Javier Baez was 23 and a rising star in 2016 when he split time playing second, third and shortstop for the Cubs, making a very good, very young team even better. On this day in béisbol, Oct. 20, 2016, Chicago was on its way to reversing a World Series drought of more than a century
After 16 seasons and 400-plus home runs, it’s hardly a surprise when Nelson Cruz gets hot and carries a team on his broad back like few sluggers can — even at age 40, when the Minnesota Twins DH enjoyed another MVP-worthy year in this pandemic-shortened 2020 season. But on this day in béisbol, Oct. 15,
To watch Juan Soto do his thing on a baseball field in October is to witness a rising superstar having the time of his life on the post-season stage. And then you realize: This guy wasn’t even old enough to drink the victory champagne in the clubhouse after each of the three clinching wins that
By Robert Dominguez It was a wild week for Jose Canseco, even by his standards. On this day in béisbol, May 29, 1993, the controversial, muscle-bound slugger ended his season after just 60 games when he injured his right arm — pitching. Canseco, then 28 and in his second year with the Rangers after a
By Robert Dominguez Don’t disrespect pitcher Yovani Gallardo. Especially when he's at the plate. The Brewers ace was having an off-year when on this day in béisbol, May 27, 2014, the Orioles learned the hard way how good Gallardo can be — as a hitter. Milwaukee had blown a 5-0 lead late in the game
By Robert Dominguez He was considered the best two-way player not named Babe Ruth. And if times had been different, Martin Dihigo — the Cuban-born star who excelled as both a pitcher and position player but never got to strut his stuff in the U.S. major leagues — would have likely been the Roberto Clemente
