NL should join the 21st century (1 Viewer)

[Michael Brown]

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.

And all I was proving is that your 'proof' actually proves nothing.

So when Backman makes claims that are factually inaccurate and I point those out, it means nothing?Fine, agree to disagree.

 

[Wrigley]

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?

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.

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.

So you agree, everyone should play the field?

 

[Michael Brown]

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?

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.

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.

So you agree, everyone should play the field?

Don't take this the wrong way, but I just noticed the Pinkerton quote in your sig and found it ironic based on the current conversation.In closing, I'm pretty sure no one is convincing anyone of thinking regarding this matter. The DH argument is like the abortion debate of sports, so I think I'm gonna step off.

 

[Wrigley]

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?

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.

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.

So you agree, everyone should play the field?

Don't take this the wrong way, but I just noticed the Pinkerton quote in your sig and found it ironic based on the current conversation.In closing, I'm pretty sure no one is convincing anyone of thinking regarding this matter. The DH argument is like the abortion debate of sports, so I think I'm gonna step off.

God I hate it when someone starts a sentence with "don't take this the wrong way, but"and I agree that we could go round and round about this.

Have a great Friday, and GO CUBS!!!!

 

[pantagrapher]

GO CUBS!!!!

 

[This_Guy]

I think the strategy that is involved with having a pitcher hit is much more interesting than having a DH. With a DH you can pull a pitcher at anytime without any thought except for how well they are pitching. When the pitcher has too bat you have to think of the roster spot you are going to use if you replace him and how it fits into the batting order. Managers have to put a lot more thought into replacing a pitcher in the NL and really think about the most strategic way to help the team.

A DH and a pinch hitter are 2 completely different things. With a PH you are making the decision to pull another player and deciding exactly what type of hitter you need for that exact situation. You are also using up a roster spot and have to think about how that effects your options further along in the game. The DH really doesn't involve much thought. You stick your best hitter in the line-up and he stays there all game.

Certainly everyone likes to see the most productive batters at the plate but when you sacrifice the aspects of the game that involve tough decisions and strategy it really becomes much less interesting game.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

GO CUBS!!!!

I'd want them to leave my town, too.

 

[Spartans Rule]

I keep looking for this Jim Leyland quote, but I just can't find it.

Think you can help my out Mr. Brown?

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.

It's on the wikipedia page for the DH

"Everyone in the world disagrees with me, including some managers, but I think managing in the American League is much more difficult for that very reason (having the designated hitter). In the National League, my situation is dictated for me. If I'm behind in the game, I've got to pinch hit. I've got to take my pitcher out. In the American League, you have to zero in. You have to know exactly when to take them out of there. In the National League, that's done for you." - Jim Leyland

 

[Billy Bats]

Why don't they just add the DH to the NL and make pitchers bat in the AL? Makes everyone happy.

 

[Koya]

Having a dh is, simply put, not pure baseball. QB comparisons are pretty shallow,.. No one has to go both ways in football.

In baseball everyone hits and everyone fields. Anything else is a travesty of the rules and the integrity of the game.

 

[Tom Servo]

It's not "strategy" if you have to make a move like the vaunted "double switch".

The only two complete non-DH baseball leagues in the world: The Japanese Central League and the National League. Hank is right; drop the pillbox hats and wool jerseys and join the rest of us in the 21st century.

 

[culdeus]

Does someone track the actual number of times a pitcher bats in a game? Is it 2? 3? what? Just curious.