The Physics of the Goopball: Slate examines the reaction of a baseball pitch to various substances being applied to the ball. Also of note, pitchers don't really consider using pine tar to be cheating very much.

posted by fenriq to baseball at 12:54 PM - 7 comments

Doc Gooden Chooses Jail Over Rehab: Prosecutor Pam Bondi said Gooden chose the minimum one-year-and-one-day prison sentence instead because the judge said Gooden would receive a five-year sentence if he accepted the rehabilitation term and then slipped back into drug use. Sounds like he doesn't think he can quit. That's really sad.

posted by fenriq to baseball at 12:44 PM - 30 comments

The Big Hurt Becomes an A: Frank Thomas has been signed to a one year deal with the Oakland A's. It remains to be seen if Thomas will actually play or will get hurt in spring training and spend the rest of the season standing around the dugout looking pissed off.

posted by fenriq to baseball at 06:07 PM - 24 comments

NL Gold Gloves Awarded: Maddux gets his 15th! Vizquel gets his 10th and is the oldest infielder to get (another) one. Andruw Jones and Jim Edmonds get their 8th. By contrast, no AL Gold Glove winner this year has gotten more than 5.

Obviously a follow up to this post.

posted by fenriq to baseball at 05:16 PM - 26 comments

A's Rehire Macha Afterall:
Nothing like a nice call to your former boss to thank him for the opportunity and having it turn into another opportunity to manage the team you just left.
Quite a different sequence of events from this one, eh?

posted by fenriq to baseball at 05:14 PM - 4 comments

Clemens' Mother Dies Today, He Will Pitch Tonight To Honor Her:
Love him or hate him, Roger Clemens is a gamer. His mother passed away earlier today and he will be playing tonight and dedicating the game to her memory.

posted by fenriq to baseball at 05:26 PM - 28 comments