WGOMHappy Birthday–December 15
Matt MaldreLast night, Cubs reliever Ryan Pressly became the only MLB reliever to:
- Allow 8+ earned runs in a game
- Not record an out
- Take the loss
(since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913). His ERA went from 2.08 to 7.62.
8 earned runs with zero outs is impressive.
What about the relievers who gave up 7 earned runs with zero outs? Eight players were able to achieve this feat. It’s fascinating that only one got the loss. All the other seven were not credited with the loss!
PlayerERInningDecisionDate ▼TeamOpponentResultNoah Murdock76th inning2025-04-29ATH@TEXL, 2-15Janson Junk77th inning2024-09-04OAKSEAL, 3-16Jonathan Holder74th inningL2018-08-02NYY@BOSL, 7-15Jorge Rondon78th inning2015-05-01COL@SDPL, 3-14Charles Leesman75th inning2013-09-12CHWCLEL, 3-14Hansel Izquierdo76th inning2002-06-24FLAPHIL, 4-15Terry Adams77th inning2001-05-05LAD@CHCL, 1-20Dick Welteroth76th inning1949-08-12 (1)WSH@BOSL, 7-15One name sticks out on that list. Janson Junk! That’s a great baseball name.
Jason Junk has managed to stick around for 4 MLB seasons. His WAR per season is certainly consistently mediocre.
YearTeamWAR2021LAA0.02022LAA-0.12023MIL-0.12024MIL/OAK-0.1He has fun with his autograph with the JJ initials.
Funny to see him wearing #66. That’s a pretty rare number for an MLB player to wear. Is there some sort of meaning for 66 and Junk? I couldn’t find any interviews with him talking about #66 or anything in his life that would allude to why he would wear it. So let’s speculate some off-the-wall ideas.
Possible reasons why Janson Junk wore #66
1. Digits match initials
Janson Junk has initials with the same letter JJ. 66 mirrors that symmetry—double letters, double digits. It’s visually consistent and might appeal to someone with that kind of name symmetry.
2. Route 66 and “Junk” imagery
There’s a cultural association with Route 66, a classic American highway that’s often depicted in a nostalgic, gritty, blue-collar light. You can imagine an old junkyard on Route 66, or a mechanic’s garage filled with salvaged parts. It evokes Americana and resilience. For a grinder-type pitcher, especially one not relying on overpowering stuff, that vibe might resonate.
3. “Junk” pitcher and off-speed arsenal
In baseball, a “junkballer” is a pitcher who relies more on movement and off-speed pitches than velocity. While Janson Junk has decent velocity, the pun could be embraced tongue-in-cheek—“junk” in the name, “junk” in the repertoire, #66 just adding to the quirk. It’s a number rarely worn by stars (though Yasiel Puig famously wore it), and that outsider status might be part of the appeal.
4. Numerological or visual appeal
The number 66 has a smooth, round look—just like looping curveballs. There’s no strong numerological meaning tied to “junk,” but from a design standpoint, 66 might just look good on the back of a uniform—especially with a name like “Junk” above it, which is short, punchy, and unusual.
5. MLB Players who wore #66 — and their quirks
Juan Guzmán – Toronto Blue Jays (1991–1995)
- Wore #66 during his time with the Jays.
- Known for his electric stuff and wildness — led the AL in wild pitches in 1993 and 1994.
- Played a key role in Toronto’s World Series success in the early ’90s.
Steve Cishek – Florida Marlins (2010–2011)
- Began his MLB career wearing #66.
- Known for his quirky submarine delivery and includes Bible verse references with his autograph
- One of the more reliable middle relievers of the 2010s.
Yasiel Puig – Dodgers, Reds, Indians (2013–2019)
- Wore #66 throughout his MLB career.
- Famous for licking his bats, flamboyant bat flips, and being an all-around baseball showman.
- His number became nearly iconic during his early Dodgers years.
Munenori Kawasaki – Blue Jays (2013–2015), Cubs (2016)
- Wore #66 with the Blue Jays, where he became a cult hero.
- Known for his hilarious interviews, zany energy, and locker-room antics.
- Famously said: “My name is Munenori Kawasaki. I am Japanese!” in a viral postgame interview.
- Not just a goofball—he delivered clutch hits and became a fan favorite with his positivity and humor.
And now we can add Janson Junk to the list of quirky players who wore #66.
Janson Junk – Angels (2021-2022)
- Once gave up 7 runs in an inning without recording any outs. He managed to get away without the loss. Hmmm, #66 seems to be pulling some crazy stunts.
- Dared to wear #66, a semi-satanic number (666) with for a team called the Angels. A bit ironic.
If Janson Junk ever opens a roadside diner off Route 66 called “Junk’s Junkyard,” where the sliders are slow and the curveballs are meatballs, I’d be first in line. Just don’t let him serve in the 7th inning.
https://www.57hits.com/giving-up-7-earned-runs-without-getting-anyone-out
#66 #CharlesLeesman #DickWelteroth #HanselIzquierdo #JansonJunk #JonathanHolder #JorgeRondon #NoahMurdock #RyanPressly #TerryAdams
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