Is this the beginning of the end of American Baseball?
913958
No every generation has gone through this. Baseball is not the same as it was when you or I were kids, nor was that game the same as our parents, but on the basic level of the game it is the same the rosters have been set at 22-25 men since the early 1900s, the mound has been 60 ft 6 inches away from home plate since the early 1900s, basepaths 90 ft from base to base, the changes that have come about the DH, free agency, and unions have been talked about since the early 1900s. One of the biggest changes the BIGGEST in terms of how the game was played is on its way out, artificial turf. About 3-5 teams now have artificial turf, Minnesota, Toronto, Florida maybe or Tampa Bay any way from the early 70s to the 90s turf played a bigger role in baseball than anything it added speed, to both the offense and defense, made the stolen base much more of a threat, in the mid 70s almost every team had guys stealing 30-40 or more bases a year and these were succesful teams look at how the Royals of the 1970s were built and the success they had as a team, Amos Otis, Frank White, Willie Wilson later on even George Brett had some decent base stealing numbers. Just take a look at those teams from the 1970s. Anyway the 70s also had the beginning of free agency and people thought that would destroy baseball, baseball has lumbered on. In the 40s-50s and into the sixties people thought integration was going to destroy baseball, in the 40s it eas the war, before that the depression, and before that the White Sox scandal and many smaller and sometimes bigger scandal we never hear of involving gambling. So in closing  baseball is changing and staying the same it is bigger than the players although very few of them realize that, it will keep on making us happy and sad at the same time, it will keep us entertained and p i s s us off, it will destroy some players lifes by offering too much temptation (ie Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, Joe Jackson) and a lot of the players will rise above the fray and and tantalize us with feats of grace, power, and humility.
687533
I hope it is.  It's been a long drought since 1984.  \n\nI guess I can't complain too much though.  Unlike many Cubs fans and - until recently Red Sox and White Sox fans - I CAN remember my favorite team winning the World Series.\n\nI think the Tigs will stay in contention.  They seem to be having some troubles with the Yankees, but they can't possibly continue the winning streak they were on for the whole year.  If they stay healthy and continue to play good baseball, I can see an interesting September - and, hopefully, October too.
592123
Those of you who think football is better need to pull your heads out of your butts.  Baseball has been here since 1847 and major league play started in 1871.  You think football is better because the season is shorter and is much easier to follow.  Don't get me wrong, I love football.  It's just that baseball has left its mark on our country.  Look at what our country's been through since that faithful May 4, 1871 when the Fort Wayne Kekiongas defeated the Cleveland Forest City 2-0.  We have been through war 5 different times, had 17 different presidents, went through a depression, and discovered 2 new planets.  The only thing that has been constant and kept all of us together was that great game we call baseball.  We dropped atomic bombs on 2 Japanese cities and baseball held us together.  The game has given America its real freedom.  You don't have to like it, you only have to respect it and imagine what America would be without it today.
144952
No.  I think a National League team will take it.  They seem to have made the bigger moves during the off-season.
639329
It ended at 6 games today, with a 7-2 loss to The California Angels.\n\nI am very pleased to see The Tigers get off to a great start. I seriously doubt they made the playoffs this year. \n\nThe Central Division is just too strong.\n\nI'd be very happy with a 3rd place finish, anything above .500 (considering it's been 12 years since they finished above .500).\n\nI am enjoying this while it lasts.
325873
No way.  All the other sports let so many teams in, it kind of cheapens the regular season.  In baseball, the regular season actually means something.  I think the wild card is enough.
264219
Yes.  Baseball needs a salary cap badly.
790296
The security at potentially clinching games is overwhelming now.  I think the turning point game was the final game of the 1976 ALCS when the Yankee fans totallly trashed the field after Chris Chambliss won the pennant for the Yankees on a 9th inning walk off homer.  It was not a new development for the home town crowd to jump onto the field for a pennant or World Series winning moment.  I have seen films of the Bill Mazeroski walk off home run in 1960 and he had trouble crossing the plate because of the number of fans who had run onto the field in celebration.   In the 2004 ALCS, when A-Rod was called out after limp wristedly slapping at Bronson Arroyo's glove, dozens of mounted New York policeman had to surround the field as a preventative.  They did not just show up, they were obviously at the Stadium and ready to go in case of just such an emergency.
987074
No, not with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau owning everyone. The only problem is the White Sox and the Tigers keep winning so our bad start is haunting us. Go Twins!
1185976
It should be a good test for both teams. The National League has been rather weak this year, with the Mets being the standout team. St. Louis being a close runner-up. The American League boasts about 6 good teams, including the battle for the AL East between Boston and the Yankees. This could be a statement series.
101010
Is this related to baseball?
301796
Yes. The way baseball is now teams that can spend a lot of money, and do it wisely, stand a much better chance of being competitive. I expect that both teams will be in the playoffs this year and I'd give it a 1 in 4 chance that there will be one this year.
1033253
Yes, I agree. Torre's corporate management style has run it's course. The guys just do not seem to be having fun anymore. They always seem like guys just going to work, there's no fire. If you look at the rivals, the Mets are having a blast, they're always smiling & laughing, and they're having fun. Same with the Red Sox, especially the 2004 Red Sox, laughing & winning. It's a game, not just a business. \n\nI also agree re Sweet Lou, he would definitely bring some life to the Yankees, there might be some drama (there always is w/Pinella), but he would shake things up. Besides, Steinbrenner always likes hiring people from his past, and Steinbrenner & Lou have the history.
1088818
This travesty is one of the few that still remain in sports today.  The league has cracked down on the changing strike zone and I know this will be worked on next year.  You are right on, though, it is a joke and a pity that they won't start making the call as it should be made as they do in all other levels of the sport!  Great question!
439144
Yes,these cheats are threatening the Integrity of baseball Itself.There should be a freeze on all record-setting until this scourge is eradicated from the game.Or the fans should let there feelings be known and unite against this.there are to many good men who's outstanding achievements are being disgraced by this behavior.Good Question Now Lets Act!
996605
Technically, if they call the game over then it must remain over. You can reverse a call but not once the game has ended. Imagine going back to the Hurricanes and OSU championship and reversing the interference call, thats not legal now. In the words of Yogi Berra, "It aint over, til its over"....So when its over its over. Its like digging up a dead person. You cant bring them back to life. Those umps suck !
1181963
It is too late for this season.  They need to get rid of Prior and Wood and get some more young pitchers you don't get hurt.  They then need to quit going out and signing free agent who were good 5 years ago (Nevin, Burnitz, Womack, Mabry are all examples of this).  They also need a more consistent bullpen.  I sadly think our beloved Cubs are on their way back down after hitting a "peak" in 03-04.