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04/07/2004 Archived Entry: "MLB news: Milestones update"
MLB news: April 6 milestones update
By Michael Toeset
The loosely termed “opening day” (by my count, there were four opening days this season: March 30 in Japan, April 4 in Baltimore, April 5 most everywhere else and April 6 for several teams) is barely behind us, but numerous milestones have already been passed. The milestone most watched – Barry Bonds passing his godfather, Willie Mays, on the career home run list – hasn’t yet transpired, but anyone who saw the Giants opener (when Bonds crushed an inside pitch that took all of two seconds to leave the stadium) knows that Bonds is as focused as always. Bonds’ next home run, which could come tonight against another sure Hall of Famer, Roger Clemens, will move him into a tie with Mays with 660 career home runs. But enough about Bonds – for now, at least. Outside of the limelight the following has taken place:
Tino Martinez, with his third team in four years, hit his 300th home run March 30 in Japan. That blast moved Martinez into a tie with Chuck Klein for 98th place on the all-time home run list. Although Martinez has only had three 30-plus homer seasons, he has been relatively consistent over the course of his career, which is why he’s already in the top 100 all-time. His top five home run seasons: 44, 34, 31, 28 and 28.
Mike Mussina’s bid for win No. 200 fell short March 30 and April 6, both coming against the Devil Rays. While Mussina hasn’t looked good so far, it’s doubtful that he’s suddenly become Rick Ankiel. He’ll be in the top 70 all-time on the wins list by year’s end.
I can’t prove this, but I think Johnny Damon became one of the hairiest men to play on opening day. Damon, sporting a Grizzly Adams look, is hitless in two games this season. Maybe all that hair is weighing him down. …
On April 5, All-Star-to-be Carlos Beltran hit the Royals’ first ever opening day game-winning home run.
In the first hits category, we have Joe Mauer, Bobby Crosby and Kaz Matsui. Mauer got his first career hit – a single – April 5 in the ninth inning of the game vs. Cleveland. Unless something inexplicable happens, he’s going to have at least 1,999 more by the time his playing days are over. Crosby, the man who helped make Miguel Tejada expendable, got his first hit – also a single – April 6. He was 0-12 in a cup of coffee last season and was hitless in his first game this season. “Metsui,” on the other hand, became the latest player to hit in a home run in his first major league at-bat. Not only did he do it in his first at-bat, he did it on the first pitch, launching a Russ Ortiz offering over the fence. Matsui became the third Mets player ever to homer in his first at-bat, joining Mike Fitzgerald and Benny Ayala. Needless to say, Matsui should easily surpass the other two in terms of greatness outside of the first plate appearance.
On April 5 in Cincinnati, Barry Larkin tied a franchise record by playing in his 17th season opener. Two others played in that many Reds’ openers: Pete Rose and Bid McPhee.
On April 6, Giants pitcher David Aardsma won his first game. In his major league debut, he pitched two scoreless innings in relief to get the victory. He also qualified for a hold, another first.
Adrian Beltre, a superstar who has never lived up to his potential, belted his 100th career home run April 6. Many expected the third baseman to have 200 home runs at this point in his career, but don’t forget that Beltre is only 25 (in fact, today is his birthday), and there’s more than a handful of stars who didn’t even play in the majors till they were 25.
Outfielder Geoff Jenkins hit two triples in the Brewers’ April 6 game, tying a franchise record.
Livan Hernandez recorded his 1,000th career strikeout April 6 vs. the Marlins. Hernandez pitched well in the game but didn’t record a decision.
e-mail questions or comments to mtoeset@baseballguru.com
