If you’re like me, you probably had a long day at work and need to decompress with some lighter entertainment. While some of our topics are bit weighty this week, sit back, relax and let me take you Around the Horn with the latest stories in baseball. After all, what else will you talk about at the water cooler tomorrow?
First Base
Northwest Choke Job: Typically, we wait until the end of the season to talk about choke jobs, but the Mariners got the party started early as they have collapsed here in the middle of the season and allowed the Astros to catch them in the AL West. At one time the M’s led the division by double digits, but since that time Houston has caught fire and the Mariners decrepit offense has failed their talented pitching staff. They now stand a reasonable chance of missing the playoffs entirely as it feels like Houston could just leave them behind. GM Jerry Dipoto better get busy and find some bats that can match half the production Yordan Alvarez gave Houston on Sunday when he hit for the cycle.
Second Base
Say it Ain’t So Chicago: This story went a bit under the radar this week but there will be some changes coming on the North Side of Chicago. One of the best features of Wrigley Field, one of the sports crown jewels, is the famous rooftop seats across the street from the ballpark. Cub fans who don’t have a ticket for inside the park, can watch a game from there and enjoy a drink and food inside the building in one of the many Wrigleyville bars. It’s a shame to see part of what makes a Cubs game so unique and charming go by the wayside, much like their 2024 season has on the field.
Third Base
There Is No Bottom: Just when you think the Oakland A’s story can’t get more depressing, a new version of rock bottom is reached. It is not being widely reported that the league and Athletics owner John Fisher cannot secure funding for the rumored relocation to Las Vegas. This comes while it has leaked out that the league is purposely shutting down local ownership attempts to buy the team and keep them in Oakland. With no real options for relocation and a plan to leave the Bay area for Sacramento in motion, it feels like this will only get worse before it gets better. It’s an ugly chapter for commissioner Rob Manfred, who along with his owners, thinks so little of the fans they serve that they would go forward with this process, even in the face of the truth coming out.
Home Plate
Mr. Baseball: One of the benefits of Fox Sports being one of MLB’s national broadcast partners is their arsenal of on-air talent. While they boast lots of excellent people, none surpass the greatness of Tom Rinaldi, previously known for his feature reporting on ESPN’s College Gameday. He applied his trade to speaking to a fellow broadcasting legend, Mr. Baseball himself, Bob Uecker. Ueck was at his best in this one and sit back and laugh everyone.
Extra Inning
Pittsburgh is a Baseball Town: The extra playoff spots in both leagues may water the postseason down, but they also give other cities in the MLB hope of making a run to the playoffs. One of those cities is Pittsburgh, who is finally seeing their Pirates return to relevance, sitting just outside a playoff spot, entering play Monday night. It seems Paul Skenes and his teammates have brought the energy back to the Steel City, as they turned out in huge numbers this weekend to cheer the Buco’s on against the in-state rival Phillies.
The Walkoff
Wise Words from the Skipper: It was Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown and amongst a day of wonderful speeches and joyous celebration of the game, one stood out above the rest. The romantic in me always love to talk about the best things in sports and Jim Leyland perfectly encapsulated the best about baseball in his closing remarks Sunday. Give it a listen and I dare you not to get choked up with him.
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