• juanipadin

  +1

  EXELENT ARTICLE!!!

  Posted 1/14/2008 respond (flag)

• neoforce

  +1

  Great article, but #10 has two errors.  First the game was July 24, 1983, not July 23.  More importantly, the article says:

  After the game the Royals protested and it was eventually overturned by Major League Baseball. However, it was too late to help the Royals.

  That isn't what happened.  Since Brett's out was the final out of the game, this was one case where MLB was able to correct the problem.

  Brett's homerun counted and on August 18th game resumed at that point and Kansas City won.

  Here is a reference:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Tar_Incident

   

  Posted 1/14/2008 respond (flag)

• perry

  +1

  Fun article, thanks for writing it. Two errors, though.  You say in #3: “You may recall the Red Sox Blue Jays game on September 14, 2005 where, with Gabe Kapler on first, Tony Graffanino homered. While rounding second base Kapler ruptured his achillies tendon. Although he tried to get up he couldn’t continue. Graffanino correctly remained 10 feet or so behind Kapler knowing that if he passed him the home run would be struck from the record, Kapler would be out and Graffanino would have to stay on second.” Actually it’s the passing runner who would be out, in this case Graffanino.  And it’s not a dead ball, so Kapler could still score after being passed by Graffanino, as long as it wasn’t the third out. Next, #10 – the Pine Tar game.  You say: “After the game the Royals protested and it was eventually overturned by Major League Baseball. However, it was too late to help the Royals.” Not so.  After the Royals’ protest was upheld, the game was resumed at the point of the protest, with Brett’s homer restored and the Royals leading 5-4.  The first thing that happened was, the Yankees appealed that Brett had missed first base.  The umps (a different crew than the original game) had anticipated that Billy Martin would try something like this, and quickly whipped out signed affidavits from the original crew stating that all runners had touched all bases.  The game was then completed without incident, the Royals winning 5-4.

  Posted 1/14/2008 respond (flag)

• agrajag

  +1

  There can be more than 6 consecutive strikeouts in an inning.

  There can be an infinite number, as long as the catcher keeps missing strike three.

   

  Posted 1/14/2008 respond (flag)

• John Beamer

  +1

  Thanks for the feedback and comments.

  I don't think I've ever received so may personal emails on a single article. At the last count I had close to 50 and while I normally reply to everyone I am currently vacationing and my wife would kill me if I spent the 2 or so hours replying to all of you.

  On my return I will be sure to read every email and respond. Thank you.

  Saying that most of you wrote to let me know about various factual mistakes, mostly concerning the pine tar incident. I stand corrected against the tidal wave of email.

  Also a lot of you wrote in with your odd rules of your own. Enough in fact to do a follow up column in a couple of weeks. If you have come across and obscurities please do continue to send them my way.

  Thanks

  John 

  Posted 1/15/2008 respond (flag)

• Skydo

  +1

  What is the difference between

  8. spectator interference, &
  9. fan obstruction ?

   Also, why does the base-stealing have to occur on a strike? Couldn't it happen on a ball?

  Posted 1/16/2008 respond (flag)

• ToeKneeArmAss

  +1

  I really enjoyed this - thanks.  Here's another one to consider: what is the minimum number of pitches needed to complete a half-inning?

   It can be done throwing only one pitch - but much like your "triple play without a fielder touching the ball" it's pretty impossible in real life.  Here's the scenario:

  - First batter hits a triple on the first (only) pitch of the inning

  - Before the second pitch, he attempts to steal home - pitcher does not pitch but steps off to throw home

  - Batter interferes with the play at the plate and is called out for obstruction.  Runner is returned to third.

   - Repeat the "steal of home, batter out for interference" vignette twice more.

  - Three outs - one pitch

  Posted 1/24/2009 respond (flag)

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