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Unbreakable trivia

iramets
Apr 26 2007 03:40 AM

Which feat was performed by Steve Trachsel (vs NYY on 6/27/2004), Rick Reed (vs ATL on 04/11/2001) and Brian Bohanon (vs. ATL on 09/26/1997) during their Metly careers that can only be tied but can never be broken? (Other Mets may have done this, probably have, since the list is still being compiled, but these are the only three incidents so far recorded.) Does anyone remember seeing these? It must have been a thing of beauty to behold.

For those whose burning curiosity becomes too great the answer is
[url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~rickert/BB/threepitchinning.html]here[/url]. (Talcum powder may help with the burning sensation.)

RealityChuck
Apr 26 2007 07:53 AM

I saw the list last night before seeing the question here, so I'll pass. :)

G-Fafif
Apr 26 2007 08:32 AM

I was at that Brian Bohanon game and though it is not relevant to the question, he gave up the first home run to Rafael Belliard anybody had given up to Rafael Belliard in something like 10 years and, oh, a zillion at-bats.

ABG
Apr 26 2007 08:35 AM

9 pitch strike out the side innings?

Centerfield
Apr 26 2007 08:39 AM

It's breakable.

Kind of.

Gwreck
Apr 26 2007 09:22 AM

I think Rey Ordonez hit a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning in that Reed game.

Johnny Dickshot
Apr 26 2007 09:26 AM

I was at that game!

Gwreck
Apr 26 2007 09:28 AM

Whoops, I lied. The Ordonez walk-off was the next night, the 12th. (I was there too).

So I guess the trivia isn't about light-hitting shortstops after all.

Vic Sage
Apr 26 2007 09:32 AM

Centerfield wrote:
It's breakable.

Kind of.


it can't be broken by a pitcher that starts an inning, but it can be broken by a relief pitcher who comes in with no outs and at least 1 man on base.

Johnny Dickshot
Apr 26 2007 09:38 AM

It was a double down the line, yes? Won the game 1-zip or sonething.

Gwreck
Apr 26 2007 09:41 AM

It was a single. Down the left field line, IIRC. Won the 1-0 game.

The record certainly can be broken. Go to your mouth repeatedly on the rubber and get automatic balls called. Or balk. Put two men on, then throw one pitch for the triple play.

Centerfield
Apr 26 2007 09:42 AM

What I was thinking that there could be an incorrigible pitcher who goes to his mouth on the mound four consecutive times. The batter is awarded a walk even though no pitches are thrown. The next guy hits into a double play. Next guy flies out on the first pitch. 3 outs, 2 pitches.

An even incorrigibler pitcher could get away with one pitch by going to his mouth 8 times.

Edgy DC
Apr 26 2007 09:52 AM

Wow, two posters simltneously typing away about going to their mouths.

ABG
Apr 26 2007 10:33 AM

9 pitches for three strikeouts can't be broken, right?

Edgy DC
Apr 26 2007 10:42 AM

Well, I guess it can if you come in the game in the middle of the first victim's at-bat.

iramets
Apr 26 2007 11:23 AM

Couldn't you go to your mouth 12 times, and then have three successive pickoffs?

Every inning?

For your whole career?

Centerfield
Apr 26 2007 12:55 PM

There are two other ways (that I know of) the side can be retired without a single pitch being thrown. Name them.

Gwreck
Apr 26 2007 01:12 PM

You could do the 3 walks via going to the mouth, and then have each batter simply walk back to the dugout instead of the base. They'd be called out once they reach the dugout for abandoning the base.

iramets
Apr 26 2007 01:16 PM

Gwreck wrote:
You could ...have each batter simply walk back to the dugout .


By hypnotizing them?

Centerfield
Apr 26 2007 01:16 PM

There's another I guess. The other two don't involve a runner reaching base.

DocTee
Apr 26 2007 01:54 PM

Batter's interference and runner's interference. (Say there were two outs at the time--)

Centerfield
Apr 26 2007 02:03 PM

I think interference requires a pitch being thrown. The scenarios I had envisioned were:

1. Batter switches from one batter's box to the other when the pitcher goes into his motion. According to rule 6.06(b), that batter is out. If three particularly indecisive switch hitters were to do this, causing the pitcher to abandon his delivery, the side could be retired without a pitch being thrown.

2. A batter steps into the batter's box with an altered bat pursuant to 6.06(d). Even though no pitch is thrown, according to the comment, a batter has "attempted" to use an illegal bat upon stepping into the batter's box with it. If three batters attempt this in a row, and are discovered, the side is retired without a single pitch being thrown.

DocTee
Apr 26 2007 02:05 PM

I think interference negates the pitch, no?

If the ball is hit into play it is considered a "dead ball" and the batter/runner called out.