>Whether it's MLB's fault or the
> player's union, somebody pretty much spit right on the sanctity and
> purity of the sport with this one. And PR wise it's going to end up
> being a nightmare for the entire sport to try and recover from.
I think the blame goes all around: players, union, management, fans.
Everyone either knew (or had a strong suspicion) that something was going
on
when so many players ballooned up and records that had stood for decades
began dropping like flies.
I see it as a reflection of society in general: a move away from tradition
and doing things the right (and harder) way, and a move toward the big,
flashy, easy way, i.e., away from playing the game based on the
fundamentals
(pitching, situational hitting, stealing, sacrifices, solid defense) and
toward reliance on home runs.
I prefer the game of "get him on, move him over, and drive him in." I'm
sure I'm in the minority on this. The parts of the game I love are: pesky
singles hitters who always deliver in the clutch; guys who can bunt and
hit-and-run; base-stealers; guys who can field and throw; double-play
combos; and (more than anything) crafty pitchers (e.g., Maddux) who use
location, speed change, and intelligence to baffle hitters and
consistently
go into the late innings for their teams.
Maybe we'll get back to that game now.
|
