Cable cancels ESPN’s culture (and other confusing conundrums)

In 1994, Major League Baseball cancelled its World Series.  It was the first time in American history that had ever happened.  Our national pastime reminded all those watching that baseball was first and foremost, a business.  It was a shock Continue reading Cable cancels ESPN’s culture (and other confusing conundrums)

Domingo German’s perfect game night no match for our family’s

Have you ever experienced one of those eerie, bigger-than-life moments where you suddenly and startlingly realize that everything is right and proper with the universe and that you are smack dab, exactly where you are supposed to be at that Continue reading Domingo German’s perfect game night no match for our family’s

The Lost Art of the Start

Major League Baseball once again made history while no one noticed. The Houston Astros had a no-hitter the other night!  In the Game Four of the World Series no less! And we barely celebrated.  Womp womp! There are a few Continue reading The Lost Art of the Start

Three strikes and you’re out… of home games: The inequity of Major League Baseball’s new but not improved post-season format

The Tampa Bay Rays post-season came and went.  If you blinked, you missed it. For their efforts, a fairly successful regular season in which they went 86-76, the Rays earned a wild card berth, just not a prime-time game (small Continue reading Three strikes and you’re out… of home games: The inequity of Major League Baseball’s new but not improved post-season format

Book Review: Playing Through the Pain: Ken Caminiti and the Steroids Confession That Changed Baseball Forever by Dan Good

The best book I’ve read about baseball’s steroid era was Jose Canseco’s “Vindicated,” his follow up to the ground-breaking, tell-all tale “Juiced.”  After all, who better to write a book about steroids than the man most associated with them? The Continue reading Book Review: Playing Through the Pain: Ken Caminiti and the Steroids Confession That Changed Baseball Forever by Dan Good

Point-Counterpoint: The Madison Bumgarner “No-Hitter” by J-Dub and SportsChump

Yet another episode of Point-Counterpoint as brought to you by Twin brothers from another mother, both born on the 13th of July. Introduction by SportsChump: Oh, Major League Baseball, how you disappoint me. Let me count the ways. What’s most Continue reading Point-Counterpoint: The Madison Bumgarner “No-Hitter” by J-Dub and SportsChump

“Extra, Extra! Read all about the Extra in Extras!”

I sat in the Buckhorn clubhouse with Vargas and Figueroa after somehow simultaneously managing a shitty and excellent round of golf.  Note: Vargas and Figueroa are not sidekicks from a 70s cop show, even though the names sound like it Continue reading “Extra, Extra! Read all about the Extra in Extras!”

Book Review: The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife by Brad Balukjian

A twist of fate, a stick of stale chewing gum, a cross-country road trip and a pack of baseball cards opened in a way no one has before.  Such is the vision of Brad Balukjian’s Wax Pack. I’ve reviewed three Continue reading Book Review: The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife by Brad Balukjian

Look there goes another Major League scandal. Yawn!

There I stood in the batter’s box, a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed 15 years old, pants a little too baggy but with a keen eye for the baseball and ready to strike. The pitcher stood on the mound some 60 feet Continue reading Look there goes another Major League scandal. Yawn!