Baseball articles
Baseball players wear hats because wearing a hat is correct
Fred Hofstetter on April 9, 2022
Practicality explains why baseball players may want to wear a billed cap. But why does every player always wear a hat? Because it’s the right thing to do.
5 reasons why baseball needs the 2022 MLB lockout
Fred Hofstetter on February 8, 2022
Enough consternation about the 2022 lockout's potential for disaster. Here's why the lockout comes at a great time for baseball.
I just exercised my no-trade clause
Fred Hofstetter on July 31, 2021
Despite my employer's efforts to sell high on me, I coolly declined their proposition to trade me to a competing firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Unwritten rules of baseball: the stupid, broken, and OK
Fred Hofstetter on July 1, 2021
While several unwritten baseball rules are worthy only of laughter and derision, they aren't all stupid, and there's a good reason they exist.
What are the odds of winning if a team doesn't strike out?
Fred Hofstetter on January 21, 2021
Strikeouts have been on the rise. But outs are just outs, right? Does it really matter how often a team strikes out in terms of wins and losses?
MLB solo homers in 2020: a brief breakdown
Fred Hofstetter on January 15, 2021
Discover the Hot Facts about the instances of MLB home runs in which no baseball players occupied bases. The shocking truths revealed within will surely shock you.
How much do MLB bullpen catchers make?
Fred Hofstetter on December 15, 2020
Let’s take a crack at estimating the average major league bullpen catcher salary. Then daydream about becoming one.
Who is the tallest baseball player ever? And right now?
Fred Hofstetter on December 8, 2020
Baseball’s height-iest players never made the major leagues. Learn about them and some of the tallest in MLB history, both active and all-time.
Who gets a World Series ring?
Fred Hofstetter on May 6, 2020
It’s up to owners - there are no hard and fast rules for who gets World Series rings. All players and coaches get them, and so do select employees and staff.
Two obvious things I missed about the 2019 MLB season
Fred Hofstetter on April 19, 2020
I must confess a blind spot for the American League. It ballooned embarrassingly when I finally realized Tim Anderson and Jorge Soler had pretty great seasons in 2019.
Brush up on these 7 MLB rain delay rules
Fred Hofstetter on April 14, 2020
As we endure the strangest baseball delay of my adult lifetime, read up on the the rules of MLB baseball’s more conventional rain delay.
Something feels off about the official MLB strike zone dimensions
Fred Hofstetter on April 13, 2020
When it comes to the size and dimensions of the strike zone, it sure doesn't seem anyone cares much about MLB's official rules.
Worst MLB #1 overall picks: these 7 really didn't pan out
Fred Hofstetter on April 5, 2020
You may struggle to recall these first round #1 picks in the MLB draft. 1st overall picks typically become A-grade big league players. But not these guys.
A lesson in humility from Patrick Carney
Fred Hofstetter on April 4, 2020
Former ballplayers Jay Bell and Jose Canseco make a conversational cameo in Joe Rogan's podcast with the Black Keys. Drummer Patrick Carney recalls an A+ story.
Why do baseball players chew gum?
Fred Hofstetter on March 4, 2020
MLB baseball players constantly chew bubble gum, spit, gnash on sunflower seeds and tobacco. Why? Why do they do this all the time during games?
Quarter of a billionaire feels disrespected
Fred Hofstetter on January 22, 2020
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado feels disrespected by the employer who has voluntarily agreed to pay him $260 million.
MLB's Astros punishment doesn't go far enough
Fred Hofstetter on January 16, 2020
The punishment for the Astros' garbage can banging sign stealing cheating scandal hasn't gone nearly far enough. Should heads roll?
Seems like people are ready for 2020 baseball
Fred Hofstetter on January 12, 2020
Baseball fans are fatigued with inferior sports and are showing many of the common signs of thirst for the next MLB season.
7 consensus reasons why baseball is dying + 7 ornery rebuttals
Fred Hofstetter on January 8, 2020
The reasons for baseball's impending doom are full of misnomers, contradictions and false presumptions. Here's why baseball is not a dying sport in America in 2020.
The screwball pitch: what it is, how to throw it & pitchers who do
Fred Hofstetter on September 8, 2019
The history of the screwball pitch in baseball is slippery. How it started, who throws it and even how to grip it is all up for debate.
I can't wait to remember these 5 2019 MLB draft picks in 3 years
Fred Hofstetter on June 4, 2019
Gear up for some serious nostalgia the next time the names of these top 2019 MLB draft picks cross your mind.
Christian Yelich sucks
Fred Hofstetter on May 29, 2019
Christian Yelich sucks. I'm sick of this right now. He really messed this thing up for us, and me.
How MLB robot umpires will work
Fred Hofstetter on May 22, 2019
It's happening in minor league baseball - the Atlantic League is the test subject for robot umps, and MLB won't be far behind. Here's how it will work.
Baseball fans correlate 'disabled' with 'injured' for the first time
Fred Hofstetter on February 10, 2019
Major League Baseball's recent nomenclature adjustment has provoked baseball fans across America to think about these important words for the first time.
Maybe Manny Machado will just quit
Fred Hofstetter on February 4, 2019
Free agent Manny Machado has yet to sign with a baseball team for 2019. Maybe he will just hang up his cleats for good and call it a career.
Imagine really caring about hall of fame voting
Fred Hofstetter on January 22, 2019
Baseball writers and a handful of hardcores are really enthusiastic about who does and doesn't get into the hall of fame. Imagine being one of these people.
Twins-Royals rain delay raises questions about weather
Fred Hofstetter on August 30, 2018
In the many years of Major League Baseball, water and weather have only ever disrupted the National Pastime. What is rain and what does it have to do with baseball?
Marlins fan whistles loudly to hear it echo back
Fred Hofstetter on July 12, 2018
In the 9th inning with the bases loaded in a tie game, a local Marlins fan whistled loudly to hear it echo back at him from the other side of the stadium.
New MLB expansion team promotes culture of biceps
Fred Hofstetter on July 1, 2018
A brand new MLB expansion team is creating an adorable punk identity while capitalizing on the latest market inefficiency.
Baseball data analysts agree: the sample size is too small
Fred Hofstetter on May 29, 2018
The consensus is unanimous: the sample size is just too small to say one way or the other.
In effort to limit innings, Cardinals to forfeit 12 games
Fred Hofstetter on April 18, 2018
The St. Louis Cardinals are taking unprecedented measures to reduce starting pitching and bullpen usage.
I know how much money baseball players should make
Fred Hofstetter on April 2, 2018
I know how much money different all kinds of professional baseball players should make. My internet access and eagerness to spout off opinions circumvents forces far out of my control.
MLB free agents agree: they took our jobs
Fred Hofstetter on January 29, 2018
MLB free agents are frustrated about owners' profiteering pricing them out of work. Many are joining the pushback against the influx of younger and cheaper players, stressing that they can just get out.
MLB collusion almost certainly the work of international supervillain
Fred Hofstetter on January 17, 2018
MLB owners and front office executives cannot be fully credited with the circumvention of crippling free agent contracts and costly draft pick compensation. Behind the curtain assuredly lies a superior foe worthy of our awe and mortal fear.
In defense of baseball's pythagorean theorem
Fred Hofstetter on November 8, 2017
Don La Greca undressed Pythagorean Theorem supporters in a florid rant on ESPN radio - a theorem with modest potential for widespread application.
Yankees invade Indians' territory and conquer them
Fred Hofstetter on October 12, 2017
The Yankees stormed the shores of Progressive Field and conquered the Indians by force in Game 5 of the ALDS.
Brewers within 1 game of Rockies in Wild Card with 0 games remaining
Fred Hofstetter on October 1, 2017
With a win on Sunday in St. Louis, the Brewers moved within one game of the Colorado Rockies for the second Wild Card spot with zero games left to play.
Pittsburgh Pirates will Kneel During the National Anthem to Protest the St. Louis Cardinals
Fred Hofstetter on September 24, 2017
Before Sunday's game in PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates will make a bold statement by kneeling during the National Anthem to protest the St. Louis Cardinals.
Proposing new designated player roles - excellent ideas for MLB
Fred Hofstetter on September 13, 2017
Pitchers can't run the bases. Fielders can't hit. Let's explore specializing every corner of Major League Baseball - from the shortstop to the bat boy.
Baseball fans everywhere furious to know players are cheating
Fred Hofstetter on September 6, 2017
The Boston Red Sox were caught cheating. They've been using Apple watches to steal signs. MLB fans around the league are furious to know about it.
Madison Bumgarner gets both cheeks into a swing
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
Madison Bumgarner hit a very long home run, and Mike Krukow offered a curious throwaway comment to explain its distance.
Player to be Named Later traded again
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
Player to be Named Later has been traded again. The most versatile player in baseball continues his trek around the league.
New baseball terminology: The Hillux
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
Rich Hill's remarkable 9 no-hit inning loss in 99 pitches hearkens to baseball legends like Greg Maddux and sad sack legends like Charlie Brown.
Watch Matt Garza make a barehanded play and actually make the throw to first
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
Matt Garza just made a barehanded stab at a comebacker and successfully threw the baseball to first base. He threw the ball to first base.
Todd Coffey is large and always sprinted when he came into a game from the bullpen
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
Todd Coffey likes to sprint really fast into the mound. Watch him do it.
Analysis: never make the first out at any base
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
Making the first out puts baseball teams at a serious disadvantage. Players who do not make the first out are more valuable.
Celebrating 18 years of Weavers
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
The reign of Weavers is over, putting a close to the latest version of a weirdly understated phenomenon in modern professional sports.
Bartolo Colon is still a major league baseball pitcher
Fred Hofstetter on September 3, 2017
Bartolo Colon continues pitching in Major League Baseball games. He represents everything a baseball fan wishes to be.
Introducing The Screwball Times - the blog defined by the pitch
Fred Hofstetter on September 2, 2017
The latest in baseball's goofiness, bat flips, brawls and hot takes. We marvel at random chance. Infinite possibilities yield hilarity. Leave the lofty takeaway at the door.