Another interesting week of action in the books.
This week, we’ll focus in on Anthony Rizzo’s milestone magic and Matt Davidson’s pitching prowess, with additional fun facts sprinkled in along the way.
Mr. 1,000
Anthony Rizzo played in his 1,000th career MLB game on Thursday
- Rizzo became the first player to hit a walkoff HR in his 1,000th career MLB game since Wally Pipp in the bottom of the 11th inning for the Yankees on April 24, 1922
- Rizzo was the first Cub with 3 hits, including a home run, in career game number 1,000 since Frank “Wildfire” Schulte on July 6 ,1912
- The last three leadoff hitters to hit a home run (not necessarily a leadoff home run) in their 1,000th game: Rizzo, Ichiro (May 24, 2007) & Derek Jeter (June 10, 2002)
- The last Cub to homer in his 1,000th career MLB game had been Miguel Montero… also against the Diamondbacks
- Rizzo also homered in game number 1,001… the first Cub to homer in game 1,000 AND 1,001 since Aramis Ramírez August 9-10, 2006
David Bote hit a game-tying home run in the at-bat before Rizzo hit the walkoff blast. It was the first time the Cubs hit back-to-back home runs with the second one being a walkoff since April 16, 2004 (Sammy Sosa & Moisés Alou) vs Reds
Rizzo has made 15 consecutive starts at leadoff. He has hit .411/.500/.696 with 3 HR, 10 RBI and 34 times on base over that span (23 hits, 9 walks, 2 HBP)
Something about Chicago First Basemen…
Two notable Chicago first basemen made their MLB debuts with NL West teams, and they compiled the following numbers through 1,000 career games:
Anthony Rizzo Paul Konerko
BA .267 .276
HR 179 179
RBI 601 617
OBP .367 .344
SLG .481 .480
MEANWHILE
Javier Báez went 0 for 18 from his last plate appearance of June 3 through the game on June 10. Since then: 43 games and .361/.394/.619 in 166 plate appearances.
First is worst
Kyle Hendricks allowed a 2-run HR in the first inning last night. It’s not a new development…
Hendricks this season
1st inning After that
ERA 8.59 3.00
Innings 22.0 105.0
HR 10 9
Opp Slash line .305/.340/.663 .238/.296/.360
About those first inning home runs…
- 10 first inning home runs is the most allowed in the Majors this season (Dylan Bundy is next with 8)
- That total of 10 first inning home runs is a Cubs single season record. Warren Hacker held the previous record with 9 in 1953. There are still two months left to go.
- Trevor Bauer, by comparison, has allowed 6 home runs ALL SEASON (in 147.1 innings)
- Bauer (22 GS), Jhoulys Chacin (23 GS), Danny Duffy (22 GS), Chris Sale (22 GS), Zack Godley (21 GS) & Mike Foltynewicz (20 GS) have all made 20 or more starts this season and have combined to allow NO first inning home runs in 130.0 first innings.
Matty D and the Babe
Matt Davidson made his second pitching appearances of the season on Friday. He also has 15 home runs this season. Since position players who pitch are generally utility players, it’s rare that a player who has 15 home runs or more gets a chance to pitch. How rare?
In American League history there have been TWO players to hit 15 or more home runs and make multiple pitching appearances in a season.
Shohei Ohtani is not one of them. With 9 home runs so far this season, there’s no guarantee he’ll reach 15.
15 or more HR and multiple pitching appearances in a season—American League history
HR Pitching appearances
2018 Matt Davidson White Sox 15 2
1921 Babe Ruth Yankees 59 2
1919 Babe Ruth Red Sox 29 17
The only other Major Leaguer to join this list since 1900 is Dave Kingman of the 1973 Giants, who had 24 HR and 2 pitching appearances.
Friday’s game was also Davidson’s second 1-2-3 inning of the season. And it puts him tied atop an interesting list.
Most batters faced this season without allowing a baserunner
Matt Davidson White Sox 6
Alec Mills Cubs 6
Ryan Rua Rangers 3
Daniel Robertson Rays 3
Pablo Sandoval Giants 3
Dakota Hudson Cardinals 3
Bryan Holaday Marlins 3
Brandon Guyer Indians 3
Anthony Rizzo Cubs 1
Mark Reynolds Nationals 1
Palkamania: still running wild
Daniel Palka homered again yesterday afternoon, giving him 15 on the season.
Since making his MLB debut on April 25th, he leads the White Sox in home runs
Most Home Runs since April 25—White Sox
Daniel Palka 15
Tim Anderson 11
Avisaíl García 10 (all ten of these were since June 26)
José Abreu 10
Matt Davidson 10 (he did have the two aforementioned pitching appearances, though)
And Palka is tied for tops on another list this season
Most HR this season among players who made MLB Debut in 2018
Daniel Palka 15
Gleyber Torres 15
Juan Soto 13
Ronald Acuña Jr. 9
Shohei Ohtani 9
Ronald Guzmán 9
Until next week, keep checking those box scores!