Tagged: Rangers
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
United States of Baseball- Utah
Utah is pushing to someday have a Major League team. While they wait, the Beehive State continues to grow its baseball tradition. The United States of Baseball is important for baseball powerhouses like California and Florida, and for less prodigious baseball states like Utah and its 43 Major League players. The greatest pitcher born in Utah is Bruce Hurst. His 34.52 career WAR is the 42nd highest among state and territory pitching leaders. The greatest position player born in the Beehive State is Duke Sims. His 12.78 career WAR is the 51st highest among state and territory position player leaders. Utah has a combined 47.30 WAR, ranking the Beehive State 50th among all states and territories.
There is always a first. The first player ever drafted from Utah was Bruce Hurst. The St. George native was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st Round, 22nd overall, of the 1976 MLB Draft. The crafty Lefty pitched 15 seasons with 4 teams: Boston Red Sox (1980-1988), San Diego Padres (1989-1993), Colorado Rockies (1993), and Texas Rangers (1994). Hurst pitched in 379 career Games, made 359 Starts, 5 Games Finished, with 83 Complete Games, 23 Shutouts, 2,417.1 Innings Pitched, allowed 2,463 Hits, 1,143 Runs, 1,052 Earned Runs, 740 Walks, 1,689 Strikeouts, posted a 145-113 record, with a 3.92 ERA, 1.325 WHIP, and 104 ERA+. He has the second most Wins at Fenway Park with 57, behind only Mel Parnell’s 71. Hurst was the third pitcher to record 1,000 career Strikeouts with the Red Sox. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2004. He left Boston in Free Agency after the 1988 season after the Front Office played hardball and told him to test the open market. This was during the Owner’s Collusion to stamp out free agency. Ultimately Hurst signed with the Padres. His 1987 All Star selection remains Utah’s only trip to the Mid-Summer Classic. He is also the Beehive State leader in Wins, Losses, Games Started, Complete Games, Shutouts, Innings Pitched, Hits, Runs, Earned Runs, Home Runs, Walks, and Strikeouts. After retiring he served as a coach and scout internationally for Major League Baseball in Italy and Latin America, and as the Pitching Coach for the Chinese National Baseball team in 2005-2006 and 2012-2013.
The best season of Hurst’s career came with the 1989 Padres. He pitched in 33 Games, made 33 Starts, threw 10 Complete Games, including 2 Shutouts, in 244.2 Innings Pitched, allowed 214 Hits, 84 Runs, 73 Earned Runs, 66 Walks, 179 Strikeouts, posted a 15-11 record, with a 2.69 ERA, 1.144 WHIP, and 131 ERA+. Hurst led the National League in Complete Games. He also set career bests in Games Started, Innings Pitched, and ERA. The Padres finished just 3 Games Behind the San Francisco Giants for the National League West Division title.
Hurst pitched in three Postseason series: 1986 and 1988 American League Championship Series and 1986 World Series. He pitched in 7 Postseason Games, made 7 Starts, threw 3 Complete Games, in 51 Innings Pitched, allowed 46 Hits, 14 Runs, 13 Earned Runs, 12 Walks, 37 Strikeouts, posted a 3-2 record, with a 2.29 ERA, and 1.137 WHIP. Hurst nearly pitched the Red Sox to a World Series title against the Mets. He Started Games 1, 5, and 7. He threw 8 Shutout Innings in the Red Sox Game 1 victory. He pitched a Complete Game victory in Game 5. In Game 7, Hurst pitched 6 Innings and allowed 3 Earned Runs. When he left the game the score was tied 3-3, before the Mets pulled away for an 8-5 victory. Boston needed to win one of the final two games, but The Curse of the Bambino was stronger than Hurst’s Left Arm.
Duane “Duke” Sims made a career as a solid backstop. The Salt Lake City native played 11 seasons with 5 teams: Cleveland Indians (1964-1970), Los Angeles Dodgers (1971-1972), Detroit Tigers (1972-1973), New York Yankees (1973-1974), and Texas Rangers (1974). Sims played in 843 career Games, scored 263 Runs, collected 580 Hits, 80 Doubles, 6 Triples, 100 Home Runs, 310 RBI, 6 Stolen Bases, drawing 338 Walks, 483 Strikeouts, posting a .239 BA, .340 OBP, .401 SLG, .741 OPS, 112 OPS+, and 972 Total Bases. His most famous Home Run came on September 30, 1973 off of Fred Holdsworth. Sims hit the final Home Run at Yankee Stadium before the House That Ruth Built closed for two seasons for extensive renovations. Sims is Utah’s all-time leader in career Games Played, Plate Appearances, At Bats, Runs scored, Hits, Double, Home Runs, RBI, Walks, and Strikeouts. Career success is measured in many ways.
The best season of Sims’ career came with the 1970 Cleveland Indians. He played in 110 Games, scored 46 Runs, collected 91 Hits, including 12 Doubles, 23 Home Runs, 56 RBI, drew 46 Walks, 59 Strikeouts, .264 BA, .360 OBP, .499 SLG, .859 OPS, 131 OPS+, and 172 Total Bases. Sims set career best in Hits, Home Runs, RBI, SLG, OPS, and Total Bases. That Winter, Cleveland traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alan Foster and Ray Lamb.
Sims played in one Postseason series, the 1972 American League Championship Series with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers lost in five games. Sims played in 4 Games, collected 3 Hits, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple, drew 1 Walk, 2 Strikeouts, with a .214 BA, .267 OBP, .500 SLG, .767 OPS, and 7 Total Bases. October can be a mystery for some teams.
No Utah native has been elected to the Hall of Fame. Bruce Hurst appeared on the 2000 Hall of Fame ballot and received one vote (0.2%). Duke Sims appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 1980, but received no votes. As the state produces more Major League quality players, Cooperstown should eventually get its first member from the Beehive State. Next the United States of Baseball returns to New England and The Green Mountain State. Vermont is next.
DJ
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
Reaching Your Goal
Are you part of the nearly half of New Year’s Resolutioners that have given up? Or are you one of the less than 10% who will be successful? Life is hard, keep working towards your dreams. Ron Wright never gave up. He fought for what he wanted. All of his hard work eventually paid off.
Ron Wright was selected in the 7th Round of the 1994 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves from Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Washington. He played two and a half seasons in the Braves minor league system. Wright spent 1994 with the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League Braves, 1995 with the Single A Macon Braves, and 1996 with the High A Durham Bulls and Double A Greenville Braves before an August trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wright now set his sights on the Steel City. He finished 1996 with the Double A Carolina Mudcats and spent 1997 with the Triple A Calgary Cannons. 1998 was a lost season as Wright appeared in only 20 Games, 17 with the Triple A Nashville Sounds and 3 with the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League Pirates. 1999 was equally frustrating, playing only 24 Games for the Double A Altoona Curve. In October, the Cincinnati Reds selected Wright off waivers. His aim moved further down the Ohio River. Wright spent 2000 with the Double A Chattanooga Lookouts and Triple A Louisville RiverBats. In November, Wright signed as a Minor League free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He spent the season back with the Durham Bulls, now a Triple A team. Again a Minor League free agent, Wright signed with the Seattle Mariners for the 2002 season. He began the season with the Triple A Tacoma Rainiers. Ron Wright had played eight Minor League seasons with 12 different teams.
Heading into the 2002 season Wright had played in 666 Minor League games. He hit .261 with 121 Home Runs, 453 RBI, and 361 Runs scored in 2,729 Plate Appearances. Wright had played at every level, Rookie Ball to Triple A. He fought through injuries and the ups and downs of professional baseball. Wright remained one step away from the Majors. The trip from Cheney Stadium to Safeco Field is only 35 miles, but Wright kept fighting to make that drive.
The bad news in Seattle was future Hall of Fame Edgar Martinez was hurt running to First. Martinez’s injury put a damper on the Mariners early season success. Edgar’s injury was bad news for everyone except Minor League journeyman Ron Wright. He finally got the call to the Big Leagues. The years of toil had paid off. He was heading to the show.
It was a pleasant afternoon in Arlington, Texas. It was 76℉ and overcast. Ron Wright had made it to the Majors on Sunday, April 14, 2002. The Mariners were on the road, playing the Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington. 32,866 fans watched as Seattle’s John Halama faced off against Texas’ Kenny Rogers. Ron Wright was the DH, batting 7th for the Mariners. All was right in the world.
In the Top of the 2nd, Ron Wright strolled to the plate. This was the moment he had worked so hard for, his first Major League At Bat. Ruben Sierra was standing on Second after a lead off Single and a John Olerud Walk. Wright stepped in the Right Handed Batters Box looking to add to the Mariners 1-0 lead. Kenny Rogers rocked and fired. In the blink of an eye, Wright was walking back to the dugout. Striking out looking on three pitches was not how Wright envisioned his first At Bat in the Big Leagues, but he had stamped his name in the record books as playing in a Major League game. There would be more chances.
The next opportunity for Wright came in the Top of the 4th. Seattle still clung to its 1-0 lead, and Wright could extend the lead. He again came up with Sierra and Olerud on base. Sierra led off with a Double and moved to Third on Olerud’s Single. Wright worked the count to 2-2. On the fifth pitch he swung. The ball bounced to Rogers on the mound who fired to Alex Rodriguez coming over from Shortstop to cover Second for the first Out. Rodriguez then threw home to Catcher Bill Haselman who chased Sierra back towards Third. He tossed the ball to Third Baseman Hank Blalock who chased Sierra back towards Home. Blalock tossed the ball to Rogers who tagged Sierra for the second Out. During the rundown Wright reached First and was advancing towards Second. He was never known for his speed, just nine Stolen Bases in the Minors. After tagging Sierra, Rogers threw to Second Baseman Michael Young who tagged Wright coming into Second for the third Out. The 1-6-2-5-1-4 Triple Play killed the rally, and made Wright’s debut memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Baseball is about dealing with failure. There are few failures like hitting into a Triple Play. Baseball does not give you long to dwell on your failures. In the Top of the 6th, Wright came up for the third time. He was patient in his first two At Bats, but not this time. The Mariners were trailing 2-1. Again Ruben Sierra was on Second and John Olerud on First. On the first pitch from Rogers, Wright hit the ball to Shortstop Alex Rodriguez to start a Double Play. Sierra moved to Third, but the rally was dead. The frustrating day continued.
Ron Wright never got that fourth At Bat. Manager Lou Piniella sent up Pinch Hitter Mark McLemore in the 7th Inning. His Major League debut was complete. Wright had three At Bats against Kenny Rogers. He saw nine pitches. Made six Outs. The Mariners won 9-7. The game took 3 hours and 39 minutes. Before the Mariners returned to the field on Monday Ron Wright was back in the Minors. He never returned to the Majors. Wright’s Major League career took less time than it takes to watch Gone With The Wind.
Was it worth it? Despite one of the worst possible debuts, Ron Wright can proudly say he was a Major League Baseball player. Only 18,039 players before him earned that title. While his career was not what he hoped, Wright made it to the top. He kept grinding. He kept going. The baseball gods rewarded his lifetime of work with one of the strangest days ever on a baseball field. Keep working towards your goals.
DJ
Hall of Fame Class of 2024
The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 has been announced. Adrian Beltre, Joe Mauer, and Todd Helton will be joining Jim Leyland in Cooperstown this Summer. Beltre and Mauer are first ballot Hall of Famers, while it took Helton six ballots. Regardless how long it takes a player to reach 75% of the vote, they are a Hall of Famer. They are forever enshrined with the legends of baseball.
Billy Wagner almost joined Leyland, Beltre, Mauer, and Helton falling just five votes short. 2025 will be Wagner’s 10th and final chance to reach Cooperstown. He should head to the Hall of Fame next Summer. He may not be Mariano Rivera, but he has earned his place among the greats of the game.
Gary Sheffield will not be on the ballot next year. He is not heading to Cooperstown. He has exhausted his 10 years of Hall of Fame eligibility. Sheffield has the numbers to be a Hall of Famer. He played 22 seasons, 2,576 Games, scored 1,636 Runs, collected 2,689 Hits, including 467 Doubles, 27 Triples, 509 Home Runs, 1,676 RBI, with 253 Stolen Bases, drew 1,475 Walks, 1,171 Strikeouts, posted a .292 BA, .393 OBP, .514 SLG, .907 OPS, 140 OPS+, and 4,737 Total Bases. Sheffield is a nine time All Star, won five Silver Sluggers, the 1992 National League Batting Title, and the 1997 World Series. His wiggling bat is one of the most recognizable in baseball history. The one thing Sheffield could never shake is the connection to PEDs, which have haunted his candidacy. One of the great hitters in baseball history is not heading to Cooperstown and it is a shame.
Reaching the Hall of Fame is not meant for everyone. Eight players failed to receive the 5% to stay on the ballot. Victor Martinez, Jose Bautista, Bartolo Colon, Matt Holliday, Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon Philips, Jose Reyes, and James Shields are not heading to Cooperstown, but these eight players were among the best players of their generation. Players like Bautista and Colon are beloved, but this does not warrant their enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. They fall into the Hall of the Very Good.
The Class of 2024 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 21 in Cooperstown. Get the tissues ready. Minnesota and Colorado fans have reason to celebrate. Beltre’s election is cause for celebration in Texas and the Dominican Republic. It will be a great day for baseball.
DJ
The Winning Run 2024 Hall of Fame Ballot
The beginning of the new year means it is time for the annual debate about who is and is not a Hall of Famer. Ultimately only the opinions of Hall of Fame voters matter. They decide who goes to Cooperstown. The BBWAA is the sole voting body for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Voters must be a member of the BBWAA and meet the following eligibility requirements.
Hall of Fame Voter Eligibility
- Any member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) who has been an active member for ten years.
- The BBWAA is limited to writers for newspapers only, including some internet newspapers.
The BBWAA sets the following rules for how eligible voters can vote.
- Vote for no more than 10 players.
- A player is eligible for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame if they meet the following criteria:
- They competed in ten seasons. A single game counts as a season played.
- The player has been retired for at least five seasons. The clock restarts if the player returns and plays in the Major Leagues.
- The player is not on the ineligible list; banned from baseball.
- The player must receive 5% of the vote to remain on the ballot.
- The player is elected if they receive at least 75% of all ballots cast.
In addition to the official voting rules for the Baseball Hall of Fame set forth by the BBWAA, The Winning Run has an additional rule for its ballot.
- Known PED users are ineligible.
Every player dreams of reaching the Major Leagues and playing their way to Cooperstown. However, this dream is a reality for only 1% of Major Leaguers. Thousands of players begin their professional careers dreaming of the Hall of Fame and never spend a single day in the Major Leagues. Reaching the Major Leagues is extremely difficult. Appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot, even for a single year, is reserved for baseball’s elites. Making the ballot is an honor, even if the candidate does not receive a single vote.
The 2024 Hall of Fame ballot has 26 candidates. There are 14 returning candidates and 12 new candidates. The 14 returning candidates are:
- Todd Helton- 6th year (72.2%)
- Billy Wagner- 9th year (68.1%)
- Andruw Jones- 7th year (58.1%)
- Gary Sheffield- 10th year (55.0%)
- Carlos Beltran- 2nd year (46.5%)
- Alex Rodriguez- 3rd year (35.7%)
- Manny Ramirez- 8th year (33.2%)
- Omar Vizquel- 7th year (19.5%)
- Andy Pettitte- 6th year (17.0%)
- Bobby Abreu- 5th year (15.4%)
- Jimmy Rollins- 3rd year (12.9%)
- Mark Buehrle- 4th year (10.8%)
- Francisco Rodriguez- 2nd year (10.8%)
- Torii Hunter- 4th year (6.9%)
The 12 first time candidates are:
- Adrian Beltre
- Joe Mauer
- Chase Utley
- David Wright
- Bartolo Colon
- Matt Holliday
- Adrian Gonzalez
- Jose Bautista
- Jose Reyes
- Victor Martinez
- James Shields
- Brandon Phillips
Following our own rule, 5 of the 26 candidates were removed from consideration due to their connections with PEDs.
- Gary Sheffield
- Alex Rodriguez
- Manny Ramirez
- Andy Pettitte
- Bartolo Colon
The sad part of our PED rule is every one of these players posted the necessary numbers to be seriously considered for the Hall of Fame. Their decision to use PEDs has hampered their own election to Cooperstown and left them on the ballot for additional years. These extra years have siphoned votes away from other worthy candidates, harming their Hall of Fame chances through no fault of their own.
Two players we voted for in 2023 were removed from the ballot. Scott Rolen was elected to the Hall of Fame. Jeff Kent failed to be elected in his 10th and final year of eligibility. This means our 2024 ballot has two open spots. None of the candidates we voted for last year received less than 5%, so the other eight candidates have returned. After much research and debate we arrived at our 10 candidates.
Adrian Beltre could do it all on a baseball field. The Third Baseman played 21 seasons with 4 teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004), Seattle Mariners (2005-2009), Boston Red Sox (2010), and Texas Rangers (2011-2018). He played in 2,933 Games, scored 1,524 Runs, collected 3,166 Hits, including 636 Double, 38 Triples, 477 Home Runs, 1,707 RBI, 121 Stolen Bases, drawing 848 Walks, with 1,732 Strikeouts, posting a .286 BA, .339 OBP, .480 SLG, .819 OPS, 116 OPS+, and 5,309 Total Bases. Beltre won five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and was a four time All Star. If elected, Beltre will rank first among Hall of Fame Third Basemen in RBI. He will be second in Hits, Doubles, and RBI. Beltre will have the third most Home Runs. He is a clear cut Hall of Famer. Just make sure you do not touch his head.
Joe Mauer never left Minnesota. The hometown boy made good. Mauer Caught 15 seasons with the Minnesota Twins (2004-2018). He played in 1,858 Games, scored 1,018 Runs, collected 2,123 Hits, including 428 Doubles, 30 Triples, 143 Home Runs, 923 RBI, 52 Stolen Bases, drawing 939 Walks, with 1,034 Strikeouts, posting a .306 BA, .388 OBP, .439 SLG, .827 OPS, 124 OPS+, and 3,040 Total Bases. He was a six time All Star, won five Silver Sluggers, three Gold Gloves, and three Batting Titles. Mauer was named the 2009 American League MVP. If elected, Mauer will have the most Walks among Hall of Fame Catchers. He will be third in Doubles, fourth in OBP, sixth in Hits, and seventh in BA. Mauer should easily reach Cooperstown.
Chase Utley put together an outstanding career. He was one of the leaders for the great Phillies teams, including their 2008 World Series championship. The Second Baseman played for two teams in 16 seasons: Philadelphia Phillies (2003-2015) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2015-2018). He played in 1,937 Games, scored 1,103 Runs, collected 1,885 Hits, including 411 Doubles, 58 Triples, 259 Home Runs, 1,025 RBI, 154 Stolen Bases, drawing 724 Walks, with 1,193 Strikeouts, posting a .275 BA, .358 OBP, .465 SLG, .823 OPS, 117 OPS+, and 3,189 Total Bases. Utley was a six time All Star and won four Silver Sluggers. If elected, Utley would rank fifth among Hall of Fame Second Basemen in Home Runs and seventh in SLG and OPS.
Our ballot has three additions this year. We filled our two open slots with Adrian Beltre and Joe Mauer. We had one player, Jimmy Rollins, replaced by a former teammate, Chase Utley. The choice of Utley over Rollins is extremely close, but Utley is a more deserving candidate. The real issue is both Rollins and Utley are deserving candidates, but the idiotic Rule of 10 once again costs a deserving Hall of Fame candidate votes. If the Rule of 10 was not in place, we would also include Omar Vizquel, Jimmy Rollins, and Torii Hunter on our ballot. Now we wait for the official results for the Hall of Fame class of 2024. Who is heading to Cooperstown in July?
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
World Series of Chaos
We have our World Series matchup, Texas Rangers against Arizona Diamondbacks.
This is the first Fall Classic matchup between these two franchises. The Rangers are making their third trip to the World Series. They lost back to back World Series in 2010 and 2011. Texas has yet to reach the mountain top. The Diamondbacks are making their second appearance. They won a thriller in Game 7 against the Yankees in 2001. Will north Texas finally win it all or will the desert take home a second Commissioner’s Trophy?
Bruce Bochy has spent 26 seasons as a Major League manager. He has a 2,093-2,101 record, a .499 Win%. Bochy passed Walter Alston earlier this season to move into tenth place all-time in wins. Bochy, Bucky Harris, and Connie Mack are the only three managers with a losing record in the top ten. Four victories in the World Series would tie Bochy with Dusty Baker with 57 Postseason wins, the fourth most ever. He has done well as the winningest, and only, French born manager ever. This is the third team Bochy has led to the World Series. He won the National League Pennant with the Padres in 1998 and led the Giants to three World Series titles in five years between 2010 and 2014. Can he win his fourth title in his first season with the Rangers?
Torey Lovullo is in his seventh season as a Major League manager. He has a 495-537 record, a .480 Win%. Lovullo has the 142nd most career victories as a Major League Manager. He took over the Diamondbacks in 2017 after they finished with just 69 wins in 2016. Arizona immediately responded with a 93 win season and a trip to the Division Series, where they were swept by the Dodgers. The front office has stayed the course with Lovullo, as the Diamondbacks have finished an average of 26 behind the National League West division winner in the last six seasons. The only thing that matters now is the Diamondbacks are hot at the right time.
Tommy Lasorda. He is the difference between Bruce Bochy and Torey Lovullo. Bochy has 1,598 more victories than Lovullo. Lasorda posted 1,599 wins in his Hall of Fame managerial career. This difference typifies how crazy baseball can be. Bochy is on his way to Cooperstown. Lovullo is already the winningest manager in Arizona history and could be on his way to the Diamondbacks Hall of Fame with four more victories. Baseball does not care about your history, only what you can do today.
How will this World Series unfold? History says it will be chaos. The last three Fall Classics have gone six games. The last World Series Game 7 was 2019 when the Nationals triumphed over the Astros. The last World Series sweep was 2012 as the Giants swept the Tigers. Who has the advantage this October? Honestly no one knows, because the last ten World Series are an even split with the American and National League each winning five times.
Enjoy the end of the baseball season. The cold of Winter is coming. Another baseball season is drawing to a close. The unpredictability of the game has led us to this World Series, Rangers vs Diamondbacks. Every season is a free for all. This year is no different. The Mets and Padres are proof you cannot buy your way into the Postseason. The League Championship Series were some of the best baseball has to offer. Hopefully it continues into November.
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 Winning Run 