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NL should join the 21st century (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter shadyridr
- Start date
SuperAwesomeDude
Footballguy
you know what would be a better idea? how about we have 9 Dh spots and then 9 other guys that only play the field.
that sounds like real baseball to me
Tremendous Upside
Footballguy
I agree only with the idea that having two sets of rules is absurd...
They need to unify the league's rules, IMO, one way or the other...
With pitching as vital as it is, to throw these guys out there to hit/run for 10 games a year (or however many NL interleague games they play) when they never otherwise do so is pretty stupid, IMO...
I'm always surprised there aren't more AL pitching injuries
They need to unify the league's rules, IMO, one way or the other...
With pitching as vital as it is, to throw these guys out there to hit/run for 10 games a year (or however many NL interleague games they play) when they never otherwise do so is pretty stupid, IMO...
I'm always surprised there aren't more AL pitching injuries
shadyridr
Footballguy
I agree with you 100% but I dont think Hank was even talking about that.
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Insoxicated
pollardsvision
Footballguy
hank was over-the-top with the way he put it, but i actually agree with him (and i pretty much always disagree with purists).
i don't think the NL is crazy to not have a DH, but i prefer DH to no DH.
i don't enjoy watching pitchers hit (unless they can make laugh as hard as colon made me laugh last night).
some say, "well, why is DHing for the pitcher any different than DH for other position players?", but pitchers are obviously a different case.
it seems to me that there are a number of good reasons for a DH and only one not so good reason against the DH.
that's just me, i know most people feel differently. i doubt there will ever be a DH in the NL or even in all interleague games.
i don't think the NL is crazy to not have a DH, but i prefer DH to no DH.
i don't enjoy watching pitchers hit (unless they can make laugh as hard as colon made me laugh last night).
some say, "well, why is DHing for the pitcher any different than DH for other position players?", but pitchers are obviously a different case.
it seems to me that there are a number of good reasons for a DH and only one not so good reason against the DH.
that's just me, i know most people feel differently. i doubt there will ever be a DH in the NL or even in all interleague games.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
They used to play both offense & defense in football. I think it's better the new way.you know what would be a better idea? how about we have 9 Dh spots and then 9 other guys that only play the field.that sounds like real baseball to me
SuperAwesomeDude
Footballguy
you are comparing apples to oranges. football is a much more brutal sport. asking pitchers to hit and run once a week, shouldnt be a problem. these guys are athletes for ####s sake...but anyways, NL baseball is much more entertaining... unless, of course, you like station to station baseball, which is boring as hell, in my opinionThey used to play both offense & defense in football. I think it's better the new way.you know what would be a better idea? how about we have 9 Dh spots and then 9 other guys that only play the field.that sounds like real baseball to me
pantagrapher
Footballguy
Eff the DH
SuperAwesomeDude
Footballguy
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Insoxicated
MYTHThe ML Leader in Stolen Bases is: Tampa Bay - AL
Of the top 20 Teams in the League in SBs... 10 are AL...10 are NL
Of the bottom 5 Teams in the League in SBs.. .4 are NL
The Division With the Most Stolen Bases of any MLB Division? AL EAST with 269 SBs
(and that's with the Yankees dragging the average down)
The AL is catching up with manufacturing runs via Bunting / Base Stealing.
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pollardsvision
Footballguy
anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
Wrigley
Footballguy
you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
SuperAwesomeDude
Footballguy
true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
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Insoxicated
Another MYTH6 of the top 10 Top Teams in the League (HR) are NL squadsyou are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
4 of the bottom 5 are AL squads
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Insoxicated
AL teams often make defensive substitutions and pinch hit these days. The only "strategic" difference is having a hitter come in for the pitcher's AB when going to the bullpen... which is sorta like a part time DH...which you guys all rally against.true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.
SuperAwesomeDude
Footballguy
yeah but the pinch hitter doesnt get to hit every inning and doesnt make 14 mil a yearAL teams often make defensive substitutions and pinch hit these days. The only "strategic" difference is having a hitter come in for the pitcher's AB when going to the bullpen... which is sorta like a part time DH...which you guys all rally against.true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.
shadyridr
Footballguy
The DH doesnt eitheryeah but the pinch hitter doesnt get to hit every inning and doesnt make 14 mil a yearAL teams often make defensive substitutions and pinch hit these days. The only "strategic" difference is having a hitter come in for the pitcher's AB when going to the bullpen... which is sorta like a part time DH...which you guys all rally against.true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.
Wrigley
Footballguy
05-07: 6 of the top 10 HR teams played in the ALWhats your point.Another MYTH6 of the top 10 Top Teams in the League (HR) are NL squadsyou are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
4 of the bottom 5 are AL squads
Wrigley
Footballguy
Doesn't what?Bat every inning, or make 14 Mill?The DH doesnt eitheryeah but the pinch hitter doesnt get to hit every inning and doesnt make 14 mil a yearAL teams often make defensive substitutions and pinch hit these days. The only "strategic" difference is having a hitter come in for the pitcher's AB when going to the bullpen... which is sorta like a part time DH...which you guys all rally against.true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.
shadyridr
Footballguy
Hmm if only I had bolded the part I was emphasizingDoesn't what?Bat every inning, or make 14 Mill?The DH doesnt eitheryeah but the pinch hitter doesnt get to hit every inning and doesnt make 14 mil a yearAL teams often make defensive substitutions and pinch hit these days. The only "strategic" difference is having a hitter come in for the pitcher's AB when going to the bullpen... which is sorta like a part time DH...which you guys all rally against.true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.
Wrigley
Footballguy
Damn itHmm if only I had bolded the part I was emphasizingDoesn't what?Bat every inning, or make 14 Mill?The DH doesnt eitheryeah but the pinch hitter doesnt get to hit every inning and doesnt make 14 mil a yearAL teams often make defensive substitutions and pinch hit these days. The only "strategic" difference is having a hitter come in for the pitcher's AB when going to the bullpen... which is sorta like a part time DH...which you guys all rally against.true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.
linky
SuperAwesomeDude
Footballguy
you knew what i meant.Hmm if only I had bolded the part I was emphasizingDoesn't what?Bat every inning, or make 14 Mill?The DH doesnt eitheryeah but the pinch hitter doesnt get to hit every inning and doesnt make 14 mil a yearAL teams often make defensive substitutions and pinch hit these days. The only "strategic" difference is having a hitter come in for the pitcher's AB when going to the bullpen... which is sorta like a part time DH...which you guys all rally against.true i havent watched must AL baseball this year, because in years past, it always seemed like it station to station, wait for the HR type ball, with no sacrificing or moving the runners along. (im sure they do, but its not as important when you have some emathead who doesnt own a glove coming up) maybe things are changing. but i still enjoy NL baseball. the idea of having to make some actual decisions about your lineup during a game is what i enjoy. just seems more strategic.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
bosoxs45
Footballguy
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
watching pitchers bat sucks. let the NL have their automatic 9th out
plus the AL has been owning the NL in interleague play in forever, time to do away with that.
plus the AL has been owning the NL in interleague play in forever, time to do away with that.
comfortably numb
Footballguy
Michael Brown
Footballguy
Good point. A bunt followed by a sac fly to deep center IS infinitely more exciting than a 3 run HR.By the way, haven't sabermetrics already proven that things like bunting, hit and run, and stolen bases are all vastly overrated aspects of the game that actually do more harm than good in most instances? And that sitting and waiting for the 3 run HR is actually better baseball?you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.
But hey, have fun watching as the announcers tell us what a GREAT hitter Carlos Zambrano is (he of the lifetime .234 average). It really sucks having to watch guys like Edgar Martinez, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz fill up the stat sheets with HR and RBI and drama. I'd much rather get to see Tommy Glavine slap a groundout to SS.
ETA: Without the DH, Jack Morris doesn't go 10 against the Braves in the '91 Series. The NL forces you to remove your pitcher in a 0-0 pitcher's duel if there's 2 on in the top of the 7th inning. That alone is reason enough to have everyone DH.
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Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Earl Weaver played for the 3 run homer way back in the late 60's & 70s, which for the most part were a dead ball era.
Of course he had some pretty good pitchers too.
Of course he had some pretty good pitchers too.
Wrigley
Footballguy
Congratulations, the AL was made for you.Wally Backmans take:Good point. A bunt followed by a sac fly to deep center IS infinitely more exciting than a 3 run HR.you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
By the way, haven't sabermetrics already proven that things like bunting, hit and run, and stolen bases are all vastly overrated aspects of the game that actually do more harm than good in most instances? And that sitting and waiting for the 3 run HR is actually better baseball?
But hey, have fun watching as the announcers tell us what a GREAT hitter Carlos Zambrano is (he of the lifetime .234 average). It really sucks having to watch guys like Edgar Martinez, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz fill up the stat sheets with HR and RBI and drama. I'd much rather get to see Tommy Glavine slap a groundout to SS.
ETA: Without the DH, Jack Morris doesn't go 10 against the Braves in the '91 Series. The NL forces you to remove your pitcher in a 0-0 pitcher's duel if there's 2 on in the top of the 7th inning. That alone is reason enough to have everyone DH.
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TitusIII
Footballguy
During college, my coach didn't let the pitchers take simple batting practice. It pissed me off, as I was(well I thought I was) a pretty damm good hitter. If this is happening at most colleges, might as well unify both leagues, even though I love watching pitchers hit, especially the one's like Owings/Zambrano/Hampton who could probably pull an Ankiel. No DH would be my vote, but the player's union makes this a pipe dream.
Michael Brown
Footballguy
Well, as long as Wally Backman says so!Seriously though, he starts sounding ridiculous about 10 seconds in. "It doesn't take the sharpest tool in the shed to manage in the AL". Is he serious? According to Jim Leyland, it's far easier to manage in the NL than the AL. Reason being, in the NL it's obvious when it's time to take out the pitcher. You just pinch hit for him at the most obvious time. In the AL, it's actually a difficult decision to know when to take the pitcher out because the situation doesn't dictate it. You take him out when he's tired or ineffective, and it's not always obvious when that is. You actually have to decide something on your own. In the NL, your guy could be cruising or he could be tiring. Doesn't matter -- he's coming out with men on 1st and 2nd in a 2-2 ballgame in the 8th inning regardless.Congratulations, the AL was made for you.Wally Backmans take:Good point. A bunt followed by a sac fly to deep center IS infinitely more exciting than a 3 run HR.you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
By the way, haven't sabermetrics already proven that things like bunting, hit and run, and stolen bases are all vastly overrated aspects of the game that actually do more harm than good in most instances? And that sitting and waiting for the 3 run HR is actually better baseball?
But hey, have fun watching as the announcers tell us what a GREAT hitter Carlos Zambrano is (he of the lifetime .234 average). It really sucks having to watch guys like Edgar Martinez, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz fill up the stat sheets with HR and RBI and drama. I'd much rather get to see Tommy Glavine slap a groundout to SS.
ETA: Without the DH, Jack Morris doesn't go 10 against the Braves in the '91 Series. The NL forces you to remove your pitcher in a 0-0 pitcher's duel if there's 2 on in the top of the 7th inning. That alone is reason enough to have everyone DH.
The next part about Backman's take is just plain misleading. He talks about how boring the game was when he was in the AL and played for Tom Kelly. He goes on to say it's not the entire AL that's boring, because it was fun playing under Lou Piniella. Just that when he was on the Twins it was boring because they didn't hit and run or steal bases or anything of that nature.
Well, he played for the Twins for exactly one season - 1989. In that one season, the Twins stole 111 bases in 164 tries. They ranked 7th in the league in steals.
He played for Piniella's Mariners for exactly one season - 1993. In that one season, the M's stole 91 bases in 159 attempts. They ranked 10th in the league in steals. Maybe it was more exciting because they were caught a whole lot more?
But hey, you can have Wally Backman, it wouldn't be the first time he was misleading about something...
Me? I'll take the Hall of Famer with the World Series ring over the guy who can't get a managing job. But that's just me.
ETA: That 1989 Twins team also had more steals than four NL teams, placing them 17th of 26 teams on the whole. By contrast, the greatest team he ever played on (1986 Mets) stole just 118 and ranked 10 of 12 in the NL. And man he was right -- what a BORING team that was!
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pollardsvision
Footballguy
maybe they are looking out for the interests of career pinch-hittters and mediocre pitchers? these need a place to play too, right?seriously though, i'd have to think they'd like too, but it's probably such an unrealistic goal that they don't even bother. i assume NL owners would be absolutely terrified of the fan backlash and try end any of those discussions before they even get started. you just don't F with an NL fan and their right to watch pitchers "hit". but i guess the fan outrage must've been just as bad back in '73 and the AL somehow survived it.
Michael Brown
Footballguy
I don't have a link to the quote. It's something Michael Kay repeats ad nauseum during Yankee telecasts whenever the DH issue comes up. Kay tends to tell the same stories and use the same anecdotes over and over again. So when the topic of conversation turns to "NL style of play", Kay goes to the old reliable story about how Leyland told him that it's actually easier to manage in the National League.If I happen to come across the quote in print, I'll post a link, but I don't have one. Sorry.Wrigley said:
dparker713
Footballguy
These statistics might actually prove something, if Backman was only talking about stealing bases. The DH sucks. That is all.Michael Brown said:Congratulations, the AL was made for you.Wally Backmans take:Good point. A bunt followed by a sac fly to deep center IS infinitely more exciting than a 3 run HR.you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
By the way, haven't sabermetrics already proven that things like bunting, hit and run, and stolen bases are all vastly overrated aspects of the game that actually do more harm than good in most instances? And that sitting and waiting for the 3 run HR is actually better baseball?
But hey, have fun watching as the announcers tell us what a GREAT hitter Carlos Zambrano is (he of the lifetime .234 average). It really sucks having to watch guys like Edgar Martinez, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz fill up the stat sheets with HR and RBI and drama. I'd much rather get to see Tommy Glavine slap a groundout to SS.
ETA: Without the DH, Jack Morris doesn't go 10 against the Braves in the '91 Series. The NL forces you to remove your pitcher in a 0-0 pitcher's duel if there's 2 on in the top of the 7th inning. That alone is reason enough to have everyone DH.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
Leyland said it's easier to manage because the decisions are made for you, 2 outs and the 8th place batter is up? he is walked then you have no choice but to pinch hit for your pitcher.
pantagrapher
Footballguy
That's one decision.
Michael Brown
Footballguy
You're right, he wasn't ONLY talking about stealing bases. But he WAS talking about stealing bases, and that part of his argument has been rendered completely false. If you want to counter it by showing me the hit and run ratios or the sac bunt ratios, feel free. But he can't make the specific claim that stolen bases are a part of excitement in the NL or the lack thereof in the AL when the numbers on his own teams don't bear that out.I wish I had proof as meaningful as, oh I don't know, "The DH sucks. That is all"Congratulations, the AL was made for you.Wally Backmans take:Michael Brown said:Good point. A bunt followed by a sac fly to deep center IS infinitely more exciting than a 3 run HR.you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.
By the way, haven't sabermetrics already proven that things like bunting, hit and run, and stolen bases are all vastly overrated aspects of the game that actually do more harm than good in most instances? And that sitting and waiting for the 3 run HR is actually better baseball?
But hey, have fun watching as the announcers tell us what a GREAT hitter Carlos Zambrano is (he of the lifetime .234 average). It really sucks having to watch guys like Edgar Martinez, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz fill up the stat sheets with HR and RBI and drama. I'd much rather get to see Tommy Glavine slap a groundout to SS.
ETA: Without the DH, Jack Morris doesn't go 10 against the Braves in the '91 Series. The NL forces you to remove your pitcher in a 0-0 pitcher's duel if there's 2 on in the top of the 7th inning. That alone is reason enough to have everyone DH.
igbomb
Footballguy
The ability to pitch a baseball in the big leagues is a one in a million talent. And the ability to hit a ball in the big leagues is a one in a million talent. Can we really expect pitchers to be able to hit well at a high level? The numbers bear out that they can't.
So why would you willingly put out an inferior hitter when not having him hit would do absolutely no harm to the flow of play?
We don't ask QBs to play both ways in football, because we want to see the best at each position and the style of the game allows players to switch out without interrupting the flow of play.
There is simply no good reason other than 'tradition' to not have a DH. While we're at it, why not take away the three point shot in basketball and the forward pass in football?
So why would you willingly put out an inferior hitter when not having him hit would do absolutely no harm to the flow of play?
We don't ask QBs to play both ways in football, because we want to see the best at each position and the style of the game allows players to switch out without interrupting the flow of play.
There is simply no good reason other than 'tradition' to not have a DH. While we're at it, why not take away the three point shot in basketball and the forward pass in football?
dparker713
Footballguy
I dont need proof. This is a matter of opinion. My opinion is that the DH sucks and it should be abolished. I find baseball without a DH to be a more enjoyable game to watch. And besides, your statistical analysis is so limited that there is no need to bother refuting as you've yet to prove anything.Congratulations, the AL was made for you.Wally Backmans take:Good point. A bunt followed by a sac fly to deep center IS infinitely more exciting than a 3 run HR.Michael Brown said:you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
By the way, haven't sabermetrics already proven that things like bunting, hit and run, and stolen bases are all vastly overrated aspects of the game that actually do more harm than good in most instances? And that sitting and waiting for the 3 run HR is actually better baseball?
But hey, have fun watching as the announcers tell us what a GREAT hitter Carlos Zambrano is (he of the lifetime .234 average). It really sucks having to watch guys like Edgar Martinez, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz fill up the stat sheets with HR and RBI and drama. I'd much rather get to see Tommy Glavine slap a groundout to SS.
ETA: Without the DH, Jack Morris doesn't go 10 against the Braves in the '91 Series. The NL forces you to remove your pitcher in a 0-0 pitcher's duel if there's 2 on in the top of the 7th inning. That alone is reason enough to have everyone DH.
Michael Brown
Footballguy
Um, perhaps you joined the argument late. I wasn't trying to "prove" that the AL style is as good or better than the NL. All I was proving is that Wally Backman has no idea what he's talking about.Congratulations, the AL was made for you.Wally Backmans take:Good point. A bunt followed by a sac fly to deep center IS infinitely more exciting than a 3 run HR.you are right.It's more like wait for the 3 run HR.Michael Brown said:anybody that thinks the AL is just station to station baseball hasn't been watching the AL much this year.
By the way, haven't sabermetrics already proven that things like bunting, hit and run, and stolen bases are all vastly overrated aspects of the game that actually do more harm than good in most instances? And that sitting and waiting for the 3 run HR is actually better baseball?
But hey, have fun watching as the announcers tell us what a GREAT hitter Carlos Zambrano is (he of the lifetime .234 average). It really sucks having to watch guys like Edgar Martinez, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, David Ortiz fill up the stat sheets with HR and RBI and drama. I'd much rather get to see Tommy Glavine slap a groundout to SS.
ETA: Without the DH, Jack Morris doesn't go 10 against the Braves in the '91 Series. The NL forces you to remove your pitcher in a 0-0 pitcher's duel if there's 2 on in the top of the 7th inning. That alone is reason enough to have everyone DH.
pantagrapher
Footballguy
Why not just have three separate, non-concurrent categories on every team: fielders, pitchers and batters? Some of the greatest fielders of all time are probably being denied the opportunity to play baseball just because they can't hit.
dparker713
Footballguy
And all I was proving is that your 'proof' actually proves nothing.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
i don't think i've ever heard anyone argue there should be 9 DH's. the reasoning for having a someone hit for the pitcher, and just the pitcher, is pretty clear and simple. pitchers completely exhaust themselves during games. other fielders do not. on the flip side, why don't "non-DH" people have a problem with pinch hitting?i mean, if you play the field you should have to hit, right? this is what i always hear and if people are so convicted on that notion, why make exceptions? all a DH is is a full-time pinch-hitter. i ask that question in jest, of course, because i already know the answer. it's because pinch-hitting has always been a part of the game (i assume) and designated hitting has not.i'm not sure how great fielders are being denied and opportunity to play b/c of the DH. if anything, the DH provides more opportunities to great fielders who can't hit b/c teams have one less automatic out in the lineup. jason bartlett in the rays lineup isn't a big deal. taking on his bat would be more costly if he were batting in front of a pitcher. .pantagrapher said:
pollardsvision
Footballguy
btw, mark grace just helped perpetuate the "AL doesn't run" myth in the A's-dbacks game. he was commenting on how doug davis led the league in CS's last year with 8 and that greg smith already has 8 so far this year. then he pointed out that that was even more remarkable b/c "they don't run in the AL".
wasn't much of the "small-ball/long-ball" contrast b/w the NL/AL b/c of the park sizes? sure the DH was a factor, but with NL teams playing in big spacious parks, often used for football too, they needed to have good defenders and the ability to manufacture runs. while the AL had smaller parks and wanted to capitalize on the ability to hit HRs.
wasn't much of the "small-ball/long-ball" contrast b/w the NL/AL b/c of the park sizes? sure the DH was a factor, but with NL teams playing in big spacious parks, often used for football too, they needed to have good defenders and the ability to manufacture runs. while the AL had smaller parks and wanted to capitalize on the ability to hit HRs.
pantagrapher
Footballguy
I was taking specific issue with igbomb's reasoning.Hey, I just like NL baseball. I'm not a purist. I don't know why I like the rhythm of the NL game better. I just do. That's all there is to it.
SuperAwesomeDude
Footballguy
igbomb
Footballguy
I figured that the defense argument would come at some point.While there is no doubt that defense is an integral part of the game, the impact of defense on the game is much, much less than either pitching or hitting. The vast majority of baseball is the battle between the pitcher and the batter. Bottom line, it's just not as hard to play defense as it is to bat or pitch.pantagrapher said:
