Major League Baseball Designates Special Days

A Sports Review of Major League Baseball's Annual Tribute to honor Three Outstanding Baseball Players

In recent years, Major League Baseball has set aside special days to honor the contribution particular players have made to the world of professional baseball. Each of these players are now celebrated on their special day every baseball season.

Jackie Robinson Day

Begun on April 15, 2004, Jackie Robinson Day is now an annual event each season on April 15th. The event commemorates and honors the day Jackie Robinson made his major league debut. The April 15 date was selected, as it was Opening Day of Robinson’s first season in 1947. 

On April 15, MLB ballparks throughout baseball, including all teams and the umpires, celebrate this day by wearing Robinson’s number 42, his  uniform number. His debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers (today's Los Angeles Dodgers) ended approximately 80 years of baseball segregation and breaking forever what was known as the baseball color line. Additionally, Robinson's number has been retired throughout baseball and no one else will ever again wear #42.

Lou Gehrig Day

Lou Gehrig Day, held annually by MLB on June 2nd, marks the day Gehrig became the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees. 

Lou Gehrig Day, an annual event since June 2, 2021, honors the legacy of the legendary "Iron Horse" and raises awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease," because his high-profile battle with the disease helped raise public awareness and recognition of the condition. 

Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS in June of 1939, forcing him to retire from baseball.  At the “Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day" at Yankee Stadium set up to honor Gehrig for his sportsman-like behavior and dedication to the game, Lou gave his famous speech where he called himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

Roberto Clemente Day

In 2002, MLB proclaimed September 15th to be “Roberto Clemente Day". 

Roberto Clemente played outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 seasons. He is remembered for his power on the field, but, more importantly, for his humanitarian work. Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. 

Each year, teams across the league honor his memory by giving back to their communities.  His legacy continues to inspire both players and fans to make a positive impact in their communities. 

Summary

The baseball players presented here are recognized for their contributions on and off the playing field. Each year MLB honors these three legendary players with special days to commemorate their lives and contributions to both the game of baseball and to society.

Related Reviews:

• Who was Roberto Clemente by Sam Monaco

For more Sports Reviews, click on

ReviewThis Reviews: Sports

*MLB’s Special Days to honor three outstanding baseball players has been written by Wednesday Elf 

+Image sources in this article are from Pixabay and Wikipedia

Jackie Robinson: The Inspiring Story of One of Baseball's Greatest Legends (Baseball Biography Books)

Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

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 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

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!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Brothers in Baseball - A Sports Review

 

Over the many years of Major League Baseball, there have been quite a few sets of brothers who have played the game. Along with several fathers & sons and even grandsons of former players.

Most of the brothers that fans have watched have played for different teams. What makes the two sets of brothers featured here unique is the fact that they are currently playing for the same team. 

The Naylor Brothers of the Cleveland Guardians

Bo & Josh Naylor, Professional Baseball
Players with the Cleveland Guardians

Noah-Gibson “Bo” Naylor is a Canadian professional baseball catcher for the Cleveland Guardians. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Bo is 24 years old. He made his MLB debut with the Guardians on October 1, 2022.

Joshua-Douglas “Josh” Naylor, brother of Bo Naylor, is a Canadian professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians. He made his MLB debut on May 24, 2019, for the San Diego Padres and began playing for the Cleveland Guardians in 2020. Josh is 26 years old.

Note: Josh and Bo Naylor have a younger brother, Myles (age 19) who is currently playing for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball. A Brotherly Love of Baseball indeed. 

The Rogers Brothers of the San Francisco Giants

Taylor & Tyler Rogers, twin relief pitchers
for the San Francisco Giants Baseball Team

Tyler and Taylor Rogers are both relief pitchers for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. What makes them especially unique is not only are they brothers playing for the same team and playing the same position, but they are also identical twins!

Born 30 seconds apart in 1990 (Taylor is the oldest), the Rogers twins are 33 years old. They are mirror image identical twins - Taylor is left-handed and Tyler is right-handed. 

*Note: Taylor & Tyler Rogers became the 5th set of twins to play in the MLB.

Summary

A Sports Review of Baseball Brothers featuring the Naylor Brothers playing for the Cleveland Guardians and the Rogers Twins pitching for the San Francisco Giants. 

Many other brothers, in the past and currently, have become professional baseball players. If you do a search online, you can find multiple stories about them.  My favorites were the Molina Brothers (Bengie, Yadier and Jose) who became the first family of catchers in Major League Baseball. 

If you follow professional baseball (as I do fervently), you will enjoy watching the baseball brothers featured here and reading other stories about brothers in baseball. 

For More Baseball Reviews on ReviewThisReviews, Click Here.

For More Sports Reviews, Click on ReviewThisReviews: Sports.

*Brothers in Baseball Review written by Wednesday Elf, the Baseball Contributor on ReviewThisReviews.com 

Bo Naylor & Josh Naylor (Photo Credit by Erik Drost on Wikipedia via Flickr 

Brothers In Baseball

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

The Popularity of Pickleball: A Sport on the Rise

 

The growing popularity of Pickleball fascinates me! My mom loved playing this! Mom and Dad were Snowbirds; they spent winters in the southern USA. The community they stayed in played Pickleball, and Mom was really into it. Whenever I hear the word Pickleball I think of mom talking about it.

 

When I read that Pickleball is now going mainstream, I sort of giggled, thinking it was more of a senior sport. But guess what? It's growing amongst young people.

 

Being a lover of statistics, I had to research this! Below are some of the fascinating growth stats.

 

Why Is Pickleball So Popular?

 

It's easy to learn and inexpensive. Pickleball's accessibility is a key factor in its popularity. Unlike some sports that require years of practice, Pickleball is easy to pick up. 

 

The rules are straightforward, and beginners can quickly get into the swing of things. Plus, it doesn't break the bank – you only need a paddle, a ball, and a court.

Celebrity Endorsements

 

Pickleball has indeed caught the attention of celebrities from various walks of life. From actors and musicians to athletes and influencers, the pickleball craze has spread like wildfire and become the latest trend in the celebrity world. 

 

Some notable celebrity Pickleball team owners include Selena Gomez, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jim Berkus. It's popular! Here's an article that features some additional notable celebrities connected to the sport.

Pickleball by the Numbers Explosive Growth:

 

(A) 36.5 Million Players: From August 2021 to August 2022, over 36.5 million Americans played Pickleball.

(B) 158.6% Growth: The number of players increased by a staggering 85.7% in 2022 alone, with a three-year growth rate of 158.6% (2020-22).

Fastest-Growing Sport: 

 

For three consecutive years (2020-2022), Pickleball has held the title of America's fastest-growing sport.

 

Average Age: Between 2020 and 2021, the average age of pickleball players dropped from 41 to 38.1, indicating a surge of interest among younger players.

Core Players: Those who play Pickleball more than eight times a year fall into the "core player" category. Their average age is 47.5 years.

Casual Players: Casual players who play at least once a year have an average age of 33.6 years.

Youth Appeal: The 18-34 age group constitutes 27.8% of players, with the highest participation rate. However, they also have the most casual players.

The Popularity of Pickleball: A Sport on the Rise

Senior Players: Remarkably, 33% of core players are over 65, emphasizing Pickleball's appeal across generations.

How to Play Pickleball

 

Court and Equipment: Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a net. Players use a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball.

Serving: The serving team starts the game by serving diagonally. The ball must bounce once before being returned.

Volley Zone: The non-volley zone (or "kitchen") near the net is crucial. Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing inside this zone.

Scoring: Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 or 15 points, with a two-point lead.

Dinking and Smashing: Dinking involves soft shots close to the net while smashing is a powerful overhead shot.

 

Pickleball's rise from retirement communities to mainstream courts is a testament to its universal appeal. Whether you're a seasoned player or a curious beginner, grab a paddle and join the pickleball revolution! 🏓🥒

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Chautauqua Lake New York Fishing

Chautauqua Lake - Reviewed

If you are an avid fisherman and looking for a new lake to cast your line. Chautauqua Lake just might be the place for you. Come and fish in Chautauqua Lake and you might even see a rainbow or two.

Chautauqua Lake is located in western New York, just east of Erie Pennsylvania, and south of Buffalo New York. The lake is the largest inland lake in western New York. Stretching 17 miles long and 2 miles wide at its widest point, with 42.5 miles of shoreline.

We have lived here since 1989 and consider this our home. We live just two blocks away from the lake and can never get enough of it.

Many fishermen come here to fish for Muskie a North American fresh-water fish, it is the largest fish in the pike family. In the lake, they range from 40 to 50 inches. I've done my share of fishing in Chautauqua Lake, but have never landed a muskie.

Popular Species of Fish in Chautauqua Lake:

• Muskie
• Walleye
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Crappie
• Perch
• Bluegill 

The north basin of the lake is 75 ft. at its deepest with an average depth of 25 Ft. The south basin is much shallower at 19 Ft. at its deepest with an average depth of 11 Ft. The south basin with its shallow waters and weedy areas make this the perfect environment for bass fishing.

If ice fishing is for you, here in the winter months you will find many colorful fishing huts over the frozen surface of the lake. As for me, you will find me in the house with a warm blanket during the winter. 

There are many fishing tournaments throughout the year at Chautauqua Lake. Click here for a list of the tournaments and much more do here in Chautauqua Lake Region. Then, make your plans,  pack your gear and bring your boat. Maybe I'll see you on the lake.

Make it a family vacation. Find out here just how much there is to see and do in the Chautauqua Region.

 Following are some of my recipes for the fresh fish of Chautauqua Lake:

Broiled Walleye Fillets

Pan-Fried Crappie Fillets

Beer Battered Walleye Recipe

Find more Travel on Review This: ReviewThisTravel.com

Find more Recipes on Review This: ReviewThisRecipes.com

Greater Than a Tourist- Chautauqua Lake Region New York USA: 50 Travel Tips from a Local (Greater Than a Tourist New York Series)

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Heidi Bowl Football Game

The Heidi Bowl Football Game Reviewed
Photo Credit Getty Images

Some of you may remember The Heidi Bowl very well, and many others may have never heard of it or are just too young to know. If you are one of the others and don’t know what I’m talking about, let me explain.

 

November 17th, 1968, at 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time the Oakland Raiders vs. the New York Jets football game aired on NBC. The game was played in Oakland California; these two teams were fierce rivals, quarterback Joe Namath vs. Oakland’s Daryl Lamonica.

 

We followed Joe Namath as he played high school football only 15 miles from where I grew up. I remember this game very well, as I was watching this game with my father and uncles.

 

The NBC executives had originally ordered the television movie Heidi to air at 7:00 PM.

Because of the high-scoring game and excessive injuries and penalties, the game ran late and ended at 7:07 pm. When the fourth quarter started at 6:20 pm the NBC executives knew it was not going to end on time.

 

They decided to keep the game on until the end. They began to call the network technicians to communicate their decision but could not get through.

 

As the time got closer to 7:00 pm. sports fans began calling the network to see if the game was going to remain on.

 

This overloaded the network's lines causing the lines to go down, thus the NBC executives could not communicate their decision. So, at 7:00 pm the game was cut off on the East Coast for the movie Heidi.

 

This caused viewers and sports fans on the East Coast to miss one of the most dramatic endings in football history. The Oakland Raiders scored two touchdowns in the final minute of the game to win 43 to 32. I can still remember when they flashed the final score at the bottom of the screen during Heidi. My dad and uncles were furious.

 

The game will forever be known as the Heidi Bowl and prompted the NFL and the networks to agree upon airing all games in their entirety. Now you know why your regular programs are delayed on Sunday if a game runs over.

The Jets and Raiders met again in December with the Jets winning 27-23 to win the American Football League Championship. Two weeks later the New York Jets defeated the highly favored Baltimore Colts of the Nation Football League in Super Bowl III.

I hope you enjoyed this bit of sports history. 

This was the year that the New York Jets made football history

Beyond Broadway Joe: The Super Bowl TEAM That Changed Football

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: