The "National Pastime" is changing and evolving. Here are some thoughts about how baseball is re-winding itself.
The game of baseball got a cold splash in the face following a time when players tried to survive having to make very difficult personal decisions and peer pressure ruled the day. The period of performance enhancing drugs both elevated the game and nearly destroyed it at the same time. In this piece I will share my thoughts about how I feel baseball has changed. Many will not agree with my conclusions. They will say "it's always been like that....etc." I don't think it's always been like it is now.
On the ropes with very little left in its proverbial tank in the late 1990's (1998 to be exact) Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa lifted a staggering, reeling, unsteady game on their backs and carried it to a safer, life-infusing zone of excitement. Night after night McGwire and Sosa put on a light show in ballpark after ballpark shooting baseball rockets into the sky at unprecedented rate. A crippling strike had sucked the life out of baseball. Fans, media and the general public had turned on the game's players and owners for taking their millions and shutting down the game so many people loved, depended upon and believed in. McGwire and Sosa brought it back. In 1998 Mark McGwire deposited 70 baseballs into the bleachers and grandstands. Sammy Sosa went toe to toe with him in a home run hitting contest that millions watched night after night. Baseball survived. Baseball was back. Bigger and better than ever. Even 165 pound middle-infielders were reaching the seats with regularity. Home run records were set.
The folly went on far too long. We were no longer watching the game of baseball. We were watching a season-long version of "Home Run Derby." Yes, fans loved to see just how far guys could hit the ball. Fans really did dig the homers. Crowds were good. New baseball fans were introduced to the game. But, players were potentially destroying their bodies and performance enhancing drugs were ruining the traditional game we all played as kids. It had to end. Common sense, science and the law finally prevailed. It took a while, but those running baseball got the bigger picture.
So perhaps the Performing Enhancing Drug Period of baseball is over. We'll never really know because newer designer substances are discovered all the time. Problem is they all can't really be discovered-in the human body, that is. But I am hopeful that players have realized the harm their bodies and the game have suffered and will suffer if the drug use continues. Ask Manny Ramirez who left the game in shame. Few people even talk about him anymore.
So now what? Homers are down. Have been for a couple of years. Pitching, defense, singles, doubles, the stolen base, bunting and the hit-and-run have returned. They never really went away, they were just less prominent in games. Sure, the 3 run homer still happens as in the days of the Orioles Earl Weaver. It's just more exciting, more meaningful and less common now.
What's changed? Pitchers are throwing more cut fastballs. Pitchers are using an assortment of pitches that require hitters to be prepared at any count for movement and changes in eye levels. Since Bruce Sutter perfected the split-fingered fastball, no pitch has changed the game as much as the newly refined "cutter." Thank Mariano Rivera for that. He's had great success "cutting" the ball into hitters hands for years. Now, many many other pitchers deploy the pitch. Doug Davis hung in the game for a few years with no other real quality pitch as a starter. Al Leiter made his living with a cutter. Roy Halladay still does. One of the best cutters belongs to Scott Feldman, currently injured. Andy Pettitte threw a cutter that took him years to refine and develop. But those were the "premiere" cutters. Today, pitchers on every team use the pitch as part of their arsenal. It's now a much more permanent weapon and one way the game has changed.
Teams now rely upon a speedster in the lineup to set the table for bigger, stronger hitters. Lineups feature a guy or two at the top (or bottom in the American League) capable of putting pressure on the pitcher with the threat to run. Brett Gardner, Peter Bourjos, Michael Bourn and on and on come to the game with a purpose. Get on base, steal and score. The trick is to get on base. As recently as 5 years ago not every team had their speeding table setter. Yes, many will argue that speed was always a part of the game. True. Teams of the past had fast guys, but the fast guys were not as focused on stealing as today's crop. Lou Brock and Maury Wills. Ricky Henderson. All true. But in today's game, good teams put constant pressure on the pitcher with speed. The object is to score runs and prevent runs. Any way possible.
Today's game relies upon pitchers to work at least 5 solid innings and keep their team in the game. Bullpens are being called upon earlier and more often. Bullpens have at least one more pitcher than was the case 5 or 6 years ago. That means benches have one fewer hitter or defensive replacement. Pitching is king. Keep your team in the game and you have a chance to win at the end when the other team deploys their pen.
International players comprise 27.7 of big league rosters. That's 234 players. Teams are paying unprecedented dollars to attract and sign players from foreign countries and territories. The New York Yankees had 16 International players on the opening day roster. The Dodgers, Tigers, Angels and Rockies each had 11. The Dominican Republic is home to 86 players. Venezuela has 62 players in the big leagues. Teams have spent millions and millions of dollars building academies and schools internationally. Aroldis Chapman was given a 30.25 6 year contract by the Reds that included a 16.25MM signing bonus.
Jose Iglesias received a 4 year 8.25MM contract (6.25 signing bonus) from the Red Sox to play SS in the United States.
That's serious money. There's an internal war going on in baseball to attract and sign International players. Sanity has to prevail or it will be the next issue that divides teams.
The game has changed because of the money that teams can attract for selling rights to show their games in the many new and innovative formats available. The good teams in solid markets sell those rights for unheard of fees. Other teams have to hope to gain revenue sharing money to possibly compete. The best teams spend their money scouting and developing players. They use their resources in making good decisions about players. That's why small market teams do have a chance to win. They have to be smarter and better prepared, but they can do it. They don't have the luxury of making mistakes.
The game has changed because ticket prices have changed. Fans can now eat their way into oblivion by purchasing a ticket in the glutton section of the ballpark for a reasonable price. Discounted mini-season ticket plans are available in almost every city. Such mini-plans have become more prominent and popular. They weren't available everywhere only a few years ago. Some parks even have discounted souvenir stands. They aren't the most cherished souvenirs, but they are available if a fan wants to save money. So the marketing and economic decisions relating to getting fans to the stands has changed the game. New fans are discovering the game. Bullies and foul mouthed customers are ushered out the door in some places.
In my opinion, baseball has never been better. There are more multi-tool stars in the game. There is more excitement about scoring runs. Pitchers are more creative and using more pitches in their repertoire. Any team can win on any given day.
Many will disagree with my comments in this article. It's my opinion. I've watched lots of baseball. Lots of baseball. I do think the game is changing. For the better.
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