Baseball

Baseball History
Today, a multi-billion dollar industry, baseball has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a folk game in the nineteen century…

NL Teams Keep Competition Tight As Wild Card Standings Heat Up
In the National League, the competition is fierce with Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Arizona, Milwaukee, Colorado and San Francisco all sitting within four games of the top spot; it’s a little quieter in the American League.

Columbus Stars Baseball Team Banned For Being Too Good
After winning only a few games in a recreational youth baseball league in Ohio, the Columbus Stars baseball team was yanked from the schedule before they could hurt any more feelings.

Baseball: Cal Ripken, Jr. Announces Retirement
Although many fans of baseball's greatest iron man anticipated his retirement at the end of the season, Cal Ripken, Jr. made it official on Tuesday.

Baseball Pitching Mind Games
Maintaining confidence in your baseball pitching when things go wrong is vital to become a successful pitcher. In this article, we discuss a technique to help keep you in the proper mental state from the very start and also a routine to help you re-focus after mistakes or errors are made in the game. These techniques will help drive your performance by keeping you in the zone.

How To Improve Your Baseball Hitting Simply Thru Practice
Improving your baseball hitting does not have to be an expensive enterprise. You do not even need access to a batting cage. All you really need is a baseball bat and a desire to improve. Find out how one simple strategy can help build strength and muscle memory in your swing.

Giant Banished From Kingdom By the Small Minds of Baseball
Barry Bonds has fallen prey to those who no longer believe in the principle of innocent until proven guilty, writes Lawrence Donegan

Winning By Numbers
The use of saber metrics has transformed baseball, can it do the same for cricket, wonders Andy Bull

Tottenham Net Role in Revolution As Beane Pitches Success on a Budget
Baseball wizard Billy Beane believes his science can make diamonds of Premier League plodders, he tells Lawrence Donegan

Can Mccullum's Baseball Batting Stand the Test?
Cricket: After some astonishing recent hitting, Brendan McCullum must now attempt to impose himself in the Test arena

Teaching Softball Drills to Youth Teams
Teaching softball drills to youth is among the coach’s most important responsibilities during practices. When teaching softball drills make sure that correct form is emphasized to add to the overall usefulness of the drill, and to reduce the risk of injury. Also, make sure to vary the drills from time to time to keep things fresh and exciting, and to keep players motivated with the concentration levels high.

Drug Abuse Rife in Us Baseball, Report Finds
· Present and former star players implicated· Congress may launch new investigation

Rudy Strikes Out With a Bad Pitch
The US presidential frontrunner's have lost points after blundering into the baseball world.

Voting on the 78th MLB All-Star Game
The 78th MLB All-Star Game goes this weekend and it is important for baseball fans to understand how the voting works.

Baseball: Double Standards
Billy Bonds is reviled and Lance Armstong feted, the differing responses to these two controversial athletes says much about modern America, argues Will Buckley.

Sports Betting Tips: How to Bet on Baseball
If you only bet on football and plan on gambling on baseball, understanding the differences is important. Knowing moneylines, totals, run lines and more are the basics to start with.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game (and Could You Grab Me Some Nachos?)
There seems to be something magical about a good baseball game, the drama, the action and excitement all make up for a great game. Or maybe it is just those baseball nachos that make it worthwhile.

Baseball: St Louis Cardinals Take 2-1 Lead in Best-of-seven World Series
World Series: The St Louis Cardinals whitewashed the Detroit Tigers 5-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the World Series.

Choosing a baseball team in Connecticut: The Land Between the Two Rivals
Connecticut is a split state when it comes to baseball. Divided by the Connecticut River, there are two main influences that shape the choice as to which team you follow: Nature vs. Nurture.

Choosing Proper Cleats for Softball
Cleats for softball are distinct from cleats for other sports; therefore, specialized softball cleats are preferable in engaging in softball.

Spring Classic Splutters to the Start Line
If you think staging the World Cup finals is a challenge, then spare a thought for international baseball's attempts to get its inaugural World Baseball Classic off the ground, writes Mike Adamson.

What Exactly is a Gentleman's Agreement?
Baseball: According to one of the most famous one-liners attributed to Sam Goldwyn (or the US baseball legend Yogi Berra; it depends who you ask), an oral contract isn't worth the paper it's written on. By Oliver Burkeman

London Olympics: Baseball's Return May Cost London Extra £50m
It looks increasingly likely that an extra £50m will be added to the cost of the London Olympics as baseball and softball return to the programme.

The Big Interview: Lester 'red' Rodney
Baseball: Will Buckley talks to legendary US journalist Lester Rodney, whose writing played a pivotal in ending segregation in baseball.

London 2012: Rugby Sevens Kicked Into Touch
Softball and baseball have been excluded from the 2012 Olympic programme, but rugby sevens, squash, karate and golf will not take their place.

Baseball and Softball Struck Out
Golf and rugby union sevens could feature at London's Games after baseball and softball were axed from the 2012 programme.

Old Foes Kick Off New Season
Baseball: North America's oldest sporting rivalry will again dominate the new MLB season - right from opening day.

How Dubya Got It Right for Once
President Bush's call for baseball to clean up its act will help sweep away complacency on drug abuse, says John Rawling.

Baseball: Boston Party But Schilling is Keen to Keep His Feet Up
An injured Curt Schilling pitched six innings to give Boston a two-nil lead in the best-of-seven series.

Baseball: Bellhorn Blast Helps Repair Old Sox Woes
An eighth-inning, two-run home run by Mark Bellhorn secured victory for Boston over St Louis in game one of the World Series.

Catching playoff fever -- Southern California style
The regular season in baseball is over. Not only are the Anaheim Angels going to be in the division playoffs, but so are the Los Angeles Dodgers. Who knew?

Baseball at its best down to the wire
The excitement leading up to MLB's playoffs was enhanced by the narrow margins of victories in which division titles and wildcard berths were decided. The last few days of the 2004 season had something for every baseball fan to relish.

Now leaving Canada...
The trials of baseball in Canada have gone on too long, as the first to return back to the USA.

D.C. Baseball needs nostalgia
Baseball returns to the nation's capital. It would be fun to see them pay tribute to the old Washington teams.

General: B-Side Rumblings
There's a lot going on right now in the world of sports as baseball nears its postseason and the NFL is in full swing.

General: Arm-wrestling contest escalates into violence
When Dirk Murphy of San Pedro Wis., planned his annual celebrity picnic, he made sure to invite all of the most popular people in Upper Wisconsin. San Pedro Mayor Woody Peters was there, and so were a few members of the San Pedro Splash baseball team. For the first three hours of the event, everyone was having a good time at Murphy's picnic. But then, the arm-wrestling contest began.

General: Former third-baseman buys own country
After retiring from the Midwestern Baseball League, Jerry Hillazona got bored. So the former third baseman for the San Pedro (Wis.) Splash decided to do something different, he bought a country. Read the full story here.

Astros burn out, shining stars no longer
The 2004 Houston Astros are the biggest disappointment in baseball and it's their fault. Don't expect to see Houston in the post season any time soon.

The MLB strike -- 25 years in the making
Many sports fans look back on the 1994 baseball strike as a low point in the last decade -- a symbol of greed on both sides where the fans were the true victims. Here's another view -- looking at the history of labor unions and racial struggles in the majors.

General: Yallons voted most popular in Midwestern Baseball League
There's more to Edgar Yallons than one might think. Voted the Midwestern Baseball League's most popular employee, the 29-year-old Public Relations (PR) assistant for the San Pedro Splash baseball team (San Pedro, Wis.) would rather let his accomplishments speak for themselves. Read the full story here.

Greece Run Cuba Close in Baseball
Baseball: Greece's rag-tag bunch of adopted baseball stars came close to upsetting the tournament favourites Cuba.

General: Catcher steals ice cream truck
Brian Perez, 23, a catcher for the San Pedro Splash baseball team (San Pedro, Wis.) was arrested Saturday after stealing an ice cream truck from the San Pedro Dairy. Read the full story here.

Wildcards not too soon to tell
All eyes may be on the wildcard spots this year as the races for this year's playoffs contention wind down. Whether a wildcard advocate or a baseball purist, the fans must admit that the quests for the wildcard spots this year may prove to be the most hotly-contested races.

General: Coach helps Wisconsin woman overcome jaywalking addiction
A professed Jaywalking addict, Annie Watts knew it was time to seek help. She found the help she needed with the assistance of Larry Peters, third-base coach for the San Pedro Splash (San Pedro, Wisconsin) baseball team. Read the full story here.

Baseball and Life -- The Pierre Jones interview
With a .358 average, two home runs and 75 RBI, Pierre Jones, first-baseman for the San Pedro Splash (San Pedro, Wisconsin) is really taking the Midwestern League by storm. This weekend, I sat down with Pierre to talk about baseball, life, and his love of blended fruit smoothies.

Baseball: Team participates in "Karaoke for Charity"
Thursday night, a few members of the San Pedro Splash (San Pedro, Wis.) baseball team participated in "Karaoke for Charity," a fundraiser that benefits the Save the Astroturf Foundation of Wisconsin. Now, when sports fans think of karaoke night, they usually imagine a bunch of untalented, tone-deaf individuals. This event only served to confirm that stereotype.

Stadium organist leaves baseball team
Baseball fans know that the organist is an integral part of any summer night at the ballpark. After all, no seventh inning stretch is complete without "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" blaring on the organ. But in San Pedro Wisconsin, things are changing.

Triple crown immune to offensive inflation
It's been 37 years since baseball's last Triple Crown. Don't expect another one anytime soon. There are only four players in the Triple Crown discussion at the midway point, but none of them have a good shot, thanks to the proliferation of offense in baseball.

Echoes From The Field
Episode #9 -- Down for the 19th time
It's time to celebrate 19 years of a life lived in Padres baseball. On this night, heroes like Mark Loretta will walk with contemporaries like Xavier Nady, and everyone will reflect on what they've done. The question will be: what will they do?

The Commish's rumor mill
With the baseball trading deadline around the corner, here are some potential trades I see happening along with names I see being shopped.

Destiny almost complete -- Eaton touches history with near no-hitter
All this year I've been saying this is his time. Saturday night, San Diego right-hander Adam Eaton nearly touched baseball history and gained a spot in team history with an immaculate pitching performance. This is the story of an unknown hero who's not so unknown anymore and the one night that changed it all.

Mid-season review and awards
With half of the baseball season in the books and the All-Star game a week away, here's my take on the spring and summer of 2004 on the diamond.

Echoes From The Field
June - My downfall
Three months of the baseball season are over, and this one's a particularly difficult one for my Padres. From tough losses to bad beats, it seems like everything we know is wrong. Take a look back at the bad, the good and the "Why is this guy still playing here?"

Baseball Fan Catches Flak
Spectator becomes a national pariah after knocking over a four-year-old boy in an attempt to grab a ball struck into the crowd.

The best team in baseball?
If Barry Bonds were up, with Tony Womack on second, and you were the pitcher, would you walk him if you knew that you would then have to face Brian Giles and Aramis Ramirez and then Moises Alou and Jose Guillen? Here's what they have in common.

Echoes From The Field
Crazy little thing called love
Two months of the baseball season are complete, and with the end of May comes a whole host of ruminations about faith, highlights and other fun double entendres. It's a little more than "Hi, hello, and how are you?"

General: No Excuses 9
Summer has arrived, which means the people are demanding baseball, beaches and my banter.

General: B-Side Rumblings
Just when Kansas City baseball fans thought it was safe to dream a little dream... This and other thoughts on the world of sports.

General: Living in oblivion
One writer tries to figure out how she's won awards for writing excellence and yet, when it comes to baseball, the best she can do is tongue-in-cheekly name a character after Jay Payton.

On a suicide romance
There's luck, there's fate, and then there's trying to figure out how your life ended up in parallel with that of your favorite current baseball player.

Aging star returns to the game
Rickey Henderson is back in baseball and should be back in the majors soon. But where?

Yankees, Red Sox, East Coast Baseball
Here's a look at the New York Yankees and Boston Sox season long battle, plus where would the Yanks be without Mariano Rivera?

General: April fools for sports' best month
From baseball to the NBA playoffs to the NFL draft (sorry NHL). Isn't April grand?

These Tigers are grrr-eat!
An impressive 5-1 start has the water cooler dwellers whispering about the hottest team in baseball -- the Detroit Tigers. Now's the time to jump on the bandwagon, so read on to see what's up with these Tigers.

General: April Craziness
Random rants and raves about the start of baseball, NHL playoffs and the Masters.

The legacy of a ballpark (Part 1 of 2)
As San Diego prepares to open its new baseball-only ballpark, a stadium with 33 years of history fades into the mist. Yet, Qualcomm Stadium was a quiet home to the brilliance of all that was good about sports, and it's time to properly say goodbye.

Chicago baseball optimism and pessimism
For both Chicago baseball franchises, the coming season is filled with hope, expectations and worries.

Yanks driving you crazy in style
It must be nice to be able to blow out the transmission on your Lincoln Town Car, have your Cadillac turn out to be a lemon, and still have enough money to go get a Ferrari. Every day baseball fans might not know what that's like, but owner George Steinbrenner does.

Baseball: An Ernest goodbye
Nearly two years ago, I met a man named Ernest Burke. A small voice who passed on a powerful message to me.

Never a dull moment in 2003
Baseball was many things in 2003. Dull was definitely not one of them. From A-Rod trade rumors, to the Questec controversy, to Sammy Sosa's corked bat and the underdog Marlins winning the World Series, here's a look back at a very eventful year of baseball.

Those were the days...
The harried nature of baseball's modern-day free agency has left fanatics scrambling and studying rosters each spring simply to get re-aquainted with the favorite teams each year. Wouldn't it be nice to go back to the good old days, if only in our minds.

Softball: TBW wins it all!
It had been a long season for the TBW coed softball team. They finished the regular season of their Ocala, Florida, sport's league with a 5-7 record and went into the season ending tournament as underdogs. In the end, they not only surprised the opposition, but themselves as well. Here's their story.

Living a dream... In the wrong way
Baseball is America's pastime! Kids rush out to their local Little League or recreational complex with dreams of pitching in the World Series, or better yet, just to have fun. But, what happens when a disgruntled parent decides to live a dream of prosperity and fame through their kid?

General: No Excuses 6
Banter from the pseudo sports journalist himself. I share my profound thoughts on such topics as baseball's MVP controversies, the coolest name in sports and Paris Hilton.

Waxing poetic
Baseball cards haven't been the same since the disappearance of the wax pack.

The story of the miracle Marlins
Against all odds, the Florida Marlins stole the hearts of baseball fans in each corner of America as they marched their way to the World Series Championship. Nobody saw it coming. Few yet believe it did. It was the perfect end to the best October in recent memory.

Sleeping awake -- A fan's game seven tale
It's 12:54 a.m. on Friday morning and I'm writing a baseball column.

Patience my friend, patience
Game 7 of the ALCS provided what the baseball starved fans needed. A roller coast ride of emotions that will live in history.

Cubs' fan may need to hibernate
There is plenty of blame to go around for the Cubs' loss in Game 6, but one fan has the weight of the baseball world on his shoulders.

General: Sterno's Talkin' Smack -- Episode #62
Sterno's Talkin' Smack. No holding back here. It's all trash, all the time. Today's edition is dedicated to one thing and one thing only. I am referring to the most disgusting display of nonsense I have ever seen on a baseball field. No, not the Detroit Tigers! I am talking about Game 3 of the Yankees-Red Sox series.

Twins/Yankees -- A lesson in baseball economics
The Yankees move on in the playoffs, while the Twins go home. Team salaries dictate that it shouldn't have been any other way.

Can Roy and Carlos pull off the double dip?
eSports columnist Conor McCreery goes back through baseball history to examine Toronto teammates, Roy Halladay's and Carlos Delgado's chances of winning the American League's two biggest prizes.

A season of wonder
Once again, with talks of corked bats, money grumblings, and floating Expos homes this season, baseball's playoffs have held our breath. What mystical force makes this time so special? And why doesn't it happen in the other sports?

I just want to watch the baseball playoffs
It is that time of year for baseball fans. The playoffs are fun and exciting to watch. However, ESPN and FOX seem to think that putting their games on ESPN2 brings higher ratings. Does it?

Looking ahead, and back, at the World Series matchups
The baseball playoffs are underway and here's a look at all of the possible World Series matchups, and the history (if any) between the teams. Twins/Marlins? Not very appealing. Cubs/Red Sox? Now that's intriguing.

General: The Ol' One-Two Punch
eSports columnist Conor McCreery blesses us with his infrequent presence and deigns to weigh in on all things baseball, as well as some NFL thouhgts and NHL museings.

"Guess Who?" meets baseball
Ah, the joys of childhood. Sitting around all day playing games. Monopoly. Trivial Pursuit. Risk. Guess Who? Now if you combine one of these classics with the National Pastime in a column, you have yourselves an interesting read.

Baseball Victory Lifts Osaka's Depression
Sporting success after nearly 20 years raises spirits in Japan's recession-hit second city.

Remembering baseball in our Nation's Capital
Will the Montreal Expos relocate to our Nation's Capital? While Washington, D.C.'s baseball future remains in doubt, here's a look back at the District's rich baseball past.

The West Coast Baseball Report
Are you sick of "East Coast bias?" Are you frustrated by late night games that are left out of major newspapers? If so, get ready for The West Coast Baseball Report, your information source for baseball fans stuck on Pacific Time.

General: Sterno's Talkin' Smack -- Episode #38
Sterno's Talkin' Smack... All trash, all the time... Today's topics include the race card getting thrown into the Kobe fray, the debate on what's "first," for Mike Piazza and the DNA of the best hitter in baseball history.

The transfer of arrogance
Since 1993, baseball has been a different game than the one many remember from their youth. Skyrocketing home run totals have been explained by expansion, a drop-off in pitching, smaller strike zones, and juiced balls -- obscuring the fact that it's now a batter's game for the first time since the late-1930s.

Baseball semantics and antics
From the nicknaming of players to the terms we use for bullpens and closers, some things just don't make sense in the baseball world when you think about them. Read on to learn more.

So how will the NL season end? Check it out...
Every baseball fan wants to know which teams will be heading to the playoffs. For the National League teams, read on to find out.

AL West -- May come down to the wire
I have been watching the sport of baseball for many years now, and I have never seen a division so active as the American League West division. The Mariners, Athletics, Angels, and Rangers are definitely making it interesting this year.

Good things ahead
I decided to start here at eSports by writing about my favorite baseball team -- the San Diego Padres. It is a team some people don't like and some don't even know about, but I really enjoy watching them play. Here's why.

General: Bonding through baseball
Baseball was the perfect bonding experience for a grandfather and grandson, but you never know when life will throw you a curve.

Tiger Trouble for Japanese Baseball
Capital letters: It is enough to make a Tokyo salaryman weep into his Kirin. The last bastion of predictability - baseball - has suddenly been turned on its head.

Is he truly baseball's Bud?
Let's face it, no one in baseball's fan-land is giving Bud Selig any votes for "Most Likeable." But believe it or not, some good things have come out of the mind of the MLB's most-powerful executive. Here's a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly introductions to the game of baseball during Bud's tenure.

Midseason baseball awards
The first-half of the season is all but a memory. We have 29 new all-stars, a possible Triple Crown, and a journeyman pitcher making a run at the Cy Young. But baseball is a game of streaks and slumps, so before any slumps begin, let's celebrate the midseason's best.

General: Sterno's Talkin' Smack -- Episode #18
Sterno's Talkin' Smack... All trash, all the time... Today's topics include choke artist All-Star Armando Benitez, baseball's turn to diapers and this year's pathetic Home Run Derby.

Baseball: What part of "No Pepper" makes sense?
Some of life's little "no's" I never quite understood while growing up. Now that I am grown, well...

General: Sterno's Talkin' Smack -- Episode #16
Sterno's Talkin' Smack... All trash, all the time... Today's topics include the Kobe Bryant saga, the war of words between Pedro Martinez and George Steinbrenner and the sickening lack of maturity shown by baseball fans.

Around The Horn
Red Sox-Yanks. Boston-New York... Apparently George Steinbrenner didn't see "A League of their Own," because if he did he would know that there is no crying in baseball.

Moneyballin' -- Focus on the A's
Peter Friberg offers a rebuttal to the evaluation by Eric Maus of Billy Beane while providing a report on this season's most controversial baseball book, Michael Lewis' "Moneyball."

General: No Excuses 4
Why did I write another senseless article? Because I felt like discussing the NBA draft, Dontrelle Willis and my addiction to High Heat Baseball.

Catching up with Baseball
Baseball season is in full swing and the "Princess of Puck" has gotten all that hockey stuff out of her system and is getting into her other favorite sport -- baseball.

Interleague play begins with a yawn!
While interleague play is generally good for baseball, the early matchups should be eliminated.

Altoona Curve fields top pro prospects
The fifth anniversary version of the Altoona Curve is arguably the most talented to play at Blair County Ballpark. Three of the top four prospects in the Pirates' organization, according to Baseball America, are currently playing for Altoona. Here is a breakdown of the position players of this year's playoff caliber team.

Flushing disappointment
The New York Mets are, once again, one of the biggest disappointments in baseball. Is anyone really surprised?

Baseball's long journey
The early part of the baseball season has given fans reason to hope and despair -- it always does. Fans in Colorado are excited about the Rockies' fast start. In Detroit, the dismal Tigers are lamented. Buts it's far too soon to give up or get excited. In the end, everyone ends up where they belong.

Jeff Kent -- Life without Barry
As the 2003 baseball season gets underway, Dusty Baker isn't the only San Francisco Giant missing from Pac Bell Park. So is Jeff Kent.

Baseball begins another season
As baseball continues to be one of America's favorite sports, this author asks the question -- why?

Ah, spring, National League preview
With the fields manicured, the lines painted, and the umps in their usual nasty mood, baseball season is upon us. Here's a breakdown of the National League.

Ducks trying to make another Disney miracle in Southern California?
Last baseball season, the Anaheim Angels, another team in Southern California owned by Disney, surprised and shocked the baseball world by winning the World Series. Can history repeat itself with the NHL's Mighty Ducks?

General: Talking baseball movies
Baseball has been celebrated not only on the field, but also on the silver screen. There have been many baseball movies that have made us cry, and a lot that made us laugh. Here are some I rate using baseball terminology.

Ah, spring, AL preview
Ah, spring. The popping of the catcher's mitt, the crack of the bat, the SportsCenter highlights taken with a single camera from behind the backstop. With baseball season only a week from the opening bell, here's the AL preview.

Junior back in the swing
The Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey, Jr., once the darling of baseball, has suffered a spate of injuries and criticism the past three years. His return to stardom would be great for the game.

American League cheat sheet
So you weren't paying attention this offseason. Too busy with football, school and other unimportant habits that kept you away from winter baseball? No problem. Here's a cheat sheet that gives you an in-depth look at the American League.

Baseball and bodies
I went on a field trip Monday. I "handled" some dead people and I got a baseball article out of it. What more could I have asked for?

Wells' new book causing a commotion
David Wells has released a new book, "Perfect I'm Not! Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches, and Baseball." Curiously, it seems, the wrong people are voicing concerns about its content.

10 ways to improve baseball
Baseball dead? Hardly. It just needs a bit of polish. Here's a proactive approach and a few suggestions on how to spruce up the sport.

Bomb the coca fields and ignore the growing sickness at home
It is the American equivalent of the snowdrops. Though the northern cities are still being pinched raw by snow and ice, there is this faint waft of warm southerly breeze in the papers - news of baseball spring training.

The best of the 2003 season
Here are some predictions about the upcoming baseball season. All statistics are approximate, all quotes are fabricated, and all performances have been enhanced by drugs. Enjoy!

Reds still have same old problems
Reds fans in Southern Ohio should be over-flowing with joy and hope going into this baseball season. But, they're not. Read on to find out why.

2003 Preseason Baseball Awards
There's few things more entertaining than a good movie or a good baseball game. But, what happens to the rest of the movies and the rest of the baseball games? Why, they're jointly honored by the Athletic Supporter, of course.

Finally! Baseball is back (Part 2)
Jim Thome sold out. The Yankees bought another guy named Hideki. And Tom Glavine, well... he's now joined a sad, sad tradition. Come join the Athletic Supporter as he offers his Players to Watch for the 2003 season.

Baseball preview -- Fearless forecast
There's only two weeks until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, and the time can't come soon enough. Here's a look at the acquisitions teams have made in the offseason. So far, four teams jump out for a chance of significant improvement.

Life's guilty pleasures
Everyone has those little things they do when no one is looking. For some it might be eating high-fat ice cream, for others it might be buying silk boxers (yikes). For this author, it's baseball.

Baseball logic
Just when "they" tell you that everything is right with baseball, a drunken athlete and an owner with a fist full of dollars reminds you just how wrong "they" are.

Seeing things after the Series
Are you one of the many millions who turned a blind eye to baseball this past October? No matter what your answer, you will find this analysis of the late Fall Classic as an intersection of athletic egotism, team spirit, Hollywood cliches, and personal psychosis.

Long lost autographed Mantle baseball finds its home
A baseball autographed by Mickey Mantle in 1955, lost a short time later, suddenly reappears for a surprise and fond reunion for its owner.

Right tools for the job
Baseball has witnessed a proliferation of former catchers turned managers. While several of these men have had success in leading their teams to glory, there is a new wave of veritable no-names stepping up from behind the plate to give it their shot.

Is baseball not worth our time?
Baseball is no longer really our national past time, but does anyone really consider it still important either? I was wondering this Sunday night after a litany of things brought this to my attention during Game 7 of the World Series. Read on for some thoughts.

Baseball just wants a moment of your time
Baseball and MasterCard spent millions this year wanting you to pick your fondest baseball memory. After the polls and the lists had been finalized, we had a winner. Read why it's not baseball.

Pitcher of joy makes the Angels sing on high
World Series baseball: An untroubled 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants sealed the Anaheim Angels first World Series title after 41 years of curse-ridden futility.

Baseball's best
I've heard nothing but grumblings about the 10 best moments in baseball. How can you complain about something that was decided on by popular vote?

Motor Sports: History of the Baja 1000 -- It's more than a race, it's an adventure...
As the World Series is to baseball and the Super Bowl to football, the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 stands as tall at the pinnacle of the motorsports world today as it did when it began 35 years ago. Here's the story.

Angels on a High
October 20: The true story of the Anaheim Angels: the Disney baseball team who have made the World Series with the help of a driving monkey.

The All-Californian World Series
The Giants and Angels square off on Saturday to battle for the World Series title. For the second year in a row, baseball's champion will not be an East Coast team. This diversity is good for the game of baseball and good for those fans who live west of the Rockies.

Baseball in a nutshell
Warning: This article contains very random baseball discussions; everything from the Yankees to the size of Barry Bonds' head, along with some thoughts on the disappointing A's and a World Series pick. Enjoy.

Baker has Giants cooking
The Giants are making a steady, unexpected run toward the World Series, led by a manager who gets the most out of his players. Dusty Baker, who's contract is up at the end of the season, is making a bid for the title of baseball's best manager.

Fans Fight to Snatch $1.5m Baseball
Three great American obsessions - money, sport and lawsuits - will converge in a San Francisco courtroom tomorrow when a jury will be asked to decide who owns a baseball.

Bend it like Botham
Next week sees the release of the latest in a long line of movies about baseball. So when is someone going to make a good mainstream film about that other incomprehensible game, cricket?

Cricket in the Movies
Next week sees the release of the latest in a long line of movies about baseball. So when is someone going to make a good mainstream film about that other incomprehensible game, cricket, wonders Derek Malcolm.

West Coast baseball shines brightly
Think the West Coast is filled with a bunch of pathetic dot-com slackers? Well, you're probably right about that. But it doesn't change the fact that it also contains some of the best teams in baseball. Here's a look at the left coast and an alysis of the contending teams.

Hunt for October glory begins
After a summer of uneasiness in baseball, strike talk has given way to the classic fall pennant chases and upcoming postseason clashes. The battles could be epic, and the A's should emerge as the last team standing in October.

Baseball excitement in Southern California
The major league baseball season is almost over, and the usual cast of characters are going to be in the hunt. All except one that is, and they're down in Anaheim.

Austin a luxury motor to stick in the garage
Trying to second guess Clive Woodward has never been a task for the fainthearted, but the England manager's squad of 50 players who he intends will build up to the World Cup leaves plenty of room for conjecture as to what is going on underneath rugby's best-known baseball cap.

The battle for the LVP
Who was really just plain awful this year? Whose offense was so atrocious that if they jumped out of a ship, they wouldn't even hit water? Whose glove had more holes than swiss cheese? In other words, who was baseball's Least Valuable Player?

Baseball and life go on as America remembers
Some have criticized Major League Baseball for playing games on the first anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Such criticism is unwarranted.

General: Fantasy fever -- Where's the Tylenol?
Major League Baseball used to be a favorite past time. Unfortunately, it seems like much of America has come down with a new disabilitating illness that can take away from the pureness of the game -- Fantasy Fever. Here's the story.

Near miss to feverish finish
The players took us up to the deadline with their strike threats. They made the fans agonize over the possibility of no baseball -- no resolution yet again. Perhaps, for many of us who wouldn't forgive them, no baseball ever again. Alas, the strike was averted and we now can simply enjoy the September stretch for what it is -- baseball at its best.

Late season is streak city
With the strike threat over and fans slowly backing down on their threats to never watch America's Pastime again, baseball may have a new contender. The Oakland A's have won 19 straight and are making a run for the pennant.

Baseball stays, but this fan's gone
Baseball avoided the strike, but some fans still wished it would have gone away. The emotional roller coaster of being a baseball fan has taken its toll. Here are some random thoughts on the subject.

Five things to watch in the NFL
Who cares about a baseball strike, anyway? The NFL is back in season and diehard football fans couldn't be happier. This year's season has some interesting twists to keep an eye on. Here are five of them.

Owners handed victory on a plate
Baseball: Strike action was averted as baseball's power brokers railroaded players into 'historic' agreement.

Sports unabridged -- What lies beneath
Like a coral reef underneath the sea during a hurricane, there is beauty in the game of baseball if you ignore the debate that rages on its surface. This year, right now, history is being made in ways that should be fresh and exciting. You just have to dig through the garbage to find it.

Are we there yet?
All this talk about the new apathy toward baseball has forced some sports fans to turn their attention to football a few months early. As it turns out, preseason football is like watching a dress rehearsal -- unpolished and difficult to sit through. So here's a solution to this small, but annoying problem.

One, two, three strikes you're out
Friday nights and baseball, something sacred, something timeless, something tainted. Striking players, self-absorbed owners, a clueless commish, and millions of disappointed fans. Here's a point of view from one of them.

Remember the fans
As another baseball strike looms ominously on the horizon, here are some of the thoughts going through my head.

Is baseball's democracy dead?
Baseball seems to be losing sight of the intrinsic democracy that has made it into America's National pasttime. With that in mind, here is a look at the changing relationship between major league ball players and their fans, and some thoughts on whether the sport can survive an impending strike.

'The feeling is that America could live without baseball'
Matthew Engel: They might earn up to $20m a year but baseball stars across the US are the verge of striking for the ninth time in the last 30 years - and it could spell disaster.

Baseball has chance to do the right thing
We all know deep in our hearts that MLB is going to screw it up and kill the season. However, if we do have a stoppage, the players and owners have a rare chance to show the fans that they care.

What a baseball strike could do for soccer
The world of baseball overshadows many of the other great sports in this country. Sports Illustrated's Steve Rushin wrote a column about how football comes in and takes over the country during the most important part of the baseball season. Soccer could also gain more interest if baseball does go on strike.

Dear baseball, please strike
The August 30 strike deadline is nearing and some fans are praying for it to happen. All of the labor talks have made their desire to watch baseball decrease. They've grown sick of hearing about the new drug policy. And they're bored to tears with contraction talk. Why not just play ball? Please already, strike.

Don't destroy a great season
If ever there was a baseball season that needs to be played out, this year is it. It's been an incredible season of great athletes and team play, and it is hard not to get misty-eyed about all the great statistics that may go to waste if a strike does happen.

Baseball: Little Leaguers follow big footsteps-down which path?
Summer is almost over and so is the Little League season. As their World Series gets underway, the impending baseball strike and all it's issues seem miles away. But it's closer than you think, and if you're a fan of the game, you should be hoping that the negotiations fail. For the sake of the kids.

Where have you gone, Joe?
As baseball reaches one of it's darkest hours, here is a look deep into some of the reasons for baseball's current demise and provides insight on how greed has destroyed a game that is no longer recognized as America's favorite pastime.

General: From barbecues to baseball
In two weeks, I'll start college. As I prepare to head off and "make something of my life," I'm clinging to the things that I've grown accustomed to -- from barbecues to baseball.

Cherished memories of our pastime
In his last column, Ryan Noonan asked the readers if the game of baseball really had one foot in the grave. In this week's column, we get to hear how some of the readers got hooked on baseball and we see why baseball is far from deceased.

Who's going to save your baseball soul?
With Major League Baseball having been "saved" so many times in the past few years, you wonder why it seems headed downward instead of up.

General: How difficult is it to hit a baseball?
Random ruminations while wondering whatever happened to World B. Free.

Fan groups send letter to Selig and Fehr
Two baseball fan advocacy groups, Baseball Fans Unite International and MLBFanStrike.com, sent a letter to Bud Selig and Donald Fehr detailing plans of baseball fans in the event of a strike date being announced.

Will baseball commit suicide?
Baseball is getting ready to commit suicide. With the possibility of yet another strike in pro sports, Major League Baseball is getting ready to kill the "National Pastime" once and for all.

What were they both thinking?
No wonder baseball is such a mess. When we have general managers that compare a possible baseball strike to Sept. 11 and a commissioner wanna-be that fines him for the remark, the league needs some help.

Dodgers fall from catbird seat
During a three-week stretch in June and early July, Dodgers' fans could dream of watching their boys in the postseason. L.A. was in first place by 2.5 games, playing “"Dodger Baseball," winning with pitching, timely hitting, and strong defense. Then the All-Star Break came and Dodgers' fans faced reality.

What is wrong with baseball fans?
Baseball fans are missing a wonderful opportunity to take back America's Game. It is time for fans to take control of their own destiny, and use their collective strength to stop the owners and players from ruining the game.

Handicapping the National League
It may sound contrived or, frankly, impossible. After this sentence, I won't mention a baseball strike again in this column. Instead, it's time to handicap the favorites to win the National League: Atlanta, St. Louis, and the defending World Champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Why the NFL is king
The national pastime in America is football. Baseball lost that tag some years ago, and the differences between the two sports only furthers that notion. In fact, football is far superior to all of the big four sports in America.

Contract owners, not teams
With a potential baseball strike looming, fans are asking what is the give-and-take going to consist of between the owners and players? There are only so many issues available to negotiate on and contraction of teams is one of them. Forget about contracting teams. Get the worthless owners out of the game.

Baseball's impact rookies
At one point in time, many of the great players of this era such as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Derek Jeter, and Randy Johnson were all unknown rookies. Here is a look at this year's impact rookies and some Rookie of the Year predictions.

Great pastime alive and kicking
Rarely does a day go by without someone commenting on the downfall of baseball. But at some point, every baseball fan has experienced a moment in time when they loved the game. Here are a few.

General: My short attention span
Sometimes there is just too much on my mind to pick one topic and run with it. Here are some thoughts about Lance Armstrong, the baseball labor situation, the WNBA, the British Open, and Jack Tripper.

A different spin on the pending baseball strike
Baseball fans are trying to figure out if the owners or players would be more to blame if there is another work stoppage. However, fans should look no further than right in the mirror to see who would really be to blame.

Strike -- who cares?
Baseball is in the midst of several controversies, but honestly does anyone care anymore?

Fan boycott
Three baseball fan advocacy groups have called for a boycott of all MLB games on August 1st. The three groups feel that is now up to baseball fans to save America's Game from the bumbling owners and players. Read on to learn all about this grassroots effort.

The death of baseball
The All-Star game served as the ultimate metaphor for the state of the game. A tie-game, bewildered leadership, and an overall embarrassment from MLB only solidified their haphazard stance over the past six months. But baseball died long ago.

Midseason team reviews
The controversial All-Star Game marked the mid-point of this year's baseball season. Read on to find out how your team is doing and what they need to do to be playing in October.

There was a winner in the All-Star Game
Yes, the N.L. and A.L. did play to a 7-7 tie in baseball's 73rd All-Star Game. However, the real winner was found in the vote totals.

Are you prepared for a strike?
After seeing petitions circulating earlier this season on the internet calling for fans to boycott baseball games and their products, you have to wonder if fans can actually live without the season finishing and crowning a World Series champion.

Some questions at the MLB season midpoint
Who is Robert Fick? Why Bud Selig? Where is Frank Thomas? What is Futbol? Will the season end or will it just stop? We've reached the midpoint and I have a lot of questions. Some of them are about baseball.

Reviving the Midsummer Classic
The face of baseball is changing with the rush of foreign superstars to the game. The All-Star Game might be spiced up a bit by tweaking the formula and having North America square off against the World.

The essence of evil
Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad seems to take pleasure in watching his fans suffer. In the last nine months, he has voted to contract his team from baseball and refused to add any payroll to a first-place team. Here is a look at Pohlad's evil ways and a comparison to a cultural icon of evilness -- Montgomery Burns.

The Twins' Torii Hunter -- The best center fielder you've never heard of
He's able to leap baseball walls to stop home runs. He brings excitement to a team that may not be there next year. His nickname happens to "Spidey." Meet Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins.

Team chemistry 101
Take two parts Curt Schilling, add one part Chipper Jones, add one part Paul Konerko, or wait, are you supposed to add one part Mike Sweeney instead? How do you build a perfect ballclub? How does a team's makeup affect it's play? Sean McDonald tackles the issue of team chemistry in baseball and wonders why the media is fascinated by it.

Time to ban arm guards?
Some of the top names in baseball all crowd the plate wearing arm guards, preventing the pitcher to throw any type of inside or inside corner pitches. Even though it allows players like Barry Bonds to hit an insane amount of homeruns, it puts the pitcher at an unfair disadvantage, proving arm guards should be banned.

Because they love baseball
I live in a sleepy town in Southeastern Minnesota. To be honest, there's not much of anything to do here. We don't have many clubs, or "classy" bars, or hangouts -- but boy, do we love our baseball. I went to see our team -- the Rochester Honkers of Rochester, Minnesota -- Wednesday night and here's what happened.

Standout batting stances
The batting stance shows off a player's individuality. It also reveals how deeply in need of therapy some of these players are. Here is a look at some of the standout batting stances in baseball today.

The Clemens/Piazza feud -- Give it a rest already!
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Yankee fan. However, this Piazza-Clemens thing has gotten even this die-hard Yankee fan's dandruff up. And comments by "experts," like former pitcher Rob Dibble, certainly aren't helping the situation. Hey, here's an idea. Give it a rest and let's stick to baseball!

Standing up against Selig
Will the fighting never stop? Boston pitcher John Burkett decided to do something about it. There's a way for fans to do something about it, too. Read on for the details on one fans attempt to send a message to baseball, and he needs your help.

America's love affair with baseball
With the baseball season in full swing, America's passion for the sport is once again evident. Fans turn out day after day to watch their teams. Why does America have such a strong love for baseball?

Cortisone use and possible strike hammer blows for National Pastime
Baseball has barely recovered from the 1994 walkout, when now we have the relevation of widespread cortisone use by former MVP Ken Cameniti and a looming walkout by the Players Association. Both of which threaten the National Pastime to its very foundation.

From the ridiculous to the absurd
Here is a look at the baseball draft and the quest to find a pitcher who can get 30 wins, the next manager to be fired, and a question -- is anyone actually watching the games before placing their All-Star votes.

'I did what I felt was necessary. I am not a cheat'
The late American baseball coach Leo Durocher said 56 years ago: "Show me a good loser in professional sports and I will show you an idiot. Show me a good sportsman and I will show you a player I am looking to trade." Yesterday Neil Back seemed in little danger of being traded by Leicester.

April musings
The first month of the baseball season had more than its fair share of excitement. It also provided plenty for us to ponder.

Baseball: Taking a walk with Ernest Burke
Broadcasting gives fortunate folks like myself the opportunity to speak to legends. Here is my recent talk with a Negro League legend. If you open your ears, you'll here him make a lot of sense.

Malaise in Motown
0-11? Well, at least they won one before the Lions. The Detroit Tigers have been one of baseball great traditions over time, but lately, they have been traditionally bad.

The "Holy Grail"
With all of the crazy die-hard baseball fans out there, what would be their "Holy Grail?" Nothing less than a run onto the field!

Ways to improve the game (Pt. 1)
You've heard the arguments before, but now it's time to re-examine some of baseball's shortcomings.

Early season news and notes
Here's a popouri of interesting tidbits from the first two weeks of action in the 2002 baseball season.

A lesson in mythology by way of Steinbrenner
We can learn a lot from the ancient myths. For example, never stare at a hydra's hair for fear of turning to stone. The same applies to Joan Rivers, but that's not the point. The point is we can all learn a little something about baseball's future from a particular myth about a hungry snake.

MLB's most improved teams
With the start of the 2002 baseball season, The Hot Corner takes a look at which teams made the biggest improvement this off-season.

Minor League Baseball: The Curve put their best foot forward
It's opening day. The minor league season has finally arrived. Fans have visions of warm weather, hot dogs, pennant races, and homerun chases. Instead, it was 38 degrees with a stiff wind and a chance of snow flurries.

Spring Training preview -- N.L. West (Pt. 6)
The arrival of spring has signaled the start of a new season of baseball. Here is the final preview of this series: Part 6: N.L. West.

Baseball 2002 - The final preview
Opening Day is upon us! We take a look at some of the biggest questions of the upcoming 2002 season and provide some answers.

Contraction still hanging over MLB
Despite dominating the offseason baseball headlines, it seems that the issue of contraction is still no closer to being resolved. How did MLB get into this situation in the first place and how does it plan to get out of it?

Derek Bell -- A soldier on a mission
Derek Bell wants all of baseball to know that numbers lie. He wants you to know that if you expect those numbers to mean he has to compete for a job, he's prepared to undertake Operation Shutdown. Read why we should all carry a little Derek inside us.

Twenty Questions, MLB-style
Let's check up on the state of baseball with a Q&A session hosted by yours truly.

Hey, Bud, Contract This!
In his continued attempt to destroy baseball, Bud Selig now plans to eliminate at least two teams before the 2003 season. If he must do so, here are a few suggestions.

Dwight Gooden's stupidity strikes again
It's not enough to see Dwight Gooden ruin his baseball career with the help of drugs. Now we need to see him potentially end the lives of others with his drunk driving.

Now Batting for the Floreal Marpos
Jeffrey Loria and the former Montreal front office are moving to Miami to take over the Marlins. Baseball won't let them take any players with them, but what if they could?

The glamor of baseball is gone
Pitchers and catchers. These are words that are synonymous with spring time, words that for baseball fans signify the start of nine glorious months. But in 2002, those words, or any others associated with Major League Baseball, are not so glorious anymore.

College baseball -- Professional amateurs
Investigates the NCAA amateur deregulation legislation that allows Divison II baseball players to turn pro and come back to school if it does not work out.

Shortsighted owners resolve to contraction
Contraction of teams like the Expos and Twins will only disguise larger economic problems that continue to plague baseball, says Piet Van Leer. Contraction clearly isn't the solution to baseball's woes, and while the owners might not be culpable for baseball's ills, they certainly are to blame.

Musings from the void
A political and baseball author said in one of his books that there are two seasons: baseball season and the void. Here are a few somewhat random thoughts from this week in baseball.

What Is Bud Smokin'?
Bud Selig spent the day yesterday trying to tell Congress and the American people that killing a couple of baseball teams is the answer to a league heading into the toilet. Bud...whatever it is you're smokin', you better open your eyes quick!

General: Mullin It Over -- The Wishin' The World Series Wasn't Over Edition
I know, it's been a month, but that was such a fine display of baseball I'd just love to keep watching. As it is, we've had another great month, so let's mull it over!

Selig's new vote of confidence
What would you do if a boss who'd didn't truly care about your business was allowed to run the company towards the ground for another few years? Would you give up hope for it? Well, that's essentially the situation baseball faces.

Selig's Legacy From a Half-Full Perspective
I've always been a pessimist, look-for-the-clouds-on-a-sunny-day-type. I'm making a resolution to look for the brighter side, and I'm starting with all the good Bud Selig has done for the sport of professional baseball in his tenure as Commissioner. No really, I am.

The cream of the crop
Baseball season is over, and while everyone debates about contraction over Thanksgiving turkey, the annual postseason awards were handed out. Who won, and why in the National League? Let's take a look.

Hot Stove League - NL Central outlook (Part Five of Six)
The baseball season may be over, but the offseason will be one of the most intriguing and active ones in many years. With the opening of the free agency signing period this Tuesday, here's the breakdown of the NL Central.

The post-post season in 60 seconds
After a glorious and reaffirming World Series that captivated the populace as a whole, baseball is back to its old tricks.

A minor issue?
After former Toronto Assistant GM Dave Stewart announced he was resigning from his post, it begs the question: Has baseball done enough to help minorities get front office positions?

The All- Manager team
Perhaps one of the most often asked questions in baseball is: "What makes a good manager?" Wanting to know for my own good, I did some research and put together an "All Manager Team." Here are the results.

Q: Contraction for Florida? A: Yes!
If baseball falls in Florida and it makes a lot of noise, will the people there care? The answer is no, and that's why it's time to end the MLB experiment in the Sunshine State.

Addition by subtraction, contraction, a knee jerk reaction
Baseball's decision to contract is only a bad idea because it has been made to hastily. Contraction could work, but only if the owners explore all of the possible solutions.

Baseball heading for a new dark ages?
Despite being better situated for a renaissance than at any time in recent memory, the lords of baseball seem determined to undermine their sport.

Twins killing?
Bud Selig and the baseball owners have voted to contract two franchises for the 2002 season. Will the Minnesota Twins be one of those teams? If so, is that good for the game?

Fixing baseball in Beantown...
... or, how to fix something that shouldn't be broken. Despite a late season swoon that saw clubhouse problems nix any chances the Red Sox had of making the playoffs, the solutions to the problem don't appear as difficult as they once seemed.

Revisiting Game 6 of the '86 World Series
Bill Buckner certainly deserves horns for his tragic role in baseball infamy, but history seems to have a severe case of amnesia to forgive the just-as-severe sins as those inflicted by Mr. Schiraldi, Mr. Stanley, and Mr. Gedman.

When should baseball continue?
Did we go back to playing baseball too fast?

If It's Good Enough For John Gotti...
Read why the best way to stop Bud Selig and his contraction threats may be to go treat him like less like the Commissioner of Baseball and more like Tony Soprano.

World Series -- A tale of David and Goliath
It's hard to believe that the Diamondbacks, who have the best one-two punch from their pitching starters of any team in baseball and were up 2-0 in the World Series have a disadvantage. But, compared to the Yankees, every team is an underdog.

Baseball has got to be kidding with this World Series
ESPN.com's cover story reads, "Unbelievable. Incredible. Magical. Call it whatever you want," well one out of three isn't too bad.

A classic makes "The Classic" classic again
Sure, it's a play on words, but it is true nonetheless. In a day when the best baseball is being played in the early rounds of the playoffs year in and year out, it is nice to finally see what it must have been like when the "Fall Classic" was just that.

Baseball: Fields and Fields of Dreams
This is the story of how one dedicated high school student pursued his "field of dreams."

Baseball: Not Just A Game
A simple explanation of why baseball is more than "Just A Game."

Earning his stripes
It seems improbable really, from the broadcast booth to manager of a World Series team in only his first year. Former FOX baseball analyst Bob Brenly becomes only the second manager in National League history to take his team to the World Series in his first year as manager, joining only Hall of famer Sparky Anderson.

What's in a (nick)name?
The rich history of nicknames in baseball can provide a deep connection to the game's past, providing terrific fodder for the "Hot Stove League."

The best season ever?
A review of this past baseball season that looks at individual players and team's, and their accomplishments.

This baseball life is not easy for the purists among us
There was The Strike. There's inter-league play. Don't forget wild-card teams. Ugh! What else is there not to like for the baseball purist? Don't worry, we'll think of something.

The Great Baseball Malaise
The wildcard round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Playoffs will end on Monday October 15, 2001 and with the exception of the Atlanta Braves dismantling of the Houston Astros, the series have been very entertaining. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone in Toronto (maybe even Canada) has noticed.

2001 Division Series preview
The 2001 baseball playoffs begin Tuesday, and all four matchups are fairly even and could all go five games. Here's a preview.

Catch them while you still can
The NFL should take notes from the MLB when it comes to retiring the elder statesman of the league. Baseball honored two of its most visible stars this weekend, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr., with wonderful tributes. Let's hope the NFL does the same for players like Darrell Green, Jerry Rice, and Emmitt Smith when they call it quits.

Emotion lurks below the surface
There is more passion on a baseball diamond than most people realize. The majority of the time players are required to keep their emotions under control. But, there are times when those emotions, tamped down by pride and discretion, rise to the surface.

Mellow Mariners set sail for Series... peacefully
The Seattle Mariners, coming off the best regular season in baseball history, now look to make their journey complete. They'll do it if they maintain a business-as-usual outlook, and don't succumb to Seattle-level anxiety.

Baseball: Thoughts from the bleachers -- Dunn Tire Park (AKA Pilot Field)
A quick look at Minor League Baseball in Buffalo.

Homeward Bound
Three guys who just loved to play catch and hit a baseball will probably play their last game this weekend. Watch it with a kid and try to explain the significance of their service to the game.

Baseball: Josh Gibson, one of baseball's greatest
Josh Gibson may have been the greatest baseball player ever. What do you know about him?

Hello football, my old friend...
Once upon a time, the Bay Area was a place whose sports mania seeped from the gridiron. Suddenly, baseball has taken over as the key attraction in Northern California. However, the 49ers and Raiders are trying hard to take back the turf they once ruled.

Let's Talk NL MVP
There's ten games left in the baseball season, but the NL MVP race is already wrapped up. Or is it?

Back in the swing of things
Baseball is back, and the NL pennant race is really heating up. Let's take a look at the contending teams.

Patriotism shines brightly in baseball
Baseball has resumed following the events of September 11th. In the thick of the playoff race, the games look more like American pep-rallies.

Talkin with the 'Twig'
Seventy-six-year old Wayne Terwilliger has been in the game of baseball for a long time and shows no signs of slowing down. Recently, I had a chance to discuss a variety of topics with him. Here's what he had to say.

A suggestion for New York baseball fans
In a time of unimaginable pain, New York has come together as never before. Hugh Quigley suggests that an extension of this unity into the world of sports might be of benefit to a city in need of a reason to smile.

Inside Bobblehead mania
Bobbleheads have replaced the beanie baby as the baseball world's biggest fad -- here is an inside look at the craze.

Time for baseball to step up to the plate
Baseball returned to the nation this week after six days of horror. Thankfully, it wasn't the same self-important, over-hyped, posturing game that left us on September 10th. Instead, Monday and Tuesday's games reminded us that baseball has a special place in the fabric of this great country - and has the power to help us all heal.

2001 Rookies A Real Treat
In a normal baseball season, usually there is only one player, at best, in each league that stands out for consideration of the Rookie of the Year Award. This year has been an exception to the rule in both leagues.

Professional baseball rankings -- Week 23
We hope you enjoy our baseball rankings for week 23. Review them carefully and see if you agree or disagree. Rankings reflect all games played from April 1st through September 8th.

The best painter in Baseball
They say he resembles a school teacher, but don't let that fool you. Underneath his mild-mannered appearance is a man that every hitter in baseball dreads to hit against. Do you know who this masterful painter is? Read on to find out.

There used to be a ballpark ... Where?
Many ballparks like Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds, which have long since been the victim of the wrecking ball, still hold a special place in the hearts of baseball fans. Some of the earlier parks, such as Hilltop Park in New York have faded into near oblivion. It's a shame. Some amazing people played there, and some amazing things happened there.

Diamonds are a ballplayer's "best friend"
Two Saturdays ago, the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians had a brawl. It wasn't your typical baseball brawl, it had something to do with the jewelry.

Professional baseball rankings -- Week 22
Here are my rankings for this week. Find out where your favorite team is ranked and see if you agree or disagree. Will Seattle remain baseball's best team through September? Rankings reflect all games played from April 1st through Sept. 1st.

Professional baseball rankings -- Week 21
My professional baseball rankings are ready for your inspection. Rankings reflect all games played from April 1st through August 26th. See if you agree or disagree with my rankings.

The new face of baseball -- Part 3 of 5
In Part 3 of this occasional series, George Heidkamp looks at the changing nature of our national pastime -- who it will feature, and how it will change in the future.

Childhood, baseball, and the quest for 71
The connection that I have shared with baseball is unlike any other I have had. I remember watching baseball on TV day and night, until something terrible happened...

The best bets to win the World Series
With less than six weeks left to go in the baseball season, there are still 14 teams in playoff contention. Here is a close look at each of those teams, and their potential for success in the postseason.

Youth Baseball: The boys of summer
Teams from all over the country went to Gulfport, Miss., last week to play in the 16-year-old Babe Ruth World Series. Who won? You have to read to find out.

Professional baseball rankings -- Week 20
Hello again baseball fans. My professional baseball rankings for week 20 are ready for your inspection. Find out where your favorite team is ranked and why.

America's game
I have always loved the game of baseball. The crack of the bat, the strategy of the pitchers, and as I got older, I appreciated the players and even the umpires. I love the fact baseball has its own song. Baseball has, and always will be, America's game.

WPSL: Women's softball clinic to be held at Yankee Stadium
Olympic Gold Medallist and current Women's Professional Softball League (WPSL) All-Star, Julie Smith, will hold a youth softball and life-skills clinic for under-privileged girls in Yankee Stadium. Read on for the details.

Professional baseball rankings -- week 19
Welcome to week 19 of my professional baseball rankings. Rankings reflect all games played from April 1st through August 12th. See if you agree or disagree with my choices, and let us know what you think.

The New Face of Baseball ( Part 2 of 5)
In the second of an occasional series, I'll look at the changing style of America's Pastime - the hitters, pitchers, pitchmen, front office dudes, and mental gurus.

On the clock
Baseball officials want to shorten games. Is it in the best interest of the sport to do so?

Twins and Kelly Have Two Months To Claim History
Tom Kelly has more rings than Bobby Cox or Bobby Valentine, but it will take another miracle finish this year to convince the Baseball World he belongs with the greats.

That's baseball
What makes baseball so great? The fact that a game isn't over until the final out has been made.

Professional baseball rankings -- week 18
Look over my professional baseball rankings, which reflect all games played from April 1st through August 5th, to find out where your favorite team is ranked and why.

The New Face of Baseball - Part I of V
George Heidkamp examines the evolving faces of baseball by looking at the up-and-comers of the sport in the minors, the majors, the front office, the ballpark, and the mind. Today, a peek at the next generation of great baseball hitters.

Simply the best...but who seems to care?
Tony Gwynn has been overshadowed this year by the retirement of Cal Ripken, but numbers show who the best baseball player of this era was.

Diamond Kings Baseball brings legends back to life
If you're tired of the same old fantasy baseball leagues or you wish you could listen to baseball broadcasts the way your grandfather used to, then Diamond Kings Baseball is just the ticket.

It's baseball season, so where's the baseball?
Monday, July 30, 2001. As great a day as any to watch a baseball game. Why is it, then, that Major League Baseball did not have any games originally scheduled for that day?

Professional baseball rankings -- week 17
My professional baseball rankings for week 17, based on all games played from April 1st through July 29th, are ready for your inspection. Analyze them, dissect them, but please enjoy them while you do and let us know if you agree or disagree. See you at the game.

The state of the sport -- Baseball
Major League Baseball is probably the most beleaguered of any major sport, depending on what criteria you wish to use. Rob takes a look at what they're doing right and wrong, and what they can do to make things better.

Baseball: Women make history as All-Stars set to play at Tiger Stadium
Detroit has opened up their historical Tiger Stadium to the Women's Baseball League, when the WBL plays their All-Star Game there on August 11 at 5:00 pm. Read on for the details.

It's going to be a tight pennant race in the N.L. West!
The 2001 baseball season will soon be entering the dog days of August. Teams are scrambling to improve their team before the July 31st trading deadline. Will Arizona win the N.L. West or will one of the other four teams in the division give chase. It's going to be an exciting race.

Professional baseball rankings -- week 16
Hello baseball fans. Another week has come and gone in baseball. Find out where your favorite team stands in my professional baseball rankings.

A politically incorrect analysis of the pending Baseball strike in 2002
As baseball fans whine and complain about the owners and players, they do nothing themselves to stop the insanity. It is high time for fans to shut up and step up to the plate. Remember that old saying, "There is no crying in baseball."

My sexy players list
Sometimes I do like to watch sports to see who's cute and who's sexy. This is only my opinion, just something to do when baseball games get boring.

Baseball deadline predictions
We near an extemely important part of the baseball season, as the July 31st trade deadline quickly approaches. Names such as Jason Giambi and Todd Jones have been thrown around, but where will they go and what will they bring in return? Let's step two weeks into the future and find out.

All-Star game -- USA vs. the World?
Can you imagine the greatest assembly of world-class baseball players in one game in mid-July?

MLB All-Star game -- USA vs. the World?
Can you imagine the greatest assembly of world-class baseball players in one game in mid-July?

Cricket: What Cricket has and Baseball doesn't
Cricket and baseball have always been considered cousins. However, much of the world outside the United States feel baseball is the poorer cousin of the two...

Baseball: Team USA wins first Women's World Series Championship
Team USA defeated Team Japan 9-1 to win the first Women's World Series Championship, which was played in Toronto, Canada. Read on for the story.

Take me out to the ball game
I took my kids to their first T-ball game. T-Ball is similar to baseball--but it's not. In some ways, it's like watching golf--they both have tees.

The vanishing art of the fabled brushback pitch
If baseball players were allowed to have sewn on their uniform backs most anything they wanted, like the ill-fated XFL, we might be seeing "He Hit Me," "I Hit Him," due to the proliferation of beanings and near-beanings taking place. What happened to to the skill and art involved in the old brushback pitch? It appears today's stable of pitchers prefer to chuck and duck and then hit someone for their own ineptitude.

Baseball's first half surprises
Every season brings its share of pleasant surprises. Who are the biggest shockers of the 2001 season thus far? Read on and find out.

Taking back baseball -- a sports fan revolution
As the Baseball All-Star break approaches, fans should look over the horizon at the pending strike in 2002. Will the owners and players once again lead baseball down the road to ruin, or will fans finally stand up and be counted?

Interleague play -- good or a waste of time?
Interleague play is back. Some people love it, the purists hate it. Is it good for baseball or a waste of time? Here's one person's opinion.

Mid-Season MLB Report
It's halfway in the baseball season and there have been a number of great stories to reflect upon, including the Seattle Mariners red-hot start, Ichiro, the Twins, Phillies, and Cubs great play, "Iron Man" Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn calling it a career and John Burkett and Brett Boone re-inventing their careers. But hovering in the background is an ominous black cloud -- another labor dispute.

Baseball All-Star performances
The fans are having their say on the 2001 All-Stars. The American and National League managers will soon have their say, as well. Here's a look at who should be an All-Star based on their first-half performances.

How the first Subway Series lasted three years
2000 ushered in a new century and gave us a much anticipated series in professional baseball - the first Subway World Series in almost 40 years. Well, maybe it was much anticipated in New York, but television ratings reflected that the rest of the country couldn't care less.

Damn Yankees
It sure must be great to be a Yankees' fan. Winning all the time. Signing the best pitcher in the free agent market over the winter. And, when you're team finds out they have major holes during the season they just trade out of the best farm system in baseball and get what they need to repeat for what is it now? The fourth time?

McNamara still in touch with game
In a baseball career dating back to the 1950s, John McNamara has retired -- well, maybe not quite retired but with a view from a different corner of the field.

Pro Softball: Smith pitches complete game win
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Michele Smith pitched a complete game and hit the game-winning single to give the WPSL Gold Team a 5-2 victory over the WPSL All-Stars on Monday night at Hall of Fame Stadium. Read on for the complete story.

General: Contraction -- not just for baseball
Contraction may happen in baseball, but it would be a good idea in other sports as well.

Baseball: Women's world series to be held in Toronto SkyDome
United States Womens Baseball has announced its first USA National Team, and their particpation in the inaugural Women's World Series, which will be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 4-8, 2001. Read on for the complete details.

Smokin' in Seattle: Mariners keep rolling
Most of this season's surprises in baseball have started to falter as the All-Star Break approaches. Apparently, the Mariners never got the memo.

For love of the game
What is it about baseball that lightens the heart and opens the mind? Once a pastime, always a favorite. But that doesn't mean changes aren't necessary.

Pro Softball: Smith leads WPSL over All-Stars
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Michele Smith pitched a complete game and hit the game-winning single to give the WPSL Gold Team a 5-2 victory over the WPSL All-Stars. Read on for the complete story.

An ideal baseball lineup
What would be the perfect batting order in baseball today? Who gets the starting nods, and who is relegated to the bench? Check out this possible answer to the question. Some of the results may surprise you.

Letter to baseball: Leave again and don't bother coming back
With the impending 2002 baseball lockout starting to creep into everyone's mind, a Fan speaks for all, and tells Baseball right to it's face -- you aren't getting me back this time.

The baseball draft -- just a crapshoot?
The annual baseball draft is here again, and as usual, the owners are flinging money around for untested talent. Did they ever hear of fiscal responsibility?

Baseball's economics of contraction
Wonder why a supposedly thriving game is seriously discussing the elimination of franchises? That's the topic of today's Baseball Economics 101 class - and it doesn't take a PhD to understand...

Walks? He don't need no stinkin' walks!
Is there a more exciting player in the American League right now than Ichiro Suzuki? Seattle's Suzuki has electrified baseball fans around the country this season, but his few critics claim he isn't selective enough for a leadoff hitter. Are they right?

Will Dan Duquette Go To The (David) Wells?
The Red Sox GM is reportedly considering a deal that would send two top prospects to Chicago for baseball's gift to tact and satorial splendor. It's a move that any Armchair GM would decry... or would they?

Felipe finished? Expos extinct
When manager Felipe Alou was fired last week, the final nail was hammered into the coffin of the Montreal Expos. The stupid but predictable event essentially closed the door on any future for baseball in French Canada, and marked a final, sad chapter in the sorry and snake-bitten life of the Expo organization.

Is baseball experiencing a small market revolution?
It is June, two months into the 2001 season of Major League Baseball, and something seems different. There has been one surprisingly different statistic thus far in the season: small market teams are at the top of the standings.

Geographical realignment -- where is the payoff come playoff time?
Bud Selig still wants to go through with his plan to realign baseball's divisions based solely on geography. As a supposed longtime fan of the game, doesn't he have any sense of tradition or history?

Lost time for a nation
A number of those brave men who fought for the United States in World War II were some of the legends of the game of baseball. Players who energized the sport with their enormous talent and set a standard of excellence for all to follow.

Lessons in baseball
Ben Davis did nothing wrong and I don't believe the major league baseball manager application requires player experience to get hired, Mr. Dan Miceli.

A memorial day to remember
On a sunny Memorial Day weekend some of the best baseball of the year was played...

Sheffield gutting it out
Los Angeles Dodger's Gary Sheffield may win the courage award for baseball in Los Angeles, as he tries to continue playing with a torn ligament in his right index finger. How long can he continue?

General: Monday Morning Monologue
Why we're all just extras in the Lake Show ... Whaddaya mean, there's no bunting in baseball? ... Tony Stewart's rules of the road(s), and more.

Why Baseball fails in Florida
The state of Florida seems like a perfect place to have a MLB team. However, the fans are not supporting the state's two teams. What is the problem? Read on for some answers.

Sirotka-Gate lives on: Mike Williams interview
Injured top prospect Mike Williams, dealt to the Blue Jays and back in the Mike Sirotka trade, is talking candidly about that trade and more in an exclusive interview with E-Sports.com senior baseball columnist Mike Mitchell.

Looking Back - A Trip to Tiger Stadium
Before there was Comerica Park, the Detroit Tigers played in Tiger Stadium, one of the two oldest baseball parks in existence. If you never had a chance to visit, or if you were a season ticket holder, here's a look back to help you capture the magic of this extinct baseball relic.

Baseball: Moe Hill - Midwest League superstar
Back in the mid-70s, Moe Hill dominated the Midwest League for a period of four years. Why didn't he get promoted?

HIGH SCHOOL: Aces of the Diamond leading the way for Big Walnut
The Pitching has been there for the Big Walnut Eagles, the hitting on the other hand is lacking. Shut-outs, and errorless baseball have helped the Eagles grap success early in the year.

Keeping Up With the Rodriguez's
Another look at baseball economics as we close the book on 2000

CFB: What is the matter with Politics and the BCS
There's no crying in football. Or was that there's no crying in baseball. I do know that there's been an awful lot of crying in college football in recent weeks. Most of it coming out of Florida.

WOMEN'S BASEBALL: History in February
Women's Baseball League founder and star pitcher Justine Warren talks about an upcoming conference in February on women's baseball.

Final Telecast Of 2000 Baseball Season To Feature First Place Braves
FX Baseball Saturday Night comes to a close this Saturday, September 30, as Todd Helton and the Colorado Rockies travel to Atlanta to take on Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves

BASEBALL: Adirondack Takes two from Duluth Superior.
The Adirondack Lumberjacks look to close out their series for the Northern League Championship. The Lumberjacks have taken the first two games from Duluth-Superior.