Jul 11, 08 1:30 PM CDT
The American League is just flat out better than the National League, writes Darren Everson in the Wall Street Journal. The AL has had a lock on All-Star games for a decade, has won 11 of the last 16 World Series, and it dominates interleague play. Why the disparity? Everson explains that it's a combination of factors such as the DH rule, a flood of new talent and new stadiums, better drafting, and just plain luck. More »
Jul 2, 08 12:20 PM CDT
Report card time! Here’s how the rambunctious kids of MLB are doing so far, in Yahoo Sports’ Steven Henson’s estimation.
A students—Rays, Red Sox, Cubs, Angels, White Sox
Particular kudos go to the Rays, the poor kid who went to the head of the class.
B students—Cardinals, Brewers, Twins, Phillies, Yankees, Athletics, Marlins, Orioles
The Cardinals have a slight edge in the wildcard race. The Yankees, meanwhile, barely scrape together a B. More »
Jun 22, 08 2:15 PM CDT
Plenty of fans adore Curt Schilling, plenty more harbor less admiring thoughts about him, and Kevin van Valkenburg, writing in the Baltimore Sun, feels a little bit of both. As the Red Sox pitcher faces a season-ending surgery, a look back at his career shows a gifted athlete with a compelling mix of arrogance, neediness, and grit. More »
May 25, 08 3:33 PM CDT
With the help of modern air travel, Major League Baseball should seriously consider expanding across the Pacific, writes Jim Caple for ESPN. Such a move could be both profitable and intriguing, and keep Japan from hemorrhaging its best talent. Though, as Red Sox manager Terry Francona points out, "Saying it would be fun and making it work are two different things." More »
May 17, 08 3:07 AM CDT
Eric Byrnes lined out to left field in his first at-bat Friday night and finally felt good about his swing. Byrnes broke out of a monthlong slump with a homer and two RBIs, Dan Haren pitched seven innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Detroit 4-3 to hand the slumping Tigers their fifth straight defeat. More »