I don't think he meant it to help the Wang situation, however interleague play should go away anyway.
in my opinion, theres nothing wrong with the nl not having a dh and theres nothing wrong with interleague play. this would never have got brought up if wang didnt get hurt. im just mad he was injured doing something that hes not used to doing.
I actually didn't mean to imply that an NL pitcher specifically trains to run the bases, just that he is better prepared to do so. I don't even know what the actual numbers would be, but would it be fair to assume a starter in the NL gets about 60 ABs a year? On the other hand, an AL pitcher will get maybe 8? That's without even Spring Training, where NL pitchers obviously get more ABs. Just out of necessary preparation, and even in-game practice once every 5 days, NL pitchers have an advantage at the plate, at least in terms of physical conditioning. I don't think there's anything at all wrong with either style of baseball. They're both interesting in their own ways. I think it's great that people can see it whichever way they prefer, and that come the postseason, teams have to readjust. This regular season interleague garbage needs to go. I'll keep on saying that until it actually happens.
But here's the thing...Pitchers aren't the same players as the other guys. Players in the field (maybe excluding catchers) are primarily there for their hitting. Sure you have guys that are more valuable with their gloves than their bats but overall their strongest value to the team is with their bats. Now Pitchers, on the other hand, sole value to the team is what they do on the mound. That's what they get paid to do. A pitcher who has a $12 Million dollar contract is getting paid the entire $12 Million for his pitching. Is it worth putting that $12 million investment in harms way to abide by a rule that was made back in the 1800's when pitchers would pitch in one game then play in LF the next? EDIT - just to be clear that's what I mean by get into the 21st century.
While it would be a significant blow to the team if he was lost in the 5th inning of Game 1 of the World Series, that can be more easily recovered from than losing him for more than a dozen starts over the course of the rest of the season while fighting for a shot at the playoffs. You can blow your entire pen in Game 4 if need be. You can't make up for that lost starter over the course of two and half months with the pen though. It's really two totally different situations. Like MSU said though, this isn't really an argument specific to Wang. This situation just brings the argument to the fore. Interleague play during the season was a Selig invention to respark interest. It's run its course, and it's time to get back to balanced schedules where we all play teams that actually matter to our own pennant races.
Some would argue that losing your #1 starter in the World Series and missing out on say, 2 and a half starts, is even bigger than him missing 2 months during the season. This may prevent the Yankees from making the playoffs, but it's still the regular season and thus the stage isn't as big.
There are players in basketball whose sole value is scoring doesn't mean they don't play when they are on defense. And pitchers were able to survive without pitch counts and in a four man rotation WHILE batting, now you are telling me that they need to have a rule when they have already institutionalized rules to baby pitchers as much as they do, are you kidding me? Fine they did it in the AL solely as a money grab move to attract more people but don't give me that garbage that the NL should follow up and say "it is in the 21st century" and "to protect the pitcher".
if pitchers shouldn't hit, just eliminate that batting position entirely and have 8 batters. why contrive an extra batter? sure, the entire games structure was built around 9 hitters with three outs in an inning and nine innings creating symmetry, but that is an outdated model of baseball from the 1800's. the game needs to get with the times. 8 batters, 2 outs per inning and 8 innings. if all offensive players are capable offensive players, they don't need an extra out or inning, they should do well with only two outs per inning since the pitcher won't be holding them back. then create separate offensive and defensive squads so you don't have to spare any talent. why settle for a good hitting player because you love his D when you can put him in the field and have a great hitter to take his place. get with the times, mimic the structure of football. offense and defense. the structure of baseball is certainly set up to take advantage of that.
excatly, the dh is for sissies, lets keep guys around that CANT play anymore but can still hit, how fucking gay
they are reporting that bartolo colon is getting sent to the dl with a stiff back after batting against cole hamels last night. http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=241253
you trying to say the big man doesn't have patience at the plate lol he most definitely is a free swinger :beer:
