Congrats to the Red Sox. They dominated this year's Playoffs. They're the champs now until someone knocks them off.
As we head into the offseason, the MLB has quite a few things to work on rule-wise. In both the regular season and the playoffs, there were quite a few high-profile blunders.
#1 - Replay
They have to get this right. Either limit the times it's able to be used, or get more/better cameras. and I'm not talking about just Joe West. I saw multiple safe / out calls missed this year as well.
First things first though, besides just having competent personnel (likely won't ever happen), I think you need a dedicated replay review official in each stadium or at least you need team visibility into the New York Black Box replay room.
Second thing, you shouldn't be limited in the number of challenges. I get wanting the game to move faster thing, but make the clock to decide 15-20 seconds instead of 30.
Third, and this isn't just replays, but we need more public accountability for umpires. Whether it's a press conference, publishing their rough grades (just a letter grade, maybe even for each series, or have suspensions for egregious calls. Too many umps are making it about themselves. If they want to interject themselves, then they get to face the same criticisms as players.
#2 - Pine Tar
Exhibit A: http://imgur.com/a/MlzSJHP
I'm sure there are many others (shiny arms, gloves, etc.). I'm sure at least one player on literally every team this year used it. If they're not going to check and no one cares, the rule should be changed. It's just too effing obvious at this point. Change the rule or start enforcing it. Period.
Any chance this type of stuff gets any real traction this off-season? Any other rules you expect to see tweaked?
As we head into the offseason, the MLB has quite a few things to work on rule-wise. In both the regular season and the playoffs, there were quite a few high-profile blunders.
#1 - Replay
They have to get this right. Either limit the times it's able to be used, or get more/better cameras. and I'm not talking about just Joe West. I saw multiple safe / out calls missed this year as well.
First things first though, besides just having competent personnel (likely won't ever happen), I think you need a dedicated replay review official in each stadium or at least you need team visibility into the New York Black Box replay room.
Second thing, you shouldn't be limited in the number of challenges. I get wanting the game to move faster thing, but make the clock to decide 15-20 seconds instead of 30.
Third, and this isn't just replays, but we need more public accountability for umpires. Whether it's a press conference, publishing their rough grades (just a letter grade, maybe even for each series, or have suspensions for egregious calls. Too many umps are making it about themselves. If they want to interject themselves, then they get to face the same criticisms as players.
#2 - Pine Tar
Exhibit A: http://imgur.com/a/MlzSJHP
I'm sure there are many others (shiny arms, gloves, etc.). I'm sure at least one player on literally every team this year used it. If they're not going to check and no one cares, the rule should be changed. It's just too effing obvious at this point. Change the rule or start enforcing it. Period.
Any chance this type of stuff gets any real traction this off-season? Any other rules you expect to see tweaked?