The shift isn't in and of itself a problem. The real problem is we've got a generation of guys who, thanks to analytics, no longer care about striking out. When I played (90s) that was the worst thing you could do. Especially a backwards K.
Now, you see guys hitting against the shift and they'll still try to pull or push over the shift by swinging for the fences. It's Adam Dunn ball.....all or nothing. Major leaguers like Joey Votto understand how to put the ball in play and how to hit to areas. Pete Rose was obviously the greatest at it.
I don't think it's that MLBers can't play against the shift.....its that they won't because they're being told by numbers guys that they're better off swinging away anyway.
Analytics has ruined a lot of what makes baseball great.
One other issue I feel with offense is the prolific pitching we've got today. It's never been nastier. So many flamethrowers out there. I never cared about the steroids. I say open it back up. There was some glorious baseball played in those days.
The bottom line is pace of play isn't the issue. That's ********. Baseball has always been what it is. You go to live football game and there is less actual action than a baseball game when you look at all the stoppage in play.
1. The media. They don't cover baseball
like they used to. And it's because they choose not to. Whether you like it or not, people are idiots and they care about what they're told to care about. ESPN is in bed with the NBA and so they push the NBA so much more than they push MLB these days. Also underlying political reasons behind that.
2. Generation with short attention spans. That's not going to change.
3. Baseballs archaic blackout policy. You have to make the games accessible. I understand how the teams get kickbacks from all cable subscribers. Figure out the cost to offset that and apply it to MLB.TV. Sell more rights for games to be on FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC. NFL and NBA have made it stupid easy to watch any game you want and NHL TV is pretty affordable.
4. Regionalization of baseball. You've got to do more to promote the good teams that aren't named New York Los Angeles Boston St Louis. I understand the big names draw ratings and you stick with them because they're your bread and butter. But helping promote the othermarkets when they're good ie San Diego right now helps the strength and health of the game long term and nationally.
5. Promote your stars. Insane that guys like Mike Trout are playing right now and he's not a household name in America. More people would probably name Rod Carew first if you asked them to name an Angels great before they named Trout.
