When the Cubs traded Starlin Castro to the Yankees to make room for Ben Zobrist, I was extremely saddened and angry about the entire transaction. I wrote an article boldly predicting that Castro’s numbers at the end of the regular 2016 season would be better than Zobrist’s. It’s time to see if I was right. The two tables below are from the MLB website. First, we will examine Castro’s results: Now, let’s look at Zobrist’s: With 54 additional at-bats, Castro was able to surpass … [Read more...]
The Cubs, The World Series and Wrigleyville
The Cubs, The World Series and Wrigleyville My husband and I were really excited as we counted down the days before our trip up to Wrigleyville. Game 4 of The World Series was going to be played, pitting the Chicago Cubs against the Cleveland Indians. Both teams have long droughts of non-appearance in the Fall Classic hanging over their heads. The night before we drove up, we called our friends to ask what time to meet. New developments with the area bars in Wrigleyville were going to affect … [Read more...]
Chapman Watch vs. Watch Chapman
Albertín Aroldis (de la Cruz) Chapman, the latest closer for the Chicago Cubs, has been under the spotlight since he first stepped onto American soil in 2009, after successfully defecting from his home country of Cuba. To put it mildly, Chapman’s fastball is akin to Halley’s Comet. It can streak across the plate at up to 105.1 mph, the current confirmed MLB record. Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen was batting at Great American Ballpark in 2011 when Chapman supposedly threw a pitch clocked at 106 … [Read more...]
Remembering a Legend on the Fourth of July
In 1927, the year my dad was born, there were two baseball players who dominated the headlines in their quest to hit the most homers in a single season. One of them was Babe Ruth, who would finish with 60. The other player, who ended the year with 47 and whose life would come to a tragic end 14 years later, was my favorite player of all time. Yes, The Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, stands atop my shrine of beloved baseball legends. My admiration for this man even exceeds that which I hold toward my … [Read more...]
A Memorial Day Comparison in Baseball History
The months leading up to the 1945 World Series were rife with historical ramifications. World War II had raged for the prior six years. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States was forced to join the Allied Forces. Four years later, two atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and on September 2, aboard the USS Missouri, the Japanese surrender was received, officially ending the confrontation and setting the stage for the Cold War and … [Read more...]
A Cast of Cubs All-Stars
The very first All-Star game in Major League Baseball took place as part of the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. The brain child of this inaugural event was Arch Ward, sports editor of the Chicago Tribune. Because of its huge success, it has become an annual event and is nostalgically referred to as the Midsummer Classic. The resemblance of this title to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in my mind, adds to its romantic allure and pulls me even deeper into it. For one night of the year, the … [Read more...]
Marquee Musings
The beloved Wrigley Field marquee has been put back in place just in time for the start of the Cubs’ home opener, after undergoing restoration. It got me wondering about the origins of the marquee itself and how it has become a symbol of the team, the city, and the most loyal fan base in the world. When fans attend a game at Wrigley, the first picture they want to take is one of themselves, standing in front of the famed icon with huge grins on their faces. I’ve taken a few of those and … [Read more...]
Head Games
How many more pitchers are going to be seriously injured before head safety gear becomes mandatory? Another pitcher has been hit in the head by a comeback liner during a Spring Training game. [tube]https://www.youtube.com/v/CL4uu1qNWQM[/tube] Earlier this month, newly signed Giants starter Johnny Cueto, threw the first pitch to Oakland Athletics’ outfielder Billy Burns. Although Cueto stated that the smoked ball initially glanced off his glove, it sure looked like it struck his forehead … [Read more...]
Neighborhood No Nos
Two new rules go into effect this year in the majors. And they are generating a lot of controversy. It was one of the most talked about plays last year during the NLDS. When Phillies veteran Chase Utley slid into Ruben Tejada of the Mets, it broke up the double play all right. Unfortunately for Tejada, it also broke his leg. Here’s a replay of his body being turned into a rag doll: [tube]https://www.youtube.com/v/jrJbGPBnz2w[/tube] Chase was initially suspended for two games but … [Read more...]
A Case for More HERlers in MLB
When will the first female step onto a major league diamond? Thoughts from a new contributor follow. Since the passage of Title IX, the number of females participating in intercollegiate sports is now over 207,000. How many of them have ever received a scholarship in baseball? Zero. Until now. At the beginning of this month, a college in Houston, Texas has broken things wide open. Sarah Hudek, a freshman pitcher at Bossier Parish Community College, is currently the only female college … [Read more...]