Questions tagged [mlb]
Questions related to Major League Baseball (MLB).
256
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What baseball rules or calls have become customary despite them not being in the rule book?
There are some rules in Major League Baseball that have "evolved" over time. One such example is the checked swing rule. Announcers talk about the bat "breaking the plane of the plate" to judge ...
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16
votes
2
answers
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What are the criteria for wins, losses, and saves in MLB?
I've read the rules for determining Wins, Losses and Saves for pitchers, and I've never been able to make heads or tails of it. Is there an easier way to explain it?
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2
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What team has the shortest "longest losing streak" within a season in MLB history?
Don't know if the wording of the title makes sense, but I want to know what team had the longest losing streak that was the shortest in MLB history (or at least the live ball era)
A completely made ...
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2
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What is the history/reasoning behind the defensive indifference rule in MLB?
I'm struggling to find a good answer as to why a player would not be credited with a stolen base under the official MLB rules. It seems to me that most indifference calls are made when the defending ...
- 1,189
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2
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Walkoff homer, decisive run scores but following runner leaves base path
This question is a hypothetical based on the last play of Game 5 of the 2014 NLCS.
San Francisco batting in the bottom of the 9th, score tied 3-3, runners Arias at second and Belt at first, one out. ...
- 1,356
13
votes
2
answers
3k
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Has the practice of retiring numbers ever become a problem?
Some professional sports teams retire numbers in honor of exceptional players. If practiced frequently enough by an old team, such a practice would be unsustainable. You'd run out of numbers. More ...
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13
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2
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Why can't MLB teams trade draft picks?
Why can't MLB teams trade draft picks like the NHL or NFL?
It would make for much more interesting drafts, and teams could "stock up" on young talent, then burn picks for veterans to make a playoff ...
- 527
12
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4
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Why are there no left handed catchers in baseball?
Why is it seemingly forbidden for a lefty to play catcher?
Lefties would have an advantage fielding bunts and throwing to first, as they would already be oriented towards first when getting the ball. ...
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1
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Does MLB Rule 7.13(2) (on blocking the plate) apply to players other than the catcher?
There was an unusual play in tonight's NLDS game between San Francisco and Washington. With runners at second and third, and one out, the Nationals pitcher P threw a wild pitch (on an intentional ...
- 1,356
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3
answers
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Why doesn't the MLB implement a salary cap?
I was reading an article in FiveThirtyEight a few months back which described the NBA as one of the most lopsided leagues in North America. By that it meant that the same teams tended to be successful,...
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1
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Are there any rules in baseball which prohibit teams from "borrowing" players via trade?
Every season near the trade deadline, we see teams that are out of it trading expensive players and/or free agents-to-be, typically for younger players or prospects. For example, Matt Garza, set to ...
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10
votes
1
answer
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Switch-Pitcher versus Switch-Batter
A Switch-Pitcher is pitching (Can pitch with the left or right arm).
A Switch-Batter is at the plate (Can bat from the left or right side).
In the MLB, who is forced to choose what side they are ...
- 527
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1
answer
1k
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Use of the designated hitter (DH) in the MLB
With the Houston Astros moving to the American League starting in 2013, each league (National and American) will have an even amount of teams (15). As a result, the debate regarding designated ...
user527
10
votes
1
answer
655
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How does the rise in popularity of fantasy sports affect league ticket sales?
I've seen some guesswork on the web around the economic impact fantasy sports has had on tv viewership and general product sales. However, I can't find any hard research on what the effect on ticket ...
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2
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What is a balk?
I am a casual baseball fan, and by that I mean exclusively watching through Jomboy breakdown videos.
In a recent video Manager WANTS a balk to be called, a breakdown, he starts off with saying:
We've ...
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9
votes
2
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MLB no-hitter resulting in loss
According to Major League Baseball an official no-hitter consists of a pitcher having pitched at least 9 innings while allowing 0 hits.
In MLB history has a team lost while having a pitcher throw an ...
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9
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1
answer
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Is this a legal way to tag-up and run faster?
Scenario:
With 1 out and a runner on third-base, the batter hits a sacrificial fly ball to right field, enabling the runner to head for home.
Traditionally, the runner sits on third until the fly is ...
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9
votes
3
answers
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What is BABIP in Baseball, and what does it tell us?
How does one get a high/low BABIP? Is this statistic for hitters and/or pitchers? What does a high/low BABIP mean?
Definition: BABIP = (Hits - Homeruns) / (At Bats - Strikeouts - Homeruns + ...
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votes
1
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New York Yankees logo
There seems to be 2 logos for New York Yankees. The rightmost one seems to be the official one. How about the leftmost one?
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1
answer
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Why was Kansas City denied home field advantage in the 1985 ALCS?
In 1985 home field advantage in the league championship series was done on a rotating basis. In the American League it was East even years, West odd years. Why where the Royals denied home field ...
9
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2
answers
200
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Preventing a player from playing a specific position via suspension
In Major League Baseball, any player can play any position. This seems to be the main reason a Pitcher is suspended with the same standard suspension as a position player. This despite a pitcher's ...
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9
votes
1
answer
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Has there ever been an MLB game where the only hit was an inside-the-park home run?
Has there ever been a one-hitter MLB game in which the hit is an inside-the-park home run?
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9
votes
1
answer
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MLB Rule Changes, what is the process?
It seems many sports have a system but it isn't always followed. It may start with team owners and then voting to push it forward or 'commissioner' role may just implement something arbitrarily, ...
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votes
1
answer
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Has a college team ever played against a professional team?
This question is inspired by the recent debate[1][2][3][4] about whether the 2014-15 University of Kentucky men's basketball team (who had been undefeated until tonight's loss to Wisconsin) could ...
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1
answer
644
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Use of the Disabled List
At times Major League Baseball teams place an underperforming player on the DL (Disabled List). It seems the DL would be meant for players who are injured and or are returning from injury. Why aren't ...
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8
votes
1
answer
22k
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Batting average greater than on-base percentage
While watching a New York Mets game early this season, before one plate appearance the broadcast graphics displayed that catcher John Buck had a batting average (AVG) of .400 and an on-base percentage ...
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3
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Suspending a pitcher for misconduct
For an everyday player the standard 5 game suspension for misconduct certainly hurts both the player and the team as a whole. Whereas, the same standard 5 game suspension for pitcher doesn't even ...
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3
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Why are large MLB contracts backloaded?
Many MLB contracts are backloaded. For example, Alex Rodriguez will be making over $30 million USD per year at the end of his deal in 2017, much higher than the average annual value.
I understand ...
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3
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Why don't pitchers throw a combination of overhand and sidearm?
If I was going to teach someone to pitch I would want to teach them to pitch both sidearm and overhand.
I think the combination of the two styles would help to confuse batters because they would not ...
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2
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When does a player become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft?
During the annual meetings of baseball every winter there is a short reorganization of baseball teams. It's called the Rule 5 draft.
During this draft a certain group of players from each team are ...
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2
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Is MLB Statcast data permanently archived somewhere?
Major League Baseball has begun collecting a set of physics data under the name "Statcast", including such information as the exit velocity of notable home runs. I would like to know if this data is ...
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7
votes
2
answers
599
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When does MLB use instant replay?
I was inspired to ask this question given instant replay was mentioned in this thread: Why is FIFA against adding instant replay to the game?
For the 2012 season, has baseball changed any rules ...
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7
votes
1
answer
402
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Intentionally being struck with batted ball to prevent a double play
Situation as follows:
Runners on first and second, zero or one out. Ground Ball is hit to the shortstop. The runner on second intentionally slides into or kicks the ball, getting himself out, so that ...
- 504
7
votes
1
answer
892
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Zero-pitch save
It occasionally happens that a pitcher will earn a save by throwing one pitch. For example, he is brought in with two outs in the ninth and a two-run lead, and his first pitch is popped up.
In ...
- 1,356
7
votes
1
answer
9k
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Why have some MLB managers stopped wearing uniforms?
I believe that for many years, MLB managers would always wear the same uniform as their players during games. However, I've been watching more games on TV this year, and it seems that many managers ...
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7
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2
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MLB: Gray area concerning runners passing each other rule
I was just watching the cubs - mets game on TV (7/1/15) and in the bottom of the 8th, a bit of a bizarre play transpired, which seemed to stump the umpires and commentators alike. There were runners ...
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7
votes
1
answer
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What is the lowest number of hits to lead a team for a major league baseball season?
For a full major league baseball season, what player has led his team with the fewest number of hits? If the season did not have 162 games, what is the answer for 162 game seasons?
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2
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Unique baseball scoring situation: Who gets the Win?
The question is which pitcher gets the win A or B?
My baseball team played a double header (each game 7 innings) recently. Pitcher A started game 2. Because he also pitched in game one (all 7 innings)...
7
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2
answers
7k
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Does any rule require MLB teams to announce probable pitchers?
In Major League Baseball, a few days before each game, each team typically announces a "probable" starting pitcher.
Is there a rule requiring them to do so, or is it simply a matter of tradition or ...
- 1,356
7
votes
1
answer
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Error or Earned Run?
There seems to be great disagreement about whether Starlin Castro made an error in the 5th inning of the Cubs-Athletics game on July 2, 2013.
The AP recap of the game reads: "The Cubs collapsed on ...
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7
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1
answer
3k
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How many pitches does a reliever usually need to warm up?
A one-inning "reliever" in Major League Baseball will typically throw between 5 and 20 pitches in a game. How many warm up pitches does he need before he can do this?
Said reliever is allowed up to ...
- 3,754
6
votes
3
answers
748
views
Infield Fly Rule
During the 2012 NL Wild Card game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves, a fly ball was hit by Atlanta. St. Louis let the ball drop due to miscommunication, but an umpire called "...
user527
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4
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Is a base runner automatically out if they stop advancing when forced to their next base?
Here's a situation that came up during a back lot league softball game a few weeks ago.
(Note: While our league has some of its own rules we try to defer to MLB rules in all causes that aren't ...
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votes
1
answer
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Does a pitcher receive an earned run if he makes an error?
I know if a runner crosses a plate on an error made by a defending player, the run doesn't count as earned to the pitcher but if the runner scores because of an error made by the pitcher, shouldn't ...
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6
votes
2
answers
194
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Winning despite walking
What is the MLB record for the most walks (bases on balls) allowed in a single game (9 inning game) by a pitcher who ultimately still recorded the win?
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6
votes
1
answer
5k
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Why did Ichiro choose number 31 with the Yankees?
When Ichiro Suzuki was traded from the Mariners to the Yankees, he went with uniform #31 instead of #51. I understand the reasoning behind not selecting #51 (Bernie Williams' number, which I guess ...
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6
votes
1
answer
615
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Pitching loss in baseball
Pitcher A allows the potential lead runner to reach base in a tie game. Pitcher B comes in to relieve and gives up a hit, then gets the lead runner out on a fielder's choice. Now, pitcher A has nobody ...
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1
answer
2k
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Who implemented the first infield shift?
Today many MLB teams utilize numerous types of defensive alignments depending on the batter in order to gain a defensive advantage.
Which MLB manager was the first to implement an infield shift for ...
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6
votes
1
answer
986
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Approximately how much does a catcher's gear weigh?
About how much does all the gear that a (professional) baseball catcher wears weigh? I know some are made of light-weight material but I'd still like to know about how much it all weighs.
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Pitchers with postseason home run
Can you please list all pitchers who have hit a home run in the history of MLB playoffs?
Bonus: Include position players who started a postseason game as the pitcher and hit a homerun
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