A to Z 2012: Reflections

I love the A to Z Challenge.  This was my second year and I find it a wonderful opportunity to meet other bloggers and connect with people with a wide range of interests.  I got a lot more traffic this time around - for a couple of reasons, I think.  First, I had a better link on the list.  Secondly, I managed to get on the list earlier and thus got more visits from those who started exploring from the beginning of the list.

I also love exploring baseball history and having the opportunity to share what I've learned. I'm delighted, of course, to connect with other blogger baseball fans. A lot of people commented on the photos I found and that may have been the most fun for me, too - especially finding the old black-and-whites of the early 20th century players.  I think Johnny Evers was my favorite:

Photo via Baseball Fever

I'll definitely be doing the challenge again next year - theme yet to be determined.  A big thank you to all who visited The Armchair Squid during the challenge and especially to the challenge co-hosts.  It is a beautiful thing you do.  Keep in touch!

Second Basemen, A to Z: Rollie Zeider

Player: Rollie Zeider
Born: 11/16/1883 in Auburn, Indiana
Died: 9/12/1967 in Garrett, Indiana
Major League Career: 1910-18
Games Played at Second Base: 335
Most Games Played For: Chicago White Sox

Photo via Wikipedia

Zeider's nickname was Bunions for the fact that Ty Cobb once spiked him in the foot, causing blood poisoning.  In addition to versatility, having played more than 100 games at each of the four infield positions, Zeider's great asset was speed.  He stole 223 bases over his nine-year career.

It is only fitting to wrap up this year's A to Z Challenge with Zeider.  Chicago is far and away the best-represented city among my A-Z second basemen.  Four of my 26 spent more of their careers with the Cubs than any other franchise - highest total for one team.  The White Sox tied for second with the Detroit Tigers at three each.  Zeider played for the Cubs, White Sox and also the Chicago Whales of the short-lived Federal League.  He is, in fact, the only player to hit home runs for all three clubs.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Eric Young

Player: Eric Young
Born: 5/18/1967 in New Brunswick, New Jersey
Major League Career: 1992-2006
Games Played at Second Base: 1,295
Most Games Played For: Colorado Rockies


Photo via Bleacher Report

Eric Young was one of the original members of the Colorado Rockies and hit a home run in the team's first-ever home at-bat. His best season was 1996: .324 batting average, 8 homers, 74 RBI, 53 stolen bases, All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger. He is currently first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Steve SaX

Player: Steve Sax
Born: 1/29/1960 in Sacramento, California
Major League Career: 1981-94
Games Played at Second Base: 1,679
Most Games Played For: Los Angeles Dodgers


Photo via Fanbase

Once again, I assert that an X at the end of a name is no less an X than one at the beginning.

Steve Sax retired with two World Series rings, five All-Star selections, a Silver Slugger and the 1982 Rookie of the Year Award. In addition to his accomplishments on the field, he was an outspoken activist in the players' union. Most surprising to me, Sax owns the Yankees' record for singles in a season: 171 in 1989. All of those great hitters in Yankee history and Steve Sax, of all people, owns that record.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Lou Whitaker

Player: Lou Whitaker
Born: 5/12/1957 in Brooklyn, New York
Major League Career: 1977-95
Games Played at Second Base: 2,308
Most Games Played For: Detroit Tigers


Photo via Brettkiser's Blog

Lou Whitaker has the most games at second base of any player not in the Hall of Fame. His career is forever tied to that of shortstop Alan Trammel. The two were the longest running double play combination in Major League history. Both men played their entire careers for the Tigers and are beloved in Detroit.


Photo via basically gherkins

Whitaker's credentials are stellar: five All-Star Games, one World Series title, three Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers and the 1978 Rookie of the Year Award. Bill James, the sabermetrics guru, ranked him as 13th best second baseman of all-time in his Historical Baseball Abstract. He is not in the Hall despite having stats comparable to his National League contemporary, Ryne Sandberg, inducted in 2005. He will be eligible for the Veterans' Committee ballot in 2015.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Fernando Viña

Player: Fernando Viña
Born: 4/16/1996 in Sacramento, California
Major League Career: 1993-2004
Games Played at Second Base: 1,049
Most Games Played For: Milwaukee Brewers


Photo via Bleacher Report

Fernando Viña was an All-Star in 1998 and a Gold Glove winner in 2001 and 2002. He had a .282 lifetime batting average. He currently works as an analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Chase Utley

Player: Chase Utley
Born: 12/17/1978 in Pasadena, California
Major League Career: 2003-present
Games Played at Second Base: 1,038
Most Games Played For: Philadelphia Phillies


Photo via PRowl Public Relations

Chase Utley provides more than just alphabetical convenience at letter U. When healthy, he's the best offensive second baseman in the National League. A five-time All-Star, Sports Illustrated named Utley their second baseman for the All-Decade Team in 2009.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Manny Trillo

Player: Manny Trillo
Born: 12/25/1950 in Caripito, Venezuela
Major League Career: 1973-89
Games Played at Second Base: 1,518
Most Games Played For: Chicago Cubs


Photo via Wikipedia

Manny Trillo is my second Venezuelan on this year's A-Z list. Interestingly, I had two in last year's list as well! While known mostly for his defensive skills, Trillo had a respectable career at the plate, too, winning Silver Slugger awards in both 1980 and 1981. He is a member of the Venezuelan Hall of Fame.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Ryne Sandberg

Player: Ryne Sandberg
Born: 9/18/1959 in Spokane, Washington
Major League Career: 1981-97
Games Played at Second Base: 1,995
Most Games Played For: Chicago Cubs


Photo via ItsAlreadySigned4U.com

Ryne Sandberg had the highest career fielding percentage of any second baseman in history at .989. Fielding percentage is one of many statistical categories dismissed as misleading by sabermetric buffs but it does indicate the guy was pretty darn good at his job. 10 All-Star selections, 9 Gold Gloves, 7 Silver Sluggers and the 1984 National League MVP award certainly help to bolster the resume as well. Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.

Be sure to visit my new friends:

Empty Nest Insider
A.D.Duling Wordpress Blog

Second Basemen, A to Z: Willie Randolph

Player: Willie Randolph
Born: 7/6/1954 in Holly Hill, South Carolina
Major League Career: 1975-92
Games Played at Second Base: 2,152
Most Games Played For: New York Yankees


Photo via Pinstripe Alley

Willie Randolph was a six-time All-Star and a six-time World Series champ, twice as a player and four times as a coach. Despite the fact that he finished his career in the top ten of several major defensive categories, he never won a Gold Glove. He's had a long second career in coaching, including four years managing the Mets. Last year, he was the Orioles' third base coach.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my friends:

What Else Is Possible?
Annalisa Crawford- Wake up, eat, write, sleep
Christine Rains - Writer
Jennifer Lane Books Blog
Excuse Me While I Note That Down...

Second Basemen, A to Z: Joe Quinn

Player: Joe Quinn
Born: 12/25/1864 in Sydney, Australia
Died: 11/20/1940 in St. Louis, Missouri
Major League Career: 1884-1901
Games Played at Second Base: 1,304
Most Games Played For: St. Louis Browns/Cardinals


Photo via Business Insider

Joe Quinn was the only Australian born player in the Majors until 1986, when Craig Shipley debuted for the Dodgers. Quinn worked as a mortician in the offseason. Before learning about him, I did not know that the Cardinals, like my Orioles, were once known as the St. Louis Browns.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my friends:

Sharon Hamilton Author
PT Dilloway
Laura Eno
The story of a girl...

I'm very impressed by those folks out there who are doing the challenge on more than one blog. Such is the case for Matt Conlon at...

The Brew Newb
and
=]V[=

Second Basemen, A to Z: Del Pratt

Player: Del Pratt
Born: 1/10/1888 in Walhalia, South Carolina
Died: 9/30/1977 in Texas City, Texas
Major League Career: 1912-24
Games Played at Second Base: 1,688
Most Games Played For: St. Louis Browns


Photo via Encore Editions

Del Pratt had a lifetime batting average of .292. He led the American League in RBI with 103 in 1916. Before his Major League career, he was a star running back at Alabama.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my new friends:

Wagging Tales
Kiwi's life

Second Basemen, A to Z: Ron Oester

Player: Ron Oester
Born: 5/5/1956 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Major League Career: 1978-90
Games Played at Second Base: 1,171
Most Games Played For: Cincinnati Reds


Photo via Bleacher Report

Ron Oester played his entire Major League career with the Reds, a loyalty rewarded when the team won the World Series in his final season. In 1988, Oester won the Hutch Award, an honor I'd never heard of before. It's a fighting spirit award. Oester came back from ACL surgery midway through the '88 season, certainly worthy of acknowledgment.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my friends. Both of these bloggers have been great supporters over the past couple of months, sending tags and awards my way.

Heather Murphy is doing musical instruments for A-Z at her blog Random Interruptions. I've thought of doing instruments myself and Heather has definitely raised the bar.

Nikki has devoted the A-Z challenge and, indeed, her entire blog inspire nordic to her love for all things Scandinavian.

Second Basemen, A to Z: Charlie Neal

Player: Charlie Neal
Born: 1/30/1931 in Longview, Texas
Died: 11/18/1996 in Dallas, Texas
Major League Career: 1956-63
Games Played at Second Base: 663
Most Games Played For: Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers


Image via The Trading Card Database

1959 was the highlight year of Charlie Neal's career. That season, he made the All-Star Game (first of three career appearances), won the Gold Glove and the World Series. In Game 2 of the Series, Neal hit two home runs, including the game winner.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my friends:

Bards and Prophets
Spunk on a Stick's Tips
Spill Beans
My Pet Blog
Seriously - WTH?

Second Basemen, A to Z: Joe Morgan

Player: Joe Morgan
Born: 9/19/1943 in Bonham, Texas
Major League Career: 1963-84
Games Played at Second Base: 2,527
Most Games Played For: Cincinnati Reds


Photo via Bleacher Report

In the New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, the sabermetrics guru named Joe Morgan the best second baseman in baseball history. Morgan was one of so many cogs in the Big Red Machine but it was he who won the National League MVP awards in 1975 and 1976, their two world championship years. Naturally, he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer, elected in 1990.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my new friends:

Maryann Miller's - It's Not All Gravy
Breathings

Second Basemen, A to Z: Nap Lajoie

Player: Nap Lajoie
Born: 9/5/1874 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Died: 2/7/1959 in Daytona Beach, Florida
Major League Career: 1896-1916
Games Played at Second Base: 2,035
Most Games Played For: Cleveland Naps


Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Nap Lajoie was one of the big stars of the new American League at the turn of the 20th century. In 1902, the Cleveland Bluebirds acquired Lajoie in a trade and were so delighted by the boost in ticket sales that at the end of the season, they named the team after him! Lajoie finished his career with 3,242 hits and a .338 batting average. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Please visit my friends:

Denise Covey, L'Aussie Writer
MOODY WRITING
PK HREZO
Writeaway
Awakenings and Reflections

Second Basemen, A to Z: Jeff Kent

Player: Jeff Kent
Born: 3/7/1968 in Bellflower, California
Major League Career: 1992-2008
Games Played at Second Base: 2,034
Most Games Played For: San Francisco Giants


Photo via Sportress of Blogitude

Jeff Kent is the all-time career leader for home runs by a second baseman with 377. He was an All-Star five times and was named the National League MVP in 2000. He is the only second baseman to have 100 or more RBI in six consecutive seasons (1997-2002). Kent had a reputation for surliness in his playing days but here's a nice story: he played only one game at shortstop in the Majors. He did so to allow Willie Randolph to play the last game of his career at second base.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my new friends:

Dads UnLimited
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy: The Online Diary of a Central Oregon Grandmother

Second Basemen, A to Z: Julian Javier

Player: Julian Javier
Born: 8/9/1936 in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Major League Career: 1960-72
Games Played at Second Base: 1,552
Most Games Played For: St. Louis Cardinals


Photo via I-70 Baseball

Julian Javier, in his first All-Star appearance in 1963, was part of an all-Cardinal starting infield which included Bill White at first, Dick Groat at short and Ken Boyer at third. He also made the team in 1968. While not enshrined in Cooperstown, Javier was inducted into the Dominican Republic Hall of Fame in 1978.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Please visit my friends:

My First Book
Welcome to Author Stephen Tremp's Website
The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Cruising Altitude 2.0

Second Basemen, A to Z: Omar Infante

Player: Omar Infante
Born: 12/26/1981 in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela
Major League Career: 2002-present
Games Played at Second Base: 486
Most Games Played For: Detroit Tigers


Photo via SULLY BASEBALL

Omar Infante is the first active player on this year's A-Z list. For the second year in a row, a Venezuelan is my featured player for the letter I (César Izturis was last year's honoree). The road for Infante has not been easy. He came up initially as a shortstop but moved to second when the opportunity arose to play every day. He made the All-Star team in 2010. He stands to make $8 million with the Marlins over the next two years.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my friends below. These three ladies were the co-hosts for the Tumble 4 Ya blogfest in February. That blogfest changed my life... my blogging life, anyway. Here, learn about my '80s crush.

Suze - Analog Breakfast
M. Pax - Wistful Nebulae
Nicki Elson - Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

Second Basemen, A to Z: Billy Herman

Player: Billy Herman
Born: 7/7/1909 in New Albany, Indiana
Died: 9/5/1992 in West Palm Beach, Florida
Major League Career: 1931-47
Games Played at Second Base: 1,813
Most Games Played For: Chicago Cubs


Photo via Baseball in Wartime

Billy Herman made the All-Star Game 10 times. He still holds the National League record for putouts by a second baseman in a season: 466 in 1933. He was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1975.

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For last year's A-Z Challenge, I featured players of the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns organization, my favorite baseball team. I managed to cover every position on the field except for one: second baseman. As such, I decided to devote this year's challenge entirely to the second base position, honoring the individuals who earned their keep playing one of the game's most demanding defensive positions.

Head on over to Blogging from A to Z April Challenge to find others joining the adventure.


Be sure to visit my new friends:

DREAM WEAVER
Scattergun Scribblings
Jaycee DeLorenzo's Blog