S2, Ep. 9: Mina Kimes, Senior Writer, ESPN/ESPN The Magazine

 

3The first story I ever read by Mina Kimes was The Art of Letting Go. After that, I discovered she had written a number of pieces for ESPN that were excellent and that I enjoyed. Continue reading “S2, Ep. 9: Mina Kimes, Senior Writer, ESPN/ESPN The Magazine”

MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015

Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the "Overrated" label levied by his peers.
Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the “Overrated” label levied by his peers.

A make or break year for a baseball player isn’t always one that sees them going into free agency. It’s also one that changes perceptions placed on a player after a couple of inconsistent or down years. Continue reading “MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 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: Clayton Kershaw Is Your 2014 National League MVP And Other Second-Half Predictions Pt.1

(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)
Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.92 ERA) has been one of the most dominant players at any position in baseball in 2014 (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

I know what month it is, but I don’t care.

I’m not going to bore you with names like Jonathan Lucroy or Giancarlos Stanton. I’m also not going to debate with you about Troy Tulowitzki because, quite frankly, there isn’t an argument as far as I’m concerned. Anyone who has paid attention to the 2014 Major League Baseball season knows where the National League’s Most Valuable Player resides; and it also happens to be where the best pitcher in baseball resides.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Clayton Kershaw Is Your 2014 National League MVP And Other Second-Half Predictions Pt.1”

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 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”

Major League Baseball 2014: 5 Early Spring Training Storylines To Keep An Eye On

Is Nick Swisher ready to lead the Indians to a Playoff encore in 2014?
Is Nick Swisher ready to lead the Indians to a Playoff encore in 2014?

To say this is my favorite time would be an understatement.

I’m not talking about the approaching March Madness or the incessant NFL draft conversation (although I’ll be weighing in on that later this Spring), I’m talking about the most glorious words any snow-covered East coast dweller can hear: Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: 5 Early Spring Training Storylines To Keep An Eye On”

Fantasy Baseball 2013: Five Second-Half Tips To Get You Over The Hump (Or Back In The Race)

Derek Jeter could provide a boost to someones fantasy roster down the stretch
Derek Jeter could provide a boost to someones fantasy roster down the stretch

All-Star week in Major League Baseball usually means there isn’t much going on in the sports world (except the ESPY’s of course). But for some, this is the best time to set up their fantasy baseball teams for the stretch run. Continue reading “Fantasy Baseball 2013: Five Second-Half Tips To Get You Over The Hump (Or Back In The Race)”

2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Snubs, Oddities, And Thoughts

17 home runs, 50 RBI's, .288 BA, and a .365 OBP in the first-half does not an All-Star make in 2013
17 home runs, 50 RBI’s, .288 BA, and a .365 OBP in the first-half does not an All-Star make in 2013

In 1999 the Atlanta Braves had a budding superstar in Chipper Jones. That season he hit 45 home runs with 110 RBI’s, and a .319 batting average on his way to the National League most valuable player award and a National League pennant. Continue reading “2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Snubs, Oddities, And Thoughts”