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by Jacoby Nolnaho

2016 AL MVP Candidate Breakdown

 Stats/Player Mike Trout Mookie Betts Jose Altuve Josh Donaldson
Team Angels Red Sox Astros Blue Jays
Games 159 158 161 155
Batting Average .315 .318 .338 .284
Hits 173 214 216 164
Doubles 32 42 42 32
Triples 5 5 5 5
Home runs 29 31 24 37
RBIs 100 113 96 99
Runs 123 122 108 122
Stolen Bases 30 26 30 7
Walks 116 49 60 109
Strikeouts 137 80 70 119
OBP .441 .363 .396 .404
Slugging .550 .534 .531 .549
OPS+ .991 .897 .927 .953
WAR 10.6 9.6 7.7 7.4
by Jacoby Nolnaho

American League MVP Considerations

The 2016 season was great for the American League MVP candidates.  Their great offensive numbers put up head-to-head challenges. Mike Trout went 20-20. Mookie Betts went 20-20. Jose Altuve went 20-20. Josh Donaldson hit 37 homers to lead the candidates. Overall, Mike Trout led most of the offensive categories while Mookie Betts put up great all around numbers. If I had a vote, I would vote for Mike Trout. Who would you vote for?

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Topps Now Review

Finally, my card came! I shipped in seven days but since I was one vacation for ten days, you get the idea. So anyway, I decided I would review it. So here it goes, my review for my Mark Teixeira 317 Topps Now Card review:

  • Pro: Free shipping and it came in seven days.
  • Pro: I got the right card.
  • Pro: Super high quality, it feels like you are there.
  • Pro: It came in a protective plastic sleeve and an Ultra Pro Sleeve just in case.
  • Con: Words describe the event, but no stats.
  • Overall Impression: Great product, Must buy for baseball fans.

The Bleacher Creature is not endorsed or associated with Topps or Topps Now by any means.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Zack Hample

Zack Hample. Baseball’s most famous ballhawk. Born September 14, 1977, Hample has made quite a name for himself in the last 39 years or so. He has written three books called How to Snag Major League Baseballs, Watching Baseball Smarter, and The Baseball, but it’s Hample’s ability to snag baseballs that made him famous. He has collected over 9,000 baseballs including Barry Bonds’ 724 home run, two of the last ten home runs at Yankee Stadium, the last home run hit a Shea Stadium, Mike Trout’s first career home run, Didi Gregorius’ first career homer, and most notably, Alex Rodriguez’s 3,000 hit. He posts about his ballhawking adventures on his Youtube videos, his website, and a blog called The Baseball Collecter. Hample gives some of his balls away to young children and donates his money to a charity called Pitch in for Baseball. Despite doing good, Hample got bashed when he attended the game at Fort Bragg on July 3. He gave away all but one of the balls he caught and donated money to AMVETS. Despite Zack’s controversy, many people believe he is just a fan who does good for the image of Major League Baseball.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Collector’s Choice: Topps Now

I am not sure if I mentioned it already, but I am a huge collector of anything baseball related. I collect elongated pennies, bobbleheads (so far I have Mickey Mantle Triple Crown bobblehead and a Wade Davis MiLB one), baseball cards (Three binders filled with them), Teeny Mates, autographs, MLB Chipz, and the baseballs themselves (Okay, I only have snagged two from BP… (Double parenthesis. Uh… Not sure if I can do that but click here for more about my ballhawking adventures.) but I am a ballhawk in training. I am reading books by Zack Hample that tell how to snag balls. I should probably end this because this parenthesis line is getting way to big).

But now, I expand my collection to something new: baseball cards! Now Jacoby, you might be thinking, you already mention that before in the paragraph that violated all English rules. These are different. These are called Topps Now and they have been extremely popular this year. They make new baseball cards 24 hours after something great happens. A week ago, I ordered a Mark Teixeira card and it should be coming today or tomorrow. If you haven’t already, you should really check it out and purchase a card of your favorite team. I just wanted to say that Topps nailed it again.

The Bleacher Creature is not sponsored or endorsed by Topps in any way, shape, or form.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

A-Rod to Retire

At eleven o’clock, the Yankees held a press conference for the aging Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod has played in 62 games so far and is only batting .204. The Yankees and Alex made an agreement. He said the Friday would be his last game playing baseball. He would then be released by the Yankees and work in the system until 2017. Reports say the Yankees were going to release him but he decided to retire. For more on Alex Rodriguez, click here.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

BP Report with Jacoby Nolnaho: Dutchess Stadium

On July 11, I attended a Minor League Baseball game. It was the Hudson Valley Renegades (Rays farm system) versus the Virginia Black Bears (Pirates farm system) at Dutchess Stadium. This was very hard for me because I was missing the Home Run Derby in San Diego. I attempted to collect a ball but later found out that the Renegades were not allowed to give balls away. The reason I went to the Renegades game was because it was champions night and the first 1,000 guests received a Wade Davis bobblehead. (Since Wade was celebrating the All Star festivities, his family showed up for him.) Being in the area, I had to go. The novelty wasn’t the only excitement. Although nobody hit home runs during the game, foul balls were flying everywhere. It was a good thing the roofs were metal. Also, the defense was great. Double plays were extremely common. I wanted to catch the rest of the Home Run Derby so I left during the seventh inning. (I did see Stanton win. I posted it the next day.) The Renegades won 6-1. Overall, it had been a really fun day. Despite missing the Home Run Derby, the great defense and bobblehead made up for it. I really hope I can catch another Renegades game another time.

This has been an official Bleacher Creature exclusive.