A Hardball Times Update

These are uncertain, frightening times we live in. Things that many of us have taken for granted have rapidly disappeared. Jobs, social connections, the activities that give our lives flavor and meaning — we have seen all of these, over a very short period of time, suddenly fade away or change drastically.

The Hardball Times has been publishing since 2004. Many writers have started their careers here, had their work published and featured for the first time, and explored baseball topics they might not have been able to explore elsewhere. I include myself among this number. This place has meant a lot to a lot of people, and if it ever ceased to publish, I would only have imagined it doing so in order to re-emerge bigger and better.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a situation where continuing to publish THT, at least for now, is impossible. The suspension of the baseball season, while undeniably the right thing to do for public health, has resulted in a significant decline in traffic to us, a baseball-related site. I hope that sometime in the not-so-distant future we’ll be able to return to publishing insightful, unique baseball commentary and analysis. At the moment, though, we have to close our virtual doors.

In the meantime, you can still read all the work that has been published here over the years by your favorite baseball writers in our archives, and continue to support those writers in their other pursuits. You can continue to read the work published at FanGraphs, which will still be updating daily. And you can support the hard-working FanGraphs staff by purchasing a FanGraphs Membership. Baseball may seem like a trivial concern in times like these, but there are real people behind the statistics and analysis that has entertained and sometimes enraged you over the years. Your support has allowed the site to become what it is, and will allow it to continue to exist going forward.

Above all, stay safe, stay connected to your loved ones, and be good to each other. We’ll see you again on the other side.


RJ is the dilettante-in-residence at FanGraphs. Previous work can be found at Baseball Prospectus, VICE Sports, and The Hardball Times.
18 Comments
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dbminnmember
3 years ago

Sorry to hear this news, Rachel. Best of luck to you moving forward.

haysoose92
3 years ago

Classy message, Rachael. Stay safe, best of luck to you, and look forward to reconnecting.

bradleyhaagmember
3 years ago

Very sad news. I hope to read you again soon.

eely225member
3 years ago

Very sad and hopefully temporary

Alexandra Simon
3 years ago

😭😭😭

hsenn13member
3 years ago

Unfortunate situation, but hope to read more Hardball Times as soon as baseball is back. Good time to catch up on old articles though.😭

KalineCountry
3 years ago

Have always enjoyed the Hardball Times Baseball articles since the beginning.
I do hope you will come back at a future time and continue the fine baseball
stories of teams and players.

Dave Studemanmember
3 years ago

Posting uninterrupted for 16 years? Not bad, compared to what was expected from us in the beginning. Bets of luck to you and everyone else here, Rachel.

Richard Bergstrom
3 years ago

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it returns better than ever!

Jan Finkelmember
3 years ago

So sorry to hear this, Rachel. Take care.

Frank Kottwitz
3 years ago

Sorry to hear really enjoy the content. All the best hope you can return soon. God Bless

Not Ian the Veganmember
3 years ago

I always adored the pieces that THT published and the talent it nurtured and continues to nurture. I hope to see y’all publishing again soon!

Smiling Politelymember
3 years ago

Virtual Hugs <3

Yehoshua Friedman
3 years ago

This is saddening but not surprising. Here’s hoping the hiatus will be short. Everyone be happy and stay safe.

channelclemente
3 years ago

I’ll miss you, perhaps more than I even realize.

hopbittersmember
3 years ago

Best of luck to all of you. Hope to see you soon.

CaseyHebardmember
3 years ago

good luck and stay safe. I can’t wait for everything to return to normal. it may be a new normal but normal nonetheless

StuSheamember
3 years ago

Hope you are all hanging in. Thanks for so much great content.