Before he was a ferocious linebacker, Patrick Willis was the kind of kid who was terrified to raise his hand in class. He had a speech impediment. He struggled to read. And then …. www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

Born on this date in 1912: Babe Dahlgren, the answer to a great trivia question. He was the man who took over as the Yankees first baseman when Lou Gehrig’s streak ended at 2,130 games. But, oh, Dahlgren was so much more. www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

Dusty Baker mentions so many influences in his new book that I joked about making an all-time team out of his mentors. So we tried it. Here’s his Mentor’s Row: 1B Stargell 2B Morgan SS Wills 3B Clete Boyer / Rose OF Cepeda/ Bobby Bonds / Aaron C Campanella P Koufax / Joe Black / Satchel Paige

This is sooooo fantastic. A wonderful review of a career and a life...with a Taylor Swift reference to boot...of someone who touched a lot of lives. Bravo, Mr Brown.

This incredible conversation with Dusty Baker, from @brownieathletic.bsky.social, is the best thing I've read all week. The tales - of Hank Aaron, John Wooden, Sandy Koufax, Satchel Paige, Bill Walsh, Tom Selleck, etc, etc, etc - are so, so great www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Dusty Baker’s new memoir is everything you’d want it to be - funny, insightful, heartbreaking and with more name drops than a phone book. My story for @theathletic.com Free and unlocked for all to read www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

In a coffee shop right now a 12-year-old girl just asked, “Mom, are we still ahead of the Rockies?” The anguish in her voice was palpable.

This is a great story and reminder of when tweeting about baseball was so fun.

Apparently, arguing sports on social media has an upside. Meet Carmen Kiew, who turned her ferocious support of a favorite player into an unexpected career twist www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...

The story of Carmen Kiew is a tale for anyone who ever had a favorite player www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...

As a nice touch, the Giants played “Come Sail Away” as Brandon Belt took his victory lap. Aye-aye, Captain.

Shama’ar Jefferson would have turned 14 today. The Warriors honored him in a way he would have loved. www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

A gift 🎁 article for all to read because you need to know the name Shama’ar Jefferson www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

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