What’s Happening in Baseball Today

The First Pitch: December 13, 2024

Tampa Bay second baseman Wander Franco will have to wait a little bit longer before he can return to America—and to the Rays, if MLB allows it. A judge in the Dominican Republic delays Franco’s trial for sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking by nearly six months, until June. Reason: Of the 36 witnesses scheduled to testify, only three of them show up in court; the rest have not been located, according to sources.

Franco’s lawyer says the absence of witnesses means that Franco must be freed, that “there is no case now”—and that he should be allowed to head to Spring Training in February. There’s a good chance that even if the judge allows that—and he likely won’t—MLB will not allow him to step into the clubhouse, as it would prefer to await legal closure before making its own determination on whether Franco can play now, later after a suspension, or maybe never again.

It Was Whatever-Something Years Ago Today

1956: Jackie Robinson is traded by the Dodgers to the crosstown, archrival Giants—but he declines the move and retires instead after 10 years with Brooklyn.

1974: Catfish Hunter is a free agent after winning his suit against Oakland owner Charles Finley, whom the A’s ace claims violated the terms of his contract. Based over the winter in his North Carolina hometown, Hunter will be visited by virtually every major league owner salivating at signing him; he’ll pick the Yankees.

You Say It’s Your Birthday

Free-agent infielder Gleyber Torres is 28; Houston pitcher Luis Garcia is 28; 114-game winner Ricky Nolasco is 42; Hall-of-Fame ace Ferguson Jenkins is 82; 1960s second baseman and TGG interview subject Nate Oliver is 84. Born on this date is three-time league leader in saves Lindy McDaniel (1935), 1950s Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine (1926), first black player in AL history Larry Doby (1923) and solid but untrustworthy pitcher of the 1900s Jack Taylor (1873).

Shameless Link of the Day

Who’s on our list of the top five pitchers in Tampa Bay Rays history? Find out here.

This Great Game in Print

Baseball Cards at the Edge of War is the new book from author Todd Marcum that focuses on baseball’s legendary 1941 season and the “three bubble gum titans” that took on one another in an attempt to rule the burgeoning baseball card market. Marcum provides an introductory orientation with content from our 1941 Yearly Reader page, which is why you’ll find the names of TGG creators Eric Gouldsberry and Ed Attanasio on the book’s cover as co-authors. The core of the book that follows is devoted to the players and their baseball cards who graced the 1941 season. Baseball Cards at the Edge of War is now available on Amazon.

Temporarily Hacked

Our This Great Game Facebook page remains in a frozen state following a recent hack, while we attempt to revive it amid a lack of customer support. (Facebook literally has no customer support. None.) Be aware of receiving any messages from the FB page, until we get it sorted out.

To Whom It May Concern

We are proud of what we have built at This Great Game, but we also admit it is not perfect. Occasionally, fans from all walks of life check in and point out errors, and we are grateful to these external editors. Our site is all the better because of you.

Also, we have had many folks chime in on our various lists in the Lists and Teams sections, many of them disagreeing with some of our choices. Since all lists are made to be argued, this is to be expected. If your arguments are respectful, we will respond in kind and join in a civilized debate—and we’ll often see your viewpoints, since no list should qualify as The Gospel. But if your responses contain the sort of vitriol found so often these days in social media circles, you’re going to get ignored. So please, respond respectfully, engage in polite conversation with us, and enjoy the site!