baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Even More Takes About Clayton Kershaw
Kerchoke. Chokeshaw. Choke Artist. Whatever you want to call him. The Dodgers continue to piss off their critics and their latest stunt proves how desperate they are of receiving even more attention. The MLB All-Star Game is fast approaching and in case you didn't know, Mr. Holy Holy, aka Clayton Kershaw, received the special commissioner's selection (aka the sympathy vote), landing a spot in the midsummer classic, which will be held in Atlanta. Not only that, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will also be managing the NL team. It's so pathetic that MLB is rewarding a heartless bigot something like this. Kershaw is currently in his 18th season in Major League Baseball, and I believe the real reason why MLB gave him that honor is because this might be his final season in the league. This latest move by MLB screamed desperation. Kershaw has been in the league for nearly 20 years and he's one of many players who wasn't deserving of an All-Star nod. I explained in my previous story regarding the All-Star fan voting that it needed to choose players based on their stats rather than their popularity, so as to avoid any bias and make the process fair. The Dodgers have received heavy backlash for having multiple players (some who had no business of being selected) who will be in the upcoming All-Star Game. They are the most selfish, spoiled, delusional, and entitled team in MLB. Them and the Houston Astros are the only two teams I heavily dislike. They (the Dodgers) took their selfishness to another level, because five Dodgers players will be participating in the All-Star Game and I blame the fans and bandwagon fans for this nonsense. Originally, there were eight in the first phase of voting. I also blame MLB for continuously showing favoritism towards the Dodgers. As I've stated in one of my previous stories, the world doesn't revolve around the Dodgers or Shohei. It's not always about them and they're talking over other teams and players who deserve more attention. The Dodgers suffer from main character syndrome, thinking that everything has to be about them. What I found hilarious was that they (Dodgers fans) cried over Fernando Tatis, Jr. being selected to the All-Star Game over Andy Pages, calling the voting a popularity contest. Their claims are hypocritical, because the Dodgers had faced heavy backlash from baseball fans for having multiple players selected to the midsummer classic, also calling those selections a popularity contest. So, pot meet kettle, Dodgers fans. The Dodgers can't have everything. Their offseason and current shenanigans prove that I dislike them even more. I continue to get attacked online by ruthless and delusional Dodgers fans, just for calling them out for their selfish and entitled behavior. It doesn't bother me, and my ongoing criticisms of this team prove that I was right all along. Going back to Kershaw: he didn't have to accept the aforementioned honor. He should finish out the season and retire. To be honest, he, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer aren't the same players as they were when they first debuted in the big leagues. Both Verlander and Scherzer are in their 40s and most likely nearing the end of their careers, while Kershaw is nearing 40. While I won't praise Verlander or Kershaw, due to obvious reasons, Scherzer is definitely a shoo-in to be a first-ballot Baseball Hall of Famer. He's one of my favorite pitchers and consider him a legend. Scherzer may be a no-nonsense player, but fans like and respect him, a menace (in a good way) any time he takes the mound, and doesn't make everything about himself or the center of attention. The Dodgers and Kershaw should take a page out of Scherzer's book and follow his example.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 9 months ago in Unbalanced
Three Reasons Why the World Series Is Amazing
The World Series: an event that millions of baseball fans look forward to every year. It's a shame that it doesn't receive the same attention as the Super Bowl. Here are a couple of statistics about the last couple of World Series:
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 9 months ago in Unbalanced
Bobby Jenks Dead at 44: What Killed the White Sox World Series Champion?
The baseball world is mourning the sudden loss of Bobby Jenks, the iconic Chicago White Sox pitcher and 2005 World Series champion, who died at just 44 years old. Known for his blazing fastball and clutch postseason performances, Jenks was a beloved figure not only for his on-field heroics but for his inspiring fight against cancer. Today, we explore what led to this tragic moment, celebrating his legacy and shedding light on the illness that took him too soon.
By Bevy Osuos9 months ago in Unbalanced
Somers Moves to State Championship with 27-6 Win
Click for Somers Photos Somers Sideline and Crowd Shots Click for Maine-Endwell Photos The Somers football team has used Middletown High School as a stepping stone to the State finals three times. So with many on the same players on the lacrosse team, the Tuskers arrived upstate on Wednesday June 11, and making the most of the familiar ground, ended on a grand scale
By Rich Monetti9 months ago in Unbalanced
I Was The Coolest Big Kid for a Day
Baseball: it's one of those sports that many of us fans are passionate and romantic about. Home runs, outstanding catches, and walk-off wins. Back in mid-March on a warm Saturday afternoon, I had an opportunity to take part in an exciting event. I was among the few dozens of people who took part in a batting practice event at Arvest Ballpark, home of the Minor League's Northwest Arkansas Naturals. For context, I never played any sports in school, because I was shy and severely bullied. The closest thing to me playing sports was being in PE classes. My favorite sports I enjoyed the most in PE class was basketball, indoor kickball, and dodgeball. The latter sport has since been taken out of schools, because many people have said it encouraged bullying. I found that claim laughable and ridiculous, because it seems like some people, not all, like to take the fun out of everything. This was an example of this is why we can't have nice things.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 9 months ago in Unbalanced
Top John Jay Quotes of 2024-25
Easy Blog Scroll Through all Spring Photos John Jay Volleyball Versus Lakeland No one hydroplanes the gymnasium floor Olivia Casabona, and Coach Rizzotti had the perfect words to describe the libero’s refusal to let the volleyball drop.
By Rich Monetti9 months ago in Unbalanced
Top John Jay Quotes of 2024-25
All Spring Phots Blogpost (Easier to view) Versus Lakeland on October 23 No one hydroplanes the gymnasium floor Olivia Casabona, and Coach Rizzotti had the perfect words to describe the libero’s refusal to let the volleyball drop.
By Rich Monetti9 months ago in Unbalanced
O Canada: A Look at the 1992 & 1993 Toronto Blue Jays
For at least 20, maybe 25 years, I've often been fascinated by Canada. Our neighbors to the north, sitting right on top of us with a population of just over 40 million. The reasons are many. It's partly because of certain celebs from that country--Pamela Anderson, Ryan Reynolds, Jim Carrey, to name a few. Canada definitely fascinates me as a wrestling fan, because not only does Canada really love wrestling, a lot of known names are from there. Big names such as the Hart Family, Edge, Christian, Trish Stratus, and current names such as Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and two of my favorites in women's wrestling, Chelsea Green and Taya Valkyrie. But in the end, when Canada gets mentioned to me, the first thing I think of is sports.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
The $765,000,000 Question
All eyes have been on the New York Mets this season for so many obvious reasons. Well, 765 million of them, but I'll get to that later. The Mets had some expectations after last year. They did not win the National League East, instead finishing as the National League's third Wild Card, but the Mets went on a huge run. They eliminated the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card Series thanks to Pete Alonso's 9th-inning game winning shot, and then they upset the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series. The National League Championship Series saw the Mets lose in six to the eventual World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, but it was close and tight series between the teams.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
Dave Parker Dies Days Before Hall of Fame Induction
For decades, Dave Parker was larger than life. A towering figure in baseball with a cannon for an arm, a swing that could shatter stadium silence, and a presence that demanded respect. But on June 28, 2025, just weeks before his long-awaited induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the man they called “The Cobra” passed away at the age of 74.
By Bevy Osuos9 months ago in Unbalanced
The Glamorization of MLB Players Has Gone Too Far
There are many MLB players I like and dislike. As long as I've been watching baseball, I've noticed a consistent (not in a good way) and annoying pattern that has been happening for the last year or so. Major League Baseball has been frequently focusing their attention on two players: Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. While they're extremely talented in their own right, I feel like other teams and players deserve more praise and recognition. Major League Baseball continues to highlight both of these players, overshadowing and talking over other players who had exceptional performances. Let's use Tarik Skubal of the Tigers as an example. Let's say that the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner had a remarkable outing, striking out 11 batters. His performance would only get noticed for a while until MLB goes back to focusing on Ohtani and Judge. Whoever is managing MLB's social media pages need to realize that these two players aren't the only ones in the league. I don't see or hear MLB talking about teams like the Cubs, Tigers, or Mariners more often. There's nothing wrong with highlighting players and praising them. However, I believe there's a such thing a giving someone too much credit. There has to be a healthy balance of doing this. I've always suspected and accused the league of showing favoritism towards the aforementioned players. I've always thought, "Is MLB married to both of these players?" It's like they're super obsessed with them.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 9 months ago in Unbalanced
