ClimbingSky

Why Baseball, Books, and the Grateful Dead matter

BASEBALL

  • Spring in the North Country

    During the month of March, I have been on an H.G. Wells kick. I re-read The War of the Worlds and then The Invisible Man. I am currently working through The Island of Dr. Moreau. After my annual reading of Treasure Island in April, I may need to re-read The Time Machine. I began yesterday to work back through my collection of… Read more

  • Opening Days

    It is Sunday morning, and after a 70-degree day yesterday, today we are looking at highs in the high 30s. It is spring in the North Country. Spring, of course, means baseball. On Thursday, my local nine, the Minnesota Twins, will be opening the 2026 season at Camden Yards when they play the Baltimore Orioles.… Read more

  • Pitchers & Catchers Have Reported

    Here in the North Country, we finally have temperatures above 40 degrees after a brutal, arctic January. Meanwhile, in Fort Myers, Florida—where the Minnesota Twins hold camp—the temps are in the high 70s and low 80s. It is perfect weather for America’s pastime. Knowing that baseball is being played somewhere where the sun is shining… Read more

  • TWINSFEST & SPRING

    Yesterday was TwinsFest here in the Twin Cities. It’s an annual event hosted by my local nine, the Minnesota Twins, to help fans kick off the coming baseball season. Though pitchers and catchers do not officially report for Spring Training until February 11th, Twins alumni, current players, and coaches are at Target Field this weekend for meet-and-greets, interviews, photo opportunities,… Read more

  • Cal Raleigh and Yankee Bias

    Cal Raleigh finished the season with 60 Home Runs. He managed to do this while he caught the third most innings of any catcher in the Major Leagues in 2025. In spite of all of that, the AL MVP award this year went to Yankees’ oaf, Aaron Judge. Modern baseball metrics are powerful tools, but they are not neutral.… Read more

  • SOME 2025 Regular-Season Numbers to Ponder

    Now that a month has passed and the regular season dust has fully settled, it is time to look at a few of the 2025 Regular Season numbers that contributed to a poor season for my Local 9, the Minnesota Twins. Let’s start with one of my favorite plays in baseball, the Sacrifice Bunt. Last… Read more

  • The Cost of Everything and the Value of Nothing

    Last September here, I wrote a post about my attempt to understand and appreciate the “new” baseball stat of WAR, or Wins Above Replacement. Here is a link to that article. Now, after a year more of struggling to understand it and why it has become so widely accepted, here is how I am thinking… Read more

  • 2025 Baseball Diary

    It has been another great season for me watching baseball this year. Here is what 2025 looked like for me for In-Person Baseball : 2025 BASEBALL DIARY April 16th – Target Field, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinnesota Twins 4 – 3 New York Mets (10th Inning victory) May 9th – Target Field, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinnesota Twins 3 – 1 San… Read more

  • A Rough Season

    Today is the final game of 2025 for my Local Nine, the Minnesota Twins. It was rough season that led to a salary dump at the trade deadline. What Went Wrong? What Went Well? What Does Next Year Promise? I for one can’t wait! Read more

  • BASEBALL RESEARCH: Home Team Lead-Off Homers

    Yesterday I posted about research I had done on Lead-Off Homers hit by opposition teams/players at the two most recent Minnesota Twins stadiums: Hubert H. Humphrey Dome (1982-2009) vs. at Target Field (2010-present. Today, I want to look at the lead-ff homers hit by the Minnesota Twins in the bottom of the first inning when… Read more