Obscure sports trivia

NFL team.....

 

Lions is guess No. 2.

 

Wait, so close?

The Bears?

 

Correct!

 

In June 1880, John Ward pitched the second perfect game in major league history. What other notable statistical distinction does he hold?
(Hint: It's one that a current MLB superstar might also achieve)

 

Led the league in HR and pitching strikeouts in the same season?

 

No, but you are on the right track.

 

Seeing no other takers, John Ward pitched the second perfect game in MLB history and is also the only player with 100 wins and 2,000 hits.

Babe Ruth had 2,873 hits but only 94 wins. Shohei Ohtani might become the second to do it, though, with the new DH rules.

 

Who was the first Latin player to make an all-star team?

 

Minnie Minoso, but that seems too obvious.

 

The other crazy thing about Ward’s perfecto was that it was the second perfect game in FIVE days. Lee Richmond pitched the first one for Worcester. No other pitcher threw a perfect game until Cy Young 24 years later.

A couple of funny things about Richmond’s gem. There was a 9-3 putout, and Richmond pitched the game on very little sleep. He was also a college senior, went to a pre-graduation party the night before, stayed out most of the night, caught a morning train, arrived at the ballpark a couple hours before game time, and pitched perfectly.

 

No, not Minoso.