Another roster is examined in our new and popular column.

So there’s this part in “LOTR: Return of the King” where Denethor, who has descended into madness over the death of his eldest son Boromir , demands that his younger son, Farimir ride off in a suicide mission to retake Osgiliath, which has been overrun by the orc army. Or, um, that’s what some geek […]

Every office I’ve ever worked in — and it’s a list that keeps growing longer and longer for some reason — has had a perky person in charge of the United Way fund drive. A couple of times a year they host a “kickoff” meeting at which ice cream and forms to debit money from […]

Finally! A place to drink near Wrigley Field! Wrigleyville took stock Thursday of a new, year-round sports bar that will spill out of Wrigley Field and be open by the Cubs’ first home game April 13. Without much fanfare, renovations have been completed at what had been the Friendly Confines Cafe inside the ballpark. The […]

One down, one to go: Miami City Commissioners approved a plan to build a $639 million Florida Marlins ballpark Thursday, nudging the long-debated stadium one step closer to reality. With a 3-2 vote, the commission approved the 37,000-seat stadium on the site of the demolished Orange Bowl. Marlins president David Samson said afterward the team […]

This is the kind of thing I’d be all over if someone did it around here: Despite the sandlot rules and the tiny, plastic snap of the bat, Wiffle ball is serious stuff . . . . . . “Anybody can play Wiffle ball,” coach Dan Gish said. There are no tryouts. And there is […]

Things to read as you come to realize that if you’re getting memos like these, you may work for the wrong freakin’ company. John Walsh takes a look at the worst thing a batter can do. Surprisingly, he’s not talking about voting for Nader. Craig Brown has five questions for the Kansas City Royals: Question […]

A few of the writers chime in with their personal thoughts on the rankings.

How to identify pitchers who are so bad that opposing hitters will far outperform their season averages.

The second half of John’s investigations of batsmen grounding into double plays, including the best and worst rally-killers of the last half century.