Category Archives: Baseball

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 →

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For shame, Astros

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I hate to harsh anyone’s World Series buzz, but this was and still is appalling. Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman apologized to “anyone that was offended by my actions” after directing an expletive-filled tirade toward a group of female … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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“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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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“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 →

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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 →

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Minute Maid 2.0

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Astros are staying in their home stadium for the long term. Now that the Astros are in Minute Maid Park for the long haul, “Minute Maid Park 2.0” is in the works. The Harris County Houston Sports Authority on … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Hall calls for four more

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Congrats to all. Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome and Trevor Hoffman were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, it was announced Wednesday. Jones and Thome were both elected in their first year of eligibility. This is the fourth … Continue reading →

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Morris and Trammell elected to the Hall of Fame

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Modern Era committee has spoken. Fittingly, Jack Morris reached the Hall of Fame in extra innings. Morris was elected to the Hall by its Modern Era committee on Sunday along with former Detroit Tigers teammate Alan Trammell, completing a … Continue reading →

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The last American baseball glove maker

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Cool story, if you overlook the obnoxious Trump references. Baseball gloves, like many other things, aren’t really made in America anymore. In the 1960s, production shifted to Asia and never came back. It might be America’s favorite pastime, and few … Continue reading →

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The Modern Era Hall of Fame ballot

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A little bonus baseball content as we head into the long, dark off-season. Nine former big league players and one executive comprise the 10-name Modern Baseball Era ballot to be reviewed and voted upon Dec. 10 at the Baseball Winter … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: All hail the Astros

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I break the pattern once again in honor of the Astros’ World Series win. 1. Born To Win – Hurray For The Riff Raff 2. Playing To Win – Shalamar 3. The Winner Takes It All – ABBA 4. You … Continue reading →

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Astros win the World Series

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I think you can find some stories about this particular news item on your own. On behalf of every sleep-deprived Houstonian, congratulations to the Astros! A great achievement, and a huge burden relieved. Now go get ready for a parade.

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Is MLB expansion on the menu?

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Before I answer the question in the headline, let me say Congratulations to the Astros, the first team ever to win the pennant in both leagues. (The Brewers, who won the AL flag in 1982, is the only other team … Continue reading →

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The Rangers and the Astros

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, come on. The historic flooding in Houston caused by Tropical Storm Harvey will displace the Astros for at least three games and most likely the entire six-game homestand they had scheduled for this week. For at least their three-game … Continue reading →

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Who still misses the National League?

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Brian Smith makes the case for acceptance of the Astros’ league change. Admit it: You don’t think about the old National League that much anymore. I devote a lot of my daily brain space to the Astros, and … Continue reading →

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More about the hack of the Astros

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating stuff. A federal judge has unsealed details about former St. Louis Cardinals executive Chris Correa’s hacking of the Astros’ email and player evaluation databases, clearing the way for Major League Baseball to impose sanctions against the Cardinals as soon … Continue reading →

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Bagwell, Raines, Pudge elected to Hall of Fame

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations! The most exclusive team in sports has five new members. Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez join John Schuerholz and Bud Selig as the Class of 2017. Today’s Game Era candidates, John Schuerholz and Allan H. “Bud” Selig … Continue reading →

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Bud Selig elected to MLB Hall of Fame

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. Bud Selig, the folksy former commissioner of Major League Baseball who presided over an unprecedented period of expansion, innovation and turmoil in the sport, was elected to the Hall of Fame on Sunday by the hall’s restructured veterans committee … Continue reading →

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MLB All Star Game will no longer determine World Series home field advantage

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Hallelujah. The Associated Press reported early Thursday morning that, as a part of the new collective bargaining agreement, home-field advantage in the World Series will no longer be determined by the All-Star Game. Home-field advantage will now be awarded to … Continue reading →

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Hall of Fame 2017 ballot

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The end of the year always brings a new Hall of Fame ballot with it. Prominent names, old and new, highlight the annual ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which was released Monday and mailed to eligible members … Continue reading →

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Hall of Fame revamps Veterans Committee

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Sounds reasonable, but we’ll see. Baseball’s Hall of Fame has again revamped its veterans’ committees to increase consideration for more contemporary players, managers, umpires and executives. Under the change announced Saturday by the Hall’s board of directors, there will be … Continue reading →

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Astros hacker sentenced to 46 months

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Away he goes. Former St. Louis Cardinals executive Christopher Correa was sentenced Monday to 46 months in prison for illegal incursions into the Astros’ computer database, wrapping up a case of sports-related cybercrime that a federal judge and prosecutors summed … Continue reading →

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Stop the “Save America’s Pastime Act”

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Pay minor league players a livable wage, I saw. When you think of overpaid athletes rolling in the dough at the expense of others, baseball players in the minor leagues are not usually the first people that come to mind. … Continue reading →

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