Rookie Abreu Hits 20th in White Sox victory

June 19, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Thursday thoughts (or semi-reasonable facsimiles thereof): Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu hit his 20th home run Wednesday in a 7-6 victory vs. the visiting San Francisco Giants. In doing so in his 58th big-league game, he reached that total quicker than all but two other rookies: Wally Berger (51 games) and Mark McGwire (56). Abreu is 27. Berger was 24 and McGwire was 22 during their rookie seasons. For all those pondering the possibility of Abreu becoming a Hall of Fame player based on his career home-run total.

There’s some soccer-themed video below. Not necessarily game action.

* Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who no-hit visiting Colorado 8-0 Wednesday night. Kershaw struck out 15 and walked no one (an error kept him from a perfect game). In 64 1/3 innings this season, he has allowed four home runs. Among the players to homer off Kershaw this season: Jose Abreu.

* Speaking of no-hitters, Kershaw joins Josh Beckett as Dodgers pitchers to toss no-hitters this season. The last time two teammates threw no-hitters in the same season was 1972 — by Cubs right-handers Burt Hooton and Milt Pappas.

* What was most remarkable about the Sox victory (other than they almost blew a 7-2 lead after six innings in a game that Chris Sale started) was the Sox struck out only one time (Adam Dunn, who also hit his 452nd homer to tie Carl Yastrzemski for 35th place on the all-time list). Guessing Dunn might need to hit another 452 before Sox broadcaster (and former Yaz teammate) Ken “Hawk” Harrelson would begin to think Dunn was a better player. And even that number might not be enough.

* Cubs prospect Kris Bryant has been promoted to Class AAA Iowa. In case any Cubs fans were pondering a summer vacation destination. Des Moines is delightful in summer.

* Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija reportedly has turned down a five-year, $85 million offer to re-sign with the team. Meaning he wants more money. Or a different team to play for in 2015 and beyond. Or both.

* The visiting Cubs did defeat the Miami Marlins 6-1. Starter Jake Arrieta struck out a career-high 11 and lowered his earned-run average to 1.98. He improved to 3-1. Meaning he has one more victory than Samardzija (2-6) and a better ERA (Samardzija’s is 2.78.

* If today is Thursday (which seems likely because yesterday was Wednesday — provided that you are reading this on June 19, 2014, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time once again for another edition of “Sports & Torts” co-hosted by David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Central time on Talkzone.com. This week’s guests are Lennie Merullo (last living member of the 1945 Chicago Cubs, the franchise’s last appearance in a World Series) and Ernie Broglio (traded 50 years ago by St. Louis in a deal that sent Lou Brock from the Cubs to the Cardinals). Podcast of the show will become available later Thursday at Talkzone.com.

***

Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the enterprising efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):