Major League Baseball 2010

[Sweet Rabbit]

The guy can hit. He could hit back then too. The talent is there so I have no problems saying he should end up being among the all time greats if he stays on his current path.

or if he stays healthy



volquez got hit with the league substance abuse policy today

 

[ProgMatinee]

The guy can hit. He could hit back then too. The talent is there so I have no problems saying he should end up being among the all time greats if he stays on his current path.

I'm not saying he couldn't...just personally, I seperate it. I have a hard time even comparing greats of the 80s to todays players.

 

[The Josh]

I'm not saying he couldn't...just personally, I seperate it. I have a hard time even comparing greats of the 80s to todays players.

Baseball is baseball. The game hasn't changed.

 

[ProgMatinee]

Baseball is baseball. The game hasn't changed.

I think thats debatable. Like I said, you've got back of the rotation starters and 6th inning mop up men pitching today who would have no business being on the field 30-60 years ago. The game changes over the course of time. Pitching mounds get lowered, balls get wound tighter, strikezones shrink, ballparks shrink, batters wear body armor and are protected by the league from pitchers trying to scare them off the plate, the best pitchers have their pitch counts monitored because of the risk of injury to an expensive player...etc. Most or all of these subtle changes have favored the hitter.

Again, I'm not saying Pujols (or Ichiro or Griffey) wouldn't be great in the past eras, I just try to avoid comparing them.

 

[The Ween]

If I'm not mistaken, the bats have changed, the fields have changed, the pitcher's mounds have changed. A lot has changed since the old days.

 

[Kabukiman]

If I'm not mistaken, the bats have changed, the fields have changed, the pitcher's mounds have changed...

...the steroids have gotten better...

 

[The Ween]

...the steroids have gotten better...

:lol Didn't think of that! And alot of the greats were boozers!

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

If I'm not mistaken, the bats have changed, the fields have changed, the pitcher's mounds have changed. A lot has changed since the old days.

:lol Didn't think of that! And alot of the greats were boozers!

babe ruth did it with hotdogs & beer

 

[The Josh]

I think thats debatable. Like I said, you've got back of the rotation starters and 6th inning mop up men pitching today who would have no business being on the field 30-60 years ago. The game changes over the course of time. Pitching mounds get lowered, balls get wound tighter, strikezones shrink, ballparks shrink, batters wear body armor and are protected by the league from pitchers trying to scare them off the plate, the best pitchers have their pitch counts monitored because of the risk of injury to an expensive player...etc. Most or all of these subtle changes have favored the hitter.

Again, I'm not saying Pujols (or Ichiro or Griffey) wouldn't be great in the past eras, I just try to avoid comparing them.

Well, if you want to go that way hitting is actually kind of harder now. You have so many specialized pitchers now thats why hitting .400 is harder, triple crown is harder, etc. Back in the day those guys saw a pitcher 4-5 times at game. Now, pujols might only see the same guy 3 times. Also I don't think things favor the hitter as much as you think.

I don't mind comparing them. It makes for fun discussion.

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

Well, if you want to go that way hitting is actually kind of harder now. You have so many specialized pitchers now thats why hitting .400 is harder, triple crown is harder, etc. Back in the day those guys saw a pitcher 4-5 times at game. Now, pujols might only see the same guy 3 times. Also I don't think things favor the hitter as much as you think.

I don't mind comparing them. It makes for fun discussion.

how many pitchers these days can throw heat @ 100+ compared to then?

 

[hairlesswookiee]

 

[The Josh]

how many pitchers these days can throw heat @ 100+ compared to then?

I don't know. We have no idea how many could "for sure" do it then. Honestly, I would say its pretty even if we had to compare.

 

[ProgMatinee]

you make a good point about variety. that possibly could make it harder, then again there is so much film on pitchers that the hitters practically know everything about them before they ever face him. Pitchers also have film to watch hitters, but ultimately a pitcher still needs to get it in the strike zone so its not like a pitcher can say "i'll stay away from this spot" completely.

 

[The Josh]

you make a good point about variety. that possibly could make it harder, then again there is so much film on pitchers that the hitters practically know everything about them before they ever face him. Pitchers also have film to watch hitters, but ultimately a pitcher still needs to get it in the strike zone so its not like a pitcher can say "i'll stay away from this spot" completely.

Yup, and if they miss they end up like Brad Lidge a few years ago.

 

[devilof76]

Red Sox, 1-6 at Fenway?

It's going to be a long summer...

For all of the recent years that have seen them sit at the top for the entire season, only to choke in the end, I think this is a good start.

 

[Grenouille]

For all of the recent years that have seen them sit at the top for the entire season, only to choke in the end, I think this is a good start.

Yeah, but those teams had decent offenses. The Yankees look like they're going to dominate and the Rays look poised to make a run. I wouldn't be shocked with a third place finish.

 

[JC]

How bout them Dodgers?!!

 

[hairlesswookiee]

 

[devilof76]

Yeah, but those teams had decent offenses. The Yankees look like they're going to dominate and the Rays look poised to make a run. I wouldn't be shocked with a third place finish.

I was trying to be optimistic.

 

[hairlesswookiee]

I hope they can keep it strong!!!!!