**The Official SF Giants 2010 Season Thread**
- Thread starter DUTCH-F.E
- Start date
lol nvm... god damn wiki already on it....
Juiced ball theory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The "juiced ball" theory suggested that the baseballs used in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1990s and early 2000s were altered in order to increase scoring. MLB denied the allegations, but the theory cannot be discredited. It is now believed that the increase in scoring during this period was caused by players who used performance-enhancing drugs.
It was claimed that a "juiced" ball bounces off the bat at a higher speed.[1] Johnny Oates observed hits being made off pitches that should not have been elevated.[2]
In 2000, Jim Sherwood, a professor at UMass Lowell, was hired to test the baseballs manufactured in the Rawlings facility in Costa Rica. The tests and regulations for MLB baseballs were described in detail. He said that he did not expect to find any change from the manufacturing process that had been used for the previous 16 years or more.[3] Various baseball manufacturers in the United States also agreed that the theory is nonsense, as there are many quality checks in place.[4] The stitchers interviewed did not even know what a juiced ball is. On the other hand, there is an argument that their livelihood depends on baseball sales, which may increase if the balls are juiced.[5]
Many pitchers felt that the balls became harder and traveled faster. Some pitchers performed their own tests. Kenny Rogers found that the ball in the center of each baseball was made of rubber, rather than the old cork. Billy Koch found that when dropped from the same height, the rubber balls from 2000 bounced 2 to 4 inches higher than rubber balls from 1999. When asking people about the juiced ball theory, many of the believers came to the conclusion that MLB executives started the Steroid and HGH Scandal to cover up the possibility of the juiced ball theory [6]
In 2000, Frank Deford, a writer for Sports Illustrated, interviewed Sandy Alderson, an MLB vice president, to discuss the possibility of a conspiracy by MLB to doctor the balls. Alderson denied this possibility, and Deford also discredited it as a conspiracy theory.[7]
Some players in the 2002 World Series complained that the balls were juiced after an 11-10 game. Alderson denied these allegations.[8]
On September 24, 2010, vs the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum asked for his ball to be swapped and reported that it was juiced. To account for the batting average difference between home and away teams at Coors Field, there has been recent speculation that opposing pitchers are being given juiced balls.
Juiced ball theory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The "juiced ball" theory suggested that the baseballs used in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1990s and early 2000s were altered in order to increase scoring. MLB denied the allegations, but the theory cannot be discredited. It is now believed that the increase in scoring during this period was caused by players who used performance-enhancing drugs.
It was claimed that a "juiced" ball bounces off the bat at a higher speed.[1] Johnny Oates observed hits being made off pitches that should not have been elevated.[2]
In 2000, Jim Sherwood, a professor at UMass Lowell, was hired to test the baseballs manufactured in the Rawlings facility in Costa Rica. The tests and regulations for MLB baseballs were described in detail. He said that he did not expect to find any change from the manufacturing process that had been used for the previous 16 years or more.[3] Various baseball manufacturers in the United States also agreed that the theory is nonsense, as there are many quality checks in place.[4] The stitchers interviewed did not even know what a juiced ball is. On the other hand, there is an argument that their livelihood depends on baseball sales, which may increase if the balls are juiced.[5]
Many pitchers felt that the balls became harder and traveled faster. Some pitchers performed their own tests. Kenny Rogers found that the ball in the center of each baseball was made of rubber, rather than the old cork. Billy Koch found that when dropped from the same height, the rubber balls from 2000 bounced 2 to 4 inches higher than rubber balls from 1999. When asking people about the juiced ball theory, many of the believers came to the conclusion that MLB executives started the Steroid and HGH Scandal to cover up the possibility of the juiced ball theory [6]
In 2000, Frank Deford, a writer for Sports Illustrated, interviewed Sandy Alderson, an MLB vice president, to discuss the possibility of a conspiracy by MLB to doctor the balls. Alderson denied this possibility, and Deford also discredited it as a conspiracy theory.[7]
Some players in the 2002 World Series complained that the balls were juiced after an 11-10 game. Alderson denied these allegations.[8]
On September 24, 2010, vs the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum asked for his ball to be swapped and reported that it was juiced. To account for the batting average difference between home and away teams at Coors Field, there has been recent speculation that opposing pitchers are being given juiced balls.
At Coors Field, the balls used for games are stored in a humidor to keep them "moist" after being rubbed up by the umpire assistant (who is employed Rockies), when the game starts they're transported to and stored in the Rockies dugout until the Umpire requests more balls. Some people claim that the Rockies have switched in non-humidor balls, which are "dry" and more prone to the long ball given the conditions in Denver when they need the advantage (aka when they're hitting). Check out the Rockies' home-road splits...
• Through 20 games, the Giants have a 1.47 ERA this month. Over the last 50 years, the lowest September ERA belongs to the 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers, who had a 1.59 ERA thanks in part to 10 shutouts.
• The Giants have gone 17 straight games allowing three runs or fewer. That’s the fifth-longest streak of all time, and the longest since the White Sox went 20 in a row back in 1917.
• On top of that, the Giants have gone 22 straight games allowing four or fewer runs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that’s the longest streak since the 1972 Chicago Cubs went 23 in a row.
• Overall, the Giants’ staff has held opponents to a .174 average this month. Over the last 50 years, the only team to hold their opposition below .200 in September was the 1967 Chicago White Sox (.196).
• In their seven losses this month, the Giants have scored a total of four runs, while hitting .143. That includes just one run in their last four losses.
• The Giants' bullpen has allowed two earned runs in 50 innings this month, which equates to a 0.36 ERA. They’ve allowed only three extra-base hits and opponents are batting .127 for the month.
• In the Giants’ 13 wins this month, the bullpen has a 0.30 ERA in 30 innings and opponents are hitting .102.
• Relievers have inherited 21 runners this month. One scored.
Dwight Gooden’s 892 strikeouts are the most in a pitcher’s first four seasons. He did that in 924 1/3 innings. Lincecum has five fewer K’s in 796 innings. (LINCECUM had 9k's lastnight which puts him at 896 K's)
WE AINT NO JOKE!! WE SUM GIANTS!! BEAST MODE
• The Giants have gone 17 straight games allowing three runs or fewer. That’s the fifth-longest streak of all time, and the longest since the White Sox went 20 in a row back in 1917.
• On top of that, the Giants have gone 22 straight games allowing four or fewer runs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that’s the longest streak since the 1972 Chicago Cubs went 23 in a row.
• Overall, the Giants’ staff has held opponents to a .174 average this month. Over the last 50 years, the only team to hold their opposition below .200 in September was the 1967 Chicago White Sox (.196).
• In their seven losses this month, the Giants have scored a total of four runs, while hitting .143. That includes just one run in their last four losses.
• The Giants' bullpen has allowed two earned runs in 50 innings this month, which equates to a 0.36 ERA. They’ve allowed only three extra-base hits and opponents are batting .127 for the month.
• In the Giants’ 13 wins this month, the bullpen has a 0.30 ERA in 30 innings and opponents are hitting .102.
• Relievers have inherited 21 runners this month. One scored.
Dwight Gooden’s 892 strikeouts are the most in a pitcher’s first four seasons. He did that in 924 1/3 innings. Lincecum has five fewer K’s in 796 innings. (LINCECUM had 9k's lastnight which puts him at 896 K's)
WE AINT NO JOKE!! WE SUM GIANTS!! BEAST MODE