AGRI Biz

There is nothing worse than a strikeout.   A strikeout is not just another out, it is an out that is a completely wasted at-bat for the offensive team.   Almost nothing positive occurs when a batter strikes out, and the few good things that can happen are so rare in today’s game that they can usually be discounted. A batter can reach base after striking out if, with fewer than two outs and first ...

On Aug. 16, 1969, New York's most beloved team, the New York Mets, beat the victory-challenged expansion San Diego Padres in the first game of a 10-game home stand. At the time, the third-place Mets trailed the division-leading Chicago Cubs by nine games. On Aug. 24, the Mets completed the home stand by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was New York's ninth victory in the 10 games. They now ...

The worm is turning.  New York's most beloved franchise is in first place, one-half game ahead of the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.    Don't believe what the "experts" told you before the season started.  The Mets are as good as the Phillies, and better than any other team in the National League. With a pitching staff led by Johan Santana, who is certainly the equal of the Phillies' Roy Halladay, the ...

August 10 was the highlight of the 1969 season for New York Yankees fans. New York's other team, the beloved New York Mets, would not have its greatest moments until October. The day that Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson, and Gene Michael hit consecutive home runs in the sixth inning against Oakland made a pedestrian New York Yankees season memorable. The Yankees finished fifth, ...

  In 1947, Ted Williams won the American League's Triple Crown. He led the league in batting with a .343 average, in home runs with 32, and in RBIs with 114.  Williams had a .499 on base average, a .634 slugging percentage, and drew 162 walks. In 1947, Joe DiMaggio hit .315 with 20 home runs and 97 RBIs. He had a .391 on base average, a .522 slugging percentage and 64 ...

Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in baseball history, but once upon a time, long, long ago, there were relief pitchers who were asked to do things that no one in his right mind would want Mariano Rivera to do, because not even the great Rivera could do them. September 30, 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers' manager Charlie Dressen announced that rookie right handed relief pitcher Joe Black would start the first game of the 1952 ...

Albert Belle was one of the most feared athletes in sports, both on and off the field. Albert produced some offensive seasons that challenged those of the greatest sluggers the game has ever known. With a lifetime .295 batting average, 381 home runs, and a .564 slugging average, Belle had a great career statistically, but he does not belong in the Hall of Fame. One need not worry. The only way he ...

Bernie Williams' baseball career ended under circumstances that seemed mysterious to some individuals, but not to those who know him. Williams has basic values he will always honor. His parents taught him to treat others the way he wanted to be treated, and all he asks is that others provide him the same respect he gives them.   Bernie Does Not Reveal His Feelings Williams has ...

"I love Billy, but I'm still a Yankee. I was rooting for the Yankees to win that playoff last week against Billy." Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin's friendship is legendary. They were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Batman and Robin, and Thelma and Louise all rolled into one. However, when it came to the Yankees, Mickey Mantle was a Yankee. So was Billy Martin, but ...

Arch Ward was the sports editor of the Chicago Tribune from 1930 until his death in 1955. He was a powerful, influential individual who could sell sand at Jones Beach. In 1933, during the Great Depression, Ward argued that "baseball needed to show that it was not in a state of decadence." Chicago was going to have the Century of Progress World's Fair that summer and ...