I was watching the MLB Network last night and heard something that I thought might make a decent discussion / debate.

Costas was talking to Cal Ripken Jr. and in the interview Ripken was discussing ethics in the game. He happened to mention that he was not a fan of the hidden ball trick. In fact, if someone other than the pitcher had the ball and an opposing runner was on second, he would tell the player to stay put because so-and-so had the ball. His theory was that it was amateurish and borderline cheating. And that he would rather build more goodwill in future discussions with the player as far as strategy and info on other players. He also mentioned that he refused to check the catcher's signs when he was on second, but it was OK if he was able to discern the next pitch because the pitcher or catcher was tipping pitches.

My disussion point is twofold. Is the hidden ball trick and stealing signs or cheating? And if a player on your team ratted you out to the opposition, how would you feel about it?

It reminded me of a play that Yunel made in his rookie season. I don't remember the exact circumstances, but Escobar caught someone sleeping and threw them out. I tend to consider these as "heads up" plays and think that they are a great break from the norm. You see the hidden ball trick once every 15-20 years or so and I don't think that these hurt the game in any way. In the same way that the pitcher fakes the throw to third and wheels to first to try and catch the runner off guard. It works every 5 years or so. These plays remind me of playing the game as a kid and brings some fun into what has become a game of money, agents and status. I think it would piss me off if an infielder with the team I was on told the opposing runner that another player had the ball.  What do you think?

I am, as you can tell by my screen name, a looooong time Braves fan. My family moved to the ATL in 1975. I have been involved in an argument with my brother for about 8 years or so. It has evolved over the years from bragging rights to monetary exchanges to finally public displays guaranteed to embarass one or the other.

Buzz Capra was pitching for the Braves and the runner on first attempted a stolen base. The catcher stood and threw to second and Capra turned to look. Unfortunately, he forgot to duck and got plowed in the back of the head. Chuckle. Chuckle. Our problem is that we cannot remember the year, who we were playing and (here is the basis of our wager), who was the catcher. 

I have searched various data bases and apparently, I am woefully inept. Here is a chance for you cyber-sport-geeks to hook me up with some much needed info. I can give you a head start:

Pos.              Player                    Games Pitched / Played

1975

Pitcher          Capra                               12

Catcher       Vic Correll                         103

                     Biff Pocoroba                    67

                     Johnny Oates                    8

                     Joe Nolan                          4

1976

Pitcher       Capra                                  5

Catcher      Vic Correll                         69

                    Earl Williams                   61

                    Biff Pocoroba                   54

                    Dale Murphy                     19

                    Pete Varney                       5

1977        

Pitcher       Capra                                  45

Catcher     Biff Pocoroba                     113

                   Vic Correll                           54

                   Joe Nolan                           62

                   Dale Murphy                       18

My brother thinks it was Correll and I think it is Poco. I had forgotten that Murph was catching during those years, but I do remember why they moved him to 1B and eventually CF. So it could have been one of his errant throws to second.  

My research did allow me to think about players that I had not thought of in years and I hope that y'all will be able to do the same. It kind of makes me appreciate the Braves that we have watched for the past 18 years or so....man did we suck back then!