海角大神

In today鈥檚 edition, we have a path to democracy (Sudan), leadership without leaders (Hong Kong), Democrats for Trump (Kentucky), next-gen farmers (Alaska), and empathy through music (Iraq via Chicago).聽

But first, let鈥檚 talk baseball.聽If Shakespeare were alive, he might declare that 鈥渟omething is rotten鈥� in the state of the ballpark.

We are at the All-Star break of Major League Baseball (MLB). Pete Alonso won the Home Run Derby Monday night. But instead of enjoying this annual apogee of summer, fans are abuzz about juiced balls.聽聽

Home runs are up a whopping 19% over last year. Players are on pace to hit 6,668 home runs, smashing the record 6,105 hit in 2017.

And , Sports Illustrated reports.

Last month, MLB confirmed the balls are, well, different. . Less drag means longer flights. The drag is lower because the 鈥減ill鈥� (the core) is consistently centered, said the MLB commissioner. But he insists no changes were made in the baseball production process or the materials.聽

Baseball has long been a mirror of American societal values, a kind of moral compass. The sport champions individual achievement as well as team cohesion. It鈥檚 built on adherence to rules and sportsmanship. (Remember the Pete Rose lifetime ban?) It has charted the evolution of U.S. civil rights (see Jackie Robinson).

To some, the 2019 home-run binge smells like someone is messing with the integrity of the national pastime. 鈥溾�� complains Justin Verlander, the starting pitcher in Tuesday night鈥檚 All-Star game.聽

But hitters aren鈥檛 complaining. And fans seem conflicted, torn between tradition, precedent, and the fireworks of more offense.聽

If Yogi Berra were here, he鈥檇 have an appropriately ambiguous response: 鈥淲hen you come to a fork in the road, take it.鈥�