A Tribute to the Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research meets for its annual convention in Washington, D.C. this week (July 30-August 2). Known as SABR 39, the schedule includes 42 research presentations by members, including incoming president Andy McCue (American League Expansion of 1961), Mike Emeigh (Bullpen Evolution, 1960-2008), Retrosheet founder David W. Smith (Does Running the Bases Harm Pitching Performance?), Steve Treder (The Value Production Standings, 1946-2008), Chris Jaffe (The Baseball Philosophy of Charles Comiskey), Phil Birnbaum (Do Players Try Harder When a Big Goal is in Sight?), and Mark Armour (A Tale of Two Umpires). The schedule of events also includes MLB and Negro Leagues player panels, more than 20 committee meetings, a Library of Congress presentation, Retrosheet's annual meeting, an awards luncheon, and three ballgames (Red Sox @ Orioles on Friday night, the Potomac Nationals on Saturday evening, and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Sunday afternoon. One of the many benefits of being a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (which I originally joined during the early 1980s and returned more than five years ago) is access to the organization's SABR-List Digest, a moderated research and information forum that is circulated via email to subscribers on a daily basis. In honor of SABR and its annual convention, I wanted to share highlights of the SABR-L for the past week. 1. September 6, 1995: Cal Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record at Camden Yards 2 (tie). 1954: Major league baseball returns to Baltimore as the transplanted St. Louis Browns become the new Orioles 2 (tie). April 6, 1992: Camden Yards opens, the first of the nouveau-retro style ballpark copied by major- and minor-league teams since 4. October 15, 1970: Orioles win the World Series at Memorial Stadium; Brooks Robinson named Series MVP 5. October 9, 1966: Orioles first World Series championship at Memorial Stadium 6 (tie). February 6, 1895: Babe Ruth is born in Baltimore 6 (tie). 1971: The Orioles boast four 20-game winners in their starting rotation: Dave McNally, Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar and Pat Dobson 8. December 9, 1965: Frank Robinson, an “old 30,” joins Baltimore in a trade with Cincinnati for Milt Pappas, and wins the Triple Crown in ‘66 9. 1988: The Orioles’ 21-game losing streak to start the season 10. 1901: Major league baseball returns to Baltimore as the Orioles join the American League Billy Hamilton, 05/17/1893 @ PHI Darin Erstad, 06/25/2000 @ ANA 7/4/1908—George Wiltse, NY Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies, (hit George McQuillen with pitch; Wiltse finished with a 10-inning no-hitter) 8/5/1932—Tommy Bridges, Detroit vs. Washington, Dave Harris 6/27/1958—Billy Pierce, Chicago White Sox vs. Washington, Ed FitzGerald (2B) 9/2/1972—Milt Pappas, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego, Larry Stahl (walk; Pappas finished with a no-hitter) 4/15/1983—Milt Wilcox, Detroit at Chicago White Sox, Jerry Hairston 5/2/1988—Ron Robinson, Cincinnati vs. Montreal, Wallace Johnson 8/4/1989—Dave Stieb, Toronto vs. New York Yankees, Roberto Kelly (2B) 4/20/1990—Brian Holman, Seattle vs. Oakland, Ken Phelps (HR) 9/2/2001—Mike Mussina, New York Yankees at Boston, Carl Everett You can access additional no-hit esoterica compiled by Thornley. The purpose of the Society for American Baseball Research, which was formed in August 1971, is to foster the research, preservation, and dissemination of the history and record of baseball. According to its "About Us" page, SABR shall carry out that mission through programs: 1) To encourage the study of baseball, past and present, as a significant athletic and social institution; 2) To encourage further research and literary efforts to establish and maintain the accurate historical record of baseball; 3) To encourage the preservation of baseball research materials; and 4) To help disseminate educational, historical and research information about baseball. You can sign up to become a member of the Society for American Baseball Research here. |