Rob Manfred and the Golden-at-bat

[Mike Honcho 5,085]

 

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Picture the scene. It’s the bottom of the ninth, the Los Angeles Dodgers are down one with two outs and two men on base. Enrique Hernández is due up, but manager Dave Roberts sits him down and sends star man Shohei Ohtani to the plate instead.

That is the essence of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s Golden At-Bat proposal, which he floated in late October during an appearance on The Varsity with John Ourand. The rule would allow each team one chance per game to swap in its best hitter for an at-bat, even if it is not his turn.

“There are a variety of (rule change ideas) that are being talked about out there,” Manfred said on the podcast. “One of them – there was a little buzz around it at an owners’ meeting – was the idea of a Golden At-Bat.”

While Manfred was quick to remind listeners that the suggestion was “in the conversation-only stage right now,” that hasn’t stopped various figures from around the league from criticizing the proposal since then.

 

Years ago, on the Dan Lebatard show they were joking about ideas to spice up baseball---trampolines at the warning track, a most, silly ideas like that, and one of the ideas was the Golden-At-Bat, exactly as Mafred described it. He's stealing ideas to improve baseball from comedy bits.   I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, you are only the 2nd worst commissioner ever now. 

FU Manfred! 

[Engorgeous George 2,121]

12 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

 

Years ago, on the Dan Lebatard show they were joking about ideas to spice up baseball---trampolines at the warning track, a most, silly ideas like that, and one of the ideas was the Golden-At-Bat, exactly as Mafred described it. He's stealing ideas to improve baseball from comedy bits.   I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, you are only the 2nd worst commissioner ever now. 

FU Manfred! 

I could go for a golden at-bat rule, but my version would be that only the team with the lower salary number for the of the two trams playing gets that opportunity to sort of level the playing field.  I would also support allowing fan interference whenever the Dodgers or Yankees come to visit.

[Mike Honcho 5,085]

8 minutes ago, Engorgeous George said:

I could go for a golden at-bat rule, but my version would be that only the team with the lower salary number for the of the two trams playing gets that opportunity to sort of level the playing field.  I would also support allowing fan interference whenever the Dodgers or Yankees come to visit.

I'd add the Cubs, because they call Milwaukee Wrigley North when they invade and also even though they aren't as big of a spender, but the Cardinals would make my list, 

[Engorgeous George 2,121]

1 minute ago, Mike Honcho said:

I'd add the Cubs, because they call Milwaukee Wrigley North when they invade and also even though they aren't as big of a spender, but the Cardinals would make my list, 

I accept your friendly amendment.

[Sean Mooney 1,936]

I look forward to the multiple times that a team sends their slugger up to the plate only for them to roll one over to the shortstop to end the game. 

[Mike Honcho 5,085]

36 minutes ago, Sean Mooney said:

I look forward to the multiple times that a team sends their slugger up to the plate only for them to roll one over to the shortstop to end the game. 

This rule isn't going to happen, except maybe on Xbox. 

[Sean Mooney 1,936]

9 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

This rule isn't going to happen, except maybe on Xbox. 

I just want more rock and jock rules in my sports. 

There should be a golden football that you can put into play that scores you like 12 points on a touchdown 

[BufordT 426]

Bottom of the ninth, down by one run, bases loaded, who would you rather have at the plate, ARod or Derek Jeter. 
 

PS, this just a hypothetical. The proposed rule is ridiculously stupid 

[Alias Detective 1,388]

1 hour ago, Sean Mooney said:

I look forward to the multiple times that a team sends their slugger up to the plate only for them to roll one over to the shortstop to end the game. 

I, as the pitcher, would put the 1st pitch in the golden Batters ribs.  

[Mike Honcho 5,085]

Link to Le Batard show that Manfred was on where they discuss the "magic at bat" and says it's "you're wasting my time". 

(not sure why twitter isn't embedding) 

https://twitter.com/LeBatardShow/status/1864328518865137748

 

Manfred = suck

[HellToupee 1,583]

11 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

Manfred = suck

Great posting . Terrible commissioner 

[posty 2,609]

Imagine how far the ball would go on the moon…

 

[easilyscan 857]

A better idea. 

https://babylonbee.com/news/to-increase-excitement-mlb-to-allow-each-team-to-call-in-one-tactical-air-strike-on-outfield-per-game

[thegeneral 2,883]

Manfred has been a great commish. This however is such a dumb idea I think it was a joke.

 

[thegeneral 2,883]

13 hours ago, HellToupee said:

13 hours ago, Mike Honcho said:

Manfred = suck

Great posting . Terrible commissioner 

Poppycock!

[Mark Davis 338]

Manfred is a joke.  He also carries around with him a larger security detail than a sitting President.  He's pretty impressed with himself.

[thegeneral 2,883]

32 minutes ago, Mark Davis said:

Manfred is a joke.  He also carries around with him a larger security detail than a sitting President.  He's pretty impressed with himself.

Pitch clock and rules to shorten game have been the best additions to the game in some time. Universal DH is great. Shortened commercial breaks. Done a fine job.

[Mark Davis 338]

14 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

Pitch clock and rules to shorten game have been the best additions to the game in some time. Universal DH is great. Shortened commercial breaks. Done a fine job.

Some people like In-N-Out better than Ruth's Chris as well.  But them stating it as fact doesn't change that it's just an opinion.  Personally I think the death of the old NL brand of baseball where pitchers spots in the order had to be accounted for while managing your bench and bullpens was a travesty.  But to each his own.  

[seafoam1 2,798]

1 hour ago, Mark Davis said:

Some people like In-N-Out better than Ruth's Chris as well.  But them stating it as fact doesn't change that it's just an opinion.  Personally I think the death of the old NL brand of baseball where pitchers spots in the order had to be accounted for while managing your bench and bullpens was a travesty.  But to each his own.  

That's the long way to say that generalpimpledoosh is an idiot. 

[thegeneral 2,883]

6 hours ago, Mark Davis said:

Some people like In-N-Out better than Ruth's Chris as well.  But them stating it as fact doesn't change that it's just an opinion.  Personally I think the death of the old NL brand of baseball where pitchers spots in the order had to be accounted for while managing your bench and bullpens was a travesty.  But to each his own.  

Watching a guy hitting 125 trying to flail at a bunt I don’t miss in the least.  

Pitch clock has been amazing improvement to the game.

The Relief Pitcher 3 batter minimum a good add.

Banning the shift also was a good add.

Really don’t ask much of a commish or pay attention but the game has improved since he’s been in there.

This golden at bat I think was some type of joke though.

That the guy has a big security detail. Who cares?

Rurh’s Chris pretty vanilla as well to be honest

[thegeneral 2,883]

5 hours ago, seafoam1 said:

That's the long way to say that generalpimpledoosh is an idiot. 

You strike me as more of a tiddlywinks guy.

[edjr 6,578]

has anyone checked with Trump? The word golden gets him going

[supermike80 1,796]

Dumb idea.   Hope they don't implement it.

[WhiteWonder 2,675]

as an avid listener of the Michael Kay show (even though I hate the Yankees), I do agree with him that baseball and it's fans should be willing to try anything that could improve the sport or fix a problem. Ratings are still down, they still don't get new young viewers the way the NFL or NBA does... which is really saying something considering how bad the NBA has become. 

I just don't see how this improves the game or what it fixes. Speeding up the game needed to happen. The pitch clock and all the other little rules like minimum batters faced for a relief pitcher, amount of times a batter can step out of the box, pick off attempts etc.... that all made sense. Doesn't have a huge fundamental impact on the game but allows it to be more watchable for TV viewers. 

(* side note, I actually hate it for the handful of games I go to in person. I would rather spend a nice afternoon or evening eating, drinking, bullshitting and casually watching a game for 4 hours)

Even the runner at second base, which is a stupid rule and no surprise they don't use it come playoff time, can at least be traced back to speeding up the game. Making it easier for teams to score, even if both teams have the same advantage, makes it more likely that extra inning games wont go 16-18 innings. 

Is baseball not attracting viewers because Shohei Otani only gets to bat 5 times instead of 6? He doesn't get to bat two times in a row in the bottom of the ninth against the other teams closer? Managers submit a lineup for a reason. There is strategy for who to pitch to or pitch around during a game. Runner on 2nd, open base, bottom of the 9th and a 2 run lead? Let's walk Judge.  Oh now he gets to potentially bat twice in a row?  

 

The number 1 thing that would improve the sport for fans across the country is a salary cap. 

[edjr 6,578]

29 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

 

The number 1 thing that would improve the sport for fans across the country is a salary cap. 

They should try a 1 pitch tournament.

[Mike Honcho 5,085]

I will admit I do like the pitch/hitter clock, mostly for the hitters.  Watching them step out each time to adjust batting gloves, whatever drove me insane.  

[posty 2,609]

14 hours ago, thegeneral said:

Manfred has been a great commish.

LMAO

[thegeneral 2,883]

41 minutes ago, posty said:

LMAO

Went from Bud Selig to this guy. Much better under Manfred.

Already laid out quite a few improvements to the game since Manfred took over. Some very good additions have been made and were seamless.

Profits are way up for the league.

Seems to me he’s been doing a good job.

[Mark Davis 338]

On 12/6/2024 at 7:21 AM, thegeneral said:

Watching a guy hitting 125 trying to flail at a bunt I don’t miss in the least.  

Pitch clock has been amazing improvement to the game.

The Relief Pitcher 3 batter minimum a good add.

Banning the shift also was a good add.

Really don’t ask much of a commish or pay attention but the game has improved since he’s been in there.

This golden at bat I think was some type of joke though.

That the guy has a big security detail. Who cares?

Rurh’s Chris pretty vanilla as well to be honest

Why would you want to ban the shift?  Banning it merely rewards the current 3 outcome plate appearance.  It helps take pure hitting out of the game, learning to go the other way, etc.  If a hitter refuses to adjust, he should have to make the choice of hitting into that type alignment or adjust his swing.  Everything has changed to launch angle versus going with the pitch, taking a ball the other way, etc.  Arraez is a joy to watch for someone who enjoys watching a pure hitter, but those guys are few and far between in the modern game.  I already see 90% of the players being straight pull, launch angle type players.

 

[thegeneral 2,883]

50 minutes ago, Mark Davis said:

Why would you want to ban the shift?  Banning it merely rewards the current 3 outcome plate appearance.  It helps take pure hitting out of the game, learning to go the other way, etc.  If a hitter refuses to adjust, he should have to make the choice of hitting into that type alignment or adjust his swing.  Everything has changed to launch angle versus going with the pitch, taking a ball the other way, etc.  Arraez is a joy to watch for someone who enjoys watching a pure hitter, but those guys are few and far between in the modern game.  I already see 90% of the players being straight pull, launch angle type players.

 

I didn’t enjoy seeing a hit being taken away because there were 3 infielders playing between 1st and 2nd base and a SS fielded a ball 20 feet into the OF. Having a shift wasn’t developing teams filled with slap hitting singles hitters winning anything so I assume that was never going to take place. Arreaz still lead led the NL in batting so there will always be a place for that in the game.

In any case I haven’t heard any particular reason why Manfred is so terrible. As I’ve said he’s been in charge when some major game improving rules were implemented, revenues are up, last season was great. Not seeing the issue with this guy.