Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American readers (which is roughly 95% of our reader base, if Google is to be trusted). The staff of The Outside Corner has a lot to be thankful for after completing our fifth (!!!!) season covering Major League Baseball. I polled out staff about what we’re all thankful for this year, and here were the results.
(regular content will resume Monday)
Joseph Coblitz: I’m thankful that by living in Arizona, baseball provides me with near year round entertainment. From the first week in February with pitchers & catchers reporting for the cactus league to mlb games in Phoenix & rookie league games every where throughout the summer to instructional league in the fall & the Arizona fall league in the winter (figure that one out) there are only 2 full months with no baseball in Maricopa County. Of course those empty months start right now, but I’m thankful nonetheless.
Tim Livingston: For the first time since they both came into the league, both Mike Trout and Bryce Harper finally emerged as the two best players. While it would be the pickiest of nits to determine the AL MVP (Where Trout came in second for the third time in four years), Harper was a unanimous MVP in the NL by having the finest season in terms of wRC+ by a 22 year old since, no joke, Ted Williams incredible 1941 season. No, that’s not a joke. Literally the best season by a 22 year old since Williams. Trout’s MVP run in 2014 even comes in 11th overall. Oh, and Trout? He’s just on pace to tie Babe Ruth for the all-time WAR lead.
So what am I thankful for? I’m thankful that finally, the two players we have been waiting for to ascend to the top of the baseball world have firmly entrenched themselves. And I hope that just one time in their careers, we get to see them face off in a World Series. Regardless of who you root for, to see that would be something we would all be thankful for.
Liam McGuire: Even though here in Canada we already had our Thanksgiving, I’m still thankful for every single Joey Bats bat flip. I also have to say I’m thankful for departed GM Alex Anthopoulos who traded peanuts for Josh Donaldson and continually made smart, savvy trades. We’re entering the darkest timeline.
Dave Tobener: I would’ve still been incredibly thankful had the Giants only won the one World Series in 2010. Two was unbelievable, and three was ridiculous. So every Thanksgiving until the day I die, I’ll be thankful that I got to watch my team win multiple world championships because for the longest time I thought that day would come without ever seeing a single one. I’m thankful for Buster Posey’s swing, for Matt Duffy’s existence, and for Madison Bumgarner’s contract. I’m also thankful for Hunter Strickland’s fastball, Sergio Romo’s no-dot slider, and Tim Lincecum’s hip surgery. Lastly, I’m thankful that in just a few months it’s going to be an even year again.
