Switch Hitter
In baseball, a switch hitter is a player who bats both right-handed and left-handed, usually right-handed against left-handed pitchers and left-handed against right-handed pitchers, although there are some exceptions. Characteristics Right-handed batters generally hit better against left-handed pitchers and ''vice versa''. Most curveballs break away from batters hitting from the same side as the opposing pitcher, making them harder to hit with the barrel (or " sweet spot") of the bat. Additionally, the pitcher's release is further from the batter's center of vision. In the words of Pat Venditte, one of the few ambidextrous pitchers in major-league history, "If I'm pitching right-handed and they're hitting right-handed, it's tougher for them to see. And then, your breaking pitches are going away from their barrel rather than into their barrel." Even so, many switch-hitters perform better from one side of the plate than the other. Numerous switch-hitters have achieved a higher ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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José Reyes (infielder)
José Bernabe Reyes (born June 11, 1983) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball infielder. He played most notably at shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies. Reyes is a four-time Major League Baseball All-Star Game, MLB All-Star. He led MLB in triples in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2011. Reyes also led the National League (baseball), National League (NL) in stolen bases in 2005, 2006, and 2007. He was the NL List of Major League Baseball batting champions, batting champion in 2011. He is also the New York Mets' all-time leader in triples (113) and stolen bases (408). Minor league career Reyes was spotted by New York Mets scout (sport), scouts during a tryout camp in Santiago Province (Dominican Republic), Santiago in the summer of 1999. After initial concerns over Reyes' slight frame, the Mets offered him a contract, which he signed on August 16, 1999. Despite traditionally sending youngsters ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Wes Parker
Maurice Wesley Parker III (born November 13, 1939) is an American former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from to . He also played one season in Japan for the Nankai Hawks in . As of 2009, Parker has been a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization serving as a representative of the Dodgers Legend Bureau. Biography Major League playing career Parker was part of the Dodgers' and World Series teams. Known as one of the slickest fielding first basemen of all time, he won the National League Gold Glove Award for first base every year from to 1972. In 1970, Parker posted a career high batting average of .319 and performed the unusual feat of driving in over 100 runs in a season while hitting no more than 10 home runs. In a game against the New York Mets on May 7, 1970, Parker hit for the cycle. He was the last Los Angeles Dodger to accomplish that feat until Orlando Hudson did so against the San Francisco Giants on April 13, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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On-base Percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) measures how frequently a batting (baseball), batter reaches base (baseball), base. An official Major League Baseball (MLB) statistic since 1984, it is sometimes referred to as on-base average (OBA), as it is rarely presented as a true percentage. Generally defined as "how frequently a batter reaches base per plate appearance", OBP is specifically calculated as the ratio of a batter's times on base (the sum of Hit (baseball), hits, base on balls, bases on balls, and times hit by pitch) to the sum of at bats, bases on balls, hit by pitch, and sacrifice fly, sacrifice flies. OBP does not credit the batter for reaching base on error (baseball), fielding errors, fielder's choice, uncaught third strikes, Obstruction (baseball), fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference, and deducts from plate appearances a batter intentionally giving himself up in a sacrifice bunt. OBP is added to slugging average (SLG) to determine on-base plus ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Live-ball Era
The live-ball era, also referred to as the lively ball era, is the period in Major League Baseball since 1920. It contrasts with the pre-1920 period known as the " dead-ball era". The name "live-ball era" comes from the dramatic rise in offensive statistics, a direct result of a series of rule changes (introduced in 1920) that were colloquially said to have made the ball more "lively". Upon entering the live-ball era, baseball regained relevance and exploded in popularity. Dead-ball era (pre-1920) Prior to the rule changes in 1920, the same ball would often be used throughout an entire game, only being replaced if it began to unravel. Pitchers were also allowed to deface or scuff the ball, apply foreign substances to it (such as dirt or spit), and cut into the ball with an emery board. Balls would not even be replaced after a foul ball or home run, with fans instead throwing the ball back onto the field to be re-used. As a result, the ball would become increasingly dirty and ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Dead-ball Era
In major league baseball, the dead-ball era refers to a period from about 1900 to 1920 in which run scoring was low and home runs were rare in comparison to the years that followed. In 1908, the major league batting average dropped to .239, and teams averaged just 3.4 runs per game, the lowest ever. Spacious ballparks limited hitting for power, and the ball itself was "dead" both by design and from overuse. Ball scuffing and adulteration by pitchers, particularly the spitball, were allowed, putting hitters at a disadvantage. The era ended very suddenly; by 1921, offenses were scoring 40% more runs and hitting four times as many home runs as they had in 1918. There is no consensus among baseball historians as to what caused the change. Baseball during the dead-ball era During the dead-ball era, baseball was much more of a strategy-driven game, using a style of play now known as small ball or inside baseball. It relied much more on plays such as stolen bases and hit-an ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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SABR
Sabr () (literally 'endurance' or more accurately 'perseverance' and 'persistence'"Ṣabr", ''Encyclopaedia of Islam'') is one of the two parts of Iman (concept), faith (the other being ''shukr'') in Islam. It teaches to remain Spirituality, spiritually steadfast and to keep doing good actions in the personal and collective domain, specifically when facing opposition or encountering problems, setbacks, or unexpected and unwanted results. It is patience in the face of all unexpected and unwanted outcomes. Etymology Arabic lexicographers suggest that the root ṣ-b-r, of which ṣabr is the nominalization, means to bind or restrain. The word ''ṣabr'' has a special technical application in the expression ''yamīn aṣ-ṣabr'' (يمين الصبر), which refers to perjury. In the Quran In the Quran, words that are derived from the root ṣ-b-r occur frequently, with the general meaning of persisting on the right path when under adverse circumstance, whether internal or externa ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Bob Ferguson (infielder)
Robert Vavasour Ferguson (January 31, 1845 – May 3, 1894) was an American infielder, league official, manager and umpire in the early days of baseball, playing both before and after baseball became a professional sport. In addition to playing and managing, he served as president of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players from 1872 through 1875, the sport's first entirely professional league. His character and unquestioned honesty were highly regarded during a period in baseball history where the game's reputation was badly damaged by gamblers and rowdy behavior by players and fans. However, his bad temper and stubbornness were traits that created trouble for him at times during his career, and caused him to be disliked by many. His nickname, "Death to Flying Things", was derived from his greatness as a defensive player. Early career A native of Brooklyn, Ferguson played for two of New York's earliest semi-professional clubs in the late 1860s and early 1870s, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Daniel Nava
Daniel James Nava (born February 22, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Philadelphia Phillies. Nava is only the fourth player in MLB history to hit a grand slam in his first major league at bat and the second to do it on the first pitch. Early life Nava was born in Redwood City, California. He played baseball at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, California and received his psychology degree from Santa Clara University. He was and in his freshman year in high school and grew to and by his senior year. After an opportunity to walk-on to the Santa Clara University baseball team, he failed to make the team as a player and became the team equipment manager. He left Santa Clara after two years because he could no longer afford the tuition. He then enrolled in the College of San Mateo, a junior college. He tried out for ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Dylan Carlson (baseball)
Dylan James Carlson (born October 23, 1998) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays. Selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, 2016 MLB draft, Carlson became one of the top prospects in baseball before making his MLB debut in 2020. He became the team's starting right fielder in 2021 and was a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year. The Cardinals traded him to the Rays in 2024. Amateur career Carlson attended Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove, California), Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California where he played baseball under his father, Jeff, and was teammates with Nick Madrigal, Rowdy Tellez, Dom Núñez, and Derek Hill (baseball), Derek Hill. He began playing on the varsity team as a 14-year-old freshman. As a senior, he batted .407 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs in 36 games ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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David Segui
David Vincent Segui, (; born July 19, 1966) is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman. Segui was born in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of former Major League baseball pitcher Diego Seguí. He played collegiate baseball for Louisiana Tech and Kansas City Kansas Community College. During a 15-year baseball career, Segui played with the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians. In 1,456 games over 15 seasons, Segui posted a .291 batting average (1412-for-4847) with 683 runs, 284 doubles, 139 home runs, 684 RBI, 524 bases on balls, .359 on-base percentage and .443 slugging percentage. He recorded a .995 fielding percentage primarily as a first baseman, but also played 100 games at left and right field. Segui was identified by Jason Grimsley as one of the players who had taken human growth hormone during his major league career (he was one of the players whose name was redacted on G ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jake Mangum
Jake Thomas Mangum (born March 8, 1996) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Early life and high school Mangum was born in Flowood, Mississippi, raised in nearby Pearl, Mississippi, and attended Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood. While playing for the Patriots Mangum was a member of three consecutive state championship teams in baseball and was named a Louisville Slugger All-American in 2013 and 2015 and Perfect Game All-American in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) first team All-State in 2014 and 2015. As a senior, Mangum was named the MIAS AAA, Division I Player of the Year after hitting .504 with 46 runs scored and 41 RBIs and compiling an 8-0 record with four saves, 66 strikeouts, and a 1.48 ERA in 52 innings pitched. Mangum originally committed to play college baseball at the University of Alabama, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Michael Toglia
Michael Anthony Toglia (born August 16, 1998) is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Toglia played three years of college baseball at UCLA. He was selected by the Rockies in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft. He played in their minor league system for three years before making his MLB debut in 2022. Amateur career Toglia attended Gig Harbor High School in Gig Harbor, Washington. As a senior in 2016, he hit .316 with four home runs and 21 RBIs along with pitching to a 1.00 ERA in 42 innings. After his senior year, he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 35th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. However, he did not sign and instead chose to fulfill his commitment to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. During the summer, he played in the West Coast League (WCL) for the Wenatchee AppleSox and was named the le ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |