Should There Be More Rule Changes in Major League Baseball?

 

Rules in Major League Baseball have changed over the years.  A couple of rules in recent years:

• Banning the shift in the infield
• A pitcher must face at least 3 batters
• There is a free runner on second base in extra innings during the regular season

The Athletic (now published by The New York Times recently polled their readers for suggestions on new rules.  You can offer your own opinion as to which of those suggestions makes sense.  I like the institution of a "mercy rule" when teams can "surrender" instead of using a position player as a pitcher.

Here are my suggestions that were not in the article:

• A starting pitcher can be the winning pitcher after 4 innings instead of 5
• After strike 2, a batter is only allowed 6 foul balls. After that, he is out.

Some Thoughts on Group Dynamics

 

Over the years, I have been involved in many professional and social groups, both virtual and in person.  Inevitably, people come and go.  Some stay forever, others come sporadically, while a few come just once and disappear as they feel the group is not for them.  In any event, nobody has any obligation to the group.

I have been involved in a video chat group for Bob Dylan enthusiasts.  We started meeting in person at NYU in Fall 2019.  The group became virtual in 2020 when everyone confronted the COVID-19 pandemic.  We use Google Meet once a month for our gatherings.  It allows a free video chat for one hour.  Several people have come and gone over the past 6 years.

I just accessed a Bob Dylan Facebook group to try to recruit new people.  I gave the login information to 5 people who expressed an interest.  Another issue is that people say they will come and then not show up.  We will see what happens.  Many groups disband after losing too many people.

Happy 80th Birthday to Donovan

 

Donovan has appeared many times in Bruce's Journal.  My readers can refer to my previous comments about him.  I vaguely remember that about 30 years ago, I saw him in concert at Carnegie Hall.  I wish him a happy birthday with many more.

Season of the Witch is more appropriate for Halloween, but I don't want to post songs already in this journal.

Random Thoughts of the Day - May 8, 2026

 

• I blame the Mets' problems on David Stearns, as I believe he made the wrong moves in the offseason.  Again, he made the mistake of acquiring a future Hall of Fame pitcher at the end of his career.  Yesterday, Craig Kimbrel gave up a grand slam home run in the 8th inning, allowing the Rockies to beat the Mets 6-2.
• Some of my radio friends are a little too fanatical about oldies countdowns.  How many are enough?  It is very difficult to pick my favorite songs and then view the results.  I agree with the late Philadelphia radio personality Jerry Blavat, who said play from the heart, not the chart.
• Some radio friends will commemorate the 44th anniversary of the end of the music format on WABC on May 10, 1982.  This is not a milestone anniversary.
• Some baseball fans are too fanatical about attending games.  Some attended the Yankee game that started at 12:30 PM and then traveled to Philadelphia to see the Phillies at night.  What are these guys trying to prove?

Time Won't Let Me by the Outsiders - Random Oldie of the Day

 

I chose this one for no particular reason.

John Sterling Did a Sports Talk Show on WMCA in the 1970s

 

This recording is 12 minutes long, but the segment with John Sterling begins at about 6:45

Today, we received the sad news that long-time broadcaster John Sterling passed away at age 87. I don't want to repeat what has been written on many websites or social media reports.  In the 1970s, WMCA was a talk station.  In 1975, John Sterling hosted a sports talk show. This segment precedes the New York Yankees game broadcasted on WMCA.

Inappropriate Oldie of the Day - Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum

 

I heard on the news this morning that Spirit Airlines has ceased operations effective immediately.  This situation does not affect me at all.  I never flew on this airline, but since I live only a few miles from LaGuardia Airport, I have seen their planes in the sky with the distinctive yellow fuselage.  They could have given their customers some notice before they shut down.