Hank Steinbrenner is the biggest...uh...kitty...I've ever seen

[CatKnight]

I find all this commentary about protecting pitchers....laughable.

We have a good sample of what happens to pitchers when you don't "protect" them. It's called the National League. Their pitchers don't exactly appear to be suffering.

Since the NL pitchers aren't exactly dropping like flies, apparently it isn't quite the highly specialized profession that requires extra care that some people think.

The only conclusion I can reach if AL pitchers really run into trouble rounding the bases, is that their conditioning is horrible. I really can't defend that, but it's the only possible explanaton that jives with Steinbrenner's rant.

Either that, or someone should tell Hank there's no crying in baseball.

[Clay Dreslough]

Similarly, an AL team, better have the pitchers take a few rounds of batting practice, and base running, every now and then, because it IS going to come up at some point.

Or just mix it up a little. The Yankees have rotation problems with Wang out. So why not just pinch hit every time the pitcher comes up, and see if you can put together 9 innings with 3 or 4 long relievers. Also gives you a nice offensive boost.

[Überpöster]

#2 is pretty delusional too. I've never heard such an argument and find it laughable since pitchers are on such tight pitch counts now-a-days.

th reason I agree with #2 is not so much AL pitches longer but the AL may get pulled a little sooner for a Pinch Hitter in late innings. It happened to tim hudson a week or so ago he was pulled after I believe the 7th with about 90 pitches.

[Überpöster]

Or just mix it up a little. The Yankees have rotation problems with Wang out. So why not just pinch hit every time the pitcher comes up, and see if you can put together 9 innings with 3 or 4 long relievers. Also gives you a nice offensive boost.

lol I like it. have farnsworth pitch 4 innings blow out his arm then you can get some $$$ from insureance (I think) from being on the dl

[Swampdog]

Strangely enough, I have followed baseball closely for well over 30 years. I read about baseball constantly, and do my own research. I have never, ever, heard anyone suggest that the AL gains an advantage against the NL due to using the DH... except one poster in these forums. Dickay...I would really like you to provide me with something that might suggest why the AL could possibly have an advantage when the DH is not being used and pitchers have to hit and run the bases. Please....give me a reference for this position.

[Überpöster]

ofensivly AL has advantage with DH
NL has advantage without DH

its pretty simple

[Swampdog]

Thats somewhat true, but its an oversimplification. Every NL team has a couple of guys on the bench who can hit the ball.

When the NL has to use the DH, in some cases, they are at a slight disadvantage. In other cases, there is no disadvantage at all. When the AL can not use the DH, they are put at a more significant disadvantage. Thats the point.

I dont know about being "dillusional", as someone suggested, since that isnt a word. But if he means delusional....well then, my belief is that anyone who thinks the AL gains an advantage in the DH/no-DH exchange....is delusional.

[dickay]

I find all this commentary about protecting pitchers....laughable.

We have a good sample of what happens to pitchers when you don't "protect" them. It's called the National League. Their pitchers don't exactly appear to be suffering.

Since the NL pitchers aren't exactly dropping like flies, apparently it isn't quite the highly specialized profession that requires extra care that some people think.

The only conclusion I can reach if AL pitchers really run into trouble rounding the bases, is that their conditioning is horrible. I really can't defend that, but it's the only possible explanaton that jives with Steinbrenner's rant.

Either that, or someone should tell Hank there's no crying in baseball.

I believe the thought process is flawed. A big deal has been made out of this instance solely because it was a high level AMERICAN LEAGUE pitcher that got hurt and Steinbrennar b!tched. I'm certain you can rationalize and will agree that there have been NL pitchers hurt while running. A hammy, twisted or broken ankle, etc. etc. They don't get the headlines because its not so uncommon. I'm not saying they're dropping like flies, but surely they get injured.

I don't see the reason to research it because I think we can all agree that yes it happens periodically. My feeling is, if it happens once it happens too often. They don't need to be put into that position, pitching is too valuable now-a-days.

[dickay]

Strangely enough, I have followed baseball closely for well over 30 years. I read about baseball constantly, and do my own research. I have never, ever, heard anyone suggest that the AL gains an advantage against the NL due to using the DH... except one poster in these forums. Dickay...I would really like you to provide me with something that might suggest why the AL could possibly have an advantage when the DH is not being used and pitchers have to hit and run the bases. Please....give me a reference for this position.

Here is your moment of zen;

http://www.salon.com/sports/col/kauf...ay/index1.html

Took me all of 10 seconds to google it. Funny a thread from sports mogul came up where although not many posted in it those who did felt the AL had an advantage;

http://forum.sportsmogul.com/showthread.php?p=1095490

[filihok]

They don't need to be put into that position, pitching is too valuable now-a-days.

Since pitching is so valuable, teams better take more steps to ensure that their pitchers can do what is required of them without getting hurt.

[Überpöster]

Since pitching is so valuable, teams better take more steps to ensure that their pitchers can do what is required of them without getting hurt.

BINGO!!!!!

that means being in BASEBALL shape!!!

[dickay]

Here's another;

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...nates_the.html

And another;

http://sirtheory.wordpress.com/2007/...e-to-dominate/

And another;

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playof...ard&id=3081587

[dickay]

Since pitching is so valuable, teams better take more steps to ensure that their pitchers can do what is required of them without getting hurt.

Explains again why givin the choice (AL) the teams CHOOSE to not allow their pitchers to hit and run the bases. Nothing says pitchers can't bat in the AL. Its just widely recognized by those in that league, and would be so by those in the NL that it's smarter not to bat them.

[filihok]

Explains again why givin the choice (AL) the teams CHOOSE to not allow their pitchers to hit and run the bases. Nothing says pitchers can't bat in the AL. Its just widely recognized by those in that league, and would be so by those in the NL that it's smarter not to bat them.

Of course I'd rather have Big Papi hitting instead of Clayton Kershaw in terms of getting offensive production. I'd also rather have Big Papi hitting instead of Lugo, VTek, Crisp...doesn't mean it's a good rule.

[dickay]

OMG, say it isn't so....an NL pitcher hurt running the bases?? Impossible!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...072402336.html