by Jeffrey Sammerson

Created on: May 19, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Could the baseball teams of today beat the teams of yesteryear? I have to answer with an astounding NO! Now, let me explain why.

The teams of yesteryear new "how" to score runs. They did not rely on home runs and power. If they happened to hit a home run, great. And if they didn't hit a home run they new how to move the runners around to score.

Look at big hitters this year like Ryan Howard, he is a huge disappointment this year. He has struck 64 times in 162 at-bats. That is almost half of his at-bats. So if he is not hitting a home run he is going to strikeout because he is swinging for the fences.

Back in the early 1900's up into the 1970's, guys weren't swinging for the fences. They were swinging for contact. Once they got on base, they used every bit of skill and knowledge they had to cross the plate. When was the last time you saw a suicide squeeze, or a bunt-and-run. These plays fizzled out in the 80's. Sure, you might see one from time to time but teams used to count on these plays to score runs.

Fifty years ago, those guys knew how to scrap out a game and fight for a win. Not to mention the work ethic they had. Some guys in the early 1900's had almost 50 complete games not appearances, not to mention almost 500 innings. These guys today are too fragile and/or lazy to get to that level. Now as soon as the hit 100 pitches the bullpen is getting loose.

I can understand the pitchers, because if you pay a guy millions to throw the ball you don't want him hurt. But the hitters have no excuse. These hitters today, if they are down 2 in the 9th with no one on they still go for a homer even though it won't get them anywhere. Just one run closer then the next guy comes up looking for homer and strikes out. I see it every day in every close game. Since the steroid era is over it is like everybody forgot how to play baseball.

The only teams that play "real" baseball anymore is the Pirates and the Devil Rays. Aside from them, no one knows how to scrap out runs and get wins. So I definitely think that in a game between yesteryear all stars and stars of today, the yesteryear's would definitely win hands down.

The bottom line is, there are no pitchers ever going to see forty wins or fifty or more complete games. There are no hitters that are going to play every inning of every game, because they think they need their rest. And you will never ever see a single baseball player going to his other job when the season is over. The players these days are lazy and there is no other way to explain it.

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