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 GriffinAdmit it. If you watched Phil Niekro pitch, you thought it looked like a grandfather throwing batting practice to a grandchild. “I could hit that!” you might scoff. Then why did Niekro make some of the game’s best hitters look silly as they flailed at another pitch? That’s because his knuckleball was unpredictable, and a pitch that might seem there to tee off on might dart at the …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinI’ll admit it: I wanted Ron Santo in the Hall of Fame before he passed away. So much so, that I wrote an email to the Hall in 2007 venting my frustration. I received a polite reply explaining the process, though it was slightly undercut by plugs for the memorabilia store. Sadly, Santo had to be posthumously inducted in 2012 after he passed from complications with diabetes in …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinBaseball’s golden era was a time before nine-figure contracts, when many superstars held offseason jobs and the connection between players and fans felt more direct. For that generation, certain moments became core memories, etched into the collective consciousness of the sport. These twelve plays, in particular, have stuck with fans for the rest of their lives. The “Shot Heard ’Round the World”: Bobby Thomson’s 1951 Miracle October 3, …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinReggie Jackson was a new breed of superstar, a charismatic slugger unafraid to swing from the heels and command the spotlight. His powerful bat and larger-than-life personality defined an era. While he would have dominated social media today, his Hall of Fame resume was built on staggering numbers and iconic moments that required no viral campaign. The 563 Home Run Club: Reggie’s Legendary Power Every time Reggie Jackson …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinIf you walked past a bespectacled Greg Maddux on the street, you might not guess he was one of baseball’s most legendary pitchers. The Hall of Famer (who wore contacts when pitching) wasn’t just a dominant force; he was a grandmaster. While others relied on raw power, Maddux played the game like a master strategist, seeing patterns and possibilities that left both teammates and opponents in awe. These …
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 GriffinThere’s only one Max Scherzer—a pitcher with eyes as distinct as his arsenal. If you’ve ever watched him glare down from the mound, one blue eye and one brown, you know you’re witnessing something rare: not just a throwback ace, but a living legend who’s ruled the game’s wildest moments. Here are 10 times Mad Max truly ruled baseball’s Thunderdome. Winning His First Cy Young—And Making Detroit Dream …
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. …
Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael GriffinDennis Eckersley was the embodiment of swagger when he took the mound. There were times when he’d point to the next hitter and bark, “You’re next!” But under that braggadocio was someone trying to stem his fear of failure. He had two baseball lives, one as a starter and one as a reliever. Yes, some might only think of him as a closer, but he actually was dominant …
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