Brewers' Murphy Wins NL MOY for 3rd Straight Season; Chisox Skipper Venable Wins AL MOY

 

(Screenshot from MLB's X account)

The accolades just keeping coming for Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy.

Fresh off leading the Brew Crew to their first ever World Series, the BBWAA honored Murphy with NL Manager of the Year honors for the third consecutive season becoming the first skipper in either league to win the honor thrice in a row. Murphy bested Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss who brought the team back to the post-season after a disappointing 2025 season and Philadelphia Phillies manager Don Mattingly who took over a 9-19 team in late April to earn a NL Wild Card berth.

AL Manager of the Year honors went to Chicago White Sox skipper Will Venable. In his second year on the South Side of Chicago, Venable took a team which lost an AL worst 102 games in 2025 and improved by 24 wins to earn an unexpected AL Wild Card berth. Venable bested Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, who won the honor in 2020 and 2021 as he managed his team to an AL pennant as well as Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy who took over the club in late April and oversaw a mid-season surge which propelled the team from the worst record in the AL to an AL Wild Card berth.

Tomorrow, the BBWAA will announce both the AL and NL Cy Young Award winners as well as the inaugural AL and NL Reliever of the Year Awards.

Bob Boone is The Only Catcher to Win Gold Gloves in Both Leagues

This morning, I read about the passing former MLB player, manager and executive Bob Boone at the age of 78.

Before I get into Boone's life and legacy, I would be remiss if I didn't mention what happened last night at the pool. As I was leaving, a fellow spoke about being a Philadelphia sports fan and that he was reared on Phillies baseball specifically citing Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt. 

A few moments later I remarked, "Don't forget about Manny Trillo and Larry Bowa." To which he replied, "Not to mention Bob Boone and Greg Luzinski."

As it turns out, it was Luzinski who broke the news of Boone's passing.

Boone was part of three generations who played in MLB. Boone's father Ray played 13 seasons as an infielder with the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City A's, Milwaukee Braves and Boston Red Sox. 

The elder Boone had his best seasons in Detroit where he was named to two AL All-Star Teams in 1954 and 1956 while leading the AL in RBI with 116 in 1955. He would spend the post-playing career as a scout for the Red Sox for more than 30 years. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 81.

Boone's sons Bret and Aaron also reached the big leagues. Bret played 14 seasons primarily with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds along with stints with the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins. Like his grandfather, he would lead the AL in RBI when he drove in 141 runs for the Mariners in 2001 when they tied an MLB record with 116 regular season wins. Then there were four Gold Gloves for his play at second base. In 2025, Boone served as the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers.

Of course, Aaron is best known as the longtime manager of the New York Yankees who also gained infamy as a Yankee when his walk off HR off the late Tim Wakefield in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS earned the Bronx Bombers the AL pennant. Despite his Yankee notoriety, he played the bulk of his career with the Reds with stints with the Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros over 12 seasons as an infielder.

So, what about Bob?

Unlike his father and sons, Bob Boone was a catcher and one of the greatest to ever don the tools of ignorance. Although it did not start out that way.

A San Diego native, Boone played baseball at Stanford University and was drafted by Philadelphia Phillies in the 6th round of the 1969 MLB Draft as a third baseman. But when the Phillies drafted Mike Schmidt two years later, the Phillies converted him into a catcher.

Boone would make his MLB debut as a September call up in 1972 and would be the team's number one catcher come 1973. That season, Boone finished third in NL Rookie of the Year balloting behind Montreal Expos pitcher Steve Rogers and San Francisco Giants outfielder Gary "Sarge" Matthews who would later become teammates with Boone in Philly.

Between 1976 and 1979, Boone was named to three NL All-Star Teams and won two Gold Gloves for his defense and would be a core part of a Phillies team which won three straight NL East pennants while always falling short in the NLCS against the Big Red Machine in 1976 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977 and 1978. Although not a power hitter, Boone was a solid contact hitter generally batting in the .280s though when the Phillies won their first World Series in franchise history in 1980, Boone only hit .229 that season. However, Boone would hit .412 (7 for 17) and collected 4 RBI during the Fall Classic 

However, Boone continue to struggle at the plate in 1981 and was in the doghouse for being the team's player rep during that season's strike. Following the season, the Phillies sold Boone's contract to the California Angels where he would spend the next seven seasons. The Angels would win the AL West in 1982 and 1986 but fell short in the ALCS against the Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox, respectively. Boone would earn an AL All-Star Team selection in 1983 and win four more Gold Gloves becoming the first and only catcher to win Gold Gloves in both leagues.

Boone spent his final two seasons with the Kansas City Royals winning his seventh and final Gold Glove behind the plate in 1989 at the age of 41 making him the oldest to ever win a Gold Glove at his position. 

A broken finger would bring his career to abrupt end in 1990. Although he was 42, it is tantalizing to consider that Boone's career may have ended prematurely. Had he not been hurt perhaps a couple more Gold Gloves might have been in order.

As it stood, at the time his 19-year MLB career ended, Boone had caught 2295 games - more than any catcher in MLB history. Boone has since been passed by two Pudges - Carlton Fisk (2296) and Ivan Rodriguez (2427). His seven Gold Gloves rank behind only Rodriguez (13), Johnny Bench (10) and Yadier Molina (9). 

Boone was on the BBWAA ballot between 1996 and 2000 never reaching double digits in the vote and fell off in 2000 when he received less than the 5% threshold. Let us consider that during his time with the Phillies in the 1970s and early 1980s, his contemporaries were Bench, Gary Carter and Ted Simmons. While he did not hit as well this trio, he was arguably the best defensive catcher of the four. Let us also consider that during his near decade in the AL, more than half of his Gold Gloves were bestowed upon him after the age of 38.

While Boone might not be a first ballot Hall of Famer, he certainly is worthy of more than a handful of votes.

In 1995, Boone would return to the Royals as the team's manager where he spent 2½ seasons before being replaced by Tony Muser. Boone would get a second chance to manage when he was hired to lead the Cincinnati Reds in 2001. As with the Royals, he was on the job for 2½ seasons before being dismissed in favor of Dave Miley. Boone did get to manage Aaron while with the Reds but would never enjoy a winning season as a skipper.

Boone would spend more than 15 years in the front office of the Washington Nationals and earn another World Series ring in 2019. However, Boone would leave the front office late in the 2021 season when he refused to be vaccinated against COVID. I remember being disappointed knowing that not being vaccinated was more important to him than continuing to be involved with baseball. It is too bad that his association with baseball could not have ended on a higher note.

My main memory of Bob Boone will be that he is one of the greatest catchers in MLB history, Hall of Fame plaque or no Hall of Fame plaque. R.I.P.

McGonigle & Stewart Win 2026 AL/NL ROY Honors

Two players who were bright spots on disappointing teams in 2026 have won the AL and NL Rookie of the Year Awards.

In the AL, Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle, who split his time between shortstop and third base, won the honors hitting .278 with 18 HR and 72 RBI while leading the league with 707 plate appearances and with a 7.1 WAR earning an AL All-Star Team selection. McGonigle earned 28 out of 30 first place votes with Cleveland Guardians hurler Parker Messick earning the other two votes with Boston Red Sox southpaw Peyton Tolle finishing a distant third in AL ROY balloting.

McGonigle, 22, is a Pennsylvania native who was a first-round draft pick by the Tigers in 2023 & 37th overall pick in the nation. He is the first Tiger to win AL ROY honors since pitcher Michael Fulmer did so in 2016. McGonigle is signed with the Detroit through the 2034 season.

Over in the NL, Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart took home the prize playing in all 162 games hitting .263 with 32 HR and 112 RBI and also had an NL All-Star Team selection. Stewart had a cup of coffee with Cincinnati in 2025 belting 5 HR in only 55 at bats. Stewart bested New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt for the trophy.

Stewart, also 22, can play first, second and third base. A Miami native, Stewart was a first-round draft pick by the Reds in 2022 and the 32nd overall pick in the nation. He is the first Red to win NL ROY honors since fellow infielder Jonathan India did so in 2021. Stewart is eligible for arbitration in 2029 and barring a contract extension will become a free agent in 2032.

Tomorrow we will learn who will win AL and NL Manager of the Year honors.

Thomas Massie vs. Pete Hegseth: One Jerk vs. Another Jerk

Today, soon to be former Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

From where I sit, it is one jerk against another jerk.

Massie is a bigot who is bitter that he lost the Republican primary and I loathe the fact that Democrats are indulging and elevating a man who should go crawl under the rock from which he came. 

In all, Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment. Half of the articles concern war powers resolution concerning Iran and Yemen which are reminiscent of the sort of impeachment article the late Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Gonzalez would issue against President Reagan for military action in Grenada and against the first President Bush for the first Gulf War. 

At least, Gonzalez aimed those impeachment articles against the President of the United States while Massie takes aim at the Secretary of Defense or Secretary of War. Whatever you want to call him, he serves at the pleasure of the President. If Massie were serious about this, he would have targeted Trump as well.

Another article of impeachment concerns the removal of former Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. Even Henry Gonzalez didn't see fit to introduce an article of impeachment against Bush for ousting Manuel Noreiga from power in Panama although he vigorously opposed U.S. military action there.

There is another article of impeachment concerning civilian casualties specifically with regard to the bombing of a girl's school during the early days of U.S. military involvement in Iran. While the deaths of children warrant outrage, U.S. intelligence believed the facility was part of an Iranian military base which had evidently converted into a school. As I asked at the time, "Why is there a girls' school situated near one of Iran's military bases?"

Another article of impeachment centers around Hegseth's efforts to demote Arizona Senator Mark Kelly's military ranks after he participated in a video along with other lawmakers who had served in the military that they can refuse unlawful orders. However, Kelly sued Hegseth in federal court which has blocked Hegseth from taking any further action against the Senator. While Hegseth has appealed the ruling, this matter is before the courts, and an article of impeachment is not necessary here. 

The only article of impeachment which I believe has some merit is the extrajudicial killings against alleged drug boats. There is testimony which claims that Hegseth gave orders to leave no survivors on these boats. This certainly demonstrates a deliberate lack of care on Hegseth's part to ensure the vessels in question were actually drug boats. Even if these strikes were in fact against drug boats why couldn't these vessels have been given an opportunity to surrender?

Had Massie narrowed his focus to this single article of impeachment where Hegseth's actions were willfully unlawful then this exercise would have more precision and purpose. As it stands, it seems like Massie's motivations are motivated by revenge rather than any sense of justice. 

If Massie's impeachment articles go to the House floor, it may pass but will be dead on arrival in the Senate. At most, it could force Trump to ask Hegseth to resign. But with Stephen Miller as the new sheriff in town, I think Trump will stand by Hegseth to the bitter end because I believe he views him as his true heir apparent. Of course, this would not be a good thing.

Pete Hegseth ought to be held to account for his actions. But aside from his conduct concerning drug boats, Thomas Massie's impeachment crusade is little more than a self-serving act of a pathetic public official on his way out of office.

Reggie Jackson Comes Through in The Clutch One More Time; But Who Else Will Step Up To Bat Against Anti-Semitism?

In my post yesterday praising the people of Philadelphia for standing up against anti-Semitism, I mentioned that MLB Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, a Philly native, made his voice heard and stirred the drink once more. His words are well worth examining. Here are a couple portions of his post on X this past Saturday, the day before the Philly Bike on Your Left rally:

It is heartbreaking to see antisemitism in my hometown. I was born in Wyncote, near Philadelphia, and it makes me angry and ashamed to see hatred tolerated there.

t takes me back to the racism I experienced in the 1960s: signs throughout the South declaring that Black people could be refused service, along with separate “white” and “colored” signs on bathrooms and drinking fountains,”no niggers”. I remember what that hatred looked and felt like. We cannot accept it in any form, directed at any people. I wish I could be there to stand with those protesting HATE. I am asking elected officials and other leaders in Philadelphia: Where are the clear statements condemning antisemitism? When hateful language is excused or repeated, it can make hostility seem acceptable and deepen fear and division. Leaders should speak plainly and consistently: antisemitism and hate have no place in our communities. What the hell? We have to speak up.

What the hell, indeed.

As far as I know, Jackson is the most prominent public figure, certainly the most prominent non-Jewish public figure, to stand up for the Jewish community regarding this planned procession.

Of course, I am heartened that Mr. October has come through in the clutch one more time. But who else will step up to bat against anti-Semitism?

No doubt having a large number of people show up in solidarity with Jewish owned restaurants is heartening. But we also need public figures to stand tall and, if at all possible, a new generation of said figures.

After all, Reggie Jackson is now 80. While his words will resonate with Baby Boomers and Gen Xers who watched him win World Series rings with the Oakland A's and the New York Yankees, sadly I suspect most people under 40 who aren't diehard baseball fans have no idea what a Reggie Bar is. 

Indeed, "Free Palestine" has become a mantra of young celebrities who either have no clue what it means or know all too well and feel they can express their hatred with Jews without fear of consequence. 

Then again, this younger generation which speaks of oppression never had to live through Jim Crow segregation as Reggie did during his early years in the Oakland A's organization. For too many Millennials and Gen Zers, oppression is an abstract concept. They may have romantic views about revolution but have never truly experienced injustice. 

All of which makes the challenge of finding a new generation of All-Stars to step up to bat against anti-Semitism that much more difficult. 

Will Eisenkot Form a Coalition & Become Israel's Next PM?

Yesterday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog picked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government following last month's legislative elections.

While Eisenkot's Yashar Party won fewer seats in the Israeli Knesset than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party, a majority of Knesset members nominated Eisenkot to form a government.

Eisenkot will now have 4 to 6 weeks to do so. If he fails to do so, then Netanyahu will have crack at it. There is a possibility that someone else could be called upon to form a government if both Eisenkot and Netanyahu fail. But it is more likely than not that another election would need to be called.

It isn't clear what path Eisenkot has before him. He will not form a national unity government with Netanyahu. I don't blame him because when Benny Gantz formed a national unity government with Netanyahu along the lines of the power sharing arrangement Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Shamir had in the 1980s, Bibi reneged on his end of the deal after failing to pass a budget. Eisenkot has ruled out working with the Arab parties and he has no love lost for the ultra-Orthodox parties. This pretty much leaves allies of Bibi. But even if they decide to go with Eisenkot who can say that Bibi won't be able to lure them back as he did when he undercut Naftali Bennett?

There are those who dismiss Eisenkot as Bibi-lite. Aside from their temperaments, I think Eisenkot differs from Netanyahu in two related respects. Eisenkot would reverse Netanyahu's attempts to rein in the independence of Israel's judiciary and consequently permit an independent inquiry into October 7th proceed.

Of course, Hamas is responsible for carrying out the attacks of October 7th. But as with the Yom Kippur War half a century earlier, an independent inquiry is necessary to determine if the government could have taken steps to either prevent the attack or at least mitigate it. It is also necessary to scrutinize the prosecution of the war itself. 

In this area, Eisenkot has credibility due to being a former IDF Chief of Staff as well as the fact that he has lost his son as well as two nephews since October 7th. 

If Eisenkot does become Prime Minister and does maintain the independence of Israel's judiciary and holds an independent inquiry into October 7th, I still think Israel will be treated as a pariah nation. The people and political leaders who hate Israel because it is Jewish now will continue to hate Israel because it is Jewish no matter who leads it. 

With that said, no one can be Prime Minister forever. While the onus is on Eisenkot to form a coalition, if he is successful in doing so, I would like to see what he can do with the power with which he is bestowed.

Cindy Hyde-Smith Deserves To Lose Mississippi Senate Seat to Scott Colom

{YouTube screenshot from WLOX of Scott Colom (D) & MS Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)}

There are still several significant races which have yet to be determined from Tuesday's 2026 mid-term elections.

One of these races is for the U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi. As of this writing, with 97% of the votes counted, Democratic challenger Scott Colom has a lead of 2,574 votes over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith. Hyde-Smith would need to win at least 53% of the remaining ballots to be re-elected.

This is simply astounding. Mississippi is about as safely Republican as you can get. While there were rumblings about the race last month, The Cook Political Report modestly changed its assessment of the race from solid Republican to likely Republican.

Well, with each passing voting tabulation, it is looking like this seat is increasingly unlikely Republican.

If this does come to pass, it will be because Hyde-Smith deserved to lose the seat. 

For starters, she did little or no campaigning or town halls and Colom cut an ad and yet another ad reminiscent of the late Democrat Paul Wellstone seeking Republican incumbent Rudy Boschwitz in the 1990 Minnesota Senate race.

And when Hyde-Smith did speak she came off like Marie Antoinette. When she was asked about higher beef prices during a local news interview, Hyde-Smith said, "You have some many proteins to choose from." 

Colom's campaign responded with the now viral "Pick Another Protein? Pick Another Senator Instead!" ad followed by a second ad in which Colom referred to the Republican incumbent as Cindy High Prices. 

And there was the parody ad of the film Sinners called Sinators. 

The common denominator of these ads was that it managed to make a point with good humor rather than negative nastiness.

It also doesn't hurt that Colom takes pride in being from Mississippi with his campaign slogan "Mississippi Matters". Lest we forget the phrase, "Thank God for Mississippi!" especially in other Southern states as it often ranks at the very bottom of various quality of life indexes.

Electing someone who is proud of Mississippi and wants to make it better would be a point of pride for Mississippians. Should Colom prevail, he will also become the first African American Senator from Mississippi since Reconstruction. 

Cindy Hyde-Smith treated the Senate seat like it was her property and she was an absentee landlady. She did not take care of it much less the needs of the people of Mississippi. But a seat in the Senate isn't anyone's personal property. It belongs to the people who may see fit to take it away. 

If the results do hold then Cindy Hyde-Smith will have truly deserved to lose.