Author Archives: Paul Francis Sullivan

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 1, 2014

Nathaniel Chadwick/NBC

Nathaniel Chadwick/NBC

One of my devoted listeners sent me a Tweet.

This terrific Deadspin article accurately looked at baseball’s inability to sell itself.

I took it a few steps further, put part of the blame on Bud Selig, who I compared to Jay Leno and William H. Macy’s character in Fargo.

But hope for baseball comes, in all places, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Trust me, it all makes sense in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Pablo Sandoval, Clay Buchholz, Mike Trout, Alex Wood, Bryce Harper, Alex Cobb, Francisco Liriano and Brett Gardner all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.31, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Photo By Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Photo By Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Pablo Sandoval missed the cycle by a double, got on base 4 times, scored 3 and drove in 3, leading the Giants to a sweep of the Brewers, 15-5.

Alex Wood threw 8 shutout innings, allowing just 5 hits and no walks while striking out 12, winning the tight 1-0 game for the Braves over Miami.

Mike Trout went 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBI, leading the Angels to a crushing 4 game sweep of the A’s, 8-1.

Clay Buchholz threw a complete game 3 hits, no walk shutout as the Red Sox beat the Rays, 3-0

They owned baseball on Aug 31, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 31, 2014

COLIN E. BRALEY — AP Photo

COLIN E. BRALEY — AP Photo

It is Sunday… time for The Sunday Request.

Is it out of line to call out the bad attendance in Kansas City?
Or is this the result of decades of seeing a bad product.

Breaking down team loyalty in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Scott Feldman, Jake Peavy, Matt Holliday, Jimmy Paredes, Vidal Nuno, Victor Martinez, Jeff Samardzija and Jason Heyward all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.30, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

Scott Feldman threw a complete game 3 hit shutout, walking just 1 Ranger batter for a 2-0 final in Houston.

Jake Peavy threw no hit ball for 7 1/3 innings. He finished with 7 2/3 one hit shutout innings with 8 strikeouts, earning the 3-1 decision for the Giants over the Brewers.

Jimmy Paredes homered and doubled, driving in a pair, leading the Orioles to a 3-2 win over Minnesota.

Matt Holliday got on base 4 times including a pair of homers with 5 RBI in the Cardinals 13-2 pounding of the Cubs in the night cap of their double header.

They owned baseball on Aug 30, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 30, 2014

Al Behrman/AP Images

Al Behrman/AP Images

 

One of my listeners gave me a direct request…

And when I responded, he got more specific.

Today I talk about the Cubs, expectations and I actually sing part of a song from Godspell.

Prepare ye the way of today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Jorge Soler, Edinson Volquez, Jered Weaver, Mike Leake, Marcell Ozuna and Brandon Guyer all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.29, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

AP Photo - Bill Boyce

AP Photo – Bill Boyce

Jorge Soler reached base 4 times including a pair of homers (the second one was an astonishing no doubter.) He would drive in 3 as the Cubs cruised 7-2 in St. Louis.

Jacoby Ellsbury tripled and homered, leading the Yankees to a 6-3 win against Toronto.

Edinson Volquez took a no hitter into the 7th and finished with 3 hits and 1 run. He got a no decision but the Pirates prevailed over the Reds, 2-1

Jered Weaver pitched 7 shutout innings earning the decision in the Angels 4-0 AL West showdown against Oakland.

They owned baseball on Aug 29, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 29, 2014

IceCream

Bud Selig saved the Padres in San Diego? Really? Did I miss that?

Plus the Ice Cream Sandwich heard ’round the world!

It is a revisionist history episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Billy Hamilton, Mike Minor, Jordan Schafer, Collin McHugh, Jorge Soler, Jon Niese, Josh Donaldson and Hiroki Kuroda all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.28, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

(Cincinnati Enquirer/Cara Owsley)

(Cincinnati Enquirer/Cara Owsley)

Billy Hamilton got on base 4 times, including a double, stole a base, scored twice and drive in a pair as the Reds topped the Cubs 7-2.

Mike Minor threw 7 innings, allowing 1 run and 4 hits and earned the 6-1 decision for the Braves against the Mets.

Jordan Schafer went 3-5, scoring 3 and driving in 4 including 2 in the 10th inning of the Twins 11-5 victory in Kansas City.

Collin McHugh pitched 7 strong innings, allowing 2 runs and got the 4-2 win for the Astros over Texas.

They owned baseball on Aug 28, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 28, 2014

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports - SABR.org

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports – SABR.org

Dan Otero is piling up wins at an alarming rate. So much so that I wonder out loud again if anyone could ever catch Jack Chesbro’s 41 win season if they did so as a middle reliever.

That and why teams should be nervous to deal with Tampa Bay in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Sam Fuld, Clayton Kershaw, Drew Smyly, Buster Posey, Dernard Span, Phil Hughes, Zack Wheeler and Chris Carter all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.27, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Sam Fuld got 3 hits including a double and a 2 run 9th inning go ahead homer that completed Oakland’s 5-4 comeback in Houston.

Drew Smyly threw 7 strong innings, allowing just 2 hits and a run on a solo homer, earning Tampa Bay’s 3-1 victory in Baltimore.

Buster Posey threw out a runner, collected a go ahead RBI single and then launched a 2 out, bottom of the 9th walk off homer, as the Giants topped Colorado 4-2.

Clayton Kershaw was his usual brilliant self, pitching 8 dominant innings, allowing 1 unearned run, striking out 10 Diamondbacks and walking just 2 and winning his 16th decision for the Dodgers, 3-1.

They owned baseball on Aug 27, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 27, 2014

poppy

My father is a remarkably optimistic and positive man… except when it comes to the San Francisco Giants.

I talk about my dad and which managers should be on the hot seat in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Alex Gordon, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Matt Shoemaker, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alex Wood, Ricky Nolasco and Ender Inciarte all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.26, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Ed Zurga/AP

Ed Zurga/AP

 

Alex Gordon‘s second hit of the night was a 2 run, bottom of the 9th, come from behind walk off homer that gave the first place Royals a 2-1 win over Minnesota

Madison Bumgarner retired the first 21 Colorado batters and 27 of 28, allowing a single hit while striking out 13 and walking none, finishing a 3-0 masterpiece in San Francisco.

Matt Shoemaker threw 7 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits and 2 walks and pitched the Angels back into first place by themselves with a 8-2 victory against the Marlins.

Buster Posey homered twice, driving in all three of the Giants runs in their 3-0 defeat of the Rockies.

They owned baseball on Aug 26, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

 

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 26, 2014

"Marcio

Tim Lincecum is heading to the bullpen and the Giants have just 32 games left to find their winning ways.

It is a stretch run episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Delmon Young, Clay Buchholz, A.J. Burnett, Giancarlo Stanton, Edwin Encarnacion, Francisco Liriano, Andrew McCutchen and Scott Feldman all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.25, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Yong Kim/Philadelphia Inquirerer Staff Photographer

Yong Kim/Philadelphia Inquirerer Staff Photographer

A.J. Burnett threw 7 innings of 3 hit, 12 strikeout ball, allowing a single solo homer and helped the Phillies stop the red hot Nationals, 3-2

Giancarlo Stanton got on base 3 times including a critical 3 run homer as the Marlins continued to climb into the Wild Card race and beat the first place Angels, 7-1.

Clay Buchholz pitched shutout ball into the 9th inning. He was undone by a softly hit ball into the infield and a blown save by the bullpen. But the Red Sox would ultimately win in Toronto, 4-3 after 10 innings.

Delmon Young got on base 4 times with a walk, a single, a double and a homer, driving in 3 and leading a potent Orioles attack to a 9-1 drubbing of the Rays.

They owned baseball on Aug 25, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 25, 2014

.RuthCalledShot

 

Near Dealey Plaza in Dallas, I talk about some of baseball’s unsolved mysteries and why I would rather not go back in time and see what really happened.

It is a legend versus Reality episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Lucas Duda, Victor Martinez, Tsuyoshi Wada, Chris Archer, Gregor Blanco and Alberto Callaspo all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

When in Pasadena, have a wonderful Mexican dinner at El Cholo. Click HERE for more info.

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.24, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

MARK J. TERRILL/AP

MARK J. TERRILL/AP

Lucas Duda went 3-5 with 2 homers and drove in 5 runs, helping the Mets clobber the Dodgers, 11-3.

Victor Martinez collected 3 hits including a homer and drove in 4 as the Tigers rolled 13-4 in Minnesota.

Tsuyoshi Wada threw a no hitter into the 7th and finished allowing 1 hit (a solo homer) and 8 strikeouts against 1 walk, earning the 2-1 win over Baltimore and finishing a sweep for the Cubs.

Chris Archer threw 7 strong innings, allowing 1 run and 6 hits, setting up Tampa Bay’s 2-1 victory in Toronto.

They owned baseball on Aug 24, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 24, 2014

MexicanRestaurant

While having a delicious Mexican dinner with my family, I somehow got into a baseball discussion with my wife. They don’t happen often so I decided to turn it into an impromptu podcast.

It is a spicy Margarita and chips and salsa episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Pedro Alvarez, Joe Mauer, Mike Leake, Jeremy Guthrie, Juan Lagares, Trevor Plouffe, Ervin Santana and C.J. Wilson all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

When in Pasadena, have a wonderful Mexican dinner at El Cholo. Click HERE for more info.

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.23, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Morry Gash - AP

Morry Gash – AP

Pedro Alvarez clubbed a pair of homers, driving in 4, leading the Pirates to a 10-2 win in Milwaukee.

Joe Mauer reached base 4 times, drove in 3 runs and scored a pair helping the Twins rout the Tigers 12-4.

Mike Leake pitched shutout ball into the 7th inning, allowing 2 hits and striking out 6, getting the 1-0 decision over the Braves.

Jeremy Guthrie pitched 8 strong innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 run as first place Kansas Ciy defeated Texas 6-3.

They owned baseball on Aug 23, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 23, 2014

Michael Macor, San Francisco Chronicle

Michael Macor, San Francisco Chronicle

 

The Giants are gearing up for another playoff push. But should they use this off season as an opportunity to retool and try and put together a third championship team for this decade?

It is a no nostalgia and forward thinking episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Drew Smyly, Mike Minor, Eduardo Escobar, Josh Harrison, Carlos Carrasco, Jose Abreu and Nolan Arenado all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.22, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

AP Photo by Chris Young

AP Photo by Chris Young

Drew Smyly threw a complete game 2 hit shutout, walking none as the Rays blanked the Blue Jays, 8-0.

Mike Minor threw a no hitter until he had 2 outs in the 8th inning. He allowed a single that tied the game. He got no decision for his 7 2/3 innings of 1 hit, 4 walk pitching but the Braves beat the Reds in 12 innings, 3-1.

Eduardo Escobar led a wild Twins offense by going 5-6, tripling, homering, scoring 3 and driving in 2 as Minnesota crushed the Tigers 20-6.

Josh Harrison went 3-5, clubbed a go ahead double, homered and drive in 5 runs as the Pirates won against the first place Brewers, 8-3.

They owned baseball on Aug 22, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 22, 2014

yazposter

It is Carl Yastrzemski’s birthday. While waiting to get a haircut, I remembered the summer of 1979 where I eagerly watched Yaz’s 3,000 hit chase.

That and some reflections on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Kennys Vargas, Brandon McCarthy, Clayton Kershaw, Buster Posey, David Price, Justin Ruggiano, Zach Walters and Tyson Ross all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.21, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

JIM MONE/AP

JIM MONE/AP

Kennys Vargas went 3-4 with a double, a homer, an RBI and a pair of runs scored, helping Minnesota top Cleveland, 4-1.

Buster Posey reached base 5 times including a homer and a pair of doubles, helping the Giants come from behind and beat the Cubs, 5-3.

Brandon McCarthy threw a complete game 4 hit shutout, striking out 8 and walking none, helping the Yankees avoid a sweep by Houston, 3-0.

Clayton Kershaw threw no hit ball into the 6th and finished with 8 masterful 3 hit, 1 run innings, striking out 10 Padres and earning the 2-1 victory for the Dodgers.

They owned baseball on Aug 21, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 21, 2014

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

I am alone in my house, a rare thing.

The topic of the day is all sorts of pitching… David Price‘s masterpiece loss, why Masahiro Tanaka pitching in 2014 is insane and the joys of a suspended game.

It is a playing hooky at home episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Rick Porcello, Lucas Duda, Jorge De La Rosa, Adam Jones, Hector Noesi, Alex Wood, Luis Valbuena and David Ortiz all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.20, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

CHRIS O'MEARA/AP

CHRIS O’MEARA/AP

Rick Porcello threw a complete game, 3 hit shutout, striking out 4 while walking no Tampa Bay batter as the Tigers rolled, 6-0.

Jorge De La Rosa pitched 8 strong innings in Coors Field, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs as the Rockies stopped the Royals 5-2.

Adam Jones went 3-4, scored the tying run and later homered as the Orioles came from behind to top the White Sox, 4-3.

Lucas Duda reached base 3 times, including a homer and drove in 3 runs as the Mets won 8-5 in Oakland.

They owned baseball on Aug 20, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 20, 2014

ESPN.go.com

ESPN.go.com

Baseball might not get the best coverage on Sports Center. But we are now living in a Post-ESPN world.

It is a digital age edition of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Hisashi Iwakuma, Omar Infante, Stephen Strasburg, Carl Crawford, David Ortiz and Todd Frazier all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.19, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

 

Michael Perez - AP

Michael Perez – AP

Hisashi Iwakuma pitched 8 shutout innings, striking out 11 Phillies while walking none and earning the 5-2 decision for Seattle.

Stephen Strasburg allowed a homer in the first innings and settled down to let up just 2 more hits and one walk while striking out 9 Arizona batters as Washington rolled, 8-1.

Omar Infante collected 4 hits including 3 doubles and drove in 4 runs, helping the Royals continue their winning ways, 7-4 in Colorado.

Carl Crawford got on base 4 times, including a homer, stole a base, scored 3 and drove in 3, helping the Dodgers come from behind against San Diego, 8-6.

They owned baseball on Aug 19, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 19, 2014

JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES

JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES

I attempt to expand my appreciation of WAR by trying to understand why Jason Heyward is ranked so highly.

I wound up being more impressed by Heyward than I thought I was going to be.

Plus, I encourage the Diamondbacks to make a change for the sake of a change.

It is a mind expanding episode of of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Jason Heyward, Nick Markakis, Jason Vargas, Jerome Williams, Brandon Workman, Oswaldo Arcia, Starling Marte and Vidal Nuno all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.18, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

 Photo: Ann Heisenfelt, AP

Photo: Ann Heisenfelt, AP

Jason Vargas threw 7 innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 walks and 1 run, helping the Royals pad their first place lead by beating Minnesota, 6-4.

Nick Markakis went 3-5 with a homer and 2 RBI, helping the first place Orioles top the White Sox, 8-2.

Jerome Williams pitched 7 strong innings, allowing just 3 hits and 1 run in the Phillies 4-1 victory over Seattle.

Jason Heyward went 3-4 with a homer and 2 RBI, helping the Braves top the Pirates, 7-3.

They owned baseball on Aug 18, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 18, 2014

 

It is show #666. From the side of the highway (not far from Route 66) I think about one hit wonders of baseball.

I risk my soul on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Michael Cuddyer, Jose Altuve, Nick Tepesch, Jake Arrieta, Billy HamiltonRafael Montero and Nate Freiman   all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Please Subscribe to High Heat Stats on Twitter by clicking HERE.

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Who Owned Baseball Aug.17, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

DUSTIN BRADFORD/GETTY IMAGES

DUSTIN BRADFORD/GETTY IMAGES

Michael Cuddyer hit for the cycle, going 4-5 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI in the Rockies 10-5 win over the Reds. He also got a hit and a run scored in the first game of the double header, which the Rockies walked off 10-9 winners.

Jose Altuve went 4-5 with a grand slam as the Astros thrashed the Red Sox, 8-1.

Jake Arrieta threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and 9 strikeouts. He would not get the decision but the Cubs would top the Mets, 2-1.

Nick Tepesch threw 7 strong innings against a red hot Angels team, letting up just 2 runs. He didn’t get the decision but the Rangers took it walk off style 3-2.

They owned baseball on Aug 17, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.