Baseball Update: News & Notes

(The Baseball Update looks at the news and notes around Major League Baseball.)

All Hail Doug Fister: When I first heard of Doug Fister, I thought he had a very interesting last name. I found his name interesting because baseball fans were inundated with Chip Caray saying 'Fisted" during the entire 2009 postseason. So you can see why now I find Doug Fister interesting.

Then I dug in a little deeper, I found some more interesting information about Doug Fister. For one Fister is from a small town in the Central Valley of California called Merced. He then attended college at Fresno State and was originally drafted by the New York Yankees. Fister returned to Fresno State for his senior year and then was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 7th round of the 2006 draft. Fister picked up his first victory last year against his original team, the Yankees.

While all of this might not sound interesting to you, delve deeper into his stats this season. Fister is 2-1 on the season. Has pitched 35 innings in five games, averaging seven innings per start. Fister has an 1.29 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, .218 BABIP, 2.70 FIP, and a 1.1 WAR. Fister isn't projected to continue to this pace, but you can never fully trust projections. I'll be rooting for Fister to continue on this pace.

Tampa Bay Pitchers Dealing: While the Rays have a great lineup, it's their pitching staff that should be getting the attention. David Price, James Shields, Matt Garza, Wade Davis, and Jeff Niemann have combined for 2.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, ,263 BABIP, 4.03 FIP, and 2.9 WAR. The Rays pitching staff has matured with each other. None of the pitchers are over the age of 28, while Shields, Garza, and Price have all came up to the majors with each other. Their continued maturity can take them to the AL East crown and beyond.

Unwritten Baseball Rules: The Dallas Braden-Alex Rodriguez dust-up from last month was because Rodriguez broke one of baseball's unwritten rules of a position player walking over the pitchers mound. It's just one of many unwritten rules of baseball for players, coaches, and umpires show respect to each other.

It just so happens author Jason Turbow has a book out called "The Baseball Codes" that looks at the many unwritten baseball codes. Here are some of the rules.

Don't swing at the first pitch after back-to-back home run- Show respect to a struggling pitcher.

When hit by a pitch, don't rub the mark- Don't give the pitcher the satisfaction that you are hurt from the beanball.

Don't stand on the dirt cutout at home plate while a pitcher is warming up- Just like how a position player isn't suppose to touch the pitcher's mound, a hitter should show respect for the pitcher by staying away from the batter's box when he is warming up.

Follow the umpire's code when addressing them on the field- Don't call an umpire an "ass...." when arguing a call.

There are several other rules so I do suggest checking out this book.