Hurte: Jim Rooker and the unintentional walk
From SABR member Bob Hurte at Seamheads.com on September 4, 2012:
The Pittsburgh Pirates were in the midst of a 7 game losing streak that began on May 31, 1989 the last game of a home stand as Jose Rijo and the Cincinnati Reds beat them 4-3. Afterwards they flew to New York to seek better fortunes, only to be swept by the Mets. They then hoped on a bus and drove south on the New Jersey turnpike to Philadelphia and promptly dropped their first three to the Phillies.
Our story unfolds during a Thursday afternoon game played on June 8th at 3:20 pm. It was perfect weather for the National Pastime, seventy-five degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Not only was perfect baseball weather, the Pirates’ luck appeared to be changing. Manager Jim Leyland posted a lineup that featured many of the players that would help win division championships in Pittsburgh during the early nineties. Such as Barry Bonds, Jose Lind, Andy Van Slyke, Bobby Bonilla, Jeff King and Gary Redus. That afternoon, the Bucs’ skipper sent their pitching stalwart, Bob Walk to the mound. The Pirates would send sixteen batters to the plate during the top of the first inning, yielding 10 runs on eight hits. Pittsburgh’s offensive outburst featured Barry Bonds’ tenth home run of the season.
Read the full article here: http://seamheads.com/2012/09/04/making-it-right-jim-rooker-the-unintentional-walk/
Originally published: September 4, 2012. Last Updated: September 4, 2012.