The HRD is so much fun, it's sad that so many of the big boppers duck out of it. Wonder if maybe they should scrap it for active players and just have retired guys go for it? Is there really a "fix" for that? Or even all star games in general? Seems most leagues are having some big problems with them. Are we just beyond the point that they make sense or are even worth it?
I liked the derby when I was a teenager. But I could really take it or leave it now. I haven't watched in a long time. I wouldn't mind one bit if the NFL ended the Pro Bowl. I would rather have an official All Pro team picked by the 32 people in charge of rosters (be that GM, or whoever hold that power). Make it three deep at every position. With MLB, I do watch the All Star game most years, and I do care. Some of that is because its in the middle of the season, with a lot of important games left to play. Part of it is because its real baseball (or close to it) and not the playground mess that the Pro Bowl is. So, I do care. But I also wish that they would end fan voting. Make it 50/50 between the MLB GMs and players. End the popularity contest.
I caught the end of the Derby, that last round was exciting for me. Harper came though clutch at the end. I will probably pass on the all star game itself. I did care more when it meant something, but I am glad it no longer does
People in the national media were laughing at the idea of Schwarber winning over the weekend. Maybe he has a little more respect now.
That list is a lot smaller than it used to be. I hate that the stolen base has become such a small part of the game. I love watching Javy play.
http://www.bleachernation.com/baseb...eball-field-and-it-was-missed-by-two-umpires/ This isn't MLB, its an international game, but its too absurd not to share. The pitch is right down the middle of the plate, the batter swings fully and misses, and the ump calls it a ball somehow. And THEN, the first base ump backs him and confirms that its a ball. Something fishy going on!
Agree on the stolen base. The emphasis on avoiding outs really affects some areas of the game far more then others. I can see why the game is losing fans, particularly among the younger generations. On the flip side...it is disgusting how good Mike Trout is. If (or maybe when) he wins MVP this year I believe he will be the youngest player with 4 MVP and the most top 2 finishes (6...if he gets a top 2 finish this year) by age 27. He could literally retire now and be a HOFER.
So many in the media are so obsessed with Sabermatrics, they they lose touch with actually having fun playing and watching baseball. The AL game is so dull, its become nothing but walks, homers and strikeouts. And many are squeezing as much of that style into the NL too now. Bashing guys who "paint outside the lines" and do things that may not show up in WAR.
I don't understand the obsession with homers as well. I personally haven't enjoyed the mentality that a million strikeouts are OK as long as a player hits a ton of homers. I wish that would go away. I completely agree that we need to see more teams/players taking chances and putting pressure on defenses. There is hope with this young generation of stars emerging. Ozzie Albies is at or among NL leaders in doubles. Many of those doubles had no business being doubles and wouldn't have been for 95% of the hitters in MLB. Those plays tend to be more entertaining IMO then hitting a ball over a wall and that's basically all there is to the action. I really can't emphasize enough how refreshing it's been watching that 'kid' play baseball this season. My dream scenario for this season is a Braves vs. Cubs NLCS. I can imagine that being a great series with a lot of great hitting, lots of chances taken, and the young star power involved.... I can dream LOL
Gabe Kaplar of the Phillies in my opinion is a good example of a manager who gets carried away by analytics. Two nights in a row he's pulled starters who were pitching relatively well to trot out bullpen pitcher after bullpen pitcher to play the 'matchup.' Even though all of Atlanta's lefties hit left handed pitchers just fine. Freddie might actually be better against them oddly enough. And the shift. When a player continues to beat a shift I feel like i'd stop shifting personally but that's just me. He does not. Good news for Atlanta though and I'm excited to see what guys like Acuna can do in the postseason.
I liked Kapler a lot as a player and he always struck me as a future manager type, but you're right. Hes totally paint by numbers, follow the card. Like a robot .
The Cubs are in a weird position with Addison Russell. I wanted them to trade him before, after the initial allegations were brought up. But his then wife didn't want to bring charges or talk to anyone, and I seem to remember her saying at the time that they wanted to keep things private and work it out. Now that they're divorced, she claims that he abused her, and he strongly denies it all. The team has put him on leave, and it seems like he'll remain there through the rest of the 2018 season and playoffs. If he's guilty of any of the things he's accused of, then I don't want him back on the team.
Weird year for the Cubs. Kinda feels a lot like the 93 or 95 seasons for the Fins, when the team had a stacked roster and high expectations, but dealt with injuries and inconsistancy and things didn't work out as well as they'd hoped. They've gotten virtually nothing from big money free agent Yu Darvish, who was expected to be the ace. Kris Bryant has been limited to under 400 at bats, with 12 homers and 49 rbi. And in fact the only players on the entire team with more than 600 plate appearances are Anthony Rizzo, who started out ice cold before rebounding to have an ok year, and MVP candidate Javy Baez. Had Baez not upped his game, they would almost certainly not be in the playoffs. Nearly everyone else has been up and down all year, and ended with numbers far below expectations. And everyone in the bullpen has gotten hurt, which certainly hasn't made things any easier. I think that they're going to have to rely on pitching and clutch hitting in the playoffs if they're going to make any noise, despite having the best record in the NL. I honestly think that any of teams who gets in could end up making it to the WS this year.