baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
FanGraphs, We Need to Talk
As you can tell by this picture above, I'm seething with anger. Why is that, you ask? It's because the disrespect of the Texas Rangers never seems to end. The focus of this story is about FanGraphs. If you're not familiar with them, it was created and owned by David Appelman in 2009. Their main focus is providing stats for every player in Major League Baseball. Plus, they have blog posts, provide information about prospects, and more. I've been following their shenanigans ever since the Rangers won the World Series and nearly six months later, the defending champs are still not being shown the respect that they rightfully deserve. This is a team who has swept the Rays and Orioles in the Wild Card and ALDS respectively. Also, they fought hard to beat their rivals, the Houston Astros, in seven games in the ALCS. Finally, they defeated the Diamondbacks in five games to win it all. This was their first ever World Series title in team history, after being so close of winning it over 12 years ago. I've been a fan for over 20 years and it was the best night of my life.
Mark Wesley PritchardPublished 17 days ago in UnbalancedVocal Highlight: Rangers Nation
Nearly four months after the Texas Rangers won their first ever World Series title, I made a promise to myself in one of my stories I wrote about the Rangers that I would buy a jersey. Despite me being a Rangers fan for over 20 years, I've never had a baseball jersey in my life. Recently, I bought my first two Rangers jerseys, both of Future Hall of Famer, Max Scherzer. One of them was with the World Series Champions patch on the right sleeve. As you can see above, I'm proudly wearing one of my jerseys and with a witty caption. So you must be asking why Max Scherzer? I feel like he doesn't get enough praise for having a determined and never say die approach. He's won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019 and another with the Rangers last November. Despite being hurt towards the end of last season and pitched in three innings of a few Postseason games, he gets the highest praise from me for being such an important part of the Rangers journey to their first World Series championship. These are the reasons why I chose to purchase two Max Scherzer jerseys.
Mark Wesley PritchardPublished about a month ago in UnbalancedOrigins of Familiar Sports Terms
Random Somers Sideline Shots Random John Jay Winter Sideline Shots Warning Track When Yankee Stadium was designed, it was proposed that the 1928 Olympics would be held there. So a track was included in the original construction and remained. It happened to run inside the home run fence. Hence the term warning track was born.
Rich MonettiPublished about a month ago in UnbalancedUnderdog's Triumph
The sun hung low over the picturesque hills of Kentucky, casting long shadows across the rolling landscape. In a quiet corner of this idyllic countryside, a small and weathered garage echoed with the clinks and clatters of tools, the heartbeat of a dream in the making. This was the unlikely birthplace of an underdog team destined to challenge the giants of the Formula 1 world.
AyomidePublished 3 months ago in UnbalancedBaseball: America's Pastime and a Global Passion
Introduction: Baseball, often referred to as America's pastime, is more than just a sport—it is an integral part of the cultural fabric of the United States and has increasingly become a global passion. With its iconic imagery, legendary players, and dramatic moments, baseball captivates millions with its unique blend of strategic play, individual prowess, and team spirit. From the crack of the bat on a warm summer evening to the tension-filled decision-making in the dugouts, baseball provides endless narratives of triumph, heartbreak, and the pursuit of excellence. This article will delve into the heart of baseball, exploring its origins, its impact on society, and the timeless appeal that makes it a beloved sport around the world.
Rajeshkumar GPublished 4 months ago in UnbalancedThe Unforeseen Triumph of Florida State in the ACC: An Extraordinary Saga of Tenacity and Defensive Prowess
In a surprising twist of fate, the Florida State Seminoles secured the ACC championship with a determined 16-6 win against Louisville, igniting aspirations for a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. Operating with their third-string quarterback, Brock Glenn, the Seminoles surmounted substantial challenges, showcasing resilience and unwavering resolve under the tutelage of coach Mike Norvell.
Rahul KadPublished 4 months ago in UnbalancedVon Miller's alleged assault: A shocking incident sends ripples through the NFL
Von Miller's alleged assault: A shocking incident sends ripples through the NFL The NFL community was left in shock and disbelief as news broke that star linebacker Von Miller was facing charges of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in their high-rise apartment in Dallas. The incident, which unfolded in the uptown area of Dallas, raised concerns not only about Miller's future, but also about the broader issue of domestic violence in professional sports.
World NewsPublished 4 months ago in UnbalancedJohn Jay Volleyball Heads to Semifinals
John Jay rode their successful regular season to a fourth seed and opened the Sectionals at John Jay versus Edgemont. The Wolves didn’t wait to get started by jumping out to a 7-3 lead, and the tone set early, the match went as expected
Rich MonettiPublished 4 months ago in UnbalancedMy Thoughts About the Houston Astros
Houston Trashtros and Houston Asterisks are two of the names many baseball fans call the Houston Astros since their infamous cheating scandal transpired in 2017 that helped them win their first ever World Series. For those who aren't familiar with this scandal, suspicions about the Astros cheating have been spreading for years. It wasn't until 2019 that the Los Angeles Dodgers organization started to blow the whistle on a claim that the Astros were stealing signs during the World Series two years earlier. Other teams claimed that they used other cheating tactics, such as whistling to relay signs to batters. In January 2020, Commissioner Rob Manfred released the results of an investigation conducted by Major League Baseball and they concluded that the Astros illegally used a video camera system to steal signs during their World Series run three years prior. As a result to the other aforementioned schemes, the Houston Astros 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. Basically, all of this was a slap on the wrist for the players and for the owner to save his own behind.
Mark Wesley PritchardPublished 4 months ago in UnbalancedUnapologetically Defending the Texas Rangers
Recently, I celebrated a birthday and very thankful to see another year. Witnessing the Texas Rangers winning their first ever World Series was the best birthday gift I ever asked for. I've noticed in the nearly three weeks since they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games was an act of disrespect towards the World Series champions. What do I mean by that? Stick around for a while and by the time you've finished reading this story, you'll have a full understanding of why I felt the need to strongly come to the Rangers' defense. I'll start off with the bad and then with the good, because I want my readers and everyone else to understand where I'm coming from.
Mark Wesley PritchardPublished 4 months ago in UnbalancedTexas Rangers: From Heartbreak to Triumph
November 1, 2023: a night that faithful Rangers fans will remember forever If there's one word to describe the 2023 MLB Postseason, it would be exciting. Exciting might be an understatement to you, but to me, it was exactly that. In my personal opinion, this particular postseason was my overall favorite. When most people think of the word postseason, they most likely associate it with two teams: the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
Mark Wesley PritchardPublished 5 months ago in UnbalancedWorld Series Game Five: Go, Go, Texas Rangers!
On April 10, 1961, the second Washington Senators team played their first game of existence, with the team replacing the original franchise, who moved to Minnesota and became the Twins. The team went 61-100 in their first year of play, and in 11 seasons in Washington, the team only had one winning season, coming in 1969. The Senators moved to Arlington, Texas in 1972, becoming the Texas Rangers. It would take them three seasons to enjoy their first winning season, but playoffs would be a long wait for them.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 5 months ago in Unbalanced