Major League Baseball rules say that a pitcher is credited with a save when he enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and holds onto the lead, giving his team the win.

A closer is supposed to be the pitcher that comes in when the game is close and a team needs a shutdown pitcher to “save” the game and preserve the win. Closers have a killer instinct because they are often brought in during tight spots that decide the game and they know that if they give up a run, their team is likely to lose.

I hate the fact that closers get credit for the save if the team has a three run lead in the 9^th inning. With a three run lead and three outs to go, the game is not really in to much jeopardy. Closers come in and often struggle because the pressure that they thrive upon

I have had this debate with numerous people and I think about whether I prefer college or professional athletics. The three sports that I watch the most are baseball, basketball, and football. I follow all three of these sports on both the collegiate and professional level. Both levels have their pros and their cons.

Professional sports are great because of the fact that every athlete is one of the best in the world at what they do. When watching professionals, you know that they put a lot of work into their sport to become the best that they possibly can. The players are faster and the game is played at a much higher level. Professional sports are also great because while dynasties exist, there seems to be more parody at the professional level. College athletics seem to have teams that

According to reports, Bud Selig is giving serious consideration to lifting the lifetime ban of the major league career hits leader: Pete Rose.

I don't condone Pete's actions because he broke the rules and then lied about it. There are signs in every clubhouse that make it perfectly clear that gambling on sports is illegal. However, Pete Rose was a great baseball player. He would not be elected into the Hall of Fame as a manager. He would be elected as a player only. The 17 time all-star with the most career hits definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

If the Hall of Fame encompassed everything that a person did throughout their life, then Pete does not deserve the recognition, but the fact that it is an honor that is supposed to be based upon one's achievements'

While the first half of the 2009 baseball season will be remembered for a fatal car crash and a suspension for steroids to one of the game's biggest stars; there were plenty of milestones and great moments that made us all remember what it is that makes baseball such a beautiful game.

5. Back to Back: Chicago White Sox teammates Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko both entered the season expecting to reach the 300 career home run milestone. They had a bet about who would reach the milestone first and on April 13^th, the teammates hit back to back home runs, giving them each number 300.

4. Pudge's Record: 2,227 games behind the plate, and Ivan Rodriguez became the all-time leader in games caught. Rodriguez has had an unbelievable career and there may not be a better defensive catcher in baseball

On August 1^st, the Oakland Athletics will honor one of the greatest players of Major League Baseball's history when they retire the number 24 in honor of outfielder Rickey Henderson.

Although he will be remembered for his blazing speed and incredible talent, his career is also defined by his attitude. He played each and every game with a passion that showed how much he truly loved playing baseball. Henderson was quoted as saying, "If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game." When thinking about the Hall of Fame player, people often think about "Rickey being Rickey." He had one of the most interesting personalities that those around the sport had ever experienced. He was often seen talking to himself and often talked about himself in the third person during

With a dominating 11 strikeout performance, Sanchez just threw a no-hitter against the Padres. He had a perfect game adfter 7 1/3 but an error by Juan Uribe ended that. However, he still threw the no-hitter. This was an amazing game to watch and I can't remember the last time I was so excited watching a baseball game. Watching Sanchez pitch the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings was one of the most exciting moments. I was truly on the edge of my seat and anticipating every pitch. This was a very special night for Sanchez as it was the first time that his father saw him pitch. Wow, what a treat for his dad. Congratulations to Sanchez on an amazing pitching performance.

Recently it has been mentioned that the Blue Jays would be willing to listen to trade offers for their ace Roy Halladay. Many sports writers are saying that teams in contention should give up whatever it takes to get Halladay because he is one of the best pitchers in baseball. While the Toronto star is certainly in the discussion of the games best starting pitchers, is he the best starting pitcher? If it is not Roy Halladay, then who is the best starter in the majors?

Halladay is 10-2 this year with a 2.79 earned run average. The 11 year veteran has a cy-young award, 6 selections to the all-star team, and was the Sporting News pitcher of the year in 2003. This pitcher is an absolute workhorse that will go out there every fifth day guaranteed. Earlier this year he had a game in

Manny Ramirez served his 50 game suspension. He did everything that he was supposed to do. On Friday July 3rd, he returned to baseball and everything was supposed to be normal. However; he was called out on strikes twice in last night’s game on pitches that were nowhere near the strike zone. He argued after the first strikeout and was visibly disgusted after the second one where he threw his helmet and bat towards the dugout then flipped his elbow guard in the direction of home plate umpire John Hirschbeck.

Ramirez was ejected and although he played it off like it was no big deal because he was leaving after the 5th inning anyways, it is a big deal because it appeared as if Hirschbeck had a vendetta against Ramirez. Hirschbeck is a seasoned umpire and has a lot of experience, he

Once upon a time the midsummer classic was an event that showcased the talents of the games top stars. People watched all their favorite players together on one field, playing in a game for nothing other than bragging rights, but competing as if everything was on the line. Nowadays the game determines which league will have home field advantage in the World Series. While it seems like adding meaning to this game could only help the appeal, the reverse is true and the all-star game gets less and less exciting every year.

Players used to care about bragging rights for their league so they tried hard to win the game and put all their effort on the field. Managers managed to win, rather than to ensure that everyone on the roster would get some playing time. The stars played