About the Back: Sierra has dropped to fourth on the Rangers' all-time home run list with 180 (owing to a pair of return stints in the 2000s). Ahead of him are Juan Gonzalez (372 HR), Rafael Palmeiro (321), and Ivan Rodriguez (217). Frank Howard hit 246 homers for the franchise, but all but nine of those came when the team was still the Washington Senators.
Triple Play:
1. In 2001, Ruben was the American League Comeback Player of the Year with the Rangers. He had played a total of 86 MLB games over the previous four years, but batted .291/.322/.561 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI in 94 games with Texas that season.
2. In all, he played parts of 20 seasons in the big leagues and totaled 306 homers and 1,322 RBI.
3. Sierra owns show horses, and recorded two albums of Latin music during the 1990s.
11-Year-Old Kevin Says: I remember Tony LaRussa referring to Ruben as "a village idiot" when the player made public comments questioning Oakland management's desire for him to be a more selective hitter.
Bill James Said: "Ruben Sierra is the first player in major league history to hit 20 homers, steal 20 bases, drive in 100 runs - and have a terrible season by his own standards." Sierra hit just .233/.288/.390 (86 OPS+) in 1993, making it the worst season of his career to that point.
On This Date in 1993: June 16. Jack McDowell turns in one of his best starts on the season, a three-hit shutout of the Athletics. Chicago wins 4-0, as McDowell (10-4) strikes out eight while walking two. He will twirl a two-hitter in Seattle on August 1.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Canseco trade will go down as one of the worst in A's history. Funny how LaRussa wanted Sierra over Canseco, but soured on him quicker than he did with Jose.
ReplyDeleteJeff Russell went back to Texas, and Bobby Witt was no Dave Stewart. Still not convinced? The A's made the playoffs in 1992, but fell to 7th and finished with a record of 68-94 in 1993.