4 comments
We should just have teams of 9 DHs, and then have 9 defensive specialists in the field.
Why am subjected to Dante Bichette levels of bad fielding just to put a bat in the lineup? Why should we expect players to be well rounded, or coaches to have to make decisions about fielding vs hitting, or an extra inning or two of a pitcher vs an easy out?
I'm not one of those "The DH takes the thinking out of the game!" types, but what is wrong with a little decision making in terms of defense over offense, pitching over hitting?
We should just have teams of 9 DHs, and then have 9 defensive specialists in the field.
Why am subjected to Dante Bichette levels of bad fielding just to put a bat in the lineup? Why should we expect players to be well rounded, or coaches to have to make decisions about fielding vs hitting, or an extra inning or two of a pitcher vs an easy out?
I'm not one of those "The DH takes the thinking out of the game!" types, but what is wrong with a little decision making in terms of defense over offense, pitching over hitting?
Save the double switch!
I don't see a lot of NL games so I can live with it either way. If you can hit they find you a spot and if you can pitch they find you a spot, dealing with the rest of the package adds intrigue.
Save the double switch!
I don't see a lot of NL games so I can live with it either way. If you can hit they find you a spot and if you can pitch they find you a spot, dealing with
the rest of the package adds intrigue.
I just think it forces players to HAVE to do more. You can't just be a DH. You better figure out a position (or two) to play. As an Astros fan in Houston for the past 13 years, I have had to watch the Astros change from NL to AL, and see the vast difference in the two leagues on a daily basis.
I will say that I do prefer the NL, if nothing else than the shortening of the game. Less "in-inning" relief appearances. More changes between innings, so the new pitcher starts out, and you don't have that 2-3 minute gap of doing nothing 3-4 times a game right in the middle of a rally.
Take a player like Evan Gattis. Has a bat, can't field. When he was with Atlanta, he caught, he played third, they tried him in left field, and he was pretty bad at all of them, but it made him a better baseball PLAYER. When he came to the Astros as a dedicated DH, it kind of took away some of wathcing a player get better every day at playing baseball not just hitting a baseball. So, last year, when our backup catchers all got hurt, and McCann was ailing, having to see Gattis play behind the plate again, and see the improvement form the year before, that was actually pretty interesting to watch, to the point that I was hoping to see him behind the plate more.
But, I guess seeing a guy perform defensively above average with below average skills doesn't make Sportscenter highlights, therefore, we should change the game to match what gives better ratings to ESPN.
I just think it forces players to HAVE to do more. You can't just be a DH. You better figure out a position (or two) to play. As an Astros fan in Houston for the past 13 years, I have had to watch the Astros change from NL to AL, and see the vast difference in the two leagues on a daily basis.
I will say that I do prefer the NL, if nothing else than the shortening of the game. Less "in-inning" relief appearances. More changes between innings, so the new pitcher starts out, and you don't have that 2-3 minute gap of doing nothing 3-4 times a game right in the middle of a rally.
Take a player like Evan Gattis. Has a bat, can't field. When he was with Atlanta, he caught, he played third, they tried him in left field, and he was pretty bad at all of them, but it made him a better baseball PLAYER. When he came to the Astros as a dedicated DH, it kind of took away some of wathcing a player get better every day at *playing baseball* not just *hitting* a baseball. So, last year, when our backup catchers all got hurt, and McCann was ailing, having to see Gattis play behind the plate again, and see the improvement form the year before, that was actually pretty interesting to watch, to the point that I was hoping to see him behind the plate more.
But, I guess seeing a guy perform defensively above average with below average skills doesn't make Sportscenter highlights, therefore, we should change the game to match what gives better ratings to ESPN.
Would that (eventually) mean separate offensive players and defensive players in baseball, like in football?