I don't think anyone is arguing that bunting is bad, rather that giving yourself up intentionally to advance a runner doesn't (mathematically) increase the chance that the runner will score and that your team will win. It's a pretty well studied sabrmetric topic, actually. A bunt single on the other hand is a thing of beauty and finesse, and is just as good as any other single (at least in situations where one would try to bunt for a base hit). The bigger issue with AL vs. NL is that the NL is stupid and should get with the times ;) It's incredibly not fun to watch pitchers hit (unless you're Carlos Zambrano [or Dontrell Willis for you Marlins fans], what are you even doing in a batter's box). It's a hole in the lineup, and even worse, it forces managers to pull pitchers early. To me, this game management isn't interesting; it's just dull. Why wouldn't we want to watch the best athletes playing their best? Doesn't make sense. And it also Doesn't make sense for different teams to have different sets of rules. If pitchers are to hit, then pitchers should hit, or vice versa. The fact that AL teams have to go into NL parks and all of a sudden have their pitchers hit is one of the dumbest things is professional sports. But this is a digression that I could go on for way too long.
I'm pro-watching sports played to their highest and most exciting level. Pitchers hitting is anachronistic, and in this day and age pitchers hitting makes as much sense (given where they spend all their time training and practicing) as position players pitching. (I'm all for arguing about the merits of the DH, but by all means, please don't respond with anything about "purism". If purists had their way, there would be no such thing as the baseball glove.)
Position players pitching always makes the news and is one of my favorite things to see in a baseball game, but I know what you mean. My primary argument is that I learned baseball from Tony La Russa, and he used the pitcher's spot in the lineup to great effect. Having a DH does allow pitchers to go deeper into games, I guess -- but forcing managers to weigh batting the pitcher in an important spot versus having to go to the bullpen early creates avenues of strategy simply not seen in the AL. I also will use the purist argument, by god, if nine men are going to take the field then all nine of them should bat, and having another guy who mucks around in the dugout during the home half is just weird.
I think the guys in the AL need to stop being wusses and make pitchers hit! :) All I can say is that sometimes you do end up with a pitcher who surprises you with a hit. Or, dare I say, executes a fine sac bunt. It's a fun element of the game. The last Marlins game I went to, Jose Fernandez hit a home run (his first!) and it sparked a brawl. I'll take that any day over AL pitchers who sit in the dugout getting manicures between innings. :) Also, having pitchers in the lineup requires more strategy on the part of NL managers to maintain the strongest lineup as they go to the bullpen. How many double-shifts do you see in the AL? I used to cover baseball, and I love scoring games. It's a great challenge to keep up with all the moves. And having done a ton of NL baseball, my mind will never be changed! :) Oh, and by the way, Carlos Zambrano played for the Marlins, too. :)The bigger issue with AL vs. NL is that the NL is stupid and should get with the times ;)
It was a fantastic game. It was Fernandez's last start of the season since the Marlins wanted to shut him down at 170 innings. I covered him in Single-A Jupiter last season and he was never expected to be in the majors this season. Even he did not expect it. I think Fernandez wen 7 IP with 8K and gave up one HR. He was angry about that... so he made up for it. Then all hell broke loose, which was fun, too. I'll have to see if I can post one of the photos from the fracas.
Sports journalism. The NHL is the sport I predominantly cover, although I get to do baseball every now and then. I covered a lot of baseball for ESPN's wire service during summers in college. Lots of fun. Jupiter tops Mother Nature, St. Lucie Though innings limit near, Jose Fernandez is Marlins big draw
Cool. I read of few of your pieces for the Panthers. The recent piece on Thomas was a great read. Hopefully, there will be more good news for you to report this year after last year's giant step back (but I kind of doubt it). I think that both FL teams added can't miss type players in the draft, but that both teams still have some major issues defensively (that's why I was kind of taken aback that both passed on Jones, who I think will be a stud). Anyway, I'll get to see them a lot more than in the past now that Detroit (my home town) is in their division, although I definitely feel bad for both teams with the new alignment. The new Atlantic is a beast, and the FL teams may get beat up on quite a bit. But still, it's always fun to get to watch Stamkos, which I have missed out on quite a bit.
I think that you and erin are both right. You are right in that it is stupid that both leagues abide by different rules regarding pitchers hitting. erin is right, in my opinion, in that it adds a really interesting dynamic to the game. Watching two pitchers have to literally square off against one another, one on the mound and the other at the plate is fascinating stuff from a psychological standpoint. I love it.