Did you see this?

It's a Sunday tradition, some of the most interesting things I saw over the last 7 days

May 07, 2023

My buddy Noah Berger has released his first “What a Relief” podcast of 2023 for Fish Stripes. Noah talked with new Marlins reliever Matt Barnes about making the move from Boston to Miami and more.

MLB Network’s Bill Ripken demystifies “The Sweeper.”

Trailblazers decades ago with their academy in the Dominican Republic, the Dodgers have quietly opened an academy in Uganda.

Pitching injuries were up in April, and some—including Max Scherzer—wonder if the pitch clock may be a factor.

The Double-A Portland SeaDogs feature the 2nd all-female broadcast team in professional baseball. A reminder that there are several talented women handling play-by-play across Minor League Baseball.

The United States Navy yesterday commissioned the USS Cooperstown, a Freedom-class littoral combat ship, named to honor the 70 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who served in the US Military. Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Johnny Bench were on hand for the ceremony, during which both Torre and Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark delivered remarks.

Hall of Famer Mike Piazza was a 62nd-round draft pick in 1988, the 1,390th player selected in that draft. Here’s remarkable video of Ted Williams, impressed, as he watches a 15-year-old Piazza take batting practice.

VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS BOOK CLUB

Kudos to YES Network’s Jack Curry, formerly of the New York Times, for his terrific book that was released last week. I finished the audio version of The 1998 Yankees, The Inside Story of the Greatest Team in Pinstripe History, in 3 days. Jack, who covered the ‘98 Yankees, relives the 125-win season with fresh insights from virtually every member of the ballclub, and shares one great story after another. From Brian Cashman’s ascension to general manager…to early-season concern about Joe Torre’s job security…to David Cone’s quest to keep David Wells productive and out of trouble…to Shane Spencer using a baseball card to board a flight upon his first big league call-up…to Orlando Hernandez helping hotel restaurant wait staff clear tables on the morning of his most important start of the year. There’s a treasure trove of fun and fascinating behind-the-scenes details.

Are the 1998 Yankees the greatest team in major league history? Jack looks at their place alongside the 1906 Cubs, the 1909 Pirates, the 1927 Yankees, the 1929 Philadelphia Athletics, the 1939 Yankees, the 1961 Yankees the 1975-76 Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds and others.

You don’t have to be a Yankees fan to enjoy this terrific book. And I say that as a former Red Sox and Padres employee who was on the wrong end of the 1998 World Series.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Here’s my most-read post of the week: The Thrill of the Chase. With Luis Arraez off to a torrid start for the Marlins, a look at the men who’ve made serious runs at .400 in the 82 seasons since Ted Williams last achieved the feat and what it might take for Arraez to carry his pursuit through the summer.