I, for one, didn't mind most of the MLB rule changes that were used during the 2020 season. I liked the universal DH and think that it should be here to stay. I don't mind starting extra innings with a runner on second base. I think seven-inning doubleheaders are fine, though I'm not sure it would have any place in a non-pandemic setting.
Phillies manager Joe Girardi is the same way, as he said in a radio interview that he's pretty much "all for" the new rules the league had added (h/t Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation). However, as Lugardo mentions, he thought that one rule changed the strategy of the game too much for his liking.
That rule was the three-batter minimum, stating that relief pitchers are required to face at least three hitters or pitch through the end of a half-inning before they can be pulled. According to the definition of the rule on MLB.com, it was instituted "in an effort to reduce the number of pitching changes and, in turn, cut down the average time per game." But it didn't accomplish its second goal, and Girardi recently doubled down on his sentiment of just how much he despises it.
We're not sure if Rob Manfred is listening, but Girardi's strong take sure caught our ears. However, I disagree slightly, as I think the dumbest (now obsolete) rule was when the All-Star Game determined home-field advantage in the World Series.
Girardi isn't the only figure who has complained about the three-batter rule — so, no, he's not just saying this because the Phillies bullpen was an absolute disaster, recording a 7.06 ERA that trailed only the 1930 Phillies (8.01 ERA) as the worst bullpen of all time (via Baseball Reference).
Back in December of 2019, Joe Maddon told reporters that he "didn't like it from the beginning" and that he "(doesn't) quite get it" (via Jabari Young of CNBC). MLBPA executive director Tony Clark thought that changes like this one were changing the game too much, as well (via Steven Wine of the Associated Press).
The three-batter minimum, unlike many other rules implemented in 2020, was decided upon before the coronavirus pandemic took hold, so it could be more likely than others to remain in effect. However, seeing as the time of play wasn't reduced through its institution, it might not make sense to keep it around given all the criticism.
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