Posts in Major Leagues (MLB)
Mark Whicker: Merrill’s late-inning heroics helping make Padres NL West contenders
Mark Whicker: Merrill’s late-inning heroics helping make Padres NL West contenders

“The San Diego Padres roll through life with a truckload of talent.

Behind them are 29 other ballclubs, hoping to gather what falls off.

You’ve noticed Xavier Edwards, the Marlins’ shortstop who has already hit for the cycle. He’s a Padre alum. So are Trea Turner, Emmanuel Clase, Anthony Rizzo, Max Fried, Josh Naylor, C.J. Abrams, MacKenzie Gore and David Bednar.

There’s another reason to follow the Padres on their path. They appear destined for the playoffs and maybe even the National League West title. In recent years, the teams that get hotter as the days get shorter are the ones to watch in the postseason. San Diego’s win over Pittsburgh Tuesday night was its 31st in its past 44 games. It is tied with Arizona, three and a half games behind the Dodgers in a microwaving division race.

And, with each victory, the Padres make sure that rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill is tied down and tightly secured. Despite the gyrations of general manager A.J. Preller, Merrill is not going anywhere. At least not until October.”

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Major Leagues (MLB)Mark WhickerMost Popular
ICYMI, Mark Whicker: "Bleak Sox" on pace to finish with worst record in major-league history
ICYMI, Mark Whicker: "Bleak Sox" on pace to finish with worst record in major-league history

“The most fascinating matchup in baseball is, unfortunately, a board game. And, since the cards and dice can’t be measured for motivation, it isn’t even that.

If the 1919 White Sox played the 2024 White Sox, who would win?

This series would have it all. Call it Eight Men Out vs. Thirty-Nine-And-A-Half Games Out. The Black Sox against the Bleak Sox. And it would have the potential for legitimate mayhem that only Chicago can provide.”

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Major Leagues (MLB)Mark WhickerMost Popular
Glew: Stairs brings hitting wisdom to Okotoks for third straight year
Glew: Stairs brings hitting wisdom to Okotoks for third straight year

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and longtime big league slugger Matt Stairs (Fredericton, N.B.) was back in Okotoks, Alta., this weekend as a celebrity guest at the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game at Seaman Stadium. It was his third straight year of sharing his hitting wisdom at and before the event. Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew caught up with him for a one-on-one interview.

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Canadians in the Majors, Major Leagues (MLB), SandlotsKevin Glew
Verge: Much in-demand baseball artist Tellier’s career fueled by deep love of Expos
Verge: Much in-demand baseball artist Tellier’s career fueled by deep love of Expos

“Popcorn flew around Josée Tellier at Olympic Stadium like a snow shower in May.

It was launched back and forth by her restless fourth grade classmates who weren’t paying attention to the Montreal Expos on the field below.

But Tellier was. She had a deep passion for the game even then, a passion that is still evident 38 years later in the way she talks about the game and in her career choice. Baseball is her love, and art is her outlet. She’s been creating baseball art pieces out of her home in Montreal since 2019.

In fact, it’s creating that art that saved her three years ago — specifically, a Yogi Berra baseball card.”

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Major Leagues (MLB)Melissa Verge