Fan Interference

Let’s do the player A vs player B thing: A: hit ,297/.408/.540, 449 HR’s, 488 2B’s, 202 SB’s, 79.9 WAR, 1 RoY, 1 MVP, 3x Sliver Sluggers, 1 Gold Glove B: hit .290/.413/.576, 456 HR’s, 403 2B’s, 445 SB’s, 99.8 WAR, 3x MVP, 7x Silver Slugger, 8x Gold Gloves Overall pretty similar although Player B…… Continue reading Does this Guy Belong in the HoF?

The following are some thoughts I’ve had about this year’s Hall of Fame voting by the BBWAA but didn’t feel like turning into a full post: 1) I’ve seen a number of articles/commentaries that the Hall process needs to be changed in light of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens not getting selected. Not happening. The…… Continue reading Some 2022 BBWAA Thoughts

David Ortiz received 77.9% of the BBWAA vote and was thus announced as the newest member of the Hall of Fame today in this, his first year on the ballot. He had 1192 extra base hits in his career–including 541 homers, and 632 doubles. He knocked in 1768 runs. He slashed .285/.380/.552, with a 141…… Continue reading David Ortiz a Hall of Famer

If baseball is like life, why can’t it be about the best of life.

Today is the day of the Hall of Fame announcement. I refuse to get overly annoyed about a certain percentage of writers keeping some of the greatest players ever out of the Hall of Fame. Nope. Instead, each time I start feeling a little irritated today, I watch this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRRaXV-fg …and then it’s all better.

Tomorrow (1/25/222) the HoF announces whether anyone is being inducted this year via the BBWAA. With about 46% of the votes known, thanks to Ryan Thibodeaux’s tracking site (Google it, it’s great), David Ortiz looks to be in pretty good shape at 84.1% of the vote. Barry Bonds has 76.9% and Roger Clemens 75.8%. The…… Continue reading Projected Today’s Game Committee

It was announced last week that the independent Atlantic League was dropping the use of automated ball/strike calling. Today, it was announced the PCL at least will pick up that ball. That includes the Oklahoma City Dodgers, so I’ll let you know my experience.

For the past couple years the Rays have focused on what their new home will be after their lease at Tropicana Field (AKA the mausoleum) is up after the 2027 season almost exclusively via an idea of splitting time between the Tampa Bay Area and Montreal. Well, they can forget that as MLB has now…… Continue reading Rays’ Two-City Plan Down in Flames

Yesterday I read one of the most galling sports columns I’ve seen in a long time. It was actually published Jan 1, but I don’t normally notice the San Diego Union-Tribune nor columnist Nick Canepa. I was culling through articles about the baseball Hall of Fame voting and ran across it. After all, the results…… Continue reading One of the Worst HoF Votes Ever

Monday we learned that the Rays’ bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez had died near his home in Ft Worth, TX. He was 28. Now, the local coroner’s office has determined his death was by suicide. It’s always jarring when such a young person dies. That a person who seemingly had a great life as a major…… Continue reading Rays’ Player’s Death Was Suicide

Earlier this week, the owners’ negotiators called for a bargaining session with the players to take place today. It was the first overture from them since the lockout began on Dec 2nd. The two sides did, in fact, meet today, via Zoom. The owners brought a proposal involving the core economic issues at the heart…… Continue reading Players/Owners Met Today

Jon Lester announced his retirement today, ending a 16 year career. He finishes with a 200-117 record and 3.66 ERA (117 ERA+). He made 5 all star teams, 11 playoff teams, garnered 3 World Series rings (2 with the Red Sox, 1 with the Cubs), and posted a stellar career 2.51 postseason ERA. It will…… Continue reading Jon Lester Retires

Two teams this week have announced they are retiring a favorite player’s number. The first was the Twins. Jim Kaat, on the heels (finally!) of getting selected for the Hall of Fame by the Golden Days committee. His teammate, Tony Oliva, has already had his Twins numbered retired. It’ll be a great day this summer,…… Continue reading Number Retirements

Here’s to a more successful 2022!