Philosophy
One more. Peter LC asks,
I'm not moved by the "AL ball is fun to watch from a home run derby perspective because you don't have the automatic out, but rather an additional slugger" line. But I will agree with the sentiment that it allows certain players who rightfully deserve it, a chance to continue to play. Think of someone like Harold Baines who was a master hitter and had his career lengthened by at least five years by the DH rule. He was productive as a designated hitter despite having bad knees and it does seem a shame to limit play to young guys when there are veterans like that who contribute to the team not only with their bat, but also with their leadership.
Most people are strongly pro- or anti- here, I come down as weakly anti. What do you folks think?
- Learning Useless Rules
This weekend, the shorter of the short people had his first baseball tournament in which the infield fly rule was part of the game. If there are base runners on first and second base with less than two outs and the ball is popped to the infield, the batter...
- Autonomy, Individual Rights, And Chewing Tobacco
The new collective bargaining agreement between professional baseball players and the league has taken a small step towards limiting the presence of chewing tobacco in baseball. Players can still chew and spit during games, but they cannot carry it in...
- Should Managers Have Their Own Baseball Cards?
The shorter of the short people has started collecting baseball cards. It's been a real hoot for me, seeing some of the old cards I used to have back when I was a kid. It's also provided ways to parent covertly because many cards give me a chance...
- The Other Temrinal Of The Battery
I only saw the 9th inning of Roy Halladay's no hitter last night, only the second ever in a playoff game. But when it happened, you got the standard shot -- the catcher jumping on and embracing the pitcher, the two of them sharing a brief moment before...
- Thoughts On The Asterisk
Want to add my two cents on the asterisk question. The hard part is keeping straight exactly what the asterisk is being applied to. Is it the home run record? Is it the claim that Bonds is one of the greatest ever? Is it his claim to being Hall-of-Fame...
Philosophy
The Designated Hitter, Should It Stay or Should It Go?
One more. Peter LC asks,
"With the beginning of baseball season looming - what do people think about the designated hitter? Good, bad or indifferent? Is the American League a better game than the National League because of the dh or visa versa? "I have to admit I am of two minds here. On the one hand, pure baseball without the designated hitter is a much more cerebral game. There is a great element of strategy that is not present in AL baseball. Managers do less managing. You don't see bunts, double switches, and single runs mean less. As someone who loves the game for its intricacies, I do prefer National League play for those reasons -- it puts pieces back on the chess board.
I'm not moved by the "AL ball is fun to watch from a home run derby perspective because you don't have the automatic out, but rather an additional slugger" line. But I will agree with the sentiment that it allows certain players who rightfully deserve it, a chance to continue to play. Think of someone like Harold Baines who was a master hitter and had his career lengthened by at least five years by the DH rule. He was productive as a designated hitter despite having bad knees and it does seem a shame to limit play to young guys when there are veterans like that who contribute to the team not only with their bat, but also with their leadership.
Most people are strongly pro- or anti- here, I come down as weakly anti. What do you folks think?
- Learning Useless Rules
This weekend, the shorter of the short people had his first baseball tournament in which the infield fly rule was part of the game. If there are base runners on first and second base with less than two outs and the ball is popped to the infield, the batter...
- Autonomy, Individual Rights, And Chewing Tobacco
The new collective bargaining agreement between professional baseball players and the league has taken a small step towards limiting the presence of chewing tobacco in baseball. Players can still chew and spit during games, but they cannot carry it in...
- Should Managers Have Their Own Baseball Cards?
The shorter of the short people has started collecting baseball cards. It's been a real hoot for me, seeing some of the old cards I used to have back when I was a kid. It's also provided ways to parent covertly because many cards give me a chance...
- The Other Temrinal Of The Battery
I only saw the 9th inning of Roy Halladay's no hitter last night, only the second ever in a playoff game. But when it happened, you got the standard shot -- the catcher jumping on and embracing the pitcher, the two of them sharing a brief moment before...
- Thoughts On The Asterisk
Want to add my two cents on the asterisk question. The hard part is keeping straight exactly what the asterisk is being applied to. Is it the home run record? Is it the claim that Bonds is one of the greatest ever? Is it his claim to being Hall-of-Fame...