BR Bullpen:Did You Know Archive7

This is an archive of articles that were featured on the Main Page as part of Did You Know? from November 29, 2015 to June 26, 2018.

Did you know...[edit]

...what is unusual about the delivery of Roniel Raudes?
...how Rocky Point Grounds in Warwick, RI ended up being the site of an American League game in 1903?
...that Marvin Zelaya was the fifth pitcher to perform what feat in Nicaragua?
...that Bernardo Rodríguez got the first win in the storied history of the Cuban national team - and that his grandson would get one 62 years later?
...that Joeri Loykens led the First Division in wins four times?
...that Marcus Walden made his major league debut almost four years after first appearing on a major league roster?
...that Hank Rountree was the first umpire to work a College World Series in four different decades?
...that Miguel Bulnes and Saturnino Bengoa were Bronze Medal-winning teammates in the 1930 Central American Games - but not for their work on the diamond?
...that Pablo Ossandón was the first player from what country to appear in France's top league?
...what Venezuelan League record Valentín Arévalo held at the time of his retirement?
...what unusual injury delayed the major league debut of Elieser Hernandez by six weeks?
...in what tournaments Luis Guillorme and Yudai Fujioka were named the top defensive players?
...what was the role of Andy Messersmith in the advent of free agency?
...that Félix Nova led the Olympics in losses one year after leading the Pan American Games in wins?
...that Jhon Romero had more saves in the 2017 Bolivarian Games than all other pitchers combined?
...in what event Johan Hasselström was named the best hitter?
...how brothers Pedro Torres and Iván Torres represented different countries in the 2017 Central American Games?
...that Michael Wäller was named his league's best pitcher four times in five years?
...that Amanda Clement was the first woman to be paid to work as an umpire?
...which country Nicaraguan Hall of Famer Alfredo García played for in his last international tournament?
...how Akimitsu Ito'was the winning pitcher in an Olympic finale but did not get a Gold Medal?
...that the South Korean national team once included both a LF named Min-hyeok Kim and a a 3B named Min-hyeok Kim?
...that Gustavo Martínez has pitched in eight countries and won Pitcher of the Year in two of them?
...what record Jonathan Kountis set in the Frontier League?
...that Dave Roberts made his major league debut just one day after being the first overall pick of the 1972 amateur draft?
...in what league Dave Brown won the first ERA title?
...that Iván Marín has won more stolen base titles in Nicaragua than all but one other player?
...what father-son first Dwight Britton helped pull off?
...that Chi-Kam Chiu was the first player from Hong Kong to play in the Extraliga - or possibly in any professional circuit?
...that Archie Cochrane, the brother of Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane, sold his automobile dealership to major leaguer Dave McNally?
...how the 1880s player simply known as "P. Larkin" came to be positively identified as Patrick Larkin by 21st century researchers?
...that Kosuke Tanaka was the second player to lead the Central League in both OBP and steals in the same season?
...what record Jilton Calderón‎ set?
...what role Cheng-Hsien Chang played in a notable Little League World Series game?
...what major starting assignment Andy Otero got for the Panamanian national team?
...that Wilber Bucardo wrapped up the first no-hitter in Salem-Keizer Volcanoes history?
...that Ricky Oropesa was one of the first alumni of MLB's Urban Youth Academy to obtain a college scholarship?
...that Oscar Rodríguez led his teams to six titles in his six full seasons as a minor league manager?
...that coach Chad Chop was a professional firefighter for seven years before a chance meeting landed him a job with a major league team?
...what made Ming-Hung Tsai unique among his teammates in 1997?
...in what event Alberto Acosta threw a no-hitter in the championship game?
...that Jesús Ugueto Jr. was released one season after winning a league MVP award?
...that Bryan Shaw was the American League leader in games pitched in three of the five seasons he spent with Cleveland?
...that Aubrey Taylor threw the first no-hitter in modern Nicaraguan history?
...that Edgar Muñoz led two straight international tournaments in runs?
...that Daniel Poncedeleon was drafted four times out of four different educational institutions?
...that John Ritchey was the man who integrated the Pacific Coast League?
...in what country Darrell Campbell won three straight batting titles?
...what Danny Rombley accomplished for the first time at age 38?
...that Jorge Balboa was the only native Spanish player on the Spanish national team in the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers?
...that J.D. Droddy was directing a community theater in New Mexico when he got his first job in professional baseball?
...that Chris Paterson was the youngest manager in the minor leagues when he landed his first managerial job in 2010?
...that Carlos Ramirez only gave up his first earned runs of 2017 in his 33rd appearance, spread over two minor league teams and the major league Toronto Blue Jays?
...that Federico Celli was the first Italian-born Italian Series MVP in five years?
...what role Chris Singleton played in the healing of Charleston, SC following a horrible racial massacre?
...that Cheng-Fei Lin was the youngest player to homer in a CPBL game then two years later became the youngest to homer in a Taiwan Series?
...who are the cardboard Gods in the book Cardboard Gods?
...that Ramón Pacheco did not make his Mexican League debut until he was 38 years old?
...what country won the 2013 South American Championship in dramatic fashion for their first three-peat in the South American Championship?
...that Oscar Levis was involved in one of the most famous pitching duels in Cuban Winter League history?
...what the book Playing with Tigers is about?
...how Frank Shaffer became a lost ballplayer for over 100 years?
...that Valentín Gonzaléz was part of the first class of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame?
...that minor league pitcher Jesus Luzardo hopes to become the first player born in Peru to play in the major leagues?
...that Bob Wolff holds the Guinness record for the longest career by a sports broadcaster?
...why Silas Rooney turned down a contract offer from the New York Yankees?
...what was controversial about the 2017 Hall of Fame ballot submitted by Murray Chass?
...that Daniel Álvarez pitched one of the best games in Spanish national team history?
...what was the history of the original Cincinnati Reds?
...that power-hitting prospect Dominic Smith hit only one homer in first full season in Class A in 2014?
...that Eustaquio Pedroso threw a 11-inning no-hitter against the defending American League champions?
...why noted doctor Michael Bajo said he could die a happy man?
...what feat Seiya Suzuki accomplished that no one had done for 47 years?
...what tournament Felipe Burin was MVP of?
...that Sheng-Hsiung Huang saved the last game in EDA Rhinos history?
...that Luis Urías won the California League MVP despite starting the season as the league's youngest player?
...that Ernesto López won four home run titles - after losing a finger?
...what major league history Willy García made before he came to the plate?
...that the grave of Bill Francis was unmarked for over 70 years?
...why class A catcher John Bormann got the call to the majors ahead of the guys before him on the depth chart?
...that Pastor Pareda got 64% of his team's decisions one season?
...how many labor strikes baseball's umpires have been involved in?
...why the New York Gothams changed their name?
...who or what is The Freeze?
...that Kodai Senga was the 8th pitcher in Pacific League annals to perform what feat?
...what Yoelkis Céspedes accomplished as a 19-year-old that his famous half-brother Yoenis never did in Cuba?
...what record José Amador set in 2016-2017?
...that Oscar Mercado was literally inches away from giving the Colombian national team the biggest win in its history?
...why Jong-hyun Won's teammates wore the number 155 on their caps in 2015?
...that Robert Suárez was working in construction before his great pro debut?
...how Mike DeMark became a pitcher against his wishes?
...in what international tournament Chun-Lin Kuo was MVP?
...what accomplishment José Carradero and Iván Carradero were the first Puerto Rican brothers to perform?
...that Liván Moinelo was the youngest male baseball player in the 2015 Pan American Games?
...what is the epic road trip chronicled in the book I Don't Care if We Never Get Back?
...what Chilean honor James Sommerville won that had previously gone to his father and would later be won by his brother?
...where Mark Serrano was working when the Mexican national team called him out of retirement?
...how many consecutive games Wilfredo Vélez won to set a record in Puerto Rico?
...that Luis de Camargo not only was the All-Star catcher in the 2016 South American Championship but also coached for Brazil?
...in what two events Porfirio Espinosa won Gold in the 1930 Central American Games?
...that Dante Bichette Jr. won a league MVP award despite hitting .159 in the first quarter of the season?
...that George Crable shaved nine years off his age - long after the end of his playing career?
...that Ramon De Jesus was the first major league umpire from the Dominican Republic?
...that Nateshon Thomas was the first player from the British Virgin Islands to play for the Great Britain national team?
...that Kyle Johnson is one of four active minor league players suing MLB to demand fair wages?
...what record Andrés Ávila set in 2015-2016?
...that Lázaro Blanco led his first international tournament in strikeouts?
...that Gui Yuan Xu was the first signee from the MLB Development Center in China?
...that Dan Sheehan died in an insane asylum in Ireland?
...that Nick Urbanus was the third generation of his family to win what honor?
...what historic start Inayat Khan made for the Pakistani national team?
...how Bob Freels made it to the majors 27 years after he last played in the minors?
...what Helen Dettweiler was the first woman to do?
...that Robert Stevens was the grandson of a United States Senator and the son of a Consul?
...why Kenny Vandenbranden retired after winning a Pitcher of the Year award?
...what freak injury sidelined the career of Kevin Burdick?
...which tournament Brad Goldberg shared for the save lead in?
...what external factor helped the Argentinian national team win the 2004 South American Championship?
...what Venezuelan League record José Leiva holds?
...what record Enorbel Márquez holds for the German national team?
...that Jon Byrne was the first major league umpire from Australia?
...that Kent Matthes was named league MVP in a season in which he missed the final month due to injury?
...that Markus Solbach pitched for six teams in one year?
...which All-Star Jose Fernandez was good friends with and neighbors of while growing up in Cuba?
...whose Tampa Bay Devil Rays season record Chris Archer broke when he lost his 19th game in 2016?
...how many batters drew walks in Henry Dobson's only game as a major league umpire?
...that Maurice Wilhelm has won both ERA and home run titles in Germany?
...why catcher Steve Clevenger was suspended by the Seattle Mariners during the 2016 season?
...that Alain Usereau is considered one of the most knowledgeable baseball commentators in Quebec?
...what circumstance allowed Pete DeFlesco to umpire in the majors in 1991?
...what is notable about Tomás Moreno's niece?
...that Yuki Nishi was the only pitcher in Japan's two-league era to throw a no-hitter in the season finale?
...what record Joe Musgrove tied in his MLB debut?
...what unusual situation kept Kevan Smith from making his major league debut when he was first called up?
...why umpire Clarence Adams got the chance to work a major league game in 1976?
...what historic save Pierrick Lemestre got for the French national team?
...how Halsey Hall set fire to the pressbox at Comiskey Park?
...what major controversy sportswriter Max Nichols was the center of in 1967?
...that Ralph Betcher had the only home run for his club during a 139-game season?
...that Antonio Herradora was the only player to win the Haarlemse Honkbalweek Bad Luck Trophy?
...what unfortunate event befell Brandon Thomas after he hit a grand slam?
...why umpire Ron Barnes filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball?
...that Boston Red Sox organist Josh Kantor takes requests for songs via his Twitter accounts?
...why Adam Frazier did not win the Eastern League batting title in 2015 despite having the best average among players with enough plate appearances to qualify?
...what job Steven Brault has in the off-season?
...why 205-lb. slugger Josh Bell got the nickname "Tinker Bell"?
...what historic start Kiyoshi Makino made?
...in what country Ryan Casteel won a MVP?
...that the batting titlist of the 1912 PCL died by year's end?
...that Jakub Sládek is the youngest member of what elite Extraliga group?
...what three-time Cy Young Award winner Chad Kuhl beat in his MLB debut?
...what Pete Zamora did that no one else has ever accomplished in the decades-long history of the Reading Phillies?
...in what international tournament Ernesto Martínez Jr. shared a position with his father?
...who was Charlie O.?
...what Dan Morgan's tiny ERA was during his senior year in high school?
...that Atsunori Itoh was the last first-round pick in the history of the Hankyu Braves?
...what league record Tim McWilliam set?
...that Kinji Uno led the Japanese Professional Baseball League in doubles its first year but finished his career under the Mendoza Line?
...that Ty Kelly made his major league debut against a pitcher born the same day as him?
...what tragic illness first cut short the career and then the life of Wayne Weinheimer?
...that Martin Schneider had both the first RBI and first save in what league?
...what hit record Tsuguo Goto set in a .252 season — and held for 50 years?
...that Brett Lawrie hit the first two walk-off home runs by a player born in the 1990s?
...why, though Alex Kirilloff played baseball for Plum High School, he did not actually attend the school?
...what controversy surrounded the 2016 Chicago White Sox in March of that year?
...what a Little League homer is?
...which player Bones Ely replaced at shortstop?
...what historic streak Daniel Mráz played a decisive role in ending?
...that Paul Manoma was the first African to receive coaching training in Japan and the first Ghanaian to train with two top Japanese clubs?
...what awards Giuseppe Chiaramonte has won in and away from baseball?
...why ace Utica Blue Sox reliever Roy Moretti left the team during a pennant race?
...that over 50 players represented more than one country in international baseball competition?
...that Wilfredo Boscán was called up to the majors four times before he got into a game?
...what country Vadim Balan was the first minor leaguer from?
...what Sergey Korolev's profession was before he began playing baseball?
...who was named Most Valuable Player of the first National Baseball Congress World Series?
...that the Adelaide Avenue Grounds was Rhode Island's first enclosed baseball grounds?
...what is notable about Steve Selsky's mother?
...why the Zimbabwe Baseball and Softball Association was dissolved during Mandishona Mtasa's tenure as president?
...that Jon Connolly had the lowest ERA in the minors one year, won another ERA title the next and yet never made the majors?
...what league record Anthony Phillips set in 2015?
...that Suzyn Waldman was the first woman to work regularly as a color commentator on Major League Baseball broadcasts?
...that Bruce Maxwell led NCAA Division III in on-base percentage, slugging, doubles, home runs and walks?
...what international tournament Luis Liria led in saves?
...that Jake Sanchez won a minor league Pitcher of the Year award after starting the season in the independent leagues?
...that Brett Roberts led in NCAA Division I in scoring in basketball yet wound up spending his professional career in baseball?
...that Dilson Herrera was the first Colombian to play for the New York Mets?
...that Isaac Hess was the first pitcher to come back from total hip replacement to play pro baseball?
...that Jesús Valdez was the fourth player to win batting titles in the Mexican League and Mexican Pacific League in the same year?
...what record Jakub Hajtmar set in the Czech Republic?
...that Michio Shigematsu was the first submarine hurler in Japanese professional annals?
...that Thomas Eshelman started off his college career by walking no one in his first 63 1/3 innings?
...that Becky Hartley was a licensed medical doctor when she won a Silver Medal in the 2015 Pan American Games?
...that Daniel Mayora has made eight minor league All-Star teams but has yet to play in the major leagues?
...that Masao Kitai won the first ERA title in Japanese pro annals but was dead a year later?
...that the Mount Rainier Professional Baseball League played for less than two weeks before folding?
...that Josh Tols led his league in wins despite being solely a reliever?
...which future major leaguers Ben Crockett beat out for Ivy League Pitcher of the Year?
...what record Ryan Searle set in the Australian Baseball League?
...who the surviving players from the 1940s and from old World Series-winning teams, and who the oldest living players from each team, are?
...that the Kekionga Base Ball Grounds were the site of the first game in major league history?
...that Anthony Alford was the first person the be named the top high school football and baseball player in Mississippi the same year?
...that George Gmelch became a renowned professor of social anthropology after his brief minor league career?
...that, per records available, Freddie Barocco batted nearly .350 yet won only one batting title?
...that Dan Casey claimed to be the inspiration for the central figure in Casey at the Bat?
...that Fujio Nagasawa was the first cleanup man in the history of the Tokyo Kyojin/Yomiuri Giants club?
...what major hit José Adolis García had in the 2015 Pan American Games?
...that Takeshi Nakayama caught the first NPB no-hitter?
...what were some of the memorable postseason performances – both good and bad – in the career of Charlie Leibrandt?
...that the Boston Red Sox willingly incurred a $31 million penalty for exceeding their international bonus limit in order to sign Yoan Moncada?
...that Miguel Fermín won minor league home run and batting titles but went to the pitching mound just four years later?
...what historic win Alejandro Amézquita earned for Guatemala?
...what off-the-field injury might have caused Rob Dibble's sudden ineffectiveness?
...that after an injury caused Larry Cheney to alter his pitching style, he won 26 games the next season?
...that minor leaguer Mike Cisco was once traded for absolutely nothing?
...that Jordy Lara won a minor league RBI title despite hitting under the Mendoza Line that year?
...that Yu-Cheng Chang and his brother each played for the Taiwanese national team in one of their two biggest events of 2015?
...what team record Harold Ramírez set despite missing most of the 2014 season?
...that pitching prospect Blake McFarland has also won acclaim as a visual artist?
...that Petr Pacas won three Extraliga ERA titles from 2000-2005 despite missing two seasons in that span?
...that Graham McNamee is the inventor of the "play-by-play" broadcast?
...how Masanobu Yamaguchi led the Japanese Professional Baseball League in walks twice in the same year?
...that Yu-Ning Tsao won awards for both baseball and for an off-field talent the same year?
...in what international event Tzu-Wei Lin was named MVP?
...what Central League record Takao Sato held for 58 years?
...which famous alumni played in the British Columbia Premier Baseball League, Boston Park League, Atlantic Baseball Confederation and Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League?
...that only one team finished over .500 in the 1903 Pacific Coast League?
...that Mordecai Brown faced off against another future Hall of Fame pitcher in his final big league appearance (and that the other player was also playing in his last major league game)?
...that George Case led the American League in stolen bases in six of his eleven seasons?
...that Akira Nakamura led the Pacific League in hits despite having no set position?
...that Tom Candiotti became the second man (after Tommy John) to pitch in the majors following Tommy John surgery?
...what award Sung-bum Na won before anyone else in NC Dinos history?
...that Bernie Carbo was the first player ever selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the amateur draft, one round before Johnny Bench?
...that Sun-bin Kim has been the shortest player in the Korea Baseball Organization?
...that Patrick Kivlehan won two Player of the Year/MVP honors the first year after he gave up football for baseball?
...that Randy Jones is the only Cy Young Award winner who was primarily a starter with a career losing record?
...that Rick Wise became the first pitcher to ever homer in a game in which he threw a no-hitter?
...what international competition Joey Berkenbosch participated in while he was still an active baseball player?
...what record Yoshitomo Tsutsugo set his first season as a professional?
...that Ariel Ovando was taken in the Rule V Draft one year as an outfielder and the next year as a pitcher?
...why David Price wrote the foreword to Derek Johnson's book, The Complete Guide to Pitching?
...that the pitching career of Darren Fidge spanned 25 seasons?
...what Pacific League record Hisashi Aikyo holds?
...in which international tournament Junichi Katayama was named MVP?
...why Jim Stanley disappeared from public records for over a century?
...what controversial call Masao Yanada made in the 2012 Japan Series?
...that Leon Cadore once pitched 26 innings in a single game?
...that Shota Takeda was the youngest pitcher in SoftBank Hawks franchise history to win a Japan Series opener?
...that Coco Laboy played more seasons that any other position player to have spent his entire major league career with the Montreal Expos?
...that Eddy Alvarez won a silver medal in short track speed skating in the 2014 Winter Olympics?
...that Yasuaki Yamasaki was the only pitcher with multiple wins in the 2014 Haarlem Baseball Week?
...who is the longest serving Minnesota Twins coach?

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BR Bullpen:Did You Know Archive7

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