Michael went to his first game at the age of four and has been hooked ever since. He lives in Queens with his fellow Mets fan wife, their son, three cats and bearded dragon. He’s worked in the past for MLB.com as an editor. Connect with Michael on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjgfreelance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">LinkedIn</a>.
Michael Griffin 
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinAtlanta fans should always be thankful that Todd Van Poppel told the Braves he wouldn’t pitch for them if they picked him at No.1 in the 1990 Draft. Instead, they chose Larry “Chipper” Jones, a man who showed toughness, overcoming an early injury to come back and forge a Hall of Fame career that left many cheering for him — save for Mets fans, who loved to boo …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinIt’s not surprising that Lee Smith once thought about playing basketball. The 6’5” hulk had hands that made a baseball look like a cue ball when he held it. He started pitching later in his childhood than most, but he had an arm that impressed scouts. The Cubs grabbed him in the second round of the 1975 Amateur Draft out of high school, and he was in the …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinMike Piazza was baseball’s Cinderella story. Drafted by the Dodgers in the 62nd Round of the ’88 Draft as a favor to his father, a close friend of manager Tommy Lasorda, he was an afterthought. After being drafted as a first baseman, he made the switch to catcher. By the time ’93 rolled around, he was in the Majors and never left, making his mark as one of …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinThe baseball world mourned Willie Mays’ passing in 2024. The Say Hey Kid left behind a legacy of amazing highlights that will continue to stand the test of time. Here are ten times that he left fans’ mouths agape or had them cheering loudly for him. 10. The Catch That Flabbergasted 54,000 Fans at the Polo Grounds September 29, 1954: Vic Wertz’s 425-foot blast should have cleared the …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinThere were many amazing pitchers during the 1960s and early 1970s. They included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Tom Seaver, among others. Then there was Bob Gibson. How good was he? He made the people who ran baseball panic and lower the mound after one of his most dominant years, though Denny McLain probably had a hand in that. Here are 10 instances that demonstrate why Gibson wasn’t …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinVladimir Guerrero was a human highlight reel. Armed with a cannon that rivaled the best in history and a legendary ability to hit pitches far outside the strike zone, he was a fascinating player to watch. Here are 12 times he defied expectations with his free-swinging ways. 12. Chasing Everything: The League’s Lowest Walk Rate, and Loving It Vladdy would take some walks, but he never cracked 100 …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinMiguel Cabrera spent 20 years hitting baseballs all over the field and into the bleachers. The sound the ball made when it came off his bat was like no other. “Miggy” made fans and players alike appreciate his genuineness (just ask Jose Altuve, whom Cabrera loved to prank mid-game by playfully pulling his uniform out). Here are ten times that he showed why pitchers feared him: 10. The …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinDuring the mid-to-late 1970s, there was one man whom many of the game’s superstars, including Pete Rose, saw as the best player in the game. His name was Dave “The Cobra” Parker. Why the nickname? Watch him at the plate, moving the bat around in front of him like a cobra ready to strike. He was someone who saw the game at its peaks and valleys, and he …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinI’m going to start this by acknowledging how difficult being an MLB umpire is, especially behind the plate. Every call is bound to make at least one team mad. That being said, the umpires on this list combine a stunning disregard for the strike zone with a short fuse. The results are people who are more content to make the game about them than to be an impartial …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinWith 81 home games in a regular season, plus postseason matchups, teams invite dozens of guests to throw the ceremonial first pitch. Many of them are from the local community, but sometimes they bring out celebrities, ranging from politicians to actors to athletes from other sports. They might even have someone with a divine connection take the mound. Here are 16 unforgettable celebrity first pitches. President George W. …
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