baseballunplugged-blog

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Quick Report and Analysis: The 2023 MLB All-Star Game

The 2023 All-Star Game kicked off with an exciting start as two leaping catches were made at the wall for the first two outs of the game. This set the tone for what would be a close game between the AL and NL. In terms of Rangers All-Star history, Nathan Eovaldi took the mound in the second inning, representing the sixth Texas player that would take the field at the same time. Interestingly,…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Reverses His Luck From the 2019 Home Run Derby to Win the 2023 Home Run Derby

In the 2023 Home Run Derby event, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. emerged as the champion, showcasing his impressive power and skill. However, there were numerous standout performances throughout the competition. Randy Arozarena defeated Adolis Garcia in their opening first-round matchup. Interestingly, García is the godfather of Randy Arozarena’s daughter. Adley Rutschman caught everyone’s attention by…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Detroit Finishes the First Half of 2023 on a Sour Note

In a disappointing turn of events, the Detroit Tigers blew a lead in the 9th inning, resulting in a loss. This defeat is especially painful considering they had an opportunity to gain ground in the AL Central division as first-place Cleveland also suffered a loss. Despite the outcome, there were some positive aspects to take away from the game. Tarik Skubal delivered an impressive performance on…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Reds Rookie Elly De La Cruz Steals Second, Third and Home With the Same Batter At the Plate

You would think that a day with a no-hitter being thrown would be the rarest feat of the day, but there was another rare occurrence in MLB on Saturday. In a baseball game between the Reds and the Brewers, Reds star Elly De La Cruz showcased his exceptional speed and base-running skills. With a crucial RBI single to left field, De La Cruz not only gave the Reds a 6-5 lead but also set the stage…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Detroit Tigers throw a combined no-hitter versus Toronto

On Saturday, the Detroit Tigers made history by throwing a combined no-hitter, marking the first time a no-hitter has been achieved at home since Justin Verlander accomplished the feat back in 2007. The game started off with the Toronto Blue Jays, who are currently ranked fourth in OPS+ in the American League, managing to get two baserunners on to start the game. Bo Bichette was hit by a pitch,…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Shohei Ohtani Turns 29 Years Old Today

Shohei Ohtani, the talented two-way player, celebrates his 29th birthday today. Known for his impressive skills both as a pitcher and a batter, Ohtani is currently having his best offensive season yet. However, there are concerns about his recent injury. In last night’s game, he had to leave early due to a right finger blister after pitching 5 innings. Fans hope that this injury won’t affect his…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

The Detroit Tigers Are Now Past the Halfway Point of the MLB Season.  Can Tarik Skubal and Eduardo Rodriguez Help Provide a Playoff Push?

The Detroit Tigers have reached the halfway point of the MLB season, having played 83 games so far. Despite a challenging start, the Tigers (37-46) still have a chance at making it to the playoffs, thanks in part to a weak AL Central division. The return of key players such as Tarik Skubal and Eduardo Rodriguez from injuries will provide a much-needed boost to the team’s performance. One player…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

The Detroit Tigers Are Now Past the Halfway Point of the MLB Season.  Can Tarik Skubal and Eduardo Rodriguez Help Provide a Playoff Push?

After a hiatus, I am back writing.

The Detroit Tigers have reached the halfway point of the MLB season, having played 83 games so far. Despite a challenging start, the Tigers (37-46) still have a chance at making it to the playoffs, thanks in part to a weak AL Central division. The return of key players such as Tarik Skubal and Eduardo Rodriguez from injuries will provide a much-needed boost to the team’s performance. One player…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

David Ortiz and the Three Tiers of PED Suspected Players

David Ortiz and the Three Tiers of PED Suspected Players

Last Tuesday night, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced the results of the BBWAA ballot. There was one former player who received the required 75% to gain election into the exclusive club. David Ortiz will become the 58th first ballot Hall of Famer. The reaction from baseball fans was mixed regarding only having one electee from the ballot of 30 names. Throughout the comment sections on most…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Hall of Fame Door For? - Part 3

Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Hall of Fame Door For? – Part 3

Minnesota Twins’ Tony Oliva and Philadelphia Phillies’ Richie Allen (Dick Allen) holding awards. This is Part 3 of “Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Hall of Fame Door For?” Click here for Part 1 and Part 2. Short Careers of Hitting Prowess Although Tony Oliva won a Gold Glove in his career, the reason that he is in Cooperstown is because of his offense. Overall, for his career he has a negative…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Hall of Fame Door For? - Part 2

Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Hall of Fame Door For? – Part 2

Tony Oliva, recipient of the American League Rookie of the Year Award for 1964. This is Part 2 of Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Hall of Fame Door For? Click here for Part 1. JAWS Ranking Whenever the Hall of Fame announces a new inductee, the first tendency is to go to that player’s Baseball-Reference page to find where they rank on the JAWS positional leaderboard. This is a normal reaction.…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Door For?

Who Does Tony Oliva Open The Door For?

circa 1965: Portrait of Cuban-born American baseball player Tony Oliva of the Minnesota Twins posing in uniform and smiling, Minnesota, late 1960s. (Photo by Photo File/Getty Images) Tony Oliva is the last player alphabetically of the four electees on the Golden Days Era ballot, but the first in this series. During the Hall of Fame Roundtable discussion with Peter Gammons the day after the…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Standards Set as Six Candidates Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Standards Set as Six Candidates Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame

MINNEAPOLIS. MN – OCTOBER 7, 1965: (L-R) Tony Oliva, Jim Kaat and Bob Allison in locker room during Game Two of the 1965 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers October 7, 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) On Sunday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced the results of the Golden Days Era…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Detroit Tigers Sign Javier Baez - If A.J. Hinch and Al Avila Start Searching for Jewelry...Then Peace Out

Detroit Tigers Sign Javier Baez – If A.J. Hinch and Al Avila Start Searching for Jewelry…Then Peace Out

Even before the end of the regular season in 2021, it was rumored that Detroit would be in the market for a shortstop this offseason. With five above-average shortstops hitting free agency at the same time, it seems like this is the right time for Detroit to finally start signing higher-priced free agents again. (Clockwise from top left) Trevor Story, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Marcus Semien…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Miguel Cabrera’s 2021 Journey to 501

Miguel Cabrera’s 2021 Journey to 501

If you have been to the Baseball Unplugged web site in the past few weeks, you may have noticed that a “Miguel Cabrera Countdown” was added to the top of the home page. This was started a little after Cabrera recorded his 2,900th hit. At that time, Cabrera needed 100 hits in 100 team games to get to 3,000 hits by the end of the 2021 season. Right now, Cabrera needs 42 hits in 34 team…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Miguel Cabrera hits 500th home run as Tigers defeat Blue Jays in Toronto

Miguel Cabrera hits 500th home run as Tigers defeat Blue Jays in Toronto

In the sixth inning of Sunday’s game at Toronto, Miguel Cabrera hit the 500th home run of his MLB career. https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1429517985799098369 It was not just a historic home run, but a much needed run for Detroit as they had not scored a run in 15 innings prior to Cabrera’s milestone. This sparked a come from behind win for the Tigers as they received help from Marcus Semien and…

[baseballunplugged-blog]

Albert Pujols Joins Henry Aaron, Stan Musial, and Willie Mays

Albert Pujols Joins Henry Aaron, Stan Musial, and Willie Mays in the 6,000 total bases club

Albert Pujols hit a single to shallow centerfield last night as the Dodgers faced the Marlins in Miami. The single put him into a club with only three other players in MLB history. Henry Aaron, Stan Musial, and Willie Mays were the only members of the 6,000 total bases club in MLB history. Albert Pujols has now joined them. https://twitter.com/DznSports/status/1412253209683546114 The total…