Intentional Walks are Crap
It’s the bottom of the ninth of an all important match-up between division rivals. The tying runner is on third, awaiting his chance to head for home. On the mound is last year’s Cy Younger, looking to cap a brilliant night off with one more out. Up to bat is the reigning MVP, ready and focused for the task at hand. The fans fall silent, creeping to the edge of their seats. The catcher looks to his dugout and, after receiving a signal from his coach, jumps to the side and holds his mitt in the air. Ball 1, ball 2, ball 3, ball 4!!! What the fuck?!?!?
These moments are what sports are all about. Two great athletes ready to do battle and test their honed skills against one another in a single climactic event. The players get to show the world what they’re made of and the fans get a show for their money. An automatic highlight reel regardless of the outcome. Calling for an intentional walk in a moment like this is down-right wrong. I say, let the players play and the fans enjoy.
Good coaching? Fine. Good sportsmanship? I think not. In hockey, would it be fair for the opposing team to define who takes the penalty shot? In soccer, the free kick? Basketball, the free throw? Then why would it be any different in baseball? Sure, the opposing team isn’t exactly dictating who gets to bat this situation, but they sure as hell get a say in who doesn’t; and that’s the same thing in my mind.
Yes, I understand that a ban on intentional walks would be difficult to implement and administer. After all, it could have just been 4 misplaced throws. But, isn’t this why the people upstairs get payed the big bucks, to provide solutions for difficult dilemmas? I honestly believe that getting rid of intentional walks would do wonders for the game of baseball. Hell, I don’t even like baseball.
Posted by Frank N. Stein
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