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Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Houston, You Have a Problem...and No One Feels Sorry for You
As the old saying goes, "Whenever the Houston Astros suck, an angel gets their wings." We all had so much fun watching the Astros get swept in their season opening series against the New York Yankees, didn't we? I know I was enjoying it. I have immense schadenfreude when it comes to the team who has basically been baseball's equivalent of the Brady/Belichick Patriots. However, with that celebration came a reality: it's only the first four games. The Astros had 158 of these things left. It would be a matter of time before we'd be hideously annoyed by them again. They did pitch a no-hitter right after the Yankees punched them in the mouth, so that appeared to be the start of the whole "Oh no, not again" Astros returning.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about 10 hours ago in UnbalancedJackie Robinson: The Man, Legend, and Overcomer
April 15, 2024 will mark the 77th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's debut in Major League Baseball. Robinson, who was 28 years old at the time, broke the color barrier. The color barrier, or color line as it was called, barred African American players from playing in the Majors and Minors. This ban was in place for 60 years until 1947. So who was this second baseman and why his legacy still has an impact on Major League Baseball today?
Mark Wesley PritchardPublished 6 days ago in Unbalanced"The Chronicles of Trevor Story: A Journey Beyond the Diamond"
Chapter 1: The Early Innings Trevor Story was born into a world where the sound of a bat cracking against a baseball echoed through his childhood. Growing up in Irving, Texas, Story's passion for baseball was ignited at an early age. He spent countless hours playing catch with his father in the backyard, dreaming of one day stepping onto a Major League Baseball field.
david jonesPublished 12 days ago in UnbalancedSwee Brand Works Holds their Own in B League with 7-6 Victory over Tompkins Community Bank
Please see pledge, subscribe and tip button below After winning the C League regular season last year in Somers Men’s Softball, Swee Brand Works lost in the playoff finals to Tompkins Community Bank. The team was asked to move up to B Division nonetheless, and did so with some hesitation, according to Chris Swee. "Knowing the level of competition, we were a little nervous,” said the team manager. But their actual performance has proven that move was within range.
Rich MonettiPublished 12 days ago in UnbalancedJohn Jay Diamond Previews
Baseball slideshow Video Baseball Team Hopes to Forge Success out of Last Season’s Heartbreak Last year, John Jay ended their season with three exciting games versus Panas. Two of the victories going to the Panthers, there’s no doubt the Wolves have the sectional champs in their sights. “Oh yeah, one hundred percent,” said Nolan Rhodes, “We want to win.” But the third baseman is still putting first things first.
Rich MonettiPublished 12 days ago in UnbalancedHow Sweep It Is!: Reviewing the New York Yankees' Big Series Win
A tide is turning, folks! I looked forward to the 2024 Major League Baseball season, because there's always something special about Opening Day, well, the Opening Week overall. One reason, of course, involved the New York Yankees. I entered this season optimistic about the Yankees' 2024 season, because, well, we have nowhere else to go but up. The Yankees are coming off a 2023 campaign that saw us miss the postseason for the first time since 2016, as well as the first time overall with Aaron Boone as skipper. Also, the Yankees had a new superstar to show off: in the form of Juan Soto.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 18 days ago in UnbalancedFanGraphs, 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 about a month 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 4 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 5 months ago in Unbalanced