MLB Showdown Obsession

 Puerto Rico got off to a hot start in 2006, but the 2nd round proved to be too much for them. 2009 started off the same way as they jumped all over Panama 7-0 and then 3-1 over Netherlands to clinch a spot in the next round. The cherry on top was their 5-0 victory to run the table on their pool when Netherlands won the loser bracket. As round 2 began, they matched up with the United States and shocked the Americans with an 11-1 mercy rule win in 7 innings. Next up was Venezuela with a spot in the finals bracket on the line, but they were stopped 2-0. They had one last chance to advance in the losers bracket with a rematch against the USA. This time the parent country of Puerto Rico claimed victory, with the US winning a 6-5 nail biter, sending Puerto Rico home. Pudge's card looks a bit iffy, especially compared to his previous cards in his Hall of Fame career, he still dazzled enough to claim a spot on the All-WBC team. Vazquez could anchor some pitching staffs with his solid char...

 There are certain players that simply define the era that they play in. It helps that they're elite talents, but it's also their character that sets them apart. And when their time in the game comes to a close baseball feels a little empty without them. You can spend all day coming up with names, but few can compare to the grace and class of Lou Gehrig. Year in and year out the Iron Horse was a source of leadership and production as the Yankees usually rolled into World Series play. But something was different in 1939. During the championship run of 1938 , Gehrig noticed something was off during the season, but despite feeling tired, he maintained his production unhindered. That wasn't the case during spring training in '39 as everyone noticed that each facet of his game had taken a sharp drop-off. Despite his dismal spring, it wasn't like the Yankees were gonna sit their captain when the season began, and Lou took his spot at 1st Base when the regular season got r...

 The HoF Veterans Committee rotation has now circled back to the Contemporary Era, with many names on this years ballot similar to what was on the 2023 variation. This year will bring a new wrinkle to the voting rules. There are 16 people on the voting committee, and if you do not get at least five votes, then you will not be on the next ballot. If that were true for the 2023 vote, then Bonds and Clemens would not have been allowed on this years ballot. As it stands, failing to hit the 5 vote minimum does not prevent you from ever again appearing on a C.E. ballot, just the very next one. Multiple instances of failure, however, will mean you're gone forever. Only time will tell how this format will fare.