Open: How Much Did Alex Rodriguez Deserve A Ring?

We are going to leave this as an open response question. With all of A-Rod’s previous steroid allegations and media uprisings over the past year or so, how much did Alex Rodriguez deserve his first ever World Championship?

First Ever MLB “Cast” Across The Plate

It is the first time in Major League History that the opening pitch was “cast” across the plate. It happened last Monday night in a game between the Blue Jays and the Orioles.

The Craziest Baseball Rules From The Past

Can you believe that for 7 years, pitchers in Major League Baseball were allowed to throw underhand? You all heard about them, the craziest of craziest baseball rules from the past. Some still exist today, but only in places like the playground or during a “pick up” game on a hot summer day.  The article we found over at Jock And Balls seems to be just about the best article we have ever found about these crazy on-field routines. Here are just a few…

Disgusting!!!

10.  Pitchers Could Cover Balls With Just About Anything
Before 1920, pitchers could cover the ball with spit, Vaseline, road kill, Nickelodeon slime or whatever the hell else they wanted.  It apparently worked.  That Babe Ruth guy didn’t start hitting a billion home runs a year until they outlawed it.  We don’t actually know for a fact they used road kill, but that whole ‘Dead Ball Era’ thing would make more sense if they did.

CHEATERS!!!

6.  Hitters Had Flat Bats
For some reason that we can’t figure out, hitters used to have flat bats until 1893.  They really took their cricket influence seriously.  Why did they want to use paddle bats?  Maybe they wanted to spank the ball.  Sounds pretty lame to us.

My Personal Favorite

2.  Batters Could Call For The Type Of Pitch They Wanted
From 1867-1887, batters had the privilege of calling for a low pitch or a high pitch.  What was the point of pitching?  Did the pitcher also have to wipe the batter after they went to the bathroom?

Most of these rules are just way beyond unrealistic. This article made me realize just how far baseball in America has really come.

Head on over to Jocks And Balls to read the full countdown!

McNabb Article

The article posted this morning about Donovan McNabb was removed due to inaccuracy. The post was made by an unauthorized user. RBI Magazine strictly covers baseball and nothing but…Once again our apologies for the creating such a stir.

RBI Magazine

FireFighters Save Rafael Furcal’s Home

Los Angeles shortstop Rafael Furcal wasn’t at Dodger Stadium for last night’s game against Arizona, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Furcal and his wife were forced to evacuate their home which was in direct threat of the raging wild fires.

As of last evening the Station Fire was approaching his Flintridge neighborhood, but miraculously firefighters were able to save his home as the blaze tore through the neighborhood.

A relieved Furcal and his wife were able to return to the home, after staying in a nearby hotel for a few hours.

Juan Castro started at shortstop on Monday night in his place for the Dodgers.

According to Cnn.com, cooler temperatures Tuesday could help firefighters slow down a fast-moving, deadly wildfire that has charred more than 105,000 acres in Southern California.

Minor Leagues Going With Harder Helmets

Minor League Baseball announced yesterday that it will be requiring a harder helmet to be worn in the batter’s box for next year. Rawlings has also sent a few prototypes to each team to try for the remainder of this year.

The change comes after David Wright of the New York Mets was hit by a 94 M.P.H fastball last month, landing him in the hospital with a severe concussion and placing the slugger on the DL for almost 30 days.

The Rawlings S100 helmet has been said to be “very bulky” and much heavier, something most MLB players may not prefer.

David Wright returns to the Mets lineup tonight and is expected to wear a Rawlings S100 helmet.

A Phillies/Mets Fan Fight You Must See!

Defending yourself at a baseball game while in the seats is a necessity, but there is no way I would ever waste my beer by pouring it on an opposing fan. Then to miss both punches? What was this guy thinking?

Dodgers String Up Jon Garland, Jim Thome

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired right handed pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks and Jim Thome from the White Sox Monday night, in a last minute trade which has been described as a total roster make over by MLB.com’s  Ken Gurnick. The news came to Garland about halfway through yesterday’s game. He knew a deal was brewing but was not certain about the situation.

“For me, born and raised in L.A., the chance to come back and play for the Dodgers, be right in the thick of a pennant race, it’s exciting.”

Jim Thome told the Dodgers he is not physically ready to play first base, but would love to contribute to the offensive lineup with his right handed bat.

Brad Penny Signs With Giants

After going unclaimed on waivers, former Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny signed a minor league contract with the Giants, according to SI.com.

The team who would have claimed Penny would have been responsible to fulfill the remainder of his contract, but now the Giants will only have to pay Penny less than 100 grand.

Sounds like a deal to me, but then again I wish someone would pay me 100 grand.

Phillies Still After Nomar?

As of last evening, reports began to surface about Nomar Garciaparra stating “there remains a small chance that the slugger will go to a contender” before Monday’s waiver trade deadline.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week that the franchise was done dealing for this year, and expects to make no immediate additions to the team. However, the San Francisco Chronicle has confirmed that the Phillies still may be interested in Nomar for bench help.

NESN.com reports that a return to Boston for Nomar is highly unlikely. Garciaparra cleared waivers a while ago, but has reportedly drawn little interest.

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