Rookie Jerry Sands

The first-year 23 year old with the Dodgers was batting a miserable .187 a week ago (after Sept. 11), with just 26 hits in 139 at bats. Since then, he's gone 15 for 27 to raise his average to a respectable .247--in one week's time!

Venters, Chapman and HRs given up

Johnny Venters, relief pitcher for the Braves, has only given up 1 home run in his first 115 2/3 innings pitched in the majors. THe league average would have him giving up about 14 by now. Venters also has only given up 13 hits (no homers) in 32 2/3 innings pitched so far this year. He'll make a mighty good closer soon if he keeps it up.

Meanwhile, Aroldis Chapman, he of the 10 or so MPH fastball, has yet to give up a homer in 26 1/3 innings. Control is an issue, though, as he has walked 25 in those 26 1/3 innings over last year and this.

Best Winning PCT. for Career

Check this out:
Among pitchers, 1900 on, who won 200+ games in their career, 5 of the top 11 in winning percentage are pitchers who retired in the past 4 years. Here's the list:

.690 Whitey Ford 236-106 1950-1967
.687 Pedro Martinez 219-100 1992-2009
.680 Lefty Grove 300-141 1925-1941
.665 Christ Mathewson 373-188 1900-1916
.658 Roger Clemens 354-184 1984-2007
.648 Mordecai Brown 239-130 1903-1916
.646 Randy Johnson 303-166 1988-2009
.642 Pete Alexander 373-208 1911-1930
.638 Mike Mussina 270-153 1991-2008
.638 Jim Palmer 268-152 1965-1984
.635 Andy Pettitte 240-138 1995-2010