Tropicana Field

Some jerk from New York is thrashing Tropicana Field.

Teixeira called the catwalk and the ground “laughable,” but at least the Yankees won that game. . . . The miniature-golf-like obstacle in the dome — let’s not call it a ball park . . .

1. The B-ring he complains about has only come into play a few times over the years.

2. Because Tampa is so far south and west, but still on EDT, it's broad daylight here at 7 and it's twilight around 8:30, and dark at 10. Hitters will complain about that.

3. Its usually 85+ with 70% humidity here at 7 PM in June and July. Do people really want to sit outside?

That said I wouldn't have a problem with a real field. They look nicer, the artificial turf is horrible, and the lighting is the dome is ugly as sin. But I also like the Trop.

No-hitter

I went to the game today and got my money's worth. How often does all of this happen in one game:

1. Leyland (the Tigers manager) went off on an umpire for about a minute, getting in his face and shoving so much that another ump had to break it up. Isn't that an automatic suspension?

2. They called catcher inference.

3. The Rays won with 3 hits, the fewest in a win in over 20 years.

4. Joyce hit a grand slam. And it was the 1st hit of the game. In the 6th inning.

and of course, the story of the night:

5. Garza threw a no-hitter.

I saved my 32 oz. souvenir cup from the game. I collect the cups from all the gratuitously large soda's I drink, but this one is now maybe my favorite.

Historic Night in Baseball

Yesterday, Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement.

He was probably one of the most popular players in history, and easily one of the best. He hit 630 home runs, just one of just four players to do without the taint of steroids. Without being hampered by injuries late in his career he might have hit 750 or more.

My favorite Griffey moment was Griffey's winning run. Video here.

But yesterday will be best remembered for the biggest blown call in sports history.

Armando Galarraga threw a perfect game, but a bad call broke it up after 8 and 2/3rds innings. The two biggest stories this season, bad umpiring and perfect games, clashed last night for what might go down as the biggest story of the year.

I firmly believe Bud Selig will have the league officially change the call and give Galarraga his perfect game. It will be unprecedented, but appropriate, similar to the pine tar incident.

The call may also go down in history as a tipping point in the case for instant replay.

Update: Selig won't reverse the call. More evidence he will be remembered as the worst commissioner in baseball history.

Should they move the all-star game from Phoenix?

The MLB is under pressure to move it's all-star game from Phoenix next year due to Arizona's new immigration law. But the commissioner isn't caving in to the pressure. (Note: The article from the link has a bizarre headline.)

I don't really know what the law does--there's a difference between "Police can harass anyone they feel like," which I don't think its quite the language in the bill, and that police do harass random people. Perhaps people should take a chill pill and see how many wrongful arrests there are and how many deportations occur and then trade off the costs and benefits.

I don't think there is much of a benefit to deporting illegal immigrants. The problem with immigration is that it isn't fair, and the bias brings more negative externalities (social fragmentation, two-language equilibrium). Toying at the margin, kicking a couple people out, won't help with either of those problems. Kicking out a Mexican doesn't mean an African can come.

And then there is this great point from the comments: "In fact, historically, the Mexicans being excoriated by them probably have a greater right to be there than any of the Caucasians, given that the territory was militarily annexed from the Mexicans by the whites. It was their territory first." I wonder how hard people think before they say things like that. Since only the Native Americans were there what rights should Spanish Mexicans or Black Mexicans have? Should your rights be weighted by how Native American you are--and what if you're Mayan, do you have a claim on North American territory? Also, shouldn't the Mexicans who got annexed have to pay the U.S. government for the benefits of being Americans? (If you doubt that there are benefits ask yourself "If I had a choice between being a random person born in California or in northern Mexico, which would I pick?")