San Francisco Giants Struck Out on Superstars, But Still Intriguing in 2023

The San Francisco Giants fascinate me going into the 2023 Major League Baseball season. (And I’ve previously written about my admiration for their manager, Gabe Kapler.)

I don’t know how often I’ll watch them playing on Pacific time (especially as I try to prize sleep and stay on a consistent routine), but a team that tried to take that big step and fell short — or should I say took a big swing and missed — is very intriguing.

Aaron Judge or Carlos Correa signing with the Giants could’ve had a significant effect on the balance of power in Major League Baseball. What would the New York Yankees be without their star, 62-home run slugger? Would the Minnesota Twins begin a downward spiral without Carlos Correa? And what if Correa signed with the New York Mets, as he clearly wanted?

In Sunday’s New York Times, James Wagner visits the Giants and looks at a roster bolstered by $175 million worth of free-agent additions including outfielders Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger, and pitchers Sean Manaea, Taylor Rogers, and Ross Stripling. All of them are good players, but not stars. And certainly not the marquee names that bring fans to the ballpark and attract media attention during Spring Training.

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Baseball WISE Sports Radio: Braves Sweep, Judge’s Chase, Ohtani’s Payday, Raleigh’s Moment

It’s the final week of the 2022 Major League Baseball regular season and the Atlanta Braves all but clinched the National League East division, overtaking the New York Mets with a three-game sweep at Truist Park over the weekend.

On WISE Sports Radio, we discuss the Braves’ chances at repeating as World Series champions, Aaron Judge’s continuing pursuit of 62 home runs with four games remaining, Shohei Ohtani’s big payday, and local (Sylva, North Carolina) product Cal Raleigh clinching a playoff spot for the Seattle Mariners with a home run Friday night.

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Baseball Radio: Albert Pujols Reaches 700, Aaron Judge Still Pursuing 61

As Major League Baseball nears the end of the regular season, one slugger reached a milestone while another is still in pursuit. For this week’s WISE Sports Radio baseball segment, we covered Albert Pujols hitting his 700th career home run and Aaron Judge chasing his 61st of the season.

Among our other topics: Will Tony La Russa return to manage the Chicago White Sox next season? Don Mattingly will not return to the Miami Marlins. And what can MLB do to boost offense in the sport?

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Baseball Radio: Aaron Judge’s Chill, Ozzie Albies’ Pinkie, David Price’s Decision

Two of the most thrilling stories as the 2022 Major League Baseball regular season nears its end are the National League East race between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets and Aaron Judge’s pursuit of 61 home runs, a cherished piece of New York Yankees history.

On our WISE Sports Radio baseball segment, we discuss a key injury for the Braves and Judge’s likelihood of surpassing what many see as the “real” (unaided by PEDs) single-season home run record. Other topics include the Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason chances, pitcher David Price likely retiring, and a quick football note about the Detroit Lions.

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Baseball Radio: Angels-Mariners Brawl, Bryce Harper Injury, Aaron Judge’s Payday

We’re back on WISE Sports Radio after a week off due to Pat Ryan not feeling well and technical difficulties at the radio station. And Major League Baseball provided plenty to talk about from the past week.

The Angels and Mariners threw down in a big brawl. Bryce Harper suffers a broken thumb that could cost the Phillies a playoff spot. Aaron Judge’s bet on himself is leading toward a major payday. And Freddie Freeman’s return to Atlanta after leaving the Braves gets emotional.

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Baseball Radio: Aaron Judge Contract, Nats-Mets Tensions, Rachel Balkovec History

The 2022 Major League Baseball season is off to a fun start with superstars like American League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani picking up where last season finished, new sensations including Hunter Greene, Bobby Witt Jr., and Steven Kwan debuting, and favorites like the White Sox, Astros, and Mets already flexing their muscles.

For WISE Sports Radio‘s weekly baseball segment, we talk about Aaron Judge turning down a huge contract extension with the New York Yankees, a developing feud between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals, and a historic debut for Rachel Balkovec in Tampa Friday night.

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