Baseball, Veterans’ Day and the National Pastime
A Veterans’ Day weekend of parades and remembrances reminded me how many major leaguers once sacrificed significant portions of their careers in defense of their country. Reminded me that the ethos of baseball exemplifies the best of Americana. And prompts …
Get Younger and Cheaper, Or Die
Every one of the 30 major league GMs understands their charge is to get younger and cheaper, or die a slow death. Which leads to the question why would any team have traded for an aging, overpriced player like Robinson …
Addition by Subtraction: Mets or Red Sox Will Benefit Most?
So much baseball stuff on the opening Sunday of the NFL season! I felt overwhelmed by what I saw, what had already happened this season and what the future holds. Let’s start with my current pet peeve. Paul Sewald/Luis Avilan …
Do the OPS+ Hip-Hop—It’s All the Rage in MLB
The other night, New York Mets announcers Gary Cohen and Ron Darling discussed the inclusion of the batting average number on the television screen in front of every hitter who steps into the batter’s box … without knowing they were …
The Mets Had a 6-Run Lead in the Ninth—What Happened Next Will Shock You
As the 144th major league baseball season comes to a close later this month, something unusual happened on Tuesday night September 3rd in Washington, D.C. No, not at the White House or in Congress, but at the ballpark. And the Mets …
The Mets Guide to Consistently Lose Ballgames
Some teams manage to fall flat on their keisters just when they think they’re about to turn their season around. Part of it is misplaced hopes. Letting emotion get the better of their choices. And part of it is a …
The Boston Shuffle: A Season to Forget for the Red Sox
As the 2019 season draws to a close, perhaps the greatest surprise of the campaign has been the futility of the 2019 Boston Red Sox. Every time I see Alex Cora on television, cool anger burns in his eyes as …
How Hard Can It Be to Get 27 Outs?
Master of Outs A Master of Outs wanted immediately. Age and race unimportant. Part-time role. Work three hours once every five days. Or we could ask you to work 10 or 15 minutes, two or three times a week. Depends …
Going, Going, Gone! … It’s a Single
I cannot remember as many balls rocketing off outfield fences resulting in long singles as I’ve seen this season. Going, going, gone … it’s a single. Part of the reason is superior outfield defense corralling the ball and firing it …
DJ LeMahieu vs. Bryce Harper: How to Choose a Free Agent
About 120 games into the Yankees season, the biggest question I ask myself almost every game is why the Colorado Rockies allowed DJ LeMahieu to declare free agency. Why didn’t they offer him a contract? Or at least make him …
