Category: Players

Pete Alonso and the Home Run Record: Bad Timing

Records are made to be broken. It’s a tired and worn cliche that happens to be very true. When a record is broken, there should be ample time to celebrate it. If you tie or break an organization’s career home run record, there should be a period of time to reflect on the achievement of greatness. On Saturday, Pete Alonso tied Darryl Strawberry atop the career home run leaderboard for the New York Mets. It came during the team’s 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the middle game of a series in which the Mets were swept. New York has now lost seven consecutive games and have dropped 11 of their last 12 contests.

Pete Alonso’s next home run better come during a Mets’ victory. Credit: Sports Illustrated

Tying a record that is 35 years old is special. The timing of it is not.

I mean how happy are you as a Mets fan? During this stretch, do you care about the home run record? I think maybe today’s day off allowed fans to focus on Alonso’s special moment………for about five minutes. Then, it will be back to the floundering of the starting rotation and the ineptness of the offense. Sure, it would be nice for Alonso to grab sole possession of first place sometime during these next six home games. However, I would venture to say winning five of six games outranks the home run record right now by a mile. This week, the Mets are playing the Atlanta Braves. How meaningless would an Alonso home run be Tuesday night if the team loses yet again? Who cares about the record when the pitiful Braves continue to dominate the Amazins in 2025? I get it, if you have a ticket to the game, being in attendance and witnessing club history would be cool. But then, if you leave the stadium after another loss, anger returns, a painful reminder that the season might be slipping away.

My ideal scenario would be the following: The Mets get down early, say 2-0. Alonso comes up with two runners on in the bottom of the eighth inning. He puts one over the left field wall. The apple rises. Flashbulbs light up Citi Field. The stadium acknowledges the moment. Alonso gets a curtain call. And finally, most importantly, Edwin Diaz slams the door for a 3-2 victory.

I Have Never Seen a Play Like Cody Bellinger’s Catch and Throw

The New York Yankees salvaged the finale of their Subway Series on Sunday, defeating the New York Mets by a score of 6-4. The Yanks jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Mets started to fight their way back. The most important play occurred in the bottom of the 7th inning and the Mets threatening. With Francisco Lindor on first base, Juan Soto hit a sinking shot to left field toward Cody Bellinger. What followed was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen on a baseball diamond.

Cody Bellinger’s great double play helped out the Yanks. Credit: Yahoo Sports

Bellinger managed to catch the ball on his shoetips. As if this catch wasn’t amazing enough, Bellinger managed to keep his feet and uncork a strike to double Lindor off first. It was the play of the game. Any momentum the Mets had was snuffed out by Bellinger and allowed the Yankees to win their first game in the month of July.

As for the play itself, I have never witnessed anything like that. It should easily land as the Play of the Week when the next edition is shown on MLB Network. In fact, it should be the Play of the Year. This is not to disparage any of the other gems we have seen so far this year such as Denzel Clarke scaling the wall. We have seen the home run robbery, the backhand in the hole and the crashing into the stands. Many times. However, have we ever seen a left fielder charge a ball, catch it literally an inch from the ground, compose himself and then fire a bullet to first to complete a double play? I mean, have you ever seen a 7-3 double play? And if you have, was it as spectacularly executed as it was by Cody Bellinger? I would say the answer to that is a hard no.

If you haven’t seen the catch and throw, please click on the video below. See for yourself. I’ll bet you have never seen a play like this in your life. It is worthy of being the 2025 MLB Play of the Year, in this humble fan’s opinion.

Dave Parker Helped My Love of Baseball

The world knows by now that Hall of Famer Dave Parker has died at age 74 from Parkinson’s disease. If you watched the excellent 2019 documentary by MLB Network, “The Cobra at Twilight”, you know that he had been battling the disease for a long time. While it is tremendous that Parker was able to field the call that granted him induction into Cooperstown, it is tragic that he will not be there in person next month for enshrinement. I can honestly say that although most of his best seasons came before I turned 10, he was an influential player that grew my love for the game of baseball.

Hall of Famer Dave Parker. Credit: USA Today

You see, my earliest baseball memory was that of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Championship team. Dave Parker (or Willie Stargell, take your pick)was the best player on that team. I love the song, “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge, which was the Pirates’ theme song for that season. To this day, whenever I hear that song, all I can think of his PArker, STargell and one heck of a baseball team. In the summer of 1980, I attended the Paul Blair Baseball Camp and I remember watching the video of that World Series. Parker was the guy with the big arm in right field and who was an intimidating player to face when he was at the plate. Growing up, it just FELT like he was the best right fielder in the game, and not only that, the best player in all of baseball. He did everything well, hit, hit for power, play Gold Glove defense and steal bases. I know there was a little bit of a gap in production those final years in Pittsburgh. However, when he joined the Cincinnati Reds, he looked like the old Cobra, finishing second in the MVP voting in 1985 and then fifth in 1986. Parker won a second World Series championship as a member of the Oakland A’s. He was a big time player throughout my childhood and into high school. I always supported his candidacy for the Hall of Fame.

So why did it take over 30 years after his retirement for Dave Parker to get into the Hall of Fame? I think the first reason was his admission of both his use of cocaine and his introducing of a drug dealer in the Pirates’ clubhouse. This shocking testimony came during the infamous Pittsburgh Drug Trials of 1985, a scandal that rocked baseball as much as the steroid testimony did two decades later. The second was his overall numbers. He did not reach any of the milestone numbers needed for a 19 year playing career. Although he was unquestionably one of the five best players of his era, his “dominance” was not for a long enough period of time for the voters. I think Parker would have been inducted sooner had he decided to stop playing after winning his second championship ring. Short periods of dominance has to count for something; so does championships with two different teams. Parker’s induction may pave the way for another favorite of mine rowing up, Dale Murphy.

I am happy Dave Parker left this Earth knowing he made the Hall of Fame. It’s a shame he will not get his plaque in person. I will always remember him as an important of my baseball upbringing. Rest in peace, Cobra.

Case Closed: Aaron Judge is the Best

One day last week, I was in the routine of most of my workdays. I left the office around 5:30 and turned to “Evan and Tikki” on WFAN as the soundtrack for my commute home. The guys (Evan Roberts, Tikki Barber, Shaun Morash and Tommy Lugauer) were debating who was the better player, Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani. Lugauer was firmly in Camp Ohtani while the other three gentlemen sided with Judge. At this point, until Ohtani pitches, it’s not even a question of who is better. There is no debate. Anyone can see who is the best player in Major League Baseball.

No debate needed. Aaron Judge is simply the best. Credit: Sports Illustrated

It’s Aaron Judge and it’s not even close.

One thing I hate about these debates is that it is so easy to put down the player you oppose almost as much, if not more than praising the player you favor. In no way should Ohtani be slighted. Judge is simply having one of the most historical seasons in over 130 years of Major League Baseball. We are nearly 42% of the way through the season and Judge still has .400 in his sights, batting .392. If you look on his baseball reference page, most offensive statistics are in bold, an indication that he ranks first in all of these categories. He is on pace to set career highs in nearly every offensive category. Heck, with six stolen bases, he has an outside shot of eclipsing 20 steals for the first time in his career. All of this on top resuming his Gold Glove caliber defense in right field. Some may hit more home runs (hello Cal Raleigh) or could eventually surpass him in batting average (Jacob Wilson, anyone?) but there is not a player alive who will come close to matching Judge’s all around greatness in 2025.

All that could change depending on how often Shohei Ohtani pitches this season and if he can dominate like he did in 2022. If he can sniff those numbers from 2022 or even 2023, then the “no debate” argument will swing the other way. Until that happens, the case is closed: Aaron Judge is the best that Major League Baseball has to offer.

David Peterson Was My Last (Best) Pick

I am currently in third place in my 12 team fantasy baseball league. I will admit I have been pretty fortunate on a week in and week out basis. I only have the sixth highest point total in the league. Part of that can be blamed on Rafael Devers‘s horrific March and early April. I am strong on bats and subpar in the bullpen. The rotation has been improving as of late but by no means would be considered stellar. There has been one guy on my staff who I feel could evolve into my “ace”. He is also considered the Brock Purdy of my team.

David Peterson is one of my best pitchers. Credit: Newsday

David Peterson is blossoming into one of the league’ best pitchers…..and he was my last pick.

Tonight, he threw his first career complete game against the Washington Nationals. Incidentally, the one New York Mets’ game we went to last season also saw Peterson shut out the Nats over seven innings. Peterson is now 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA over 12 starts. He a posted a 2.90 ERA in 21 starts last season, indicating the 29-year old lefty could possible be heading for the best season of his six year career. My other starting pitchers (for now) are Luis Severino, Cristopher Sanchez, Matthew Boyd, Bailey Ober, Zac Gallen and Tanner Bibee. It’s not a stretch to say that Peterson will be my best pitcher by the end of the 2025 season.

If I am going to win my first championship in this league, my starting pitchers have to step up. There will be roster tinkering as no good can come from standing pat. One thing is for certain. Barring injury, David Peterson will be in my rotation for the remainder of the season.

I Was Wrong About Carlos Rodon

It’s hard to admit publicly when you are wrong abut a take. It happens all the time in the world of sports, both by fans and members of the media. However, it is kind of a good thing to be wrong about something that turns out to be positive. I’d rather be wrong about underestimating the impact of a bullpen arm than be wrong about overestimating a bat in the middle of the lineup. As it relates to this post, I am happy to say my opinion about a free agent pitcher the New York Yankees signed has turned out to be extremely foolish.

Carlos Rodon has been a great free agent acquisition, proving me wrong. Credit: Sports Illustrated

I was wrong about Carlos Rodon.

This blog started in March 2024 so technically my incorrect take on Rodon was not public. I did tell all of my fellow Yankee friends and other baseball acquaintances that the signing was a mistake. It is true that he was coming off back-to-back All Star seasons before inking a six year deal prior to the 2023 season. I saw a guy that made 30 starts only once, ironically, in his walk year. He was hurt many times earlier in his career. Rodon’s first year with the Yankees seemed to verify my suspicions. He first pitched in July and ended the season with a 6.85 ERA in only 14 starts.

2024 was so different in a number of ways. First, he started a career high 32 games with 175 innings pitched. Though his ERA finished near four, he was a reliable number two starter for much of the year. Any thought of Carlos Rodon being a bust has been squashed with his performance in 2025. He carries a 2.49 ERA and is fifth in strikeouts with 98 through 13 starts. He has stepped up enormously in the absence of Gerrit Cole. Max Fried has assumed the mantle of staff ace and has been nearly untouchable so far this season. However, it has been the performance of Rodon as well as the unexpected rise of Ryan Yarbrough that has helped carry the Yankees to a five game lead in the American League East.

I am ecstatic to have whiffed on my Carlos Rodon opinion. If the Yankees win the World Series this year, he will have been a key player. I will also be sure to be a little more careful when making such a bold prediction in the future.

Help Me Out, Mark Vientos

I have started my fantasy baseball season 2-0. The record is extremely fortunate as my team has not really performed up to expectations as of yet. Kyle Tucker has been wonderful and I have enjoyed Jackson Chourio on my team for the second straight year. I could have done a better job drafting pitching though it was hard to envision Justin Steele being done for the year less than a month into the season. To win a championship, you can’t have a huge drop-off in production on a player you drafted to start for you.

Mark Vientos needs to find his way back to my starting lineup. Credit: Newsday

I need Mark Vientos to revert to his 2024 form.

Vientos was a black hole for me during the first two weeks of our season. He had seven measly hits in 63 plate appearances during that span, resulting in a batting average whose equivalent weight wouldn’t allow you to donate blood. I put him on the bench to start this third game, fearing another lost week. The depth of my team is allowing me to post one of the higher scores of the week so far. However, I know that I am going to need Vientos to rediscover his stroke in order to be a playoff contender. Maybe it is just good managing on my part that my score is so good without my best pitcher in Steele and the benching of an important player in Vientos.

New York Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza took a page from my book and benched Vientos on Wednesday. The 25-year old third baseman responded by hitting his first home run of the year Thursday night. As the weather warms up, I hope Mark Veintos gets hot. Perhaps it is my benching that will propel him to another excellent campaign in 2025.

Will Ben Rice Keep Starting in the Summer?

Giancarlo Stanton has yet to appear in a Major League game this year. But you already knew that. The latest word on Stanton, last year’s ALCS MVP, is that he is coming along slowly due to torn tendons in both elbows. He is in New York and continues to hit off of a machine, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Despite the loss of the prodigious slugger in the middle of their lineup, the New York Yankees have learned to win without him over the years given his numerous injuries. However, this time a viable alternative has emerged, providing thump at the designated hitter spot, though mostly from the leadoff spot.

Ben Rice is a legit Major League hitter. Credit: Associated Press

Ben Rice is turning into a bona fide Major League hitter.

Let’s face it, Rice could have 25 home runs by the All Star Break and the minute Stanton returns, the rookie will head to the bench. It’s a matter of economics. There is no way the Yankees will make the $32 million Stanton a part time player when he is ready to rejoin the team. However, will that be the right move? How do you take a guy out of the lineup who will be (presumably, hopefully?) still a force in the lineup? Yankee fans will not be patient should Stanton come back and start with ten strikeouts in his first fifteen plate appearances. Rice has been successful reaching base in 13 of his first 14 games. He has five home runs and his on base percentage is over .400. That does not sound like a player who should be benched for any reason.

Could we be looking at a platoon situation? The Yankees don’t want to relegate Stanton to pinch hitting duty but you also cannot take Rice out the lineup should he keep producing at this clip. It’s a nice problem for the Yankees to have. In fact, they should tell Stanton to take all the time he needs in rehab. This will be a fascinating storyline as the season flips to Summer.

The Juan Soto Effect on Pete Alonso

Aaron Judge won his second Most Valuable Player Award in 2024, leading all of Major League Baseball in numerous offensive categories. Some of the credit for his monster season goes to Juan Soto, who would hit in front of Judge for most of the campaign. While there is no doubt that Judge will one day go to the Hall of Fame, there is nothing wrong to have some help, as Soto provided last year. One year later, and in a different borough, Soto is helping out another slugger.

Pete Alonso is embracing the Juan Soto effect. Credit: Sports Illustrated

Pete Alonso is experiencing a rebirth, thanks to Juan Soto.

To be fair, as in Judge’s case, Alonso has had great years prior to Soto arriving. After all, he ranks third on the all time New York Mets’ home run list, potentially being the leader at season’s end. However, there was also a dip in production over the last three years going from 46 home runs in 2022 to 34 in 2024. Solid numbers but the sense was that at age 30, more regression could follow.

Not in 2025.

Alonso is hitting .378 and leads the National League in home runs and slugging. This is the Soto effect of hitting in front of him. Soto puts so much pressure on opposing pitchers that it seems as though they are exhausted when it is time to face the next hitter. When Soto reaches base, the pitcher tries to pitch too carefully to Alonso in order to minimize the chance of a big inning. Take last night’s game against the A’s as an example. In the top of the fifth inning, JP Sears had Soto down in the count 0-2. After a couple of foul balls and pitches out of the strike zone, the count went to 3-2. Soto then laced a single, bringing up Alonso. On the eighth pitch, Alonso cracked a run scoring double. He then provided the difference in the Mets’ 7-6 victory with a solo home run in the eighth inning. Even when Soto does not reach base, Alonso’s at bats seem to be easier.

Pete Alonso may very well opt out of the final year of his contract and try to secure the long term deal he did not get this past offseason. That’s a story for November and beyond. Like his effect on the Yankees last year, Juan Soto is doing his job this year: making the Mets’ lineup more dangerous.

Don Mattingly’s Rotten Baseball Luck

The New York Mets hosted the Toronto Blue Jays for three games this past weekend. Along the way, we got some pictures of the Blue Jays’ bench coach, none other than the great Don Mattingly. Mattingly obtained this position prior to the 2023 season, the latest stop in a post playing career that has seen him manage both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. New York swept Toronto, dropping the Jays to .500. With the contract of Bo Bichette set to expire at the end of the season and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. inking a long term extension, the pressure is on the Jays to make the playoffs. If they fail to make it to the postseason, there is the possibility of a regime change. And with that, the rotten baseball luck of Don Mattingly would continue.

Don Mattingly’s bad luck needs to stop. Credit: Englewood Daily Voice

If you are a Yankees’ fan of a certain age like me, Don Mattingly was your favorite player. He was the Man, a bright light in an otherwise dim era of Yankee baseball. He came up to the Majors surrounded by the likes of Dave Winfield, Ron Guidry and Willie Randolph and was on the team in 1990 when they finished last, with George Steinbrenner being kicked out of baseball during the season. Derek Jeter was booed. Mickey Mantle was booed. Mariano Rivera was booed. Mattingly was the only Yankee superstar I can think of who never had a bad word said about him at the Stadium. The fans understood that even in the darkest of days in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Mattingly was the guy we latched onto and for whom we had great sympathy throughout this chaotic period of time. When his back started giving him trouble in 1990 and robbed him of certain Hall of Fame immortality, he became even more of our hero.

Don Mattingly’s rotten baseball luck began when he was called up. He debuted in 1982, the year after the Yankees made the World Series, losing in six games to the Dodgers. Mattingly then became part of the longest playoff drought in franchise history, only reaching October baseball in his last season, 1995. Immediately after he retired, the Yankees put together their latest dynasty, with four World Series championships over the next five seasons. After a five year stretch that saw Mattingly establish himself as one of, if not the best player in the game, he suffered a debilitating back injury which sapped his power. He would never hit 20 home runs in a season again. Mattingly’s bad luck didn’t stop after his retirement. He became a Yankees’ coach in 2004. Care to guess what happened that year? That would be the Boston Red Sox epic comeback from down 0-3 to beat New York in the ALCS. When Joe Torre was let go as the Yankees’ manager after the 2007 season, Mattingly was looked at as a potential replacement. The job went to Joe Girardi. Mattingly then followed Torre to the Dodgers. A year after leaving, what did the Yankees do? They won the 2009 World Series. Mattingly then became the Dodgers’ manager in 2011 under the ownership of Frank McCourt who nearly wrecked the franchise. He left the Dodgers after the 2015 season and are now considered baseball’s best franchise. Mattingly next became the manager of the Marlins in 2016 and after a lot of losing (and a COVID playoff appearance), resigned after the 2022 season. Would you believe the Marlins made the playoffs the following season?

Don Mattingly deserves a World Series appearance. I don’t care how he gets it, what team he is with or if he unretires for a week to play for the Dodgers. No one has dealt with more misfortune in a baseball life than him. If the Toronto Blue Jays win the World Series in 2025, I will be a happy man. It means my guy finally gets a ring.