The hottest Baseball Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Why ESPN ended its 35-year relationship with Major League Baseball

Huddle Up • 46 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Baseball Media Broadcasting Contracts History
  1. ESPN ended its long 35-year partnership with Major League Baseball. This change will affect how baseball is broadcasted on national TV.
  2. Both ESPN and MLB decided to part ways after a significant relationship that spanned multiple generations of fans.
  3. ESPN will continue to air MLB games for the remainder of the current season before officially ending their agreement.

The Dumbest Injury Ever

Personality Disorder • 79 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Injuries Baseball Fan culture Personal Stories
  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.

Change the Narrative

Personality Disorder • 79 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Media Analysis Commentary Narrative
  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.

ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Shit

Personality Disorder • 118 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Broadcasting Baseball Media Criticism Fan Experience Sports culture
  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.

Who I’d pick for the Baseball Hall of Fame

Silver Bulletin • 186 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Baseball Hall of Fame Athletes Performance Culture
  1. Ichiro Suzuki is a top pick for the Baseball Hall of Fame and may get in unanimously. His hit record is impressive and he's respected for his contributions.
  2. Recent Hall of Fame ballots include many international players, which shows baseball's growing diversity. This means that performance from players around the world is important.
  3. When considering Hall of Fame candidates, both statistics and a player's character matter. Some great players, despite their achievements, face scrutiny over their behavior or past controversies.
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The Hall of Fame is about more than WAR

Silver Bulletin • 232 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Baseball Analytics Hall of Fame Player evaluation Statistics
  1. The Hall of Fame should consider many factors, not just one statistic like Wins Above Replacement (WAR). This means looking at achievements, player talent, and character too.
  2. Players might have high WAR scores but lack the greatness often associated with Hall of Fame status. For example, a consistent but average player shouldn't necessarily be in the Hall over a standout who had fewer career years.
  3. Voters for the Hall of Fame are required to consider a player's overall impact, including postseason performances and fan appeal. This makes it a more complex decision than just focusing on statistics.

The CASEY Award!

JoeBlogs • 2712 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Books Awards History Biographies
  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.

Remember My Name! Fame!

JoeBlogs • 2437 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Fame Players History
  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.

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: Shortstop

JoeBlogs • 2456 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Hall of Fame
  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 Football Baseball Basketball Hall of Fame Statistics
  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 Football Baseball Athletes Coaching Writing
  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 Hall of Fame Players History
  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.

My Hall of Fame Predictions

JoeBlogs • 2024 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Hall of Fame Predictions
  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.

Playoff Baseball is the Best Baseball

Points And Figures • 719 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Playoffs Athletics Culture Strategy
  1. Playoff baseball is exciting because of the high stakes. The games feel different and more intense than regular season games.
  2. Anyone can play baseball, no matter their size or background. It’s a sport that allows for dreams and opportunities.
  3. Baseball is deeply rooted in American culture, offering strategy and unpredictability without time limits, making it unique.

The Case for Joey Votto

JoeBlogs • 3459 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎾 Sports Baseball Athletes Hall of Fame
  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 Writing Emotions Journey
  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 Time
  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 Pop culture Baseball Athlete
  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.

The Explicit Baseball Card Edition

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Collectibles History Entertainment
  1. Billy Ripken's baseball card from 1989 is famous for its hilarious and playful mistake. It features something unexpected that caught fans' attention.
  2. Baseball cards were a big deal for many kids, with the thrill of finding rare ones like the Michael Jordan card.
  3. Different brands of baseball cards had their own unique styles, with Fleer being seen as less premium compared to brands like Upper Deck.