Jayson Stark from The Athletic put out an intriguing article today featuring some "out of the box" ideas to increase the number of people who watch baseball. Stark interviewed David Samson, the former President of the Miami Marlins. Just a fantastic read altogether. Here I will highlight the ideas with my takes on how I feel about each proposal.
I'll start by saying I love baseball. While I feel like the game can improve I am fine the way things are. However, using the defense of "that's the way it's always been" is old, tired, and will eventually get you into trouble down the line when shit hits the fan. I don't think I need to list examples of this. I trust that you can come up with some on your own.
I'll also say that these rules willprobably never never happen, so everyone reading that already has a dump in their pants can CTFO and consider the following.
Baseball may have been the best North American Sport back in the 1930s. Back when a 6' guy was a monster and guys took six seconds to run from the batters box to first base. Of course it was popular then, there was a god damn depression going on. Plus any form of entertainment was lit during prohibition. Baseball probably saved lives and decreased domestic disputes.
Baseball will ALWAYS be behind football and basketball in popularity from now until everyone reading this is dead, and then some. No one thought soccer would EVER catch on in USA, but an article by Forbes in December reported that soccer is close to passing baseball in popularity. Baseball, you have a problem. The shit is hitting the fan.
1. THE 9TH INNING WILD CARD AT-BAT
The Gist: Once in a game, and only in the ninth inning, a team could do what the Angels did in the scenario we sketched out earlier (Mike Trout bats after Mike Trout) – send up its best player to hit in any situation if it’s trailing, even if that player had already hit in that inning.
Key Quote: "Before you write it off as crazy, do Samson a favor. Try to envision the scene as Aaron Judge hops up the dugout steps in that spot. Or Bryce Harper. Or José Altuve. It’s the equivalent of giving LeBron the ball – except with a whole new strategic debate attached."
So Franchy Cordero rips a double with 2 outs in a one run game. Coming up to the plate: Franchy Cordero?
How do you not love this? Talk about 9th innings in close games becoming MUST WATCH TV.
Despite what Keith Law writes in his diary closers aren't going anywhere. Guys are making millions of dollars to pitch 70 innings a year. To perform in crunch time. Well if one team gets to bring in a star, why not the other team?
Lets say the Padres 7-8-9 hitters are due up to face Wade Davis in a 2 run game. Some people are probably turning off the TV before that seven hitter takes the plate. I wouldn't blame them. Then all of a sudden the first batter gets on base. Here comesAustin Hedges Franchy. Count me in.
This will never happen, because there's a lot of Buddy "that's baseball" Blacks in the game, but it's interesting nonetheless and I am all for it. How could you not be as a Padre fan?
2. HOME TEAM PICKS THE DH RULE
The Gist: To DH or not DH? That would be a question decided by the home team every day before the game – in the AL and the NL. If it’s MadBum Night, the pitcher obviously hits. But if it’s a Wei-Yin Chen start (2 for 62, with 24 whiffs), what better time for an NL game to feature the DH?
Key Quote: “Every game,” he said, “we’d let the home team decide if it wants to use the DH or not. Maybe the other team has a big-time DH you want to get out of the lineup, and that puts them at a big disadvantage. Maybe you have a pitcher who can really hit…But my idea was, what can we do to make the home team’s advantage stronger?”
I love this as well. Forget the AL only debate and let's bring this to Manfred's doorstep. Imagine: Clayton Richard is pitching at home versus the Yanks. Richard might not be the best hitting pitcher but he can get the job done. So the Padres get rid of the DH to force the Yanks put Gary Sanchez behind the plate or Stanton in the field if they want to play that day.
It makes every game a little more interesting before it begins while making the managers' job a little more difficult day to day. This might be my favorite idea because I honestly don't see a reason why it couldn't be done realistically.
3. THE DESIGNATED FIELDER
The Gist: How about a Designated Fielder? Samson thinks that’s worth a try, too. Does your team have an Alcides Escobar kind of guy, whose bat doesn’t match his leatherwork? Or maybe a backup catcher who hits .153 but has a special rapport with your ace starter? Perfect candidates for a Designated Fielder – also the home team’s decision.
Key Quote: “I just feel like it’s a fun concept that helps with action,” Samson said. “And it’s lack of action that’s hurting the game. It’s just one more idea to try to have more people in the game with the ability to put the ball in play.”
Love it. Why? Two Words: Austin Hedges. Next.
4. THE TWO-PICKOFF LIMIT
The Gist: A two-pickoff-throw limit – for any runner at any base? That’s another of Samson’s proposals. Would it speed up the game? Would it be likely to make baserunning a bigger part of the action every night? He would say: Yes and yes.
Key Quote: "Yes, it penalizes the defense. But in the bigger picture, with the rise of shifting, the defense is now at a greater advantage – in virtually all other respects – than ever before."
This one I am not so much in love with. I am all for speeding up the game, but limiting the number of pick-off attempts doesn't quite do it for me. Having said that, I do appreciate all of Samson's reasoning for this idea.
One is that is the stolen base is dying in baseball. The stolen base attempt might be one of the most exciting plays in the game, and that's saying something in itself (baseball is boring, remember?).
Apparently the baseball committe actually had discussions of this, with the number being four not two. Samson says:
“The reason it was dismissed was that, with any number we chose, the impact on the game was that no one would ever get to within one (pickoff) of the limit, because once you got one away, everyone would know – the runner included – that you wouldn’t throw over anymore. So he would be able to take larger leads. And I said, ‘What’s wrong with that?’"
The balls on this guy. But that worry is very valid, hence I don't really like it.
5. THE CROOKED NUMBER RULE
The Gist: If you hate the idea of minor-league games that put a runner on second base to start every extra inning, you’ll definitely need an antacid for Samson’s companion plan – to combat blowouts by allowing every team that gives up a crooked number in one half-inning to start the next half-inning with a runner on second.
Key Quote: “Ask yourself this,” Samson said. “What makes people leave the ballpark? It’s when you give up five runs and a 3-0 game becomes an 8-0 game… So what this does is give a team the ability to score runs after giving up runs.”
I do not love this one, but I do not hate it either. Can't argue with those lines above. I've walked into Petco during the 2nd or 3rd inning and walked right back out after seeing the Padres down 7-0. F*ck that noise, I'll go buy two beers for the price of one at Half Door while not sitting in the sun.
The "crooked number" in this case is two or more runs. I don't consider two a "crooked" number. But lets say 5? 6? Now you have my attention.
That's it. The Athletic does it again. You're an idiot if your not subscribing at this point. But if you aren't, when something dynamite like this comes around, we'll get your back.
I'll start by saying I love baseball. While I feel like the game can improve I am fine the way things are. However, using the defense of "that's the way it's always been" is old, tired, and will eventually get you into trouble down the line when shit hits the fan. I don't think I need to list examples of this. I trust that you can come up with some on your own.
I'll also say that these rules will
Baseball may have been the best North American Sport back in the 1930s. Back when a 6' guy was a monster and guys took six seconds to run from the batters box to first base. Of course it was popular then, there was a god damn depression going on. Plus any form of entertainment was lit during prohibition. Baseball probably saved lives and decreased domestic disputes.
But wake the fuck up people, and by people I mean you over-the-top baseball purists. Baseball is boring AF. Ever talk to a group of Europeans and ask if they like baseball? They'll look at each other before laughing and start talking shit about you in their native tongue. And these people like cricket for christ's sake.Most people in the game would have seen that and said, “Well, that’s baseball.” What David Samson thought to himself, however, was: Why are we just accepting that? Why can’t we change it? - Samson via Jayson Stark
Baseball will ALWAYS be behind football and basketball in popularity from now until everyone reading this is dead, and then some. No one thought soccer would EVER catch on in USA, but an article by Forbes in December reported that soccer is close to passing baseball in popularity. Baseball, you have a problem. The shit is hitting the fan.
So excuse me for appreciating the takes from Samson. He provided the Athletic with five "out of the box" ideas to help the popularity of the game. Some I like, some I dislike, and some I love."They’re so busy wanting to save baseball as the National Pastime that they’re missing the fact that they’re in danger of losing it as the National Pastime.” - Samson via Jayson Stark
1. THE 9TH INNING WILD CARD AT-BAT
The Gist: Once in a game, and only in the ninth inning, a team could do what the Angels did in the scenario we sketched out earlier (Mike Trout bats after Mike Trout) – send up its best player to hit in any situation if it’s trailing, even if that player had already hit in that inning.
Key Quote: "Before you write it off as crazy, do Samson a favor. Try to envision the scene as Aaron Judge hops up the dugout steps in that spot. Or Bryce Harper. Or José Altuve. It’s the equivalent of giving LeBron the ball – except with a whole new strategic debate attached."
So Franchy Cordero rips a double with 2 outs in a one run game. Coming up to the plate: Franchy Cordero?
How do you not love this? Talk about 9th innings in close games becoming MUST WATCH TV.
Despite what Keith Law writes in his diary closers aren't going anywhere. Guys are making millions of dollars to pitch 70 innings a year. To perform in crunch time. Well if one team gets to bring in a star, why not the other team?
Lets say the Padres 7-8-9 hitters are due up to face Wade Davis in a 2 run game. Some people are probably turning off the TV before that seven hitter takes the plate. I wouldn't blame them. Then all of a sudden the first batter gets on base. Here comes
This will never happen, because there's a lot of Buddy "that's baseball" Blacks in the game, but it's interesting nonetheless and I am all for it. How could you not be as a Padre fan?
2. HOME TEAM PICKS THE DH RULE
The Gist: To DH or not DH? That would be a question decided by the home team every day before the game – in the AL and the NL. If it’s MadBum Night, the pitcher obviously hits. But if it’s a Wei-Yin Chen start (2 for 62, with 24 whiffs), what better time for an NL game to feature the DH?
Key Quote: “Every game,” he said, “we’d let the home team decide if it wants to use the DH or not. Maybe the other team has a big-time DH you want to get out of the lineup, and that puts them at a big disadvantage. Maybe you have a pitcher who can really hit…But my idea was, what can we do to make the home team’s advantage stronger?”
I love this as well. Forget the AL only debate and let's bring this to Manfred's doorstep. Imagine: Clayton Richard is pitching at home versus the Yanks. Richard might not be the best hitting pitcher but he can get the job done. So the Padres get rid of the DH to force the Yanks put Gary Sanchez behind the plate or Stanton in the field if they want to play that day.
It makes every game a little more interesting before it begins while making the managers' job a little more difficult day to day. This might be my favorite idea because I honestly don't see a reason why it couldn't be done realistically.
3. THE DESIGNATED FIELDER
The Gist: How about a Designated Fielder? Samson thinks that’s worth a try, too. Does your team have an Alcides Escobar kind of guy, whose bat doesn’t match his leatherwork? Or maybe a backup catcher who hits .153 but has a special rapport with your ace starter? Perfect candidates for a Designated Fielder – also the home team’s decision.
Key Quote: “I just feel like it’s a fun concept that helps with action,” Samson said. “And it’s lack of action that’s hurting the game. It’s just one more idea to try to have more people in the game with the ability to put the ball in play.”
Love it. Why? Two Words: Austin Hedges. Next.
4. THE TWO-PICKOFF LIMIT
The Gist: A two-pickoff-throw limit – for any runner at any base? That’s another of Samson’s proposals. Would it speed up the game? Would it be likely to make baserunning a bigger part of the action every night? He would say: Yes and yes.
Key Quote: "Yes, it penalizes the defense. But in the bigger picture, with the rise of shifting, the defense is now at a greater advantage – in virtually all other respects – than ever before."
This one I am not so much in love with. I am all for speeding up the game, but limiting the number of pick-off attempts doesn't quite do it for me. Having said that, I do appreciate all of Samson's reasoning for this idea.
One is that is the stolen base is dying in baseball. The stolen base attempt might be one of the most exciting plays in the game, and that's saying something in itself (baseball is boring, remember?).
Apparently the baseball committe actually had discussions of this, with the number being four not two. Samson says:
“The reason it was dismissed was that, with any number we chose, the impact on the game was that no one would ever get to within one (pickoff) of the limit, because once you got one away, everyone would know – the runner included – that you wouldn’t throw over anymore. So he would be able to take larger leads. And I said, ‘What’s wrong with that?’"
The balls on this guy. But that worry is very valid, hence I don't really like it.
5. THE CROOKED NUMBER RULE
The Gist: If you hate the idea of minor-league games that put a runner on second base to start every extra inning, you’ll definitely need an antacid for Samson’s companion plan – to combat blowouts by allowing every team that gives up a crooked number in one half-inning to start the next half-inning with a runner on second.
Key Quote: “Ask yourself this,” Samson said. “What makes people leave the ballpark? It’s when you give up five runs and a 3-0 game becomes an 8-0 game… So what this does is give a team the ability to score runs after giving up runs.”
I do not love this one, but I do not hate it either. Can't argue with those lines above. I've walked into Petco during the 2nd or 3rd inning and walked right back out after seeing the Padres down 7-0. F*ck that noise, I'll go buy two beers for the price of one at Half Door while not sitting in the sun.
The "crooked number" in this case is two or more runs. I don't consider two a "crooked" number. But lets say 5? 6? Now you have my attention.
That's it. The Athletic does it again. You're an idiot if your not subscribing at this point. But if you aren't, when something dynamite like this comes around, we'll get your back.
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