Quote:
Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy
I agree, I dont want to see anyone die (a joke...).
As for comparisons of statistics, I dont think you can compare even without steroids. Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth played in a era where pitchers were used for long stretches and pitched way beyond when they were tired, there wasnt as many specialty pitchers (guys that come in for one out) and the mound was several inches lower which created a flatter ball coming out of the pitchers hand which was much more hit-able.
Considering that there have been questions about the density of the ball, corked bats, pitchers using foreign substances (Kenny Rogers) and now steroids - baseball is a cheating mans sport.
Let's just hope Barry hits 756 and it stands for 5-6 years and then A-Rod beats it to re-set the record to legitimacy.
|
Sure the game changes, but I'm not sure "specialty" pitchers really make that much of a difference. And I'm only saying that because if you look back at historical records, they really seem to hold up. Sure, no one has hit 400 in 60 years, but somehow the great pitching records are from the same era. We don't see 400 hitters, but we don't see 30 game winners, either.
Sure, there is no perfect parallel. Outside of Wrigley, Fenway and Yankee Stadium, the fields are different dimensions, the equipment is different, the length of the season, the length of the playoffs. But it was played by players attempting to get away with what they could on the field. Be it spitballs (banned in 1920) or corked bats, it was on the field, not in a gym locker room.
There is so much money on the line now, I don't think they will ever get rid of steroids from any sport. But that doesn't mean it should be allowed. It is a privilege to be an elite athlete, the life's ambition for most of them. Perhaps if you make the penalties great enough to threaten those athlete's dream it may prevent most of them from taking those shortcuts. </off soapbox>