Good morning!
With the unfortunate news of Kyle Teel's injury, the White Sox also lost perhaps their best shot at a catcher providing ten home runs for them on the season. No doubt this was front of mind for many of you when the news broke. As we sit entering Friday's slate of games, though, Drew Romo has five dingers and Edgar Quero has just two. Teel in 78 games last season socked eight home runs, so he really did seem up to the task of getting to double digits. Alas.
If ten home runs doesn't seem like all that much to you, well, the White Sox haven't historically had many guys with power who have also donned the tools of ignorance. Sure, some names spring to mind immediately, but there have been plenty of seasons in the history of this franchise that have looked similar to this year. To wit: 1952 was the first year the White Sox had a catcher hit 10 or more home runs in a single season.
Thus, today's Sporcle will ask you to remember those catchers from 1952 to present who have done just that: hit at least 10 home runs over the course of a single season. In all, there are 45 entries: how many can you name? Good luck!
Quiz Parameters
- To qualify, a player must have played at least 50% of his games at catcher.
- I've allotted 10 minutes for completion attempts.
- For hints, I've provided the year and the number of home runs.
Useless information to amaze, annoy, confuse, and/or confound your friends and family:
- Prior to 1952 (1901-1951), 117 players hit 10 or more home runs as a catcher (this includes the Negro Leagues).
- The first player to accomplish this feat was Macon's own, Art Wilson, playing for the Federal League Chi-Feds/Whales in 1914. Take some time to read his SABR bio.
- Using that 1901-1951 period, Gabby Hartnett hit the most dingers, socking 37 in the 1930 season for the Cubs.
All data from stathead.com
