Mark Teixeira homers from both sides for 12th time and Sets Record

Earlier this year I posted a blog celebrating Mark Teixeira's 11th time hitting homers from both sides of the plate in the same game. That ties the record but last night against the White Sox he broke that record. He hit a left-handed 2 run homer off John Danks in the 3rd inning and a right-handed solo homer off Jason Frasor.  The Yankees beat the Sox 6-0.

In 2005 he and teammate Gary Matthews both  accomplished this feat while playing for the Texas Rangers.

In 2003 Matthews was teamed with switch hitter David Segui on the Baltimore Orioles. Segui homered from both sides in 1998 for Seattle.

In 1990 Segui was teamed with Mickey Tettleton on the Orioles. Tettleton had switch hit homers in games for the Orioles, Tigers and Rangers.

Tettleton played with fellow switch hitter Dave Collins on the 1985 Oakland A's.

In 1979 Collins played on the Cincinnati Reds with Ken Henderson. Henderson homers from both sides of plate in 1975 for the White Sox.

Ken was Ron Santo's teammate during his Final year on the Sox.

From Teixeira to Santo using nothing but switch hitters in 6 degrees.

Giants Manager : Bruce Bochy

Bruce Bochy is the manager of the defending champions, the San francisco Giants. This is his 5th season in San Francisco. The Giants signed him in 2007 following 12 seasons as the skipper of the Padres. 

Bochy spent most of his playing career as a back up catcher for the Mets, Padres and Astros. In 1979 he was teamed up with Jesus Alou on the Houston Astros.

In 1964 Jesus was on the San Francisco Giants along with his brother Matty Alou. 

In 1961 Matty played with another Alou in San Francisco, his other brother Felipe.

In 1965 Felipe played for the Milwaukee Braves along with knuckleballer, Phil Niekro.

Phil shared the mound in Atlanta with his brother Joe Niekro in 1974.

Joe Niekro played for the 1969 Cubs along with Ron Santo.

From Bruce Bochy to Ron Santo in 6 Degrees and 5 brothers.

Nationals Manager : Davey Johnson

Today Davey Johnson becomes the 3rd Washington National's manager of the season. He has managed 4 other teams including the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets. His most recent stint was for the L.A. Dodgers in 2000.

He was an all star member of the World Series champion 1970 Baltimore Orioles. His teammate Boog Powell was voted AL MVP.

In 1976 Powell played for player/manager Frank Robinson on the Cleveland Indians.

Hall of Famer, Robinson spent the first part of the 1974 season with the California Angels before being dealt to the Indians. While on the Angels his teammate was Mike Epstein who was released by the Angels in May.

1969 was Epstein's best year hitting 30 homers with a batting .278, 34 points higher than his career average of .244. I'd like to think this card had something to do with that. His teammate, Frank "Hondo" Howard, hit a career high 48 dingers for the Washington Senators that year.

1964 was Howard's last year on the L.A. Dodgers and Jim Brewer's first.

In 1962 Brewer spend most of the year in Salt Lake City playing AAA ball but joined the Cubs long enough to get on this card and have a cup of coffee with Ron Santo.

From the 3rd Nationals manager this season to Ron Santo in 6 degrees.

Cards That Never Were: 1974 Topps

1974 Topps Ron Santo Special

First of all, there must have been a twist in the time-space continuum that allowed for a 1974 baseball card to include a photo of a 1975 baseball card.  I know I could have used the 1986 Pete Rose Specials as a template but the Hank Aaron ones from 1974 looked so much better. Maybe one day I will re-do it to look like the O-Pee-Chee versions.

Angels Manager : Mike Scioscia

Mike Scioscia spent all of his managerial career (so far) with the Angels and his entire playing career with the Dodgers.

In 1990 he was the NL All Star starting catcher. His LA Dodger teammate was Hall of Famer Eddie Murray.

In 1980 Murray was playing 1st base for the Baltimore Orioles along with Cy Young winner Steve Stone.

Steve Stone is linked to Ron Santo in many ways, but he never was a teammate of Santo's. For many years Stone called the Cub games on TV while Santo moaned and groaned over the radio. Prior to the 1974 season Santo was traded to the White sox for Stone and 3 other player. In his first year with the northsiders, Santo's replacement was Bill Madlock.

In 1981 Madlock played for the Pittsburgh Pirates along with pitcher Grant Jackson.

In 1968 Jackson was teamed up with another hard hitting 3rd baseman, Dick Allen on the Philadelphia Philles.

Dick allen eventually moved to 1st base and the south side where he played with Ron Santo during his only season on the White Sox.

Mike Scioscia to Ron Santo in 6 degrees.