My top 12 storylines for the 2026 season. If you’re already a subscriber to The Athletic, you can give this story to anyone by clicking on the gift icon. If you aren’t, you can read it on this link for free. www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

I grew up wanting to write like Scott Ostler, like kids who emulate their favorite ballplayer’s swing. Of course, nobody can write like Scott. It’s impossible to be that funny, that insightful, that brilliant. Oh, and he gave me this cool T-shirt. Best of luck, Scott! @howardbeck.bsky.social

This player is in the Team Italy roster and I really hope his nickname is Espresso

All’s well that ends well that Austin Wells

I would watch an entire buddy movie starring Ken Griffey Jr. and Dusty Baker. For now, we’ll have to settle for this mini-doc airing in MLB Network on Monday. A sneak peek: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Wrote about Dusty Baker, Marvin Benard and a baseball bond that spans two countries www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

A tale about how Dusty Baker became the manager for Team Nicaragua thanks to a nudge from his old lead off hitter. My story for The Athletic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Bill Mazeroski left an indelible highlight to remember him by. (This is the closest I ever came to meeting him.) Does anyone else remember Bill Mazeroski’s Baseball Magazine? For a while it was the best season preview out there. RIP to a legend.

Annual ritual: Delivering a BBWAA card to sportswriting god Bruce Jenkins. Bring on Opening Day!

Hemingway was once bet that he couldn’t write the world’s happiest short story in just 5 words. He replied,

This is how you live a life

Tapped into some Giants legends for this one

Roger Craig’s rise to the Hall of Fame owes a massive debt to the Davenport High School classmate who took up his cause and never let go. Take a bow, Leisa Knudsen. www.nytimes.com/athletic/106...

Roger Craig for the Hall of Fame? You can trace the journey back to a scenic county park where the 49ers strengthened a dynasty. For @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Roger Craig’s long climb to the Hall of Fame might be at the finish line. My story for @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Tom Brady grew up idolizing Joe Montana and the #49ers. His new documentary digs deep behind the scenes of a dynasty. Lights, camera, play-action! My story for @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

It was our pleasure. @brownieathletic.bsky.social you always bring it strong!

An annual Hall of Fame voting ritual for me is to join the glorious Almost Cooperstown podcast and explain my thinking (or lack thereof). Thanks to hosts Mark and Gordon! @almostcoop.bsky.social youtu.be/fgDmvQ0LFrI

Knuckleballers should live forever. Wilbur Wood threw the butterfly pitch and Tyler Kepner captures the magic of his life and times here:

I had great faith that the Immaculate Grid would allow me to type in Turkey Stearnes today! Happy Thanksgiving, @baseball-reference.com!

Years ago I interviewed former MVP Hank Sauer over the phone. I asked him how he got his nickname, “The Honker.” Sauer laughed, as did his wife Jeanne in the background. “Have you seen me?!?” he finally said. Anyway, here’s a picture of Hank Sauer.

This is wild--I profiled Faker for ESPN Mag *ten years ago* and at the time was told by everyone there's no way to stay on top in an esport past your early 20s. Dude really is the LeBron of League of Legends.

I ran a 5K this morning at Kezar Stadium. I was not as fast as Joe “The Jet” Perry or Hugh McElhenny

Here’s what one reader said when they subscribed to my Substack, The Undercovered: Women’s sports with PJ Brown.

Oh, heck yes. PJ Brown is fantastic — a fabulous and well-connected chronicler of women’s sports. Go get ‘em, cuz!

The Dodgers won the entire 1963 World Series in eight hours and 17 minutes.

This should count as Games 3 & 4

The ghost runner must be rolling in his grave

Madison Bumgarner is the true Mr. October (Pitchers’ Version) World Series career ERA:

I ain’t saying nothing

This is the box score from the first time the Mariners played the Blue Jays, on May 9, 1977. So many fun names. Ruppert Jones! Doug Ault! Otto Velez! And just like that, the ‘77 expansion franchises will face off tonight in Game 7 for the AL pennant. www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TO...

Duane Kuiper is a finalist for the Ford C. Frick Award, presented by the Hall of Fame #TeamKuip

Bay Area scribes and broadcasters! The San Francisco Press Club awards are now accepting entries. So check out this link and start polishing up your acceptance speech: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...

Things got so dire that J.T. Snow started praying that he would wake up in the morning. Great story from @susanslusser.bsky.social about a Giants fan favorite

Tonight José Ramírez broke Cleveland's franchise record for career extra-base hits. 1) José Ramírez 725 2) Earl Averill 724 3) Tris Speaker 667 4) Jim Thome 620 5) Hal Trosky 556 6) Ken Keltner 538 7) Nap Lajoie 535 8) Carlos Santana 524 9) Lou Boudreau 495 10) Manny Ramírez 484

San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro (18) reacts after accidentally hitting me with his helmet. It was my fault. I got too close. But he was so nice and apologized.

The Dodgers/Giants head-to-head all-time in the regular season is now 1,287 wins each (with 19 ties, h/t @EliasSports) This is the first time the Dodgers/Giants head-to-head record has been tied since after a game on August 10, 1896 BASE BALL

In honor of Charlie Morton drilling his 200th (!!!) batter, here’s a look back at his greatest hit-by-pitches. From @theathletic.com in 2024. www.nytimes.com/athletic/572...

This is the Wonder Boy ⚡️of Robert Redford tributes. Pick me out a good one, Tyler!

“Knights of Prosperity” forever, man. All 11 episodes.

Great story about bad kicking:

The superstar from KNBR just keeps soaring higher. Go get ‘em, Kate!

Giants’ Matt Chapman on life with Tourette syndrome: ‘You can still accomplish anything;’ Gold Glove 3B endured bullying as a child, and it's only made him tougher. He, his dad and Bob Melvin talk to the Chronicle about how he deals with the disorder: www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giant...

Check out this exhilarating trip into baseball history as Bobby Shantz - age 99 - tells stories about being managed by Connie Mack, pitching to Ted Williams and playing at 5-foot-6!

Christian Yelich used a bat honoring the late Bob Uecker in Friday’s win over the Reds. He had 4 hits, 2 HR and 5 RBI. You can see “Rawlings” and Manfred’s signature where he hit his first homer.

In honor of the Brewers going for 12 straight, a Rob Deer appreciation post. (His mom lived across the street from my grandma.)

Justin Verlander’s milestone 3,500th strikeout as captured by Duane Kuiper. ✍️ The @sfgiants.com broadcaster is sending his scorecard from Sunday’s game to Cooperstown.

Lefty O’Doul, a heck of a ballplayer and a key figure in popularizing baseball in Japan, got a vibrant new monument at his gravesite this morning. The Bay Area chapter of SABR and the @sfgiants.com played key roles in this tribute to a San Francisco legend.

The Warriors found out one of their longtime season-ticket holders advanced to the Pop-A-Shot National Championship. So they summoned Brandon Podziemski to help him tune up. But can he topple a former Super Bowl champ? www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...