Jay Jaffe
@jayjaffe.bsky.social
Senior writer at @FanGraphs.com, formerly SI.com and Baseball Prospectus, creator of JAWS, author of The Cooperstown Casebook (2017). Not sticking to sports or paying $8.
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
Goodness gracious, FB making me think you were taken out by your favorite machine on your birthday
December 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Goodness gracious, FB making me think you were taken out by your favorite machine on your birthday
Thank you all for the birthday wishes! Have had a lovely day with the family, seeing Zootopia 2 and eating soup dumplings at Din’s Kitchen in Sunset Park. Here’s hoping whatever you’re celebrating today, you’re doing it among loved ones.
Please enjoy this birthday/holiday advice from my daughter
Please enjoy this birthday/holiday advice from my daughter
December 26, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Thank you all for the birthday wishes! Have had a lovely day with the family, seeing Zootopia 2 and eating soup dumplings at Din’s Kitchen in Sunset Park. Here’s hoping whatever you’re celebrating today, you’re doing it among loved ones.
Please enjoy this birthday/holiday advice from my daughter
Please enjoy this birthday/holiday advice from my daughter
The Doug Yule-tide spirit youtu.be/4ijXYf6d42E?...
Lonesome Cowboy Bill (2015 Remaster)
YouTube video by The Velvet Underground - Topic
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Doug Yule-tide spirit youtu.be/4ijXYf6d42E?...
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
DO YOU KNOW HOW BAD THINGS ARE WHEN JAZZ MUSICIANS DECIDE *NOT* TO SHOW UP FOR A GIG?
Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump's name added reut.rs/3NfgBky
Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump's name added
A planned Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center was canceled, with the host of the longtime annual performance attributing the decision to the addition of Republican U.S. President Donald Trump's name to the institution in Washington.
reut.rs
December 25, 2025 at 3:17 AM
DO YOU KNOW HOW BAD THINGS ARE WHEN JAZZ MUSICIANS DECIDE *NOT* TO SHOW UP FOR A GIG?
Had to replace a shower curtain rod. This one has been in my possession since my earliest days in downtown Brooklyn (11/2007). Sid’s Hardware wouldn’t honor a 20% discount promised by their guy who changed the locks the day we moved in. I put a hex on them. Out of business in early 2010. Eat it, Sid
December 25, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Had to replace a shower curtain rod. This one has been in my possession since my earliest days in downtown Brooklyn (11/2007). Sid’s Hardware wouldn’t honor a 20% discount promised by their guy who changed the locks the day we moved in. I put a hex on them. Out of business in early 2010. Eat it, Sid
A solid roster of birthday buddies!
Happy birthday to Isaac Newton, Cab Calloway, Humphrey Bogart, Quentin Crisp, Louise Bourgeois, Rod Serling, Shane MacGowan, Anwar Sadat, Annie Lennox, Carlos Castaneda, Sissy Spacek, CCH Pounder, Kid Ory, Rickey Henderson, and possibly Jesus!
December 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
A solid roster of birthday buddies!
Thinking of Rickey Henderson, the best ballplayer with whom I share a birthday. We lost him one year and five days ago.
Here’s my tribute blogs.fangraphs.com/rickey-hende...
Here’s my tribute blogs.fangraphs.com/rickey-hende...
Rickey Henderson (1958-2024): Split Him in Two, You’d Have Two Hall of Famers
The all-time leader in stolen bases, runs scored, and stories about uncashed bonus checks died on December 20.
blogs.fangraphs.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Thinking of Rickey Henderson, the best ballplayer with whom I share a birthday. We lost him one year and five days ago.
Here’s my tribute blogs.fangraphs.com/rickey-hende...
Here’s my tribute blogs.fangraphs.com/rickey-hende...
Kruk, not Krueger, goddamn autocorrect
It is! My father grew up there and I saw Tony Gwynn (and John Krueger) play for WW at the start of their pro careers in 1981.
Shirt was a clearance item at Ebbets Field Flannel and it rocks, unlike the other 2 I bought at the same time (Hillsboro Hops and Albuquerque Isotopes) 1/2
Shirt was a clearance item at Ebbets Field Flannel and it rocks, unlike the other 2 I bought at the same time (Hillsboro Hops and Albuquerque Isotopes) 1/2
Is that a Walla Walla Padres shirt?
December 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Kruk, not Krueger, goddamn autocorrect
It is! My father grew up there and I saw Tony Gwynn (and John Krueger) play for WW at the start of their pro careers in 1981.
Shirt was a clearance item at Ebbets Field Flannel and it rocks, unlike the other 2 I bought at the same time (Hillsboro Hops and Albuquerque Isotopes) 1/2
Shirt was a clearance item at Ebbets Field Flannel and it rocks, unlike the other 2 I bought at the same time (Hillsboro Hops and Albuquerque Isotopes) 1/2
Is that a Walla Walla Padres shirt?
December 25, 2025 at 3:35 PM
It is! My father grew up there and I saw Tony Gwynn (and John Krueger) play for WW at the start of their pro careers in 1981.
Shirt was a clearance item at Ebbets Field Flannel and it rocks, unlike the other 2 I bought at the same time (Hillsboro Hops and Albuquerque Isotopes) 1/2
Shirt was a clearance item at Ebbets Field Flannel and it rocks, unlike the other 2 I bought at the same time (Hillsboro Hops and Albuquerque Isotopes) 1/2
The kiddo delivered coffee to me in bed this morning, cackling at the mug she and my wife chose. 56 is off to a flying start!
December 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The kiddo delivered coffee to me in bed this morning, cackling at the mug she and my wife chose. 56 is off to a flying start!
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
10a ET @mlbnetworkradio.bsky.social It’s The Power Alley Holiday Spectacular: featuring @jayjaffe.bsky.social, Jason Benetti, Geoff Arnold, @daniwex.bsky.social, and a special Santa Expert! We’ll also ask the Big Question: Is Santa on the decline or can he keep up his peak production?
December 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
10a ET @mlbnetworkradio.bsky.social It’s The Power Alley Holiday Spectacular: featuring @jayjaffe.bsky.social, Jason Benetti, Geoff Arnold, @daniwex.bsky.social, and a special Santa Expert! We’ll also ask the Big Question: Is Santa on the decline or can he keep up his peak production?
My last Hall of Fame candidate profile of the calendar year, not to be confused with my last of this cycle as I’ve got 8 one-and-done guys to cover in January. Once the Blue Jays stopped making Edwin Encarnación play 3B, he shed the dreaded E5 moniker and they had themselves one hell of a hitter.
JAWS and the 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Edwin Encarnación blogs.fangraphs.com/jaws-and-the...
JAWS and the 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Edwin Encarnación
Miscast as a third baseman, he emerged as one of the game’s top sluggers — and something of a social media sensation — upon moving to a first base/DH role.
blogs.fangraphs.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
My last Hall of Fame candidate profile of the calendar year, not to be confused with my last of this cycle as I’ve got 8 one-and-done guys to cover in January. Once the Blue Jays stopped making Edwin Encarnación play 3B, he shed the dreaded E5 moniker and they had themselves one hell of a hitter.
I just saw Lucinda Williams do “Yummy Yummy Yummy” — one of the more ridiculously catchy songs Kasenetz wrote — with Yo La Tengo a few days ago
RIP jerry kasenetz. although he was kind of a scam artist, there are some real stompers hidden amidst his vast catalog.
no firewall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/a...
no firewall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/a...
Jerry Kasenetz, a King of Bubblegum Pop Music, Dies at 82
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I just saw Lucinda Williams do “Yummy Yummy Yummy” — one of the more ridiculously catchy songs Kasenetz wrote — with Yo La Tengo a few days ago
Encarnación was told he wouldn't have to play 3B in Toronto if he re-signed (for a 47% pay cut) in Dec. 2010, then they asked him to anyway, and it went badly. Became a top-10 hitter after shelving the 3B mitt.
But sure, be THAT guy.
But sure, be THAT guy.
He’ll always be E5 to me lol
December 23, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Encarnación was told he wouldn't have to play 3B in Toronto if he re-signed (for a 47% pay cut) in Dec. 2010, then they asked him to anyway, and it went badly. Became a top-10 hitter after shelving the 3B mitt.
But sure, be THAT guy.
But sure, be THAT guy.
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
New @fangraphs.com: my last Hall of Fame candidate profile of the calendar year, not to be confused with my last of this cycle as I’ve got 8 one-and-done guys to cover in January. Once the Blue Jays stopped making Edwin Encarnación play third base, they had themselves one hell of a hitter.
JAWS and the 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Edwin Encarnación blogs.fangraphs.com/jaws-and-the...
JAWS and the 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Edwin Encarnación
Miscast as a third baseman, he emerged as one of the game’s top sluggers — and something of a social media sensation — upon moving to a first base/DH role.
blogs.fangraphs.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
New @fangraphs.com: my last Hall of Fame candidate profile of the calendar year, not to be confused with my last of this cycle as I’ve got 8 one-and-done guys to cover in January. Once the Blue Jays stopped making Edwin Encarnación play third base, they had themselves one hell of a hitter.
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
Bradford, once again getting a big story ahead of the sanctioned and affiliated media (b/c he's doing the hard work).
In this one, it sounds as if MLB wants to be the brand, rather than 30 different brands. MLB wants to be McDonalds. All the franchises are the same. Same food. Same expected 1/
In this one, it sounds as if MLB wants to be the brand, rather than 30 different brands. MLB wants to be McDonalds. All the franchises are the same. Same food. Same expected 1/
MLB's tech regulation plans give itself full control over who can do business with baseball.
And I learned an AI scouting firm — founded by the uncle of an exec in Rob Manfred’s inner circle — may win a bid.
Team sources and antitrust experts told me it creates a conflict of interest.
NEW from me:
And I learned an AI scouting firm — founded by the uncle of an exec in Rob Manfred’s inner circle — may win a bid.
Team sources and antitrust experts told me it creates a conflict of interest.
NEW from me:
MLB Teams Fear League Will Pick Winners and Losers in Tech
The league is taking control of the choosing of tech partners, rather than leaving it up to teams; one firm under consideration was founded by a top MLB exec’s uncle.
frontofficesports.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Bradford, once again getting a big story ahead of the sanctioned and affiliated media (b/c he's doing the hard work).
In this one, it sounds as if MLB wants to be the brand, rather than 30 different brands. MLB wants to be McDonalds. All the franchises are the same. Same food. Same expected 1/
In this one, it sounds as if MLB wants to be the brand, rather than 30 different brands. MLB wants to be McDonalds. All the franchises are the same. Same food. Same expected 1/
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
Study of over twenty five million people over almost four years finds that COVID vaccines reduced COVID deaths by 74% and increased all-cause deaths by zero. I don’t know how much clearer it can get than that.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination and 4-Year All-Cause Mortality Among Adults in France
This cohort study uses the data from all adults aged 18 to 59 years living in France on November 1, 2021, to evaluate whether there is an association of receipt of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with long-t...
jamanetwork.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Study of over twenty five million people over almost four years finds that COVID vaccines reduced COVID deaths by 74% and increased all-cause deaths by zero. I don’t know how much clearer it can get than that.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
It is impressive how the Atlantic seems to hire so many people who would buy the Brooklyn Bridge from you repeatedly if you told them it was on sale at a discount this week.
The Bari Weiss hysteria continues. Exactly what in "this piece isn't ready" and "try harder to get comment from the administration" constitutes the death of American journalism? www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
What Bari Weiss Got Right
And what she got wrong
www.theatlantic.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM
It is impressive how the Atlantic seems to hire so many people who would buy the Brooklyn Bridge from you repeatedly if you told them it was on sale at a discount this week.
Reposted by Jay Jaffe
MLB's tech regulation plans give itself full control over who can do business with baseball.
And I learned an AI scouting firm — founded by the uncle of an exec in Rob Manfred’s inner circle — may win a bid.
Team sources and antitrust experts told me it creates a conflict of interest.
NEW from me:
And I learned an AI scouting firm — founded by the uncle of an exec in Rob Manfred’s inner circle — may win a bid.
Team sources and antitrust experts told me it creates a conflict of interest.
NEW from me:
MLB Teams Fear League Will Pick Winners and Losers in Tech
The league is taking control of the choosing of tech partners, rather than leaving it up to teams; one firm under consideration was founded by a top MLB exec’s uncle.
frontofficesports.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
MLB's tech regulation plans give itself full control over who can do business with baseball.
And I learned an AI scouting firm — founded by the uncle of an exec in Rob Manfred’s inner circle — may win a bid.
Team sources and antitrust experts told me it creates a conflict of interest.
NEW from me:
And I learned an AI scouting firm — founded by the uncle of an exec in Rob Manfred’s inner circle — may win a bid.
Team sources and antitrust experts told me it creates a conflict of interest.
NEW from me:
This fuckin' guy! (complimentary)
Just thought I'd mention that I've started a substack to vent my baseball related spleen onto the world. Feel free to stop by and read and comment: vorosmccracken.substack.com/p/i-bet-your...
I Bet You're Wondering How I Got Here
Well maybe not, but I'll tell you anyway.
vorosmccracken.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
This fuckin' guy! (complimentary)
New @fangraphs.com: my last Hall of Fame candidate profile of the calendar year, not to be confused with my last of this cycle as I’ve got 8 one-and-done guys to cover in January. Once the Blue Jays stopped making Edwin Encarnación play third base, they had themselves one hell of a hitter.
JAWS and the 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Edwin Encarnación blogs.fangraphs.com/jaws-and-the...
JAWS and the 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Edwin Encarnación
Miscast as a third baseman, he emerged as one of the game’s top sluggers — and something of a social media sensation — upon moving to a first base/DH role.
blogs.fangraphs.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
New @fangraphs.com: my last Hall of Fame candidate profile of the calendar year, not to be confused with my last of this cycle as I’ve got 8 one-and-done guys to cover in January. Once the Blue Jays stopped making Edwin Encarnación play third base, they had themselves one hell of a hitter.
Transcript from my final chat of 2025 now available for those of you into that sorta thing!
December 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Transcript from my final chat of 2025 now available for those of you into that sorta thing!
about to start!
Chatting at 12 pm ET. My last chat of 2025! Hall of Fame, Hot Stove, and Festivus grievances...
Jay Jaffe FanGraphs Chat – 12/23/25 blogs.fangraphs.com/jay-jaffe-fa...
December 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
about to start!