MLB Bullets celebrates super-fans

This past week, Taiwanese baseball games began to open to a select few (and of course socially-distanced) human fans. Until now, KBO and CPBL games have featured a mix of cardboard cutout fans, in addition to some robot fans. But finally, we were able to see some real human beings in the mix.

Among them was Lin Wen-hsuan, a Fubon Guardians super-fan, who became the first in-season baseball fan to enter a regular season game in 2020.

I think I can speak for all of us when we all wish we could have been in her shoes.

Lin wasn’t the only fan garnering attention this week. We briefly mentioned the story of the 99-year-old Yankees fan who was missing his opportunity to throw out a first pitch due to the delayed season start. Well, Brandon Kuty went to talk to WWII veteran Louis Casbar, who was disappointed but understanding about the postponement of his opportunity.

It’s a good one to read with a box of tissues next to you, let me tell you.

• Joe Posnanski spotlights how Baseball Reference has changed how we appreciate the game. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Rockford Peaches pitcher Mary Pratt passed away at age 101, she is remembered by Jenna West.
• Neil Paine of FiveThirtyEight highlights some players we’re all excited to see when games come back this year.
• Cooperstown cancelling the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is no small thing, as Jay Jaffe explains.
• FanGraphs has added KBO stats to their database!
• If you think MLB hasn’t been touched by COVID-19, think again. Molly Knight explores the impact of the virus on teams. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• The Detroit Tigers have one of the most classic jersey designs in all of baseball, but Jason Beck takes a look at a certain blue anomaly in their past.
• KBO continues to be an endless source of delights.

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