Y Not I

Crying New York Yankee co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner had this quote after a Yankee pitcher got hurt running the bases:

“My only message is simple,” Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. “The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century.”

A pitcher hitting and running the bases is old fashioned and antiquated is the message he seems to be trying to get across. By why stop ay just a designated hitter for the pitcher. Chien-Ming Wang got hurt running the bases. The major leagues are full of slow lumbering hitters. Maybe we should have a designated runner. Get some track star to stand to the side and moment the ball is he, this person can sprint on down the line to first base, most likely in a scant few seconds. Why should fans be forced to see Frank Thomas, Brian McCann, David Ortiz and others “clog up the bases.” Replace them with a designated runner.

While we are at it Hank, why have a player who is a great hitter, but a terrible fielder out on the field. Why not an offensive unit and a defensive unit, like football? Then you have nine designated hitters. Think of the runs, think of the battle. Now, that is 21st century thinking.

I, for one can do without the DH and without interleague play. Let athletes be athletes. The best will rise and will do so by excelling at more than one function of the game.