Tag Archives: Baseball

Welcome to Daikin Park

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Out with the old sponsor, in with the new. Minute Maid Park’s time is up. Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and their Houston Astros teammates will play home games at the renamed Daikin Park when next season begins. The Astros on … Continue reading →

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

The Women’s Pro Baseball League

Posted on November 10, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Very cool. A professional women’s baseball league aims to begin competition in the U.S. in 2026, according to a news release issued Tuesday. The Women’s Pro Baseball League will feature six teams, based in the northeastern United States, and will … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Women’s Pro Baseball League

The Ted Cruz Curse continues

Posted on October 6, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, Astros fans. Guess who was at the Astros game today? #Cruzcurse 😡 — Barbi (@Barbi__7) 10:00 PM – 02 October 2024 The Ted Cruz curse strikes (no pun intended) again. Allegedly. The Texas senator’s attendance at sporting events across … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Election 2024, Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Ted Cruz Curse continues

Here’s our World Baseball Classic schedule

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

In case you want to start filling in your 2026 calendar now. When the World Baseball Classic hits Houston’s Minute Maid Park in March 2026, the ballpark will host games featuring the United States, Mexico, Italy and Great Britain. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Here’s our World Baseball Classic schedule

MLB to Austin?

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

It could happen. [W]ith expansion teams on the horizon, the MLB believes that Austin is one of a few cities that has the potential to host a team. Exactly when the league may expand is a question that hasn’t been … Continue reading →

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

Houston will get some World Baseball Classic games

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Very cool. Houston will be one of four host cities for the World Baseball Classic when the international tournament is next played in 2026, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday. Minute Maid Park will host group stage games and a … Continue reading →

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

Could San Antonio support an MLB team?

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

As you may have heard, Major League Baseball is starting to talk about expansion, potentially adding two more teams in the next few years. San Antonio is on the list of possible destinations for MLB, sometimes paired with Austin, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Could San Antonio support an MLB team?

“Facial authentication”

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I’m still thinking about how I feel about this. The Astros will be one of four Major League Baseball teams using facial authentication technology at this year’s opening day in an effort to speed up fans’ entry through the gates … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Facial authentication”

Three new Hall of Famers

Posted on January 27, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations all around. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot boom was back in a big way with the announcement of a three-person Class of 2024 on Tuesday night. Masterful third baseman Adrián Beltré and decorated Twins … Continue reading →

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

Houston bids for the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Ooh, cool. Houston is bidding to be a host city for the World Baseball Classic when the international tournament is next played in 2026. The city hosted WBC representatives for a visit in September and submitted its bid prior to … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Houston bids for the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Realignment roundup

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

You can officially put a bow on the PAC 12. Oregon State and Washington State have come to an agreement in principle with the 10 departing Pac-12 universities that will end ongoing litigation related to control of the conference, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Realignment roundup

Jim Leyland elected to the Hall of Fame

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations! Jim Leyland, the longtime manager who guided the Florida Marlins to the 1997 World Series title, was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Sunday. Leyland was named on 15 of 16 ballots in the election process during a … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Jim Leyland elected to the Hall of Fame

MLB owners approve A’s move to Las Vegas

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s still not fully resolved, but this is going to happen, like it or not. Major League Baseball owners voted unanimously Thursday to allow the Oakland Athletics to move to Las Vegas, paving the way for the second relocation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on MLB owners approve A’s move to Las Vegas

The Astros meet the President

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Bill Kelly, Director of Government Relations for Mayor Sylvester Turner, got to visit the White House with the Astros to celebrate their winning the World Series last year. Here’s his report on what that’s like. For anyone who has ever … Continue reading →

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

Rob Manfred’s regrets

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

He has one in particular that is of interest. In an extensive interview with TIME that was published Wednesday, the baseball commissioner talked about a lot of his successes in the sport, including the recent rules changes that has made for quicker games, but … Continue reading →

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

The future Las Vegas A’s

Posted on April 23, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned this story in passing in that post about MLB in Utah, but it deserves a closer look. The Oakland Athletics have signed a binding agreement to purchase 49 acres (with an option for additional land) near the Las … Continue reading →

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

MLB in Utah?

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on the table. A Salt Lake City consortium led by the former owner of the Utah Jazz plans to pursue a Major League Baseball franchise in the coming years, touting the area’s population growth, strong economy and baseball history … Continue reading →

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

Speedier baseball

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

A faster-paced game with more action is exactly what MLB hoped for with its myriad rule changes, and so far it’s exactly what it has gotten. Major League Baseball’s new rules are working as hoped through the first four days … Continue reading →

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

MLB reaches tentative CBA with minor leaguers

Posted on April 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Impressive. Minor league baseball players and Major League Baseball struck a tentative deal Wednesday on the first collective bargaining agreement between the sides that will more than double player pay and represents the largest-ever gains in the rights of minor … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on MLB reaches tentative CBA with minor leaguers

Won’t someone think of the catchers?

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

There’s at least one constituency affected by the looming future of robo umps that isn’t so sure about the whole thing. While pitch clocks, bigger bases and other rules changes debut this year at the major league level, the Automated Ball-Strike System will receive its … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Won’t someone think of the catchers?

A brief digression on baseball broadcasting and leveraged buyouts

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I call your attention to this fine article about some current baseball-business news, which among other things helped me better understand some business lingo. Diamond Sports Group, the company that owns Bally Sports Network and thus the rights to 14 … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on A brief digression on baseball broadcasting and leveraged buyouts

Scott Rolen elected to the Hall of Fame

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Well deserved. The hot corner has historically had a high bar for National Baseball Hall of Fame entry. But in 2023, Scott Rolen made the cut and completed a meteoric rise in support in his time on the Baseball Writers’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Scott Rolen elected to the Hall of Fame

Fred McGriff elected to the Hall of Fame

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to him. “The Crime Dog” finally had his day. In Fred McGriff’s first second chance at the National Baseball Hall of Fame voting process, the Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee did what the Baseball Writers’ Association did not. McGriff … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fred McGriff elected to the Hall of Fame

Your 2023 Hall of Fame ballot is out

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Should be a quieter year, at least for the writers. The National Baseball Hall of Fame revealed the 2023 Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot on Monday, with several notable names appearing for the first time, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Your 2023 Hall of Fame ballot is out

Click out

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Gotta say, this is shocking. Six days after winning a World Series title, the Astros parted ways with general manager James Click on Friday, ending months of intensifying speculation with unprecedented action and throwing one of the sport’s most successful … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Click out

MLB to recognize MLBPA representation of minor leaguers

Posted on September 12, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association on Saturday finalized a card-check agreement expected to formalize the league recognizing the union as the bargaining representative for a unit of minor league players in excess of 5,000 members, sources … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on MLB to recognize MLBPA representation of minor leaguers

Here comes the pitch clock

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Some foundational rule changes are coming to MLB next year. A pitch timer, limits on defensive shifts and bigger bases are coming to Major League Baseball in 2023. Following recent experiments in the Minor Leagues, the recently formed Joint Competition … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Here comes the pitch clock

MLBPA seeks to represent minor leaguers

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Good to see, though there are some questions that will need to be answered. The Major League Baseball Players Association took an initial step toward unionizing the minor leagues Sunday night, sending out authorization cards that will allow minor league … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on MLBPA seeks to represent minor leaguers

Baseball fans are mostly OK with the idea of robot umps

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

So says a poll, so it must be true. MLB fans, it may be time to welcome your robot overlords. Baseball is known for its long-standing traditions, unwritten rules about players’ on-field conduct and a fan base that skews older … Continue reading →

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

Rob Manfred speaks

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

About the Astros and other things. When it comes to the Astros’ sign-stealing saga and its aftermath, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred does have one big regret. Was it his non-punishment of any individual players or granting immunity to … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rob Manfred speaks

“Significant” suspension expected for Deshaun Watson

Posted on June 18, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

I should think so. The NFL will argue that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should receive a “significant” suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, multiple people familiar with the case said Friday. The league “probably” will seek a … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We finally see that Manfred letter to the Yankees

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron headline is blaring, but I kind of think we already knew most of this stuff. Major League Baseball fined the New York Yankees $100,000 in 2017 for using their replay room and dugout phone to steal their opponent’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on We finally see that Manfred letter to the Yankees

Courts keep turning the Yankees down

Posted on April 23, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Time to give up and move on, y’all. The New York Yankees keep taking losses in court. A federal appeals court has denied the team’s latest attempt to keep a 2017 letter from Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred detailing … Continue reading →

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

JC Hartman

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Good column from Jerome Solomon about the first Black baseball player for the Astros, who were still the Colt 45s at the time. You have probably never heard of many of the first Blacks to play modern-day baseball for franchises. … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on JC Hartman