Baseball--AL or NL?

[Dude]

Which league do you like best?

I'm an AL guy. Grew up watching the AL with the Brew Crew and I think it is a much more exciting brand of baseball.

I've gotten a good taste of the NL since the Brewers switched over and I enjoy it, but I have to admit I'm still an AL fan. The automatic out for the pitcher is stoopid.

 

[Beerrific]

NL baby. No doubt.

Play like baseball was meant to be played. . . LET THE PITCHER BAT!

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Let the pitcher bat.

Let the pitchers throw inside

Hell, let the pitchers bean people.

Baseball, back to its roots, baby....

 

[the_bird]

And this thread doesn't have a poll why?

I grew up with the DH, but I can't stand it. I *hate* the whole, leadoff-man-get-a-walk-then-hope-the-DH-hits-a-bomb "strategy." I like that there's actually some management required of the manager in NL games. Do you let the pitcher hit 'cause he's mowin' them down, or take him out because it's the 7th inning and he's almost done anyway? I love that there are more steals, and sacrifices, and all of that. Small ball, to me, is much, MUCH more exciting that "work the count then swing from your heels."

As much as I love Papi, he *ought* to be playing 1st base. I really don't think he should ever be MVP if he never goes in the field.

 

[rdwj]

Pitchers suck at hitting. Who wants to see two easy outs at the end of the rotation? The AL brand of baseball is far superior and much more exciting.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Pitchers suck at hitting. Who wants to see two easy outs at the end of the rotation? The AL brand of baseball is far superior and much more exciting.

Yes, but the American League killed the inside pitch.


Once the pitchers stopped batting, they no longer had to fear retribution. They could bean with impunity. This lead to a rash of beanings and riots, ultimately leading to a severe clamp-down on inside pitching. Thus we enter the era of the power hitter, where small ball means less.


And, those last two hitters aren't "easy outs"- they are your two chances to move a runner into scoring position before turning the order.

See? It's called small ball and it's the way the game is supposed to be played. With strategy. Ditto for the inside pitch. Knowing when, where, and at whom to throw inside was a big part of the game. Nowadays, you throw down the middle and let the big guy smack it around. borrrring...

 

[rdwj]

Yes, but the American League killed the inside pitch.


Once the pitchers stopped batting, they no longer had to fear retribution. They could bean with impunity. This lead to a rash of beanings and riots, ultimately leading to a severe clamp-down on inside pitching. Thus we enter the era of the power hitter, where small ball means less.


And, those last two hitters aren't "easy outs"- they are your two chances to move a runner into scoring position before turning the order.

See? It's called small ball and it's the way the game is supposed to be played. With strategy. Ditto for the inside pitch. Knowing when, where, and at whom to throw inside was a big part of the game. Nowadays, you throw down the middle and let the big guy smack it around. borrrring...

I understand small ball - my team of choice actually played quite a bit of it in 05 when they won the WS. Pitchers may not have to face other pitchers, but their teammates do and that's a pretty decent deterrent.

Pitchers ARE, by in large EASY outs. Most #9 hitters are too - or #8's in the NL. Ya, you can pitch hit and pull a double switch, but I like seeing pitchers face guys like Ortiz and Thome. Without the DH, their careers would be over.

 

[TheJadedDog]

I'm an AL fan personally, however, I think pitchers should hit (I also think they should field their position!)

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

I don't buy it. #8 and 9 hitters are easy outs? Maybe in Little League, but we're talking about the pros... hitting in the .220's is nothing to sneeze at...

 

[rdwj]

I don't buy it. #8 and 9 hitters are easy outs? Maybe in Little League, but we're talking about the pros... hitting in the .220's is nothing to sneeze at...

.220 sucks - especially when their RISP and HR total is low

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Pitchers suck at hitting. Who wants to see two easy outs at the end of the rotation? The AL brand of baseball is far superior and much more exciting.

Um, Babe Ruth was originally a pitcher with the Red Sox..........


There is a TON more involved in the NL game because of the fact that the pitcher hits. I am SO glad the Brewers switched leagues. Nine times out of ten the DH is just some washed-up position player that can't do anything anymore but swing the bat. I hate the DH. And yes, I am fully aware that Molitor would never be in the Hall without the DH rule. I still hate it.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

.220 sucks - especially when their RISP and HR total is low

Why is a team that gets more hits automatically more fun to watch? Is golf more fun to watch than baseball merely because they hit the ball more? Why not just eliminate the walk? Then there will be more hits. By your logic, that will make the game more exciting.

But as I see it, it's more about the strategy- working around your deficiencies and weaknesses to eek out a run or a win. Doesn't matter if nobody on the team is hitting over .210, if you're winning, those ought to be exciting games. Some of the most exciting games I've ever seen were 1-0 or 2-1. Of course, if someone has a short attention span, they can blink and miss the entire game in a 5 second span. If you are like that, then I guess I can understand. You want to know that a BIG hitter is coming up because then you will know you are supposed to be excited. It's not as difficult as, say, checking out how big of a lead the guy has at second, trying to figure out if they're going to hit and run.. or maybe squeeze with the guy on third. Nope. That's complicated. I'd rather get excited when the big heavy guy gets up to the plate. That's when I'll know to be excited...

You remind me of the people who complained about the boring baseball game they were watching. 7 innings and there hadn't been a single hit!!!

 

[Bernie Brewer]

I agree, Toot. Sure, a clutch homerun is exciting, but IMHO not nearly as exciting as a walk, stolen base, sac bunt, and sac fly for the winning run in a 2-1 game. Or the defense invoved in a double play. Or watching two pitchers throwing bullets in that no-hit battle you mentioned. Small-Ball rules.

 

[Dude]

I, but IMHO not nearly as exciting as a walk, stolen base, sac bunt, and sac fly for the winning run in a 2-1 game.

Riveting!!!!!!!!! I can hardly contain myself on those sac bunts.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Riveting!!!!!!!!! I can hardly contain myself on those sac bunts.

Poke fun if you want, but teamwork like that, esp with the game on the line, is poetry in motion.

 

[Dude]

Poke fun if you want, but teamwork like that, esp with the game on the line, is poetry in motion.

Just messin'.

Surprised you like that though...seeing the Brewers can't do it. Watching any of those guys execute a bunt is comedy relief in itself.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Yeah, I know. They trade away anyone who can. Podsednik, for example. At least he's got a ring to show for it. Brewers got to rent Carlos Lee for a year and a half. Aw, now you got me started.....

 

[Dude]

Yeah, I know. They trade away anyone who can. Podsednik, for example. At least he's got a ring to show for it. Brewers got to rent Carlos Lee for a year and a half. Aw, now you got me started.....

Honestly, the Brewers have a great nucleus of kids. However, they aren't be coached right. They are terribly undisciplined at the plate. I thought that would go away with Wynegar, but I guess not.
Did you see some of the pitches Hall was swing at today. My gawd....he needs to sit for a few days and regroup.

I totally blame this on coaching. Yost couldn't coach himself out of a wet paper bag.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

NL...play by the rules, dammit!

 

[Wolf]

When a pitcher in the NL, one of those 'automatic outs' gets a big hit, thats excitement! I love the NL game.

 

[rdwj]

Why is a team that gets more hits automatically more fun to watch? Is golf more fun to watch than baseball merely because they hit the ball more? Why not just eliminate the walk? Then there will be more hits. By your logic, that will make the game more exciting.

But as I see it, it's more about the strategy- working around your deficiencies and weaknesses to eek out a run or a win. Doesn't matter if nobody on the team is hitting over .210, if you're winning, those ought to be exciting games. Some of the most exciting games I've ever seen were 1-0 or 2-1. Of course, if someone has a short attention span, they can blink and miss the entire game in a 5 second span. If you are like that, then I guess I can understand. You want to know that a BIG hitter is coming up because then you will know you are supposed to be excited. It's not as difficult as, say, checking out how big of a lead the guy has at second, trying to figure out if they're going to hit and run.. or maybe squeeze with the guy on third. Nope. That's complicated. I'd rather get excited when the big heavy guy gets up to the plate. That's when I'll know to be excited...

You remind me of the people who complained about the boring baseball game they were watching. 7 innings and there hadn't been a single hit!!!

I didn't realize there weren't 1-0 pitchers duels in the AL. No squeeze bunting or moving runners over! Thanks for the lesson! What have I been watching all these years? LOL

Honestly, the NL is where good AL pitchers go when they can't compete anymore. It's been the inferior league for a LONG time now.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

When a pitcher in the NL, one of those 'automatic outs' gets a big hit, thats excitement! I love the NL game.

Yeah no kiddin. A base hit with the pitcher up and a man on third?

How can that not pull at the heart strings of every red-blooded male who dreams of being able to step up to the plate just once?

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

I didn't realize there weren't 1-0 pitchers duels in the AL. No squeeze bunting or moving runners over! Thanks for the lesson! What have I been watching all these years? LOL

Honestly, the NL is where good AL pitchers go when they can't compete anymore. It's been the inferior league for a LONG time now.

My team is in the AL. I'm not debating the superiority of one league over the over... Just saying that the more traditional rules make for a better, more even-keeled game.

 

[rdwj]

NL...play by the rules, dammit!

Ya, let's play by the rules! Don't let the catcher stand behind the plate and make him catch the ball on a bounce! Players should be out if they are struck with a ball before reaching a base. Use stakes in the ground instead of bases! Get rid of those outfield walls!

Which rules do you want to play by? They've changed PLENTY over the years

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

I didn't realize there weren't 1-0 pitchers duels in the AL. No squeeze bunting or moving runners over! Thanks for the lesson! What have I been watching all these years?

Stop putting words in my mouth and stop being silly like a girl.

I never said it didn't happen in the American League. I just said it's the exciting part of baseball... and it occurs more often where you don't have a juiced-up, washed-up ringer who can't field a grounder stepping up to the plate every couple of innings to knock one out of the park. Don't get me wrong, I like Thome as much as the next guy, but if we eliminated the DH tomorrow, the game would not suffer...

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Ya, let's play by the rules! Don't let the catcher stand behind the plate and make him catch the ball on a bounce! Players should be out if they are struck with a ball before reaching a base. Use stakes in the ground instead of bases! Get rid of those outfield walls!

Which rules do you want to play by? They've changed PLENTY over the years

Somebody needs a beer, best enjoyed with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

 

[rdwj]

I never said it didn't happen in the American League. I just said it's the exciting part of baseball... and it occurs more often where you don't have a juiced-up, washed-up ringer who can't field a grounder stepping up to the plate every couple of innings to knock one out of the park. Don't get me wrong, I like Thome as much as the next guy, but if we eliminated the DH tomorrow, the game would not suffer...

It is an exciting part of baseball that exists in both leagues. You don't like the 'washed up ringers'; I don't like watching pitchers flail at the ball.

In all honesty, I kinda like that there are different rules in the leagues. It's a variety that doesn't exist in any other team sports.

As fas as putting words in your mouth, I did no such thing and I didn't start whining when you tried to imply that fans of the nl game are somehow brighter fans with this little gem

Of course, if someone has a short attention span, they can blink and miss the entire game in a 5 second span. If you are like that, then I guess I can understand.

So, you want to throw barbs, expect some in return. No reason for silly name calling.

 

[Wolf]

Everyone, RDWHAHB.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

As fas as putting words in your mouth, I did no such thing and I didn't start whining when you tried to imply that fans of the nl game are somehow brighter fans with this little gem

I would NEVER suggest NL fans are smarter. Afterall, Cubs fans are NL fans!

However, imagine a retarded drooling idiot sipping on a supremely crafted IIPA. The fact that the retard is drooling and stupid and generally clueless does not change the quality of the beer. Similarly, the fact that Cubs fans are much like the retarded little boy does not alter the superiority of their brand of baseball...

I am most certainly not suggesting that the fans are more intelligent, merely that the style of baseball is more interesting, has something of a more human element to it that I find appealing.

 

[Tophe]

Looks like this thread is getting kind of deep.....honestly I didnt read all of it....

Just thought Id say AL!

My team is AL, and I just keep up with the al alot more. Watched a NL game last night...SD and LA and it just wasnt as good. The DH makes a better and more fair game and the NL should switch to that.

Go Tigers!