Daniel Murphy‘s history-making run of 6 consecutive post-season games with a home run is one of this October’s most notable stories.Less well-known, perhaps, is Murphy’s prowess in making contact, ranking 2nd (first in the NL) in making contact on 92% of his swings, and leading all of baseball with a batted ball in play (AB – SO + SH + SF) in 86.8% of his PAs.

But, when you take in this year’s Fall Classic, remember to cast a glance at the Royals’ second baseman too. Ben Zobrist is no slouch himself when it comes to making contact. More on Murphy, Zobrist and contact hitters after the jump.

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This Circle of Greats (COG) vote is not to induct anyone into the Circle, but only to select three players who will be restored back to the main ballot after having been previously dropped from eligibility. This tenth and last “redemption round” (we’ve been holding such redemption rounds interspersed among the regular voting rounds every tenth voting round or so) gives voters a chance to reconsider past candidates who have previously fallen off the regular induction ballots.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the 110th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1878 and 1879. Rules and lists are after the jump.

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Wednesday’s final game of the ALDS between Toronto and Texas, particularly the bizarre happenings in the 7th inning, has the makings of a legendary post-season contest. While it has been said that there hasn’t been a post-season game like it before and probably won’t be again, there are more than passing similarities to another October game from a number of years ago, 98 to be exact.

More after the jump on a weird Wednesday in Toronto, and another odd game many Octobers ago.

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Following up from yesterday’s post on the AL, here’s an NL team-by-team rundown of statistical tidbits from the 2015 season.

More after the jump.

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With a few days before the “real” post-season begins (somehow, the wild card games still seem like game 163 to me), here’s a look back at the season that was, team by team. I’m guessing there may be a few surprises along the way.

More after the jump.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the 109th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1880. Rules and lists are after the jump.

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His election was delayed a few voting rounds but was never in doubt. As its 106th inductee, the Circle of Greats welcomes Grover Cleveland Alexander, the National League’s all-time pitching WAR leader. Alexander is also the career leader in the senior circuit in Wins (tied with Christy Mathewson) and Shutouts, and the modern era leader in Complete Games. In a career of twenty seasons, Alexander logged over 5000 IP and faced almost 21,000 batters, both second in the NL only to Warren Spahn in the modern era. More on Alexander after the jump.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the 108th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1881 and 1882. Rules and lists are after the jump.

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In last weekend’s showdown series with Toronto, the Yankees’ Brett Gardner became the first player of this century to record an unusual game feat. In so doing, he joined 10 others with the same feat since 1914. What is this unusual batting accomplishment?

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