What usually keeps Willy Taveras out of prolonged hitless streaks is his speed. He benefits from his lack of ability to get good wood on the ball, because he beats out so many of those slow rollers and weak nubbers. If his hamstring takes a step off his speed, I can see that contributing to the hitless string.

Looking at his game log on bbref, it appears as though he doesn't even have any walks or HBPs or SFs or anything of any value during this streak. He did manage a CS though, so maybe he reached on a dropped third strike?

He did manage a CS though, so maybe he reached on a dropped third strike?

Probably a fielder's choice.

Remember when Willy started the season hot, and everyone called Jocketty a genius for signing him?

He's 0-for-June. Which makes sense, because his hamstring first bothered him during the first week of June.

Since his five hit game on May 11 at Arizona, his OBP has gone from 381 to 283. Meanwhile, Chris Dickerson plays a solid CF and is OBPing 370.

On June 9, Taveras grounded into a force play against Washington in the 9th and then was caught stealing.

I'll never forget when the Astros were in the World Series a few years ago watching Taveras having to resort to trying to bunt for a base hit on almost every single pitch. It was kind of pitiful to watch.

This guy makes Juan Pierre look like a masher.

Is he on pace for 100 steals?

It’s not a coincidence that the Reds’ lack of runs lately is coming at a time when the guy that’s supposed to be their catalyst isn’t getting on base.

It also corresponds to Votto's injury. Does anyone know what is going on with Votto?

Remember when Willy started the season hot, and everyone called Jocketty a genius for signing him?

As a Reds fan, I don't remember either of those things.


Baker has been batting Taveras and Gonzo 1 and 2 lately. Not a lot of guys getting on base. Combine that with Phillps 3rd, and Votto out, and man you have a sh*tty lineup. One bright spot for watching the hits hit this year is seeing if Bruce can hit 40 HR and/or have a sub .225 BABIP.

That would be leadoff hitter Willy Taveras

This would be the same Willy with the career .326 OBP?

Remember when Willy started the season hot, and everyone called Jocketty a genius for signing him?

My definition of genius must be different to this one, because anyone who puts Willy in the lead off spot definitely does NOT qualify as genius by my reckoning...

What's the most 0-fer in a row by a non-pitcher in the same season?

Baker has been batting Taveras and Gonzo 1 and 2 lately. Not a lot of guys getting on base... One bright spot for watching the hits hit this year is seeing if Bruce can hit 40 HR and/or have a sub .225 BABIP.

One of these years, a middle-of-the-order hitter for Dusty Baker will put up a 40HR season with only 60RBI's.

Andy Fox had 40 consecutive hitless AB in his final season.

What's the most 0-fer in a row by a non-pitcher in the same season?

Tough to say. Andy Fox, went 0-for-38 in 2004, with several games in between where he did not bat.

edit: Ah dammit, OB.

Edit2:

Dave "Soup" Campbell had 45 consecutive in 1973. He went 0 for his last 17 as a Padre, got traded to the Cards, went 0-for-21 as a Cardinal, was traded to Houston and went another 0-for-7 with the Stros before finally breaking through with a big RBI double.

I wonder how many other players have gone hitless in between two trades (where they actually played?)

Luke Hochevar pitching a 3 hit complete game against Cincy while throwing 80 pitches is a reflection of Dustyball.

Also, I think Taveras saw 9 pitches in 4 PA against Hochevar.

Has there ever been a better real-life/fictional movie character comp than Willy and Willie Hays? Willy isn't here to see pitches, Willy is here to run like Mays and hit like ####.

Why should I be surprised to see Bill Bergen as the uber-slumper?
:)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_10_64/ai_n15756682/pg_5/

top 5 and some of my favorites after that:

Hitting Drought Listed below are some lengthy major league batting
slumps (Pitchers excluded)--By BOB KUENSTER

Player, Team Year Slump Dates

Bill Bergen, Dodgers 1909 0-for-46 June 29-July 17

Dave Campbell, SKtUHou 1973 0-for-45 May 16-Sept. 18

Luis Aparicio, Red Sox 1971 0-for-44 May 20-May 31

Tony Bernazard, Indians 1984 0-for-44 April 25-May 7

Robin Ventura, White Sox 1990 0-for-41 April 18-May 11

Jose Canseco, As 1986 0-for-40 Aug. 8-Aug. 23

Greg Vaughn,Brewers 1990 0-for-39 July 24-Aug. 15

Ray Oyler, Tigers 1968 0-for-37 July 13-Sept. 22

Vic Harris, Rangers 1972 0-for-36 July 21-Aug. 4

George Scott, Red Sox 1978 0-for-35 Sept. 3-Sept. 17

Joe Morgan,Phillies 1983 0-for-35 June 28-July 26

Reggie Jackson, Angels 1983 0-for-35 Aug. 20-Sept. 25

Cal Ripken, Orioles 2001 0-for-33 Sept. 25-Oct. 4

Jimmy Wynn, Yankees 1977 0-for-32 April 26-May 30

Derek Jeter,Yankees 2004 0-for-32 April 20-April 28

Mike Schmidt, Phillies 1988 0-for-30 May 3-May 15

Willie Randolph, Yankees 1988 0-for-30 Sept. 21-Sept. 30




Miguel Cairo surrendered a 2-year title of "last guy to get a hit" to Brad Nelson this year:
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/columnists/jimbaumbach/blog/2009/05/breaking_news_brewers_brad_nel.html

BONUS: Randolph's streak closed out the season, as did Ray Oyler's 1968 that led to CF Mickey Stanley faking it as SS in the 1968 World Series (not clear if Reggie did the same).

Ripken finished his career on a 2 for 48 note, including this 0 for 33.

Why Vic Harris listing? This was the START of his career. ouch

Christ, Cairo was a day away from making it a threepeat.

Why Vic Harris listing? This was the START of his career. ouch

And it didn't get much better. He did OK in a full season at 23 (a 90 OPS+ for a 2B/CF) then was part of the Jenkins/Madlock trade. He didn't play nearly as much for the Cubs as I remember -- I thought he was the full-time starter for that first year but he got only 50 starts. Looks like he was full-time through early June, got the job back for a couple weeks towards the end of June then ... not sure if he was sent down or got hurt. But he was every bit as awful as I remember and he was a journeyman utility guy after that.