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by Jacoby Nolnaho

Superior Sluggers

During the 2015 baseball season many players hit 20 or more home runs. There was new players hitting 20 home runs or players hitting them in their 5th consecutive year. In this article you will learn who these superior sluggers are.

Chris Davis

Chris Davis led all of Major League Baseball with 47 home runs. He is the only Oriole to lead the league in home runs twice. With those 47 home runs, he also drove in 117 RBIs and scored 100 times.

Nolan Arenado

Nolan Arenado had a breakout season. He went from just being a Gold Glove third baseman to a home run hitter. He tied the National League lead with 42 home runs. He also doubled 43 times and drove in a league leading 130 RBIs and scored 97 times.

Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper had his best season yet. He hit 42 home runs witch tied the National League lead. He led the league with runs scored and drove in 99 RBIs. In addition to that he walked 124 times and doubled 38 times.

Josh Donaldson

Josh Donaldson totally blossomed with the Toronto Blue Jays making them the most feared line up. He was the star of the pack. He hit 41 home runs, drove in 123 RBIs, scored 122 times, and hit .297.

Mike Trout

In 2014, Mike Trout won the American League Most Valuable Player award. In 2015, He didn’t slow down. Mike Trout hit 41 home runs, drove in 90 RBIs, doubled 32 times, and had a slugging percentage of .590. He did all this while walking 92 times and posting a .299 batting average.

Jose Bautista

Jose Bautista was part of the Toronto Blue Jays lineup that led all of Major League Baseball in home runs as a team. He it 40 home runs, drove in 114 RBIs, scored 108 runs, and walked 110 times.

Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz had to transfer from Camden Yards to the spacious Safeco field. People thought he would be good there. Well, he proved them wrong. Nelson Cruz hit a career high 44 home runs, drove in 93 RBIs, and scored 90 times. He also doubled 22 times and posted a .302 batting average.

Edwin Encarnacion

Edwin Encarnacion was part of the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays lineup. He hit 39 home runs, drove in 111 RBIs, scored 94 runs, and doubled 31 times. Alongside Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion helped lead the Toronto Blue Jays to the playoffs.

Joey Votto

Joey Votto had a great season after returning from an injured 2014 season. In 2015, Joey Votto hit 29 home runs, drove in 80 RBIs, and scored 95 times. He also doubled 33 times and posted a batting average of .314. The most impressive stat of Joey Votto was that he walked 143 times. He showed that power hitters can be patient.

Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ superstar. An All-Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove winner does something great every night. In 2015, Paul hit 33 home runs, drove in 110 RBIs, stole 21 bases, walked 118 times, and posted a .321 batting average. He also slugged .570.

Manny Machado

Manny Machado had a career year in 2015. He sure did it all for the Baltimore Orioles. He hit 35 home runs and stole 20 bases. He also drove in 86 RBIs and scored 102 times. The 23 year old was selected to the Esurance Home Run Derby.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Young Superstars

Every player in MLB history has once been a rookie at some time.  We will now look at the greatest youngsters of all time.

             Mike Trout

Mike Trout is obviously the best youngster of all-time.  Some people even say that he is the next Mickey Mantle.  In his rookie campaign, he hit thirty home runs and stole 49 bases.  He is one of the only people of all time to be in the 30-30 club in his rookie season.  Don’t forget his impossible plays.  It was then no surprise when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed him to a contract that would last until the end of 2020.

           Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw is the Mike Trout of pitching.  He does everything right.  He has multiple Cy Young Awards.  He also pitched a no-hitter.  The Dodgers signed him to a ten year deal for a record $215 million dollars!!!  That is a really big deal.  Most announcers say that ”Kershaw does it all!”  That is true.  He made a diving stop, hits multiple doubles, and let’s not forget to mention his super human pitching performances.  Whenever Kershaw is pitching, you expect him to win. 90% of the time you’re right.

Giancarlo Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton is a super slugger for the Miami Marlins.  He slugs home runs whenever he can.  He is still really young.  2014 would be a breakout season for Stanton until it was cut short due to getting a ball to the face.

            Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is the youngest baseball player.  At the age of 19 he hit 22 home runs.    He also attended the 2013 Home Run Derby at Citi Field.  He is also a regular at the all-star game.  Although his 2014 season was short because of injuries, he still has a bright future.

Dee Gordon

Dee Gordon is one of the best speedsters of the game.  He is a younger version of fellow teammates Carl Crawford and Hanley Ramirez.  He steals bases like there is no tomorrow.  The Dodgers are a really lucky team with all their young superstars.

          Billy Hamilton

Billy Hamilton is the Dee Gordon of the Reds.  He also is a stealing machine.  He is the only player of all time to steal 4 bases in his first major league start.  He is also one of the best outfielders of the game today.  He always   makes a diving stop.  So next time you go to a Reds game, don’t be surprised if you see Billy Hamilton steal!

            Yasiel Puig

Yasiel Puig is the best outfielder at throwing people out.  Whenever he ruins someone’s day, he gives his signature finger wag.   But you can’t forget his skills at the plate.  In his debut month of July, he got  second place in the record books for most  hits in a debut month with 44. He also participated  in the 2014 Gillette Home Run Derby at Target Field.  That won’t be the only time he will be in a All-Star game.

               Jose Altuve

Whenever you think of a superstar,  you think of a big and strong frame.  You think a superstar has to be 6’5 or 230 pounds of pure muscle.  If you think that’s true, you would be wrong.  A 5’6 superstar would debut in 2013 like any average player.  He didn’t know that in 2014 he would lead the majors in hits and stolen bases.  He might not have been a superstar because of his small frame.  In the Astros training camp, he got kicked out because of his height.  He was really sad.  His dad told him to go the next day and that is what he did.  The Astros signed him and they didn’t make a mistake doing so. As you can see, you should never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, by a player’s frame.

           Masahiro Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka was the only thing going around the air during the winter season.  A superstar from Japan signed a seven year deal to Tanaka.  They didn’t end up regretting it.  The youngster  instantly fanned 100 batters.  He was also leading all of baseball with 12 wins.  His dominance would continue until before the All-Star break when he would get a slight tear in the UCL.  Although he was injured, he still made the All-Star game. He hopefully looks for a better season in 2015.

Manny Machado

Manny Machado is one of the best third basemen of the game.  He is also amazing with the bat.  He can also make impossible plays like there’s nothing to it.  He also has one problem… he can’t control his temper.  In his backswing he purposely hit the catcher in the head twice.  He got in trouble for that.  What really flared up Machado was when Josh Reddick was mad at him.  Then he purposely flung the bat at Josh Reddick.  Thankfully it missed and stopped being airborne before it hit the umpire.  He would get suspended for a week for doing so.  As you can see,  Manny Machado is one of the most fiery players in all of b   Jose Abreu

Jose Abreu is a Cuban born superstar.  In his first at bat as an American rookie, he would belt a home run.  The White Sox first baseman would take over the position that veteran legendary superstars Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko would call home: first base.               The All-Star Rookie would obviously become the American League Rookie of the Year.

          Dellin Betances

Dellin Betances is the Yankees greatest relief pitcher.  He one time struck out the side twice.  He gives the Yankees the best bullpen.  The Yankees have the most strikeouts in the bullpen courtesy of Dellin.  He was trying to be the fifth starter in Spring Training.  Now he is glad that he didn’t make it because he is the best bullpen pitcher.  This All-Star set up man will hopefully get the closer role if David Roberson doesn’t resign again in 2015.

         Matt Harvey

Matt Harvey is the Mets ace.  He strikes out a lot of batters and wins a lot.  He looks to return in 2015 after recovering from Tommy John Surgery.

          Jose Fernandez

This star studded Rookie of the Year pitcher has been held back due to Tommy John Surgery.  He strikes out a lot of batters.

  Buster Posey

Buster Posey is one of the best catchers in the game.  He has a great amount of power.  He is often lost in the shadows of Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, Yadier Molina, and Giancarlo Stanton.  Posey is one of the youngest baseball players.  Not to mention that he has two World Series, caught a no-hitter, won the 2010 rookie of the year award, and was the 2012 National League MVP.

 Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel is the new Mariano Rivera.  Craig is like Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera combined.  At a young age, Kimbrel is the Braves franchise saves leader.  In the picture you see Craig ”Kimbreling”.  This is what he does while looking for the sign from the catcher.

Epilogue

As you can see, all baseball players were once youngsters.  I hope this guide gave you a favorite young player.

             Bibliography

MLB Resources. MLB Superstars. USA:

Major League Baseball Properties Inc., 2014. Print.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Greinke and Kershaw

During the 2015 season, the Dodgers’ two aces dominated the National League. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke put up incredible numbers that led the league. Clayton Kershaw struck out an incredible 301 batters while Zack Greinke pitched to a 1.66 ERA. Zack Greinke also had 200 strikeouts on his own, too.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Mike Trout: 2012

Mike Trout is one of the best all-around players in baseball. We now look at this young center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Mike Trout I one of the best all-around players in baseball. He has done many things in his short 4 year span as a big leaguer. One thing that stands out is how is his first full season he hit 30 home runs and also stole 30 bases. That made him in the 30-30 club which few people do. That season in 2012, he hit exactly 30 home runs and swiped a league leading 49 stolen bases. It was no surprise when he won the Rookie of  the Year.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Winning a World Series with the New York Yankees

The Yankees are baseball’s greatest team.  They have 40 pennants ( meaning that they’ve gone to the World Series) and are 27 world champions.  Now let’s go into the rich history of my favorite sport team.

A Birth in Baltimore

They Yankees were founded in 1903 as the Baltimore Orioles.  After a year in Baltimore,  the Orioles moved to New York City.  After the move,  they switched their name to the New York Highlanders.  They shared the famous Polo Grounds with the New York Giants.

The Highlanders weren’t a famous team.  They didn’t have the big name players such as Ty Cobb and Cy Young.  But soon,  the Yankees would strike it rich with some of the best players of all time.

Fiery Mangers

  Every team needs a good manager.  The Yankees have had a lot of managers, some good and some bad.  They have come and gone.  Some Hall of Fame managers, such as Joe Torre and Jake Ruppert, were some of the best managers of all time.

Joe Torre has won four World Series. You can’t forget about present day manager Joe Giradi.  He is a manager who stands up for his players  no matter what.                 

The Bambino

In 1914,  Babe Ruth debuted for the Boston Red Sox.  He was absolutely crushing home runs.  Once the Yankees noticed the Babe,  they wanted him to play for them.  The Yankees offered a cash trade.  The Red Sox agreed and the Babe was off to New York.  With the Yankees,  he would hit 60 home runs.  He would become the franchise leader in home runs and RBIs.

The Iron Horse

Babe Ruth wasn’t the only big name player in the Golden Age.  There was also Lou Gehrig.  Lou Gehrig played in 2,130 games.  He had 1,995 RBIs.  He would have had more if only his career wouldn’t have been shortened by ALS.  He led the team during the ’20’s and ’30’s.

Yankee/Red Sox Rivalry

After the trade of the Babe, the Red Sox would never win a World Series again until 2004. They called this time ”The Curse of the Bambino”.  Now, the Red Sox don’t trade anybody to the Yankees.  Plus, fights have broken out during the years between the teams. The Yankees are really sore with the Red Sox.

Foundations

Over the years, the Yankees have donated lots of money to different charities such as ALS, Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 and Hope Week.

ALS Foundation

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the disease that took Lou Gehrig’s life.  After he died, they renamed it Lou Gehrig disease.  They have a foundation which helps raise money to find a cure for this deadly disease.  The Yankees wore special hats to raise money and remember the great heroics of Lou Gehrig.  Plus, they showed a clip to remember the great Lou Gehrig.

Derek Jeter’s Turn 2

Derek Jeter’s foundation is Turn 2.  It is to teach kids and young adults to stay off drugs.  In his farewell tour, he gets checks along with gifts for his foundation.

Hope Week

Hope Week is where the Yankees recognize people with disabilities.  They do concerts and other special things such as letting disabled people throw the first pitch.  For the kids, they get to be a Yankee for a day.  Bernie Williams,  former Yankee and guitar player, had a musical at a hospital.

The Yankees players take time out of their lives for people who can’t experience things that others can.  They even had a real press conference for kids!  The Yankees even help put on their jerseys!

The Most Known Logo

The Yankees logo was originally supposed to be an award for a police officer that died.  But the Yankees wanted it.  They were able to get it and they still wear the logo today.  The Yankees aren’t the only team with the interlocking N Y.

Farewell Tours

As some of the greats and future Hall of Famers go, some teams honor them.  In the last two years, greats such as Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter have retired.  Every team has presented gifts and checks for them.  Derek Jeter donates his to the Turn 2 foundation.  Mariano donated his to the church he was building.  Plus, they got some pretty cool gifts to keep for themselves.  Mariano even got Metallica to perform his entrance music, Enter Sandman.

Also, both Mariano and Jeter both got cool patches to remember their retirements. Every player on the Yankees had to wear patches on their shoulders and hats.

Team Captains

The Yankees have had very few team captains. A team captain is the leader of the team.  You have to be really good and be with the Yankees to be a team captain.  From Lou Gehrig to Derek Jeter, the team captains have led the team. After Jeter, there might not be a team captain for a long time.

Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig was a lefty slugger that had a-then record of playing in 2,130 games. His career and life were both cut short due to a deadly disease which is now known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  Lou Gehrig would never brag and was quiet.  He was named team captain because he was a great five tool player.  If he hadn’t stopped playing, he would have been the greatest player ever.  In his speech, known as ”The Luckiest Man Speech,” he didn’t complain.  He was thankful for the life he had.  Today, Lou Gehrig is in the Hall of Fame.

Thurman Munson

Thurman Munson was a catcher for the New York Yankees.  He was really good.  He would be a captain until he died in a plane crash. It was a sad day for the Yankees.  To remember him, they retired his number.

 Ron Guidry

Ron Guidry was also a captain.  He was a captain because he was an amazing pitcher. He struck out 18 batters in a single game! He also had a season where he went 25-3! He was an amazing pitcher. Because of his shortened career, he wouldn’t be able to go into the Hall of Fame.  He did get his number retired in Monument Park.

Don Mattingly

 Don Mattingly was a first baseman. He was a good player.  He hit a lot of home runs. He was a role model to Mark Teixeira.  Now he manages the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter was a shortstop. He might be one of the best shortstops ever. Having five World Series rings and five Gold Gloves, nobody knows what will come from him.  In his 20 year career, Derek has racked up over 3,000 hits, 500 doubles, and 157 postseason appearances.  He is the Yankees franchise leader in hits, doubles, and steals.  He also is the longest playing Yankee.  He also is the last Yankee to wear a single digit on the back of their jersey.  Jeter’s number will be retired.  He has been a All-Star fourteen times.  Derek Jeter is a captain because he has so many hits and is such a good player.

Monument Park

Monument Park is in center field.  It honors all of the Yankee greats.  It has plaques and numbers of the Yankees.

Principal Owner

Every team needs a principal owner, who  owns the team and approves trades made by the general manager.  The most famous owner was George Steinbrenner.  He was known for saying that he didn’t want his players to have long hair and facial hair. He also fired lots of managers, especially Billy Martin.

World Series Magic

The Yankees are the best team in baseball.  They have won the World Series 27 times.  They also have had 40 appearances in the Fall Classic.  Let’s look at some of the World Series heroes.

Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle has 18 home runs in the World Series.  That is the most by any Yankee player.  He has the most runs and was an amazing player.

Don Larsen

  Don Larsen is also a World Series hero.  He pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.  He is the only pitcher to do that.

Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra is famous for his World Series magic.  He has the most World Series appearances by any player. He is famous for jumping into the arms of Don Larsen during the perfect game.

Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson is known for slugging three home runs on three pitches in one game.  To finish up the series, he had five home runs tying Babe Ruth for the most.

Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth is known for the called shot at Wrigley Field.  He also shares a record with Reggie Jackson for most World Series home runs.

Derek Jeter

When the Fall Classic went into November, Derek Jeter hit a lot of home runs.

Tino Martinez

Tino Martinez hits a grand slam in the World Series.

Broadcasters

Every team needs somebody to tell what’s happening in a game.  The Yankees have Michael Kay, Ken Singleton, and Paul O’Neil.

ALCS Heroes

The ALCS is where the two best teams in the American league square off in a big game.  Through the decades, there have been heroes which the Yankees needed.

Bucky Dent

Bucky Dent is the last name you would want to say at Fenway Park.  In the 1978 ALCS, he hit a home run over the towering Green Monster in left field.  That homer would send them to the World Series where they would win.

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter cut off a throw and flipped it to Jorge Posada to get Jeremy Giambi out.

Aaron Boone

Aaron Boone hit a home run to walk off the 2003 ALCS.

Yankee Networks

Like every team, the Yankees needed a network where they could put their games on.  They Yankees bought a TV station called Yes.  When they are not showing their games, they could be found showing the Yankees Classics or Yankeeography.

The Yankees also needed a radio station for their games.  They then took away the radio station WFAN away from the New York Mets.

Rookies of the Future

Masahiro Tanaka hopes he can lead the Yankees to another title.  The young rookie from Japan needs to lead the Yankees after Derek Jeter retires. Catcher Austin Romine has to become a good backup for Brian McCann. Strikeout king Dellin Betances has to play a role in the bullpen.             

Epilogue

It’s hard to be the best team in baseball.  Having to honor and retire all these numbers. Also having all these fierce managers.  From the old team captain power slugging rich history Lou Gehrig to the unbelievable plays of Derek Jeter, the Yankees are by far the greatest sports franchise ever.

 

        Bibliography

Here are some books that are good…

Mark, Vancil and Mark Mandrake.

        One Hundred Years New York Yankees The Official Retrospective. Chicago: Random House Books, 2002. Print

Krantz, Les. Yankee Classics: World Series Magic

        from the Bronx Bombers.  Minneapolis:  MBI Publishing Company, 2010. Print.

Claus, Santa. Stocking Stumpers: New York                              

         Yankees.  Saddle River: Red-Letter Press, Inc., 2012. Print.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Running Around the Bases with Roger Maris

 Running around the bases with Roger Maris

Roger Maris is one of baseball’s best sluggers.  He is known for breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 60 home runs in 1927 and replacing it with 61 home runs in 1961.  He was a partner and good friend of Hall of Famer,  Mickey Mantle.  Now, we decode his legacy.

     Childhood in Hibbing

Roger Eugene Maras was born in Hibbing.  (Roger would later change the spelling of his name to Maris so people wouldn’t mispronounce it.) He parents were Rudy Sr. and Anne Maras.  Rudy Sr. loved sports so much he even tried out for the Boston Bruins.

Roger had a brother named Rudy Jr.  They were really close.  Since Rudy Sr. shared his love of sports with his kids, Roger started loving sports, too. Hibbing was the first town to have a indoor hockey rink.  So Roger and Rudy Jr. played ice hockey all year long.

          Draft Dreams

Roger was an amazing baseball player.  He attracted major league scouts.  The Cleveland Indians drafted Roger Maris in 1953.

Start in the Majors          

      Roger Maris started his rookie season in 1955.  He would be kept off the field due to injuries.  He would later be traded to the Yankees.

Days with the Bronx Bombers

Roger Maris would join the Yankees in 1960.  This is where all of Roger’s magic happened.

Roger Maris’s first home run was like any other homer.  Nobody knew that this would be the start of the famous 61 homers in’61.  In 1961, Roger Maris was in a race with teammate Mickey Mantle for Ruth’s record.  If Maris hit a home run then Mantle did.  It was like this for a whole year. Then, the M&M boys found out that they had to break the record in 154 games instead of 162. Maris got so stressed out that he started losing his hair!

When Mantle had 53 home runs and Maris 57, it looked like both would have a chance to break the record. But all of a sudden, Mantle got a hip infection.  Mickey Mantle was out of the race! On the final game of the season,  Roger Maris hit his record breaking 61st home run.

        Days with the Cards

In the winter of 1966, the Yankees traded Roger Maris to the Cardinals.  Roger Maris would play two more seasons with cardinals. On May 9 he would smack a two run homer in seat 9 of row 9.

    Roger Maris has his Day

Roger Maris died on December 10, 1985.  He died due to smoking.  He smoked three packs a day!  That is really gross and unhealthy!  No wonder he died at the age of 51.  His family was really sad.  He had been doing good deeds such as visiting hospitals and donating money.  Even though Roger is gone, his memory remains.

 Why is there a * next to 61* ?

There is a star next to 61 because Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 154 games and Roger hit 60 home runs after game 154. They changed the number of games so Roger had more opportunities to hit home runs than Ruth.

 

            Bibliography

Here is a good book that can help.

 

Todd, Anne.  Roger Maris. New York:  Chelsea

House Publishers, 2008. Print.