Random Thoughts on Baseball

BY LOU THEODORE

Here we go again with another “random” article. This one is strictly devoted to baseball thoughts. I hope you find the following twenty-five comments interesting.

1. DeGrom may have been the greatest pitcher of all time the two previous years. He hardly ever had a start where he was working with a comfortable lead.

2. I predicted DeGrom would flop this year (2023).

3. Why didn’t batters go the other way when the “shift” was on in previous years.

4. Naturally, I bet on the Mets; as is usual, my Met bet almost certainly is doomed. They really are an overrated team but here’s hoping I’m wrong.

5. When will pitchers learn that the key to success is not to walk anyone.

6. Scherzer will flop this year (2023). Why? He’s one year older, more subject to injuries, and another ridiculously high-priced acquisition.

7. Verlander will also flop this year for the same reasons in item 6. For me, the word dumb doesn’t do justice to the word describing the Met owner and management team.

8. My key bet this year (before the start of the season) was the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds. Boy, am I looking good.

9. Any pitcher who goes head-hunting (ala Roger Clements) should not only be barred from baseball (and the Hall of Fame I might add), but also arrested.

10. These overpriced aging stars are nearly all overrated. I know this is a baseball article but look for the Jets (who I root for) with Rodgers to disappoint.

11. I find the new timing rules to be bothersome.

12. My favorite pitcher of all time was Sal Maglie. He was a terrific pitcher with great control.

13. I have the key for a youngster to become an immensely successful major league pitcher: just put the ball over the plate and don’t walk anyone.

14. Why can’t they have replays on balls and strikes? Moreso, why not replace the home plate umpire with a video-replay camera?

15. There are simply too many batters getting hit. I suggest that following a hit batsman, the next batter should also be given first base. If the same pitcher hits another batter, both he and the next batter should be given 2 bases. If a 3rd batter is hit by the same pitcher, add ejection and a 1-month suspension for the pitcher.

16. Gloves for all fielders (not including the catcher) should be of a much smaller size.

17. How about scheduling weekend doubleheaders now that it is a faster game? This would result in a later start to the season and an earlier end, providing some cold weather relief.

18. There should be an age limit on a player batting – perhaps 40 or 42.

19. Here’s the scenario: It’s the ninth inning and your team is leading by two or more runs. Your pitcher walks a batter. If I’m the manager, I’d walk to the mound, replace my pitcher, and ship him down to the minors. The same applies if it’s the 8th inning.

20. Here’s another scenario: A batter doesn’t run out a ground ball or a fly ball at top speed. If I’m the manager, the player would be informed that he is being shipped to the minors.

21. I believe that pitchers don’t perform as well after the second go-around because they are tired. That’s why it is especially important for pitchers to be in great shape. Remember that the mound is approximately a foot above the playing field; this means that after 6 innings, the pitcher has walked up approximately 15 flights of stairs.

22. The playoffs do not provide sufficient advantages to those teams that outperform other teams during the season.

23. I guess it’s age, but I no longer have any interest in going to a ballpark or arena. None.

24 Is there anything more boring than sandlot baseball?

25. There should be some entertainment during an extended 7th inning stretch – either live or on the big screen. Baseball also needs some simple form of entertainment between innings.

I just came up with three more.

1. I love the Met announcers but have had it with their historical / statistical data. Who gives a damn what happened in 1937? Or this is only the 4th time this has happened in the past 19 years? Give it up!

2. Here’s the scenario: It’s the start of the 9th inning and you are losing by five runs. Your batter is swinging for the fences instead of trying to get on. If I’m the manager, he’s headed to the minors and a seminar to improve his intelligence.

3. Visited the baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It was a bit of a disappointment and very difficult to get to.

Any thoughts on your part?

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