S3, EP. 1: Jessica Kleinschmidt, MLB.com and Cut4

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The Because of Sports Podcast is back! Jessica Kleinschmidt of MLB.com and affiliate site, Cut4, joins host Adam Cubbage to discuss the 2018 Major League Baseball season, her role with MLB.com and Cut4, staying true to yourself, and Joey Votto’s chances of winning a medal in Olympic Curling. Continue reading “S3, EP. 1: Jessica Kleinschmidt, MLB.com and Cut4”

S2, Ep. 17: Taylor Rooks, Sportsnet New York Anchor/Host of Timeout With Taylor Rooks

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One of my favorite things about Taylor Rooks (besides the obvious talent for what she does) was the sheer joy and enthusiasm she brings to it. She also has the courage in the media to speak out on things that matter. And that is something I always appreciate. Continue reading “S2, Ep. 17: Taylor Rooks, Sportsnet New York Anchor/Host of Timeout With Taylor Rooks”

Major League Baseball 2016: I Have A Problem With Aroldis Chapman’s Record-Setting Deal

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Aroldis Chapman re-signed with the New York Yankees for five years and $86 million dollars. (Photo Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke)

I should be applauding Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees, today.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2016: I Have A Problem With Aroldis Chapman’s Record-Setting Deal”

Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars

Joe Panik was inserted into the Giants starting lineup just before their World Series run in 2014. He's an All-Star in 2015, and a First-Half All-Star here as well.(Photo By: Scott Strazzante)
Joe Panik was inserted into the Giants starting lineup just before their World Series run in 2014. Now he’s an All-Star in 2015, and a First-Half All-Star here on the blog as well.(Photo By: Scott Strazzante)

First-half of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is in the books. That means it’s that time of year when debate will rage on about who made the All-Star teams and who should have made the All-Star teams.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars”

MLB 2015: 5 Observations On The 2015 Major League Baseball Season (Through 6/1/2015)

Matt Kemp (.249 BA/.284 OBP/.332 Slugging) not performing is just one of the many issues surrounding the 2015 San Diego Padres, thus far
Matt Kemp (.249 BA/.284 OBP/.332 Slugging) not performing is just one of the many issues surrounding the 2015 San Diego Padres, thus far

I can’t believe it’s already June 1st.

While this date might seem unimportant to some, it’s very important when it comes to those of us tracking Major League Baseball’s marathon known as the regular season.

Why? Well for a few reasons:  Continue reading “MLB 2015: 5 Observations On The 2015 Major League Baseball Season (Through 6/1/2015)”

Major League Baseball 2014: Why November 22nd, 2013 Was The Real Beginning Of The End For Frank Wren

John Hart, John Schuerholz (middle), and Bobby Cox (left) will look to get the Braves back on the right track after announcing the dismissal of former general manager Frank Wren
John Hart, John Schuerholz (middle), and Bobby Cox (left) will look to get the Braves back on the right track after announcing the dismissal of former general manager Frank Wren

Seven years. Two Wild Cards. One National League East championship.

Since 2009 the Atlanta Braves have averaged 92 wins per season. Only the New York Yankees have won more regular season games than the Braves during the same time. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Why November 22nd, 2013 Was The Real Beginning Of The End For Frank Wren”

Major League Baseball 2014: The Division Races and Other Second-Half Predictions Pt. 2

Mike Trout of the Angels and Robinson Cano of the Mariners make the AL West as exciting a race as ever (Harry How/Getty Images North America)
Mike Trout of the Angels and Robinson Cano of the Mariners make the 2014 AL West as exciting a race as ever to watch in the second half (Harry How/Getty Images North America)

What a second-half it is shaping up to be.

I saw the other day a statistic that said for the first time in Major League Baseball’s history four divisions are separated by no more than a game and a half. Four! So where does that put things for those contenders who are, not only fighting to avoid the Wild Card play-in game, but fighting for the opportunity to be in that playoff conversation? Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: The Division Races and Other Second-Half Predictions Pt. 2”

“Mr. Padre”: A Look Back At Tony Gwynn’s Incredible Career And Legacy

Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn batted .300 or better for 19 consecutive years and won eight National League Batting Titles
Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn batted .300 or better for 19 consecutive years and won eight National League Batting Titles

I grew up watching pitching clinics on the mound in, both, old Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium and Turner Field. Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz were the standard bearers when it came to Cy Young level performances.

But when Tony Gwynn came to town, it was all about the art of hitting. Continue reading ““Mr. Padre”: A Look Back At Tony Gwynn’s Incredible Career And Legacy”

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: American League East

Manny Machado's 2013 was cut short by injury (14 HR, 71 RBI, 51 2B, .283 BA) but at age 21 he's and the Orioles are contenders in 2014
Manny Machado’s 2013 was cut short by injury (14 HR, 71 RBI, 51 2B, .283 BA) but at age 21 he’s and the Orioles are contenders in 2014

In the American League East anything can happen.

Last season the Boston Red Sox put a dreadful 2012 behind them and rode their top ranked offense (and their bearded camaraderie) to the World Series title. With so many issues entering the season last year you would have been hard pressed to find anyone who (here included) picked them to make the playoffs let alone win their division, league, and the World Series. The team will be hard pressed to replicate that success in 2014 and I will explain why. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: American League East”

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: Five Players Poised To Bounce Back

Corey Hart (microfracture surgery in '13) attempts a bounce back with the Mariners
Corey Hart (microfracture surgery in ’13) attempts a bounce back with the Seattle Mariners

With quite a few teams fortunes tied to players coming off of injury I felt it important to highlight a few I felt were primed for the biggest bounce back seasons in 2014. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: Five Players Poised To Bounce Back”