The Baseball Buffet for 3/20/2026

NYY SP Ryan Weathers had 5 K in 3 IP, but again struggled by allowing 8 H, 1 BB, and 7 ER

TOR SP Cody Ponce did well with 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 5 K. That is good news for Blue Jays fans as it appears TOR SP Trey Yesavage will be starting the year on the IL with a shoulder impingement.

TOR DH George Springer went 3-4 with a grand slam HR and a double; TOR CF Daulton Varsho went 3-3 with a HR, 2 runs, and 2 RBI; and TOR SS Andrés Giménez was 1-2, with a walk, a HR, 2 runs, and 2 RBI

NYY DH Giancarlo Stanton hit his fourth HR of the spring, while NYY SP Max Fried gave up some baserunners with 5 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 3 ER, and 2 K.

BAL SP Dean Kremer pitched well with 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, and 8 K, and BAL 3B Coby Mayo hit his second HR of the spring, raising his average to .452 (14-31)

TBR SP Drew Rasmussen struggled against the Phillies with 5.2 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, and three homers allowed to PHI RF Adolis García, 2B Bryson Stott, and DH Otto Kemp

WSH SP Zack Littell allowed several baserunners with 2.2 IP, 3 H, 5 BB, 3 ER, and 3 K

STL SP Quinn Mathews did well with 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, and 4 K

MIN SP Mick Abel, who has been solid this spring, had 6 K in 4.2 IP, though did allow 3 H, 2 BB, and 2 ER

BOS SP Brayan Bello pitched very well with 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 7 K

BAL C prospect Samuel Basallo went 3-3 with 2 HR, 2 runs, and 3 RBI

NYM SP Kodai Senga had another good outing with 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 4 K

TEX SS Ezequiel Duran and LF Mark Canha each had their third HR of the spring, both hit off of MIL SP Brandon Woodruff (3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)

TEX SP Jacob Latz had 5 K in 3 IP, but also allowed 8 H, 9 R, 7 ER, and 2 BB

MIL C Gary Sánchez and DH Christian Yelich each had their second HR of the spring, while 3B Luis Rengifo had his third HR

CHW DH LaMonte Wade Jr. went 2-2 with 2 walks and 2 HR

SDP SP Michael King struggled with 5 IP, 9 H, 2 BB, 6 ER, and 3 K

SDP 1B Gavin Sheets went 3-5 with his third HR of the spring, and SDP 2B Jake Cronenworth was 2-3 with 2 walks, a double, 2 runs, and 3 RBI

COL SP Tomoyuki Sugano did fairly well with 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 1 K, while COL SS Willi Castro went 2-3 with a HR and a double

SFG SP Logan Webb struggled with 4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, and 3 K, but several SFG hitters did well including C Daniel Susac went 2-3 with a HR and 2 runs; SS Christian Koss was 2-5 with a HR, 2 runs, and 2 RBI; CF Jared Oliva was 2-5 with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and 2 RBI; and DH Drew Gilbert was 3-5 with a walk, a triple, and 2 runs.

ATH SP Aaron Civale was outstanding against the Mariners with 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 11 K, but ATH J.T. Ginn struggled with 0.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, and 1 K

SEA DH Cal Raleigh had a double and 3 RBI, but overall was 1-5 with 4 K

AZ SP Michael Soroka pitched well with 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 8 K

CLE SP Parker Messick struggled with 5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, and 3 HR allowed

KCR SP Noah Cameron struggled with 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, and 2 HR allowed

CLE 3B José Ramírez had his third HR of the spring, and 1B Kyle Manzardo had his second HR

The Royals had four solo homers, including from 2B Connor Kaiser, C Luca Tresh, LF Peyton Wilson, and LF Connor Scott

In the other Royals’ split-squad game KCR SP Kris Bubic did well with 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, and 4 K

LAA SP Yusei Kikuchi did fairly well with 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, and 2 K, allowing a HR to KCR CF Lane Thomas

1937: The Grays trade for Gibson and Johnson. “The Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues acquire future Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Judy Johnson for $2,500 in cash and a pair of journeymen players. The trade is considered the largest transaction in the history of the Negro Leagues.”

1954: The Cubs make room for a young Ernie Banks. “The Chicago Cubs send shortstop Roy Smalley to the Milwaukee Braves for pitcher Dave Cole, opening up the shortstop job for Ernie Banks.”

1973: Roberto Clemente is elected to the Hall of Fame. “Roberto Clemente becomes the first Hispanic American to gain election to the Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers Association of America announces the results of a special ballot, with Clemente receiving 393 of 424 votes. Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve. In light of his tragic death, the Hall's Board of Directors waived the five-year waiting period that is normally required before a player is eligible for election. A twelve-time All-Star, Clemente batted .317 and won a dozen Gold Gloves over an 18-year career, and batted .362 in World Series play.”

2014: Scioscia is traded for Gretzky. “In a trade of minor leaguers with excellent bloodlines, the Angels send 1B Matt Scioscia, son of manager Mike Scioscia, to the Cubs in return for OF Trevor Gretzky, son of all-time hockey great Wayne Gretzky. In spite of their athletic lineage, neither player is considered to be much of a prospect, however.”

Hall of Famer

10-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1899-1908, mostly with the New York Giants

Led the NL in wins five times, including in his rookie season in 1899 with a 28-16 record, and then in 1904 when he had 35-8 record and also led the league with a 1.61 ERA

As noted at Wikipedia, "McGinnity was nicknamed ‘Iron Man’ because he worked in an iron foundry during the baseball offseasons. His nickname came to convey his longevity and durability, as he routinely pitched in both games of doubleheaders."

Led the NL in games pitched six times, innings pitched four times, and complete games twice

Overall had a 246-142 (.634) record, a 2.66 ERA, and a 121 ERA+

After his time in the majors ended with his age-37 season, he extended his baseball career as owner, player, and manager for several minor league teams. With some gaps in his playing time, he finally pitched his final professional game in his age-54 season in 1925. If you add up his pitching in the majors and minors, he played in over 1,000 games and pitched over 7,000 innings.

12-year major league career, spanning from 1887-1898, mostly as a CF with Baltimore in the American Association and then Brooklyn in the National League

Was a top run-scorer of his era, with 100 runs in 10 seasons, including leading the AA with 152 runs in 1889

He also stole a lot of bases, with 30+ SB eight times, including a high of 94 SB in his rookie season in 1887

Overall had 1,406 runs, 473 SB, a .296/.388/.407 slash line, and a 123 OPS+

9-year major league career, spanning from 1940-1949, mostly as a CF with the Senators and Red Sox

Four-time All-Star

Led the league with 15 triples in 1942, and also had some pop with 12-18 HR in six seasons

Overall had 95 HR, a .282/.369/.437 slash line, and a 125 OPS+

13-year major league pitching career, spanning from 2011-2023, for the Marlins, Padres, Indians, and six other clubs

Began his career as a mixed starter and reliever, but became really effective as a closer and had 20+ saves five times

Three-time All-Star

Overall had 132 saves, a 3.75 ERA, and a 109 ERA+

10-year major league career, spanning from 1989-1998, all as a catcher with the Orioles

Had 20+ HR three times (and 19 HR two more times), including in 1993 when he had career-highs of a .310 average, 29 HR, 82 RBI, and 80 runs

Overall had 151 HR, a .262/.366/.467 slash line, and a 119 OPS+

9-year major league career, spanning from 1959-1967, mostly as an OF with the Cubs

Was an All-Star in two seasons, including in 1961 when he led the NL with 12 triples and provided a .303 average, 27 HR, and 96 RBI, and then again in 1962 when he hit .318 with 22 HR, 74 RBI, and 19 SB

Overall had 101 HR, a .269/.329/.432 slash line, and a 106 OPS+

Rockies: 43-119

White Sox: 60-102

Nationals: 66-96

Twins: 70-92

Pirates: 71-91

Angels: 72-90

A first-time champ, a massive trade and more bold predictions for '26, by Anthony Castrovince at MLB, 3/19/2026

Drafting the 2026 World Series favorites, from 1 to 30, by Will Leitch and Mike Petriello at MLB, 3/18/2026

These teams are projected for the biggest internal improvement, by Travis Sawchik at MLB, 3/19/2026

Ranking the best hitters entering the 2026 season -- with one tie!, by Andrew Simon at MLB, 3/19/2026

Behind star-studded rotation, Dodgers boast bevy of intriguing young arms, by Jim Callis at MLB, 3/19/2026

'Mr. Opening Day' O'Neill aiming to extend record HR streak to 7, by Jake Rill at MLB, 3/19/2026

Undervalued Arms: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Sleepers, by Allen Settle at Here's the Pitch: the IBWAA Newsletter, 3/20/2026