Hank Steinbrenner to NL: DROP DEAD

[RedFlash]

First: I don't mind how the MLB is set up. The two leagues are supposed to be different. Different teams, different rules, etc, etc. Battles between the leagues are supposed---to me atleast---to be a clash of styles. Kind of like the high flying/high scoring AFL .v. the ground it out, punish your opponent in the NFL. I don't have a problem with the two leagues having distinct differences.

 

Second: How dare pitchers have to run. Never mind part of being a pitcher is having stamina. How do you gt stamina, by running. The NL didn't hurt Wang, the lack of fundamental baseball hurt Wang. Steinbrenner needs to stop whining, and leave the baseball talk, to those who know a thing or two about the sport.

 

Third: At this point, I kind of wish Hal Steinbrenner got control of the team. Atleast he would be level headed, and not come off as a spoil brat, like his brother.

[A New Era]

A New Era to Hank Steinbrenner: You are a [expletive] Deuche.

[Soul]

It just occurred to me when foreigners think of the image of "the ugly American" -- it's pretty much Hank and his Dad they're thinking about.

[Jehrico]

Never thought I'd see the day when someone would be more whiney than George Steinbrenner.

You've convinced me. From here on out, I'm never referring to anyone from that family as anything other than Winebrenner.

I like Whinebrenner better.

Good catch. Same pronunciation though.

[Derwood]

how can NL strategy be a myth? The bench is completely useless in the AL....they might as well only dress 9 hitters a day

[Soul]

Whinebrenner. Hehe, I like it.

[jersey cubs fan]

how can NL strategy be a myth? The bench is completely useless in the AL....they might as well only dress 9 hitters a day

 

Baseball strategy in general is mythologized way beyond its usefulness. It's pitch ball, hit ball, field ball much more than anything else. Obviously the NL uses pinch hitters more frequently, but the average NL team has had only 98 of their 2445 ABs come from pinch hitters this year, while the AL has had 27 out of 2431. The difference in number of RBI is 12-5, while R is 10-3.

 

Some argue that it's actually a little more difficult for an AL manager to know when to pull his pitcher, because he doesn't have the incentive of getting him out of offensive purposes to save him from letting the guy go to long. I think that's all a bunch of hooey really. I know our resident coaches take offense to such notions, but it's not about strategy, it's about performance on the field by the players playing the game. And even then, the AL can still use SB, sacrifices and all the rest if they want to try and strategize to a victory. The only real difference is they don't pinch hit for pitchers. But they will switch up pitchers and hitters for the purpose of matchups and all that good stuff.

[Soul]

how can NL strategy be a myth? The bench is completely useless in the AL....they might as well only dress 9 hitters a day

 

Baseball strategy in general is mythologized way beyond its usefulness. It's pitch ball, hit ball, field ball much more than anything else. Obviously the NL uses pinch hitters more frequently, but the average NL team has had only 98 of their 2445 ABs come from pinch hitters this year, while the AL has had 27 out of 2431. The difference in number of RBI is 12-5, while R is 10-3.

 

Some argue that it's actually a little more difficult for an AL manager to know when to pull his pitcher, because he doesn't have the incentive of getting him out of offensive purposes to save him from letting the guy go to long. I think that's all a bunch of hooey really. I know our resident coaches take offense to such notions, but it's not about strategy, it's about performance on the field by the players playing the game. And even then, the AL can still use SB, sacrifices and all the rest if they want to try and strategize to a victory. The only real difference is they don't pinch hit for pitchers. But they will switch up pitchers and hitters for the purpose of matchups and all that good stuff.

 

So that's essentially 3.5 times the strategic situations (98 vs 27) in the NL vs. the AL. I'll take that.

 

I don't think it's a myth. We all watch a lot of baseball. Obviously it's about opinion. I like NL baseball better, and I enjoy the increased need for strategic switching. I like seeing what the manager will do now that the pitcher's spot has come up and he needs to make a move, or whatever. What I don't understand is why some people can't accept that others like it that way (not you specifically, but in general).

[jersey cubs fan]

how can NL strategy be a myth? The bench is completely useless in the AL....they might as well only dress 9 hitters a day

 

Baseball strategy in general is mythologized way beyond its usefulness. It's pitch ball, hit ball, field ball much more than anything else. Obviously the NL uses pinch hitters more frequently, but the average NL team has had only 98 of their 2445 ABs come from pinch hitters this year, while the AL has had 27 out of 2431. The difference in number of RBI is 12-5, while R is 10-3.

 

Some argue that it's actually a little more difficult for an AL manager to know when to pull his pitcher, because he doesn't have the incentive of getting him out of offensive purposes to save him from letting the guy go to long. I think that's all a bunch of hooey really. I know our resident coaches take offense to such notions, but it's not about strategy, it's about performance on the field by the players playing the game. And even then, the AL can still use SB, sacrifices and all the rest if they want to try and strategize to a victory. The only real difference is they don't pinch hit for pitchers. But they will switch up pitchers and hitters for the purpose of matchups and all that good stuff.

 

So that's essentially 3.5 times the strategic situations (98 vs 27) in the NL vs. the AL. I'll take that.

I don't think it's a myth. We all watch a lot of baseball. Obviously it's about opinion. I like NL baseball better, and I enjoy the increased need for strategic switching. I like seeing what the manager will do now that the pitcher's spot has come up and he needs to make a move, or whatever. What I don't understand is why some people can't accept that others like it that way (not you specifically, but in general).

 

 

That assumes pinch hitting for the pitcher is the only strategic decision a manager makes. And how much strategy is that anyway? It's the 6th or 7th inning, you need runs, your pitcher is up, you pinch hit. That's not much of a strategy. Have you ever watched a Yankees Red Sox game? AL games don't just last 4 hours because of the DH, they last long because managers spend half the time strategizing pitching matchups late in games.

[NCCubFan]

First: I don't mind how the MLB is set up. The two leagues are supposed to be different.

That used to be the case, but not any more. The start of interleague play, the elimination of the league presidents, and the elimination of separate umpiring staffs for the two leagues are all moves toward a situation like in football. MLB is analagous to the NFL, and the two leagues are basically the equivalent of the NFC and the AFC. The DH is the only difference that remains, and with the current climate that difference really needs to be eliminated.

[RedIvyCub]

And to think MLB is worried about Cuban owning a team when there's a clown like this running baseball's most storied franchise.

 

Hank Steinbrenner is WHY MLB doesn't want a clown like Cuban running a team. They already have to deal with Hank Steinbrenner and Jeffrrey Loria as it is.

Not really. They had their shot at getting Loria out of the league. Instead, they handed him another team.

 

Contraction was taken off the table so no there wasn't an option but to let him keep the Expos in a move to DC OR to let him take over the Marlins where they felt he would do little damage and let Henry join the Red Sox group. I don't think they thought he would win a WS in a million years after what he did to the Expo franchise. I also think they figured contraction could come up again and the Marlins and their poor attendance, etc would be a likely candidate.

I think they could have bought him out in Montreal without giving him the Marlins if they really wanted to. Only Selig and Loria know for sure though.

 

No way Loria would have agreed to that and that is the only way they could have bought him out.

[RedIvyCub]

Interleague play has lost some of its luster. Surely, the Cubs-White Sox, Yankees-Mets, and Angels-Dodgers still generate a lot of interest. I suppose the same might be said of Rangers-Astros, Giants-A's, and Marlins-Rays to some extent. But the other match-ups aren't that compelling. I guess it's nice for fans in some cities to get to see teams they normally miss, but I wouldn't shed a tear if interleague play was done away with.

 

I certainly don't like the fact that we get the White Sox for 6 games every year where the Cards get the Royals. I really don't even care about the rival matchups any more.

 

 

It is because MLB wants to preserve the "natural rivalry" matchups with more games.

Edited June 20, 2008 by RedIvyCub

[RedIvyCub]

I'll never waver in my belief that Loria, Selig, and most of baseball's ownership were willing saboteurs of baseball in Montreal. After the job was done there, he was sent to Florida to do the same. Give me a free stadium or we'll move/get rid of you. Loria/Selig are rotten men, and thick as thieves.

 

Nope Loria destroyed the Montreal franchise and ran it into the ground all by himself.

[circlecitycub]

It just occurred to me when foreigners think of the image of "the ugly American" -- it's pretty much Hank and his Dad they're thinking about.

 

Well, that and Cardinals fans.

[BigbadB]

I really don't even care about the rival matchups any more.

 

Something really bad will have to happen before they put an end to this silly practice. But, as unfortunate as that is, something really bad will likely happen sooner rather than later.

 

The NFL is probably at wits end on San Diego Charger/Oakland Raider matchups. They've already done away with serving alcohol for any part of games when these two teams play, mainly because fans cannot control their behavior.

 

Reading the articles in the Sun Times and the comments made by Kenny Williams and John Danks only fuels the fire for something really ugly to happen. I fully expect to read some horrific stories in the paper on Monday on the horrific behaviors of people at a ballgame, which is a real shame.

[Jehrico]

I really don't even care about the rival matchups any more.

 

Something really bad will have to happen before they put an end to this silly practice. But, as unfortunate as that is, something really bad will likely happen sooner rather than later.

Don't you mean later than sooner? Hopefully I'm wrong, as I want to see them ended as well, but I'm doubtful we'll see anything soon that will cause MLB to cancel the rivalry series. They bring in more money, esp to KC when the Cards are in town.

[FergieJ31]

1.01 Baseball is a game between two teams of nine players each, under direction of a manager, played on an enclosed field in accordance with these rules, under jurisdiction of one or more umpires.

 

I'll just let that one sink in....

 

Exactly.

[RynoRules]

You can forget about the DH being eliminated. It creates probably 15 or so extra jobs per yr. Don Fehr would have to enter a witness protection program if he bargained it away. Its far more likely that the NL will have DH's some day.

[Jehrico]

You can forget about the DH being eliminated. It creates probably 15 or so extra jobs per yr. Don Fehr would have to enter a witness protection program if he bargained it away. Its far more likely that the NL will have DH's some day.

No it doesn't. American League teams keep 25 guys on their roster just like the NL teams do. What it does is it takes away jobs from guys that can play the field and hit and gives those jobs to guys who can't field but hit better. Or it takes away a job from a hitter and gives it to a pitcher, as AL teams don't need pinch hitters the way NL teams do. Either way, there's no loss of jobs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

You can forget about the DH being eliminated. It creates probably 15 or so extra jobs per yr. Don Fehr would have to enter a witness protection program if he bargained it away. Its far more likely that the NL will have DH's some day.

It doesn't create extra jobs, but it does create higher paying jobs as hitters make the dough.

 

On the other hand, it could be negotiated away, but I think it would be in exchange for a 26th roster spot which would create 30 more jobs at the major league level as well as make players get to arbitration and free agency faster. It could be bargained away, but the owners likely wouldn't want to pay the cost to make it happen.

[RedFlash]

First: I don't mind how the MLB is set up. The two leagues are supposed to be different.

That used to be the case, but not any more. The start of interleague play, the elimination of the league presidents, and the elimination of separate umpiring staffs for the two leagues are all moves toward a situation like in football. MLB is analagous to the NFL, and the two leagues are basically the equivalent of the NFC and the AFC. The DH is the only difference that remains, and with the current climate that difference really needs to be eliminated.

 

The MLB needs to go back to the old ways. AL had THEIR UMPS, as do the NL. The two leagues had their own league presidents, and so on and so on. And the interleague crap needs to end. It was fun for a few yrs, but it's now in burder. I much rather have more matchups with the Cards and the Brewers, then having to face the likes of the Orioles, Blue Jays and the Rays.

 

If baseball wants to do the "one league baseball", then Spring Training would be fun. But MLB needs a separation of leagues.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

The DH rule is the answer to a problem that doesn't exist anymore (run scoring). Get rid of it.

[loukycub]

btw - pitchers would probably be better hitters if they hit all the way through the minors. As it is, the only leagues that have the pitchers hit are AA and AAA -- and even then only in the parks of NL franchises.

 

Do away with the dh at all levels!

 

actually (and unfortunately), no. that isn't the case.

 

in aaa (or at least the international league, which i can speak to) the pitcher bats in the parks of national league affiliates WHEN THE OPPOSING TEAM IS AN NL AFFILIATE AS WELL. so that means that in il city louisville, which is a very big nl town being close to cincinatti, the previous affiliate to the effing cardinals and fairly close enough to chicago and atlanta. the louisville redbirdsERRRRRRRRRRRRbats only have their pitchers bat when the indianapolis indians (pittsburgh), columbus clippers (washington), lehigh valley iron pigs (philadelphia), and richmond braves (atlanta) come to town. two of those teams are in our division so we get a lot of nl dh-free baseball, more than what richmond and lehigh valley get, but still the vast majority of our games use the dh. no international al affiliate team has their pitchers bat.

 

please get rid of the dh.

[jaydee]

I personally think its the other way Hank. If a pitcher isn't in good enough shape to run the bases once in a while without hurting himself, then thats kind of on him and the training staff of the team. Having a DH is just bizarre. It is a guy sitting on a bench for about an hour, walking up to the plate, then sitting back down (most of the time) for another hour.