SB Nation User Blog: davethebutcher

Boog ballin This actually went on about three times as long as I have, took me a bit to get...

davethebutcher — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:36:55 -0000

Boog ballin

This actually went on about three times as long as I have, took me a bit to get the camera out.

Pujols and Bengie before Friday nights game.

davethebutcher — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:55:10 -0000

Pujols and Bengie before Friday nights game.

The break of the curveball

davethebutcher — Mon, 25 May 2009 04:30:50 -0000

The break of the curveball

Check out the link for a cool optical illusion.

Description:

"In baseball, a curveball creates a physical effect and a perceptual puzzle. The physical effect (the curve) arises because the ball’s rotation leads to a deflection in the ball’s path. The perceptual puzzle arises because the deflection is actually gradual but is often perceived as an abrupt change in direction (the break). Our illusions suggest that the perceived "break" may be caused by the transition from the central visual system to the peripheral visual system. Like a curveball, the spinning disks in the illusions appear to abruptly change direction when an observer switches from foveal to peripheral viewing."

Found on reddit.com

davethebutcher — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:06:56 -0000

Found on reddit.com

Daily Spring Training Slideshow

davethebutcher — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:27:04 -0000

Daily Spring Training Slideshow

Some great pictures from the Post DIspatch. You can order prints online.

The last man to steal first base.

davethebutcher — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:37:05 -0000

The last man to steal first base.

Germany Schaefer stole first base. On Aug. 4, 1911, playing for the Washington Senators, Schaefer stole second base conventionally, hoping to draw a throw from the catcher so a teammate could steal home. The catcher didn't throw, so on the next pitch Schaefer ran back to first.

That was legal at the time, but rule 7.08i now forbids a player to run the bases in reverse order "for the purpose of confusing the defense or making a travesty of the game."

From http://www.futilitycloset.com/2008/11/25/clockwise/ , a great site in case you haven't heard of it before.

Go Cards. Restaurant Fail.

davethebutcher — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:56:20 -0000

Go Cards. Restaurant Fail.

From PECOTA to Politics

davethebutcher — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:02:54 -0000

From PECOTA to Politics

"Nate Silver is a number-crunching prodigy who went from correctly forecasting baseball games to correctly forecasting presidential primaries—and perhaps the election itself. Here’s how he built a better crystal ball."

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
Mission:
"Most narrowly, to give you the best possible objective assessment of the likely outcome of upcoming elections."

What's with all the dumb baseball commentary on television?

davethebutcher — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:39:47 -0000

What's with all the dumb baseball commentary on television?

"During the baseball playoffs, the best place to see comprehensive highlights of all the games is ESPN's Baseball Tonight. Just make sure to watch with the sound off, lest lead analyst John Kruk pulverize the parts of your brain responsible for logical reasoning..."

Pujols Undergoes Elbow Surgery

davethebutcher — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:39:26 -0000

According to Press Release

"The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols underwent surgery on his right elbow earlier today in a procedure that included decompression and transposition of the ulnar nerve.

The surgery, which was performed by Cardinals team physician Dr. George Paletta, did not require reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament. Pujols will begin his rehabilitation this week and is expected to make his recovery by Spring Training."

Link

For this type of surgery:

"Avoid forceful use of the involved arm, including manual labour, heavy lifting, and sports involving use of the upper limb, until six weeks after the surgery, at which time all activity restrictions are eliminated."

Link