| Who grew up closer to the major league stadium where he played than any other player in the Modern Era (probably)?
Hint: #1 With only four home runs in his career, he is the least likely player to make this two-week theme. Not one of his round-trippers was a solo blast.
Hint: #2 He was drafted as, and began his professional career as, a second baseman. However, he became convinced that his path to the majors was at a position more in demand there, catcher.
Friday 2’s question answered:
Q. Who hit the first home run of the 1983 World Series?
Hint: #1 Less than two weeks after being traded to the Expos. He was named National League Player of the Week.
Hint: #2 He played with or for twenty-eight (28!) Hall of Famers in his eighteen seasons in the majors.
A. JIM DWYER [SABR Bio]
– Ans. Dwyer’s solo HR in the 1st inning of G #1 was the Orioles’ only run in their only loss in that WS.
– #1 He was traded from STL to MON 25-Jul-1975. He was NL POW the week ending 03-Aug-1975 with a slash line of .478/.480/.826.
– #2 Dwyer shared uniforms with Hall of Famers…
… Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Mgr. Red Schoendienst, Ted Simmons & Joe Torre on STL in 1973 to ’75;
… Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Coach Larry Doby, Randy Johnson, Duke Snider & Larry Walker on MON in 1975-76, 77-78, 1989;
… Tom Seaver, Joe Torre (again) & Coach Willie Mays on NYM in 1976;
… Willie McCovey on SFG in 1978;
… Dennis Eckersley, Carlton Fisk, Tony Perez, Jim Rice & Carl Yastrzemski on BOS in 1979-80; and
… Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken, Coach/Mgr. Frank Robinson & Mgr. Earl Weaver 1981-88;
… Bert Blyleven, Steve Carlton, Coach Tony Oliva & Kirby Puckett on MIN in 1988-90.
FCR – Scott Morrissey, Hamilton, Ontario |
