Dan Freedman

Senior editor at Moment Magazine (@MomentMagazine). Retired NY/CT regional correspondent at Hearst Washington Bureau. Grandpa of 4! NYC native.

Articles

Rockies Fire Bud Black Hoping To Rearrange The Chairs And Light A Fire

3 days ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

The Colorado Rockies are off to a historically bad start. Last year we witnessed the Chicago White Sox break the modern day record with 121 losses. And it took them winning five of their last six to be only that bad. But the Rockies are determined to be even worse this year. On Sunday, in an attempt to move some deck chairs around, they fired their manager Bud Black, who was in his ninth year of service with the club.
With Triston Casas Out For The Season, The Red Sox Need A First Baseman

1 week ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

On Friday night, Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas collapsed as he ran to first base trying to beat out a slow roller back to the mound. After being carted off the field in obvious pain, Casas was taken to the hospital for examination. There it was discovered that he had torn the patellar tendon on his left knee. Casas had surgery on Sunday, and will be out for the remainder of the season.
The Texas Rangers’ Offense Is Bad And Changes Have Been Made

1 week ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

When the season began, the Texas Rangers, the winners of the 2023 World Series, were the sexy pick to win the American League West. Just over a month in, the team as a whole is hitting .228, and over the weekend general manager Chris Young fired offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker. In his place they have hired former Seattle Mariner Bret Boone.
Aaron Judge Is Hitting Like Barry Bonds Against Tougher Competition

1 week ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

At the height of his powers, Barry Bonds was an unstoppable force. Every season from 1992 through 2005, he had an OPS in excess of 1.000 (his low was 1.006, and his high was 1.422). In 2002, the year after he hit 73 home runs, he had a 268 OPS+ (meaning he was 168% better than the average player). No one will probably ever match the production or output he had over that period of time. But right now we have a player who is giving Bonds a run for his money.
The Detroit Tigers Are In First Place And Are For Real

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

In the interest of full disclosure, this contributor picked the Detroit Tigers to win the American League Central. So, from my perspective, for the team to get off to a hot start is not shocking. However, after a month of baseball, it is fascinating to see how they are doing it. To begin, the Tigers are 13-3 at home. Does anyone expect them to go 66-15 at Tiger Stadium for a full season, no. But they have been playing great on their home diamond.
Jarred Kelenic, Brian Snitker, Ronald Acuña Jr. And The Braves Dumpster Fire

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

When it rains, it pours. Unfortunately, sometimes the rain is kerosene, and it pours right onto an existing dumpster fire. The Atlanta Braves started the season 0-7. It took until their 20th game for them to win two in a row (pushing their record to 7-13). They are currently 11-14, in last place in the National League East, and 6.5 games out of first. The Braves’ best pitcher, Spencer Strider, came back from major elbow surgery to pitch one game before straining his hamstring.
Joc Pederson And Brandon Marsh Are Reaching Record Levels Of Futility

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

This past off-season, the Texas Rangers signed Joc Pederson to provide additional power from the left side of the plate. Pederson was coming off of a season in Arizona where he slashed .275/.393/.515, with 23 home runs. He did most of his damage – 22 homers and a .923 OPS – against right-handed pitching, so he added balance to what everyone anticipated to be a potent Rangers offense.
Mike Trout Reached Into The Stands, Lost The Ball, And The Out

1 month ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

It may have looked the same. But, by rule, it clearly was not. As you may recall, last year during Game 4 of the World Series, two fans violently ripped the ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove at Yankee Stadium. Those fans were immediately escorted out the stadium, and later banned by the team and by MLB from attending any future games (World Series, regular season, or otherwise). And, the batter – Gleyber Torres – was called out by right field umpire Mark Carlson.
Yeshiva University And Lehman College Broke 141 Games Of Losing Streaks

1 month ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

On a blustery day earlier this week, on a baseball field at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, history was made. Truth be told, before a single pitch was thrown, fans and looky-loos alike knew that they were about to witness something monumental. They simply didn’t know in which direction. You see, taking the field for that day’s double-header was Lehman College, based in the Bronx, living through a 42-game losing streak.
One Week Into The MLB Season, Some Players Are Off To Slow Starts

1 month ago | forbes.com | Dan Freedman

We are at the 5% way in the 2025 baseball season. Said differently, we are just past mile one in the marathon that is the six-month, 162-game slog that ultimately separates the wheat from the chaff and gives us all sorts of winners and losers. So, with each team having played at least eight games, there is no time like the present to jump to ridiculous conclusions and assess players who have gotten off to what may be viewed as dreadful starts.