Pilot Trivia

[The Commissioner]

Who was the only Pilots' player to actually go on to become a ML pilot?

[Chisox73]

I'll take a wild guess and say Gerry McNertney

[skeletor]

Gotta go with Chisox's choice of McNertney..as skipper...

Sure wasn't a club full of future skippers...couple of coaches..at the
the best..a team full of misfits...starting with Bouton, Oyler,
and Gary 'ding dong' Bell..A team that was hampered by a bad
choice for ownership..i.e. no money, a cut throat GM (Milkes)
a skipper (schlutz) who was better being a 3rd base coach,
and a truly terrible stadium..SICKS..which was just as horrible
as a former AAA park..a one year experiment for MLB , in the
great northwest..Seattle, of course, deserved better...and did
with the birth of the Mariners in 1977

[Ken Hastings]

Sweet Lou?

[Ken Hastings]

...or Mike Ferrarro.

[Aa3rt]

...or Mike Ferrarro.

Mike Ferraro managed the Cleveland Indians in 1983 and Kansas City Royals in 1986, after playing in only 5 games for the Seattle Pilots.

Lou Pinella was drafted by Seattle (from Cleveland) in October 1968 but traded to the Kansas City Royals on April 1, 1969.

[The Commissioner]

Sorry, I guess that I forgot to ever come back and update this. Aart, nailed it on the head. Ferraro was the only Pilots' player who has thus far gone on to become a Major League manager.

[caribeño]

Who was the player to appear in both inaugural games for both the Pilots and then some years later with the Mariners ? :radio

[Mr. Met]

Are we talking about Diego Segui here?

[JohnGelnarFan]

I agree. I think he even started their first game.



Are we talking about Diego Segui here?

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Here's an interesting trivia question which may or may not be easy: What former Pilots pitcher went to Mexico after his mlb career ended and pitched up until he was 54 (this despite having a heart attack at the age of 46) in the Mexican Leagues?

[Aa3rt]

Well, it may not be "easy" for others, but you are asking about one of my all time favorites, George Brunet.

Brunet also pitched one season (1970) for the Senators, going 8-6 with a 4.42 ERA.

I know he died at any early age-I remember watching a Charles Kurault (SP?) "On The Road" segment on CBS News. At an age when most baseball players had either retired or were in the coaching end of the business, Brunet was still pitching in the Mexican League, riding the buses between cities and studying to be a doctor. I've always wondered if he attained that goal before his death.

BTW-I believe he holds the all-time minor league strikeout record with over 3,000!

George Brunet's career record, courtesy Baseball-Almanac:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=brunege01

[JohnGelnarFan]

You beat me to it Aa3rt. Brunet had a solid career while playing for mostly second division teams. Going 8-6 with the 1970 Nats was pretty good even though his E.R.A. was high for that era. Good question!

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

At www.hardballtimes.com there is a hilarious piece on George Brunet called: "The THT Interview with George Brunet's Left Arm." Really informative and clever mock interview with the pitching arm of the man who never wore undershorts. You don't have to just be a George Brunet fan to enjoy this article.

[JohnGelnarFan]

That made me laugh! :laugh I forgot about that and I just finished reading "Ball Four Plus Ball Five"...again. That IS my favorite baseball book. I enjoyed the interview Goose!




At www.hardballtimes.com there is a hilarious piece on George Brunet called: "The THT Interview with George Brunet's Left Arm." Really informative and clever mock interview with the pitching arm of the man who never wore undershorts. You don't have to just be a George Brunet fan to enjoy this article.

[Aa3rt]

At www.hardballtimes.com there is a hilarious piece on George Brunet called: "The THT Interview with George Brunet's Left Arm." Really informative and clever mock interview with the pitching arm of the man who never wore undershorts. You don't have to just be a George Brunet fan to enjoy this article.

:clapping

Thanks for the link, I enjoyed the article. I even printed a hardcopy.

I would love to see a final compilation of Brunet's major and minor leagues stats.

[Seattle1]

I agree. I think he even started their first game.

Yep, Diego Segui started the Mariners first game, against the Angels (I think they lost 7-0). Diego's son David later played first base for the Mariners (just before Olerud).

[JohnGelnarFan]

The Pilots best pitched games were both at Sicks Stadium. Two pitchers threw complete game 2 hit shutouts. Who were they?

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

I think that Gary Bell threw a shutout in the home opener against I want to say the White Sox but I'm not sure on that. Boy we thought what a success this was going to be. The other, from my many excursions through "Ball Four" I seem to recall Dr. Mike Marshall throwing one at home. This was a tough one JG, keep 'em coming.

[JohnGelnarFan]

1 out of 2 Goose! Mike Marshall pitched a 2 hit shutout vs. my Senators on May 9,1969
You're right about Gary Bell's shutout but he isn't the second.

[JohnGelnarFan]

The Pilots played a game against the Angels,at Sicks Stadium,that ended in a 1-1 tie. It only went 10 Innings. The game was never resumed. Why did it end in a tie?

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

1 out of 2 Goose! Mike Marshall pitched a 2 hit shutout vs. my Senators on May 9,1969
You're right about Gary Bell's shutout but he isn't the second.
O.k JG I'm gonna go with the late Gene Brabender the all-time victories leader in Seattle Pilot history (nothing to brag about folks). If I'm wrong I could whittle it down to the bone but I'll let someone else come up with the solution.

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

The Pilots played a game against the Angels,at Sicks Stadium,that ended in a 1-1 tie. It only went 10 Innings. The game was never resumed. Why did it end in a tie?

It had something to do with a doubleheader and I'm going to guess it was curfew?

[JohnGelnarFan]

The ace,Gene Brabender........is close but incorrect. :)
It was a pitcher that started off 7-4 and ended up 7-12. He pitched a 2 hit shutout with 2 walks and 11 K's against the Angels on April 29th at Sicks.





O.k JG I'm gonna go with the late Gene Brabender the all-time victories leader in Seattle Pilot history (nothing to brag about folks). If I'm wrong I could whittle it down to the bone but I'll let someone else come up with the solution.

[JohnGelnarFan]

That's a good guess Goose. It was actually only rain. It happened on Sept. 12th against the Angels and I guess there was no need to make it up or finish it because neither was in the pennant race. :lookitup



It had something to do with a doubleheader and I'm going to guess it was curfew?

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

The ace,Gene Brabender........is close but incorrect. :)
It was a pitcher that started off 7-4 and ended up 7-12. He pitched a 2 hit shutout with 2 walks and 11 K's against the Angels on April 29th at Sicks.
Wow that was a really good question JG! Of course I definitely know who it is now. The guy who did the Donald Duck impersonations.

After Wednesday I'll be signing off air for 2-4 weeks as I am leaving my Seattle homeland for North Carolina. But I can't make a cross country trip without bringing an edition of Ball Four with me and hopefully when I get back on the air I'l have some trivia to add. I say this because you're the guy who keeps this Pilots page alive. So keep it up.

[JohnGelnarFan]

You're right about the Donald Duck Impersonator! :laugh Have a great,safe trip Goose! I only wish there were more Pilots fans like us to keep this section going. I appreciate your kind words. Read "Ball Four" again and I'll be watching for you. Take Care! :waving




Wow that was a really good question JG! Of course I definitely know who it is now. The guy who did the Donald Duck impersonations.

After Wednesday I'll be signing off air for 2-4 weeks as I am leaving my Seattle homeland for North Carolina. But I can't make a cross country trip without bringing an edition of Ball Four with me and hopefully when I get back on the air I'l have some trivia to add. I say this because you're the guy who keeps this Pilots page alive. So keep it up.

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

O.k which former Seattle Pilot was also later hitting coach for the Mariners?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Tommy Davis?

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Well that one wasn't hard. You got it JG.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Here's a tough one for you Goose. Who is this Pilot?

[Erik Bedard]

Here's a tough one for you Goose. Who is this Pilot?

WOW! That's tough. According to baseball-almanac, the Pilots had nobody who wore #6! I'll keep looking...

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Tough indeed JG! I've done a little searching and haven't come up with anything (YET). Is he a player I should know?
I was going to guess Chico Salmon thinking maybe he wore that in spring training before he was dealt to Baltimore for Gene Brabender. But that guy doesn't look like Chico.

[soberdennis]

The ace,Gene Brabender........is close but incorrect. :)
It was a pitcher that started off 7-4 and ended up 7-12. He pitched a 2 hit shutout with 2 walks and 11 K's against the Angels on April 29th at Sicks.
That would be Marty Pattin. I looked it up.

Here is one I would have to look for myself because I don't know the answer.
Who is the last member of the Pilots to leave the Pilots/Brewers?

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

That would be Marty Pattin. I looked it up.

Here is one I would have to look for myself because I don't know the answer.
Who is the last member of the Pilots to leave the Pilots/Brewers?

Was it Skip Lockwood?

[Aa3rt]

Tough indeed JG! I've done a little searching and haven't come up with anything (YET). Is he a player I should know?

This was a tough one! (Very good, JGF!) I won't give it away yet-but if you'd like a hint or two:

This player was active from 1962-1969, playing for six teams over the course of eight seasons, but making appearances in only 288 games.

His last team was the Seattle Pilots. He played in 26 games with 51 ABs, hitting .176 with two home runs.

Is that enough?

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

This was a tough one! (Very good, JGF!) I won't give it away yet-but if you'd like a hint or two:

This player was active from 1962-1969, playing for six teams over the course of eight seasons, but making appearances in only 288 games.

His last team was the Seattle Pilots. He played in 26 games with 51 ABs, hitting .176 with two home runs.

Is that enough?

Yes, got it. I was looking at Pilot profile pictures and never put him together with the picture JG presented. I'll let someone else do the answer. Did he change his number or because of the angle was one number blocked out? Anyway good answer AaA. How did you know it?

[soberdennis]

Was it Skip Lockwood?
After doing the research, I found that Lockwood was the "last original Pilot/Brewer",finally leaving in 1973. That is in continuous service. Larry Haney returned in 77-78.
I find it interesting that the team was completely gone after their fifth season. Kranepool(Mets), Fregosi(Angels), adn Aspromonte(Colt 45's) lasted much longer with their teams.
I also saw some familiar names from my growing up days as a Yankee fan since many played with Yanks either before or after the Pilots.

[Aa3rt]

Well, I guess we may as well give the answer-the player in question is Dick Simpson, who played with the Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Seattle Pilots in a career that spanned 1962 and 1964-1969.

Career record: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=simpsdi01

I guess I remember him for two reasons-one was that he was with the Los Angeles Angels in the early years when both the Angels and expansion Senators first joined the league.

The other probably easily forgotten fact is that he was on the Baltimore Orioles roster for 7 days in December of 1965. He was traded from LA to Baltimore for Norm Sieburn and a week later found himself included in the famous trade that sent Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun and Simpson to Cincinnati for Frank Robinson. It was probably one of the highlights of his career. ;)

[JohnGelnarFan]

That is the great Dick Simpson! He will always be remembered for being part of the Frank Robinson trade in the winter of 1965 and his 2 homers for the Pilots! He was a big guy at 6'4" but hit more like Ray Oyler. :rolleyes: His number is #6 in the picture. You can see that he wrote it below his name.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Boy,that's true SD. The Yankee-Pilots that come to mind are:

Jim Bouton
Mike Hegan
Jack Aker
Steve Barber
Fred Talbot
Fred Stanley
Steve Whitaker
Dick Simpson

I'm sure there are more.



After doing the research, I found that Lockwood was the "last original Pilot/Brewer",finally leaving in 1973. That is in continuous service. Larry Haney returned in 77-78.
I find it interesting that the team was completely gone after their fifth season. Kranepool(Mets), Fregosi(Angels), adn Aspromonte(Colt 45's) lasted much longer with their teams.
I also saw some familiar names from my growing up days as a Yankee fan since many played with Yanks either before or after the Pilots.

[JohnGelnarFan]

This Pilot great should be a little easier

[Aa3rt]

Boy,that's true SD. The Yankee-Pilots that come to mind are:

Jim Bouton
Mike Hegan
Jack Aker
Steve Barber
Fred Talbot
Fred Stanley
Steve Whitaker
Dick Simpson

I'm sure there are more.

Have you forgotten the (almost) immortal Dooley Womack? :crazy

How about Mike Ferraro?

[JohnGelnarFan]

How could I leave Dooley Womack off of the list? I thought there were more. Mike Ferraro must have zipped through New York. I don't remember him as a Yankee. Good additions Aa3rt!

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

This Pilot great should be a little easier

Definitely Gus Gil. I don't much remember what happened to him after his Pilot days ended. Bouton said nice things about him in "Ball Four."

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Ball Four trivia (easy): Who did Jim Bouton say would be voted the Pilot most likely to have never kissed a woman?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Hey,you read the book! :) I'm going to guess and say Steve Hovley? Fred Talbot creeps into my head but I'll stick with Hovley.

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Not Hovely or Talbot although Talbot might qualify. This player had a fairly decent career at least as far as Pilot players are concerned. Hint: He wasn't a pitcher and he didn't play the outfield. And yes you know who he is.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I thought I had it! You've narrowed it down and it can only be an infielder or a coach. I'll say...... Oil Can? Ray Oyler?

[Aa3rt]

Mike Ferraro must have zipped through New York. I don't remember him as a Yankee.

The Yankees probably don't remember him very well either-he appeared in 10 games in 1966 and 23 games in 1968.

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

I thought I had it! You've narrowed it down and it can only be an infielder or a coach. I'll say...... Oil Can? Ray Oyler?

Not Ray Oyler. Maybe because he was married at the time he wasn't the chosen one. I'll narrow it down even more. He wasn't a middle infielder. He was caucasian. He was the main player at his position but he shared that position with a few other players.

[JohnGelnarFan]

You've stumped me on this one Goose. :confused: There aren't many left to choose from so I'll say,stick boy,John Donaldson?

[Yankwood]

How could I leave Dooley Womack off of the list? I thought there were more. Mike Ferraro must have zipped through New York. I don't remember him as a Yankee. Good additions Aa3rt!Mike Ferraro played for the now legendary 1971 Rochester Red Wings who won the Junior World Series that year. That team had Bobby Grich, Don Baylor, Roger Freed, Johnny Oates, Terry Crowley, Ray Miller, and even Ron Shelton of baseball and sports movie fame (Bull Durham, Cobb, White Men Can't Jump). Shelton lived in the neighborhood where the stadium was and we used to watch him ride his Stingray bike to the ballpark for home games. Ferraro was mostly a good field-no hit 3rd baseman and much remembered in this area.

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

You've stumped me on this one Goose. :confused: There aren't many left to choose from so I'll say,stick boy,John Donaldson?

It was Jerry McNertney. It could easily have been Gene Brabender but the other players might have been in fear for their life had they picked him.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Those are great memories. Roger Freed was a big time minor league slugger for the O's. I don't remember Ron Shelton. He was an actor after he retired? Did you see the Pilots link that was posted the other day? It mentioned that Greg Goosen has doubled for Gene Hackman for the last 18 years.
Mike Ferraro only had one year where he got playing time in the majors and it wasn't bad. In 1972 for the Brewers,he hit .255 in 124 games. In 381 at bats,he had 18 doubles.1 triple,2 homers and 29 RBI's. He retired as a player after this season. He must have been offered a coaching job.

[JohnGelnarFan]

That's right! Didn't Bouton say that after the season, McNertney liked to fish and hunt or something like that? Great question Goose! :)


It was Jerry McNertney. It could easily have been Gene Brabender but the other players might have been in fear for their life had they picked him.

[Yankwood]

Those are great memories. Roger Freed was a big time minor league slugger for the O's. I don't remember Ron Shelton. He was an actor after he retired? Did you see the Pilots link that was posted the other day? It mentioned that Greg Goosen has doubled for Gene Hackman for the last 18 years.
Mike Ferraro only had one year where he got playing time in the majors and it wasn't bad. In 1972 for the Brewers,he hit .255 in 124 games. In 381 at bats,he had 18 doubles.1 triple,2 homers and 29 RBI's. He retired as a player after this season. He must have been offered a coaching job.Ron Shelton is now a movie director. They always bring his name up when Bull Durham gets talked about.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Was he a good player? What position did he play?

[Yankwood]

He was a utility infielder. Being the movie buff you are, look him up. You'll enjoy reading about him. He's a pretty fascinating guy.

[JohnGelnarFan]

I will. Thanks Terry :waving The O's should have traded him to the Senators. He might have gotten to the majors!

[Yankwood]

I will. Thanks Terry :waving The O's should have traded him to the Senators. He might have gotten to the majors!That was about the only way back then. Remember Dave May? I think he finally got there through the Brewers.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Dave May became a regular and an all-star with the Brewers but had a few years as a backup with the Orioles from 1966-70. He started 1970 with the O's and was traded to the Brewers for ex-pilots,Dick Baney and Buzz Stephen.Neither ever played for Baltimore.

[soberdennis]

Here's an easy one. What Pilot led the league in a major category?

[Erik Bedard]

The category was SBs, the player's first name was Tommy.

[Yankwood]

The category was SBs, the player's first name was Tommy.Last name Harper?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Besides Harper,here are some Pilots that were in the top 10 in any category in 1969:

Games Pitched - Bob Locker 4th with 68
Diego Segui 5th with 66
Saves -Diego Segui 9th with 12
IBB - Don Mincher tied for 4th with 13
HBP(pitcher) - Gene Brabender 3rd with 13
Balks - Jim Bouton and Bob Locker tied for second (with others) at 2
HR Allowed - Marty Pattin tied for 3rd with 29
Highest ERA - George Brunet 2nd with 4.44
Gene Brabender 3rd with 4.36

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Wasn't Harper also a 30-30 man with the Brewers in '71 or '72?

[JohnGelnarFan]

He was. Harper hit .296 with 31 homers and 38 stolen bases in 1970. He also scored 104 runs,hit 35 doubled and 4 triples. It was by far his best season.

[Yankwood]

He was. Harper hit .296 with 31 homers and 38 stolen bases in 1970. He also scored 104 runs,hit 35 doubled and 4 triples. It was by far his best season.Okay, Al. Now you start the poll. Tommy Harper for Hall of Fame?:coffee :atthepc

[JohnGelnarFan]

Harper gets my vote for the Pilots hall of fame Terry! I know what kind of barrage I'd get if I posted that in the Hall of Fame Site! :rolleyes:

Speaking of 1969 expansion,I received my autographed Nate Colbert photo today! The substitute mailman crammed it into my little mailbox and bent it but it's not too bad. :mad:

[Aa3rt]

Boy,that's true SD. The Yankee-Pilots that come to mind are:

Jim Bouton
Mike Hegan
Jack Aker
Steve Barber
Fred Talbot
Fred Stanley
Steve Whitaker
Dick Simpson

I'm sure there are more.

In addition to Dooley Womack and Mike Ferraro, I've managed to come up with 3 more:

John Kennedy, originally an expansion Senator (1962-1964), he also played for the Dodgers, Yankees (78 games in 1967), Pilots, Brewers and Red Sox. Career record here:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=kennejo03

Note that there was another John Kennedy who played in 5 games as a second baseman for the 1957 Philadelphia Phillies.

Bob Meyer, started his career in 1964 appearing with the Yankees, Angels and Athletics (0-3 with a 4.91 ERA for the Yankees) and wasn't seen in a major league uniform again until 1969 with the Pilots. Also played with the 1970 Milwaukee Brewers. Career record:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=meyerbo01

Finally, Danny Walton. His major league career spanned from 1968 through 1980 although he never appeared in a major league uniform in 1972, 1978 or 1979. He played with the Astros (twice), Pilots, Brewers, Yankees, Twins, Dodgers and Texas Rangers.

Career record: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=waltoda01

So, I believe our definitive listing should include 13 players:

Jack Aker*
Steve Barber*
Jim Bouton*
Mike Ferraro
Mike Hegan
John Kennedy
Bob Meyer*
Dick Simpson
Fred Stanley
Fred Talbot*
Danny Walton
Steve Whitaker
Dooley Womack*

*=pitchers

It was interesting researching this. I was surprised at how much I'd forgotten-guess that happens when you hit the 50+ mark. :o I never remembered some of these guys playing for the Yankees, I guess you have some fixated memories of who you think you remember playing for a certain team and totally forget about mid-season trades or late season call ups.

I'd love to hear of more!

[JohnGelnarFan]

Great research Art! :clapping I know all of these guys but don't remember them as Yankees. That should finish the list! Danny Walton,a Yankee? That's digging! :p

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Harper gets my vote for the Pilots hall of fame Terry! I know what kind of barrage I'd get if I posted that in the Hall of Fame Site! :rolleyes:

Speaking of 1969 expansion,I received my autographed Nate Colbert photo today! The substitute mailman crammed it into my little mailbox and bent it but it's not too bad. :mad:
Hey JG did Nate give you any information on what he's up to these days? He was all the Padres had in the early days. A feared slugger.

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

What Pilot blew away the California League with 40 home runs and 167 runs batted in in 1962?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Good Question Goose! That was the great Jose Vidal! I have his Pilot card and never forgot those stats. He hit .340 that year with Reno. He had some good years at AAA too. How come he couldn't touch major league pitching? :rolleyes:




What Pilot blew away the California League with 40 home runs and 167 runs batted in in 1962?

[JohnGelnarFan]

Hi Goose - I didn't get it from Nate himself.I won it on ebay. He was their big gun from 1969-73'. He dropped to 14 homers and .207 in 1974 and only got worse afterwards. How does that happen?




Hey JG did Nate give you any information on what he's up to these days? He was all the Padres had in the early days. A feared slugger.

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Good Question Goose! That was the great Jose Vidal! I have his Pilot card and never forgot those stats. He hit .340 that year with Reno. He had some good years at AAA too. How come he couldn't touch major league pitching? :rolleyes:
:clapping I knew I'd might have a tough time getting that one by you JG:D . I wonder if his problems had anything to do with a thing called the curve ball:hp

[JohnGelnarFan]

I'll bet it had alot to do with it! :D

Here's one:

Diego Segui led the pitching staff with 66 appearances. Who was second with 57?

[Erik Bedard]

It wasn't Jim Bouton, was it?

[JohnGelnarFan]

That's correct Erik! :clapping

[Goosenoggle Slipgear]

Let me see. On guess I would say it had to be Bob Locker.

[janduscframe]

Just saw this thread.. How about Pattin? I think the following season he threw something like a 12 hit shutout?

What if the Pilots had never made a trade? I'm doing this off the top of my head but they could have had a rotation in the early 70's of
Pattin
Lockwood
Segui
Parsons
Slaton

and add Marshall and Barber and Aker to the pen and that doesn't look real shabby as far as a pitching staff goes.

Davis hobbling around the outfield with Pinella and maybe Coluccio.
Mincher at first
Harper at third
Garcia at second
Any others that later blossomed into having a couple of decent years in the early 70's? Thomas would have been too late to include.
It wouldn't have been a world beater in 70 and 71 but I think the potential to break even during one of those seasons.