August 12, 2021
1. Tonight is the “Field of Dreams” game in Dyersville, Iowa
Is this heaven?
It’s Iowa.
White Sox vs. Yankees, tonight at 7:15 ET.
2. Miguel Cabrera hit home run #499 last night in Baltimore
It’s been six years since anyone joined the 500 home run club, David Ortiz being the last one in 2015 (and Albert Pujols in before him, in 2014).
And so now it’s Miggy on deck, with one more to go. Another game in Baltimore tonight, and then the Tigers start a six-game home stand — as Detroit might get to witness a milestone in front of a packed house.
And he’s just 50 hits away from 3,000 now:
3. Ozzie Albies hit an incredibly clutch walk-off home run
Two outs. Bottom of the 11th. The Braves down by a run. The NL East wide open, with the Mets falling apart and the division anyone’s to win.
And just like that, a three-run homer. Ozzie Albies.
These Braves are now tied for first.
4. Brett Phillips is a baseball magician, wizard, superstar
The little engine that could, the madman, the “airplane” pilot, baseball’s goofiest, most beloved role player, has just done it again.
Another grand slam.
Three grand slams in the last two weeks.
Move over, Slam Diego. “Slampa Bay” is here.
5. Despite the grand slam, the Rays lost 20–8
Football season is chomping at the bit to appear on our TV screens. It just will not wait. And the Patriots just stuck it to Tom Brady’s Bucs.
6. Awesome moment of the day: A grand slam into the corn
Baseball needs corn games every weekend. Every season. Always. Forever.
As great as it gets.
7. And then, the awkward moment of the day: Odubel Herrera
The “bat flips are cool” crowd never seems to rein in their guys when they go off and do something as uncool as this.
If you’re going to bat flip, make sure the ball is gone.
Otherwise, we need consequences. A timeout in the dunce corner. A “YIKES” tattoo on the forehead. A scarlet letter, worn around town: “I bat flip fly-outs.”
8. Cody Bellinger had the at-bat of the week
He’s been struggling for a long while, and he might just be back.
Five home runs in his last eleven games, and then there was the at-bat last night. Thirteen pitches. Ending with a ball launched into the left-field seats.
9. Jake Arrieta’s time with the Cubs is sadly ending
A bad start last night, and a bad season overall, finally forced the Cubs hands, as they look to give some younger call-up arms a chance.
Farewell, Jake, and Godspeed.
One of the best Cubs of all time, and one of the best, most inspiring, hardest working people in baseball. The beard, the strength, the stuff, and that Clint Eastwood confidence out there on the mound, and even off the field.
He came over from Baltimore late in the 2013 season, had a brilliant stretch over a few years that peaked with one of the greatest-ever seasons in baseball history— the second half of that 2015 season, the absurd ERA numbers, the no-hitter, the Cy Young win over a dominant Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw.
And then, 2016. Winning Games 2 and 6 of the World Series.
Forever a legend in Chicago. And forever my favorite pitcher.
It’s been a tough few weeks for Cubs fans, saying goodbye to these players, to this era — tucking it away from the present, into a nostalgic, reflective past. But Jake Arrieta will always be the guy. Anthony Rizzo, and Jake Arrieta. The heart and soul of the beloved, wonderful 2016 Chicago Cubs.
10. Fernando Tatis Jr. might be moving to the outfield
To speed up his return from injury, the Padres are considering a switch.
11. Mookie Betts is heading back to the IL
12. And lastly, the heartwarming moment of the night
Joey Votto talking about Frank Robinson:
