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 GriffinBaseball is a game of second chances, where determination can transform a career from the depths of despair to the heights of success. These remarkable players didn’t just overcome obstacles—they rewrote their stories entirely, proving that in America’s pastime, it’s never too late for a comeback. Rick Ankiel: From Wild Pitcher to Slugging Outfielder In the 2000 playoffs, Rick Ankiel’s promising pitching career imploded when he suddenly couldn’t …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBill Veeck never met a promotion he didn’t like. He didn’t see the game of baseball as something sacrosanct. He saw it as a way to keep people entertained. That viewpoint lasted until July 12, 1979. Baseball’s master showman had spent decades turning America’s pastime into pure entertainment. He sent a 3-foot-7 player to bat, installed an exploding scoreboard, and once had fans manage a game by holding …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBaseball’s full of drama, especially in the postseason. From the Babe calling his shot to Kirby Puckett denying a home run to others, there have been many indelible memories. However, few moments capture the passion and drama of the game like Jose Bautista’s legendary bat flip during Game 5 of the 2015 American League Division Series. Both fans of the Toronto Blue Jays and baseball aficionados alike see …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBefore instant replay could settle most arguments with frame-by-frame precision, baseball was a sport where human judgment calls could alter history. From World Series-altering decisions to head-scratching moments that still spark debates at family reunions, these controversial calls remind us why baseball remains America’s most argued-about pastime. Let’s revisit the plays that still make fans light up social media and write lengthy blogs about how “The ump got …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinThe pinstripes of Yankee Stadium have clothed baseball’s greatest legends, but not every Bronx hero has a plaque in Cooperstown. Some were missed by a whisper, others by circumstance, and a few received their honors long after their playing days. Here are twenty Yankees who, despite their absence or late recognition by baseball’s hallowed halls, left an indelible mark on America’s pastime and the hearts of fans. Thurman …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinEvery generation has its phenoms—those rare rookies who arrive in the big leagues looking like they’ve been there for years. Some launch dynasties, others rewrite record books, and a select few change the very nature of the game itself. From the late 1930s to the modern era, these 15 debut seasons didn’t just impress—they left fans abuzz about what greatness was in store for these players. 1939: Ted …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin Baseball is a game of heartbreak and “what-ifs.” For every champagne-soaked celebration, there are dugouts of devastated players who came oh-so-close to glory. These legendary teams didn’t just lose—they etched themselves into the permanent memory of every fan who witnessed their magnificent, yet ultimately incomplete seasons. Let’s revisit the greatest teams that fell just short of immortality. The ’01 Mariners: 116 Wins, Ichiro’s Rookie Magic, But Zero …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBaseball’s history is written not just in its triumphs, but in its heartbreaks and “what-ifs.” Behind every statistic and record book entry lies a human story – some that ended far too soon. From promising rookies to established stars, these are the players whose careers were cut tragically short, leaving fans to forever wonder what might have been. Tony Conigliaro: The Boston Kid Who Almost Had It All …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinOctober baseball writes the cruelest stories. Behind every champagne celebration, there’s a clubhouse of broken dreams and “what-ifs” that haunt players and fans for generations. These aren’t just losses—they’re moments when baseball broke hearts in ways that still ache decades later. Here are the most gut-wrenching World Series defeats that left permanent scars on the game’s soul. 1986: Buckner’s Blunder Breaks Boston’s Heart (Game 6) One out away …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinThe 1980s were baseball’s last decade of innocence, before season-ending strikes and supersized sluggers got help from enhancers. These mighty men didn’t just hit home runs during this decade—they created memories that still echo through time. Let’s celebrate the sultans of swat who defined power hitting in the era of powder blue uniforms and pullover jerseys. Mike Schmidt: The Machine That Made Veterans Stadium Rock The decade’s undisputed …
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