The at-bat that took 85 minutes
A version of this story originally ran in December 2020.
The manager who got ejected ... then returned as the team mascot
Managers being ejected? That's nothing new. Mascots being ejected? That's also, somehow, nothing new. But what about a manager being ejected and then returning as the mascot? And not just returning, but performing a dance to "Louie Louie" out on the field to inspire his team to victory? "You know,
The pitcher who got players ejected through ventriloquism
Over the last 150 years, there have been a number of baseball players who have used their unique, not-necessarily-baseball-related skillsets to assist them on the diamond. Walter Carlisle, the former circus acrobat, turned an unassisted triple play from center field. Rube Foster used his pipe-smoking abilities to deliver baserunning signs
Here are baseball's oddest ballpark quirks
A version of this story originally ran in January 2022.
Top pop culture moments for all 30 teams
Every franchise has its pop culture moments, whether it¡¯s George dragging the Commissioner¡¯s Trophy around Yankee Stadium in Seinfeld, the family from the movie Parenthood going to a Cardinals game or Magnum, P.I. wearing a Tigers hat. Some teams are ubiquitous in pop culture, like the Yankees, and some teams
Meet the pitching prospect who's No. 2 in the world at a beloved video game
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter -- which he reported on from Lansing, Mich., on Aug. 27 -- is one of those stories. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here. Mitch Myers, a
You've got to hear this Minor League broadcaster's outrageous calls
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter -- which he reported on from Greensboro, N.C., on July 28 -- is one of those stories. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here. Get up, get
The origin of Dave Parker's 'Boys Boppin' shirt
A version of this story was originally published in March 2021.
Boise State star QB -- and all his siblings -- named after baseball legends
What¡¯s in a name? For Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen and his siblings, decades of baseball history. Madsen, a redshirt sophomore with the Broncos, is one of six children born to Eric and Jessica. All are named after renowned baseball stars. Madsen¡¯s first and middle names are a nod to
This pitcher gave so many haircuts his team added a barber chair to the clubhouse
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter -- which he reported on from Madison, Ala., on June 19 -- is one of those stories. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here. Victor Mederos, a
Bo knows ... diving?
A version of this story originally ran in June 2021 and is revisited today for his birthday.
Go on an intergalactic journey into baseball history with MLB's newest show
What do you get when you combine baseball, outer space, a comedian and a blue puppet? You get ¡°MLB¡¯s Traveling Spaceship Show,¡± a retro-themed program that will showcase long-forgotten and interesting highlights and clips from baseball of yesteryear. The new show, which will be available to stream on MLB.TV on
The hilarious tales of 'Murph'
This story was excerpted from Adam McCalvy's Brewers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
This AFL team has the best record -- and the best celly
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Watching Chase DeLauter hit a double can be a thing of beauty. And at the Arizona Fall League this season, the entertainment didn't stop when he got to second. MLB's No. 41 prospect, as well as his Surprise Saguaros teammates, would strike a saguaro cactus-like pose to
This Minors team takes concessions very seriously -- watch out for the grasshoppers
This is an excerpt from The Baseball Traveler Newsletter, formerly known as Ben's Biz Newsletter, delivering Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter and background on the name change HERE.
What's Skenes debut patch card worth? Pirates trying to entice fan who finds it
Part of the thrill of opening up a pack of baseball cards is never knowing what could be inside. It could be your favorite player, a rookie card, or if you¡¯re really lucky, decades worth of season tickets. Topps released its 2024 Chrome Update Series on Wednesday, which includes a
'Big Apples' alternate identity makes Yankees' affiliate New York to the core
The Hudson Valley Renegades, seeking to celebrate core aspects of their home state, planted a seed that has now borne fruit. At a gala event on Friday morning, the New York Yankees' High-A affiliate unveiled their "Big Apples" alternate identity. New York state is the second-largest producer of apples in
Pink pants. Leather jacket. Iglesias treats stars to surprise 'OMG' performance
LAS VEGAS -- Ten minutes before the second iteration of the All-MLB Team Awards show presented by MGM Rewards opened at the Chelsea Theater, the crowd of current and former players and their guests were told to take their seats. There would be a musical performance to open the show,
Witt's wedding party is in the cards for Angels prospect Britt
MESA, Ariz. -- Three years into his Major League career, Bobby Witt Jr. has already had 2,035 regular-season plate appearances. That¡¯s a lot of chances to make an impression. But when it comes to your wedding, you only get one chance to hit it out of the park.
Keith Hernandez announces passing of his beloved cat, Hadji
Hadji, the internet-famous Bengal cat of Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez, passed away last week at the age of 22. Hernandez announced the news on social media on Wednesday. ¡°It¡¯s with a heavy heart that I must tell you that I had to put Hadji down last week,¡± he posted on
Look out, Decoy ... the Freemans have a new kitten named Champ
Look out, Decoy ... there's a new Dodger pet in town, and this time his name is no secret. Freddie Freeman and his family kept the good times rolling by adopting a kitten three days after the Dodgers captured the 2024 World Series title. Fittingly, the feline is named Champ.
This Minors park offers heavenly pretzels, Cubs prospects and very clever fans
This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.
Power couple Skenes, Dunne to join 'College GameDay' for Alabama-LSU
Pirates ace Paul Skenes will return to his alma mater in Baton Rouge, La., alongside gymnast girlfriend Livvy Dunne to serve as the guest pickers on ESPN's "College GameDay." With GameDay originating from LSU's campus ahead of the Tigers' primetime showdown against rival Alabama, the former LSU athletes will join
OMG, meet HOF: Mets' celebratory sign comes to Cooperstown
NEW YORK -- The ¡°OMG¡± Mets are going to live forever. The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., announced Tuesday that one of the Mets¡¯ ¡°OMG¡± signs will join the institution's permanent collection and will go on display in the "Your Team Today" exhibit. The sign, which Mets
Please, no puparazzi! Decoy steals show from Shohei at Dodgers parade
You might have thought Shohei Ohtani would be the star of the Dodgers championship parade on Friday afternoon, and for good reason. But at this point we should all know better. There is no bigger star in Los Angeles right now than his dog, Decoy. But please, no puparazzi!