Johnson's Secret: Hitting People

Lefty pitcher calls it a day after reaching 300 wins

(AP) - After 22 major league seasons, The Big Unit is walking away from baseball, ending one of the greatest pitching careers in baseball history. The 6-foot-10 Johnson announced his retirement on a conference call late yesterday, a decision that had been expected from the overpowering left-hander who reached 300 wins last June. "I really wanted to go out on my terms," Johnson said. "I just feel like there's not a lot more for me to do in this game." More»

(NEWSER) - White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle retired 27 consecutive Tampa Bay Rays today for a perfect game and a 5-0 win, the Chicago Tribune reports. There were a couple of dicey moments, particularly in the ninth inning, when center fielder DeWayne Wise barely caught a drive by Gabe Kapler destined for the stands, the AP adds. It’s the first perfect game since Randy Johnson’s in 2004, and the 16th since 1900. More»

Signing pair of reality-show winners brings baseball to India, adds to mutual ties

(NEWSER) - The Pittsburgh Pirates, baseball’s perennial losers, scored a huge win for US-India relations last week when they signed as pitchers two young reality-show winners, Bruce Reed notes in Slate. “With one grand, unlikely gesture, Pennsylvania has introduced America’s national pastime to the second-most-populous nation on earth,” he writes. “For their sake, let’s hope it's possible to learn baseball by watching the Pittsburgh Pirates.” More»

Playing catch now can limit rotator cuff injuries

(NEWSER) - Tossing a baseball around in the off-season might help young pitchers stave off rotator cuff injuries, reports HealthDay. "Most high school athletes go from football to basketball and then start throwing a baseball at full speed," says the Houston Astros' team doc, adding that their arms aren't yet in "baseball shape." More»