# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/81 "2026-07-27T15:28:09Z")
4 posts were merged into an existing topic: [The Unholy Atrocity That Is “Banana Ball”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unholy-atrocity-that-is-banana-ball/1031958/9) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/85 "2026-07-25T21:23:37Z")
Salvador Perez hit career home run #318 today in a win over the Tigers. He now holds the Royals franchise record, one more than George Brett. Perez is 36 years old. He may retire after this season, or he may opt to play another couple of years. Personally, I hope he retires, as his numbers have continued to decline. Question for the Dopers: is Perez worthy of the HOF? Overall, his numbers aren’t great: 35.1 WAR, .261 BA, 318 HRs, 1791 hits, 1059 RBIs, 287 BB, 1388 Strikeouts. He has been an all-star 9 times, won 5 Gold Gloves, 5 Silver Sluggers, 2015 WS MVP. I’ve watched him throughout his entire career. For a good long while, he was the best defensive catcher in the game. As a Royals fan, I certainly want him to be in the HOF, but I’m not quite sure that he should be 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 25, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/86 "2026-07-25T21:45:58Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Question for the Dopers: is Perez worthy of the HOF? Overall, his numbers aren’t great: 35.1 WAR, .261 BA, 318 HRs, 1791 hits, 1059 RBIs, 287 BB, 1388 Strikeouts. > > He has been an all-star 9 times, won 5 Gold Gloves, 5 Silver Sluggers, 2015 WS MVP. > > I’ve watched him throughout his entire career. For a good long while, he was the best defensive catcher in the game. I think it’s really hard for a guy to make it into the Hall primarily for defense, even at a defensively-important position (i.e., catcher, middle infielder), unless he’s seen as being an all-time great in the field – not that Perez hasn’t been a good hitter (he’s been pretty consistent in hitting about .260 with 20-25 homers throughout his career), but it feels like he hasn’t generally been a _great_ hitter. The only time he finished in the top 10 in MVP voting was 2021, when he had a career year in HRs and RBIs. WAR doesn’t necessarily capture defensive play well, but he’s only had a 4+ bWAR twice. So, probably Hall of Very Good. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/87 "2026-07-26T00:36:46Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > As a Royals fan, I certainly want him to be in the HOF, but I’m not quite sure that he should be there. I am entirely unable to give an honest and objective opinion on Salvy in the Hall. He’s one of my favorite players of all time, and I’d punch someone’s grandmother if it provided me the opportunity to give that man a hug. He is an all time great personality, and not enough people have him on their list of favorite players of the last 15 years. As the years have gone by, I’ve learned more and more that I know less and less about WAR, especially as it relates to comparing different positions players - especially catchers. I also know Salvy is one of the worst framers in the catching world, and his fielding numbers have suffered as a result. In his prime, he kept more players from stealing 2B than I’ve ever seen. If it wasn’t for his insatiable appetite for low and away breaking balls, he’d have an offensive record that Cooperstown would welcome with open arms. I do think he’s the type of player that veterans love, and eventually a Veteran’s Committee is going to vote him in. I’ll be in the field at Cooperstown to cheer and cry when he gives his speech. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/88 "2026-07-26T00:44:04Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > He’s one of my favorite players of all time, and I’d punch someone’s grandmother if it provided me the opportunity to give that man a hug. He is an all time great personality, and not enough people have him on their list of favorite players of the last 15 years. Totally agree with everything you’ve said here. Watching him over the past 15 years has been a joy, because he absolutely loves to play the game. That’s probably something that only KC fans know and love about him. Also agree with you re WAR, especially catchers. Salvy’s snap throw to first has caught many an unwary runner loafing back to the bag. Not sure how that move is figured into the WAR metric, other than catching a runner stealing…even when the runner wasn’t trying to steal. ---
**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 26, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/89 "2026-07-26T17:58:50Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Today, Milwaukee traded outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder (son of former Brewers star Prince Fielder, and grandson of former slugger Cecil Fielder) to the Astros for starters Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon, though McCullers, himself, has an extensive history of injuries, and is currently working his way back from an IL stint. Well, that didn’t last long. The Brewers tried McCullers as a reliever, and he was not good. He made his second relief appearance last night, coming in for the 8th inning, with an 8-2 lead against the Rockies. He walked four, plus giving up a hit, in 1 2/3 innings, and gave up three runs (unearned, thanks to an error); he turned a six-run lead into a save opportunity for Trevor Magill. In two games, and 4 2/3 innings pitched, he posted a WHIP of 1.7. Milwaukee decided that they had seen enough, and have designated McCullers for assignment. > **[Brewers designate recently acquired Lance McCullers for assignment](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49455529/brewers-designate-recently-acquired-lance-mccullers-assignment)** > > Veteran pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. has been designated for assignment by the Brewers less than two weeks after they acquired him. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/90 "2026-07-27T15:25:38Z")
3 posts were split to a new topic: [The Unholy Atrocity That Is “Banana Ball”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unholy-atrocity-that-is-banana-ball/1031958) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/91 "2026-07-27T15:26:19Z")
5 posts were merged into an existing topic: [The Unholy Atrocity That Is “Banana Ball”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unholy-atrocity-that-is-banana-ball/1031958/2) ---
**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 27, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/96 "2026-07-27T01:20:49Z")
Don’t suppose there is a chance that bananaball could get its own thread? It has nothing to do with MLB. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/97 "2026-07-27T16:27:52Z")
The Miami Marlins, who were doing well earlier in the season, have now lost 12 in a row. The issue it seems, is that they just can’t hit. I tried to watch them on Saturday, but fell asleep a few innings in. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/98 "2026-07-27T16:30:41Z")
Yanks are very light on hitting now as Bellinger just went down and still no word on when and if Judge will return. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/99 "2026-07-27T22:17:15Z")
Cubs DFA Jameson Taillon. [https://x.com/cubs/status/2081839935175172173?s=46&t=KEWgwenxgQmz-pLDK\_DMFQ](https://x.com/cubs/status/2081839935175172173?s=46&t=KEWgwenxgQmz-pLDK_DMFQ) ---
**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 27, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/100 "2026-07-27T22:57:02Z")
As much as they need pitching, that was the right move. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/101 "2026-07-27T23:40:21Z")
Agreed. That was ugly yesterday and no room for optimism. ---
**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 28, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/102 "2026-07-28T01:18:38Z")
And Bellinger is out 4-6 weeks with his hamstring. > **[Yankees lose Bellinger for 4-6 weeks with hamstring strain](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49465288/yankees-lose-bellinger-4-6-weeks-hamstring-strain)** > > All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger will be out four to six weeks due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. ---
**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 29, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/103 "2026-07-29T02:53:29Z")
So the Ted Sox acquired IF Curtis Mead the other day. He left his Boston debut after being hit by a pitch. Well… > **[Red Sox to put Curtis Mead on IL as test shows broken wrist](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49474507/reports-red-sox-put-curtis-mead-il-broken-wrist)** > > Follow-up tests Tuesday on new Red Sox INF Curtis Mead revealed a fractured left wrist. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/104 "2026-07-29T04:36:05Z")
Today Shane Bieber walked six men in the first inning. (Which he didn’t finish.) Basically everything that could have gone wrong for the Blue Jays this year, has. ---
**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 29, 2026, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/105 "2026-07-29T11:44:56Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Today Shane Bieber walked six men in the first inning. (Which he didn’t finish.) Three of them with the bases loaded. After leading 8-3, the Nats’ bullpen did their best to give away the lead, but couldn’t quite manage it. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/106 "2026-07-29T17:39:58Z")
Vlad jr. slashed .397/.494/.795 with 8 homers in the 2025 postseason. He was a monster. This year he has 6 home runs and a .702 OPS in 103 games. Is he playing hurt or is something else going on? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330/107 "2026-07-29T17:41:01Z")
Nobody knows. I suspect injury just because it’s the most common explanation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2026-banana-ball-has-its-own-thread/1031330.md?page=6)