baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
MLB Pennant Race 2024: The Beginning of the End
September. The ninth month of the year, the month that kicks off autumn, and the most infamous "Fast Money" answer in Family Feud history. September has another role for baseball fans: it's the beginning of the end. The last full month before the madness known as the Postseason begins. There are a lot of intriguing storylines in the month of September, which is the norm on this very pivotal month.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Lewisboro Lightning Takes Home 9U Championship
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons below or send tip via venmo at @Rich-Monetti On Sunday August 3, Lewisboro 9u reached the finals of the GHVBL playoffs and had their sights set on the big trophy at Rogers Park in Danbury and Lewisboro Town Park on the next day when the skies cleared. A 1-1 game in the bottom of the fifth, the boys knew the score and hoped they wouldn’t need a sixth inning hammer versus Bedford Pound Ridge. So with one out, it fell on Caiden Jones to get things started.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
A Look at the 1985 Kansas City Royals
Kansas City. The largest city in the Show Me State. A population of just over half of a million people, almost double that of St. Louis. Yet when it comes to sports, KC has often been the little brother to St. Louis. In the NFL, Kansas City did win the battle of Missouri, but only because St. Louis lost two franchises while the Chiefs went on to become a dynasty. St. Louis did have the Hawks in the NBA before the team moved to Atlanta, and the NHL's Blues serve as the state's lone team, and won a Stanley Cup in 2019.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Lightning 11u Run Ends in the Finals
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons below or send tip via venmo at @Rich-Monetti With two games stopped and resumed the next day, the 11u baseball team didn’t miss a beat in dodging the raindrops this week, according to their coach. “These boys are resilient. So they can play around the rain, and they can play around the mud,” said Jeremy Tubbs. “They’ll turn it on when they have to.” And the Lightning proved their coach’s words true.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
A Look at the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
We are closing in on the month of September, which is the last full month of the MLB season, so I thought I'd get back on track with the stories centering on the most memorable championship runs in baseball history. Now, here's the thing. I normally don't reveal my original plans for stories, but originally, my next story under this theme was going to be about the 1985 Kansas City Royals. But a few days ago, I looked at the standings, and saw that a certain team had been slipping down in the postseason race, and I was quite heartbroken by this. I'm not a fan of this team, but they fascinate me; in fact, the way that the city's sports teams carry themselves fascinates me. So I decided to give the spotlight to that certain team: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Nationwide Coils Moves Back into Playoff Position with 16-8 win over Level Gym
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons below or send tip via venmo at @Rich-Monetti On Tuesday June 25, Nationwide Coils and Level Gym took the upper field at Reis Park and hoped to move up in the B-League standings. But the Coils were closer to the top at 3-6 and already have their eyes on the postseason. “We’re hoping to get in the playoffs and go from there,” said Manager Joe Tubiolo. So they didn’t stand still, and by game’s end, Nationwide was back in the final spot.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
"1.4 Billion People, Only 6 Medals: The Startling Truth Behind India's Olympic Struggles"
As the global audience marveled at the grandeur of the Paris Olympics, India's performance remained a solemn reminder of unrealized potential. Despite a population of 1.4 billion, India managed to secure just six medals, a stark imbalance that echoes through the realm of Indian sports. This disheartening outcome begs the question: Why, with such immense human resources and talent, does India repeatedly falter on the Olympic stage? Here, we dissect the complex factors that continue to undermine India's athletic prowess, shining a light on the hurdles the nation faces.
By David Snamabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Defense Wins in Bobo’s 7-2 Victory Over Level Up
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons below or send tip via venmo at @Rich-Monetti On Wednesday July 24, Bobo’s Cafe faced Level Up Fitness, and early in the game manager Steven D'Ambrosio the most significant difference between the top division and the rest. “We play defense in this league,” he said after one of many great plays by both teams, and his centerfielder started the procession.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
How Difficult is it to Three-Peat?
It's been said that it's hard to win one championship, and it is. However, winning that big one is an amazing feat. Winning back-to-back, that's even better. I've seen my share of back-to-back defending champions in sports, and that's a big moment to enter the season having been on top for two years straight. Of course, winning back-to-back is called a repeat. If a third one follows, we have the iconic "three-peat."
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
