Who Am I? #3
 

I’m unique. why

Jerry was never my business partner. why not

I was over 40 when I got my personal best. Did we win?

Michael Jordan

Only NBA basketball player to play MLB baseball

Jerry Reinsdorf, team owner (White Sox/Bulls)

Players can't be owners

Won 1992 Olympics Basketball "Dream Team"

The short answer is no, but a nice try.
Wrong Jerry
1992 Olympics won but was that the personal best for any of the players.
The Birmingham Barons are not a MLB team.

Danny Ainge and Ron Reed both played in the NBA and MLB. I think there are others.

Jordan did play in an MLB exhibition game at Wrigley Field in April 1994.

Gene Conley, who may be the only player to win championships in both leagues.

David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 – May 14, 2003) was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) player and coach and Major League Baseball (MLB) player. He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 and in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons from 1962 through 1968 and for the New York Knicks from 1968 to 1974. He was also the head coach for the Pistons from 1964 through 1967.

DeBusschere was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. In 1996, DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. In October 2021, DeBusschere was again honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Who am I?

Just a hint. I have not been mentioned yet.

No one will be able to deny that I am unique.

Randy Johnson

- Unique for several reasons (tallest MLB player from the 20th Century, hitting a bird in mid-flight with a pitched ball, quite possibly the most intimidating pitcher in MLB history, etc.)
- Jerry Colangelo was never his business partner, although the two were linked due to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Colangelo led a group of investors that owned the team, Randy was (in essence) just an employee
- Threw a perfect game after his 40th birthday

Eric, I am not Randy Johnson, but your reasoning is commendable. As far as being unique, is there any evidence that I have the biggest "unit"? I think not. The idea of a perfect game over the age of 40 is similar to the one I have in mind and with no earlier perfect games in his career. As far as the "Jerry" is concerned, the one in the clue I have never met.

There may some hints in the paragraph above, and I will give more hints periodically. I would encourage everyone to think outside the box.

A small hint
 

I’ve been dead for at least 6 years.

Another Hint
 

I may be dead, but I am not John Doe.

Before you began to molder, did you play a sport and if so, in which one were you most famous?

I remember the name of my team, but I cannot remember whether it was baseball or football version. I did play a few games in San Francisco though, but always as a member of the visiting team. If you think your memory improves when you die, think again.

Would the team be the Cardinals? (just trying to help)

Or the Browns or Giants?

I think the baseball Giants and Browns are out because this person played games in San Francisco but always on the visiting team, and the St. Louis Browns never played at San Francisco.

Right. Browns, Giants, Cardinals football, or Cardinals baseball. And aside from Blanda, not very many football players play into their 40s. I'm thinking Cardinals baseball or football QB.

Good points made. I expect the correct answer within a week. Perhaps another hint will be needed in the morning or now.

By the way I am asymmetric.

Stan Musial? He was over 40 when he set the NL career hits record, as far as I can tell, never partnered with anyone named Jerry, and at the time of his retirement, was the only Cardinal with his number retired.

I was wondering about Lou Brock, who played past 40 and died asymmetrical (amputated leg.) But he didn't have any career best at the tail end of his career.

Neither Stan nor Lou is correct. I think the clues are difficult but fair and should lead to my identity and only my identity.

Grover Cleveland Alexander
 

Alexander was the subject of the 1952 biographical film The Winning Team, portrayed by Ronald Reagan, giving Alexander the unique distinction of being named for one U.S. president and being portrayed by another.

He developed cancer on his right ear, necessitating its amputation.

After the end of prohibition, Alexander operated a tavern in St. Louis with Hughie Miller as his partner.

I have a grandson named Grover, but that is irrelevant.
I’m having difficulty identifying his career best after the age of 40 though. He did lead the league in WHIP at the age of 40, but that was not his lowest WHIP, so not a career best.

Mark, unless you have an answer for the third clue, Grover Alexander is incorrect. And if you do have an answer, Grover is still incorrect.

I’m probably going to reveal the answer with this one.

I played for 9 different teams and my career spanned 20 years.

Wilhelm?

Not Hoyt.

This was moved from the water cooler section as it looks like those guessing need some help. :) Nice one, Frank....
.

Clues and Hints Summarized
 

I was thinking Nolan Ryan he broke no hitter records after the age 40 ,
He’s on a card with Jerry Koosman ,
But he’s not dead

Are you Deacon White?

Nolan and Koosman were also teammates.

I never met Jerry in Clue #2.

I don't think Deacon ever played in San Francisco.

Lave Cross?

How many games did he play in San Francisco?
What was his career best over 40?

I don't think so.

My guess is Jesse Burkett.

I’m unique. why - Because I am the only HOF player with the same last name as Frank.

Jerry was never my business partner. why not - Because my name is not Ben, and I don't even like ice cream.

I was over 40 when I got my personal best. Did we win? - I hit .350 in 1912 at the age of 43 for the Worcester Busters, which was my best batting average when playing in the minor leagues. And Worcester won at least 56 games in 1912.


Brian

Brian,

Your thinking is commendable, but wrong for so many reasons that I will not enumerate.

The answer will be some obscure minor leaguer, or something even more off the wall.

I do like to think outside of the box that has been turned inside out.


Brian (logic is best when twisted into pretzel form)

Are all nine of these Major League Baseball teams?

Bobo Newsom? Not that I can say with certainty

Jim Thorpe fits some of the clues, including the cryptic "not John Doe" clue... but I can't find a link for every clue.

No, none of them are.

Of course not. I am guessing it's neither football nor baseball.

Now I think you're Jim Kendrick. You played for the New York Giants. You couldn't partner with Jerry (Jones... fellow oil dude) because he was born the year after you died. Your personal best was winning the Soldier's Medal for an act of valor at age 40, and you're assymetric because you had your arm amputated as a result.

Here are a few less-commonly-known shared team names (at least one each baseball and football) from throughout the years:

- Blues
- Braves
- Colonels
- Colts
- Cowboys
- Dodgers
- Indians
- Maroons
- Pirates
- Reds
- Senators
- Tigers
- Yankees

Was your team name one of 13 I listed above?

And the 9 teams in 20 seasons? And the games in San Francisco?

I've been out on the wrote, but can respond to each of you in one post


None of them are Eric.

Bobo Newsom is not correct.

Not Jim Thorpe, sorry

Peter you are wrong. Another hint.

Not Jim Kendrick

[QUOTE=Eric72;2430392]Here are a few less-commonly-known shared team names (at least one each baseball and football) from throughout the years:

- Blues
- Braves
- Colonels
- Colts
- Cowboys
- Dodgers
- Indians
- Maroons
- Pirates
- Reds
- Senators
- Tigers [/COLOR]

My team is not on your list, but this is not a trick. You included the Maroons, but left out out a team that is much better known. Your list is not complete.

It is probably time for another clue, but let me finish my apple first if I can.

Note: Some of you have identified key aspects of several clues, but interpreted the clue incorrectly.

I have one primary sports card released as part of a major set. I don't think the company made any further sets. I may have driven them out of business.

With a number of active participants, I will give y'all more time.

Rob Bironas?

Peter, I have checked my personal scrapbook and actually only played two games in San Francisco in different years.

Bironas didn't reach 40 years of age, so his personal best was at an earlier age.

I was overthinking: "Most consecutive games with a 40+ yard field goal in NFL history – 10"

A one word hint
 

I am pretty sure I got the Ben & Jerry ice cream angle correct.

Brian

So it's not Ben Cohen. That narrows it down.

Syd Cohen?

That's good. Checks many boxes. How was he unique?

Only professional baseball stadium named after a Jewish ball player?

1928 Zeenut card. I think you've solved it. Died a along time ago so not sure what that clue is about. Asymmetric? Looks like he was actually a switch hitter?

Asymmetric? his brother Andy played too. Just a guess.

If you two were piloting a train, you clearly would be on the wrong track heading in the wrong direction.

Johnny Mize? He was in the 1941 Double Play set as a Cardinal, partnered with Enos Slaughter, and because he wasn't compensated for use of his image, he sued the manufacturer, Gum Products, Inc. Gum won, but the legal bills forced them to stop producing the series. He was a member of the Yankee teams that won five World Series in a row, the last and record-breaking one in 1953, when he was 40.

I think the only hint that would tell us the answer is if you told us the answer.

You're kidding right? He played 20 minor league seasons. His most wins were over 40. He played in the PCL so he must have played at San Francisco. Cohen fits. He had one major card, 1928 Zeenut. Someone checks all those boxes and is wrong? Mind blowing lol.

Gentlemen. I told Brian privately that i would give him credit for identifying Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream in the second original clue, but he did not recognize the intent of the clue. Jerry's ice cream buddy and partner was Ben Cohen. I share one of Ben Cohen's names and if it isn't clear at this point, it isn't Cohen.

By the way, my personal best over the age of 40 occurred in the Cotton Bowl.

I will post the card and explain all the clues tomorrow. 12 hours left and the clock is ticking.

Agajanian.

I think you got it! The clues fit: missing toes on one foot, 1955 Bowman his only major card, played on the football Giants, named Ben, died Feb 8, 2018 (just over six years ago), etc.

Attachment 620095

At last.

Ben's career in football began after a freight elevator injury shortened his right foot from size 11 to size 7. His right shoe was smaller and square on the front giving him a place kicking advantage before the advent of the soccer style place kickers. He bounced around a lot, but did play two games in San Francisco kicking for the Los Angeles Dons. He played more with the New York Giants in the mid fifties. His 1955 Bowman card is shown as part of the last Bowman football set. By today's standards he wasn't that good, but he played into the mid sixties with a number of teams including the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Texans in 1961. The AFL and NFL were not on friendly terms then but Vince Lombardi and Hank Stram were good friends and when Hank needed a kicker, Vince had the guts to let Ben Agajanian go to Dallas. In November at the age of 42 Ben kicked the longest field goal of his career, 51 yards to put Dallas ahead 20-10 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. However the Buffalo Bills then score three touchdowns and won the game 30-20.

He was unique as the only field goal kicker without toes. Ben Cohen, Jerry's ice cream partner was alluded to in the second clue only to give you a hint about Ben's first name. He was clearly physically asymmetric. His career spanned 20 years playing for 9 different teams. He lived until 2018 and was 98 years old when he passed. He died in Cathedral City in California, which doesn't have a cathedral, but is named for a canyon with a rock formation reminiscent of a cathedral. The New York Giants moved to San Francisco during his career, he couldn't have been a baseball player with only a handful of games played in San Francisco.

I tried very hard not to bias the clues toward baseball. Having common names between baseball and football teams in the 50s was actually an effort to get you away from assuming that the answer was a baseball player. Several clues were added just to add confusion and actually I had no idea Ben played from so many different teams. i do remember seeing him on the football game of the week in 1957 with the Giants. The weekly NFL game back then lasted slightly less than 2 hours of air time.

I was surprised that so many other answers almost fit the clues given, but I think there was a problem with each of them. There is no prize, so if you think your guy should have won, so be it. Mark encouraged me to do the #3 sequel, but let's take a break, but I wouldn't bet against a "Who AM I? #4" showing up sooner or later.]

Thanks to all who participated and please don't be to hard on me.;)

He was unique as the only field goal kicker without toes

Tom Dempsey?

Lou Groza?

24601?