Mark Whicker

2 months ago | canadianbaseballnetwork.com | Mark Whicker

By Mark WhickerCanadian Baseball NetworkBaseball fever invaded the Tampa-St. Petersburg area in 1998, when the brand new Devil Rays drew 2.5 million fans. Then the vaccines came. A million fewer fans watched Tampa Bay win 63 games in 1999, after a 69-win inaugural season. The club topped 1.8 million beginning in 2008, when the Rays shockingly and simultaneously had their first winning season and won their first American League pennant.

Mar 4, 2025 | canadianbaseballnetwork.com | Mark Whicker

July 22 vs. Detroit: Paul Skenes Bobblehead Night. The Rookie of the Year is shown releasing one of his 100 mph fastballs while his girlfriend Livvy Dunne gives him his weekly allowance. NEW YORK METSMay 1 vs. Arizona: Sean Manaea Bobblehead Night for the first 40,000 fans. The hair also serves as a handy place to store 7 Train tokens. July 2 vs. Milwaukee: Pete Alonso Go Fund Me Night. Proceeds from the $11 pretzels and $23 burgers will go to alleviate Alonso’s paltry $54 million, two-year deal.

Feb 22, 2025 | bookreporter.com | Mark Whicker

It’s hard to believe that a Hall of Famer actually was a second fiddle during a good chunk of his career. But Don Drysdale, an imposing 6’5” hard-throwing righty, had the “misfortune” of pitching on the same staff as Sandy Koufax. Veteran journalist Mark Whicker looks to give “Big D” his due in DON DRYSDALE: UP AND IN. Drysdale grew up in California but was signed by the Dodgers while they were still in Brooklyn.

Feb 12, 2025 | canadianbaseballnetwork.com | Mark Whicker

February 12, 2025By Mark WhickerCanadian Baseball NetworkKyrie Irving was right. You can fall off the edge of the world. Usually it requires a contract with the Los Angeles Angels. They signed Kenley Jansen this week to a $10 million, one-year contract. Jansen is 37 years old and has a pretty good shot at the Hall of Fame, or at least he did before he signed with the Bermuda Triangle of baseball. He has a career WHIP of 0.963 and has led his league twice in saves. Remember him fondly.

Feb 8, 2025 | markwhicker.substack.com | Mark Whicker

Luka Doncic’s first Lakers game will probably be Monday night, against Utah. First he has to promise to remove his shoes, leave the carpet spotless, and wash his own dishes. The house is fine as it is. On Jan. 13 they lost a 24-point game at home to San Antonio, with uncontained flames all around them, with the annual Grammy trip awaiting them as the music-makers prepared to occupy the former Staples Center.