Tuesday, April 28, 2020

#176 Al Martin


SPRINT : intransitive verb \ ˈsprint  \
: to run or go at top speed especially for a short distance


He led the NL in runs scored, so I guess he was fast.

Batting average .276
Home runs 132
Runs batted in 485

Pittsburgh Pirates (1992–1999)
San Diego Padres (2000)
Seattle Mariners (2000–2001)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003)
LG Twins (2004)


Saturday, April 25, 2020

#175 Jeff King


SMOOTH : adjective \ ˈsmüt͟h  \
: excessively and often artfully suave

"No need to ask, he's a smooth operator..."

Batting average .256
Home runs 154
Runs batted in 709

Pittsburgh Pirates (1989–1996)
Kansas City Royals (1997–1999)


Tuesday, April 21, 2020

#174 Mark Johnson



POTENTIAL : adjective \ pə-ˈten(t)-shəl  \
 existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality


Potential is not always reality.

Batting average .232
Home runs 38
Runs batted in 137

Pittsburgh Pirates (1995–1997)
Anaheim Angels (1998)
Hanshin Tigers (1999)
New York Mets (2000–2002)


Saturday, April 18, 2020

#173 Micah Franklin


LEARNING : noun \ ˈlər-niŋ \
: the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something : the activity of someone who learns


Micah was learning the blues after only 17 games at the major league level.

Batting average .324
Home runs 2
Runs batted in 2

St. Louis Cardinals (1997)
Nippon Ham Fighters (1999–2000)
Hanshin Tigers (2000)
Hyundai Unicorns (2002–2003)


Wednesday, April 15, 2020

#172 Jay Bell


KEYSTONE : noun \ ˈkē-ˌstōn  \
: something on which other things depend for support


Jay Bell was probably the wise old veteran in the Pirates clubhouse.

Batting average .265
Home runs 195
Runs batted in 860

Cleveland Indians (1986–1988)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1989–1996)
Kansas City Royals (1997)
Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–2002)
New York Mets (2003)

2× All-Star (1993, 1999)
World Series champion (2001)
Gold Glove Award (1993)
Silver Slugger Award (1993)

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Emotion Recap - Page 19


#163 Ricky Bottalico - PROSPECT
#164 Darren Daulton - LEADER
#165 Lenny Dykstra - NAILS
#166 Charlie Hayes - PRIMED
#167 Dave Hollins - WILLPOWER
#168 Gregg Jefferies - PERPARING
#169 Michael Mimbs - CRAFTY
#170 Curt Schilling - STRIVING
#171 Heathcliff Slocumb - CLUTCH



Wednesday, April 8, 2020

#171 Heathcliff Slocumb


CLUTCH : adjective \ ˈkləch  \
: successful in a crucial situation

Often considered one of the most lopsided trades in history, in 1997 he was traded from the Red Sox to the Mariners for Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek. Guess who got the better deal.

Win–loss record 28–37
Earned run average 4.08
Strikeouts 513
Saves 98

Chicago Cubs (1991–1993)
Cleveland Indians (1993)
Philadelphia Phillies (1994–1995)
Boston Red Sox (1996–1997)
Seattle Mariners (1997–1998)
Baltimore Orioles (1999)
St. Louis Cardinals (1999–2000)
San Diego Padres (2000)

All-Star (1995)

Monday, April 6, 2020

#170 Curt Schilling


STRIVING : verb  \ˈstrī-​viŋ  \
: to struggle in opposition

Opposing batters struggled more against Schilling than he did against them.
And Oakland A's fans of course.

Win–loss record 216–146
Earned run average 3.46
Strikeouts 3,116

Baltimore Orioles (1988–1990)
Houston Astros (1991)
Philadelphia Phillies (1992–2000)
Arizona Diamondbacks (2000–2003)
Boston Red Sox (2004–2007)

6× All-Star (1997–1999, 2001, 2002, 2004)
3× World Series champion (2001, 2004, 2007)
World Series MVP (2001)
NLCS MVP (1993)
Roberto Clemente Award (2001)
2× MLB wins leader (2001, 2004)
2× NL strikeout leader (1997, 1998)
Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame
Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame


Saturday, April 4, 2020

#169 Michael Mimbs


CRAFTY :  adjective \ ˈkraf-tē  \
: adept in the use of subtlety and cunning

According to baseball-reference, Mimbs is most similar to pitcher Ewald Pyle.
Who is Ewald Pyle you ask? Got me.

Win–loss record 12–19
Earned run average  5.03
Strikeouts 178

Philadelphia Phillies (1995–1997)


Thursday, April 2, 2020

#168 Gregg Jefferies


PREPARING : intransitive verb \ pri-ˈper  \
transitive verb
: to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity

Being the first two-time winner of the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award will definitely prepare you for the Major League level.

Batting average .289
Home runs 126
Runs batted in 663

New York Mets (1987–1991)
Kansas City Royals (1992)
St. Louis Cardinals (1993–1994)
Philadelphia Phillies (1995–1998)
Anaheim Angels (1998)
Detroit Tigers (1999–2000)

2× All-Star (1993, 1994)