The Big Apple Bomb Squad: How the Yankees Can Escape the AL East Dogfight
July 18 This is the date that we will point to if the Yankees collapse down the stretch. “What?” you exclaim. “The Yankees? Collapse? Please.” However, New Yorkers cannot sweep the Bombers’ recent mediocrity under the rug. On the 18th, the Yankees rolled into Oakland with a 57-34 record(or .626 winning percentage); four […]
Floundering Beckett and Lester Lead Red Sox in Season-Long Mediocrity
Let’s be frank; the Red Sox have been the ugliest story in baseball over the past 12 months. Maybe ownership and the fans didn’t make it clear enough. After a historic September meltdown in 2011, it was crucial for the Sox to come out of the gates quickly in 2012, but such a hot […]
A Tale of Two Teams: NL West Supremacy Boils Down to an Old-School Rivalry
The Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants were once the toast of the Big Apple, but their rivalry was dimmed when they were shipped to the longtime media dead zone of the West Coast. However, strong playoff pushes from both teams has rekindled the flame and reignited their relevancy. With a half-game split […]
IchiRolls into the Bronx: 10 Reasons to Love The Yankees’ Newest Acquisition
Even if you’re a mild Yankees fan, you probably heard about how they swung into Seattle for a three-game series and swapped two pitching prospects the legendary Ichiro Suzuki, the 11-year Mariners’ veteran. The 38-year old outfield is far removed from his speedster days, but the Bombers and their fans should be thrilled to […]
Upton in Smoke: Trading Justin Would Send The Diamondbacks Back to the Basement
We’re halfway through July, and that means one thing in Baseball Land: trade rumors. The July 31st trade deadline is quickly approaching, and with the new wild card additions to each league, there are more contenders than ever. As of July 15, 9 of MLB’s 30 teams are within 3.5 games of a wild card […]
Another Phillies Phatality: The Real Story Behind Cliff Lee’s 2012 Campaign
I originally wanted to title this piece “The Curious Case of Cliff Lee,” but then realized that would upset some baseball bloggers and a certain Mr. Benjamin Button. there first. Clichéd headline aside, the Phillies’ super starter has had quite a topsy-turvy season thus far, one of many Philadelphia players to underachieve this year. Pitching […]
All-Star Angst: Taking Our Nation’s Pulse on Baseball
As spring fades into summer, one can feel the anticipation for the Midsummer Classic building through the baseball community. The Commissioner’s Office makes sure we go batty over our ballots, and articles on ideal All-Star squads flood cyberspace. I wrote a few columns of my own about my ideal assemblage […]
R.A. Dickey and the Knuckleball: How Long Before the Rollercoaster Skids off the Tracks?
There were a lot of story lines heading into this weekend’s Subway Series, and by the time the Yankees pulled out a 5-1 victory on the season series, the plot had quickly thickened. Let’s forget that the Yankees’ home run-centric offense managed to long ball their way to two victories, completely avoiding the mortality of […]
“It’s Not a Break:” My Selections for the 2012 National League All-Star Team
“I am a Major League Baseball All-Star. I didn’t get here by chance. I did not take the road of easy or the path of the painless. I worked hard to take this field, for my team, and for my league… Some call it an All-Star break. It’s not a break: we play on, because […]
“It’s Not a Break:” My Selections for the 2012 American League All-Star Team
“I am a Major League Baseball All-Star. I didn’t get here by chance. I did not take the road of easy or the path of the painless. I worked hard to take this field, for my team, and for my league… Some call it an All-Star break. It’s not a break: we play on, because […]
Contract Extensions: The Good, the Bad, and the Questionable
Free agent signings might get all of the attention during the offseason, but it is often the mid-contract extensions that help build championship-caliber teams. Through April 26th, 39 players received extensions this year (MLB.com), and there will surely be more as spring turns into summer. However, clubs often overvalue one hot season and misjudge a […]
The Orioles are Flying High, but How Long Before Their Wings Get Clipped?
Want to know something that is scarier than any horror movie currently in theaters? The 2012 American League East. As of May 27th, all teams had winning percentages of .500 or above, as well as positive, double-digit run differentials. What’s even scarier is that the Baltimore Orioles (the long-time cellar dwellers) are still leading the […]
Angst in the ’Pen: Why It’s Time to Reconsider the Modern Bullpen
At a recent family meal, I became embroiled in a baseball debate with my uncle. A staunch Yankee fan like myself, he stated that Mariano Rivera was the Yankees’ best pitcher prior to his freak ACL injury, emphasizing Mo’s unparalleled success in the postseason. While I have nothing but respect for the all-time saves leader, […]
Josh Hamilton’s Home Run Derby: Legit or Lucky?
With two Silver Sluggers and an Most Valuable Player award, the Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton has always been one of baseball’s elite, but his on-field injuries and off-the-field substances have limited his potential throughout his career. However, you’ve probably heard that 2012 is a completely different story. Through his first 30 games, the Rangers’ outfielder […]
