On Thanksgiving, 20 baseball things we're thankful for in 2014

[admin]

With Thanksgiving upon us, we here at Big League Stew are taking a step back to reflect upon another remarkable season in baseball while showing appreciation for all of the players, personalities, performances and moments that make us thankful for its existence. It's a list that, if allowed, we could keep writing all the way until Christmas. But we've narrowed it down to our top 20.
Of course, you're free to share what you're thankful for in baseball as well. Hit us up in the comments or on Twitter.

* * *

The greatness of Clayton Kershaw
At 25, Kershaw added a third Cy Young award and an almost perfect no-hitter to his résumé. Capable of making history every time he takes the baseball, we should all be thankful we're witnessing the ascension of an all-time great whose prime seasons may still be ahead of him. (Mark Townsend)

* * *

The Royals
We all love an underdog, and boy did the Kansas City Royals ever deliver the 2014 underdog storyline. After 29 years of not making the playoffs, the Royals not only made the postseason but swept their way to the World Series. They lost to the Giants in seven games, but it was such a wonderful and memorable run by KC. (Mike Oz)

* * *​

Your browser does not support iframes.
Yoenis Cespedes' arm
One word: Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn.*Still amazing all these months later. (MO)

* * *​

Your browser does not support iframes.
Derek Jeter's happy ending
In a perfect world, the final chapter of Derek Jeter's playing career would have been written in the World Series. The real world version didn't turn out too bad either. Though the Yankees failed to make the postseason for a second straight season, and though Jeter admittedly was closer to marginal than an impact player on the field, the final image of 'The Captain' at Yankee Stadium will be of an emotional and triumphant celebration after delivering a most unlikely walk-off hit. It was Hollywood come to life, and it was perfect.*(MT)

* * *

San Diego Padres' fans
The tributes to fallen legends Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn by both the team and the city were first-class all the way, but nothing made us smile wider than the reception Tony Gwynn Jr. received upon his first at-bat at Petco Park following his father's death. It was one of the most heart-warming stories all season as a loyal fanbase showed a grieving family how they respected and appreciated Tony Gwynn.*(MT)

* * *

AT&T Park
I was lucky enough to spend a good chunk of my October watching the Giants play postseason games at AT&T Park, their jewel of a ballpark along the water in San Francisco. It never stops being a beautiful place to watch baseball.**(MO)

* * *

Hank the Dog
There's never a shortage of storylines to follow in spring training, but the unexpected rise of Hank the Dog stole the headlines more times than not. Hank was the breakout star at Milwaukee Brewers camp, literally walking in off the street and earning a role as the team's unofficial mascot. *While he won the hearts of Milwaukee and baseball fans everywhere, he earned our appreciation by being a consistent source of feel-good stories. Thanks, Hank. *(MT)

* * *

Rivalries: New and old
Yankees-Red Sox will never fade, while Dodgers-Giants seems to heat up more every year. But the game needs more than a couple good rivalries. In 2014, we saw the potential of several others reigniting or taking shape. In the AL, the Royals and Tigers played meaningful games all season long and set the stage for a battle that will undoubtedly continue in 2015. Throw in the wild, wild West battles between the Angels, A's and Mariners and it was definitely a season filled with intense AL battles.*Meanwhile,in the NL, *the Brewers stepped forward to battle the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates, in some cases literally.*(MT)

* * *​

Yasiel Puig's Instagram account
Some people hate Puig, which seems silly once you realize that he's just a big kid learning his way in the world. There's no greater example of that than his Instagram account, where he documents things like the first time he saw snow or his love for Minions.**(MO)

* * *​

Welcome to #RedSoxNation @HanleyRamirez @KFP48.....bout to give pitcher nightmares!!!! pic.twitter.com/nVmpMlvyyH
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) November 25, 2014​

The Red Sox keeping things interesting
Their last three seasons: last place, won the World Series, last place again. And now they're the biggest players of the offseason so far. We appreciate that they keep us guessing each year.**(MO)

* * *​

Classic throwback uniforms
When baseball turns back the clock, we all win. Especially this season, because we were treated to those magical Houston Astros uniforms from the 80s.

Yes, those.
Beautiful!*(MT)

* * *

The goofiness of Minor League Baseball
Yeah, the Major Leaguers get all the glory, but man, things wouldn't be the same if we didn't have the goofy world of Minor League Baseball to balance out the seriousness. Where else would we get bacon caps, "Star Wars" jerseys and wacky tattoo promotions?**(MO)

* * *

Mascot shenanigans
No, we're not talking about Dinger's pantsless dancing at Coors Field attempting to distract opponents of the Colorado Rockies. We're talking about the real entertaining mascots, like the Philly Phanatic and Orbit, who was voted Big League Stew's first and only Mascot Madness champion. The latter really came into his own this season as a prankster tormenting J.P.Arrencibia of the Texas Rangers, Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays, and even Astros employees. Good, harmless fun that we all can enjoy. With that said, if you prefer bootleg mascots getting into bar fights, BIlly Cub in Chicago is your guy.*(MT)

* * *​

Joe Maddon's themed road trips
It's a long season, and no one understands that better than Joe Maddon. Thoroughout his nine-year tenure as Tampa Bay Rays manager, Maddon created themed road trips as a way of keeping players loose and the experience in perspective. In 2014, that included such gems as the Rays rookies dressing up as Mario Kart characters for a trip to Toronto.

Tough loss, but #Rays rookie dress-up night is a tradition that can't be broken: pic.twitter.com/mZrChjnNDr
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 12, 2014​

This Maddon quirk flew somewhat under the radar in Tampa. It won't in Chicago. Keep'em comin', Joe.*(MT)

* * *​

#Padres Tony Gwynn faced Greg Maddux 107 times in his career, more than any other pitcher; Gwynn batted .415, Maddux never struck him out.
— Ace of MLB Stats (@AceballStats) June 16, 2014​

@AceballStats
One of my favorite Twitter accounts is Ace of MLB Stats, which serves up great baseball stats and facts all day long. Not only is it a wonderful offseason companion, you'll definitely learn something every day.**(MO)

* * *

Marlins Man
Sure, you laughed at him for wearing Marlins gear to the World Series, but as we eventually learned, Laurence Leavy (aka Marlins Man) lives the big-game life that your average sports fan can only dream about.**(MO)

* * *​

Chevy spokesman Rikk Wilde
We've all been there at least once. The figurative red light goes on, we freeze and forget everything we'd spent days practicing or studying. Unfortunately for Chevy spokesman Rikk Wilde, the red light was real and it was attached to a camera in the San Francisco Giants clubhouse following their World Series clinching victory in Game 7. As Wilde struggled through the MVP presentation to Madison Bumgarner, one thing seems to have gone unappreciated. He got through it. Painful as it may have been, he never stopped. That's commendable, plus Chevy got a new tagline out of it. Well done, Rikk.*(MT)

* * *​

Your browser does not support iframes.
50 Cent's first pitch
Mock it all you want, but we as baseball people of the Internet are better off because 50 Cent threw a hilariously bad first pitch. It brought us together to laugh.**(MO)

* * *​

Your browser does not support iframes.
Andrelton Simmons being incredible
The Braves shortstop hasn't stopped impressing us yet. Everytime you think Simmons can't out-do himself, he gives us another miraculous play.**(MO)

* * *

Another season of Vin Scully
The broadcast legend will return for his 65th season as the Dodgers play-by-play voice. That means another season of classic stories, passionate commentary and infinite wisdom delivered by the most respected voice in baseball history. We'll always be thankful for Vin. (MT)
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: