Myers' rookie accolades continue to impress

LOS ANGELES -- Wil Myers remains quite the buzz given his many different feats and oddities.

According to research by the Rays' public relations staff and later confirmed by the Elias Sports Bureau, Friday night was the first time two rookies -- Wil Myers and Yasiel Puig -- started in center field and batted cleanup in the same game since 1946 when Ralph Kiner and Marv Rickert, of the Cubs and Pirates, respectively, did so on July 3.

Myers, who has started in center field and batted cleanup in the Rays' previous two games, is only the second player in Rays history to do so within his first 50 career games, joining Rocco Baldelli, who did it in 2003.

Myers has 55 hits, eight home runs and 30 RBIs in his first 42 career games. Since 1916, only seven others have matched Myers' totals in hits, home runs and RBIs through their first 42 games. The group went on to win four Rookie of the Year awards, six MVPs and play on 34 All-Star teams.

Here is that group Myers has joined: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee, 2007; Albert Pujols, St. Louis, 2001; Willie McCovey, San Francisco, 1959; Orlando Cepeda, San Francisco, 1958; Ken Keltner, Cleveland, 1938; Buzz Arlett, Philadelphia, 1931; and Mandy Brooks, Chicago Cubs, 1925.

Since the All-Star break, Myers leads the Major Leagues in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He also is tied for third in home runs and RBIs.