Author: Tom Lynch

Family is everything to me. Baseball is a close second. What better way to combine my two favorite passions than to write about them! My three children each have a different baseball team, hence the title, "Three Unassisted". I write about not only my thoughts but also the musings of Ryan (Yankees), Caitlyn (Phillies) and Matthew (Mets). I may have grown up a Yankees fan but since family is greater than ball, I also root for the Phillies and Mets. I love talking about my kids. I love talking about baseball. That lethal combination will keep you coming back for more. Happy reading!

First Series Recap: A Mixed Bag

The Major League Baseball season just started. Yet, much like returning to school after Summer vacation, it doesn’t take long to feel as though baseball never left. If you scour over the landscape this weekend, teams of most fans feel as though the 2024 season is still continuing. The Dodgers are winning, the Pirates can’t get out of their own way and the Guardians continue to prosper despite offseason maneuverings. For those of us who are Yankees, Mets and Phillies fans, the same highs and lows that have been a part of this household for years were on full display over these past four days.

Bryson Stott and the Phillies had a good start to the season. Credit: Fox 29 Philadelphia

New York Mets

One can say that last season’s NLCS appearance should absolve the Mets from early criticism. However Matthew and I seem to have the same conversation every year. They pitch really well but they can’t hit when it matters, and sometimes like Saturday night, not at all. It won’t be an 0-6 start but suddenly the Mets are about to run into a hot team in the Miami Marlins. There is no panic in the house right now although Beatrice seems to think that Juan Soto should get a hit every time he comes to the plate based on what he is being paid. Matthew is more reserved but is still frustrated about scoring six runs in three games. He didn’t even bother watching the ninth inning of the series finale.

New York Yankees

Ryan doesn’t have Gleyber Torres to kick around anymore but five errors in one game? That is about the only negative to the hot start by the reigning, defending American League champions. After demolishing Brewers’ pitching with 15 home runs, the Yanks’ choice of bats is catching some attention. The pitching wasn’t the best but it didn’t have to be. Ryan and I are both confident that it will come around once the weather starts getting better. The two of us believe that the offense will continue to crank out a bucket full of runs even without Giancarlo Stanton. When Ryan returns home in less than three weeks, anything less than a first place standing will be a major disappointment.

Philadelphia Phillies

“We should have swept them”. That was Caitlyn’s remark after the Phils dropped the series finale 5-1 to the Washington Nationals. Still, she’s happy they won two of their first three games on the road. It’s always a roller coaster of emotions watching games with her. One minute she is proud of them, the next minute, well they stink. On balance, this is a much better start than the last two seasons when they were swept in Texas in 2023 and dropped two out of three to the Braves to begin 2024. Much less angst to begin this year and I even detected a smile or two.

New York Mets on Apple TV: Killing Our Friday Night

Ryan came home for a quick weekend visit this weekend. In fact, he is laying on the couch as I write this. When we found out he would be coming home for his cousin’s Confirmation on Saturday, we knew it was on the second day of the baseball season. Perfect timing. Upon looking at the schedule, we saw the Yankees and Phillies would be off so the Mets would have our undivided attention, playing in Houston at 8:10 PM. However, there was just one small problem with this perfect scenario.

No Mark Vientos and the Mets for us on Friday night. Credit: Forbes

The Mets and Astros are playing on Apple TV.

We don’t have Apple TV.

Look, I know this is now the fourth season of games streaming exclusively on Apple TV. The complaints about games being blacked out in local markets are long gone by now. That doesn’t mean we still can’t be annoyed by this ridiculous setup. The NFL Thursday night package on Amazon allows the local TV markets to view their contests. The Jets and Giants are one of the major networks on Thursday nights when they play. Actually, the NFL is the one league in which consumers would buy a streaming service just so they could favorite team play. The other sports, including baseball don’t have that luxury, a result of having so many games. The only reason I can come up with as to why we don’t receive our local teams on Apple TV nights is that Apple pays MLB more not to broadcast in local markets. Brilliant strategy for alienating your fans.

The next time you hear an MLB official say how important the fans are, refer to this post. If MLB was really looking out for fans, this Apple deal would never have gone through as presently constructed. Baseball needs more fans; this is not how you gain them. Take less money, give us the Apple games in our markets and don’t ruin a Lynch Friday night again.

MLB Opening Day: Family Gears Up

March 27 is as close to Christmas as you can get. I have a hard time calling it Opening Day since two games have been played already. Be that as it may, our family has been waiting for this day since the last out of the 2024 World Series. Spring Training is done. Free agents have been signed. Trades have been completed. Dreams have been delayed as players get sent down to the Minors. And yes, the weather is getting better.

Let’s celebrate the return of baseball. Credit: USA Today

Welcome back, baseball!

Our group chats are about to become more lively. In six weeks, when Ryan comes home from school, the conversations go from digital to to personal.

It will be mornings watching Quick Pitch.

Evenings will be spent switching the TV from game to game.

My dad putting “the horns” on the Yankees, Mets and Phillies.

There will be the occasional commute home listening to a random A’s-Angels game.

Which baseball book will I read next?

Ryan will complain about Aaron Boone.

Caitlyn will say one Phillies’ loss will lead to a ten game losing streak; then a Phillies’ win will turn into a World Series parade.

Matthew, by game three, will be on the lookout for a trade that will help the Mets.

I look forward to everyone under one roof (or a road trip) talking baseball.

This really is like Christmas.

Can’t wait.

Can I Win Fantasy Baseball Please?

For a period of about twelve years, I did not play fantasy baseball. Once the breakup of our longtime league took place, I disassociated myself from the activity, thinking that just watching the game was plenty for me (it still is). Then in 2019, my buddy Steve told me about a league that was short a player. After going through the coaching wars with Steve, I decided to give it a shot. I have learned to not get too emotionally involved with winning and losing and, unlike football, I am able to watch baseball without having to worry about how my players are doing. I’ve had some degree of success with semi final appearances in two seasons. However, I would be lying if I said I am good with finishing consistently out of the money.

Kyle Tucker, my #1 pick. Credit: Chicago Sun Times

Here is hoping that 2025 is the year my luck changes.

I do have Caitlyn and Matthew involved a little but with my drafts. Matthew has his own league; they drafted in January and make all kinds of moves prior to the season starting. He is a little more objective and is a little better with helping me select the right man. All Caitlyn wants to do is have me draft Phillies’ players. I do try to grab at least one guy from the Yankees, Mets and Phillies, depending on where I am in the draft. I don’t have a particular strategy but I do try to pick quickly instead of taking the entire 90 seconds. I have three guys in mind when it’s getting closer to my turn. The only danger is that if all three are taken, I tend to scramble for a pick. It is very rare that I walk away from a draft thinking that my team is not any good.

I am 100% confident I can win this year. I had the 10th pick in a 12 team league. See below for my team, XWOBA, Sr. My first pick was Kyle Tucker. True to my word, I drafted one, even two, from each team: Austin Wells, Mark Vientos, David Peterson, Orion Kerkering and Cristopher Sanchez. I will keep you posted throughout the year.

Each Team’s Step Up Player

Today is one of the those days where I have decided to turn control over to the three Lynch kids. I have each of them to identify the player from their team who is about to take a big leap forward or play a bigger role. When I first posed the question, I am not quite sure if they understood what I was looking for. Caitlyn said Aaron Nola was her guy and then I had to remind her that he was an established Major Leaguer coming off a solid season. After clarifying my request, their minds went to work. What follows is the finished product in their own words (with a little commentary from me).

Perhaps Brett Baty can stick around for all of 2025. Credit: New York Post

New York Mets: Brett Baty

After a great start to 2024, Baty was sent down to Triple A at the end of May. With Mark Vientos firmly entrenched at third base, Baty seemed to a be man without a position. Matthew’s reasoning for Baty to play a big role for the Mets in 2025 is based on his Spring Training numbers. He has three home runs and ten extra base hits in 18 games. Jeff McNeil‘s injury has opened the door to a roster spot where he is getting a long look at second base. Perhaps the role as a swing infielder in the Jose Iglesias mold is where Baty will help the Mets the most in 2025.

Philadelphia Phillies: Orion Kerkering

The 23 year old right hander became an important piece of the Phillies’ bullpen during their 2023 playoff run. Kerkering had a tremendous first full season in 2024 with a 2.32 ERA in 63 games. He will be asked to expand his role this season with All Star Jeff Hoffman now in Toronto. Hopefully, Kerkering can channel the advice from his former teammate which you can read about here. Not only is Hoffman gone but Matt Strahm may not open the season in Philadelphia as he is dealing with a shoulder impingement. Even more pressure is on him because if he fails, Caitlyn will be requesting to meet him in the parking lot.

New York Yankees: Anthony Volpe

The Yanks’ shortstop had an uneven second campaign as his homer output was sliced nearly in half but he raised his batting average 34 points. Volpe’s grand slam in the World Series has fans hopeful that his bat can be much more viable in his third season. His club will need him to improve the anemic less than .300 on base percentage dramatically with the loss of Juan Soto and the potential long term unavailability of Giancarlo Stanton. His defense regressed in 2024 but Ryan looks forward to a Gold Glove caliber season in 2025. If New York wants to win back-to-back pennants, Volpe will have to become a next level player.

Garrett Stubbs Sent to the Minors, Sadness in the House

It wasn’t the best of Thursday evenings for us. It has nothing to do with mine and Matthew’s brackets being busted by dinner time. A bit of bad news in baseball cast a pall prior to St. John’s beginning their NCAA Tournament run. A week before the rest of MLB teams play their first games came the words no player wants to hear.

Unfortunately, Garrett Stubbs was sent to Triple A. Credit: 97.3 ESPN

The Philadelphia Phillies sent Garrett Stubbs to Triple A Leigh Valley.

Caitlyn is devastated.

After all, she would tell anyone who would listen (whether they wanted to hear her opinion or not) that Garrett Stubbs was the best backup catcher in baseball. On the field, he performed well on the rare days J.T. Realmuto would need a day off or play as a designated hitter. Off the field, he was one of the most popular players on the team. He was the guy that created the “Phils Win” playlist during the Phillies’ 2022 pennant winning season. Callum Scott’s, “Dancing on My Own” is now on Caitlyn’s playlist and frankly, the song is pretty darn good. He would wear red pinstripe overalls and a case of beer on his head whenever the Phillies would have a champagne celebration.

Stubbs was sent down because he still had one Minor League option remaining. Rafael Marchan, who has been in the Phillies’ organization since age 16, is now Realmuto’s backup. He was out of Minor League options and played well enough during Spring Training to stick with the team. For Caitlyn’s sake, let’s hope we see Garrett Stubbs in a Phillies’ uniform again this season.

The Glazing of Shohei Ohtani Needs to Stop

I like Shohei Ohtani.

Really, I do.

Assuming he pitches to a high level again, we will never see a another player quite like him. The combination of power at the plate, speed on the basepaths and filth on the mound won’t ever be duplicated. We should celebrate him and his role as Major League Baseball’s poster boy is the right marketing call. There is just one issue that continues to gnaw at me (and lots of other fans, including my kids) and it was triggered by an alert I received on my MLB app earlier today.

Shohei is wonderful but there are 51 other guys in a baseball game. Credit: Yahoo Sports

The excess glazing of Shohei Ohtani needs to stop.

The alert I mentioned above read, “Shohei Ohtani ignites Dodgers en route to win over Cubs”. If you watched the game like I did (or at least the action where the Dodgers scored three of their four runs), you know that Ohtani did nothing special other than get his team’s first hit. Equally as important were the following:

Andy Pages‘s walk.

Ohtani’s hustle to score the go ahead run.

Tommy Edman‘s single and slide to break up a double play.

Teoscar Hernandez‘s hustle down to first and then taking second on a throwing error.

Will Smith‘s single.

In other words, it was a total team effort, not the work of one player.

Equally infuriating were the Fox cameras showing Ohtani in the dugout seemingly every third pitch. NFL fans voiced their displeasure for cameras finding Taylor Swift. That was maybe one, two times per quarter. Taylor Swift is invisible compared to Shohei Ohtani.

Of course, nothing beats MLB Network’s Top 100 Players and the logic of selecting Ohtani over Aaron Judge. Bobby Witt Jr. was #3 and Juan Soto was #4. The reason for that order was because Witt was a more complete player than Soto who is much more one dimensional. For making Ohtani #1 and Judge #2, Greg Amsinger used the exact opposite logic in declaring Ohtani the best player in the game as a designated hitter. To boot, he implied you were a moron to think otherwise. No Greg, being a DH with lesser offensive numbers than a guy who played center field does not make for a better player. Judge outperformed Ohtani in in home runs, RBI’s, batting average, on base percentage and slugging. Sorry, but Ohtani is not the better player until he takes the mound again.

I’d like to give the correct Lynch kid credit but I do believe it was Ryan who said baseball didn’t care about stolen bases until Ohtani started going for 50-50 in 2024. I disagree. They made the bases slightly larger to increase the prevalence of the stolen base.. However, if younger fans are noticing how much MLB is forcing Shohei Ohtani down our collective throats, how long before they quit watching Dodgers’ games? Have him pitch Jack in the Box burgers. Give him New Balance cleats to hawk. Make Decoy a pet food spokesdog. Just stop insulting us by making him a singular focus during our viewing of baseball games.

MLB Schedule Is March Madness

Hand wringing. Sleep walking in the morning. Attention diverted from work. If you think I am talking about the NCAA Tournament, you are correct. All of the above conditions are the feelings felt by sports fans and the rest of the population that believes they will win their office pools. It truly is March Madness. There is another period of time during this month that can also be described as March Madness. However, unlike the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat that comes with the Tournament, this time of March is just………maddening.

Opening Day in Japan is March Madness at its worst. Credit Yahoo Sports

I am referring to the beginning of Major League Baseball’s regular season.

For the second straight year, there is no real Opening Day. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs open the season in Japan on Tuesday, a full nine days before the rest of the league begins playing games that count. Madness. Two teams play regular season games and then don’t participate in another meaningful contest for close to a week and a half. Madness. The first important games of 2025 and they begin at 5:10 AM CST and 3:10 AM PST for the two fanbases they affect. Madness. As you can tell, I am not a fan of this first series being played an ocean away. I’ve long given up on the idea that MLB would restore Cincinnati as the rightful place to play the first game of every regular season. To begin a season where 95% of fans who love a sport (like my family and me) will watch no more than two innings of a game in a country that needs no introduction to baseball is sheer madness.

To be sure, we will be watching Cubs-Dodgers on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading off to school and work. Some baseball is better than no baseball. I get that Major League Baseball is trying to spread its product worldwide. But to do so at the expense of the cherished traditions of Opening Day is………..complete madness.

Bryce Harper Switching Positions? Big Deal!

There have been two recent stories regarding Bryce Harper offering to move away from first base in order to help out the Philadelphia Phillies. The first was was when he admitted to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (via SI.com here) that he would have gone back to the outfield had the Phillies signed Pete Alonso. The second was along the same lines per Todd Zolecki of mlb.com, in that should Philadelphia make a move for a first baseman, Harper would be willing to switch positions because of his desire to win a World Series. While it is noble for a player of Bryce Harper’s caliber to be willing to move from his preferred spot, it’s not exactly an unheard concept for a star to move somewhere else.

Bryce Harper switching positions would not be a big deal for him. Credit: Philadelphia Inquirer

In other words, this is not exactly a big deal.

In fact, there are a host of superstars over the last 20 years that have made accommodations for the betterment of the team. That’s what winning players do. Aaron Judge moved to center field in 2024 to make room for Juan Soto. Mookie Betts has changed positions multiple times since coming to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alex Rodriguez was the best player in the game as a shortstop but moved to third base when the New York Yankees acquired him. Craig Biggio was a catcher, a second baseman and an outfielder during the course of his Hall of Fame career. If you want to go back even further, Robin Yount was an MVP at shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers. A shoulder injury would necessitate a move to center field but he was Robin Yount, if he wanted to, he could have stayed put. All he did was win another MVP award as an outfielder.

Bryce Harper willing to move positions to help his team should not come as a shock to anyone. A World Series championship is the only thing missing on his Hall of Fame resume. You can bet he would do anything in his power to win not one World Series, but multiple ones. I am sure if the Player’s Association allowed it Harper would take a pay cut to help the team sign an important free agent. That’s why a story about him changing positions is not a big story at all.

Gerrit Cole, Starting Pitchers and the Hall of Fame

I was enjoying the silence of my drive home from work Monday afternoon. I have given up “Evan and Tikki” for Lent so either I’ll surf for something else on the radio or take in the quiet. Most times, I appreciate the lack of noise and with the weather turning warmer, the window will go down so I can listen to the sounds of birds chirping in slowing traffic. I was about 85% of the way home when I got the alert that all fans of the New York Yankees were dreading: Gerrit Cole will be having Tommy John surgery. Based on reports from Sunday, this was not exactly a surprise. The silence of the remaining drive allowed my mind to ponder an interesting question.

We won’t be seeing Gerrit Cole pitch in 2025. Credit: Northjersey.com

How many of today’s starting pitchers will make the Hall of Fame?

I thought about this because, let’s face it, the best of Gerrit Cole is over. By the time he returns to a Major League mound, he will be 36 years old. It is safe to say that he will not repeat his Cy Young season of 2023. He may not pitch more than 120 innings in a season for the rest of his career. Cole will go down as one of the best pitchers of this era with six top five Cy Young finishes, a two time ERA champion and the leader in strikeouts in two other seasons. His career ERA is 3.18 in an age where an ERA of 3.75 to 4.00 is considered fairly good. If this was 20 years ago, I would say Gerrit Cole would not be going to the Hall of Fame.

Now? He will be elected to Cooperstown. How many others that are pitching this decade will join him? Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer are locks. I can see Jacob deGrom getting in. After that? Your guess is at good as mine. This does not diminish the quality of starting pitching. It’s just the way they are used is not conducive to everlasting greatness. I’m sorry, the Hall of Fame cannot reward a starting pitcher whose career innings pitched per start is less than six, no matter how dominant he is. I honestly believe that once the group of starting pitchers I mentioned above are elected to the Hall, it might be a long time before we see another one enshrined.

I thought of two guys that might have a chance should they continue on their current trajectory: Framber Valdez and Spencer Strider. Valdez has been one of the American League’s best pitchers over the last five years with three top ten Cy Young finishes and a World Series Championship. Strider, despite coming off TJ surgery, is still only 25 and has the makeup and dominance to be a true ace.

How about you? Who do you think has a chance to a great starting pitcher, so great that he might get a plaque in the Hall of Fame?