November 5, 2021
1. Highlights from the Braves parade in Atlanta
A fantastic championship week for Braves fans came to an end today with parade Friday, after winning it all on Tuesday, and here was the scene this afternoon:
Big crowds were all around:
The beloved mascot (“Blooper”) was there:
Atlanta rappers were there, at the final event at the ballpark (Big Boi and Ludacris):
And the whole parade caravan started at a special place, before heading out on its long route to the new ballpark —beginning at the old park, where Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run:
2. In case you missed it, Buster Posey is retiring
A sad week for Giants fans, with their beloved star leaving baseball so soon after their franchise-best season. Buster Posey, unless he has a change of heart, is riding off into the sunset early.
34 years old. A three-time World Series winner. An N.L. MVP. A career .302 batting average, 44.9 WAR, and a possible chance at making the Hall of Fame.
Here he was yesterday at the official press conference:
And here was Clayton Kershaw, paying his respects to a great career:
He’s a legend on the field, at the plate, and lest we forget — in one of the best baseball commercials ever:
Also, another great tweet anecdote about him:
3. With baseball over, here’s a rewind video of the 2021 season
A pretty well-made highlight reel, found on YouTube (not just on the Braves, but the whole league, despite the thumbnail):
4. The disarray of the Mets continues
Remember that “ratcoon” incident in the dugout tunnel? Turns out, as just about everyone expected, there was more the story:
Jacob deGrom believes an MRI tube created his injury:
Their acting GM has officially been let go, after a drunk driving arrest earlier this year:
And as for the new GM and manager search, it still looks bleak.
Even their former hitting coach is ripping the team:
5. Tyler Matzek almost got arrested at his own parade
One of the downsides of fans all wearing authentic jerseys and looking not so different than the not-in-elite-physical-shape players.
Bit of a tense moment there:
6. And the parade buses drove by a little bit fast
7. Transactional news from around the league
There’s been a lot, so forgive the big tweet dump here (and, perhaps, just peruse whichever bits seem interesting).
8. A few more stories from the World Series
The Jorge Soler home run ball ended up in a guy’s apartment, outside of Minute Maid Park — an absolute moonshot for the ages.
Here was Ronald Acuña Jr. after the game, having missed most of the season with a torn ACL.
And at the game, the great Chris Tucker was there — loving it:
9. The stat of the day: Pablo Sandoval is king of the rings
Good trivia question to lay on your friends, at the bar or library:
10. The quote of the day: Joc Pederson
Not so family friendly, but hey.
And a more family-friendly quote of the day, from Dansby Swanson: “Resign Freddie.”
11. How this year’s TV ratings for the World Series stack up against the other major sports
As baseball fans, we’ll take it.
12. An update in the Tyler Skaggs case
13. Dustin May progresses in his rehab
He’ll be on pace, they think, to be back sometime partway through the 2022 season for the Dodgers.
14. And lastly, there’s a new wildman manager in Japanese baseball
Tsuyoshi Shinjo. Call him “Big Boss”.
And just look at that outfit:
From Jim Allen’s article (@JballAllen on Twitter):
Reporter: “Big boss Shinjo, you said you want to change baseball? What parts?”
Shinjo: “First, is the area of tactics. The idea of how to score runs without getting hits is fascinating. Does this really exist? I’m thinking how I would start this and other teams would emulate us. To do this, the players will have to grasp my thinking.”
