Baseball

For years, NPR has followed minor league infielder Tyler Saladino's quest for the major leagues — and this month, the Chicago White Sox called him up. "To be here, it's truly a blessing," he says.

Baseball statistics have been around almost as long as the game. But a recent statistic explosion has led to covert skulduggery, industrial espionage and power politics. In baseball!

Major League Baseball's All-Star Game may be less starry than usual this year because of Kansas City fans' campaign to get as many Royals players as possible into the game.

Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price repeated a choice curse word 77 times in a press conference. NPR's Scott Simon defends profanity, but warns it can obscure meaning if too liberally applied.

Baseball players' arms are becoming more like football players' heads — subject to frequent injury and in need of immobilizing surgery.

Cuban baseball has been struggling. A lack of money means facilities are in disrepair. Defections mean some of the best players have left. But new relations with the U.S. may mean new opportunities.

Baseball has long been labeled America's pastime, but some have argued that politics actually deserves that title. It turns out there are more than a few parallels between the two this time of year.