Catching Up
Baseball Report 2023
by Jon Daniels (bbjad@aol.com)
The 2023 baseball season for me was very productive as I established a personal record for MLB games attended. But the excitement of this accomplishment lies in the journey, highlights of not only the MLB games I saw but also my other baseball adventures follow.
2023 SPRING TRAINING IN SARASOTA FLORIDA
In early March I spent 8 days on Florida’s Siesta Key in Sarasota going to 9 baseball games featuring 10 teams in 5 parks. The mostly sunny weather was warm with temps ranging from low 70’s to mid 80’s. I stayed at my timeshare in a mid-rise shown below (nestled behind larger mid-rise) on Crescent Beach.
The MLB introduced new rule changes for the 2023 season to increase action on the field. I got a preview of the rules during spring training. The most noticeable change was faster games with an average time of 2 ½ hours.
Sarasota is the spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles. I saw 3 Orioles games in which many of their upcoming prospects, such as Gunnar Henderson, played. The team’s spring performance was a precursor to their outstanding regular season record of 101 wins.
Due to extensive damage from Hurricane Ian, I saw the Rays play a game at their regular season home rather than at their Port Charlotte spring training park which was under repair. Other than 2020 (Covid), the last teams to use their home ballpark for all spring training games were the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia A’s in 1919.
2023 SEASON RECAP
I am not the baseball pundit that predicts outcomes for the upcoming season. Instead, I like to reflect on the pastseason. Below are my observations of the 3 teams I saw play the most.
CUBS SURPRISING SEASON ENDS IN DISAPPOINTMENT
Before the season started the Cubs appeared to be a team of promise but not ready to make the playoffs. The team assembled a formidable pitching staff of homegrown talent, including Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay, and Javier Assad, plus holdovers, including Kyle Hendricks and Marcus Stroman. Newcomers Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger had productive seasons on the field and at bat. After a slow start, Selya Suzucki, free agent slugging outfield star from Japan, finished the season strong.
The Cubs had a 1st half record of 42-47 primarily due to a dismal May record of 10-18. However, they came back strong during the 2nd half. On August 6, the Cubs were only 1 ½ games off the division lead and looked like a lock for postseason. However, a dreadful September record of 10-18 left them going home early. What happened to this promising team down the home stretch? Holes developed in the starting rotation caused by a hip/ribcage injury to Marcus Stroman and the ineffectiveness of Drew Smyly. A stellar season by rookie southpaw starter Justin Steele was not enough to offset this weakness. A less effective starting staff led to an overtaxed bullpen in which some of the long relievers, such as Javier Assad, were called upon to start.
Where does this leave the Cubs for 2024? Much of the Cubs future lies in signing free agent Cody Bellinger. He had a resounding rebound season at 1B/CF after his career had stalled in LA. Adbert Alzolay emerged as a solid closer. Baseball America (BA) ranks their talent at 6 out of 30 clubs as compared to 16 in 2022. The uptick is primarily due to promising pitchers Ben Brown and Cade Horton who should be invited to the spring training. Another hope lies in the unstable Central Division as shown by the fall of the Cardinals and surge of the Reds.
I would be remiss if I did not recognize Cubs outfielder Michael Tauchman, for making the club out of spring training and having his best ML season to date. 32-year-old Mike, a Palatine native, was an invaluable addition.
A WHITE SOX REBUILT TEAM IMPLODES IMMEDIATELY
The White Sox decided to give their rebuilt team one last chance to succeed in 2023. The assumption that this retread crew would rebound from the injuries and dismal showing of 2022 was an egregious error in judgment. The only changes were the promotion of prospect outfielder Oscar Colas and addition of veteran starter Mike Clevinger. Colas proved to be overmatched at the plate and on the field. Unbeknownst to the Sox, Clevinger was subject to an MLB investigation for alleged domestic abuse. The White Sox started the season 8-21 through April and only got worse, resulting in a disastrous 61-101 season.
What lies ahead for the Sox started with a July unloading of veteran pitchers Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Kendell Graveman, and Joe Kelly plus popular 3rd baseman Jake Burger. In return, they received lower ranked prospects which showed mixed promise in their short time in the White Sox system. The prospect cupboard was so bare that the prospect additions increased their Baseball America organizational ranking 6 places to 22nd.
Unfortunately, what is left on the White Sox roster are too many rebuilt leftovers, including Tim Anderson (released), Yasmani Grandal, and Yoan Moncado. The remaining productive players, including Luis Roberts, Andrew Vaughn, and Dylan Cease, are hardly enough to create a nucleus for a rebound in 2024.
The most bizarre addition to the Sox was free agent of Mike Clevinger. In December, he signed a 2-year contract with a 4 million 2nd year buyout. In January MLB announced he was under investigation for alleged domestic abuse. In March, MLB stated it would not impose any discipline in connection to the allegations. In August, he was designated for assignment to dump his remaining salary plus the buyout. He cleared waivers as no team wanted him. Rather than just swallow his salary, the Sox put him back on the roster. In other words, the Sox had no one better in the minors or majors to start than Clevinger, which was unfortunately true.
The firing of Ken Williams and Rick Hahn was long overdue. Promoted general manager Chris Getz has done a good job of filling out his front office staff, including well-respected Brian Bannister. However, he still has the impossible task of stocking the roster with new players that can make the Sox Central Division contenders. A greater obstacle to success might be reporting to Jerry Reinsdorf. 2024 could very well be another long season.
CARDINALS MAKE UNEXPECTED FALL TO LAST PLACE IN THE CENTRAL DIVISION
At the beginning of the season the Cardinals assumed their normal position of contenders in the Central Division. The retirement of Yadier Molina left a void at the catcher’s spot that was ably filled by the signing of Cubs All-Star Willson Contreras. The other positions on the field were considered well-staffed by returning veterans. In fact, their best prospect Jordan Walker made the team out of spring training creating a crowded outfield. The starting rotation was considered thin but better performances were expected from Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson, and Steven Matz. The relief corp was well-anchored by Ryan Helsley and Jordan Hicks.
In April the team got off to an uncharacteristically poor start with record of 10-18. The club panicked and overreacted with several strange decisions. The biggest one was relegating Willson Contreras to DH after the news got out that pitchers were not pleased with his pitch calling. Contreras forewent participation in the WBC to make the transition to the Cards smooth. The matter should have been addressed in spring training.
However, bigger problems took place on the field. The club had more than their share of injuries. The Opening Day lineup did not start another game as a unit all season. The injuries hit the pitching staff particularly hard. The result was season of disappointment ending in a last place division record of 71-91.
The season highlight was a celebration of Adam Wainwright’s amazing career with the milestone of 200 career victories well within reach. Going into September, Adam still needed 2 victories for that goal. It appeared that he was pushing too hard through injuries to reach the 200 wins. Finally, in September Adam had several more days rest to set up for a start in Atlanta. This start was special in that Adam originally signed with the Braves and was from nearby Brunswick, Georgia. Although he lost the start, the extra pregame ceremony took some of the pressure off him and he pitched much better. He then won his next two starts, including a final 1-0 win in Milwaukee to reach the 200th win. To get final ovations at home, Adam pinched hit on September 29 and October 1.
The outlook for 2024 season is hard to predict. The Cardinals have made a point of not rebuilding in the past. At the trading deadline they traded starters (Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty) plus several relievers for some promising pitching prospects. However, those prospects will probably not be ready for the parent club in 2024. On the field, they have some depth with competition in the infield and outfield. This leaves their biggest need to be pitching. With the signing and trade for some decent pitchers, they could compete in 2024.
During 2023, I attended 96 Major League games and 2 minor league games. The average time of the 96 games was 2 hours 43 minutes, about 20 minutes less than the 2022 MLB average. My favorite moments and players from those games are as follows:
Cubs Games at Wrigley Field
4/20/23 against Dodgers – The Dodgers put the game away with 4 runs in the 9th to win 6-2. Dodger rookie James Outman provides all the offense needed with 2 HR’s and 5 RBI’s. He hit a GS HR in the 9th inning for his 2nd go-ahead HR of the game, a feat only accomplished by Babe Ruth on July 18, 1919.
4/21//23 against Dodgers – The Cubs trounce LA 13-0 behind a near-perfect pitching performance by Drew Smyly. Dodger David Peralta starts the 8th with a soft grounder that could have been fielded by either the pitcher or catcher. They collide and the perfect game vanishes with that one hit in the game. The Cubs flex their hitting muscles with 17 hits and 4 HR’s by Cody Bellinger, Nico Hoerner, Patrick Wisdom, and Trey Mancini.
4/23/23 against Dodgers – Clayton Kershaw gives up one unearned run over 6 innings in a 7-3 win (201st career victory). Mookie Betts supplies the offense with a HR and 4 RBI’s. Mookie has way-too-much fun on the field starting his first ML game at SS and handling two grounders flawlessly.
5/26/23 against Reds – Reds prized pitcher Hunter Greene throws hitless ball over 6 innings striking out 11 as he leads Cincy to a 9-0 victory. Reds rookies Matt McLain and Spencer Steer have 3 hits apiece.
5/29/23 against Rays – Cubs starter Marcus Stroman throws a 1-hit 1-0 complete game gem, giving up a single in the 7th. Mike Tauchman drives in the only run with a sacrifice fly.
7/19/23 against Nationals – The Cubs rally back in the 8th with 5 runs, including a GS HR by Nico Hoerner, to win 8-3. Mike Tauchman gets two hits including a HR and has 3 RBI’s.
7/20/23 against Cardinals – Cubs starter Marcus Stroman lasts only 3 1/3 innings giving up 5 runs and HR’s to Jordan Walker and Paul DeJong in a 7-2 loss. Stroman will be put on the IL and not be effective again in 2023.
8/2/23 against Reds – The Cubs follow up a 20-run outburst the previous night with a 16-6 slugfest, including HR’s by Christopher Morel, Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ (2), and Seiya Suzuki. Drew Smyly goes 4 2/3 innings & is unable to secure a win.
8/28/23 against Brewers – The highlight of this 6-2 loss to the Brewers happens before the game. Loyola Ramblers Chaplain Sister Jean throws out the 1st pitch to commemorate her 104th birthday.
8/29/23 against Brewers – Justin Steele gives up 6 hits and no runs over 6 innings to outlast Corbin Burnes in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel. Ian Happ gets a double in the 1st inning to drive in the only run.
9/4/23 against Giants – The Cubs beat the Giants 5-0 behind an 8 inning 2-hit pitching performance by Justin Steele. Selya Suzuki drives in 3 runs with a HR and double. Justin will not win another game the rest of the season and finish with a 16-5 record.
9/6/23 against Giants – In his Wrigley Field debut, Jordan Wicks secures his 3rd consecutive win while scattering 9 hits and 2 runs over 6 2/3 innings in an 8-2 Cubs win. Seiya Suzuki drives in 3 runs with a double and single.
9/8/23 against D-Backs – In retrospect, this losing series (3 out of 4) to the Snakes in September was the turning point of the season. Two of the loses were by 1-run margins. If the Cubs would have won those 2 games, they would have finished ahead of the NL Champ D-Backs in the NL Wild Card race. In the 2nd game of the series, Arizona edged the Cubs 1-0 in a memorable pitching duel. Zac Gallen pitched his 1st career shutout allowing 3 hits and striking out 9. Jamison Taillon matched him going 6 scoreless innings while striking out 9. Taillon had thrown 77 pitches and given up only hit through the 6th innings. Cubs Manager David Ross decided to pull Taillon to avoid facing the D-Backs lineup a 3rd time, a move that was questioned by the Press. Ross will later get fired.
Note: In 2023, there were four 1-0 complete games. I saw 2 of them (Marcus Stroman & Zac Gallen)
White Sox Games at Guaranteed Rate Field
4/4/23 against Giants – In the home opener before 34,784, the Giants blast the White Sox 12-3 with 14 hits and 7 HR’s. White Sox utility player Hanser Alberto will pitch the ninth inning. A long season begins.
4/15/23 against Orioles – The Sox come from behind in the 10th inning for a walk-off win on a single by Oscar Colas. In the same inning, excitement also takes place off the field as a group of women get involved in a 15-minute brawl that is finally broke up by security.
4/18/23 against Phillies – In the 2nd game of a traditional doubleheader, Lucas Giolito pitches 6 hitless innings and Jake Burger hits a 3-run HR for all the offense in 3-0 one-hit victory.
4/27/23 against Rays – The Sox become victims of the Rays 20-5 torrid season start, losing by the score of 14-5. Rays starter Shane McClanahan secures the win and Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, and Luke Raley go deep.
5/4/23 against Twins – Twins break the game open with 5 runs in 12th inning for a 7-3 victory. Sox reliever Alex Colome gets the loss and does not pitch another game for the Sox.
5/29/23 against Angels – The Halo’s put 4 runs up in the 1st inning on HR’s by Brandon Drury and Matt Thaiss to hold on for a 6-4 win. The star of the game is Angels reliever Ben Joyce who, in his ML debut, tosses a 102 MPH fastball during a scoreless inning. While pitching for the University of Tennessee in 2022 he threw a pitch 105.5 MPH for the fastest pitch in college baseball history. On June 15th, he is put on the IL with inflammation of the ulnar nerve in his elbow. He does no pitch again until September 10.
6/10/23 against Marlins – The Fish score their only runs in the 9th inning to prevail 5-1 and ruin Michael Kopech’sscoreless 5-inning pitching performance.
7/6/23 against Blue Jays – In the 2nd game of a doubleheader, no runs are scored until the 12th inning when the Jays score 6 runs on 7 hits to win 6-2. 7-inning scoreless pitching by Jose Berrios and Lance Lynn goes for naught.
7/7/23 against Cardinals – In a seesaw game attended during the SABR Convention, the Sox score 7 runs in the 6thand 7th innings to edge the Redbirds 7-6. Luis Roberts hits a solo shot in the 7th inning to make the difference.
8/9/23 against Mariners –The Sox 9-2 victory takes a backseat to a foul ball hit by Luis Roberts. In the 3rd inning, he gets out in front of a changeup and hits a foul ball on the left side completely out of the ballpark. The long foul travels 482 feet and lands in the parking lot where the old Comiskey Park was located.
8/23/23 against Mariners – On a sunny afternoon with a game time temp of 95, White Sox starter Michael Kopeck wilts after 4 scoreless innings. Mariner starter George Kirby handles the heat better but gives up a HR to Luis Roberts in the 6th inning for the difference in a 5-4 squeaker going the Sox way.
8/25/23 against A’s – Sox starter Dylan Cease gives up 9 runs in 4 1/3 innings against the pitiful White Elephants in an embarrassing 12-4 loss. 34-year-old A’s starter Zach Neal is the benefactor as he labors through 5 innings to get his 1st ML win since 2016. My favorite A’s player Tony Kemp gets on base 5 times with 3 hits, a BB, & a HBP.
9/2/23 against Tigers – In his last game at Guaranteed Rate Field, Miguel Cabrera leads the Bengals to a 10-0 whitewash with 4 hits and 3 RBI’s. It will be the last game he gets 4 hits and 1st time since 2021. Rookie Tiger starter Reese Olson goes 7 scoreless innings for his best game of the year.
9/12/23 against Royals – In the 2nd game of a traditional doubleheader, the Sox come back from a 9-0 deficit to tie the game with 8 runs and 7 hits in the 6th inning. They lose the game in the 9th 11-10. It is the 4th time in Sox history that have overcome a 9-run deficit, most recently in 1978.
9/30/23 against Padres – In the game 161, the Sox finally hit the century mark in losses and end up the season 61-101. Sox starter Mike Clevinger, last 1 2/3 innings giving up all the runs in the 6-1 loss.
Brewers’ games at American Family Field
In 2023, I went to Milwaukee twice. The baseball highlights of the trips included the following games:
4/5/23 against Mets – Despite a poor outing of 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings by the ace pitcher Corbin Burnes, the Brewers comeback to edge the Mets 7-6 on a WO HR by rookie Garrett Mitchell. He will be sent down to minors by the end of April. Peter Alonso gets 2 HR’s for the Mets.
7/25 and 7/26/23 against Reds – The Brewers split the games winning the first game 3-0 behind the 6-inning scoreless effort of Freddy Peralta and losing the second game 4-3 because of the 6-inning scoreless effort of rookie Reds starter Andrew Abbott. Reds rookie phenom Elly De La Cruz comes down to earth going 1 for 9, including 5 strikeouts in the two games. He did show off his strong arm at 3B.
Cardinal games in London
In June 2023, I went to London for 5 days to see two baseball games between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. Being a London rookie, I was fortunate to have 7 travel-savvy friends on the trip for the support I needed. We stayed at The Hoxton, a boutique hotel in the Shoreditch neighborhood on the East End near the ballpark.
Most of our city travel was done by public transportation. The London Underground nicknamed the Tube is the rapid transit system serving Greater London. One look at the Underground map and any transit trip looks like mission impossible. By the end of my stay, I felt comfortable on the Tube for 2 reasons, excellent signage, and contactless bank card for fare payment. On the last day of my stay, I used the Tube to reach a non-baseball activity, a cruise on the River Thames to see some of London’s top landmarks.
One of the challenges in playing a ML game in London is finding a venue that can handle the dimensions of a baseball field. Most large London stadiums are more rectangular in shape for playing soccer and rugby. The exception is the multi-purpose outdoor park, London (formerly Olympic) Stadium used for the 2012 Olympics.
The baseball highlights of the trip included the following games:
6/25/22 against Cubs – The Cubs scored 7 early runs in a 9-1 romp over the Cardinals. Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson supplied enough offense with 2 hits and 2 RBI’s apiece. Cardinals pitching ace Adam Wainwright gave up 7 runs for the loss and Cubs lefty All-Star Justin Steele surrendered 6 hits & 1 run over 6 innings for the victory.
6/26/22 against Cubs – The Cardinals battled back from a 4-run deficit to overtake the Cubs 7-5. Ex-Cub Willson Contreras lead the Redbird offense with 4 hits and 2 runs. Cards reliever Jake Woodfood came to the rescue giving up just 1 hit and no runs over 2 1/3 innings to secure the win. Both games were well attended with capacity crowds of 55,000.
Cardinal games in St. Louis
In May, I made a trip to St. Louis for Redbird baseball. I was invited to see one of the games from Washington University’s suite. From my room at the Pear Tree Inn, I took a picture of the new soccer stadium, CityPark.
The baseball highlights of the trip included the following games:
5/17/22 against Brewers – In a pitcher’s duel, Redbird rookie, Matt Liberatore bests Brewers ace Corbin Burnesin a 3-0 win. Cards SS Paul DeJong hits a 2-run Homer.
5/18/22 against Dodgers – In their best offensive effort of 2023, the Cards double up the Dodgers 16-8 with 7 HR’s. The HR hitters are Willson Contreras (2), Nolan Gorman (2), Nolan Arenado, Paul DeJong, and Juan Yepez. Winner Adam Wainwright took advantage of the support going 5 2/3 innings but is touched up for 5 runs. Dodger starter Julio Urias gives up 6 runs for the loss.
Mud Hen games at Fifth Third Field in Toledo
On June 5th, I boarded an Amtrak train for the 4½ hour ride to Toledo for 2 Hens games against the Buffalo Bisons. Toledo is my minor league BB Mecca with the main attraction being the city’s renown baseball club the Toledo Mud Hens. The Mud Hens are the Triple A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, while the Buffalo Bisons are an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.Both clubs include mostly minor league veterans plus a sprinkling of prospects. Around the ballpark is an entertainment district of restaurants and bars called Hensville which is right across from ballpark and my hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn.
The baseball highlights of the trip included the following games:
6/6/23 against Bisons – The Hens are unable to hold onto an early lead as the Bisons score 8 runs in the middle innings and prevail 10-7. Tiger prospect Parker Meadows (brother of Austin) puts the Hens on the board with a 1st inning HR and finishes the game with a HR, double and single. Detroit Tigers Kerry Carpenter on rehab gets the other Hens HR in the ninth. Both play for the Tigers later in the season.
6/7/23 against Bisons – The Hens break a 4-game losing streak with a 7-5 win over the Buffs. Hens 6’5’’ Australian southpaw starter Jack O’Loughlin scatters 6 hits over 5 scoreless innings for the win. Tigers prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy is the Hens hitting star with HR, double, and 2 RBI’s. I saw him play in the AFL last year.
Arizona Fall League Trip – October 16-20, 2023
I attended 7 Arizona Fall League (AFL) games in 4 ball parks. I went with best friend Vince Lauter and wife Sharryfrom Monterey. For one game, I went with Nate Perrizo from Mesa. My Arizona Fall League Report with my favorite prospects will be included in a separate article.
Hopefully your 2023 baseball season had as many exciting moments as mine