As if the DH weren’t bad enough … now, instant replay (and expanded replay), more wild card teams (or a wild card at all … Why not two leagues of two divisions – 8 & 7 teams – and only first-place finishers make the playoffs?) and franchises moving from league to league. Please, Bud, let’s not turn baseball into football.
A second rant … why I hate the DH ... Just a few pitchers’ hitting achievements we’ll never see matched in the American League.
- Tony Cloninger on July 3, 1966, became the first National Leaguer (any position) to hit two grand slam homers in a game – and it had been just 18 days since his previous 2-HR game.
- In 2007, Micah Owings – in 35 games and 60 at bats – hit .333 with 4 HRs and 15 RBI.
- Rick Wise, on June 23, 1971, threw a no-hitter and hit two home runs.
- Jim Tobin is the only pitcher to hit 3HRs in a single game and the only pitcher to have a six-hit game.
- On April 5, 2011, Mets hurler Chris Young joined the ranks of pitchers to have 2 hits in one inning.
- Pitcher Red Lucas led the National League in Pinch Hits in 1929-30-31.
- BABE RUTH.
- In 1962, Cub / Braves hurler Bob Buhl totaled 70 at bats without a hit (36 strikeouts) … futility can be fun, too.
Come on, let the pitchers come to the plate.
