Jumonville
...there are a few others. If Gustavo Chacin never bats again, he would be a member of the club as well.
September 24th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
#6, 7
Ted Williams, of course.
September 24th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Didn't see "first home run." Ignore #8.
September 24th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
No he said FIRST homer coming in last at-bat, not 500th homer.
September 24th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
The others:
Frank O'Connor
Mahlon Higbee
Clay Van Alstyne
Ed Hobaugh
Kevin Pasley
September 24th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
521st, Andy. For shame! I'll forgive you if you continue writing such wonderfully comical posts.
September 24th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Ugh, these coyotes who do this kind of thing (Hector Peña Diaz, not Sr. Oviedo) disgust me
September 25th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Darn it. I should have said to the scouts I was younger. Wait, I wasn't that good anyway 🙂
September 25th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
I came to BB-Ref today to look up Yankees garbage-time outfielder "Greg Golson" and noticed the name "Gregg Olson" in the blog box.
GREG GOLSON
GREGG OLSON
What a weird coincidence!
September 26th, 2011 at 9:21 am
Kevin Pasley! Chaminade High School's finest (my alma mater). He hit it off Fergie Jenkins, BTW. I wonder if any of the others hit theirs off a HOF pitcher.