Your Most Controversial Baseball Opinion

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Replay was supposed to be for the egregious missed calls like the Armando Galarrago perfect game. 

Now that is definitely a controversial  subject .. couldn't believe it , I still can't,  the runner was out by 2 steps , called safe to ruin a no hitter ....

Is Jim Joyce  even umpiring any more ..

[Richie the Rally Goat]

24 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

A plethora of mine, some of which are the same or similar to others posted here (I'll acknowledge those if I can remember who said it).  Some of my ideas contradict other ones, so this is not a slate, but more like a menu.

• All 30 teams make the playoffs every year (credit Mike Sixel)--if you lose in the first round, you get a pick between 9-16 in the upcoming draft; tanking immediately ends.
• MLB pays off 20 MiLB franchises and shutters them.  10 teams are added to the "MLB" tier (I'd say Portland, LV, Nashville, Charlotte, San Antonio, Vancouver are for sures), which splits into two leagues, the Gold League and the Silver League. Each league plays 7 Each year, 2 teams are promoted from the Silver League to the Gold, and two relegated from Gold to Silver.  Teams promoted cannot be relegated unless they've completed three seasons since their relegation, and teams relegated cannot be promoted unless they've completed two seasons since their relegation.
• Players are no longer paid by MLB team, but by the MLBPA, which receives a set % of total MLB revenue.  The MLBPA can choose to play players by any metrics they choose, and each team is bound by limits (there would still be team control at the beginning of a player's career, and only so many individuals/contract years can be held by one team at a time)
• The rules change to make the game last 8 innings, and there are only 8 fielders and 8 hitters in the lineup.  Once all 8 spots have batted 4 times, that team no longer gets to bat, regardless of what inning it is (but they do get a bonus run for every inning they did not finish; for example, the team's 32nd PA ends with 2 outs in the 6th--that team gets 3 bonus runs for the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings.  Conversely, a team gets a bonus run for every PA under 32 that doesn't happen for the opponent; for example, a team gets through 8 innings and only faces 29 opposing hitters to get those 24 outs.  They get 3 bonus runs for the 30th, 31st, and 32nd hitters that did not appear.

And the manager a former cricket coach named Ned Jasso from London who is having a mid life crisis

[Cap'n Piranha]

6 minutes ago, Sconnie said:

And the manager a former cricket coach named Ned Jasso from London who is having a mid life crisis

Does this Ned Jasso look like a guy who worked at a chemical company with Donald Sutherland?

[Game7-91]

This is a great thread?

Ideas:

1. 8 designated defenders, 8 designated batters per team.

2. Pitchers who intentionally hit a batter take an at-bat the next inning from a batter of the opposing team's choosing.

 3. Umpires get to throw tantrums when players make mistakes.

4. Players should wildly celebrate their successes by any means available.

5. Players should low-crawl when they fail, groveling before the coach before being allowed into the dugout.

6. More replays of pudgy middle aged guys in ill-fitted uniforms spitting chew from the dugout--- in slow motion.

6. Home run trots should be like roller derby. Run(s) do not count until baserunners have touched homebase after clearing the defenders gauntlet within 15 seconds of the ball clearing the fence. The only rule is there are no rules. 

7. Each pitch should have "Brought to you by....." announcement as a way of increasing revenues.

True confession: I have never heard of 3 True Outcome. Do they have a Top 40 hit?

[se7799]

Bring back nickel beer nite!

[jimbo92107]

22 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Sure.  But then look at the "box" that is supposed to represent the strike zone and then read the rule book for the definition of what the strike zone is actually supposed to be....

Irrelevant. Umps aren't missing calls because of a vague strike zone, they're missing calls because humans suck at judging fast moving objects. 

If mlb wants to rigorously define the strike zone, great. Whoever programs today's electronic strike callers appears to have a good understanding of what's supposed to be the strike zone. If that changes, then so will the code. Meanwhile, whatever the zone dimensions, electronics provides accuracy down to millimeters, whereas we see human umps commonly blowing calls by half a foot.

Let's use modern technology to make the game more fair.

[USAFChief]

11 hours ago, twinssporto said:

Eliminate family sections in the ball parks!

1. Kids need to learn curse words at a younger age

2. They also need to learn how to properly berate players from the drunks around them

3. And by all means, learn at a young age how to chug beer before the 7th inning cut off

Seriously??

 

The article CLEARLY called for controversial opinions.

 

 

[dxpavelka]

48 minutes ago, jimbo92107 said:

Irrelevant. Umps aren't missing calls because of a vague strike zone, they're missing calls because humans suck at judging fast moving objects. 

If mlb wants to rigorously define the strike zone, great. Whoever programs today's electronic strike callers appears to have a good understanding of what's supposed to be the strike zone. If that changes, then so will the code. Meanwhile, whatever the zone dimensions, electronics provides accuracy down to millimeters, whereas we see human umps commonly blowing calls by half a foot.

Let's use modern technology to make the game more fair.

Robot players would then be the logical next step.

[dxpavelka]

16 hours ago, wsnydes said:

I dislike the DH.  While I'll admit that the strategy angle has been in decline due to a few reasons of late, I still prefer that style of game.

I saw Nolan Ryan live once in my lifetime.  1985 All Star Game.  Back then starting pitchers actually got to bat in the game.  Saw him take the three ugliest swings of a stick I've ever seen.  Nuff for me.

[dgdynasty]

some thoughts:

it is a long season, but really less games means less pay for workers at the games.

the shift is an adjustment made by the team playing defense, so the team playing offense needs to adjust to that.

the pitch clock is just wrong, making the game quality worse to save ten minutes. 

there should be a salary cap, as this is the most lopsided sport anywhere. you can almost pick the WS winner from a pool of 8 teams.

the umpires are the worst judges in all of sports, even the Olympics. let's not pretend there isn't bias and general idiocy.

mine is that the DH should not even exist, instead of being universal. if you can't play in the field or pitch, then you shouldn't be allowed to hit. with the difference between the AL and NL gone, one league and one large playoff would be more interesting

[mac098]

19 hours ago, Brandon said:

The salary cap and salary floor should be the same number.

 

I agree. Make something along the lines of: If you don't use your whole salary in one season, you lose the difference from next season's salary cap. 

For example. Salary cap for 2023 is $220 million. Twins decide to go cheap and only spend $200 million. Now for the next season (2024), they have a salary cap of $200 million. Think of it as a penalty for not using all their budget. If the use their whole budget in 2024, when 2025 comes around, the salary cap is bumped back to $220 million.

In the business world, if you don't use your whole budget, more often than not that money is taken away the following fiscal year. Why not make it similar for baseball?

[Platoon]

On 4/18/2022 at 11:25 PM, dxpavelka said:

Sure.  But then look at the "box" that is supposed to represent the strike zone and then read the rule book for the definition of what the strike zone is actually supposed to be....

And…… if the robot starts calling that zone, it ain’t gonna improve the hitting stats. Then whom will we blame.   
 

The good news is the robot will make the idiotic catchers stance for "pitch framing" passé. Which is good. For example, the other day a local high school catcher whose father is on record insisting the kid catches in the one legged MLB manner let two balls past in one inning turning a one run win into a walk off loss. He has mastered the getting that leg out there, but he hasn’t figured out how to move after that! I sure hope he "stole" a lot of strikes. 

[Trov]

I believe people put too much stock in velocity.  High velo can be good and helpful, but lack of velo does not mean a pitcher will fail.  Location, movement, and changing speeds has and always will be key.  You pump the same speed same location every time a MLB level hitter will hit it, even if it is 100 MPH. 

[Bradfoot]

Ditch the DH.  Every position should hit and every hitter should be able to field a position.  If you want Nelson Cruz's bat you have to have Nelson Cruz's glove.

[Brandon]

5 hours ago, mac098 said:

I agree. Make something along the lines of: If you don't use your whole salary in one season, you lose the difference from next season's salary cap. 

For example. Salary cap for 2023 is $220 million. Twins decide to go cheap and only spend $200 million. Now for the next season (2024), they have a salary cap of $200 million. Think of it as a penalty for not using all their budget. If the use their whole budget in 2024, when 2025 comes around, the salary cap is bumped back to $220 million.

In the business world, if you don't use your whole budget, more often than not that money is taken away the following fiscal year. Why not make it similar for baseball?

or if you don't use it the difference is spread evenly among the players on the team.  That would be a good strategy for teams looking to sign depth players.  as if you have a lower payroll then the per day per diem would go up.

[ashbury]

Home runs are bad for the game and all balls landing anywhere out of play should be called foul.

[Brandon]

It’s time to bring back Calvin Ball!!!! (The game from Calvin and Hobbes).

[se7799]

Don't cut the cord.  Trust me.  Pay for direct TV or cable.  Watch the games actually 

[TwinsAlmostWin]

Players who routinely see an exaggerated shift should bunt every time into it. If they could successfully do this they could be on base machines. After defenses defend the bunt, the players starts to swing away. I know it’s not as easy as it sounds, but I think there is some truth to it.

[TwinsAlmostWin]

On a walk, every player has to touch the ball while the base runner attempts to run to second, only to be out if tagged in time! Just like the Savannah Bananas!

[TeJayDubz]

2019s hitting environment was a much better one for baseball's popularity and watch-ability. Instead of "fixing" the baseball, we should've continued to allow sticky stuff, or even endorsed it to compensate. Watching baseballs fly 500ft more regularly are fun to watch, and nasty breaking pitches heightened by inflated RPMs are fun to watch too.

[Eephus]

Byron Buxton is getting babied and should play if he is 60%. At 60%, he would learn to play more safely. Buxton at 80%  playing 80%of the time is reasonable, still productive and acceptable. 

[ToddlerHarmon]

Riffing off the comments on the demise of the SP, here is my never-gonna-happen idea: reduce the active roster to, say, 20 players.

Here are some potential effects:

Obviously, fewer relievers per game. A 3-inning relief stint becomes normal. Complete games become a goal again.

Similarly, fewer pinch hitters and platoons, since the bench is short. Defensive skill and versatility become more valuable. Do teams start to lobby against the DH, or maybe we let them be substituted into other positions mid game?

Pitch count economy will drive up the value of weak contact and control vs strikeouts and swinging strikes.

Ending close games with aggressive offensive strategy (i.e. steals, squeezes,  and sacrifices) becomes preferable to extra innings.

League-wide, reducing rosters by 25% (most of them pitchers) trims off the low-quality players

So what is the upshot: shorter games, more contact, tighter strategy, more valuable relievers, shorter rotations, more speed, more bunting, and maybe even a pitching staff where casual fans know who these guys are.

Aren't those the things we want?

[glunn]

Target field should have had a retractable roof.  Also, the Twins should spend at least $1 million to put state of the art padding in the outfield.

[Boom Boom]

Players should have one, and only one, chance at HOF induction.

This way the baseball writers wouldn't be able to keep a player out for a year because he's not worthy to be "first ballot".

It would also eliminate the hemming and hawing over the Blylevens of the world.

[mickster]

Eliminate inter-league play and make the WS more fun.

Allow teams to shift - hitters learn to hit the other way...............No Joey Gallo I don't watch you to hit bombs as you lose more games than you win with your K's and "loud outs" versus your 30+ HR's.  (Idon't watch you anyhow as you are a YANKEE)

Bring back the value of SP...................I hate openers, and bullpen games.  Give me a SP who goes 7+ every time they take the mound as Pitch counts are over rated and lead to some great games being destroyed by a bullpen imploding

[Twinsrule1991]

Here's my top 4:

1. Bring back the stakes to the All Star Game. Home Field Advantage being determined by the AS is fun and makes baseball unique, plus adds some actual value to hosting the game.
2. Hard cap the amount of pitchers on the major league roster to 10 and remove the ability to shuttle relievers up and down to AAA. It's killing the sport to have all these pitching changes and lack of identifiable, quality starting pitching. Pitchers need to learn to pitch longer and go through the order more than twice.
3. Strikeouts count as 1.5 outs. 2 Ks in an inning makes 3 outs. I'm so sick of watching people strike out. Baseball will cease (or is in the process of ceasing) to be relevant if they can't make their sport more enjoyable and entertaining.
4. NO ROBO UMPS. Human error is part of life. Get over it. Mistakes happen. Getting steamed at the umpire makes sports fun and adds controversy and entertainment. This desire to make everything 100% correct is slowing down the game and killing the fun aspects of baseball.

[Beaner14]

Would you rather watch Miguel Sano bat or see Pete Rose hit against the shift? 

better not be getting a beer his first at bat cause they won't be in the shift in his 2nd.

1892-1910 a hundred years ago Willie Keeler knew !!!

[Stew]

I agree with moving the mound back.move it to 62 feet 6inches. It will help the hitters a bit. And give the pitch a fraction of a second more to react to a hit ball. It doesn't seem like much but it would help the game.

[Platoon]

6 minutes ago, Beaner14 said:

Would you rather watch Miguel Sano bat or see Pete Rose hit against the shift? 

better not be getting a beer his first at bat cause they won't be in the shift in his 2nd.

1892-1910 a hundred years ago Willie Keeler knew !!!

The real question should have been:  Would you rather watch Miguel Sano strike out se see Pete Rose hit a baseball consistently! FTFY