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 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. The Catch That Flabbergasted 54,000 Fans at the Polo Grounds September 29, 1954: Vic Wertz’s 425-foot blast should have cleared the bases …
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 GriffinAh, Jeff Bagwell. The man whose name you can’t say too loud in Boston, unless you want to hear people scream, “WHY LARRY ANDERSEN?!?! WHY!” Bagwell didn’t just hit home runs; he hit mammoth shots that made Bostonians wish they were in a timeline where he stayed with the Red Sox and took regular aim at the Green Monstah. Here are 10 examples of why his career arc …
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. Chasing Everything: The League’s Lowest Walk Rate, and Loving It Vladdy would take some walks, but he never cracked 100 in …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBert Blyleven was a baseball oddity. Whether it was racking up 215 strikeouts and surrendering 50 homers in the same 1986 season (try explaining that one to your grandkids), or tossing a shutout with more curveballs than a mystery movie, Bert was a statistical anomaly wrapped in a Hall of Fame arm. Chris Berman even coined a nickname for the Dutch hurler: Bert “Be Home” Blyleven (By Eleven). …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinSometimes, a ballplayer’s greatness is obvious from day one. Ken Griffey Jr. had that sweet swing and astounding defense, and people envisioned his Hall of Fame plaque when he was barely past drinking age. Scott Rolen’s path was different. For years, the debate lingered: was he a good player, or a truly great one worthy of Cooperstown? While some were unsure, a closer look at his career reveals …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinThere have been many different types of closers over the decades. Dennis Eckersley had impeccable control, Mariano Rivera had his cutter, and Trevor Hoffman had his change-up. Then there was Rich “Goose” Gossage, who thrived with a windmill windup and an intimidating glare. He got the name because someone said he looked like a goose when he stuck his neck out looking for a sign. Here are 15 …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinSome Boston fans are still salty about the team letting Carlton Fisk leave to join the Chicago White Sox. Sure, the team thought the 32-year-old catcher was at the tail end of his career, especially given the arduous nature of the position. Oops. He went on to play for another 13 seasons. The original “Pudge” was as durable as they come, and here are 14 reasons why he’s …
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: The 2012 …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinI became more aware of Mike Schmidt toward the tail end of his career. I’d just been born when he first began, and was all of four when I went to my first game. It wasn’t until his third MVP win in 1986—one I was convinced Gary Carter deserved—that I began to appreciate just how good Schmidt was. Here are some slides to fill in the gaps for …
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