The 2021 Braves: How Blue Chips and Cast-Offs Came Together to Win the NL East
After their third consecutive NL East Title In 2020, the Atlanta Braves came within 1 win of making it to the World Series. Certainly, getting to a 3-1 advantage over the vaunted Dodgers was a bit of a surprise, but … Continue reading The 2021 Braves: How Blue Chips and Cast-Offs Came Together to Win the NL East
Sean Kazmar Jr: Professional Baseball Player
“The best 48 days of my life.” – Sean Kazmar, Jr Nearing the end of his 5th professional baseball season, Sean Kazmar Jr strode to the plate in San Diego’s Petco Park. The date was August 13th, 2008. It was his first Major League Baseball at-bat, the culmination of a lifelong dream. He’d been drafted by the Cardinals in the 32nd round out of high school, but turned that down to play college baseball. After a year of college baseball he’d been drafted again, this time by the A’s in the 37th round, but turned it down once more. Then, … Continue reading Sean Kazmar Jr: Professional Baseball Player
The Rise of MVFree! (Daryll – obviously)
In many ways the career of Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is one of patience, trust, and a belief in himself and those he surrounds himself with. Freddie went to high school in Southern California and it was clear he was very good at baseball. Perfectgame.org had this to say about the tall first baseman “Freeman is one of the top pure hitters in the ’07 high school class and was ranked #7 among PG National Top 100 position players. When he is swinging the bat well, he is a fun to watch hit as anyone in this class. … Continue reading The Rise of MVFree! (Daryll – obviously)
Padres Trade Deadline A Long Time Coming (Daryll)
There isn’t much about 2020 that means what it would mean any other year. Where birthday’s normally might be when you have a large BBQ in the backyard, now you drive to a handful of different friends houses and hang … Continue reading Padres Trade Deadline A Long Time Coming (Daryll)
Baseball is Back: A Preview of a Historic Season in an Unprecedented Time (Giuseppe)
America’s National Pastime, at long last, is finally back! When the Washington Nationals recorded the last out of the 2019 season on October 30th to secure the team’s first World Series title in a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros, … Continue reading Baseball is Back: A Preview of a Historic Season in an Unprecedented Time (Giuseppe)
BLM-MLB (Daryll)
As 2020 continues to be one of the more externally challenging years in recent memory, it has also brought about a moment for our society to take a step back in activity and ask questions fundamental to our past, present, … Continue reading BLM-MLB (Daryll)
If 2020 Was a Baseball Game…(Daryll)
If 2020 was a baseball game, we would be in the middle of a big fat rain delay. Not the fun kind of rain delay either. Sometimes during rain delays it’s light and some players decide to slide across the … Continue reading If 2020 Was a Baseball Game…(Daryll)
If 2020 is a Lost Season, the Team That Benefits the Most is…(Daryll)
The world at large and the sporting world continues to understand what constitutes the new normal in the midst of a completely unknown crisis with the Coronavirus pandemic. At this point, it seems likely that the baseball season will be … Continue reading If 2020 is a Lost Season, the Team That Benefits the Most is…(Daryll)
MLB Suspends Operations (Daryll)
Note: Opinions expressed do not reflect the collective thoughts and opinions of DoubleDay Double Talk. March 13th, 2020 These are strange times. The Coronavirus/COVID-19, which has been spreading throughout the world since late last year has now come to the … Continue reading MLB Suspends Operations (Daryll)
The Impact of Cheating (Daryll)
Sport at it’s purest is a reflection of humanity in a way that makes it easier to digest our own lives. In our minds, we often equate this idea of “purity” to mean best. We cheer for the underdog story, … Continue reading The Impact of Cheating (Daryll)
Baseball on the Brain (Daryll)
We have just a little over 74 days until Opening Day 2020. It has been a pretty good off-season for baseball, with the biggest names going quick unlike last winter, when last year we had to wait until February 21st … Continue reading Baseball on the Brain (Daryll)
Winning At All Costs: The Houston Astros Story (Daryll)
The path to good people doing very bad things is rarely a straight downward line. At one point or another they start slowly eroding their sense of morality by making one step here, another step there, slightly off course. On … Continue reading Winning At All Costs: The Houston Astros Story (Daryll)
What Drive and Driveline Sports Have In Common (Daryll)
Over this past week of travel for work, I finished up two books that at first glance are in separate veins: Drive by Daniel Pink, and The MVP Machine by Travis Sawchik and Ben Lindbergh. Yet both of these books talk about an essential … Continue reading What Drive and Driveline Sports Have In Common (Daryll)
Then There Were Two (Giuseppe)
After a 162 game season, countless strikeouts, home runs, rookies rising, veterans falling, no-hitters, shutouts, cycles, immaculate innings, disappointing teams (Phillies, Cubs, etc.) surprising teams (A’s, Rays, etc.), and new records set, yet another MLB season is coming to a … Continue reading Then There Were Two (Giuseppe)
Braves 2019 Success Credited to…BJ Upton (Daryll)
The Atlanta Braves have been making some dramatic noises in the 2019 MLB Playoffs as they battle the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Division Series. One key contributor to this turnaround has been Adam Duvall, with a dramatic … Continue reading Braves 2019 Success Credited to…BJ Upton (Daryll)
2019 MLB Postseason Predictions (Giuseppe)
The Wild Card Games have come to an end and the Washington Nationals and the Tampa Bay Rays will advance to play in their respective league division series. Now that the complete playoff picture is set, eight of baseball’s best … Continue reading 2019 MLB Postseason Predictions (Giuseppe)
Tampa Bay Rays Route Oakland A’s in American League Wild Card Game (Giuseppe)
In front of a sellout crowd in the Coliseum Wednesday, the small-market Oakland A’s faced off against the even smaller market Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Wild Card Game. The two teams that had both shocked the world … Continue reading Tampa Bay Rays Route Oakland A’s in American League Wild Card Game (Giuseppe)
Washington Nationals Stun Milwaukee Brewers in National League Wild Card Game (Giuseppe)
The Washington Nationals faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Game Tuesday night in Washington. Max Scherzer took the bump for Washington while Brandon Woodruff got the ball for the crew. This would be a … Continue reading Washington Nationals Stun Milwaukee Brewers in National League Wild Card Game (Giuseppe)
Why I Like the Wild Card Game (Daryll)
The MLB Playoffs kick off tonight, with the Bryce Harper-less Washington Nationals have shrugged their shoulders about losing their one time wunderkind and made the playoffs anyway. Opposing them are the Milwaukee Brewers, who many might forget actually won the … Continue reading Why I Like the Wild Card Game (Daryll)
Taylor Swift and Baseball (Daryll)
Genesis 2:1-3: 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God … Continue reading Taylor Swift and Baseball (Daryll)
Justin Verlander Hurls Third Career No-Hitter (Giuseppe)
Justin Verlander hadn’t thrown a no-hitter since 2011 when he took the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays (the same team he no-hit 8 years ago) on Sunday, and it appeared to be yet another regular start for the future … Continue reading Justin Verlander Hurls Third Career No-Hitter (Giuseppe)
Tyler Skaggs Cause of Death Released (Giuseppe)
The baseball world has anxiously awaited the results of the autopsy that would shed light on the mysterious cause of death of Tyler Skaggs. Those results came out on August 30th and the results revealed a dark truth about the … Continue reading Tyler Skaggs Cause of Death Released (Giuseppe)
Houston Astros Combine for No-Hitter Against Seattle Mariners (Giuseppe)
Saturday night’s game between the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners was set to be an uneventful one. The Astros already heald a firm lead over the American League West Division while the Mariners had been out of the race for … Continue reading Houston Astros Combine for No-Hitter Against Seattle Mariners (Giuseppe)
New York Mets Acquire Marcus Stroman (Giuseppe)
The New York Mets made an intriguing move on Sunday by trading for starting pitcher and Toronto Blue Jays ace of staff Marcus Stroman. The deal will ship prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson to the Blue Jays while Stroman … Continue reading New York Mets Acquire Marcus Stroman (Giuseppe)
2019 SF Giants Embody Baseball As It Should Be(Daryll)
Baseball is a sport where its past is constantly intertwined with its present. It is a swirling mix of nostalgia and forward promise. We honor yesterday’s heroes while projecting them onto tomorrow’s stars when we say that “he’s got a … Continue reading 2019 SF Giants Embody Baseball As It Should Be(Daryll)
Angels Honor Late Tyler Skaggs, Toss Combined No-Hitter (Giuseppe)
The Angels paid tribute to the late Tyler Skaggs in Friday nights game by donning the late Skaggs’ number and holding a ceremony to honor Skaggs prior to the game, little did anyone in attendance or watching at home know, … Continue reading Angels Honor Late Tyler Skaggs, Toss Combined No-Hitter (Giuseppe)
Baseball World Left in Shock By Death of Tyler Skaggs (Giuseppe)
The baseball world came to a halt on the fateful afternoon of July 1st, 2019, when it was announced that Angels starting pitcher, Tyler Skaggs, at the age of 27, was found dead in a Texas hotel prior to an … Continue reading Baseball World Left in Shock By Death of Tyler Skaggs (Giuseppe)
Jake Bauers Hits for the Cycle Against Detroit Tigers (Giuseppe)
Shohei Ohtani made Major League Baseball history on Thurday when he became the first Japanese born player to hit for the cycle when he accomplished the feat against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Angels’ 5-3 win. The baseball world … Continue reading Jake Bauers Hits for the Cycle Against Detroit Tigers (Giuseppe)
Shohei Ohtani, Albert Pujols Make History (Giuseppe)
Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols and star two-way player Shohei Ohtani each made history during Thursday night’s game featuring the Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays. Albert Pujols became the sixth player in Major League history to … Continue reading Shohei Ohtani, Albert Pujols Make History (Giuseppe)
Atlanta Braves Sign Dallas Keuchel – Not Done Yet (Daryll)
While the Braves did not get closer and All Time Braves Saves Leader Craig Kimbrel, this week it was announced that they were able to sign the other top free agent pitcher without a job in 2019: Dallas Keuchel. Let … Continue reading Atlanta Braves Sign Dallas Keuchel – Not Done Yet (Daryll)
Chicago Cubs Sign Craig Kimbrel (Giuseppe)
After sitting out the entire 2019 Major League Baseball season to date, the two biggest free agents remarkably still on the market is starter Dallas Keuchel and closer Craig Kimbrel. After the seven month free agency of one of baseball’s … Continue reading Chicago Cubs Sign Craig Kimbrel (Giuseppe)
Jay Bruce Hits Milestone Home Run, Traded to Phillies (Giuseppe)
On Friday, May 31, Seattle Mariner Jay Bruce joined elite company when he ripped the 300th home run of his Major League career over the center field fence in the bottom of the seventh inning of a home game against … Continue reading Jay Bruce Hits Milestone Home Run, Traded to Phillies (Giuseppe)
Baseball and Memorial Day (Daryll)
“I [WILL] LOVE BASEBALL UNTIL THE DAY THAT I DIE, BUT MY TIME IN THE MARINES WAS MORE IMPORTANT … I HAVE FELT FROM DAY ONE THERE ARE ONLY ONE SET OF HEROES IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THEY’RE ALL DEAD. … Continue reading Baseball and Memorial Day (Daryll)
Edwin Jackson – Best Fourth Starter Ever? (Daryll)
Edwin Jackson has made Major League Baseball history by now playing for his record 14th team after pitching for the Blue Jays last week following a trade from Oakland. He was a 6th round draft pick of the Dodgers back … Continue reading Edwin Jackson – Best Fourth Starter Ever? (Daryll)
Mike Fiers Throws No-Hitter Against Cincinnati Reds (Giuseppe)
Going into Tuesday night’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Oakland A’s, there had been exactly 299 no-hitters (including Postseason) thrown in Major League history. With Mike Fiers taking the mound for Oakland against Reds starter Tyler Mahle, few would expect … Continue reading Mike Fiers Throws No-Hitter Against Cincinnati Reds (Giuseppe)
CC Sabathia and Stephen Strasburg Reach Strikeout Milestones (Daryll)
Strikeouts are up again in baseball this season, and yet with more pitchers being strikeout pitchers we see less pitchers with lengthy careers. There are a few “old school” pitchers out there though like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Madison … Continue reading CC Sabathia and Stephen Strasburg Reach Strikeout Milestones (Daryll)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr to Debut Friday (Daryll)
The time has finally come for Vladimir Guerrero to join the Blue Jays and begin his Major League Baseball career. He will debut Friday according to the Blue Jays and reports. The skeptics will say he should have done this … Continue reading Vladimir Guerrero Jr to Debut Friday (Daryll)
A Double Play Gone Wrong – Then Right (Daryll)
In case you haven’t noticed, Ramon Laureano of the Oakland Athletics is quite the defensive center fielder. This catch last season is probably the one that really put him on the map: Since then Laureano has proved he is not … Continue reading A Double Play Gone Wrong – Then Right (Daryll)
Orioles Chris Davis Homers! (Daryll)
When Khris Davis appeared on the scene in 2013 with the Milwaukee Brewers, it was generally assumed that HE was the other Chris Davis. That season, the Orioles Chris Davis hit 53 home runs to go along with 138 RBI … Continue reading Orioles Chris Davis Homers! (Daryll)
Chris Davis Sets Record For Historic Ineptitude (Giuseppe)
The bats of the Baltimore Orioles were on fire against the Oakland A’s in Monday’s game in a 12-4 victory for Baltimore. Unfortunately for one particular Oriole, his bat would remain silent while his team raked off Oakland. That player … Continue reading Chris Davis Sets Record For Historic Ineptitude (Giuseppe)
4/7/2019 MLB Game of the Day: Oakland A’s vs. Houston Astros
The Oakland A’s lost a heartbreaker in extra innings on Sunday in the series finale against their American League West division rivals, the Houston Astros, in a back and forth rubber match that ended with the Astros completing a three-game sweep … Continue reading 4/7/2019 MLB Game of the Day: Oakland A’s vs. Houston Astros
4/6/2019 Game of the Day: Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Saturday’s Doubleday Double Talk Game of the Day took place in the desert between the 2018 World Series reigning Champion Boston Red Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The back and forth thriller needed extra innings before a winner could be decided … Continue reading 4/6/2019 Game of the Day: Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
4/5/19 MLB Game of the Day: Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers
For Doubleday Double Talk’s MLB Game of the Day for April 5th, we make the trip to Milwaukee where an exciting showdown between the Chicago Cubs and the Brewers featuring a slugfest between the two powerhouses. Jose Quintana took the … Continue reading 4/5/19 MLB Game of the Day: Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Jorge Polanco Hits for First Cycle of 2019 Season (Giuseppe)
Friday night’s game was not kind the Minnesota Twins as they fell 10-4 to the Philadelphia Phillies thanks to sloppy play, three errors, and 11 hits allowed. While it was not a banner night for the club, one particular Twin … Continue reading Jorge Polanco Hits for First Cycle of 2019 Season (Giuseppe)
Atlanta Braves Sign Ronald Acuna Jr to $100M Contract (Daryll)
The Atlanta Braves energized their fanbase when this week it was announced they had signed young superstar and reigning NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr to a 8 year, $100M deal after just one season in the Major … Continue reading Atlanta Braves Sign Ronald Acuna Jr to $100M Contract (Daryll)
