The hottest Baseball Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Dumbest Injury Ever

Personality Disorder • 79 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. A person's grip strength suddenly decreases, leading them to struggle with simple tasks like writing and eating. It turns out the issue stems from excessive squeezing of a paper towel while watching a game.
  2. Fan rituals can be quirky and are often believed to influence game outcomes, no matter how silly they may seem. The writer held onto a marinara-sauce-stained paper towel during games, believing it brought luck.
  3. Even minor, unusual injuries can be frustrating and impact daily life. The experience serves as a reminder that even fun rituals can lead to unexpected consequences.

The Hidden Insurance Rules Keeping MLB Stars Out Of The 2026 World Baseball Classic

Huddle Up • 197 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Many healthy big-name MLB players are being kept out of the World Baseball Classic because the tournament requires their contracts to be insured and the broker is denying coverage for those with prior injuries, recent surgeries, older age, or large contracts.
  2. Two costly injuries in the 2023 WBC forced the insurer to tighten underwriting rules, creating strict red flags (like no coverage for players 37+, recent 60-day IL stints, or offseason surgeries) and a binary approve/deny process based on risk tiers.
  3. There are workable fixes — a capped FIFA-style program, a self-insured MLB/MLBPA fund, or moving the tournament window — but they would shift financial risk onto MLB or the union, and owners are unlikely to accept that given the WBC’s relatively small revenue and the need to protect guaranteed contracts.

Change the Narrative

Personality Disorder • 79 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. People are using the word 'narrative' too much, instead of just saying 'story'. Using the simpler term makes communication clearer.
  2. When someone talks about a 'narrative', they often mean how people are talking about a situation rather than just stating facts. This can make the conversation less genuine.
  3. Focusing on the actual event or story, rather than the narrative around it, can help us see things more clearly and appreciate the real impact of what happens.

NBA or MLB: Which league is on top right now?

House of Strauss • 25 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. People are arguing that MLB might now be more popular than the NBA, a debate reignited by recent events.
  2. The World Baseball Classic boosted baseball’s visibility and exposed cultural differences in how players celebrate, prompting mixed reactions about the sport’s image.
  3. Baseball’s decline and recent momentum seem linked more to structural issues and the rise of big stars (like Aaron Judge) than to players’ personalities or a supposedly stodgy American baseball culture.

Is ESPN Actually Ditching MLB For The WNBA And NWSL?

Huddle Up • 143 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. ESPN is replacing its long-running Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts during the spring and summer with WNBA and NWSL games in that time slot.
  2. The network is launching “Women’s Sports Sundays,” which will pair primetime WNBA and NWSL matchups with several hours of dedicated studio programming.
  3. The move has sparked significant controversy and confusion, and there’s a lot of disinformation circulating about what the change actually entails.
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ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Shit

Personality Disorder • 118 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The quality of sports broadcasts, especially the Mets' broadcasts, can really enhance the viewing experience. Good announcers and production can make a big difference.
  2. ESPN isn't focused on the game itself but more on entertainment, often ignoring the intense moments fans care about. This can make watching their broadcasts frustrating for dedicated fans.
  3. In-game interviews and distracting graphics during critical moments take away from the excitement. Fans want to see the game, not be bombarded with ads or pointless interviews.

Taylor-Made

JoeBlogs • 5208 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. This content is behind a paywall.
  2. Subscribe to get a 7-day free trial and access the full archives.
  3. Existing paid subscribers can sign in to view the content.

The CASEY Award!

JoeBlogs • 2712 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The CASEY Award is a prestigious honor for baseball books, with a history dating back to 1983.
  2. MLB sponsorship for the CASEY Award could be beneficial in promoting baseball literature.
  3. The list of past CASEY Award winners showcases a diverse range of baseball books over the years.

Hall of Fame Breakdown: Pitchers

JoeBlogs • 2731 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The breakdown covers fully qualified Hall of Famers like Roger Clemens.
  2. Strong Hall of Fame candidates include CC Sabathia and Curt Schilling.
  3. There are fringe candidates and pitchers with admirable but not Hall of Fame careers.

Remember My Name! Fame!

JoeBlogs • 2437 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Fame in baseball is based on recognition by many people, without judgment on worthiness.
  2. Different levels of fame scale in baseball include being a big-league starter (3), an All-Star (5), or an MVP candidate (7-8).
  3. Becoming a 9 or 10 on the fame scale in baseball often involves achievements, unique skills, force of personality, or charisma.

Hall of Fame Breakdown: Third Base

JoeBlogs • 2889 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Four players have a reasonable shot at the Baseball Hall of Fame this year.
  2. Adrián Beltré is expected to get in with a high percentage.
  3. Todd Helton, Joe Mauer, and Billy Wagner are also strong contenders for the Hall of Fame.

Who Are the Most Famous Baseball Players of the Last 50 Years?

JoeBlogs • 2338 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The author reevaluated their initial list of the most famous baseball players from the last 50 years.
  2. They went through Sports Illustrated covers to assess player fame, excluding certain types of covers.
  3. The author acknowledged some bizarre and memorable baseball covers from Sports Illustrated over the years.

Hall of Fame Breakdown: Centerfield

JoeBlogs • 2437 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The post discusses Hall of Fame candidates for centerfield position in baseball.
  2. Candidates like Dale Murphy and Kenny Lofton are considered strong contenders.
  3. Other players like Jim Edmonds and Fred Lynn are seen as fringe candidates.

Hall of Fame Breakdown: Shortstop

JoeBlogs • 2456 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. No shortstops are fully qualified Hall of Famers based on the survey.
  2. Home Run Johnson and Maury Wills are fringe candidates for the Hall of Fame.
  3. Players like Nomar Garciaparra and Dave Concepción had admirable but not Hall of Fame careers.

Free Friday: Choose the Hall of Famer

JoeBlogs • 2044 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The game 'Choose the Hall of Famer' challenges perceptions about player value based on stats and accomplishments.
  2. Comparison between players like Jim Plunkett and Joe Namath shows that stats alone may not dictate Hall of Fame worthiness.
  3. Analyzing players like Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds reveals how defensive contributions can impact Hall of Fame considerations.

Free Friday: Filling the Void

JoeBlogs • 2299 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Nick Saban and Bill Belichick are two legendary football coaches facing retirement and the question of finding happiness in the future.
  2. Coaching greats like Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno faced the difficulty of retiring from their passion.
  3. The writer discusses the disappearance of old writings and the upcoming decision about staying on Substack.

Free Friday: Let's Talk Hall of Fame Catchers!

JoeBlogs • 2142 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, and Yadier Molina are likely to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, marking a golden age for catchers.
  2. Thurman Munson is a strong Hall of Fame candidate, but doesn't quite match up to some of the other legendary catchers in history.
  3. Different eras in baseball history have seen peaks in catcher talent, with gaps in the 1950s and 1980s for Hall of Fame catchers.

Hall of Fame Breakdown: Corner Outfield

JoeBlogs • 2142 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Mike and Joe are raising money for ALS by opening sports card packs.
  2. Current charity supported is Boog Sciambi's Project Main Street focusing on ALS patients.
  3. Analysis of Hall of Fame corner outfielders and their chances for induction.

My Hall of Fame Predictions

JoeBlogs • 2024 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The author predicts Adrián Beltré will be elected into the Hall of Fame with a high percentage.
  2. The author introduces the concept of 'Hock Score' to measure a player's popularity at the Hall of Fame.
  3. The author plans to engage readers with a discussion thread and video related to the Hall of Fame ballot.

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

JoeBlogs • 3695 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The article discusses changes in baseball this year and their impact.
  2. The writer has a story about baseball changes in _Esquire_.
  3. Readers can sign up for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.

The Case for Joey Votto

JoeBlogs • 3459 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Fame and recognition can impact a player's Hall of Fame induction.
  2. A player's value on the field might not always reflect their chances of being in the Hall of Fame.
  3. Joey Votto's case sheds light on how Hall of Fame decisions are influenced.

A Perfect Ending

JoeBlogs • 3419 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The author writes the ending of their essays first and then works backward to build up to it
  2. Great endings should make the reader feel the emotions and journey that led to that point
  3. The World Baseball Classic had an unforgettable ending that was emotionally overwhelming

Baseball and Time

JoeBlogs • 3380 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The post discusses the unique aspect of baseball being a sport without a clock or time.
  2. A reader questions the essence of baseball as a sport existing outside of time.
  3. The post also mentions a comment from a reader referring to the notion that baseball is timeless.

Looking Back, Track by Track

JoeBlogs • 3341 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎶 Music Baseball
  1. The author is reminiscing on the songs and athletes that were popular in their life, starting from 1973.
  2. The post offers a 30-day free trial for paid subscriptions to JoeBlogs.
  3. The author shares personal anecdotes related to specific songs and athletes from different years.

Free Friday: The Fame Game

JoeBlogs • 1552 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Play a fun and addictive game to vote on the most famous baseball people of the last 50 years.
  2. Join author Joe Posnanski on his upcoming tour dates at various locations for baseball events.
  3. Appreciate the unique brilliance of Mahomes as a quarterback and avoid getting caught up in comparisons.

Free Friday: Fired Up

JoeBlogs • 1690 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Excitement for upcoming baseball Hall of Fame inductions and championship games.
  2. Overview of historical baseball figures and their challenges with Hall of Fame elections.
  3. Discussion on current baseball free agents and potential competitive team lineup.

RIP Ryno

Points And Figures • 826 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. Ryne Sandberg was a beloved baseball player known for his smooth style and talent as a second baseman. Many fans remember him fondly.
  2. He had a significant impact on Cubs baseball, especially in the 1980s, and his Hall of Fame speech is still praised today.
  3. His passing at 65 due to cancer serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones.