One-Of-A-Kind MLB Records

There are hundreds or thousands of records throughout the annals of Major League Baseball. Some are team records and some are individual records. Most records are followed by a long list of the next ranking numbers. Records such as most hits, most runs, and most wins, most fans can rattle off in a heartbeat.

The kinds of records we will be discussing here are one of a kind. Records which are not shared with another—solo records, if you will.

Some are strange, some are unbelievable, and some will be extremely hard, if not impossible, to duplicate.

Using that as an introduction, let us examine 10 MLB records that are truly one of a kind.

Who is the only player to hit two grand slam home runs in the same inning?

On April 23, 1999 at Dodger Stadium, Cardinal third baseman Fernando Tatis became the only man in MLB history to hit two grand slam home runs in the same inning. In the third inning, Tatis did the unbelievable, knocking in an incredible eight runs. As crazy as that sounds, to spice it up a bit, both came off starter Chan Ho Park.

What player has the most hits in one season with an average below .300?

In 2007 Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins won the National League Most Valuable Player award, collecting 212 hits while batting only .296.

Who is the only player to hit at least 50 home runs in a season and strike out fewer times than the number of home runs hit?

In 1947, New York Giants first baseman Johnny Mize finished third in MVP voting. He batted .302 with 51 HR and 138 RBI. He was walked 74 times and struck out an incredibly low 42 times.

What member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame played the most games at one position wiithout ever playing another?

Luis Aparicio of the White Sox, Orioles and Red Sox, played 2,581 games at shortstop from 1956-73. He never played another position.

Who is the only MLB player to play more than 500 games at five different positions?

Pete Rose is the only player to accomplish that feat. He logged in 628 games as a second baseman (where he started and won rookie of the year), he played left field in 673. He played first base 939 games, 634 games at third base, and 590 games in right field.

Who is the only pitcher to win a Rookie of the Year award, Most Valuable Player award, and a Cy Young Award in their career?

Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers is the only pitcher in MLB history to win the Rookie of the Year award (1949 / 17-8 / 3.17) and the MVP and Cy Young awards (1956/ 27-7 / 3.06.)

Who is the only pitcher to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young award in the same season?

In the strike-shortened season of 1981, Dodger southpaw Fernando Valenzuela became the only pitcher in MLB history to win the Rookie of the Year award and the Cy Young award in the same season. He was 13-7 with an ERA of 2.48. He led the league in games started with 25, CG with 11, Shutouts with 8, IP with 192.1 and in strikeouts with 180.

What pitcher was intentionally walked the most during his career?

Gary Peters of the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox was not only a very good pitcher, he was an excellent hitter as well. He hit as many as four HR in one season and hit 19 during his career. He was so feared as a hitter that he was intentionally walked by opposing pitchers three different times.

What player has the most inside-the-park-home runs in one season?

In 1901 Cincinnati Reds outfielder Sam Crawford hit an incredible 12 inside-the-park-home runs.

Who is the only switch-hitter in MLB history to hit two grand slam home runs in the same game, one from each side of the plate?

On July 29, 2003 Bill Mueller of the Boston Red Sox hit a grand slam home run from both sides of the plate in a game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Tx, to become the only player in history to do this. In the seventh inning with one out, batting right handed, he hit the first grand slam off Aaron Fultz. His next one came batting left handed in the eighth inning with two outs against Jay Powell. Coincidentally, Mueller also hit a solo home run in the third inning, giving him a total of nine RBI for the game.

Sources:  Baseball-Reference.com

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