FARK.com: (3041545) The story of one of the greatest baseball pranks ever, a player who lost his job for throwing a potato

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		The story of one of the greatest baseball pranks ever, a player who lost his job for throwing a potato (sports.yahoo.com)		14
		More: Amusing

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3432 clicks; posted to Sports » on 01 Sep 2007 at 8:09 PM | Favorite | share:

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staplermofo		2007-09-01 05:33:55 PM

A potato in a jar of alcohol...
Sounds like they're going to try to prove the primordial soup theory with the sure path to Ireland.

dillenger69		2007-09-01 06:18:39 PM

Tater Salad?

simsite9		2007-09-01 06:34:05 PM

God, I love baseball.

dj_spanmaster		2007-09-01 07:09:09 PM

simsite9: God, I love baseball.

I love it when guys like Dave Bresnahan can help us remember that baseball is fun. Brings memories to mind, false ones like The Sandlot and Major League, along with real ones from my own youth. The pit antics while your team's up to bat, practical jokes that come to fruition when your team goes to field. The fine was fine, but he shouldn't've been let go.

The guys that keep baseball a business, they are the ones who need a laugh the most.

semiotix		2007-09-01 07:48:06 PM

For fun and profit, can anyone find the applicable rule in the MLB rulebook that justifies awarding the runner a base? (Not a rhetorical question--I'm hoping someone knows.)

I know this wasn't technically a major league game, but I doubt anyone has that year's rulebook for that particular league lying around.

Wise_Guy		2007-09-01 07:55:15 PM

dj_spanmaster: The fine was fine, but he shouldn't've been let go.

It may have had more to do with his .149 avg.

Sliding Carp		2007-09-01 08:06:31 PM

semiotix: For fun and profit, can anyone find the applicable rule in the MLB rulebook that justifies awarding the runner a base? (Not a rhetorical question--I'm hoping someone knows.)

I can't quote chapter and verse, but I think there's a catch-all rule that says basically that anything not specifically covered is up to the discretion of the umpire, and the umpire can do anything at all to keep the game fair.

I would agree more with the ump who said 'no play, runners back to their bases', but the hard-ass response was at least arguable, if not correct.

semiotix		2007-09-01 08:12:54 PM

Sliding Carp:I can't quote chapter and verse, but I think there's a catch-all rule that says basically that anything not specifically covered is up to the discretion of the umpire.

Yeah, I found that rule--9.01(c), if anyone's curious--but I was wondering if there was a rule that specifically covered deceptions or illegal ball substitutions or what have you. Of course, regardless, it's hard to argue with what the umpire actually did, especially since he refrained from tossing the guy.

/"illegal ball substitution"... heh heh, that sounds dirty

mcmnky		2007-09-01 08:19:42 PM

Real. American. Hero.

The Gordie Howe Hat Trick		2007-09-01 08:29:54 PM

If anyone cares, my grandpa played ball in the International League and other minor/semi-pro leagues for a few years in the 1920's and 30's. He also played against barnstorming teams of Black players and Cubans squads as well.

I remember as a kid he told me the story where the catcher would throw a potato into left field to lure a runner off second or third base. They didn't play under lights so as it got towards dusk, the odds of it succeeding went up. He also made it sound like it happened on more than one occasion.

/ I miss him
//RIP Grandpa

deltabourne		2007-09-01 08:43:42 PM

Darn mods changed my title

/Originally had a Mussina joke
//Wasn't really that good
///Am a Yankees fan

Mentat		2007-09-01 09:12:54 PM

Minor league games are great. I was at one where the away team catcher was caught napping when a runner stole second. The fans started taunting him and he got so flustered that the home team ended up stealing second 3 more times that inning. Good times.

subtlehavok		2007-09-01 11:17:31 PM

Thats f*cking funny, i don't care who you are.

Peter Fitzwell		2007-09-02 09:04:29 AM

Tater Mitts? (new window)

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