Go to www.chicagotribune.com

Upper right there is a link to photos and one category is sports.

Scroll through and find a picture of Melky Cabrera practicing sliding.

Why does he have baseballs in his hands?

Is this a unique way to ensure he doesn't hurt his hands while he slides? Or is this just further proof that the Yankees are stupid?

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:
Or is this just further proof that the Yankees are stupid?

Don't even go there.

I saw this and I had to comment. My daughters softball team teaches the girls how to slide by giving them two glasses of water to hold when sliding. They also do it on a large piece of cardboard so that they can reaaly slide. They get wet and have a blast. It is a great way to get little kids to keep their hands from being scraped up. I assume the baseballs are a similar reminder, but more mature.

Think about how many MLB baserunners have their batting gloves clenched in their hands when they run the base

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
Think about how many MLB baserunners have their batting gloves clenched in their hands when they run the base

Oh yeah, keeps the loose fingers from flying around, I guess?

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
Think about how many MLB baserunners have their batting gloves clenched in their hands when they run the base

That's how my son was told to do it.

The idea is to keep the fist closed so fingers are not injured

TR is correct. The purpose is to keep the hands closed so you do not jam a finger etc. Its the reason many playes keep their batting gloves in their hands as well when running the bags.

So I guess it's not because the Yankees are stupid?

Nuts.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
The idea is to keep the fist closed so fingers are not injured

And that's why real major leaguers chew. It keeps their mouths closed and avoids tongue injuries.