Tagged: Milwaukee Brewers
Predictions Sure To Go Wrong 10.0
The 2024 MLB season has begun. Little is certain in baseball, even a few weeks into the season. While we are super late getting our predictions posted this year, we nevertheless feel strongly that even with a small sample size we will continue our tradition of being terrible at predicting the future. Despite a decade of failure we continue on. Here are our predictions for the 2024 MLB season.
American League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Orioles | Camden Crushers | Yankees | Orioles | Bmore | Orioles |
| Blue Jays (5) | God’s Waiting Room (5) | Orioles (5) | Blue Jays (5) | Yankees (4) | Yankees (5) |
| Rays | Free Healthcare | Jays | Yankees (6) | Tampa Bay (5) | Blue Jays (6) |
| Yankees | Aaron’s Boondoggle | Rays | Rays | Toronto | Rays |
| Red Sox | We all went Red Sox | RedSux | Red Sox | Red Sux | Red Sox |
It will be a dreadful season at Fenway. Meanwhile in Baltimore, the future is arriving. The young, and hyped, Orioles could make a deep run if their young stars live up to expectations. The Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rays could have terrific or horrific seasons. Both are possible. The American League East is not the juggernaut it once was.
American League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Twins | Southside | Twins | Twins | Cleveland | Twins |
| Tigers | Twinkies (6) | ChiSox (6) | Guardians | Twinkies | Guardians |
| Guardians | Bridge Statues | Tigers | Tigers | Royals | White Sox |
| White Sox | Kate’s Replacements | Guardians | Royals | Tigers | Tigers |
| Royals | Tony the Tigers | Royals | White Sox | White Sux | Royals |
The American League Central remains the weakest division in baseball. Top to bottom there is not a single team capable of making a deep run in October. Minnesota should walk away with the division, but are they really a good team? The only surprise could be Detroit, where the improving Tigers could make a run at relevancy…maybe.
American League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Rangers | Walker: Texas | Rangers | Astros | Rangers | Rangers |
| Astros (4) | Trashtros (4) | Astros (4) | Rangers (4) | Astros (6) | Astros (4) |
| Mariners (6) | Seamen of the Poopdeck | Mariners | Mariners | Mariners | Mariners |
| Angels | Rendon’s Rascals | Angels | Athletics | Angels | Angels |
| Elephants | Vegas | Pathetics | Angels | Athletics | Athletics |
The Rangers and Astros will fight it out for the division and Wild Card. The Mariners need everything to go right to play meaningful baseball in September. The Angels should be thankful for the Athletics, otherwise they would finish last. The Oakland/Sacramento/Vegas A’s are a mess.
National League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Braves | Bravos | Braves | Braves | Braves | Braves |
| Phillies (5) | Phollies (4) | Phillies (5) | Phillies (5) | Philly (5) | Phillies (5) |
| Marlins | Fish (6) | Marlins | Mets | Fish | Marlins |
| Mets | Amazins | Mets | Marlins | Mets | Mets |
| Nationals | Gnats (will face relegation) | Nationals | Nationals | Nats | Nationals |
The Phillies are a very good team, but the Braves are a great team. The division once again runs through Atlanta. Philadelphia will position itself for the Wild Card. The Marlins and Mets need to have a special season if they want their fans to watch beyond the All Star Break. This is the last year of the Nationals’ Cherry Blossom jerseys.
National League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Reds | Skyline | Pirates | Brewers | Cubs | Reds |
| Cardinals (6) | Red Birds | Reds (6) | Cubs | Reds (6) | Cardinals (6) |
| Cubs | Hot Dog Race | Cardinals | Reds | Brewers | Cubs |
| Brewers | Buccos | Cubs | Cardinals | Cardinals | Brewers |
| Pirates | Wrigleyville | Brewers | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates |
The Cardinals look to bounce back from one of the worst, and surprising, seasons in franchise history. The Reds have a great young line up, but do they have the pitching? We picked the Cubs to finish literally everywhere, so your guess is as good as ours. The Brewers are on the way down. Are the Pirates finally on the way up?
National League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Dodgers | Vince Gullys | Diamondbacks | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers |
| Diamondbacks (4) | Nope Ropes (5) | Dodgers (4) | Diamondbacks (4) | Giants (4) | Diamondbacks (4) |
| Giants | Big macs | Giants | Padres (6) | DBacks | Giants |
| Padres | Angre the | Padres | Giants | Padres | Padres |
| Rockies | Coors | Rockies | Rockies | Rockies | Rockies |
The Dodgers should roll through the division, again. Arizona is hoping last season was not a fluke, but the start of sustained success. The Giants might hang around for a while before fading, but the real story is further south. Is this the year that San Diego finally plays up to their contracts or will this era of Padres baseball be loathed for their inability to compete? Just a friendly reminder, the Rockies are a Major League Baseball team.
Postseason
The Regular Season is chaotic, but the Postseason is unpredictable. The best team does not always win the World Series. Instead, teams look to get hot at the right moment. October is treacherous. The secret is simply, finding a way to win. The best players and teams do not always win, but will they in 2024?
American League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Twins | Southside | Twins | Yankees | Cleveland | Twins |
| Mariners | Twinkies | ChiSox | Twins | Astros | Yankees |
| Blue Jays | Trashtros | Astros | Blue Jays | Yankees | Astros |
| Astros | God’s Walking Room | Orioles | Rangers | Tampa Bay | White Sox |
National League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Reds | Skyline | Pirates | Padres | Cubs | Reds |
| Cardinals | Fish | Reds | Brewers | Reds | Cubs |
| Diamondbacks | Phollies | Phillies | Phillies | Giants | Phillies |
| Phillies | Nope Ropes | Dodgers | Diamondbacks | Phillies | Diamondbacks |
The Wild Card is a guessing game. The Astros could dominate the season and still be in the Wild Card. The Yankees, Phillies, and Diamondbacks might be a touch below the great teams, but that separation could force them to fight through the Wild Card. Unexpected teams can find themselves looking to continue their run through the Wild Card. This is what makes the Wild Card round the most chaotic and entertaining of the Postseason.
American League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Astros | Southside | Rangers | Rangers | Bmore | Astros |
| Orioles | Camden Crushers | Astros | Orioles | Astros | Orioles |
| Rangers | Trashtros | Yankees | Yankees | Rangers | Yankees |
| Mariners | Walker: Texas | Twins | Astros | Yankees | Rangers |
National League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Dodgers | Vince Gulleys | Braves | Phillies | Dodgers | Dodgers |
| Phillies | Nope Ropes | Phillies | Dodgers | Giants | Phillies |
| Braves | Bravos | Diamondbacks | Padres | Braves | Braves |
| Reds | Fish | Pirates | Braves | Reds | Diamondbacks |
Is this the year the Astros begin to fade away or will their run of success continue? Texas attempts to win back to back World Series titles, but it is no easy task. The Orioles are on the rise, but can they play deep into October or will they have to wait until next year? The Dodgers and Braves are on a collision course yet again.
American League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Orioles | Southside | Yankees | Yankees | Bmore | Orioles |
| Rangers | Trashtros | Rangers | Orioles | Yankees | Rangers |
Experience matters in big games. Keeping calm allows teams to play their best in high stress situations. The Rangers have been through the fight before. Veteran leadership and poise keeps the noise down. Baltimore is coming. The Orioles have a bright future ahead, but their youth can only take them so far this season.
National League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Braves | Bravos | Braves | Braves | Braves | Braves |
| Dodgers | Nope Ropes | Diamondbacks | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers |
If ever there was a guarantee in baseball it is that the National League runs through the Braves and Dodgers. The other 13 teams must beat one or both of these talented and dominant teams if they want to win the National League pennant. The Diamondbacks played spoiler last season, can they do it again or will a new spoiler arise?
World Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | The Winning Run |
| Rangers | Southside | Yankees | Orioles | Braves | Braves |
| Braves | Bravos | Braves | Dodgers | Yankees | Rangers |
The Braves and Rangers have the talent and experience to make it through the chaos of the Postseason. Both teams are filled with stars and role players that contribute to their team’s success. However, there can only be one World Series champion.
Congratulations to the Atlanta Braves for winning their fifth World Series Championship. History says the Fall Classic will not follow our predictions, but time will tell.
Happy Baseball.
DJ, JJ, JB, BL, and KB
Predictions That Did Go Wrong 9.0
What a shock! Few foresaw the Rangers defeating the Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series. We certainly did not. Despite trying to predict the outcome of the last nine MLB seasons, we continue to know nothing. We were incredibly bad in 2023. The season was filled with great stories and terrible collapses. The Mets were the Mets and baseball was its usual unpredictable self. We may have been terrible at predicting the season, but how bad was it?
Really bad. Our scoring system is designed to clearly show who is the best at predicting the baseball season before the first pitch is thrown. Points are scored in the following ways: a correct prediction of a team’s final divisional standings in the Regular Season is one point, two points for predicting the Wild Card, four for the Divisional Series, eight for the Championship Series, and 16 for the World Series and the Champion. A perfect score is 158 points. We were far from perfect.
American League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Blue Jays (1) | Steinbrenners (2) | Yankees(2) | Yankees (2) | Maple leafs (2) | Yankees (2) | Yankees (2) | Orioles |
| Yankees (5) | Devil Rays (5) | Blue Jays | Blue Jays (4) | Yankees (4) | Blue Jays (4) | Blue Jays (4) | Rays |
| Rays | Canadians | Montreal Rays | Orioles | Devil rays (6) | Orioles | Rays | Blue Jays |
| Orioles | Bean Eaters | Red Sux | Rays | Bmore | Rays | Orioles | Yankees |
| Red Sox | Camden | Orioles | Red Sox | Red Sux | Red Sox | Red Sox | Red Sox |
Our predictions got off to a rough start. Jesse was the only one to have multiple correct predictions with the Rays in second and Blue Jays in third. Derek, Bernie, Kevin, Jason, and The Winning Run all knew it would be a bad season in Boston. John missed completely. Not a great start, but hope springs eternal.
American League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Guardians (3) | (Jeff) Bridges (3) | Guards | White Sox (3) | ChiSox (3) | Cleveland (3) | Guardians (3) | Twins |
| White Sox | Twinkies (4) | Twinks | Twins | Flaming Rivers | Twins (5) | White Sox (5) | Tigers |
| Twins | Southside | Chisox | Guardians | Twins | Royals | Twins (6) | Guardians |
| Tigers | Kittehs | Royals | Tigers | Rawr | White Sox | Tigers | White Sox |
| Royals | Monarchs | Tigres | Royals | KC | Tigers | Royals | Royals |
Again we knew who would be bad. The Royals never inspired us. Jason knew the White Sox would be only slightly better than last place. Bernie found the Guardians finishing third. He was the only one to have more than a single correct pick. John was now 0 for 2 divisions. A second straight division of bad predictions did not inspire confidence in the rest of our picks.
American League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Mariners (2) | Trashtros (1) | Cheaters (1) | Astros (1) | Trashtros (1) | Astros (1) | Astros (1) | Astros |
| Astros(4) | Halos (6) | Rangers | Angels (5) | Kraken (5) | Mariners (6) | Mariners | Rangers |
| Angels (6) | Submariners | Ohtanis | Rangers (6) | Rangers | Rangers | Angels | Mariners |
| Rangers | Brett Marteeen | Mariners | Mariners | Halos | Angels | Rangers | Angels |
| Athletics | White Elephants | Las Vegas | Athletics | Las Vegas | Oakland | Athletics | Athletics |
Finally we got on track. Derek for some reason decided the Astros were not going to win the division again. He was the only one. Everyone knew the poor A’s would be eliminated on Opening Day. Kevin and Jason had the end of the Ohtani era with the Angels again finishing fourth and out of October. Jesse had the Mariners falling back after a great 2022 season to third place. John had the Rangers finishing just behind the Astros. Everyone except Derek got back on track. How would we do in the National League?
National League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Braves (1) | Braves (2) | Braves | Phillies (3) | Braves (1) | Braves (1) | Braves (2) | Braves |
| Mets (4) | Amazins (4) | Mets | Braves (5) | Phillies (5) | Mets (5) | Mets (6) | Phillies |
| Phillies | Follies (6) | Phils | Mets | Fish | Phillies | Phillies | Marlins |
| Marlins | Fish | Marlins | Nationals | Amazings | Marlins | Marlins | Mets |
| Nationals | Gnats | Nats | Marlins | Nats | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals |
Maybe it was our fandom, or just logic, but the Braves were the easy choice in the National League East. The Nationals were equally easy to finish in the basement. In between was more challenging. The Mets out Mets themselves to finish fourth. Kevin got the first perfect divisional prediction. Bernie whiffed because he had too much confidence in the Nationals.
National League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Cardinals (3) | Redbirds (3) | Cardinals | Cardinals (2) | Uncle Tickles (3) | Cardinals (4) | Cardinals (1) | Brewers |
| Brewers (6) | Brewcrew | Cubbies | Brewers | Cubbies | Brewers (6) | Brewers (5) | Cubs |
| Cubs | Harray Carrays | Beers | Cubs | Drunks | Cubs WIN | Cubs | Reds |
| Pirates | Cin City | Dreds | Reds | Team of catchers | Reds | Reds | Pirates |
| Reds | Buccos | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates | Cardinals |
The National League Central was a mystery. Jesse, Bernie, Jason, and The Winning Run all whiffed. Derek had the Pirates in fourth, while John and Kevin had the Cubs in second. We did not predict the disaster that was the Cardinals, as everyone had them winning the division. The Reds also surprised us with their third place finish. Brutal.
National League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Dodgers (2) | Dodger Dogs (1) | Padres | Padres (1) | Dodgers (2) | Padres (2) | Dodgers (3) | Dodgers |
| Padres (5) | McD’s (5) | Dodgers | Dodgers (4) | Friars (4) | Dodgers (3) | Padres (4) | Diamondbacks |
| Giants | McCovey’s Cove | Dbacks | Giants (6) | Dbacks (6) | Diamondbacks | Giants | Padres |
| Diamondbacks | Snecks | Giants | Rockies | Giants | Giants | Diamondbacks | Giants |
| Rockies | Coors | Rockies | Diamondbacks | Decisional Front Office | Colorado | Rockies | Rockies |
The Dodgers in first and Rockies last were easy. The Diamondbacks surprised everyone with their surge to the National League Pennant. The slide that cost Gabe Kapler his job was easy to see coming. The Padres tried and failed to contend. Kevin only mixed up the Padres and Diamondbacks. Bernie whiffed again, striking out on the entire National League. Making predictions is hard, as we proved yet again.
Standings after the Regular Season
- Kevin- 13
- Jesse- 10
- Jason- 9
- Derek- 8
- John- 8
- The Winning Run- 8
- Bernie- 5
At the end of the Regular Season only Kevin was halfway decent. It had been a long miserable Summer for everyone else. Bernie missed the Senior Circuit, but he was only three points behind Derek, John, and The Winning Run. Could things turn around for the better in October or were we doomed by our bad predictions?
Postseason
American League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Guardians | (Jeff) Bridges | Guards | White Sox | ChiSox | Cleveland | Guardians | Twins |
| Angels | Halos | Twinks | Rangers | Devil Rays | Mariners | Twins | Blue Jays |
| Astros | Twinkies | Jays | Blue Jays | Yankees | Blue Jays | Blue Jays | Rangers |
| Yankees | Devil Rays | Rangers | Angels | Kraken | Twins | White Sox | Rays |
John found his groove in the Wild Card. He had the Twins, Blue Jays, and Rangers. Jesse, Bernie, Jason, and The Winning Run had two correct picks each in the Wild Card. Kevin’s good luck hit hard times, while Derek continued to show how little he knows about the future of baseball. This was a bad time to make bad predictions.
National League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Cardinals | Redbirds | Cards | Phillies | Uncle Tickles | Cardinals | Dodgers | Diamondbacks |
| Brewers | Follies | Phils | Giants | Dbacks | Mets | Mets | Brewers |
| Mets | Amazins | Dodgers | Dodgers | Friars | Dodgers | Padres | Phillies |
| Padres | McD’s | Mets | Braves | Phillies | Brewers | Brewers | Marlins |
Kevin reversed his fortunes with two correct picks. Everyone else had either the Phillies or Brewers. Bernie finally had a correct National League prediction. While it was good to have at least one correct prediction, it was not great that the majority of our picks were terrible.
Standings after the Wild Card
- Kevin- 17
- Jesse- 16
- John- 16
- Jason- 15
- The Winning Run- 14
- Bernie- 11
- Derek- 10
The Wild Card round helped John and Bernie rebound from the Regular Season. Bernie was out of the basement. Derek was terrible as he took Bernie’s place. Kevin saw his lead shrink. The Wild Card created chaos, as predicted.
American League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Blue Jays | Trashtros | Cheaters | Astros | Trashtros | Astros | Astros | Astros |
| Astros | Twinkies | Guards | Angels | Kraken | Blue Jays | Blue Jays | Twins |
| Mariners | Steinbrenners | Yankees | Yankees | Maple leafs | Yankees | Yankees | Rangers |
| Angels | (Jeff) Bridges | Jays | White Sox | Devil Rays | Cleveland | Guardians | Orioles |
The Astros were the easy pick, even Derek had Houston playing in the Divisional Series. Jesse also had the Twins, giving him points over everyone else. Otherwise our predictions were living in a fantasy land.
National League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Braves | Dodger Dogs | Padres | Padres | Braves | Braves | Cardinals | Diamondbacks |
| Padres | Amazins | Cards | Giants | Friars | Mets | Padres | Dodgers |
| Dodgers | Braves | Braves | Cardinals | Dodgers | Padres | Braves | Phillies |
| Cardinals | Follies | Dodgers | Braves | Dbacks | Dodgers | Dodgers | Braves |
The Braves and Dodgers were easy picks. The National League ran through them. Only Bernie missed Los Angeles. Jesse with the Phillies and Kevin with the Diamondbacks had a third team in the Divisional Series. Jesse was making moves while the rest of us languished.
Standings after the Divisional Series
- Jesse- 36
- Kevin- 33
- John- 28
- Jason- 27
- The Winning Run- 26
- Derek- 22
- Bernie- 19
Jesse launched past Kevin. Derek and Bernie were duking it out for last place. None of us were doing well. Our predictions were trash.
American League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Blue Jays | Trashtors | Cheaters | Angels | Maple Leafs | Astros | Yankees | Rangers |
| Mariners | (Jeff) Bridges | Yankees | Yankees | Kraken | Yankees | Astros | Astros |
The Astros kept marching towards the World Series. Jesse, John, Jason, and The Winning Run knew this. Derek, Bernie, and Kevin did not get the memo. Derek and Bernie continued fighting in the cellar. Kevin’s whiff hurt his title chances. Besides Houston, we had no clue on the American League.
National League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Braves | Amazins | Padres | Padres | Braves | Braves | Braves | Diamondbacks |
| Dodgers | Braves | Braves | Braves | Dodgers | Dodgers | Padres | Phillies |
We were terrible at the American League. We were clueless about the Senior Circuit. The Mets and Padres Regular Season failures haunted us. Both the Braves and Dodgers failed to live up to October expectations. What were we thinking?
Standings after the Championship Series
- Jesse- 44
- John- 36
- Jason- 35
- Kevin- 33
- The Winning Run- 26
- Derek- 22
- Bernie- 19
Kevin plummeted down the rankings. Derek and Bernie readied for a futility throw down. Jesse’s lead looked hard to beat, but the Fall Classic awaited us. Kevin, Jason, and John were within striking distance if Jesse faltered.
World Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Braves | (Jeff) Bridges | Padres | Yankees | Kraken | Astros | Braves | Rangers |
| Blue Jays | Braves | Cheaters | Padres | Braves | Braves | Astros | Diamondbacks |
We suck. None of us predicted either World Series team. A big swing and miss. There would be no last second change in the standings. Try as we might, we know nothing about the future of baseball.
Final Standings
- Jesse- 44
- John- 36
- Jason- 35
- Kevin- 33
- The Winning Run- 26
- Derek- 22
- Bernie- 19
Congratulations Jesse, you are the best among us at predicting the 2023 MLB season. We were all terrible, but you were slightly less terrible. Maybe in 2024 we will be better…doubtful.
DJ
Rookie of the Year
Teams are successful when they develop talent, not simply purchase free agents. The George Steinbrenner Yankees were often accused of buying championships, but they did develop talent. Success is turning draft picks and international signings into Major League players. The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes the best first year player in each league. Created in 1947, there was a single Award for the first two seasons, but since 1949 each league has a winner. While it is an individual award, the Rookie of the Year Award should also be viewed as an organizational award. If a franchise is consistently producing quality Major League caliber players they will eventually have one worthy of the award. The Diamondbacks are the last of the 30 Major League teams to have a Rookie of the Year. It took 25 years for Arizona to achieve. While it may have taken longer than expected for a player like Corbin Carroll to arrive, Arizona has finally completed the task.
The inaugural Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Jackie Robinson after the most difficult rookie season in Major League history. Al Dark of the Boston Braves won in 1948. In 1949, Roy Sievers of the St. Louis Browns won the first American League Rookie of the Year Award. In more than 75 years since its creation, the Dodgers reigned supreme at producing elite rookies. The Dodgers have won a record 18 times, four in Brooklyn and 14 in Los Angeles. The Yankees are second with nine.
The expectation was the Expansion teams would be among the last to have a Rookie of the Year. When expansion’s first wave came in 1961, only the Cubs and Pirates had yet to win the Rookie of the Year. However, the Cubs won their first Rookie of the Year in 1961 with the future Hall of Famer Billy Williams. This left Pittsburgh as the last non-expansion team without the award. Surely the Pirates could produce an elite rookie at some point. Instead, 12 of the 14 Expansion teams developed a Rookie of the Year before Pittsburgh. Finally, in 2004 Jason Bay put together a rookie campaign deemed worthy, giving the Pirates their first Rookie of the Year. Only the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks had yet to win the award in 2004. Both franchises began play in 1998. The Pirates lack of success is just another disappointment in an ever growing list.
Simply winning the Rookie of the Year Award does not guarantee success beyond that first season in the Majors. Every player has the best season of their career, and for some it is that first season. There are others, who build upon their initial success. They finish their careers among the greatest ever. There are 19 players who won the Rookie of the Year Award and then had a Hall of Fame career:
- Jackie Robinson- Brooklyn Dodgers, 1947
- Willie Mays- New York Giants, 1951
- Frank Robinson- Cincinnati Reds, 1956
- Luis Aparicio- Chicago White Sox, 1956
- Orlando Cepeda- San Francisco Giants, 1958
- Willie McCovey- San Francisco Giants, 1959
- Billy Williams- Chicago Cubs, 1961
- Tony Oliva- Minnesota Twins, 1964
- Tom Seaver- New York Mets, 1967
- Rod Carew- Minnesota Twins, 1967
- Johnny Bench- Cincinnati Reds, 1968
- Carlton Fisk- Boston Red Sox, 1972
- Andre Dawson- Montreal Expos, 1977
- Eddie Murray- Baltimore Orioles, 1977
- Cal Ripken Jr.- Baltimore Orioles, 1982
- Jeff Bagwell- Houston Astros, 1991
- Mike Piazza- Los Angeles Dodgers, 1993
- Derek Jeter- New York Yankees, 1996
- Scott Rolen- Philadelphia Phillies, 1997
In addition to these 19 Hall of Famers, there are five more players who will join them in Cooperstown when they are eligible. There will certainly be more, but these five are all but guaranteed to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
- Albert Pujols- St. Louis Cardinals, 2001
- Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners, 2001
- Justin Verlander- Detroit Tigers, 2006
- Bryce Harper- Washington Nationals, 2012
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels, 2012
The Rookie of the Year Award celebrates the best new talent in the Majors each season. The players selected each season are not guaranteed a long and successful career, nor are they doomed to mediocrity. One great season does not define a player, but it can gain them recognition. Teams are tasked with developing the players and their success is reflected in winning the Rookie of the Year Award. It is nearly impossible to win multiple seasons in a row, but a team should consistently produce good, young players. Occasionally one should win the award. The Dodgers have figured out how to do just that, and the Pirates have not. All 30 MLB teams have now had a Rookie of the Year winner. Who adds to their list next season?
DJ
Managerial Merry Go Round
Every offseason is filled with the managerial merry go round. Teams look for new leadership in the dugout for one reason or another. This offseason is especially busy as eight teams will have someone new filling out the lineup card on Opening Day in 2024. Over a quarter of teams in MLB changed leadership is obviously a lot.
In the past, managers have been given more time to show what they can do. When they were not successful, they were relieved of their duties after proving they were not right for the job. Ownership is no longer willing to wait, baseball is transitioning to a what have you done for me lately philosophy. Teams who want to win are not content with long rebuilds. The time to win is now. It is not better or worse to have a short leash with managers, it is just different. It is better to move on quickly when it becomes clear the wrong person was hired, but it also does not allow managers to reap the benefits of a rebuild. It is a mixed bag, but steady leadership is never a bad thing.
Two of the managerial openings were not shocking. The retirements of Dusty Baker and Terry Francona. Baker has dedicated his life to baseball. The grind takes a toll on people and he felt it was time to step off the diamond. Francona has had health issues the last few years. If you do not have your health, nothing else matters. The Astros search took them to their Bench Coach Joe Espada. The Guardians hired Stephen Vogt, who retired from playing in 2022 and spent last season as the Mariners Bullpen Coach. Houston and Cleveland look to continue their success moving forward, and their need for new managers was due to life happening, not the scoreboard.
The Mets looked unstoppable on paper in Spring Training. Then the season started and it all went wrong. The Mets finished in fourth place, six games under .500, and 29 Games Behind the Braves. Buck Showalter was fired and replaced by Yankees Bench Coach Carlos Mendoza. Can he bring winning back to Queens? Another marque team looking to return to their winning ways got their new manager in a surprising twist. Long time Brewers Manager Craig Counsell was suddenly hired by the division rival Cubs. The move came with the largest annual salary for a manager, $8 million per season. The move meant David Ross was suddenly unemployed and Milwaukee was scrambling to replace Counsell. The Brewers named their Bench Coach Pat Murphy, who coached Counsell in college, as their new manager.
In a similar move, Padres Manager Bob Melvin left San Diego for the division rival Giants. The relationship between Melvin and Padres General Manager A.J. Preller was bad. After a disappointing season for the Padres, with high payroll and even higher expectations, like the Mets, Melvin knew it was time for a change. The escape up the coast to the Bay Area was made possible by the firing of Gabe Kapler after only one trip to the Postseason in his four seasons managing in San Francisco. The Padres turned to Mike Schildt to guide San Diego to October. The managerial opening for the Angels is the most critical for baseball. This is not a dig at Phil Nevin, for whom the Angels declined their 2024 option, but the organization as a whole has failed. Los Angeles continues to waste prime seasons for Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, if he returns. The best players in baseball should be showcased in October, instead Trout is in Philadelphia watching the Eagles and Ohtani is doing commercials for one of his endorsements. Hopefully the hiring of Ron Washington rights the Angels ship. Washington was terrific in Texas, guiding the team to two American League pennants. He is beloved in Atlanta. A baseball man through and through, Washington’s success in Los Angeles can only mean good things for baseball.
Teams want to win and win now. Call it dysfunction, bad hiring, or an unwillingness to be patient, but teams are not wasting seasons wondering if they hired the right manager. Baseball is a business and part of that business is putting a winning team on the field. This high turnover is a sign teams are trying to win, even if the turmoil extends into the front office. Looking at you White Sox and Marlins. Sustained dysfunction is a killer for any franchise. Even when everything and everyone works together, creating a winning baseball team is extremely difficult.
The 2023 season had some spectacularly disappointing teams. Perhaps some of the most disappointing of all time. Many of those teams are making changes this Winter. Time will tell if these changes create winners, or if the manager is the first of many changes. Around and around we go.
DJ
End of the Road
The end of the Regular Season brings an end to the careers of players and coaches. Every season fans say goodbye. Maybe it is a player on your favorite team just hanging on the Major League roster. Maybe it is a superstar. Regardless, time is undefeated and after a life dedicated to the game, the end of the season brings finality to careers.
Terry Francona is set to ride away on his scooter. He has the 13th most managerial wins all time. He broke the Curse of the Bambino as he guided the Red Sox to two World Series victories. He is forever a legend in Boston. He has the second most wins as the Red Sox manager and the most for the Indians/ Guardians. Terry Francona is a baseball lifer. If there was a place in the Hall of Fame for baseball lifers, which there should be, he would be heading to Cooperstown.
Miguel Cabrera is one of the greatest right handed hitters of all time. This is not up for debate. In 21 seasons he has collected over 3,100 Hits, 600 Doubles, and 500 Home Runs. Cabrera is 17th in career Hits, 13th in Doubles and RBI, and 26th in Home Runs. The players above him are a who’s who of baseball history. Cabrera is Venezuela’s all time leader in Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, Home Runs, RBI, and WAR. Simply, in five years Venezuela will have its second Hall of Famer.
Joey Votto is a legend in Cincinnati. The quirky First Baseman is beloved by Reds fans, even if his patience at the plate drove them crazy from time to time. He has spent his entire 17 season career with the Reds. His #19 will undoubtedly be retired. He has collected over 2,100 Hits, 450 Doubles, 350 Home Runs, and 1,100 RBI. He is an On-Base machine, leading the National League in Walks five times and OBP seven times. Votto has played the sixth most games in Reds history, he is fifth in Hits, fourth in Runs and WAR, third in RBI, second in Home Runs and Doubles, and first in Walks. Amongst his fellow Canadians, Votto is third in WAR, second in Runs, Hits, Doubles, Home Runs, RBI, and first in Walks and Games Played. Much like fellow Canadian Larry Walker, Votto will get serious consideration for the Hall of Fame, but has he done enough to make it to Cooperstown? I hope so.
Judging pitchers has become more difficult as the expectations for Starting Pitchers continues to change. Complete Games are now a rarity and pitchers are not expected to “finish what they started”. Adam Wainwright made it. He reached 200 Wins in what was the final start of his career. 300 Wins are no longer the benchmark for the Hall of Fame. Wainwright led the National League in Wins twice in 2009 and 2013, and won 20 games in 2014. His work with Yadier Molina behind the plate kept the Cardinals near the top of the Senior Circuit for nearly two decades. Along with his 200 Wins, Wainwright has a 3.53 ERA, 1.242 WHIP, 114 ERA+, in over 2,600 Innings Pitched, and 2,200 Strikeouts. He is third in Cardinal’s history in Wins and Innings Pitched and second in Starts and Strikeouts. Wainwright pitched himself into the Cardinals Hall of Fame, but his path to the Baseball Hall of Fame could be more difficult. Perhaps time and distance will improve its candidacy to voters. There is nothing wrong with induction into a team’s Hall of Fame. Cooperstown is not the end for every career.
Zack Greinke has always lived to the beat of his own drum. He is a curious man, but one that knows how to pitch. Greinke has 224 Wins, with a 3.49 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, in 3,384.1 Innings Pitched, 2,977 Strikeouts, and a 121 ERA+. His numbers do not jump off the page, but there is a reason. Greinke pitched well at every stop. He was a machine for the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, and Angels. However, it is his time with the lowly Royals that he is best remembered. Greinke has pitched nine seasons for Kansas City, and with him the Royals have won 70 games once. They have lost 100 games four times. Greinke and the Royals have finished last in the American League Central seven times and fourth twice. This makes Greinke’s time with the Royals all the more impressive, as he is 12th in Wins for Kansas City, seventh in Innings Pitched, sixth in Starts, fifth in Losses, and fourth in Strikeouts. Greinke is 65-91 with the Royals. If Kansas City had threatened to finish .500 in four or five seasons he could have an extra 30 career victories, if not more. He won the American League Cy Young in 2009, when his 16 wins accounted for almost a quarter of the Royals victories. He just missed winning another in 2015 with the Dodgers. His brilliance has been lost on many bad Royals teams. If Greinke makes it to Cooperstown he will need the voters to look beyond wins and losses. Maybe they will. He could have a long and bumpy road to the Hall of Fame.
Eventually everyone plays their last baseball game. Knowing when to walk away is hard. Leave too soon and the what ifs can haunt you. Stay too long and you become a shell of your former self. Regardless, this is the end of the road for many players. Some understand it is time to go and make their own decision to walk off the diamond one final time. Others will have the decision made for them. It is those who do not write their own ending that are the most painful. The end of the Regular Season is here. It has been a beautiful summer and life on the diamond, but for some this is the end of that journey.
DJ
The Final Chapter
October baseball gets all of the attention, but September is just as exciting. Teams are playing for their chance in October. Some fan bases have waited a decade to root for their team in the Fall. Others expect to play as the weather turns chilly every season. The Reds could shock their own fan base and make it back to the Postseason. The Mariners too have caught fire and appear heading for October. The Braves and Dodgers are running away with their divisions and appear on a collision course in the NLCS. The Brewers and Cubs are doing their best to claim their National League Central crown. The Orioles and Rays are fighting it out in the American League East while the Yankees sink further into the depths. The American League East and West are fighting among themselves to determine which division will have three teams reach the Postseason. The Blue Jays and Red Sox are not going away, neither are the Rangers and Astros.
The races for the divisions and the Wild Card are far from over. Even teams who are out of it can play spoiler. Could the last place Yankees sink the Postseason hopes of the hated Red Sox? Could the Athletics prevent the Astros from returning to October? Anything is possible. Even the best teams in baseball lose 40 games every season. There is still another month of baseball and the craziness of this season is not over yet. Some teams took a gamble at the trade deadline and it is time to see if it will pay off. The more teams fighting for October the better. More fans stay engaged with the game as the Regular Season winds down.
October baseball is great, but September baseball is just as exciting. The Postseason begins a month early for several teams. The pressure will continually grow as the days get shorter and the scorching heat finally breaks. The best is yet to come.
DJ
The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron
There is plenty of debate about who is the greatest baseball player of all time. Henry Aaron’s name is always near the top, along with Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and a few select others. However, the one thing Henry Aaron may never be surpassed in is respect. Few, if any, players rival Aaron in the universal respect he earned in and out of baseball. The lifetime it took Aaron to go from growing up in the Jim Crow South to one of the most respected people in America is chronicled in Howard Bryant’s masterpiece The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron.
Baseball was Henry Aaron’s ticket out of poverty and the racism surrounding Mobile. Aaron was not a focused student, instead pouring himself into baseball. Many have dreamed about playing professional baseball to escape poverty, but Aaron had the talent to match the dream. His talent was easy to spot as Aaron played across Mobile and it did not take long before the Negro Leagues came calling. He spent only three months with the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952 before the Boston Braves signed him. His raw talent propelled him through the Braves minor league system. The fans in many minor league towns spewed horrific racism, which was a prelude to what Aaron would face decades later. It took less than two years in the Minors before a 20 year old Aaron made his Major League debut for the newly relocated Milwaukee Braves.
Aaron loved Milwaukee. It did not have the rigid social racism he grew up with in Alabama. While Wisconsin was not free for Aaron, he was aware of his privilege as the Braves’ best player and used it to live in one of Milwaukee’s suburbs that was normally off limits to African-Americans. Aaron was always just behind Willie Mays in the conversation for the best player in baseball. Mays was flashy, Aaron was consistent. Both are now recognized as among the best to ever step on a baseball field. The Braves were sold and the new owner soon announced the team’s move to Atlanta for the 1966 season. Aaron did not want to leave Milwaukee, especially to return to the Deep South. He had escaped Jim Crow and now the Braves wanted him to return. Aaron and other African-American as well as Latino players were hesitant about the move, fearing racial violence. The city of Atlanta did its best to ease those concerns, saying Atlanta was not the Deep South from the news or their childhoods. Times had changed for the better.
Reluctantly, Aaron and his teammates played their final season in Milwaukee before dwindling crowds. The once thriving baseball town was angry as the Braves departed the shores of Lake Michigan. Once in Atlanta, Aaron continued his consistent play. The space between Mays and Aaron began to narrow as Mays’ decline was sudden and sharp. The media began focusing on Aaron as the one to challenge Babe Ruth’s home run record. The racism players feared with the move to Atlanta fell on Aaron like the waters crashing over Niagara Falls. The worst of America made threats against Aaron and his family. Mounds of hate mail came in every day. A security detail became a necessity, both on and off the diamond. Racism showed it was alive, not just in the Deep South, but across the country. Through it all Aaron kept playing. He kept hitting home runs and drawing closer to Ruth. Like Jackie Robinson before him, Aaron played with dignity in the face of racism. On April 8, 1974, Henry Aaron received what he later described as the tightest hug of his life from his mother. He had just rounded the bases after hitting home run #715 over the Left Field wall against Dodger pitcher Al Downing. He had passed Ruth. He had waited all winter to hit that home run. A winter filled with threats. A winter with MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suggesting Aaron’s record have an asterisk. Kuhn threatened to suspend Aaron after he tied the record in Cincinnati and suggestions were made for Aaron to sit out the rest of the series against the Reds so he could break the record in Atlanta. Aaron played in Cincinnati, but did not break the record. His next home run came in Atlanta.
Aaron’s trot around the bases and its meaning were perfectly captured by legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully, “What a marvelous moment for baseball. What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the State of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol.” Henry Aaron’s mother was proud of her son, but that crushing hug was her way of shielding Henry from an assassin’s bullet. In what should have been his greatest moment, Aaron and those around him could not celebrate, they had to remain vigilant.
Passing Ruth was the beginning of the end for Aaron in a Braves uniform. His skills were declining and the Front Office was not interested in offering him another contract. After the 1974 season, the Braves traded Aaron back to Milwaukee to play for the Brewers. Aaron felt disrespected at the end in Atlanta. His two years with the Brewers were the end, as he was a part time player, his glory days gone.
In retirement, Aaron sought privacy away from the spotlight. He wanted the respect he felt he had earned from the Braves, but which he felt he was not given. Aaron’s lack of education beyond high school drove him to success in business. Success off the diamond came as he finally received the elusive respect for his career. It was decades late and Aaron justly held on to some of his anger from the Ruth chase. Americans expect perfection from its heroes, while not always working towards a perfect society, America showed its worst to Henry Aaron and he showed America his best.
The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron explores the life and career of Henry Aaron. Howard Bryant’s writing transports readers back in time. They are taken through Aaron’s life with him, facing the challenges of escaping the Deep South and the chase for 715. This is mandatory reading for all baseball fans. It is both a history of one of the greatest players in baseball history and America during a time of great change. Howard Bryant has written a classic. The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron earns a 10 out of 10, a Walk Off Grand Slam.
DJ
Predictions Sure to Go Wrong 9.0
It is once again time for our feeble attempt at predicting the future. What will happen during the 2023 MLB season? No one knows for sure, but we offer our best guesses. If history is any guide our predictions will be horribly wrong. Wrong during the Regular Season and wrong during the Postseason. One thing we are certain of is our friend Jason is giving his predictions for the first time. Time will tell if he is any better at predicting the future than the rest of us. We like to think we have a basic understanding of baseball and the Major Leagues, but ultimately we are human and humans are biased thus we make mistakes. Our track record is poor, so trust our predictions at your own risk.
American League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Blue Jays (1) | Steinbrenners (2) | Yankees(2) | Yankees (2) | Maple leafs (2) | Yankees (2) | Yankees (2) |
| Yankees (5) | Devil Rays (5) | Blue Jays | Blue Jays (4) | Yankees (4) | Blue Jays (4) | Blue Jays (4) |
| Rays | Canadians | Montreal Rays | Orioles | Devil rays (6) | Orioles | Rays |
| Orioles | Bean Eaters | Red Sux | Rays | Bmore | Rays | Orioles |
| Red Sox | Camden | Orioles | Red Sox | Red Sux | Red Sox | Red Sox |
The American League East could be a four team race. The Blue Jays and Yankees are the division favorites, but it is hard to sleep on the Rays. Tampa Bay always seems to be better than they appear. The Orioles have built a solid young team that is ready to compete with the rest of the division. Baltimore might need another year of seasoning before they threaten the Postseason, but they will begin seeing the results of their rebuild. The Red Sox will have a long Summer. Adding players like Justin Turner, do not win divisions. Boston may hang around for a while, but tickets should be cheap at Fenway by August.
American League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Guardians (3) | (Jeff) Bridges (3) | Guards | White Sox (3) | ChiSox (3) | Cleveland (3) | Guardians (3) |
| White Sox | Twinkies (4) | Twinks | Twins | Flaming Rivers | Twins (5) | White Sox (5) |
| Twins | Southside | Chisox | Guardians | Twins | Royals | Twins (6) |
| Tigers | Kittehs | Royals | Tigers | Rawr | White Sox | Tigers |
| Royals | Monarchs | Tigres | Royals | KC | Tigers | Royals |
Could the American League Central finally not be the worst division in baseball. None of the teams are in the World Series conversation, but several have real hopes for October. The White Sox improved by getting a new manager. Byron Buxton’s health is key in Minnesota after the Twins got Carlos Correa back after his well traveled off season. The Guardians have built a solid team around Jose Ramirez. The Tigers are trending in the right direction, but their season is focused on sending Miguel Cabrera into retirement. The Royals…well they get to play baseball too.
American League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Mariners (2) | Trashtros (1) | Cheaters (1) | Astros (1) | Trashtros (1) | Astros (1) | Astros (1) |
| Astros(4) | Halos (6) | Rangers | Angels (5) | Kraken (5) | Mariners (6) | Mariners |
| Angels (6) | Submariners | Ohtanis | Rangers (6) | Rangers | Rangers | Angels |
| Rangers | Brett Marteeen | Mariners | Mariners | Halos | Angels | Rangers |
| Athletics | White Elephants | Las Vegas | Athletics | Las Vegas | Oakland | Atheltics |
Will the Astros finally stop winning? Doubtful. They lost Justin Verlander, but added Jose Abreu. The Mariners are back and still a great team, they should challenge Houston. Surely the Angels will put together a winning season that makes Shohei Ohtani pause before leaving in free agency. What a waste if the Angels are terrible again with Mike Trout and Ohtani healthy. The Rangers added Jacob deGrom. They have the big name pieces, now they just need to come together. What a sad way for the Athletics to spend their final season in Oakland.
National League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Braves (1) | Braves (2) | Braves | Phillies (3) | Braves (1) | Braves (1) | Braves (2) |
| Mets (4) | Amazins (4) | Mets | Braves (5) | Phillies (5) | Mets (5) | Mets (6) |
| Phillies | Follies (6) | Phils | Mets | Fish | Phillies | Phillies |
| Marlins | Fish | Marlins | Nationals | Amazings | Marlins | Marlins |
| Nationals | Gnats | Nats | Marlins | Nats | Nationals | Nationals |
The Braves have built another dynasty. The division is theirs for the taking despite the Mets spending more money on free agents than all the gold at Fort Knox. The Mets will be great, but will they be Amazin? The Phillies caught fire at the right time last season to make an unexpected run to the World Series, they are unlikely to catch lightning in a bottle twice. The Marlins are improving, but like their other good young cores, how long will these players stay in Miami? Marlins fans are waiting for the trades to begin. The Nationals fell hard after their World Series victory and have yet to show signs of life. Washington is in for a long rebuild.
National League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Cardinals (3) | Redbirds (3) | Cardinals | Cardinals (2) | Uncle Tickles (3) | Cardinals (4) | Cardinals (1) |
| Brewers (6) | Brewcrew | Cubbies | Brewers | Cubbies | Brewers (6) | Brewers (5) |
| Cubs | Harray Carrays | Beers | Cubs | Drunks | Cubs WIN | Cubs |
| Pirates | Cin City | Dreds | Reds | Team of catchers | Reds | Reds |
| Reds | Buccos | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates |
The Nationals League Central is a two team race. The Cardinals never slump and even with Yadier Molina retiring they got better. The Brewers continue to play some of the best baseball in the Majors, but can they overcome St. Louis and win the division? A lot has to go right for Milwaukee to avoid the Wild Card. The Cubs have a lot of good pieces, but they are not contenders. Maybe they play .500 baseball but they need more pieces before they dream of October again. The Reds and Pirates are rebuilding. They have a few young players already in the Majors and a ton of prospects in the Minors. The team that does the best job developing that talent will be the first to return to relevance.
National League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Dodgers (2) | Dodger Dogs (1) | Padres | Padres (1) | Dodgers (2) | Padres (2) | Dodgers (3) |
| Padres (5) | McD’s (5) | Dodgers | Dodgers (4) | Friars (4) | Dodgers (3) | Padres (4) |
| Giants | McCovey’s Cove | Dbacks | Giants (6) | Dbacks (6) | Diamondbacks | Giants |
| Diamondbacks | Snecks | Giants | Rockies | Giants | Giants | Diamondbacks |
| Rockies | Coors | Rockies | Diamondbacks | Decisional Front Office | Colorado | Rockies |
The Padres try and try, but they have been unable to knock off the Dodgers. This season is no different. The Padres will be very good, but the Dodgers will be great. The Giants are trying to contend again, but they missed in free agency and the mountain is just too high to climb. The Diamondbacks have a solid core around which they should become a contender in a few seasons. Arizona needs Corbin Carroll to play up to his contract. The Rockies are a mess. Technically they are rebuilding, but what have they done to get better?
Postseason
Just get into the Postseason. If you can make it to October anything can happen. The Phillies last season are a great example. They nearly turned a disastrous season into a championship winning one. The Postseason is even more unpredictable than the Regular Season.
American League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Guardians | (Jeff) Bridges | Guards | White Sox | ChiSox | Cleveland | Guardians |
| Angels | Halos | Twinks | Rangers | Devil Rays | Mariners | Twins |
| Astros | Twinkies | Jays | Blue Jays | Yankees | Blue Jays | Blue Jays |
| Yankees | Devil Rays | Rangers | Angels | Kraken | Twins | White Sox |
National League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Cardinals | Redbirds | Cards | Phillies | Uncle Tickles | Cardinals | Dodgers |
| Brewers | Follies | Phils | Giants | Dbacks | Mets | Mets |
| Mets | Amazins | Dodgers | Dodgers | Friars | Dodgers | Padres |
| Padres | McD’s | Mets | Braves | Phillies | Brewers | Brewers |
American League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Blue Jays | Trashtros | Cheaters | Astros | Trashtros | Astros | Astros |
| Astros | Twinkies | Guards | Angels | Kraken | Blue Jays | Blue Jays |
| Mariners | Steinbrenners | Yankees | Yankees | Maple leafs | Yankees | Yankees |
| Angels | (Jeff) Bridges | Jays | White Sox | Devil Rays | Cleveland | Guardians |
National League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Braves | Dodger Dogs | Padres | Padres | Braves | Braves | Cardinals |
| Padres | Amazins | Cards | Giants | Friars | Mets | Padres |
| Dodgers | Braves | Braves | Cardinals | Dodgers | Padres | Braves |
| Cardinals | Follies | Dodgers | Braves | Dbacks | Dodgers | Dodgers |
American League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Blue Jays | Trashtors | Cheaters | Angels | Maple Leafs | Astros | Yankees |
| Mariners | (Jeff) Bridges | Yankees | Yankees | Kraken | Yankees | Astros |
National League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Braves | Amazins | Padres | Padres | Braves | Braves | Braves |
| Dodgers | Braves | Braves | Braves | Dodgers | Dodgers | Padres |
World Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Bernie | Kevin | Jason | The Winning Run |
| Braves | (Jeff) Bridges | Padres | Yankees | Kraken | Astros | Braves |
| Blue Jays | Braves | Cheaters | Padres | Braves | Braves | Astros |
Congratulations to the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves!
Time will tell if we are correct. There is plenty that can go right and wrong for a team between now and October. No matter what happens, baseball fans are in for another great season. Happy Baseball!
DJ, JJ, JB, BL, KB, & JL
Predictions That Did Go Wrong 8.0
Surprising no one, we were wrong. We were wrong last year and the year before that and the year before that. It is almost certain we will be wrong this year and next year. Trying to be positive, we are consistent. The 2022 season was unpredictable, as we will demonstrate below.
Looking back at our predictions before the 2022 season, if you made it to the Postseason, you had a chance. You can run up the score in October. The Regular Season is one point for a correct prediction of each team’s final divisional standing. The scoring system changes in the Postseason: two points for predicting the Wild Card, four for the Divisional Series, eight for the Championship Series, and 16 for the World Series and the Champion. A perfect score is 158 points.
A scoring system is necessary to determine who made the best predictions. No one was close to perfection, we were the opposite of perfect. So let’s look back at what did not happen in the 2022 season.
American League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Blue Jays | Poutine Commandos * | Yankees | Jays | Rays | Blue Jays | Yankees |
| Rays | Steve Irwin Hates This Team | Jays | Rays | Yankees | Rays | Blue Jays |
| Yankees | Evil Empire | Sox | Yankees | Red Sox | Yankees | Rays |
| Red Sox | The Team With the Truest Fans | Rays | Red Sux | Blue Jays | Red Sox | Orioles |
| Orioles | Bean Town Bros | Orioles | Orioles | Orioles | Orioles | Red Sox |
Derek, Kevin, Bernie, and the Winning Run all swung and missed on the American League East. Not a great start. No one guessed the Rays would finish in the middle of the pack. The most competitive division in baseball was unpredictable.
American League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality |
| White Sox | Daniel Tigers | Sox | White Sox | White Sox | White Sox | Guardians |
| Tigers | Spiders | Twins | Tigers | Tigers | Tigers | White Sox |
| Twins | South Side | Tigers | Twins | Twins | Twins | Twins |
| Royals | Monarchs | Of The Galaxy | Guardians | Guardians | Guardians | Tigers |
| Guardians | Twinkies | Royals | Royals | Royals | Royals | Royals |
Jesse whiffed on the American League Central. The Twins and the Royals were easy choices for the rest of us. We thought the White Sox would roll and the Guardians would flounder. Wrong.
American League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Mariners | Trouts * | Astros | Astros | Angels | Astros | Astros |
| Astros | Trashtros | Halos | Angels | Mariners | Angels | Mariners |
| Angels | Elephants | Rangers | Marines | Astros | Mariners | Angels |
| Rangers | Captain Ahabs | Kraken | Rangers | Rangers | Rangers | Rangers |
| Athletics | Dangers | Las Vegas | Athletics | Athletics | A’s | Athletics |
Jesse missed on back to back divisions. Derek knew what the bottom of the American League West would look like. Houston and Oakland were easy picks. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani deserve better.
National League East
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Braves | Bravos * | Reigning | Phillies | Braves | Braves | Braves |
| Phillies | Amazins | Phillies | Braves | Mets | Phillies | Mets |
| Mets | Fish | Mets | Marlins | Phillies | Mets | Phillies |
| Marlins | Phollies | Marlins | Mets | Marlins | Marlins | Marlins |
| Nationals | Gnats | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals |
Bernie had the first perfect division. Everyone but Kevin was on their game for the National League East. The Nationals had a clean sweep for the basement and we knew the Mets were never destined for first place.
National League Central
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Brewers | Little Red Machine | Miller | Brewers | Cardinals | Brewers | Cardinals |
| Cardinals | Et Tu Brew Crew? | Cards | Cardinals | Brewers | Cardinals | Brewers |
| Reds | Buccos | Reds? | Reds | Cubs | Reds | Cubs |
| Cubs | Harry Caray’s | Cubs | Cubs | Reds | Cubs | Reds |
| Pirates | The only one I know is Votto | Roster spot | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates |
Is there a sadder division in baseball than the National League Central. Three teams are actively rebuilding. It was a two team race from Opening Day. Despite the lack of quality baseball Bernie had another perfect prediction. Derek, John, Kevin, and The Winning Run only predicted last place.
National League West
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Dodgers | McDoubles * | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers |
| Giants | Bigguns | Padres | Giants | Padres | Padres | Padres |
| Padres | L7 Weenies | Giants | Padres | Giants | Giants | Giants |
| Rockies | John Denvers | Diamonds | Rockies | Rockies | Rockies | Diamondbacks |
| Diamondbacks | Why bother showing up | Sadness | Diamondbacks | Diamondbacks | Diamondbacks | Rockies |
Bernie mixed up the Rockies and the Diamondbacks, otherwise he would have had a perfect National League. John rebounded for his own perfect division. Jesse hit nothing but air. The Dodgers were the easy top pick, then it was a lot of disappointment.
Standings after the Regular Season
- Bernie- 18
- John- 14
- The Winning Run- 12
- Derek- 9
- Kevin- 8
- Jesse- 7
After the Regular Season, Bernie held a solid four point lead over John. Jesse prayed to Saint Ruth for October to be kinder to him than the Regular Season. It was still anybody’s race.
American League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality | |
| AL Wild Card 1 | Yankees | Daniel Tigers | Chisox | White Sox | White Sox | Rays | Mariners |
| Blue Jays | Trashtros | BoSox | Tigers | Tigers | Angels | Blue Jays | |
| AL Wild Card 2 | Rays | Steve Irwin Hates This Team | Jays | Rays | Yankees | Tigers | Guardians |
| Astros | Evil Empire | Twins | Yankees | Mariners | Astros | Rays |
Only Derek foresaw the American League Wild Card with the Rays and Blue Jays. However, everyone got points to begin the Postseason. The Yankees were high on our predictions and they were a disappointment.
National League Wild Card
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality | |
| NL Wild Card 1 | Braves | Little Red Machine | Cards | Brewers | Cardinals | Braves | Phillies |
| Cardinals | Et Tu Brew Crew | Padres | Padres | Giants | Padres | Cardinals | |
| NL Wild Card 2 | Phillies | Bigguns | Brewers | Giants | Mets | Cardinals | Padres |
| Giants | L7 Weenies | Phillies | Braves | Padres | Phillies | Mets |
John, Bernie, and the Winning Run were nearly perfect in the National League Wild Card. The Padres and Giants were quite popular, but with very different outcomes.
Standing after the Wild Card
- Bernie- 26
- John- 22
- The Winning Run- 20
- Derek- 17
- Kevin- 12
- Jesse- 11
Bernie maintained his four point lead over John. Derek crept closer to The Winning Run. Jesse and Kevin were off to a slow start.
American League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality | |
| ALDS 1 | Blue Jays | Poutine Commandos | Yankees | Jays | Rays | Blue Jays | Yankees |
| Mariners | Trashtros | Jays | Rays | Tigers | Rays | Guardians | |
| ALDS 2 | Rays | Trouts | Astros | White Sox | Angels | White Sox | Astros |
| White Sox | Steve Irwin Hates This Team | Chisox | Astros | Yankees | Astros | Mariners |
Only John predicted more than one team correctly in the American League Divisional Series. The Yankees and Astros were popular, although New York did better than our predictions by not using the Wild Card to reach the ALDS. The White Sox disappointing season was on display in our predictions.
National League Divisional Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality | |
| NLDS 1 | Brewers | Bravos | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers | Phillies |
| Braves | Bigguns | Brewers | Giants | Padres | Cardinals | Braves | |
| NLDS 2 | Dodgers | McDoubles | Braves | Phillies | Braves | Brewers | Padres |
| Giants | Et Tu Brew Crew | Cards | Brewers | Cardinals | Braves | Dodgers |
Everyone had at least two correct predictions, as Bernie’s tear through the National League continued with three correct predictions. The Braves and Dodgers did not disappoint in the National League Divisional Series.
Standings after the Divisional Series
- Bernie- 42
- John- 38
- The Winning Run- 32
- Derek- 29
- Kevin- 24
- Jesse- 23
Bernie’s four point lead continued to hold. Derek and The Winning Run were fighting for third place. Meanwhile Jesse and Kevin were battling for last place. Two rounds left, but plenty of points were still available.
American League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality | |
| ALCS | Blue Jays | Poutine Commandos | Yankees | Rays | Rays | White Sox | Astros |
| White Sox | Steve Irwin Hates This Team | Astros | White Sox | Angels | Rays | Yankees |
John was perfect in the American League Championship Series with the Yankees and Astros. Everyone else completely missed. Bernie kissed his four point lead goodbye.
National League Championship Series
| Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality | |
| NLCS | Brewers | Bravos | Braves | Dodgers | Dodgers | Dodgers | Phillies |
| Giants | McDoubles | Dodgers | Phillies | Cardinals | Braves | Padres |
Jesse and Kevin came to life with one correct prediction in the National League Championship Series. John could not repeat his magic. Derek, Bernie, and The Winning Run struck out.
Standings after the Championship Series
- John- 54
- Bernie- 42
- Kevin- 32
- The Winning Run- 32
- Jesse- 31
- Derek- 29
Bernie’s four point lead was now a 12 point deficit. Kevin and The Winning Run were tied for third with Jesse just one point behind. Derek, Bernie, and The Winning Run were all done after missing on both Championship Series. It was not good for these three.
World Series
| World Series | Derek | Jesse | John | Kevin | Bernie | The Winning Run | Reality |
| Blue Jays | Bravos | Yankees | Dodgers | Dodgers | White Sox | Astros | |
| Brewers | Steve Irwin Hates This Team | Braves | Rays | Angels | Dodgers | Phillies | |
| Blue Jays | Bravos | Yankees in 7 | Dodgers in 6 | Angels | White Sox | Astros |
None of us saw the Astros or Phillies in the World Series coming. We had 12 chances to get one team right and whiffed all 12 times. At least the majority of our World Series teams made the Postseason. We are bad at predicting baseball, but 2022 was especially horrific.
Standings after the World Series
- John- 54
- Bernie- 42
- Kevin- 32
- The Winning Run- 32
- Jesse- 31
- Derek- 29
Congratulations John. You were the best predictor of us all, at least for the 2022 season.
DJ, JJ, JB, BL, and KB
United States of Baseball- South Carolina
The relaxed pace of life in South Carolina mirrors baseball’s leisurely pace. The Palmetto State has sent 241 players to the Major Leagues. South Carolina is a hub for Minor League Baseball with five professional teams spread across the state. The greatest pitcher born in South Carolina is Bobo Newsom. His 51.25 career WAR is the 28th highest for a state or territory pitching leader. The greatest position player from the Palmetto State is Willie Randolph. His 65.90 is the 30th highest for a state or territory position player leader. Combined, South Carolina has 117.15 WAR, the 31st highest in the United States of Baseball.
Bobo Newsom had more terms in Washington than President Franklin Roosevelt, so the joke went. Louis Norman “Bobo” Newsom was born in Hartsville. The Right Hander pitched for nine teams during his 20 season career: Brooklyn Robins/ Dodgers (1929-1930, 1942-1943), Chicago Cubs (1932), St. Louis Browns (1934-1935, 1938-1939, 1943), Washington Senators (1935-1937, 1942, 1943, 1946-1947, 1952), Boston Red Sox (1937), Detroit Tigers (1939-1941), Philadelphia Athletics (1944-1946, 1952-1953), New York Yankees (1947), and New York Giants (1948). The journeyman often sought his release so he could negotiate new contracts with other teams. Seeking his release and being traded five times meant Newsom’s longest stint with any team was two and a half seasons.
Baseball history is filled with superstitious players. Newsom was among the most superstitious. He would not pitch if there was paper on the dirt mound. Newsom meticulously picked up every tiny piece of paper, often left by the opposing team, before pitching. Opponents felt this could get Newsom out of rhythm and give them a chance. Newsom pitched in 600 career Games, made 483 Starts, Finished 71 Games, threw 246 Complete Games, including 31 Shutouts, 3,759.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 3,769 Hits, 1,908 Runs, 1,664 Earned Runs, 206 Home Runs, 1,732 Walks, 2,082 Strikeouts, posted a 211-222 record, with a 3.98 ERA, 1.463 WHIP, and 107 ERA+. He was a four time All Star. Newsom won the 1947 World Series with the Yankees. He pitched a 9 inning No Hitter against the Red Sox on September 18, 1934, but lost 2-1 after surrendering a game winning Single in the 10th. Newsom is one of two pitchers, Jack Powell, to win 200 games and post a career losing record.
The best season of Newsom’s career came with the 1940 Detroit Tigers. He pitched in 36 Games, made 34 Starts, Finished 1 Game, threw 20 Complete Games, including 3 Shutouts, 264 Innings Pitched, allowed 235 Hits, 110 Runs, 83 Earned Runs, 19 Home Runs, 100 Walks, 164 Strikeouts, posted a 21-5 record, with a 2.83 ERA, 1.269 WHIP, and 168 ERA+. Newsom led the Junior Circuit in ERA+. Detroit won the American League Pennant by a single game over Cleveland before losing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in seven games.
Newsom pitched in the Fall Classic twice, 1940 with the Tigers and 1947 with the Yankees. He pitched in 5 World Series Games, made 4 Starts, threw 3 Complete Games, including 1 Shutout, 28.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 24 Hits, 9 Runs, 9 Earned Runs, 0 Home Runs, 6 Walks, 17 Strikeouts, posted a 2-2 record, with a 2.86 ERA, and 1.059 WHIP. Winning the 1947 World Series was a reward for a long career on bad teams. Newsom was an odd but solid Major League pitcher.
Willie Randolph never gets the respect he deserves from New York fans. The Holy Hill native grew up in Brownsville Brooklyn before escaping poverty to reach the Majors. Randolph was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Draft. He moved quickly through the Minor Leagues to reach Pittsburgh in 1975. The Pirates played their young Second Baseman sparingly in his lone season at Three Rivers Stadium. He was traded to the Yankees with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis for Doc Medich in December 1975. Randolph played for six teams during his 18 seasons career: Pittsburgh Pirates (1975), New York Yankees (1976-1988), Los Angeles Dodgers (1989-1990), Oakland Athletics (1990), Milwaukee Brewers (1991), and New York Mets (1992).
After changing teams Willie Randolph had a long and productive career. He played in 2,202 career Games, scored 1,239 Runs, collected 2,210 Hits, 316 Doubles, 65 Triples, 54 Home Runs, 687 RBI, 271 Stolen Bases, 1,243 Walks, 675 Strikeouts, with a .276 BA, .373 OBP, .351 SLG, .724 OPS, and 104 OPS+. He won a Silver Slugger and was a six time All Star.
Randolph’s best season came with the 1980 Yankees. He played in 138 Games, scored 99 Runs, collected 151 Hits, 23 Doubles, 7 Triples, 7 Home Runs, 46 RBI, 30 Stolen Bases, drew 119 Walks, 45 Strikeouts, posted a .294 BA, .427 OBP, .407 SLG, .834 OPS, and 133 OPS+. He led the American League in Walks. Randolph set a career high in Runs scored and tied his career highs in Home Runs, Walks, OBP, OPS, and OPS+. He was an All Star, won a Silver Slugger, and finished 15th for the American League MVP.
Randolph made it to the Fall Classic four times, but only the 1977 Yankees came away victorious. In 47 Postseason Games, he scored 19 Runs, collected 36 Hits, 6 Doubles, 1 Triple, 4 Home Runs, 14 RBI, 3 Stolen Bases, drew 20 Walks, 15 Strikeouts, with a .222 BA, .304 OBP, .346 SLG, and .650 OPS. On defense, Randolph never committed a Postseason error. He played on several good teams, but never found much success with the bat in October.
After a year in the Front Office, Randolph returned to the field as a coach for the Yankees and Brewers. He won three more World Series in the Bronx before the opportunity to manage his favorite team from childhood, the Mets, arrived in 2005. Randolph led the Amazins from 2005 to 2008, posting a 302-253 record. His .554 winning % is the second best in franchise history behind Davey Johnson’s .588. Ultimately, Randolph, Pitching Coach Rick Peterson, and First Base Coach Tom Nieto were fired while in California on a road trip at 3:15 AM EST. The fires happened following a Mets victory, and winning three of their last four games. The dismissal was strange then and remains so a decade and a half later. Willie Randolph has not received another opportunity to manage despite his success in Queens.
The Palmetto State has sent three players to the Hall of Fame: Larry Doby, Jim Rice, and Ben Taylor. There should be a fourth in Shoeless Joe Jackson, but that is an argument for another day. Next, the United States of Baseball heads west to the Mount Rushmore State. South Dakota is next.
DJ
The Winning Run 