The Chicago Cubs just made the World Series for the first time in over 70 years. The World has changed a lot since October 10th, 1945 (when the Cubs lost game seven to the Detroit Tigers). Here’s nine things that didn’t exist the last time we had a Chicago Cubs World Series game. Read more
For each of the past four seasons, Mike Trout has been the best player in the American League (and likely in all of baseball), and he has only one MVP award to show for it. Baseball, a game that loves tradition like no other, will likely continue that trend this year, denying Trout yet again; this time in favor of the RedSox’ rising star, Mookie Betts (or maybe Josh Donaldson again…one or the other…like 80/20, Betts). Read more
Other than players still playing, still eligible for eventual BBWAA voting into the Hall, or banned from the game, Lou Whitaker has the highest WAR total of any player not yet in the Hall of Fame. By either calculation of WAR, Whitaker ranks in the Top-100 of all players (both position and pitchers) since the beginning of the game, so it’s mind-boggling that not only is he not in the Hall of Fame, he didn’t even receive 5% of the vote in his first year – dropping him off the ballot entirely. How was/is such a productive player so underrated? Well, there are several reasons, some better than others. Read more
Mike Piazza enters the Hall of Fame as the best offensive catcher in baseball history. He also enters as the subject of a “Hat Policy” conversation. Though he spent his best years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Piazza will enter the Hall as a member of the New York Mets. This makes a good amount of sense: he did spend more time with the Mets and has long held bad feelings toward the Los Angeles Dodgers over the way he left the team. But, while it’s certainly not as contentious as the inclusion of Gary Carter or Andre Dawson as Expos (against both of their wishes), there is little question that Piazza’s greatest years were spent as a Dodger. Read more
Ken Griffey Jr., one of the greatest natural talents that baseball has ever seen, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday. Despite his greatness and the heights of his achievements, Junior is also one of the game’s greatest “what if?” players. Injuries ravaged the second half of his career and left many fans wondering what might have been. The stark divide in Griffey’s career production makes him essentially unique among position players in the Hall. Read more
As Ichiro nears 3000 hits in MLB and tops 4256 for his professional career, we’re reminded (by no one more than the man himself) that Pete Rose is MLB’s “Hit King.” Never forget, however, that Pete Rose (the player) only has that record because Pete Rose (the manager) placed his personal interests above those of his team. We begin Hall of Fame week with a close look at the most prominent player barred from entry. Read more
Jake Arrieta is a very good pitcher having an incredible run at the moment, but is he – as ESPN suggested – in a “league of his own” at the moment? Is he, as Bleacher Report and NBCSports claim, the best pitcher in baseball? Has his current run surpassed the rest of the MLB field? In the case of at least one of his peers, the answer is “no.” Read more