Author Archives: MikeR

Calvin: Baseball’s Last Dinosaur – A Review

Posted on by June 25, 2016

Check out Baseball Roundtable’s review of the newly revised book “Calvin: Baseball’s Last Dinosaur.” Calvin – Baseball’s Last Dinosaur is ostensibly about Calvin Griffith and his 30-year tenure at the helm of the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins. But it really is about much more. It is about the Griffith family’s passion for the national pastime; it is about family loyalties and family turmoil; it’s a true rags-to-riches story; and it is a tale about the changes wrought by the ending of … Continue reading →

Bleacher Bums XXXIV 2016

Posted on by August 28, 2016

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Tennessee Three Step
Bleacher Bums XXXIV   Aug 12 – 21

10 days – 7 cities – 10 games – 2 nights in Memphis, Nashville, & KC!!!!
Peoria – Memphis– Nashville – Chattanooga – Marion – Kansas City – Des Moines
American – Midwest – Southern – Pacific Coast – Frontier (Leagues)
Bandits/Chiefs – Raniers/Redbirds – Aces/Sounds – Biscuits/Lookouts–Grizzles/Miners
Twins/Royals – Sounds/Cubs

Tennessee has long been on the Ballpark Tours ‘target list’ with 7 minor league teams & the great cities of Memphis & Nashville. The Tennessee Three Step is your chance to experience it with 2 night stays in Memphis & Nashville & a jaunt to see the Twins ‘future’ in Chattanooga. We wrap it up with two Twins/Royals late season tilts & 2 nights in KC.

For photos and updates from the trip check out Baseball Roundtable or our official Facebook page.

Photo gallery and trip recap coming soon!

Above photo: Iowa Cubs (Des Moines) Cubs AAA  from our 2014 trip.

September Pennant Run 2016

Posted on by April 26, 2017

wrig_bptSeptember 22-25, 2016
Cubs/Cards Clash in Wrigley (2)
Pirates/Brewers in Miller Park

The Wrap – Is this the Year?!
Milwaukee – Chicago

Veteran Crew – 4 pre-departure Larry nominations – ‘not a tight schedule’ – Tyranena Brewery – Miller Park (sucks)-70 degrees but closed roof – The Bud Selig Experience – Palmer House – Wrigley matinee – Arrieta dominates – Wrigley Field construction/destruction – right field Italian Sausages – 3 /5/4 DP – Billy Goat Tavern – panhandlers – Maggie Daley Park – Red Line – Wrigley Nooner – grounds crew work – Cards dominate –panhandlers – marriage proposal – pinch hit on 1-2 count? – Berghoff – Shaw’s – Second City – Shepard & panhandlers – late check out – Maus House – rain storm – sweats needed for awards

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Baseball Roundtable’s 2016 American League Predictions

Posted on by February 14, 2016

Dave Karpinski has released his 2016 American League predictions on his Baseball Roundtable blog. “As I am putting the final touches on this post, the Super Bowl 50 post-game show is wrapping up.  For BBRT, this means we’re getting very close to hearing four very special words. No, not “Football is finally over,” but rather “Pitchers and catchers report.”  “Yes, Spring Training is right around the corner and it’s time for BBRT to drag out what I refer to as … Continue reading →

Cuba in The Media

Posted on by March 9, 2016

Will President Obama’s trip determine the fate of Cuban Baseball? – Washington Post article.

The Rolling Stones to play a show in Havana.

Baseball America updates the Top 15 Cuban Players.

Braves and Mariners sign Cuban stars.

Baseball America’s podcast on Cuba’s Gurriel Brothers future in MLB.

Top Cuban players defect after Caribbean World Series.

A New York Times article on the recent MLB tour of Cuba.

The Economist on how the changing political relationship with Cuba affects baseball, The Cuban Baseball Crisis.

A Vice piece on The Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame.

Washington Post article on political change in Cuba.

Here is an historic piece by Stew Thornley on the 1959  “Junior World Series” between the Havana Sugar Kings and the Minneapolis Millers.

CUBA: The Diamonds To Our South – Recap

Posted on by June 13, 2016

Ballpark Tours ■ December 4 to 14, 2015 Diamonds to Our South 7 Cities 10 Days Miami/Havana/Pinar Del Rio Santa Clara/Trinidad/Cienfuegos/Vinales Stats: 1,343 miles by bus ■ 3,396 miles by air Award Winners: Larry: Nick ■ Pacer: Danny ■ MVP: David / Largest Rookie Class – 11 Quotes of Note: “One for me, one for road, and another.”- Mary ■ “I’ll meet you in the first bar past security.”- Danny Day 1. Miami. Pre-game Festivities. Friday, December 4 6-hour tour … Continue reading →