Short Hops: A base away

A BASE AWAY

Both Eric Hinske and Adrian Gonzalez were a single short of a cycle on Tuesday, and that got us wondering how common that was. Sorting data from baseball-reference.com, we found that there have been 269 such games since 1956, meaning it happens about five times a season. In 26 of those, a player has been “too good,” clubbing four extra-base hits. Numerous players have missed the single twice in their careers, but the only ones who’ve fallen short three times in that span have been Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Manny Trillo, Ellis Burks, Gregg Jefferies and Brian Giles. In those last 53 seasons, there have been 939 instances in which the cycle’s been avoided by just the double; the triple’s been absent 8,558 times; and the home run on 2,267 occasions.

GRAND SLAMMER

All those plans for their May 28 game hosting the SouthShore Rail Cats...why the Kansas City T-Bones were just tryin’ to be right-neighborly. Kind of a welcome party for Michael Vick, who’s taken up residence in nearby Leavenworth. The T-Bones, of the independent Northern League, had announced plans for “Michael Vick Welcome to the Neighborhood Night,” which was to feature players arriving in shackles and wearing prison uniforms during the game, cascading spotlights, sirens and, of course, the ad nauseum strains of “Who Let the Dogs Out.” What would have made the proceedings sufferable was the club’s plan to raise funds for local animal shelters with an auction of the striped unis. Won’t happen, though. Under pressure because of his idea’s thematic indelicacy, GM Rick Muntean has cancelled the promotion, replacing it with a more straightforward dog-centric theme that will promote adoptions of unwanted pets.

HIT AND RUN

Short Hops’ recurring installment of slapdash observation and imprudent opinion:

Frank Thomas’ parting shot before being released by Toronto was his refusal to shake hands with his teammates after they’d beaten the Tigers on April 19. The Big Hurt Feelings had been benched that game amidst a 4-for-35 swoon.

Joel Pineiro has started twice and pitched 10 innings for the Cardinals, but has yet to strike out anyone. (Remember Glenn Abbott? He once made six consecutive starts for the 1983-84 Tigers without whiffing anyone. After that streak, he fanned one batter in each of his next three starts, then never pitched again.)

The Padres went 106 innings without hitting a home run.

At the end of play on April 21, three all-time team vs. team series were dead even: Rockies vs. Marlins (65–65), Reds vs. Brewers (83–83) and Cubs vs. Mets (334–334).

Ozzie Guillen is one prepared manager — and one self-aware person. He’s set aside $100,000 for the fines he figures he’ll be assessed over the course of the season.

QUOTABLE

“That was probably my favorite at-bat of my entire life. I’ve never been booed like that before.” — Colorado’s Ryan Spilborghs, trashed by fans in Houston after apparently trapping a ball in center that umpires ruled a catch.