Tom Gibbons, Author at Baseball Essential

Takeaways from this year’s Hall of Fame voting

Jan 23, 2020

1. Schilling is not a slam dunk to get in Curt Schilling reached the 70% mark in the BBWAA voting announced Jan. 21. Historical voting patterns indicate that if you get that close and have time left on the bal...

The Face of the Rockies, Nolan Arenado, is Wearing a Scowl

Tom Gibbons

Jan 22, 2020

Colorado Rockies, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

The Colorado Rockies signed third baseman Nolan Arenado to an eight-year, $260 million deal before the 2019 season, and both sides have reason to be unhappy less than a year later. Arenado wants out. And...

The Shocking Part of the Sign-Stealing Scandal? Someone Was Punished

Tom Gibbons

Jan 19, 2020

Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

Gaylord Perry was 35 and had pitched 12 seasons in the big leagues when he decided to make a stunning confession in an autobiography, writing: “On May 31, 1964, I became an outlaw in the strictest sense of the ...

A play for its time: Ron Swoboda’s catch in the 1969 World Series

Tom Gibbons

Oct 24, 2019

Baseball History, Features, New York Mets

For baseball fans of a certain age, the play is etched into our memories. It is the top of the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 1969 World Series. Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles hits a drive that lo...

DJ LeMahieu and Ketel Marte Show How Versatility is Now a Virtue in MLB

Tom Gibbons

Jul 19, 2019

Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

The All-Star Game is a showcase for baseball's best players. This year it also served as a showcase for a trend: versatility. The starting second baseman for each team, the Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte ...

Montreal-Tampa Bay Idea is Nuts, But the Shared-Franchise Model Might Fly Elsewhere for MLB

Tom Gibbons

Jul 8, 2019

Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

There’s a common plot point in TV shows and movies that are billed as “madcap comedies,’’ where one character comes up with a stupid idea and another character says, “That’s just crazy enough that it might work...

Jack Cuddy: The Man Who Didn’t Appreciate Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

Tom Gibbons

Jul 5, 2019

History, Major League Baseball

Sports writer Jack Cuddy passed away 54 years ago, but his work is finding a new audience this week. Specifically, people are reading a piece Cuddy wrote 80 years ago in advance of Lou Gehrig Appreciation Da...

The Los Angeles Angels Are Truly The Franchise Touched by Tragedy

Tom Gibbons

Jul 3, 2019

History, Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball

The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs were labeled for decades as clubs haunted by misfortune. But it was mostly for on-the-field stuff. Their frustration, futility, meltdowns, and near-misses possessed elemen...

How Jason Vargas Made Mickey Callaway’s Next Job Search More Difficult

Tom Gibbons

Jun 29, 2019

Major League Baseball, New York Mets, Opinions & Predictions

Mickey Callaway is in his second season as New York Mets manager, and — barring a surge in the standings — it will be his last. Callaway is in first MLB managerial job, and — again, barring a surge in the st...

Three Technology Innovations That Would Improve Major League Baseball

Tom Gibbons

Jun 14, 2019

Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

I have been complaining about replay challenges slowing down baseball longer than just about any other fan. And I am not just saying that as a figure of speech. Find a video of the first game when the then-e...

Author Tom Gibbons