maybe they should put the batting cage fence on the mound during the game...i mean, how many times does a pitcher have to get plunked before a career is cut short
Nerf Balls.
Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; WF Center 10/21/13; WF Center 10/22/13; Baltimore 10/27/13; WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
maybe they should put the batting cage fence on the mound during the game...i mean, how many times does a pitcher have to get plunked before a career is cut short
Nerf Balls.
and to make things easier on pitchers batting, maybe mlb could set up a tee for them to hit off of.
The DH is a joke! It takes so much strategy out of the game that the only one's overpaid are the AL Managers. Do they ever even make a double switch in the AL? Pitchers could hit if they worked on it more in Spring Training. Shoot, when I played, the pitchers were usually some of the best hitters on the team. They lose the ability because all they work on is bunting in Spring Training. All these guys are paid enough to pick-up a bat every 5th day!
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." Mark Twain
The DH is a joke! It takes so much strategy out of the game that the only one's overpaid are the AL Managers. Do they ever even make a double switch in the AL? Pitchers could hit if they worked on it more in Spring Training. Shoot, when I played, the pitchers were usually some of the best hitters on the team. They lose the ability because all they work on is bunting in Spring Training. All these guys are paid enough to pick-up a bat every 5th day!
every now and than, an AL manager will make a move that results in the DH being lost for the rest of the game.
The DH is a joke! It takes so much strategy out of the game that the only one's overpaid are the AL Managers. Do they ever even make a double switch in the AL? Pitchers could hit if they worked on it more in Spring Training. Shoot, when I played, the pitchers were usually some of the best hitters on the team. They lose the ability because all they work on is bunting in Spring Training. All these guys are paid enough to pick-up a bat every 5th day!
Cliff Lee is typically one of the best hitters in the Phillies' lineup this year.
Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; WF Center 10/21/13; WF Center 10/22/13; Baltimore 10/27/13; WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
Do pitchers throw harder or more pitches than they used to? I definitely disagree with harder.
Don't know how the average speed has progressed over the years, if at all. However, we do know that breaking pitches weren't quite as prevalent in baseball's early years and the split finger fastball and cut fastball are modern pitches. As the years have gone on, the position has become far more specialized. If there were more game film, this would be more apparent to the modern fan.
What's has it done for baseball beside allow players that can't hack it in the field a career?
That's exactly what it's done. You're welcome to enjoy the game however you like. Honestly ask yourself, though, whether the average fan would rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, or Jim Thome hit 3-4 times per game vs. any pitcher. I don't think it's close.
Why don't they focus on trying to get more pitchers to be better hitters? Alot of them are fine hitters at the lower levels.
They're not fine hitters at lower levels and, if any one is, it's because they're facing far inferior pitching. A team does not want to take the time to develop a pitcher's bat for (at most) 80-90 plate appearances per season. Do not underestimate how difficult it is to develop a raw arm into a serviceable major leaguer, much less an All-Star. Baseball history is littered with "can't miss" pitching prospects who never reached their potential for dozens of reasons. It is far more valuable for a team to develop a pitcher's command, mechanics, secondary stuff, and makeup than turning them into a .280 hitter.
That's exactly what it's done. You're welcome to enjoy the game however you like. Honestly ask yourself, though, whether the average fan would rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, or Jim Thome hit 3-4 times per game vs. any pitcher. I don't think it's close.
i think it's closer than you expect.
in the end, i think people that were raised on the NL would say they prefer to see the pitcher bat. that's roughly half the country
That's exactly what it's done. You're welcome to enjoy the game however you like. Honestly ask yourself, though, whether the average fan would rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, or Jim Thome hit 3-4 times per game vs. any pitcher. I don't think it's close.
i think it's closer than you expect.
in the end, i think people that were raised on the NL would say they prefer to see the pitcher bat. that's roughly half the country
Well put 81! I do think it all depends on which league your team plays in that gives you a preference.
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." Mark Twain
The survey found 40 percent of fans think neither league should have the rule, while 29 percent say the National League should adopt it and 30 percent said things should stay as they are.
That's exactly what it's done. You're welcome to enjoy the game however you like. Honestly ask yourself, though, whether the average fan would rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, or Jim Thome hit 3-4 times per game vs. any pitcher. I don't think it's close.
i think it's closer than you expect.
in the end, i think people that were raised on the NL would say they prefer to see the pitcher bat. that's roughly half the country
right. and by "average fans," i'm assuming he's talking about idiots who prefer 10-8 four hour marathon games.
The survey found 40 percent of fans think neither league should have the rule, while 29 percent say the National League should adopt it and 30 percent said things should stay as they are.
The survey found 40 percent of fans think neither league should have the rule, while 29 percent say the National League should adopt it and 30 percent said things should stay as they are.
it's interesting that more people would prefer no DH in either league to people that would prefer DH in both leagues
the article is also humorous as Frank Thomas says the DH creates jobs. how does it do that? did they only have 24 players on a team before the DH came in.
the article is also humorous as Frank Thomas says the DH creates jobs. how does it do that? did they only have 24 players on a team before the DH came in.
i think i heard obama say that recently too. maybe putting the dh in the nl will be part of the next stimulus package.
The survey found 40 percent of fans think neither league should have the rule, while 29 percent say the National League should adopt it and 30 percent said things should stay as they are.
Right...so the majority think the DH in at least one league is preferable. It wasn't as lopsided as I would have guessed, but it's still a majority. I do think you have a good point about it relating to what you watched growing up or whenever you got into the game. I grew up an AL guy, so that could certainly have something to do with it.
That's exactly what it's done. You're welcome to enjoy the game however you like. Honestly ask yourself, though, whether the average fan would rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, or Jim Thome hit 3-4 times per game vs. any pitcher. I don't think it's close.
i think it's closer than you expect.
in the end, i think people that were raised on the NL would say they prefer to see the pitcher bat. that's roughly half the country
right. and by "average fans," i'm assuming he's talking about idiots who prefer 10-8 four hour marathon games.
Versus idiots who enjoy watching pitchers flail at breaking balls in the dirt?
The DH is a joke! It takes so much strategy out of the game that the only one's overpaid are the AL Managers. Do they ever even make a double switch in the AL? Pitchers could hit if they worked on it more in Spring Training. Shoot, when I played, the pitchers were usually some of the best hitters on the team. They lose the ability because all they work on is bunting in Spring Training. All these guys are paid enough to pick-up a bat every 5th day!
I don't get the "strategy" argument. The bulk of game strategy is lineup construction, platoon splits, pitcher workload, and bullpen maintenance. Pulling a double switch or hitting for the pitcher doesn't make a manager some brilliant tactician. It's a minor part of the game compared to everything else.
The survey found 40 percent of fans think neither league should have the rule, while 29 percent say the National League should adopt it and 30 percent said things should stay as they are.
Right...so the majority think the DH in at least one league is preferable. It wasn't as lopsided as I would have guessed, but it's still a majority. I do think you have a good point about it relating to what you watched growing up or whenever you got into the game. I grew up an AL guy, so that could certainly have something to do with it.
And, yes, Frank Thomas's quote is ridiculous.
a bigger majority think that no DH in one league is preferable.
Phillies-Cardinals game tuesday night is a perfect example of why not having the DH leads to more strategy. Top of the 7th Phils are down 1-0, 2 outs 1st and 2nd with Roy Halladay's spot up in the order. Decision has to be made to let him hit or pinch-hit for him. Phils pinch-hit so only got 6 innings out of the best pitcher in baseball. there is no reason for a great pitcher in the AL to ever pitch less than 7 innings. it's just a better game with no DH.
and as for Frank Thomas' comments, well aren't we lucky that we got to watch your fat ass for a few extra years. same with Big Papi. get in the field and play the game. i don't really want to see fat old guys just up there to hit. the game is about offense and defense.
Good times, guys. I'm gonna e-mail Tim about having a DH Panel Discussion on the second stage at PJ20. Maybe squeeze us between Star Anna and Joseph Arthur.
Comments
Nerf Balls.
WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
and to make things easier on pitchers batting, maybe mlb could set up a tee for them to hit off of.
every now and than, an AL manager will make a move that results in the DH being lost for the rest of the game.
Cliff Lee is typically one of the best hitters in the Phillies' lineup this year.
WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
Don't know how the average speed has progressed over the years, if at all. However, we do know that breaking pitches weren't quite as prevalent in baseball's early years and the split finger fastball and cut fastball are modern pitches. As the years have gone on, the position has become far more specialized. If there were more game film, this would be more apparent to the modern fan.
That's exactly what it's done. You're welcome to enjoy the game however you like. Honestly ask yourself, though, whether the average fan would rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas, or Jim Thome hit 3-4 times per game vs. any pitcher. I don't think it's close.
They're not fine hitters at lower levels and, if any one is, it's because they're facing far inferior pitching. A team does not want to take the time to develop a pitcher's bat for (at most) 80-90 plate appearances per season. Do not underestimate how difficult it is to develop a raw arm into a serviceable major leaguer, much less an All-Star. Baseball history is littered with "can't miss" pitching prospects who never reached their potential for dozens of reasons. It is far more valuable for a team to develop a pitcher's command, mechanics, secondary stuff, and makeup than turning them into a .280 hitter.
i think it's closer than you expect.
in the end, i think people that were raised on the NL would say they prefer to see the pitcher bat. that's roughly half the country
Well put 81! I do think it all depends on which league your team plays in that gives you a preference.
from a 2005 survey
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2199597
right. and by "average fans," i'm assuming he's talking about idiots who prefer 10-8 four hour marathon games.
see the thing is it's been around for so long people are just used to it and accept it simply because that's the way its been their whole lives.
can you imagine if the idea of the dh was first put out there today as opposed to 1973?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7390 ... next-to-go
it's interesting that more people would prefer no DH in either league to people that would prefer DH in both leagues
the article is also humorous as Frank Thomas says the DH creates jobs. how does it do that? did they only have 24 players on a team before the DH came in.
i think i heard obama say that recently too. maybe putting the dh in the nl will be part of the next stimulus package.
HEY. OH.
Right...so the majority think the DH in at least one league is preferable. It wasn't as lopsided as I would have guessed, but it's still a majority. I do think you have a good point about it relating to what you watched growing up or whenever you got into the game. I grew up an AL guy, so that could certainly have something to do with it.
And, yes, Frank Thomas's quote is ridiculous.
Versus idiots who enjoy watching pitchers flail at breaking balls in the dirt?
I don't get the "strategy" argument. The bulk of game strategy is lineup construction, platoon splits, pitcher workload, and bullpen maintenance. Pulling a double switch or hitting for the pitcher doesn't make a manager some brilliant tactician. It's a minor part of the game compared to everything else.
a bigger majority think that no DH in one league is preferable.
no. these people just enjoy a little strategy to their game. baseball's the thinking man's game, right...at least in the nl.
and as for Frank Thomas' comments, well aren't we lucky that we got to watch your fat ass for a few extra years. same with Big Papi. get in the field and play the game. i don't really want to see fat old guys just up there to hit. the game is about offense and defense.