The home-run surge and baseball's new run environment have turned their share of heads - for better and worse. Goose Gossage, for one, is not a fan of Major League Baseball's current product.
"I can't watch these games anymore," the outspoken Hall of Fame reliever told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "It's not baseball. It's unwatchable. A lot of the strategy of the game, the beauty of the game, it's all gone.
"It's like a video game now," continued Gossage, who retired in 1994. "It's home run derby with their (expletive) launch angle every night."
MLB hitters are on pace to break the record for home runs hit in a single season a mere two seasons after setting a new all-time high. In 2017, led by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, hitters combined for 6,105 dingers, obliterating the previous record of 5,693 set in 2000. The 2019 season has already featured 5,249 home runs.
The current campaign could become the third season in baseball history to feature four different 50-homer players after 1998 (Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., and Greg Vaughn) and 2001 (Barry Bonds, Sosa, Luis Gonzalez, and Alex Rodriguez). Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and Pete Alonso are all on pace to reach 50 homers, with Ronald Acuna Jr. and Jorge Soler sitting at 35 apiece.
"All anybody wants to do is launch the ball," said former player and manager Lou Piniella. "They're making the ballparks smaller, the balls tighter, and all we're seeing is home runs. There are no hit-and-runs. No stolen bases. Nothing."
In 2018, MLB players combined to swipe 2,474 bags, which is the fewest since 1994, when the season was shortened by a strike. 2019 could set another new low with 1,734 so far this year.
He's not wrong. 7500 home runs and 50,000 strikeouts. That's all it is anymore. But ya know, don't make baseball have more action or anything, make the game faster because that's what really excites us. .
He's not wrong. 7500 home runs and 50,000 strikeouts. That's all it is anymore. But ya know, don't make baseball have more action or anything, make the game faster because that's what really excites us. .
Yeah, I didn't say he was wrong...just that he is a loud old man, the stereotypical 'I used to walk uphill, both ways' type of grandpa nobody wants to hear from.
Do the Oakland Athletics not want people watching their games on television? Stop that annoying noise. I hate when teams have that 1 noise throughout the game.
Do the Oakland Athletics not want people watching their games on television? Stop that annoying noise. I hate when teams have that 1 noise throughout the game.
I watch them when they play Houston on MLBTV. I mute the TV and listen to the radio broadcast.
Major League Baseball sent out a memo to warn players about ingesting over-the-counter sexual-enhancement pills, as their use can lead to violations of its drug policy, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The use of over-the-counter sex pills, often purchased at gas stations, is reportedly common among baseball players.
"Sexual or male enhancement products present a very real risk for drug-tested players," the memo reads, per Passan, "and the high likelihood for contamination or unidentified ingredients in these products underscores the importance of consuming only those products that are NSF Certified for Sport."
The memo was apparently sent to the league after at least two players were suspended for the use of performance-enhancing drugs this season. The banned players claimed the substances found in their urine came from these products.
MLB reportedly suggested that players who "suffer from erectile dysfunction or other legitimate issues related to sexual performance ... speak to a licensed physician about the various prescription medications (e.g., Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) available to treat those conditions."
Over-the-counter sex-enhancement pills are part of an unregulated supplement industry worth more than $30 billion a year, Passan notes.
He's not wrong. 7500 home runs and 50,000 strikeouts. That's all it is anymore. But ya know, don't make baseball have more action or anything, make the game faster because that's what really excites us. .
Well the game was played about 20 minutes faster when we were all kids. I'd argue that that brand of baseball was more exciting than what we have right now.
Comments
The home-run surge and baseball's new run environment have turned their share of heads - for better and worse. Goose Gossage, for one, is not a fan of Major League Baseball's current product.
"I can't watch these games anymore," the outspoken Hall of Fame reliever told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "It's not baseball. It's unwatchable. A lot of the strategy of the game, the beauty of the game, it's all gone.
"It's like a video game now," continued Gossage, who retired in 1994. "It's home run derby with their (expletive) launch angle every night."
MLB hitters are on pace to break the record for home runs hit in a single season a mere two seasons after setting a new all-time high. In 2017, led by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, hitters combined for 6,105 dingers, obliterating the previous record of 5,693 set in 2000. The 2019 season has already featured 5,249 home runs.
The current campaign could become the third season in baseball history to feature four different 50-homer players after 1998 (Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., and Greg Vaughn) and 2001 (Barry Bonds, Sosa, Luis Gonzalez, and Alex Rodriguez). Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and Pete Alonso are all on pace to reach 50 homers, with Ronald Acuna Jr. and Jorge Soler sitting at 35 apiece.
"All anybody wants to do is launch the ball," said former player and manager Lou Piniella. "They're making the ballparks smaller, the balls tighter, and all we're seeing is home runs. There are no hit-and-runs. No stolen bases. Nothing."
In 2018, MLB players combined to swipe 2,474 bags, which is the fewest since 1994, when the season was shortened by a strike. 2019 could set another new low with 1,734 so far this year.
Dude never stops talking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_6dlY5Qnk
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRkspG0KbtQ
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
Major League Baseball sent out a memo to warn players about ingesting over-the-counter sexual-enhancement pills, as their use can lead to violations of its drug policy, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The use of over-the-counter sex pills, often purchased at gas stations, is reportedly common among baseball players.
"Sexual or male enhancement products present a very real risk for drug-tested players," the memo reads, per Passan, "and the high likelihood for contamination or unidentified ingredients in these products underscores the importance of consuming only those products that are NSF Certified for Sport."
The memo was apparently sent to the league after at least two players were suspended for the use of performance-enhancing drugs this season. The banned players claimed the substances found in their urine came from these products.
MLB reportedly suggested that players who "suffer from erectile dysfunction or other legitimate issues related to sexual performance ... speak to a licensed physician about the various prescription medications (e.g., Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) available to treat those conditions."
Over-the-counter sex-enhancement pills are part of an unregulated supplement industry worth more than $30 billion a year, Passan notes.
I am really beginning to believe he doesn’t have it in him anymore.
He will give you 30/100 every year but not when it counts apparently.