2013 was an absolutely excellent year of baseball, and the fun started before MLB’s season even started. Beginning with the excellent-yet-underappreciated World Baseball Classic and ending with the classic World Series between the Red Sox and the Cardinals, there were dozens of reasons why you should have been embedded in the pure baseball madness, and why the current seasons of the NBA and the NFL just don’t compare in terms of quality and drama. I am here to provide you and in no order whatsoever the multitude of reasons why 2013 was an awesome year to be a baseball fan----even if you are a Cubs fan.
2013 World Baseball Classic’s Magical Runs
Brazil hit the airwaves because it shockingly wound up getting into the tournament after a close-close road win against Panama, IN Panama. Led by Barry Larkin (Not making this up), Brazil rose out of practically nowhere to enter the tournament. Although Japan was in their tracks, it was a fantastic first step in attempting to become one of the global baseball leaders.
The Netherlands first became notorious for upsetting the heavily-favored Dominican Republic back in 2009. Now, they shocked even more by winding up as one of the four final teams standing in the tough tournament—led by a lot of unknowns. Up until 2009 most of the world didn’t even realize that the Dutch were so adamant on the sport. Now, they have emerged as one of the top nations for baseball talent.
Puerto Rico’s magical run went to the next level after they upset the United States in Miami during a hotly contested game. And then it reached unprecedented levels when they took out the two-time champ Japan, sending the country into a temporary frenzy. 74% of all the television sets in Puerto Rico was tuned to that game. Puerto Rican baseball was experiencing a rebirth.
But none compare to the run of the Dominican Republic, which breathes baseball on a daily basis. After two disappointing runs, the D.R. team went on a beautiful and inspiring tear, winning every single game in the tournament. The country was virtually set on pause as they watched the events unfold. And after winning the entire tournament, the east side of Hispaniola practically went into party mode for a lengthy period of time. Some day that their tournament win here was the biggest win in the history of Dominican baseball. Can’t say I disagree.
Red Sox Boston Strong
Two angry pricks decided to blow up a marathon for religious reasons (of course) and the end result was multiple dead and hundreds wounded. Boston and sports have an amazing relationship that you don’t see in many other cities across the globe. So this affected them very much. Fenway’s first game after the bombing was an emotionally-charged one and it ended with a clutch home run and the Park going absolutely crazy.
Riding the momentum of winning it for all the runners, heroes, first-responders, and citizens of one of the toughest towns in the nation, the Red Sox improbably went the distance going from last to taking the division, and clutch-hitting and shocking their way to a World Series win. This was arguably the most likable Red Sox team since the 2004 crew that broke the curse, and with that Red Sox Nation became stronger, and the ratings improved dramatically.
The other teams playing Sweet Caroline during the bombing ordeal was a beautiful, beautiful touch.
Mariano Rivera
His final season was full of dedications, thank-yous, standing ovations, good-byes, and oh yea more dominance from arguably the greatest closer in the history of the game. However nothing compares to his final appearance in Yankee Stadium. Prepare to cry.
Yasiel Puig
This man came virtually out of nowhere and electrified Dodger Nation to a degree not seen in decades. While this man wasn’t the only one putting up the numbers, his intense style of play combined with excellent athletic ability was the perfect juggernaut to lift Los Angeles into the playoffs and a couple games away from the World Series. And he accomplished all this in just his first season----and didn’t even play all of it. Imagine what he could potentially accomplish given an entire year!
Jose Fernandez
But Puig didn’t win Rookie of the Year. That’s because there is a pitcher equally as intense, equally as athletic, equally as happy to be in the game, but his importance on his team is far, far, far superior to that of Puig. Fernandez nearly won 20% of the Marlins games with his fastball, his energy, and his passion. This kid is inspiring and fun to watch---even if it means the other teams not enjoying his presence.
Pittsburgh Pirates
They finally did it. They finally clinched a winning record, and even got themselves a playoff spot. The Pirates had not seen the postseason since 1992, when a Braves rally separated them from the World Series. Now led by a lovable crew, a great manager, and MVP Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates made Pittsburgh interested in baseball once again. They were definitely the feel-good baseball story of 2013.
Kansas City Royals
They did not make the playoffs, but put up an awesome fight and were relevant all the way up until September. For only the second time since 1994, the Royals were a good team and were poised to shuffle the AL Central. Although they ran out of steam, Kansas City has reason to look forward to 2014.
Oakland Athletics
This team is fun to watch, and once again achieved past expectations and rose past their limited budget to earn the division crown. There is no one outstanding player that runs the team, but instead we have a ragtag mix of youngsters and veterans running the floor with a hard-nosed and garage rock star edge that peaks whenever the fiery Grant Balfour comes off the mound to the sound of Metallica. It’s a shame that the Tigers seem to always have their number. Now, as for the talk of a new stadium…
Tampa Bay Rays
If there is a team that baffles the baseball world, it has to be the Tampa Bay Rays. Year after year they defy expectations, barely-there budget, ridiculously awful fanbase, terrible stadium, constant threats of relocation to compete in September. They survived making the playoffs by getting past two teams that ended the season on winning streaks. They survived four consecutive must-win games. They survived setbacks on defense, pitching, and hitting. It never makes sense on paper them winning 90+ games and having the third-best record in all of baseball since 2008. But here they are. The Rays will forever be one or two players away from being a World Series contender. If the revenue ever goes up, look out baseball. Seriously.
Evan Gattis
Was there a more beautifully poetic moment than the former janitor-turned pro hitting a home run as his first hit while the father was being interviewed? I think not. Beautiful father-son moment here indeed. And he had a heck of a year too.
ALCS
In this crazy series, we saw a multitude of one-run games, a couple near no-hitters, and enough clutch hitting to fill the highlight reel for weeks. And the ultimate moment of the series was the Game 2 grand slam by David Ortiz that was almost miraculously caught by Torii Hunter, and led to so much pandemonium it shook the nation.
Wil Myers
The big Royals prospect traded to the Rays for some I-need-to-win-now talent, Myers became the lifeline in the sinking Tampa offense in the summer by putting up impressive numbers and combining that with a laid-back Garfield attitude. Eerily similar to Evan Longoria, if he can start hitting like the third baseman, than the Rays will become a sure-fire threat with two Evans in the lineup.
Koji Uehara
At 38 years old becoming the top closer in baseball? Hard to believe, but Uehara became another one of those Boston Wild Cards by being moved into the back end of the bullpen because of injuries. What Boston didn’t expect was the pure dominance that would follow. Becoming the top closer, becoming the ALCS MVP, and then throwing out the final pitch of the season and helping the Red Sox become World Series champions.
Todd Helton
In a quietly productive career, Helton was a humble man that loved to play. But the humbleness would be overshadowed by the overwhelming support he got on his final home game in Colorado. He returns the favor by hitting a home run in his first at-bat of his final game at Coors. Yes, we can’t make this sort of stuff up.
Game 163
David Price cannot beat the Texas Rangers, ever. The Rays and Rangers needed an extra game to decide the postseason. But of course Maddon being Maddon leaves Price in there regardless to take on his kryptonite. And what we got was a fun, tense, 5-2 victory that would be the second of four must-wins the Rays would earn in their crazy season. We got two straight nights of must-win baseball and we had not even hit the postseason yet.
Henderson Alverez
And what better way to end the season than with a no-hitter? Although the Miami Marlins fanbase is broken beyond repair thanks to their cornerstone prick of an owner, they had a lot of nice moments with their young, talented, and passionate squad. Maybe with a few years (and different ownership) they can become a threat and can make Miami love baseball consistently for the first time---ever. Alverez capped the season off by being the first pitcher to win the no-hitter, while being in the on-deck circle. And of course it was also the first time a no-hitter was completed because of a wild pitch. I love baseball….
Matt Harvey
The Mets also don’t have much to root for, except for their phenomenal pitcher that was breathing life into the organization throughout the season. While having three no-hit bids, he wields a very impressive arsenal of pitches that makes him nearly the NL version of a younger Justin Verlander. And although he is out for 2014, if the Mets can round up a couple more pitchers than they can become the NL version of the Tampa Bay Rays---an organization founded and almost fully run on pitching. David Price would also be absolutely perfect here.
Cleveland Indians
Although their journey in the postseason was very short-lived, Cleveland had a lot to root for as Jason GIambi and Terry Francona led a good young squad into a very successful year that saw plenty of walk-offs, happy moments, and an uplifting of the fanbase. Francona is a proven winner and who knows, maybe with a few added pieces we can see Cleveland in the championship dance for the first time since the 90s.
The 2013 World Series
The Cardinals and Red Sox were two very evenly-matched teams with lots of history and lots of amazing fans to boot meeting in the final series of the season. What we got were incredible games, tons of close finishes, high television ratings, plenty of drama, plenty of controversy, and a great finish to a great season. Whether or not you were a fan of either team, if you were a baseball fan you can bet you were invested.
Let’s also not forget the insane finishes to Game 3 and Game 4
Chris Davis
This man was chasing the home run record, but not the actual one that exists. He was going after 61, which he believes is the record even though Bonds has 73 back in the day. This created lots of talk amongst the baseball community as to what the record really is. Whatever you believe, Davis made a very good case and although he fell short, definitely made Maris, Ruth, McGuire, and Bonds nervous.
Justin Verlander
Is there not a better pitcher in baseball? Although his fastball is considerably down and although he wasn’t as dominant, he was the man in the playoffs as he delivered gem after gem after gem against the Athletics and the Red Sox. Knocking out the Athletics two years in a row and making Boston nervous, he remains the face of Tigers nation with his intensity, and his desire to play to win. Arguably the best pitcher in the 21st century not named Pedro Martinez, Verlander going to the mound is an event always worth watching.
Raul Ibanez
Mid-life crisis eat your heart out. Ibanez’ impressive run after 40 continued as he provided most of the power in the Mariners squad after the Yankees inexplicably let him go after all the playoff festivities in 2012. He also tied the record with Ted Williams with most homers by a 41-year-old. To add to his resume: a class act and one of the nicest players in all of baseball. Very odd that he keeps having to jump teams.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Nation has risen again. After years of disappointing results and an uncertain future, Magic Johnson and company have increased the spending, increased the expectations, and have risen the L.A. squad form the ashes of pointlessness and brought the excitement of baseball to Hollywood. Under the Yankee-tough guise of Mattingly and with a good Hispanic-friendly staff, the Dodgers will become a household sports name for years to come as long as Magic maintains his intense desire to win that he possessed during the Laker days.
The Fenway Clincher
The Red Sox clinched in Fenway Park for the first time since the 1910s. That is all you need to know.
The Legend of Sam Fuld
The beauty of the Legend is that you have an average joe ballplayer with weak hitting numbers still making excellent contributions to the team with defensive plays, snarky baserunning, and timely hitting. And of course, also by throwing out one of the hated Red Sox in a very heated playoff-like contest that caused a good amount of controversy the following couple of days. Sam Fuld is fun to watch because he isn’t as talented as most of the baseball players but will give out his entire body for the win.
Rise of Canadian Baseball
Canada made an impressive run in the World Baseball Classic, and even got into a tussle with Mexico after the Mexicans were getting agitated at the beatdown they were getting. The Blue Jays fanbase was averaging 31,000 a game as their team got a total makeover, even if it wielded mildly mediocre results. Lastly, the Montreal Expos noise is increasing seven-fold. So guess what MLB, Canada is becoming a bigger part of baseball and its time to start embracing it.
Miguel Cabrera
The best hitter in baseball, no doubt about it. Giving life to the problematic region of Detroit, his exceptional batting skills are giving people in Michigan something to root for in the midst of the economic turmoil. Watching him year after year continue to baffle pitchers left and right remains a sight to behold. Take a good glance, because it might be a while before you see a hitter this good again.
All-Star Tribute
Just watch.
Manny Machado
There have been lots of great defensive players (Carlos Gomez comes to mind) but nothing can top Machado’s defense at third as he delivered great play after great play. One of our great young stars in the game, he also made the play of the year with a throw that ranks as one of the best you’ll ever see in your life.
Rays/Red Sox Rivalry
The top rivalry in baseball right now involves these two. They generally do not like each other, the fans don’t really get along, and they have been clashing so often to reach the postseason that fights and disagreements and arguments are bound to happen. The bad blood has also created tons of memorable games, memorable moments, and have ultimately allowed for each team to enter the next level of success and quality. Expect these two to clash for years to come.
Dodgers/D’Backs Rivalry
This rivalry came out of nowhere and is pretty much the top NL rivalry of 2013. Starting with plenty of hit batsman and ending with a controversy involving the Dodgers celebrating in a pool, these two teams have been sharing some bad blood for the past couple of years. Don’t expect it go anywhere either.
And finally, the ultimate reason why 2013 was amazing in terms of baseball:
Say whatever you want, I don’t care. There is absolutely nothing like baseball.
Is it baseball season yet?
No comments:
Post a Comment