The 2025 Cubs – first in the NL Central, pouring out 5.49 runs per game (second best in the Majors) – can look themselves in the mirror and see four qualifying players with an OPS+ of at least 140: Kyle Tucker comes in with a 155, Michael Busch holds a […]
Since 1893, there are 32 examples of a National or American Leaguer operating in his age-23 or younger season, qualifying for the batting title, and finishing the year with a .350 or better average. There’s some mighty famed campaigns to have climbed this peak. There’s Joe Jackson’s record rookie season […]
Below, there will be a few words and pursuits dedicated to, among others, left-handed starters Tarik Skubal, Robbie Ray, Kris Bubic and Jesús Luzardo. It was not only a jazzy Sunday for these southpaws, it’s been mostly effective and sometimes superbly spirited seasons for this quartet, who are four of […]
Among the many (some may say myriad?) remarkable pulls from Barry Bonds’ career is his ability to step inside the left side of the batter’s box, take his stance against a southpaw and, in that traditionally unbalanced equation in favor of the pitcher, do some serious damage. Since 1969, there […]
More than a century ago, a 22-year-old right-hander named Eddie Stack signed his name into the Major League register. His debut came in front of the home fans at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl and had the Cubs as the invited guests. This was the Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance Cubs (although Evers was out of […]
On April 24, 1964, the Giants pummeled the Reds, 15-5. This being the mid-1960s, it’s not a shock to see that Willie Mays was greatly involved in letting Cincinnati have it. It was a bit of an everything game for the inner circle great – five runs scored, a pair […]
Dissecting and inspecting any Mariners season through the easily compartmentalized segments of “monthly” splits, the usual suspects dominate the collection for the highest OPS. For the top 10, Álex Rodríguez claims three of the slots, including the very best, a 1.412 in May of 1999. Ken Griffey, Jr. owns two […]
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 […]