General Wiretap

MLB To Honor Jackie Robinson's 60th Anniversary

Baseball will honor the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier when the Padres play at the Dodgers on April 15.

A ceremony will take place on the field before the game. Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.

Via AP


Japan's Owners Weary Of Losing Talent To MLB

Japan's baseball owners are looking for ways to reduce the talent drain to the major leagues.

Under Japanese baseball rules, a player cannot become a free agent until after playing nine seasons of professional baseball. But many top players flee to Major League Baseball teams under the posting system, which allows teams to secure the negotiating rights for players and sign them before they become free agents.

Via AP


MLB Owners Appear To Have Little Interest In Tougher Drug Penalties

Baseball owners appear to have little interest in pursuing stricter penalties for amphetamines use -- even after Barry Bonds reportedly failed a drug test last year.

Baseball banned amphetamines for the first time starting last season. A player is not identified until after failing two amphetamines tests, which also results in a 25-game suspension. The first failed steroids test, by comparison, is a 50-game suspension.

Via AP


General Jan 2007 Archive