Mike Bates
@mikebatestwibh.bsky.social
Podcaster for This Week In Baseball History (@TWIBHistory.bsky.social). Almost used to be A Guy. Enthusiastic SABR member/evangelist. Proud and grieving dad.
The Twins are 1 for 2 in terms of getting good value for an excellent starting pitcher from the Mets. I don't love those odds.
The Mets are interested in Joe Ryan.
Earlier this winter, I wrote about a potential trade between the #MNTwins and Mets for the All-Star pitcher.
twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
Earlier this winter, I wrote about a potential trade between the #MNTwins and Mets for the All-Star pitcher.
twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
How Twins, Mets Could Swing Joe Ryan Blockbuster Trade
After holding onto Joe Ryan during their midseason teardown, the Twins could find a willing trade partner in the New York Mets this offseason.
twinsdaily.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The Twins are 1 for 2 in terms of getting good value for an excellent starting pitcher from the Mets. I don't love those odds.
Reposted by Mike Bates
This is a good read.
My opinion on Mattingly is the same as it was for Garvey and Hodges and others: If you've been rejected 15+ times by multiple voting sets, you're not a HOF'er.
Vets Cmttes should be for guys who barely got a chance in the first place. Like: Lou Whitaker.
My opinion on Mattingly is the same as it was for Garvey and Hodges and others: If you've been rejected 15+ times by multiple voting sets, you're not a HOF'er.
Vets Cmttes should be for guys who barely got a chance in the first place. Like: Lou Whitaker.
As Hall of Fame standards change, voters must recalibrate with them. Column: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
As Baseball Hall of Fame standards change, voters must recalibrate with them
Will more players with shorter career peaks find their way into Cooperstown over the next few years?
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
This is a good read.
My opinion on Mattingly is the same as it was for Garvey and Hodges and others: If you've been rejected 15+ times by multiple voting sets, you're not a HOF'er.
Vets Cmttes should be for guys who barely got a chance in the first place. Like: Lou Whitaker.
My opinion on Mattingly is the same as it was for Garvey and Hodges and others: If you've been rejected 15+ times by multiple voting sets, you're not a HOF'er.
Vets Cmttes should be for guys who barely got a chance in the first place. Like: Lou Whitaker.
Oh god, this is bad enough to almost tarnish Zevon's legacy.
REJOICE!! SOMEONE HAS PUT THE VIDEO OF JESSE VENTURA SINGING WEREWOLVES OF MINNESOTA WITH WARREN ZEVON BACK UP ON YOUTUBE, HAPPY FIRST WEDNESDAY!!! (It starts at the 5-minute mark)
Warren Zevon In Governor Jesse Ventura's Inaugural Ball At The Target Center, Minneapolis, 1/16/1999
YouTube video by LeChuck Threepwood
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Oh god, this is bad enough to almost tarnish Zevon's legacy.
Based on a sample size of two, this seems to encapsulate the feeling women have of being married to me.
"What did I ever do to you?"
December 3, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Based on a sample size of two, this seems to encapsulate the feeling women have of being married to me.
I remain convinced that a good number of baseball's problems could be solved by deadening the balls. A lot of our society's problems could be solved that way too.
This is a good dive into something we've been talking about for a while and which many people refuse to admit:
fielders are too good, low BA is not just hitters wanting launch angle or whatever
More hits? Make it harder on fielders.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
fielders are too good, low BA is not just hitters wanting launch angle or whatever
More hits? Make it harder on fielders.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
The gapper is dead: Who killed the double and triple — and what can MLB do about it?
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I remain convinced that a good number of baseball's problems could be solved by deadening the balls. A lot of our society's problems could be solved that way too.
Yeah, I'd want to be anonymous too for this. That said, at least he didn't vote for Vizquel.
Ballot #5 is from a voter who wishes to remain anonymous. As a refresher, we are unable to report adds or drops, if any, on anonymous ballots.
This is the first ever known David Wright-only ballot. There will not be a unanimous inductee this year.
In the Tracker: tracker.fyi
This is the first ever known David Wright-only ballot. There will not be a unanimous inductee this year.
In the Tracker: tracker.fyi
December 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Yeah, I'd want to be anonymous too for this. That said, at least he didn't vote for Vizquel.
Man, I remember when Cities97 was essential listening and where you'd go to find new and indy artists. How sad.
A radio station here in Minneapolis is stuck -
cities971.iheart.com
cities971.iheart.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Man, I remember when Cities97 was essential listening and where you'd go to find new and indy artists. How sad.
So, Omar Vizquel is out there stumping for himself to get into the HOF. Dude, just go the fuck away.
We've seen two voters who flipped to yes say that Vizquel called them last year to discuss his candidacy and the off-field issues hindering it. Another (who stayed a no on Vizquel) posted about a lunch with Vizquel where they discussed these issues. In 125 ballots, Vizquel has gained 5 and lost 2.
What is Vizquel gaining votes? What is happening?
December 1, 2025 at 8:16 PM
So, Omar Vizquel is out there stumping for himself to get into the HOF. Dude, just go the fuck away.
Really felt like he was sleeping through the first half of last season. Just think what he could do this year if Finnegan's awake!
so they might want to ... begin again?
December 1, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Really felt like he was sleeping through the first half of last season. Just think what he could do this year if Finnegan's awake!
I call my fists Mauer and Morneau, because they both hit left-handed. I'm the victim of a botched arm transplant.
I call my fists Elton and Bernie because they are available for fighting but only on Saturday nights.
I named my fists Lennon and McCartney because they're gonna leave your face in a jar by the door
December 1, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I call my fists Mauer and Morneau, because they both hit left-handed. I'm the victim of a botched arm transplant.
How’s your Thanksgiving going? My in-laws showed up an hour early!
November 27, 2025 at 8:55 PM
How’s your Thanksgiving going? My in-laws showed up an hour early!
Dear @billtwibh.bsky.social, I’m sorry I haven’t started editing yet. I’m singing karaoke in a bar.
November 27, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Dear @billtwibh.bsky.social, I’m sorry I haven’t started editing yet. I’m singing karaoke in a bar.
Let’s give it up for the tail gunners!
With the American military adopting such pointlessly cruel and antagonistic anti-LGBTQ+ policies it’s good to see some other countries are taking the opposite approach.
November 27, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Let’s give it up for the tail gunners!
Reposted by Mike Bates
This is going to get very bad
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump calls for reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who entered under Biden admin after National Guard shooting.
November 27, 2025 at 2:39 AM
This is going to get very bad
For most guys, I'd say to bilk them for as much as they'll give you. But it's probably worth a good bit to Rendon not to play baseball, considering he never really liked it anyway.
According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the Angels and Anthony Rendon are in discussions to buy out the final year of his seven-year, $245 million contract.
Rendon is owed $38 million in 2026 and is expected to retire, per Gonzalez.
www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Rendon is owed $38 million in 2026 and is expected to retire, per Gonzalez.
www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...
Source: Angels in talks to buy out Rendon deal
The Angels and third baseman Anthony Rendon are in talks about buying out the final year of his seven-year, $245 million contract, a source told ESPN.
www.espn.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:59 PM
For most guys, I'd say to bilk them for as much as they'll give you. But it's probably worth a good bit to Rendon not to play baseball, considering he never really liked it anyway.
What petty, shitty little people this country has chosen to rule it.
SCOOP: The Trump administration has instructed employees and grantees not to use U.S. funds to commemorate World AIDS Day — because the observance was started by the World Health Organization.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Trump Administration Cancels U.S. Observance of World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
What petty, shitty little people this country has chosen to rule it.
Christmas came early! Can’t wait to read these for the The Sporting News-SABR Baseball Research Awards!
November 25, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Christmas came early! Can’t wait to read these for the The Sporting News-SABR Baseball Research Awards!
I bet the SecDef gets hard just thinking of "attacking boy-friendly spaces." Fucking creep.
Documents show the U.S. military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts
U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'
Documents show the U.S. Military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formally known as the Boy Scouts
n.pr
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I bet the SecDef gets hard just thinking of "attacking boy-friendly spaces." Fucking creep.
Oh boy! Get ready for more rolled up shirtsleeves and pickup trucks.
Democrats are announcing a new investment to win over voters in rural areas — where the party has suffered deep losses in recent elections — by leaning on an economic message. n.pr/3XLWU62
Democrats plan a new investment in winning rural voters, who've fled the party
Democrats are announcing a new investment to win over voters in rural areas — where the party has suffered deep losses in recent elections — by leaning on an economic message.
n.pr
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Oh boy! Get ready for more rolled up shirtsleeves and pickup trucks.
This year? Mashed cauliflower.
Ruin Thanksgiving in four words: ___ ___ ___ ___
November 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
This year? Mashed cauliflower.
My sister-in-law, God love her, just texted that she's "Thinking of you all right now <heart emoji>," presumably thinking Charlie's birthday is today when it was yesterday. We're going to file that under Hey, At Least You Tried!
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
My sister-in-law, God love her, just texted that she's "Thinking of you all right now <heart emoji>," presumably thinking Charlie's birthday is today when it was yesterday. We're going to file that under Hey, At Least You Tried!
This motherfucker was straight up fired by the White Sox for sexually harassing a kid with autism and paid the family to hush it up, and was credibly accused of strangling his wife at his in-laws' house, but, sure, talk about "murky domestic violence allegations." Fuck, I hate this so fucking much.
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
This motherfucker was straight up fired by the White Sox for sexually harassing a kid with autism and paid the family to hush it up, and was credibly accused of strangling his wife at his in-laws' house, but, sure, talk about "murky domestic violence allegations." Fuck, I hate this so fucking much.
Charlie Bates should have turned 19 today. He'd either be finishing up his first semester of college or gigging his way across the Midwest in a van with his bandmates after dropping out in late September. Either would have been preferable to where we are today, but life can be a real son of a bitch.
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Charlie Bates should have turned 19 today. He'd either be finishing up his first semester of college or gigging his way across the Midwest in a van with his bandmates after dropping out in late September. Either would have been preferable to where we are today, but life can be a real son of a bitch.
What monsters weren't already thanking the flight crews on their way off of planes?
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wants air travelers to be nice this holiday season. A new DOT campaign asks passengers to help each other and thank flight attendants. n.pr/4oWRh0K
The U.S. Transportation Department is urging air passengers to be on good behavior
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wants air travelers to be nice this holiday season. A new DOT campaign asks passengers to help each other and thank flight attendants.
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 2:31 AM
What monsters weren't already thanking the flight crews on their way off of planes?
Just fucking shoot me in the head now and get it over with. I can't watch Trevor Larnach's meh-ness for another year.
NEWS: #MNTwins trade for a backup catcher and unexpectedly offer Trevor Larnach a contract.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Twins unexpectedly bring back Trevor Larnach, trade for backup catcher Alex Jackson
Larnach will compete for playing time in the corners with fellow left-handers Matt Wallner and Alan Roden, along with James Outman.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Just fucking shoot me in the head now and get it over with. I can't watch Trevor Larnach's meh-ness for another year.