Thursday, March 29, 2012

Basically One Big Baseball League

Throwing you a bender because I just thought you should know...

This is it! Basically, the last season that we really see any separation between the American and National Leagues. They have been moving towards this for a while now, parts of it almost unseen or unnoticed by the casual fan.


We have seen the elimination of both American and National League umpiring crews, having consolidated them into one MLB crew. Umpire crews now rotate throughout all games, applying the appropriate rules depending on which park they are in for the home team.

There are no longer League Presidents, presiding over their individual issues and only looking to maximize the strength and wealth of their own members. Even the baseball itself is labeled for all of Major League Baseball and only contains the commissioner's signature. Baseballs showing an American League logo and Lee MacPhail's signature or a National League logo ball autographed by Bill White are only in collector's hands now.

None of these being a big deal or even all that noticeable. But what about 2013?

The 2013 realignment has Houston moving to the American League, creating three divisions in each league of five teams each. Geographic realignment won't be far behind to create better schedules, better local TV times, regional rivalries, reduce travel costs and be easier on the players.

But the main item in place requiring a shake up may be the designated hitter. Beginning in 2013, there will be an interleague series throughout the entire season. Opening Day, every month, through the dog days, and even during the pennant race, baseball will be played under two sets of rules on a daily basis.
 This is the perfect moment for the National League to catch up with the rest of the world and convert to the DH and have one set of rules. Of course, the "purists" out there (who apparently still take a horse and buggy to work) will rise up and scream against this change. But their reasons fall flat.

Sure, the game originated without the DH, and traditionalists always state that fact. But it has been 40 years now, beginning in 1973, which is a much longer period than interleague play, wild cards, more rounds of playoffs and even instant replay. Looking at current rosters, only Jamie Moyer grew up in an era where the DH was not a regular part of baseball.

The NL needs to add it as you will never see it going away in the American League. Not with 15 extra high paying positions coveted by the Players Association and the huge advantage it currently gives the AL in negotiations. Eleven of the 13 richest contracts are in the American League since they can offer big bucks and extended years by allowing a player to wind down a career as a DH. There is a significant advantage on the field as well but that is another topic, another day.

I would still rather see an aging David Ortiz or Victor Martinez at the plate instead of watching Clay Buchholz or Justin Verlander flail away helplessly. I find it amazing that some baseball fans will relate back to the "strategy" argument regarding the DH. Really? So you have a man on first and less than two outs with your pitcher up.....is there a strategy involving having your pitcher bunt that would elude an AL manager or fan? And is watching Ron Roenicke or Bruce Bochy (household names in the area of excitement) execute the double switch more riveting than seeing Hideki Matsui or Vladimir Guerrero swing for the fences?

In today's game, pitchers have grown up with even less exposure to hitting, running and bunting than ever before. This has led to injuries and ridiculous situations, even so extreme as AL managers instructing their pitchers to just stand there and not even swing, during interleague games. Imagine going through your developmental career, from high school, into a major college program, progressing through the minor leagues without really ever having to step into a batters box. Upon finally making the major leagues, you are then asked to step in against Roy Halladay and produce! End this madness!

Baseball, as everything, has evolved, progressed and moved forward through time. It is still the most beautiful game, the ultimate team sport. And now it has subtly implemented changes that have brought it to the precipice of instituting a grand and exciting advancement. There is no more perfect time for the National League to adopt the designated hitter than 2013.

All this because I know more about nothing...

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