Tag Archives: Baseball

Former MLB pitcher sues Astros

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck with that. A pitcher who has not appeared in a major league game since getting shelled by the 2017 Houston Astros filed a civil lawsuit against the ballclub on Monday, according to USA Today. In the filing made … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

“You guys Codebreaking?”

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You thought the Astros sign stealing saga was over? It’s not over. Roughly four weeks ago, Major League Baseball disciplined the Houston Astros for what commissioner Rob Manfred called the “banging scheme.” The Astros were busted illegally stealing signs in 2017 and 2018. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lawsuit filed over sign stealing effect on fantasy baseball

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be interesting. Major League Baseball (MLB) teams secretly distorted player statistics and deprived fans of an “honest fantasy baseball competition,” a lawsuit filed by a fan alleges in the fallout to a sign-stealing scandal involving the Houston … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Lawsuit filed over sign stealing effect on fantasy baseball

Documenting the bangs

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You have to admire the dedication to craft. Like so many in Houston, Tony Adams and his family had to flee their inner-Loop home when Hurricane Harvey pushed Houston’s bayous out of their banks in August 2017. Weeks later, Adams … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

We have an Astros apology

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

From a former player, not a current player. It’s still something. Twelve days later, an apology appeared on the south side of Chicago, from a bearded face that was constant throughout the Astros’ now-ruined renaissance. “Was it against the rules? … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is there an Astros apology coming?

Posted on January 25, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe. A “strong statement” of apology could be forthcoming from the Astros players involved in electronic sign-stealing during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, owner Jim Crane said Tuesday. In response to interviews given by Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman on … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Is there an Astros apology coming?

Jeter, Walker elected to Hall of Fame

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations. Derek Jeter received the second-highest plurality in the history of Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in being elected Tuesday along with Larry Walker in the 2020 balloting verified by Ernst & … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jeter, Walker elected to Hall of Fame

You can’t move on from something you haven’t faced up to

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

That’s not how it works. Neither Jose Altuve nor Alex Bregman, two principal players on a 2017 team that executed what Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred described as a “player-driven and player-executed” system to violate baseball’s rules and defraud … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Update on the little girl hit by the foul ball

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Man, this breaks my heart. The 2½-year-old girl who suffered a skull fracture when hit in the head by a foul ball at an Astros game May 29 continues to be treated for a brain injury that has left her … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Luhnnow and Hinch suspended by MLB, then fired by Astros

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. Astros owner Jim Crane fired manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow on Monday shortly after Major League Baseball announced the pair would be suspended for a year as part of the penalties for the investigation into alleged … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

It’s not just the Astros

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, boy. The Dodgers have not won the World Series since 1988. They have only appeared in the World Series twice since then, in 2017 and 2018. Both teams that beat them — the Houston Astros in 2017 and the Boston Red Sox … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The robo-umps are coming

Posted on January 4, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Not right away, but you can see it from here. Computer plate umpires could be called up to the major leagues at some point during the next five seasons. Umpires agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball in the development … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A “most thorough” investigation

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an Astros update for you. The ongoing electronic sign-stealing investigation against the Astros is “probably the most thorough” ever conducted by the commissioner’s office, Rob Manfred said Wednesday. Addressing reporters during the final full day of the winter meetings, … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on A “most thorough” investigation

Marvin Miller makes the Hall of Fame

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Finally. Earned admiration can take time to reveal itself within the voting system that creates a National Baseball Hall of Fame class. For years, the late union leader Marvin Miller’s indisputable role in reshaping the sport was acknowledged everywhere but … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Marvin Miller makes the Hall of Fame

Don’t shrink the minor leagues

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Bad idea, MLB. Last month, we learned that Major League Baseball proposed a radical reorganization of the minor leagues, involving slashing the number of teams by 25 percent — mostly short-season and rookie ball clubs. The New York Times has reported which … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Beep baseball

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a cool thing you might not know about. Beep Baseball isn’t the only sport for the blind, and most players are multi-sport athletes. A sport called Goalball – think, if you can, of a cross between bowling and soccer … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Beep baseball

MLB investigating more than 2017 for Astros’ alleged sign stealing

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This sounds ominous. Major League Baseball’s investigation into the Astros’ alleged sign-stealing will include the 2018 and 2019 seasons, commissioner Rob Manfred revealed Thursday, adding two more years to an inquiry already involving Houston’s World Series-winning 2017 team. “We are … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on MLB investigating more than 2017 for Astros’ alleged sign stealing

MLB has had its eye on the Astros

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The story develops. Early in the 2019 season, Major League Baseball instructed video monitors working in Minute Maid Park to listen for banging sounds emanating from the Astros’ dugout, a person with knowledge of the directive said Monday. The Astros … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Astros accused of stealing signs

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The post-season is off to a roaring start. Former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers told The Athletic that the Astros stole signs electronically at Minute Maid Park during their World Series-winning 2017 season, adding another inglorious instance to the franchise’s recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Astros fire Taubman

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s something. The Astros fired assistant general manager Brandon Taubman on Thursday afternoon and issued an apology to a Sports Illustrated reporter whom they falsely accused of fabricating a story about his clubhouse tirade. The Astros “proactively assisted” Major League … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Astros to extend netting

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Glad to hear it. The Astros are joining the growing list of Major League baseball teams that are extending protective netting around ballparks amid growing concern over fan safety. The team’s decision to extend netting beyond each dugout at Minute … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

More on stadium netting

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update on that little girl who was hit by a foul ball at Minute Maid park recently. A 25-month-old girl who suffered a fractured skull when struck by a foul ball at an Astros game last month continues … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

The case for a second MLB team in the Metroplex

Posted on June 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s an interesting argument, with a lot of aspects to it. [T]he 2019 Street & Smith Baseball Yearbook contains an article (“Where to Next?” by G. Scott Thomas) rating the top 20 metro areas [for potential MLB expansion]. More than … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Stadium netting

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

You may have heard about this last week. A foul ball struck by Cubs center fielder Albert Almora, Jr. during the fourth inning hit a small child along the third-base line at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday night, causing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Stadium netting

“Eight Myths Out”

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This year is the 100th anniversary of the “Black Sox” scandal, in which members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox were accused of conspiring with gamblers to throw the World Series. It’s a staple of baseball history and a cornerstone … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on “Eight Myths Out”

The Orbit lawsuit

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Now here‘s an interesting case. A Montgomery County woman has filed suit against the Astros, alleging she suffered a broken finger when her left hand was struck by a T-shirt fired from an air-powered cannon wielded by Orbit, the ballclub’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Orbit lawsuit

How different would baseball be, if baseball were different?

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We’re about to find out. Baseball’s potential future will be showcased in the independent Atlantic League this year, and it includes robot umpires, a 62-foot, 6-inch distance between the pitcher’s mound and home plate, and no infield shifting. Those three … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s unanimous for Mariano Rivera

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Outstanding, and truly deserved. Mariano Rivera stands alone in National Baseball Hall of Fame history as the only player ever voted in unanimously by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. But he’ll be far from alone on the induction day … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on It’s unanimous for Mariano Rivera

Harold Baines? Seriously?

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I’m stunned. Harold Baines was given a save as big as any Lee Smith ever posted. In a vote sure to spark renewed cries of cronyism at Cooperstown, Baines surprisingly was picked for the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Hall of Fame 2019 ballot

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s that time of year again. The most dominant reliever in baseball history is among those with a chance to make it to Cooperstown next summer. Mariano Rivera leads the newcomers to the ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MLB Hall of Fame Today’s Game ballot for 2018

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Time now for a far less stressful election season. The Today’s Game Era ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame was revealed Monday, comprised of a combination of 10 players, managers and an owner who will receive consideration to … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“How Chinese Baseball Came to North Texas”

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating story. The Texas AirHogs are members of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, a federation of twelve, mostly Midwestern, teams unaffiliated with Major League Baseball. Inning breaks are punctuated with water-balloon-toss competitions and mascot races. The level of … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on “How Chinese Baseball Came to North Texas”

The Osuna trade

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

When I heard that the Astros had traded for Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna, currently serving a 75-game suspension for violating MLB’s policy on domestic violence (and also still awaiting his day in court for charges relating to said domestic … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stadiums and sports betting

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Sheryl Ring at Fangraphs adds another dimension to the SCOTUS sports betting decision story. But there is another incentive for states to legalize sports betting aside from just basic tax revenue. We’ve talked about ballpark deals, particularly in the context … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Jackpot!, Other sports, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Stadiums and sports betting