Connections


Connections

Arráez & Shine

Roger Schlueter | Monday, February 3, 2025

Among all the players who began and ended their careers within the confines of the Divisional Era (since 1969), 11 of them furnished the following lines:  at least 5,000 plate appearances, a .300 (or better) batting average and more walks than strikeouts.  Four members of the very special .300/.400/.500 club* […]


Connections

Unlucky Logan

Roger Schlueter | Monday, January 27, 2025

In 1963, Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax fastballed and curved his way to a new level of dominance, an incandescent expression of mastery that saw him – over 311.0 innings – top the Majors in wins (25), strikeouts (306), ERA (1.88), shutouts (11) and K:BB ratio (5.28).  The 306 whiffs were […]


Connections

A Walk in the Park (But Not Many)

Roger Schlueter | Friday, January 24, 2025

In the 32 seasons Major League ball has been played a mile (or so) above sea level, the Rockies franchise has produced 11 batting champs, six almost-there Triple Crown winners (a player took home two of the three components) and a bevy of  Non-Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame seasons.  […]


Connections

Hall In

Roger Schlueter | Monday, January 20, 2025

The results of the 2025 Hall of Fame vote will be announced on Tuesday, January 21.  After doing individual profiles of 20 of the potential electees, Connections reveals its own choices.   As a follower of the dialogues and revelations of Hall of Fame balloting choices, I’ve long felt that voters […]


Connections

A Tragedy in Four Acts

Roger Schlueter | Friday, January 17, 2025

It’s Hall of Fame consideration season.  Until the announcement of the new class, Connections will be looking at some of the names on the 2025 ballot.    Act I:  1996 Seattle’s Álex Rodríguez fuses his enormous gifts in a burst that brings the MLB universe a new, ecstatic light.  The […]


Connections

20 To The Power Of 4

Roger Schlueter | Wednesday, January 15, 2025

It’s Hall of Fame consideration season.  Until the announcement of the new class, Connections will be looking at some of the names on the 2025 ballot.  In 1911, Wildfire Schulte – a fixture in the Cubs outfield during that club’s rampage through the NL over the past six seasons – […]


Connections

A Hit

Roger Schlueter | Monday, January 13, 2025

It’s Hall of Fame consideration season.  Until the announcement of the new class, Connections will be looking at some of the names on the 2025 ballot.  During the 2001 season … Barry Bonds reached 500 homers on his way to establishing a single-season record with 73 big flies.  Rickey Henderson […]


Connections

By The Numbers

Roger Schlueter | Friday, January 10, 2025

It’s Hall of Fame consideration season.  Until the announcement of the new class, Connections will be looking at some of the names on the 2025 ballot.  In terms of run production, few players – just a dozen – produced a more impactful imprint on a per game basis than Manny […]


Connections

Bountiful Beltrán

Roger Schlueter | Wednesday, January 8, 2025

It’s Hall of Fame consideration season.  Until the announcement of the new class, Connections will be looking at some of the names on the 2025 ballot.  Currently, there are 275 men who have been elected to the Hall of Fame as a “Player” (in contrast to “Manager” or “Pioneer/Executive” or […]


Connections

A Hall of Fame Season

Roger Schlueter | Monday, January 6, 2025

It’s Hall of Fame consideration season.  Until the announcement of the new class, Connections will be looking at some of the names on the 2025 ballot.    Years and years ago, when Baseball Reference hit the scene and afforded us much easier ways to design clubs of personal choice, I […]