Baseball ethics

Go check out "Ranking baseball’s ethical transgressions," a description of a recent Willy Stern class at Carlton College.

Then go rank the hundred-odd real-life baseball scenarios yourself.

Which was worse—the murder of minor-league ump Samuel White in 1899 by a player who didn’t like one of the ump’s calls and smashed the poor man over the head with his bat, or the decision to exclude African-Americans from organized baseball for decades?

What about the catcher who heaved a potato (that looked like a ball) into left field in a seemingly failed effort to pick off the runner at third, only to tag the runner out with the real ball when he trotted home?

Say it ain't so, Andy

The subtitle of Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte's book:

Targeting A Life Of Integrity & Purity

From the back cover of Pettitte's book:

While life as a big league baseball player has brought Andy Pettitte fame and accolades, it has also brought with it temptation. However, Andy learned to deal with temptation long before he donned his first major league uniform. While still a teenager, Andy committed himself to Christ and a life of purity. With his target identified early on, he has been able to hit the strikezone throughout his life.

From the Mitchell report on steroids in Major League Baseball, released today:

McNamee said that Pettitte called him while Pettitte was rehabilitating his elbow in Tampa, where the Yankees have a facility, and asked again about human growth hormone. Pettitte stated that he wanted to speed his recovery and help his team.

McNamee traveled to Tampa at Pettitte’s request and spent about ten days assisting Pettitte with his rehabilitation. McNamee recalled that he injected Pettitte with human growth hormone that McNamee obtained from Radomski on two to four occasions.

Spring around the corner?

Mattingly is moving up the ranks and Pettitte is back in pinstripes--can pitchers and catchers be far away?

And broadcaster Suzyn Waldman is belting out Christmas carols on stage. (O Derek the captain, Was alive as he could be, And the children say, He could laugh and play, Just the same as you and me.)