# MLB: August 2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [August 2, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980 "2023-08-02T21:43:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2023, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/21 "2023-08-05T09:37:53Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin are the only players to do this in the same game for one team. Ernie Koy and Heinie Muller, in 1936, did it in the same game for opposing teams. Plus, Judge and Austin did it in consecutive at-bats. That’s one of my favorite “that’ll never happen again” baseball oddities. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/22 "2023-08-05T15:56:37Z")
Two of the Blue Jays named, Felix and Arencibia, were first pitch examples. Felix did it in 1989. At the time his listed age was 21, and he looked like an absolutelky stellar prospect - raw, but strong, fast, wildly talented. He played pretty well in 1989 and 1990 for a guy his age, and then, to the absolute horror of many, the Jays traded him to the Angels for Devon White. This looked like it might be the worst trade in Toronto history; it ended up being one of the best. White was absolutely stellar in Toronto and Felix fell off a cliff. As it turns out, Felix had not been 21 when he came up. He was, in fact, probably at least 30. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/23 "2023-08-05T20:52:33Z")
And two Cardinals players, Willson Contreras and Adam Wainwright, also did it on the first pitch of their first at-bat. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/24 "2023-08-05T21:59:23Z")
You know who didn’t? [Adam Greenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Greenberg_(baseball)#Chicago_Cubs_(2005)). ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/25 "2023-08-06T04:49:31Z")
The Yankees’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been in a protracted slump the last few months (with the exception of a 4/4 game in July), and they finally have a cause: Rizzo will be [sidelined for the next few weeks](https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryfleisher/2023/08/04/new-york-yankees-finally-learn-cause-of-anthony-rizzos-deep-slump/) as he recovers from concussion-like symptoms stemming from a collision with Fernando Tatis, Jr towards the end of May. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/26 "2023-08-06T11:05:44Z")
What an awful turn of events. Do you know the story behind his only other MLB PA, seven years later with the Marlins (the opposing team when he got beaned?) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/27 "2023-08-06T11:26:35Z")
It was mostly a publicity stunt. He signed a one-day contract with the Marlins. He struck out. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/28 "2023-08-06T15:54:46Z")
Yikes. Baserunning gaffe of the year? > **[Red Sox gift Blue Jays a win on Reese McGuire's game-ending baserunning blunder](https://sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-gift-blue-jays-a-win-on-reese-mcguires-game-ending-baserunning-blunder-003207902.html)** > > Things were looking promising for the Red Sox in the bottom of the ninth but the Blue Jays escaped with a victory thanks to some horrendous Boston baserunning. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/29 "2023-08-06T22:26:48Z")
Looks like Cole Hamels retired this weekend. Wasn’t aware he was still hanging around. > **[Former Phillies star Cole Hamels retires from baseball](https://theathletic.com/4749684/2023/08/04/cole-hamels-philadelphia-phillies-retires/?source=user_shared_article)** > > Instrumental in the Phillies’ 2008 title run, Hamels was named World Series MVP after going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in postseason. Hall of Very Good, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/30 "2023-08-07T00:27:11Z")
Anybody going to mention Tim Anderson dropping his glove like he’s a hockey goon then getting knocked out? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/31 "2023-08-07T01:27:15Z")
I laughed. Literally, out loud. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/32 "2023-08-08T04:16:36Z")
Tonight Cavan Biggio, while playing **second base** , made an unassisted double play at **first base**. I do not believe I’ve ever seen that before. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/33 "2023-08-08T07:10:59Z")
That’s one of the things I love about baseball. Every season I find myself saying _hmm, I’ve never seen that before_ at least once or twice. Even though I’ve seen six bajillion baseball games. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/34 "2023-08-09T08:17:32Z")
In the Mariners 2-0 win over the Padres, Julio Rodriguez [faked everyone out](https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401472723) by pretending that he didn’t rob Fernando Tatis Jr of a home run when he really did. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/35 "2023-08-09T13:39:47Z")
Oh! Today is the 40th anniversary of Jim Rice [rescuing Jonathan Keane](https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2022/08/07/jim-rice-saves-life-jonathan-keane-fenway-park-forty-years-anniversary/) after Keane was struck by a ball during a game. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/36 "2023-08-09T13:51:06Z")
Adding to the growing list of terrible umpiring calls is [this one](https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/08/08/red-sox-down-royals-on-walk-off-grand-slam-after-controversial-call) from the ninth inning of Monday’s game between the Royals and Red Sox. The game was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth; the Sox had two on and two out. On a 3-2 pitch, Boston batter Luis Urías tried to check his swing, but clearly wasn’t able to do so, and the inning was over. Except the first-base ump Vic Carapazza ruled that it wasn’t a swing, and Urías walked. The following batter, Pablo Reyes, hit a grand slam and the Sox won the game 6-2. Royals manager Matt Quatraro argued the call and was ejected. Of course, nobody knows how the game might have ended, but the win was important to the Sox as they are trying to stay alive in the AL wild-card race. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/37 "2023-08-09T15:38:44Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > In the Mariners 2-0 win over the Padres, Julio Rodriguez [faked everyone out](https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401472723) by pretending that he didn’t rob Fernando Tatis Jr of a home run when he really did. I saw that. I’m glad to see he’s still having fun playing the game. (he was quite cranky in the first inning a few days ago in Anaheim for some reason). It was a great catch. He made a couple last night. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/38 "2023-08-09T16:41:33Z")
[quote=“Railer13, post:36, topic:987980”] Adding to the growing list of terrible umpiring calls is [this one](https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/08/08/red-sox-down-royals-on-walk-off-grand-slam-after-controversial-call)[/quote] First base ump Lew Williams had three calls overturned in two innings in yesterday’s Nats-Phils game. (In fairness, he was called up from Triple A before the game). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/39 "2023-08-09T21:45:00Z")
The Orioles have returned to Baltimore following the [“we didn’t suspend him” suspension of play by play announcer Kevin Brown.](https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/kevin-brown-baltimore-orioles-masn-suspension.html) Brown had the gall to mention on the air that the Orioles had not played well at Tampa Bay in previous seasons. [Baltimore fans disagree with the action.](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6iqFrKV1Bbw) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/40 "2023-08-10T01:35:22Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > First base ump Lew Williams had three calls overturned in two innings in yesterday’s Nats-Phils game. What I just found out was that the second bad call was Williams calling Nick Castellanos out at first on a ground ball to deep third. It really wasn’t close. Then, one pitch later, he called Castellanos out on a pickoff attempt. It was close, but the Castellanos managed to avoid the tag. So, two overturned calls on basically two pitches. [https://twitter.com/NBCSPhilly/status/1689032034851708929?ref\_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1689032034851708929|twgr^5f1c92825b86141278a4356b894e0f8108276bd1|twcon^s1\_&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F10085565-fill-in-ump-lew-williams-has-3-calls-overturned-at-1st-base-in-nationals-vs-phillies](https://twitter.com/NBCSPhilly/status/1689032034851708929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1689032034851708929%7Ctwgr%5E5f1c92825b86141278a4356b894e0f8108276bd1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F10085565-fill-in-ump-lew-williams-has-3-calls-overturned-at-1st-base-in-nationals-vs-phillies) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980.md?page=3)