The last few years writers, MLB Managers, and MLB General
Managers have complained about “the
stupidest rule in all of sports” (as referred to by Bob Nightengale of USA
Today). I am talking about the September
1st expansion of Major League rosters to 40.
Bob Melvin of the Milwaukee Brewers called
this practice "the
most ludicrous thing I see in sports."
As Miami Marlin manager, Don Mattingly complained about this last season
too, though I never heard him complain about this when he managed the
Dodgers.
The thing is, while all teams are ‘allowed” to expand their
roster to 40 men, not all teams do so.
The last thing some teams want is to pay another 15 guys the league minimum. This disparity has made some people complain
when their short-staffed squad is out-manned against full staffed teams. They are correct, but don’t blame the rule or
the team that takes advantage of the rule.
Others complain that it creates pace of play issues with
managers using a different pitcher for each different hitter. Then eliminate warm-up pitches for all relief
pitchers after the first. That would
minimize the delay and the substitutions.
What about the positive side of the expansion? Why is this rarely brought up? First, it gives minor league players a shot
at the big leagues. For some, this is
the only shot they will get. Second, it
gives fans of bad teams something to look forward to each September. Come September 1st, the fans of
bottom dwelling teams could see young players and get some hope for the
future. This helps them keep watching
when their teams are out of it and coming out to the games. Aren’t fans watching and coming to games what
MLB and the MLBPA wants?
The Mets impact:
I remember in 2004, on September 25th, a national
televised Saturday afternoon day game (remember those?). The Mets down 3-0 in the ninth to the Cubs
who were trying to get a wild card.
Victor Diaz hit a three-run homer off LaTroy Hawkins in the ninth to tie
the game and September call-up Craig Brazell hitting the game winning homer in
the 10th.
I remember in 1976, September call-up Lee Mazzilli hitting a
two-run game winning homer against Pittsburgh on September 19th to help
thwart Pittsburgh’s late chase of Philadelphia.
Some other memorable September call-ups include Mookie
Wilson in 1980; Herm Winningham in 1984, Stanley Jefferson in 1986.
Enjoy this September Mets fans. This may be the last September like it.
6 comments:
I like the 40 man - but what, they are now thinking of, just 28? Too few.
I'd rather see 32, and you can call up guys in September and it won't count against their free agency time.
If that rule was in place, Alonso would have been up last September.
Good compromise plan Tom. If all teams were required to go to 32 players, the Union might agree to allow the service time exemption.
It's not only about the Benjamins, but it's also about the options. You bring up a player in September you burn an option for an entire year. Take the case of Luis Guillorme who is earning mega frequent flyer miles for his shuttling back and forth last year from Las Vegas and this year from Syracuse. They would not have been so willing to do this if he'd had a 2017 call-up because now they'd risk losing him after this season.
Welcome aboard, John...great post!
Whatever the outcome of this issue means nothing unless Jeff calls up the max amount allowed.
It was a competitive travesty, glad they got rid of it.
Also slowed the games down even more.
Go see minor league games if you like minor leaguers, that's my take.
Very tired of teams not trying to win anymore. It's everywhere in baseball nowadays.
Jimmy
Thanks Reese. Honored to be here.
Post a Comment