Just gonna warn you: this was written as cold medicine was taking effect, with wine — ill advised, I know — and while listening to the new xx album. Lots of heavy stuff here, not best for reason or, for that matter, the reading of box scores.  But we’ll soldier through because this is the […]

Fifty years ago today was possibly the single greatest game ever pitched in the major leagues. It has an extremely good claim to being the most overlooked great pitching performance. On Sept. 12, 1962, Washington Senators pitcher Tom Cheney threw a 16-inning complete game, striking out 21 batters, which is still the all-time record. Oh, […]

White Sox 6, Tigers 1: The offense continues to snooze. And the Tigers are getting so little respect that some clever wags out there are calling them the “Kittens.” That’s just sad, dude. Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham did most of the damage for the Sox. Phillies 3, Marlins 1: Fifth straight for Philly, as […]

I’ve always been reluctant to make it mandatory for pitchers to wear protective headgear, especially helmets, which are clunky and might not stay properly in place due to the violent nature of the pitching motion. But now, after the Brandon McCarthy situation, I’m ready to change my mind, at least partially. McCarthy, a talented right-hander […]

Rays 6, Rangers 0: That, my friends, is B.J. Upton.  Three homers for big brother and a two-hit shutout for James Shields. This will make Rays fans feel really good until Texas bounces them easily in the Division Series again. Marlins 8, Nationals 0: The Nats have not won a game since they shut down Stephen […]

One hundred years ago today, on Sept. 10, 1912, a pair of Hall of Famers made their major league debuts: pitcher Stan Coveleski and shortstop Rabbit Maranville. The day was much more successful for Coveleski. Pitching for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s squad, Coveleski appeared in relief against the Tigers in a game the A’s lost, […]

20 years ago today, a great milestone was achieved. One of the game’s most prestigious clubs gained a new member when Robin Yount laced an infield single against Cleveland’s Jose Mesa. It was career hit No. 3,000 for the veteran Brewer. He was the 17th member of the club. What makes Robin Yount’s membership especially […]

Orioles 10, Yankees 6: Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Six homers for the O’s, two from Mark Reynolds. It’s the third time Reynolds has hit multiple homers against the Yankees in a week. Yankees pitchers are going to be telling spook stories about this guy to their kids at night. Nationals 9, Cubs 2: […]

20,000 days ago, the Cardinals made a great trade. Or, if you’d rather, 20,000 days ago the Reds made a terrible trade. It was a trade that helped make a 1960s dynasty. On Dec. 5, 1957, the Reds traded a 19-year-old prospect named Curt Flood to the Cardinals for three players: Marty Kutyna, Willard Schmidt, […]

In addition to the box scores, I also watched Bill Clinton last night. No matter what your politics, I hope we can agree that Clinton makes everyone want to listen to their “Siamese Dream” cassette and drive around in their Chevy Cavalier, waiting for their pager to blow up.  Anyway: Nationals 9, Cubs 1: Gio […]