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
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 LinkedIn.
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinLook, this list means no disrespect to anyone. The baseball season’s long, and then the playoffs can be anyone’s game. But these are instances when the superior team lost. Also, if you’re a Mets fan, you need to brace yourself. Deep Breaths. Ok, let’s go: The 2017 Houston Astros: Baseball’s Most High-Tech Heist Bang, bang! That wasn’t the sound of champagne corks popping – it was Houston’s notorious …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinIn baseball’s high-wire act of relief pitching, sustained dominance is as rare as a perfect game. For every legendary closer who maintained excellence across decades, dozens of seemingly unstoppable fireballers flamed out spectacularly. Remember Brad Lidge’s fall from “Lights Out” to lights dimmed? Or how Derrick Turnbow went from unhittable to unwatchable? The truly great ones, though – they didn’t just survive the pressure cooker of the ninth …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBaseball’s cruelest lessons often come from its greatest teams. From the mighty ’01 Mariners to the star-studded ’90s Athletics, these powerhouse squads had everything except the one thing they wanted most—a World Series ring. Join us for a bittersweet journey through baseball’s almost-dynasties and what-if moments that still haunt fans decades later. The ’01 Mariners: 116 Wins, Zero Rings, Infinite Heartbreak They tied the 1906 Cubs’ record for …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinRemember when baseball rivalries weren’t just about analytics and luxury tax thresholds? When players actually lived in their team’s city year-round, frequented local diners, and genuinely couldn’t stand their opponents? These storied matchups didn’t just fill ballparks—they divided families, defined summers, and gave us moments that still raise blood pressure decades later. Yankees vs. Red Sox: The Curse, The Brawls, and Bucky’s Homer The granddaddy of all baseball …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinThere have been a TON of on-field fights between baseball opponents. We’d probably have to do at least 50 slides, bare minimum. But there have been plenty of times when friction has spilled into one team’s dugout. You try spending six months or more with 25 guys … there are bound to be times when something rubs someone the wrong way. The results are here — from brawling …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinFrom handlebars to full-blown facial forests, baseball’s relationship with facial hair has given us some of the sport’s most unforgettable characters. These hairy heroes didn’t just play the game—they changed its face forever, challenging clean-cut traditions and inspiring generations of fans to embrace their inner wild child. Let’s take a nostalgic trip through the Hall of Fame of baseball’s most memorable mustaches and beards. Rollie Fingers’ Handlebar: The …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinI couldn’t do slideshows about great Braves pitchers of the 1990s and 2000s without mentioning John Smoltz, who was the third part of the three-headed monster that included Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. He joined his teammates in Cooperstown. Here are 10 instances that prove he was worthy of his plaque in the Hall of Fame. Tigers fans and Doyle Alexander might want to look away. That 1996 …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinFans might love seeing hitters mash balls into the upper deck and flamethrowing pitchers get balls past hitters before they can even blink. There’s a special place in their hearts for defensive wizardry, though. Of course, it also depended on whether the play was made by the home or visiting team. These 26 players could make even the most vocal home crowd give grudging cheers if they made …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinTom Glavine, one of the best lefty pitchers of all time, didn’t excel right away. In fact, he lost 17 games his first full season as a rookie. Part of that was because he was pitching for a putrid Braves team. He showed signs of turning things around fairly quickly, though, and like his franchise, he was soon dominating. While not overpowering (he never struck out more than …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBaseball has a rich history of dominant pitchers. Some could strike out hitters by the dozen during a start, while others could make them hit the ball right to a fielder when they wanted. Few could put it together like Pedro Martinez during the late 1990s and early to mid-2000s. Those who watched him will speak reverently of him … and not be exaggerating. The amazing thing was, …
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