Spanish Heritage Month is Sep 15 – Oct 15 this year. I thought I’d put up a post or two about Latinos in baseball. So, to answer the question in the title, Lou Castro is generally cited as the first modern major league player born in a Latin American country. Never heard of him? He…… Continue reading Who Was Lou Castro?

Last night, the Cubs’ Wilson Contreras launched a home run in the 3rd inning. He celebrated as he headed to first by launching the bat high into the air as well. The camera angle down the first base line made it look like the bat went as high as the ball. It was beautiful. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iZDj8tiUS-U…… Continue reading Contreras Awesome Bat Flip

The Royals’ Alex Gordon announced he’s hanging up his spikes. He will have spent his entire big league career with Kansas City. Only George Brett and Frank White can say they played for the team longer. When he came up, he almost was a bust as an infielder. However, his career took off when he…… Continue reading Alex Gordon Retiring

Ron Gardenhire retired today as manager of the Detroit Tigers. He notified the team prior to today’s game. He’s previously dealt with cancer, has diabetes, and has had stomach problems this year. His decision was based on his health and stress. He was the Minnesota Twins manager for 13 seasons, led them to six division…… Continue reading Gardy Abruptly Retires

Remember Justin Verlander, after hurting his elbow in July, insisting he’d be back this year? Remember Dusty Baker thinking he’d be back in time for the playoffs? Yeah, not happening. It was announced today that he needs TJS. He’s not only out the rest of this year, but next year is out too. 2022 will…… Continue reading Justin Verlander Undergoing Tommy John Surgery

In this short 60 game season, one of the annual awards appears to be heading toward an epically tight finish—the NL Cy Young. Jacob deGrom has been his usual outstanding self and could certainly end up winning it for the third straight season. As of the time of this writing, he has the following stats:…… Continue reading NL Cy Young Race…Who Ya Got?

Hedge fund manager Steve Cohen has signed an agreement to purchase the NY Mets. I did not see where a purchase price was reported. Last year, Cohen agreed to buy the team for $2.6; that fell apart when the Wilpons allegedly put in a clause in the agreement that would have them retain significant authority…… Continue reading Mets Sold

The Cubs’ Alec Mills has recorded the second no-hitter of the season, against the Milwaukee Brewers. He struck out 5 and walked 3 on 114 pitches as the Cubs demolished the Brewers 12-0. It was the 305th no-hitter in MLB history. It’s the second of this pandemic-shortened season. There was one each in 2016 and…… Continue reading Cubs’ Alec Mills No-Hits Brewers

Albert Pujols launched his 660th career home run tonight, tying Willie Mays for 5th on the all-list. He still trails Barry Bonds, Henry Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Alex Rodriguez. 445 of his homers came in his 11 years as a Cardinal, 215 in his 9 years with the Angels. Tonight’s bomb was a 2-run homer…… Continue reading Pujols Ties Mays

FILE – In this April 9, 1965, file photo, Lou Brock, of the St. Louis Cardinals, poses in Missouri. Hall of Famer Brock, one of baseball’s signature leadoff hitters and base stealers who helped the Cardinals win three pennants and two World Series titles in the 1960s, has died. He was 81. (AP Photo, File)…… Continue reading Lou Brock Passes Away

On Sep 2, the Phils made Dick Allen’s #15 the first number of a (so far) non-Hall of Famer to be retired by the club. By all accounts it was a very nice ceremony and clearly moved the retired, now 78-year-old, player. It was also a little sad in that it was not in front…… Continue reading Phillies Retire Dick Allen’s Number

Tom Seaver, one of the greatest pitchers ever, has passed at the age of 75. He hasn’t been in public much these past few years as he developed progressive dementia. It seems he also contracted the coronavirus. He was my absolute favorite pitcher when I was a kid. Eventually I will reflect on all the…… Continue reading Tom Seaver Has Died

Anyone who had Pirates in the first team to get ho-hit pool, go to the window and collect your winnings.  Can’t imagine you’ll get much—they had to be near the top of the odds table. Anyway, the White Sox’ Lucas Giolito accomplished the feat in dominating fashion. He struck out 13 and almost had a…… Continue reading Lucas Giolito No-Hits Pirates

This year, two of the current iterations of what we used to call veterans committees for baseball’s Hall of Fame were supposed to meet.  Now they will not happen until the winter of 2021.  The HoF cited the coronavirus pandemic as the reason. The two committees in question are the Early Baseball (pre-1950) and Golden…… Continue reading HoF Cancels “Eras” Committees for 2020

In the 5th inning last night, Albert Pujols lined a single to left field to score Mike Trout.  It was RBI number 2087 for him.  The moved him out of a tie with Alex Rodriguez and officially into second by himself on the career RBI leader board.  I say officially because in reality Babe Ruth…… Continue reading Pujols Officially 2nd on Career RBI List