Free Republic

Joe Maddon selected an adjective usually applied to a gallon of milk. Then again, for all the romance that surrounds the sport, baseball is a consumer product too. “Once you eradicate National League rules, then everything becomes homogenized,” the Angels manager said. With the adoption of the designated hitter in both leagues this year, and with the expansion of interleague play next year, Major League Baseball is giving their consumers what the league believes they want. The National League dates to 1876, the oldest surviving professional sports league in the world, according to MLB historian John Thorn. The American League...

After nine seasons in Tampa Bay, Joe Maddon is moving on. He won’t manage the Rays in 2015. After nine seasons in Tampa Bay, Joe Maddon is moving on. He won’t manage the Rays in 2015. Joe Maddon will no longer be the Tampa Bay Rays’ manager. The team issued this statement from owner Stuart Sternberg this afternoon: “Joe Maddon has exercised an opt-out in his current contract, a contract which was not scheduled to expire until after the 2015 season. We tried diligently and aggressively to sign Joe to a third contract extension prior to his decision. As of...