Cowtipper

55% in now. This might be the final update before the announcement, unless there's a surge in reported ballots between now and then. New projections: Carlos Beltran: 75-76% Andruw Jones: 73-74% Chase Utley: 49-50% Andy Pettitte: 42-43% Felix Hernandez: 41-42% Alex Rodriguez: 41-42% Manny Ramirez: 37-38% Cole Hamels: 28-29% Bobby Abreu: 27-28% Jimmy Rollins: 24-25% Dustin Pedroia: 21-22% Omar Vizquel: 19-20% ​Mark Buehrle: 16-17% David Wright: 14-15% Francisco Rodriguez: 13-14% Torii Hunter: 7-8% Ryan Braun: 2-3% Edwin Encarnacion: 1-2% Shin-Soo Choo: 0-1% Gio Gonzalez: 0-1% Alex Gordon: 0-1% Matt Kemp: 0-1% Howie Kendrick: 0-1% Nick Markakis: 0-1% Daniel Murphy: 0-1% Hunter Pence: 0-1% Rick Porcello: 0-1% Since we're at 55% and Beltran is still at 75%, I'll raise his yes/no chances to 57/43. Since Jones is pretty close to 75% this far into the game now, I'm raising his chances to 48/52. In political talk, Beltran is a "lean yes" while Jones is a "tossup." The reason why I don't see Beltran sticking close to the 89% he is currently at is because his gained votes over 2025 just aren't high enough. The voters who don't make their ballots public can be persnickety and I think a LOT of them refuse to give him the nod (so soon, at least), because of the cheating. Same thing with Hernandez; he's gained A LOT over 2025, but I don't see him sticking at the 56% he is currently at because his gains over 2025 just aren't high enough. Right now he's on pace to gain 36%...that just doesn't seem feasible. If I did my math correctly, his totals gained votes RIGHT NOW would have to be over 80 for him to stick at the 56% he's currently at, but his real gain over 2025 is just slightly more than half that.

Who was Wilbur Wood? Wilbur Forrester Wood Jr. (1941–2026) was a left-handed knuckleball pitcher best known for his durability with the Chicago White Sox in the 1970s. After a slow start with the Red Sox and Pirates, Wood perfected the knuckleball under Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm’s guidance, transforming from a reliever into one of baseball’s most reliable starters. Before becoming a starter, he had already established himself as an elite reliever, leading the American League in appearances from 1968 to 1970, setting a single-season record with 88 games pitched in 1968, and earning the Sporting News AL Fireman of the Year Award. From 1971 to 1975, Wood won 20 or more games in four consecutive seasons, led the American League in wins twice, and routinely pitched over 300 innings, including a career-high 49 starts in 1972. A three-time All-Star, he was known for his remarkable stamina, often pitching on just two days’ rest and anchoring a three-man rotation built around his durability. After a severe knee injury in 1976, Wood struggled to regain his earlier form and retired following the 1978 season with a 164–156 record, a 3.24 ERA, and 1,411 strikeouts. He is remembered as one of baseball’s last true iron men and a master of the knuckleball, excelling both as a high-leverage reliever and a workhorse starter.

Part 2: Dick Jackson (1946–2025) was a minor-league baseball umpire who briefly served as a replacement umpire for seven National League games during the 1995 MLB umpires’ strike. Seong-ro Joo (1952–2025) was a South Korean baseball manager and coach who led and coached national teams to multiple international medals, including Olympic silver and Asian Games gold, and guided several prominent high school and university programs. Kwang-hwan Lee (1948–2025) was a South Korean baseball manager who won over 600 games in the Korea Baseball Organization while leading multiple teams, most notably the LG Twins, across two decades. Yukihiko Machida (1934–2025) was a Japanese professional baseball outfielder and later coach who starred in Nippon Pro Baseball during the 1950s as a home run champion and Best Nine selection before a long post-playing coaching career in Japan and Taiwan. Ángel Macías Barba (1944–2025) was a Mexican baseball player best known for pitching a perfect game at the 1957 Little League World Series, leading Monterrey to the first foreign championship and becoming a symbol of international youth baseball. Roberto Mansur Galán (1948–2025) was a Mexican baseball executive inducted into the Salón de la Fama in 2002, continuing a prominent baseball family legacy established by his father, executive Chara Mansur. Pedro Medina Ayón (1952–2025) was a standout Cuban catcher and later manager who starred for nearly a decade with the national team, excelled in international tournaments, and later won championships managing in Cuba and Italy. Jitsuo Mizutani (1947–2025) was a Japanese professional baseball slugger and later coach who starred for the Hiroshima Carp and Hankyu Braves, leading the Central League in batting average and RBI during a distinguished 19-year Nippon Pro Baseball career. Kazuomi Nakamura (1935–2025) was a Japanese right-handed pitcher who spent four seasons with the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Pro Baseball, posting a strong 2.36 ERA before retiring in 1961.

Francisco Alvarez: The Mets and Alvarez (thumb) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. Alvarez had been arbitration-eligible for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier following a season that saw him put up a .787 OPS with 11 home runs over 76 tilts. The 24-year-old was scheduled to have surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb shortly after the season, but he's expected to be ready to go for spring training. Injury Thumb. Est. Return 2/1/2026. Adbert Alzolay. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2026. Reed Garrett: Garrett (elbow) signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Mets on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports. Garrett isn't expected to pitch at all in 2026 after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery in October. However, he will still receive a $350,000 raise after posting a 3.90 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 55.1 innings in 2025 and tallying a career-high 20 holds. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2027. Francisco Lindor: Probable for start of season. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2026. Tylor Megill: The Mets and Megill (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.5 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports. Megill pitched well when healthy in 2025, posting a 3.95 ERA and 89:33 K:BB over 68.1 innings, but he was limited to only 14 starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The righty will miss the entire 2026 season but is under team control for 2027. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2027. A.J. Minter: Questionable for start of season. Injury Lat. Est. Return 4/1/2026. Dedniel Nunez: Out for the season. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2027. Christian Scott: Probable for start of season. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2026. Calvin Ziegler: Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2026.

The top five names in the projected lineup averaged 27 home runs, 85 RBI, 88 runs and 18 stolen bases in 2025. It's looking pretty stacked now. About that pitching...again...which is the common refrain, year after year. They have 15 All Star selections, 12 Silver Sluggers and four Gold Gloves between them.

Wilbur Wood as a reliever, 1967-1970: 2.49 ERA, 292 IP, 56 saves, 140 ERA+. As a starter from 1971-1974: average of 22 wins, 21 CG, 347 IP and 5 SHO per year. He was awesome as both a starter and reliever. Stayed on the Hall of Fame ballot for a few years and rightfully so.

And now we're over 50%, so another set of projections. No major changes this time. Carlos Beltran: 75-76% Andruw Jones: 72-73% Chase Utley: 49-50% Andy Pettitte: 41-42% Alex Rodriguez: 41-42% Felix Hernandez: 40-41% Manny Ramirez: 37-38% Cole Hamels: 28-29% Bobby Abreu: 26-27% Jimmy Rollins: 23-24% Dustin Pedroia: 20-21% Omar Vizquel: 19-20% Mark Buehrle: 16-17% David Wright: 14-15% Francisco Rodriguez: 13-14% Torii Hunter: 6-7% Ryan Braun: 2-3% Edwin Encarnacion: 1-2% Shin-Soo Choo: 0-1% Gio Gonzalez: 0-1% Alex Gordon: 0-1% Matt Kemp: 0-1% Howie Kendrick: 0-1% Nick Markakis: 0-1% Daniel Murphy: 0-1% Hunter Pence: 0-1% Rick Porcello: 0-1%

Please keep that archive. It is a gold mine. Especially the fan memories.

Steve Barr died way back in 2024, but news of his death didn't hit the mainstream until recently. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=barrst01 Who was Steve Barr? Steve Barr was a left-handed pitcher in MLB from 1974–1976 with the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. Born in St. Louis and raised in California, he was drafted by Boston in 1969 and, in 1974, was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year after leading the league in wins with the Bristol Red Sox, earning a call-up to the majors where he debuted with a complete-game victory. Barr spent most of 1975 in Triple-A, then pitched 20 games for the Rangers in 1976, recording three complete games but struggling with control. Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft, he never made their MLB roster and retired after two more minor-league seasons. In 24 MLB games, Barr pitched 83⅔ innings with 32 strikeouts and four complete games. Uncle to pitcher Ryan Madson, he later ran an electrical business in Florida and remained active in amateur leagues. He died January 31, 2024. And here are some less notable baseball deaths from 2024, but they were good enough for a BR Bullpen page: Clemente Acosta (1967–2024) was a Dominican minor league pitcher who reached AA with the Pirates and Angels organizations, recording 22 wins, 16 saves, and a 4.46 ERA in 181 games. Joe Agee (1931–2024) was an American college coach at William & Mary who led teams in baseball, basketball, golf, football, and soccer over several decades. Jack Baswell (1944–2024) was an American baseball umpire who worked one Major League game during the 1979 National League umpire strike. Hank Bunnell (1949–2024) was an American pitcher for Team USA and in the minor leagues, setting multiple records at George Washington University and competing in the 1969 Amateur World Series. Pat Daugherty (1934–2024) was an American baseball coach, minor league manager, and scout who served as Colorado Rockies’ Scouting Director and was honored by Indian Hills Community College. Bob DeFelice (1942–2024) was an American minor league catcher and longtime college coach who led Bentley University’s baseball program for over 50 years and served as its athletic director. Mike Easom (1946–2024) was an American minor league infielder, manager, and longtime college coach who won over 1,000 games at Indian River State College and led Paintsville Yankees to consecutive Appalachian League titles. Kensaku Fujimoto (1940–2024) was a Japanese pitcher who briefly played for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball before retiring in 1963. Tetsuya Fujisawa (1953–2024) was a Japanese pitcher who played briefly for the Chunichi Dragons and Nankai Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball before retiring in 1980. John Holway (1929–2024) was an American baseball writer and historian who compiled Negro League statistics, authored six books on the leagues, and won the 1988 Casey Award. Toshiji Kadono (1948–2024) was a Japanese pitcher who played seven games for the Kintetsu Buffaloes before retiring in 1969. Yasushi Kodama (1935–2024) was a Japanese pitcher who won the 1953 Koshien title, played eight years with the Chunichi Dragons, and captured a Nippon Series championship in 1954. Lai-Fa Lee (1956–2024) was a Taiwanese baseball player, coach, and manager who competed in Japan, led Taiwan’s national team to an Olympic silver medal in 1992, and managed in the CPBL. Ric Lessmann (1937–2024) was an American minor league pitcher and college coach who won a junior college national title and became one of the few coaches to surpass 1,000 career wins. Ed McCann (d. 2024) was an American college baseball coach who led Centenary College to conference honors, coached at multiple universities, and earned a 1992 Olympic silver medal with Taiwan. Douglas Mills (1940–2024) was an American multi-sport athlete at the University of Illinois who helped Team USA win silver at the 1963 Pan American Games and later became a successful businessman and golfer. Susumu Munesue (1932–2024) was a Japanese professional baseball player who appeared for the Yomiuri Giants and Hiroshima Carp before retiring after limited playing time. Stephen Mark Powers (c. 1953–2024) was a two-way baseball player who won the 1976 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award and played briefly in the minor leagues. Don Sneddon (1952–2024) was an American baseball coach who won three state championships at Santa Ana College, became the winningest coach in CCCAA history, and managed in professional and summer leagues. Takashi Suzuki (1933–2024) was a three-time Nippon Pro Baseball All-Star pitcher who won a Japan Series title with the Taiyo Whales and later coached, scouted, and broadcasted baseball. Motoji Takuwa (1935–2024) was a Pacific League pitching sensation who won the first NPB Triple Crown as a rookie and later became a baseball commentator. John Osborne (1950–2024) was a Canadian knuckleball pitcher and infielder who represented Team Canada internationally, coached in U.S. colleges, and taught for 28 years. Sadayuki Tokutake (1938–2024) was a Japanese third baseman who played 10 seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball, later coaching and managing for the Chunichi Dragons and Lotte Orions. Virgilio Veras (1950–2024) was a Dominican catcher who hit over .300 for 25 years in amateur leagues, played for the national team, and helped encourage Bartolo Colón’s signing. Aad Vuik (1933–2024) was a Dutch umpire in the Hoofdklasse from 1969–2000 and a world champion tropical bird breeder. Allan Yamamoto (1935–2024) was a Hawaiian baseball and basketball player who briefly played for the Daiei Unions before becoming a 35-time local golf champion and Hawaii State Golf Hall of Famer. Tsuneyoshi Yamamoto (1940–2024) was a Japanese baseball player and coach who played briefly for the Toei Flyers and later served as battery coach for the Taiyo Whales.

One last batch of baseball deaths in 2025; they were notable enough for the BR Bullpen, at least. Part 1. Mark Allen (1975–2025) was an American baseball coach and scout who worked at multiple colleges, the Cleveland Indians, and the San Francisco Giants before returning to college coaching. Nick Avants (1943–2025) was an American professional baseball umpire who worked in the minor leagues and briefly in the American League during the early 1970s. Tony Barbone (1953–2025) was an American baseball coach and administrator who led programs at Azusa Pacific University and Concordia University, and managed in the minor leagues. Jon Bible (1949–2025) was an American baseball and football official, NCAA umpire coordinator, and law professor, inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019. Joe Brockhoff (1936–2025) was an American baseball player and highly successful coach, leading East Jefferson High School and Tulane University to multiple championships and mentoring future major leaguers. Ibrahim Brull (c.1929–2025) was a Cuban baseball player who helped the national team win multiple Amateur World Series medals in the early 1950s, including gold in 1952 and 1953. Armando Capiró (1948–2025) was a Cuban baseball player, considered one of the most colorful hitters of the 1960s–70s, who led the national team to multiple gold medals and set Cuban league records. Kuo-Liang Chen (1969–2025) was a Taiwanese baseball player who competed in the Taiwan Major League and represented his country internationally, earning an All-Star selection and a Best Ten award during his career. Yong-hoon Cho (1987–2025) was a South Korean pitcher in the Korea Baseball Organization, played internationally for his national team, and later became a YouTuber before his untimely death. John Edward Cunningham (1937–2025) was an American athlete and longtime University of San Diego baseball coach who led teams to multiple Division II College World Series and was hall-of-fame inducted. Bob Fisher (d. 2025) was an American college baseball coach at Baldwin-Wallace College for over 40 years, winning four Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards. Tom Geestman (1955–2025) was a Dutch pitcher and coach in the Hoofdklasse who also led the Netherlands junior national team to a European Championship and coached in the Holland Series. Juan Germosén (1951–2025) was a Dominican baseball player who starred on the national team in multiple international tournaments, including the Amateur World Series and Pan American Games. Luis Guevara (2006–2025) was a Venezuelan minor league infielder in the Baltimore Orioles system who played multiple infield positions before dying in a tragic jetski accident at age 19. Hidetoshi Hakamada (1955–2025) was a Japanese catcher who played 13 seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball and later coached the Lotte Orions and Seibu Lions.

Ray Crone died. https://www.waynebozefuneralhome.com/obituaries/raymond-crone Who was Ray Crone? Ray Crone (1931–2026) was an American professional baseball pitcher and longtime scout. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he signed with the Boston Braves in 1949 at age 17 and rose through the minor leagues, achieving notable success with the Jacksonville Braves in 1953. Crone made his Major League debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954 and played five seasons in the majors with the Braves and New York/San Francisco Giants, compiling a 30–30 record with a 3.87 ERA in 137 games. He continued playing in the minors until 1961. After retiring from pitching, Crone became a respected scout, working for the Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks, helping to sign players such as Don Welchel and Paxton Crawford. His son, Ray Jr., also pursued a career in baseball scouting. Crone passed away on January 15, 2026, in Waxahachie, Texas, at the age of 94. Another notable baseball death: Kim Min-jae died. https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/01/14/BL66D2H6DBDETM77W3WD25GLZ4/ Who was Kim-Min-jae? Kim Min-jae (1973–2026) was a South Korean professional baseball shortstop and coach. Born in Busan, he debuted in the KBO with the Lotte Giants in 1991 and played for the Giants, SK Wyverns, and Hanwha Eagles until 2009, compiling a .247 career batting average with 1,503 hits, 71 home runs, and 607 RBIs. Known as one of the league’s top defensive infielders, Kim represented South Korea internationally, winning gold at the 2002 Asian Games and 2008 Beijing Olympics, and competing in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Two-time All-Star Ryan Pressly retired.

Other players signed: Yeremy Reyes Oscar Pena Emerson Estevez Michalle Mercedes Gensil Rosario Cristopher Jaquez Johnderis Sanchez Oscar Montero Sebastian Toro Frank Moreno Ryan Rudas They also signed 27-year-old minor leaguer Trey McGough, who has never reached the majors, but is 3-3 with a 3.33 ERA in 94 2/3 AAA innings.

Now past 45%, so here are some updated projections: Carlos Beltran: 75-76% Andruw Jones: 71-72% Chase Utley: 48-49% Andy Pettitte: 42-43% Alex Rodriguez: 41-42% Felix Hernandez: 40-41% Manny Ramirez: 37-38% Cole Hamels: 28-29% Bobby Abreu: 25-26% Jimmy Rollins: 23-24% Dustin Pedroia: 20-21% Omar Vizquel: 19-20% Mark Buehrle: 16-17% Francisco Rodriguez: 13-14% David Wright: 13-14% Torii Hunter: 6-7% Ryan Braun: 2-3% Edwin Encarnacion: 1-2% Shin-Soo Choo: 0-1% Gio Gonzalez: 0-1% Alex Gordon: 0-1% Matt Kemp: 0-1% Howie Kendrick: 0-1% Nick Markakis: 0-1% Daniel Murphy: 0-1% Hunter Pence: 0-1% Rick Porcello: 0-1% So, after thinking Beltran was a shoo-in based on how he had been trending and due to the weak ballot, I'd say he's hit a wall with the hold out voters who seem to really hold the cheating stuff against him. So I'm slashing his chances to 55% yes, 45% no. Andruw Jones is looking more and more like a no, too, so I'm putting him at 62% no, 38% yes. I think Torii Hunter will live to see another day, as he's seen a surge in new votes recently. I am really impressed by Andy Pettitte and previously said he might get to 60% by the time he was done on the ballot. In fact, he might even make a push to 65% if he's lucky. Ramirez's Final Year token boost in support is about as large as expected. I know he'd lost a lot of momentum, but I thought it was unusual that Vizquel was gaining absolutely NO new support this time around, especially considering he's on year 9. Well, he's gotten some new votes recently; it'll still be tough for him to make even 25% next year, his final year, based on how things are going. Voters REALLY don't like him now.

That's an old racist joke, "how does a Chinese person name their child?" and what you said is the punchline.

Not hopeful about the new site. Giving off watered-down, 2020s schlock vibes so far.

Great signing. Came up with the same crop as Vlad Jr., Tatis Jr., Soto and Acuna (and Alonso) and was hyped about as much as all of them. Twice a top-10 prospect. Awesome, awesome signing. The Mets now have two of the biggest prospects of the late-2010s.

Suarez would be exciting. Schwarber lite. Lotta power, lotta Ks, low average. Soto+Suarez+Lindor would be sweet. Maybe 25 homers from Baty, Vientos and/or Alvarez. Lots of power potential on this team.

I think there's some unfinished business. I think it would be cool in what looks like will be an underwhelming 2026.

Dave Giusti died. https://www.mlb.com/news/dave-giusti-dies Who was Dave Giusti? Dave Giusti (1939–2026) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher whose career spanned 16 seasons from 1962 to 1977. Born in Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti starred at Syracuse University in both baseball and basketball before signing with the Houston Colt .45s, later the Astros. He initially worked as a starting pitcher, posting his best season in 1966 with 15 wins, before transitioning into a relief role later in his career. Giusti’s legacy was cemented with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was converted into a full-time reliever in 1970 and quickly emerged as one of the National League’s premier closers. From 1970 to 1975, he led all of Major League Baseball in saves, highlighted by his league-leading 30 saves in 1971. That same year, he played a key role in the Pirates’ World Series championship, earning a save in Game Four and pitching scoreless innings throughout the series. His success earned him the National League saves title, The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award, and later an All-Star selection in 1973. Over his career, Giusti compiled a 100–93 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1,103 strikeouts, and 145 saves while pitching for the Astros, Cardinals, Pirates, Athletics, and Cubs. Known for his effective palmball, he ranks among the top closers in Pirates history in both saves and appearances. After retiring, Giusti built a successful business career and remained active in the Pittsburgh community. He died on January 11, 2026, at age 86, remembered as a key figure in the evolution of modern relief pitching and a cornerstone of the Pirates’ championship era. Other notable non-MLB deaths: Pavel Akishev died. https://www.sovsport.ru/baseball/news/ne-stalo-byvshego-bejsbolista-sbornoj-rossii-pavla-akisheva Who was Pavel Akishev? Pavel Aleksandrovich Akishev (January 30, 1983 – January 2026) was a Russian baseball pitcher who represented Russia internationally during the early 2000s. Born in Moscow, Akishev developed as a pitcher with the Moscow-based club Moskvich before earning selection to the Russian national team. He competed for Russia in multiple major international tournaments, including the European Baseball Championships in 2003, 2005, and 2007, as well as the 2003 Baseball World Cup. While his international career was marked by uneven results and challenging outings—often compounded by limited run support and defensive issues—he remained a regular presence on the national team during a formative period for Russian baseball. Notably, despite an 0–2 record in the 2005 European Championship, he posted a strong 0.66 ERA, with unearned runs playing a decisive role in his losses. Akishev batted left-handed and threw right-handed, standing 6'1" and weighing 180 pounds. He was known primarily for his role as a durable national-team pitcher rather than for standout statistics. Sidney de Jong died. https://www.mlb.com/news/netherlands-star-sidney-de-jong-passes-away-at-46 Who was Sidney de Jong? Sidney de Jong (14 April 1979 – 7 January 2026) was one of the most accomplished and influential figures in Dutch baseball, excelling as a catcher, hitter, and later as a national-team coach. Born in Amsterdam, he became a cornerstone of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse during the early 21st century, playing 15 seasons from 1998 to 2012 with Amsterdam Pirates, Kinheim, and HCAW. Renowned for his consistency at the plate, de Jong batted .300 or better in 14 of his 15 Hoofdklasse seasons and won league championships with the Pirates in 2008 and 2011. He also played and studied in the United States at the College of Southern Idaho. Internationally, de Jong was a long-time fixture of the Netherlands national team, appearing in 203 international games across nearly every major global tournament. He represented the Netherlands in two Olympic Games (2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing), two World Baseball Classics (2006, 2009), five Baseball World Cups, five European Championships, and three Intercontinental Cups. A clutch performer on the world stage, he earned multiple All-Star selections in international tournaments, including All-Star catcher honors at the 2007 and 2009 Baseball World Cups, and was a key contributor to the Netherlands’ historic gold medal at the 2011 Baseball World Cup. His performances helped the Dutch national team establish itself as a global baseball power. Following the 2011 World Cup victory, de Jong was knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau, reflecting his importance to Dutch sport. After retiring as a player, he managed Amsterdam Pirates in 2013 and went on to serve as a coach for the Dutch national team from 2014 onward, working under multiple managers and acting as national team manager during the 2017 World Port Tournament. Sidney de Jong died unexpectedly in the Netherlands on 7 January 2026 at age 46. He is remembered as one of the greatest hitters and catchers in Hoofdklasse history, a leader in the national team’s golden era, and a lasting figure in the growth and international success of Dutch baseball. He died in January 2026 at the age of 42. Akishev is remembered as part of the generation that carried Russian baseball through sustained international competition in the 2000s. Jerry Thomas died. https://www.startribune.com/jerry-thomas-college-world-series-mvp-gophers-1956-obituary/601559880 Who was Jerry Thomas? Gerald E. “Jerry” Thomas (August 1, 1936 – January 6, 2026) was an American baseball pitcher celebrated for his collegiate achievements at the University of Minnesota. A standout player, Thomas was named College World Series Most Outstanding Player in 1956, one of only three Golden Gophers to earn that honor, alongside John Erickson and Dave Winfield. That same year, he was also recognized as an All-American, cementing his legacy in college baseball history. After college, Thomas pursued a professional career in the minor leagues from 1957 to 1960, appearing in 132 games with a 31–30 record, though he never reached the major leagues. He played alongside his brother, George Thomas, including stints at Minnesota and in the minors with Augusta. In recognition of his contributions to the University of Minnesota’s baseball program, Jerry Thomas was inducted into the University of Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. He passed away on January 6, 2026, at the age of 89, remembered as one of the university’s most accomplished pitchers of the 20th century.

More notable 2025 deaths. Jumbo Ozaki died. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/47403888/golf-hall-famer-jumbo-ozaki-japan-dies-78 Who was Jumbo Ozaki? Masashi Ozaki (1947–2025), widely known as Jumbo Ozaki, was one of the most influential and successful athletes in Japanese sports history, best remembered as the dominant figure of the Japan Golf Tour. Before golf, Ozaki was a professional baseball player with the Nishitetsu Lions from 1965 to 1967, pitching and later converting to the outfield, though with limited success. Turning to golf at age 23, Ozaki rapidly rose to prominence. He became the most accomplished golfer in Japan Golf Tour history, winning a record 94 tour events and leading the tour’s money list 12 times between 1973 and 1998. Known for his power off the tee and imposing physical presence, he earned the nickname “Jumbo.” Internationally, he competed in major championships and PGA Tour events, highlighted by a T8 finish at the 1973 Masters and 6th place at the 1989 U.S. Open, and spent nearly 200 weeks inside the world’s top ten rankings. Ozaki was a central figure in Japanese golf’s golden era, alongside rivals Isao Aoki and Tsuneyuki Nakajima, and represented Japan in global team competitions including the Presidents Cup. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, his legacy extends beyond titles to shaping modern professional golf in Japan. Ozaki died of colorectal cancer in December 2025 at age 78, leaving behind a record-setting career and an enduring impact on Japanese sport. Nobuhiro Takashiro died. https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2025121000999&g=spo Who was Nobuhiro Takashiro? Nobuhiro Takashiro (1954–2025) was a respected Japanese professional baseball infielder and longtime coach in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Born in Nara Prefecture, he starred at Hosei University, winning a Tokyo Big Six University League batting title in 1975, and was selected first overall by the Nippon-Ham Fighters in the 1978 NPB Draft. Takashiro played eleven NPB seasons from 1979 to 1989, primarily with Nippon-Ham before finishing his playing career with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. A versatile infielder, he earned three All-Star selections (1979, 1980, 1983), the Diamond Glove Award at shortstop in 1979, and the Best Nine Award in 1980. He was known more for steady defense and contact hitting than power, finishing his career with a .256 batting average, 57 home runs, and 772 hits across 917 games. After retiring as a player, Takashiro built an extensive coaching career, serving with multiple NPB clubs including the Carp, Chunichi Dragons, Nippon-Ham Fighters, Chiba Lotte Marines, Orix Buffaloes, and Hanshin Tigers, as well as Korea’s Hanwha Eagles. He also coached Japan’s national team and was part of the 2009 World Baseball Classic championship staff. Takashiro died of esophageal cancer in Osaka on December 9, 2025, at age 71, remembered as a dependable infielder and influential coach who contributed to Japanese baseball for more than four decades.

The following players have officially retired in calendar year 2026. To start us off, we have 2023 Mets minor leaguer Jaylin Davis: Jordyn Adams - 2023-2025 Hanser Alberto - 2015-2016, 2018-2023 Nick Anderson - 2019-2021, 2023-2025 Nick Burdi - 2018-2020, 2023-2025 Jaylin Davis - 2019-2022 Paolo Espino - 2017, 2020-2024 Avisail Garcia - 2012-2024; 1x AS Dilson Herrera - 2014-2015, 2018, 2020 Jason Heyward - 2010-2025; 1x ASG, 5 GG, 186 HR Juan Lagares - 2013-2022 Dixon Machado - 2015-2018 & 2022 J.D. Martinez - 2011-2024; 6x ASG, 3x SS, 331 HR T.J. McFarland - 2013-2025 Guillermo Moscoso - 2009-2013 Jacob Nottingham - 2018-2021 David Peralta - 2014-2024; 1x SS, 1x GG, 125 HR Roberto Perez - 2014-2023; 2x GG Riley Pint - 2023-2024 Ryan Pressly - 2013-2025; 2x AS, 667 G David Robertson - 2008-2025; 1x AS, 881 G, 179 SV, 2.93 ERA, 11.8 K/9 Jacob Stallings - 2016-2025; 1x GG Chris Taylor - 2014-2025; 1x AS, 1x NLCS MVP, 110 HR Julio Teheran - 2011-2021, 2023-24; 2x AS Gio Urshela - 2015, 2017-2025 Dayan Viciedo - 2010-2014

Those are projections for where they'll end up, not where they are now. I should have specified. It's my own method and I usually end up within a few points of being right when all is said and done.

35% in now. New projections: Carlos Beltran: 75-76% Andruw Jones: 73-74% Chase Utley: 48-49% Alex Rodriguez: 42-43% Andy Pettitte: 41-42% Felix Hernandez: 39-40% Manny Ramirez: 38-49% Cole Hamels: 28-29% Bobby Abreu: 26-27% Jimmy Rollins: 23-24% Dustin Pedroia: 20-21% Omar Vizquel: 18-19% Mark Buehrle: 15-16% Francisco Rodriguez: 13-14% David Wright: 13-14% Torii Hunter: 5-6% Ryan Braun: 2-3% Edwin Encarnacion: 1-2% Hunter Pence: 1-2% Shin-Soo Choo: 0-1% Gio Gonzalez: 0-1% Alex Gordon: 0-1% Matt Kemp: 0-1% Howie Kendrick: 0-1% Nick Markakis: 0-1% Daniel Murphy: 0-1% Rick Porcello: 0-1%

One of the bigger underutilization travesties of 2025, because he was actually a veteran with a solid background, yet they still almost never used him, despite him posting a 2.16 mark in 13 games. He wasn't a star, but he was better than a 13 appearance season. Reminds me of Hunter Strickland, insofar as he was a solid reliever who the Mets barely used in the one year they had him.