Details of this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, chatter about the division and wild card races and a quiz about milestones and awards were among the highlights of the September chapter meeting on Saturday.
Seventeen chapter members and guests on Zoom enjoyed hearing from Monte Cely and Ira Siegel, who traveled to Cooperstown to witness the induction of Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker earlier this month. Though the reported size of the crowd at the induction ceremony was about 20,000, Monte and Ira estimated that it was more like 7,500 to 10,000 people, noting that it wasn’t as crowded as they had feared.
Monte said it was his first visit to the museum, so he and Ira looked at all 333 plaques, toured the museum and enjoyed lunch at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown. Monte also shared a video showing him taking batting practice in cages set up next to Doubleday Field.
The winner of last month’s quiz, Cy Morong, wrote a quiz about sluggers and pitchers who reached lofty milestones without winning an MVP or Cy Young award. Jerry Miller flexed his muscles, taking first place with 20 points, followed by Peter Myers with 17 and Herb Whalley with 14. Mike Bass and Ryan Pollack had 12 points each. Take your shot at the quiz below (the answers follow below the quiz questions).
We also did some quick polls to determine which teams attendees thought might capture division titles and wild card spots. Overall, we think the Dodgers will catch and pass the Giants for the NL West title by a 67 to 33 percent vote. We also gave the Cardinals near-unanimous support to be the second wild card team in the National League by a 92 to 8 percent vote. The Phillies had one vote.
The group unanimously thought the Tampa Bay Rays were well on their way to having the best record in the American League. We also all supported the Boston Red Sox as a wild card team but differed on the second wild card team. Six voted for the Toronto Blue Jays; four for the New York Yankees and one for the Seattle Mariners.
We also had a lively discussion about whether Shohei Ohtani would win the American League MVP Award. Some felt strongly that he wasn’t deserving because of the disappointing performance by the Angels in the AL West, while others thought his case might be stronger if he was also a position player rather than primarily a designated hitter. Still, placing near the top of hitter and pitcher league leader boards, Ohtani may be the favorite to win the award. As with the playoff races, time will tell!
As has been our tradition for many years, the chapter plans to have a World Series watch party for Game 4 on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Jim Baker’s house in Cedar Park. This is subject to change depending on COVID-19. More details to come next month.
Milestones and Awards Quiz
By Cy Morong
1. Name the 9 players who played most of their career from 1931 on, hit 500+ career HRs, and did not win a regular season MVP award (MVP awards before 1931 don’t count).
2. Name the 12 players who played most of their career from 1931 on, had 3,000+ hits, and did not win a regular season MVP award (MVP awards before 1931 don’t count).
3. Name the 5 pitchers who pitched most of their careers from 1959 on, struck out 3,000+ batters, and did not win a Cy Young award.
4. Name the 3 pitchers who pitched most of their careers from 1959 on, won 300+ games, and did not win a Cy Young award.
Answers
- Jim Thome, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Eddie Mathews, Mel Ott, Gary Sheffield, and Eddie Murray
- Derek Jeter, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Adrian Beltre, Paul Waner, Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield, Craig Biggio, Lou Brock, Rafael Palmeiro, Wade Boggs, and Al Kaline
- Nolan Ryan, Bert Blyleven, Don Sutton, Phil Niekro, and Curt Schilling
- Nolan Ryan, Don Sutton, and Phil Niekro
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