The Bill Chuck Files of February 2, 2020

Each Sunday, in remembrance of my friend and J.G Spink Award winner Nick Cafardo, I post “the Bill Chuck Files” (named by Nick in his Sunday Baseball Notes column)

Today:

• Is the palindromic 02/02/2020
• It is the 33rd day of the year with 333 remaining
• Is Super Bowl Sunday
• Is Groundhog Day
• The day before the Iowa Caucus
• Is two days before the sad State of the Union
• Is most importantly 53 days before Opening Day

Unemployment follows winning a World Series for managers

There has been a first-year ballot inductee into the Hall of Fame each season since 2014

Nine to Know: The Most Caught Stealing in the Ten-Teens

If Luis Rojas actually manages the Mets, he and his dad Felipe Alou will become the fifth father/son duo to manage in the majors

Felipe Alou is the only father to manage in the postseason and Aaron Boone is the only son to manage in the majors.

The Father and Son managers

George Sisler – Father

Dick Sisler – Son

Bob Skinner – Father

Joel Skinner – Son

Bob Boone – Father

Aaron Boone – Son

Buddy Bell – Father

David Bell – Son

Felipe Alou – Father

Louis Rojas – Son

Padres are offering the Red Sox Manny Margot in a Mookie Betts deal

Margot seems better suited to replace Jackie Bradley Jr.

Don’t think, have fun

Curtis Granderson announced his retirement this past week and it while it is a loss for those of us who have always enjoyed watching the Grandy Man on the field, his retirement will provide him with more time to do his most important work working with the community.

Granderson was the 2016 winner of MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award and he was named the Marvin Miller Man of the Year four times by the MLB Players Association, including in 2019.

Granderson wrote, “Thank you — to the MLB, MLBPA, my teammates and coaches, front office staff, members of the media, partners, and the fans — for the ride of a lifetime.”

Here is Granderson’s Fall 2019 commencement speech to the graduates of the University of Illinois Chicago where Grandy donated $5 million for the construction of their ballpark, Les Miller Field at Curtis Granderson Stadium. (video below)

Corey Kluber and Dakota Hudson each allowed four bases-loaded walks in 2019

The difference is that Hudson faced a league-leading 35 batters with the sacks filled and Kluber faced only 10.

Will Clark will have #22 retired by the San Francisco Giants this season

Will “The Thrill” Clark who played eight of his 15 MLB seasons with the Giants is having his uniform number 22 retired this season. Clark said, “It’s just so special. And the way that the Giants do it, they do it in numerical order and No. 22 is gonna be right next to No. 24. Whenever I look up at the board and I see myself next to Willie Mays, who’s the best that’s ever been, you’re like, ‘oh my god, pretty awesome.’” Clark will also be next to #20 Monte Irvin.

I personally find it a bit odd that the Giants are honoring Clark in this fashion in that since he left following the 1993 season, they really have been rather loose with this soon to be hallowed number. In fact, starting in 1994, there have been, ironically, 22 players who have worn number 22. Here they are (working backward): Andrew McCutchen (2018), Christian Arroyo (2017), Jake Peavy (2014-2016), Dan Uggla (2014), Cole Gillespie (2013), Roger Kieschnick (2013), Eli Whiteside (2009-2012), Alex Hinshaw (2008), Ivan Ochoa (2008), Ryan Rohlinger (2008), Keiichi Yabu (2008), Matt Morris (2006-2007), Mike Matheny (2005-2006), Dustan Mohr (2004), Jose Cruz (2003), Kurt Ainsworth (2002), Manny Aybar (2002), Eric Davis (2001), Damon Minor (2000), Osvaldo Fernandez (1996-1997), Dave McCarty (1995), and Rikkert Faneyte (1994).

Here’s a nice little Will Clark stat, Clark hit more homers off Nolan Ryan (6) than any other pitcher he faced. And yes, the six homers that Ryan allowed to Clark were the most he allowed to any batter.

Hovering around the .300 mark

I admit I get a tad too obsessed with players with career .300 averages. Here are six players just over .300 with a look at how their averages diverged between the ends of the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Here are four players just under .300 for their careers.