March 14, 2021
Brady Singer played in the SEC for three seasons before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals, so he faced a ton of talented hitters prior to starting his professional career. Pitching for the University of Florida from 2016-2018, Singer matched up against the likes of JJ Bleday, Nick Senzel, Bryan Reynolds, and Evan White. Easy marks were few and far between.
Which of his collegiate opponents does Singer recall respecting the most? More specifically, which hitter had him laser-focused on making quality pitches, lest an errant offering result in serious damage?
“One that really stands out wasn’t in the SEC, but rather in Omaha,” Singer told me. “I believe it was the first game I pitched there, in 2017 when we went on to win the [College] World Series. It was Brendan McKay, from Louisville. When he got in the box, I knew I had to dial in. Just the bat path he had, and how he stood in the box how he presented himself was tough.”
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CLEVELAND â The Indians made some extraordinary runs in the 1990s and 2010s. The club has two world championships, six American League pennants and 10 AL Central division titles. So, what seasons stand out as the best? Letâs take a look:
1. 1954
Record: 111-43
Itâs not one of the two years the Tribe ended with a World Series victory, but it was a season that still holds a record today. No other team has posted a higher winning percentage (.721) than the Indians did in â54. It was a team led by Larry Doby, Al Rosen, Bobby Avila, Bob Lemon and Bob Feller. After Cleveland secured the AL pennant, besting the Yankeesâ 103-win season, the club was swept in the World Series by the Giants. But that certainly doesnât take away from the regular-season efforts.