MLB

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Mets Cut Randolph Loose
 Mets Cut
 Randolph Loose 
Jun 17, 2008 7:25 AM CDT

Mets Cut Randolph Loose

Mets fire manager despite recent improvement

(Newser) - The New York Mets have fired manager Willie Randolph, as well as two of his coaches, reports Newsday. The announcement came this morning after weeks of speculation about Randolph's fate, as the Mets continue to struggle just under .500 after last season's historic collapse. Bench coach Jerry Manuel will take...

Managers Get No Red Flags in Replay Plan

And experts analyzing MLB plays won't even be in stadium

(Newser) - MLB's current plan for video review may go into effect as early as August 1, but don't expect it to be like the NFL's system. Team managers will have no say in which plays get looked at, and the experts analyzing footage won't even be in the stadium, ESPN reports.

Prison of Cuban Baseball Ensnares US Agent, Too

Case of Gus Dominguez, now in Calif. prison, sends author on island odyssey

(Newser) - Politics is keeping "at least half a billion dollars of baseball players in Cuba right now," one agent tells Michael Lewis as he investigates, for Vanity Fair, the case of an American sports agent now in jail for smuggling athletes. Gus Dominguez appears to be a victim of...

A Simple Fix for Flying Bats: Better Maple

Bats won't shatter if wood is dried correctly, bat-maker says

(Newser) - After steroids, shattering maple bats may be baseball's top-priority issue right now, one that promises to be a sticky problem, writes the New York Times. But Sam Holman, the founder of the first company to supply maple bats to the majors, thinks the answer may be a simple one: crack...

Not Your Grandfather's Hot Dog Stand
Not Your Grandfather's Hot Dog Stand
food review
Jun 8, 2008 11:26 AM CDT

Not Your Grandfather's Hot Dog Stand

Food columnist finds best, worst stadium fare in major leagues

(Newser) - From a perfect crab salad sandwich at AT&T field in San Francisco to a dreadful crab cake at Camden Yards in Baltimore, the New York Times charts the range and quality of foods available at America's ballparks. Crab isn't the only departure from the ubiquitous hot dog: During his...

Fantasy Sports Ruling: Bet on Hypocrisy
Fantasy Sports Ruling:
Bet on Hypocrisy
Opinion
Jun 4, 2008 9:39 PM CDT

Fantasy Sports Ruling: Bet on Hypocrisy

It's not gambling because the government says so

(Newser) - Fantasy sports are A-OK with the Supreme Court and the US government—even though they’re essentially thinly disguised gambling games, writes Jacob Sullum of Reason Online. Many leagues openly include an entrance fee and a cash prize—which seems an awful lot like sports betting. But it’s not,...

MLB's Next Crackdown May Be Maple Bats

Harder wood splits easily, sending shrapnel into stands

(Newser) - Barry Bonds may soon be the face of another Major League Baseball investigation: into the dangers of maple bats. The slugger's choice of wood has a growing following among players, but incidents of flying shards injuring fans and coaches have sparked a movement to ban the bats, USA Today reports....

Cubs Swinging for Wrigley Record

Lovable losers are on pace for record 62 home wins

(Newser) - Shhh, don't jinx it: The Chicago Cubs not only lead the National League, they're playing better at home than on the road. The lovable losers are 26-8 at Wrigley Field, a record they last held before going to (and losing) the World Series in 1918. Now they're on pace for...

Justices Don't Buy MLB's Fantasy Pitch

Using players' real names in for-profit leagues is free speech, Supreme Court rules

(Newser) - The Supreme Court refused today to hear an appeal by Major League Baseball against a ruling that allowed fantasy sports leagues to use real players' names and stats without paying a licensing fee, the Los Angeles Times reports. MLB contended such leagues shouldn't "exploit players' identity for commercial gain;...

Instant Replay Will Settle This
 Instant Replay Will Settle This 
May 31, 2008 4:57 PM CDT

Instant Replay Will Settle This

Botched calls spark support for review of close plays

(Newser) - Baseball's top umpire says instant replay is on the way, the Houston Chronicle reports. Support for it is growing after four blown calls robbed home runs, but umpire supervisor Rich Rieker warns that the technology must be added "in a fashion that will not delay the game further."

Hamilton Beats Drugs, Odds in Comeback

Rangers fielder, once banished from league, having red-hot spring

(Newser) - Josh Hamilton can appreciate the high he's riding now, because his personal lows have been pretty rough. The first pick of baseball's 1999 draft was booted in 2004 for failing drug tests after picking up a cocaine habit. But now the Rangers outfielder has traded a bottle of Crown Royal...

Newest MLB Division: AL Pacific?

The time may be right for Japanese expansion teams

(Newser) - With the help of modern air travel, Major League Baseball should seriously consider expanding across the Pacific, writes Jim Caple for ESPN. Such a move could be both profitable and intriguing, and keep Japan from hemorrhaging its best talent. Though, as Red Sox manager Terry Francona points out, "Saying...

Free Agents Can Be Your Slump-Busters
Free Agents Can Be
Your Slump-Busters
May 24, 2008 11:39 AM CDT

Free Agents Can Be Your Slump-Busters

Smart picks can salvage a season

(Newser) - If your fantasy baseball squad is struggling, you can take the Jason Giambi approach and wear a gold thong to break out of your slump; or you can check out your league's free agents and get yourself a slump-buster in the form of a starting pitcher—like Darrell Rasner, for...

Players OK More Drug Tests
 Players OK More Drug Tests 
May 24, 2008 9:44 AM CDT

Players OK More Drug Tests

Tougher doping rules kick in immediately

(Newser) - Baseball players agreed to more frequent drug tests yesterday and gave more clout to the drug program's independent administrator, the AP reports. The tougher guidelines follow recommendations made in the Mitchell Report and mark the third time the league has toughened its doping policy since 2002—each time under the...

Upon Further Review, MLB Weighs Instant Replay

First step would be test of system in Fall League

(Newser) - Baseball may begin experimenting with instant replay, starting in the Arizona Fall League and possibly second-guessing big-league umps as soon as next season, a source tells ESPN. But a league official told the AP, "We've made no final decision as to where exactly we're going to try it out,...

Baseball Finally Back to Normal
 Baseball Finally Back to Normal 
Opinion
May 23, 2008 10:42 AM CDT

Baseball Finally Back to Normal

After over a decade of insanity, home run totals normal once more

(Newser) - After over a decade of chemical-fueled insanity, baseball is back to normal, writes Thomas Boswell in the Washington Post. Home run totals are down 10.4% this spring, after an 8% drop last year. The sport is on pace to return to the century-old statistical norms ripped to shreds by...

Mets Manager Apologizes for Calling Critics Racist

'It was a mistake,' says Randolph

(Newser) - Two days after Mets manager Willie Randolph lashed his critics for being "racial," he apologized for what he said, reports AP. The first black manager of a New York baseball team had suggested in an interview with a columnist from The Record that he was portrayed differently than...

Piazza Retires After 16 Seasons
 Piazza Retires After 16 Seasons 
May 21, 2008 2:58 AM CDT

Piazza Retires After 16 Seasons

Slugging catcher a lock for the hall

(Newser) - The most prolific hitting catcher of all-time is hanging up his spikes. After 16 years, Mike Piazza is calling it a career, one that saw him amass a .308 lifetime batting average and 427 homeruns; 396 of those dingers came as a catcher, which is the most all time, reports...

Flyers' Exit Extends Philly's Title Drought to 100 Seasons

City of Brotherly Love has been trophy-less since 1983

(Newser) - The Flyers’ elimination from the NHL playoffs was more than the end to a hockey season in Philadelphia—it was the 100th consecutive season to see one of the local teams came up short of a championship. “Fans have been conditioned for failure,” suggests Sports Illustrated, which chronicles...

Slow Start Lands Yankees in Unfamiliar AL East Cellar

20-24 team has fallen to last place in division

(Newser) - Last place is unfamiliar territory for the Yankees. Since 1912 the Bronx Bombers have only finished there twice, compared to 26 world titles. This year, however, they have bungled their way to a 20-24 record and find themselves looking up, record-wise in the AL, not only at division foes like...

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