Baseball 2025 - Batter Up! ⚾

[Lando Lincoln]

Wow. Nine Innings is available on Amazon. I thought it was out of print.

https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Innings-Daniel-Okrent/dp/0618056696#:~:text=Description,Read%20more

[andy58-in-nh]

Bregman?

Bregman is in def. decline.  I watched his entire career in Houston,  and any year he only gets 18 HRs and 62 RBI's is not good.   What Bregman (and Springer too) brought to the team was clutch hitting in the post season.  Tough to put a price tag on that skill.

Well, don’t forget that Bregman was injured and missed six weeks of the season. Even after he came back, he never quite regained his prior form.

Of course, that will not stop him and his agent Scott Boras from trying to get top dollar from the highest bidder next year.

What Bregman brought to the Red Sox was a terrific presence as a mentor and unofficial team coach for the benefit of the new young players.

[Hoodat]

Wow. Nine Innings is available on Amazon. I thought it was out of print.

https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Innings-Daniel-Okrent/dp/0618056696#:~:text=Description,Read%20more

Dan Okrent, the inventor of Rotisserie Baseball.

[DCPatriot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dan3Vv5rTgs

WOW!

Phillies' season ends in spectacularly shocking fashion in the bottom of eleventh inning tonight.

Dodgers' Andy Pages hits a typical 2 hopper back to the mound with bases loaded...2 out and a full count.

PHIL's O. Kerkering muffs the ball and throws the intended force play at home over the catcher's head to the backstop.

THE END!!

[Lando Lincoln]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dan3Vv5rTgs

WOW!

Phillies' season ends in spectacularly shocking fashion in the bottom of eleventh inning tonight.

Dodgers' Andy Pages hits a typical 2 hopper back to the mound with bases loaded...2 out and a full count.

PHIL's O. Kerkering muffs the ball and throws the intended force play at home over the catcher's head to the backstop.

THE END!!

That will haunt Kerkering for the rest of his days.

[DCPatriot]

https://babylonbee.com/news/trump-brokers-historic-peace-deal-between-yankees-and-red-sox-fans

Trump Brokers Historic Peace Deal Between Yankees And Red Sox Fans

[DCPatriot]

That will haunt Kerkering for the rest of his days.

Am a bit worried about him. 

He had done his job...getting Pages (PA-HESS) to drive the pitch into the dirt.  His sphincter was already seizing as it was a full-count bases-loaded pitch...DO.  Or DIE!  The "Pitch of his Professional Life".

And instead, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Mookie Betts running down the 3rd base line toward home plate.

Took his eye off the ball and STILL had time to recover and make the play at 1st Base...as the catcher was signaling.

How does a major league pitcher look like he has never thrown a baseball in his life?  On THAT stage??

[Lando Lincoln]

Am a bit worried about him. 

He had done his job...getting Pages (PA-HESS) to drive the pitch into the dirt.  His sphincter was already seizing as it was a full-count bases-loaded pitch...DO.  Or DIE!  The "Pitch of his Professional Life".

And instead, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Mookie Betts running down the 3rd base line toward home plate.

Took his eye off the ball and STILL had time to recover and make the play at 1st Base...as the catcher was signaling.

How does a major league pitcher look like he has never thrown a baseball in his life?  On THAT stage??

It’s a bit nuts, isn’t it. Routine play (but crazy tense circumstances), one he could almost make without thinking…. Oh wait!  That’s what he did!  He thought about it!  And it triggered the nerves. Kinda like Billy Buckner. Crazy game played by mortals.  Playoff baseball is always a daisy chain of heart attacks and euphoria.

Philly fans had a tough night with the Iggles losing to the Giants too.

[Wingnut]

How bout those Cubbies?

[Canuck Conservative]

That will haunt Kerkering for the rest of his days

Phillies didn't lose just because of him ... why was the game was tied going into the late innings anyway?

Phillies' offense disappeared at the wrong time ... all they needed was one more freaking run to win the game, and they couldn't do it, even with all those celebrated "big hitters"

[Bigun]

That will haunt Kerkering for the rest of his days.

  

By next weekend he will be somewhere hunting elk without any thought of this event.

[DCPatriot]

It’s a bit nuts, isn’t it. Routine play (but crazy tense circumstances), one he could almost make without thinking…. Oh wait!  That’s what he did!  He thought about it!  And it triggered the nerves. Kinda like Billy Buckner. Crazy game played by mortals.  Playoff baseball is always a daisy chain of heart attacks and euphoria.

Philly fans had a tough night with the Iggles losing to the Giants too.

As a twelve year old, I too had a "Billy Buckner" moment as a 2nd baseman.

Same situation.  Extra-innings--city championship and trash-talker Jimmy Bausch broke for home...easy grounder went UNDER my glove, with at least a thousand people watching.
Time stopped.

By the time I reached the bench and changed out of my spikes...swear the park was empty.

And like you said ...it stayed with me my entire life. 

[DCPatriot]

Phillies didn't lose just because of him ... why was the game was tied going into the late innings anyway?

Phillies' offense disappeared at the wrong time ... all they needed was one more freaking run to win the game, and they couldn't do it, even with all those celebrated "big hitters"

@Canuck Conservative

Ahhh...baseball!  The only sport where your efforts fail about 70% of the time, but still put you in the Hall of Fame.

[DCPatriot]

How bout those Cubbies?

@Wingnut

Watching an inning of CUBS baseball can put you into a coma.

IMO, the networks...excuse me, [cough] the streaming services are already freaking out that the Yankees are now ... "hunting elk" @Bigun   

[Hoodat]

Nate Bargatze on 'baseball'

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dslSfKGyFq8

[DCPatriot]

Nate Bargatze on 'baseball'

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dslSfKGyFq8

    LOVE IT!!  

[Wingnut]

@Wingnut

Watching an inning of CUBS baseball can put you into a coma.

Last nights game wasn't that bad.  I only dozed off 3 times.

[DCPatriot]

Last nights game wasn't that bad.  I only dozed off 3 times.

 

[catfish1957]

As a twelve year old, I too had a "Billy Buckner" moment as a 2nd baseman.

Same situation.  Extra-innings--city championship and trash-talker Jimmy Bausch broke for home...easy grounder went UNDER my glove, with at least a thousand people watching.
Time stopped.

By the time I reached the bench and changed out of my spikes...swear the park was empty.

And like you said ...it stayed with me my entire life.

July 1966.  This 9 year old Centerfielder  drops an easy fly ball off the heel off his glove, and keeps his little league team the Yankees from making the playoffs.   Weren't 1000's there.  Maybe dozens.

Still your post gave me unpleasant flashbacks.  I was known as Dropsy well into the following season.

[DCPatriot]

July 1966.  This 9 year old Centerfielder  drops an easy fly ball off the heel off his glove, and keeps his little league team the Yankees from making the playoffs.   Weren't 1000's there.  Maybe dozens.

Still your post gave me unpleasant flashbacks.  I was known as Dropsy well into the following season.

LOL!  My game was being played on "South Buffalo Day"...Cazenovia Park was...is configured like a cereal bowl. with the sides serving as bleachers for people to sit on blankets, etc..

There was a freaking Ferris Wheel there!!     

[Lando Lincoln]

I can’t claim to have been an excellent ball player but I had my moments. Little league… I was in centerfield. We were playing the “best” team and took a lead into the 7th inning. I remember the tension. Two outs and their guy hits a long drive to right center. Sprinting back and to my left, (I can see the ball in flight now), I think I can’t get there. But I do. I reach up and the ball is there.  In my glove.  I tumble to the ground and hold up my glove with the ball. The right fielder is stunned and says, “You caught that???”  End of game. Absolutely the best sports memory I have.

The opposite “Billy Buckner” story.

And it’s true.

Baseball, in its pure form, is the best.

@DCPatriot
@catfish1957

[DCPatriot]

I can’t claim to have been an excellent ball player but I had my moments. Little league… I was in centerfield. We were playing the “best” team and took a lead into the 7th inning. I remember the tension. Two outs and their guy hits a long drive to right center. Sprinting back and to my left, (I can see the ball in flight now), I think I can’t get there. But I do. I reach up and the ball is there.  In my glove.  I tumble to the ground and hold up my glove with the ball. The right fielder is stunned and says, “You caught that???”  End of game. Absolutely the best sports memory I have.

The opposite “Billy Buckner” story.

And it’s true.

Baseball, in its pure form, is the best.

@DCPatriot
@catfish1957

@Lando Lincoln @catfish1957

What a great moment to hold with you!!

Yes!  Baseball is the best!  Am positive it was instrumental in keeping me out of trouble. 'Lived' on the sandlot from sunrise till the street lights came on.

[Lando Lincoln]

@Lando Lincoln @catfish1957

What a great moment to hold with you!!

Yes!  Baseball is the best!  Am positive it was instrumental in keeping me out of trouble. 'Lived' on the sandlot from sunrise till the street lights came on.

It’s crazy. We are north of 70 (well, cat is a little south) and we still have those memories. In my instance, I wouldn’t be surprised if the kid who hit that long ball remembers it too (I hope he is well). I saw the right fielder at my 50th class reunion and he brought it up. A moment is all it takes sometimes.

[Lando Lincoln]

[DCPatriot]

ROFL!  Was thinking of you!   

[Lando Lincoln]

ROFL!  Was thinking of you!   

Beating the Cubs made it so sweet. 

[Bigun]

As a twelve year old, I too had a "Billy Buckner" moment as a 2nd baseman.

Same situation.  Extra-innings--city championship and trash-talker Jimmy Bausch broke for home...easy grounder went UNDER my glove, with at least a thousand people watching.
Time stopped.

By the time I reached the bench and changed out of my spikes...swear the park was empty.

And like you said ...it stayed with me my entire life.

I've been the hero and the goat several times. Part of the game if you play it enough.

Two incidents I have never forgotten come to mind.

1. Playing American Legion ball as a teen, we were in our last game of the season with all the marbles on the table. I started at catcher, got moved to first for a couple of innings, then coach moved me over to third for the bottom of the ninth. We had a one run lead going into that inning, but they tied the game with a runner on third and two outs when the batter hit a soft roller toward me that should have been the end of the game HOWEVER, in my haste to field the ball, I somehow managed to boot it toward the third base dugout.

2. Several years later in a similar situation with me playing first, one out and a runner on second the hitter lined a screamer over my head toward right field, somehow I managed to get my fat @$$ high enough to glove the ball. I came down in a heap, the guy on second took off, I got up and made a throw to third that tagged the guy out without the third base guy even having to move his glove.

[Lando Lincoln]

@Bigun 

When I turned 35, I joined a “35 and over” league through the American Legion. My career lasted less than one game. The coach decided to put “The Kid” at shortstop. Right off the bat (I like that), a routine grounder was hit straight to me. And… I booted it. No worries, plenty of time… as I went to pick up the ball in front of me, I stepped on the damn thing. Turned my ankle something awful. That was the end of my baseball career.

[Wingnut]

I loved baseaball as a yute.  I remember the exact time and day when it became apparent I was destined to be a right fielder for life. During our 1st practice the coaches were trying to find who were the talented ones for key positions.  Grounders for the infielders. Evidently you are not supposed to look to the sky and stab your glove into the ground without looking at the ball to make a play. Okay, so infielder was not my forte.

Then it was off to the outfield to catch some fungoes. 1st one comes my way and i'm tracking it, and I settle under it, glove up, the ball makes a perfect landing just above my mit and parks itself right between my eyes.  Two black eyes and the knowledge that I will be riding the pine till the 7th inning of every game...when by rull every kid has to play.  So their I was.....out in right field... A lifer.

[DCPatriot]

 

You guys are 'killing' me with these wonderful personal stories.

BTW...I do NOT find it puzzling that the same people who have joined the conversation happen to be the same ones with whom I've felt a kinship all these years.

And that's not a coincidence!

 

[Wingnut]

Yes!  Baseball is the best!  Am positive it was instrumental in keeping me out of trouble. 'Lived' on the sandlot from sunrise till the street lights came on.[/size]

Sand lots?  Must have been a rich kid!  We didn't have no lots.  But we had and asphalt playground at a closed grade school.  The old schools loading dock wall was our backstop so we didn't use a catcher. The pitchers were on your own team. The batter was responsible for getting the ball back to the pitcher if he whiffed.  Batters got 3 pitches.  If you didn't whack it, you were out.  The positions were: Two infielders. Three out fielders. The bathroom was behind a big Elm tree in the neighbors yard, which was also right fld. If you hit the tree on the fly it was a ground rule double unless someone was taking a leak behind the tree at the time then it was a home run. We had a group of right handed batters that were big pull hitters.  Broke a bunch of windows out of that house on the corner. of left field. 

[Lando Lincoln]

You guys are 'killing' me with these wonderful personal stories.

BTW...I do NOT find it puzzling that the same people who have joined the conversation happen to be the same ones with whom I've felt a kinship all these years.

And that's not a coincidence!

 

I agree, DCP. I agree. 

[240B]

MLB fans hail 'greatest play in baseball HISTORY' after Dodgers thought they hit grand slam in Brewers game

Daily Mail
By JACK BEZANTS
14 October 2025



Max Muncy came within inches of hitting a grand slam for the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the scoring in the National League Championship Series. Instead, the Milwaukee Brewers turned it into one of the most incredible double plays in postseason history.

With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning Monday night, Muncy hit a long drive to center field. Sal Frelick jumped and reached over the wall in an attempt to make the catch.

The ball popped out of Frelick's glove and hit the top of the fence before Frelick caught it in the air.

Muncy was not out because the ball hit the wall, but the Dodgers' runners scrambled back to their bases thinking the ball was caught on the fly.

Frelick threw to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who fired a strike that catcher William Contreras caught before Teoscar Hernández slid across the plate, forcing the runner out. Contreras then got up and jogged to third to force out Will Smith.

Smith had gone back to second when he thought Frelick made a clean catch.

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/mlb/article-15189539/MLB-fans-greatest-play-HISTORY-Dodgers-Brewers.html

[Polly Ticks]

You guys are 'killing' me with these wonderful personal stories.

BTW...I do NOT find it puzzling that the same people who have joined the conversation happen to be the same ones with whom I've felt a kinship all these years.

And that's not a coincidence!

 

I'm loving the stories, too.  "How can you not be romantic about baseball??"

[Polly Ticks]

MLB fans hail 'greatest play in baseball HISTORY' after Dodgers thought they hit grand slam in Brewers game

Daily Mail
By JACK BEZANTS
14 October 2025



Max Muncy came within inches of hitting a grand slam for the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the scoring in the National League Championship Series. Instead, the Milwaukee Brewers turned it into one of the most incredible double plays in postseason history.

With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning Monday night, Muncy hit a long drive to center field. Sal Frelick jumped and reached over the wall in an attempt to make the catch.

The ball popped out of Frelick's glove and hit the top of the fence before Frelick caught it in the air.

Muncy was not out because the ball hit the wall, but the Dodgers' runners scrambled back to their bases thinking the ball was caught on the fly.

Frelick threw to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who fired a strike that catcher William Contreras caught before Teoscar Hernández slid across the plate, forcing the runner out. Contreras then got up and jogged to third to force out Will Smith.

Smith had gone back to second when he thought Frelick made a clean catch.

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/mlb/article-15189539/MLB-fans-greatest-play-HISTORY-Dodgers-Brewers.html

That was a wild sequence of events and a real heads-up play from Contreras. Guys were just standing around looking at each with 'what just happened?' expressions on their faces. That's not something you see often in MLB games.

[Polly Ticks]

No matter who you are pulling for at this point, you have to admit that whoever is in charge of the art department for the Blue Jays is doing a great job on their social media.

       

[240B]

Toronto Blue Jays notch 1st ALCS win, hammering Seattle Mariners 13-4 in Game 3

CBC News
By Geoff Nixon
October 15, 2025



A resurgent Blue Jays offence hammered the Seattle Mariners pitching en route to a 13-4 Game 3 victory at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday night, giving Toronto its first win of the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

But the Jays also got a major boost by a strong outing from veteran starter Shane Bieber, who went six innings for Toronto and struck out eight Mariners batters along the way. The Blue Jays traded for Bieber in July, with an eye to having him take the mound in big post-season games to give Toronto exactly what it needs — a chance to win.

In the first inning of Game 3, Bieber surrendered a two-run shot to Julio Rodríguez, which put Seattle ahead 2-0. But those would be the only runs Bieber would allow in the next five innings he pitched.

(more)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/alcs-game-3-wednesday-jays-mariners-9.6939746

[DCPatriot]

Now, it's clear why Ohtani's interpreter took the fall on the gambling issue.

THAT was a historical performance for the ages.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFvryLA67bQ

[Lando Lincoln]

Now, it's clear why Ohtani's interpreter took the fall on the gambling issue.

THAT was a historical performance for the ages.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFvryLA67bQ

Incredible. 

[Polly Ticks]

Now, it's clear why Ohtani's interpreter took the fall on the gambling issue.

THAT was a historical performance for the ages.

Absolutely incredible.

[libertybele]

Now, it's clear why Ohtani's interpreter took the fall on the gambling issue.

THAT was a historical performance for the ages.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFvryLA67bQ

Indeed.  Quite remarkable and one for the history books. He deserves a place in Cooperstown, NY.

[catfish1957]

Here's one for the record books

Addison Barger of the Blue Jays hit the first pinch hit grand slam in World Series History (6th inning tonight)

[Polly Ticks]

Here's one for the record books

Addison Barger of the Blue Jays hit the first pinch hit grand slam in World Series History (6th inning tonight)

.... in a 9-run inning.  Pretty impressive, for sure.

[Canuck Conservative]

Here's one for the record books

Addison Barger of the Blue Jays hit the first pinch hit grand slam in World Series History (6th inning tonight)

Not only that, it was also done in Barger's first-ever at-bat in a World Series, which makes it even more unique!

[240B]

Toronto Blue Jays hope to take World Series lead against Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5

CBC
Jonathan Montpetit, Yvette Brend
Oct 18, 2025


Toronto Blue Jays players at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles before Game 5 of the World Series. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The Latest

• Not long to go before the Toronto Blue Jays' last World Series road game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• The Jays will be fighting to take the lead in the championship, which is currently tied 2-2.
• They’re also looking to keep building momentum they can carry into their return to Rogers Centre for Game 6 on Friday.
• Rookie Trey Yesavage is Toronto’s starting pitcher tonight and Blake Snell is up for L.A.

(more)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/livestory/toronto-blue-jays-look-to-take-world-series-lead-against-los-angeles-dodgers-in-game-5-9.6959028

[catfish1957]

Congrats to Toronto on Game 5 win.

Just like Seattle, its not a good idea to throw at George Springer.

[DCPatriot]

[mountaineer]

Blue Jays were very impressive last night, especially young Yesavage!

[Canuck Conservative]

Like someone else joked, "you could have turned the game off after 3 pitches" last night, Dodgers never recovered

Still, LA has Yamamoto going in Game 6, and so far he's been virtually unhittable ... so that might force a game 7

Let's see what happens Friday night first ...

[mountaineer]

Meghan and Harry 'are booed' by crowd at Dodgers Stadium as angry sports fans hit out at couple's front row treatment
By KATHERINE LAWTON, NEWS REPORTER and OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER and BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 05:23 EDT, 30 October 2025 | Updated: 08:50 EDT, 30 October 2025

Harry and Meghan were filmed smiling as they appeared to be booed by crowds at a World Series baseball game.

The Sussexes had been enjoying a 'date night' at the Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday night when they featured on the big screen from their front row seats.

But a mixture of boos and cheers broke out as the couple flashed up on the stadium's kiss-cam, in front of 56,000 sports fans.  ...
Daily Mail


Sandy Koufax (left) and Magic Johnson (right) were relegated to the second row behind Harry and Meghan