baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
The Disrespect of Small Market Teams in Major League Baseball
I've been writing about the happenings in Major League Baseball on Vocal for the last three years. At least a couple of teams get talked about too much while others rarely or if ever get mentioned. Last week, the Milwaukee Brewers won their first World Series title in franchise history. Recently, I've written a couple of stories about them and gave them glowing praise. When it comes to small market teams winning their first titles, they hardly get little to rarely any media attention. No talk show appearances. No Saturday Night Live appearance. No video chat from any celebrity or celebrities. No nothing. I'll be discussing the comparisons of how the Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers were covered and treated by the biased media. Yes, I said it. Biased, because you can't trust them these days, especially the fact that they can cherry pick who deserves more attention and who deserves demeaning labels. Then, I'll go over other small market teams in MLB that received not so great treatment from the media later on in this story. Before I begin, I want to add a small disclaimer. This story isn't meant to bash the Brewers or say that they didn't deserve to win the World Series. I'm only focusing on the hypocrisy from the media about the coverage regarding them and the Rangers. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's highlight both teams and the different ways they were treated publicly. I'm going to start with my team first.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 2 days ago in Unbalanced
Wait! It's Already Been Three Years?!
Just before 10:00 CST on the evening of November 1, 2023, the Texas Rangers 12-year heartbreak was finally over. They defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks by a score of 5-0 in Game 5 of the World Series. The game lasted two hours and 53 minutes. Nearly three hours of the best baseball game you've ever watched. Starting pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Zac Gallen engaged in a pitcher's duel. No hit was made until the Rangers broke through in the seventh inning and scored four in the top of the 9th, which included Marcus Semien's two-run homer that would seal the deal. Josh Sborz entered the mound and when he recorded the final out of the Fall Classic, he slammed his gloved down in excitement, hugging Jonah Heim and the rest of the team joined in celebration on the field. Goodbye, heartbreak and hello World Series title. There was one situation that the Rangers never got to enjoy after the game was over. I'll discuss that in a moment.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 4 days ago in Unbalanced
World Series Game Five: For Bob
Game Four was the Milwaukee Brewers' very first chance to capture their first World Championship, but extra innings and the Tampa Bay Rays had other plans. A 4-3 walk-off victory kept Tampa's faint chances alive, and forced the Brewers to wait another day. Game Five was Take Two for the Brewers; a second chance to get that proverbial brass ring, and regardless of the outcome, this was the last game of the season at Tropicana Field. While the Brewers looked to win the whole thing, the Rays looked to force the Fall Classic to return to Milwaukee.
By Clyde E. Dawkins7 days ago in Unbalanced
Tokens of Appreciation: Milwaukee Brewers
For 44 years, the Milwaukee Brewers and their fans have longed for a World Series title to arrive in their beloved city. Fast forward to Wednesday night, that dream finally became a reality. They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 4-1 and Catcher William Contreras was named World Series MVP. More about his life and career in a moment, but the Brewers have been one of the biggest success stories not only during the regular season, but throughout the Postseason. This was all mainly due to the stellar performance of potential National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski, which he concluded the Postseason with a 1.89 ERA. The Brew Crew finishes the Postseason with a record of 11-2. Performing under pressure and having a "never say die" attitude are the reasons why they finally get to enjoy this moment. Bob Uecker is definitely smiling down at them from heaven. The Brewers made a promise that they would win it for him and they delivered. Entering the start of the World Series last Friday, them and the Rays made history in a few ways, but these were two small market teams were determined to win their first championship in franchise history. In the end, the Brewers were the last team standing. Back in 2023, the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks were also two small market teams that no one expected to see in the Fall Classic. The former team waited over 50 years to finally capture a World Series title. 12 years prior, they were one out away from clinching their first championship in franchise history, had they beaten the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers and the Rangers are clear proofs of evidence that you don't need enormous payrolls in order to become successful. Finally, we have to show some love and praise to Christian Yelich. The 14-year veteran has waited well over a decade to finally call himself a World Series champion. His loyalty and dedication to the Brewers has been phenomenal. He earned the title of Captain and how he wore that C on his jersey. He went from making his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins at the age of 21 to finally becoming a World Series champion. He's been with the Brewers since January 2018 and I hope he retires as a Brewer once his career is over and I do see him in either a coaching position or in the front office in the future. He worked his ass off to finally get to where he is now. That's what I call dedication. We can't forget about Pat Murphy because he has done an excellent job with motivating his players to become their best. The two-time National League Manager of the Year also deserves a lot of credit. Without his guidance, the Brewers wouldn't have won the World Series. They can now bask into this moment and take it all in.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 7 days ago in Unbalanced
World Series Game Four: Hold Everything
In the National Hockey League, the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres share the unfortunate burden of having the longest wait for their first championship. Both teams debuted in 1970, three years after the 1967 expansion, but they have never won the Stanley Cup. In the National Basketball Association, it's the Phoenix Suns--they've never won the NBA Championship, and they are currently in their 59th season of play. In the National Football League, it's the Atlanta Falcons, and they have the longest such drought in sports. The Falcons' first season was 1966, which was the first ever Super Bowl season, but they have yet to win the big one as they are in the midst of their 61st season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins8 days ago in Unbalanced
World Series Game Three: Why Couldn't the Yankees Do This?!
Two games have been played, and the Milwaukee Brewers successfully defended their home turf, winning both games to go up 2-0 in the Fall Classic. For Game Three, the scene shifts to St. Petersburg, who is hosting a World Series game for the first time in 18 years. But wait, weren't the Rays in the World Series just six years ago. That is correct, they were. But here's the thing: it was 2020. It was the COVID-shortened season. During that year, with the exception of the Wild Card Series, anything postseason was played either in California or Texas, and that included that year's World Series, which was played entirely in Arlington, Texas that year.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 days ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Plays with Full Deck in Victory Over Fox Lane
On Tuesday September 8, John Jay traveled to Fox Lane, and at 20-20, Evangeline Santos served three aces to propel the home team to a 25-20 set one victory. But the next three games had the Wolves making sure there was plenty of separation at the outset of each.
By Rich Monetti10 days ago in Unbalanced
World Series Game Two: Don't Call it a Comeback
The 122nd edition of the World Series began quietly, as Game One between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers didn't stand out so much. Jacob Misiorowski only pitched five innings, surrendered a single run and only struck out three, but it was still enough. The bullpen did the rest, and the Brewers won 3-2 to strike first. So that's one in the books. Game Two is always interesting in any best-of-seven series, especially a championship series. It's plain and simple. The Game One winner looks to gain control, while the team who lost Game One looks to strike back.
By Clyde E. Dawkins11 days ago in Unbalanced
WTF Is Wrong with the New York Yankees?
Dysfunctional and delusional: these are the two words that describes the New York Yankees perfectly. After their 17th playoff exit with them being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, the frustrations from their fans grew louder. After being swept, Derek Jeter said the following on Fox:
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 12 days ago in Unbalanced
World Series Game One: You Can't Spell "Wisconsin" Without "Win"
Here's a bit of a scary stat. The last time that a World Series had two teams looking to win their first championship was 1980. That was the year that the original Friday the 13th came out. 46 years later, Crystal Lake , the prequel TV series that centered on Pamela Voorhees (the main villainess of the original film), was released on Peacock. And on this same year, we have a World Series between two teams looking to win their very first championship. Coincidence? You be the judge.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 days ago in Unbalanced
2026 World Series Preview
The World Series. The ultimate goal in the game of baseball. World Series play dates back as early as 1882, but the Fall Classic that we know and are familiar with has existed since 1903. This edition, the 122nd in baseball's modern era, is a rarity. In this year's championship series: someone's winning their first. For the first time since 1980, this year's World Series will feature two teams who have never won the whole thing. In addition, it's a pair of small market teams with some very miniscule payrolls. Let me put it this way: if you combine the payrolls of the two teams in the World Series, you couldn't even afford Francisco Lindor.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 days ago in Unbalanced
