Quote of the Week
“ Props to the Mexican drug lord who got me turned on to reading. ”
– Lenny Dykstra
This Week in Baseball
Danger Will Robinson ...
Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano was suspended for 80 games on Tuesday after testing positive for furosemide, a diuretic sometimes used to hide the presence of other banned substances. An eight-time All-Star, Cano is the most well-known baseball player to be suspended for the use of a banned substance since his former teammate Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees in 2013. Boy, it's a real mystery how Cano could have gotten into this stuff.
What Happens in the United States, Stays in the United States ...
The Supreme Court cleared the way on Monday for states to legalize sports betting, striking down a 1992 federal law that had prohibited most states from authorizing sports betting. The 6-3 ruling is a victory for New Jersey and other states that have considered allowing sports gambling as a way to encourage tourism and tax revenue. Finally, there will be places to gamble on sports for people who don't live in Las Vegas or who have never heard of "The Internet."
Snake-Bitten ...
The Diamondbacks started the season impressively but have been decimated by injuries. The Diamondbacks added Clay Buchholz to their roster Sunday so the right-hander could start the series finale at Citi Field. How bad have the injuries been? Well, I don't know if you heard, but they had to use Clay Buchholz to start a game.
It's Raining, Men ...
Weather was not on the Yankees' side during their planned two-game series in Washington, D.C., against the Nationals. Their game on Tuesday was cut short by rain in the sixth inning and the nightcap on Wednesday was rained out. They had to sleep at Dulles International Airport because of a combination of miserable weather and mechanical problems with the plane, which never took off. Not surprising to see a group of highly paid people unable to get off the ground in Washington.
Back from the Dead ...
The reigning National League champions are finally back to playing winning baseball. Kike Hernandez and Yasiel Puig each hit two-run homers, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals 7-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. The Dodgers had been in a tailspin of underperformance and rampant injuries. Fortunately for them, the Nationals were under-underperforming and had even more rampantly rampant injuries.
On the Air
“ If a 100 mph fastball gets fouled off into my nuts... just put me in a chemical coma for three months. ”
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Episode 65: Disneyland; James Paxton; Albert Pujols 3,000; Ichiro; Dylan Bundy Blunder; Matt Harvey Purgatory; Power Rankings; NBA Playoffs; Taylor Swift-Katy Perry
First and foremost, how about that James Paxton, eh? Dominate no-no from the Big Maple. And James Paxton couldn’t have better timing—Episode 65 of Foul Territory: A Baseball Podcast is, indeed, the James Paxton edition. In addition to Paxton’s dominant …
Going Deep
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MLB Embracing Next Competitive Advantage: Mental Skills
“If you can’t quantify it, people tend to disregard it.” —Terry Francona As sabermetrics continue to act as the foundation for most MLB front offices, many people are wondering what the next competitive advantage will be. Nutrition? Sleep? Injury prevention? …
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Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Cubs-Indians Wrigley Field Experience
Leaving Wrigley Field after the Cleveland Indians’ 10-1 trounced the Chicago Cubs, I was struck by the complete transformation of the area around the National League’s answer to Fenway Park. Red Sox fans, and anyone who’s ever been to a game …
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Juan Soto: A Washington Nationals Story
There has been a lot of talk over the last year or so about what the Washington Nationals should do with its soon-to-be free agent, star outfielder Bryce Harper. Should they resign him? Can they resign him? Should they trade …
Off Base
