Baseball is Back - Seasonal Highlights Review

Reviewing a Summary of Upcoming Major League Baseball Events for 2025.

Major League Baseball involves the regular season of 162 games played among 30 teams, followed by the Playoffs and concluding with the World Series in October.

In recent years, many changes have come to the sport, including having games played in unusual venues outside the regular 30 baseball stadiums. There have been games played at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the Rickwood Field Game in Birmingham, Alabama. There have also been several games played over the years in International locations (Japan, Mexico, Australia, South Korea and the United Kingdom) aimed at growing the sport’s popularity. These games have created memorable experiences for fans, as well as the players. 

Baseball Experiences for the 2025 Season

• Spring Training began on February 20, 2025 and will continue until March 25.

• March 18-19, 2025. The MLB World Tour in 2025 will be held in Toyko, Japan featuring a two day-two game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. Each of these MLB  teams will also play against a Japanese baseball team on these dates. 

• March 27, 2025 is Opening Day for the Major League Baseball Season

• July 15, 2025 - The 95th All-Star Classic will be held in Atlanta, Georgia this year at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. The annual Home Run Derby will be held the day before, on July 14th.

• August 2, 2025 - This year’s unusual venue for a baseball game will be held at Bristol Motor Speedway, a popular NASCAR track in Bristol, Tennessee.  This special regular season contest is between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds. 

• August 17, 2025 - the eighth annual MLB Little League Classic will once again be played during the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.  This year’s game features the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets. 

Summary

From Spring Training through Opening Day to the World Series in October, Major League Baseball will keep baseball fans entertained. Mark the dates for the MLB special events in 2025, plus enjoy following your favorite team throughout the season. 

Image Source: Pixabay

Baseball is Back! 

Let’s Play Ball! 

Baseball Books for the 2025 Season: 

Baseball Prospectus 2025

Baseball America 2025 Almanac

*Baseball Seasonal Highlights review written by Wednesday Elf 

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National Catchers Day Review

February 2nd is National Catchers Day.

In 2019,  Xan Barksdale created National Catchers Day. A minor league catcher for the Atlanta Braves, Xan went on to become a well-known catching coach and author of the best-selling book Catching-101. Xan’s aim in creating National Catchers Day was to celebrate baseball and softball catchers of the past and present.

Is Catcher the Hardest Position in Baseball?

In the very early years of baseball, catchers stood 20 feet or more behind the batter and wore no protective gear. Today, the defensive position of the catcher, crouched down between the umpire and the batter, has become the most important position in the game as catchers have more responsibilities than anyone else on the field. It is also the hardest position in baseball to play.

Well-Known Major League Baseball Catchers

Image Source: Pixabay

There are many baseball catchers who have made a name for themselves over the years due to their outstanding achievements in that position. In this article, we will mention just a few of those past and present whose names baseball fans recognize. Every fan will have their favorites, so don’t be surprised if I include MY favorites as we recognize and celebrate baseball catchers on National Catchers Day. :) 

Jorge Posada

One of my most favorite catchers, who played 17 seasons with my favorite baseball team ~ the New York Yankees ~ is Jorge Posada. His MLB debut was in 1995 and he retired after the 2011 season. Posada established himself as a mainstay in the Yankees lineup as  a solid-hitting catcher (one of the Core Four players) who contributed to the Yankees’ winning seasons. 

Posada’s career stats included 275 home runs and 1,065 runs batted in. He played in 4 World Series as the Yankee’s catcher and his #20 has been retired by the NY Yankees. 

"If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be."

Johnny Bench

Ranked #1 in most polls of MLB best catchers ever, Johnny Bench played his entire baseball career as the catcher for the Cincinnati Reds (1967-1983). At the time of his retirement, he held the MLB record for number of home runs hit by a catcher. Bench still holds the Red’s team record of 389 home runs and 1,376 runs batted in.

"You wouldn’t have won if we’d beaten you."

Mike Piazza 

Piazza played 16 years as a catcher in major league baseball; his first seven years for the Dodgers (1992-1998). I remember him most during his six years (1998-2005) with the New York Mets, especially in the 2000 World Series against crosstown rivals, the NY Yankees. Mike became known as the greatest 'hitting' catcher in the history of baseball. 

Piazza is regarded as one of the best offensive catchers in baseball history. His uniform number 31 was retired by the Mets in 2016.

"When you come to a fork in the road.... take it."

Buster Posey

Gerald “Buster” Posey is another MLB catcher who spent his entire career with one team, playing twelve years with the San Francisco Giants from 2009 to 2021. Posey’s career saw him earn many awards, including Golden Glove and Silver Slugger, beginning with being named the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year. His MLB stats included 158 home runs and 729 RBIs and he was a 3x World Series champion.

Buster retired in 2011 and today is President of Baseball Operations for the San Francisco Giants.

“Ninety percent of the game is half mental."

Yadier Molena

“Yadi”, as fans chanted in many games during his career, was one of the most beloved of baseball catchers. Molena played his entire 19-year career for the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Molina ranked first in many categories among catchers.  He also holds the record, along with pitcher Adam Wainwright, for all-time most games started and won as a battery. He holds many awards and distinctions over his long career, including career stats of 2,168 hits, 176 home runs and 1,022 runs batted in. 

Yadier Molina is the product of a baseball family, beginning with his father who played second base as an amateur and was the all-time hits leader in Puerto Rican baseball. Yadi’s two older brothers also had standout major league baseball careers as catchers, Bengie for 4 different teams and Jose for the Cubs and the Angels. 

Molina retired in 2022 and today is the team's Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations, as well as the manager of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League. 

“I always thought the record would stand until it was broken."

Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra is a name everyone, fan and non-sports people, most know about, not just for his nearly 20 years as a professional baseball catcher, but also as a manager and a coach. His playing stats and managerial roles aside, what Yogi seems to be most remembered for is his zany use of the English Language. His ‘Yogisms’ have often been quoted and remain so to this day. You will find several of them sprinkled throughout this article. 

"I really didn't say everything I said!"

Summary

There you have a few fan favorites of baseball catchers in honor of National Catchers Day celebrated each year on February 2. 

Let me know which MLB catcher (or even Little League or softball league catchers in your family) are your favorites in the comments below and enjoy remembering them on this holiday. 

"It ain't over till it's over."

Stories of some baseball catchers: 

Catching-101: The Complete Guide For Baseball Catchers

Long Shot

The Journey Home: My Life in Pinstripes

Yogi

*National Catchers Day review written by Wednesday Elf, the Baseball  Contributor on ReviewThisReviews

 

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The Caray Family of Baseball Broadcasters - A Sports Review

Those who know me know that I am a huge baseball fan. But I’m not just a fan of the players and the teams. I also love to listen to the team announcers calling the games. This probably comes from my love of broadcasting and having married a radio broadcaster. 

There have been many well-known and famous baseball broadcasters for Major League Baseball over the years, such as Vin Scully of the Dodgers, Jack Buck with the St. Louis Cardinals and Bob Uecker of the Milwaukee Brewers. But to have four generations of one family all become baseball broadcasters, as the Harry Caray family did, is unique indeed. 

The Caray MLB Broadcasters 

Harry Christopher Caray

Harry Caray was the eldest of four generations of MLB sportscasters, both in radio and for television.  He was most well known for first working for the St. Louis Cardinals, then his 11 years with the Chicago White Sox before spending his last 16 years as the announcer for the Chicago Cubs. He became a Chicago legend for his special announcing style and his hilarious storytelling. 

While announcing for the White Sox, Caray began the practice of leading the home crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch. Fans came to love this practice so much that when Harry left the White Sox to become the play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs, it became a regular ritual which continues to this day. 

Harry Caray also became famous for his frequently exclaimed catchphrase "Holy cow!" when his team hit a home run.

Harry Christopher “Skip” Caray Jr.

Harry Caray’s son ‘Skip’ Caray followed his dad into the broadcast booth as a baseball broadcaster with the Atlanta Braves. Skip worked for the Braves for more than 30 years, before his death in 2008. Skip Caray’s son ‘Chip’ has extended the Caray broadcasting legacy to the third generation.  

Harry Caray once said that one of his proudest moments was when he worked some innings in the same broadcast booth with his son Skip and grandson Chip during a Cubs/Braves game on May 13, 1991.

Harry Christopher ‘Chip’ Caray III

After working for several years on other sports, Chip Caray began working baseball games for the Seattle Mariners from 1993 to 1995. In 1998, he was hired to work alongside his grandfather as broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs. When Harry Caray died in February 1998, Chip stayed with the team and took his grandfather's place as "the Voice of the Cubs”. Chip served as the Cubs announcer for seven seasons before leaving at the end of the 2004 season to work alongside his father, Skip, broadcasting games for the Atlanta Braves. After his dad died, Chip became the Braves regular play-by-play announcer.

In 2023, Chip Caray accepted the position of the play-by-play announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals, where his grandfather had begun his career as the voice of the Cardinals.

Harry Christopher “Chris” Caray IV

And now we come to Chris Caray, son of Chip, grandson of Skip and great-grandson of Harry Caray. Chris, along with his identical twin brother Stefan Caray, continue the legacy of the broasting Carays. 

The twins began their baseball announcing while still in college, calling games for college games before working together as sportscasters. In 2021, Chris and Stefan broadcast for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2022, they joined the Amarillo Sod Poodles of the Texas League as their broadcasters.

In 2024, Chris (Harry Christopher Caray IV), was hired to be a play-by-play announcer for Oakland Athletics telecasts.

Summary

Four generations of Harry Christopher Caray broadcasters is a unique accomplishment. For more information about this famous family and their baseball announcing legacy, click here. 

*Image sources of the Caray family for this article are from Wikipedia. The Intro image is from Pixabay.

*A review of the Harry Caray family of baseball broadcasters written by Wednesday Elf, the ReviewThis! Baseball contributor.

The Legendary Harry Caray: Baseball's Greatest Salesman

Holy Cow!

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Moneyball: A Home Run Hit for Movie Buffs

 

As someone who's watched "Moneyball" several times and again the other night, let me just say that this movie hits it out of the park every single time.

Starring the ever-charismatic Brad Pitt, "Moneyball" tells the gripping true story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane and his unconventional approach to building a winning team.

The Storyline: A Winning Formula

Moneyball follows Billy Beane, portrayed by Brad Pitt, as he navigates the rough waters of Major League Baseball management. 

With a limited budget and losing key players to wealthier teams, Beane teams up with Yale economics graduate Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill) to revolutionize the game. 

Their strategy? Embrace sabermetrics, a statistical approach to player evaluation, to assemble a team of undervalued talent. The ride is a rollercoaster of triumphs, setbacks, and nail-biting moments that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The True Story Aspect: Fact vs. Fiction

One of Moneyball's most captivating aspects is its basis in reality. Billy Beane's bold experiment with sabermetrics isn't just a Hollywood invention; it's grounded in the true story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season. 

However, like any good cinematic adaptation, Moneyball takes liberties with certain events and characters for dramatic effect. While the story's core remains faithful to history, some details have been embellished or altered for storytelling purposes.

The Cast: A Dream Team Lineup

Brad Pitt leads the charge as the charismatic Billy Beane, perfectly capturing the blend of determination and vulnerability that defines the character. 

Jonah Hill shines as Peter Brand, bringing humor and heart to the role of Beane's unconventional partner in rebuilding the team. 

With standout performances from the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, and Chris Pratt, the cast of "Moneyball" hits it out of the park with every scene. I was personally taken by Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill's performances - amazing!

A Final Score: Must-Watch 

Ultimately, Moneyball isn't just a movie about baseball; it's a story about resilience, innovation, and the power of thinking outside the box.

Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or just someone who appreciates a good underdog tale, this film has something for everyone. 

For me, the most appealing part of this movie is the innovative thinking and the guts it takes to step outside the box when everyone around you is poo-pooing your new ideas—and then win with it despite the naysayers!

So grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare for a movie experience that will leave you cheering for more. 

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One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard

 A baseball book review. 

This is the story of a magical baseball season with an unlikely coach in a small town in Illinois.  

Synopsis

The year is 1971. The town is Macon, Illinois, a very small rural farm community in central Illinois. The team is a rag-tag high school baseball team in a school population that is so small that the boys have to play every sport in order to have enough players to make a team (football, basketball, baseball). The unlikely coach of the baseball team is the school's English teacher with no coaching expertise. 

This is a charming true story of a small-town baseball team, playing in hand-me-down uniforms, who emerged from a field of 370 teams to make an improbable run to the State Final.  

The boys of Macon renew our understanding of why baseball matters.

Lynn Sweet arrives in Macon in 1966.  He's a long-haired hippie, a dreamer and an intellectual who brings progressive ideas to a town stuck in the 1950s. The son of a hard-driving Army Sergeant, Sweet is the opposite; fond of bucking convention and convinced the world is full of good people who occasionally have bad ideas. The students love him; the administration not so much! 

Call me 'Sweet' he tells his students on the first day of school. This in a school who wants and expects proper behavior, such as calling their teachers by Mr. & Ms/Mrs. His classroom has four round tables instead of desks. There are posters on the walls and rows of bookshelves. The bookshelves have novels and short stories unlike any before seen in Macon. There are also magazines and comic books.  But there are no grammar textbooks. Sweet teaches with unconventional assignments and tells the students “Have fun with it.”

Summary

When Sweet takes over the baseball team (because no one else wants the job) he becomes intent on teaching the boys as much about life as baseball. Inspired by coach's unconventional methods, the undersized Macon Ironmen embark on a postseason run that amazed everyone, infuriated rival coaches, and buoyed a little town that was suffering from a damaging drought and the shadow of the Vietnam War ~ a town in desperate need of something to celebrate. They became the smallest school in Illinois history to appear in the championship game, and that distinction still stands. The experience would change the lives of this high school baseball team forever. 

Author Chris Ballard

Chris Ballard is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated where he specializes in the narrative. One Shot at Forever is delightfully written in a gripping narrative as it tells the story of the members of that special 1971 team, and its coach. A true story well worth reading. 

For more Book Reviews, Check out ReviewThisBooks.Com

For more Baseball Stories, click on ReviewThisReviews: Baseball

*One Shot at Forever Book Review written by 

~Wednesday Elf, the Baseball Contributor on Review This Reviews

Book available on Amazon

*Image sources: Pixabay

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Review of Spring Training in Baseball

Source: Pixabay

Spring Training is a period of training and exhibition play beginning in late February and lasting up to Opening Day of Major League Baseball.

For about four weeks, experienced players and rookies alike train and play at small parks in Arizona or Florida, getting ready for the beginning of the baseball season.  It is a unique baseball experience for fans, giving them up-close access to favorite players and a chance to see blossoming prospects who could go on to be the next big star. 

For me, the Baseball Contributor here on Review This and a huge baseball fan, Spring Training is a sign that the long, cold winter is nearing an end and warm weather and the joys of baseball season are about to begin.  I believe in the quote:

Spring Training

Baseball Spring Training Postcard

by tjssportsmania

Spring Training is nearly as old as baseball itself, although it was not the big business it is today with designated parks just for Spring Training games and winter excursion packages to games in Arizona and Florida for snow-weary fans. 

In bygone days, training games were held locally to save money, training indoors in inclement weather. Later, teams began training in the south, but there were no organized training leagues until after 1910.  Today it is as much a marketable enterprise as the regular baseball season with two distinct leagues, one in Florida and one in Arizona.

Cactus League in Arizona

Source: Pixabay

The Cactus League holds spring training in the desert for teams from both leagues (American and National). These teams are generally located around Phoenix and include:

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Chicago Cubs 
• Cincinnati Reds 
• Cleveland Indians 
• Colorado Rockies 
• Chicago White Sox 
• Kansas City Royals 

Grapefruit League in Florida

Source: Pixabay

The Grapefruit League holds spring training in various parts of Florida, both the Gulf coast and the Atlantic coast. This league includes the following teams: 

• Atlanta Braves 
• Baltimore Orioles
• Boston Red Sox 
• Houston Astros 
• Miami Marlins 
• Minnesota Twins 
• New York Mets 
• New York Yankees 
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Pittsburgh Pirates 
• St. Louis Cardinals 
• Tampa Bay Rays 
• Toronto Blue Jays 
• Washington Nationals 

Following is a famous quote by Roger Hornsby, the well-known second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals (1915-1919), that definitely says how I feel when there is no baseball.

Summary

Will  you be attending any Spring Training games this year, or have you done so in the past? Leave me a comment telling me where you went and what team you got to see. 

*Blog Note:  Mary Beth Granger, our own MbgPhoto here on Review This, travels with her husband to Jupiter, Florida each February to attend their beloved St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training games.

For the rest of us, join me in welcoming the beginning of the Major League Baseball season and the fact that this represents an end to winter and the return of the 'Boys of Summer'. 




For More Baseball Reviews, Check Out ReviewThisReviews: Baseball

Lets Play Ball! 

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Baseball and the Star-Spangled Banner

Baseball Sports Decor Wall Hanging

Reviewing how the Star-Spangled Banner became associated with sports. 

September 14, 2014, marked the 200th anniversary of the “Star-Spangled Banner”.  

It originally was a poem called "Defence of Fort M'Henry" written by Francis Scott Key 0n 9-14-1814 after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the American victory and by seeing the American flag flying over the fort.  The poem was later set to music and published under the name “The Star- Spangled Banner”.

The song gained popularity throughout the 1800s and was played by bands during public events.  On July 27, 1889, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Tracy made it the official tune to be played at the raising of the flag. 

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that "The Star-Spangled Banner" be played at military and other appropriate occasions. 

And on March 3,1931 President Herbert Hoover signed a law officially adopting “The Star-Spangled Banner” as America's National Anthem.

How Did Our National Anthem Become Associated with Sports?

The National Anthem

So, how did the song become associated with baseball?  It happened during the 1918 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox.  A band had been hired by the Red Sox owner for each game in the World Series and, as a tribute to enlisted players and other soldiers in Europe during WWI, they played “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the seventh inning stretch.  The song was many years away from becoming our national anthem, but players still stood at attention and saluted the flag during the performance.  Servicemen in the crowd found themselves cheering and everyone burst into applause at the end of the song.  

Near the end of that World Series, the tune was played before the first pitch at Fenway Park and it was the beginning of a tradition that became a baseball game standard during World War II.  Eventually the playing of the American National Anthem became a custom adopted by other American sports and continues to this day.

This reminds me of that oldest of baseball jokes: "What are the last two words of the national anthem? Play ball!" 

Baseball Dad Flag T-Shirt on Etsy 

(c) Wednesday Elf, the Review This! Baseball Contributor

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Baseball Facts & Favorite Moments Review

Image Source: Pixabay

Hello once again from the Baseball Contributor here on Review This!  It's Springtime, which means the thoughts of baseball fans everywhere turn to the start of the new MLB season.

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE baseball. It consumes my time from Opening Day to the last moment of the final game of the World Series every year.  During the season, the first thing I do every morning is check the baseball listings on TV ~ then plan my day around the times the game(s) are broadcast. I am a died-in-the-wool FANatic, and proud of it. 

In the winter I 'pine' for baseball season and spend my free time reading baseball books and watching baseball movies. 

My very favorite quote is by Bill Veeck:

There are only two seasons – winter and BASEBALL

Therefore, as we enjoy Opening Day and all the baseball games this year, I'll share some baseball moments and a few baseball facts to get you in the mood for the Major League Baseball season and any Minor League games you might be fortunate enough to be able to attend.

Baseball Honors Number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson (Wikimedia)

April 15th is known as 'Jackie Robinson Day' throughout baseball, celebrating the life of Jackie Robinson and the retiring of his number 42. April 15, 1947 was the date of his MLB debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In 1997, the 50 year anniversary of Robinson's debut, his No. 42 was retired across all of Major League Baseball. Only one player at the time was wearing that number (Mariano Rivera) and he was 'grandfathered' in and was the only active player allowed to wear No. 42 until his retirement in 2015.  Since then, no other active player will ever again be assigned number 42.  Instead, on April 15 each year, all players and teams throughout baseball wear number 42 on their uniform honoring Jackie's major contribution to baseball, which was that of breaking the color barrier.  In addition to the honor, celebrations are planned at many stadiums.

Jackie's 'legacy' lives on through 'Jackie Robinson Day' each April 15. Number 42 was special. 

The Shift – in Baseball

Normal baseball positioning

I've been watching baseball games all my life, yet there are still terms I haven't heard and/or don't know what they mean.  Most baseball terms have been coined over the years by sports writers and announcers as they reported the action on the field or the results of the game.

Baseball has its own ever-changing language, so its not surprising that even long-term baseball fans still have to look things up in order to understand what the broadcaster said.

The term 'shift' has been part of baseball terminology for many years, yet I can't recall it being used as often as it has in most recent years of baseball.  “The Shift is on”, the sportscaster tells us.  All of a sudden it seemed to me as if it was happening in every game I watch.  Finally I got out my trusty Baseball Dictionary and looked it up!

The 'Shift' means “to change fielding position;' to move defensive players from their traditional positions in the field to defend against a particular batters' way of hitting, or to be in a better position for a double play.”

All individual players move left or right to step into the path of the ball for fielding, But the shift in most recent years seems to involve half the players on the field moving to another position all at the same time before the batter even hits. I've begun paying closer attention to this move now that I know what they are talking about. My baseball education continues..... 

Update: As of the beginning of the 2023 Major League Baseball season, the rules have changed and The Shift is no longer allowed.

Doubled Off First Base

I watch a lot of baseball, following the games and players and listening to the announcer's descriptions of the action on a regular basis.

Derek Jeter at Bat  (Wikimedia)

On a Saturday afternoon in August 2014 I was watching the Red Sox-Yankees game being played at Fenway Park. Derek Jeter was on first base and took off for 2nd base when Jacoby Ellbury hit the ball into the outfield.  Unfortunately, the ball was caught and Derek was too far off base to get back safely.

The announcer stated that Jeter had been 'Doubled-Off'.  I basically knew what it meant, but even though I've heard the term often, I never really thought about the definition.  Suddenly quite curious, I got out my Baseball Dictionary to look up the exact meaning.  

To be 'doubled-off' means 'caught off base and put out before tagging up after the batter has flied out, resulting in a Double Play!'   

This 'doubled-off' double play was a most unusual happening for Derek Jeter.  Not to worry, his two-run double in the third inning sparked a 4-run inning, and the New York Yankees won the game 6-4.

Minor League Memories

Rochester Redwings Frontier Stadium (c) Personal Photo

My family are fans of the Rochester Redwings, the top Triple A minor league baseball team for the Minnesota Twins located in Rochester, NY, and we go to their games often.  A long ball was hit one night directly toward where my family was sitting.  Everyone is jumping up & down hollering "I've got it, I've got it", except my mother who remained sitting down.  Like a 'heat-seeking' missile, that ball headed straight for my mom and hit her right over the heart. She wasn't badly injured, but had a huge bruise for weeks.  My brother really wanted to have the baseball, but mom wouldn't give it to him, saying she had the badge of honor proving she'd caught it.

Source: Pixabay

For more baseball facts and memories, check out my 

Baseball Moments and Memories blog

For more reviews of baseball-related items, check out:

ReviewThisReviews: Baseball

(c) Wednesday Elf, The Review This Baseball Contributor

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