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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Seattle Times: Stone: Bloggers, the new big brother

U.S.S. Mariner…sailing the Oceania.

It seems plausible that the furor has already had an impact on the Angels. With all the allegations flying last week, F-Rod gave up the winning homer to Oakland’s Mike Piazza on Thursday. Who knows if he was distracted — or, if you believe Zumsteg was on to something, that he had cleaned up his cap?

I had one final question for Zumsteg. What if he saw clear-cut evidence that, say, J.J. Putz of his beloved Mariners was doctoring the ball?

At first evasive, Zumsteg finally came clean.

“I don’t think someone who writes a book called ‘The Cheater’s Guide to Baseball’ is under any obligation to not favor his home team,” he said.

Repoz Posted: April 08, 2007 at 09:11 PM | 6 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: angels, community, mariners

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1. Halofan Posted: April 08, 2007 at 11:25 PM (#2329382)

"Zumsteg" is Slobovian for "Credibility Flusher"

2. Chad Posted: April 08, 2007 at 11:40 PM (#2329386)

I like Zumsteg. USS Mariner is a quality blog.

I'm undecided on the K-Rod thing, but it's interesting. I wonder if that glop will be on Frankie's hat later in the year or not. I really doubt he gave up the HR to Piazza because of this, though.

3. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot

Posted: April 08, 2007 at 11:51 PM (#2329393)

Given that every team has its multitude of bloggers and video cameras, this has the potential for a baseball version of a good old Cold War Era nuclear arms race. It might be a lot easier in the long run to just let pitchers load up in the first place.

4. susan mullen Posted: April 09, 2007 at 01:54 AM (#2329513)

Stone's coup de gras is that Zumsteg "finally" came clean. The problem is Stone gave insufficient buildup for this to be a bomb of any kind. Except in his own fantasy of himself. First, the thing went over the top when MLB made it so. Second, did Stone and his fellow baseball writers get into their field because they were fans of knitting? Every one of them has biases. Zumsteg is more believable because he didn't lie to Stone about being a fan. Although he owed Stone nothing.

5. The George Sherrill Selection Posted: April 09, 2007 at 02:26 AM (#2329553)

This did get out of hand. Everyone knows that the substance on K-Rod's cap was flaxseed oil. Perfectly natural!

6. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: April 09, 2007 at 03:25 AM (#2329629)

Stone's coup de gras is that Zumsteg "finally" came clean. The problem is Stone gave insufficient buildup for this to be a bomb of any kind. Except in his own fantasy of himself. First, the thing went over the top when MLB made it so. Second, did Stone and his fellow baseball writers get into their field because they were fans of knitting? Every one of them has biases. Zumsteg is more believable because he didn't lie to Stone about being a fan. Although he owed Stone nothing.

Stone's column is a pretty even-handed take on the whole matter. He doesn't level any potshots at Derek or bloggers in general, which is often irresistible for print writers (see CHB). And the question he asks at the end is an interesting way to finish up the column. I do agree with Chad, that I doubt the HR to Piazza was in any way linked, but overall this was a pretty decent summation and in no way the attack you want it to be.

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Seattle Times: Stone: Bloggers, the new big brother

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