Month: May 2016

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay was a great pitcher who announced his retirement in 2014.  His legacy will now be decoded.

Roy Halladay played most of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Philles. He has accomplished some of the hardest feats by any pitcher in baseball history. Besides winning multiple Cy Young awards, Roy also has a perfect game and no-hitter under his belt. Roy knows what it feels like to have a team on top of you when you do something great. Halladay has also experienced multiple 20 win seasons. Getting one 20 win season is hard, but getting multiple 20 win seasons is unbelievable. Roy Halladay spent most of his playing time with the Toronto Blue Jays. He would also spend numerous years with the Philadelphia Philles. He had both his no-hitter and perfect game with the Philles. In the offseason of 2013, Roy announced his retirement to the public. He signed a one day contract with the Blue Jays so he would be remembered as one. Roy retired so he could spend more time with his family and friends. After he left the Phillies, they totally fell apart. Jimmy Rollins began showing his age alongside Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz. Who knows? Maybe if Roy Halladay stayed with the Philles they might have won it all. That is a question we will never know.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Salvador Perez

The three best catchers in all of baseball used to be Yadier Molina, Buster Posey, and Matt Weiters. That all would change during the 2014 season.

In 2014 an amazing catcher returned to the major leagues. That catcher was Salvador Perez. Salvador was great at throwing out base runners who attempted to steal on him during both halves of the season. But during the first half he wasn’t known at all. His fame came when the scheduled to be all-star catcher Matt Weiters needed Tommy John surgery. Salvador was surprisingly voted to be the American League all-star starting catcher. After the all-star break, Salvador basically became a new player. He was constantly throwing runners out or hitting home runs. He was playing so well that he helped get his team in first place in the American League Central Division. His team would later slump and fall in second causing them to play in the AL Wildcard game. In the Wildcard game, Salvador would help his team beat the Oakland Athletics with Jon Lester on the mound. Following that game, Salvador would help his team win 7 consecutive games. That led up to a grand total of 8 consecutive postseason wins. That was a big accomplishment for the Kansas City Royals. They hadn’t been in the postseason for 29 years. In game 1 of the World Series, Salvador Perez would homer off of the World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner.  The Royals would lose that game and the rest of the seven game series, too. As you can see, Salvador Perez added himself to the best catchers in all of Major League Baseball.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

David Ortiz

David Ortiz is the designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox. We now look at his profile.

David Ortiz is the power hitting designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox. He has done many great things with the Red Sox. Besides hitting about 25 home runs per year, ‘’Big Papi’’ has done other things, too. He helped the Red Sox do something they haven’t done in 86 years. In 2004, David Ortiz had a great year. He helped get the Sox to the postseason. His accomplishments helped the Red Sox be World Champions. He also got the Red Sox to the Fall Classic again in 2007 and 2013. Both years the Red Sox took the crown. In 2013, ‘’Big Papi’’ had the biggest impact on the team. He had an unbelievable average and hit homers. He was also walked a lot. He was rewarded the MVP award for the Fall Classic. Also, David is usually at the all-star game. One time he was invited to the Home Run Derby. David won that derby. ‘’Big Papi’’ has over 500 home runs. Some people say he is one of the greatest Red Sox hitters. It might be the end of his career in 2015. It will only be that because he is turning 40. As you can see, ‘’Big Papi’’ is one of the greatest Red Sox hitters of all-time.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Evan Longoria

Evan Longoria is a great baseball star. We now look into his legacy.

Evan Longoria is one of the best third basemen in the game. Since his rookie year, he has always hit over twenty home runs a year. He is a very good third basemen, too. In 2014, he achieved many milestones. That year he hit a home run which made him the Tampa Bay Rays’ franchise leader in homers. He put his name in front of Carlos Pena for the all-time Rays home run leader. Evan Longoria is also one of the greatest third basemen in all of baseball, alongside Josh Donaldson of the Oakland Athletics. Evan Longoria even jumped into the stands while catching the ball at the same time! He also is a regular at the all-star game. He even has attended a few home run derbies. Evan is always a key weapon to have on your team. Evan is also a team leader. Although he isn’t the official team captain, he sure plays like one. He hits homers, steals bases, and even makes incredible plays. He truly can do it all. As you can see, the Tampa Bay Rays would be nothing without their face of the franchise.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Jose Altuve

     Jose Altuve is one of the best hitters in all of baseball. We now look at his tiny profile.

Jose Altuve had an incredible break out season in 2014. He was considered one of the best hitters in all of baseball. He also had some stunning plays. Jose led the American League in hits, batting average, and stolen bases. For his accomplishments he got a place on the all-star game. He even passed Craig Biggio to become the Houston Astros franchise leader in hits in a single season. But this star almost didn’t make it to the big leagues. At the Astros training Camp a few years ago, Jose tried out for the team. They turned him down because he was considered too small at only 5’6”. They told him not to come the next day. He was upset but his parents made him go back the next day. He was signed to the the team.  The Astros would never regret that. Jose Altuve would end up being one of the best players in all of baseball. Jose is also a threat on the base paths. You can’t forget that he can steal, too. He led the American League in stolen bases. Plus, Jose has a great glove and can dive at certain times to prevent a run from scoring.

Before the all-star break, Jose was a weak power hitter and rarely hit home runs. After the break, Jose upped his strength and hit almost double the amount that he had before the break. In conclusion, Jose Altuve is really amazing and has the guts to play hard.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

David Price

David Price is one of the best pitchers in MLB today. We now look into his dominance.

David Price was both a superstar and fan favorite back in the day with the Tampa Bay Rays. Throughout the 2014 season, there had been rumors that the Rays would trade their top pitcher away. David Price was getting tired of all this talk. He even said, ‘’If you want to trade me, trade me.’’ So at the trade deadline in 2014, David Price went to the Detroit Tigers. David Price had an amazing season with both the Rays and Tigers. At the end of the regular season, Price had a league leading 271 strikeouts. This amazing pitcher had a great breakout season back in 2010. In that year, David went 19-6 with 188 strikeouts in 208.2 innings. David would continue to be spectacular ever since that great season.

A lot of fans were disappointed when they heard the news of their star. David Price was used to playing alongside Evan Longoria and Desmond Jennings. When he went to Detroit, he had to say goodbye to them and welcome Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez onto his team. David Price is also famous in New York. Although he never played on a New York team, he has given up great milestones to Derek Jeter. He gave up his 3,000 hit which was a homer and the double that would put Jeter on top of Lou Gehrig for the franchise all time doubles leader. It was always on David Price. David Price would also help lead the Detroit Tigers to the 2014 postseason. As you can see, David Price is one of the best starting pitchers in the game today. He helps make the Tigers win a lot of games

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Victor Martinez

Victor Martinez is a great hitter for the Detroit Tigers. We now look into his legacy.

Victor Martinez is the power hitting DH/first baseman for the Detroit Tigers. He has always been a great player, but 2014 was a massive breakout season for him. Victor Martinez would set a career high in almost every batting category. He and Miguel Cabrera are the face of the franchise. Victor hit a career high 32 home runs in 2014. Victor Martinez has always wanted to win a World Series. With the Tigers he has had many opportunities. Sadly, the Tigers didn’t win any of their opportunities.

Victor Martinez was so good in 2014 that the Tigers resigned him for another four years. He would also be a candidate and finish third in the MVP ballots. ‘’V-Mart’’ has also been in the all-star game numerous times including 2014. The Tigers batting order is feared by any pitcher. Victor Martinez cleans up and Miguel Cabrera bats third. It is one of best batting combos in baseball alongside the Giants’ Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval. As you can see, Victor Martinez is one of the most feared batters in all of baseball.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander is a pitcher who plays for the Detroit Tigers. We now decode his profile.

Justin Verlander used to be the most dominant ace on the team. That was until Max Sherzer had an amazing Cy Young Award season in 2013 where he went 21-3. Justin Verlander has more hardware then Sherzer does. In 2011, Justin Verlander had an unbelievable season which earned him the Cy Young Award and the AL’s MVP award. He would be the only pitcher to do that since the time of Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax. That would stand until Clayton Kershaw got the MVP honors in 2014. In 2011, Verlander went 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and struck out 250 batters. Verlander has also led the league in wins and strikeouts multiple times.

Justin also has some other great feats up his sleeve. Justin pitched two no-hitters in the past. On a good day, any pitcher would be able to do that. But to get two is really hard. In his young days, Verlander used to be one of some great pitchers to reach 100 mph on the gun. That helped him earn the 2006 Rookie of the Year Award. Also, the year that Verlander won the MVP, he also won something else. He accomplished the pitching Triple Crown. A pitching Triple Crown is where you lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and have the lowest ERA.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera is one of the most known players in all of Major League Baseball.  Let’s now look at his amazing current career.

Miguel Cabrera is the first baseman/third baseman on the Detroit Tigers.  He has made several World Series appearances.  He won the 2003 World Series with Marlins and defeated the New York Yankees.  The Tigers soon signed him and there was no mistake in that deal.  Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown in 2012.  A Triple Crown is when you lead the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in. It was also no surprise that he also won the MVP that year, too.  He also won the MVP Award the following year.  The ‘’Mighty Miggy’’ as broadcasters like to call him, is a regular at the all-star game. He even hit a home run in the 2014 all-star game. When Miguel Cabrera is playing, you probably won’t be disappointed.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Yoenis Cespedes

Yoenis Cespedes is one of the greatest sluggers in all of baseball. We now look into his profile.

Yoenis Cespedes is most known for his home run derby skills back with the Oakland Athletics.  In his first two years in the majors, Cespedes would win the home run derby in both years tying him with Ken Griffley Jr. for the MLB record. Everybody thinks he is the best home run hitter. But he is an even better fielder. Before the trade which sent him to the Boston Red Sox, he would throw bombs from left field to get runners out at the plate.

But the Oakland Athletics made a mistake when they traded their top player away to the Boston Red Sox. With the Red Sox, he still was able to show his talent in historic Fenway Park. He would get his first infield assist as a Red Sox shortly after the trade. Every so often Yoenis can run for you to get an extra base. It was no wonder that the Oakland Athletics lost the wild card game to the Kansas City Royals.  As you can see, Yoenis Cespedes is one of the best hitters and outfielders in the game today.