baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Texas Rangers: A World Series Story
The World Series is an event where baseball fans from all walks of life get to experience, whether it's in person, at home, or somewhere exciting. This picture of me seen above was taken a few weeks after the Rangers won the World series. Whether you're watching the Fall Classic alone or with family or friends, there's no doubt that you'll have plenty of memories to remember forever and also to share with others. As far as how much I enjoyed the World Series last year, I'm about to share what the night of Wednesday November 1, 2023 was like for me.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Padres Come Up Short in NLDS Thriller
The San Diego Padres have a knack for making things interesting. This year was no different. The Padres had another amazing season that saw them go toe-to-toe with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West, but while the Dodgers did go on to win the West, the Padres did snag one of the National League's three Wild Card spots. The Padres snagged the 1st Wild Card position, giving them homefield in their series against an Atlanta Braves team that persevered despite being ravaged with injuries.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Witt-less
The 2024 Kansas City Royals' season has to be up there as one of the biggest turnarounds in baseball history. Think about it. Last year, this team lost 106 games. Worst record in baseball. They caught lightning in a bottle this year, and ended up winning 86 games--a 30-game improvement from last year. The Royals were in the playoff race from jumpstreet, and got in during the final week of the season, an absolutely amazing feat.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: An Early End to Red October
Now, the Philadelphia Phillies know how it feels. Two years ago, the Phillies were in what is now regarded as the "sweet spot": the #6 seed in the National League. They were playing with house money. They clawed their way in and made the best of it. Ousting the Cardinals in the Wild Card Series, eliminating the then-defending champion Braves in the NLDS, and defeating the Padres in the NLCS. The Phils fell two wins short of winning the whole thing, but even so, the promise was there.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Pohlad’s Explore Sale of Minnesota Twins Before 2024 Season
After 40 years of ownership, the Pohlad family has announced today that they are exploring the team’s sale. Carl Pohlad purchased the Minnesota Twins in 1984. At the time of the purchase, the team’s value was $44 million. If a sale goes through, the family would likely net over $1 billion for the franchise.
By Total Apex Entertainment & Sportsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Boston Red Sox Legend ‘El Tiante’ Passes Away At 83
Famous Boston Red Sox pitcher, Luis Tiant Jr, or “El Tiante” one of the greatest pitchers of our time has passed away at 83. Tiant played 19 major league seasons finishing with a 3.30 ERA. Luis Tiant was more than just a legendary Cuban pitcher, he was a fixture with the Boston Red Sox long after his professional baseball career. Known for his flamboyant personality and an endless supply of Cuban cigars, this legend will live on in the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. How will he be remembered?
By Total Apex Entertainment & Sportsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Additional Thoughts About the Houston Astros in 2024
First and foremost, I'm not sorry for using this photo as the main image for this story. Also, for all of you Astros fans out there who are in their feelings, as a Rangers fan, I still don't forgive your team for cheating another out of a World Series title in 2017. Some of you Astros fans are probably wondering why I'm always bringing this up and I should just let it go. I don't give a hoot if the scandal happened 20 years ago. If you don't have any integrity for the game and unwilling to take full responsibility for your actions, then why should we, the baseball community, cut you any slack? The majority of the baseball community and most MLB players who took the time to castigate them weren't in a forgiving mood when it comes to these cheats, because that's what they'll forever be known as: cheaters. They'll always have the Cheater label attached to them forever. Almost a year ago, I shared my thoughts about the Houston Astros' cheating scandal. If you would like to read it, I'll provide a link of that below. In the previous story, I explained how the cheating scandal was exposed and thought the punishment handed down to them from Major League Baseball was far too light, absolving them from any responsibility. In case you were wondering what their punishment was, they were fined $5 million, gave up two draft picks (first and second round), and suspended both Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and field manager A.J. Hinch for the entire 2020 season. They were later both relieved of their duties. As far as the players, they were given a slap on the wrist. Translation: they didn't face any consequences from MLB. I still maintain to this day that their 2017 World Series title, rings, and bonuses should be returned, because they didn't earn it. That would be the most noble thing to do to send a huge message to the other 29 teams and since they still refused to take any personal responsibility, apologize to their fans, the City of Houston, and baseball fans everywhere, my pure dislike of them has been even deeper. I also believe that the Astros owner, Jim Crane, should've be fired. He was no innocent soul, either. Neither is Justin Verlander, with whom I'll talk about in a bit. I'll never acknowledge these jokers as World Series Champions and I'm not being petty. I know I'll be hit with the whole "You're just jealous" schtick. Whatever. I feel that baseball fans, including Astros fans, say that to me whenever they can't come up with anything else to add to their argument. If I can condemn and shun Barry Bonds for using steroids to falsely claim the home run record, then I can harshly condemn the Astros for their cheating ways.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a year ago in Unbalanced
2024 Division Series Preview
This year features a milestone in baseball history. On Saturday, October 5, the 30th edition of MLB's Division Series will kick off. This doesn't include the makeshift version that was featured in 1981. The Division Series officially began in the 1995 season, replacing the League Championship Series as the opening round of the postseason. Originally, one series featured the #1 seed against the league's lone Wild Card, while the other pitted the other two division winners against each other. If the #1 seed and the Wild Card were in the same division, then the Wild Card faced the #2 team, and #1 would face #3. That changed with the introduction of the Wild Card Game in 2012, which was modified into the Wild Card Series in 2022.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: You Have to Play TWENTY-SEVEN Innings, Brewers
I was happy that this Wild Card Series went the maximum three games, because that hadn't been happening a lot. Our first taste of the Wild Card Series came in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and that was done to make up for the shortened regular season, similar to the extra "bubble" games in the NHL and NBA. Out of the eight series played (in a best-of-three format), only two went the max. Since the Wild Card Series became a permanent staple in 2022, only one series went the max. This series between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers became the third to go the full three games.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Were Injuries REALLY the Problem?
You know, we really should be commending the Atlanta Braves this season. After all, this team had so many injuries on the squad. Key players from all positions. Ronald Acuna, Jr. was out yet again. It was a disaster, yet the Braves survived. They rose from the proverbial ashes and persevered. The Braves managed to snag one of the National League's three Wild Card spots, doing so in the second game of the makeshift doubleheader that was played on September 30.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Red Sox Consider Young Valuable Japanese Pitcher
Ending a third tragic season without making it to the playoffs, the Boston Red Sox will be watching the playoffs from their couches again this year. The bullpen needs a makeover, the team must continue to find producers on offense, and with some time before spring, the Red Sox as we know it will be looking different. This is a good thing, the franchise is not winning, it is not making the playoffs, so it is time to spruce up Fenway with impactful offseason decisions. With Craig Breslow looking to make a name for himself, will Boston consider 22-year-old Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki for their bullpen?
By Total Apex Entertainment & Sportsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: 18 Innings, One Run
Last year, the Baltimore Orioles won 101 games; their best season in good bit. The expectations were high for the O's that year, but in a shocker, they were swept by the Texas Rangers, who went on to win the World Series. That was taken as a learning experience for that group, and it was believed that the following year would see the Orioles continue to flourish. Sure enough, that's what happened. Well, from March to mid-August, at least.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
