2023 MLB Season Thread

[UAEebs86]

[FreeSpiritCat]

A lot of rules changes this year and I like them.

1. The pitcher has shot clock for a pitch and will get called a ball if the clock expires before pitching.
2. The hitter has a limited time to get into the batters box or it is a strike if time expires.
3. Two infielders have to be on each side of second base and have to be on the infield dirt.
4. The bases are 18" instead of 15", allowing more attempts at stealing.
5. You can only throw to a base twice for a pick off play.

I like it a lot and it will take time to get used to. I like the fact that it speeds up the game.

[EastCoastCat]

I hate the new rules frankly. I love baseball because there are no clocks and I can escape life for as long as I want...

[CardiacCats97]

What is someone going to remember most from a game? That it finished up in 2hrs 45 minutes or that they were robbed of seeing a walk-off hit because the batter didn’t get established in the box quick enough?

[FreeSpiritCat]

I like the rule changes because I don't have time to watch a game for 3 1/2 hours. BTW, players will figure it out and adjust. No more Mike Hargrove (The Human Rain Delay)

[gronk4heisman]

I like the rule changes because I don't have time to watch a game for 3 1/2 hours. BTW, players will figure it out and adjust. No more Mike Hargrove (The Human Rain Delay)

3 1/2 hours of nothing but HR's K's and BB's to boot. This is a step in the right direction that has lost a good chunk of multiple generations of viewers due to the length of game, style of play, and rampant cheating.

[Merkin]

Wow.

NEW YORK -- The average time of a nine-inning game set a record once again this year despite Major League Baseball's efforts to improve pace.

The average was 3 hours, 10 minutes, 7 seconds for the 2021 regular season, the commissioner's office said after the regular season ended Sunday.



MLB used to be my favorite sport when I was a kid. I can still name pretty much the whole starting lineup from the 1968 Detroit Tigers who won the World Series over the Bob Gibson led Cards.

Now it's just unbearable all the time between pitches.

[EastCoastCat]

I get it guys...games have become way too long...although personally it really doesn't bother me as I like to watch the "game within the game" between pitches like how a pitcher and batter adjusts to the at bat. But that's just me.

What I don't like now is having that stupid clock in my face before every single pitch. Watched a little exhibition baseball yesterday and it was annoying and distracting. You can't help but watch the seconds tick down before each pitch.

I guess I'm just an old fart purist but again that's my two cents.

[Irish27]

I like the pitch count but I think having the clock start at 20 seconds would be better.

[FreeSpiritCat]

I like the pitch count but I think having the clock start at 20 seconds would be better.

It does when runners are on base. Plus, the pitcher wheres a transmitter and can call the pitch to the catcher.

[Merkin]

[CatsbyAZ]

Guessing the increased ratings are driven by interest in watching the new rules play out - from ESPN Press Room:

"ESPN had its most-watched MLB spring training in seven years, according to Nielsen. The four-game afternoon slate averaged 378,000 viewers, up 29 percent from 2021. ESPN did not air spring training games in 2022. It was the highest viewership for ESPN’s spring training coverage since the 2016 slate which featured the Tampa Bay Rays vs. the Cuba national team in Havana, Cuba."

[Merkin]

[84Cat]

My best man from my wedding, his son plays for the Bananas. He is having a blast. Go check them out if they come to your town

[azgreg]

My best man from my wedding, his son plays for the Bananas. He is having a blast. Go check them out if they come to your town

They were in Phoenix this spring.

[Merkin]

[azgreg]

[EastCoastCat]

They mic’s up Refsnyder on the ESPN Sunday night game and he talked a lot about Arizona Wildcat baseball.

[Merkin]

Very impressive.

[EastCoastCat]

Mookie Betts is going on a crazy Rickey Henderson-esque lead off HR run.

[FreeSpiritCat]

Justin Steele is the best starting pitcher in baseball this season, and it really isn't even that close. He has a 2.55 era, won his last 9 in a row, and has a 16-3 record. In 8 innings today he gave up 2 hits. The Cubs need to treat him like gold.

The Cubs don't have the pitching to win it all. I would be happy winning the division. You would think I hate the Cardinals or Sox the most, but I hate the Brewers. I want to beat them more than anyone. Cuas needs to be the closer. He fits. Alzolay is not that good. He served his purpose but he is not a closer. Right now I would consider him average.

The Cubs are likely making the playoffs, so I am thrilled. I am not expecting that much, but if they come together... I am enjoying this season. The Cubs have a great infield.

[azgreg]

[gronk4heisman]

That is not a real quote, but funny none the less

[CatsbyAZ]

Congrats 2023 Diamondbacks!

[UAEebs86]

LOL Bryce Harper

[Merkin]

[UAEebs86]

^^^^ 8-2 Rangers in the 4th

[FreeSpiritCat]

I am curios the last time a visiting team won every game in a 7 game series.

[UAEebs86]

I am curios the last time a visiting team won every game in a 7 game series.

2019 World Series, Nationals over Astros

[Merkin]

Would you tell him never to come again?

[Chicat]

Haha fuck you Houston.

[EastCoastCat]

I went outside and banged my trash cans together…

[gronk4heisman]

Houston Astros and Ted Cruz, a match made in heaven. Fuck you both.

[MrBug708]

Through my sad research I have found Kenny Lofton is the most unfortunate player to ever live.

The man was on teams which did the following:

1997: Lost WS in 7 games
1998: Lost ALCS after 2-1 lead (6 games)
2002: Lost WS after 3-2 lead (7 games)
2003: Lost NLCS after 3-1 lead (7 games)
2004: Lost ALCS after 3-0 lead (7 games)
2007: Lost ALCS after 3-1 lead (7 games)

Jesus christ. And that was part of four different franchises.

[EastCoastCat]

Through my sad research I have found Kenny Lofton is the most unfortunate player to ever live.

The man was on teams which did the following:

1997: Lost WS in 7 games
1998: Lost ALCS after 2-1 lead (6 games)
2002: Lost WS after 3-2 lead (7 games)
2003: Lost NLCS after 3-1 lead (7 games)
2004: Lost ALCS after 3-0 lead (7 games)
2007: Lost ALCS after 3-1 lead (7 games)

Jesus christ. And that was part of four different franchises.

But he attended U of A so was lucky to be a part of 2 great programs.