Jake Lighter | Baseball Essential

Why Can’t Dallas Keuchel Get it Going?

Jun 10, 2016

Headlines, Houston Astros, Opinions & Predictions

Jean-Jacques Taylor, in a recent ESPN.com article, discusses how Dallas Keuchel has become “just a guy.” This description is both anatomically and metaphorically correct. Keuchel has not just been pedestrian...

No, Things Are Not Looking Up For Albert Pujols

Jake Lighter

May 25, 2016

Los Angeles Angels, Opinions & Predictions

Dan McCarthy wrote a small article on ESPN.com with the title, “Perhaps things are looking up for Albert Pujols.” Here is the thing, though: Things are not looking up for Pujols, and likely never will again. ...

Jeff Passan, Ken Kendrick and Baseball Cards

Jake Lighter

Apr 4, 2016

Baseball History, Headlines

In my forum that I’ve been fortunately given, I’d like to expand upon the profile that Jeff Passan gave of the baseball card community, most particularly the all too famous T206 Honus Wagner card. In his articl...

Can the Hall Please Give Some Respect to Ol’ Gil?

Jake Lighter

Feb 15, 2016

Features, History, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets

Upon re-watching Field of Dreams for the umpteenth time, I noticed something notable (other than how I am still able to cry like a baby at the end). During the scene where Kevin Costner's character Ray witnesse...

In Defense of League Identity

Jake Lighter

Feb 5, 2016

American League, National League, Opinions & Predictions

Rob Neyer, in a recent defense of the difference between leagues in the DH rule, touches upon a subject close to my heart: That of American and National League identity. It’s something we have lost in the last ...

Voters Please Don’t Overlook Billy Wagner

Jake Lighter

Jan 10, 2016

Features, Headlines, Opinions & Predictions

There are shocks, there are absolute surprises, and then there are one-in-a-million shots-in-the-dark-type of events. Billy Wagner not being selected for the 2016 Baseball Hall of Fame class is none of these. N...

The Fallacy in Buster Olney’s Support of Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame Candidacy

Jake Lighter

Dec 16, 2015

Cincinnati Reds, Features, Headlines, History, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

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After the recent release of Commissioner’s Rob Manfred announcement that Pete Rose’s ban in baseball had upheld, we saw many different commentators have takes on the ruling. You can see some here, here and here...

An honest assessment of Daniel Murphy

Jake Lighter

Nov 16, 2015

American League, Boston Red Sox, Contract, Major League Baseball, National League, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Hot stove season is almost among us, and we already have teams contemplating an outrageous signing. Daniel Murphy -- you may have heard of his historic playoff performance in this year’s playoffs -- is hitting ...

How is Jeff Samardzija Getting any Attention?

Jake Lighter

Nov 9, 2015

American League, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Features, Headlines, Major League Baseball, Oakland Athletics, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Last week, Jeff Samardzija was offered a one year $15.8 Million qualifying offer from the Chicago White Sox. It has been written that he is unlikely to accept this offer, which would make him a free agent. For ...

Can the MLB Postseason Schedule Problems Be Fixed?

Jake Lighter

Oct 28, 2015

American League, Features, Headlines, Major League Baseball, National League, Opinions & Predictions, Postseason

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Baseball appears to be in a predicament: what to do with scheduling the World Series? The beauty of summer baseball is that is has a monopoly on all popular sports. The postseason doesn't have such dominance...

Author Jake Lighter