Good morning!
Entering Friday evening's game against the Cardinals, Korey Lee is tied for the team lead with three (3) home runs, and with fifteen fewer at bats than the next guy (Eloy Jimenez). While this could serve as condemnation of the team's current power outage, it is not intended as such: should Lee be able to maintain his current pace (and playing time) over the remainder of the season, I figure he'd be good for at least 10-15 home runs.
That may not sound like much, but this team hasn't had a catcher hit more than 8 since 2021, and there have been plenty of seasons in the history of this franchise that have looked similar to 2023 and 2022. 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 44 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
