2026 MLB Thread

[847badgerfan]

I liked Bobby Bonds

I did too, when he played for the Sox.

[Wildcat4E]

Probably a lot of reasons for this, but I would submit:

The use of specialist relievers that throw freaking gas now.  Nobody comes out of a bullpen throwing less than 97 these days. 

Hardly any starters face a guy for the 4th time, hell, barely 3 these days.  Instead of a dead arm junk throwing starter that has nothing left, they bring in the pen.  Anybody remember the HDH the Royals employed in '14? Kevin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland.  They hardly ever lost if they were up after 6 innings.
  
The change from small-ball to swinging for the fences.

[FearlessF]

Probably a lot of reasons for this, but I would submit:


The change from small-ball to swinging for the fences.

I assume this is by far the biggest reason, and I'm not a fan.

I don't think pitchers are much better these daze

[OrangeAfroMan]

Barry Bonds was also a dick to everyone

Cost him an MVP or two.

[OrangeAfroMan]

Probably a lot of reasons for this, but I would submit:

The use of specialist relievers that throw freaking gas now.  Nobody comes out of a bullpen throwing less than 97 these days.

Hardly any starters face a guy for the 4th time, hell, barely 3 these days.  Instead of a dead arm junk throwing starter that has nothing left, they bring in the pen.  Anybody remember the HDH the Royals employed in '14? Kevin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland.  They hardly ever lost if they were up after 6 innings.
 
The change from small-ball to swinging for the fences.

I also blame bad habits.  
The PED era was long enough, having 8-hole hitters mashing 20+ HRs, that you'd have entire lineups swinging for the fences.  Now that PEDs are gone (for the most part) and everyone is back to normal, you have a generation of guys who want to mash but can't really mash.  These lesser hitters didn't grow up doing situational hitting, just grippin' it and rippin' it.  

I love that baseball has been strategically smart with its changes - upping stolen bases a lot and banning the shift.  Even the baserunner on 2nd thing is statistically prudent.  

[FearlessF]

[MrNubbz]

I'm a Bud Man and a Cub Fan

[ELA]

I also blame bad habits. 
The PED era was long enough, having 8-hole hitters mashing 20+ HRs, that you'd have entire lineups swinging for the fences.  Now that PEDs are gone (for the most part) and everyone is back to normal, you have a generation of guys who want to mash but can't really mash.  These lesser hitters didn't grow up doing situational hitting, just grippin' it and rippin' it. 

I love that baseball has been strategically smart with its changes - upping stolen bases a lot and banning the shift.  Even the baserunner on 2nd thing is statistically prudent. 

I don't know that they want to, but it's still strategically wise to.  The pitchers are so good, you aren't going to string together hits.  I love bringing stealing back and banning the shift, it has helped.  But having a guy coming in who throws 101, with a 94 splitter still makes it statistically smart to go for broke

[MrNubbz]

I liked Bobby Bonds

I remember he stopped in Clevaland in '79 for a cup of coffee. A TV camera one time caught him and a coach sneaking a smoke between innings in the tunnel leading to the dugout.

[MrNubbz]

I don't know that they want to, but it's still strategically wise to.  The pitchers are so good, you aren't going to string together hits.  I love bringing stealing back and banning the shift, it has helped.  But having a guy coming in who throws 101, with a 94 splitter still makes it statistically smart to go for broke

Can always hope for a walk - they all can't be that accurate. Ever want to get a great baseball book get The Umpire Strikes Back by Ron Luciano. One of the funniest books I've ever read - an umpire and got a lot of press back in the 70s/80s for his crazy antics and wisecracks. Rod Carew was such a great hitter if he didn't swing Luciano automatically called it a ball, figure Carew knew the strike zone. 

[847badgerfan]

I'm a Bud Man and a Cub Fan

That picture was taken in the center field bleachers at Comiskey Park when he was the Sox announcer. 

[OrangeAfroMan]

I don't know that they want to, but it's still strategically wise to.  The pitchers are so good, you aren't going to string together hits.  I love bringing stealing back and banning the shift, it has helped.  But having a guy coming in who throws 101, with a 94 splitter still makes it statistically smart to go for broke

Ehhh, maybe if every player had the same ability level.

A shitty hitter trying to hit bombs against a fireballing reliever doesn't seem prudent.  Getting on base any way you can does.  Get to the better hitters in your lineup for the stringing together of hits/bombs.  
I get what you're saying, and it's the best overall strategy statistically, but I'm talking about a sliver of the baseball player population here.

[FearlessF]

a lot fewer guys hitting 300
a lot more guys hitting 40 or more home runs