Good morning!
It was on this day in 1995 that Robin Ventura belted two grand slams in a game (and back-to-back innings, no less), en route to a 14-3 thrashing of the Rangers. Ventura was the eighth player to accomplish the feat in MLB history, and the first since Frank Robinson in 1970. Here's the lede from the following day's recap of the game from the Trib:
If Nolan Ryan was watching, he no doubt was rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
But there it was in living color-- Robin Ventura receiving a rousing ovation from Texas fans at The Ballpark in Arlington after tying a major-league record with two grand slams in one game.
Yes, that's the same Robin Ventura who has been Public Enemy No. 1 in these parts since Aug. 4, 1993, when he charged Ryan, ignited a brawl and received several noogies from the Hall of Fame pitcher.
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, Sept. 5, 1995
To celebrate the accomplishment, let's take a stroll down memory lane and Remember Some Guys, some great players, and some of lesser note. Today's Sporcle tasks you with naming every White Sox player to hit at least one grand slam in a game, dating back to 1990. In all, there are 126 entries (I've grouped multiple slams in a season by a player into one line, so there are actually more than that): how many can you name? Good luck!
Quiz Parameters
- I've allotted 15 minutes for completion attempts.
- For hints, I've provided the year and the position of the player in question. As noted above, if a player hit more than one grand slam in a season, they've been grouped together into one line.
Useless information to amaze, annoy, confuse, and/or confound your friends and family:
- Since 1916, the White Sox have hit 284 grand slams.
- The first grand slam of those 284 was an inside-the-park job by Happy Felsch off pitcher Pop-boy Smith in the second game of a double-header against Cleveland on Sept. 30, 1916, in the top of the 12th inning. The Sox would go on to win, 7-3.
- Pitcher Frank Lary has the most grand slams given up to the White Sox with three, all between 1954 and 1964, which...
- ...contributes to the team that has given up the most grand slams of any White Sox opponent: the Detroit Tigers, with 49.
- For future seasons, you'll want to make sure to be in your seat during the middle innings of games in the summer: by inning, the White Sox have hit the most grand slams in the 6th (43), and the most by month in June, with 64.
(Photo credit: Alan Garrison, U.S. Air Force)
All data from stathead.com
