Category: Baseball (Page 2 of 5)

Almost 3 years ago, I wrote a post about a baseball prospect named Manny Bañuelos. The story of Bañuelos illustrates a lot about what happens with young baseball players. He started as a very promising young prospect. But then he went through various cycles of injuries, trades, and so on.

By the end of the story, Bañuelos was in his late 20s and no longer a major prospect. It illustrated one of the many ways a baseball career can go the wrong way.

But I’m pleased to note that the Bañuelos story has taken a more positive turn in the last 3 years. Since 2019, he seems to have rebuilt his pitching skills and prospects. He played in both Chinese and Mexican baseball leagues, and he even worked himself all the way back to another stint with the New York Yankees.

As I write these words, Bañuelos just recorded his first major league save with the Yankees. Congrats! And then, after I wrote these words, the Yankees traded him to the Pirates. Thus is the life of a baseball player.

Image Source

Edward Linsmier, The New York Times

Most people will tell you not to check the baseball standings before Memorial Day. In my version of the advice, I call it the 50-Game Rule. The rule says that you don’t evaluate your team until they’ve played 50 games. That usually happens…right around Memorial Day.

OK, so I’m a bit late on this one. The Yankees have played closer to 60 games. They were 35-15 at the 50 game mark. They’re 39-15 right now as I’m writing this, and playing really solid ball. They’ve got a 7.5 game lead in the AL East standings. And, despite a number of injuries, their pitching staff is leading the way.

Will it be this way the entire season? Of course not. But I think I like my team’s chances right now.