OK, longtime ShysterBall reader Melody (full name: Melody Blass Fisher) would probably smack me for calling her a “girl,” but since the purpose of this post is to promote her most excellent Baseball Chronicle essay, here’s hoping she cuts me some slack. As for the story, if any of you have either (a) been ripped […]

I tend to handle bad news fairly well. Certainly tragedy affects me like anyone else, but I’m just kind of programmed to keep it together OK when others are not doing as well. I’m way worse about things a bit after the fact, however, as the smallest, random things can set me off. Everyday things, […]

I don’t think anyone buys the “if you build it they will come” business anymore, but just in case there were any ballparks=development deadenders out there: Baseball stadium backers promised a lively entertainment district when the D.C. government poured nearly $700 million into building Nationals Park: a hub of bustling shops, restaurants, hotels, condos and […]

The writer’s heart is in the right place, I suppose, but I find this kind of sentiment rather empty and misguided, no matter what the circumstances: They have his image on their outfield wall, his number on a patch over their hearts and his memory inscribed in a place even deeper. All classic, commendable and […]

Earlier today the Chronicle was reporting that Joe Martinez only had a concussion, but apparently there are some broken bones too: Further tests revealed three hairline fractures in the skull of Giants rookie Joe Martinez, who was struck by a Mike Cameron liner in the ninth inning of Thursday’s 7-1 victory against Milwaukee. The fractures […]

Earlier this week I took shots at ballclubs and architects for manufacturing history and nostaliga in the service of their new ballparks. I’ll probably never be a fan of that. Real history, however? That’s another story altogether: Mazeroski Way now leads to Bill Mazeroski’s wall at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates have restored the section […]

I recall seeing a couple of weeks ago that Bernie Madoff’s seats were going to be sold off, but I didn’t realize that they were going on eBay: The two tickets for Monday’s Citi Field opener owned by Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities were bid up to $1,925 by noon EDT Friday on eBay. Seats […]

After the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, it became apparent that there was a serious schism in Red Sox Nation, with old timers who were around — or who at least claimed to be around — back in the bad old days and who wore their suffering on their sleeve on the […]

On April 8, 1986 Felix Hernandez was born. The man known as “King Felix” is having a good week—and a good career—so far, but Richard takes a look to see how he compares to young pitchers throughout history.

According to TMZ, Angels’ starter Nick Adenhart was killed in an automobile accident this morning: TMZ has learned Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a felony hit-and-run car accident in Fullerton, California early this morning — hours after he pitched in a game last night. Cops say someone driving a minivan […]