Search

Last week we had an off-day in New York. Instead of going to a show or to see David Letterman, I went to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. We […]

Can you believe we're halfway through the season already? One thing we can look forward to is the tight races. The sexiest division, of course, is the A.L. East with […]

A few weeks from now, the owners will consider a proposal to hold a World Cup tournament that would take place during spring training. Sixteen teams, including ones from Latin […]

It was cool being around as Ken Griffey approached his 500th homer. He was hoping to reach the milestone at home, but it didn't happen until last Sunday in St. […]

As you've heard, the amateur draft is not an exact science. Baseball, in fact, is the only sport in which the impact of the draft is not felt for at […]

As I've said before, big-league life is awesome. The parks made just for us cost hundreds of millions. We fly on charter flights and never have to put our seatbelts […]

As you know, a season consists of 162 games played in roughly 180 days. That leaves us basically 18 off-days, and they are like gold. For West Coast teams, however, […]

Captain is the highest honor a player can have in baseball because it typically is bestowed by teammates. The captain in Cincinnati, Barry Larkin, wears the rifle well. He's our […]

Make room for me on the Roger Clemens bandwagon. The media was all ready to let this guy ride into the sunset. Then Roger pulls a reverse. He leaves the […]

If you played shortstop in Little League, you probably can remember when the coach brought you in to pitch to nail down a win. And for anyone who tried out […]

Think players don't hear you? They do. They hear cheers and boos. Players get used to hearing both, but getting booed takes more getting used to. Every player has to […]

During the season, I get a lot of e-mail responding to my column for the SPORTING NEWS. My editors say it's good to answer your readers because it strengthens your […]

One of the great things about baseball is the grind; teams play 162 games in just over 180 days. The great thing about my job is I get to see […]

The SPORTING NEWS asked me to make my predictions for the upcoming season. Hey, if I had any insight, I would have predicted my release by the Rockies last June. […]

The article analyzes the baseball's 2010 spring training in the U.S. It is stated that, in the case of Houston Astros baseball team, which has several veteran players, the veterans must get the younger players through the cold streaks, and the youngsters must help the veterans through the dog days. It is stated that, Chicago Cubs baseball team's new hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo is the best hitting coach in the game, and he will help the team to perform well.

The article presents information related to various options available for free agency in baseball. Player and Lefthander Cole Hamels signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract with Philadelphia that buys out three of his four arbitration-eligible years. Player Andrew McCutchen says his best quality as a player is his speed, and his best moment in the minors was when he got called upto Altoona.

The article informs that when a baseball player goes to a new team, something that happens often these days, he won't indicate what tendencies he might have learned about the pitchers on his new team. A pitcher is taught to make his delivery look exactly the same on every pitch, but it's hard to do, and there are always players in the dugout watching for every tip they can get. The baseball team St. Louis Cardinals once made player Randy Johnson think that they knew his pitches so well that he went so far as to change his mechanics. Teams relay information to hitters different ways. Sometimes a third base coach will say the batter's last name if a fastball is coming. Sometimes a whistle will come from the bench to indicate a certain pitch.

The author offers opinions on the five-year, $125 million contract given baseball player Ryan Howard by the Philadelphia Phillies and its possible effects on future contracts for players Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols.

The article discusses questions which the author has about the 2010 professional baseball season in the U.S.

The article presents the author's opinions on the ability that several professional baseball players, including Jonathan Broxton of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Brian Wilson of the New York Giants and Brad Lidge of the Philadelphia Phillies, have to be successful pitchers in the ninth inning of baseball games.

The author comments on the 2009 American baseball season. It is stated that, the best offseason signings are, C. C. Sabathia, A. J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, by New York Yankees baseball team, while worst offseason signing is Milton Bradley by Chicago Cubs baseball team. It is stated that, New York Mets baseball team faced the toughest injury problems in the season, not only did most of the key players of the team suffered injuries, they happened all at once, and lasted all the season.

The article presents the author's opinion on Derek Jeter, captain of the New York Yankees baseball team. He describes Jeter as a champion, who can handle all issues diplomatically. He says that Jeter leads from the front, and is always involved in directing, teaching, focusing and grinding. He states that Jeter can anticipate the unexpected moves of his opponents and is a flawless player.

The author reports on the possible impact that the recession may have on professional baseball. The author feels that baseball owners are using the recession as an excuse to spend less money. Players who may be impacted by the recession are mentioned, including older players and younger players who are not eligible for arbitration. INSET: What you should know about the free-agent market.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of playing baseball in the U.S. for the last 16 years till 2008.

The article presents information on several rules for retaliation in baseball. According to the rules, when a pitch is sailing behind a hitter, his first movement is to back away. It is stated that the hit batsman goes to first base and doesn't even look at the pitcher. The rules state that while playing baseball, one should hit superstar for superstar, position for position, or same spot in the order for same spot in the order.

The article focuses on the significance of trading deadline for various U.S. baseball teams. Baseball teams such as Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels and Florida Marlins, were among the clubs that made a key move for trading deadline. It is stated that sometimes clubs make a deal just to make one. Some of the recent deals that took place in teams are inclusion of player Mark Teixeira to Anaheim Angels, Manny Ramirez to Brooklyn Dodgers and others.

The article offers information about several rookies in baseball teams in the U.S. It is stated that a great thing about baseball is the new blood that constantly is pumping into it, which keeps the game moving forward, and when viewed through the eyes of young players, it looks pretty good. It is informed that due to upcoming stars like Josh Hamilton and Rick Ankiel, the game of baseball seems to be in good hands.

The article presents the author's views about the baseball clubhouse life. The author says that the players nowadays show up earlier than they used to 15 or 20 years ago, and also leave way earlier than 15 or 20 years ago. The author further says that even though most clubs don't require their players to be at the park before 4 at the earliest, they arrive way before 3. Another difference in clubhouses today is that most of them have a bunch of televisions (TVs).

The article presents the author's views about the changes which have taken place in the game of baseball from the 1990s till date. The author says that baseball is more uniform now and umpires adhere to one governing body of accountability. Also, now, they're polite and treat the players with respect, and players have a much better rapport with them. The author also says that now the players don't have roommates on road trips anymore.

The article presents the author's comments on how baseball players should deal with their teammates and media after performing badly in a game. He says that reporters do not pay attention to those players who perform well, those who cost their team a win are the attraction. He suggests that by taking the blame for the team's failure, a player can get instant credibility in his clubhouse.

The article reflects on the role of money in the game of baseball in the U.S. It comments that the big players get a big amount of money on a big league deal. It argues that every player should attend minor league camp for the sake of learning the game better before going for the big league camps. Five reasons to the love opening day is also given which includes the day is like a Little League, it is a big news in every city where players want to be on the front page and every team race in it.

The article offers the author's comments on the dilemma the teams are facing on signing Barry Bonds, a baseball player allegedly involved in illegal issues. According to the author, there are two schools of thoughts, one advocating to sign him, and the other opposing his signing. He says probably every team has at least thought of signing Bonds but the perjury cases have handcuffed the clubs.

The article discusses how baseball managers should handle a contest in which the scoring is lopsided. Particular focus is given to two objectives that a manager of the losing team should have, which includes not letting any batters get hurt by pitching, and by making sure the players do not disrespect the game by continuing to play the right way. The article also addresses the situation of letting a positional player take the mound.

The article discusses how temperatures, particularly hot temperatures, can affect a Major League Baseball (MLB) game. It is the author's view that a baseball game is played differently in the heat, or hot temperatures, due to the threat of hydration, and a team's need to utilize back-up players more often. The author relates a story in which a professional baseball player used cabbage for heat relief during a game.

The article deals with the unkept Major League Baseball statistic of run-saving plays, or tracking defensive plays. It is the author's opinion that the statistic should be kept, and have an impact on the voting for the Gold Glove awards which recognize outstanding defense in the field. The plays would be kept in a plus and minus fashion.

The author reflects on unprofessionalism on the baseball field. In particular, the author references an incident involving Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees in which he spoke out to an opposing player catching a fly ball, subsequently causing the ball to fall for a hit. It is the author's opinion that such a move by Rodriguez is unprofessional, and he lists three reasons why.

The article discusses and presents the author's opinion on the open tryouts which are held annually by professional U.S. baseball teams. The tryouts are held in the hopes of discovering unknown yet talented baseball players. Arguments are presented which suggest that 95% of those who try out attempt to perform to the best of their ability and that 5% don't really belong and only provide entertainment.

This article discusses the important role managers play during Major League Baseball's spring training. The author discusses the tactical moves a manager must make during exhibition games, not only to rest veteran players, but to evaluate the prospects and bench players in particular situations. Of particular importance are fringe players--players without a starting job or designated role who must still work hard and remain relevant despite their slim chances of earning a roster spot.

This article discusses how learning a new pitch can prolong a Major League Baseball pitcher's professional career. Particular focus is given to the experiences of the author, pitcher Todd Jones, who adapted his pitching repertoire by learning to throw a cutter. Jones also comments on how pitcher's gain confidence in their arsenal, and when certain pitches should be used.

In this article the author, a relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, reflects on the 2006 season, during which the Tigers defied mass media expectations and met the Saint Louis Cardinals in the World Series. He discusses what he felt when the Cardinals emerged victorious from the tournament and concludes that the grueling season had been worthwhile.

This article discusses how the closer's job can be intoxicating one game and depressing the next game. Most good closers have two good pitches, but the elite closers like Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Billy Wagner have one great pitch that they can tell you is coming and you still can't hit it. When the closer saves the win, he is the greatest, but when he loses a save opportunity, he is the goat.

The article reports on the controversy over the behavior Joe Mikulik, manager of the Class A Asheville baseball team. He was suspended and fined and was the subject of talk shows with many of the comments focused on how bad he acted. The author argues in defense of Mikulik and points out that the only thing he did was get his uniform dirty and mess up the infield.

The article discusses extra-inning baseball games. It's amazing, but a long extra-inning game can really mess up a team. Rosters are built to handle nine-inning games every day. If a game goes 10 or 11, it's not a big deal, especially if the starting pitcher works deep into the game. But when teams play a game that never ends, they'll run into problems over the next few days. Extra-inning games become a test of will, and if they go long enough winning becomes a matter of principle. A team's strategy in such games is dictated by whether it's at home or on the road. Home teams can be a lot more aggressive, while road teams need to hold a team, score and then hold again.

The article presents the opinion of the author on baseball training. According to the author a base player wants to find a person who has the same program. As a rule of thumb, relievers usually play catch with relievers. Starters play catch with starters, infielders with infielders and outfielders with outfielders. Everyone has a different throwing program depending on his job. It is important for relievers to have the same person every day to play catch with. Starters have to take into account the bullpen sessions they will throw between starts. Infielders and outfielders do not really have set programs. They just play catch and work on their curves and knuckleballs.

The article presents an interview with baseball player Bob Stelton about steroids use in the major leagues during his playing career, which lasted from 1988 to 2003. He informs that he was not a user. But there were a lot of players doing it. He saw it with his own eyes. It was pitchers, it was catchers, it was outfielders, it was infielders. He had it offered to him many times. He also adds that there's a lot of players that are not playing anymore, that are not even good players anymore, ever since they started testing for steroids.

The article presents the author's views on baseball player Barry Bonds. There is a tendency among people to feel strongly--positively or negatively--about Bonds. It could be because he's chasing a record that might be the biggest in sports and some people believe he might have cheated along the way. It could also be because fans feel cheated now that all the steroids issue has come out because before then fans called him the greatest hitter who ever lived without batting an eyelash. Baseball is generational--fans from each decade have different heroes.

The article reports that every baseball clubhouse has its roll call of role players. There are characters in every clubhouse. The names change, but the roles remain the same. There's the good cop/bad cop. Sometimes two guys handle this role. Then there is prankster. He often is a veteran, though Dontrelle Willis emerged early in his career. The prankster's job is to keep guys loose and in check.

The article presents views of the author about the South African baseball team participating in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). South Africa was by far the most overmatched team at the WBC. But he can guarantee no team had more fun or provided a better reason to play this tournament, which can't help but grow the sport in their country. To start every bracket, there was a function to welcome every team to the host city and to break the ice for all the clubs and their officials. The dress was business casual. South Africa had some good players--just not enough of them. But one could tell when they played them that all they were looking for was a little respect.

The article presents the author's views on the American roster for the World Baseball Classic. When the U.S. roster was announced for the World Baseball Classic and the author found his name on it, he felt honored. When he saw the rest of the roster and realized who some of his teammates would be, he was humbled. It was a blessing to be on the preliminary list, but it was another thing to make the final roster and to be counted on to get big outs. As a 37-year-old who was released two years ago, he is very aware of his place in the game and very respectful of the opportunity.

The article presents an interview with baseball player Todd Jones about spring training. He reminisces that one day during his first spring training, some friends and he snuck up to the field to watch the big-leaguers work out. They watched Jim Deshaies throw a bullpen session, and they made so much fun of him because of how slow he threw. According to him, the best spring training ballpark is a tossup between Legends Field in Tampa and the Disney complex. Both sell out a lot. In Arizona, all the parks are the same. The best offseason move was the transfer of Billy Wagner to the New York Mets.