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Reposted by Alan Nathan

Jayson Stark @jaysonst.bsky.social · 1d

Did that 8-6-2 double play really happen?

Apparently!

So here's everything you need to know about a "ground-ball" double play that was missing the "ground" part!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Making sense of Brewers-Dodgers 8-6-2 DP, the strangest double play in postseason history

What will you tell your grandchildren about the strangest double play in postseason history? Here's everything you need to know about it.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Alan Nathan

Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 1d

That was quite a game at Fenway 12 years ago tonight.

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 6d

Make that 1840-1920

Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 6d

Just got the library copy of "Born Equal: Remaking America's Constitution, 1860-1920", by Akhil Amar, my favorite constitutional historian. This will be the 4th of his books that I have read.

Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 6d

Just got the library copy of "Born Equal: Remaking America's Constitution, 1860-1920", by Akhil Amar, my favorite constitutional historian. This will be the 4th of his books that I have read.

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 7d

We all learn about quantum tunneling in atomic systems in introductory courses in quantum mechanics. The current Nobel Prize was for the observation of such tunneling in much larger systems, as initially predicted by my UIUC colleague Nobel Laureate Tony Leggett.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/s...

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 9d

Very nice article from Rod Cross:
pubs.aip.org/aapt/pte/art...

A Baseball Bat and Ball Collision Experiment for Students

When a batter strikes a ball, the outgoing speed of the ball depends on the swing speed of the bat, the incoming speed of the ball, and the impact point on the

pubs.aip.org

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 11d

Curveballs have a downward Magnus force, which is reduced with a tailwind, making it more sustainable to the deadly hanging curveball.

Tangotiger @tangotiger.com · 11d

Tagging @pobguy.bsky.social for interest...

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Reposted by Alan Nathan

Gummy Arts @gummyarts.bsky.social · 12d

“The Twilight Zone” premiered on this date in 1959.

Colored-pencil card drawing of Rod Serling

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 13d

Surely you jest!

Cecilia M. Tan @whyilikebaseball.bsky.social · 13d

You know what I miss? The curse of the Bambino. In the days of the curse, no way would the Yankees load the bases in the bottom of the ninth against Boston and not walk it off.

Also you know the Yankees never win a World Series with a republican in the White House.

#superstitions

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 16d

As is by custom on this anniversary, I read again John Updike's great essay, with the words "God's do not answer letters."

Mister Bultitude @bultitude.bsky.social · 16d

“Less Than 11,000 Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu” just doesn’t have the same ring

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 17d

10,454 to be exact

Chairman Meow @chairman-meow.bsky.social · 17d

Less than 11,000 were in attendance, confirming that Boston fans are just the worst.

Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 17d

Today is the 65th anniversary of Ted's last swing (shown below), resulting in his 521st home run.

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 19d

The thing I find most interesting about the video is how quickly the vibrations are damped, despite being "free" (i.e., no hands).

Brian Mills @bmmillsy.bsky.social · 19d

We need @pobguy.bsky.social on the case!

Razzball @razzball.bsky.social · 20d

the bat moved like a high school Peter Pan production's 1st rehearsal

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Reposted by Alan Nathan

Barton L Smith @themagnuspi.bsky.social · 26d

If you know any kids that are interested in sports-ball aerodynamics or want to learn more yourself, take a look at this excellent article: www.snexplores.org/article/pitc...

Thanks to @pobguy.bsky.social for introducing Wendy and I.

How to make a pitched ball curve to your will

A range of tricks pitchers use to get curve all come down to the thin layers of air next to the ball — and how a ball’s spin and seams affect them.

www.snexplores.org

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 28d

And guess what...it's my birthday too!!

Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 28d

Happy Birthday to the US Constitution!

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 28d

Happy Birthday to the US Constitution!

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 29d

Here is a clip from that episode, "Nothing in the Dark":

youtu.be/9tfyv4BZRug

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 29d

As we remember the life of Robert Redford, here is his appearance on The Twilight Zone (S3,E16, January 1962), featuring truly excellent performances by both Redford and (especially) Gladys Cooper.

V Design Detroit @vdesigndetroit.bsky.social · 29d

RIP Mr. Redford
One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes "Nothing in the Dark".

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · 29d

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the "thrilla in Manila", Vann Newkirk has written a superb article about Ali and Frazier, their relationship, and the fight. It is as good a piece of sports writing as I've seen in recent years. I highly recommend.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

The Greatest Fight of All Time

Fifty years ago, Muhammad Ali met Joe Frazier in Manila.

www.theatlantic.com

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · Sep 14

He was an excellent governor who knew how to work across the aisle, mainly with Mike Madigan, to get things done.

Craig Wieczorkiewicz @mwltraveler.bsky.social · Sep 14

I grew up and lived in Illinois most of my life. Jim Edgar is probably the last well-liked governor of that state. People on both sides of the aisle respected him, didn't trash talk him after he was out of power, and - most importantly - he was never involved in a scandal that landed him in prison.

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · Sep 14

Jim Edgar, the two-term Republican governor who guided Illinois through much of the 1990s with a low-key yet intense persona and a meticulous focus on fiscal matters aimed at preparing the state for the 21st century, died Sunday.

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · Sep 14

Yes

Jason @jasoner.net · Sep 14

Ok, so if I substitute that sqrt expression for v, then substitute vx - vwindx, vy - vwindy, etc, that should work?

Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · Sep 14

Radians/sec

Jason @jasoner.net · Sep 14

Also is omega spin rate (rpm) or angular velocity (radians per second)? I sort of assume the latter, but I figure it could be either

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · Sep 14

Almost. Since v= sqrt( vx^2+vy^2+vz^2), that must also be modified. Using v-vwind is not correct.

Jason @jasoner.net · Sep 14

@pobguy.bsky.social When using your baseball equations of motion, to account for wind, can I simply substitute (v - v_wind) for v, v_z - v_(wind in z direction) for v_z, and so on?

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · Sep 12

Since I can't watch Red Sox v NYY on MLB.TV, I'm listening to the audio. Great to hear Joe Castiglione again.

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Alan Nathan @pobguy.bsky.social · Sep 11

Today I am thinking of my classmate and friend Bill Caswell, one of the many victims of 9/11

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