big-league

Describing or indicative of the highest level of something. That's a tough injury to come back from—I wonder if he'll ever be a big-league pitcher again.

big league

An area of tough competition and high rewards; the largest or foremost of its kind. For example, Winning an Oscar put this unknown actress in the big league. The term alludes to the major (big) leagues of American baseball. [Late 1800s] Also see big time, def. 2.

big league

1. n. a situation where competition is keen and a high level of performance is expected. (Usually plural. Referred originally to major league sports.) You’re in the big leagues now—no more penny-ante stuff.

2. and big-league mod. professional; big time. (From baseball.) When I’m a big-league star, I’ll send you free tickets.

big-league

verb

See big league

See also:

References in periodicals archive ?

Smith then sought out Carl Hubbell, one of the best pitchers in big-league history.

Baseball's whitewash: sportswriter Wendell Smith exposes Major League Baseball's big lie

Spackman now knows someone with just about every major-league team, and prime seats await her whenever she visits big-league cities.

Take me out to the Coast League

Former big-league closer Jason Isringhausen was able to return to baseball after three Tommy Johns, but he doesn't count his second--it was the result of his own carelessness following his second procedure.

"Tommy John" surgery: more pitchers are going through the procedure a second time, and aside from the mental and physical toll it takes on players, the question being addressed is why are so many multiple operations necessary?

Clemens struck out his first big-league hitter in 1984, his first year in the major leagues.

Congratulations, Roger

Tomalia, the developer of starburst dendrimers, has become the most vocal promoter of big-league chemistry.

Trekking in the molecular forest: entering a new league, scientists create enormous tree-like molecules

The club Wednesday finally announced its list of players who will be in big-league camp on minor-league contracts, and it's a big list of 27 players, including veterans and prospects from the minor-league system.

Dundee-Crown High grad among Cubs nonroster invitees

Which is not to say that Daniel Nava is headed for Cooperstown, but he is doing a heck of Boggs impersonation to begin his big-league career.

Nava rescues shaky Lackey; Rookie stays on hitting tear

Fiction fans would do well hunt down Out at the Old Ball count of big-league life, or Patricia Nell Warren's The Front Runner (1974; Wildcat, $21.95), the godfather of all homo-jock literature, about a gay track coach and the star runner who becomes his lover.

Word games

"Big Lee" Smith (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) has been a mainstay at the Cubs annual fan convention in January in recent years, and he spent his first eight of 18 seasons on the North Side, recording 180 of his 478 big-league saves with the Cubs.

Reliever Smith would love to go in with Cubbie cap

In 243 big-league games, he has hit .287 with 13 home runs and 92 RBIs.

There's a short list for the Sox

In 36 big-league games, he has made nine starts, going 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA.

Masterson settles in with big club

La Stella led the major leagues in pinch hits (24) and pinch-hit batting average (.312), while his 11 RBI tied for the big-league high.

Cubs trade La Stella to Angels

Buchholz's 2008 big-league season ended in Baltimore Aug.

Buchholz shines on road back

"Obviously, we made some very high-profile moves in the first year and you're then in the position of having some young guys develop at the big-league level and having a need to be patient for players to develop at the minor-league level.

Hahn sees brighter days ahead for White Sox

On April 16, just weeks after learning he didn't make the White Sox's big-league roster out of spring training, Cordell slammed into the center- field wall at BB & T Ballpark in Charlotte.

Cordell finally gets his chance with Sox

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