Musings of a Grouchy Baseball Fan

There are certain "implementations" the MLB has put in place which has caused some rhubarb among fans.  Here are some of my thoughts.  Now sometimes I (as a baseball fan) can come off as slightly irritable and "get off my lawn"-ish, but I really don't mean to - damnit. 

Ron Blomberg - The first DH

The Designated Hitter

The DH has been around since 1973.  I'm a Yankee fan but not as much aligned with the American League (never understood the reason fans do this).  I don't care for the designated hitter.  It just seems like every slow, washed up first-baseman is parking himself in the American League.  The DH takes away some late-game strategy that pertains to whether or not to remove the pitcher and who to put in his place.  Also, there is very rarely a double-switch (a future post) in the American League.   The sad thing is, the DH will probably never go away.

All-Star Game Decides World Series Home Field Advantage

I despise this!!  I truly believe this is one of the stupidest implementations in all of sports.  In the other three major sports (NHL, NFL, NBA), the all-star game is fun and trivial.  Now the MLB feels they are doing good by making it count.  What they are doing is possibly getting players injured.  Plus the strategy used in baseball all-star games do not align with winning.  If it did, when Justin Verlander pitches 3 perfect innings, he'd certainly be out there for a fourth.

Interleague Play

I guess I'm not the baseball purist I thought I was.  I really like interleague play.  It's such a nice new novelty.  The interstate/city (NY, CHI, LA, FLA, etc) games are exciting to watch.  It looks like there will be more interleague play in the seasons to come.

New Ballparks

Yet again I find myself unconventional.  I really like the "retro" look and feel of some of the new ballparks.  I know Camden has been around for a while now, but I love attending games at Camden.  Some of my other favorites are Coors, Citi and Nationals Park.


Fundamentals
This is where my "back in my day" will shine.  Now remember, I'm not talking about talent or athletisism here, I'm referring to fundamentals.  There will be many that disagree, but I feel fundamentals have degraded slowly since the 80's.   Some may say this is due to the more teams and players playing in the league and of course more visible coverage with Baseball Tonight or the MLB network.  I say hogwash.  What does more players have to do with kids learning fundamentals?  I'm seeing more and more outfielders hitting the cutoff man incorrectly (or not at all), fly-ball priorities just botched up royally, one handed catches and just lack of hustle on occasion.  There I said it.


Attire
I'm going to make this one short and sweet - "fix you hat and pull up your pants".
 

Umpiring
Many fans say umpiring is worse now then it was "back then".   The incorrect excuses used for fundamentals (above) can also be used to describe the umpiring differences of now and then.  I feel umpiring is the same now as it was then - no better, no worse.  I'm not saying umpiring is as good as it should be.  Like brussel sprouts - they were bad then and they are equally as bad now.


Hall of fame selection process
Years ago the baseball writers were the only people (other than the players themselves) who were very close to the game.  Today more than just writers are close to the game. Football HOF-selection has its issues, but I like the fact that there are no restrictions on the number of inductees.   Football also uses "media representatives" and not just the writers. There should be more individuals involved in the voting and a larger group of candidates.


Watching Home Runs
Some fans say "the batter likes to watch his home run so let him" and some say its rubbing it in the face of the pitcher.  Here's my take - Willie, Mickey and the Duke never did it.  Hank Aaron and Harmon Killebrew (two of the classiest players in history) certainly never did it.  Therefore it shouldn't be done.

Well, those are my rantings.  Take 'em or leave 'em.  I'm sure there are opposing views and I'd love to hear them - That what makes this country great.

Thanks for reading
-Tom