HealthApril 5, 2009
Does Tommy John surgery give pitchers an arm up in competition?
The Science of Baseball
As Opening Day nears, we take a look at green stadiums, the physics of baseball, and other scientific underpinnings of the U.S. national pastime
April 5, 2009
Green Diamonds: Baseball Stadiums Take a Swing at Energy Efficiency
Many MLB arenas now incorporate cutting-edge ecofriendly features
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The SciencesApril 5, 2009
Field Equations: The Physics of Baseball
A Q&A with physicist Alan Nathan
HealthFebruary 12, 2009
Do anabolic steroids make you a better athlete?
A physiologist who himself used to use steroids on why Major League Baseball players--now including Yankee Alex Rodriguez--juice
The SciencesOctober 21, 2008
Mathematician Says Rays Should Reign
New Jersey Institute of Technology mathematician Bruce Bukiet calculates the odds throughout each baseball postseason. And he thinks the Tampa Bay Rays are the clear favorites to take the World Series. Steve Mirsky reports
The SciencesJuly 14, 2008
Batter Up: Shattering Sticks Create Peril in MLB Ballparks
Baseball officials are noticing more and more broken bats--and injuries. Where lies the blame?
The SciencesJune 10, 2008
Out of the Zone: Jet-Lagged Baseball Teams Suffer Disadvantage
New research shows that long commutes affect a team's chances of winning
TechnologyMay 30, 2008
Baseball Luddites Need Video
Because umpires look for forensic evidence when available, their rejection of video is philosophically incoherent and harms baseball. Steve Mirsky reports.
HealthApril 2, 2008
Gaming Baseball: Why Players Dope
Mind & BrainMarch 26, 2008
Baseball Science
Dan Gordon, editor of the new book "Your Brain On Cubs" from the Dana Foundation, talks about the neuroscience of baseball players and their fans. And statistician Shane Jensen of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School discusses attempts to get a statistical handle on defense in baseball. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.dana.org, www.snakejazz.com
Mind & BrainOctober 22, 2007
Joe Torre and the Psychology of Persuasion
Former Yankee manager Joe Torre made good use of social psychology techniques that were outlined in a February 2001 Scientific American article by Robert Cialdini called The Science of Persuasion, available at www.sciamdigital.com. Steve Mirsky reports.
The SciencesSeptember 25, 2007
Big Consequence of Small Increase in Bat Speed from Steroids
By enabling just a 4 percent increase in bat speed, steroids may turn hundreds of a season's long outs into home runs. Steve Mirsky reports