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”

Raiders Move To Las Vegas Another Callous Blow To Oakland

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With the Oakland Raiders moving to Las Vegas (2019) and the Golden State Warriors moving across the Bay to San Francisco (2020) Oakland, a great American sports town, is losing part of its soul.

Sports franchises move all the time. I know this. Anyone who watches and follows sports knows this. Sadly, it has become part of the sports landscape. Continue reading “Raiders Move To Las Vegas Another Callous Blow To Oakland”

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 Trade Deadline 2014: David Price, Jon Lester, And Other Thoughts On Deadline Deals

David Price (11-8, 3.11 ERA, 189 K's) joins Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in a loaded Detroit Tigers rotation
David Price (11-8, 3.11 ERA, 189 K’s) joins Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in a loaded Detroit Tigers rotation

July 31st is always a great day for me because I get to see players move around like someone is playing speed chess.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball Trade Deadline 2014: David Price, Jon Lester, And Other Thoughts On Deadline Deals”

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”

Major League Baseball 2014: No Bigger All-Star Snub Than Sonny Gray In 2014

Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.97 ERA, 103 K's) is the best pitcher on the best team in baseball (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)
Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.97 ERA, 103 K’s) is the best pitcher on the best team in baseball (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)

Let me start by saying I am 100% in favor of getting rid of the rule that each team has to have a representative. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: No Bigger All-Star Snub Than Sonny Gray In 2014”

Major League Baseball 2014: American League West Preview

Sonny Gray will look to lead the A's to a third consecutive AL West Crown (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)Sonny Gray looks to lead the A’s to a third consecutive AL West Crown (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)

The last couple seasons when I’ve kicked off these previews the American League West seemed all but won. In 2012 they had the best staff, best lineup, and best front-office heading into that season. The Oakland A’s proved that incorrect on the last day of that season by thumping the Rangers 12-5. Last season the Angels looked like the favorites heading into the season when they brought Josh Hamilton over from the Rangers to form an impossible lineup trio of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Hamilton. Well, the A’s spoiled those plans as well winning a second consecutive AL West crown.

Yet here I am in 2014 about to prove I haven’t learned my lesson.

Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: American League West Preview”

Major League Baseball 2014: New York Mets In The Midst Of An Impressive Rebuild

David Wright thinks the Mets can win 90 games in 2014
David Wright thinks the Mets can win 90 games in 2014. Sandy Alderson’s moves have put them closer. 

I am going to admit this early so you don’t accuse me of forgetting: I’ve been a regular at the “Everyone Dump On The Mets” table for some time now. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: New York Mets In The Midst Of An Impressive Rebuild”

Major League Baseball 2014: These Pitchers Are Poised For A Breakout In 2014

Andrew Cashner (1.131 WHIP, 3.09 ERA) is an Ace in every sense of the word
Andrew Cashner (1.131 WHIP, 3.09 ERA) is an Ace in every sense of the word

Over the next few weeks I’ll be putting out quite a few lists before my divisional breakdowns and team reports. 

The definition of a “breakout performance” can vary from person-to-person but the general idea is always the same: that player who takes the next step from potential star to household name. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: These Pitchers Are Poised For A Breakout In 2014”