Almost Cooperstown

It's only a coincidence on the day the USA will play Canada in the #2026WBC, that I wrote about the top 5 starting pitchers in @BlueJays history. Read my latest: almostcooperstown.substack.com/p/top-five-sta… @ibwaa @sabr @threeininingfan @kallmanjeff @jeffcohen41 @writerstevens @DaveStiebToday

It's only happened 30 times in #MLB history. 400 total bases in one season. One HOFer did it more than anyone else by a lot. Read my latest: almostcooperstown.substack.com/p/400-total-ba… @sabr @threeinningfan @BaseballBBQ @writerstevens

Howie Rose as @Mets radio voice for one more year. We will all drink up every moment. Don't miss the chance to hear a legend! #LGM

@notgaetti @baseball_ref @CodifyBaseball @theaceofspaeder @TheWARmonger_ @OfficialMLBRFC @JessicaDBrand @BigLeagueDigest @OleTimeHardball @BaseballBros @orwellian Being the only player w 200 career pinch hits & .300 career average was a gem. Well done!

@AlmostCoop @baseball_ref @CodifyBaseball @theaceofspaeder @TheWARmonger_ @OfficialMLBRFC @JessicaDBrand @BigLeagueDigest @OleTimeHardball @BaseballBros @orwellian He was a real liability everywhere but in the batter’s box

Not enough people talk about Bob Fothergill • .325/.368/.459 (.828 OPS), 115 OPS+ • 1064 hits, 313 XBH, 582 RBI, 177 K • Insane career 202:177 BB:K ratio • Finished 12th in 1926 AL MVP • (.927 OPS despite just 3 HR) • Had 9 HR, 114 RBI in 1927 • Truly horrific base-stealer • Became a great pinch-hitter • Famously tough and fearless • 156 hits, 85 RBI, just 26 K per 162 • Epic nickname: "The People's Choice" • Played semi-pro ball in 1934 and hit .800 • Only player with 200 PH AB and a .300 BA! • In 1927, the year of the Murderers' Row Yankees, Bob Fothergill finished 5th in the American League in RBI

Why did Bruce Sutter get into the HOF but Dan Quisenberry & Kent Tekulve did not? Read my latest: almostcooperstown.substack.com/p/ace-reliever… @IBWAA @sabr @threeinningfan @KallmanJeff @JeffCohen41 @writerstevens

Congratulations to Team Venezuela who made me eat my words by beating the USA last night in #2026WBC. I'd pick the USA to win that game 7 out of 10 times but the better team won last night.

USA is looking like the Brewers did vs. Dodgers in the 2025 NLCS. Frustrating to watch inning after inning.

Scott Ostler was always great!

@threeinningfan @IBWAA @sabr Thanks. It was odd to talk about tonight's game not knowing the outcome of last night's game.

@AlmostCoop @IBWAA @sabr Great and entertaining episode! Just about done (but may listen again)

It's USA-Venezuela tonight! It didn't matter who the USA played - they are going to win! Check out our latest episode recorded before the game between Italy & Venezuela last night! Watch: youtu.be/Bj_4EJqBooU Listen: buzzsprout.com/1066072/episod… @ibwaa @sabr @threeinningfan @kallmanjeff @JeffCohen41 @writerstevens

@JimBowdenGM #2026WBC has done a great service to MLB fans as clearly having umpires call balls & strikes is far from perfect. ABS can be nothing but perfect and irrefutable. As discomforting as that may be, it's the plain truth

the Juan Soto called strike and the Geraldo Perdomo called strike is why #MLB has implemented the ABS challenge system for 2026

#2026WBC has done a great service to MLB fans as clearly having umpires call balls & strikes is far from perfect. ABS can be nothing but perfect and irrefutable. As discomforting as that may be, it's the plain truth. #Automaticballsandstrikes

Five Yankees and Mets 2025 pitchers in this game so far. Soto, Rogers, Brazoban, Bednar and now Doval.

Rallies are hard to come by when pitchers are dealing like these. Better to hit a home run.

Skenes is not 100% on his game and he's still awesome. Nolan McClean should be taking detailed notes!

@BillyBall @Poison_IBBY @TilMetsDoUsPart @johnsaponaro @AntRivera86 @SubwayToShea @AlmostCoop @nlbmprez @NL_Town @threeinningfan podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ed-… Call the show at 516-855-8214 Email the show at BaseballandBBQ@gmail.com

The Kelly Belly Interview youtu.be/_sCx4NF3V8E

He pitched more effectively than did Nolan McClean. Kinda harsh no?

Italians in Italy are celebrating being in the final eight of the World Baseball Classic by doing what they always do. #WBC2006