April 5, 2022
1. MLB umpires are now explaining calls on microphone
There’ll be both good and bad to these going forward:
(a) The good: The comedy
(b) The bad: Umps getting excessive screen time
2. And teams are officially allowed to use pitch-calling devices in the regular season
The head-shaking and head-nodding routine on the mound might now become a thing of the past. Along with National League pitchers batting. Along with the Cleveland Indians. Along with Joe West.
The times, they are a-changin’.
3. The strange trade of the year: The Rays dump Austin Meadows
He’s been on of their great hitters, 100 RBI last season — and just like that, on the brink of Opening Day, he’s been sent off to the Tigers for a seemingly low-level infield prospect.
4. MLB’s final power rankings before Opening Day
The Braves at #8?
5. The highlight of the day: A 7–8 robbed home run
It’s a little hard to see, as the game wasn’t televised but footage still came out from the cameras at the ballpark — but it might be the first time we’ve seen this in baseball. The left-fielder leaping with his glove over the wall, the ball taking a ricochet off the leather and into the glove of the center fielder for the out.
6. Todd Frazier is retiring
218 HR | Two All-Star games | 25.2 WAR
7. Joe Davis replaces Joe Buck as the play-by-play voice of the World Series
And he’s just 34 years old, impressive stuff.
And with John Smoltz staying on as the color analyst, the greater Lansing, MI area is doing well.
8. The “huh??” moment of the day
Ohtani, evidently, can’t be considered the #1 player in baseball because he’s also a pitcher. Never quite heard that one before.
9. Johnny Cueto signs with the White Sox
They’ve lost Carlos Rodon to the Giants, and now two more pitchers to injuries to start the year — and so, a bit of bolstering:
10. More news and transactions from around the league
11. Every team will have a Dodger blue #42 on their jerseys this year for Jackie Robinson Day
They’ve been doing the numbers league-wide for years, but now they’ll all be in that iconic blue:
12. A prospect found out he was traded via Instagram comments
They couldn’t have simply given him a phone call?
13. A minor-leaguer pleads guilty to running a gambling ring
Maybe just one “small” reason why sports leagues shouldn’t be so aggressively taking on gambling sponsorships and allowing it at the ballparks, on their commercial breaks, and so on — but hey, that’s just me.
“Starting as early as 2002, a former minor league pitcher in the Oakland A’s organization, accepted bets from clients These clients included a former pro football player, an MLB coach, and a broadcaster who does telecasts for a Major League Baseball team.”
14. And lastly, the SNY Mets booth… assembles!
You might be lost if you haven’t seen Anchorman.
