Clubhouse Lawyer: Law in the World of Sports

In the summer of 2002, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team relieved batting coach Mike Easler of his duties. Easler did not take the news quietly. He sued the Cardinals. A week later, Easler withdrew his lawsuit. His reason was simple. "I want to laugh again," he said.

Not all developments involving sports and the law are so easily explained. From the baseball player who tries to enforce a "no-trade" clause to the female place-kicker who is encouraged to try "beauty pageants" instead of c...