Chicago Cubs – Bat Flips and Nerds

Chicago Cubs 2020: Reasons for optimism

February 23, 2020 Gavin Baseball, Opinion, Previews

What happened in 2019? Another frustrating year on the Northside of Chicago with the Cubs finishing third in the division. This is the same division as the Reds and Pirates, so third-place was a low bar to clear. They had

Five things to look out for at Chicago Cubs spring training

February 15, 2020 Padraig Whelan Baseball, Pinch Hitting, Team Contributors

In spring training of 2016, David Ross quite literally rolled into town. On a mobility scooter no less – fully embracing the ‘Grandpa Rossy’ persona he had cultivated which made him such a popular figure among teammates and fans alike.

How baseball became an unlikely coping mechanism

January 29, 2020 Bat Flips Admin Baseball, Pinch Hitting

James from Farm Boy Brews joins to make his Bat Flips and Nerds debut, detailing how baseball got him through tough times. Two years ago, I was going through a really rough patch. After struggling alone with my mental health

My Baseball Journey – Stephen Jones

January 28, 2020 Bat Flips Admin Baseball, Pinch Hitting

Stephen Jones from No Cryin In Baseball makes his Bat Flips and Nerds debut, where he talks about his journey into baseball. It’s not the usual story when it comes to Yankees merch. I became interested in baseball around 2006

10 things you need to know about the St Louis Cardinals

December 17, 2019 Gavin Baseball, London Series, MLB UK, Opinion

With fewer than 180 days until the London Series 2020 between the St Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs, we continue our build-up to this historic clash. Hopefully, you have already read our article on the Cubs, if not you

10 things you need to know about the Chicago Cubs

November 27, 2019 Gavin Baseball, London Series, Opinion

Legacy. It’s a strange word. In the build-up to the 2012 Olympics, it became a byword for legitimising £9 billion of expenditure. But what is the legacy of London 2012? Do we have more kids participating in athletics? I doubt

Why Baseball title droughts are unique

July 4, 2019 Bat Flips Admin Baseball, Pinch Hitting

Kristofer McCormack makes his debut on Bat Flips and Nerds. He is the founder and writer of The Madrid Story and has written for Fansided, These Footy Times and Managing Madrid. Very recently, I found a video of the winning

A Different Kind of Baseball Fandom

May 28, 2019 Bat Flips Admin Baseball, GB Baseball

Welcome to BFN, denizen of British baseball’s worst podcast, Jon Mackenzie… Hello. My name is Jon and I have embarked on a late-night love affair with thirty-something-year-old thicc men. It’s 1:34 in the morning and I’m watching Daniel Descalso on

Hot takes and overreactions

April 3, 2019 Gavin Baseball, MLB UK, Opinion

It is far too early to anoint Phillies as World Series champions or label Chris Sale’s contract a bust, or even start thinking that the Baltimore Orioles might be a good team. Here are some interesting snippets from the opening

JUST ACCEPT IT, PECOTA HATES YOUR TEAM

February 10, 2019 Gavin Baseball, MLB UK, Opinion

Baseball Prospectus has just released their PECOTA projections for 2019, and you know what? They hate your team. The funny thing is, PECOTA is not opinion, yet MLB players, managers and fans take it personally. An acronym for Player Empirical