A column titled "Purple Row After Dark" questions the notion that baseball's popularity is waning, highlighting a June 18, 2025 matchup between the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. In that game, Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard, wearing number 16, stepped up to the plate against the Nationals.
The piece, published on November 2, 2026, reflects on the sport's enduring appeal despite periodic debates about its relevance.
