The humble sock is a blunt, communitarian instrument binding the fates of all appendages within. But thanks to a pair of Japanese-born Red Sox pitchers, a revolution is afoot. Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K to the Fenway Faithful) and closer Hideki Okajima both sport five-toed socks on game days, saying that the fit provides better footing and balance, and helps them dish out accelerated fastballs and quirkier curves.

The aces order the cozies from their homeland (and other MLBers get them from Japan too), but amateurs seeking socks this side of the Pacific can turn to San Diego-based apparel maker Injinji. While Injinji's owners are evangelical about their wares—claiming that the digit-hugging socks protect against hammertoe and improve circulation—science is only now stepping into the debate. (The University of Utah and U.S. Marines in Iraq are conducting preliminary studies on the socks' benefits.) Meanwhile, Columbia University sports medicine specialist William Levine worries that tinkering with proprioception (the body's unconscious coordination system) might lead to increased risk of injury. "You could end up with turf toe," he warns, referring to a joint sprain more common to the NFL.

But with the Red Sox bound for a playoff berth, it doesn't look like they'll be coming up lame anytime soon. Look for the Yankees to make their own uniform change next season.

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