Fan Interference

On Tuesday the Marlins’ Richard Bleier got called for a balk three times in a single inning…against a single batter, in fact: Pete Alonso. As a result, Jeff McNeil got a free pass from first to second…then to third…then home. Bleier had never been called for a balk before, but now he has three. He…… Continue reading Balk! Balk! Balk!

Aaron Judge hit a 2-run homer in the 7th inning of the Yankees’ 8-3 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto. It, of course, is his 61st home run of the season. Thus he has now tied Roger Maris’ AL record, set in 1961. Maris got number 61 in the final game of the first…… Continue reading 61, No *

The Yankees and Cardinals both clinched their division yesterday. With eight games to go, only one division title is as yet undecided—the NL East. There the Braves and Mets are all knotted up…but both have clinched a playoff spot. The loser of the one division race will host a wild card series. The two central…… Continue reading And Then There Was One

On September 27, 1920, a grand jury was convened, charging eight members of the Chicago White Sox with conspiracy in relation to intentionally losing the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for kickbacks from gambling interests. Eddie Cicotte reportedly confessed on Sep 28. The seven players still in the majors were all…… Continue reading Today in Baseball History

Don Mattingly’s contract to manage the Florida Marlins is up at the end of the season. He announced today it will not be renewed. It’s being portrayed as a mutual decision, so I will take their word for it. He’s been the skipper for the Marlins for seven years. He has the most wins of…… Continue reading Don Mattingly Leaving Marlins

Yesterday was, of course, highlighted by Albert Pujols’ 700th homer. However, he’s not the only player who achieved a milestone yesterday. Andrew McCutcheon drove in run number 1000 with a fielder’s choice in the 5th for the Brewers against the Reds. In the 7th he added a 2-run double in the Brewers’ victory…bringing his total…… Continue reading Andrew McCutcheon Collects RBI #1000

Tonight Albert Pujols slammed career home runs 699 and 700. They came in the third and fourth innings at the Dodgers. The third inning blast was a 434 foot bomb to left center. The second homer was also to left center, just not as deep into the stands. The Cardinals beat the Dodgers 11-0, and…… Continue reading 700!

On Wednesday Dayton Moore was fired as the President of Baseball Operations for the Kansas City Royals. He’d only garnered that title this year, but he’d been their General Manager since 2006. Here’s the Royals history in a nutshell under his leadership: From 2006-2012 they never lost fewer than 90 games in a season. Then…… Continue reading Dayton No-Moore

Last night in the 9th Aaron Judge slugged his 60th home run of the season. He has joined Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds as the only players to do so. His next home run will tie Maris’ AL record set in 1961. He already has the AL record for…… Continue reading 60

Maury Wills has died at his home in Arizona. He was 89. He was the shortstop for three Dodgers World Series champs in the 1960’s. In 1962 he won the NL MVP award on the strength of a then-record 104 stolen bases. His records, of course, were later eclipsed by Lou Brock and then Rickey…… Continue reading Maury Wills Passed Away

Last night Max Scherzer took the mound for the first time in over two weeks. He was perfect through 6 innings, and the Mets wisely pulled him anyway—not wanting to risk reinjury. The bullpen was not perfect, but the Mets held on to win 7-2 over the Brewers. It was the 200th win of his…… Continue reading Scherzer Notches #200

After the way the season started/almost didn’t start, it seems incredible we are approaching the end. LA has totally run away with the NL West. Houston has clinched a playoff spot, will certainly win the AL West and probably the AL top seed. Actually, the absence of division races is one of the themes of…… Continue reading Where We Stand, 9/18/22

Today the Rays slowed the bleeding in Toronto. They’re still 1/2 game behind the Jays in the standings, and they’ve given the Yankees breathing room after dropping last weekend’s series against them as well as this week’s against the Jays, though. But today? Today they wood-shedded the Jays 11-0. Today, on Roberto Clemente Day, they…… Continue reading How Rays Celebrated Roberto Clemente Day

On Friday, MLB announced some rule changes to take affect next season: a pitch clock, limit on the shift, a step off limit for pitchers, and the bases will be bigger. No doubt there will be hand wringing and complaining about the game being changed. I’m here to state that things will actually be okay.…… Continue reading 2023 Rules Changes