Jamie Insalaco
I read an AP article this morning that blew my mind in both the good and bad way:
The first topic centered around Bud Selig’s willingness to expand the MLB playoff schedule. I am in favor of this, but it has to be done correctly, and the only way I see this working is if they shorten the regular season. How much, exactly, I don’t know… maybe reduce 162 games to 150 games, as I’ve suggested before. Again, I think 12 teams in the postseason (like the NFL) rather than 8 teams would be great, leaving 18 teams behind. I think the first round will have to be a best of 5 and the last three rounds can be the preferred best of 7; I don’t want the playoffs to last two months like the NBA and the NHL. This could be great; it just has to be done carefully… if we end up having game 7 of the World Series in Minnesota on November 15, it could be a disaster.
(I don’t want to repeat a bunch of comments you may have already read – check out my post from last September Proposing a new MLB schedule and playoff structure if you missed it)
Also speaking before the game, Rangers president Nolan Ryan said he was in favor of eliminating the designated hitter in order to standardize rules between the leagues.
Whoa there. Where the hell did that come from? I know Nolan Ryan is a crazy Texan that has owned the Rangers for less time than Cliff Lee has pitched for them, but wow – that is straight up crazy shiz. The designated hitter doesn’t need to be eliminated from the American League, it needs to be added to the National League! I understand Ryan is a former pitcher (and a brilliant one at that) and in his mind, having an automatic out in the lineup is just fine, but I don’t agree. At all. Why would you want to watch the pitcher hit? Pitchers almost always stink at hitting. The worst thing you’ll ever hear a baseball announcer say is, “Two on, two out and the pitcher steps to the plate.” It’s almost immediately followed by one of the following:
1. “Strike three looking.”
2. “Strike three swinging.”
3. “A soft grounder to [insert anyone on the infield here], throws to first and [name of pitcher pitching here] works out of trouble.”
Watching the pitcher hit is a painful experience – it’s what they invented the DH for in the first place – to avoid misery. Sure, people love offense, and that’s great, but the DH also exists because it’s ridiculous to expect starting pitchers to hit at the MLB level when they only get a few at bats a week, and its even more ridiculous to expect relief pitchers to hit when they get only a few at bats a month, if any. Sure, it’s fun (or hilarious) when they succeed, but it’s not worth the misery. Ryan must be nuts; somebody make that guy take his meds.
So wow, busy morning. I’ve already forgotten that the Giants dropped a 7 spot on the Rangers late last night during game 2, winning 9-0. If you check my Twitter, you’ll note that I’ve adjusted my picks to the Giants winning this series in 6 games… which isn’t looking like a solid pick right now – more like the Giants in 5.
Stay tuned for 2010-2011 Off Season action!
