I spend a lot of time on Baseball-Reference. In addition to my job of researching and passing accurate player stats to you, readers, I love looking back at old names from the late 90s and 2000s to see if they’re as good as they are. I remember in my head or not. Casey Blake? Better than I remember. Mark Teahen? Much worse than I remember. Jack Cust? ball player!
I can’t tell you who are the players I watch the most. I spend a lot of time comparing elite level players to Mike Trout. Maybe it’s him. Maybe it’s Bryce Harper because I spend every moment of the day convincing myself that he’s not as good as people appreciate him. I do not know. Thankfully, Baseball-Reference has tracked this type of content.
That’s good. It may not be interesting to you, but here is my post. I can write about anything that interests me. Ha Ha! Neer neer!
In Albert Pujols’ senior year, that means 25 states wanted to find him. I know I’ve done a lot this year. He is a living legend who is thought to be far past his prime before 2022. However, he has performed brilliantly this season, much better than he is. achieved over the past few years with the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. In more than a few articles this year, I had to compare this season to his last five years in LA, to find out exactly how he regained his swagger at 42. out, look at Aaron Judge. Given his incredible season, there’s a reason why so many people are looking for him – 15 states have searched for the American League MVP more than anyone else.
There are a number of others who also make sense. Barry Bonds has a peculiar nature, and although he has no ties to Wyoming, it makes sense for people to seek him out. Matt Olson didn’t play as well his first year in Atlanta as he did in Oakland, but he’s a sizable signing and perhaps relatively unknown in Alabama. Considering that most people in Alabama are attracted to the Braves — especially after they win the 2021 World Series championship — Olson’s popularity in Heart of Dixie makes sense.
Christian Yelich of Wisconsin, Miguel Cabrera of Michigan, Gio Urshela of South Dakota (at least bordering Minnesota), and even Freddie Freeman of New Mexico (although he has no relation) are all examples of bridges. Famous players are noticed by the states an active fan base of each player’s respective team. It’s weird to see George Brett’s name on any 2020s graphic with the word “popular” in it, he’s still a Celebrity and considered by many to be the best Kansas City Royals of all age. Definitely weird, but not completely ridiculous, you know? Then there are two black sheep.
Why in the world Hawaii is searching dylan moore? Was he born in Hawaii? No. Did he play college ball in Hawaii? No. Did he play in an amateur or college league in Hawaii? No. Is he an incredible ball player worth looking for? Not really. I mean, his polished eye is phenomenal. his 13.3 percent walking rate in 2022 ranked 15th in 2022 among players with at least 250 appearances. He’s also pretty fast for a regular walker like him. That said, does this sound like a player that Hawaiians would be enthralled with? I wouldn’t think so.
I have a theory though. See, when you Google “Dylan Moore Hawaii” the results come up economics professor at the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Yes, I know this is a bit of an exaggeration, but how do you think Dylan Moore is such a widely sought-after baseball player in the Pacific Islands, huh? I’m listening to theories, because this is the best it can be. I think when students or people in economics look for Dylan Moore in Hawaii, they click the first link they find. Hello, the first link that comes up when you Google “Dylan Moore” is his Baseball Reference page. Coincident? I think not!
However, Dylan Moore is at least an active baseball player. At least he’s a name people can throw around a bar while flirting with random athletes. You know who would never show up in those kinds of conversations? Pete Browning!
Is there any relationship with Delaware? No. Hall of Famer? No. Play this century? No. Play last century? No. Spent an entire season on a team that still exists? (That includes the oddly named Cleveland Infants team.) No. Browning was a three-time batting champion in 1882, 1885 and 1890. In addition, in 1887 he became first player each hit more than 0.400 out of 600 plate occurrences or more. Coincidentally, he didn’t win the batting title that year. That’s all Browning has for him.
I don’t even have a theory as to why Browning is so popular at The First State. The only Google results that pop up when you search for “Pete Browning Delaware” are people on Twitter wondering why Pete Browning is such a popular baseball search in Delaware. That’s one of those circular Google searches, isn’t it? Perhaps Baseball-Reference itself is headquartered in Delaware and has an inside company joke about Browning? No. Sports Reference, LLC is based in Philadelphia, so this doesn’t really make any sense.
I guess it fits baseball. The sport makes no sense, so it’s reasonable to assume the same goes for baseball search results. Still, I’m baffled by Delaware’s infatuation with Browning. What is it about this late 19th-century ball player that makes everyone in Dover look for him? I don’t have the slightest clue, but I certainly won’t get into a baseball squabble with anyone there any time soon. They probably know more about baseball history than I do.
