Clair: The story behind Carleton College’s 100-inning softball game named after an obscure MLB player
From SABR member Michael Clair at MLB.com’s Cut 4 on December 9, 2016:
Marvin Rotblatt didn’t have a long or very successful Major League career, but you can’t deny he made his mark. While Rotblatt pitched for parts of only three seasons with the White Sox from 1948-51, posting a 4.82 ERA in 74 2/3 innings, he has found himself a part of history.
While at the University of Illinois, he set the Big Ten record for strikeouts in a game with 18 until it was broken in 1965. He was the first Major Leaguer ever to enter a game via bullpen cart. He appeared on the 1951 quiz show “You Bet Your Life,” hosted by Groucho Marx. And Carleton College used his name for its annual 100-inning softball game: “Rotblatt.” And no, the pitcher never attended the small liberal arts school in Minnesota. The connection, like the game itself, is much more random than that.
Read the full article here: http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/12/08/210698514/marvin-rotblatt-is-the-man-behind-100-inning-softball-game
Originally published: December 9, 2016. Last Updated: December 9, 2016.