The new millennium started with a blast for the Dutch baseball world. With the Olympic baseball tournament in Sydney, the Dutch upset the Cubans by beating them 4-2. For the first time, the best possible team with (former) pro players that played in the US was put together. Players like Hensley Meulens, Rikkert Faneyte, Ralph…
Yesterday both Chicago teams caught some big fishes. The Chicago Cubs reportedly signed Jon Lester to a six year $155 million contract. Despite efforts of Red Sox owner John Henry to get him back to Beantown, Lester opted for the Cubs. Why? Probably because of a couple of former Red Sox front office guys who…
I wrote the article below for the November edition of the Cuban baseball magazine “Universo Beisbol” . Hello baseball aficionados. Here is November’s editon of Yankeebiscuitfan’s World. This time a piece about a Negro League legend. Since I read a book about the Negro Leagues, I have been fascinated by him. …
Rumours have been swirling around that the Yankees would be interested in Max Scherzer or in Jon Lester. I wouldn’t oppose a deal with Lester, but I am not too fond of a deal with Scherzer. I am not saying that he isn’t a good pitcher, but he is heavily relying on his fastball. What…
Rickwood Field is the oldest still standing ballpark in the US where professional baseball is played. The ballpark opened its doors in 1910 and was home for the Birmingham Barons and Birmingham Black Barons. Industrialist and owner of the Barons ordered to build the stadium. Allen Harvey “Rick” Woodward, chairman of Woodward Iron Company and…
The baseball off season is a time for teams to rebrand. I mentioned the rebranding of several Minor League clubs already (Oklahoma City, South Bend, Daytona, Biloxi and San Antonio). Yesterday another Minor League club unveiled a new look: The Pawtucket Red Sox, AAA affiliate of the Beantown ballclub. Here is a broad variety of…
Today was a good day for a Dutch Yankee fan. My day was already made by the news that the Yankees acquired Dutch shortstop Didi Gregorius in a trade. But it did get even better when I read that they signed Andrew Miller to a four year $36 million contract. I won’t say that $36…
The New York Yankees have acquired Dutch shortstop Didi Gregorius in a three-way trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Detroit Tigers. In this trade RHP Shane Greene will head to Detroit and LHP Robbie Ray will go to Arizona. Mariekson “Didi” Gregorius was born in Amsterdam. His father also nicknamed Didi pitched for Amsterdam…
It starts to look like a trend. Parent clubs naming their farm teams after themselves. Instead of keeping the old name that the team had during the liaison with the Arizona Diamondbacks (Sout Bend SilverHawks), the new parent opted for the name Cubs. The Cubs have named more teams after themselves. Until last season, they…
After the posts “Van den Hurk to Japan?“, “Yomiuri Giants also interested in Van den Hurk” and “Despite having signed Matsuzaka, Van den Hurk still on Hawks’ radar“, I can finally tell that according to sponichi.co.jp, Rick van den Hurk has signed a two year deal with the Softbank Hawks from Fukuoka. According to the…
