Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

On this date in 1987, A’s first baseman Mark McGwire became the first rookie to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star Game, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  McGwire would go on to finish the season with 49 homers, establishing a new rookie watermark, beating the previously shared record by Wally Berger and Frank Robinson (39).  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Inside The ‘Zona delved into Robbie Ray‘s recent success and his new sinker.
• Baseball Essential says Justin Upton should be a target for the Rays.
• Did The Tribe Win Last Night looked at the downside of the Indians’ rebuild.
• Reviewing The Brew wonders where Mike Fiers‘ fastball went.
• Blue Jays Plus gives you a guide for hating the AL East.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh laid out the case for the Pirates batting the pitcher 8th.
• Fantasy Pros looked at Nolan Arenado‘s power surge.
• BASTA wonders what happened to Jean Machi.
• Know Hitter says the Tigers have won the Yoenis Cespedes/Rick Porcello deal.
• Tomahawk Take remembered the Braves’ longest day.
• The First Out At Third says teams should go for Jonathan Broxton.
• Sodo Mojo looked at who’s hot and who’s not in Seattle.

On this date in 2009, Mariano Rivera became the second pitcher to record 500 major league saves, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  Rivera, who also hit his first career RBI on this date, joined Trevor Hoffman at the 500 save plateau.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot explained why Chris Tillman has struggled this year.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh ran down five players who the Pirates should hold on to.
• Minor League Ball scouted Twins prospect Nick Gordon.
• A’s Farm gave us their mid-season organizational All-Star team.
• The Beanball says the Mets should promote top prospect Michael Conforto.
• Rumbunter says the Pirates offense needs to walk more.
• Baseball Hot Corner wonders if the Giants are in play for Johnny Cueto.
• The First Out At Third says it’s time to trade Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Lucroy.
• Clutchlings laid out expectations for Matt Boyd.
• Yankees Unscripted has tempered expectations for Ivan Nova.
• Some Fair Weather looked at the Reds.
• Blue Jays Plus went in depth on Matt Boyd.
• Baseball Essential predicted the value of Bryce Harper’s next contract.
• Inside The Zona is not happy with the Diamondbacks’ recent trade.
• Reviewing The Brew wonders if Milwaukee should consider selling a prospect.
• Royals Blue discussed Billy Butler‘s struggles.
• Sodo Mojo looked at Robinson Cano‘s rough 2015 season.

On this date in 1998, Michael Bouton penned an open letter to the Yankees in the New York Times, asking the franchise to reconsider their ban on his father, Jim Bouton.  As Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes, the Father’s Day letter worked when Bouton was welcomed back to Yankee Stadium the following month for Old Timers’ Day.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• A’s Farm spoke to A’s scouting director Eric Kubota about the team’s top draft picks.
• The Sports Esquires discussed Cody Asche and service time manipulation.
• Camden Depot delved into Wei-Yin Chen‘s hot streak.
• BASTA says it’s time to confront the Giants’ rotation dilemma.
• Maniac Ball examined the climb back from Tommy John surgery.
• Baseball Hot Corner wonders if the Astros should start worrying.
• Nolan Writin looked at the Rangers’ left field situation.
• From Duke 2 Joc wants to see Bud Black in Los Angeles.
• World Series Dreaming gave their thoughts on draft strategy and managing risk.
• Blue Jays Plus is okay with Josh Donaldson not starting at the All-Star Game.
• Grading On The Curve pitted top prospects against each other.
• Marlin Maniac spoke with Miami draft choice Giovanny Alfonzo.
• Astros County brought us a heartfelt tribute on Father’s Day.
• Swingin’ A’s looked at what adding Dayan Viciedo means for Coco Crisp.
• Royals Blue says KC fans are lucky to have Ned Yost.
• Reviewing The Brew says Brewers draftee Cody Ponce could ascend quickly.
• Baseball Essential ponders Cole Hamels as a fit for the Orioles.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2002, history was made as there was no designated hitter used in a full slate of games for the first time since 1972, as Leo Panetta of National Pastime writes.  That’s because that day saw 14 inter-league contests all played in National League parks. Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• The Point Of Pittsburgh says the Bucs should rush Jameson Taillon.
• Camden Depot reflected on the Orioles’ offseason moves.
• Rumbunter looked at what the Pirates are doing to be a better road team this year.
• Reviewing The Brew spoke with Brewers prospect Wei-Chung Wang.
• RSN Stats dug into the Red Sox’s power outage.
• Section 215 notes that the Phillies have had a lot of negative WARs since 2012.
• The Beanball feels that the Mets can improve from within, but refuse to.
• Yankees Unscripted says the ‘pen could look different when Andrew Miller returns.
• Bronx Baseball Daily reviewed the Yankees’ 2015 draft.
• Blue Jays Plus looked at Toronto’s draft.
• BBST MLB would like to direct your attention to Billy Burns.
• Inside The Zona looked at the early returns on the Didi Gregorius trade.
• Grading On The Curve evaluated the Astros’ draft.
• Blogging Mets has an idea of how a Ryan Braun deal with the Mets could work.
• Grading On The Curve ran down the Mets’ top 10 midseason prospects.
• Fantasy Pros ran down some of the more interesting closers in MLB.
• Nolan Writin looked at one of the Rangers’ draft picks.
• Outside Pitch wants people to stop whining about the Royals.
• Innings Eaters looked at Ben Zobrist‘s trade value.
• Did The Tribe Win Last Night feels for Lonnie Chisenhall.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1989, the same game was played partly outdoors and partly indoors for the first time in major league history when the Blue Jays beat the Brewers, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  The SkyDome’s retractable roof was open to start the game but had to be closed in the fifth inning due to rain.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• The Point At Pittsburgh marveled at Gerrit Cole‘s season.
• Inside The ‘Zona says the D’Backs got better after moving Mark Trumbo.
• Baseball Hot Corner broke down Chris Archer‘s dominance of Mike Trout.
• Camden Depot wonders how Miguel Gonzalez has whiffed so much.
• Detroit Jock City looked at Adam Lind as a Tigers trade target.
• World Series Dreaming sees the Cubs shopping in the bargain bin.
• Blue Jays Plus applauds Mark Buehrle.
• Section 215 ran down the Phillies’ trade chips.
• Royals Blue is pushing KC fans to vote responsibly.
• Cubbies Crib says Jason Hammel is quietly emerging as a staff ace.
• From Duke 2 Joc talks Hector Olivera.
• WFAA wonders if the Rangers are too left-handed at the plate.
• Nolan Writin’ looked at the history of the No. 4 overall pick.
• Outside Pitch celebrates the return of the “Laser Show.”

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1980, Gary Carter hit the second  inside-the-park home run of his career, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  Carter would later belt a homer out of the ballpark as well, but that still wasn’t enough to lead the Expos to victory as they lost to the Cardinals, 8-6.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot says the Orioles were right not to re-sign Nelson Cruz.
• Rays Colored Glasses says Travis Ishikawa should be a trade target for the Rays.
• Grading On The Curve discusses Tim Beckham‘s roller coaster.
• Wahoo’s On First looked at Jason Kipnis‘ hot streak.
• RSN Stats took a look back through Boston history.
• A’s Farm spoke with A’s Director of Player Personnel Billy Owens.
• Lasorda’s Lair says it’s time to move Jimmy Rollins down in the order.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh takes a guess at who the Bucs will take in the draft.
• Rumbunter broke down Gerrit Cole‘s domination of the Mets.
• Reviewing The Brew discussed Jonathan Broxton‘s disappointing year.
• Baseball Hot Corner likes the way that Aaron Sanchez is mixing it up.
• Reviewing The Brew wonders if the Giants could be a match for Aramis Ramirez.
• From Duke 2 Joc sees trade matches between the Dodgers and Reds.
• Astros County looked at starting pitchers of the past in Houston.
• Outside Pitch says the Cubs are ready to create a dynasty.
• The First Out At Third defends Mike Fiers.
• Blue Jays Plus credited Toronto for its base running.

On this date in 1986, Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels decided to imitate another tyrannical New York boss.  In the show’s season finale, Michaels fired a drunk Billy Martin after he slurred one of his lines (as a part of a sketch, of course), as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. In retaliation, Martin set fire to Michaels’ dressing room at the end of the show to close out the season.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• The Sports Esquires talked about the evolution of fantasy baseball.
• Monkey With A Halo looked at the Angels trade targets that should be avoided.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh looked at potential upgrades from Mark Melancon.
• A’s Farm spoke with Oakland second base Prospect Joey Wendle.
• Camden Depot knows how to solve the Orioles’ outfield problem.
• Drunk Baseball has a few thoughts on Scott Kazmir.
• Lasorda’s Lair says the pressure is on Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly.
• Maniac Ball is happy with Garrett Richards.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if Jake McGee could be moved.
• Baseball Hot Corner discussed Jeff Hoffman‘s pro debut.
• Grading On The Curve says the Astros need to get aggressive.
• Yankees Unscripted wonders if Michael Pineda is a true ace.
• The First Out At Third lamented the fortunes of Ryan Braun.
• MLB Reports debates whether the Brewers should reload or rebuild.
• BBST explains why the Astros might not win the AL West.
• Heatwaved feels that Paul Goldschmidt is the best all-around hitter in MLB.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2000, Rickey Henderson reached agreement on a deal with the Mariners, Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. Henderson, who was released earlier in the year by the Mets, hit a lead-off home run in his first at-bat for Seattle.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Baseball Essential took a closer look at Shelby Miller.
• Yankees Unscripted looked back at the Yankees’ offseason trades.
• Blue Jays Plus broke down a recent Aaron Sanchez–Xander Bogaerts match up.
• Camden Depot delves into the MASN dispute.
• Rays Colored Glasses examined the factors that led to surgery for two Rays pitchers.
• The Point of Pittsburgh analyzed whether the Pirate pitchers will be due for regression.
• AZ Snakepit examines the Diamondbacks’ infield and what they should do about it.
• Maniac Ball is looking ahead to the MLB draft.
• Outside Pitch celebrated Clayton Kershaw‘s 100th win.
• Astros County welcomes Lance McCullers Jr. to the bigs.
• Royals Blue says KC fans might just have to put up with Omar Infante.
• Rumbunter took a hard look at Jung Ho Kang.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2008, Greg Maddux won the 350th game of his career as a member of the Padres, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  The 42 year-old became the ninth pitcher in major league history to reach the milestone as he gave up just three hits across six innings.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot chatted with former MLB outfielder Doug Glanville.
• Inside The ‘Zona looked at the spread of production for the D’Backs and other teams.
• Maniac Ball evaluated the Halos’ farm system.
• Blue Jays Plus spoke to Stephania Bell about Tommy John surgery.
• Reviewing The Brew says Craig Counsell is the right choice for the Brewers’ rebuild.
• The Infield Chatter has an idea for a deal between the Brewers and Indians.
• Rumbunter analyzes Jeff Locke.
• Yankees Unscripted says this year’s version of the Yankees is pretty exciting.
• The First Out At Third says it should be Rob Wooten over Brandon Kintzler.
• Grading On The Curve talks Jose Pirela.
• Royals Blue compares KC’s big three today to the previous one.
• AZ Snake Pit weighed in on the National League DH debate.
• Baseball Hot Corner says Jason Heyward is overrated.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1988, Pete Rose became the first manager to be suspended for an on-field incident, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  National League president Bart Giamatti issued a thirty day suspension for the Reds skipper’s shoving of umpire Dave Pallone.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot wonders if Ubaldo Jimenez is back.
• Inside The Zona discussed Josh Collmenter’s dip in velocity.
• Blue Jays Plus looked at some under appreciated players in Toronto.
• Infield Chatter says the Brewers should sell.
• World Series Dreaming is in favor of the DH in the NL.
• Halo Hangout says the Angels are bound to turn things around.
• The Point of Pittsburgh is concerned about Andrew McCutchen‘s knee.
• 27 Outs Baseball reflected on the life of Bill Valentine.
• Dodgers Today is impressed with L.A.’s depth.
• Jays Journal looked at some teams that, arguably, have an extra edge at home.
• Reviewing The Brew wonders if the Mets could be a match for Jean Segura.
• Yankees Unscripted talked about Alex Rodriguez‘s ignored milestone.
• RSN Stats talks pitching under pressure.
• Baseball Hot Corner says the Yankees are not to be discounted.
• Drunk Baseball is against the idea of a salary cap.
• Know Hitter credits the Tigers’ ability to adapt.
• BASTA attempts to solve the Giants’ outfield puzzle.
• Royals Blue says KC’s “Franchise Four” misses the mark.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.