The Hey its 2021 now guys MLB thread

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Has Game 5 ended yet?

Baseball is destroying itself. The World Series in their showcase event and it seems the only purpose is to drive people away in droves.

Such simple fixes. Such reluctance to do anything.

MLB is criticized for not doing anything.  MLB does something.  MLB is criticized for changing the game.  MLB stops enforcing the new rules.

[CTWarrior]

MLB is criticized for not doing anything.  MLB does something.  MLB is criticized for changing the game.  MLB stops enforcing the new rules.

I've seen tons discussed about this topic.  I think the pitch clock is desperately needed.  In the minor league they tested it in, walks and strikeouts went down and balls in play went up.  That's what baseball "should" want. 
What baseball does not need is 26 or more man rosters so they can add even more pitchers so we can have even more relief appearances and even longer games.  And the relief pitchers are the worst offenders.  The come in knowing they are only going to throw 10-20 pitches, so they don't mind spending 30-50 seconds gearing up for each pitch.  Game 7 of the 1960 World Series was a 10-9 thriller with 24 hits and 5 walks and it only took 2:36 to play.  Game action, baserunners and fielders in motion, etc., is what baseball needs.

[Jockey]

I've seen tons discussed about this topic.  I think the pitch clock is desperately needed.  In the minor league they tested it in, walks and strikeouts went down and balls in play went up.  That's what baseball "should" want. 
What baseball does not need is 26 or more man rosters so they can add even more pitchers so we can have even more relief appearances and even longer games.  And the relief pitchers are the worst offenders.  The come in knowing they are only going to throw 10-20 pitches, so they don't mind spending 30-50 seconds gearing up for each pitch.  Game 7 of the 1960 World Series was a 10-9 thriller with 24 hits and 5 walks and it only took 2:36 to play.  Game action, baserunners and fielders in motion, etc., is what baseball needs.

You are right.

I think the one single thing that would speed games up the most is prohibiting batters from leaving the box between pitches. Call a strike every time a batter leaves the box. Then enforce a 15 second time limit on a pitcher releasing the ball.

[Jockey]

MLB is criticized for not doing anything.  MLB does something.  MLB is criticized for changing the game.  MLB stops enforcing the new rules.

Except they haven't really done anything.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I've seen tons discussed about this topic.  I think the pitch clock is desperately needed.  In the minor league they tested it in, walks and strikeouts went down and balls in play went up.  That's what baseball "should" want. 
What baseball does not need is 26 or more man rosters so they can add even more pitchers so we can have even more relief appearances and even longer games.  And the relief pitchers are the worst offenders.  The come in knowing they are only going to throw 10-20 pitches, so they don't mind spending 30-50 seconds gearing up for each pitch.  Game 7 of the 1960 World Series was a 10-9 thriller with 24 hits and 5 walks and it only took 2:36 to play.  Game action, baserunners and fielders in motion, etc., is what baseball needs.

Yep.  Agreed.

[MU82]

I've seen tons discussed about this topic.  I think the pitch clock is desperately needed.  In the minor league they tested it in, walks and strikeouts went down and balls in play went up.  That's what baseball "should" want. 
What baseball does not need is 26 or more man rosters so they can add even more pitchers so we can have even more relief appearances and even longer games.  And the relief pitchers are the worst offenders.  The come in knowing they are only going to throw 10-20 pitches, so they don't mind spending 30-50 seconds gearing up for each pitch.  Game 7 of the 1960 World Series was a 10-9 thriller with 24 hits and 5 walks and it only took 2:36 to play.  Game action, baserunners and fielders in motion, etc., is what baseball needs.

Good points throughout ... though I'm guessing that Game 7 in 1960 would have taken a bit longer if every between innings lasted 2 1/2 minutes for commercials. But yes, it still wouldn't have been like today's ridiculously slow games.

G6 is tomorrow and G7 potentially is Wednesday and I doubt I'll watch more than a couple innings of either because they'll just be too ponderous.

[Jockey]

Good points throughout ... though I'm guessing that Game 7 in 1960 would have taken a bit longer if every between innings lasted 2 1/2 minutes for commercials. But yes, it still wouldn't have been like today's ridiculously slow games.

G6 is tomorrow and G7 potentially is Wednesday and I doubt I'll watch more than a couple innings of either because they'll just be too ponderous.

Ponderous is a great word for these games.

[Mutaman]

MLB is criticized for not doing anything.  MLB does something.  MLB is criticized for changing the game.  MLB stops enforcing the new rules.

What did they do? Guess I missed it while I was waiting for the fellow to deliver the pitch.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Good points throughout ... though I'm guessing that Game 7 in 1960 would have taken a bit longer if every between innings lasted 2 1/2 minutes for commercials. But yes, it still wouldn't have been like today's ridiculously slow games.

G6 is tomorrow and G7 potentially is Wednesday and I doubt I'll watch more than a couple innings of either because they'll just be too ponderous.

But I don't even think the time in between innings is the problem - gives me time to pee, take the dogs out, etc.  I don't mind a three hour game if it actually has action.  Hell, I watch college football regularly and those games can be three and half hours with commercial breaks all over the place.  But DO SOMETHING when the action is supposed to be taking place. 

That's why ponderous is the perfect word.

[rocky_warrior]

Hey, congrats to the Braves.  Time to start the 21-22 MLB thread

[MU82]

Hey, congrats to the Braves.  Time to start the 21-22 MLB thread

Incredible job by the Braves -- first, to save their season after their best player got hurt; then, to get hot at the absolutely perfect time.

[rocky_warrior]

Incredible job by the Braves -- first, to save their season after their best player got hurt; then, to get hot at the absolutely perfect time.

Speaking of hot, former Cub Soler - who has had an ok career, but never been "the guy" finds himself as WS MVP.  That may pay off going into his first FA year.

[HouWarrior]

I am very happy for the Braves. Congrats to a team that made great player moves and enjoyed great pitching with timely hitting

I worried our Astros felt they were DOA with Lance McCullers not making WS roster. Valdes and Garcia was not exactly Spahn and Sain and pray for rain. The longer the series the more your pitching gets exposed. Oh well 5 straight ALCS series, three AL pennants and 3 WS appearances, ....this has been a great run for me as a fan.

I guess this could be the last 2021 MLB post as I now segway to 2022 MLB thread and Astros have interesting Hot stove choices. Verlander, Grienke, and Correa are off the payroll and free up $80 mil gross for other signings. Otherwise, ...Almost all of the rest of this WS roster is signed and back for next year.

Astros wont do any $300mil 10yr deals. I expect Correa is gone. Astros must :
1) sign up all or most of the minor arm pen guys esp those we got at trade deadline; and
2)get 2 front line starters and
3) a SS replacement... the FA market has lots of SS avail

I expect Seattle will challenge Astros for 2022 AL west title, with Oakland slipping back, Angels will feature Trout, Ohtani and .500 ball and the Rangers will , well, show up.

[muwarrior69]

I wish they would bring back playing the World Series during the day at least on Saturday and Sunday.

[muwarrior69]

I am very happy for the Braves. Congrats to a team that made great player moves and enjoyed great pitching with timely hitting

I worried our Astros felt they were DOA with Lance McCullers not making WS roster. Valdes and Garcia was not exactly Spahn and Sain and pray for rain. The longer the series the more your pitching gets exposed. Oh well 5 straight ALCS series, three AL pennants and 3 WS appearances, ....this has been a great run for me as a fan.

I guess this could be the last 2021 MLB post as I now segway to 2022 MLB thread and Astros have interesting Hot stove choices. Verlander, Grienke, and Correa are off the payroll and free up $80 mil gross for other signings. Otherwise, ...Almost all of the rest of this WS roster is signed and back for next year.

Astros wont do any $300mil 10yr deals. I expect Correa is gone. Astros must :
1) sign up all or most of the minor arm pen guys esp those we got at trade deadline; and
2)get 2 front line starters and
3) a SS replacement... the FA market has lots of SS avail

I expect Seattle will challenge Astros for 2022 AL west title, with Oakland slipping back, Angels will feature Trout, Ohtani and .500 ball and the Rangers will , well, show up.

Hmm...  that would be quite a story as they are the only team to never have played in a World Series.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I wish they would bring back playing the World Series during the day at least on Saturday and Sunday.

That's just not going to happen - the ratings would be abysmal going up against college and NFL football.  I do wish they would move up the starting pitch though.  Baseball is the type of sport that people can tune in at the third inning and watch to the end.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Hey, congrats to the Braves.  Time to start the 21-22 MLB thread

it may be an interesting start if they don't resolve the next union contract soon.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

it may be an interesting start if they don't resolve the next union contract soon.

It seems to me that the players have no leverage though.

[JWags85]

Astros wont do any $300mil 10yr deals. I expect Correa is gone. Astros must :
1) sign up all or most of the minor arm pen guys esp those we got at trade deadline; and
2)get 2 front line starters and
3) a SS replacement... the FA market has lots of SS avail

They could just move Bregman back to SS as I imagine the 3B market is a bit softer than the SS right now

[HouWarrior]

Hmm...  that would be quite a story as they are the only team to never have played in a World Series.

Whoa
I expect Seattle will challenge only for the Division title which does not translate to a league pennant or WS appearance .... As 2 out of 3 division winners can attest to every year

[shoothoops]

Atlanta Braves, 88 wins, losing record at the All Star Break, World Series Champions. 15 different teams have won the World Series since 2000. 4 of the teams in that time frame, had 4 of the 5 all time worst winning percentages of a World Series Champion. Just 4 teams have won it multiple times in the 21st century.

[Uncle Rico]

Buster Posey announces his retirement.  The best national league catcher of his era and it's not really close

[tower912]

Buster Posey announces his retirement.  The best national league catcher of his era and it's not really close

How long until the Asian Carp flings himself into the boat?

[🏀]

Buster Posey announces his retirement.  The best national league catcher of his era and it's not really close

Very underrated player and one of the best names in baseball. Just beats out Jason Kendall for your title, IMO.

[MU82]

Buster Posey announces his retirement.  The best national league catcher of his era and it's not really close

Interesting. He had a heckofa final season, really seemed to have found the fountain of youth. He has more money than he or his kids or his grandkids or his great grandkids can spend, so good for him to go out on a high note.