baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
MLB Pennant Race 2026: A Tale of Two Leagues
All I've heard for years is how long baseball season is, and it is. It's not just the game length--162 games. It's also the length of time. The MLB regular season is about six months long, with recent years seeing the season start in the tail end of March and ending in either the end of September or the beginning of October. Strangely, while the overall baseball season is long, it's still shorter than hockey and basketball. That's because hockey and basketball's postseasons last about two months, usually starting in April and seeing champions crowned in mid-June. Regarding baseball, their postseason has always been a sprint, usually lasting just a month (if that, depending on how long the World Series lasts).
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 months ago in Unbalanced
A Token of Appreciation: Jacob deGrom
With a few weeks left to go until the 2026 Major League Baseball season comes to a close, the Texas Rangers are currently fighting for a Wild Card spot. One player that I'll be highlighting in this story is Jacob deGrom. He recently became part of a club that less than 100 pitchers have accomplished. Earlier this month during a matchup against the Washington Nationals, deGrom recorded his 2,000th career strikeout. He became the second-fastest pitcher to do this, joining Randy Johnson and Chris Sale in this elite club. I recently went to a Rangers game, where they played the Angels. During the game, everyone in attendance congratulated deGrom for his latest achievement. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is under contract with the Rangers for one more season. Sure, he missed the entire 2023 season due to a season-ending injury and didn't earn a ring, but at least he's still relevant in the eyes of baseball fans everywhere. Let's learn a bit more about the 13-year veteran.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 2 months ago in Unbalanced
What You Need to Know Before Attending an MLB Game
Recently, I attended my first Texas Rangers game in 25 years. This time, it was at Globe Life Field. Also, it was City Connect night, meaning that I wore my red City Connect jersey and hat. I had an amazing time and the energy at GLF was electric. There's a few more weeks until the 2026 Major League Baseball season comes to a close, so you have plenty of time to attend a game. Before you do that, I'll go over a list of things you need to know before going to a game in person. We don't know if there will be baseball played in 2027, but I believe that the following entries on this list will be beneficial to you.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 2 months ago in Unbalanced
Garafolo Holding Corp wins Lewisboro Women’s Softball League
Please see tip, pledge or subscribe buttons below or my Venmo is @Rich-Monetti Even though the ball isn’t moving a hundred miles an hour in a slow pitch softball game, the pitcher is still the most important player on the field. So with their pitcher on vacation for the championship game on Monday August 3, GHC didn’t even have a backup to rely on. “I’ve never pitched in a game before,” said Meghan O’Leary, but the lack of experience didn’t show.
By Rich Monetti2 months ago in Unbalanced
MLB Pennant Race 2026: What in the World?!
I was originally going to wait a week to start my weekly recap of the pennant races in this home stretch of the MLB season, but there are certain things I just have to glaze over. But let's look at the scenario here. There are five weeks--35 days--left in the MLB regular season. Barely over a month left! There's a lot to decide, which is normal; five weeks isn't a whole lot, but it's more than enough time for teams to go on a run.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 months ago in Unbalanced
They Changed the Race
In the fall of 1926, in New Zealand, a Thoroughbred named Phar Lap was born. He was a scrawny, unimpressive colt who inspired almost no confidence. Trainer Harry Telford arranged the purchase for 160 guineas—roughly $800 to $850 U.S. dollars at the time—on behalf of an American businessman, David Davis, who had never seen the horse. Telford liked the pedigree on paper. Phar Lap’s sire, Night Raid, would also produce Nightmarch, the horse that won the 1929 Melbourne Cup the year before Phar Lap’s own victory.
By Mark Elliott 2 months ago in Unbalanced
A Token of Appreciation: Nolan Ryan
Before I go any further, I want to make one minor correction about my Token of Appreciation stories. The very first Token of Appreciation story I've written and published on Vocal was actually about Cal Raleigh last year soon after the conclusion of the World Series. Just to refresh everyone's memory, the Mariners made it to the ALCS, where they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite Raleigh's record-breaking season, everyone was expecting him to win the American League MVP Award. Instead, it went to Aaron Judge, in which he won it for the third consecutive year. There was major backlash over Judge's win. Another Vocal writer and I discussed this topic in previous stories of our own. We both agreed that Cal should've won that award. Aaron Judge stealing an award from Cal was both an injustice and a slap in the face.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 2 months ago in Unbalanced
Marshall Oil is Ready to go all the Way with Playoff Victory over 10-4 George
Scroll to end for photos On Monday July 20, the Lewisboro recreational league began playoffs and 10-4 George squared off versus Marshall Oil. So to the mound went Nancy Haggerty and while having difficulty finding the plate was not a strategy, the oilers still had to deal. “You just had to wait her out to get on base,” said Jessica Davidson. But a hit for the left fielder in the first inning didn’t mean her teammates didn’t take the advice.
By Rich Monetti2 months ago in Unbalanced
Somers Lets Game Get Away in Loss to Yorktown
Please scroll to the end of article for video On Thursday July 23, the heavy smoke from Canada had long since cleared, and Somers 12u returned to the diamond versus the Yorktown Huskers. At Primrose Field, the Tuskers wielded strong bats and effective pitching to a 4-1 lead. But unfortunately, the home team couldn’t close out the deal.
By Rich Monetti2 months ago in Unbalanced
Somers Says Goodbye to Joe Hickey - An Irreplaceable Friend
Please scroll to the end of article of Bada Bloom, Oscars II, Radding and Prime Pub Photos I’ve been playing Men’s Softball at Reis Park since 1987, and a lot of people have come and gone. Teammates, players and fans, the camaraderie and competition has always crossed over. Of course, the latter got first focus when we honed in on that night’s umpire. All doing a great job, the sight of Joe Hickey was just another level. We all knew the umpire would not play a part in the outcome of the game, but Joe’s proficiency behind the plate wasn’t the only reason we welcomed his appearance.
By Rich Monetti2 months ago in Unbalanced
Lightning Puts in the Work with 6-3 Victory Over Bedford Hills
See video below On Wednesday June 22, the Lewisboro Lightning (11u) jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead vs the Bedford Pound Ridge Lightning, and that had a very sedate effect on their starting pitcher. “I felt loose and comfortable,” said Christian Cisco, and he proceeded to get his team through the fourth with a one run lead. But still two innings to go, his relief took the closer role in stride.
By Rich Monetti2 months ago in Unbalanced
Bull Trader Wins in Fantastic Fashion
On Monday July 13, Bull Trader faced Off Constantly, and the home team had really good reason for not getting much going until the bottom of the 7th. “We faced the best pitcher in the league,” Gary Casey said of Phil Chontos. But despite the 73 year old’s mastery, Casey’s team remained bullish to a point.
By Rich Monetti3 months ago in Unbalanced
