Baseball
SportsMonkie Baseball Desk
The SportsMonkie Baseball Desk covers MLB rules, records and players, breaking down the numbers and terminology that define the sport for readers new to the diamond.
Articles by SportsMonkie Baseball Desk (56)
The 3,000-Hit Club in MLB (Every Member)
Pete Rose leads all hitters with 4,256, and 33 players have reached 3,000 career hits. The top of the list plus recent inductees, explained.
Longest Hitting Streak in MLB History
Joe DiMaggio holds the record with a 56-game hitting streak in 1941. Full leaderboard of the longest streaks and why the record is considered unbreakable.
Most Home Runs by a Catcher in MLB History
Mike Piazza holds the record with 396 home runs as a catcher. Full leaderboard and what the 'as a catcher' qualifier means for the record explained.
The 500 Home Run Club (MLB)
Only 28 players have hit 500 career home runs. Barry Bonds leads with 762. The full 500 home run club list and why the milestone still matters.
Most Consecutive Games Played in MLB History
Cal Ripken Jr. played 2,632 consecutive MLB games from 1982 to 1998, breaking Lou Gehrig's 2,130. The full leaderboard and why the record is unbreakable.
The 30-30 Club in MLB (History and Members)
The MLB 30-30 club is hitters with 30 home runs and 30 steals in a season. Ken Williams did it first in 1922; the Bonds hold the record with five each.
MLB Rookie of the Year Winners (Recent List)
Paul Skenes and Luis Gil won the 2024 MLB Rookie of the Year awards. Recent winners in both leagues, plus the Jackie Robinson history behind the trophy.
Most Home Runs by a Shortstop
Cal Ripken Jr. hit the most home runs while playing shortstop, with 353. The full leaderboard of home runs at the shortstop position, explained.
Who Is the Youngest Cy Young Winner?
Dwight Gooden is the youngest Cy Young winner, taking the 1985 NL award at age 20. The full list of the youngest Cy Young Award winners, explained.
The 40-40 Club in MLB (Every Member)
Only six MLB players have hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases in a season. The full 40-40 club list, from Jose Canseco to Shohei Ohtani, explained.
BABIP in Baseball: What It Means
BABIP is Batting Average on Balls In Play, how often balls hit into the field become hits. What it means, how to calculate it, and how to read it.
Best Regular-Season Record in MLB History
The 1906 Cubs' .763 win rate is the best in MLB history; the 2001 Mariners' 116 wins are the most. The full leaderboard, explained.
The Fastest Pitch in MLB History
Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in MLB history at 105.8 mph in 2010. The full leaderboard of the hardest throwers ever, explained.
The Ghost Runner Rule in MLB, Explained
The ghost runner rule places an automatic runner on second base to start each half-inning in extra innings. Why MLB added it and how it works.
The Longest Games in MLB History
The longest MLB game by innings was a 26-inning tie between Brooklyn and Boston in 1920. The full leaderboard of baseball's marathons.
The Longest Home Run Ever Hit
Mickey Mantle's 565-foot blast in 1953 is the most famous longest home run ever. Statcast's verified record is 505 feet. The full story.
Longest Losing Streaks in MLB History
The 1889 Louisville Colonels lost 26 straight, the longest losing streak in MLB history. The full list, from the Colonels to the 1961 Phillies, explained.
Longest Winning Streaks in MLB History
The 1916 Giants won 26 straight, the longest winning streak in MLB history. The full list, from the Giants to the 2017 Indians, explained.
Most Cy Young Awards Won
Roger Clemens holds the MLB record with seven Cy Young Awards. The full leaderboard of baseball's most decorated pitchers, explained.
Most Gold Gloves Won in MLB
Greg Maddux won 18 Gold Gloves, the most in MLB history. Brooks Robinson leads position players with 16. The full leaderboard, explained.
Most Grand Slams in MLB History
Alex Rodriguez holds the MLB record with 25 career grand slams, ahead of Lou Gehrig's 23. The full leaderboard of slam kings, explained.
Most Hits in MLB History
Pete Rose collected 4,256 career hits, the most in MLB history. The full leaderboard of baseball's all-time hit kings, explained.
Most Home Runs of All Time (MLB)
Barry Bonds hit 762 career home runs, the most in MLB history. The full leaderboard of baseball's all-time home run leaders, explained.
Most Losses in MLB History (Pitchers)
Cy Young holds the MLB record with 316 career losses, the same pitcher who also holds the record for 511 wins. The full leaderboard, explained.
Most MLB MVP Awards Won
Barry Bonds holds the MLB record with seven MVP awards. The full leaderboard of baseball's most decorated MVP winners, explained.
Most No-Hitters Thrown (MLB)
Nolan Ryan holds the MLB record with 7 career no-hitters, three more than anyone else. The full leaderboard of no-hit pitchers, explained.
Most RBIs of All Time (MLB)
Hank Aaron drove in 2,297 runs, the most in MLB history. The full leaderboard of baseball's all-time RBI leaders, explained.
Most Runs in a Single MLB Game
The Texas Rangers scored 30 runs in one game in 2007, the modern MLB record. The full leaderboard of the highest-scoring MLB games ever.
Most Saves in MLB History
Mariano Rivera recorded 652 saves, the most in MLB history. The full leaderboard of baseball's all-time save leaders, explained.
Most Stolen Bases of All Time (MLB)
Rickey Henderson stole 1,406 bases, the most in MLB history. The full leaderboard of baseball's all-time base-stealers, explained.
Most Career Strikeouts by a Pitcher
Nolan Ryan struck out 5,714 batters, the most in MLB history. The full leaderboard of baseball's all-time strikeout kings, explained.
The Winningest Managers in MLB History
Connie Mack holds the record with 3,731 wins as an MLB manager, far ahead of Tony La Russa's 2,902. The full leaderboard, explained.
Most World Series Wins by a Team
The New York Yankees have won the most World Series titles with 27. The full leaderboard of MLB's most successful franchises, explained.
What Does DFA Mean in Baseball? Explained
DFA in baseball means designated for assignment: the player is removed from the 40-man roster, and the team has seven days to trade, waive, or release him.
What Is a Bullpen Game in Baseball?
What is a bullpen game? A team uses a chain of relief pitchers instead of a starter. Why it happens, how the win is decided, and if it works.
What Is a Cycle in Baseball? Rarity and Records
A cycle in baseball is one single, one double, one triple and one home run by the same batter in a single game. How rare it is, plus records.
What Is a Quality Start in Baseball?
A quality start is when a starting pitcher throws at least 6 innings and allows 3 or fewer earned runs. The stat explained, its limits and how it's used.
What Is the Mendoza Line in Baseball?
The Mendoza Line is a .200 batting average, the informal benchmark for poor hitting in baseball. Its origin, meaning and use beyond sport, explained.
What Is Tommy John Surgery?
Tommy John surgery rebuilds a pitcher's torn elbow ligament with a tendon graft. Why pitchers need it, recovery time, and whether they throw harder after.
What Is WAR in Baseball? Explained
WAR in baseball is wins above replacement: how many wins a player adds versus a replacement-level fill-in. What a good WAR is, records, and bWAR vs fWAR.
What Is WHIP in Baseball? Good WHIP Explained
WHIP in baseball is walks plus hits per inning pitched. What counts as a good WHIP, the record holders, and how WHIP compares to ERA.
Wiffle Ball Rules: How to Play and Score
Wiffle ball rules explained: teams, innings, how to get outs, scoring by hit zones and the no-baserunning format most backyard games actually use.
Worst Record in MLB History
The 1899 Cleveland Spiders went 20-134, the worst record in MLB history. The full list of futility, from the Spiders to the 2024 White Sox, explained.
Most Home Runs in a Season
Barry Bonds holds the MLB single-season home run record with 73 in 2001. The full list, the honest steroid-era context, and the pre-1947 caveat explained.
What Does OPS Mean in Baseball?
OPS in baseball means on-base plus slugging: a hitter's OBP added to their SLG. What counts as a good OPS, plus how OPS+ adjusts for park and league.
Highest-Paid MLB Players: Total Value vs AAV in 2026
The highest-paid MLB players in 2026: Juan Soto's $765m tops total value, Kyle Tucker's $60m sets the AAV record, and Ohtani's deal leads neither.
What Is a Perfect Game in Baseball?
A perfect game is when a pitcher retires all 27 batters in a row with no runner reaching base. See how it differs from a no-hitter and why it is so rare.
What Is a Balk in Baseball? Rules, Types, and Penalty
A balk is an illegal pitching motion with runners on base, and the penalty advances every runner one base. Here are the common types and the reasons.
What Is ERA in Baseball? Meaning and How to Calculate It
ERA is earned run average: the earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings. Here is the formula, what counts as earned, and how to read the number.
The Infield Fly Rule in Baseball, Explained Simply
The infield fly rule calls the batter out on an easy pop-up with runners on first and second (or bases loaded) and fewer than two outs. Here is why it exists.
What Is a Walk-Off in Baseball?
A walk-off is when the home team scores the winning run in the bottom of the final inning, ending the game instantly. Here is how it works and the types.
Best Utility Players in MLB: Who Plays Everywhere
The best utility players in MLB fill multiple positions at an elite level, giving managers flexibility. See who tops the list and why they matter.
Greatest Female Baseball Players in History
The greatest female baseball players, from All-American Girls League pioneers to modern standouts like Marti Sementelli and international stars.
Ideal Attack Angle in Baseball: What It Is and Why It Matters
The ideal attack angle in baseball is generally 10 to 15 degrees upward through the zone, matching the pitch plane to lift the ball for extra bases.
Greatest Baseball Players of All Time: The Definitive List
The greatest baseball players of all time include Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ted Williams, legends whose impact defined entire eras.
Best MLB Pinch Hitters of All Time
The best MLB pinch hitters include Lenny Harris, the career leader with 212 pinch hits, and Matt Stairs, who holds the pinch-hit home run record with 23.