Wednesday, September 21, 2005

They Hit For the Cycle 3 Times!!



You may have never heard these names before but these two players 'Hit for the Cycle' not once, not twice... but three times in their MLB careers!!! They are the only two players to have ever accomplished that feat.

Bob Meusel (on left); a big, strapping tough guy member of the powerhouse 1927 NY Yankees was one of the streakiest players to have ever played the game. Known for his strong arm, he once had four outfield assists in one game. Unfortunately, he also had four errors in one game! :-)

Meusel was big and fast as well. He once stole 2B, 3B and HOME in the same inning vs. the Detroit Tigers.

Read more about him Here.

Not quite as colorful a character as Meusel, Babe Herman was an accomplished hitter and player(?) (led the league in errors twice!) in his time as well. Herman hit for the cycle twice for the Dodgers (1931 both times) and once for the Cubs (in 1933).

Herman was the player that hit into a double play by hitting a triple (actually credited with a double)with the infamous "who's on third" incident that resulted in three Dodger players occupying third base at the same time.

Read more about him Here.

For the record... 18 players have hit for the cycle twice in their MLB careers (not including our two heroes above). Among them are Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig and George Brett. The two most recent players to accomplish the feat are Brad Wilkerson and John Olerud.

FunStuff: What.. No Mascot?


There are 30 MLB teams.. But only 26 of them have Mascots. Did you know that? Does your favorite team have a Mascot, or is it one of the four who have decided not to?

Click Here to see the 26 teams with Mascots.

Click Here to see the Mascots inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Plate Discipline Hitting Drill


One of the most difficult qualities to instill in young players is teaching them the importance of swinging at good pitches. Plate discipline and "being a tough out" are only learned by a small percentage of hitters.

Partially at fault for the small number of players understanding the importance of this approach to hitting is the coaches. It is not uncommon to see "batting practice" consist of the team lining up one at a time and getting their hacks in. Ten hacks and you are out of there.. Next!

As coaches, if the game is 90% mental, it is imperative that "hitting practice" be emphasized. Hitting practice includes involving the proper approach at the plate. This leads to the proper Plate Discipline and begins to ingrain the very important mental approach that there is a "Process to Hitting". Good hitters don't just walk up to the plate and take their hacks. They have a process. They have a plan. They have a purpose. Even then they will fail more than 60% of the time. But.. by having the proper approach, the proper Plate Discipline, they increase their chances above and beyond what most hitters achieve. Most hitters simply go up to the plate and take their hacks. Why? Because that's what they were taught in "batting practice".

I came across a really good drill that emphasizes a nice approach to "Hitting Practice". It's great for the players and should be incorporated by coaches if they have any desire at all to improve a team's performance at the plate.

Click Here to be just a little bit better today than you were yesterday!

Monday, September 19, 2005

WIN! Bon Jovi Tickets in Chicago




Jon Bon Jovi is about to perform in Chicago and has partnered with Major League Baseball to market his new album 'HAVE A NICE DAY' Through this special promotion you can win tickets to the Chicago concert and/or pre-order the new CD which is scheduled to be released September 20th. By pre-ordering the CD, you get it at a reduced price AND receive special tracks that will not be including on the retail version.

Pre-Order Bon Jovi's New CD HAVE A NICE DAY and Receive FREE


Exclusive bonus track (not on the new album)

Immediate access to (5) full-length audio streams from new album

Listen LIVE for free to the 2005 Playoffs & World Series on MLB.com Gameday Audio


Track Listing
1. Have a Nice Day
2. I Want To Be Loved
3. Welcome To Wherever You Are
4. Who Says You Can't Go Home
5. Last Man Standing
6. Bells Of Freedom
7. Wildflower
8. Last Cigarette
9. I Am
10. Complicated
11. Novocaine
12. Story Of My Life

Click Here to Pre-Order the New CD for only $14.95


Or Click Here to enter the sweepstakes to win 2 tickets to the Chicago Concert!

You can also visit the special Bon Jovi section on MLB.com and :

- Read an exclusive interview with Jon Bon Jovi - only
on MLB.com
- Watch the Have a Nice Day Video
- Listen to 2 full length song streams for FREE
- Download Bon Jovi wallpaper, check out concert tour info,
browse the photo gallery and more.

Click Here to visit the speial section on MLB.com