Baseball purists love to reminisce about the good ol’ days when pitchers went the distance, hitters didn’t dare flip their bats, and stadium hot dogs didn’t cost the equivalent of a small car payment.
But in today’s MLB? Let’s just say the old-school crowd is not thrilled. Here are ten reasons why purists are absolutely losing their minds over modern baseball.
1. The DH in Both Leagues – Blasphemy!
Remember when pitchers had to awkwardly flail at the plate in the National League? Good times. But now, thanks to the universal DH, we’ve lost the spectacle of a .097 hitter trying to bunt. Purists hate it because it removes the “strategy” (a.k.a. watching managers agonize over whether to pinch-hit in the fifth inning).
2. Analytics Have Replaced Guts and Intuition
Forget a manager trusting his gut—now it’s all about launch angles, exit velocity, and something called “barrels.” Purists miss the days when a crusty old skipper just knew when his pitcher was cooked instead of checking an iPad for spin rate data.
3. Starting Pitchers? More Like Five-Inning Specialists
Once upon a time, a true ace threw 250 innings and completed games like it was no big deal. Today, a “quality start” is six innings and 100 pitches is a death sentence. Purists long for the days of Nolan Ryan throwing 150 pitches and then asking if he could throw some more in the bullpen just for fun.
4. The Shift is Gone, and So is the Art of Hitting
The new ban on extreme defensive shifts is great for hitters who refused to adjust for a decade, but purists are rolling their eyes. “Back in my day, you learned to hit the other way!” they shout into the void, shaking their fists at the sky.
5. Bigger Bases? Are You Kidding?
MLB made the bases slightly larger, and purists acted like they were now using yoga mats instead of bases. Supposedly, it increases stolen bases and player safety, but old-timers will tell you that if Rickey Henderson didn’t need them, then neither should anyone else.
6. Ghost Runners in Extra Innings – The Horror!
Starting extra innings with a runner on second? What is this, Little League? Purists believe this is a crime against baseball, akin to allowing ties or making the World Series a best-of-three.
7. Bat Flips and Home Run Celebrations = Disrespect
Babe Ruth called his shot, but if a modern player flips his bat more than three inches off the ground, it’s considered an affront to the game. Purists think the only proper reaction to a home run is quietly jogging around the bases while pretending you’re not having any fun.
Read More: 10 Reasons the MLB Should Say NO to the Golden At-Bat Proposal
8. Robots Are Calling Balls and Strikes
Okay, so robot umpires aren’t fully here yet, but the thought alone is enough to send traditionalists into a frenzy. They’d rather endure decades of Angel Hernandez’s unique interpretation of the strike zone than let a machine get it right every time.
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9. The Pace of Play Rule Changes – No More Marathon Games
The new pitch clock has cut down game times dramatically, which is great for casual fans but infuriating for purists. “Baseball isn’t supposed to be fast! It’s supposed to be a leisurely three-hour-and-45-minute experience with 15 pitching changes!”
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10. No More Fights (Well, Fewer Anyway)
Remember when a hard slide or a brushback pitch guaranteed a benches-clearing brawl? Now, umpires hand out warnings like candy, and suspensions are harsher than ever. Purists miss the days when grown men could settle their differences the old-fashioned way—by throwing punches in polyester uniforms.
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