# MLB - July 2026 ("Banana Ball" has its own thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 1, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330 "2026-07-01T12:43:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/21 "2026-07-05T04:18:00Z")
Randy Arozarena of the Mariners made MLB history yesterday. > **[Randy Arozarena Burns Mariners With Historic ABS Meltdown in Loss to Blue Jays](https://www.si.com/mlb/mariners/onsi/randy-arozarena-burns-mariners-with-historic-abs-meltdown-in-loss-to-blue-jays)** > > Losing to the Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park already comes with its own kind of frustration for Mariners fans. We know the story of the “Blue Invasion.” Toronto com Dammit Randy. 😡 He made up for it today with a grand slam though. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/22 "2026-07-05T05:08:55Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > That would be the Dodgers. And it’s not close. I was a fan throughout the 20-something year WS drought, during Mattingly’s tenure, and during the McCourt years. That we are considered “evil” now is the greatest music to my ears. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/23 "2026-07-05T12:57:23Z")
but the good thing is that the Cubs/Cards hatred/rivalry is a peaceful one–fans can go to the opponents park (which they do often), and not have a problem, as opposed to the Giants/Dodgers, where you need an ambulance on stand-by. Wonder if it goes back to Brooklyn/NY days ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/24 "2026-07-05T14:36:53Z")
My dad actually went to a Cubs/White Sox game at Wrigley several years ago. He told me about one guy sitting in the bleachers wearing his Sox jersey and hat. Until about the third inning, when the guy was suddenly shirtless, hatless, and bloody. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/25 "2026-07-05T15:00:43Z")
sorry to hear that, but do you recall any episodes with Cards/Cubs fans? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/26 "2026-07-05T15:06:11Z")
I honestly can’t say. I’ve never been at Wrigley during a Cubs/Cards series. I don’t live in Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/27 "2026-07-05T17:44:25Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > but the good thing is that the Cubs/Cards hatred/rivalry is a peaceful one Yeah, I’ve lived most of my life in central Illinois. The rivalry is real, but I’ve never seen it turn violent or mean-spirited; and mixed marriages are not uncommon. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/28 "2026-07-05T23:46:02Z")
along with the Yankees in AL ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/29 "2026-07-05T23:47:48Z")
fog? in Chicago? I mean, naturally in SF or Seattle but why there ? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/30 "2026-07-06T00:15:10Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > fog? in Chicago? It’s been extremely humid here for the past week, and the ground is saturated from rain that’s fallen on a daily basis all week. That game last night was played just after yet another wave of heavy rain had come through the area; after the rain, winds had shifted to coming out of the northeast (i.e., coming in off of Lake Michigan), and the air temperature was right at the dew point (which is what can cause fog to form). As Wrigley is only about a mile from the lake, winds off the lake (which is cooler than the air or the land at this time of year) can definitely cause fog in that area, under those conditions. Also, in case you were unaware, the Bears – which play in Soldier Field, right on the lakefront – had a playoff game in 1988 in which the fog rolled in, and visibility on the field dropped close to zero. > **[Fog Bowl (American football)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_Bowl_(American_football))** > > In American football, the Fog Bowl was the December 31, 1988 National Football League (NFL) playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears. A dense fog rolled over Chicago's Soldier Field during the 2nd quarter, cutting visibility to about 15–20 yards for the rest of the game. The Eagles moved the ball effectively all game and their quarterback Randall Cunningham recorded 407 passing yards despite the low visibility, but they could not advance the ball into the end zone. Many pl... ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/31 "2026-07-06T00:38:12Z")
Here’s a weird stat: Away Nationals are nine and a half games ahead of home Nationals. They’re 28-18 on the road, which the last time I checked was the third best in baseball. They’ve only lost two road series. At home they’re 18-27 after losing two of three to the Pirates. Their atrocious bullpen is even worse at home. Since they were widely expected to lose close to 100 games this season the bigger surprise is how they’ve played on the road. Does anyone remember another team with that kind of home/road splits? Overall they’re still a game over .500, which I never would have expected this late in the season. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/32 "2026-07-06T00:42:56Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > but the good thing is that the Cubs/Cards hatred/rivalry is a peaceful one–fans can go to the opponents park (which they do often), and not have a problem, as opposed to the Giants/Dodgers, where you need an ambulance on stand-by. I guarantee there are ambulances on stand-by at Wrigley and Busch. Fans fight at those places too. They just don’t get as much attention. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/33 "2026-07-06T01:14:26Z")
Really??? Since I live in STL most of my life, can you provide a cite for your unfounded “guarantees”? Have you ever attended a game here? ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/34 "2026-07-06T01:16:20Z")
oh, just looked up your bio–a SoCal guy, so … ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/35 "2026-07-06T01:17:57Z")
tell that to Disinfectus ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/36 "2026-07-06T01:21:24Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > Since I live in STL most of my life, can you provide a cite for your unfounded “guarantees”? I’m not Disinfectus, but: Busch Stadium apparently has a contract with [Accucare Event Medical](https://www.accucareeventmedical.com/about/) for on-site emergency medical services at every home game. Note that that’s not just for fans getting into fights: it’s primarily for other medical emergencies (e.g., heart attacks, serious injuries, etc.), both for players and fans. I suspect that most, if not all, major sports stadiums and arenas have similar arrangements, and not just those which have fans with a reputation for fighting and injuring each other. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/37 "2026-07-06T01:22:13Z")
I lived in LA and SF for 20 years, and fans have gotten killed after games, so I know what I’m talking about ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/38 "2026-07-06T01:57:51Z")
First, to add on to **kenobi\_65** s post, " during Chicago Cubs games and major stadium events, special medical and event crews—often operated by **[Superior Ambulance](https://superiorambulance.com/services/)**—are stationed inside the venue." So yes, like I said, there are ambulances on stand-by at Wrigley and Busch stadium. It’s a no-brainer which I why I used the word, “guaranteed.” Now, as far as violence… Here’s some Cubs and White Sox[fans brawling](https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/video-shows-cubs-white-sox-fans-fighting-during-sundays-game-on-south-side). " **CHICAGO** - The [Chicago Cubs](https://www.fox32chicago.com/tag/mlb/cubs) and [White Sox](https://www.fox32chicago.com/tag/mlb/white-sox) completed this year’s Crosstown Classic over the weekend — and of course it didn’t end without a fight amongst fans." Good thing those ambulances were there. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/39 "2026-07-06T02:04:34Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > I lived in LA and SF for 20 years, and fans have gotten killed after games, so I know what I’m talking about If, like you claim, you knew what you were talking about, you would know that all MLB stadiums are going to keep ambulances on stand-by. That’s just standard protocol, because besides fights, there are other medical emergencies that can happen during games. And yes, fans have gotten killed after Dodgers/Giants games. Those are isolated incidents, horrific as they were. At the vast majority of match-ups between the teams, nobody gets hurt. The two best-known incidents happened in 2011 and 2013, so over a decade ago. Nothing serious since. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/40 "2026-07-07T00:42:26Z")
It’s scary to imagine how good the Nats would be with even mediocre pitching. Tonight against the Astros, they have come back from a 6-1 deficit to lead 12-7 in the sixth. But with their pitching, it’s hard to be confident. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330.md?page=3)