Michael Clair

We're six weeks away from the release of WE SACRIFICE EVERYTHING TO BASEBALL and I've got a new discount code for you. Enter code 6AS26 at @univnebpress.bsky.social for 40% off! Then email receipt and mailing address to WeSacrificeEverythingATGmailDOTcom and receive some Baseball Czech bookmarks

If you've read Robert Coover's Universal Baseball Association or have thought about baseball and its storytelling powers, then I beg you to read my good friend and former Cut4-er Ben Cosman's piece at @the_point_mag: thepointmag.com/criticism/th...

Cam Booser should have been put on the Brewers for this series

That's why it's bad to actually be that fast. If Chandler Simpson was a normal person he doesn't run into the wall. Be slow, be safe.

Baseball headed to India over the weekend with MLBx: Mumbai. @theoderosa.bsky.social has the story: www.mlb.com/news/mlbx-mu...

My parents staying with us for a few days to help out so I went to the gym in the first time in forever. I physically walked into two people as if I never even saw them and then cut someone off while walking who had just held the door for me. I may be a little more sleep deprived than I thought.

Featuring a spookily similar play from earlier this season to one of the pivotal ones last night; a pitch right before a big hit that probably mattered more than you think; and a few truly spectacular moments of poise and resiliency from key players:

Everything about Japan Series Game 1: a thriller with extra innings, and beast-mode Shugo Maki. The Series is a tremendous show. Unfortunately, NPB promotes its marquee product like a half-off sale on last week's stale bagels. What's up with that? jballallen.com/2026-japan-s...

Introducing for the first time, our brand new human and very best friend, Olive Delphine Clair. 🫒 We’ll soon be getting her a baseball glove — and ballet flats and musical instruments and pens and pencils and whatever else she could ever want. We can’t wait to see who she’ll be as she grows up.

I think we’re going to have a tremendous Brewers and Rays World Series. The two truly best teams in each league, who each play in their own style, who excel in all phases of baseball. I want this thing to go seven, be filled with lunacy, and end in otherworldly style on Halloween

Great news for the UK's baseball development! Harry Ford is heading to Brighton to lead a two-day baseball camp for youth national team members and the local baseball community on Nov. 7-8. These are some of the seemingly small events that can have enormous impact.

Rintaro Sasaki opened the floodgates. Now Shoki Oda, who set a Summer Koshien fastball velocity record and starred at the U-18 World Cup Qualifier, is set to come to the states, too. www.mlb.com/news/shoki-o...

Not a huge baseball card collector, but ripped a few Allen and Ginters and some Bowman chrome and got some tasty hits

The last time the Milwaukee Brewers were in the World Series you could get 12 8-track tapes for only a dollar through The Gorman Thomas Tape Club®.

Sometimes, this song will come on my playlists, and it takes me a few seconds to remember that I know these people. Kind of not fair that @michaelclair.bsky.social and @mikepetriello.bsky.social are so talented at so many things. thesubwayghosts.bandcamp.com/track/green-...

I chatted with a scout in the Pacific Rim about four NPB stars, who could be Major League bound this winter. The upshot: Everyone should be bidding for Teruaki Sato. www.mlb.com/news/teruaki...

Thanks so my great friend Shane Barclay for having me on his podcast. We talked Honkbalweek, our favorite global baseball stories, and how the Czechs baseball program stands out across Europe. Check it out here: extrainningstravel.com/chatter-up-p...

Oh yeah we’re doing this

I tried to call him about this a few years ago. Hunted down for some numbers, made some cold calls. Either never reached him or he didn’t want to call back. If anyone knows Ricky … point him my way!

Nothing could’ve prepared me for the ad read of the century from the Brewers radio broadcast after that Christian Yelich go-ahead single:

For those who weren't up at 6 a.m. all weekend, Spain and Italy have qualified for the Premier12. The biggest international tournament this side of the WBC, this will also serve as the best opportunity for European nations to qualify for the '28 Olympics. Story: www.mlb.com/news/spain-a...

That's "first ever postseason position player pitcher" Cliff Pennington to you

Spain has qualified for its first #Premier12 in country history, while Italy returns for the first time since 2015. Europe's baseball growth continues: www.mlb.com/news/spain-a...

This was an easy win for the WBC semifinalists and reigning Euros silver medalists: Italy defeats Germany, 5-0, and will return to the Premier12 for the first time since 2015. Spain and Italy in. Two spots left to be decided at next month's qualifier in China.

Congrats to Janet Marie Smith, who was announced as the winner of SABR’s Dorothy Seymour Mills Award for 2026!

Veteran Italian catcher Alberto Mineo sneaks a single just beyond Tristan Russell and Italy extends its lead to 4-0. They’re that much closer to a Premier12 spot for the first time since 2015.

Huge diving play from Tristan Russell keeps Germany in this. The D1 second baseman has looked smooth in the field all week, but with runners on 2nd and 3rd he ranges deep into the hole for a diving snag. Germany trails Italy 2-0 heading to btm 6. Winner advances to Premier12.

A necklace with a photo of himself wearing a necklace with a photo of himself!

Let’s just remember that José Ramírez used to wear a necklace of his own photo. That’s Dave Parker-levels of chill, rarely reached

Another point in the José Ramírez Hall of Fame bucket. One of my most favorite players doing GOAT type stuff. Going down to get it

In front of a noisy home crowd, Spain books its spot in the #Premier12! They defeat Italy, 5-2, and qualify for its first ever P12. They'll now also have the chance to qualify for the 28 Olympics. Italy plays Germany at 6 am EST tomorrow morning. Winner also advances. Colombia is eliminated.

Spain breaks it open with a three-run sixth and now lead Italy, 5-0, heading to the bottom of the sixth. With the victory, Spain would punch their ticket to the #Premier12 and -- I'm pretty sure -- eliminate Colombia. Would make tomorrow's 6 a.m. Italy-Germany game a win-and-in.

Big game starting now in Barcelona. @samdykstramilb.bsky.social and @tylermaun.com on the call as Italy and Spain face off for a chance to advance to the Premier12 main tournament. That's the easiest path for a European team to qualify for Olympics. Stream here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVwR...

What a start from Christian Pedrol! Throws a complete game two-hitter in Germany's 6-1 victory. Billy Germaine homers and drives in five. Germany's Premier12 dreams remain alive. Colombia will now be rooting for Italy, as their only chance of advancing is via a three-way tiebreaker. 📷WBSC

WOW! Have a game Billy Germaine! The German league’s leading HR hitter during the regular season just smashed a three run homer to make it 6-1 Germany. Barring a big comeback, Colombia’s Premier12 dreams are lost.

Want to win a copy of WE SACRIFICE EVERYTHING TO BASEBALL? Then head over to the Bridges of Baseball Instagram account and post your favorite underdog story to enter. www.instagram.com/p/DePtfF9GuB...

Some good breakfast baseball! Billy Germaine's two-run single has given Germany a two-run lead over Colombia. Ranked 13th, I predicted Colombia would dominate in this tournament the way they did in last year's WBCQ. Instead, if they lose, Colombia will be eliminated from advancing to main tourney.

Peter Bonilla, who was born in Barcelona, gets No. 3 hitter Billy Germaine to pop-up and cleanup hitter Simon Baumer to strike out for the fourth time today to leave the bases loaded in the top of the 10th. Going to be difficult for Germany. At the Premier12, extra innings puts two on base.

We're going to extra innings! Spain gets a runner into scoring position, but Noah Lindt gets Edison Valerio to strike out to end the frame. 2-2 still.