Yeah, sure, I understand that "this time it counts," meaning the All-Star game is treated as something that matters. Still, I don't care if an NL park is hosting the game; I want to see hitters hit and pitchers pitch. I don't even want to see a pitcher's name in the batting order, regardless of whether or not wood and pine tar actually touches their hands. It's just a stupid practice that needs to be scrapped. PostmanE already pointed out some of the shortcomings of the All-Star game, noting that the home run derby has become the true focal point of fan excitement. Making the DH mandatory should be added to the list of All-Star game changes. Why should managers be concerned with constantly pinch-hitting for the pitcher, or pulling off double-switches? Everyone in the park and every fan watching on TV is tuning in to see the best hitters in baseball face the best pitchers in baseball. So why even leave it in question that a pitcher will be in the lineup?
Seriously, do I want to see Dan Haren's name in the AL lineup batting 9th, or
Previously at FanHouse:
Drop the Charade: The Home Run Derby Is Better Than the All-Star Game
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-09-2007 @ 11:27PM
drumjoe said...
The DH should be done away with altogether, All-star game, post season, regular season - the whole thing. That rule has eliminated some of the best strategies of the game for American league managers. Baseball is a thinking man's game. It takes brains to figure out the best way to make a double switch favorable.
Furthemore, nothing is worse than knowing that a hitter would have no job in the majors without being a DH. Since many designated hitters don't even have to be adequate fielders they can get paid big bucks to make 4 plate appearances a game and sit on the bench the rest of the time. It's not how the game should be played.
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 1:30AM
Jerry Pittsley said...
I agree, the DH should be removed from baseball. How many DH's have done that well and how many are even remembered? Also, making the All Star a must win situation really takes away from the relaxed nature of the classic. By the way, eliminate interleague play since the present set-up is not fair and takes away from the all star game and the World Series in so far as having played the same team before.
Reply
7-11-2007 @ 10:42PM
tennisdude729 said...
Wake up and smell the coffee, guys. Larry is right. Nobody wants to watch a pitcher bat in an all star game. The rules as presently constituted favor the NL team, since without a DH, the AL starting pitcher cannot go three innings without batting, whereas the home team NL starting pitcher could possibly pitch three innings and then be removed for a pinch hitter. If you cannot follow this, you have no business commenting on baseball, anyway.
Double switches are overrated. Everyone does them and puts the new pitcher in the place of the last batter who was removed from the game. The true test of managing is to know when to remove a tiring starter without the motivation of having to hit for him.
Edgar Martinez and Paul Molitor are two DH's who have added an awful lot to the game after suffering injuries that prevented them from playing the field on a regular basis.
Reply