Baseball 2026 - Get'cha peanuts! ⚾

[jmyrlefuller]

Previous years:

• 2025
• 2024
• 2023
• 2022
• 2021

[Hoodat]

Dominican Winter League - Standings

Águilas Cibaeñas        32 - 17
Toros Del Este          27 - 22
Gigantes Del Cibao      24 - 26
Leones del Escogido     23 - 27
Estrellas Orientales    22 - 28
Tigres del Licey        21 - 29

[jmyrlefuller]

Has anyone been paying attention to the World Baseball Classic?

I've been catching bits and pieces here and there but haven't really had a chance to sit down and enjoy it.

[catfish1957]

Has anyone been paying attention to the World Baseball Classic?

I've been catching bits and pieces here and there but haven't really had a chance to sit down and enjoy it.

Usually don't give a rat's, but am loving those upstart unknowns from Italy, who haven't lost, and have made it to the semi's.  I don't think many had Japan out this early on their bingo card either. 

[Canuck Conservative]

I don't think many had Japan out this early on their bingo card either

A lot of Americans were really pissed last year when Ohtani struck out Trout for the final out.

* But this year, don't overlook the Dominican Republic team ... average pitching, but their offense has Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero, Julio Rodriguez, and Fernando Tatis!!!

[catfish1957]

A lot of Americans were really pissed last year when Ohtani struck out Trout for the final out.

* But this year, don't overlook the Dominican Republic team ... average pitching, but their offense has Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero, Julio Rodriguez, and Fernando Tatis!!!

I have always said that per capita, DR has he greatest concentration of baseball talent on earth.  Incredibly there are 144 active place in MLB, 2nd most of any nationality.  It becomes that much more jaw dropping that these 144 are out of a country with a population of 11 million. 

I just can't wait until they open Cuba up.

[Wingnut]

I have always said that per capita, DR has he greatest concentration of baseball talent on earth.  Incredibly there are 144 active place in MLB, 2nd most of any nationality.  It becomes that much more jaw dropping that these 144 are out of a country with a population of 11 million. 

I just can't wait until they open Cuba up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HK_lBOkli8

[mountaineer]

Championship game tonight, I believe. Haven't really been watching, but glad to see our Bucco Paul Skenes do well.

[catfish1957]

Championship game tonight, I believe. Haven't really been watching, but glad to see our Bucco Paul Skenes do well.

Sad Italy fell short.  What a Cinderella story.  Chugging wine during the game?  Inspiration to all of us who enjoyed our slow pitch softball days......

[Wingnut]

Sad Italy fell short.  What a Cinderella story.  Chugging wine during the game?  Inspiration to all of us who enjoyed our slow pitch softball days......

On occasion we would bring a partially full Pony Keg hidden in a large Gatorade cooler into the dugout.  However, for some unknown reason, the Park police frowned upon that activity.

[Polly Ticks]

Heads up - today is the day for free MLB.TV with T-Mobile Tuesdays.
 

[jmyrlefuller]

Well, the Pirates are in mid-season form.

[mountaineer]

Well, the Pirates are in mid-season form.

I swear, the better their Grapefruit League record, the worse they do in the regular season.

[catfish1957]

Man are we gonna suck this year.....

[mountaineer]

Boston Red Sox fans boo the Democrat Mayor and Governor as they are introduced at Fenway Park. 

https://twitter.com/ClayTravis/status/2040156162490859793

[Wingnut]

Boston Red Sox fans boo the Democrat Mayor and Governor as they are introduced at Fenway Park. 

C'mon man,  the were saying "Woo" not boo!. 

[catfish1957]

For me the first week of baseball season can be summed up with one stat....   Our closer has an era of 20. 

[Polly Ticks]

For me the first week of baseball season can be summed up with one stat....   Our closer has an era of 20.

I'm just glad we didn't start out 0-7 like we did last year.   

[mountaineer]

C'mon man,  the were saying "Woo" not boo!.

Like "F*** Joe Biden" really was, "Let's go, Brandon!"

[catfish1957]

I'm just glad we didn't start out 0-7 like we did last year.   

And we still lost the final wild card slot on a tie breaker.  Just shows the old adage of how April and May  regrets will haunt you in October in this game. 

This year?  Take a look at the starting staff.  Losing Valdez without any inkling of replacing will be huge.  I think most of the diehards are banking on glass arm McCullers, but I know better.  I predict we'll miss the playoffs by 5-8 games this year, and this will be the first meaningless September in almost a decade and a half,.

Boo!!!!!!!

[GrouchoTex]

So, Astros are at a 6-5 record, with 151 games left to go.
Not saying there aren't some issues, but just a bit early to write them off.

[catfish1957]

So, Astros are at a 6-5 record, with 151 games left to go.
Not saying there aren't some issues, but just a bit early to write them off.

When it come to our team's season, I've been a Debbie Downer for 60 years.  Guess I feel better when my expectations are exceeded. 

[catfish1957]

I don't think I have ever seen many bigger throws of the dice in this game than this,.  A week in the majors, and Rookie Konnor Griffin is offered and signs a 9/$140M deal.  Of course, this is the Pirates.

Yeah, his MiLB stats are pretty impressive, but almost his entire MiLB  career has been at AA or lower.   
 
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48428020/sources-konnor-griffin-agrees-9-year-140m-deal-pirates

[mountaineer]

Pirates fans have been screaming for years that the ownership had no interest in winning, just in developing players they could trade to major market teams for big bucks (e.g., Gerrit Cole). We'll see if this pans out. If Skenes decides to stick around for at least a few more years, there may be some hope for the Buccos.

[catfish1957]

Pirates fans have been screaming for years that the ownership had no interest in winning, just in developing players they could trade to major market teams for big bucks (e.g., Gerrit Cole). We'll see if this pans out. If Skenes decides to stick around for at least a few more years, there may be some hope for the Buccos.

Agree...  problem in small-mid market teams, this approach might get you into the playoffs, but with an early exit.

History has shown me, the best path and ticket to the WS is:

1. At least a top 1/3 tier offense
2. 2 Absolutely dominating starters
3. Lights out Closer.

Look at recent history, I'm guessing at least 75% met this criteria.

[catfish1957]

Pirates fans have been screaming for years that the ownership had no interest in winning, just in developing players they could trade to major market teams for big bucks (e.g., Gerrit Cole). We'll see if this pans out. If Skenes decides to stick around for at least a few more years, there may be some hope for the Buccos.

How about last night for the Buccos?  6- Man 7 2/3 innings of a perfect game to lose it in the 9th.  Ouch.

Never thought I would say it, but with Alvarez healthy and setting the league on fire...   .358 AVG,   11 HR, and 1.220 OPS, with the second worst record in MLB, and mediocrity across the horizon?  Maybe they need to trade him to a desperate team this fall, and secure about 2 or 3 top tier young pitchers.  This team is not good this year.  Time to rebuild. 

[mountaineer]

SF Giants star flips Pride Night script with Bible verse affirming the rainbow is a symbol of God's covenant as opposed to 'pride.'

https://twitter.com/JonnyRoot_/status/2065643646012256420

[Hoodat]

SF Giants star flips Pride Night script with Bible verse affirming the rainbow is a symbol of God's covenant as opposed to 'pride.'
https://x.com/JonnyRoot_/status/2065643646012256420

YES!

[catfish1957]

YES!

Quoting 47.....   "Fight Fight Fight"

[Polly Ticks]

SF Giants star flips Pride Night script with Bible verse affirming the rainbow is a symbol of God's covenant as opposed to 'pride.'

Yep. And of course, the backlash is prodigious.

[Hoodat]

Are you enjoying the season so far, @Polly Ticks ?

[Polly Ticks]

Are you enjoying the season so far, @Polly Ticks ?

I am, yes! The injury bug is biting again, the latest victims being Ronald Acuña Jr going on the IL on two days ago and Spencer Strider yesterday, but they keep finding different ways to win.  It’s been a very exciting first half, for sure. 

My baseball-buddy son and I have tickets for the Dodgers at Atlanta in August, so we’ll be looking forward to that. 

How about you?

[Hoodat]

I don't have cable, so I don't get to watch any baseball on TV.  And now that I no longer live in Georgia, no Braves radio either.  It's exciting to see them dominate so far.  But with 162 games, it's impossible to keep up the momentum.

[Polly Ticks]

I don't have cable, so I don't get to watch any baseball on TV.  And now that I no longer live in Georgia, no Braves radio either.  It's exciting to see them dominate so far.  But with 162 games, it's impossible to keep up the momentum.

Sometimes it can be nice being an out-of-market fan — I watch the games on my laptop with MLB TV, which I get free from T-Mobile. 

Yes, they’re definitely going to fall off from the first half pace, I’m just hoping they don’t fall too terribly far. 

[DCPatriot]

For all the Briefer baseball/beisbol fans in here.... 

[DCPatriot]

I don't have cable, so I don't get to watch any baseball on TV.  And now that I no longer live in Georgia, no Braves radio either.  It's exciting to see them dominate so far.  But with 162 games, it's impossible to keep up the momentum.

I'm from the School of Great Pitching ...cough-cough..trumps good hitting. (especially in the short series)

The "Runs Differential" in the standings will bear this out.

But the Braves have ALWAYS had a strong rotation far back as I can remember.  Hat-Tip to the Pitching training staff.

[DCPatriot]

This week has become Gawd-Awful.

The Stanley Cup?  Over.
The FINALS of what used to be called basketball?  Over.

So, I'm being FORCED to confront my statistically LESS-THAN mediocre Orioles, for far too many years.

[American Girl]

Excerpt:
Three San Francisco Giants pitchers made a quiet but powerful statement during Friday night’s Pride Night game. Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker wrote Bible verses on their caps — specifically referencing Genesis 9:12-16.
This is the scripture: “And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’”
It does not run contrary to any Pride message. It simply points back to the original biblical meaning of the rainbow as God’s promise.


MLB our Rights come from God, they are inalienable and can not be abrogated. You are violating those Rights.  I pray SCOTUS is watching for the case.

https://defiantamerica.com/three-giants-pitchers-honor-faith-with-bible-verses-on-pride-night-caps-mlb/

[Smokin Joe]

Start about Genesis 18:20 and read a chapter.

There's a statement on pride week in there somewhere.

[mountaineer]

Major League Baseball is openly discriminating against Christian players. MLB issued a warning to the 3 Christian San Francisco Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their Pride hats saying similar behavior will not be tolerated ... (I bet writing BLM or 8647 on their caps would have been just fine, though).

https://twitter.com/JonnyRoot_/status/2066680517844767183

[Wingnut]

When confronted by insane League warnings, do like the Punky QB did:



Call out the head asshole.

[DCPatriot]

LOL!

The entire Texas Rangers organization canceled all Pride events.  Indeed, there is power in numbers.

[mountaineer]

Hawley demands answers from MLB over warning players who wrote Bible verses on Pride hats
By David Zimmermann
Published June 16, 2026 2:36pm ET

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to the MLB on Tuesday, seeking answers on why the professional baseball league threatened to penalize three San Francisco Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night hats.

Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker walked out onto the field on Friday with “Gen 9:12-16” etched on their caps in white lettering. The writing refers to Genesis 9:12-16. The passage is about God’s covenant with Noah following the worldwide flood described in the first book of the Bible. It marks the first recorded instance of a rainbow, which is also an LGBT symbol.

Hawley said the MLB “must answer for what appears to be a pattern of discrimination” against Christian players. ...

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/4610885/josh-hawley-demands-answers-mlb-players-bible-verses-pride-hats/

Cynical Publius
@CynicalPublius
Not a good look MLB.
Compelled speech--that's what this is.
Would you require Muslim players to smear bacon grease on their hats?
How about you play freaking baseball and leave the intolerant bigotry of the hatemongering LGBTQ+ crowd to Democrat politics?
4:01 AM · Jun 16, 2026

[Wingnut]

Hawley demands answers from MLB over warning players who wrote Bible verses on Pride hats
By David Zimmermann
Published June 16, 2026 2:36pm ET

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to the MLB on Tuesday, seeking answers on why the professional baseball league threatened to penalize three San Francisco Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night hats.

Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker walked out onto the field on Friday with “Gen 9:12-16” etched on their caps in white lettering. The writing refers to Genesis 9:12-16. The passage is about God’s covenant with Noah following the worldwide flood described in the first book of the Bible. It marks the first recorded instance of a rainbow, which is also an LGBT symbol.

Hawley said the MLB “must answer for what appears to be a pattern of discrimination” against Christian players. ...
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/4610885/josh-hawley-demands-answers-mlb-players-bible-verses-pride-hats/

Josh, sometimes you just need to sit down and shut up.  Let nature take its course.

[Polly Ticks]

The issue should not only be about penalizing them for writing a Bible verse on their hats. The issue is forcing them to wear hats which promote a morality that is contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs.  It is another "bake the cake" scenario.

[Canuck Conservative]

Why can't the players sue MLB to demand equality, i.e, an official "Hetero Pride Night" ?

Bring the wives, girlfriends, and kids into the celebrations ... that should drive the Leftists crazy!

[mountaineer]

Clay Travis
@ClayTravis
Just now on @clayandbuck @HawleyMO says if MLB commissioner Rob Manfred fines any players for writing Bible verses on pride uniforms, he will subpoena Manfred to testify in front of the Senate judiciary committee & examine why MLB has an antitrust exemption worth billions.
1:23 PM · Jun 17, 2026

[Hoodat]

This week has become Gawd-Awful.

The Stanley Cup?  Over.
The FINALS of what used to be called basketball?  Over.

So, I'm being FORCED to confront my statistically LESS-THAN mediocre Orioles, for far too many years.

You still have the College World Series.

Oklahoma and West 'by God' Virginia without a loss.  North Carolina and Georgia with one loss.

OU v. UGA

UNC-CH v. WVU

[the OlLine Rebel]

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/4610885/josh-hawley-demands-answers-mlb-players-bible-verses-pride-hats/

Cynical Publius
@CynicalPublius
Not a good look MLB.
Compelled speech--that's what this is.
Would you require Muslim players to smear bacon grease on their hats?
How about you play freaking baseball and leave the intolerant bigotry of the hatemongering LGBTQ+ crowd to Democrat politics?
4:01 AM · Jun 16, 2026

Just wait till they find out what Moslems think of homos.

Would be great to have a Moslem player who’d “butt up against” this exact issue.

[jmyrlefuller]

Clay Travis
@ClayTravis
Just now on @clayandbuck @HawleyMO says if MLB commissioner Rob Manfred fines any players for writing Bible verses on pride uniforms, he will subpoena Manfred to testify in front of the Senate judiciary committee & examine why MLB has an antitrust exemption worth billions.
1:23 PM · Jun 17, 2026

It's because of the Supreme Court making an error in 1922 that they refuse to correct. It can be corrected with legislation.

Forget the investigations, they get nowhere. Draft a bill declaring MLB a business subject to antitrust law. Make them send their lobbyists to beg and grovel for their precious protection.