Oakland A’s pitcher Lenny DiNardo allegedly purchased a guitar made partially from sea turtle shell during the baseball team’s recent visit to Japan, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Update:  In another article, DiNardo is quoted as saying “I don’t know if I can get it back in the (United States), but we’ll see if we can.”

All trade in sea turtle products is strictly prohibited by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Appendix I*.  Japan and the United States are both bound parties to the Convention.

Editorial:  I urge you to contact the Oakland Athletics and the regional US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Ask them to look into Mr. DiNardo’s alleged transaction, and, if true, to have the situation rectified.  Additionally, encourage Mr. DiNardo to relinquish the item, report it to the authorities, and make a public statement about the incident.  This is an opportunity to promote this important law.

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If you are in Boston in a couple of weeks to see the Red Sox home opener against the Detroit Tigers, word is that you can snag a free scoop at any of the seven J. P. Licks ice cream shoppes.

On Tuesday, April 8, 2008, the Boston-area proprietor continues its Opening Day ice cream giveaway tradition.  Not quite hot dogs and beer, but it might be interesting to try a cone of Green Monster Tea or a cup of Rice Dice Kream.

Now, if you could just get into Fenway Park for free!

Freelance reporter Joe Lavin broke the story today on what lies within Jose Canseco’s new book, entitled “Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball.”

The book was not supposed to reach store shelves until Monday, just in time for April Fool’s Day.  However, Lavin seems to have stumbled by chance upon a copy at a Cambridge, Massachusetts book store. (more…)

We used to think we had it pretty good on the West Coast when we could roll out of bed on a Saturday morning and make a pot of coffee just in time to catch the first pitch of an East Coast game.

Now, since I’ve been in Europe, catching games at a decent hour has been a rarity – except on days when the Boston Marathon is run. (more…)

Frank Robinson, Ruby Dee, and John H. Johnson have been named as this year’s Beacon Award winners by Major League Baseball.

The presentation ceremony will be held in Memphis this Friday, March 28, 2008. 

The New York Mets will play the Chicago White Sox in the annual Civil Rights Game on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the Memphis Redbirds minor league park. (more…)