Q & A

As one might expect, this site receives a number of e-mails asking questions about players, teams, leagues, games, etc. As a result, some of the best questions will be posted here for everyone to view. If you have a question, just e-mail it to us by clicking here.

Richardson's Number

What was Bobby Richardson's Uniform Number?
From 1955-56, Richardson wore No. 17. In 1957, it was No. 29 and then from 1958 until his retirement, he wore No. 1..

Four Home Run Games

How many players have hit four home runs in a game? Did any of these players hit 4 home runs and their team lost the game?
Thanks for your question. For a list of players who have accomplished this feat and more on the score of the games, click here..

Four consecutive home runs

In 1963, Angels pitcher Paul Foytack set a MLB record when he gave up 4 consecutive home runs. What was the date and who were the hitters?
The game was on July 31, 1963 and the Angels were facing the Indians. Foytack gave up consecutive home runs to Woodie Held, Pedro Ramos, Tito Francona and Larry Brown.

Why are they called rookies?

Where did the term Rookies come from?
There's really no clear answer on this. The accepted version seems to be that the word rookies comes from the word "rooks". That term is thought to have been some kind of reference to the word "recruits."

Monster HR of Josh Gibson

Did Josh Gibson really hit a home run out of Yankee Stadium?
So many conflicting versions of this story exist that I sent it to the expert. John Holway, author of numerous books on the Negro Leagues, says "At the age of 18, in the 1930 playoffs, Josh hit a line drive into the LF bullpen. According to two eyewitnesses, it hit two feet from the top of the wall at the back of the bullpen."

What happened to...?

Can you tell me what happened to Mets reliever Danny Frisella. Ii know he died in 1977, but I can't find any information on him. Also what was his role in the 1969 world series?
Danny Frisella played from 1967-1976 (much of that time with the Mets) and compiled a 34-40 record with 57 saves and a career 3.52 ERA. He was killed on Jan. 1, 1977 when the dune buggy he was in lost control and flipped over. He did not make an appearance in the 1969 series..

Time for Larsen

What time was Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 series?
Game 5 began at 1 p.m. and finished in 2 hours and 6 minutes.

Longest Home Runs

A couple of buddies and I have an ongoing argument on the actual length of the longest home run. If Cecil Fielder does not hold the record, who does? Also, what was Cecil Fielder's longest home run? -- Eric
The answer to your question isn't simple. It seems to be a bit of fact, fantasy and personal opinion, but here's what seems to be accepted. Most consider the feat to have been accomplished by Mickey Mantle, but it depends on who you ask on which HR was the longest. On April 17, 1953, Mickey Mantle is credited with what many consider to be the longest HR in baseball history. He is estimated to have hit a 565-foot home run at Washington's Griffith Stadium off Senators pitcher Chuck Stobbs. On Sept. 10, 1960 at Detroit's Briggs Stadium, Mantle is reported to have hit a ball that flew over the fight field bleachers and through the Stadium's lighting. Some say it was at least 440 feet off the ground when it left the park. That one was estimated at 634 feet, but it is highly disputed. Cecil Fielder's longest home run came on September 14, 1991 when he is credited with a 502-foot shot over the left-field bleachers at Milwaukee's County Stadium. Now, an interesting part of this discussion is Babe Ruth. While not credited with the longest HR in history, he is reported to have hit a 500-foot home run in each of the eight AL parks during the 1921 season.

Snider in Center

Please settle a dispute for me. I say Duke Snider played centerfield throughout his Dodger career. My friend says that Snider was moved to right field toward the end of his career. Can you shed any light on this? - Ron Fiore
Your friend got you on this one. Snider played in the outfield with the Dodgers (both Brooklyn and Los Angeles) from 1947 to 1962. From 1947 to 1957, while the Dodgers were in Brooklyn, Snider played 1221 games in CF, 14 in RF and 4 in LF. When the Dodgers moved to LA, his outfield role changed. In his last 2 seasons with the Dodgers (1961-1962), he played 75 games in RF, 26 in CF and 15 in LF.

Oldest in Chicago

Who was here first -- the Chicago White Sox or the Cubs? -- Laurie Albright
That's an interesting question and it has a twist. The Chicago White Stockings were first organized around 1870, but are officially shown entering baseball in 1876 as a member of the National League. The team was also called the Colts, then the Orphans and, finally, the Cubs. Charlie Comiskey moved his minor league team to Chicago to join the American League and took the "White Stockings" name the National League team had abandoned. Later, it was shortened to White Sox.

What about the mound?

Who was responsible for elevating the pitcher's mound and when did it take place? -- Mom of Inquisitive Little Leaguer
The pitcher's mound is supposed to keep a competitive balance between pitching and hitting. Different sources have different dates, but the pitchers mound was set at no higher than 15 inches sometime in 1903-1904. The 1968 season brought a huge change to the rules. Carl Yastrzemski won the AL batting title with a .301 average; Pete Rose led the NL with .335. Denny McClain won 31 games, Luis Tiant had a 1.60 ERA and Bob Gibson had a 1.12. In an effort to increase offense, the mound was lowered to 10 inches, some pitches were banned and the strike zone was decreased.