Briefly.
Jacoby Ellsbury is tied for Pete Rose for catcher’s interference calls in his career. Now I don’t care what the record is, tying Pete Rose in anything is kinda cool.
Trivia #1: About how long does it take sunlight to reach the earth? Eight minutes; eight seconds; .7 seconds; 15 minutes?
So Rafael Devers hit a 102.8 mile an hour pitch for a homerun off of the Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman. Hey, big deal right? Well, it was the first homerun he had allowed all year and only the second homerun he has ever allowed to a left-handed hitter. According to Statcast, it was the fastest pitch ever hit for a homerun. DYK: Devers nickname is “Carita” which means “babyface” in Spanish.
Trivia #2: Rafael Devers is one of ten players to ever post an OPS of 1.000 or higher over 50 or more plate appearances in a season where they were 21 or younger. Which of these players are NOT on that list? Hint, two of these players did it twice: Eddie Matthews, Mel Ott, Ted Williams, Jimmy Fox, Mickey Mantle, Willie McCovey, Alex Rodriquez, Albert Pujols.
Unhittable – you’re doing it wrong. I saw a small piece entitled “Reyes, unhittable”. Denyi Reyes of the Lowell Spinners had a pitching line of 6.2 scoreless innings, six strikeouts and two hits. Two hits!? I thought he as “unhittable”??
Just browsing and recognizing some of my favorites minor league baseball team nicknames: Binghamton Rumble Ponies; El Paso Chihuahuas; Hartford Yard Goats; Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp; Lansing Lugnuts; Lehigh Valley IronPigs; Montgomery Biscuits; Richmond Flying Squirrels.
Monday was National Whiffle Ball Day, established in 1953. Regretfully, I did not play. Regretfully, what whiffle ball did to my shoulder is permanent.
This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Teen Sent to Internet Addiction Camp Dies Within 48 Hours.
Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins) has 11 homeruns in his last 13 games.
Who is going to beat the Patriots? Really.
Sox/Yankees again. I can’t get enough!
Haverhill’s own Jillian Cardarelli was recently recognized in Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: August 2017. Cool!
Paying tribute – you’re doing it wrong. Sadly, a family tragedy was compounded this week in Michigan when the body of a 59-yeard old man was found Monday, the day after he fell out of a boat while scattering his father’s ashes on Lake Superior.
In case you missed it, the WEEI/NESN/Red Sox Radio Jimmy Fund Telethon ran this past Tuesday/Wednesday. Many heart-tugging stories both on the radio and during Sox games. On Tuesday night, Dave O’Brien and Eck were interviewing a guest in their booth, an 18-year old cancer survivor much like many others. O’Brien noted that the woman (her name escapes me) was a student at Marquette and referred to her as a “Warrior.” DOH! Any follower of Marquette knows that the spineless school succumbed to pressure several years ago and changed their nickname from the Warriors to the Golden Showers Eagles. Way to go, Dave!
Speaking of the Sox, nice tribute to the ’67 team the other night. Too long ago for me but at the time that team brought the Red Sox back to life in Boston. Seats were empty in ’66. Red Sox Nation was born.
Trivia answer #1: Eight minutes
Trivia answer #2: Mickey Mantle. Ted Williams and Mel Ott each did it twice.
Don’t miss the solar eclipse on Monday. I wish we, northeast, had a better view but it should be pretty cool.
“Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun
But mama, that’s where the fun is”
Good night everybody!
Ed's Head On Friday 