Did you see this?
Our weekly look at some of the best and most interesting things I've seen over the last 7 days
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RAPID RISERS
With Florida Atlantic product Nolan Schanuel, drafted 11th overall by the Angels last month, promoted to make his big league debut Friday—40 days after he was drafted and having played only 21 minor league games—Baseball America compiled a list of the fastest draftees to the major leagues.
The lists of the 25 fastest position players and the 25 fastest pitchers includes 4 Hall of Famers: Dave Winfield (14 days), Robin Yount (304 days), Paul Molitor (304 days) and Ozzie Smith (304 days).
THE MAN DOES IT ALL
I love watching good base running. It’s one of the least appreciated—and probably the least discussed—part of the sport. But make no mistake. Good base running wins games. When games are close, and playoff races are tight, base running matters.
Reading an outfielder and having the wherewithal to turn a routine single into a hustle double. Consistently being able to go first to 3rd. Knowing when to tag up from first or second. And being able to pick your spot to steal a key base.
You don’t need elite speed to do any of those things. But you do need good instincts developed over time, and you need to make being a good base runner a personal point of emphasis.
There are some players who deserve to be saluted for their consistent game-changing work on the base paths. That’s why I love this Fangraphs appreciation of Freddie Freeman’s work on the basepaths.
I wrote Friday about Freeman being part of what could be a historically tight 3-way MVP race in the NL this season. As good as his bat and glove have always been, and as durable as he’s proven to be over the years, Freeman’s work on the basepaths shouldn’t be overlooked when assessing his place among the best all-around players in the Game.
Have a question for my next “Hey, Geff!” Mailbag? Submit it to me directly on the VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS page on GlennGeffner.com.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: Jim Eisenreich
The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, wrote a great piece about 1997 Marlins World Series champion Jim Eisenreich. 25 years after retiring, he’s helping people who, like him, have had their lives impacted by Tourette Syndrome.
This may not be a baseball story, but it’s a story anyone who has ever attended a ballgame will appreciate.
It’s hard to beat Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s Fan-First Menu Pricing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. If you attend a Falcons game, an Atlanta FC match or any other event in the stadium you’ll be stunned by concessions prices.
When Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017, Blank slashed concessions prices 50 percent across the board. And he reported that fans spent 16 percent more on concessions in the first season in the new stadium.
What would a platter of chicken tenders with fries, a hot dog, an order of nachos, a slice of pizza, a soft pretzel, a popcorn and a soda—a refillable soda at that—cost at the ballpark, stadium or arena you visit most often?
ICYMI
This week on VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS…
Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson could give us a historic 3-man race for the NL Most Valuable Player Award.
Marlins infield prospect Ian Lewis had in improbable stat line Wednesday night for low-A Jupiter.
As great a story as the low-revenue Rays’ success has been, a series of significant injuries serves as a reminder of how little margin for error teams like Tampa Bay have in trying to keep pace with the big boys.
Major league notes: Can anyone beat the Braves?
October is going to look different this year, with 2 perennial playoff participants enduring disappointing seasons.
While you’re here…
Have a question for my next “Hey, Geff!” Mailbag? Submit it to me directly on the VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS page on GlennGeffner.com.
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