In response to Friday's post about the 1994 strike, a Yankee fan friend of mine expressed his disappointment at what may have been that season, saying, "That was the first year the Yankees emerged from their 80's stupor and became the YANKEES again." It got me thinking. The "What If's" around 1994 are particularly interesting.... Continue Reading →
Imagine your team winning 17 straight games. Now imagine that it's not the longest winning streak of the season. In 1916, the New York Giants would win 17 straight games from May 9th through May 29th, all on a road trip in which they would finish 20-2. It came after they started the season with... Continue Reading →
I spent six seasons working for three minor and major league teams. Those teams went to the playoffs five times. The Mets or Orioles need to hire me back. Okay, this is going to be self indulgent, pointless and probably not even remotely "literary" (although, one day, I'd like to write a book about my... Continue Reading →
My mother always started the story the same way: "More often than not in baseball and in the real world, hope is not rewarded. However, in those moments when hope is rewarded, all the heartbreaks and shattered dreams become worth it. Hope can be difficult and hope can scar your soul when it doesn't bear... Continue Reading →
by Thomas Keenan (with a little help from William Shakespeare's Hamlet) Over the last few games, the Mets have surged a bit, putting themselves into contention (although as a long shot) for the N.L. Wild Card. I'm the type that really never gives up on the Mets until they are mathmatically eliminated. However, the surge... Continue Reading →
Into the darkness my beloved team goes. All teams venture into the darkness...the hole where all goes wrong on the field and continue to spiral out of control. Some teams spend decades there and other teams drift in and out, methodically, without ever truly seeing the full force of sunlight. Some are thrust into the... Continue Reading →
Good for Mark Buehrle. Well done. A perfect game. A masterpiece. Congratulations. I've never witnessed a perfect game. At least not from the start. I've seen the ends of them when ESPN jumps over to them. I've seen highlights (boy, was that catch by Wise amazing, or what). But I've never once witnessed one, either... Continue Reading →
There is some thing special about minor league baseball. On Sunday, my wife and I took our two sons to see the Lehigh Valley IronPigs play at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They are in the middle of their second season as the Philadelphia Phillies triple-A team (yeah, yeah, I know I am rooting for future enemies... Continue Reading →
by William S. Willet In my dreams, I can still hear the crack of the bat. The noise of that sweet, natural, majestic swing that connected with that imperfect pitch still resonates through my mind. The ball disappeared into the left field bleachers and an avalanche of humanity converged where it landed. I swear to... Continue Reading →
by Sean Lilly I have a friend (we’ll call him Adam) who often gets premium tickets to Red Sox games, and he loves to tell me about them. I am a Mets’ fan, but I’ve lived in Massachusetts long enough to know the sublime pleasure of sitting in the stands at Fenway of a summer’s... Continue Reading →
Standing at Third 