scuffle

v. in baseball, to not play well or to be in a slump. Subjects: English, Baseball, Sports & Recreation, Slang

Etymological Note: Probably related to a meaning given by Merriam-Wester as “to struggle (as by working odd jobs) to get by.”

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Citations: 1972 Syracuse Herald-Journal (New York) (June 17) “Chiefs drop 2; now 6th” (in Charleston, West Virginia) p. 11: “We’re down right now and scuffling. But, we’ll come back.” The Chiefs are sixth, one-half game out of fourth. 1986 Houston Chronicle (May 25) “Club sputters against East Division clubs” p. 8: We’ll have our hot streaks, then we’ll scuffle along. We could have had a better home stand, but we’ll just have to keep banging away. 1989 Steve Pivovar Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska) (July 16) “Randolph Says Guidry Survived on Heart Alone” p. 3C: The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers scuffled through the first half of the season. Manager Tom Lasorda said he is growing weary of hearing about how hard his players are trying. 1996 Mel Antonen, Rod Beaton USA Today (July 11) “Eyes on Braves, Yankees in second half” p. 04C: Pulsipher is out for the year, Wilson will come off the DL as early as next week and Isringhausen is scuffling for wins. 2001 Sporting News (May 28) “National League” p. 44: RHP Jay Powell was scuffling the first month of the season. He was coming off a poor 2000 during which he spent most of the time on the DL. He had season-ending shoulder surgery in August and had a spotty spring. 2007 John Donovan SI.com (Aug. 3) “Inside Baseball: History on hold”: In the vernacular of baseball managers everywhere, Barry Bonds is scuffling a little bit right now. Or, if you prefer, in the vernacular of Dodgers fans, he’s sucking.

Posted 3 Aug 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend