In an effort to have a little fun with the Coop Scoop blog, I am producing a (somewhat) daily trivia quiz called "Mud Hen Mindbender." No prize; this is just a way to get your day moving. Ready? Here we go ...
Another question about all-star teams and Mud Hens: With Toledo closer Chris Bootcheck elected to the team, that means three Hens closers have made the team in the past five seasons. Who are the other two Toledo closers who were voted to the IL All-Star team since 2008? Bonus points if you can name the year.
The answer to Thursday’s question? The International League announced Wednesday that RHP Chris Bootcheck was elected to play for the IL in the Triple-A All-Star Game. Who was the Hens’ representative(s) to that game last season? The answer is 2B Will Rhymes.
Do you think you know the answer to today’s question? Click on the "comments" link below and give us your answer! I'll post the answer tomorrow along with another trivia question. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Blaine Neal, 2008
Posted by: Pepper Leach | 06/29/2012 at 10:47 AM
That is one. Who is the other?
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 12:09 PM
Casey Fien?
Posted by: Phil | 06/29/2012 at 01:28 PM
Nope. Not a bad guess, though. Any others?
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 01:43 PM
Enrique Gonzalez?
Posted by: Matt in Toledo | 06/29/2012 at 01:49 PM
Nope, not Gonzo either. A little more obscure name in Mud Hens lore ...
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 02:40 PM
Aquilino Lopez??
Posted by: Phil | 06/29/2012 at 03:08 PM
Nope, a little too obscure. This wasn't that long ago ...
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 03:28 PM
Jason Karnuth?
Posted by: Matt in Toledo | 06/29/2012 at 03:32 PM
Read the question again. Karnuth was pre-2008, so I'm going to guess Sborz.
Posted by: Matt in Toledo | 06/29/2012 at 03:56 PM
Matt: Your second answer is correct ... Jay Sborz was an IL All-Star in 2010.
So here's the follow up: Can you name any other Mud Hen relievers (besides Bootcheck, Neal and Sborz) who were IL All-Stars? I see at least one name listed that qualifies (and there is more than one answer that qualifies) ...
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 04:10 PM
Another one of my favorite players from childhood, Mike Christopher. He went in 1993 or 1994.
Also, I believe Karnuth made it in 2005.
Posted by: Phil | 06/29/2012 at 04:16 PM
Phil: Believe it or not, Christopher did NOT make the IL all-star team. It seems to me he got called up to Detroit right at the time the game was played, but I may be wrong about that.
Jason Karnuth made it in 2005. But he wasn't the ONLY reliever to make it that season ...
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 05:57 PM
Well, that's disappointing. I did some quick research on Baseball-reference.com and you are exactly correct. Christopher's first game with Detroit in 1995 was the day before the All Star break.
As for the other 2005 pitcher, I think it was Vic Darensbourg who made it. In 2006, a bunch of Hens were on the team as hosts so I'm going to assume Lee Gardner made it as well.
Posted by: Phil | 06/29/2012 at 06:56 PM
Phil: Thanks for verifying my memory. And remember: as exciting as the Triple-A All-Star Game may seem, getting the call-up to the majors is bigger. MUCH bigger.
Good job on Vic Darensbourg (and aces on the spelling!). And you are on the money with Lee Gardner in 2006.
From this point the relievers who made the Triple-A All-Star Game are a little tougher to decipher. Any guesses, or are we waiting for hints?
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 07:01 PM
The disappointing statement was made with a heavy sarcasm. Obviously he was much happier to pitch in the majors than throw in an exhibition game in Wichita or Albuquerque.
The only other reliever I can think of while growing up is Eddie Gaillard. The only other pitchers I can think of from the 90s were starters.
Posted by: Phil | 06/29/2012 at 08:37 PM
Eddie Gaillard is exactly right ... he was on the 1997 team.
There was a reliever from Toledo on the 1998 team, but that's going to be a toughie. There's one more reliever, this one from the late '80s, that I think Mud Hens fans can get.
Any other guesses?
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/29/2012 at 11:07 PM
How about Dean Crow in'98 ?
Posted by: Pepper Leach | 06/29/2012 at 11:31 PM
Karl Best in 1987 ?
Posted by: Pepper Leach | 06/29/2012 at 11:37 PM
OK, I think a few hints are in order ... the All-Star from the late 90s had the initials B.R. Obscure player.
And the guy I think some fans will recognize (at least the name) pitched for six different major-league teams, including both the Indians and Tigers.
Good luck ...
Posted by: John_Wagner | 06/30/2012 at 10:01 AM