The Baseball Buffet for 2/2/2026

This is a reunion for Suárez and the Reds, as he played for Cincy from 2015-2021, including hitting 34 HR with a .283 average and 104 RBI in 2018, and then 49 HR with a .271 average and 103 RBI in 2019.

Now 34 years old, Suárez has continued to hit for power with 49 HR and 118 RBI in 2025 while splitting time between the Diamondbacks and Mariners.

He also continues to strike out a lot, something he has led his league in three times, and has accumulating 1,814 K over 12 seasons in the majors (that is fourth amongst active players, and 26th all-time.)

Outlook: While Suárez has primarily been a 3B, the Reds already have defense-first 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes manning the hot corner. So Suárez will presumably get most of his ABs as a DH, with some time spelling Hayes at 3B, and also getting in a few games at 1B, where Sal Stewart and Spencer Steer are expected to see a lot of action (with Steer also playing some at the corner OF spots).

The 29-year old Hicks has pitched seven years in the majors, first with the Cardinals, and then for the two and a half seasons with the Blue Jays, Giants, and Red Sox.

He struggled in 2025, first with the Giants as a starter and reliever posting a 6.47 ERA over 48.2 IP, then as a reliever only with the Red Sox, with an even less attractive 8.20 ERA over 18.2 IP.

Outlook: The White Sox are hoping he can return to his former success, such as in 2023 when he had 12 saves, a 3.29 ERA, and 81 K in 65.2 IP with the Cardinals and Blue Jays. The White Sox lack a definitive closer, with Seranthony Dominguez (who they recently signed as a free agent) a leading candidate for saves, but others, including now Hicks, in the mix as well.

2B Joe Morgan - Astros (1965-71)

SP Bret Saberhagen - Royals (1987-91), Mets (1992-93)

OF Johnny Damon - Royals (1996-2000), Red Sox (2002-05), Yankees (2006-09), Tigers (2010)

C/1B Gene Tenace - Athletics (1973-76), Padres (1977-80), and two other clubs

2B/OF/SS Ben Zobrist - Rays (2006-14) and three other clubs

SP Mel Harder - Indians (1930-47)

OF Darryl Strawberry - Mets (1983-90)

C Jason Kendall - Pirates (1996-2004), Athletics (2005-07), and three other clubs

OF Andy Van Slyke - Cardinals (1983-86), Pirates (1987-94), Orioles (1995)

OF Moisés Alou - Expos (1990, 92-96) and five other clubs

3B Bill Madlock - Cubs (1974-76), Giants (1977-79)

1B Ted Kluszewski - Reds (1948-57)

SS Bill Russell - Dodgers (1969-86)

RP John Hiller - Tigers (1967-70, 72-80)

SP Matt Cain - Giants (2006-17)

1876: The National League is formed. "The National League is formed in New York City at the instigation of William Hulbert, owner of the Chicago White Stockings, in reaction to the lack of central direction in the fledgling National Association. The new circuit will field eight teams in its inaugural season and will become the blueprint for professional team sports in North America."

1936: The first Hall of Fame vote results are announced. "The Baseball Writers Association of America announces the results of the first Hall of Fame vote. Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson and Honus Wagner comprise the inaugural class of Hall of Fame members. Several other stars like Cy Young fail to make the grade, but will enter the Hall in later elections."

Hall of Famer

19-year major league career, spanning from 1945-1963, mostly with the Cardinals

Had a good rookie season hitting .278 with 89 runs and a career-high and NL-leading 26 SB

Good defensive 2B, leading the NL in 2B fielding percentage six times

10-time All-Star

Hit over .300 five times, including a career-high .342 in 1953

Led the NL with 43 doubles in 1950 and 200 hits in 1957

Had limited power, with 10+ HR only three times. But didn't strikeout much, with only 346 career strikeouts, and only two seasons with 30+ K.

Overall had 1,223 runs and a .289 average

Managed the Cardinals from 1965-1976 (and brief stints again in 1980 and 1990). Led them to a World Series championship in 1967 and the NL Pennant in 1968.

15-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1927-1941, playing seven years with the Indians, four with the Red Sox, and the remainder with four other clubs

Won 20+ games six times, including a 25-13 record in 1930 and a 25-14 record in 1935

Led the AL in complete games four times and innings pitched three times

Leaving aside guys like Babe Ruth and Shohei Ohtani, Ferrell is considered one of, and perhaps the greatest hitting pitcher of all time. He hit .319 with a .621 slugging percentage in 116 AB in 1931, and then hit .347 in 150 AB in 1935. Was used 163 times as a pinch hitter, and overall had 38 HR in 1,176 AB, a .280/.351/.446 slash line, and interestingly, an even 100 OPS+

Overall as a pitcher had a 193-128 (.601) record, a 4.04 ERA, and a 116 ERA+

13-year major league career, spanning from 1999-2011, mostly with the Orioles, with some time spent with three other clubs

Two-time All-Star

Early in his career he played a mix of SS and OF, then switched to 3B for the second half of his career

Hit 20+ HR three times, including a career-high 27 HR in both 2004 and 2005

Overall had 171 HR, a .277/.350/.431 slash line, and a 105 OPS+

10-year major league career, spanning from 1963-1972), with the White Sox and Orioles

Had 25+ SB three times, including a career high of 51 SB in 1966, though also led the AL in caught stealing three times

Had a little pop too, with 15+ HR three times

Was an All-Star in his second-to-last season in 1971, ending the year with a .290 average, 19 HR, 15 SB, and an AL-leading 99 runs

Played 2B and 3B in the first half of his career, then switched to LF in the second half

Overall had 200 SB, a .264/.362/.379 slash line, and a 115 OPS+

12-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1979-1990, mostly with the Red Sox and Cardinals

Had by far his best season in 1985 for the Cardinals when he posted a 21-8 record, a 1.93 ERA, led the NL with 10 shutouts, and came in second in the NL Cy Young Award voting

Had 10-13 wins in six other seasons, but injuries ultimately cut his career short

Overall had a 117-72 (.619) record, a 3.12 ERA, and a 124 ERA+

7-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1905-1913, with the Cubs and Reds

Had a 23-7 record and 1.68 ERA in 1907, a 15-11 record and 1.92 ERA in 1908, and then a 20-11 record, a 1.42 ERA, and an NL-leading 205 strikeouts in 1909

Did well for the Cubs in the World Series from 1906-1908, pitching in seven games (four starts), with a 1.12 ERA over 48.1 IP

Overall (pun intended) had a 108-71 (.603) record, a 2.26 ERA, and a 121 ERA+

15-year major league career, spanning from 1990-2006, mostly with the Twins and Orioles

Came in second in the AL Cy Young Award vote in his first full season in 1991 after posting a 3.18 ERA and leading the AL in wins with a 20-8 record

Struggled from 1993-1996 with a 5.09 ERA, though did throw a no-hitter on April 27, 1994.

Had a 16-7 record with a 3.69 ERA in 1997, and 16-13 mark with a career high 186 K in 1998

Overall had a 142-136 record and a 4.59 ERA

9-year major league career, spanning from 1962-1970, mostly with the Indians

Two-time All-Star as a 3B

Hit 20+ HR three times

Overall had 111 HR, a .247/.302/.390 slash line, and a 97 OPS+

13-year major league career, spanning from 1923-1935, all with the White Sox and Indians

Was a capable batsman with a high average of .308 in 1928, but didn't have much power with just 29 HR in 6,946 career plate appearances

Had some speed on the bases with 10-18 SB seven times

Was a good defensive 3B and received down-ballot MVP votes four times. He led the AL in 3B putouts seven times, assists four times, and fielding percentage eight times.

Overall had 126 SB, a .281/.372/.384 slash line, and a 97 OPS+

3,630 - Stan Musial

2,713 - Lou Brock (3,023)

2,168 - Yadier Molina

2,156 - Albert Pujols (3,384)

2,110 - Rogers Hornsby (2,930)

2,064 - Enos Slaughter (2,383)

1,980 - Red Schoendienst (2,449)

1,944 - Ozzie Smith (2,460)

1,855 - Ken Boyer (2,143)

1,853 - Curt Flood (1,861)

7 players who need to step up to replace key departures, by Thomas Harrigan at MLB, 2/1/2026

Make it Make Sense: Carlos Beltrán in the Hall of Fame?, by Jeremy Dorn at Here's the Pitch: the IBWAA Newsletter, 2/2/2026

5 Baseball Cards to Help You Celebrate... Whatever, at Wax Pack Gods Newsletter, 2/1/2026