Baseball to Impliment Instant Replay

Once in a while, baseball fans are subject to moments that will change the game for ever. Recently, for better or worse, these fans have seen things that baseball's forefathers may have never dreamed of; Barry Bonds destroying the All-Time Home Run Record, the steroid scandal rocking the game to its core, a no hitter pitched by a cancer survivor, the list goes on.

Now, it seems, baseball fans will exhibit another change to the game; Instant Replay.

Baseball Officials have determined that human error, once considered to be a beautiful part of the game, is no longer going to be a factor in the game. Instant replay will now be used to determine "boundary home run calls".

It is with much displeasure that the staff here at 108 Red Stitches has come to accept the fact that technology has once again stuck its ugly head into America's Pastime.

We have only one comment to add, a suggestion per say. We're hoping that baseball puts more thought into the process and technology used to aid in the replays than they did when they began to install the QuesTec cameras throughout Major League Stadiums.

Should Bonds Be Punished By Major League Baseball?

I'll be the first to admit that I do not like Barry Bonds.

I never liked him when he was a Pirate, I never liked him when he played for the Giants, and I sure as hell didn't like him whenever he floated the idea of becoming a Yankee.

As far as punishing Bonds, Major League Baseball has no right in punishing the "new home run king". Legally at least.

You see, Bonds is a crafty man, or so he thought. By opting out of the players union, Bonds became a one man marketing dream.

If you want Bonds in a video game (approved by Major League Baseball and the Players Union) you have to negotiate with him directly. If you want him to appear on your baseball card, contact Bonds' agent, not the Players Union. If you want to film a public service announcement with Bonds and one hundred other ball players, you'll get the ball players, but you'll have to pay for Bonds.

But, by opting out of the Players Union, Major League Baseball will never have to worry about punishing Bonds.

He punished himself.

Companies like 2kSports and EA Games refuse to deal with Bonds, and pay unrealistic sums of money to use his likeness in their baseball franchises. Instead, gamers have to deal with a forty year old white guy who bats and throws right handed, and who answers to the name of John Dowd. All his stats are set to zero, and there is no record of the all-time home run leader throughout any aspect of the games. If you play with the San Fransisco Giants, you're basically left with a forty year old rookie, making eighteen million dollars.

Bonds punished himself by making it almost impossible to remember him. Baseball card companies, already strapped for cash (dying industry) have a hard time justifying negotiations with Bonds and company.

By opting out of the Players Union, Bonds punished himself. He doesn't have the backing of one of the most powerful unions in the United States when he appears before court. Any deal Major League Baseball strikes with the government, leaves Bonds out in the cold. His arrogance and foolishness could lead to his eventual imprisonment.

So, you ask again, should Major League Baseball punish Barry Bonds?

No. I think he's done enough.

Goose Calls Heard in Hall of Fame

The staff here at 108 Red Stitches would like to congratulate Goose Gossage on his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
We would also like to bitch slap everyone who still isn't in the "Don Mattingly for HoF Camp".
Goose finally gained entry into the Hall of Fame (his ninth attempt) and became only the fifth reliever to gain access to Cooperstown's hallowed halls. Goose received 86 per cent of the vote (one only needs 75 per cent to get elected).
Some speculate that Gossage's jump in votes may have been directly linked to the Performance Enhancing Cloud of Suspicion cast on the likes of Mark McGwire, David Justice, and (hehe) Chuck Knoblauch.
Jim Rice and Andre Dawson again fell short (72%/65%) but remain HoF eligible.
Goose's Career Stats:
Seasons: 22
Win/Loss Record: 124-107
Saves: 310
Strikeouts: 1502
ERA: 3.01

Gossage pitched for nine different franchises: White Sox, Yankees, Padres, Cubs, Giants, Rangers, Athletics, and the Mariners. He'll most likely go into the Hall wearing a Yankee cap.
ESPN's Rob Neyer writes that Goose deserves a shot at the hall.
MLB.com writer Thomas Harding covers Goose's reaction to a phone call from Jack O'Connell