Baseball fans have come to expect arrogance from Yankee management, but this week's quote from Co-Chairman Hank Steinbrenner may be the topper, "My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century." The younger Steinbrenner is frustrated because his ace pitcher Chien-Ming Wang injured his foot while running the bases during an interleague game against the Astros. Since the game was played in Houston, it was played under National League rules, meaning pitcher have to bat and run the bases. Sorry Hank, the experiment called the "designated hitter" was a bad idea from the start, and should have long since put on the bat rack.

Yes, I am a baseball traditionalist. I have always enjoyed well pitched game where strategy is the key. Every pitch counts. The Saturday afternoon softball which the American League has played since the early 70's is not as compelling. Sure no one likes injuries, but pitchers can and should be complete baseball players. Why penalize a pitcher who can handle the bat? And I'm not just talking about hitting the ball. A pitcher who can bunt is an asset.

In effect the designated hitter makes a statement. Hitting is the most important part of the game, and judging by what the American League teams are paying their DH's the message from the junior circuit is loud and clear, but purest object and they should. Baseball is about three things, hitting, pitching and fielding. Astros pitcher Brandon Backe is a pitcher who can do all three. Coming up as a position player, Backe is one of the quicker pitchers off the mound, and routinely helps himself out by fielding his position. Backe can also handle the bat, and not just hitting the long ball, but laying down a bunt or driving in a run in a particular situation. This is what the game is about.

Talk to a scout and they get excited about a "five tool" player. That's a guy who can hit for average, hit for power, steal bases, throw well and field his position. But for a pitcher, most scouts are looking for one thing, arm strength. When it's all said and done, that may be the only "need" for a pitcher, but one who can handle a bat clearly can help his team. Yes there have been good hitting pitchers who have even pinch hit in the majors. It seldom happens, and when it does it's news. I have enjoyed watching over the years some pretty fair hitting pitchers. Don Drysdale, Rick Wise in the 60s and 70s, and before then, there was a pretty fair lefty who hit so well he became an outfielder. That's right Babe Ruth who broke in to the big leagues as a pitcher.

As a fan, it's just plain more fun to watch a National League game. There are "double switches" when the manager in the late innings pulls a pitcher and then puts in a position player to hit in the "ninth position." There is more bunting, "hitting and running" and of course more second guessing. Let's face it, that's why we love baseball so much. We can try to out think the manager.

So Hank we're sorry your ace pitcher got hurt on the base paths, but injuries are part of sports. Don't blame the National League, blame the designated hitter. Maybe if Chien-Ming Wang was more used to being on base, he wouldn't have hurt his foot.

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.