|
Post by loucapitano on Apr 17, 2013 18:15:45 GMT -5
Was it Lincoln who said, " no sport can exist half DH and half pitcher-hitting. Either it will become all DH or all pitcher-hitting?" Or maybe it was someone else. ;)As a Yankee fan, I like the DH just fine. But I am absolutely sure as the seasons increase inter-league play, the above quote will take on more meaning. But as a firm believer in Murphy's Law, it will cause some god-awful controversy when a World Series come down to DH/pitcher hitting situation that end up pleasing no-one. Let's Go Yankees. Best of Luck Boston, it was your city's turn to shine on the 15th. God Bless You All.
|
|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 17, 2013 21:33:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Bill Yowell on Apr 18, 2013 21:49:56 GMT -5
Alan,Thank you so much for posting the links to the articles on the DH. I sure didn't think that It had been that long since the DH was initiated in the AL. I took somewhat of a leave from baseball after the Dodgers left Brooklyn and didn't become a fan again until the Rangers got Nolan Ryan and the Rangers became at least respectable. It appears that the NL adopting the DH is inevitable but still a few years down the road. As for myself, I Like the DH much more than watching pitchers bunt or strike out.
|
|
|
Post by loucapitano on Apr 20, 2013 16:44:05 GMT -5
Thanks Allen, you always come through with the history. The main reason I like the DH is the chance it gets over the hill ball players to play a few more years. In NY, the old-timers wish we could have had guys like Mantle, DiMaggio, etc. DH when they could not play the field effectively due to age. But as I said, it will either go one way or another over the next few years. I agree, DH was created partly to goose up attendance. But it's become so institutionalized, I think we'll see it either remain in the AL or add the NL. Just my uninformed opinion. For me, watching Met and NL games when pitchers K or bunt is excruciating.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Sylvain on Apr 20, 2013 21:09:20 GMT -5
Allen, you are right. I've never been a fan of the DH, but only because I love the strategy that surrounds a batting pitcher. I have to admit, however, that it would be a shame not to have players like David Ortiz in the mix. So, I guess I've come to except it, but only for selfish reasons.
But some pitchers were pretty good hitters. Tom Seaver comes to mind. He had some power and did fairly well for a guy who batted every four or five games or so. I also think that when the pitcher is also a hitter, the temptation to throw at the other team's batters is kept under control, lest that pitcher wants to take one on the button as well.
Paul
|
|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 21, 2013 12:34:16 GMT -5
I recall Seaver hitting a World Series homer (??). I know that Dave McNally hit a grand slam in a World Series for the Os. There are good arguments on both sides of this, but I think the important thing is that both leagues agree on one option and go with it.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Sylvain on Apr 22, 2013 19:29:12 GMT -5
I agree. I am fine with seeing both leagues going with or without a DH, but let's do one or the other across the board. It would make things a lot simpler with inter-league games and during the World Series.
|
|
|
Post by loucapitano on Apr 23, 2013 18:55:17 GMT -5
I don't know if the leagues will ever agree. It's almost like the political polarization around the country. At least, most of us are flexible and would accept whatever the league decides. But they seem polarized as much as the fans. Maybe we can lose the DH and allow team rosters to expand to 26 or 27, but only adding pitchers. Any other idea? Lou
|
|
|
Post by Bill Yowell on Apr 24, 2013 9:39:17 GMT -5
Lou, I really liked your point about the DH extending the careers of good hitters who happened to lose their ability to stand in the field and chase fly balls effectively due to age and injuries. Now, while we are at it, can we do something about the absolutely useless All-Star game. My vote would be to have it at the end of the season, after the World Series, if the actual game is played at all. There would be fewer dropouts of those chosen, and the "incentive" to win would not even be an "issue". I really would be fine with not having a game at all. I'm all for recognizing the outstanding players of the game, and would be just as happy giving those voted on the All-Star team a watch or clock and being done with it.
|
|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 24, 2013 19:57:13 GMT -5
I haven't watched the ASG in years and think one of baseball's stupidest decisions was to have the league that wins have home team advantage in the World Series. What sense does that make? It's basically a big TV promo for baseball.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Sylvain on Apr 24, 2013 21:04:11 GMT -5
The chosen "All Stars" are not necessarily the best at what they do. It winds up being a popularity contest and many times the bigger markets (with the biggest team fan base) dominates the voting. I mean, I've seen players who were out with injuries and had only a handful of at bats get elected.
No, man, I'm with y'all on this. Time to bag and tag the ASG. I see no redeeming value to it.
|
|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 24, 2013 22:52:51 GMT -5
Years ago the players voted for who got in and it was a lot better. Later they wantd to generate better TV ratings and started billing it as "the fans' game" and turned the voting over to them, with the result Paul described.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Sylvain on Apr 25, 2013 16:09:57 GMT -5
Allen -- That's right! What I'm wondering, now, is when did that change happen? Perhaps after a player's strike in an attempt to win back fans who bailed from the game after the strike? That's just an assumption on my part (and probably wrong, since I don't know the history), but it sounds like something that would come from an event like that.
Either way, I don't like the ASG as it's played today.
|
|
|
Post by loucapitano on Apr 27, 2013 14:00:09 GMT -5
I hate to admit it, but the only ASG I ever liked was the one Derek Jeter put together about 10 years ago. It was like the Yankees against the National League. Lie we needed more prestige. Otherwise, a November ASG makes more sense. All the recent changes to the ASG to me are just classic examples of "good intentions" for the fans going awry! Lipstick on a pig! Just close down for three days in July and call it "half-time." Most teams need the R & R more. I would also dump the Home Run Derby. Look at Robinson Cano. He hasn't had his home run swing since he won the HRD. I think other recent winners have suffered also. Beside, it's so $&*#@% boring.
|
|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 27, 2013 15:00:36 GMT -5
Good summary, Lou.
|
|