I miss baseball's golden age

[Tom Hendricks]

Rama, while the "steroids era" doesn't bother me, for I believe that it invigorated baseball. There is nothing better then a pitching duel. With the example of RA Dickeys multiple 1 hit games and innings without letting up runs, made real compeling baseball and that is the best thing ever.

Plus, there's something to be said for a baseball game that ends at a reasonable hour

How do you feel about the designated hitter? Should the NL adopt it?

Yuck. I may be a purist, but I think it detracts from the game. It's a crutch. The DH himself looks bad because he isn't playing a full game. The pitcher that gets the big hit is always a great moment that I'd hate too lose. Finally, it kills those tough dilemmas of games when you're down 1-0 and need to decide if you pull the pitcher or hope you get a hit somewhere else.

All this being said, I think it's inevitable that the DH will win out.

I use to be a purist, not any more. While I agree that seeing a pitcher get a big hit is exciting. The fact that it happens only few times a season is not worth the sitting through the time after time of an easy out. Most DHers generate that excitement almost daily. It's also tough for me to accept a hitter not playing the field as a complete player, by reversing the description you get the same result for pitchers. So why not allow them to concentrate on what they are being paid for, pitching.

 

[Star Wolf]

Because it changes the strategy of a strategic game. Why not change the rules of an action game. For example Blake Griffin is the young star of the NBA because of his dunks, yet because of his free throw shooting he may be hacked or pulled at the end of the game with the most time outs and ad selling opurtunities. To solve the problem have a designated free throw shooter. and the NBA bumps up the action but destroys the game dedicated on players having a complete package of skills.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Better yet, why limit it to one player? Why not have a team of designated hitters and a team of designated fielders. There are plenty of players in for defensive skills or stuck at first base despite their terrible defensive skills. I'm sure some teams would love to have another player take care of their weaker aspects.

 

[clint g]

Better yet, why limit it to one player? Why not have a team of designated hitters and a team of designated fielders. There are plenty of players in for defensive skills or stuck at first base despite their terrible defensive skills. I'm sure some teams would love to have another player take care of their weaker aspects.

Because the pitcher only plays once every 5 days so they suck extra more than anyone else. At the end of the day it's about entertainment and seeing an easy out every game gets pretty damn boring. If you disagree then you can always follow the NL. If you also think that it's dull then the AL is for you. That's the beauty of the current system.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Well, I do follow the NL, so that solves the problem. My fear is that it will inevitably switch. For starters, with the change in team alignments, interleague games will happen all the time. This means NL teams need to always be prepared for a DH. They aren't going to want to waste their money unless he gets regular use. In addition, there's always a concern about high-priced pitchers getting injuries while hitting. So I think it's only a matter of time.

 

[J.T.B.]

Because you have to be 90 something to have actually experienced that era yourself and are not just taking the word of a baseball historian

I agree to a certain extent but OTOH you don't have to take a historian's word for all of it. The stats are there. Ty Cobb has a lifetime .366 BA and 295 triples; Babe Ruth has .474 OBP and .690 SLG and so on.

Justin

 

[R. Star]

Well the 2013 Hall of Fame vote will be telling on the "steroid era."

Clemens, Bonds, Sosa, Piaza, Schilling and Biggio are all eligible for the first time.

I think Clemens, Bonds and Sosa don't make it with their abuse stigma. Mike Piaza and Schilling both do since they were both relatively clean and Biggio falls short this year but makes it next.