One year later. This time last year we were just beginning the 30 ballparks in 30 days road trip. Beginning in St. Louis we would drive 16,000 miles from coast to coast and seemingly all points in between before reaching Arlington. It took a year to plan. The logistics took hours everyday to sort through. Planning the route that was the least insane took even longer. Most importantly I had a wonderful friend to do the entire thing with me and the support of so many people who let us stay with them along the way. Was the trip perfect? No. There were torrential rainstorms, landslides, traffic, late nights followed by early mornings, and closed international borders. Despite all of the difficulties, it was wonderful. Kevin and I were able to accomplish something that few baseball fans ever have the opportunity to attempt. Would I do it again? Absolutely, in a heartbeat. A year since the ultimate baseball road trip and the memories are still fresh. Baseball is what you make it, and last summer Kevin and I drove head first into the ridiculous end of the baseball pool. Nothing could be better.
Is there anything better than an evening spent watching baseball. (The Winning Run/DJ)
Yeah we all know chicks dig the long ball, but what about Doubles. The Braves’ Matt Olson is laying the foundation for a potentially historic season. Atlanta’s First Baseman has 23 Doubles through the first 55 games of the season. He is on pace to finish with 68 Doubles, one more than the single season record. Everyone loves dingers, but Doubles could be the biggest headline in Atlanta this summer.
The 1931 Red Sox were not a good team. Boston finished 62-90-1 and in sixth place in the eight team American League. The Red Sox finished 45 games behind the pennant winning Philadelphia Athletics. However, Boston’s Earl Webb had a career year. The Left Handed hitting Webb played in 151 of Boton’s 153 games and posted a career best .333 BA. The previous season Webb hit 30 Doubles, but in 1931 he more than doubled that total by hitting 67 two baggers. He broke George Burns’ five year old single season record of 64 Doubles. Webb was a hitting machine, collecting 0.44 Doubles per game played and 0.101 Doubles per Plate Appearance. He was not a power hitter, but he found the gaps.
Matt Olson is on pace to break the 90 year old single season Doubles record. (Dave O’Brien/ The Athletic)
Earl Webb’s Doubles record had several early challenges. There have been 100 seasons in which a player has hit 50 Doubles. There have been six 60 Double seasons. Webb’s record setting 1931 season and George Burns’ then record 1926 season. Hall of Famers Joe Medwick, Hank Greenberg, Paul Waner, and Charlie Gehringer hit 60 Doubles in a season during the 1930’s, but none topped Webb’s 67. Since integration in 1947, only three players have threatened the record. Todd Helton hit 59 Doubles in 2000 for the Rockies. Nick Castellanos hit 58 Doubles in 2019 with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. Carlos Delgado hit 57 Doubles in 2000 with the Toronto Blue Jays. That is it. In the 90 seasons since Webb set the Doubles record only a few Hall of Famers from his era and three modern All Stars have come remotely close to breaking the single season Doubles record.
Matt Olson is on pace to break Webb’s long standing record. There is still more than half of the season left to play. Olson has to stay healthy and productive to have a chance. He is hitting 0.42 Doubles per game played and 0.094 Doubles per Plate Appearance. Both are slightly lower than Webb’s pace, but Olson has the opportunity to play 11 more games due to the longer season. Olson is playing within the rules set by MLB. Much like Roger Maris’ Home Run record there will be no asterisks.
Injury or bad luck could derail Matt Olson’s assault on a nine decade old record. This Doubles chase will not garner national attention like a Home Run race. However, it does show how despite player improvement, a record set by a player who spent just seven seasons in the Majors and was out of baseball three years after setting the record has stood the test of time. Baseball is a funny game. No player, Hall of Famer or All Star, has matched Earl Webb’s 1931 season. Perhaps Matt Olson can stamp his name in the record books one Double at a time.
Umpiring can be hard. It is even harder when you stop calling the game from the bleachers and step on the diamond. My skills as a player ran out before high school. I can run, catch, and throw. What I cannot do is hit a pitch that curves. I am helpless against Curveballs, sliders, slurves, anything that bends. Calling games as an umpire is how I stay close to baseball. I show up, hustle, make calls, and go home. I never care who wins, despite what coaches and fans assume. There are good days and bad days and I have had both experiences lately.
The bad. I will spare most of the details as the state association has the report my partner and I filed. While umpiring a high school game, there were several sportsmanship issues that needed addressing. The final incident resulted in the Head Coach being restricted to his dugout due to the behavior of his team. The coach vigorously protested, which riled up the fans. When he refused to help calm the situation and his fans, my partner and I halted the game until the fans were removed. He again refused to help calm his fans and was ejected. The fans became belligerent. So many F bombs were hurled at us, including threats, that we suspended the game. The fans continued their verbal assault and the only path back to our cars was through the fans. Obviously we were not looking to be physically assaulted and based on their actions this was a very real possibility. We had a coach call the police. We were eventually able to leave without any physical violence, but the police escort did not stop the verbal abuse. The responding police handled these geniuses accordingly. Hopefully this is the only time I ever need a police escort to leave a baseball game. However, judging by the nonchalant attitude from the school’s Athletic Director, other umpires will face a similar situation when they dare make a call against this school.
This sort of ridiculous behavior is why officiating across all sports is seeing a precipitous decline. The money is not great and the amount of abuse officials receive is not worth it. There are far too many examples of officials being verbally and physically assaulted. Youth sports used to be about competing and learning life lessons. Now if a call goes against a 9 year old the parents behave like it will irreparably harm their chance at a college scholarship. Adults are ruining kids’ sports.
Sometimes you get to umpire on professional fields, like at the Dayton Dragons. (The Winning Run/ DJ)
The good. A few days after my police escort I was the home plate umpire for another high school Varsity game. It was Senior Day. The Head Coach tells me during the plate meeting that the starting pitcher is coming out after one pitch. The kid blew out his elbow last summer and has not played all year. He finally got cleared to begin soft tossing last week. He was going to throw one pitch and then come out of the game so he could play his Senior season. The pitcher got on the mound and threw a 40 mph Fast Ball. The batter took the pitch. The pitch was in the strike zone. I made the loudest and most authoritative strike call I could. The home team and their fans erupted. The Head Coach came out to get the pitcher. Walking off the mound his emotions got the best of him and the tears began flowing. What an awesome moment. The Head Coach then walks down and tells me he wants to restart the count, no reason to take the At Bat away from the batter. I relay the message to the visiting Head Coach who agrees. It was a wonderful gesture by the Head Coach to give his player one last moment on the mound and not take away an At Bat from the opponent. This is what youth sports should be all about.
I will remember both games for very different reasons. The first game for all the wrong reasons and the second for all the right reasons. I have seen the behavior of players, coaches, and fans decline in the seven years I have umpired. The decline in umpires will come to a head in the near future. Games are already being canceled because of the lack of officials. While I do not plan to stop umpiring, I am reducing the number of games I work to spend more time at home. The crisis is only beginning. A lot of the problems can be solved by adults taking a breath and recognizing that umpires are human, mistakes happen, and the result of today’s game will not have a long term impact on their child. What can impact their child is how the adults behave. Are they demonstrating good behavior or raising the next generation who goes crazy at a 9 year old baseball game?
The doctor will see you in a few more years. Pablo Lopez of the Miami Marlins is off to the best start of his career. He is in the early conversations for the Cy Young. Whether he can continue or not, Lopez has an unique back up plan. He graduated from high school at 16 years old and was accepted to medical school. Instead of pursuing medicine, he followed his baseball dreams. So far things are working out for the Seattle Mariners signee out of Venezuela.
After one season in the Veneuzelan Summer League, Lopez underwent Tommy John Surgery. His career has taken off since the surgery and being traded to the Marlins with several other Minor Leaguers for David Phelps. Entering his fifth Major League season, Lopez had made 62 Starts, logging 330 Innings, allowing 306 Hits, 156 Runs, 148 Earned Runs, 38 Home Runs, 89 Walks, 315 Strikeouts, posting a 18-21 record, 4.04 ERA, 1.197 WHIP, and 105 ERA+. He is a serviceable starter for a team on the verge of turning around its losing ways. The highlight of his career before 2022 was his July 11, 2021 start against the Atlanta Braves. He set a Major League record by striking out the first nine Braves batters, doing so on just 35 pitches.
There is nothing wrong with a serviceable career. In the era of free agency, a player can have a pedestrian career and still earn generationally changing money. The best season of Lopez’s career is happening at an opportunistic time. While he has not reached free agency, Lopez will reach Arbitration this coming offseason. He will be making more money next season, especially if his season continues on its current trajectory.
Pablo Lopez is off to the best start of his career. (The Athletic)
The Marlins are sitting tied for third place in the National League East, four games under .500. The talent flowing through Miami should have made the Marlins a contender by now, instead there is a perpetual talent exodus out of South Florida. Thus far into the 2022 season, Lopez has made 6 Starts, pitched 36 Innings, allowed 24 Hits, 5 Runs, 4 Earned Runs, 1 Home Run, 8 Walks, 35 Strikeouts, posted a 4-1 record, 1.00 ERA, 0.889 WHIP, and 400 ERA+. His 4 Wins are tied for the best in baseball. Opposing batters are having no fun, hitting just .186, with a .234 OBP, and .248 SLG. Hitters are connecting with a 31.9% Hard Hit rate, the lowest of Lopez’s career. He currently is second in MLB in ERA and ERA+. Not bad for a guy pitching for a team hoping to finish at .500.
Pablo Lopez has been what the Marlins needed in the first month of the season. Miami is 5-1 in his 6 Starts. He has wins within the National League East against the Phillies and Nationals. His other wins came against the Cardinals and Padres. He pitched to a No Decision against the Giants. Only Washington appears unlikely to contend in October. Lopez has pitched well against good teams and taken care of business against a bad team. A Manager cannot ask for more from their Starter. Lopez is averaging 6 Innings per Start. His lone loss to Arizona is the only game he failed to reach the 5th Inning. The game also saw him surrender 3 of his 4 Earned Runs on the season. By current standards Lopez is an innings eater, saving the Marlins Bullpen every fifth day. He has pitched efficiently, reaching 100 pitches only once. Lopez is giving himself the opportunity to have a successful season from beginning to end.
Pablo Lopez is off to a terrific start for the Marlins. The Miami fanbase deserves something to cheer for again. Season after season fans have seen young players beginning their rise to stardom traded away for prospects and the team begin again. Hopefully Lopez stays in a Marlins uniform and South Florida can once again have a winning team on the field.
Statistical record keeping was not a high priority for those running the Negor Leagues. Despite the lack of verifiable numbers, the legends have received the respect they deserve. Only The Ball Was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams by Robert Peterson provides a history beyond the headlines, replacing the missing statistics with stories. Peterson dives into the heart of the Negro Leagues, beyond the legends like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Rube Foster. He examines the players, teams, and leagues that created the Negro Leagues. Many of the non-legends have not received the credit they deserve for their contributions to baseball and the Negro Leagues.
Baseball requires toughness like few other endeavors. The long season pounds players, mentally and physically, every day for months. Dealing with a slump? There is no escape. The Negro Leagues required even greater toughness. The legal racism existing throughout the United States made the season even more difficult. Hotels and restaurants could deny players service. Stopping for gas or the restroom could be equally hazardous. The diamond was a sanctuary from hate.
The Negro Leagues existed in large part because of the unwritten rule excluding African-Americans from Major League Baseball. The leagues and teams were a product of an America focused on keeping the races apart. The Negro Leagues were not all doom and gloom. There was plenty of joy in baseball. League games were competitive and the barnstorming between games brought excitement to the small towns as teams played the best local teams. Baseball was a social experience that made communities buzz for weeks.
Only The Ball Was White by Robert Peterson
The downfall of the Negro Leagues came from one of America’s greatest triumphs. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. Behind him came numerous other African-Americans into the Major Leagues. They all faced abuse, but Robinson took the hardest shots as the first through the door. The excitement of the Major Leagues opening to any player, regardless of race, was the beginning of the swift end of the Negro Leagues. Major League teams began signing the best Negro Leagues players, often without compensation. The talent pool of the Negro Leagues was weakened by this poaching. Teams had trouble surviving financially and within a decade the Negro Leagues were a shell of their former glory and came crashing down.
Only The Ball Was White was published in 1970. The half century since has seen nearly all of the surviving players pass away. We have lost a lot of the history in the personal stories of players, fans, umpires, owners, and vendors who made the Negro Leagues. Peterson gives an honest account of the Negro Leagues, the good and the bad. He does not sugar coat anything, pretending it was heaven on earth, nor does he write solely about the struggles.
The book can be slow going and is thick at times. Peterson packs a lot of information into the pages. As one of the most in-depth books on the Negro Leagues, the reader is exposed to a ton of new information. The density takes time to wade through for all the best reasons. The breakdown of the best at each position at the end of the book is wonderful. The names and their accomplishments are great information, which become more approachable when presented in a hierarchy of talents. Peterson’s writing also illustrates how well the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has preserved this history. Even with the passing of time and the loss of those involved, Peterson and the NLBM continue to bring the challenges and triumphs of the Negro Leagues to life.
Only The Ball Was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams by Robert Peterson is a must read for every baseball fan. It exposes readers to the Negro Leagues like no other book. The Winning Run gives the Only The Ball Was White a 9 out of 10, a Grand Slam. It is worth a read and a future reread.
The 3,000 Hit Club has a new member. Miguel Cabrera is among the greatest Right Handed hitters ever. Reaching 3,000 hits is the culmination of a career spent consistently putting the ball in play. Even in the early years of his career with the Florida Marlins, Cabrera did not possess blazing speed. Few of his hits were him legging out an infield hit. Cabrera is a pure hitter. Perhaps his swing is natural, if not as elegant as Ken Griffey Jr. or Barry Bonds.
Miguel Cabrera is an all time Detroit Tiger great. The Motor City faithful have welcomed him into the inner circle that includes Ty Cobb, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, and Al Kaline. In addition to 3,000 hits, Cabrera has launched 500 Home Runs. He is just the seventh player to join the 3,000 Hit and 500 Home Run Club. He joins three Hall of Famers (Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, and Eddie Murray), two players caught up in the Steroid Era (Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro), and one active, future Hall of Famer (Albert Pujols). Rodriguez and Palmeiro had Hall of Fame talents but are paying the price for foolish mistakes. Cabrera will enter Cooperstown five years after he retires. He is a clear cut first ballot Hall of Famer.
Getting on base helps a team win. Miguel Cabrera reached 3,000 hits by collecting 1,882 Singles, 599 Doubles, 17 Triples, and 502 Home Runs. He is a feared slugger who takes what the defense gives him, dropping in a Single or a Double in the gap. Cabrera is Venezuela’s all time leader in Runs, Hits, Doubles, Home Runs, RBI, Batting Average, and WAR. He will be the second Venezuelan elected to the Hall of Fame after Luis Aparicio.
A common sight as Miguel Cabrera annihilates another pitch with his Hall of Fame swing. (Al Tielemans/ Sports Illustrated)
Miguel Cabrera always exudes joy when he is on the diamond. The smile never leaves his face as he torments pitchers while climbing the baseball record book. Reaching 3,000 hits is the culmination of a career spent hitting any and everything. Pure hitters are rare, as is the ability to stay healthy. Miguel Cabrera has stayed consistent with the bat and healthy.
The next member of the 3,000 Hit Club will take awhile. No player has the hits and age in their favor to reach 3,000 in the next several seasons. Cabrera has kept the joy of the game alive in Detroit through many tough seasons. His talents are undeniable. 3,000 hits, 500 Home Runs, a Triple Crown, two MVPs, and four Batting Titles. Cabrera will waltz into the Hall of Fame.
We are getting a 162 game season after all. Despite the offseason drama, baseball is settling back into normalcy. The new CBA is in place and medical science is catching up with the pandemic, allowing baseball to continue uninterrupted. The offseason lockout meant the free agent and trade markets were condensed. This created a buzz around certain teams. Were these off season moves enough to bring them a World Series championship? Time will tell.
American League East
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
Blue Jays
Poutine Commandos *
Yankees
Jays
Rays
Blue Jays
Rays
Steve Irwin Hates This Team
Jays
Rays
Yankees
Rays
Yankees
Evil Empire
Sox
Yankees
Red Sox
Yankees
Red Sox
The Team With the Truest Fans
Rays
Red Sux
Blue Jays
Red Sox
Orioles
Bean Town Bros
Orioles
Orioles
Orioles
Orioles
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays will make a deep run in October. (Dan Hamilton- USA TODAY Sports)
Easily the toughest division in baseball. At least one of the Wild Card teams will come out of the American League East. Besides the Orioles, the other four teams all have a legitimate chance at the Postseason. Is there a more talented team than the Blue Jays? Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a legitimate MVP candidate for the next decade. Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, and George Springer with the additions of Hyun Jin-Ryu, Matt Chapman, and Raimel Tapia add the firepower that could bring the World Series back to Canada. The American League East runs through Toronto. Only a fool would count out the Rays. Tampa Bay always finds a way to win on a budget. The Rays have Wander Franco under contract for the next decade. Can they attract talent at the Major League level, not just what they have stockpiled in the Minors? As always the expectations are sky high for the Yankees. The free spending days of George Steinbrenner are gone. Aaron Judge remains unsigned long term. He is the logical face of the franchise moving forward. Will Brian Cashman lock up Judge or face the wrath of the fanbase that is eager to make a serious run at a World Series? The other questions in the Bronx is can the pitching staff and Giancarlo Stanton stay healthy? The Red Sox added Trevor Story, moving him to Second Base as insurance if Xander Bogaerts leaves in free agency. Chris Sale is out with a stress fracture in his ribs. As great as Boston could be, they are in baseball’s toughest division. The expanded Postseason could help them reach October in a deep AL East, but we doubt it.Can the Orioles be eliminated before Opening Day?
American League Central
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
White Sox
Daniel Tigers
Sox
White Sox
White Sox
White Sox
Tigers
Spiders
Twins
Tigers
Tigers
Tigers
Twins
South Side
Tigers
Twins
Twins
Twins
Royals
Monarchs
Of The Galaxy
Guardians
Guardians
Guardians
Guardians
Twinkies
Royals
Royals
Royals
Royals
The White Sox did not mutiny against Tony La Russa last season. Perhaps the clash of old and new school was overblown. Chicago returns all of their stars including Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson. You can have all the style you want when you are winning, and the White Sox will do plenty of that. The Tigers have a chance to make a World Series push with Miguel Cabrera. The signing of Javy Baez and trading for Austin Meadows. The pieces are there. The question is can Detroit rise to its potential? The Twins look to bounce back from a last place finish. They added Carlos Correa and Chris Paddack, with the hopes of Byron Buxton staying healthy. Some pieces are in place, but climbing to the top of the Central is getting tougher. New name, but Cleveland will be a sad place to watch baseball in 2022. The Guardians have little to offer their fans beyond Jose Ramierez and Shane Bieber. This was not the beginning of the Guardians’ name Cleveland wanted. Kansas City has the old and the young. Zack Grienke is back and Salvador Perez never left. Bobby Witt Jr. is the next great Royal, it is assumed. Whit Merrifield continues to be quietly great. Things are turning around in Kansas City, but there is a long way to go.
American League West
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
Mariners
Trouts *
Astros
Astros
Angels
Astros
Astros
Trashtros
Halos
Angels
Mariners
Angels
Angels
Elephants
Rangers
Marines
Astros
Mariners
Rangers
Captain Ahabs
Kraken
Rangers
Rangers
Rangers
Athletics
Dangers
Las Vegas
Athletics
Athletics
A’s
Julio Rodríguez could help return the Seattle Mariners to the Postseason for the first time in decades. (Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Have the Astros finally come to the end of their incredible, but controversial, run. George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Zack Greinke are gone. Only Jose Altuve remains. Justin Verlander is back and Kyle Tucker continues to impress. Despite the departures, Houston is still in the hunt for the AL West crown. The Angels are the most difficult team to win team MVP. If Mike Trout stays healthy, he and Shohei Ohtani could be first and second for the American League MVP. The biggest question in Anaheim is can these two talents propel the Angels to the Postseason. 90 wins was not enough for the second Wild Card last season. Despite Seattle’s disappointment and Kyle Seager’s retirement, the young team gained valuable experience. Top prospect Julio Rodriguez will begin the season in Seattle. The Mariners traded for Adam Frazier, Eugenio Suarez, and Jesse Winker. The reigning American League Cy Young winner, Robbie Ray, signed with Seattle. Put these newcomers together with the core already in place and the Postseason drought could finally end. Texas has a beautiful new ballpark and a brand new Double Play combination in Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. The Rangers are still missing almost everything else to be a contender. Texas will be better this season, but will not even contend in the division. The foundation has been laid. Ranger fans need patience, winning will come soon. The Athletics are barely a Major League team. Can you actually name a player left in Oakland?
National League East
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
Braves
Bravos *
Reigning
Phillies
Braves
Braves
Phillies
Amazins
Phillies
Braves
Mets
Phillies
Mets
Fish
Mets
Marlins
Phillies
Mets
Marlins
Phollies
Marlins
Mets
Marlins
Marlins
Nationals
Gnats
Nationals
Nationals
Nationals
Nationals
The only thing harder than winning the World Series is repeating, will Ronald Acuna Jr. back can Atlanta return to the Fall Classic. (Kevin C. Cox/ Getty Images)
The Braves will try to repeat after losing Freddie Freeman to the Dodgers. Losing the face of the franchise usually kills any World Series hopes. However, the return of Ronald Acuna Jr, and the best infield in baseball of Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, and Austin Riley should help Matt Olson settle in as Atlanta attempts to defend. The City of Brotherly Love is ready to win. The additions of Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos creates a high powered Phillies offense. They already have a good rotation. If all the pieces click, Philadelphia will be a serious contender. If they do not, it could be a long, ugly season. The Mets are gonna Mets. Despite having Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer as baseball’s best one two starting pitching punch, the summer boils down to the health of the two aces. Scherzer has a small tweak, while deGrom could miss several months. The season is already hanging in the balance. Derek Jeter is gone. It seems like he walked away after it became clear Miami was not trying to win. The Marlins have their annual roster of good, young players. Year after year Miami has future stars, and this year is no different. The question is will this group, including Sandy Alcantara, mesh together before they are all traded away. The Nationals are rebuilding. They sold off almost everything for prospects. The biggest question in Washington is can the Nationals rebuild fast enough to convince Juan Soto to stay long term.
National League Central
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
Brewers
Little Red Machine
Miller
Brewers
Cardinals
Brewers
Cardinals
Et Tu Brew Crew?
Cards
Cardinals
Brewers
Cardinals
Reds
Buccos
Reds?
Reds
Cubs
Reds
Cubs
Harry Caray’s
Cubs
Cubs
Reds
Cubs
Pirates
The only one I know is Votto
Roster spot
Pirates
Pirates
Pirates
The National League Central is the weakest division in baseball. The Pirates, Cubs, and Reds are all rebuilding. The Cardinals are about to begin rebuilding. Only the Brewers are set up for success now and long term. Andrew McCutchen continues playing at a high level and adds more fire power to the Brewers lineup. Milwaukee has the best pitching staff from the rotation through the bullpen in baseball. If Christian Yelich bounces back there may not be a National League team that can stop the Brewers. Cardinals fans have one last season with Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Adam Wainwright. It is more than a goodbye tour. St. Louis can contend for the National League Central crown and make a deep run in October.In baseball’s weakest division, the Reds can still contend. Cincinnati gutted itself. Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winker, Sonny Gray, Tucker Barnhardt, and Amir Garrett are all gone. Spring Training for Joey Votto was full of new faces, like he was traded to a new team. He has been stuck on bad team after bad team, yet continues to build a possible Hall of Fame resume. The Cubs are at ground zero of their rebuild. The hope of keeping one or two of their championship pieces in Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javy Baez is dead. They are all gone. The biggest draw on the northside of Chicago will be Wrigley Field. The Cubs are hoping it does not take 108 years to win their next World Series. Maybe the Pirates are rebuilding, but rebuilding means trying to win.
National League West
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
Dodgers
McDoubles *
Dodgers
Dodgers
Dodgers
Dodgers
Giants
Bigguns
Padres
Giants
Padres
Padres
Padres
L7 Weenies
Giants
Padres
Giants
Giants
Rockies
John Denvers
Diamonds
Rockies
Rockies
Rockies
Diamondbacks
Why bother showing up
Sadness
Diamondbacks
Diamondbacks
Diamondbacks
Will the San Diego Padres rise to their talents or fall under the pressure again? (Jeff Curry/ Getty Images)
The Dodgers are the George Steinbrenner Yankees without the outspoken owner. They are willing to spend big money to win. They have been one of the best teams over the last several seasons before signing Freddie Freeman. They replaced Kenley Jansen with Craig Kimbrel. Los Angeles is an early World Series favorite for sure. San Diego is easily the team with the most talent in the National League. Fernando Tatis Jr. should be in the MVP conversation every year. Manny Machado is a veteran but has plenty of great years ahead of him. Last season the Padres wilted under the pressure. Can they play with the best teams this season or will they wilt again? Carlos Rodon adds more firepower to the Giants rotation that outpaced the Dodgers in the Regular Season in 2021. Buster Posey’s retirement and Kris Bryant’s departure in free agency hurts, but San Francisco remains dangerous. The New York and now California rivalry is as hot as ever. Kris Bryant should sell tickets. The Rockies are hoping his draw lasts all season, as there is little hope for October in Colorado this season. Rocktober is the shortest month of the year, but it will not happen this year. The puzzling moves by the Rockies Front Office continue. If only Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story still played at Coors Field. Improving is relative in Arizona. If the Diamondbacks can avoid 100 losses in 2022 the season should be considered a success. They locked up Ketel Marte long term, but the Diamondbacks need much more to even reach .500.
Postseason
The Postseason is the Wild West. The expanded Wild Card means a team can play average all season and then get hot in the last month of the Regular Season. They then carry that hot streak through October to the World Series parade. The beauty of October baseball is its unpredictability. Chaos reigns supreme.
Can Shohei Ohtani help the Angels make the Postseason? (Wally Skalij/ Los Angeles Times)
American League Wild Card
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
AL Wild Card 1
Yankees
Daniel Tigers
Chisox
White Sox
White Sox
Rays
Blue Jays
Trashtros
BoSox
Tigers
Tigers
Angels
AL Wild Card 2
Rays
Steve Irwin Hates This Team
Jays
Rays
Yankees
Tigers
Astros
Evil Empire
Twins
Yankess
Mariners
Astros
National League Wild Card
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
NL Wild Card 1
Braves
Little Red Machine
Cards
Brewers
Cardinals
Braves
Cardinals
Et Tu Brew Crew
Padres
Padres
Giants
Padres
NL Wild Card 2
Phillies
Bigguns
Brewers
Giants
Mets
Cardinals
Giants
L7 Weenies
Phillies
Braves
Padres
Phillies
American League Divisional Series
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
ALDS 1
Blue Jays
Poutine Commandos
Yankees
Jays
Rays
Blue Jays
Mariners
Trashtros
Jays
Rays
Tigers
Rays
ALDS 2
Rays
Trouts
Astros
White Sox
Angels
White Sox
WhiteSox
Steve Irwin Hates This Team
Chisox
Astros
Yankees
Astros
National League Divisional Series
NLDS 1
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
Brewers
Bravos
Dodgers
Dodgers
Dodgers
Dodgers
Braves
Bigguns
Brewers
Giants
Padres
Cardinals
NLDS 2
Dodgers
McDoubles
Braves
Phillies
Braves
Brewers
Giants
Et Tu Brew Crew
Cards
Brewers
Cardinals
Braves
American League Championship Series
Derek
Jesse
John
Kevin
Bernie
The Winning Run
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Tim Anderson and the White Sox don’t care what you think, they are here to win. (Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Congratulations to your 2022 World Series champions, the Chicago White Sox. We are for sure wrong with these predictions. Sure we nailed the Braves winning the 2021 World Series, but that was luck. Time will tell if our luck holds out in 2022.
75 years ago today Jackie Robinson made his Major League debut. Thousands of players have played in the Major Leagues, but few were as significant as Robinson. Baseball and America has come a long way in the three quarters of a century since the color line was broken. The horrors Robinson faced are incomprehensible. He paved the way for others like Henry Aaron to break Babe Ruth’s career Home Run record. Frank Robinson to become the first African-American manager. Emmett Ashford to become the first African-American umpire. Bill Lucas to become the first African-American General Manager. Jackie Robinson changed baseball for the better. He deserves the recognition he receives every year on Jackie Robinson Day. He was the tip of the spear for the change, not the final act of perfecting baseball. His career opened baseball to the best of the best regardless of what they look like.
Segregation is dead. Is baseball and America perfect? Far from it. There is plenty still to do. The declining number of African-American players is alarming. The rising cost of youth baseball is shutting out talented players, steering them away from the game Robinson fought to integrate. The pure hatred and bigotry Robinson dealt with may be hidden from daily life, but it lies just below the surface. Yes plenty has changed for the better, but there are still plenty of issues Robinson could not solve. Poverty. Education. Housing. The list goes on. There is plenty still to change.
Jackie Robinson was the beginning of change, not the end. (www.ucla.edu)
It has been a lifetime since Jackie Robinson trotted out to First Base at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947. He was batting second for Brooklyn that fateful afternoon. Robinson went 0 for 3, reached on an Error in the 7th inning and scored a Run. The Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves 5 to 3. The questions hanging over the game was could Robinson play in the Major Leagues, would his teammates accept him, and could he withstand the abuse. Jackie Robinson showed African-Americans deserved to play in the Major Leagues. He was the beginning of the change, but one man cannot do everything. Everyone must do their part to improve the lives of their fellow man. 75 years later we honor Jackie Robinson for everything he did, but we must continue the mission. We should honor our heroes and strive for perfection in baseball and society.
Baseball is back. Opening Day and the first week of the season have provided plenty of highlights. Albert Pujols returning to St. Louis. Seth Beer hitting a walk off Home Run on National Beer Day. Steven Kwan hitting out of this world. Hunter Greene making his long awaited debut.
The true beauty of baseball is it allows us, the fans, to suspend the daily stresses of life and just enjoy a game. The beginning of the season is full of hope. Anything is possible. Everyone has a chance to win, everything is perfect. Sure the weather is not always great, but plenty of fans have bundled to watch players ply their craft. Come July and August people will wish for the cooler weather. No matter how you enjoy baseball, the game is approachable for everyone. Whether you are an obsessive fan who lives and dies on each pitch, a casual fan who checks the scores and watches a game from time to time, or the passerby who knows baseball is happening and goes to socialize at a few games a season. However you enjoy it, baseball is great.
Albert Pujols has returned to the Cardinals for one last season in St. Louis on his way to Cooperstown. (John Grieshop/MLB via Getty Images)
Life is better with baseball. Everyday you get up and do what you have to for yourself and family, and baseball is there for you. The game does not judge. It treats everyone the same. Fans and players enjoy the highs and endure the lows. Baseball, and life, can humble you in an instant. It is difficult to be successful in baseball. Even if you hit the ball well, you are not guaranteed success. A defender can make a great play to deny you a hit. You have to keep swinging, eventually you will find success.
Today should be Opening Day. For the second time in three seasons Opening Day is delayed. Opening Day 2020 was delayed because of a deadly global pandemic. Opening Day 2022 is delayed because of the greed and stupidity of the owners. Instead of working all winter to resolve the expired CBA, the owners waited until the last minute to put the screws to the players. The owners wanted 60 games in the 2020 season and they waited and stalled until they got it. The owners waited and stalled until the last possible minute to create a 162 game schedule this season. The CBA is in place and the owners and players still hate each other. Baseball’s labor goodwill is dead, but Opening Day is coming. Ultimately the week delay for Opening Day will be made up with doubleheaders and adding a few days to the end of the season. Preplanned doubleheaders should return to baseball, just ask Ernie Banks.
Opening Day is special. The season ahead is full of endless possibilities. Teams destined to finish last still have hope. Teams aiming for the World Series are full of optimism. Fans too believe anything is possible for their team and the season ahead.
Opening Day is special, even if we have to wait a little longer. (Ron Vesely)
Opening Day in March is always odd. Baseball should begin in April and end in October. Stretching the season into the last week of March and first week of October creates too much cold baseball. Snow is possible in many cities in early April, let’s avoid some of those March snow outs.
Knowing Opening Day is just around the corner is comforting. Baseball is returning. The best players in the world will soon take the field and provide us a summer of highlights, debate, and fun. Aside from the few tanking teams, baseball is unique in that the vast majority of teams have a chance to win a championship. Sure the Dodgers are favored, but they are not guaranteed. The addition of a Freddie Freeman, Carlos Correa, or Corey Seager does not instantly alter the fortunes of a team. They help, but if a baseball team was reliant on one or two superstars the Angels would have multiple World Series rings by now. Baseball is fickle, but this is also why it is the greatest game. Even on a day like today when we should be glued to our seats, TVs, and/or radios for Opening Day the wait is worth it, because baseball makes everything better.
The Winning Run 