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This article from Sports Illustrated provides an overview of baseball player Bryce Harper's career and mindset. It discusses the pressure and scrutiny he has faced throughout his career, his achievements and postseason appearances, and his determination to be the best and achieve greatness. The article also focuses on Harper's experience playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, his decision to sign a $330 million contract with the team, and how he has grown as a player and person since leaving the Washington Nationals. It highlights his refined swing, precise pre-game routine, and dedication to bringing a championship to Philadelphia. [Extracted from the article]

Paul Skenes, a 22-year-old rookie pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is bringing back the excitement of starting pitchers in Major League Baseball. In a time when teams rely more on relievers, Skenes stands out with his impressive performances on the mound. He has an undefeated record in his first eight starts and has become a major draw for fans, increasing attendance at Pirates' home games. While Skenes may not reach the level of Fernando Valenzuela's popularity, he is the most exciting rookie pitcher since Stephen Strasburg in 2010. Despite concerns about his delivery and the strain on his elbow, Skenes continues to captivate the baseball world with his performances. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Sports Illustrated discusses the rarity of marquee starting pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) and highlights the emergence of Paul Skenes, a 22-year-old rookie for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as a potential game-changer. Skenes possesses the qualities of a classic starting pitcher, including size, velocity, and an impressive record. His performances have drawn significant attention and increased attendance at Pirates' home games. The article also explores the decline of starting pitchers in the sport and the efforts of MLB officials to restore their prominence through rule changes and discussions with experts. However, Skenes' workload and potential injury risks are closely monitored due to his unique delivery and high velocity. Overall, Skenes' rise in the league has generated excitement and anticipation among baseball fans. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the historic meeting between Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron during a mixed-race baseball game in Birmingham, Alabama in 1954. It discusses the significance of this game in challenging racial barriers and promoting integration in sports. The article also addresses the racial segregation and discrimination that existed in Birmingham at the time, as well as the efforts of Bull Connor to maintain segregation. It highlights the challenges and racial animus faced by Hank Aaron throughout his career, and his pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record. [Extracted from the article]

Shohei Ohtani, a Japanese baseball player, is known for his exceptional skills as both a pitcher and a hitter. He has shattered expectations in the sport and disrupted its star-driven economics. Ohtani recently donated 60,000 baseball gloves to elementary schools in Japan, showcasing his desire to give back. He is beloved and admired for his talent, popularity, and humility, and has become one of the richest athletes in the world. Ohtani's success extends beyond the baseball field, as he continues to inspire and connect with fans through his actions and generosity. [Extracted from the article]

Home field advantage in baseball is at a five-decade low, while the NFL continues to see strong performances by home teams in the postseason. In the regular season, home teams in baseball had the worst winning percentage since 1971, and in the postseason, home teams had the worst record since 1970. The trend of winning on the road has continued, with more series being won away from home than at home. Several factors contribute to this decline in home field advantage, including the homogenization of playing fields, a lower intimidation factor, improved travel and recovery for players, improved umpiring, and a more even distribution of talent among teams. [Extracted from the article]

Dave Stewart, a former MLB pitcher, is working to bring a diverse MLB franchise to Nashville. Stewart, who grew up in a troubled neighborhood in Oakland, was mentored by Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, which transformed his career. Stewart is part of an ownership group called Music City Baseball, which aims to build a ballpark in Nashville and establish a team called the Nashville Stars. MLB has deferred serious talk about expansion, but if successful, Stewart's vision would bring diversity and inclusivity to the sport. [Extracted from the article]

BIG GAME HUNTER Acuña has three homers and an .863 OPS on his postseason résumé, but his first World Series still awaits. The next year, Acuña nearly reached 40-40, but the Braves shut him down in the last series with 41 homers and 37 steals to get him healthy for the postseason. DEPARTMENTS NBODY HAD ever hit 30 home runs and stolen 60 bases in a season until Ronald Acuña Jr. decided this year to open the 30-60 Club, membership of one. [Extracted from the article]

JACOB DEGROM B Nobody threw a baseball harder and with better command than the Rangers' Jacob deGrom. b From his breakthrough season of 2018 through June 1 of this year, deGrom owned the hardest fastball among all MLB starters (97.4-mph average), the hardest slider (92.0 mph), the best strikeout rate among pitchers who threw at least 500 innings (12.3 per nine innings), the best strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.03) and the lowest batting average allowed (.187). JACOB DEGROM, 155 ERA+ (2014 - ?) b Yes, it's the most bittersweet pitching career ever. deGrom came to his elite velocity late. Now let's rank these nearly great pitchers according to ERA+, which shows how much better or worse a pitcher's ERA was than league average. [Extracted from the article]

A hundred years after Ruth took Ehmke deep to right field, Ohtani took Clarke Schmidt deep to right field. Let's go!" Ohtani, after warming his arm in between at bats as a DH, ended the WBC championship game by retiring two MVPs, Betts on a double-play grounder and Trout on a strikeout. No one crashed the field during the Angels' visit, but Ohtani is such a draw that the Yankees stocked their team store at the stadium with his jerseys. [Extracted from the article]

Ulises Cabrera has known Rodríguez since Rodríguez turned up at a Dominican Prospects League tryout at 13 and "was easily the best player" among the 200 or so kids there. Diaz, 40, a former minor leaguer from Cuba who has tutored three of the past four AL Rookies of the Year (Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena and Yordan Alvarez), did not want to incorporate the changes during a season in which Rodríguez starred for the Dominican Olympic team. BASEBALL PREVIEW 2023 Julio Rodríguez B THAT'S THE FAST b version of the Julio Rodríguez story. [Extracted from the article]

After last season, Minasian replaced Maddon's bench coach, Mike Gallego, with Ray Montgomery, a 52-year-old former player making the rare jump from the front office to the field. The next day Maddon blew up at Minasian in Maddon's office. The firing was not about Maddon losing the clubhouse; Minasian later said he did not consult with any players or coaches about the change. JOE MADDON B BILLY MARTIN WAS b fired nine times. [Extracted from the article]

Through 13 meetings this year, covering 213 pitches, the Rays threw Judge only 23% fastballs, including only eight high fastballs in the zone. B THE SPLIT-FINGERED FASTBALL FAIRLY WINKED AT AARON JUDGE AS IT PASSED HIS FIELD OF VISION. BALL ONE. b That Aug. 12 pitch might have been just another one of the 12,593 pitches Judge had seen to that point in his career with the Yankees, including 104 from Eovaldi, except for what happened next. Where Judge's bat met Eovaldi's fastball is the preeminent metaphor for this Year of Judge. [Extracted from the article]

JUAN SOTO MLB 2022 Baseball has been here before. • B FURTHER CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN SUBSTANCES. b The monthly strikeout rate declined without exception once MLB cracked down in June on pitchers using sticky substances. [Extracted from the article]