Author Archives: Andrew Martin
Jair Bogaerts: Former Boston Red Sox Prospect Talks Baseball and Brother Xander
In shortstop Xander Bogaerts, the Boston Red Sox have one of the most exciting young players in baseball. The native of Aruba has blossomed into a true star, showing five-tool talent and still clocking in at the tender age of 24. Although some fans may not realize it, not that long ago, the team was fortunate enough to have two Bogaerts in their organization, with Xander’s (fraternal) twin brother Jair making up the other half of the tandem.
Jose Fernandez: Death Shocks Baseball World
Reports are pouring in that Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez has sadly died in a tragic boating accident.
Details are sparse at this point but the death has been confirmed by multiple sources. Baseball has lost one of its youngest and brightest stars.
The 24-year-old right-handed native of Cuba (later came to the United States) came to the Marlins as a first-round draft choice in 2011 out of high school. He made the majors just two years later, and despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, came back as good as ever.
Boston Red Sox Ending 2016 Regular Season on Many High Notes
The Boston Red Sox have put their fans in a glass case of emotions this year. The time is quickly counting down on the illustrious career of beloved slugger David Ortiz. Additionally, even though they are currently in first place in the American League East, the team is still fighting for their playoff spot with their finger nails, as a veritable pack of hopefuls nip at their heels. That being said, no matter what happens the rest of the way there are a number of positives that will come out of the 2016 campaign and can be applied to the future.
Eddie Gaedel: His Meteoric Rise and Tragically Mysterious End
He died too young, passing away at a young age with enormous untapped potential. When he was found in his mother’s house, unresponsive from a beating suffered during a mugging and a subsequent heart attack, he had just turned 36. Despite having had a career in show business, and even a brief stint as a major league baseball player, he never found the comfort or respect most would expect from such opportunities. Insecurity, alcohol and always feeling on the outside all contributed to his lot in life leading up to his final days. As it turned out, Eddie Gaedel wound up being as overlooked in death as he was in his much too brief life.
Minor League Baseball Announces its August Players of the Month
PRESS RELEASE from Minor League Baseball
PETERSBURG, Fla. — Minor League Baseball today announced the August Player of the Month Award winners for each of its 16 leagues. Each player will receive an award from Minor League Baseball in recognition of the honor.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies) right-hander Phil Klein led the International League in strikeouts (46), batting average against (.154) and WHIP (0.65) in August. He was 4-0 with a 1.06 ERA during the month as he allowed 18 hits and four walks over 34.0 innings pitched. Klein, 27, was originally selected by Texas in the 30th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Youngstown State University.
Dodgerland: Decadent Los Angeles and 1977-78 Dodgers- A Review
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of Major League Baseball’s flagship franchises, going all the way back to when the team called Brooklyn, New York its home. For years, relying on flashy players and sometimes even flashier managers, they have traditionally been in the national spotlight. In particular, the 1977-78 teams were among the most entertaining and talented, and yet unfulfilled. Author Michael Fallon has dived in with a deep examination with Dodgerland: Decadent Los Angeles and the 1977-78 Dodgers (University of Nebraska Press, 2016).
How Jake Powell Exposed Baseball’s Racism
Baseball is no stranger to having those connected to the game being called out for insensitive and/or inappropriate comments. From the 1999 John Rocker Sports Illustrated feature and ensuing suspension, to the more recent termination of Curt Schilling from ESPN, among others, there is an unfortunate history. One of the first such incidents that rose to national attention occurred in 1938 when New York Yankees outfielder Jake Powell caused wide-spread furor over racist comments he made on the radio while doing a live dugout interview prior to a game.
Goodnight Sweet Prince: Giving The Retiring Prince Fielder His Due
Texas Rangers slugging first baseman Prince Fielder has announced that he is retiring from Major League Baseball due to having recently undergone his second spinal fusion surgery in the past three years. He was a star for much of his 12 big league seasons but will likely not go down as an all-time great. That being said, he was a tremendous player who has never been fully appreciated for his influence and place in the game.
A Few Questions with Oakland Athletics 2016 First-Round Pick A.J. Puk
The Oakland Athletics are in the midst of their second straight season of floundering in the second division, on pace for a 70-92 record. Accordingly, they recently saw their struggles translate into a higher draft pick than normal. They capitalized, grabbing massive University of Florida left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk with the sixth overall selection in the 2016 draft; giving them the kind of top-tier prospect that teams can only usually dream about.
It’s Been a Strange Baseball Season
We’re barely two weeks past the 2016 MLB All Star Game and it is already appropriate to say that this has been a truly strange baseball season. Every year there are stories that unfold that cause outsiders to do a double take to make sure they understood correctly but this year seems to have had a disproportionate amount with more than two months of the season left to go.
Here are some of the most unforgettable:
David Ortiz and Great Final Seasons
At the age of 40, Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is playing in his final and perhaps best season of a 20-year major league career. He is providing a grand finale for what may well end up being an eventual induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Although such impressive exits from the game are rare, there have been others who retired with a bang instead of a whimper.
If the 2016 season were to end today, it could be reasonably argued that Ortiz truly did go out on top. Thus far, in 89 games, he has hit .332 with a league-leading 35 doubles, 24 home runs, 81 RBIs and a 182 OPS+, which represents a career high. He also leads the league in on base percentage (OBP) and slugging, all while walking (52) more than he has struck out (45).
Keep reading for some other outstanding final seasons. Eligibility was determined by players who voluntarily retired, as opposed to those like Shoeless Joe Jackson (who hit .382 in 1920 with 218 hits, 121 RBIs and just 14 strikeouts but never returned to the game after being suspended for life); injury (Sandy Koufax and Kirby Puckett had tremendous final seasons before retiring suddenly for health reasons), or death (like Roberto Clemente, who hit .312 and won a Gold Glove in 1972 but was killed during the offseason in a plane crash).
The Black Prince of Baseball- Hal Chase and the Mythology of the Game: A Review
Before Babe Ruth, another mega star dominated the baseball landscape. His name was Hal Chase and he was a supremely talented and flawed athlete and human, who was ultimately overtaken by his demons and unceremoniously cast out of the majors because of his penchant for gambling and allegedly throwing games—which possibly included involvement in the 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal. Detailing his rise and fall is Donald Dewey and Nicholas Acocella, with their excellent The Black Prince of Baseball: Hal Chase and the Mythology of the Game (University of Nebraska Press, 2004/2016).
Minor League Baseball Remains a Budget-Friendly Entertainment Option
Minor League Baseball issued the following press release today:
Minor League Baseball Remains a Budget-Friendly Entertainment Option
Family of four can attend a game for an average of less than $65
PETERSBURG, Florida — Minor League Baseball announced today that attending one of its games is, yet again, one of the most economical forms of family entertainment available. The average cost for a family of four to enjoy a Minor League Baseball game this season is only $64.97; a price that includes parking, two adult tickets, two child tickets, four hot dogs, two sodas and two beers.
For Baseball Hall-of-Famer Fred Clarke, Mustaches Were a Hairy Subject
Facial hair is all the rage these days for those many, who spend inordinate amounts of time and money cultivating beards, mustaches and other elaborate whiskery concoctions. Although many ball players currently sport all manners of hair on their faces, it’s something that has not always been tolerated. An early opponent was Hall of Famer Fred Clarke, who came out swinging heavily in the press in 1905 when the question of mustaches was broached with his team.
Legendary Catcher Ray Schalk’s Escape as a Hostage From a Bowling Alley Armed Robbery
Ray Schalk has one of the most impressive baseball resumes one can find when combing through the annals of the game. The catcher had a distinguished 18-year playing career and was a “Clean Sox” on the infamous 1919 Chicago Black Sox before moving on to a career in coaching. He was ultimately inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955 but nearly didn’t live to see that moment because of the time he was taken hostage by armed robbers at his bowling alley.
San Diego Padres Prospect Auston Bousfield Talks Baseball
The San Diego Padres have struggled to find their identity in recent seasons, finishing above .500 just three times in the last decade, entering the 2016 season. They last appeared in the playoffs in 2006 and don’t look like they will break that streak this year. However, if some of their young talent pans out, there may be a very bright future ahead. One of the young players who may play a role in the turnaround is speedy outfielder Auston Bousfield.
Jen Pawol Assigned to Umpire Games in the Gulf Coast League
A media release from the Gulf Coast League:
PETERSBURG, Florida — The Gulf Coast League (GCL) today announced the hiring of umpire Jen Pawol for the 2016 season. Pawol (pronounced Powell) will be the first female umpire in the GCL since Pam Postema in the 1977-78 seasons, and becomes the first female umpire in Minor League Baseball since 2007.
Seattle Mariners’ Zack Littell Emerging as a Top Pitching Prospect
The Major League Baseball draft recently concluded and another batch of young players joined the ranks of professionals. Every step along the way from when they first started playing as children has essentially weeded out those with less talent. Those who can prove themselves and hang in there have the potential of becoming a big leaguer and realizing dreams that are years in the making. Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Zack Littell still has his dream alive and well. Entering his fourth season in the organization, he is right on pace for becoming one of the lucky ones.
Dustin Pedroia’s Quiet Re-Emergence for the Boston Red Sox
The (tied for) first-place Boston Red Sox have had a lot of reasons for their success so far this season. The headlines have been dominated by their young breakout stars (Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.), and the swan song of their venerable veteran, David Ortiz. Lost in all that positivity has been the reemergence of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who is quietly putting together another of his signature seasons after seeing his production dip in recent years.
MLB Reports 