Pitchers' helmets might be optional in MLB by 2014

Could we see pitchers wear protective head gear in Major League Baseball as early as next summer?

Speaking to Fox Sports Wednesday, Arizona Diamondbacks hurler Brandon McCarthy said the league is moving towards legislation that would allow non-mandatory head gear.

"They're coming," McCarthy said. "From everything I know (the head gear will) be available this year. I don't believe they're going to be mandatory. Actually, I'm almost certain they won't be mandatory."

A spokesperson for Major League Baseball told the TV station that "one product that has passed the testing standards should be available to players for next season."

The league is in talks with the players' association about the optional piece of equipment, while continuing to evaluate several products, the spokesperson added.

McCarthy is particularly interested in the matter because he took a line drive to the head in 2012 when he was pitching for the Oakland Athletics. He suffered a skull fracture.

As for the potential look of the head gear, McCarthy didn't exactly give a rave review. "It looks ridiculous and we get so used to the way things look," he said.

It may look ridiculous but maybe it can reduce the danger of having an incident like Toronto Blue jays pitcher J.A. Happ had last season when he was hit in the head by a line drive.

Report: Matt Williams the favorite to land Washington Nationals manager job

The Nationals hope to announce their sixth manager in team history by November, and former Giants third baseman Matt Williams could be the guy, according to an MLB.com report.

Williams has a relationship with Washington GM Mike Rizzo, who was the scouting director with Arizona when Williams played third base for the world championship 2001 team.

If the Nationals go with Williams, the report indicates that the team will ask Randy Knorr, who also interviewed for the head coaching position, to remain as bench coach.

Former manager Davey Johnson retired following a disappointing 2013 season, and, in addition to Williams and Knorr, the team has interviewed Brad Ausmus, DeMarlo Hale and Trent Jewett to replace him. Cal Ripken, Jr., Dusty Baker and Dave Martinez have all been implicated as options, but none have been interviewed.

Williams, 47, spent 10 of his 17 MLB seasons with the San Francisco Giants, amassing 247 of his 378 career home runs in a Giants uniform.

Diamondbacks Barajas finds missing World Series ring after four years

Current Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Rod Barajas was a member of the Diamondbacks World Series winning team in 2001. Of course being on that team you get a coveted  World Series ring. Barajas got his ring but he lost it four years ago.

Four years later Barajas had the good fortune of recovering his World Series ring. 

MLB.com's Steve Gilbert tells the story.


Before leaving the couple's home in San Diego, Stacie tried on a pair of shoes she had not worn in years. She tried one foot on, determined it matched her outfit and packed both shoes for the trip.

While getting ready at the hotel just before the funeral, Stacie put on both shoes for the first time. Only there was a problem with the one she hadn't tried on before she left. There was something in the toe blocking her foot.

"I was getting ready and my wife yelled out, 'Guess what I just found?'" Barajas said. "We're in a hotel room and I'm like, what could you find in a hotel room?"

As it turns out, you can find a 2001 World Series ring and pendant.

"She walked out with the ring and pendant and we both looked at each other and I said, 'That was your grandmother. Your grandmother grabbed that and put it there for us. One last gift that she gave us before she left,'" Barajas said.


Barajas is lucky he found his, but when are players gonna learn to keep their championship rings in a safe place.