A genius idea or one of the stupidest in the history of the game?
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told Audacy’s The Varsity podcast that there has been some “buzz” about the idea of a “Golden At-Bat” rule in Major League Baseball, where teams would be allowed to select one hitter to bat out of turn, once per game.
A team can use its best hitter anywhere in the lineup.
The Pirates have the bases loaded and instead of a .189-batting Ji Hwan Bae, Bryan Reynolds comes up to bat. The concept would allow star hitters like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in more high-leverage situation.
Scanning 93.7 The Fan’s airwaves or social media, you either love the idea or hate it, there is no in between.
Talking on The Pomp and Joe Show, Joe Starkey said he loves the idea and believe it would modernize and spice up the game.
Joe’s producer, Austin said he hates the idea and calls it too gimmicky.
Starkey points to other changes that Manfred has helped make to improve the game, including a pitch clock, bigger bases and more.
He adds that the gatekeepers of the “tradition of the game” actually ruin the game.
“These are the people that didn’t want the DH in the National League,” said Starkey. “Everybody around here happy that there’s a DH? Because it’s the only reason that Andrew McCutchen plays anymore.”
“I feel like this rule is so substantial where you could bring Ohtani to the plate and then ‘Ohtani just hit a home run, let’s bring him up again’,” said Austin.
The story was the same during The Fan Morning Show, Adam Crowley said it’s too gimmicky. Dorin Dickerson likes it.
The “Golden At-Bat” is gimmicky, but so is having a ghost-runner on base in extra innings.