Yesterday, we began our look at the rich, family tradition in the MLB. Baseball DNA is alive and well, and has long been passed down from generation to generation. One former Colorado Rockie has passed his genes down twice.
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Sons of Baseball-archy: Vlad, Jr. looks sharp in his debut
Baseball has long been a family affair. As early as the brotherly love of the DiMaggios to the back-to-back home run prowess of the Griffeys, baseball DNA is prevalent in every era. Already this season, for example, we looked at Luke Dykstra, the Son of Nails (Lenny of course), and how that hard-nosed, gritty approach to the game seemed to have been passed down through the bloodlines.
Today’s minor leagues are full of the second comings of their fathers before them. One may have just inherited his pop’s legendary big swing.
Continue reading for more on the Sons of Baseball-archy Vl. I.
RIP Jose Fernandez
I’m not going to pretend to have the words to write about the young life of a man I only knew from what I saw on the field and read online. He was a kid who risked it all to do what he loves for a better life for his family, and seemingly enjoyed every minute of it as evidenced by his infectious smile.
Wayniac Nation is terribly saddened by Fernandez’s passing and we wish our condolences to every life he touched.
Statement from the Miami Marlins organization: pic.twitter.com/6A4Rv6m2g9
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 25, 2016
When Jose Fernandez burst onto the scene a few years ago, he gave us one of my favorite GIFs ever. He instantly became appointment viewing. pic.twitter.com/ZWo9QvruIG
— Gino Zarrillo (@GinoBambino23) September 25, 2016
If you’ve never read how Jose Fernandez made it from Cuba to the majors, you really should. https://t.co/l8bZVZt5hN
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) September 25, 2016
Jose Fernandez was the type of pitcher that crushed your favorite team every time out… and you paid to watch. #RIPJoseFernandez
— Wayniac Nation (@UofDWayne) September 25, 2016
Prayers out to Jose Fernandez & his family. I never met him but he was a role model to me & our whole organization, & I thank him for that.
— Braxton Garrett (@BraxGarrett) September 25, 2016
What a beautiful planet this would be if we all smiled as often and as brightly as Jose Fernandez.
— Jason Benetti (@jasonbenetti) September 25, 2016
wow very sad new this morning…hands down one of my favorite guys to watch pitch! He brought nothing but intensity and passion #ripjose
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) September 25, 2016
I tend to stay off of Twitter on start days but I cannot believe the news about Jose Fernandez. The game and the world just lost a great one
— Jon Lester (@JLester34) September 25, 2016
2016 Prospect Breakout Series: The Tampa Bay Rays Willy Adames
It’s hard to call a team’s top offensive prospect a breakout candidate, but that is precisely what Willy Adames did this past summer. While playing his first full season above A-Ball, Adames showed that the potential many saw in him was reality, as he had a career-year across the board.
Keep reading for more on one of MLB’s best second base prospects.
2016 Prospect Breakout Series: Pittsburgh Pirates Kevin Newman
Kevin Newman entered 2016 with several question marks surrounding him. Would one of the best collegiate bats in the 2015 MLB Draft translate to professional pitching after an up-and-down debut? Would he be able to stick at shortstop? Just how high on the Pirates’ prospect — and overall prospect — lists was he?
This season answered many of those questions, as Newman skyrocketed to top-five status in the Pirates’ system, while sitting on the cusp of the top-50 overall.
So, who is Kevin Newman?
The Rome Braves Devan Watts has breakout 2016
The Rome Braves’ huge second half surge led them to their first South Atlantic League title in 13 years. The achievements of their heralded young pitching staff and the tremendous second half Austin Riley had with the bat have been well documented over the past few months. While Ray-Patrick Didder and Patrick Weigel made some waves as two of the Atlanta Braves’ breakout prospects, closer Devan Watts quietly slid under the radar and played a huge role in Rome’s SAL Championship.
The Houston Texans: Friday Morning Takeaways
It’s not easy being a Houston Texans fan. Don’t get me wrong, I have stuck with them through two-win seasons, and I will continue to do so through their 9-7 seasons. The simple truth is that there waas nothing surprising about last night.
We are who they think we are.
NFL Discussion: Who’s the best of the best?
Ahhh, it’s Week 3 of the NFL. Key players are beginning to get injured, while others are preparing to come back to help their team. Seems like the perfect time to initiate an absurdly early undefeated teams discussion, doesn’t it?
There are currently eight undefeated teams in the NFL, and by the time the majority of people read this, there will likely be seven, barring a tie in the New England Patriots and Houston Texans Thursday Night dandy. So, the question is, do any of them have a chance to go undefeated?
The WN Fantasy Football Report: Week 3 Starts and Sits
Last week was a rough one. Chances are either your first round draft pick underperformed or was injured.
KEY 1st ROUND WEEK 2 BUSTS: Antonio Brown, Todd Gurley, Rob Gronkowski (still hasn’t suited up in ’16), Devonta Freeman, Eddie Lacy, A.J. Green and Lamar Miller.
Of course, the injury trend continued this week as more high-profiled NFL stars are going to now be on the shelf for the foreseeable future.
KEY WEEK 2 INJURIES: Adrian Peterson, Doug Martin, Jonathan Stewart, Donte Moncrief, Corey Coleman, Arian Foster, and Danny Woodhead.
There’s a good chance there are some big holes in your lineup this week, especially with names like Antonio Gates and Delanie Walker popping up questionable yesterday. So, who do you start and sit?
We got you covered.
Second hald surge complete: Rome Braves are SAL Champs
It sounds like a broken record, but another night has passed and yet another Rome Braves starter has hurled another impressive performance. Max Fried dealt a dandy last night, striking out 13 en route to Rome’s first South Atlantic League Championship in 13 years.
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