Infinite Inning 131 The Ball is Painfully Obviously Juiced

Rob Arthur of Baseball Prospectus discusses the juiced ball, Astros sign-stealing, and the past and future of the human race. Plus John McGraw fights while Boston burns and a pitcher is mocked for his weight.TABLE OF CONTENTSWalter, not Jumbo*The Brief Story of “Jumbo Jim”*A Fire in Boston*Rob Arthur: Fruit Flies No Matter What*Malthus Was Right? (“Who’s Mathis?” Andy Asked)*WAR (What’s It Good For?)*The Hall of Fame and the Soft Factors*The Ball is Painfully, Obviously Juiced*Juiced Balls vs. Juiced Players*Manfred’s Reasons and Excuses*How Did We Miss the Astros’ Sign-Stealing?*Will the Real Alex Bregman Please Stand Up?*Mike Trout’s Genes vs. Yours*Goodbyes.The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?