To copy blueconversechucks's push to influence yesterday's ESPN poll about A's vs. Angels, check out the current poll on ESPN.com (still red states vs. blue states, but at least Billy is Blue).

Only 64 votes as of the posting of this diary, but Billy's leading Joe 52% to 48%.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/index

I've got a question about the history of the DH. I was just reading on Marty Lurie's blog (http://www.loveofthegameproductions.com/) about his view that the DH should be accepted in both leagues. I personally disagree with this and consider myself an NL style of baseball fan, but an NL team hater. i.e. I'd like to see the AL drop the DH, although the union would never allow this.

However, every level of baseball that I ever played (including Pony League, HS and now adult baseball) has used the DH, so it started me wondering if non-MLB rules have always included the DH.

My question for those great and wise ANers who grew up playing ball prior to the DH's entry into MLB is did the rule exist in other areas of baseball prior to it's implementation in MLB? was the DH rule cooked up out of thin air by MLB and then disseminated to all levels of baseball or was it as widely used as it is now, but finally the AL accepted it?

Also, any idea why only the AL started using the DH and not the NL? The AL wasn't exactly the upstart league anymore by that time.

A friend of mine just forwarded this email from an SF State professor who's hosting Michael Lewis in his history class on Thursday afternoon. Won't be able to make it myself b/c of work, but thought many from the Nation would appreciate it and maybe someone can report back.

Of course, if you attend please be very respectful and gracious and try to blend in. :-)
From: Jules Tygiel <tygiel@sfsu.edu>
Subject: Michael Lewis Talk (reminder)
Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2005 12:00:18 -0700 (PDT)

On Thursday, April 14, from 4:10-5:25, Michael Lewis, author of the >bestselling MONEYBALL, will be discussing his book in my History and Literature of Baseball Class.  MONEYBALL, one of the most important books on baseball written in the past five years, looks at the success of the low-budget Oakland A's franchise and how they utilized new statistical ideas to build their club.  The lecture in HSS317 is open to everyone
who wishes to attend.
JULES TYGIEL
PROFESSOR OF HISTORY
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
http://bss.sfsu.edu/tygiel

Enjoy!!

I find this very encouraging. I have complete faith in Wash's ability and at least if Ginter is horrible Wash will tell Macha to keep him out of the field.

From Marty Lurie's website (http://www.loveofthegameproductions.com):
When baseball fans hear names such as Johnny Sain, Walt Hriniak, Charlie Lau, and Leo Mazzone they immediately recognize some of the most successful major league coaches in baseball history, men who have shaped the careers of numerous hall of famers.

Add A's infield coach Ron Washington to the above list.

Click below for more!

Washington supervises voluntary 8 30 AM spring training workouts for any A's infielder self motivated to improve his game. Past results with Miguel Tejada, Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis, and even Jason Giambi speak for themselves.

It took some shaky infield play this spring from new A's second baseman Keith Ginter to make the former Brewer realize he needed Washington's help. After three weeks of trying to shake the "rattle" from his glove on his own, Ginter has seen the light and now is enrolled in the early morning workouts.

There was a poll on ESPN yesterday about how many players would get busted for steroids this season, wanted to see what AN thought about that.

So make your guesses in the poll below, how many players, and who, will be outed by MLB steroid testing this season?

I'm betting on 8 guys being outed this year (by end of December) and receiving 10 game suspensions.

My guess at names: Bobby Abreu, Russell Branyan, Ryan Klesko, Preston Wilson, Michael Barrett, Joe Borchard, Dustin Mohr & Brad Penny. I wanted to pick more pitchers, but then I ended up with too many guys and had to cut people like Vinnie Chulk.

Only Athletic I considered for this was Byrnesie, but I had enough other guys and I don't want it to be true about Eric, so I tossed him off.

Let the Steroid Pool begin. Remember who you pick so you can claim "victory" at the end of the season.