Tonight, Hunter Greene takes the mound for the Cincinnati Reds as they take on Ke’Bryan Hayes and the Pittsburgh Pirates. While other teams around the league continue to battle for playoff positions, this matchup gives us an opportunity to watch two young studs who are looking to pull these former baseball powerhouses out of the MLB basement.
Both teams have had a few playoff appearances scattered across the past 15 years, but during the 1970s, this matchup was must-see TV. Over the course of that decade, the Reds and Pirates met in the NLCS four times. Hall-of-Fame MLBbro Joe Morgan and the legendary Big Red Machine would get the best of that matchup, taking three of those four NL pennants.
Morgan, who to many is the greatest second basemen of all-time, wasn’t the only OG MLBbro to call Cincy home in that era. Their outfield was composed of Ken Griffey Sr. and George Foster, with guys like outfielder Bobby Tolan and pitcher Tom Hall also helping to assist the Machine in their dominant decade.
As for those 70’s Pittsburgh Pirates, that team embodies the phrase “Soul Power” more than any other franchise in MLB history. Anchored by the late, great Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, the Pirates made history by fielding the first all Black/Latino lineup in MLB history, something that has yet to be duplicated.
Dock Ellis was on the bump (no pun intended), with Willie Stargell, Dave Cash, Gene Clines, Rennie Sennett and Al Oliver all backing him up. The Pirates would eventually win a 10-7 slugfest against their Pennsylvania neighbors, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Although the Big Red Machine may have the catchier nickname and get mentioned more than the Pirates of the 70’s, both teams won two World Series championships during the decade. The Pirates went 2-0, winning in 1971 and 1979. The Reds would end up 2-2, losing in 1970 and ’72 before going back to back in 1975 and ’76.
Both teams went through tough times in the 80’s, with neither squad making the playoffs once. But in 1990, with each team once again being led by superstar MLBbros, the Reds and Pirates met in the National League Championship Series.
The Pirates were led by Barry Bonds and a supporting cast that included Bobby Bonilla and Lloyd McClendon, while the Reds had two young guns by the name of Eric Davis and eventual Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. The Reds went on to beat Pittsburg 4-2 before sweeping the Oakland Athletics in the World Series.
Unfortunately for both cities, things took a turn for the worst after 1990. The Reds would add names like Deion Sanders and even hometown legend Ken Griffey Jr, but Cincinnati has only made the playoffs five times since that World Series victory.
In Pittsburg, Barry Bonds left for The Bay and nothing was the same. There have been some flashes of life, especially when Andrew McCutchen was manning centerfield. But just like Cincy the Pirates have managed to make the playoffs just five times since their NLCS match.
Fast forward to today, and both franchises are looking for pieces that can propel them to the heights they once reached. Hunter Greene has the potential to be an ace for the Reds, while Ke’Bryan Hayes has already received a contract extension to man the hot corner in Pittsburgh.
If these two teams are to return to glory, Greene and Hayes will be key pieces in the process.
Washington D.C.’s next ace Josiah Gray takes the No. 1 spot on our first #High/Five list of the season.
Josiah Gray
Josiah Gray is going to be the nation’s capitals next ace and he wants that crown sooner rather than later.
After starting off 2022 showing why he was rated as a top prospect for the Dodgers last year, he leads the wave on this years first #High/Five list.
The Nationals traded away Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, two pillars of their franchise, for Gray and another prospect at last season’s trade deadline. They believe the deal will be worth it in the future.
In his last 10.1 innings he has allowed just one run and struck out 13 hitters. Gray also gave up only four hits and won both starts.
He’ll look to continue his winning ways Sunday against the San Francisco Giants.
Hunter Greene
Hunter Greene is already a superstar. He’s one player that needs to be on the mound in this year’s All-Star Game, in his hometown of Los Angeles, to show the world.
Greene had one of what will be many MLB moments in just his second career start, on the Dodger Stadium mound last Saturday night.
He broke the Major League record for most pitches thrown over 100 MPH in a game (39), finishing the game throwing 5.1 innings, striking out six, and only allowing two runs against one of the baseball’s best lineups.
Greene began his career facing two tough opponents. He got the win in his debut versus the World Champion Braves striking out seven in five innings and only giving up three runs.
The No.2 overall pick in the 2017 Draft will have another tough test this Friday as he takes the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Josh Bell
Josh Bell has been one of the best hitters on the planet and continues to shine during his time in D.C. He’s already earned the honor of being named in Rob Parker’s Homeboi Highlights.
Going into Thursday, Bell ranks 13th in the Majors in batting average and has collected a hit in every game he has played in every game this season except two. He has five multi-hit performances already.
Bell has an OPS of .977, a .354 batting average, drawn eight walks, hit two home runs and drove in 11 RBI this season.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Jazz Chisholm has everything needed to be the face of the franchise for the Miami Marlins. His on and off-field swag, confidence, and skills put him in the conversation to be one of the best second baseman in the Majors.
Known to us as the “Bahamian Blur”, Chisholm Jr. is the eighth Bahamian-born player to play in the Majors. The ninth, Lucius Fox, made his debut for the Nationals a few weeks ago.
Chisholm Jr. leads the Marlins in OPS, slugging percentage, RBI, home runs and slugging percentage. Even more impressive – he has done so after missing some games due to injury.
Chisholm’s batting average stands at .296 this season with an OPS of 1.085 and two home runs.
Ke’Bryan Hayes
Before the season began, the Pittsburgh Pirates made it clear they wanted Ke’Bryan Hayes to be a part of their future success by signing him to an eight-year/$70 million deal, making him the highest paid player in their franchise’s history. Over the first few weeks of the season he’s made good on their decision.
Hayes has batted either first or third for a Pirates team that has turned some heads early this season. He has a .326 batting average with two steals and has continually flashed his leather, showing his potential to become one of the best defensive players at his position in the league this season.
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