World Series

I can't root for the team from Brooklyn that broke my grandfather's heart.
So, go Rays!

Well I can, go Dodger Blue! Yesterday is over, today winnin' time, this is now!!

bkeat23:


I hear you, totally valid perspective, imo. fwiw

I feel the same way about Ernie Banks having passed away before the team he used to play for got to the WS so he didn't even get to throw a ceremonial first pitch, haven't been back since, don't intend to ever go, fortunately for me, my town is a hotbed of independent AA ball, so there is plenty of reasonably priced, reasonable quality ball to be seen near me.

And there's another MLB team nearby

Ho hum. And done.

I saw the remark on being a fan for a professional league that doesn't punish cheating.

Apologies for the self-promotion, but, this is something that bothers me, too.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=646753&p=5735999&sid=55a5f5c04840ee7fbb76c35ff2e72699#p5735999

What makes this bigger than the Black Sox isn't whether the "crime" was worse. But, how badly 21st century MLB reacted / responded to it. And, why MLB would react to it so poorly in this day and age.

The environment in baseball before 1919 was poor. Ruth and HR mania hadn't happened, yet. WWI had hurt baseball badly in 1917 and 1918 (not so much in 1916). There was also a rival league in the mid 19 teens called the Federal League that had created some disruption before the bigger crunch during the last two years of the war. Many owners were losing money for multiple years leading up to 1919 and the ones who were turning a profit had seen a big drop in their margins.

In addition, the inherent corruption of Ban Johnson's influence was really impacting the competitiveness of the game in a negative way, as well. The impetus coming from the problems broke Johnson's hold on the American League and created enough support to put a guy like Judge Landis in as Commissioner. Landis, of course, received much more power than the two league presidents had previously. The improvements and credibility that MLB experienced because of Landis were big. It also must be mentioned that Ruth's impact was also very big and can't be discounted. But, no one knew that Ruth was going to happen. They DID know that they had a big problem, needed to get rid of Ban Johnson, and do something (Landis) to turn things around.

Regrettably, one of the reactions from the financial insecurity was that the anti-trust exemption gained some legs and got through courts and appeals more or less from 1922 onwards. To me, this is the crux of the problem we see impacting baseball at least since the 50s and 60s. MLB has been unable to police itself and reform for 70 or more years.

We can see this reflected in how slowly the color barrier was lifted, the collusion around the reserve clause, the rampant amphetamine use for decades, more collusion in the early - mid 80s, the PEDs, excluding technology from balls and strikes / umpiring, the tremendous resistance by the owners and players' union for PED testing and penalties, and finally avoiding looking too closely at this recent cheating thing until they were having their noses rubbed in it with players going public with easily verifiable evidence. And then magically when it can't be avoided, a handful of bit players are vilified and hammered in very short order (managers are bit players - all you have to do is follow the money to know that). But, not anyone's prized assets like the actual players or the owners. Everything is dandy, again, in time for spring training and opening day.

The only reason an industry even tries to get away with this kind of crap is because they don't have competitive pressure and they're doing anything and everything to maintain and increase revenue and margin.

I am a casual fan of the Astros. I like some of their players and have them on my keeper league team. But, they should have stripped the WS from them and identified and penalized the offending players with at least full year suspensions not unlike what the managers got. But, the owners would NEVER tolerate that.

I am just amazed at the skill it takes to hit/pitch in today's game in the play-offs when everyone is going all-out. Having to hit 100 mph fastballs and hold up on the breaking ball. A guy like Willy Adames--who is not a bad hitter--looking outclassed. Even Cody Bellinger looks lost trying to deal with all those elite Rays relievers. On the pitching side top-level guys throwing high 90s or above are constantly under pressure. Guys foul off the fastballs until they get one in a good location or mash a breaking ball in the zone. You got to have good command, throw several pitches out of the same arm slot with the same arm speed. Throw the breaking ball that starts in the zone and dives below the zone with late break and the hitter cant reach it. Better yet, throw a fastball and breaking ball at close to same height. It just takes amazing skill on both sides.

By the way, isnt it tragically ironic (responding to the post above mine) that as a result of the beaning of Ray Chapman ballballs were replaced more frequently and spitballs were outlawed, helping to end the deadball era and making baseball more popular.

What amazes me is how much every pitcher seems to be able to get the ball to break. Down, left, right, and not just a little but noticeable. So much information is available now both hitters and pitchers have elevated their games.

But I do think the game is becoming too much HR derby style. Almost nobody can execute an opposite field hit even though just about every team now shifts on every hitter. A lefty that could drive anything on outer third of plate to left could hit .400. I look at Odor and think if he would just take what the defense is giving him he could hit .400 and be more valuable than his 25HR and .200 BA provide. And once he did that a while the shift would go away and he would get fair value out of the hard hit grounders he pulls.

With all the info available teams should have their kids in minors working on this so they can be prepared for the shifts when they reach the bigs.

One reason:

"Batters across the league had a . 429 average and 1.514 slugging percentage on fly balls hit to the pull side and a . 135 average and . 324 slugging mark on balls hit to the opposite field."

Grounds balls had a .238 average with a .256 slugging. 7% of ground balls turn into extra base hits. Given the uselessness of ground balls and the extreme value of pulled fly balls, you see the reason for the launch angle revolution.

Even though down the line is open for lefties, it's just not that easy for power hitters to change their swing to slap a 95 mph fastball down the line. It's not that easy period. You got to hit it so it avoids the shortstop position and it doesnt go foul. I think those who slap at the ball (ala Brett Butler) could do it but then they probably wouldn bother shifting against that type of player. But a power hitter shifting to a slap swing just seems like a risky adjustment. What if it messs up your normal swing and timing? I saw Will Smith Intentionally (I think) hit a ball to the right of second base but he took a normal swing. Hitting down the line is not a normal swing. Here is an article on it:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/fivethirty ... r-own/amp/

But you cannot just site numbers on pulled fly balls. You have to also look at numbers on ground balls. All those teams are not shifting infielders because of what happens on fly balls. They are shifting because of what happens on ground balls. Those are almost automatic outs because there are no gaps on the pull side to hit through & hitters are rolling over pulling balls on the ground they should have been driving to the opposite field. If batters would learn to be disciplined and take what is given to them those pull numbers would be even better, and not just on the fly balls.

It is not easy to go the other way but it is not impossible, especially if they put in the work. I would send my hitters home with set of drills to help them recognize outside pitches that should be driven opposite field & I would make it a point of emphasis in my minor leagues. Too many hitters are reaching the majors these days who are one trick ponies. Rangers have several, Odor, Gallo, Guzman. On those 10% or so when they launch one it can be majestic. On the other 90% you are hoping on being lucky and it is proving to be losing baseball. Gallo may be hitting .800 on balls he pulls in the air but he is is striking out and failing on everything else. Ditto Odor. I would trade his 30 HRs for a well balanced hitter in a heartbeat.

Changing the subject I was shocked when Rays pulled Snell in game 6 when he was dominating. Cash went to an over exposed and over worked bullpen to lose the game. I was thinking Snell had shutout stuff. However, being a Kershaw fan I am glad he finally has a series win.