By BILLY HEYEN The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft takes place on Wednesday and Thursday. In a standard year, the draft might’ve taken on a heavy upstate New York flavor. Much more is uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though, as the draft has been reduced from 40 rounds to five that will total 160 selections. There is still a chance one or two upstate … [Read more...] about MLB Draft 2020: Primer for upstate NY baseball fans
MLB
Rochester-native George Mogridge shone in MLB on June 9th
By BILLY HEYEN Before Ruth and Gehrig, one of the New York Yankees' first standouts was left-handed pitcher George Mogridge, a native of Rochester, N.Y. who attended (and played baseball at) the University of Rochester. Mogridge had many shining moments in his MLB career, including a no-hitter, but it was on June 9th that he had some of his biggest … [Read more...] about Rochester-native George Mogridge shone in MLB on June 9th
Rochester-born Bernie Boland shut down the Yankees on June 5, 1917
By BILLY HEYEN Bernie Boland's timing may have been fortunate. A few years later and he would've had to contend with Ruth and Gehrig in the heart of the New York Yankees order. But on June 5, 1917, the Rochester-born Boland only had to put up with Wally Pipp in the cleanup spot. That day, Boland threw a complete game to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 6-4 victory in the second … [Read more...] about Rochester-born Bernie Boland shut down the Yankees on June 5, 1917
Maggio: Twins are model franchise during pandemic
By CHUCKIE MAGGIO The Minnesota Twins are winning off the field during baseball’s layoff. As the dispute between Major League Baseball’s owners and players over a proposed dramatic reduction in players’ salaries remains at an impasse and an 82-game season becomes increasingly unlikely, the Twins are taking care of their staff and minor league players. While major league … [Read more...] about Maggio: Twins are model franchise during pandemic
Heinie Groh’s May 22, 1913 trade jump-started his career
By BILLY HEYEN Note: Biographical information comes from the Society of American Baseball Research’s comprehensive biography of Rochester-born Heinie Groh, and statistical information comes from Baseball Reference. Heinie Groh’s biography from the Society of American Baseball Research begins like this: “Heinie Groh was undoubtedly the National League’s best third baseman of … [Read more...] about Heinie Groh’s May 22, 1913 trade jump-started his career