Favorite MLB Players of the Last 25 Years
Will your favorite player make the quarter-century list?
There's a saying that time flies when you're having fun. The same can be said when it comes to the 2025 MLB season. There have been outstanding moments, and we're eager to find out wait on who will become World Series Champions. A few months ago, I wrote and published about my favorite World Series games of the last 25 years. If you would like to read that entire story, you can click the link down below and share your favorites.
About the Creator
Mark Wesley Pritchard
You can call me Wesley. Former cosplayer, retro gaming fanatic, die-hard Texas Rangers fan, and nostalgic freak. Need I say more?
Threads: @misterwesleysworld
Instagram: @misterwesleysworld
Keep reading
More stories from Mark Wesley Pritchard and writers in Unbalanced and other communities.
The Blue Jays Understood the Assignment
Well, well, well. The New York Yankees fall short yet again. They perform great during the regular season, but fall apart in the Postseason. This has been their MO for who knows how long. This was the same team who was in the World Series a year ago. Aaron Judge and the Yankees made multiple errors during Game 5, where they had a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. All of a sudden, it went straight to hell from there. Before this season began, I predicted that the Yankees would miss the playoffs. Now, after they were eliminated by the Blue Jays in the ALDS, whom I'll discuss in a bit, the Yankees front office has a lot of decisions to make. Will Aaron Boone return as manager? Does the starting rotation need to undergo some changes? If this team doesn't make any changes, they'll never return to becoming the dominant team they once were over 20 years ago. Aaron Judge is the Dan Marino of Major League Baseball. A great player, but he fades in the playoffs. No World Series titles...yet, but it's unacceptable for a player to have lackluster on-field performances. I no longer have any confidence in the Yankees, because they look so lost every year. They got outperformed by the Blue Jays and it revealed their weaknesses and were exposed. If the goal of the Yankees is to win World Series titles, like I said, changes need to be made and fast. Otherwise, they'll endure more years of disappointing seasons and playoff exits.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 3 months ago in Unbalanced
Jalen Williams
Not every NBA story begins with hype. Some begin with patience, late nights in empty gyms, and a player who slowly learns who he is. Jalen Williams’ journey belongs to that second kind of story—the kind that feels more real because it wasn’t rushed. Today, Jalen Williams is recognized as one of the most promising young players in the NBA, a key piece of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s future. But his rise wasn’t built on viral highlights or instant fame. It was built on steady improvement, adaptability, and an understanding of the game that goes deeper than the box score. From Overlooked Prospect to Reliable Performer Jalen Williams did not enter basketball as a guaranteed star. Coming out of high school, he wasn’t heavily recruited. He chose Santa Clara University, a smaller program that rarely produced NBA lottery picks. For many players, that path can feel like a limitation. For Williams, it became an advantage. At Santa Clara, he was given time—time to grow physically, time to understand spacing, time to learn how to read defenders rather than simply outrun them. Over three seasons, his game matured quietly. His scoring became more efficient. His defense became more disciplined. His confidence grew, but never crossed into ego. By the time he declared for the NBA Draft, scouts noticed something different. Jalen Williams wasn’t flashy, but he was reliable. He didn’t force shots. He didn’t disappear on defense. He made winning plays. A Perfect Fit in Oklahoma City When the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Jalen Williams, it felt like a natural match. The Thunder are known for valuing basketball intelligence, versatility, and long-term development. Williams fit that philosophy perfectly. From his rookie season, he showed an unusual level of comfort for a first-year player. He moved well without the ball, defended multiple positions, and made smart decisions under pressure. While other rookies struggled with the speed of the NBA, Williams looked composed. What stood out most wasn’t just his scoring—it was how he scored. He attacked closeouts, finished through contact, and picked his moments. He didn’t need the offense built around him to be effective. That kind of flexibility is rare. Growth Beyond the Box Score Jalen Williams’ impact isn’t always loud. His numbers are strong, but his true value shows up in smaller details. He knows when to slow the game down. He knows when to cut, when to rotate, when to pass instead of forcing a shot. Defensively, he brings energy without gambling. He stays disciplined, uses his length intelligently, and communicates well with teammates. Coaches trust him because he rarely makes the same mistake twice. That trust has earned him more responsibility each season. Whether playing alongside established stars or leading bench units, Williams adapts. He doesn’t demand attention—he earns it. A Player Built for Modern Basketball In today’s NBA, versatility matters more than ever. Jalen Williams fits seamlessly into the modern game. He can handle the ball, shoot from range, attack mismatches, and guard multiple positions. He’s not defined by one skill, and that’s what makes him dangerous. Defenders can’t predict his next move. Coaches can place him in different lineups without sacrificing balance. More importantly, he understands spacing and timing—two things that don’t always show up on highlight reels but win games consistently. Staying Grounded Amid Rising Expectations As attention grows, many young players struggle with expectations. Jalen Williams has handled that pressure with maturity. He speaks calmly, credits teammates, and focuses on improvement rather than headlines. That mindset reflects in his game. Even as his role expands, he continues to play within the flow of the offense. He doesn’t chase statistics. He chases progress. This approach has made him a favorite among fans who appreciate effort and consistency. It has also made him invaluable to a Thunder team building something sustainable. What the Future Holds Jalen Williams’ ceiling remains high—not because he’s chasing superstardom, but because his foundation is strong. Players who understand the game tend to age well. They adapt as their roles change. They stay relevant. As Oklahoma City continues to develop, Williams is positioned to be a core piece for years to come. Whether he becomes an All-Star or simply one of the league’s most respected two-way players, his impact is already clear. He represents a reminder that success doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it arrives quietly, earned through patience and purpose. Final Thoughts Jalen Williams’ story isn’t about instant fame or dramatic breakthroughs. It’s about steady growth, humility, and understanding the value of doing the little things right. In a league often dominated by noise, his calm presence stands out. And as his career continues to unfold, one thing feels certain: Jalen Williams didn’t rush his journey—and that’s exactly why it’s working.
By Saboor Brohi 8 days ago in Unbalanced
Meet Laila Edwards: The first Black woman to play for Team USA’s Winter Olympic ice hockey team
In a sport that had been invented by people of color, hockey has largely been associated with folks of the lightest hue. For little girls and women to participate, it’s just as odd and rare because women usually don’t pick such an activity. Enter Laila Edwards. Shecis preparing to take to the ice as the first black female to represent Team USA.
By Skyler Saunders6 days ago in Unbalanced
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.