Did you see this?
A few of the best and most interesting things I saw over the past week
Hope all who celebrate enjoyed Bobby Bonilla Day yesterday. If you don’t know the story, you’ll definitely want to read this Bob Nightengale piece from USA Today.
While July began with a big check written to Bobby Bonilla, the month of June wasn’t exactly good to the Mets either.
The Baseball draft starts one week from tonight. Here’s everything you need to know about the draft from The Athletic.
And here’s Baseball America’s draft preview.
Ben Clemens of Fangraphs takes an interesting look at Sandy Alcantara’s 2023 struggles “at the margins.”
After pitching well in a 10-1 win over the Red Sox Tuesday at Fenway Park, Sandy looks for a 2nd consecutive victory as the Marlins aim to salvage the finale of their series in Atlanta this afternoon.
Is your favorite team in need of starting pitching help at the deadline? I’ll be writing about one team close to many of your hearts that ought to be on Tuesday. MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan suggests an intriguing trade target.
While this story isn’t baseball-specific, it’s one of which I would make a note. Fans following Wimbledon will be able to watch highlights produced with AI commentary on the Wimbledon web site and app.
It’s not as far-fetched as some might think to envision a time when AI technology is good enough that cost-conscious teams and executives who don’t understand and appreciate the value of what a good broadcaster provides (and there are a lot of them) could replace a human voice with AI.
Don’t laugh. Would you have expected that 3 years after the peak of Covid, you’d still have major TV networks broadcasting some sporting events remotely to save money?
If ESPN can fire the most-respected NBA analyst in the business to save money, do you think they care if a computer provides play-by-play for some number of games?
Baseball America came out with a mid-season update of its Top 100 MLB Prospects list. As was the case in the preseason, Eury Perez (#4) and Max Meyer (#69) are the only Marlins on the list.
ICYMI
On VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS this week…
Prior to the start of this weekend’s Marlins-Braves series, I wrote about the challenge that lies ahead in the 2nd half of the season and the opportunity this trip to Truist Park represents for Miami to turn the tables on their nemesis.
The weekend is not off to a good start.
Tuesday, I discussed what the return of Jazz Chisholm means to the Marlins.
Based on your comments, I wrote a 3-part series about what Marlins fans told me would entice them to attend more games.
In part 1, fans expressed their various issues with the location of loanDepot Park.
In part 2, fans expressed their desire for a team that, year-in and year-out, will be worthy of their support.
In part 3, we summarized various other concerns fans expressed.
WIN FREE STUFF
Thanks to all who have shared VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS content and have earned free subscriptions. Learn how you can earn free monthly subscriptions by referring friends to VFTB.
Geff - Once again, you were prescient in your questioning Jazz's ability to stay on the field. You asked if the team can afford to be so Jazz-centric. Apparently, Sunday's injury means another IL stint. Is it reasonable to "build a team around" a player with a fifty percent team game participation rate? His promising statistical return and enthusiasm injection notwithstanding, Jazz faces more weeks on the IL. I suppose it's Myers time now.