"Looks like we're going to extra innings." That's what Greg Brown, the Pirates' TV broadcaster, said as soon as Russell Martin made contact on this fly ball to shallow right-center. But Brown should have known better. Because it ain't over till the Astros have finished tying all of their shoelaces together.

Well, what do you know? MLB has not only decided to swing its shithammer at the crew that screwed up a basic rules interpretation during last night's Angels-Astros game. It's also publicizing the discipline being meted out.

The human element is really on a roll this week. Approximately 24 hours after the umpires in Cleveland reviewed an obvious home run and declared it wasn't a home run, another blue crew in Houston allowed the Astros to make a pitching change that is explictly prohibited by MLB's rules.

We pride ourselves on vigilance to behind-the-plate fan frivolity, what with jackasses pantomiming blowjobs at Wrigley or dudes outfitting themselves in Marlins gear during non-Marlins postseason games. So when this fan at last night's Angels-Astros game kept standing up to show off his fake dong, we knew it was right …

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Is there anything worse than a local baseball franchise that hasn't been competitive in four seasons, telegraphs its plans to stay non-competitive by carrying almost no payroll, and is widely expected to occupy the basement of its new league when they switch over this spring? Yes. A local baseball team that is all…

I hope everyone is ready for Roger Clemens to make the long, painful transition from controversy-dogged outcast to wizened baseball mentor, because it's going to happen. With two bizarre perjury trials and a flirtation with an MLB cameo in the rearview mirror, Clemens is turning his thoughts to coaching. And the…

MLB just announced which two teams will be facing off in the first game of the 2013 season, and the matchup is a curious one. On one side there are the Texas Rangers, a team that has proven itself to be one of the most exciting and watchable squads in baseball over the course of the last three seasons. And on the…

The Astros are headed to the AL next year, and with a new league comes a new look-a blue and orange rebranding (because the Mets are totally the franchise you want to evoke) and a lone star logo. We know all this because it has leaked repeatedly in the last few days. First, it was merchandise at local sporting goods…