Wired has an article up on sliding titled, "Physicists Say Headfirst Slide to Base Faster, Maybe."

Here's an excerpt...

According to Peters, it's simple physics: As a runner slides headfirst, the body's center of gravity -- and therefore its momentum -- is thrust forwards. Slide feet first, and the body's center of gravity falls backwards, away from the base.

"It's basic, fundamental angular momentum and Newton's laws applied to a body in motion being flung through the air," Peters said. Fellow physicist Alan Nathan agreed, noting that it's easier for a runner's churning legs to generate force with head and arms leading, not trailing.

But...

Of three published studies to test the physicists' hypothesis, none found a significant headfirst advantage, and one a disadvantage.

"We found no statistically significant difference in speed between headfirst and feet-first sliding at all levels of play in this study," concluded University of Texas researchers in a 2002 American Journal of Sports Medicine analysis of base-stealing techniques.

 

 

Kicking ass for Newton to the tune of 10 million a year

Here's the M's excerpt from the latest Rumblings and Grumblings...

Northwest Clearance Sale Dept.: Here's an interesting development: Clubs that have spoken with the Mariners report they're back-burning their attempts to deal Erik Bedard, for the moment at least, because they have more pressing priorities.

And what might those priorities be? Moving the likes of Richie Sexson, Jarrod Washburn, Miguel Batista and Adrian Beltre. That's what. Not surprisingly, unloading Sexson heads that list -- not that they're getting anywhere. Seattle is even expressing reluctance to deal Raul Ibanez -- at this point, anyway. One club reports the Mariners would like to package Ibanez with someone like Washburn or Batista, in hopes of maximizing the return. Otherwise, they're saying they would move their left fielder only "for a quality young outfielder" and another piece.

The inclusion of Beltre would seem to contradict the recent notion that the M's would like to keep him.

Unrelated bonus: This little blurb in point four of the primary topic.

...former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, now a senior vice president for baseball operations in Tampa Bay. He made two of the best midseason deals of the past decade -- snagging Carlos Beltran in 2004 and Randy Johnson in 1998.

I know Randy Johnson was lights out with the 'stros for those two months in 1998, but the return of Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and John Halama wasn't exactly chaff.

I wonder how far would the Mariners get if they moved the decimal point one place to the left and claimed clerical error on Silva's original contract? If Nintendo's lawyers pummelled Universal Studios over a copyright claim, shouldn't they be able to turn a contract of 48 million dollars into 4.8 million? Apples and space oranges I know, but one can hope.

Note: I realize the important information in the first image is repeated in the second image, but I didn't want to cover up the absurdity of Washburn and Batista's contracts with red markings.

The excerpt from today's chat (ESPN Insider only)...

Jerry (Albany, NY): Hey Keith, As someone with experience working in a big league front office, what do you think about the current state of the Mariners organization and their prospects for the future? The organization is a mess, and Bill Bavasi saddled the club with a lot of bad contracts. Who do you think are the best GM candidates who might be interested in the job? And what needs to change to get this club back on track?

 Keith Law: I think it's a pretty appealing job - great city, great stadium, high payroll, probably the best international scouting operation in the game, and some talent on the big league roster. This ain't Pittsburgh. #1 thing that needs to change is the win-now-right-now philosophy - they need to restock a little instead of making abortive runs at the Angels.

The other M's related answer from today's Klaw chat...

Brian (Austin, TX): Can you talk about Phillipe Aumont of the Mariners. He has good numbers this year and a 6'7 pitcher with a mid 90's power sinker sounds like future number one, will he climb up your top prospects list at the end of the year?

 Keith Law: It's not so much a power sinker as a pitch with natural sink from his low arm slot. The problem is that his secondary stuff is all below average, so he's a good ways off.

And a bit of hilarity to boot...

Jacob (Brooklyn): Sabathia for Billingsley, Kershaw, Loney and Kemp- WHO SAYS NO?

Keith Law: Well, every Dodger fan with two connecting neurons.

Woo! Best international scouting! Maybe? Awesome. We need more players from New Zealand though.

Alright then. Ken Rosenthal is taking the pulse of the M's clubhouse (some scrolling required)...

Meanwhile, the Mariners' clubhouse remains toxic, sources say, with both Japanese players, Johjima and Ichiro, drawing resentment. Several starting pitchers dislike throwing to Johjima, and his new contract is a source of envy. Players also are jealous of Ichiro, who follows his own training regimen and is perceived by some to be selfish.

Johjima's contract remains a point of envy? Seriously? Nearly a third of the team makes more than Joh does.

If this is even remotely true then the only proper course of action is to turn the M's roster into a Japanese All-Star team. That should fix the resentment right quick. Yes indeed.