Comments for Baseball Roundtable

Comment on Feeling Powerless? Rarities and Oddities about Zero-home Run Seasons. by Jim Cox

Jim Cox — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 13:26:05 +0000

My dad (1914-1980) is why I love baseball. My face memory of his enjoyment of baseball is listening to him talk or Wee Willie. Thanks, David!

Comment on Baseball Roundtable Ranks World Series Walk-Off Home Runs by Andy Moursund

Andy Moursund — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:10:22 +0000

Your description of Game 4 of 1957 confused the Yankees’ 10th inning go-ahead rally with the game tying rally in the 9th. Kubek’s single and Bauer’s triple put the Yankees ahead in the top of the 10th, but it was singles by McDougald and Yogi Berra that set the stage for Elston Howard’s dramatic game tying home run.

Comment on Baseball Roundtable Ranks The Top Post-Season Pitching Performances by Jim Cox

Jim Cox — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 12:12:03 +0000

Loved this column, David! Mathewson one of my dad’s favorites. Morris’s gem watched on TV, as newlyweds, by my wife & I in Saratoga, CA & the bonus was I learned she does enjoy baseball. More too – but my tales will stop here.

Comment on Baseball Roundtable July Wrap UP – Stories, Stats, Stars and More by Andy Dawkins

Andy Dawkins — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:19:26 +0000

Coming on Netflix Sept. 19 “The Saint of Second Chances” about the lives of Bill & Mike Veeck. Must see movie for all baseball fans. The movie has scenes from old Comiskey, old Midway, and the new parks. Mike gets to play his dad. The pigs have a conversation. The Straw gets his second chance. There’s Larry and Minnie, the first exploding scoreboard, and the night the Mimes showed up; also Lady Borders and the fellow nicknamed Stump. But most of all it’s a human interest story for all of us who keep baseball close even when things get tough.

Comment on Guest Post – John Paciorek on The Art and Science of Perfect Batsmanship by Lynda & Christy

Lynda & Christy — Thu, 18 May 2023 16:06:56 +0000

Wow! What a well-versed essay John Paciorek has written on Perfection in Hitting! He expresses a detailed explanation of the correct way to hit and why. As a baseball mom with a daughter who has chosen to play baseball as opposed to softball, I appreciate the inclusion of female baseball players in his essay! We look forward to more articles written by John Paciorek! Thank You so Much for that insight into this technique. My daughter is already working to improve her hitting based on this information! Who knows, maybe she’ll become the next Barry Bonds 🙂 !!!

Comment on Baseball Roundtable’s All Nickname Lineups – The Best and Worst of It by Tom Merrick

Tom Merrick — Fri, 12 May 2023 03:02:05 +0000

No Starvin Marvin? No Baby Doll?

Comment on Baseball Roundtable’s All Nickname Lineups – The Best and Worst of It by Eshek3

Eshek3 — Wed, 10 May 2023 17:10:49 +0000

Maybe they were in the article and I missed them, but Bob “Death to Flying Things” Ferguson and Buttercup Dickerson deserve mention.

Comment on Why I Love Baseball by jerry pritikin

jerry pritikin — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:05:50 +0000

Each year, something new in baseball gives me reason to believe it ain’t what it used to be… for me It’s the marriage between baseball and gambling and I hate it!

Comment on Results of Baseball Roundtable Survey on 2023 MLB Rules Changes by Phillip Cassady

Phillip Cassady — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:20:56 +0000

Hi,
Just canceled my MLB subscription of 20 + years, and will also, stop following baseball after 55 years, since it’s no longer, even basically, the game I grew up with.
Baseball, only American sport I ever followed faithfully since 1967 (never an NFL or NBA fan). I was a baseball junkie.
But changes over past 3 years have made the sport hard to watch, and this year, the list grows to a quagmire of rule changes that will keep players from playing naturally.
No clock was the unique way baseball “was America’s past time”, now there is one (for pitchers and batters).
List of baseball’s new rules affect’s the following . . . . .
1) Intentional walks no longer require 4 soft pitch outs. Seen pitchers who cannot throw soft pitches with-out nearly a wild pitch (John Lester comes to mind)
2) Instant 2nd base runner after 9 innings tied. Baseball could have implemented this after 12 innings, most extra-inning games end by then. Baseball is, 3 three-inning sets anyways, what’s 1 more “set”.
3) Bigger base ! , how do you compare base stealers of these new big bases (now 3” closer together ?) with records of famed base stealers of the past.
4) No defensive shifts, and infield players mandatory stand-on-dirt rule. Baseball, only game in the world were defense has the ball, but now, with limited defenes positions/options.
5) “Strikes” and “balls” should ONLY be for balls thrown (not a new rule penalty reward).
6) Do NOT want to see a big distracting clock (pitchers) next to batter. Now, baseball has changed for todays fast-gamming crowd.
7) Pitchers playing cat-and-mouse with speedy runners on bases (1st especially) was part of the game-within-a-game. Now, pitcher gets 2 throws maximum (between pitches).

Fan of both Cubs and Dodgers (grew up in both their cities), I know I’ve already seen classic great baseball at it’s best. Baseball is no longer the same sport, I will (and already started over past few years) miss it very much. But life goes on with-out the “new version” of it.
Phillip C.

Comment on Voice Your Opinion on MLB Rules Changes by Bryce June

Bryce June — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:48:09 +0000

As with any sport, baseball is constantly evolving, and rules changes are often proposed to improve the game and enhance the experience for players and fans alike. Some proposed changes have proven controversial, while others have been widely embraced.

As a language model, I don’t have personal opinions or preferences, but I can provide some examples of recent rule changes that have been discussed in the MLB. One recent change that has been implemented is the use of instant replay to review calls on the field. This has been controversial in some cases, with some arguing that it slows down the game and others arguing that it ensures that the right calls are made.

Another rule change that has been proposed is the use of a universal designated hitter (DH) across both leagues. Currently, only the American League uses a DH, while the National League does not. Supporters of a universal DH argue that it would increase offense and reduce the risk of injury to pitchers, while opponents argue that it would fundamentally change the game and eliminate the need for strategic decisions regarding pitching changes and pinch-hitting.

Overall, any proposed rule changes in baseball are likely to generate debate and discussion among fans and experts. Ultimately, it will be up to the league and its stakeholders to decide which changes, if any, are implemented, and how they will impact the game moving forward.