[Just in time for Tuesday night’s slate, here are a few notes on Monday games.]

White Sox 2, @Rays 1: To put it very mildly, ChiSox history is not replete with strikeout artists. From 1955 until yesterday, a pitcher had fanned 15+ in a game 210 times, but none of them were White Sox. Chris Sale ended that drought by posting just the 2nd ChiSox game of 15+ Ks in searchable history.

• Matt Moore whiffed 10, making it the first game this year in which both SPs reached double figures, and the first since 2007 involving 2 AL teams.
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I’ve given you guys some really tough quizzes in the last while, so here’s an easier one (I think).

After the jump is a list of sluggers. What distinguishes this group of players among all batters since 1901?

Congratulations to Stuart and Richard Chester! They identified that the hitters in this quiz all have at least 3 qualifying seasons with more extra-base hits than singles. Sixty-eight other hitters have one or two such seasons. All of these seasons are here.

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A familiar television advertisement from years ago featured the actor John Houseman as pitch man for the investment firm Smith Barney. The tag line had Houseman solemnly intoning “Smith Barney makes money the old-fashioned way – they earn it!”.

In this post, I’ll look at pitchers who, apart from their run support, earn their losses, and can thank their defense for helping out with their wins.

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I have installed a new chat widget that I think will work better. For now I am keeping it on a standalone page–I may move it to a more prominent position later.

Rays 4, @Red Sox 3: Back at ya, BoSox — The day after Salty‘s come-from-behind 2-run walk-off that broke up Fernando Rodney‘s perfect record, Sean Rodriguez returned the favor (more or less), with a Monster mash in the top of the 9th off Alfredo Aceves, on a 3-1 pitch after a leadoff walk by Ben Zobrist (who’s 2nd in the league in that area). Aceves had converted 9 straight save opps after his rocky start, and hadn’t allowed a HR since the opening series. Rodney then got back in the saddle, protecting the 1-run lead with 3 straight outs, starting with a little hair o’ the dog, and finishing with his club back in a first-place tie.

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"The only way you'll get me out is if I eat my bat" - Paul Konerko / PRESSWIRE

With Paul Konerko reaching 400 career White Sox homers today, it seems like a good time to repeat how amazing he’s been for the last 3 seasons. Continue reading →

As a complement to Andy’s Mount Rushmore series, this post looks at the most durable teammates for each club. This idea was inspired by a discussion in the Royals’ Rushmore thread. That discussion aroused my curiosity and, I’m guessing (or hoping), the curiosity of other readers as well. 

As a preview to future Mount Rushmore posts that Andy will soon be directing his attention towards, the longest tenured teammates for the original 16 major league clubs are after the jump.

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Sorry, West Coast fans, but I won’t get to those games tonight as well as some others.

Nationals 7, @Braves 4: First meeting of the year between Washington and host Atlanta, and the series winner will take away at least a share of first place. The Braves had fallen off the perch by losing 5 of 6, averaging 2 runs and 5.5 hits per game while going 2 for 22 with RISP. Tonight, the visitors jumped out with 4 in the 1st, but Tim Hudson tightened and Atlanta chipped it down to 1. Then with 2 gone in the top of the 7th, it all went south for the Braves.

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1979 Topps #68 - Joe Niekro

We turn our attention to the Houston Colt .45’s, who came into being in 1962. Three years later they were rebranded as the Astros.

In their first 35 years, the Astros had limited success with just a couple of post-season appearances. Come 1997, though, they had 6 playoff appearances in 9 years, culminating with their lone World Series appearance in 2005. They’ve been pretty dismal since then, though.

Let’s take a look at their best players. Continue reading →

David Wright / Presswire

Let’s move back to 1962 and start off with the New York Mets. This is going to be pretty interesting, I think.

Before you click through, just a comment about this photo–I think it’s insanely cool to see 3 sets of eyes locked onto the ball.

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