Chris Nunn Signs Deal with Rangers after Viral Video Blows Up

Remember the movie The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid made in the early 2000’s? This story isn’t exactly the same but there are parts that are very similar. A pitcher with a great amount of potential who never quite got it right; a last ditch effort to realize a life-long dream; and a triumph that no one saw coming. Chris Nunn signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers just one day after his mother underwent her first chemotherapy session for breast cancer. And he achieved all of this from a video that was posted on the internet.

Although this is a crazy story, it is not entirely impossible to see it coming. Nunn was a 24th round pick of the Padres in 2012 out of Lipscomb University. He was a moderate success throughout his first 3 years in the system and was even getting looks from the Padres in ’14 but never quite made the jump. The next year was not as kind to Nunn as hip problems plagued him and resulted in a 7.03 ERA over 47 games. The Padres didn’t see enough promise from Nunn and ultimately cut him at the end of the season. Disappointed, Nunn returned to Nashville to further his education.

Nunn continued to work out with his pitching coach in case a call from a club came at some point. And a call did come in 2017 when the Brewers gave him a chance from the recommendation from his old Minor League coach Pat Murphy. The deal was not up to his standards though when he found out they wouldn’t offer him anything before than a Class A assignment. The stop for Nunn came when the Chicago Cubs plucked him off of an Independent League roster and assigned him to Double A. Next up was a stop in the Houston Astros farm system where he had a stop on their Double A system for a while.

Nunn has been bouncing around the Minor and Independent leagues for a few years now so thoughts of doubt had now began. Was he ever going to make it to the Majors? Was he good enough? Should he just go get a degree and focus on his future career? These are questions that almost any athlete has to ask themselves in their career. Not all of us are blessed with Major League talent like Nunn so he kept going and kept looking for a another way in. That route stunningly came through something called the PitchingNinja and the Flatgtound app.

These apps showed clubs that he was still there and ready to help them immediately. In a day and age where society that social media and the internet do so much harm, here is an example of where it can do a lot of good.

As a result of visiting a physical therapist and improving the muscles surrounding his ailing hip, Nunn was no sporting a blistering fastball hovering around 97-99 MPH. The video from the app blew up and it soon racked up somewhere around a million views and spurred newfound interest from MLB clubs. The Texas Rangers sent scouts down to watch Nunn and soon enough he was back in the MLB.

This is a story of perseverance if I’ve ever seen one. How Minor League players can bounce around from place to place and soon get lost in the system and out of the league just like that. It’s also an example of some of the good that the internet can do for an individual that just needs one more shot.

Dave Cook – Contributor – WTF Sports

Trying To Understand People Who Don’t Like Sports

Okay, so I am starting this off by saying that this isn’t a shot at anyone who does not embrace in the world of sports in any kind, but it is just trying to get and understand of what are you doing if they aren’t in your life.

Listen up people, sports make the world go round. I truly feel that way. Every single day, there is some sport going on that thousands, probably millions are witnessing live on TV, streaming, or in person. Every day there can be a unique storyline that involves your favorite sport. Look at the NBA recently, Anthony Davis going from being apart of the Pelicans future plans to wanting to be traded has been in the news for days it feels. And that isn’t even the game part, that is the front office aspect. There is so many layers in sports to appreciate, which is why I just want to understand.

“I don’t like sports.” A definition – Sports: an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. So you are trying to tell me, there isn’t one single form of a sport that you enjoy? It literally can be a game of hockey, a swimming meet, a car driving around the track, a dance competition, a wrestling match, or a simple baseball game. If you like none of these, good on you I guess.

I feel bad really, I do. Think of the best moments in sports. I know from experience that they can give you the absolute best emotions in the world – where you jump up, hug everyone in the room, scream from the rooftops – and the worst – where you’re angry, sad, miserable, collapse onto the floor. Those emotions can all be reached within seconds when it comes to the sports world. Look back at the Patriots-Chiefs AFC Conference Championship Game. When CB Jonathan Jones almost picked of Patrick Mahomes, I rose to my feet and collapsed within a second span. It all hits you, the stress, the sadness, the hopelessness, the excitement, and the pure happiness.

So really, if you hate sports, how do you not experience a reaction when you see this:

In these five videos, I can tell you first hand I felt both excitement and pain. When Malcolm Butler picked the ball off on the one yard line, I can’t say I had ever been happier in a single moment in my life to truly be honest. The Sale strikeout, just absolutely awesome. Another jump to your feet after your heart was pounding even though there should have been doubt at that point. Michael Phelps breaking a world record? Witnessing that? He is the greatest Olympian of all time, and in cheering for him, you may have been jumping up and down as the record was in sight. Ronda Rousey losing for the first time and getting knocked out to do so. Devastation. Heart sinking defeat for me personally and I can’t even explain why. It’s just tough. The Blackhawks coming back and winning in game six of the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 in 17 seconds. That feeling will never be topped because it is the weirdest of them all. Your heart drops when they tie it up with a minute to go, and somehow they score again and you can’t accept or stomach the fact that the Bruins just lost the Stanley Cup because it all happened faster than you could say “At least there may be overtime.”

Yes, I had all these emotions. Because Sports are beautiful people. Sure, maybe someone doesn’t want to work in sports and just keep them in your heart somewhere special, I totally get that. But not having this excitement for any sport in the world ever in your life? I just don’t get it.

What I’m asking for is for this to be shared, get the question out there and give me an answer how people go on in their lives without sports. Please, there are people truly missing out and lying to themselves.

And for the people who understand the feelings that I have, the Super Bowl is Sunday. Here goes another live changing experience of fear, anger, (hopefully) happiness, and more.

– Scott Edwards, Creator

 

Why Barry Bonds Should Already Be In The Hall Of Fame

This Tuesday, January 22nd is the MLB Hall of Fame voting announcement and it’s still crazy that Barry Bonds has not been voted in yet. Bonds is entering his seventh year on the ballot and has hovered in the middle of voting, went down a bit, and has been trending in the right direction the last couple years. In the voting, he is around 56 percent and he needs to get to 75 percent to make it to Cooperstown. The younger voters have definitely helped out Bonds the last few years and everyone probably just wants to see him sweat a bit. This is ridiculous because the Hall of Fame tells the good and bad stories of each baseball era, and Bonds was the King of the steroid era.

Bonds is one of the greatest baseball players of all-time. He could hit for power and average, be a speedster on the bases, make great defensive plays, and had an incredible arm. He is the homerun king with 762 homeruns. Bonds also has MLB records in homeruns in a single season (73), most career walks (2558), and career intentional walks (688). He won seven MVP awards, was a 14-time all-star, won eight gold gloves, and 12 silver slugger awards. This past season, the Giants retired his number and Willie Mays told everyone to get this man in. “On behalf of all the people in San Francisco, and all over the country, vote this guy in.” Even though Mays is Bonds godson, you should probably listen to the Say Hey Kid.

The Hall of Fame already has some players voted in from the steroid era, who were accused of PED use, including Ivan Rodriguez and Jeff Bagwell. These guys were amazing players and deserved to make it in, but they aren’t the ones who will be remembered during this era as the top guns. That belongs to the most feared hitter in Bonds and the best pitcher in Rogers Clemens. Another thing is if you look at Bonds statistics from the 90s, he is still getting 30 plus homeruns, 100 plus rbis, numerous amounts of steals, and leading the league in slugging and on base percentage. So, he was a Hall of Famer before taking steroids in the early 2000s. Some guys took steroids and still couldn’t touch Bonds 90s numbers and that truly shows how talented this guy was.

Now Peds weren’t banned in baseball until 1991 and players weren’t getting tested until 2003. Isn’t it possible that some of the best guys in the history of baseball used something to help with their baseball skills? If the writers are keeping Bonds out on a moral standpoint, then they should look at some of the players back in the day who had some skeletons in their closet. The steroid era will always be considered tainted, but you can’t just keep that part of history out of the hall. When Bonds gets in, probably in another few years, he will have the steroids attached to his legacy, but people will also remember how incredible his game was.

– Michael Garaventa, WTF Sports Intern

Indians Still Looking to Deal Kluber or Bauer

One of the off-season headlines that isn’t getting much attention is the Indians shopping of both of their aces. They are looking to trade either Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer and still remain competitive. Yes, you read that right. After three straight division titles, it seems some of the teams in their division have made the steps to become bigger threats. So then why are the Indians looking to deal at least one of their Cy Young candidates?

The Indians have a great core of position players with Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez leading the charge. The return of Carlos Santana and addition of Jake Bauers should give the lineup a boost this season. That said, the tribe are losing quality players heading into 2019. That list includes Brantley, Encarnacion, Donaldson, Alonso and Melky Cabrera. 

These subtractions open up multiple holes in the lineup. Trading for above-average bats would be logical. They recently re-signed Carlos Carrasco who can resemble an ace when healthy. He could dampen the impact of a Kluber or Bauer trade.

Pitching is a huge factor in the playoffs and playing well into October. They could still be well equipped with arms heading into 2019, even with a blockbuster trade. Since their loss in Game 7 to the Cubs, the Indians haven’t even sniffed a bid to the fall classic. Maybe shaking things up and rolling the dice could improve things and make them more formidable.

Dave Cook – Contributor – WTF Sports

Scott Neville – Editor – WTF Sports

Why Red Sox Fans should be routing for a Craig Kimbrel reunion

 

Over the course of his three year stint with the Boston Red Sox, closer Craig Kimbrel has compiled a 2.44 ERA over 184.1 innings. He converted 108 out of 119 save opportunities during his tenure in Boston. Reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated as his numbers remain elite, and after all, he has been named to the American League All-Star team all three years he’s been on the Red Sox. Ultimately, there is no denying Craig Kimbrel’s greatness. He truly is one of the best closers not just of our generation, but of all-time.

This is the same man that Red Sox fans across New England have no problem letting walk this winter. While his postseason performances have been shaky, he did not blow a single save in the Red Sox 2018 playoff run. People should not be telling the best closer in baseball to head for the hills.

IF the Red Sox plan to make a legitimate run at back to back World Series Championships in 2019 then they need a bonafide stud closer recording the last three outs of their games.  2019 could be the last year with the Red Sox young core intact. Xander Bogaerts, Chris Sale, and Rick Porcello are all hitting free agency after this season.

In the defense of Red Sox fans, the team does have a few options as to what direction they’re going to go in for the closer role in 2019. Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski publicly expressed a great deal of confidence in potential in-house options such as Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes at the Winter Meeting last month in Las Vegas. The free agent market also includes several relievers who remain unsigned, with the Red Sox being most closely linked to right hander Adam Ottavino. He shined last year in hitter friendly Coors field, posting a 2.43 ERA in 77.2 innings with Colorado. There are also a couple of potential reclamation projects available, as Cody Allen and Greg Holland are two free agent closers who were some of the games best just a few years ago. But, with David Robertson and Andrew Miller coming off the board recently, the Red Sox may be running out of time.

Perhaps one reason why Red Sox Nation isn’t rioting down Jersey Street just yet, is because the last time the Red Sox went into the season unsure of their closer, Koji Uehara emerged as one of the better relievers in the game, posting a miniscule 0.565 WHIP and coming in 7th place in the American League Cy Young voting. Of course, it also didn’t hurt that the Red Sox won the World Series that year (2013) as well. But for every star closer who emerges out of nowhere, one “can’t miss” guy falls flat on his face. Historically, relief pitchers have been the most inconsistent position on a year to year basis. One has to look no further than the year prior (2012), when Daniel Bard failed miserably despite being dubbed the closer of the future after the departure of Jonathan Papelbon. This is why a consistent closer is someone you should want to keep around, as they truly are as rare as it gets in baseball.

Red Sox fans should want Craig Kimbrel back as their closer not just this season, but for years to come. In my opinion, recency bias is very much the biggest factor in why supporters of the team are saying good riddance to Kimbrel. Sox Nation will point to Kimbrel’s 5.90 ERA this past October as their defense as to why letting the 30-year-old go is the right move. They’re so quick to forget that he has  a 1.91 career ERA in nine seasons. The flamethrower is a more than solid bet for an ERA under 3 (his career high is 3.40, a massive outlier) and is a lock for over 30 saves every single year. Craig Kimbrel is a future Hall of Famer, and is about as consistent as it gets in baseball in terms of the closer position. Shouldn’t Red Sox fans want him wearing a Boston hat when that inevitable day in Cooperstown comes for Kimbrel?

Yes, the reports that Kimbrel wanted a six-year-deal north of $100M were almost laughable, but that’s how free agency works. A player and their agents typically shoot for the stars, while owners and general managers lowball. They usually will meet somewhere in the middle. The market for Kimbrel now seems almost non-existent, as the other team with the clearest need for a closer, the Philadelphia Phillies, just inked David Robertson. So the Red Sox now appear to be the only team in the running for Craig Kimbrel, which bodes well for them as a return to Boston for Kimbrel seems more likely with each passing day. It is not impossible that the Red Sox sign Kimbrel to a more team friendly four, or even three-year-deal.

Ultimately, Dave Dombrowski has his job because he’s great at what he does. Just like he did with J.D. Martinez last offseason, he will be patient and wait out the Craig Kimbrel sweepstakes, if you can even call it that. I predict that Kimbrel will return to Boston on a four-year-deal in the $60-$70M range in the coming weeks.

Danny Salguero – Contributor – WTF Sports

Editor – Scott Neville

Could Harper and Machado be on the same team?

As the MLB hot stove continues on throughout the beginning of winter, two of the biggest dominoes have yet to fall. Former MVP Bryce Harper and perennial All-Star Manny Machado have yet to choose their new teams for the foreseeable future. It seems that literally any team in the league would jump at the chance to have even one of these amazing players on their rosters. But could they both possibly land on the same team?

Rumors have been flying that the Chicago White Sox could potentially try to acquire both Harper and Machado. When I first heard this I honestly thought there was no chance that could happen. Why would two players in their primes go to such a terrible team? Well, money always plays a big factor in these type of situations and that is what the White Sox have. Harper and Machado have potentially both been looking for deals in the 10 year, $200-300 million range, so this seems like a long shot the White Sox could pull that off and get both of them.

If I had to take a guess, I truly believe Machado will become a Yankee. He’s made it known he wants to be one and he would fit well into their infield. He just seems like the type of player that was born to be a Yankee. The real question is where Harper will land because he’s been tied to numerous clubs during the offseason such as the Cubs, Phillies, Nationals, White Sox, Dodgers and Yankees. The final team that could emerge and acquire them both is the Yankees. Why? Because they’re the Yankees and always have the money and appeal for the biggest stars in the league.

Wherever each of these two massive assets land could really shake up the league this year. Machado was a huge factor in the Dodgers late run to the World Series and Harper is always a threat to pop off at any time. As the stove warms up we will just have to wait and see what happens.

Dave Cook – Contributor

 

The Red Sox should target this young All-Star Reliever in Free Agency

The Red Sox have a very clear primary need as the Hot Stove heats up. With Joe Kelly heading to Los Angeles (to team up with the players he embarrassed in the World Series) and Craig Kimbrel all but gone, the Red Sox are in desperate need for late inning relievers. Adam Ottavino (6-4, 2.42 ERA) and David Robertson (8-3, 3.23 ERA) have been heavily rumored options for the defending World Series Champs, but we are overlooking one extremely talented and accomplished young pitcher.

Kelvin Herrera is in the midst of his first offseason as a free agent and has not garnered much talk thus far. Last season, Herrera posted a 2.44 ERA in 44.1 IP between Kansas City and Washington. His season ended abruptly when he tore a ligament in his left foot in late August. That said, he should be at full health by Spring Training, ready to build on what was a successful season for the reliever.

Career Breakdown:

Herrera is a two time All-Star that can throw 100 from the right-side and already has a World Series ring as a key cog in the 2015 Royals Championship. He has a career 2.82 ERA, as well as the tools and experience to be the next closer in Boston. Herrera had 17 saves in 2018 and has 60 career saves. Another important quality to a contender like the Red Sox is a clutch factor in the playoffs. Herrera has a career 1.26 ERA in 28.2 IP for in the postseason. He was a crucial part of the Royals World Series runs in 2014 and 2015. Another plus for Herrera is that he is entering his age 29 season, meaning he is still in his prime.

Usage in Boston:

The Red Sox should sign him along with another veteran like Ottavino or Robertson to lock up the late innings. Herrera could be a set up guy or a closer depending on who ends up in Boston. Barnes is slated to take one set up role, and the new guys may be competing for save opportunities with the Red Sox. The Twins are reportedly in pursuit of Herrera but overall he has not gotten the attention he deserves from Major League teams.

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

 

 

OUR GUY Joe Kelly is heading to the Dodgers

Upset, sad, devastated. None of these words can truly wrap up the emotions we have right now here at WTF Sports as “Around the Diamond” favorite Joe Kelly is headed west to the team he dominated in the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kelly has signed on with the Dodgers with a 3 year contract worth $25 mil. The righty finally seemed to have found it in the postseason with the Red Sox, giving up nothing on his way to being one of the most dominant pitchers of the post season.

This past week, I made a pitch that I felt Joe Kelly could truly close for the Red Sox this coming season, and unfortunately, this will not be happening. It is sad to realize that Joe Kelly will not be joining the defense after his biggest season as a Sox player, from blowing the game Opening Day, to pegging Tyler Austin and restarting the rivalry between the Sox and Yankees, to a dominant stretch, a chance he doesn’t make the playoff roster, to putting up multiple dominant performances in the playoffs on their way to a World Series trophy.

While a quick post like this isn’t enough for our guy Joe Kelly, it is enough for this time. #JustJoey, #JoeyFastball, #JoeyPsycho, whatever you want to call him. Thank you to Joe Kelly. We wish you the best in LA.

– Scott Edwards, Creator of WTF Sports and Joe Kelly Enthusiast

Patrick Corbin to Nationals

Corbin has reportedly agreed to a six-year deal with the Washington Nationals. The numbers are not out yet but Ken Rosenthal said it has exceed Yu Darvish’s $126M guaranteed contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Corbin adds to an already powerful rotation that features a three-time Cy Young Winner in Max Scherzer and the talented Right-Hander Stephen Strasburg.

The Washington Nationals are showing that they will not wait around for Bryce Harper to make his decision by landing the most talented starting pitcher in the free agent class.

Here was my Patrick Corbin free agent prediction that goes more in depth on his abilities and potential: Predicting Where the Top Free Agent Pitcher Will Land

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports

The Price of Victory

David Price has been mocked for years as a pitcher who cannot pitch in the postseason. He joined the Red Sox with the intention of changing that narrative. In his introductory press conference Price said, “I’m ready to be a Red Sox and I’m ready to help this team and this city win.” Three years later Price has accomplished that goal. He was a vital member of the 2018 Boston Red Sox, pitching in the clinching game of the ALCS, as well as the last game of the World Series.

Price has had a lot of up and downs in his career, especially for a player that has a good chance of ending up in the Hall of Fame. His path to victory started as a freshman at Vanderbilt, where Price nearly quit after getting shelled in an intrasquad preseason scrimmage. His plan was to drop out of college and work at a local McDonalds… not kidding.

“It was definitely kind of out there, but I couldn’t laugh because he was so serious,” said esteemed Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin. Corbin was able to convince Price to stay in school, which turned out to be a great call. Two seasons later David Price would be the number one overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Price flew through the farm system and made the Rays MLB roster on Sept. 14, 2008. He was moved to the bullpen as a rookie and was able to throw 2.1 IP of shutout ball. He was pivotal in game seven of the ALCS to beat the Red Sox and reach the World Series.

In the following years David Price would become a household name as one of the best pitchers in baseball. Since his rookie year Price has appeared on five All-Star teams, lead the American League in ERA twice, and took home the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the American League. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, and now resides with the Boston Red Sox. He found success on each team, but had one flaw he could not shake. His inability to perform in the postseason.

Going into the 2018 postseason, Price held a 2-8 playoff record, with a 5.05 ERA. He started game two of the ALDS against the Yankees and got roughed up immediately, giving up three earned runs in only 1.2 innings pitched. It looked like it was going to be another tough postseason for David Price. Writers were calling for his head and demanding he does not enter another playoff game in a Red Sox uniform. Manager Alex Cora wisely ignored the media and stuck with his guy. His trust in the lefty paid off big time the rest of the way. After that rough game in the Bronx Price went 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA and closed out two of the biggest games in franchise history, including the last game of the World Series.

Price finally got to celebrate after getting attacked by the media for roughly a decade. This was a major triumph for a guy who had been well regarded as one of the best teammates in the league and nicest guys in the game. In his postgame press conference after Game Five of the World Series, Price talked about having to deal with the hate about his postseason struggles,

“To answer that question, in spring training, day in day out, over and over and over … I hold all the cards now, and that feels so good. I can’t tell you how good it feels to hold that Trump card. You guys have had it for a long time, you’ve played that card extremely well, but you don’t have it anymore. None of you do. And that feels really good.” 

Price has decided to opt-in to his contract, making him a Boston Red Sox through 2022. He finally has proven himself in the postseason and can go into 2019 with all the weight off his shoulders.

Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports