NL=Canadian football

[hardcorecubfan]

That Olney guy on ESPN made the statement "The NL is equivelant of the candaian football league"

 

Same respect and same ability to beat the AL.

 

I am now tending to agree, though I hate to. I am a die hard NL fan. Can someone prove otherwise?

 

I hope this goes beyond one post or a simple "ya, he's right"

[Iceblink]

Soundbites aside, the AL is far superior to the NL this year. Of course, it's cyclical and signifies little.

 

However, take the DH out of the equation and the field levels a bit. The ChiSox have to find ABs for both Thome and Konerko. David Ortiz and Travis Hafner actually have to play the field once in a while - and there's no way to know if that would help or hurt their numbers. Joe Mauer's great numbers have 15 games subtracted from them - or he has to play some of those and is that much more tired.

 

Take away that free lineup spot and some of those players would've found their way to NL teams so they could start - or would've never gotten enough ABs to establish themselves. Lots of other everyday AL players wouldn't have the advantage of pseudo days off where they DH, and a few would've suffered injuries in the field.

 

Sure, that makes the pitcher's job more difficult, but you also have to consider that Prior wouldn't have been injured in the Giles collision with the DH. Maybe Justin Verlander or Roy Halladay gets a pitching hand hit while trying to bunt.

 

If the NL is the CFL to the AL's NFL, then the AL isn't far from being the Arena league version of real baseball.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

If the NL is the CFL to the AL's NFL, then the AL isn't far from being the Arena league version of real baseball.

Excellent.

[soccer10k]

Soundbites aside, the AL is far superior to the NL this year. Of course, it's cyclical and signifies little.

 

However, take the DH out of the equation and the field levels a bit. The ChiSox have to find ABs for both Thome and Konerko. David Ortiz and Travis Hafner actually have to play the field once in a while - and there's no way to know if that would help or hurt their numbers. Joe Mauer's great numbers have 15 games subtracted from them - or he has to play some of those and is that much more tired.

 

Take away that free lineup spot and some of those players would've found their way to NL teams so they could start - or would've never gotten enough ABs to establish themselves. Lots of other everyday AL players wouldn't have the advantage of pseudo days off where they DH, and a few would've suffered injuries in the field.

 

Sure, that makes the pitcher's job more difficult, but you also have to consider that Prior wouldn't have been injured in the Giles collision with the DH. Maybe Justin Verlander or Roy Halladay gets a pitching hand hit while trying to bunt.

 

If the NL is the CFL to the AL's NFL, then the AL isn't far from being the Arena league version of real baseball.

 

A couple of things.

 

1. I agree with the cyclical argument. For a few years, the Western Conference was absolutely dominant in the NBA and nobody thought the Eastern Conference had a chance to win the NBA title during the 5 years the Lakers and Spurs won the NBA titles. But now the Eastern Conference teams are much better. Last year both Miami and Detroit were considered serious contenders for the title while both Chicago and Cleveland were on the rise. The last two NBA finals have been up for grabs and most people were split as to picking which team would win.

 

2. If you took the DH out of the discussion then of course things would be different. For one, the White Sox would have never resigned Konerko AND traded for Jim Thome because they knew it would be hard to find spots in the order for both of them. The Red Sox wouldn't be hurt that much by David Ortiz playing in the field and they would have either traded Kevin Youkilis or found a place for him in the field. The list goes on. If a team wants a player they will find a place to put him.

 

3. This is related to #2. The difference would be solely dependent on that lost spot in the batting order. Rather than having another actual hitter batting a team must deal with a pitcher batting 2 or 3 times a game, which would have a big affect on a team's lineup.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Soundbites aside, the AL is far superior to the NL this year. Of course, it's cyclical and signifies little.

 

However, take the DH out of the equation and the field levels a bit. The ChiSox have to find ABs for both Thome and Konerko. David Ortiz and Travis Hafner actually have to play the field once in a while - and there's no way to know if that would help or hurt their numbers. Joe Mauer's great numbers have 15 games subtracted from them - or he has to play some of those and is that much more tired.

 

Take away that free lineup spot and some of those players would've found their way to NL teams so they could start - or would've never gotten enough ABs to establish themselves. Lots of other everyday AL players wouldn't have the advantage of pseudo days off where they DH, and a few would've suffered injuries in the field.

 

Sure, that makes the pitcher's job more difficult, but you also have to consider that Prior wouldn't have been injured in the Giles collision with the DH. Maybe Justin Verlander or Roy Halladay gets a pitching hand hit while trying to bunt.

 

If the NL is the CFL to the AL's NFL, then the AL isn't far from being the Arena league version of real baseball.

 

Agreed. The NL is better pure baseball, whereas the AL is more of the Generation X style baseball, that needs RUNS "NOW." I am more of a purist, so naturally I think the AL should get rid of the DH.

 

With that said, I would like for the Interleague crap to end, now. Because, part of the reason why the AL is so more dominate is because it is easier for them to play the NL style, then it is for the NL to play the AL style.

[hardcorecubfan]

But the DH is there and we do play at least three games of the WS in a National league park. Are we to say that a national league team can't find a great power hitter in a trade in the last month and a half to satisfy the DH position?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm surprised Buster Olney correctly spelled NL.

[NewUserName]

Is it a whole lot different than the NFL is now? The AFC is clearly the better conference after years of NFC dominance. Heck if the Bears were in the AFC they wouldnt even make the playoffs this year or last. Before you start some sort of pro Bears arguement dont forget the Steelers were the 6th seed in the AFC last year

 

I wouldnt be surpised if the Mets win the WS. I am not saying they will or going to bet on it. I just dont think they are that far behind some AL teams. As said take away the DH in some of the games at Shea and I really think they can compete.

 

Funny how the best team in Baseball right now (Tigers) would probably be able to compete just fine without a DH.

[goonys evil twin]

Is it a whole lot different than the NFL is now? The AFC is clearly the better conference after years of NFC dominance.

 

It's actually quite different. It would be tough to say for certain which is the better NFL conference. It's at least much more of a debate. Carolina, Seattle, Dallas, Washington, Giants and Bears would all be in the running in the AFC. The NL has one team that could stand a chance in the AL.

[Iceblink]

Soundbites aside, the AL is far superior to the NL this year. Of course, it's cyclical and signifies little.

 

However, take the DH out of the equation and the field levels a bit. The ChiSox have to find ABs for both Thome and Konerko. David Ortiz and Travis Hafner actually have to play the field once in a while - and there's no way to know if that would help or hurt their numbers. Joe Mauer's great numbers have 15 games subtracted from them - or he has to play some of those and is that much more tired.

 

Take away that free lineup spot and some of those players would've found their way to NL teams so they could start - or would've never gotten enough ABs to establish themselves. Lots of other everyday AL players wouldn't have the advantage of pseudo days off where they DH, and a few would've suffered injuries in the field.

 

Sure, that makes the pitcher's job more difficult, but you also have to consider that Prior wouldn't have been injured in the Giles collision with the DH. Maybe Justin Verlander or Roy Halladay gets a pitching hand hit while trying to bunt.

 

If the NL is the CFL to the AL's NFL, then the AL isn't far from being the Arena league version of real baseball.

 

A couple of things.

 

1. I agree with the cyclical argument. For a few years, the Western Conference was absolutely dominant in the NBA and nobody thought the Eastern Conference had a chance to win the NBA title during the 5 years the Lakers and Spurs won the NBA titles. But now the Eastern Conference teams are much better. Last year both Miami and Detroit were considered serious contenders for the title while both Chicago and Cleveland were on the rise. The last two NBA finals have been up for grabs and most people were split as to picking which team would win.

 

2. If you took the DH out of the discussion then of course things would be different. For one, the White Sox would have never resigned Konerko AND traded for Jim Thome because they knew it would be hard to find spots in the order for both of them. The Red Sox wouldn't be hurt that much by David Ortiz playing in the field and they would have either traded Kevin Youkilis or found a place for him in the field. The list goes on. If a team wants a player they will find a place to put him.

 

3. This is related to #2. The difference would be solely dependent on that lost spot in the batting order. Rather than having another actual hitter batting a team must deal with a pitcher batting 2 or 3 times a game, which would have a big affect on a team's lineup.

 

The teams in the AL would likely look a lot different without the DH. Would Boston have even taken a flyer on Ortiz after the Twins released him? Sure, you can put a stiff at first base, but maybe he hadn't shown enough offense to take a roster spot given he can't play 1B well.

 

One more point about losing the DH is that AL managers would actually have to start working for a living.

[Careless]

Is it a whole lot different than the NFL is now? The AFC is clearly the better conference after years of NFC dominance. Heck if the Bears were in the AFC they wouldnt even make the playoffs this year or last. Before you start some sort of pro Bears arguement dont forget the Steelers were the 6th seed in the AFC last year

The bolded part does not support your argument. The steelers, in order to play the NFC in the Superbowl, had to beat the best of the AFC. Either they actually were the best in the AFC and so their 6 seed was meaningless, or the AFC was so flat at the top end of their talent that the seeds from 1 to 6 were interchangable, so the 6 seed is meaningless.

[bc2k]

Is it a whole lot different than the NFL is now? The AFC is clearly the better conference after years of NFC dominance.

 

It's actually quite different. It would be tough to say for certain which is the better NFL conference. It's at least much more of a debate. Carolina, Seattle, Dallas, Washington, Giants and Bears would all be in the running in the AFC. The NL has one team that could stand a chance in the AL.

 

I see your point but would add the Dodgers to your list.

[Sammy Sofa]

But the DH is there and we do play at least three games of the WS in a National league park. Are we to say that a national league team can't find a great power hitter in a trade in the last month and a half to satisfy the DH position?

 

Isn't it kind of ridiculous to expect a team to rearrange its personel and finances in that way at the last minute just to appease a baseball practice that even little leaguers don't do?

[hardcorecubfan]

But the DH is there and we do play at least three games of the WS in a National league park. Are we to say that a national league team can't find a great power hitter in a trade in the last month and a half to satisfy the DH position?

 

Isn't it kind of ridiculous to expect a team to rearrange its personel and finances in that way at the last minute just to appease a baseball practice that even little leaguers don't do?

 

solutions?

 

A. Eliminate DH

B. NL get the DH

 

I would rather eliminate

[thedaymen]

I think that is exactly what the Mets just did. They traded for Green and essentially turned Cliff Floyd into their DH.