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The article focuses on college baseball pitcher Mark Appel of Stanford University, Appel's decision to return to Stanford for the 2013 season rather than sign the $3.8 million contract offered him by the Pittsburgh Pirates after he was selected in the first round of the 2012 baseball draft is examined, particularly how Appel could be offered more money if he is a higher selection in the 2013 draft. Appel denies that money influenced his decision.

The author offers opinions on Major League Baseball's (MLB) suspension of player Alex Rodriguez for substance use. That MLB suspended Rodriguez for more than one season and that it did so without the player having failed a drug test is said to be largely attributable to a much harsher stance on drug use taken by the Major League Baseball Players' Association (MLBPA) labor union.

The article presents an interview with Major League Baseball (MLB) player Bryce Harper. Topics discussed include his participation in MLB's Home Run Derby during which his father pitched to him, his father's impressive physical condition, his brother Bryan's mustache, and whether he has ever been nervous in an MLB game.

The article considers the informal code of ethics in baseball of pitchers throwing the ball to deliberately hit batters. Former pitcher Al Leiter discusses instances where it is considered appropriate for a pitcher to do so including if the batter has previously displayed public contempt for the pitcher or if a batter on the pitcher's team has been deliberately hit by a pitch. The differing practices in the American and National Leagues due to the former's designated hitter rule are considered.

The article focuses on baseball player Manny Ramirez, who began the 2013 season as the designated hitter for the EDA Rhinos team in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan. Ramirez's popularity with baseball fans in Taiwan due to his past success in the U.S. major leagues is considered in relationship to the league's attempt to attract spectators following a series of scandals involving fixed games by organized crime interests.

Reports efforts of baseball players in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to form a players' union. How the KBO reacted by announcing that all union members would immediately be released; Suggestion of league spokesman Yang Hae-young that the economic crisis in Korea has impacted the league and sponsorship; How half of the union members have left the union.

The article presents information on baseball pitcher Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Topics include details on Bumgarner's performance in the Giants 2014 postseason, details on the Giants' win against the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 World Series championship, and mention of the Giants' other pitchers including Jake Peavy and Tim Hudson.

Criticizes the Major League Baseball ranking system. Limited details of the ranking system, which is conducted by Elias Sports Bureau and was devised by players and owners in 1981; Divisions in the ranking system; What the rankings are supposed to be used for; The role they play in contract negotiations; How the rankings impact free agency and draft picks; Examples of why the rankings seem improper after the 1998 season.

Reports on two baseball players, each with the name Tim Belcher, one a pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, one an outfielder with Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut. The misfortunes of each Belcher; Their ball-playing records.

Reports on the difficulties of breaking the chewing tobacco habit for various professional baseball players. New York Mets pitcher Pete Harnisch and the effect of withdrawal from tobacco on his pitching; Detroit Tigers pitcher Doug Brocail; Tom Kelly, manager of the Minnesota Twins; Paul Molitor, also of the Twins; Mike Hargrove of the Cleveland Indians.

Discusses strained relations between Major League Baseball umpires and players and managers as spring training winds down in 1997. The ejection of Cincinnati Reds manager Lou Piniella for asking an umpire to stop talking to one of his players; The aftermath of an incident involving Baltimore Orioles player Roberto Alomar and umpire John Hirschbeck in September 1996; Background on the deterioration of umpire-player relations.

Discusses several once-established major leaguers who have returned to the game of baseball after several years out of the game. How they are dealing and coping; Comments from Steve Trout; Background information about Mitch Williams; Previous injury to Kelly Gruber; Information about other players.

Remembers former St. Louis Cardinals baseball player Curt Flood, who died in January 1997. Cause of his death; His importance, according to New York Yankees manager and former teammate Joe Torre; His role in gaining a voice for baseball players in regards to trades involving themselves; His personality; Details on the antitrust suit he filed against Major League Baseball in January 1970; His statistics and skills as a player; Other details.

Notes the death of baseball pitcher Ewell Blackwell in November 1996. His agressive pitching style; His perfect game pitched against the 76th Infantry; His baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds.

Announces the high amount of a baseball contract signed by Travis Lee with the Arizona Diamondbacks in October 1996. The reaction of the rest of the baseball world; Lee's career in baseball; Possible implications for the rest of baseball.

Criticizes the actions of American League president Gene Budig regarding baseball player Roberto Alomar's spitting in an umpire's face. How Budig did not have to allow Alomar to continue playing; The 1993 agreement between the players' association and Major League Baseball; Reasons Budig could have suspended Alomar immediately; The precedents in other sports.

The author offers opinions on the suspension for drug use of 13 baseball players by the organization Major League Baseball (MLB). It is argued that the claim that players using performance-enhancing drugs led to an increase in home runs is false, as statistical analysis is said to reveal that a decline in home runs from 2008-2011 is solely due to increased strikeouts. MLB is seen as damaging its own interests with what is said to be an undue focus on player drug use.

The article considers the reaction of baseball fans and baseball players to a suspension given Milwaukee Brewers player Ryan Braun for violating the sport's drug use prevention policies.

The authors offer opinions on the 2013 baseball season based on the performances of players and teams during the season's first month. Among the forecasts presented are that the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals teams will contend for the National League East championship throughout the season, that the Colorado Rockies team will weaken after a strong start and that pitcher Jake Westbrook will not sustain his early success.

The article considers college baseball players selected in the first round of the baseball draft from 1988-2013 who chose not to sign a contract offered them, noting that of the nine players, six were represented by agent Scott Boras.

The article discusses the reported free agency value of professional baseball player Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees team as of March 2013, focusing on a comparison of Cano's career statistics with several other former Major League Baseball (MLB) second basemen such as Roberto Alomar, Rod Carew, and Ryne Sandberg. It states that Cano, who hit 33 home runs in 2012, is a perennial MLB Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate in the short-term future.

An interview is presented with former baseball manager Tony La Russa. La Russa says his favorite memorabilia from his career are autographed baseballs he received from teams he managed in the All-Star Game. He says that had he remained as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, the team could have retained player Albert Pujols after the 2011 season. La Russa says he believes players suspected or known to have used performance-enhancing drugs in the 1990s should be eligible for the Hall of Fame.

News briefs on sports are presented. Baseball player Melky Cabrera was disqualified for the National League batting championship as part of his suspension for failing a drug test. Billy Gillispie resigned as basketball coach of Texas Tech University. Anschutz Co. announced it would sell Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns several sports teams and a sports arena in Los Angeles, California.

Discusses the uniform dress code for players that is being regulated by Major League Baseball (MLB). Agreement reached by MLB and the players' union regarding players who wear baggy uniforms; Reaction by such players as Boston Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon on the restriction of tight pants.

Addresses reactions to an incident in which Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa was attacked by two fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. Difficulty in securing and policing a stadium; Increase in security at all stadiums following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2002.

Recounts several dug-out fights among baseball players that led to victories for the teams. Famous baseball players involved in brawls who went on to win the game for the team; Correlation between players' tempers and the desire to win.

Offers information on the contract of Detroit Tigers baseball player Juan Gonzalez. How the $140 million/8 year contract is the largest in baseball history; Details of Gonzalez' separation from his fourth wife, merengue singer Olga Tanon.

Claims that Major League Baseball managers are showing progressively less fiscal responsibility when it comes to signing even mediocre free-agents. Reprimand by commissioner Bud Selig; Claims of large salaries and long-term contracts for mediocre play, especially pitching.

Describes the failure of Mickey Mantle memorabilia to sell at an auction given by the Gallery of History in Las Vegas, Nevada. Generally high value of baseball collectibles; Offensive nature of signed Mantle baseballs; Authenticity of items.

Looks at the record-breaking spending of Major League Baseball teams on free agent players in late 1998. Contract of pitcher Randy Johnson with the Arizona Diamondbacks; Mo Vaughn's contract with the Anaheim Angels; Bernie William's contract with the New York Yankees; Albert Belle's contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

Presents positive and negative responses to the question of whether Major League Baseball (MLB) should ban the use of androstenedione, a substance which increases testosterone levels. Why MLB should follow the lead of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Football League in banning androstenedione; Why players should be allowed to use a legal substance which does not alter one's ability to play baseball.

Comments on the seven-year, $91 million contract that the New York Mets offered Mike Piazza to continue playing for them starting in the 1999 baseball season. Why Piazza decided to stay with the Mets, even though he might have been able to get more money in free agency; The respect that Piazza feels he gets from the team's owners and players; Comments from Piazza.

Discusses baseball great Shoeless Joe Jackson and the fact that he was possibly unable to sign his name. The fact that his will is to remain locked in government archives as ruled by the Supreme Court of South Carolina; The document's value to experts and collectors; Comments of the district attorney in Greenville County.

Profiles Dennis Martinez's 21-year career as a baseball pitcher. Comments from Martinez; His battle with alcoholism; Talk in 1995 of running for presidency in Nicaragua.

Examines the success of Ila Borders, the first woman to play regular-season professional baseball. Strengths of her play on the Northern League St. Paul Saints; Pitching experiences in her first games; Reception by crowds and other teams; No special treatment given.

Presents a graphical depiction of average amount of fare consumed by baseball players during an average game. The pieces of gum; Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds; The gallons of water; The canisters of tobacco.

Mentions a number of baseball players who never fulfilled the potential they showed in their rookie seasons. Sam Jethroe; Don Schwall; John Castino; Harry Byrd; The Kansas City Royals as having released in 1997 first baseman-designated hitter Bob Hamelin, the 1994 American League Rookie of the Year.

Reports comments made by sports agent Don Nomura in reaction to what he perceives as the mistreatment of his client, Japanese baseball player Hideki Irabu, by Major League Baseball. Criticism of Major League Baseball rules concerning Japanese players.

Mentions four baseball players noted for their ability to avoid striking out, as well as the player who struck out the most over the course of his Major League Baseball career. Nellie Fox, Joe Sewell, Edd Roush and Reggie Jackson; Statistics for each.

Opinion. Criticizes Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos for supporting Orioles player Roberto Alomar after Alomar spit in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck in September 1996. The suspension Alomar is set to serve; Why Angelos' support of the player is misguided.

Presents two graphs depicting the rise in baseball pitcher Roger Clemen's annual salary from 1985-1997 and the decline in his winning percentage from 1985-1996.

Relates comments from Roberto Alomar made to `The Washington Post' regarding his treatment by the press and baseball umpires. Alomar's feeling that the press exaggerated the incident of when he spit in the face of an umpire.

Opinion. Opines that baseball player Roberto Alomar's spitting in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck was a subhuman action. His resulting suspension; Why swift punishment of Alomar was a just response.

Reports on baseball team managers' choice of player that they would least like to face on a hypothetical Game 7 of the World Series scenario. Top choices by the managers; Comments by the managers on their choices.

Presents a chart showing how several college football stars have performed when they tried to play professional baseball. Ricky Williams from the University of Texas and the Philadelphia Phillies; Doug Johnson from the University of Florida and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; Quincy Carter from the University of Georgia and the Chicago Cubs; Kenny Kelly of the University of Miami and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Presents a chart comparing Shane Spencer, who plays for the New York Yankees in 1998, to two baseball players from literature. Joe Hardy, who played for the Washington Senators in the musical `Damn Yankees'; Roy Hobbs, who played for the New York Knights in book and film `The Natural.'

Profiles Tyrone Woods, first baseman for the OB Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization. Woods' 42 home runs in the 1998 season, the single season record for the organization; What was given to the fans who caught the record tying and setting home runs; Fan reactions to Woods' achievement.

Comments on the return of baseball pitcher Jim Abbott to Major League Baseball. His record in 1998 with the Chicago White Sox; Year spent in the minor leagues after playing for the California Angels and the New York Yankees; His physical handicap; Question of whether he will be signed for 1999 with Chicago.

Presents views about Saint Louis Cardinals' superstar Mark McGwire's use of androstenedione. How the use of the drug has no relation with his chasing the single-season home run record set by Roger Maris in 1961; Aspects of brute strength and hitting a baseball; How other Major Leaguers use the drug; Questions the scrutiny of McGwire for using the legal drug.

Discusses New York Giant's outfielder, Barry Bonds, as the most productive baseball player of the 1990s. How he compares to Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Albert Belle, and Cecil Fielder in home runs, RBIs, runs, and walks.