I watched the video Jeff posted of Zack Erhard hitting an inside the park homer yesterday. And I was thinking that although many say the triple is the most exciting play in baseball, I tend to think hitting an inside the park homer is a little more exciting. I would bet many of us have no clue who hit the first one at Dodger Stadium. We know who hit the last, Jung Hoo Lee of the Giants off of Sheehan.
On August 9th, 2003, the Dodgers were playing the Chicago Cubs with Matt Clement on the mound. Roberts was the leadoff hitter that day. The Dodger’s starting pitcher was Wilson Alvarez. Roberts led the game off with an inside the park homer. LA would score 4 runs that inning on their way to a 6-1 win over the Cubs. Adrian Beltre drove in a run with a sac-fly, and then Robin Ventura hit a 2-run homer to finish the scoring. LA scored 1 in the 3rd and the 6th. The Cubs scored on a Damien Miller homer off of Paul Shuey in the 8th. LA won their 60th game on their way to a second-place finish, 15.5 games back of the Giants. No Dodger has hit one since.
I thought it would be cool to check and see who has the most career inside the park homers in baseball. Not much of a surprise that the all-time leader played in the dead-ball era. Jesse Burkett, who played from 1890-1905 with the Giants, Cleveland Spiders, Cardinals, Browns and Red Sox, had 55 inside the park homers in his career. He had 75 total homers. So, he actually hit 25 out of the park in that era. Burkett stole 389 bases in his career, so he had some speed.
Another dead-ball era player, Tommy Leach, is second on the list with 48. Leach played from 1898-1915. He played for Louisville, the Pirates, Cubs and Reds in his 19-year career. He totaled 63 homers in his career. He also had some speed stealing 361 bases and only getting caught 24 times.
Third on the list, and highly recognizable is Hall of Famer, Ty Cobb. Cobb had 46 inside the park homers, all of them with the Tigers. Cobb had 117 homers in his career, so almost 40% were of the inside the park variety. We all know Cobb was a prolific base stealer with 897 stolen bases in his career.
Cobb also holds the AL record for most inside the park homers in a season with 9 in 1909. The major league record for the most in a season is held by Sam Crawford who while playing for the Reds in 1901, hit 12 inside the park homers. Crawford is also in the Hall of Fame.
3 inside the park homers in a game has been accomplished just once. On the 12th of July 1897, Tom McCreery of the Louisville Colonels hit 3 against the Phillies. Unfortunately, no box score of the game exists.
Casey Stengel, George Cutshaw and Tom Daly who were playing for Brooklyn, each had games where they hit 2 inside the park homers. Records are sketchy, especially when it comes to who hit how many. But since 1950, these Dodgers hit homers inside the park.
Pee Wee Reese, August 17, 1950, at the Polo Grounds. Gil Hodges, May 30, 1955, at the Polo Grounds. Jim Gilliam, April 17. 1956 at Ebbets Field, Randy Jackson, August 11. 1956 at Ebbets Field. Sandy Amoros, September 19, 1956, at Ebbets Field, Duke Snider, September 26, 1956, at Ebbets Field. Gino Cimoli, May 28, 1957, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. That was the last inside the park homer by a Brooklyn Dodger. Sandy Koufax allowed an inside the park homer to Dale Long at Ebbets Field on August 28th. The last inside the park homer against a Dodger pitcher in Brooklyn.
The first inside the park homer by a Los Angeles Dodger was hit by Don Demeter off of Dom Zanni of the Giants at the coliseum on April 21, 1959. On April 30th, Duke Snider hit one against the Phillies at Conny Mack Stadium.
On June 4th, Wally Moon hit a inside the park grand slam homer off of Seth Morehead of the Cubs with 2 out in the 7th inning. LA won 12-6. Moon hit another one in August off of Don Caldwell of the Cubs at Wrigley in a 7-5 LA win. Moon hit one in 1961 at the coliseum against Robin Roberts of the Phillies in a game LA won in walk-off fashion, 6-5.
Willie Davis hit one off of Glen Hobbie at Wrigley in May of 62. It was the first of two he hit that year, his second came on August 19th at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Two other Dodgers, Doug Camilli, May 5 at Pittsburgh and Maury Wills, May 30 at the Polo Grounds off of the Met’s, bob Morehead.
On September 5th, 1963, Jim Gilliam became the first Dodger to hit an inside the park homer at Dodger Stadium. In May of 1962, Roman Mejias of the Pirates had hit the first inside the park homer at Dodger Stadium off of Don Drysdale.
Davis hit the 3rd of his career off of Juan Marichal in 64 at Dodger Stadium. In 1965, Ron Fairly hit one in Cincinnati. Jim Lefebvre and Al Ferrara hit them in 1966. Lefebvre at home, an Al hit his at Wrigley off of Fergie Jemkins. Wes Parker hit the only one for the team in 1968 at the Astrodome off of Don Wilson.
Manny Mota and Wilie Davis hit inside the park homers in July of 1969, Willies 3rd. Willie hit his 4th exactly almost a year later in Houston off of former Dodger, Jack Billingham. Davis and Mota combined again on June 11th in 1972 at Dodger Stadium as both hit one off of Bruce Kison of the Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Willies’ 5th career inside the park homer. LA lost 7-5. Just a note of interest here, Dick Allen, who LA traded to the White Sox after the71 season, hit two in the same game in July off of Bert Blyleven.
Willie Crawford hit the only LA Dodger inside the park homer in 1974 in August at Wrigley. Another note of interest, Willie Davis, who LA traded to Montreal, hit his 6th career inside the park homer in September at Wrigley off of Rick Rueshel.
In 1978, Lopes and Lee Lacy connected for LA’s only ones that year. Lopes and Joe Ferguson hit them in 79. Both were hit at Dodger Stadium. I can see Lopes doing it, but big Joe? The Dodgers would not hit another until 1986, when Mariano Duncan hit one off of Tom Browning at the Stadium.
John Shelby hit the only one LA had in 1987 in Cincinnati off of Ted Power, another former Dodger. Steve Sax hit the only one in 1988, and Kirk Gibson had one in 1989. It would be five years before LA had another. On June 21st, 1995, Mitch Webster hit one off of Donnie Elliott of the Padres in San Diego. While they were not hitting many, they were not giving up many either. In June of 1987, Hershiser allowed on to Bill Doran of the Astros. LA would not allow another one until April 1993 when Hershiser was tagged for one at Dodger Stadium by Carlos Garcia of the Pirates.
Tony Gwynn hit one off of Mark Guthrie at Dodger Stadium in June of 97. Paul LoDuca hit the Dodgers first one of the new century in June of 03. Robin Ventura and Dave Roberts also connected that year. What is interesting is that LoDuca and Ventura got theirs on a line drive and a fly ball respectively. Roberts was a ground ball down the line.
It would be 2008 before LA hit another, 3B, Blake Dewitt hit one against Nelson Figuroa of the Mets. Trent Oltjen hit one in 2011. Unfortunately, the Baseball Reference page on inside the park homers has not been upgraded since 2012. And I have searched all over the internet trying to find the information.
On average, there are about 13 inside-the-park homers a season. To tell the truth, I cannot remember the last one a Dodger hit! I watched Jung Hoo Lee’s. If anyone with a better memory than I can tell me the last one they saw a Dodger hit, I would appreciate it. I do think it is one of the more exciting plays in baseball. What I do know is that the only current Dodger on the roster who has an inside-the-park homer in his career is Kyle Tucker. Tucker hit his on August 5th, 2020, at Chase Field off of Robbie Ray.
Dave Roberts Inside the Park HR
Bryce Haprer Inside the Park HR
OKC Comets vs El Paso Chihuahuas – Game Postponed due to inclement weather (Rain)
Springfield Cardinals 10 – Tulsa Drillers 2 – 6 innings
Well it was certainly going to be a different game with both Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota out of the game, on their way to the Futures Game. It will be a tough act to follow for JDP as he was the MVP in last year’s game.
While the 2021 draft for the Dodgers should be considered a big success, it is becoming clear that their first two picks, LHP Maddux Bruns and RHP Peter Heubeck, are not succeeding. Heubeck did not get out of the 1st inning in Saturday’s game. Each of the first seven batters reached and scored before he recorded an out. To be fair, one reached on an error. He allowed 2 HR in the first inning. After he got two outs, he gave up a single and walk before getting pulled. His final line – 0.2 IP, 7 runs (6 earned), 6 hits, 2 BB, 1 K.
Tulsa got on the board in the bottom of the 1st. With 2 outs, 3B Jake Gelof singled and RF Zyhir Hope walked. 2B Taylor Young hit a double (5) scoring both runners.
After getting the final out in the 1st, RHRP Cam Day was still pitching in the 3rd, when he gave up a 3-run HR.
RHRP Christian Ruebeck pitched 2.0 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit, who was erased by GIDP.
Tulsa scored a pair in the 5th when Gelof drew an inning opening BB and with one out moved to 3rd when Young reached 2nd on a fielding error. LF Kole Myers singled home both runners.
Neither team scored in the 6th before the game was called. RHRP Kelvin Ramirez pitched a perfect 6th with a K.
Myers was the only Tulsa batter with more than 1 hit (2). Young’s double was the only XBH.
Great Lakes Loons 3 – Dayton Dragons (Reds) 2
There was not a lot of hitting in this game. There were a total 0f 5 runs on 7 hits. Dayton walked 3 while Great Lakes walked 7 and still won.
RHSP Tyler Gough completed 3.0 scoreless innings but threw 72 pitches and was lifted after 3.0.
The game remained scoreless until Dayton’s 5th inning. LHRP Matt Lanzendorfer still struggling with his control, walked 2 between two K. A SB and WP scored one run. Lanzendorfer did strike out the last batter of the inning.
In the 6th, RHRP Seamus Barrett also struck out the side, but he gave up a solo HR giving the Dragons a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 6th, RF Eduardo Quintero tripled (3) and scored on 2B Logan Wagner’s SF.
RHRP Davis Chastain pitched a pair of late inning scoreless innings.
In the 8th, GL took the late lead when C Chase Adkison doubled (1) and CF Charles Davalan hit a 2-run HR and a 3-2 lead.
RHRP Dilan Figueredo got his 4th save after pitching a clean 9th with 2 K.
No GL batter had more than 1 hit. The team had 4 in total, and as a team, they hit for the cycle.
- Chase Harlan – single
- Chase Adkison – double (1)
- Eduardo Quintero – triple (3)
- Charles Davalan – HR (11)
Ontario Tower Buzzers 3 – Inland Empire 66ers (Seattle) 2
RHSP Cam Leiter pitched a clean 1st, but in the 2nd gave up a BB, single, and WP putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. A run scored on a ground out, and Leiter was apparently injured on the play. RHRP Jholbran Herder relieved Leiter and got the 3rd out.
In the 4th with 1 out, 1B Easton Shelton homered (1) to tie the game.
In the 5th, 3B Oswaldo Osorio tripled (1) and scored on 2B Javier Herrera’s RBI single.
In the 8th, 4 Ontario batters drew walks for the go-ahead run.
RHRP Edwin Díaz on a rehab assignement pitched 1.0 scoreless inning, allowing a hit, and striking out 2. He threw 11 pitches (8 strikes).
RHRP Jecsua Liborius retired the side in order with 2 K for his 8th save.
- Jaron Elkins – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run
- Oswaldo Osorio – 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, triple (1)
- Easton Shelton – 1-2, 2 runs, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (25)
ACL Mariners 5 – ACL Dodgers 3
Three ACL Dodgers pitchers pitched 1.0 IP each while allowing 4 runs (2 earned). Of the three, only RHP Roiger Mujica pitched a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit and striking out the side.
ACL Dodgers were temporarily in the lead after scoring 3 in the 3rd. 3B Bryan Gonzales-Garcia doubled (5) and scored on RF Leider Padilla’s single. 1B Euri Rosa singled putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Both runners moved up on a ground out. Padilla scored on a SF from SS Aidan West. C Nelson Quiroz, on a rehab assignment, singled to score Rosa.
ACL Mariners scored the 3rd and 4th run in the bottom of the 3rd. The Mariners scored an insurance run in the 6th for the 5-3 victory.
No ACL Dodgers batter had more than 1 hit, and Gonzalez-Garcia’s double was their only XBH.
DSL LAD Bautista 8 – DSL Tampa Bay 7 – 10 innings
LAD Bautista was down 6-3 in the 8th. They got a single and BB. 2 force outs scored one run. Another BB, and a 2-out, 2-run double (5) by CF Rubel Arias to tie the game. After a scoreless 9th, DSL Tampa Bay took a 7-6 lead in the 10th.
In the bottom of the 10th, 2B Willy Bergolla was the placed runner. He moved to 3rd on a bunt single by 3B Aaron Guzman. C Ricardo Pulles drew a walk. LF Jhosman Theran singled to score Bergolla and DH Adrian Del Cid hit the walk off single for the win.
DSL Brewers Blue 1 – DSL LAD Mega 0
RHP Gregg Ferrera (4.0 IP) and RHP Jose Acevedo (2.0 IP) pitched well, But the LAD Mega bats were also quiet, as the two teams went into the 7th 0-0. The Brewers Blue scored a run in the 7th on 2 HBP, a BB, and a run scoring ground out.
DSL LAD Mega was retired in order in both the 8th and 9th.
CF Helvin Mendoza was the only DSL LAD Mega batter with 2 hits.
Discussion (74)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Let the Kyeler Thompson Era begin!
We’ve got to root for a guy who constantly has to explain the spelling of his first name. (Or was that a typo?)
He’s a 21-year-old outfielder from Texas Tech who put up a decent .945 OPS as a junior and stole 55 bases in 61 attempts over the past two seasons.
Yet for all of his efforts, he was utterly ignored when Baseball America rated their Top 500 prospects.
But with their 9th round pick, the Dodgers made Thompson the 283rd player picked in the draft.
Take that, Baseball America.
A lot of excitement for a guy that maybe will be seeing in 5 years if ever
Longenhagen:
The Dodgers got a guy who I view as a top 10 player in the class down at pick 40 in Lowrance. For a hitter this big and projectable to have such natural swing loft, plus an ability to cover the top of the zone, is rare. It’s the kind of thing Freddie Freeman can do. I knew, when ranking Lowrance, that I was 15-20 spots higher on him than the general consensus, but I thought he’d end up going toward the back of the first.
Sandefer has a three-location attack (elevated fastballs, east/west slider and changeup operation) and throws strikes. He might benefit from a change in his stride direction. — EL
60% of season is over and we are up by 11.5.
Yep –I do recall stinking up the joint against the BoSox right before last year’s AS Game.
Right now, have to watch Dodger games with nose plugs. The stench is that bad. Every phase of the game.
Sheehan definitely deserved better today.
Dodgers look like they were out till 6am drinking in Vegas.
Muncy in a major fielding slump the last week or so. We need a team reset (thankfully we get one with the AS beak) — ugly baseball right now.
I’m sure glad Tucker gets a nice few days off. Wouldn’t want to go to the All-Star game after signing a $60m per year deal. Would be too on the nose. Smart to not even make it a close call.
R1, 40th: SS Bo Lowrance
– R4, 132nd: RHP Russell Sandefer
– R7, 223rd: LHP Charlie West
– R8, 253rd: LHP Miles Gosztola
– R9, 283rd: OF Kyeler Thompson
– R10, 313th: RHP Devin Bell
Since Lawrence, all are college and underslot, as expected.
Sunday Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Tulsa (Christian Zazueta) vs. Springfield (Braden Davis)
10:05 a.m.: Great Lakes (Isaac Ayon) vs. Dayton (Ovis Portes)
11:05 a.m.: Oklahoma City (Jose Rodriguez) vs. El Paso (Sean Boyle)
4:05 pm.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Inland Empire (Jack Bowery)
I am not panicking at all. These kinds of games happen all the time. Offenses go into slumps or run into really good pitching, since scoring 12 runs against the Padres on the 2nd, the Dodgers have averaged 3.6 runs per game. They are 5-4 in those games. Gallen will NOT pitch today for AZ. He was placed on the IL. Mitch Britt is being called up to make his start. He is a 23-year-old LHP who is 1-1 at Reno in 13 games. Probably an opener. The Dodgers have a 9-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break. They play 3 against the Yankees, 3 against the Phillies and then go back to New York for 3 with the Mets. They then come home to play Seattle and Boston before a 6-game road trip to Chicago and Phoenix. They will be in Chicago on deadline day. If, and I mean if, they trade for Skubal, AF will not overpay. My consensus is that the Tigers want MLB ready players, not prospects. That would mean probably a couple of arms and a position player.
4:10 PM ET
Diamondbacks (48-47)
Dodgers (61-35)
SP Mitch Bratt L
0-0 3.00 ERA
SP Emmet Sheehan R
4-6 4.91 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
2B Tommy Edman S
RF Kyle Tucker L
LF T. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
C E. Alfonzo S
87° Wind 8 mph Out
Gosh, the Dodgers have had a couple of bad games, so it’s time to hop back on the Skubal bandwagon I suppose.
It’s not even the All Star break yet. Yamamoto had one bad game, which every pitcher is bound to have. Ohtani has a sore knee.
The more I was thinking about it, the only way Skubal in the playoff rotation even works is if you piggyback Snell and Glasnow in one game. Maybe they each go one time through the opposing team’s batting order.
Ohtani, Skubal, Yama, Snell/Glasnow.
That still seems silly, though.
Snell is a stud, and his rehab is progressing nicely. I read here somewhere that he’s pumped because his breaking pitches are snapping better than they were all of last year because he’s finally pain free. He’s going to be stretched out and peaking when the playoffs start.
Glasnow was a top five MLB pitcher before he went out with back spasms. Jeff mentioned him as a potential Cy Young winner. He’s not going to be gone all year. He’s coming back in time for the playoffs, he’s going to be rested and pitching like he was in April and May – and he was pretty awesome in April and May.
Roberts will have to pry the ball out of Ohtani’s cold, dead hand before he agrees to be a DH only in the playoffs. He’s looking to be the GOAT. GOATs don’t get benched in the playoffs.
Yama is Yama. They guy has a rubber arm, and, although not the most overpowering or dominant arm in the game, is maybe the most reliable pitcher in baseball. He is worth every penny the Dodgers are paying him.
The idea of going out and getting a Skubal is a nice thought, but it’s not really that necessary and it’s logistically not going to really work.
Futures Game is on at 9am today on the MLB Network.
As stated above, Sirota and DePaula will be playing.
Diaz looks clean
Vidourek rifle!
Well, with Ohtani now a walking wounded for me it comes more and more urgent the Dodgers go after Skubal.
Nobody knows if Glasnow and Snell will be October options and if Ohtani can not pitch effectively due to his knee our rotation suddenly looks shaky.
I am in on a Skubal trade now.
From MLB:
Bo Lowrance ,the Dodgers’ first pick at # 40 in yesterday’s MLB Draft
AGE
18
BATS
L
DOB
09/19/2007
THROWS
R
HT
6′ 5″
DRAFTED
2026, 1st (40) – LAD
WT
200
COMMITTED
Virginia
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
Lowrance’s hitting ability has generated a lot of buzz this spring, to the extent that he could go in the first round. He has a similar offensive profile and better secondary tools than fellow South Carolina prep product P.J. Morlando, a Marlins first-rounder two years ago. The top prospect in Virginia’s recruiting class, he’s unlikely to make it to Charlottesville.
Lowrance has a smooth left-handed stroke and a track record of delivering against quality competition on the showcase circuit. He doesn’t try to do too much at the plate, making consistent contact to all fields despite naturally long levers with his 6-foot-5 frame and drawing comparisons to Freddie Freeman. He doesn’t lift and pull many pitches at this point, so he’ll need to add strength and make some adjustments to realize his 25-homer potential.
Though Lowrance moves well for his size, his average speed and quickness will dictate a move to third base at the next level. His solid arm strength will work at the hot corner, though there’s some question about his ability to stick there in the long term. If he outgrows third base and slows a bit, he could wind up at first base.
Yamamoto was not himself.
Knack got knocked.
Offense was nonsense.
Defense was offensive.
Dodger bats had holes in them.
Red Sox are alive! No bloody Sox!
Baseball rules.
Braves playing cowardly.
White Sox aren’t pale.
Pirates aren’t walking the plank yet.
Cardinals are still flying.
No brooms allowed today in Chavez ravine!
Good day!
If you’re interested in watching any part of the second half of the MLB DRAFT today:
2026 MLB DRAFT
Day 2: Sunday, July 12 (Rounds 5-20)
• 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. ET (MLB.com, MLB TV, MLB+)
Dodger Bonus Values by round:
2nd round – #40 – $2,504,200
4th round – #132 – $575,300
7th round – #223 – $260,300
8th round – #253 – $218,500
9th round – #283 – $201,70
10th round – #313 – $191,900
1. The team has already checked out for the ASG.
2. Landon Knack has 6 innings pitched this year. It will take some time for him… if ever.
3. I had to leave early last night, but in the Norway discussion, I wanted to add that Norway has tremendous North Sea oil and gas resources. Norway directs much of its petroleum revenue into what is commonly called the Norwegian Oil Fund. The fund is invested worldwide and is intended to benefit both current and future generations. Its earnings help support Norway’s national budget, pensions, healthcare, education and other public services. That is a HUGE part of their success.
Well lets hope we don’t get swept today. Usually it is “Lets get the sweep today”. Still a great 1st half but we definitely could use the all star break to regroup and get some rest before the dog days of summer settle in.
After the AS game we have 3 road series all out east, Yankees, Phillies and Mets. Then we have the trade deadline. Summer is flying and before you know it the NFL will be having exhibition games and school will be back in session and you will have college and high school football.
Limping into the All Star Break. Team looks tired and bored. We need some starting pitching reinforcements to come from somewhere, internally or by trade.After looking at Knack’s pitching line last night,he certainty is not the answer to the problem.
Copy & Past
Never speak of last night’s game again.