"My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century. Am I [mad] about it? Yes. I've got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He's going to be out. I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s."
I can't even begin to tell you how angry this makes me. My anger is probably fueled somewhat by my hatred of the Yankees, but I would still be mad no matter who said it. First, let me start with the obvious. Baseball was invented in the 1800s. Back then, the pitchers had to bat. That didn't change in the American League until 1973. Technically, wouldn't the National League need to "grow up" and "join" the 20th century? Last time I checked, 1973 was in the 20th century. Second, why do National League rules need to change because the Yankees said so? The Yankees are not MLB. Call me crazy but if the Yankees were to no longer exist, MLB would not fold. It would be less profitable, but it would not go away. Third, I like the idea that the National League pitchers have to bat. This is for three reasons. The first is that pitchers cannot throw at opposing batters without consequence. They will have to bat against that team sometime...it may not be that same game, but they will face that team again. Also, I think NL pitchers are better athletes for it. It really takes a more complete skill set for pitchers to be able to pitch and bat. It is more physically demanding as well. The final reason is that there is a whole different aspect to the game regarding strategy. In late innings with your starter dominating after throwing 90-100 pitches in a close game, do you stick with him and risk injury or go to the bullpen? As you can see, I am not a fan of the DH. There's not as much strategy when you don't have to work around a batter in your order that hits .150, but is invaluable in the field.
I'll get off my soapbox now. I just really don't like Hank Steinbrenner and his whining.
8 comments:
How typical of a Steinbrenner to think that they invented baseball. Why don't you just go buy another pitcher? You can afford it. If you don't like your ace running the bases, pull him for a pinch runner. Now that's strategy!
I hate the Cubs. They are my arch enemy.
I now hate Runningman. He is my second arch enemy.
Personally, I feel bad for Ol' Hank. I'd be pretty hacked off too if I left Houston with my Wang all beaten up. Surely Captain Awesome (a noted Cubs fan) would understand this seeing as how his precious Wood has been banged up for years.
Nice.
I am going to side with J2T on this one. It is a Wang joke, but The Yellow Dart has the presence of mind to bring in other baseball injuries (Wood). Besides, I find the phrase "left Houston with my Wang all beaten up" extremely hilarious for some reason. Consequently, that is why I will never travel to Houston. C+ for the Wang joke (its low-hanging fruit...so to speak). Bonus because your worked in Kerry Wood. Extra bonus points were possible if you could have worked in Gary Gaetti. B overall.
I give it a D on the original joke.
A A- to Captain Awesome for his repsonse but then an F for disagreeing with me and hanging me out to dry and the F is weighted by 400% so you do the math.
I give an A to J2T for his ambiguous response.
However, I want to upgrade a previous grade that I gave Yellowdart regarding his Billy Mays comment. While structurally the comment was wierd and out of place and it is fairly obviuos that earlier in the week he saw a Billy Mays commercial, thought it was funny and then thought somehow I need to work that into my material and presto we get a Billy Mays comment. However, it was so much out of left field and abstract it has stayed with me so I cannot deny that it was effective. I will give him an A for the Billy Mays reference.
Man! This F is going to kill my solid 2.1 GPA. Mom's going to ground me when progress reports come out.
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