What's Wrong With MLB Hitters?

@OneWayOut

 I just mentioned A.L. players. I only saw Aaron, Mays ,Musial, and Clemente on T.V. I didn't see Williams. 1961 was his last season and I didn't see any Boston games. I was at Tiger stadium for Roger Maris's 58th HR and Denny McClain's 30th win. 

@detroitdavid

 I’ll do you one better: My dad and I were at Game 7 of the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field when Maz won it.

Respect for the opinions of One way Out/Detroit David as I just turned 72, so I can relate. First MLB game I attended was in 1960 at Fenway Park, so was able to see Ted Williams in his last season. Was there for Mickey Mantle's last visit back in '67 as I had tickets for all three games,  he was a personal favorite of mine and I got a foul ball (off Reggie Smith), the only one I ever retrieved. Still have it.

I was there when when Pedro threw Don Zimmer to the ground back in '03 in the playoffs. Attended a WS game vs Cardinals in 2007 and haven't been back since. Baseball doesn't mean the same, starters would strive to go the full game, batters knew how to bunt and many players ( the superior ones) remained with the same team throughout their careers. I know times change, but for me, baseball was more enjoyable and interesting back when...

@Masspike

 Yep, it’s unwatchable now, let alone putting real money on it. But, action junkies need their fixes…..

@OneWayOut

 Tough call on that. Before a world series starts there's always a possibility of someone winning game 7 with a walk off HR, but pitchers today have no shot at winning 30 games. That would make a great poll question. Which one would you rather witness? I wonder how that would turn out.

I'm sure like me you've witnessed a lot of amazing things in your life. September 1964 Olympia Stadium I saw The Beatles. Then as I got older saw so many great bands. Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Joe Cocker, jethro Tull, Chicago, and on and on.

Then there was the 1967 riots. Watched army helicopters flying over my house daily. The 1st moon landing which I believe was fake. Who was filming Armstrong climbing down the ladder from the space ship? 

All those assassinations, Kennedy's and King. Watergate. 

I can list so many things. I have to say I'm glad I lived the years I have.

@Masspike

 GOD bless you. I'm glad I've made it to 71. My hippie years (and drug use) I didn't think I'd make it to 21. I'm sure you've seen your share of great things. 

I remember the milkman delivering milk in a box that had a door on the outside and inside the house. Roller skates with keys. 

@detroitdavid

 Absolutely. Saw many of those same groups in concert, although I don’t remember some of those particular nights…Best music ever. Glad I grew up in that time. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. Glad I’m on the downside of life, but feel bad for my grandkids.

Thanks DD, you as well.

Man would I enjoy to just sit and listen to stories from you guys. You all are almost 20 years older than me. Just want to give my opinion. Two things attribute to the problem today parenting and money. Parenting gets softer each year therefore the majority has no toughness foundation. MONEY I would guess at least 75% of mlb American born players come from families with money. I know this first hand. I had 2 boys that played travel baseball. I'm talking top notch travel organizations GBC out of NC Bethel Bulldogs out of FL Black Banditos out of Texas these and many more age groups 13 to 18. The banditos showcase team 17 and 18 year olds put 80% of their players in D1 schools. Travel 3 weekends monthly states across the country playing in super N.I.Ts these kids see the best talent our country has to offer. When these kids play high school ball it's like batting practice. To play in these organizations $5,000 to $15,000 yearly they offer trainers hitting coaches pitching coaches etc.. not to mention  the money it costs to travel hotels food etc.. What's happening is the poor athletes and middle class kids even they can't afford to play and these are some of the toughest meanest best athletes left out in the cold. Sad but true I seen it first hand. Daddy ball is ruining the game at high school levels like never before and it's spilling into the next levels. I'm not saying every American born major leaguer is soft but I guarantee the majority are momma boys. Guys you 3 have named would not be missing games with bruises or ingrown fingernails, sore backs etc... the players you guys have named played for love of the game hell with a sprain or a cold they was playing! Thanks to all you guys for the read.

@OneWayOut

 Music and fashion were at a peek. 

I'm glad I don't have grand kids. I have 1 son, but he's never married. Says he's glad he's never had kids. The way the world is today. Wars, disease, politicians especially. I don't trust either side. How do senators get into office with maybe a small bank roll and in a couple of years become millionaires? That pretty much sums it all up. They only care about their own wallets. The future doesn't look to good. I just hope my social security doesn't run out and I end up losing my medical (I use Humana).

@MLWinnerz101

  2 of my grandsons play travel baseball, but they only play when they have a uniform on. They have no idea what pickup games, rundowns, fungo, or pepper are. I’ve told them that if you only play when it’s organized baseball, it’s the same as golfing on the weekend and thinking you can make the PGA Tour. Not happening, but with the current state of the talent in MLB, maybe it is possible.

@MLWinnerz101

 Thank you for your input. I do agree that players today are soft. Cal Ripken Jr. wouldn't have a chance to break Gehrig's record today. The manager would force him to sit just for a day of rest (like the NBA). I have a list a mile long I see in baseball today I don't like. I hate the pitch count. I never saw so many pitchers with arm problems. Why is that? Leo Mazzone with the Braves in the glory years had his pitchers play catch for 15 minutes every day. Outside of Smoltz I can't think of any Braves pitchers to have TJ surgery. Pitchers today are all 5 or 6 inning guys. I look at box scores or watch games where a pitcher comes out pitching great for 6 innings, but only high 80's to low 90's pitch counts and they get pulled, only to have the bullpen blow the game. Remember when David Cone threw 200 pitches in a game? Did he ever end up with arm problems? 

@OneWayOut

 When I was a teenager my friends and I had a traveling baseball team. We all lived in the same neighborhood and got on our bikes rode to another neighborhood and challenged other teams to a game. I played 3rd base. 3 of my friends played the other infield positions. We called ourselves the million dollar infield. That was before free agency. I miss those days and my friends. Haven't seen them in 5 decades.

@OneWayOut

 If they in a good organization I'm sure they are in good hands. I miss those traveling tournament days. My oldest grandchild is a boy but only 7. I remember playing in Nashville TN in a big super NIT my 25 year old was 15 at the time man we was stacked we had won like 20 some straight tournament games crushing everyone my son was our catcher. We was told game would start 20 mins late the Bethel Bulldogs private jet landed late. That comment had me scratching my head they arrived out of Florida and was huge and the team had translators their players didn't speak English. It actually was a good game we eventually lost my son was steam rolled in 6th inning I'm telling you I thought his leg was broke. After few weeks and many doctor visits he was back on the field. Wishing your grandsons nothing but the very best! Best advice you can give them be first players on the field and last to leave. Good evening to you.

I never understood why batters did not bunt when they had shift on for lefties... third baseman on an island... and probably has taken 2 steps towards second base...    when they showed picture of infield ... the holes were there to bunt... and it almost never happened... and I could not believe it... almost no way to throw out a left handed batter with a decent bunt with the shift on....lots of good points in this... including the morning delivered milk... I remember that... the money today is simply unbelievable... generations are changed with one salary.       

@MLWinnerz101

 Good evening to you. 

@detroitdavid

 Stfu

@Masspike

 What players remained with the same team ? Baseball has always been about the trade 

@detroitdavid

 The world is today ? I heard there was time a time cetain grouos of people were not considered people , 

@Wegottawin

 I don't want to get into a racially type of conversation on this thread. Please don't go there. I will say this. I lived in Southfield Michigan. There were no black families there in 1963 when my family moved there. It wasn't until 1968 that the first black student went to Southfield High School. The first black family to move into my neighborhood had a son (Ron). I had a basket hooked up to my garage, and me and my friends were shooting hoops. He walked by the house asked if he could join us, and we welcomed him with open arms. I never looked at him as being black, just another friend in the neighborhood.