Foolish Baseball
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352.0K subscribers54 videosLast upload: 1 weeks ago
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Foolish Baseball is home to 16-bit video essay series about baseball analytics known as Baseball Bits.
Location: US
Joined: July 2012
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@@foolishbaseball
September 28, 2025 •
The Hardest Thrower That Never Was | Baseball Bits
Use code FOOLISHFB50 to get 50% OFF your first Factor box plus free breakfast for 1 year at https://bit.ly/4oZ92gw Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Steve Dalkowski. That is the name of the hardest thrower that never was. Turns out that baseball's hardest thrower never played in MLB. It's a cautionary tale to same degree. Dalkowski's struggles on and off the field were well-documented, most recently in the biography "Dalko" from Dembski, Thomas, and Vikander. But they were also documented in fiction. Steve Dalkowski was the inspiration for the character Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham. In this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, we'll tell the story of Steve Dalkowski chronologically while also doing our own baseball stat analysis of why never reached the big leagues. ______________________________________________ Dalko: The Untold Story of Baseball's Fastest Pitcher: https://store.dexteritybooks.com/products/dalko-the-untold-story-of-baseballs-fastest-pitcher Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com/
August 31, 2025 •
Baseball Is Ruining Gambling | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB __________________________________________ This is a video about sports gambling, two worlds that have always existed parallel to one another, but only recently had their relationship recognized and legalized in the United States. While some might say that gambling is ruining sports or gambling is ruining baseball, in this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, I satirically argue that baseball is ruining gambling. Reversing the roles as I suggest regulating or banning Major League Baseball, so as not to sully the good names of DraftKings or FanDuel. __________________________________________ Maitreyi Anantharaman on Tigers parlays: https://defector.com/gambling-detroit-tigers-parlays-fanduel-bally-sports Tyler Kepner on athlete threats: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6385628/2025/06/11/mlb-sports-betting-gambling-player-poll/ Darren Rovell on Parlay Patz: https://www.actionnetwork.com/news/sports-bettor-wins-huge-parlay-ben-patz-darren-rovell Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
July 28, 2025 •
Corey Seager Is So Good... | Baseball Bits
Use code 50FOOLISH to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fK11Hh Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Corey Seager is good at baseball. That is essentially the message of this video. Of course, we'll look at it through an analytical lens that includes Corey Seager Rangers highlights and Corey Seager Dodgers highlights, which include his two Corey Seager World Series MVP awards. But this is also a study of MLB plate discipline metrics, and how aggressive hitters like Corey Seager have approaches that can be quantified. Some other mentions: Corey Seager defense, which is underrated. As well as a Corey Seager shortstop comparison vs the rest of those who played the position. There is also some fun Dodgers MLB draft analysis, as well as a look at Seager's matchups vs elite pitchers, like Seager vs Skubal. I hope you'll enjoy this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production. ______________________________________________ Robert Orr's SEAGER Article: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/86572/the-crooked-inning-corey-seager-rangers/ SEAGER Leaderboards: https://therealestmuto.shinyapps.io/Damage/ Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com
June 30, 2025 •
Why Old Hitters Are Going Extinct | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB __________________________________________ Where did our olds go? I'll do my best to explain. In MLB, there is a decline in old hitters. The oldest players in MLB simply aren't as old as they used to be, at least among position players. And those that remain receive less playing time and are generally less effective. In 2025, the three old hitters on pace to qualify for the batting title are Carlos Santana, Andrew McCutchen, and Paul Goldschmidt. Keep in mind, the days of Albert Pujols old, Joey Votto old, and Miguel Cabrera old are long gone. They've all retired and are on their way to Cooperstown. How can this be? Hopefully this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, can help explain. ____________________________________ Jolly on Drew Pomeranz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIZXElP9txc /u/Constant_Gardner11 on Old Hitter Decline: https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1cy0ay7/no_country_for_old_men_playing_time_for_age_35/ Stark and Sarris on Pitchers vs Hitters: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5579800/2024/06/21/mlb-offense-low-reasons-hitters-pitchers/ Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
May 27, 2025 •
Hank Aaron's 15th Best Season | Baseball Bits
Use code 50FOOLISH to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fK11Hh Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Hank Aaron is one of the all time great players in baseball history, but it's almost difficult to describe just how great he was. This video essay, part of the Baseball Bits series on Foolish Baseball, will attempt to alleviate that. Because Henry Aaron shouldn't be remembered for his peak season, rather his incredible consistency with the Hammerin Hank Aaron Braves. We'll compare that consistency in Henry Aaron to all the other best hitters in MLB history. That will include comparisons such as Hank Aaron vs Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron vs Barry Bonds, and Hank Aaron vs Willie Mays, the latter of which was his peer. You won't really get discussions on who the true MLB home run king is or should be. The focus isn't really the former Hank Aaron home run record. The 15th Best Season is really just my angle to describing that consistency. This isn't even an average season for Aaron, who qualified for the batting title in 20 and played in 23. We'll also be sure to hit on the basic Henry Aaron trivia as well, like Hank Aaron All Star Games, Hank Aaron Negro Leagues, Hank Aaron brother, and Hank Aaron hits. ______________________________________________ Ecker Adjustment: https://eckeraadjustment.web.illinois.edu/#rankings Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com
April 20, 2025 •
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ___________________________ Joba Chamberlain. Poor guy. What did he do to deserve the Cleveland Midges? The Midge Game aka the Bug Game was 2007 ALDS Game 2. And those 2007 ALDS Game 2 bugs went to town on poor Joba Chamberlain, causing a midge meltdown that led to a Yankees loss. In this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, we'll trace the life cycle from Lake Erie midge to Cleveland midge swarm. And how that affected proceedings between the Yankees and the franchise formerly known as the Cleveland Indians, now the Guardians. ___________________________ The Ringer on the Midge Game: https://www.theringer.com/2021/05/11/mlb/yankees-cleveland-bug-game-midges-joba-chamberlain Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
March 23, 2025 •
Bryan Woo Sucked in College. Now He’s a Star in MLB | Baseball Bits
Use code 50FOOLISH to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fK11Hh Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Bryan Woo's career at Cal Poly of the Big West Conference baseball didn't exactly go to plan. He struggled with a 6.49 ERA, and never established himself as a starter. Despite this, the Mariners draft Bryan Woo decision has been huge for the franchise. The 2021 MLB Draft featured a lot of early "busts," but a 6th round pick like Bryan Woo has been great. And that's because Mariners Trent Blank, director of pitching strategy, advocated for his selection. Some topics discussed in this video include: Vertical Approach Angle baseball (VAA for short), baseball arm angles and baseball arm slots, and baseball analytics, especially those captured by platforms like Rapsodo baseball, Trackman baseball, and Statcast Hawk-Eye baseball. And all taken into account in the Trent Blank Bryan Woo decision. I hope not just Seattle Mariners pitching fans or college baseball fans, but fans of all MLB will enjoy this episode of Baseball Bits, a baseball video essay series. _______________________________________________ Adam Jude on Trent Blank: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jul/13/how-mariners-pitching-pipeline-mines-mlb-draft-for/ Baseball America 2021 Draft rankings: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2021-mlb-draft-best-available-prospects-remaining/ Ted Williams "The Science of Hitting": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ5iiaF-T3I Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com
February 16, 2025 •
The Stupidest Thing a Pitcher Can Do | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ___________________________ Punching an object. Breaking their hand. Pitchers need their hands to, well, you know, pitch a baseball. But this video is about the throwers brave enough to punch a wall, punch a locker, or punch a door and break their hand. The most common fracture for a pitcher breaking hand? The fifth metacarpal fracture AKA the boxer's fracture. I tracked 20 incidents related to MLB pitcher punch wall, MLB pitcher punch locker, MLB pitcher punch door, and more. These 20 pitcher punches serve as a warning, and this video is an analysis of those warning signs. In an era where pitching is in itself a hazard, the amount of self-inflicted injuries has grown at an alarming rate. 2024 alone gave us four incidents: Colten Brewer punch, Mason Miller punch, Brock Burke punch, and Anthony Banda punch. We'll also examine some less recent incidents like the 2021 Devin Williams punch of 2004 Kevin Brown punch. Is this the stupidest thing a pitcher can do? I would have to say yes, at least on team property. Emotions run high when you're playing baseball of course, and in this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, we'll be looking at the 20 times those emotions got the best of our punching pitchers. ___________________________ Metacarpal fractures in athletes: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5344851/ Pitcher Punches spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YM8Naxya51wSnmc8cjJOWoR7EsVZMkyY4ggnRcDUMEc/edit?usp=sharing Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
December 21, 2024 •
Ben Zobrist Should Be the Worst Hall of Famer | Baseball Bits
Use code 50FOOLISH to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fK11Hh Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ There has never been a MLB utility player in the Hall of Fame. I think Ben Zobrist should change that. In this video, I'll examine the (admittedly) under the radar Ben Zobrist Hall of Fame case. A legend in three baseball cities, we'll recount the versatility that made the Ben Zobrist Rays, Ben Zobrist Royals, and Ben Zobrist Cubs so exciting (apologies to the Ben Zobrist A's). The best argument for Zobrist is his unique positional versatility. He was constantly rotation through Ben Zobrist positions. Teams used that Ben Zobrist versatility to improve their roster elsewhere, so much so that his name will always be associated with Ben Zobrist superutility. He also won two Ben Zobrist World Series with the aforementioned Royals and Cubs, further demonstrating his value. Although Zobrist would be a unique Hall of Fame inclusion, this video also shouts out Tony Phillips for having a similar career, but not being as appreciated in his time. It also includes shoutouts to the Mike Trout vs Miguel Cabrera that brought baseball WAR to the forefront alongside Zobrist. I hope you'll enjoy this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production. It won't be via the writer's ballot, but maybe we'll someday see Ben Zobrist in the Baseball Hall of Fame. _____________________________________________ 2B JAWS leaderboard: https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_2B.shtml Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com
October 31, 2024 •
The Astros Cheating Scandal, five years later | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ It's been five years since the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal broke via an article in The Athletic. The Astros trash can banging scheme set the sports world ablaze. The Astros cheated in 2017, the year of their 2017 Astros World Series title. In the five years since, we've gained some perspective. We've learned the Astros sign stealing wasn't an isolated incident, and fines like the Red Sox apple watches and Yankees letter have been handed down by MLB to other teams. The Astros banging scheme was the most flagrant, but baserunner schemes were in use all over the league. With help from five new sources, we're going to explore this scandal with some hindsight. Did the Astros cheat in the 2017 playoffs? Did they cheat on the road? Did they cheat in 2018 and beyond? These questions will be answered to the best of our abilities. Rob Manfred regrets giving Astros players immunity, but the trade-off has been a lot of info about how the scheme was hatched by Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora and put to work. We'll also the learn about the roles played by those suspended in the wake of the scandal, like Astros Jeff Luhnow and Astros AJ Hinch. What did they know about the Astros sign stealing? I hope you'll enjoy this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production. ___________________________________________________ The Athletic article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1363451/2019/11/12/the-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017-part-of-a-much-broader-issue-for-major-league-baseball/ Rob Manfred's Astros Report: https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/cglrhmlrwwbkacty27l7.pdf The Astros Edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNU64BVw95g Winning Fixes Everything by Evan Drellich: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/winning-fixes-everything-evan-drellich?variant=40828339322914 Cheated by Andy Martino: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/658290/cheated-by-andy-martino/ Sign Stealing Scandal by Tony Adams: https://signstealingscandal.com/ Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
