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Who Was I ?...Trivia

metirish Apr 18 2007 11:50 PM

I never did things like others, so I'm going to do my biography backwards for this week's question. I'm currently retired from baseball. My last few jobs were doing some weekly radio reports, and before that, a minor league instructor for the Chicago Cubs, where I tell my outfielders to "Do what I say, and not what I do", because I once defied my manager and left CF to play just in front of the grass behind 2B for the weak hitting pitcher Ryne Duren (he struck out). I did some announcing before that, and "Holy Cow" did I have a good partner to team up with while doing the Chicago White Sox games in the 1970's. I played the game hard, and expected others to do so also. Because of this, I always seemed to be involved in something controversial, like kicking a fan in the ass when he ran out into my CF territory in Yankee stadium (I was with the Indians), or getting into a fight with legendary brawlster Billy Martin (under the grandstand in 1952). Yeah, I was a real character. As a matter of fact, I appeared once on the "I Love Lucy" t.v. show, and also had a movie made about me with Anthony Perkins playing myself. I ended my career in '67 with CAL, spent some time with CLE from ''62 - '59, and played eight years with BOS, starting in '50. My career numbers were .272 avg, 811 R, 104 Hr, 591 RBI, and 115 SB, but more importantly a .988 fielding percentage, as I was tops in the game at my position in the outfield.

iramets Apr 19 2007 05:41 AM

You're Jimmy Piersall, you nut you. Am I supposed to come up with another who-am-I? now, or do I simply collect some fabulous prize, or what?

metirish Apr 19 2007 07:13 AM

Yes another who am I,thought that one would last for a bit....

iramets Apr 19 2007 08:14 AM

Hey, I was asleep almost the whole time that was posted--otherwise I would have answered it as soon as you finished typing it. I hit two game-winning HRs in one World Series against the Yankees, one of them an inside-the-park job with two outs in the ninth, and went on to a long and distinguished managerial career. I share with only two other people the honor of having been ejected from a game as a player and a manager in six calendar decades. I was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1966, and I died in 1975, which may account for why I feel so tired.

SteveJRogers Apr 19 2007 08:31 AM

iramets wrote: Hey, I was asleep almost the whole time that was posted--otherwise I would have answered it as soon as you finished typing it. I hit two game-winning HRs in one World Series against the Yankees, one of them an inside-the-park job with two outs in the ninth, and went on to a long and distinguished managerial career. I share with only two other people the honor of having been ejected from a game as a player and a manager in six calendar decades. I was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1966, and I died in 1975, which may account for why I feel so tired. The Old Professor, ironically one you consider overated Ira, or at least his ability to see how untalented a player may be! Casey Stengel Here is a new one Well I was a Bronx Bomber for a year, but by some quirk I ended up being one of a handfull of Yankees since 1923 never to call Yankee Stadium my home! Well, I came with much fanfare, but to be honest, I guess guys like Reggie, Winfield and ARod can comiserate with me when it comes to what I went through in NY. Ah well, while I did put up some good numbers, .270 BA, 32 HRs and 85 RBIs, it wasn't quite what folks were expecting, and Lord knows I wasn't making it easier for fans missing the fella I ended up replacing. Lord willing though he won't join me where I am now though for many, many years to come, knock on wood. After my only year in pinstripes, I was a vangabound, but still put up decent stats, but my legacy is probably something different alltogether, one that is still being played out.

Johnny Dickshot Apr 19 2007 08:55 AM

You are Bobby Bonds. I was born in Buffalo. I once led the Mets in wins. I pitched in three playoff games for the Mets without surrendering a run. Who the hell am I?

MFS62 Apr 19 2007 10:37 AM

] left CF to play just in front of the grass behind 2B for the weak hitting pitcher Ryne Duren (he struck out). I remember that game. Even though "closers" (no such term then) pitched more than one inning in those days, I was wondering why Duren was batting. He had "coke bottle thick" glasses and if the opposing pitcher threw at Ryne's head, I doubted if he would have been able to see the ball in time to get out of the way. No wonder you said "weak hitting". Later

iramets Apr 19 2007 10:52 AM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: You are Bobby Bonds. I was born in Buffalo. I once led the Mets in wins. I pitched in three playoff games for the Mets without surrendering a run. Who the hell am I? Is your middle name "Leonard Quinton"? That'll help me narrow it down.

Johnny Dickshot Apr 19 2007 11:00 AM

I'm the only Met pitcher born in Buffalo who didn't throw with his left hand, how's that?

iramets Apr 19 2007 11:03 AM

Do you have some list of "Mets By Their Birthplaces" or something? Are your brothers named Anel and Genitel?

Johnny Dickshot Apr 19 2007 11:05 AM

Just make a guess and let's keep the quizzz moving. You were pretty f'in close already

iramets Apr 19 2007 11:15 AM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Just make a guess and let's keep the quizzz moving. You were pretty f'in close already I'm toying with you, m'boy. But since you're so snappish this foine marnin', I'll go the front of the class, clear my throat, and say "It's Orel Hershiser," and get back in my seat. Now: I was born on Christmas day in the town of Waco Texas way before it became famous in Bill Clinton's legend and I threw 10 shutouts for the Mets in my career.

MFS62 Apr 19 2007 11:28 AM

iramets wrote: Now: I was born on Christmas day in the town of Waco Texas way before it became famous in Bill Clinton's legend and I threw 10 shutouts for the Mets in my career. "L'il" Al Jackson. My favorite all-time Met. Does this mean I get to ask one? "I was born in a city named after a Queen. An infielder, I was traded by the Mets and once hit 30 home runs for the team to which I was traded." Later

iramets Apr 19 2007 11:37 AM

You are Felix "The Spastic, Clumsy Cat" Mantilla. I, OTOH, am a Mets outfielder who batted .302 in my (partial) rookie year, emboldening the Mets front-office to order a HOF plaque for me and swap out their best hitting OFer, at which point I promptly went into the tank and drowned. I still hold a Mets' record.

Johnny Dickshot Apr 19 2007 11:57 AM

You are Mike Vail. I was a former first round draft pick and briefly, a New York Met. My son was a first-round draft pick and a rookie of the year, making us the only father-son combo to be chosen in the 1st round. Who the devil am I?

sharpie Apr 19 2007 12:03 PM

You are Sandy Alomar. I'll do one in a minute.

TransMonk Apr 19 2007 12:04 PM

You're Anna Benson!

sharpie Apr 19 2007 12:04 PM

I was born in Houston and ended my career in Houston. I won 5 games for the Mets over three seasons but will forever be remembered for something other than those 5 wins.

Johnny Dickshot Apr 19 2007 12:15 PM

Hey, time out. I'm not Sandy Alomar!

Willets Point Apr 19 2007 12:15 PM

TransMonk wrote: You're Anna Benson! Score a bullet of cool for the Monk.

sharpie Apr 19 2007 12:17 PM

OK, if you're not Sandy Alomar you are probably Tom Grieve.

TransMonk Apr 19 2007 12:17 PM

Anthony Young... Some people call me the space cowboy, some call me the ganster of love. I tied for the Mets lead in hit-by-pitch in 2002.

Centerfield Apr 19 2007 12:56 PM

Do some people call you Maurice (Mo) Vaughn?

TransMonk Apr 19 2007 12:58 PM

Ding, ding! Correct.

Yancy Street Gang Apr 19 2007 01:02 PM

Some people call me "Clambake."

Centerfield Apr 19 2007 01:06 PM

I am one of the few Mets (along with Cleon Jones and Rickey Henderson) to throw with my left hand but bat from the right side at the plate. You'd think my dad would have taught me better.

Centerfield Apr 19 2007 02:48 PM

Of course, maybe his dad tried and he was just too much of a wayward son.

Willets Point Apr 19 2007 02:58 PM

I'm going to guess Mark Carreon based on the huge hint.

Yancy Street Gang Apr 19 2007 02:58 PM

Ah, I see. I was sitting here wondering if there was something I had forgotten about Jesse Orosco's dad.

Centerfield Apr 19 2007 03:09 PM

Carreon it is. Who are you Willets?

Willets Point Apr 19 2007 03:19 PM

I'm an Italian-American catcher who once hit forty-one home runs for the Dodgers.

Yancy Street Gang Apr 19 2007 03:31 PM

You're Roy Campanella. I'm the Italian-American catcher Willets was trying to trick you into guessing he was.

Centerfield Apr 19 2007 03:43 PM

Paul LoDuca?

OlerudOwned Apr 19 2007 03:59 PM

Mike Piazza, of course. I made my first Major League start against the Yankees, allowing 4 runs in 4 innings before the game was called due to rain, negating the appearance. A week later, I made my first official start, also against the Yankees. Only lasted 3 innings, allowing 5 earned.

Johnny Dickshot Apr 19 2007 04:32 PM

That tall redhead...Jeremy... uh, fuck...

MFS62 Apr 20 2007 10:02 AM

Griffiths? Later

Johnny Dickshot Apr 20 2007 10:19 AM

That's him. Your turn

MFS62 Apr 20 2007 10:25 AM

I was born in the same city where a famous old time commedian grew up. I took advanced Math and Science courses in College. I could explain the Physics of why a curve ball curves. But I could never throw a good one. Later

Frayed Knot Apr 20 2007 12:12 PM

Jay (couldn't throw a) Hook?

SteveJRogers Apr 29 2007 01:39 PM

Little off track for this Who Am I: I may be a fictional character, but as baseball fans go, there are few bigger than I am in the century that I am in. Heck, in the piolt episode I even tried to explain linear existence to some non-corporal ailens by using baseball! In another episode I rubbed elbows with a character that resembled Willie Mays! Heck I've even suggested watching Game 7 of the 1964 WS as a date! And in another episode, aired in Jan of 1995, I suggested the 1999 Yanks were one of the greatest teams of all time. I guess the writers were a year off!

Iubitul Apr 29 2007 03:14 PM

SteveJRogers wrote: Little off track for this Who Am I: I may be a fictional character, but as baseball fans go, there are few bigger than I am in the century that I am in. Heck, in the piolt episode I even tried to explain linear existence to some non-corporal ailens by using baseball! In another episode I rubbed elbows with a character that resembled Willie Mays! Heck I've even suggested watching Game 7 of the 1964 WS as a date! And in another episode, aired in Jan of 1995, I suggested the 1999 Yanks were one of the greatest teams of all time. I guess the writers were a year off! You are Benjamin Sisko...

SteveJRogers Apr 29 2007 03:33 PM

The Nikonian is wise in all things!

Iubitul Apr 29 2007 03:44 PM

At least with some things Star Trek.... I was born in the Dominican Republic I hit a robust .235 during my Met career, yet led the team in triples two separate seasons. I also tied for the team lead in getting hit by a pitch in another season. I was a teammate of Hank Webb's on two separate occasions.

metirish May 07 2007 11:46 AM

Iubitul wrote: At least with some things Star Trek.... I was born in the Dominican Republic I hit a robust .235 during my Met career, yet led the team in triples two separate seasons. I also tied for the team lead in getting hit by a pitch in another season. I was a teammate of Hank Webb's on two separate occasions. You are Ted Martinez.... I made my MLB debut in 1936 as a substitute for future Hall of Famer , who had earlier been ejected from the game. I struck out in what would be my only MLB at bat. I am however in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

iramets May 07 2007 11:54 AM

Gotta be Walt Alston

Yancy Street Gang May 07 2007 11:56 AM

That's what I was thinking too, Ira. I wonder who the Hall-of-Famer he replaced was, though. For what team did Alston get his at bat? Something makes me think Philadelphia, but I don't get a sense of whether it was A's or Phillies. Or maybe it was Cincinnati. I really have no idea.

metirish May 07 2007 11:57 AM

iramets wrote: Gotta be Walt Alston WOW,you are good at this..I thought that was a tough question.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Alston Alston replaced Johnny Mize ,St.Louis

Edgy DC May 07 2007 12:02 PM

I thought we were working with Mets. All I could come up with was George Weiss, but I knew that was wrong.

metirish May 07 2007 12:14 PM

Edgy DC wrote: I thought we were working with Mets. All I could come up with was George Weiss, but I knew that was wrong. That was never my intention,it seemed to evolve that way though.

metirish May 08 2007 03:12 PM

I made my debut in 1969,age 19,my last game was 1986. I share my last name with only two other players. I won an MVP and a Cy Young award. Who am I?

Edgy DC May 08 2007 03:15 PM

Vida Blue.

metirish May 08 2007 03:17 PM

I give up,this is too easy.

Yancy Street Gang May 08 2007 03:18 PM

I was thinking Rollie Fingers. Vida Blue also has a girlie middle name.

Edgy DC May 08 2007 03:21 PM

Having once finished second in the Rookie of the Year balloting, I came to the Mets in a monster of a deal: four teams and (I think) 12 players. I was likened to an orange tree. Who the Hell am I?

metsguyinmichigan May 09 2007 01:14 PM

Butch Metzger? No wait, I think he was tied for ROY. I found this today on my Mets Facts calendar and just had to share: I was the last Brooklyn Dodger to appear in a Major League Game, and I hung 'em up after playing for the Mets in 1971.

Johnny Dickshot May 09 2007 01:23 PM

You are Bob Aspromonte, answer to a trivia question. I was the opening day rightfielder for the Mets and drove in the first run of the season for them. But I only played six more games as Met. Who TF am I?

Edgy DC May 09 2007 01:32 PM

My question has not been answered. Not. Been. Answered. (Correctly.)

Yancy Street Gang May 09 2007 01:37 PM

I think the answer to Johnny's question is Mike Howard. Edgy's question still on the table.

Edgy DC May 09 2007 01:46 PM

Hey Zeus, folks. I never topped my rookie homer output or really even approached it. Sue me.

metsguyinmichigan May 10 2007 01:44 PM

Now I think I have it: Elliot Maddux?

Edgy DC May 10 2007 01:48 PM

Uh-uh. When I debuted, I was the youngest player in the league.

metsguyinmichigan May 10 2007 02:02 PM

OK, OK ---- Willie Montanez. Youngest player when he debuted in 1966. Second in NL ROY voting in 1971 Don't know about the orange tree, but he sure didn't have much range at first with the Mets.

Edgy DC May 10 2007 02:14 PM

Sure he did. He was a centerfielder his first two years with the Phils. Pretty athletic for a firstbasedude. His baseball-reference.com profle has him as "Guillermo (Naranjo) Montanez." Naranjo=Orange Tree.

metsguyinmichigan May 10 2007 02:29 PM

So I get to ask one now? I discovered this while researching the previous answer. This former Met was the SECOND youngest player in the year he debuted. But he arrived on what some people consider to be the darkest day in our team's history. Has a famous in-law.

Yancy Street Gang May 10 2007 02:37 PM

Gotta be Bobby Valentine. Here's one: I am a two-time Met who was born on the day that a Hall of Fame baseball player died.

HahnSolo May 10 2007 03:36 PM

You are Mike Jorgensen, and the HOFer who died that day was Babe Ruth. And since I'm supposedly really busy at work, I can't come up with a question now.

Johnny Dickshot May 11 2007 11:13 PM

Well then have mine which also was not answered correctly. Opening-day outfielder for a Mets team, drove in the first run of that year, but the Mets only called on me in 6 other games ever.

G-Fafif May 11 2007 11:30 PM

Dude, you gotta be Ken Henderson, one of the Henderson Men as Murph called you when you and your outfield brother Steve were laying lumber to horsehide. Me? I was handed a starting outfield job in the middle of a pennant race despite no experience at the position.

SteveJRogers May 11 2007 11:31 PM

You are Ken Henderson Well at least Kenny got into 7 more games that season, I started Opening Day, but that was the ONLY game I'd play for the Mets that entire season!

Nymr83 May 12 2007 12:23 AM

]Me? I was handed a starting outfield job in the middle of a pennant race despite no experience at the position. you are Todd Hundley. next: I was traded to the Dodgers in November of 1998 for a guy who would hit .160 in his second tour of duty with the Mets the following year. (no cheating, i'm sure you could easily find this on baseball reference or UMDB)