baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
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 Farukh5 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
After 26 Years Harvey Friedman Says Goodbye to Umpiring in Somers
Harvey Friedman has umpired in the Mens Softball League since 1993. Finally hanging up his clicker, there’s been a lot of calls, and good standing usually depends on one factor. Who won and who lost. But there probably is one thing that can be agreed upon in regards to this affable man in blue. There are more stories told about Harvey than anyone involved in the league, and there’s no better framework to describe him.
By Rich Monetti6 years ago in Unbalanced
Somers 11U Boys Squad Sticks Together to Win GHVBL Championship
With a 7-6 victory over second seeded South Orangetown on June 2, Somers 11U Red Storm won the Greater Hudson Valley Baseball League Championship. The success came on the heels of a season long “Spartan” mantra that demanded team first and always sticking together, according to Head Coach John Barbagallo. But no matter the level of team cohesion, adversity can cause a breakdown, and Somers faced such a moment in the fourth inning of the semifinal game versus Briarcliff.
By Rich Monetti6 years ago in Unbalanced
I'm "That" Baseball Mom
I always knew that someday when I had kids I would be "that" mom. I would be overenthusiastic, loud, and unapologetic for my actions. There was never any doubt in my mind. As a teenager, I was an athlete and also a sport's girlfriend. And I was always there, always loud, and always opinionated. It didn't hurt that I loved all sports and had a working knowledge of what was happening. Of course, I had imagined having girls and envisioned a life full of cheerleading, softball, and volleyball. Or, if I had boys, it would be football. And then I had kids, and my oldest, at an extremely young age, showed quite an aptitude for baseball skills. So, baseball it was.
By Jenn Pautsch6 years ago in Unbalanced
