After going 5-30 since May 4, the Diamondbacks’ hitting coach and assistant hitting coach have both been fired by manager Tony LoVullo. In turn, their GM—Mike Hazen—has said he still feels LoVullo is the “right person” to be the skipper. I can’t recall changing hitting coaches mid season making much difference although the Diamondbacks have…… Continue reading D-Backs’ LoVullo Gets Dreaded Vote of Confidence

… but it’s okay. It was, of course, postponed from last year due to the pandemic. It was scheduled for July 25 this year, but as an indoors area closed event (ie no fans), again due to the pandemic. Many fans would no doubt have wanted to go because Derek Jeter is being inducted. Not…… Continue reading 2020 HoF Induction Delayed Again

Word today is that the Cleveland Baseball Team, nee Indians, are slowly but surely closing in on a new name. Supposedly they started with a list of 1198 possibilities after fan polling, etc. They’ve narrowed it to an unspecified number of finalists, which will be vetted to ensure no branding or copyright issues come up.…… Continue reading Cleveland Baseball Team’s Name

Every year on Memorial Day weekend people thank me for my service as a US military retiree. When they do, I smile and say “thank you,” just like I do every other day of the year. However, Memorial Day isn’t about people like me—that’s Veterans Day. Memorial Day is about the men and women who…… Continue reading Memorial Day

Marcel Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves is being charged with felony assault, apparently over a domestic violence incident that included strangulation. He could face up to 20 years in prison. Last year his spouse was arrested in a misdemeanor domestic violence incident. Without intent to judge guilt or innocence over the charges, clearly this is…… Continue reading Marcel Ozuna Arrested

Within hours of the Cuban national team’s arrival in Miami for an Olympic qualifying event, Cuban infielder Cesar Prieto defected. Needless to say, Cuban leadership was not pleased. In a statement from the Cuban national baseball federation: “His decision, which is contrary to the commitment he made with both his country and team, has generated…… Continue reading Cuban Player Defects

Noah Syndergaard was pulled in the first inning of his rehab start this week. He threw only 16 pitches. His change up was clocked in the 80’s, and he experienced elbow soreness. He underwent Tommy John Surgery in March, 2020. The Mets were hoping to get him back by the end of June. Instead, he’s…… Continue reading Syndergaard Has Setback

Mickey Callaway had been suspended from his duties as a pitching coach for the Angels pending investigation by MLB into allegations of sexual misconduct. That investigation is complete, and he is now on baseball’s ineligible list and cannot apply for reinstatement until after the 2022 season at the earliest. (Plus, as Pete Rose could tell…… Continue reading Mickey Callaway Banished

Zach Plesac’s start on Sunday didn’t go well. As a result, he got pulled early. Frustrated, he ripped his t-shirt off in the clubhouse…and accidentally hit his right (throwing) hand on a folding chair. The next day it had become swollen. X-rays have shown a nondisplaced fracture of the thumb. He’s supposed to see a…… Continue reading Zach Plesac’s Weird Injury

Tonight he was behind the plate for his 5376th game as a MLB umpire. That breaks Bill Klem’s record, which he had held since 1941. Klem was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1963. It’s inevitable Cowboy Joe will be too one day. Tony LaRussa was effusive in his praise of West, but I’ll…… Continue reading “Cowboy” Joe West Breaks Ump Record

You may recall that Scott Kazmir started his big league career as a Devil Ray, was on their 2008 WS roster. In 2009 he was traded to the Angels, and didn’t perform nearly as well, ultimately getting released in 2011. Many thought his career was done. It wasn’t. He pitched for the independent league Sugarland…… Continue reading Scott Kazmir, King of Perseverance

The Rays walked away from the game with a win, which of course pleases me. Were I a Jays fan, I’d be a bit nauseated today. The AP recap said the Rays rallied past the Jays in Dunedin in the 9th inning to win 6-4. I guess, technically, they did. That rally, though, was two…… Continue reading Rays Win Streak at 10 After 9th Inning “Rally”

The Rays have sent shortstop Willy Adames and relief pitcher Trevor Richards to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for two other pitchers—Drew Rasmussen and JP Feyereisen. Adames became expendable both because of his .197 batting average and because the Rays have multiple highly touted prospects at the position in their minor league system. Adames will…… Continue reading Rays Trade Willy Adames to Brewers

No, it wasn’t yesterday in MLB. It has happened in pro ball, though, in the minors. it was May 13, 1952. The pitcher was “Rocket” or “Necktie” Ron Necciai, then of the Pirates’ affiliate in Bristol, VA, Twins of the Appalachian League vs the Welch (WV, birthplace of Steve Harvey) Miners. His catcher (longtime MLB…… Continue reading The 27 Strikeout, 9 Inning No-Hitter

After Monday’s game Tony LaRussa criticized Yermin Mercedes over hitting a home run on a 3-0 pitch with the White Sox winning 16-4. He called it “clueless” at the time, later clarified that as meaning he feels hitting the ball in that situation is poor sportsmanship. There’s some additional points about that pitch—the pitcher was…… Continue reading LaRussa Rips Own Player Over Dumb Unwritten Rule