MLB
From Randolph-Macon to the Major Leagues: The Inspiring Journey of Colin Selby
Article by Deandre Hill
Randolph-Macon College, a private liberal arts institution in Virginia, is a relatively small campus with just about 1,500 undergraduates. Historically, it's been rare for its students to break into the big leagues of baseball. However, Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Colin Selby, a former Yellow Jacket, made a surprising entry into the Major League Baseball (MLB) record books on a Wednesday night at PNC Park. Selby became only the third player from the college to appear in a major league game, joining the likes of Paul Gilliford and Frank Walker.
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Selby's ascent to MLB's stage was a journey of determination and resilience. Growing up, like many young baseball enthusiasts, he aspired to play for a prominent Division I school, particularly in the SEC or ACC. But life took a turn, and instead of pursuing offers from larger institutions, Selby chose Randolph-Macon College. "I was actually kind of a stubborn kid going into it," Selby recollected. "And thankfully, they stuck with me and ended up going there and wouldn’t change it." His impressive collegiate career led to him being picked by the Pirates in the 16th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, and he steadily worked his way up through the minors.
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When the time came for his major league debut, it wasn't just any ordinary game. Selby was called upon in a tiebreaker situation with a runner on second base, and his first challenge was facing the potential National League MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr. Despite the pressure, Selby delivered a commendable performance. Reflecting on his debut, Selby stated, “Coming out of the gate from the bullpen, I definitely felt the energy... once I got out there and threw the first strike to Acuña, I was fine.” His journey, marked by dedication and a slight detour through Randolph-Macon, proves that dreams can find their way no matter the path taken. Today, Colin Selby stands among the select few who can proudly call themselves Major League Baseball players.
Announcer Under Fire from Own Team
Article by Mason Askew
As pregame comments were underway for the July 23rd Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays game, Kevin Brown made a few comments the Orioles were not pleased with. During pregame Brown explained that the Orioles have a record of 0-15-1 in their last 16 games playing at Tropicana Field. Brown also noted that the Orioles have won as many games this season as their past 2 seasons combined. In return, it has been recently discovered that the Orioles might have suspended Brown for these comments.
The Orioles ended up winning the game 5-3, but Brown was nowhere to be heard from in the next series at Philadelphia. Originally, there was no explanation from the team on why their play-by-play commentator was missing, but the Athletic reported it was due to other announcer issues, soon after it was realized that the announcer was off the air indefinitely. Recently, Brown’s claimed suspension was finally mentioned by the site Awful Announcing, creating an uproar.
Many other MLB commentators spoke out about the “unconscionable" (said by Yankees announcer, Michael Kay) decision to suspend Brown. “Draped itself in utter humiliation" as New York Mets announcer Gary Cohen continues to talk about how Brown is a new fresh talent in the world of commentating. A spokesperson for the Orioles president, John Angelos, stated, “there was no suspension,” but did not answer anything else. Curiosity still lures as there is still no explanation after Brown has missed several games of announcing but is set to return August 11th.
Ramirez's Suspension Reduced: Impact on the Guardians
Article by Deandre Hill
In the aftermath of an explosive on-field brawl, the Major League Baseball (MLB) announced Saturday that Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez's suspension has been reduced from three games to two. The altercation, which occurred on August 5, saw Ramirez and Chicago's Tim Anderson involved in a heated exchange near second base that escalated to a benches-clearing melee. The fight resulted in several other players and coaches facing disciplinary actions. Ramirez, notably landing a punch that floored Anderson, will serve his revised suspension during the Guardians' series against Tampa Bay.
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The absence of Ramirez, a powerhouse for the Guardians, did not go unnoticed. Guardians manager Terry Francona expressed his concerns about the suspension, "Not having him for 10 minutes isn't fun, let alone two [games]. But I'm glad it's two instead of three." Despite the raw talent of rookie starter Gavin Williams, who struck out 10 in just five innings, the Guardians fell short in a close game, ending 6-5 without Ramirez. The void left by Ramirez's absence was filled by Gabriel Arias, who started at third base on Saturday.
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While Ramirez's stats have been somewhat lackluster this month, with a batting average of .156 in 10 games, his overall contribution to the team remains pivotal. Boasting a .282 batting average, 18 home runs, and 65 RBIs in 113 games, he is undeniably among baseball's elite. The Guardians, currently trailing the Minnesota team by 3½ games in the AL Central, eagerly await his return. With hopes high, Ramirez is expected to rejoin the lineup on Tuesday for the Guardians' two-game series against Cincinnati.
Jose Canseco to Sell His Las Vegas Car Wash and Reminisces on His Career
Article by Deandre Hill
Former Major League Baseball (MLB) sensation, Jose Canseco, revealed on social media last Friday that he is planning on selling his Showtime Car Wash in Las Vegas. The car wash, adorned with 20-foot signs reflecting moments from his illustrious baseball career, opened its doors to the public in October 2019. "Looking at the highlights from my career makes me miss my 80's mullet," Canseco playfully texted reporters during its inauguration.
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Jose Canseco's impact on baseball is undeniable. The Las Vegas local had an impressive 17-season run with teams like the Oakland A's, Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees, to name a few. His remarkable skill was evident as he secured two World Series titles, once in 1989 with the Oakland A's and again in 2000 with the Yankees. Recently, fans were treated to his iconic presence when he played for Team Maxx Crosby in the Battle For Vegas event. Although the Vegas Golden Knights home run derby team defeated Canseco's team, the baseball veteran remained undeterred, proclaiming himself still as the "king of the swing".
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Off the field, Canseco isn't one to shy away from challenges. In recent months, he threw down the gauntlet, challenging current MLB star Aaron Judge not once, but twice, to a home run contest. He even claimed he could outswing Judge, stating he could hit a softball further than Judge could a baseball. While Judge chose not to respond, Canseco's competitive spirit remains intact. Amidst the potential relocation talks of the Oakland A's to Las Vegas, Canseco expressed support, believing the move would be a great addition to the city's sports landscape.
One Fast Catcher
Article by Mason Askew
The conclusion of the August 1st Arizona Diamond Back and San Fransisco Giants came to an exhilarating end. Top of the ninth, 3-4 Giants ahead with two outs, a batter on first base, and Giants just need one out to win the game. As the pitch is thrown, the catcher, Patrick Bailey, notices the first base runner, Geraldo Perdomo, gearing up to steal second. As soon as the pitch is caught Bailey fires the ball to first, catching Perdomo off guard and getting him out at first. Winning the game for the San Fransisco Giants.
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This is the 19th time Bailey has caught runners trying to steal in only 449 innings of this season. The last time any other catcher has caught this many runners was Jorge Alfaro playing for Philadelphia who had 21 in 869 innings in 2018 and Bailey has plenty of innings yet to play to surpass this. The catchers who lead in catching runners are known for being some of the fastest players in baseball.
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According to Statcast, a player’s POP time is “the time elapsed from the moment the pitch hits the catcher's mitt to the moment the intended fielder is projected to receive his throw at the center of the base.” When Bailey threw Perdomo out on first base, Bailey had the fastest POP time recorded with 1.39 seconds. This beats Realmuto’s best POP time of 1.82, making Bailey the fastest catcher caught stealing (CCS).
Allan Winans Shuts Down the Mets in Debut Win
Article by Deandre Hill
​Atlanta Braves' starting pitcher Allan Winans displayed an astonishing performance on Saturday afternoon, throwing seven shutout innings in a commanding 21-3 victory over the New York Mets. The 28-year-old right-hander, who notched nine strikeouts, celebrated his first-ever Major League Baseball win in merely his second appearance.
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An underdog tale, Winans’ journey to this achievement is both inspiring and humbling; during the off-season, he supplements his minor league earnings by taking on the role of a substitute teacher in Bakersfield, California. Fondly referred to as “Mr. W” by his students, Winans' dual life as an educator and a baseball player showcases his dedication and determination to pursue his passion.
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Ironically, the Major League journey started for Winans with the very team he dominated. Drafted as a 17th-round pick by the New York Mets in 2018, he expressed sentimentality about his win against them, noting the special feeling of playing at Citi Field. "Getting drafted by those guys, they definitely made me dream of Citi Field, so getting to come here and do it against those guys makes it a little more special,” remarked Winans post-match. Despite the personal emotions attached, his primary focus remained with the Braves. He emphasized, “But my job today was to help the Braves win, and that’s what we did, so I was pretty happy with it.”
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The match wasn't just about Winans' commendable pitching. Braves’ slugger Matt Olson made his own statement, hammering two home runs, thereby clinching the big league lead with 42 homers this season. Additionally, Olson contributed four RBIs, further solidifying his spot as the big-league leader with an impressive 105 runs batted in this season. The synergy between Olson's power hitting and Winans' tight pitching created a display of baseball that fans won't soon forget.
Atlanta Braves 2023: A Behemoth in Baseball's Landscape
Article by Deandre Hill
When you think of baseball perfection, the 2023 edition of the Atlanta Braves surely comes to mind. After a stellar performance in 2022, finishing with a 101-61 record and securing the top spot in the challenging National League East Division, one might ask, how could they possibly top that? Well, they did, and in spectacular fashion. Currently boasting a record of 72-40, which is unparalleled in the league, the Braves stand tall, a massive 10.5 games ahead of last year's division series victors, the Philadelphia Phillies.
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The Braves are the epitome of all-round skill. Whether it's offense or defense, they seem to have mastered both arts. Their team batting average is a phenomenal .272, the best in the game, and they've managed to score a whopping 639 runs, ranking third overall. In an era where the prowess of Shohei Ohtani is much talked about, Braves stars like Ronald Acuna, Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies are ensuring that pitchers are losing sleep. Acuna, especially, has been a menace for opposing teams, with 26 homers and an astonishing 53 stolen bases to his name. Olson, replacing the beloved Freddie Freeman, leads in homers for the Braves with 39, proving himself an essential asset to the team.
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But, every silver lining has its cloud. While the Braves offense is a thing of beauty, the pitching side has had its challenges. The team was dealt a significant blow when key pitchers Max Fried, Kyle Wright, and Kolby Allard were sidelined due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, the pitching lineup, featuring All Star Spencer Strider, the ever-reliable Charlie Morton, and young gun Bryce Elder, has still managed to hold its own with an impressive collective 3.92 ERA. Although the Braves have recently encountered some bumps in their journey, their outstanding and consistent performance leaves no doubt; they are a force to be reckoned with as they march towards the postseason.
MLB Season Highlights: Standout Players and Remarkable Statistics
Article by Deandre Hill
The Major League Baseball season has been nothing short of electrifying, with a host of players marking their strong presence on the field. In the batting department, Arraez from Miami leads the pack with a stellar average of .365, closely followed by Freeman from Los Angeles, hitting .342, and Acuña Jr. from Atlanta at .336. When it comes to hits, Arraez, Freeman, and Acuña Jr. remain in the spotlight with 159, 158, and 156 hits respectively. On the power-hitting front, Olson from Atlanta has smashed 42 home runs, while Freeman is setting the charts on fire with 43 doubles.
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However, it's not just about the hitters. The runners have shown exceptional agility and speed, with Acuña Jr. stealing a whopping 54 bases, making him a significant threat to the opposition every time he's on base. Carroll from Arizona is also making strides with 36 stolen bases, showcasing his potential to turn games around. And who can forget the triples? Cronenworth from San Diego and K.Marte from Arizona have both hit the ball into the tricky corners of the field 7 times, proving their mettle as game changers.
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The pitchers, on the other hand, have been weaving magic on the mound. Steele from Chicago has an impressive win-loss record of 13-3, while Strider from Atlanta is closely following with a 13-4 record. In terms of raw power and precision, Strider leads the pack with an incredible 217 strikeouts. However, if one's looking at the pitchers who've been difficult to score against, Snell from San Diego stands out with an ERA of just 2.63. These players, along with many others, have made this MLB season one for the books, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.