Bigger Than Baseball
Blue Jays, Twins share moment of silence after Minneapolis tragedy
“The taking of innocent lives in a place of learning and worship is incomprehensible,” began a statement from the Minnesota Twins in the wake of Wednesday’s shooting at a church in Minneapolis.
Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed when a shooter fired into a church during a mass marking the first week of the new school term at Annunciation Catholic School. Fourteen other kids and three parishioners were injured.
As the local community mourned, the Twins, who were on the road in Toronto, said:
"Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all who have been affected. Alongside our community, we mourn this tragedy and yearn for a future where such violence no longer shatters lives. We are also profoundly grateful to the first responders whose courage prevented even greater loss."
Players, staff and fans of both teams observed a moment of silence at the Rogers Centre as “Annunciation Church” was displayed on the jumbotron.
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‘An Attack On Everything We Stand For’
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Batting Around
Cal Raleigh’s remarkable year continues, the Seattle slugger this week setting a new season record for home runs by a catcher, then joining Mickey Mantle as the only switch-hitters to hit the half-century mark.
As ESPN reported:
“While Raleigh's season hasn't exactly come out of nowhere – he reached 30 home runs the previous two years – the fact that we're not even in September yet certainly makes his power exploits even more impressive.”
Plus, dude also got to hang with Eddie Vedder…
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After last week’s squiggly discussion about expansion and realignment, it’s inevitably time for some navel-gazing about which cities are the prime candidates to add a team, likely before the end of the decade.
Stephen J Nesbitt at The Athletic explains how the expansion debate has become captivating, not least among six cities where serious expansion efforts are already underway: Nashville, Raleigh and Orlando in the east; Salt Lake City, Portland and Austin in the west. He writes:
“Though Nashville and Salt Lake City are considered frontrunners by many in the industry, [MLB Commissioner Rob] Manfred said last month the league has made “no pre-determinations” about locations. Taking the commissioner at his word, there’s still a chance one of the next expansion clubs will wind up in Montreal, Charlotte, San Jose, Vancouver or even Oakland.
“Manfred intends to have two new teams selected before he retires in 2029, but it’s unclear when the league will begin the formal expansion process and consider each city’s bid.”
Of course, another option is maybe they should just put a real team in Denver? (I kid, Rockies fans…)
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Clearly not content with personally guiding the nation’s cultural life in his own image, the president appears determined to choose the members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. And as he says, his lobbying seemed to work for Pete Rose, why not whoever else he says?
USA Today reported that:
“Clemens shared Trump's Truth Social post and added: "I appreciate the love! DT knows more than anyone the fake news that’s out there. Everyone has their agendas… I played the game to change my family’s direction generationally and to WIN!”
Don’t worry, Mr President, you can always go to bat for Curt Schilling. And hey, just think how well a bloody sock-ear bandage combo would sell in the gift shop.
According to The Athletic:
“The Hall of Fame will announce its upcoming Contemporary Players ballot this fall (the announcement usually happens soon after the World Series). Among the other names that could be included are Barry Bonds, Keith Hernandez, Don Mattingly, Kenny Lofton, Dale Murphy, Lou Whitaker and Schilling. The 16-person committee that will vote in December will not be determined until after the ballot is decided.”
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MLB this week released schedules for the 2026 season, with the earliest opening day in history, March 25.
One special date will be a match-up between the Yankees and the Mets in the Bronx on the 25th anniversary of September 11.
The Mets hosted their crosstown rivals on the twentieth anniversary, marking the first time the two New York teams had played each other on that date.
As a resident of New York at the time, I’d alternate between Shea and Yankee Stadiums, depending on who was at home. Baseball in the city was never more important than in bringing the city and the country together. I look forward to being there for everyone who can’t.
Since 2026 will be the concluding season for States of Play, I really hope that we all get to take in a game together at some point along the way.
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As always, thanks for reading. I aim to write a baseball-related post midweek and a politics wrap at weekends.
Usually one is much more sane than the other, especially at our uncertain, perilous moment.
You can find a full States of Play archive here.
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Love that you made the Curt Schilling bloody sock tie in. xx