4 of 5 CGs in LCS. Relievers pitched 1.2 innings.

Chris Coghlan just wants it more than Yadier Molina.

Gross

RE: Diamondbacks

They've been legit since before the 2016 season started.

Ty Blach has 3 career hits, all off Kershaw.

I'm a relative n00b to the game so I'd like some other perspective on this. What do people think about the Gold Glove rules? Currently if you don't log enough time at one position you are not going to win one, even if the reason you don't log enough time is because you're so good you can play at multiple positions to a gold glove standard, so your manager utilizes that.

Shouldn't this be looked at?

Machado had a dangerous slide earlier in the game way after ball had been thrown. Then he spiked Pedroia in leg "by accident" oh but let's jump on guy who accidentally threw at someone's head. Clearly nobody would actually do that on purpose, he was a young guy and he was nervous.

The beanball discussion is an interesting one, especially with the context that TheGramuel is a relatively new baseball fan and therefore comes in with a perspective unblemished by history. Think it's pretty clear that his dissenters are coming from a vantage point of "This is the way it's always been", an attitude we've seen debunked in stats, but not in culture. Pitched ball retaliation comes from a time where ballplayers were considered blue collar, no-longer-acceptable concepts of societal behaviour were standard and there was less of a microscope (video, social media etc) on these actions. There's absolutely something barbaric about a culture that condones potentially life/career threatening action and while I love the game as a whole and fear change like the next guy, I can't help but wonder if excusing the behaviour away is part of a problem, not a solution.

Well I'm British but I've been following loosely since about 2003 when I met my now wife (die hard Cubs fan), and seriously since the first season after I moved here (which was the 2011 season).

I think that deliberately trying to hurt someone with no strategic advantage has no part in sport, no matter what they've done.

That said, don't think there's any point in continuing the debate as not going to change anyone's mind. The point you bring up about "debunked in stats" is a useful one though, if I have to see one more person say that the decision to pass at the goal line and not hand off to Lynch in the Super Bowl is the worst play call in history I'll rip my ears off.

My new favourite is people moaning about the shift. I find it so incredibly lol. From another messageboard:

So I am watching the Red Sox/Blue Jays game, yes I am a Sox fan and the "shift" just got the Sox out of a jam. What is everyone's thoughts on the shift? Personally I guess I am a purist and say it shouldn't be allowed as a shortstop is the 6 position and a third baseman in the 5 position and others will argue the hitters should adjust which I agree with. But what about the pitchers who know that the shift is on and will pitch to that hitters strength? Thoughts??

One response:

I'm with ya' in terms of being a purist and not loving the whole idea of the shift. I caught the Cub game last night and saw Rizzo and Schwarber bunt their way on in an effort to make teams think twice about it. Do I think it can be banned? No. Do I think hitters should bunt like the Cubs last night, yeah. But not sure how to end the madness really. I HATE IT. I don't want to see Anthony Rizzo bunt, I pay to see him hit balls 500 feet.

My favourite response:

You know what really irks me? "Infield in." Gett offa the goshdern grass and back onto the dirt where Abner Doubleday wanted you!

Yep, anti-shift talk is insane to me. Don't understand how anyone can look at a strategic improvement that's clearly within the rules and moan about it being unfair...like John McGraw wouldn't have done it if he'd figured out it was advantageous.

It's about respect. They don't really hurt them, they just hit them on thigh and give them a light bruise. Rarely do people throw at someone's head on purpose, Only time I remember it specifically was Randy Johnson doing it. There are a lot of unwritten rules of baseball. At surface baseball seems tame but once someone is disrespected large brawls can break out.

I understand exactly where it comes from, I just disagree with it.

How many baseball fans here think Abner Doubleday invented baseball.

Anytime I've heard the origin story it's been Doubleday, but I'm sure you're here to prove me wrong

ETA:Yes, Gramuel, I am an idiot. I've also just never cared enough to actually look it up lol

Nobody (who isn't an idiot) does really, it was a joke.

Lol I have no idea who it was, but if you had asked me, that's the name I would have given. Guess I'm an idiot

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubleday_myth

lol apologies, didn't mean to be offensive.

My mom's childhood friend was in a relationship with Alexander Joy Cartwright the.... fifth, sixth, don't recall. That lead her to joining SABR and she wrote a book on the matter.

I think it was a Fangraphs audio podcast, but they had a pretty good idea of just having the catcher punch the guy in the butt on his next plate appearance. A lot safer and doesn't negatively affect the pitching team.

Interesting article, thanks. They didn't really go into any proof of it being Cartwright, just that his son said he created the game. Want to delve into it more, Hurt?

loled at the image and the aptness.

I think just caressing the arse of the hitter once all the way over and then pinching it would be more aggressive and would teach them about respect.

And in one fell swoop, TheGramuel destroys his credibility