Category: Sports

Batting average doesn’t mean as much anymore

Batters are concentrating on home runs now. We also appreciate the value of walks more. Still, this decline is shocking compared to my childhood. There was a stretch in the late 1960s when averages were low so MLB lowered the pitching mound.

Number of .300 hitters 1999-2024

The decline in the .300 hitter

Even more on four home runs in one game

Most home runs in a game: Complete list of 4-home run performances in MLB history

There have been only twenty of these – two this year which is the third season this has happened

update – now three times in 2025 which is a record. 21 times ever now.

Kyle Schwarber had a historical night, hitting FOUR home runs 💥More ⤵️www.nytimes.com/athletic/658…

— The Athletic (@theathletic.com) 2025-08-29T01:44:53.200Z

Kyle Schwarber was the fourth player to have a shot at HR #5 in a game, that is – at least one PA post-HR #4:Bobby Lowe (1894) — first-ever 4-homer game!Lou Gehrig (1932)Mike Cameron (2002)Kyle Schwarber (2025)h/t @EliasSports

— (@slangsonsports.bsky.social) 2025-08-29T02:41:21.022Z

Kyle Schwarber's wild box score line:6 4 4 9 with 4 HRPlayers in history with that line:Kyle Schwarber todayThat's a wrap on that list. It's just him.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst.bsky.social) 2025-08-29T01:56:11.175Z

Nick Kurtz just had one of the greatest games in baseball history. 6 for 6 with four home runs, six runs and eight RBIs. He is a 22-year-old rookie.

— Jeff Passan (@jeffpasan.bsky.social) 2025-07-26T03:00:47.674Z

Nick Kurtz is the 20th man to hit four home runs in a major-league game.The Baseball Hall of Fame will receive one of Kurtz’s bats, a scorecard and photograph to commemorate the occasion.More on a historic night: http://dlvr.it/TM7Lsj

— The Athletic (@theathletic.com) 2025-07-26T15:01:13Z

Orioles pitcher Brandon Young throws an immaculate inning

An immaculate inning is when a pitcher throws nine pitches and gets three strikeouts. It’s only been done 116 times. It is rarer than a no-hitter (326 times).

Update – Andrew Kittredge threw one on August 6, 2025.

Brandon Young becomes 5th pitcher in Orioles history with immaculate inning

The ball from Brandon Young's immaculate inning was caught by a fan who then gave it to 11-year-old Colin Brennan from Fallston.Colin got a Ryan O'Hearn autographed bat. Young got the ball. The fan got a drink from Colin's dad, Mark. Wins all around.www.mlb.com/orioles/news…

— Jake Rill (@jakerill.bsky.social) 2025-07-09T04:35:56.941Z

Andrew Kittredge just threw an immaculate inning against the Reds.All three strikeouts were swinging, putting away Austin Hayes, Gavin Lux and Tyler Stephenson.It's the first immaculate inning by a Cubs pitcher since Hayden Wesneski on Sept. 22, 2022 in Pittsburgh.

— Meghan Montemurro (@mmontemurro.bsky.social) 2025-08-06T19:56:05.865Z

More posts on Satchel Paige

Great job by @castroturf.bsky.social covering @markarmour04.bsky.social’s landmark research on Satchel Paige. http://www.mlb.com/news/mapping…

— Adam Darowski (@adarowski.bsky.social) 2025-07-07T15:35:05.349Z

Will global warming increase the use of domed stadiums?

I live in Baltimore. I heard on the radio that the heat index at the start of tonight’s Orioles game will be 111. That doesn’t sound safe for players or fans.

I think the next Orioles stadium will be domed as a response to the heat and located in the suburbs to appease the part of their fan base (that pays attention to right-wing media) that thinks downtown is unsafe. They would also find more room in the suburbs to build around the stadium.

I have posted on this subject before:

My opinion on sports and climate change

Recent posts on Satchel Paige

I encourage you to follow the sites that did a great job posting these photos.