Baseball is a game. However, the professional sport called Major League Baseball is a business. Moving professional teams away from their fanbase, no matter how loyal they are, is part of the dark side of it.
After 56 years, the Oakland A’s despite efforts they said fell short, announced in April of 2023 of the decision to move to Las Vegas.
An Era Is Over In Oakland: Las Vegas A’s?
With the final series starting this week along with the statement from the A’s, it is real.
“We are deeply grateful to Oakland for being home to the A’s for nearly 60 years. In that span, the team and its fans celebrated four World Series championships, served as home to seven American League MVPs, made countless lasting memories, and achieved a storied place in baseball history. After an earnest and unprecedented effort to bring a visionary ballpark to downtown Oakland, we were unable to reach a deal, and more importantly, secure a reliable path to a fully approved project.
We appreciate the community members, local leaders and staff who worked diligently to build a new home in Oakland and applaud the fans who passionately advocated for the team to stay. The A’s time in Oakland will always be a cherished part of this franchise’s history, and we carry that spirit forward on this journey to Sacramento and eventually to our new home in Las Vegas. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fans for their unwavering support throughout the years.”
To make things worse, with the stadium details in Vegas being worked out, the owners’ decision to move to Sacramento only angered fans and local media alike.
Sports reporter Larry Beil of KGO, the ABC affiliate, summed up the frustration of the situation thoroughly.
MLBbro.com could go on forever trying to cover all of the MLBbros that put on a uniform and added to the Oakland A’s legacy.
But here’s the ones that need to be honored.
Rickey Henderson:
When it comes to stolen bases, this MLBbro is the standard for which all players have to live up to. The end. Rickey Henderson is the stolen base king holding the record with 1,406. Since 1991 when he passed Lou Brock’s total of 938, the mere discussion of breaking Rickey’s record is non-existent.
The ten-time All-Star and 1990 AL MVP led the league in runs scored five times, in walks four times and in hits once. He hit .300 or better eight times and is in the 3,000 hit club. He played for multiple teams but his star shines brightest in Oakland while swiping bases. His single season record of 130 was in an A’s uniform.
Dave “Smoke” Stewart:
This brother was cold. His demeanor along with that mean look on the mound made him a household name. Along with the fact that he’s one of only 15 MLBbro pitchers to win 20 or more games in a season and he did it multiple times (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990).
MLBbro.com has covered Stewart’s progress to bring an MLB expansion team to Nashville. With the front office experience “Smoke” had that matched his pitching prowess, it’s sad that he couldn’t save the A’s for the Oakland faithful.
That’s not to say that an MLBbro legend didn’t try…
Reggie Jackson:
We could talk about the great things the MLBbro did on the baseball field to earn the nickname “Mr. October”. But the fact that Reggie Jackson actually had a group together to buy the Oakland A’s that included Bill Gates should be enough.
Reggie talked about it on Howard Stern’s radio show…
The group at the time was willing to pay $25 million more than the highest bidder. Despite promises from then MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, the team was sold to Lewis Wolff.
For this effort alone, this MLBbro is the most influential and loyal person ever attached to the Oakland A’s.
With the season rapidly coming to a close, the New York Yankees as of this writing look as if they will take the American League East title, outlasting the surprising efforts of the Baltimore Orioles.
With the postseason coming in a few weeks, Major League Baseball can sell the potential matchup of their two most historic franchises in history in the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees in the World Series, a rivalry that goes back decades when the Dodgers were in Brooklyn led by MLBbro icon, Jackie Robinson.
With the sport looking for new inventive ways of promoting and marketing the game of baseball, maybe a strategy used by the NBA can draw interest to not only the diamond but the way teams are constructed.
In the early 2000s, the NBA saw a trend of three stars teaming up to great success with the Boston Celtics in 2008 which led to a championship. However, the Miami Heat took the model to the next level when LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and the term “Big 3” was born. Storylines flew everywhere and videos combined with pro wrestling which was just as popular.
The New York Yankees have the same potential ingredient as the Miami Heat by way of bringing back the dominant “Evil Empire” days that irked anyone not down with the Yankees pinstripes.
Believe it or not, MLBbros are the ones who can cause this chemical explosion filling the roles of that NBA superteam.
The Main Attraction: Aaron Judge (Then…LeBron James)
For a team to command the attention of hardcore and casual fans alike, a team needs a superstar whose name transcends past his own team to become the face of the sport. Back then when LeBron James left to “take his talents to South Beach”, he dominated the sport along with the news cycle.
MLBbro Aaron Judge might have been close to leaving the “Big Apple” with contentious contract negotiations, but thanks to his historic power streak over the last few years, Judge is the face of Major League Baseball even though Shohei Ohtani is possibly the corporate global plan.
The Cool Sidekick: Jazz Chisholm (Then Dwyane Wade)
When LeBron came to town, a star had to take a step back but it was clear to everyone that Wade was that dude. With this Yankees team, Jazz Chisholm plays this role to perfection.
Remember the Yankees were in a freefall that got the Orioles back in the division race around the trade deadline. Since Chisholm came into the fold, the Yankees woke up from their slumber and Jazz is all the rage in New York in the field and at the plate.
The X-Factor: Giancarlo Stanton (Then Chris Bosh)
There has been no championship team without the star who quietly fills in the foundation by making timely plays and comes through in the clutch when his name is called.
Even though he doesn’t commend the headlines like the superstars, his teammates know the importance of his presence.
Giancarlo Stanton is quietly carving a Hall of Fame career while still putting baseballs into the seats.
The active leader in home runs just hit his 25th home run as an active player leading 10 seasons.
While Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm are the players who put fans in seats, Stanton will be the glue that keeps the championship chances together next month.
If the Yankees win and the “Big 3” references start in MLB, send the check to MLBbro.com.
As the MLB postseason rapidly approaches, the good old days of World Series lore spread over decades is a possibility as the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are again the class of baseball.
Both teams have the best players in their respective leagues in Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) and Aaron Judge (Yankees) with plenty of statistics to back it up.
Both are having historical seasons that supersede their superstar careers.
Judge, who broke the American League home run record with 62 in an MVP season, is on pace to break his own record while becoming an even more efficient hitter. He has dominated baseball at the plate at such a level that many are bypassing the “Steroid Era” and placing him next to the one and only Babe Ruth.
Shohei Ohtani, who is compared to Ruth based on his ability to pitch at a high level and hit for power, has put pitching on the shelf for this season. But that doesn’t mean his contributions haven’t been electric. Ohtani is on a short list of players who have accomplished hitting over 40 home runs (he stands at 41) and stealing more than 40 bases (40). The Dodgers superstar has an outside chance of being the only player to join the 50-50 club.
It was enough of a possibility that ESPN’s Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser discussed whose accomplishments were greater on Pardon The Interruption…
But we begin today with Aaron Judge hitting home runs number 50 and 51 yesterday… pic.twitter.com/LuoCQFHLFv
Guess which player is a slam dunk for winning league MVP and who isn’t? Yes, our MLBbro Aaron Judge!
Bobby Witt Jr. Is A Legit AL MVP Candidate
While MLB should be ordering Aaron Judge’s name to be stenciled for the AL MVP trophy, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal believes Kansas City Royals shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr. should be considered. He based his opinions on these factors…
Witt Jr. leads all of baseball as of this writing with a .347 batting average. Aaron Judge has an average of .333.
Witt Jr. has made an impact on the basepaths with 27 compared to our MLBbro’s six. This puts him on pace for a back-to-back 30-30 season.
Finally, with the comparisons in the field, Rosenthal based on the analytics and advanced stats calls Witt Jr. the best defensive player in baseball and Judge one of the worst.
Well…film don’t lie, as they say.
Usually posting #MLBbro Aaron Judge hitting Bro Bombs but this time he takes one away on this amazing play 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/hnyAucrN0w
MLBbro.com is biased towards Black and brown players because…that’s who the staff covers exclusively. But that does not matter in this case. Since April 27, 2024, the reigning AL Player of the Week is the first MLBbro to hit over 50 home runs in three seasons breaking a tie with MLBbro icons, Ken Griffey Jr. and the late Willie Mays…
HOME BOI HIGHLIGHTS | Aaron Judge Becomes First MLBbro To Post Three 50+ Homer Seasons pic.twitter.com/uCADpEYUQt
His power combinations with teammates have been electric. He shares home runs in the same game this season with not one but two teammates in Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto with 12. But last weekend, the last ingredient to an MVP story is history that has been made. When all three hit back-to-back-to-back homers, it was the first time three former Home Run Derby champions had accomplished the feat!
This is the first time in MLB history that three former HR Derby Champs all were part of back-to-back-to-back HR in a game! pic.twitter.com/CJEoPIvNMG
The MLB season is going into the final stretch with less than 40 games left.
Now that the All-Star Game and trade deadline are in the rearview mirror, the contenders are battling for playoff seedings while the rest of the teams are getting ready for changes in the offseason.
For MLBbro.com, it’s time to check in on the progress of MLBbros not named Aaron Judge or Mookie Betts and how they stack up against their peers.
MLBbro.com has a weekly version of the top five players who have stood out for their respective teams…
But now this top five list will be expanded to the top five African-American pitchers in baseball up until this point in the season.
Believe it or not, one of the pitchers is on the board as one of the top five players of the week.
Hunter Greene (Cincinnati Reds):
The Reds franchise and its fan base had to be scared when our MLBbro went on the IL for elbow soreness. Luckily for the team and Hunter, the injury is not serious and he could be back on August 29.
Greene is one of the cornerstones of the franchise with the Reds investiing $53 million contract extension guaranteed through the 2028 season.
Up until the injury, Hunter Greene was on the shortlist for the NL Cy Young Award.
His 9-4 record with a 2.83 ERA (third in the league), 1.02 WHIP (5th) and 162 strikeouts (4th) in only 143 ⅓ innings shows why.
With his bobblehead promotions rewarding school kids for good grades or shoe donations for high school kids and potential players in Africa, Greene is making a difference on and off the field as a role model.
Marcus Stroman (New York Yankees):
This MLBbro is so high on the list because the Yankees need him to perform at a high level not only to hang on to the American League East but more importantly, a World Series run.
His 8-6 record with a 3.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 92 strikeouts is solid but not enough for the famous “Championship or Bust” Yankees fanbase.
After a midseason slump that ballooned his ERA to 4.10, two strong starts seemingly have him back on the right track.
With a bullpen that has been inconsistent, the Yanks need more Stroman starts to last well past the fifth inning with the precise pitching shown in his last two starts.
Simeon Woods Richardson (Minnesota Twins):
Simeon Woods Richardson is still developing as a starting pitcher after coming over to Minnesota in the Jose Berrios trade.
After trying to gain footing with the velocity of his fast ball, our MLBbro has found a spot in the rotation as the middle to back of the rotation starter. With over 100 innings, an ERA of 3.78 and a 1.18 WHIP, Woods Richardson is moving in the right direction.
But that has come with hard work and changes in his pitching mechanics…
simeon woods richardson has now reached 97.2 mph as his max velo
he & the #mntwins have done a fantastic job improving some of his actions
1. arm slot
2. shoulder direction
3. more extension through back hip ride 🚫 pushing from toes
If this keeps up, Simeon Woods Richardson will be near the top of the rotation before you know it.
Taj Bradley (Tampa Bay Rays):
Taj Bradley’s performance this season basically mirrors Tampa Bay’s.
As of Tuesdsy afternoon, the team’s record is .500 (62-62) and so is Bradley’s (6-8). A slow start due to a right pectoral muscle in spring training held him out until May 10. His 3.55 ERA doesn’t knock anyone out of their socks on the surface but considering a 1-4 record and a 5.81 ERA at the beginning of June, his run in July was Cy Young worthy!
How did he do it?
Bradley had an eight game start stretch that would have made Dwight Gooden proud.
From June 8 through late July, our MLBbro posted an ERA of 0.92 which was the lowest in the majors.
The 2018 150th pick of the Rays has thrived moving up the pipeline to becoming one of the more consistent pitchers on Tampa Bay’s staff.
Triston McKenzie (Cleveland Guardians) currently in the minors:
An MLBbro.com favorite, “Sticks” exploded on the scene in 2020 as Cleveland’s number one prospect. The improvements kept coming through the 2022 season.
Then the UCL injuries derailed his career from missing most of the 2023 season and the ultimate decision to send him to the minors this season.
With this being an arbitration-eligible season, McKenzie decided to forego surgery and go the rehab route.
Meanwhile, Triston could look to develop a sinker to add to his portfolio of pitches that are losing velocity.
To get that velocity back, surgery might be the only option to keep this MLBbro from being one of the biggest “What ifs” in MLBbro history.
In the era of social media, all professional sports leagues depend on engagement to keep the fans interested and even though their teams are nowhere near the postseason.
Old rivalries to G.O.A.T. conversations to the simple “My team has more championships than yours” are all common debates.
Over the last three seasons, no MLB player has been feared for his power as much as Aaron Judge. The power he possesses leaves no doubt that he is at the top of the mountain in this era.
His comparisons to certain players have kept discussions spicy almost to the point of controversy. When Judge broke the AL season home run record, it was used to discredit Barry Bonds’ all time MLB record.
Being a New York Yankee great and breaking Roger Maris’ aforementioned record have drawn comparisons to not only Maris, but Babe Ruth in the pantheon of all-time home run hitters.
Recently, there was a debate about who was the best player in baseball…Judge or Shohei Ohtani. Now Aaron Judge’s AL MVP chances this year are being linked to Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals.
One Tweet: Tony Gwynn vs. Aaron Judge
But it took one tweet earlier this month to start the latest social media craze…
Aaron Judge is the best hitter we will ever see in our lifetime
This tweet went viral, and Marty Mush got ratioed for his opinion with a name from MLB past…Tony Gwynn.
Where do Aaron Judge comparisons begin and end with Tony Gwynn? Believe it or not, it’s an easier conversation than fans realize. Aaron Judge has improved his strikeout rate over the years, but Tony Gwynn is the G.O.A.T.!
Sure G.O.A.T conversations are cliche at this point, but not this one. Aaron Judge’s preparation and technique work is top notch.
How does @TheJudge44 get ready in the batting cage?
The AL MVP and @Yankees Captain took Harold through his pregame preparations and which fellow stars he likes to study.
But throughout his career, strikeouts have been an issue at times. Tony Gwynn almost NEVER struck out and when he did, it was breaking news. Over the last three full seasons Judge struck out 158 times in 2021, 175 times in 2022, 130 times last season and 128 times this season.
Tony Gwynn struck out 167 times in the 1990’s.
Tony Gwynn struck out 434 times in a 20-year career, Aaron Judge is approaching 1200 Ks in half the time.
These two MLBbro greats are different types of hitters in two different eras.
In the era of analytics and sports science, there is another reason beyond the obvious that Aaron Judge is a much better power hitter. The opportunities of the pitchers’ fastballs. In Gwynn’s era outside of maybe Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Dwight Gooden or Roger Clemens for example, how many pitchers were throwing 100+ mph pitches continuously? Now those types of pitches are a requirement to be a pitcher in the majors.
Bottom line, the tweet started a conversation that has no merit. Judge will be in the Hall of Fame with Gwynn when he quits. But if this conversation comes up again about Aaron Judge being an overall better hitter than Tony Gwynn, I might lose my mind.
In ‘95, Tony Gwynn had a span of 170 plate appearances during which he hit .401 and never struck out.pic.twitter.com/FucCCpycGI
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) January 8, 2024
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