DAILY DIRT: Anyone else remember that April night in 1999?

Daily Dirt for Tuesday, May 13, 2025

 Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,281 of The Daily Dirt.

1. You may want to take a deep breath and think about this for awhile, especially if you’re a longtime baseball fan.

What are the rarest single-game feats? I would guess most fans would automatically throw out such things as a no-hitter and four-homer game, and those are fine guesses. While you’re continuing to ponder the question, I have some information for you digest. Afterward, I’ll throw out a few more possibilities for your consideration.

Ten rarest MLB occurrences

1. Two grand slams in one inning (1): Yes, all St. Louis Cardinals fans should know this one. In April 1999, Fernando Tatis Sr. hit two slams off Chan Ho Park in Dodger Stadium. I will always remember this well. It was the beginning of the first full baseball season for me after moving to Quincy. It was a Friday night, and I tried to explain to my wife how bizarre/rare this was … but my words fell on extremely deaf ears.

2. Three hits in one inning (3 times): Johnny Damon was the the last MLB player to do this, back in June 2003. Damon had a single, double and triple — all in the first inning.

3. 20 strikeouts by a pitcher (5 times): Max Scherzer was the most recent pitcher to reach 20 whiffs in a game, doing so in May 2016 while pitching for the Washington Nationals.

4. Two grand slams in one game (13 times): The last time this occurred was thanks to Josh Willingham of the Washington Nationals, back in July 2009.

5. Unassisted triple play (15 times):The most recent unassisted triple play in MLB was achieved by Eric Bruntlett of the Philadelphia Phillies in August 2009, against the New York Mets. Bruntlett, playing second base, caught a line drive, stepped on second base to tag the runner, and then tagged the runner at first base, completing the triple play. Prior to that, the most recent had been turned in by Ron Hansen of the Chicago White Sox in 1968.

6. 10-RBI game (15 times): Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the last player to account for this in September 2024. The single-game record-holders are Jim Bottomley and hard-hittin’ Mark Whiten, both of the St. Louis Cardinals. Bottomley drove in 12 in 1924, Whiten in 1993.

7. Four-home run games (19): Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks turned the trick in April. Before Suarez, the most recent had been in 2017.

8. Perfect games (24): Domingo German threw the most recent perfecto in June 2023 for the New York Yankees.

9. Immaculate pitching inning (114 times): That means three pitches to retire the side, and the most recent was Tampa Bay’s Ryan Pepiot in September 2024.

10. No-hitters (323 times): The most recent complete-game no-hitter was by Blake Snell, pitching for the San Francisco Giants in August 2024.

Here are a handful of other occurrences to think about:

• Philadelphia Phillies’ Rick Wise pitched a no-hitter and hit two home runs in the same game, against Cincinnati in 1971.
• There have been 14 “natural” cycles in MLB history, a batter recording a single, double, triple and home run in that order. The most recent belongs to Gary Matthews Jr. of the Texas Rangers in 2006.
• The baseball player who broke up at least 81 no-hitters — with a home run — is Rickey Henderson. The legendary leadoff hitter’s 81 home runs leading off a game ruined any chance of a no-hitter by the opposing pitcher that particular day.

2. Did you know (Part 361)

• That a pickup line never to use is “Is your name Chapstick? Because you’re da balm.”
• That another pickup line to avoid is “Are we in a library? Because I’m checking you out.”
• That if someone tells you you’re too loud, simply respond, “Volume matches confidence.”
• That if someone tells you you’re too quiet, all you have to say is, “Legends don’t need to shout.”
• That if someone accuses you of being selfish, simply respond, “I don’t pour from an empty cup.”

3. It’s another edition “If Alive Today” they would be how old?

• Sean Connery would be 94.
• Anne Frank would be 95.
• “American Idol” legend Mandisa would be 48.
• James Caan would be 85.
• Gilda Radner would be 78.
• Michael Landon would be 88.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Did you ever work with someone known who picked up the nickname “Butter Knife?” You know, not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River news. He certainly has his “Butter Knife” moments.