MLB Bullets and the next generation

On the one hand, it might have been a bad idea for the Yankees to have a “Let’s all get smashed on Jobu’s rum” party right before the season started. On the other hand, they’re 17-11, so who are we to argue with success?

• Steven Goldman takes a look back at baseball’s ancient history and notes that the sport’s current “unwritten rules” are a throwback to a time when players were much more violent (and inebriated) than they are today. Throwing at a batter for celebrating may be bad, but it was a welcome alternative to pulling a knife on them, which wouldn’t have been out of place in 19th Century baseball.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played his first game, got his first hit (a double), electrified the fans in Toronto and brought joy to his Hall-of-Fame dad. Here is what happened in his first game. For the record, Guerrero Jr. was 3 for 12 with a double, a walk and three strikeouts in his opening series.
• On Saturday, former Cub Brett Anderson became the first pitcher to face both Vlad the elder and Vlad the younger. When asked about it, he said he felt old.
• Katie Baker notes that Guerrero had a lot of weight on his shoulders, even before his first game. For both the Blue Jays and MLB as a whole, Baker notes that Guerrero Jr. is the Prince Who Was Promised. (That’s a Game of Thrones reference for those out of the loop. That’s OK—I never get the Harry Potter references and I’m fine with that.)
• Kaitlyn McGrath notes that the entire city of Toronto (and much of Canada) is buzzing about Guerrero Jr.’s arrival. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• For example, Guerrero Jr. showed up at a Toronto Raptors playoff game and the fans went nuts.
• Jim Callis tries to answer the question of who is the the top prospect in baseball now that Guerrero Jr. is in the majors? Or at least, after Vlad Jr. gets 130 plate appearances.
• It won’t be Nationals shortstop Carter Kieboom, as he made his major league debut and hit a home run for his first major league hit.
• Kieboom hit another home run on Sunday. But that’s not the big news there. What was remarkable is that Kieboom and teammates Juan Soto and Victor Robles all homered in the same game—and all three of them are 21 years old or younger. It’s the first time that’s happened in major league history. In fact, the last time three players 21 years old or younger were even in the same major league starting lineup was the 1997 Marlins. And the last team to have three players under 22 years old homer in the same season was the 1993 Expos.
• Sticking with the Nats, Max Scherzer recorded his 2500th strikeout.
• Mark Townsend says that Scherzer is heading to the Hall of Fame when his career is over.
• The surprising Twins have the highest team slugging percentage on the season so far and Mike Petriello explains how Minnesota has accomplished this.
• Jon Tayler notes that the Kansas City Royals are the fastest team alive. They may not be a good team, but the Royals can outrun anyone. If they can’t win, at least they’re giving their fans exciting baseball.
• Jay Jaffe notes that Rangers slugger Joey Gallo is hitting the ball harder than anyone over the past four weeks. That is, when he actually makes contact. Still, he’s got a .385 on-base percentage, and that’s very good in any situation.
• Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger has been the best player in baseball this season, writes Mark Townsend.
• Devan Fink notes that hit-by-pitch numbers are higher than they’ve ever been and they keep going up every year.
• Joon Lee notes that Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow is turning into an ace and that the rest of the AL East needs to fear the Rays.
• David Kagan examines how the introduction of a humidor at Chase Field has affected offense there.
• Astros third baseman Alex Bregman and Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer continued their social media war with Bregman reminding Bauer “We’re not friends.”
• Angels first baseman Albert Pujols has passed Barry Bonds for third on the all-time RBI list. Or fifth, depending on how you count Babe Ruth and Cap Anson. Baseball-Reference and other sources put Ruth and Anson ahead. MLB doesn’t count RBI recorded before 1920, so officially Pujols is third. Also, Baseball-Reference counts 195 RBI that Anson had while playing in the National Association, the predecessor to the National League. MLB barely acknowledges the NA ever existed. If you want to count Anson’s National League but not his National Association RBI, then Pujols is fourth. I tell you this just so you can devise your own RBI leader board the way you want it.
• The Braves acquired pitcher Jerry Blevins from the Athletics. The A’s will get cash or a player-to-be-named-later. I hope they name him “Steel Montana.”
• The Mets have designated catcher Travis d’Arnaud for assignment. That’ll happen when you’re 2 for 23 on the season.
• The Blue Jays signed outfielder Ben Revere to a minor-league deal.
• Padres rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. injured his hamstring as he stretched for a ball on a force play.
• That’s better than Cardinals pitcher Alex Reyes, who broke his finger when he punched a wall while he was in Triple-A.
• White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez was placed on the injured list with a sprained ankle. He’s going to miss more than the minimum, although no one is quite sure how long yet.
• White Sox pitchers Ryan Burr and Ian Hamilton got a special social media shout-out from Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
• Ted Anthony has a look at two men behind a lot of the new crazy minor league baseball names and the marketing campaigns that go with them.
• In case you missed it, I know many of you will take pleasure in seeing beer poured over the head of outfielder Ryan Braun as he went for a ball hit high off the wall. From all indications, it wasn’t intentional but rather a by-product of the guy trying to catch the ball in his beer cup. Which is really stupid on so many levels.
• And while everyone on the East Coast is talking about Vladimir Guerrero Jr., another son of an all-time great has got everyone on the West Coast talking. Charley Kershaw may not have his father’s velocity yet, but he makes up for it by being adorably cute as he throws from the mound after a game at Dodger Stadium. And of course, if he makes the majors in 18 years, we’ll use this video to embarrass him. Please note that Charley Kershaw is wearing a t-shirt that says “Pluto—Never Forget” which is hilarious if you know Kershaw’s family history.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.