Tag: MLB

Better Late Than Never

December 11, 2021 My former father-in-law Walter Slovenski coached track and field at Bates College for 43 years. They dedicated the track in his honor in 1999, when he was too ill to attend. “1982-1983 men's track team carries coach Walter Slovenski,” Bates College Muskie Archives Photo and Audio Collections, accessed January 1, 2022, https://archives.bates.edu/photos/items/show/657 Former Rochester ...

By Bill Pucko on January 1, 2022

Press Box

When a No-Hitter isn’t…

May 1, 2021 So, Madison Bumgarner's 7-inning no-hitter doesn't officially count. The definition is murky and this isn't the first-time baseball has been trapped by its own vernacular. In 1964 Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt 45s pitched a 9-inning complete game no-hitter against Cincinnati. But lost the game 1-0 on an unearned run in ...

By Bill Pucko on May 3, 2021

Press Box

The COVID Games

October 17, 2020 On the subject of some of those changes forced on us by the pandemic. Things that might be nice to keep. I'm a baseball guy. There are three things from the Covid Games I really like. None of which stand a chance of being kept.I loved the shortened season. 60 games. Every game ...

By Bill Pucko on November 1, 2020

Press Box

Another Unwritten Rule

We have these unwritten rules in baseball. Unwritten because they aren't clearly defined. Don't slide too hard into my second baseman. Don't take too long rounding the bases. Don't bang on a trash can when you know what pitch is coming. Those are just some of them. So where does threatening my health fall? Where ...

By Bill Pucko on August 17, 2020

Press Box

A Canned Crowd

Jimmy Fallon was on the other night. He's back in the studio playing to an audience of his band members. And he wasn't funny. I like Jimmy Fallon. But the pauses for laughter that produce only a few self-serving chuckles don't work. I don't like canned laughter either. If you're in another room and only ...

By Bill Pucko on July 29, 2020

Press Box

This Needs to Work

July 18, 2020 We are used to the playbook of sports in 2020. Empty arenas. Shortened seasons. Duct taped playoff systems. Bubbles. Hub locations. Crown a champion however you can. Try to make back a few of the millions of dollars you've lost. Lose less. But what if doesn't work. What if the virus gets ...

By Bill Pucko on July 19, 2020