baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Yankee Fan's Book on Mickey Mantle Brings a Personal Connection to Adoring Fans
The most recent book of note on Mickey Mantle was The Last Boy by Jane Leavy, and it doesn’t pull punches about getting into the more salacious aspects of the slugger’s life. However, a real intimacy goes as far as the author’s access. “She spent one night with him,” says Italian American Author Tom Molito of Pound Ridge, NY. But the release of his new book doesn’t put “the Mick” at a distance for all those that adored him.
By Rich Monetti5 years ago in Unbalanced
All the Egregious sins by MLB, Shoeless Joe Should No Longer have to Say in Ain't So for the Hall of Fame
Photo by Nicolas Henderson Joe Jackson was likely involved in a plot to throw the 1919 World Series. He, along with his White Sox cohorts, had to be suspended permanently for the survival of the game. But almost a hundred years later, can we lift the ban and give him a plaque in the hall. There’s simply far more significant wrongs, and the time is right enough to finally put Joe Jackson in the hall.
By Rich Monetti6 years ago in Unbalanced
Who wore number #25 on your team?
As a lifelong baseball fan, sometimes I'll think about some of the strange and seemingly coincidental facts about the sport that seem to not have a proper explanation. Things like: How did Stan Musial manage to hit exactly the same number of hits at away that he did at home? How weird is it that Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961? And how could the Giants only win a World Series on every other year between 2010 and 2014? One thought that has followed me since childhood and nobody else seems to realize is this: If there was a player that wore the number 25 on your team, he was probably the power hitter of your team.
By J.S. Vargas6 years ago in Unbalanced
Baseball Batting
Baseball is undoubtedly America’s favorite sport. It started becoming popular because it could be played by caste, creed, or race with very little financial investment. The thrill of playing in teams in an open field drew many people to the game. The growing popularity led to the formation of popular teams that were identified as a profitable business for many investors. From merchandising to advertising, the game garnered a lot of attention. The most popular baseball teams in the USA are – New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Fans now throng stadiums in the jerseys of their favorite team with smiling faces and wait in anticipation as the scoreboard says – “Play Ball.”
By Umar Farukh6 years ago in Unbalanced
Winners in 2020: The Houston Astros?
So the 2020 season is going to be off to a really late start since MLB and the MLBPA couldn't seem to reach an agreement on how to proceed for the longest time. This unprecedented year in the sport affects everyone involved differently: owners and the league are losing revenue, players are losing income, and minor leaguers are getting released. In short, there are losers on every side of this situation. However, there is one party or better yet, a team in particular that can and probably will benefit from all this: The Houston Astros.
By J.S. Vargas6 years ago in Unbalanced
Who was the First MLB Player with an Agent and other Yankee Tidbits
Photo by Rubenstein A 56 game hitting streak, 714 homers and 27 World Championships - we all know the larger details of Yankee history. But I think it’s also telling to know the little things. Here’s a few good ones.
By Rich Monetti6 years ago in Unbalanced
Temper the Hate
The 2020 year is apparently the year of “the unexpected”. At least that’s what it seems like up until this point. As we are all well aware, COVID is the culprit in this widespread disruption to all phases of life with many wishing to return to “normalcy”. I’m sure the virus’s influence will not disappear when it comes to baseball as the pandemic continues to spread here in the United States. Yet, we have been blessed with good news this week; MLB and specifically Rob Manfred announced that baseball would resume on July 23rd.
By Sam Hazelwood6 years ago in Unbalanced
Confessions of a Baseball Fan
2007 American League Championship Series Game 6. Red Sox are down three games to two in the series to the Cleveland Indians. I’m talking shit about J.D. Drew the whole way down route 93 from Colebrook, N.H. to Boston, Mass. He hadn’t been hitting well and I think I have the answer. “Move Ellsbury over and put CoCo in; J.D.’s done- he’s a bum. Schilling’s on the mound and he’s a ground ball pitcher. We’ll be ok. We don’t need Drew’s glove in the outfield tonight.”
By Michael L. Martin6 years ago in Unbalanced
Baseball Diamonds Are This Guys’ Best Friend
Thwack… Crack, these are the glorious sounds of leather on leather and leather on ash wood. If you listen carefully, you can hear the music of hot dogs grilling, and popcorn popping at concourse concession stands. Impatient children pestering their parents to know how much longer there is left in the game. Then, spotting the poor sweaty teenager dressed up in a mascot costume just trying to earn a few bucks as a milestone to future independence. It’s that time of year when I should be experiencing these sensations, but they have been put temporally on hold this summer, I keep hoping that it all will return to me soon.
By Andres Wiest6 years ago in Unbalanced
Movie Review: ESPN 30 for 30 'Long Gone Summer'
The summer of 1998 went from something none of us baseball fans would ever forget, to one that we have all collectively tried to wash away from history. The cloud of steroids and the ugliness of lies and deceit that accompanied hearings in Washington D.C and public battles in the sports media are memories we’d all like to leave behind as much as the summer of '98 itself. It is the memories of bitter arguments among baseball historians and everyday fans that clouds what was once the most magical moment in the history of the sport, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa’s pursuit of Roger Maris’s single season home run record.
By Sean Patrick6 years ago in Unbalanced
The Family Tree of Faye Dancer
Faye Katherine Dancer was born April 24th, 1925 in Santa Monica, California Lloyd Augustus Dancer and Olive Victoria Pope. Faye attended Santa Monica High School, Dancer played softball for the Dr. Peppers and would later attend University High School in West Los Angeles.
By Bradley Greenland6 years ago in Unbalanced
4 Reasons Why Baseball is Great for Your Kids
At one point in their kids’ childhood, it’s time for parents to help them choose a hobby. When it comes to sports, the main dilemma is whether to start playing individual or team sports. Both types of sports are good for kids, and each has its unique benefits.
By Sarah Kaminski6 years ago in Unbalanced
