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Baseball Brainiacs: Why the "Dumb Jocks" Myth Needs to be Put to Rest

Danielle Parenteau
Aug 24, 2009

Craig Breslow

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OAKLAND, CA - MAY 27: Craig Breslow #56 of the Oakland Athletics pitches to the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum on May 27, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 27: Craig Breslow #56 of the Oakland Athletics pitches to the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum on May 27, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Brad Lidge

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PHOENIX - JULY 28: Relief pitcher Brad Lidge #54 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the major league baseball game at Chase Field on July 28, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks 4-3.
PHOENIX - JULY 28: Relief pitcher Brad Lidge #54 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the major league baseball game at Chase Field on July 28, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks 4-3.

Nomar Garciaparra

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BOSTON - JULY 30: Designated hitter Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Oakland A's looks on from first base after hitting a single against the Boston Red Sox on July 30, 2009 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON - JULY 30: Designated hitter Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Oakland A's looks on from first base after hitting a single against the Boston Red Sox on July 30, 2009 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Brad Ausmus

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 09: Brad Ausmus #12 of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes during batting practice prior to the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 09: Brad Ausmus #12 of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes during batting practice prior to the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Eric Bruntlett

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Eric Bruntlett #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 3-2 in 12 innings. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Eric Bruntlett #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 3-2 in 12 innings. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

Kevin Kouzmanoff

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PHOENIX - MAY 25: Kevin Kouzmanoff #5 of the San Diego Padres stands in the dugout during the major league baseball game agaisnt the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 25, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Padres defeated the Diamondbacks 9-7. (Phot
PHOENIX - MAY 25: Kevin Kouzmanoff #5 of the San Diego Padres stands in the dugout during the major league baseball game agaisnt the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 25, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Padres defeated the Diamondbacks 9-7. (Phot

Jeff Francis

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DENVER - MAY 24: Starting pitcher Jeff Francis #26 of the Colorado Rockies delivers against the New York Mets in the first inning at Coors Field on May 24, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. Francis collected the loss as the Mets defeated the Rockies 9-2. (Photo
DENVER - MAY 24: Starting pitcher Jeff Francis #26 of the Colorado Rockies delivers against the New York Mets in the first inning at Coors Field on May 24, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. Francis collected the loss as the Mets defeated the Rockies 9-2. (Photo

Mark DeRosa

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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 17: Mark DeRosa #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals plays against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 17: Mark DeRosa #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals plays against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Johnny Damon

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 16: Johnny Damon #18 of the New York Yankees bats during the MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on August 16, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Yankees 10-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE - AUGUST 16: Johnny Damon #18 of the New York Yankees bats during the MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on August 16, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Yankees 10-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Jody Gerut

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CHICAGO - JULY 03: Jody Gerut #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers at bat against the Chicago Cubs during their MLB game on July 3, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO - JULY 03: Jody Gerut #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers at bat against the Chicago Cubs during their MLB game on July 3, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Ross Ohlendorf

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PHOENIX - JULY 25: Starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf #49 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the major league baseball game at Chase Field on July 25, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Image
PHOENIX - JULY 25: Starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf #49 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the major league baseball game at Chase Field on July 25, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Image

David Eckstein

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SAN DIEGO - JULY 03: David Eckstein #3 of the San Diego Padres fields against Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on July 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO - JULY 03: David Eckstein #3 of the San Diego Padres fields against Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on July 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Will Venable

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ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 14: Will Venable #25 of the San Diego Padres prepares for the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 14, 2009 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Padres 6-0. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Imag
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 14: Will Venable #25 of the San Diego Padres prepares for the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 14, 2009 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Padres 6-0. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Imag

Rocco Baldelli

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 12: Rocco Baldelli #5 of the Boston Red Sox takes batting practice prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on April 12, 2009 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 5-4
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 12: Rocco Baldelli #5 of the Boston Red Sox takes batting practice prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on April 12, 2009 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 5-4

Danys Baez

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Danys Baez #28 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the St Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at Fort Lauderdale Stadium on February 26, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Image
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Danys Baez #28 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the St Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at Fort Lauderdale Stadium on February 26, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Image

Fernando Perez

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PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Fernando Perez #38 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses during Photo Day on February 20, 2009 at the Charlotte County Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by: Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Fernando Perez #38 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses during Photo Day on February 20, 2009 at the Charlotte County Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Brian Bannister

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 20: Brian Bannister #19 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game on June 20, 2009 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 20: Brian Bannister #19 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game on June 20, 2009 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Bruce Chen

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SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 07: Bruce Chen #27 of Panama pictches against Puerto Rico during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Pool D match on March 7, 2009 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 07: Bruce Chen #27 of Panama pictches against Puerto Rico during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Pool D match on March 7, 2009 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Chris Young

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PEORIA, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Chris Young #32 of the San Diego Padres poses during photo day at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2009 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
PEORIA, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Chris Young #32 of the San Diego Padres poses during photo day at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2009 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Sam Fuld

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MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 23: Sam Fuld of the Chicago Cubs poses during photo day at the Fitch Park Spring Training complex on February 23, 2009 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 23: Sam Fuld of the Chicago Cubs poses during photo day at the Fitch Park Spring Training complex on February 23, 2009 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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