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May 20, 2013
THT Essentials:
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John Barten Kyle Boddy Brian Borawski James Gentile Matt Hunter Frank Jackson Chris Jaffe Brad Johnson Jason Linden Dan Lependorf Bruce Markusen Jeff Moore Greg Simons Scott Spratt Dave Studeman Shane Tourtellotte Steve Treder And here's the full roster. Now available
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About Steve TrederSteve Treder has presented papers to the Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, and to the SABR Annual Convention. His articles have been published in Nine: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture, as well as in The National Pastime. A lifelong San Francisco Giants’ fan, he is Vice President for Strategic Development for Western Management Group, a compensation consulting firm headquartered in Los Gatos, California.Note: This page displays up to 200 articles at a time. To view a subset of a writer's work, click on one of the following years: 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Steve Treder's ArticlesClick here to view an RSS feed of this writer's articles. Five questions: San Francisco GiantsMarch 21, 2013The menagerie includes the requisite Panda, Baby Giraffe, and Freak. The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 8: 1975-76)January 15, 2013We learn that there must be 50 ways to leave your lover. Is there any way for our Phillies or Mets to get our Cardinals to take leave of first place? The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 7: 1974-75)January 08, 2013Love will keep The Captain and Tennille together. Can anything come between our Cardinals and first place? The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 6: 1973-74)January 02, 2013Can it be that it was all so simple then, or has time rewritten every line? Let's look at the way our counterfactual friends were. The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 5: 1972-73)December 26, 2012Eddie Kendricks got to keep on truckin'. How will our three franchises roll? The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 4: 1971-72)December 18, 2012Your mama don't dance, and your daddy don't rock and roll. Will our heroes do better than that? The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 3: 1970-71)December 11, 2012Don McLean drove his Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry. What will our franchises discover this year? The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 2: 1969-70)December 04, 2012Let's swing into the '70s with our latest fictional fun. The virtual 1969-76 Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets (Part 1: 1968-69)November 27, 2012Join Steve as he launches another virtual scenario, triple-franchise style. NL West: a shift in the balance of powerAugust 20, 2012Spilled Melky, deeper Dodgers, and a raging race NL West: a race at last (and for last)July 09, 2012Recent weeks in this less-than-highest-quality division have brought an innovation, a swoon, and a challenge. The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 8: 1975-76)June 26, 2012It's the nation's one and only Bicentennial. Will any of our many prove beneficiarial? The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 7: 1974-75)June 19, 2012Jaws is showing at the drive-in. On the radio, Billy Swan is singing, "I Can Help." Get your leisure suit on and check out the scene in the American League East. The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 6: 1973-74)June 12, 2012The Watergate scandal is swirling into such a force that it drives the President to resign from office. Will any of our American League East franchises be flashing the "V" sign? The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 5: 1972-73)June 05, 2012For our franchises three, what will it be in '73? The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 4: 1971-72)May 29, 2012The Winter Games are in Sapporo, and the Summer Games are in Munich. Will any of our three ball clubs perform Olympian feats? NL West: Magic lonely at the topMay 29, 2012Not quite one-third of the way into the season, so far it's been a runaway. The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 3: 1970-71)May 22, 2012The Beatles are going their separate ways. All in the Family and Soul Train are debuting on the tube. Will our ball clubs be having fun in '71? The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 2: 1969-70)May 15, 2012In season one, our Yankees got Tommy D., our Red Sox kept The Hawk, and our Indians got The Boomer. What might be in store this time around? The virtual 1969-76 Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians (Part 1: 1968-69)May 08, 2012It's time for another virtual-franchise triple-header. This time it's the Yankees in the Roy White era, the Red Sox in the Rico Petrocelli era, and the Indians in the, um, Eddie Leon era. Five questions: San Francisco GiantsMarch 23, 2012Will the 2012 Giants escape the lousy hitting that doomed them in 2011? The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds and Cardinals (Part 11: 1967-68)February 15, 2012Nixon is squaring off against Humphrey in what will turn out to be a squeaker, with Wallace in as a third-party spoiler. Our final race makes that one look like a snoozer. The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 10: 1966-67)February 08, 2012And remember, if you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 9: 1965-66)February 01, 2012Batman and The Monkees are on TV. In Cold Blood and Valley of the Dolls top the bestseller lists. How might our contenders gain notice? The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 8: 1964-65)January 24, 2012In Washington DC, marchers are protesting the Vietnam War. In San Francisco, the term "hippie" is being coined. In Los Angeles, Watts erupts into riot. What will our counterfactual trio be doing? The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 7: 1963-64)January 17, 2012The Beatles are invading, it's all the way with LBJ, and we understand that Brock kid might be available. THT Live: Is there an asterisk in Brandon’s future?January 14, 2012The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 6: 1962-63)January 10, 2012In a world in which Boyer is a Giant, Flood is a Red, and Alou is a Cardinal, who will reach The Fall Classic? The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 5: 1961-62)January 03, 2012Cue Wolfman Jack, baby. Our American Graffiti-era competitors are ready to deliver quite a show. The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 4: 1960-61)December 27, 2011In the fourth off-season of this scenario, let's just say the trading action gets quite serious. The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds and Cardinals (Part 3: 1959-60)December 20, 2011As Nixon and Kennedy seek the highest office in the nation, our three competitors seek the highest office in the National League. The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 2: 1958-59)December 13, 2011It's round two for the virtual triple-header. Are the Redlegs and Redbirds ready to keep pace with the orange and black? The virtual 1958-68 Giants, Reds, and Cardinals (Part 1: 1957-58)December 06, 2011Steve adds a new twist to the "Virtual Team" series, promising some epic competition. Offseason decisions: seeking offense in San FranciscoNovember 21, 2011What might Brian Sabean be doing to get more runs on the board in 2012? Postseason D-Backs: What makes the Snakes rattle?September 28, 2011Being overlooked and underestimated is the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks specialty. Perhaps it's time for that to stop. Countermanding the Colavito Curse: Part 4 (1966-67)September 27, 2011Our Tribe bagged a flag in 1965. Can they repeat those tricks in '66? Keep the fans in heaven in '67? Countermanding the Colavito Curse: Part 3 (1964-65)September 20, 2011The British are invading the pop music charts. The long struggle for American civil rights is taking decisive forward strides. Are our Indians ready to make this their moment too? Countermanding the Colavito Curse: Part 2 (1962-63)September 13, 2011Is our re-Rockified Tribe ready to make Chief Wahoo say, "Yahoo!"? NL West: The snakebit GiantsSeptember 12, 2011Did you just see that? Did you see that rattler strike that bumbling oaf? Countermanding the Colavito Curse: Part 1 (1960-61)September 06, 2011What if Frantic Frankie didn't fumble the Rock and misspend the Cash? NL West: Soft Rockies, resilient Snakes and GiantsAugust 01, 2011As July turns to August, the clarity of the NL West finish is sharpening, and some emerging images are distinctly more flattering than others. THT Live: Surging SergioJuly 30, 2011THT Live: A bargain worth consideringJuly 22, 2011The virtual 1955-62 Kansas City A’s (Part 4: 1961-62)July 06, 2011It's Camelot in the White House, and Wagon Train on TV. Will there be joy in Kansas City? The virtual 1955-62 Kansas City A’s (Part 3: 1959-60)June 29, 2011It's out with the fifties, and in with the sixties. Will our version of the Athletics be entering a bold new era of competitiveness? THT Live: 2011 Interleague play: Same old, not-so-same old?June 27, 2011The virtual 1955-62 Kansas City A’s (Part 2: 1957-58)June 22, 2011In years three and four, will Steve's alternative Athletics be able to climb the stairs out of the basement? NL West: surprising showdownJune 20, 2011The season's still in its first half, but some late-season-style drama is unfolding in the Valley of the Sun. The virtual 1955-62 Kansas City A’s (Part 1: 1955-56)June 15, 2011Steve is going to Kansas City. Kansas City, here he comes. And he's asking: What if the Athletics hadn't been the "major league farm team"? THT Live: Busterless in San FranciscoJune 08, 2011NL West: Questions and, answers?May 08, 2011A month and change into the season, Steve inquires as to what sort of answers might be shaping up in response to pre-season questions regarding the National League West. THT Live: Brandon’s minor league beltingMay 04, 2011Marse Joe’s last hurrahApril 27, 2011One of the very greatest went out with a thunderous bang, and then a whimper. THT Live: Lucky EddieApril 09, 2011Five questions: San Francisco GiantsMarch 30, 2011The Giants stunned everyone by running the table in 2010. With the element of surprise now eliminated, can they repeat in 2011? THT Live: Spring Training results, 1945-1962 ... Update!March 28, 2011THT Live: Spring training results ... from 1945-1962March 07, 2011The virtual 1951-58 Pittsburgh Pirates (Part 4: 1957-58)February 22, 2011Little Rock is being desegregated. The Edsel is being laughed at. Will our Pirates have their Sputnik moment? The virtual 1951-58 Pittsburgh Pirates (Part 3: 1955-56)February 15, 2011James Dean is living fast and dying young. Elvis is causing an uproar on The Ed Sullivan Show. Can our Pirates get the heck out of seventh place? The virtual 1951-58 Pittsburgh Pirates (Part 2: 1953-54)February 08, 2011Our alternative version of the I Love Lucy-era Bucs enters its third season. How might our heroes fare? THT Live: The Havana Heat is on againFebruary 07, 2011The virtual 1951-58 Pittsburgh Pirates (Part 1: 1951-52)February 01, 2011Is it really true that Branch Rickey's Pirates were a whole lot worse than they had to be? Steve decides to try to find out. The virtual 1960s New York Mets (Part 5: 1968-69)January 11, 2011We've come a long way, and now we're ready to answer the big question: how brightly might our Mets shine in '69? The virtual 1960s New York Mets (Part 4: 1966-67)January 04, 2011The good news for our virtual Mets is that we've been better than the actual Mets, but that's an awfully low bar. Can we get something going this time? The virtual 1960s New York Mets (Part 3: 1964-65)December 28, 2010Our early Mets haven't been good, but neither have they been as terrible as the genuine article. In our third and fourth seasons, can we make the move to mediocrity? The virtual 1960s New York Mets (Part 2: 1962-63)December 21, 2010Finished with our alternative scenario of the first-ever NL expansion draft, it's time to get our Mets roster ready and find out how well we can do in '62. The virtual 1960s New York Mets (Part 1: The expansion draft)December 14, 2010Let's revisit the creation of that most inept among the early expansion teams, and see how things might have gone differently. Neutralizing Barry’s walksNovember 15, 2010When is the line crossed between prudence and foolishness? Sabean-based analysisNovember 02, 2010You've got your process, and you've got your results... including the World Series championship. The 10 most interesting World Series non-matchupsOctober 26, 2010We know all about who's playing. How about who might have been playing instead? THT Live: As Russ Hodges so aptly put it ...October 24, 2010THT Live: The greatest pitchers’ duel that never wasOctober 17, 2010THT Live: Exquisite tortureOctober 12, 2010Why the Giants will beat the BravesOctober 07, 2010One word: It starts with "p," and it ends with "g," and it rhymes with "itching." Book review: Home, AwaySeptember 14, 2010Steve considers a baseball novel that focuses on the hard stuff in the father-son relationship. THT Live: Baseball’s secret starAugust 25, 2010What if Tom Yawkey had bought the A’s? (Part 2)August 20, 2010That's right: holding the Foxx-Cochrane-Grove nucleus together, and adding Cronin, Ferrell, and Newsom to it ... how good would they be? What if Tom Yawkey had bought the A’s? (Part 1)August 13, 2010Thus transforming the Depression's most desperate seller into its most prolific buyer. THT Live: Panda month-by-month: What the fudge?August 11, 2010The virtual 1971-1980 St. Louis Cardinals (Part 2)July 16, 2010In real life, first place was entirely beyond the Cardinals' reach in these years. Let's see how many St. Louis flags might have flown in our scenario. The virtual 1971-1980 St. Louis Cardinals (Part 1)July 09, 2010What do you say we banish the Birds' Bing-and-Busch boo-boos? THT Live: David Berner and the game-ending triple playJuly 04, 2010The virtual 1985-1989 New York Yankees (Part 2)July 02, 2010Let's reminisce about those great Yankees teams of McGee and McGriff, and Drabek and Deshaies. THT Live: Interleague play: AL makes it six straightJune 28, 2010The virtual 1985-1989 New York Yankees (Part 1)June 25, 2010Let's see what might have happened if someone had managed to slip George Almighty some chill pills. THT Live: Interleague play: The empire strikes backJune 21, 2010Fred Stein: 1924-2010June 18, 2010And we were blessed to know him. THT Live: Interleague play: Round twoJune 14, 2010THT Live: It will be “The Galarraga Game”June 03, 2010Book reviews: 1921 and Reggie JacksonJune 01, 2010Across half a century, the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Two ambitious new volumes examine a couple of the more dramatic angles of baseball history. The virtual 1962-69 Cincinnati Reds (Part 2)May 28, 2010You know, The Massive Scarlet Mechanical Apparatus would be great name for a 1960s psychedelic rock band. And if they were anything like this ball club, they'd be much more than a one-hit wonder. THT Live: Interleague play: A change in the tide?May 24, 2010The virtual 1962-69 Cincinnati Reds (Part 1)May 17, 2010The might-have-been prequel to that '70s classic, The Big Red Machine. THT Live: Braden perfecto: Up close and personalMay 09, 2010THT Live: San Francisco StartsMay 08, 2010Talking baseball with Fred Stein (Volume 2)April 26, 2010Careful! This octogenarian is so sharp, you gotta wear gloves. Talking baseball with Fred SteinApril 06, 2010The name is Stein ... Fred Stein. Five questions: San Francisco GiantsMarch 25, 2010Let's face it, the Giants are good. That said, they're also, well, special. Book review: Joe CroninMarch 05, 2010Steve considers a new book that examines an historic figure we tend to take for granted. THT Live: Cubaball 2010January 26, 2010Historic Comparables (Volume 2)January 25, 2010Matthew and Steve are back, this time with a passel of pitcher pairings, from Pennock-Pettitte to Dickson-Darwin. The virtual 1956 New York Yankees (Part 2)December 14, 2009It's time to get our kicks with the might-have-been Yankees of '56. The virtual 1956 New York Yankees (Part 1)December 08, 2009Think the Eisenhower-era Bronx Bombers couldn't have been much better? Think again. The virtual 1961 Cleveland Indians (Part 2)August 18, 2009In which we witness the unloading of some very big lumber near the Lake Erie shore. The virtual 1961 Cleveland Indians (Part 1)August 11, 2009What if Frankie hadn't been quite so frantic in Cleveland? THT Live: Warren’s WizardJuly 15, 2009Great news: I was wrongJuly 14, 2009The 2009 Giants are a good ball club. Who knew? THT Live: The Vi flies foreverJuly 06, 2009Historic comparables (Volume 1)June 09, 2009Discover the distant-decade dopplegangers. Don McMahon (Part 3)June 02, 2009Let's catch up with this most congenial big fellow as he continues to chuck heaters past hitters well into his 40s. Backstopping and roaming wide (Part 3: 1970-2008)May 26, 2009Get acquainted with this most unusual breed of catchers, right up to the most current cohort. Don McMahon (Part 2)May 19, 2009We're ready for round two with this memorable heavyweight. Backstopping and roaming wide (Part 2: 1935-1970)May 12, 2009It's time for round two with the most peculiar of defensive hybrids. Don McMahon (Part 1)May 05, 2009Let's see, how to describe him ... the pitching equivalent of roast beef and potatoes. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, but substantial, satisfying, and just doggone good. THT Live: Strasburg live!May 02, 2009Backstopping and roaming wide (Part 1: 1890-1935)April 28, 2009Come along with Steve as he explores the most extraordinary of all defensive versatility. The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 6: 1954-1955)April 21, 2009In his 37th and final season as a big league GM, did The Mahatma go out with a bang, or a whimper? The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 5: 1953-1954)April 14, 2009Onto the fourth year of his five-year rebuilding plan, was Mr. Rickey ready to show any progress? Any? The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 4: 1952-1953)April 07, 2009How did The Mahatma go about cleaning up the mess of his own making? The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 3: 1951-1952)March 31, 2009As an art historian might say when discovering Michelangelo's unfortunate "Dogs Playing Poker" period ... what was that all about? Five questions: San Francisco GiantsMarch 30, 2009Maybe it's just that they got rid of the wrong Barry ... The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 2: 1950-1951)March 17, 2009It's year one for Mister Rickey in Pittsburgh. What kind of a start does he pull off? The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 1)March 10, 2009Shining a light into the lone dark alley of The Mahatma's long and brilliant career. Casimir KwietniewskiMarch 03, 2009If only changing one's luck were as easy as changing one's name. The virtual 1965-68 Washington SenatorsFebruary 24, 2009Oh, yeah, they were bad enough in real life. But that performance may actually have been their best-case scenario. The Sunset LeagueFebruary 17, 2009Spanning a vast Southwest landscape, it was vibrantly colorful, fleeting but amazing. Bats right, throws left: The best players in major league historyFebruary 10, 2009It doesn't make any sense, but nobody seems to have explained that to this tiny band of rugged individualists. You can probably guess who's been the best. But who else is on the list? BL, TR (Part 5: The best left-handed hitting shortstops in major league history)February 03, 2009The most exclusive club we've yet visited features tales of strikeouts, caught stealings, lawsuits and frostbite. It also includes some of the most underappreciated talent of all time. BL, TR (Part 4: The best left-handed hitting second basemen in major league history)January 27, 2009That a population comprising, at most, about one second baseman in five should include both of the very best at the position is quite strange. But there it is. BL, TR (Part 3: The best left-handed hitting third basemen in major league history)January 20, 2009The left turns at the hot corner include quite a few of the position's very best, and one in particular who's never been recognized as such. BL, TR (Part 2: The best left-handed hitting catchers in major league history)January 13, 2009Let's meet the best of the southpaw-swinging backstop minority. Bats left, throws right (Part 1)January 06, 2009It's a phenomenon with which we're all familiar, but as Steve admits, just how often do we really think about it? And—seriously—it is kind of weird. The Virtual 1916-1925 Boston Red Sox (Part 3: 1923-1925)December 23, 2008Catch up with Steve and Matthew as they complete their virtual decade with the robust Red Sox. The Virtual 1916-1925 Boston Red Sox (Part 2: 1920-1922)December 16, 2008When we left our virtual Bosox, they were just about to decide to keep that guy named Ruth. Let's find out if that would have had any impact. The Virtual 1916-1925 Boston Red Sox (Part 1: 1916-1919)December 09, 2008Instead of "No, No, Nannette," let's play "No, No, Harry." Steve and Matthew team up to explore the most dramatic of virtual landscapes. The 10 most interesting Rule 5 draft picks, 1981-2007December 02, 2008Joe the Plumber? Big deal. We've got not one but two Joe the Baptists, plus something wild, and, of course, the so-far-second-greatest Rule 5 pick ever. The THT interview: Terry KennedyNovember 25, 2008Bob Kennedy's boy pays THT a visit, and shares stories of growing up around big leaguers and following his dad's footsteps to devote a lifetime to the game. The 10 most interesting Rule 5 draft picks, 1967-1980November 18, 2008It was an unusually rich period for intriguing Rule 5 cases. We meet a Cy Young Award winner, a couple of MVPs, The Most Underrated Player in Baseball History and a space cadet. Glittering fragmentsNovember 11, 2008See beyond their puny size, their insignificance in the sea of important achievements. Perceive instead their intrinsic beauty. The 10 most interesting Rule 5 Draft picks, 1941-1966November 04, 2008Steve's update of the draftee honor roll includes Fritz, Joe, Moe and Bo. Snuffy StirnweissOctober 28, 2008This obscure 1940s ballplayer with the funny name scaled a towering peak. Superduperswingmen (Part 4: 1970-2008)October 21, 2008Steve's spotlight on swingmen features Donald Duck, Dr. Death and all the rest right up to the present day. And it raises the essential question: Did you love The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon? THT Live: The holy grail of minor league statsOctober 20, 2008The 10 most interesting Rule 5 draft picks, 1903-1940October 14, 2008Yes, that's right, the annual Rule 5 draft goes way-y back. And it's remarkable who some of its alumni have been. The Virtual 1972 Houston Astros (Part 2)October 07, 2008Just how good would this offense be? Just good enough to establish the all-time National League record for team OPS+, that's all. The virtual 1972 Houston Astros (Part 1)October 03, 2008Everything's bigger in Texas, or so they say, and apparently that includes the talent-squanderings ... Superduperswingmen (Part 3: 1950-1970)September 23, 2008Think swingmen are just a bunch of journeymen? Think again, my friend. This week's crew includes six ERA champions, three Cy Young Award winners and a Hall of Famer. The 10 worst No. 9 hitters since 1957September 16, 2008We've seen the worst of the best, but it was clear all along that we were heading toward the worst of the worst. And—oh, my. The 1970 San Diego PadresSeptember 09, 2008Remember the logo, with that slightly deranged-looking friar gleefully and wildly swinging that big bat? Here's the one season in which it was a perfect fit. Superduperswingmen (Part 2: 1930-1950)September 02, 2008The flexible flingers make their way through the era in which the model of relief pitcher deployment began to fundamentally change. The 10 worst No. 8 hitters since 1957August 26, 2008Or, how to make the worst of a bad situation. 24-karat diamond-writing gems (Volume 3)August 19, 2008Come on, relax. Get those ice cubes tinkling in that long tall glass, find a cool shady spot for that lawn chair, and give yourself over to the delight of the wonderfully written baseball word. Superduperswingmen (Part 1: 1900-1930)August 12, 2008Steve shines the spotlight on the "Put me in, Coach!" class of pitchers. The ten worst No. 7 hitters since 1957August 05, 2008You think you've seen some bad stuff on these lists before? Better put on that hazard suit and oxygen mask now; we're starting to get into the seriously deep muck. The most powerful-hitting middle infielders of all timeJuly 29, 2008Yes, it's a Ripken thing, but it's so much, much more than that. Bob Kennedy (Part 2)July 22, 2008The remarkably voluminous second act of a career that was a case study in doing well, but doing not quite well enough to find the spotlight. Bob Kennedy (Part 1)July 15, 2008Not every extraordinary career includes stardom ... The 10 worst No. 6 hitters since 1957July 08, 2008Who'll we find at the bottom of this foul barrel? Here's a hint: We've seen him in these parts before. Superdupersubs (Part 4: 1990-2007)July 01, 2008Climb aboard the final car in the Superdupersub train, and meet everyone from Bobby Bo to Super Joe, from Bip to Cat, from F.P. to Jolbert, and of course both Loretta and DeRosa. The Virtual 1980 Oakland Athletics (Part 2)June 24, 2008What might have happened with the best of young and old in green and gold? The Virtual 1980 Oakland Athletics (Part 1)June 17, 2008How much talent took flight in the Oakland diaspora? The 10 worst No. 5 hitters since 1957June 10, 2008Who'll head the list of fizzling fifth-slot fiascos? Superdupersubs (Part 3: 1971-1989)June 03, 2008Rub-a-dub-dub! Here they are for the '70s and '80s, everyone up to and including the Psycho. Book Review: Center Field ShotMay 27, 2008Don't touch that dial! Stay tuned for Treder's take on a tome about teams on the tube. The 10 worst cleanup hitters since 1957May 20, 2008These guys couldn't tidy things up with a mop, a bucket, a gallon of Mr. Clean and a hundred rolls of Bounty. Daddy WagsMay 13, 2008He wasn't the greatest player of all time, but the Colorful Hall of Fame has him inner-circle. Superdupersubs (Part 2: 1941-1970)May 06, 2008It isn't just any sub, after all, who's dressed up like a million dollar trooper, trying hard to look like Gary Cooper. THT Live: Ten Essential Baseball Books: The SequelApril 30, 2008The 10 worst No. 3 hitters since 1957April 29, 2008If the heart of your order is looking like this, it's time to stock up on the digitalis. Filling the Mickey Vernon gaps (Volume 4)April 22, 2008The good-but-might-have-been-better batters have been away for a while. It's time we got caught up. THT Live: Jordan’s BestApril 19, 2008Superdupersubs (Part 1: 1901-1940)April 15, 2008A sub is fine. A supersub is better. But to be the very best of subs is, yes, to be a superdupersub. The 10 worst No. 2 hitters since 1957April 08, 2008Sometimes, No. 2 really does kind of mean "No. 2" ... Book review: Ed BarrowApril 01, 2008He was a smart, strong bulldog of a man, and Steve finds his biography to be no less commanding of respect. Grrr! Five Questions: San Francisco GiantsMarch 25, 2008Or, as one prominent Bay Area figure used to put it, cool is a rule, but sometimes bad is bad. Off-season blockbusters: March (Part 2: 1981-2002)March 18, 2008Steve rounds up the top training-season trades of recent decades, involving Sarge, Mr. Scoop, Slammin' Sammy and a tremendous Edmonds catch. THT Live: New discovery regarding baseball’s originMarch 16, 2008Off-season blockbusters: March (Part 1: 1893-1978)March 11, 2008Think spring training over the years hasn't been much of a season for big trades? Think again, my friend. The ten worst leadoff hitters since 1957March 04, 2008Set the table? These guys couldn't find the dining room with a map, a compass, a GPS unit, and Rickey Henderson holding their hands. Offseason blockbusters: February (Part 2: 1968-2008)February 26, 2008Something about this month seems to get some of the very biggest stars packed off in trades. Hall of Famers Carlton and Carew are dealt here, along with more recent heavyweights named Clemens, Griffey, A-Rod and Santana. Offseason blockbusters: February (Part 1: 1893-1957)February 19, 2008This month's first batch of hot deals goes from Buck and Cy to a double shot of Mickey McD, and of course includes a visit with Jake Fournier—no, that's Jack Daubert—no ... wait ... whatever. The vintage baby pictures quiz (Volume 3)February 12, 2008Aww ... weren't they cute? A 1971 time capsule unearthedFebruary 05, 2008So who was it whose writing survives in faded ink on yellowed brittle paper? Offseason blockbusters: January (Part 2: 1969-2008)January 29, 2008This menu offers an unhealthy portion of mistake moves, including the Staub and Sandberg dishes, as well as the super-sized screw-up otherwise known as the Glenn Davis trade. Amid all this, how does the Swisher sendoff stack up? Offseason blockbusters: January (Part 1: 1894-1965)January 22, 2008We're ready for the new year's first review of colossal shakeups from new years past, from Wee Willie to Rocky. Re-imagining the Big Zone Sixties, revisited: Part 3January 15, 2008The adjusted view of the elite hitting stars of the mid-1960s yields five, count 'em, five 50-plus home run performances within a four-season span, including a new National League record. Re-imagining the Big Zone ‘60s, revisited: part twoJanuary 08, 2008Round two of Steve's reconsideration of the decade runs the gamut from The Toy Cannon and Little Looie to Dr. Strangeglove and Hondo. Re-imagining the Big Zone Sixties, revisited: part oneJanuary 02, 2008What if they hadn't ordered up a super-sized strike zone in the 1960s? Offseason blockbusters: December (Part three: 1982-2007)December 28, 2007Steve's tour of the dealin' days of December completes the circuit, from "Five for One" Hayes to Cabrera, Tejada and Haren Offseason blockbusters: December (Part two: 1963-1981)December 18, 2007The latest batch of holiday-season humdingers features quite a few of the lopsided variety. The stolen property inventory includes the names Robinson, Otis, Ryan, Singleton, Randolph and Hendrick. THT Live: Bill Kirwin: 1937-2007December 12, 2007Offseason blockbusters: December (Part 1: 1899-1960)December 11, 2007In this hefty batch of deals from holiday seasons past, big names abound, from Wagner to Maris, with appearances along the way by Big Six, Ol' Pete, The Rajah, The Beast, and The Big Cat. Filling Lou’s shoesDecember 04, 2007You woulda thunk that the most powerful organization in the annals of the sport might not settle for ... well, some interesting choices ... Offseason blockbusters: November (Part three: 1992-2007)November 27, 2007Steve's review of November deals arrives at the present day, and includes several likely Hall of Famers, including two Pedro appearances. Offseason blockbusters: November (Part two: 1966-1981)November 20, 2007In an unusually busy era of November deals, we encounter two trades involving managers, plus the McDowell and Morgan bombshells detonating on the same day. Offseason blockbusters: November (Part one: 1895-1964)November 13, 2007The opening chapter of notable November swaps takes us from Sliding Billy to Dr. Strangeglove. 24-karat diamond-writing gems (Volume 2)November 06, 2007It's November. Time to snuggle up and savor a few of the very finest nuggets of baseball writing from years past. The Value Production Standings: 2005-2007October 30, 2007The 2007 season is complete (though way too soon for Rockies fans), and Steve brings his examination of farm system performance up to the moment. Great platoons: 1990-2007October 23, 2007We complete the parade of the most productive lefty-righty pairings, marching past the reviewing stand, and discover a startling trend amid the final ranks. Offseason blockbusters: October (Part two: 1970-1992)October 16, 2007It's Round Two of the biggest October talent swaps, in which we encounter Tony C., Frantic Frankie, Willie Mac, Mr. Bonds the Elder, and Jack the Ripper. | ||||