The Real Power of the Press -- New York Times' Awkward Headline Spurs Men Nationwide To Protect Family Jewels

Shaming an outlaw president, exposing illegal arms deals, or busting corrupt capitalists is all well and good. But it takes real power and influence to make all the men of America unthinkingly shield their genitals.

Sure, the above New York Times headline actually refers to a Major League Baseball pitch-tracking system that umpires felt was the first step toward replacing them with HAL 2000 ("What are you doing, Dave Winfield?)

But, at first glance, the headline "Ball-Strike Monitor May Reopen Old Wounds" induces primal responses regarding wounds being re-opened following repeated strikes upon the balls (strikes so serious a third party has evidently been called in). 

Lest you think we're reading too much into this, note that the lengthier text atop the Times' Web story carries the less visceral headline "New Pitch-Tracking System May Open Old Wounds With Umpires." This, shall we say, is much easier on the eyes.

Of course, it doesn't rise to the anecdotal worst headline of all-time: "Woman shot; bullet in her yet."