Yourself included. So why start it?
Yes, myself included.
I'm an arrogant SOB on this issue because I've spent a whole lot of time thinking through all of the cracks and crevices and have spent a whole lot of time considering the curves and ups-and-downs of this issue.
That's different from someone, for instance, who hasn't credibly argued with himself enough to recognize that the stadium difference argument only holds water if you have half of the teams being allowed to establish their own stadium dimensions, and the other half of the teams not allowed to do so.
And that's
far different from someone who says "The DH rule is a dumb rule because it's a dumb rule."
For those people, all they can think about is what a condescending prick (... I think that was Smokes term...) I am.
Sure, I have to admit, I can come across that way, but it's because I'm passionate and I've studied it and written about it over the last several years from every angle.
Others just have a Pavlovian response like the one above... or if more than that, just a little more.
Not only is there not as much thought given to the subject, worse, there often is an inclination to
get defensive when it becomes apparent that there is,
not a difference in intelligence mind you, but simply a difference in
how much intensive time has been spent thinking the subject through.
Yes, I have a predetermined opinion, but it's one thing to have a predetermined opinion that has emerged from allowing oneself to be immersed in an ocean of previous thought and discussion, respectfully considering all sides, and trying to take an objective approach; quite another to have a predetermined opinion based on "well, it's just this way."
I think that's actually the key here.
When I engage others who appear to be like me in having ventured into that ocean and have attempted some objectivity and, accordingly, have something more than a knee-jerk opinion to offer... it typically ends up being a pretty productive conversation--they often give me something new to think about, as much as I do them.
Arrogant though it may be to say, I have reason to be confident that very, very few, if any, (ie, who have posted to this thread thus far anyhow) have contemplated this issue beyond that knee-jerk "pro or anti" DH level.
So, naturally, if that's all they've ever thought about it, and thus, if the very idea of a compromise rule hasn't even crossed their minds anymore than it would if someone asked me to try sushi (instant rejection), then to talk about actual compromise rule possibilities ends up, naturally, getting some of the reaction you and some others have given.
There's
no reason for me to try sushi.
There
is reason, however...
reason... for you and me as fans to think about the incoherence of major league baseball's system, and... don't stop there... more precisely...
the reasons why NFL nor NBA nor any other league has ever had half of its teams play by one rule and the other half by another rule.
If one zooms out and approaches it objectively...
- MLB did what it did out of a legitimate business motive--they went ahead and allowed a pure DH rule to be established for one half of the teams because Charlie Finley and other AL owners decided they needed to remedy lagging interest--thus, consciously setting aside any concerns about ripple effects and unintended consequences for the promise of doing better what business does--making a profit
- Surprisingly to some who thought the NL would eventually cave, and thus re-unite the leagues under one rule book, they didn't. That didn't happen. And if history is the best indicator of future behavior... 40 years says it won't.
- MLB is doing what any smart business is doing for now--keep status quo, so as to not risk aggravating one half or the other of the customer base.
- NFL and all other major revenue sports continue to do what is and has always been just intuitive--one set of rules for all... not half and half... and one championship.
- Over time, U.S. consumers are indisiputably becoming better educated, and by association, U.S consumers of sports entertainment are, as well...
- As a result, pressure will naturally mount over time for MLB to resolve the incoherence they've turned a blind eye to, returning to the same level of integrity for their championship that the other sports leagues have always held. I've noted my own anecdotal experience this season that I'm finding more than before... not a
large number... that's not what I said... but a noticeably
greater number than before... saying just that--that they see the incoherence and they think there should be one rule, whether that's their favorite rule, the other side's favorite rule, or something else. (Again, I do agree with Smokes... I need to start logging that when I see it.)
So... "why start it?," you ask...
That's why I start it.
People are talking more about it, present tense, and since it's one of my pet issues to begin with, I kinda notice that kind of thing. And, that's as anyone should have predicted it would be... a more educated society isn't comfortable with things that don't make sense.
And, because, it's a
discussion board, and we tend to
discuss things... especially things where there are
new ideas to be
discussed.
You claim to have the moral highground and that popularity doesn't seem to dictate whether something is "right" or not - yet you seem to be BEGGING to have the popular opinion in your favor.
I don't think I ever said anything about a "moral high ground," did I? For whatever reason, those are words you chose to use to describe my position.
But indeed, do you argue otherwise?... ie, that popularity dictates what ought to be or not? Is that what your mother taught you? Is that what you teach your children?
I bet she didn't. I bet you don't. That kind of thinking is the kind that allowed society to hold on to many stupid things for way too long... don't you agree?
Maybe you're too young... I'm
almost too young... to remember "I'm sorry, but you need to drink from that other fountain because that's just how we all think it should be."
And you're entitled to call it "begging," just as I'm entitled to call it "encouraging."
To anyone wishing I'd "STFU," as you evidently do, it's not surprising that you'd want to cast me as someone desperately evangelizing.
Just as, it shouldn't surprise you that I see myself as asking people...
asking... and
supporting my ask with rationale... asking customers of this entertainment business... to
(a) critically think about the topic beyond the binary, shallow framework that has dominated the discussion...
(b) to not be afraid to acknowledge the silliness of having teams built to play according to two different rules compete for one championship... and to
(c) think like and talk like an adult who respects others' preferences enough to consider how both polarities can be accommodated as we reunify the game.