Baseball
Thirst For Glory: Who Needs A World Series The Most
Written November 9th, 2021
On November 2, 2016, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, and with it, ended a 108-year drought. That leaves the question, who needs a World Series title the most? I’ll be looking at five teams, in increasing order of desperation, who need to lift the Commissioner’s Trophy the most.
5. New York Mets
Having come tantalizingly close to winning it all in 2015, the Mets are a win-now team. The acquisitions of Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez made that clear. The current iteration of the Mets roster is the best since that 2015 season. With Jacob deGrom, the power bat of Pete Alonso, and the defensive wizardry on both sides of second from Baez and Lindor, the Mets have a roster to make a run.
To win it all, they need to get consistently good at the plate and stave off the injury bug that has bitten them far too often the last five years.
4. Los Angeles Angels
Perhaps one of the most intriguing teams in Major League Baseball, the Angels are running out of time. Despite having two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, they have yet to win it all. Is it simply a management issue? The Angels have had three managers since 2018. Could it be a roster issue? Outside of Ohtani, Trout, and secret weapon David Fletcher, the Angels are missing out on the batting they have the potential to produce, sitting 10th in the league this past season.
The Angels need to bring in more consistent bats to compliment what they already have if they want to win it all. Mike Trout, despite being under contract until 2030, isn’t going to be around forever.
3. Minnesota Twins
The 2021 season was the 30th anniversary of the last Twins World Series win, not that fans need reminding. Not only are they the first team in Minnesota to bring home a trophy, but they are also the ONLY team in Minnesota to bring home a trophy. The Wild, Timberwolves, and Vikings have a combined zero championships.
As optimistic as I like to be, Josh Donaldson is not going to be enough to bring another World Series home. A LOT has to change for them to be contenders again, including learning how to beat the Yankees in the postseason.
2. Cleveland Indians/Guardians
They have the longest championship drought in MLB history, a title bestowed to them by the Chicago Cubs. I had some debate between them and my number one selection. A possible new name marks the beginning of a new era in Cleveland. A revival of spirits after a crushing 4-3 World Series loss. A team in a soft rebuild after trading Francisco Lindor to the Mets in search of a new identity, both in the clubhouse and across the jersey.
It may be a few years before they’re ready for a deep postseason run, but a second-place finish in the AL Central is certainly encouraging for this team.
1. Seattle Mariners
The only team on this list, and one of five in the league, without a World Series title to its name, the Mariners just missed out on making the postseason. With the regular season winding down, Seattle made it known that they felt like they belonged among the final teams in the playoffs. The baseball world watched with bated breath as they made their improbable run. It ended on the final game of the season, in heartbreaking fashion, guaranteeing the 19th year without playoff baseball.
Seattle has one of those rosters that just gel together well. No outright stars, but a well-oiled machine. Hit all the right notes, and I think they’ll be in contention in the next five years.
Pete Rose Belongs in Cooperstown*
Written November 6th, 2021
When you think of scandals in baseball, a few events may come to mind. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and the Chicago Black Sox, Pete Rose gambling on games, the Steroid Era as a whole, and most recently, the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Three of these four scandals had a direct impact on the game. The Black Sox players involved in the betting scandal were promptly banned for life after fixing games, and some players took money directly from bettors, the Steroid Era saw records shattered, and the Houston Astros stole the 2017 World Series.
As we look at the result of these scandals, it may seem that one punishment, in particular, seems over-the-top. The Black Sox rightly got punished, Barry Bond’s name has not been scrubbed from the record books, despite arguably being the most famous steroid user in baseball history, and the 2017 Astros saw no punishment whatsoever.
That begs the question. Why is Pete Rose still banned for life, even though his actions (as far as we know) had no impact on the game’s outcome?
Are All Scandals Equal?
To put it simply, no. There have been various scandals over the years that didn’t reach nearly the magnitude that these did.
For as bad as it was, you could argue that the Steroid Era revitalized the game. After all, seeing a ball leave the park is one of the most exciting things in baseball. Many of the players now sit near the top of the all-time home runs list, including the king of the long ball, Barry Bonds.
The 2017 Astros were caught, not only by fans but by MLB’s production team, as you could see their sign-stealing station and infamous trash can set up just down the hall from the dugout.
By comparison, Pete Rose gambling on games seems so tiny. Even if he never confessed to it, his actions (again, as far as we know) never impacted the game. Was it wrong? Absolutely. Does it warrant this long-held grudge? In my opinion, no.
The Asterisk
You may have noticed the asterisk I put in the title. That is because there is something that would sway my opinion one way or another on this topic.
If I ever had the privilege to interview any other member of the Big Red Machine, it would impact my thoughts. What if Johnny Bench said yes or no? That should be pretty compelling for any baseball fan.
Pete Rose, Hall of Famer?
As of now, I believe it’s far past time to welcome Rose back into the brotherhood of baseball. Letting him attend the All-Star game in Cincinnati was nothing more than fan service from the commissioner. The MLB all-time hit king should be in the Hall of Fame. However, as with all players with questionable legacies, his scandal should still be a part of his story.
This year is the last year that Barry Bonds is eligible for the Hall. If voters decide to put him in, then Rose deserves a spot. On the other side of the coin, if Bonds isn’t voted in, I don’t see a realistic path to Rose being reinstated.
However inconsistent MLB’s morals maybe, they’ve stuck to them, and some may say that’s admirable. I say, either drop the grudge or don’t allow ANY player involved in ANY scandal in.
It’s just hypocritical otherwise.
How MLB Can Grow The Game
Written November 3rd, 2021
As we approach the end of the season, we fast approach the whirlwind that is the offseason. Trade rumors, free agency signings, and the countdown to spring training begin after the final out of the World Series is recorded. However, there is another side of the game that MLB needs to address, the marketing and growth of the game itself. While there are many things that Commissioner Rob Manfred has done right, there are also many things that need to change.
TV Blackouts NEED to End
This one hits home (no pun intended) pretty hard for me. If you live within six hours of the Twins, White Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Royals, and Brewers during the regular season, fans in those states rarely see them on TV. I don’t usually have 12 hours to spare to drive to one of these stadiums for a game multiple times a week for 81 home games. Fans should not be actively punished for wanting to watch the games at home. To get even more specific, the state of Iowa has been blacked out for all six teams since 2019.
There have been reports of an MLB streaming service circumventing these rules. A much-needed step in the right direction, especially for a generation raised online.
Encourage A New Generation Of Broadcasters
To put it simply, the average age of the broadcast booth is old. The game is changing, and players are (gasp) having fun. The last thing the league needs is old-school broadcasters belittling and criticizing the new generation of players for playing the game differently.
The media railroaded Fernando Tatis Jr into apologizing for the cardinal sin of doing his job and hitting the ball. Yermin Mercedes was attacked by his manager for doing the same earlier this year.
MLB should take notes from the NFL on this one. The games on Nickelodeon were some of the highest-rated of the season. Those broadcasts included younger commentators to help explain the game to the younger audience, and many adults, myself included, enjoyed the broadcast style. The Manning Cast of Monday Night Football also brings some intriguing ideas to mind.
World Series Games Need To Start Earlier
Every game of the 2021 World Series starts after 8 pm Eastern Time. That late start time has led to some pretty late nights for fans:
End times for Games One through Five (Eastern)
One: 12:15 AM
Two: 11:20 PM
Three: 11:33 PM
Four: 11:54 PM
Five: 12:15 AM
Every one of the last 29 World Series games has ended after 11 pm Eastern. 11 of those have ended after midnight. Half the country is asleep by the time the games are over, and the overwhelming majority of that half are kids. Want to grow the game? Let the kids witness history:
So What Is The MLB Doing Right?
As mentioned early, MLB is getting many things right, so to balance out the bad, let us look at the good:
The Field Of Dreams Game
As an Iowan, I LOVED the Field of Dreams game this year. It brought the game to one of its holy sites, in Dyersville, Iowa. MLB fever descended on the town, bringing the Yankees, White Sox, and Kevin Costner with it. Shortly after the game, it was announced that the Cubs and Reds would take part in the 2022 rendition of the game.
My suggestion to build on this would be to make it a series. The Yankees and White Sox were there long enough to warm up and play, only to pack up shortly after the game ended. MLB can help drive tourism in the area now that it has a foothold.
MLB Little League World Series Showcase
This is perhaps one of the most important recent additions to the schedule. Little League teams from around the world descend on Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Two teams are playing in a park that is quite literally filled with the future of the game.
Much like the Field of Dreams game, this needs to be a neutral site series.
MLB Players Weekend
For the years it existed, Players Weekend was a hit among fans. It needs to come back regularly. Nicknames appearing on jerseys and specialty uniforms for the weekend help make the event memorable for players and fans alike.
Nike’s City Connect Collection
Last but not least, the City Connect jerseys. The Cubs, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Giants, Dodgers, Marlins, and Red Sox all received specialty jerseys based on their home city. With some already eye-catching designs, the expansion of this project can help grow the game through merchandise sales.
As the game grows, it’s necessary to engage the newer generation of fans. In some regards, it seems MLB is willing to rise to that challenge.
Here’s hoping they meet it.
Mets Playoff Bound In 2022?
Written October 20th, 2021
For 26 teams, the MLB season has come to a close, leaving them to watch the postseason, and ponder the future. While I would love to get into the details of every single team, there is one team in particular I’d like to focus on. The New York Mets.
The Mets finished third in the NL East, with a record of 77-85. An underwhelming season, especially considering the amount of talent on roster. Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Javier Baez, and last, but most importantly, Jacob deGrom. On paper, this iteration of the Mets is far too talented to underachieve. I believe, if all goes in the Mets’ favor, that they will be a playoff team come the end of the 2022 regular season. So what needs to go right?
Free Agency
From the outside looking in, the Mets need to make one big thing happen this offseason.
Resign Javier Baez.
With Lindor locked down for the next decade, the other side of the diamond needs a defensive wizard to complement him. Lindor and Baez have been friends for years, and nothing would please the newly minted franchise player more than retaining Javy.
Another necessity for the Mets to be contenders is bringing Marcus Stroman. As injury prone as the Mets rotation has been the last few seasons, a solid middle of the rotation guy would do them wonders. Especially considering how injury prone the Mets rotation has been as of late.
One crucial part of the major league roster that the New York Mets lack is the lightning rod. The guy who can shift the momentum of the game in any situation, be it with a homerun or a bunt. While the defenisive wizardry of Javy Baez cannot be denied, he needs some consistency injected into every plate appearance.
The man I have in mind for this role?
Nick Castellanos
With a player option coming once free agency hits, Castellanos is sure to have many suitors, should he decline his option. The mentality he brings to every game, “Everyday is Opening Day”, made him beloved in Chicago. His passion for the game has done the same in Cincinnati.
Hire A Development-Minded President Of Baseball Operations
For reasons I will not get into here, the Mets have a vacant postion in their front office. The majority of their top ten prospects aren at the Double A level or lower. That itself is reason enough to go after executives from premier player development organizations. Organizations such as the soon-to-be Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox are all considered to be elite.
The Cubs just lured Carter Hawkins away from Cleveland, for their GM position. Hawkins’ colleague, James Harris, was also on the Cubs shortlist. What makes him perfect for the Mets job? Harris is currently is Vice President of Player Development in Cleveland.
Finally, we have the biggest, and hardest thing to avoid to be a contender.
Avoid Drama
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have no doubt heard about how the New York Mets season ended. When boos started echoing throughout Citi Field, some players decided to return the favor. After a big play, Lindor and Baez began to give the crowd a thumbs down, and the social media world took notice. New owner Steve Cohen even chimed in on Twitter, which, as an owner, is unethical at best, and self-destructive at worst.
No team is infallible. The Padres proved that this year. As one of the favorites to win the World Series, the star studded roster looked invincible. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off at the end of the season, and video of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr screaming at one another made the rounds just before the season ended.
I have said it before, and will continue to say it. You do not need a star studded roster to win championships. In baseball, as with most sports, you need a cohesieve unit, a well-oiled machine. If the Mets can do these things, playoff baseball will be back in Queens next season.
Seattle Mariners: Just Missed The Playoff Port Of Call
Written October 6th, 2021
The end of the MLB regular season was WILD. The American League Wild Card, just won by the Red Sox, came down to the final game of the season. Four teams had a shot at the two spots in the one-game playoff. If the cards fell just right, we would’ve had a historic day, featuring two Game 163s in the same day, vying for a spot in the Wild Card game.
A Race To The Finish
Going into the final game of the year, the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays were all tied for the Wild Card. As we know now, the Yankees and Red Sox came out victorious and clinched the two spots. However, that is not the topic at hand. Today, we’re going to explore the most deserving team to miss the playoffs. The Seattle Mariners.
Division Background
The AL West, headlined by the division-winning Houston Astros, and the worst-best team ever, the Los Angeles Angels, had a fairly decent year overall. Three of the five teams in the division finished with 80+ wins, the Astros, Mariners, and Athletics, with the former two winning 90+ games. All three also had winning records both at home and on the road. The biggest difference in these three, outside of divisional play, was the final ten-game stretch. Both the Athletics and Astros dropped the ball in their last ten, going 4-6.
An Improbable Run
With the Red Sox stumbling on the Wild Card lead, going 5-5 in their last 10, the door was open for a move to be made. The Seattle Mariners took that opportunity, as did the Yankees and Blue Jays. The Mariners went 7-3 in their last ten games, really making the rest of the Wild Card contenders sweat. As a fan, I was cheering hard for them, wanting to see as chaotic of an outcome as possible. As I mentioned earlier, if the cards fell just right, there were 16 possible outcomes of two Game 163s.
Coming off a 6-4 win over the Angels, the Seattle Mariners were in prime position to at least make the Wild Card interesting. The season quite literally rode on this final game. How did it turn out?
Top 1st
Shohei Ohatani leads off with a home run. Angels lead 1-0
Phil Gosselin singles to left
Jack Mayfield singles, Gosselin scores. Angels lead 2-0
Top 2nd
Jose Rojas walks
David Fletcher doubles, Rojas scores. Angels lead 3-0
Jared Walsh hits a sacrafice fly, Fletcher scores. Angels lead 4-0
Bottom 2nd
Luis Torrens doubles to left
Jarred Kelenic singles to right, Torrens scores. Angels lead 4-1
JP Crawford singles to center, Kelenic scores. Angels lead 4-2
Top 4th
Phil Gosselin singles to center
Jared Walsh blasts one to deep right. Angels lead 6-2
Top 5th
Juan Lagares singles to left
David Fletcher triples, Lagares scores. Angels lead 7-2
Bottom 6th
Luis Torrens singles to center
Cal Raleigh walks
Jake Fraley singles to left
JP Crawford grounds out to second, Torrens scores. Angels lead 7-3
That would be the end of the scoring. The Seattle Mariners’ improbable run came to an end in the final game of the season.
The Seattle Mariners’ Playoff Drought Continues
As many have pointed out, the Mariners have not made the playoffs since 2001. Missing it by one game, no less, is the worst way to end the season. With so much faith, and hopes riding high, the season came to a heartbreaking close.
Seattle Mariners’ Next Port Of Call? Hope
However, this isn’t the end. Though this season is over, next year will come quicker than we think, and with so many high-profile free agents hitting the market this offseason, moves could be made to end the drought. With young bats like Jarred Kelenic, the Mariners have the youth to build around, combined with experience, from Kyle Seager, the Mariners have an opportunity to be the next drought breaker. We know that star power isn’t necessary to build a contender. As long as the Mariners build a team that plays like a well-oiled machine, I can absolutely see them in the playoffs next year.
The Mariners were absolutely the most deserving team that missed the playoffs. The question now is, what do they have to change to not be the subject of this article in a years’ time?
World Series: Heavy Is The Head That Wears The Crown?
Written October 5th, 2021
The March To The World Series Begins
The MLB postseason is here. The path to the World Series is possibly as difficult as it has ever been. That means it’s time for predictions, and of those there are many. My own prediction? It’s time for me to layout the postseason in my own mind and add a drop to the ocean of predictions all over the internet.
Wild Card And Division Series
AL Wild Card: Yankees versus Red Sox
ALDS 1: Rays versus winner of Yankees/Red Sox
ALDS 2: White Sox versus Astros
NL Wild Card: Dodger versus Cardinals
NLDS 1: Giants versus winner of Dodgers/Cardinals
NLDS 2: Braves versus Brewers
American League Division Series
The AL Wild Card came down to Game 162 this year, with New York, Boston, Seattle, and Toronto all tied up for the two spots going into the final game of the season. Instead of predicting a winner for the Wild Card games, I am going to put together a scenario for both possible outcomes of the Wild Card.
ALDS: Tampa Bay Rays Versus New York Yankees
On paper, this is a fantastic series. The Rays, coming off their first 100 win season in franchise history, have another shot at the World Series after losing to the Dodgers last season. The Yankees are looking to shake off a decade of missing the World Series and having not advanced past the ALCS since 2009 when they last lifted the Commissioner’s Trophy.
While the Yankees do have one of the biggest power lineups in the league, I’m going to give this series to Tampa Bay 3-1.
ALDS: Tampa Bay Rays Versus Boston Red Sox
This hypothetical isn’t nearly as interesting. Boston has had World Series experience in the last decade, but this team is much different than the 2018 iteration of the Red Sox, notably missing Mookie Betts. The Rays don’t necessarily have the star power, missing Tyler Glasnow, but they are fantastic as a whole, with everyone working together like a well-oiled machine.
Rays take this series quickly, 3-0.
ALDS: Chicago White Sox Versus Houston Astros
This is the series to watch in the AL. Despite the questions, Tony La Russa has brought the White Sox back into contention, and they don’t look like a pretender to the throne either. On the other side, we have everyone’s least favorite team, the Houston Astros. The Astros are looking to shake their recent controversy, which we need not get into here. They’ve got a legitimate shot here too, on what may be the last dance for Carlos Correa. The impending free agent has been the core of this Astros team, for better or worse.
This series will be a close one. As much as I hate to say it, I am giving it to the Astros, 3-2.
National League Division Series
This season’s wild card features a first. The Dodgers qualified for the wild card, despite recording 106 wins this year. Any other year, they’d have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs, but this year is different. The Cardinals are… also there. I am covering both outcomes of the Wild Card, but I really only see one viable outcome of this game.
NLDS: San Francisco Giants Versus Los Angeles Dodgers
We had the White Sox/Astros series as the series to watch, and now we have our series to watch on the National League side of the bracket. Following an arms race in the National League West and a tight race for the division title, this series is definitely the best possible and most likely outcome of the wild card. The Dodgers come into this series with the best starting rotation in the playoffs, but, like the Rays, the Giants don’t run on star power alone.
I give this series to the Giants 3-2.
NLDS: San Francisco Giants Versus St Louis Cardinals
I’m going to make this quick. Outside of Harrison Bader doing his best 2011 David Freese in this series, it’s over. Fast.
Giants win this one 3-0.
NLDS: Atlanta Braves Versus Milwaukee Brewers
Once the playoffs hit, the regular season doesn’t matter. Well, that is mostly true, except in one regard. Injuries. This series is defined by them. The Braves lost Ronald Acuna Jr in July to a torn ACL, and Mike Soroka to an Achilles injury. On the other side, the Brewers just lost one of their top relievers, Devin Williams, in a wall-punching incident that left him with a broken hand.
This series goes to the healthier of the two, but not without long-term effects. Milwaukee takes it, 4-2.
Championship Series
ALCS: Tampa Bay Rays Vs Houston Astros
This is a good series. Two teams, both run like well-oiled machines, squaring off for the American League Pennant. Dusty Baker seems to have a good feel for his locker room, and it shows on the field. The Rays, despite missing Glasnow, as mentioned earlier, are possibly the tightest knit team in the league.
The Rays claim the American League Pennant, 4-3.
NLCS: San Francisco Giants Vs Milwaukee Brewers
On paper, this looks pretty close. Two teams, both division champions. However, reality will prove to be much different. The Giants have 12 more wins than the Brewers, and a better overall rotation and bullpen depth. Without Devin Williams, the Brewers will be overly reliant on Josh Hader, causing a 2016 Aroldis Chapman-esque situation.
The Giants claim the National League Pennant, 4-1.
The 2021 World Series
World Series: San Francisco Giants Versus Tampa Bay Rays
This is it. The march through October culminates in this series. 7 games, one king of Major League Baseball. A combined 207 wins, two division championships, and plenty of fireworks. So who wins? I think this series has real potential to be one the best in recent years. This is a matchup of Moneyball and firepower. The Rays have one of the lowest payrolls in the league, which may surprise people after they won 100 games this year. They function as a team with all the star power in the league, without any of the star power. A tight-knit group to its core, the Rays will match up well. Unfortunately, not well enough. A Giants lineup, including plug-and-play star Kris Bryant, will overpower Tampa in the end.
The San Francisco Giants will be your 2021 World Series Champions. 4-2.
Chicago Cubs (2015-2021): In Memoriam
Written October 1st, 2021
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have sat down to try and write this piece. Chicago Cubs baseball has been a part of my life since birth. I was very nearly named after a certain Cubs legend. I grew up watching the stars of the 2015-2021 Cubs in the minors and interacted with a few of them at Spring Training. Jake Arrieta just won the NL Cy Young in 2015, and he came up to the fence gate of the practice field, opened it, and stood right next to me. I felt genuinely starstruck for the first time in my life.
The Beginning Of A New Cubs Era
In 2012, Theo Epstein made a trade. One that would set the course for the next decade of Cubs baseball. He acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Padres. Rizzo would be the team’s rock in an era of roster turnover on the North Side.
Two years later, a young shortstop by the name of Javier Baez made his MLB debut and quickly became a mainstay in the Cubs’ starting lineup. The Loveable Losers had the beginnings of a strong core. It just needed one more piece. That piece fell into place when the Cubs called up Kris Bryant from Triple-A Iowa. Bryant would go on the win NL Rookie of the Year.
The Cubs would finish the 2015 season 97-65, making it to the National League Championship Series (NLCS), but falling short after being eliminated by the New York Mets. However, the most important team in Chicago Cubs history was just getting started.
The 2016 Chicago Cubs
As all baseball fans know, the Cubs had a horrid title drought. 108 years to be specific. Many teams got close. Notably the 2003 team, but I don’t want to go into that.
That drought was to end this season. Theo Epstein made that clear when they traded Gleyber Torres to the Yankees for the flamethrowing Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline. From that moment on, it was World Series or bust. The Cubs won 103 games, had almost the full infield at the All-Star Game, Kris Bryant was named MVP, and title hype was building on the North Side.
First came the Division Series. The top-seeded Cubs hosted the San Francisco Giants.
Game One- Cubs win 1-0
Two- Cubs win 5
Three- Giants win 6-5
Four- Cubs win 6-5
Final Series Score: Cubs win 3-1
The Championship Series came next. The Chicago Cubs hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers:
Game One- Cubs win 8-4
Two- Dodgers win 1-0
Three- Dodgers win 6-0
Four- Cubs win 10-2
Five- Cubs win 8-4
Six- Cubs win 5-0
And then came the World Series. Cleveland Indians hosting the Chicago Cubs. Kyle Schwarber, who tore his ACL three games into the season, came back and had the biggest impact on the team.
Game One- Indians win 6-0
Two- Cubs win 5-1
Three- Indians win 1-0
Four- Indians win 7-2
Five- Cubs win 3-2
Six- Cubs win 9-3
What If I Told You 17 Minutes Of Rain Could Wipe Out 108 Years Of Drought?
This is it. Do or die for both teams. Both suffering from championship droughts, who comes out on top?
Top First:
Dexter Fowler hits a lead off home run, Cubs lead 0-1
Bottom Third:
Carlos Santana singles, Coco Crisp scores, Game is tied 1-1
Top Fourth:
Addison Russell hits a sac fly to center, Kris Bryant scores, Cubs lead 2-1
Willson Contreras doubles to center, Ben Zobrist scores, Cubs lead 3-1
Top Fifth:
Javier Baez hits a solo home run to right center, Cubs lead 4-1
Anthony Rizzo singles to right, Kris Bryant scores, Cubs lead 5-1
Bottom Fifth:
Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis score on a wild pitch, Cubs lead 5-3
Top Sixth:
David Ross hits a solo home run, Cubs lead 6-3
Bottom Eight:
Brandon Guyer doubles to center, Jose Ramirez scores, Cubs lead 6-4
Rajai Davis hits a two run home run, Game is tied 6-6
After the ninth inning, the game was tied.
Suddenly, it happened.
It rained.
A sudden burst of rain fell over Progressive Field in Cleveland, delaying the game for 17 minutes. At that moment, Jason Heyward called his teammates together in the clubhouse and gave a rousing speech. “We’re the best team in baseball … for a reason… Stick together and we’re going to win this game.”
Game Resumes
Top 10th:
Kyle Schwarber singles, is then replaced by Albert Almora, who advances to second on a Bryant pop up to center
Anthony Rizzo is intentionally walked
Ben Zobrist doubles to left, Albert Almora scores, Cubs lead 7-6
Miguel Montero singles to left, Rizzo scores, Cubs lead 8-6
Bottom 10th
Rajai Davis singles to left, Brandon Guyer scores
Michael Martinez grounds it to third….
In the immortal words of Joe Buck, the play goes:
“This is gonna be a tough play, Bryant….. The Cubs… WIN THE WORLD SERIES.”
“Cubs Win” flashes up on the Wrigley marquee. As it happened, Wrigleyville goes crazy, some fans listen to the final out next to their late family member’s grave, so they could experience it together. I…. am crying my eyes out in my dorm room. The era of the Loveable Losers is no more. The Commissioner’s Trophy is heading to the North Side.
Flash Forward
The next five seasons included several trips to the NLCS, and featured still contending teams. Then came the 2021 trade deadline. The gut punches kept coming. First, it was Rizzo to the Yankees. Then Bryant to the Giants. Finally, it was Baez to the Mets.
Player by player, the front office decimated what was left of the most important team in Chicago Cubs history. For the second time in five years, I found myself crying over the Cubs, for two very different reasons. The players I had seen time and time again in developing in Iowa, the ones who defined my fandom, were gone. Just like that.
A flurry of roster moves left the Cubs nearly unrecognizable, as many of the new generations were making their debut or in the early phases of their major league careers.
A Hope-Filled Future For The Cubs
The new generation is here, and they’re bringing back that same energy the 2015-2021 Cubs exuded. This years’ team motto was Cub Together. While many laughed at the irony, especially after the deadline, eventually, I came to see that it was more fitting than we ever thought. A season filled with trials and tribulation, and these guys were still having fun. Although the Cubs were not making the playoffs, they somehow that energy high as if they were winning the World Series again.
Frank Schwindel, Patrick Wisdom, Rafael Ortega, Greg Deichmann, just to name a few, mark the future of the everyday lineup. In the minors, we have plenty to look forward to. Brennan Davis has rocketed his way up the system, with the power to back it up. Pitching prospects galore, plus the top prospects from the Bryant, Rizzo, and Javy trades.
Although the most important team in Chicago Cubs history is gone, in reality, the Cubs aren’t. Join me in looking to the future, while occasionally happily reminiscing on the past. My advice to all other fans struggling with the franchise’s decisions? Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
Jacob deGrom, This Generation's Nolan Ryan
Written September 24th, 2021
Picture this: It’s September 11th, 1966 and you’re at Shea Stadium. The 60-84 New York Mets are hosting the 74-70 Atlanta Braves. As you look over the rosters, a few names catch your eye. On the Atlanta side, Hank Aaron and Joe Torre. Looking over the Mets roster, you catch a name that you aren’t familiar with, Nolan Ryan.
Making his big league debut in the sixth inning, relieving Dick Selma, Ryan entered the game with the Mets trailing 6-1.
With Pat Jarvis, Felipe Alou, and Eddie Matthews as the batters due up, here is how he fared:
Pat Jarvis struck out swinging
Felipe Alou flew out to right field
Eddie Matthews watched strike three go by
A 1-2-3 inning to start his career. He was called on to take the mound in the 7th as well, which went as follows:
Hank Aaron grounds out
Joe Torre welcomes Ryan to the majors with a solo home run
Ryan issues his first career walk to Rico Carty
Mack Jones lines out to left
Denis Menky goes down hacking
That would be all the action Ryan saw in his first outing, being relieved by Bill Hepler. Despite an 8-3 loss for the Mets that night, it was the very beginning of what would become a legendary 27-year career including;
Eight All-Star Appearances (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989)
1969 World Series Champion
11-time league leader in strikeouts (1972-1974, 1976-1979, 1987-1990)
Two-time NL ERA leader (1981, 1987)
An MLB record 5,714 career strikeouts
Seven no-hitters (caught by 7 different catchers)
A career record of 324-292, and a career ERA of 3.19
Jersey number retired by three teams (30 by Angels, 34 by Rangers and Astros)
A career like this is something we will never see again, right? Well from a longevity perspective, we will never see that again. In terms of sheer dominance though, we’ve got another Mets pitcher unfolding his legendary career.
Who might that be?
Jacob deGrom
Selected by the Mets in the 9th round of the 2010 draft, deGrom moved relatively quickly through the Mets farm system and made his Major League debut on May 15th, 2014 in the Subway Series against the New York Yankees.
The Mets had intended to bring him out in relief, but an injury to Dillon Gee changed those plans, and deGrom was inserted into the starting spot. He did not disappoint.
deGrom made a strong impression, recording 6 strikeouts in seven full innings, despite giving up the only run of the game in the 7th.
Jacoby Ellsbury flew out to left
Mark Teixeira walked
Brian McCann reached on a fielders choice
Alfonso Soriano doubles into center field, McCann scores
Yangervis Solarte lines out to second
Despite the 1-0 loss, deGrom’s career was off to a fast start. He would go on to win the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2014, and over the following 7 years of his career, he would rapidly expand his trophy case, including;
Four-time All-Star (2015, 2018, 2019, 2021)
Two-time NL strikeout leader (2019, 2020)
NL ERA Leader (2018)
Two-time All MLB First Team (2018, 2019)
Through July 1st, 2021, 77-53 career record, 1,495 career strikeouts, and a career 2.50 ERA
and last but not least…….
Two-time Cy Young Award winner (2018, 2019)
Right now, you may be thinking “Alright, get to the point”.
This generation’s Nolan Ryan?
Supporting that statement may seem tougher than it is. Both played consistently great for teams that were not consistently great, year to year.
The teams Ryan played for were a combined 2,171-2,135 (50.4% winning percentage). From 2014-2020, the Mets were 503-517 (49.3% winning percentage) with deGrom on the roster.
Now, before we go any further, I must point out that we’re working with 3.5 times the sample size for Ryan than deGrom, but the numbers are still comparable on average
Nolan Ryan averaged 211 strikeouts a season over his illustrious career. Jacob deGrom (from 2014-2020) averaged 169 strikeouts. If he were to pitch another 19 seasons, at that rate he’d finish his career with 4,586 strikeouts.
Things get more interesting when we look at wins above replacement, or WAR for short. When it was all said and done, Ryan had built up 81.3 career WAR.
From 2014-2020, deGrom recorded 38.7 career WAR, almost half of Ryan’s 81.3, and might I add that he’s done it in under half of Ryan’s full career.
I’d like to take a moment to point out some of the differences in their careers. Both have appeared in a World Series, but only Ryan has a ring. Both have had incredible careers on the mound, but deGrom has won the Cy Young twice (blows my mind that Ryan never won it).
deGrom to Cooperstown?
To me, it is undeniable that their careers have followed a similar path, and one day, they will share the halls of Cooperstown. I firmly believe that currently Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, and have no doubt in my mind that he will come up in the conversation to be considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time when he wraps up his career.
The question is……..
Just how far up the list will he land?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr Versus Shohei Ohtani: A Tale Of Two Seasons
Written September 21st, 2021
As the season winds down, awards season ramps up. No single-season award is more prestigious than Most Valuable Player (MVP). Two players, in particular, are locked in a photo finish for the American League MVP award. Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Shohei Ohtani have both had incredible seasons in their own right, and that is why MVP is going to be such a hard choice for voters. I’m going to lay out both of their seasons, and try to get to the bottom of this award race.
To start, I want to lay out the rules of the debate. Batting average, home runs, RBIs, hits, at-bats are all on the table, as well as defensive stats. A side-by-side look is necessary when you have two seasons as close as these.
Batting Average
.257 (Ohtani)
.321 (Guerrero Jr)
At-Bats
498 (Ohtani)
554 (Guerrero Jr)
Hits
128 (Ohtani)
178 (Guerrero Jr)
Runs
93 (Ohtani)
119 (Guerrero Jr)
Home Runs
44 (Ohtani)
46 (Guerrero Jr)
RBI
94 (Ohtani)
105 (Guerrero Jr)
All statistics are as of 9/20/2021
Defensive statistics, however, are a bit harder to directly compare, given the difference in Guerrero Jr and Ohtani’s defensive positions. Those stats will be explored later on. Ohtani does have innings registered playing in right field, but the sample size is so small that it renders itself irrelevant.
Now that the relevant stats have been put out, I want to properly explore each of our contender’s seasons.
Shohei Ohtani (P/DH)
The two-way phenom has been electric this year. Ohtani is having a season for the ages, only just giving up the MLB home run lead, to Vladimir Guerrero Jr and darkhorse MVP candidate, Salvador Perez. He’s also up towards the top of the RBI leaderboard and leading the way with 8.1 WAR this season. His offensive output has been above and beyond what anyone ever expected from him (except maybe the Angels), with one scout saying “He’s basically like a high school hitter because he’s never seen a good curveball”.
Oh, and he’s a pretty good pitcher too. Few players in this league can call themselves two-way players, and even fewer can be successful as one. Boasting a 3.28 ERA, Ohtani will likely be on the outside looking in when it comes to the Cy Young Award.
Ohtani has punched out 146 batters to 44 walks in 22 appearances (123.1 total innings) on the bump this year, or 3.3 Strikeouts to every walk issued this year and about 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. A two-way player with those kinds of stats is easily a favorite for MVP in any season and probably wins outright it if Vlad Guerrero Jr. wasn’t having the year he is.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Blue Jays’ first baseman is on fire. Never has the league seen someone with this kind of power flaunt it with ease. First showing it off in the 2019 Home Run Derby, Vladdy blasted a record 91 home runs, with an average exit velocity of 104.4 mph. This year, he’s leading the league in two major categories, with 46 home runs and a batting average of .321. Junior is tied for fourth in RBI with 105, second in OPS, at 1.029, and 6.8 WAR, tied for 3rd, to boot.
Have I mentioned yet that he’s only 22 years old?
So what could be the differentiating factor between these two players and the incredible seasons that they are posting? Three words…
The Triple Crown
The history of the fabled Triple Crown is a long and prestigious one. To accomplish it, a player must lead the league in home runs, RBI, and batting average. A total of 10 players have achieved the feat; two have done it twice.
Roger Hornsby, St Louis Cardinals (1922, 1925)
Chuck Klein, Phillidelphia Phillies (1933)
Jimmie Foxx, Phillidelphia Athletics (1933)
Lou Gerhig, New York Yankees (1934)
Joe Medwick, St. Louis Cardinals (1937)
Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox (1942, 1947)
Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees (1956)
Frank Robinson, Baltimore Orioles (1966)
Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox (1967)
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2012)
Every single member of this list had a batting average of at least .316. Who, you may ask, is on the cusp of such a feat? None other than Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
As previously mentioned, Vladdy is tied for the lead in home runs, only with Salvador Perez (who just passed Johnny Bench for most home runs for a primary catcher), and leading the league in batting average (.321). The only stat he is chasing is RBI, which he is tied for fourth with 105.
So… Who Wins MVP?
If he achieves baseball immortality, Vladimir Guerrero Jr should win the AL MVP in a landslide. He’d be six years younger than Miguel Cabrera when he won it in 2012. I don’t doubt in my mind that he’d win it. Without the Triple Crown, however, it is a different conversation.
I believe Ohtani has done enough to at least make it a close vote. Despite that, I believe Guerrero Jr will still win the MVP because, at the end of the day, the Most Valuable Player is the one the keeps his team in the playoff discussion, as Toronto currently has a 1.5 game cushion in the second wild-card spot.
Two young phenoms in the prime of their careers certainly have more of these award races to look forward to. I expect at least one Cy Young in Ohtani’s future and multiple batting titles for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In the end, the chips will fall where they may, and we will likely be discussing this MVP vote for years to come.
The MLB Lockout: Where Are We Now?
Written February 20th, 2022
February 15th, 2022 was going to be a great day. Pitchers and catchers were going to report to their respective Spring Training sites in Florida and Arizona. Due to the owners initiating the lockout post-expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, that glorious day is, at the very least, delayed.
What Is A MLB Lockout?
A lockout is a work stoppage. Players cannot use team facilities. Front office staff cannot contact players. Current free agents cannot be signed. Players recovering from an injury cannot meet with team doctors. Tyler Glasnow, who required Tommy John surgery during the season, is not allowed to rehab at Rays’ facilities. Carlos Correa, the most desired shortstop on the market, cannot negotiate with teams.
What Caused The MLB Lockout?
The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) and the owners failed to come to an agreement before the expiration date. The action of the lockout itself was voted on by the owners.
Negotiations
There have been several meetings between the MLBPA and ownership. Despite that, little progress has been made. Not many details have come to light either. The owners made the first offer. The owners’ offer included a slight increase in minimum salary and a draft lottery that would discourage tanking.
On January 24th and 25th, the two sides met once again, with the MLBPA rejecting most of the proposal. Both sides did however abandon some of their previous sticking points, such as the MLBPA’s proposed age-based free agency, as opposed to the current service time format.
On February 1st, core economic issues were discussed. This meeting also included the MLBPA proposing an expanded 12 team playoff, and making the designated hitter universal.
That same day, the owners committed to making a counteroffer. Instead of sticking to their word, they requested a federal mediator to intervene. Given MLB’s antitrust exempt status, asking for government help is like hiding behind the teacher after you picked a fight.
The MLBPA declined the request, and released the following statement:
“The clearest path to a fair and timely agreement is to get back to the table”.
On Thursday, February 17th, the two sides met again for just 15 minutes.
As of writing, there have been no further meetings.
What We Know
The few proposal components we know for sure have been agreed to are:
Universal Designated Hitter
Save pitchers from unnecessary injury
A new draft lottery (details of which are still unknown)
As previously mentioned, this is to discourage tanking around the league
Teams will no longer lose draft picks when they sign players
When Will the Lockout End?
Unfortunately, it could be a while. There are no limits on how long a side can wait to make an offer. Commissioner Manfred was optimistic the sides would come to an agreement before Opening Day. He addressed the media for the first time, with no plans to delay the season. The 1995 season was the last year the league actively canceled games because of a work stoppage.
Like so many fans, we at MLBDiamond are waiting with bated breath for the announcement that they’ve come to an agreement.
We can only hope that it comes before March 31st.