The 1929 Cubs featured a quartet of fearsome right-handed hitters, a foursome of .500 or better sluggers named Rogers Hornsby (slugged .679 that year), Hack Wilson (.618), Riggs Stephenson (.562) and Kiki Cuyler (.532). They all posted on-base percentages above .400 that year, Wilson’s .345 batting average was the lowest […]
When Arizona hosted San Diego on August 7, 2010, the visitors were clearly the superior team: first in the NL West, a full 22 games ahead of the cellar-dwelling Diamondbacks. But, at least for this particular day, the Padres had little shot, for they didn’t have Chris Young (at least […]
As the NL’s Rookie of the Year in 2023, Corbin Carroll produced 30 doubles, 10 triples and 25 homers. Last year, the doubles and home runs columns each saw the Diamondback ink in ‘22’ while adding another 14 three-base hits. This season (his age-24 campaign), he’s on pace to again […]
Joe Carter is probably best remembered for a certain three-run home run to end the 1993 World Series and likely fosters many remembrances for his knack of assembling 100-RBI seasons and his significant disinterest in accepting four balls in a plate appearance (of the 162 players with at least 300 […]
To watch Paul Skenes apply the foundational brushstrokes to his self-portrait is to be constantly reminded of the exceptional and electric zaps that come with witnessing a newcomer stride to the mound and redistribute the balance of power between batter and pitcher so thoroughly in his favor. It’s to be […]
When it comes to Dodgers kapowing a ballgame with a walk-off home run over the last half century, Andre Ethier is king. 2008 saw the first example of this flair, kind of a supporting role in the team’s drama that season. The following year, the 27-year-old grabbed hold of the […]
From 1973 through 1981, Richie Hebner participated in eight Opening Days. “Participated,” while accurate, fails to match the power of the corner infielder’s impact in those contests. He went 18-for-33 (.545), scored 13 runs and whammed his way to making a baker’s dozen of those safeties go for extra bases […]
Rookies can be like Spring Training: opportunities for optimism and rosy considerations of what could be, magnets for raising ceilings rather than lowering floors. A rookie who is in his very first season and who is notably young can magnify this hope, personifying a launchpad for imagined awe and splendor. […]
Notes: This piece is only looking at position players – no pitchers are being considered for the various lists and ranks. All stats and ranks are through games played on September 10. Cast back to Wednesday, October 22, 2003: Game 4 of the World Series. It’s the bottom of […]