In the 80s when I was a kid, I wasn’t concerned about stats – I just wanted to see baseball. Shawon Dunston’s errant throws would give me fits now, but back then I just enjoyed watching him uncork one. I had favorites like Dave Owen, Henry Cotto, and Hector Villanueva – just because they came through with a big hit once or twice, so that made me believe they were the guy to bring up in key situations always.

I don’t know how old you are Worf, but for me, baseball when I was growing up was more fun, not because of the strategy, but because I didn’t understand it in that way – I just wanted to see excitement.

I live in an area where kids still enjoy the game, just because it’s an exciting, fun game, so I’m not sure whether the game has changed or if we all have.

With the extra innings package,televised Drafts, the World Baseball Classic and now the MLB network and the proliferation of fantasy baseball, more and more people are following the game and those who did before are following to a greater degree and have more means by which to evaluate teams and players.

And no matter how popular metrics become with certain segments of baseball fans/management, there will always be guys like Ryan Howard, Adam Dunn, Big Papi…the guys like Carl Crawford, Grady Sizemore, Willy Taveras.

Its perhaps the most diverse pro sport in our country, and probably rivals only soccer in the global view….so theres a lot to like and I dont think an increased valuation of metrics ruins the game, beside if it creates winning teams, then fans will come.

… is games go faster, especially in the postseason. Crisply played, quick games, well pitched with good defense, are fun to watch.

Sometimes, I think we over complicate things within baseball. Greed and steroids have at times made me frustrated at this game… but when I can sit down, watch a good game, it erases all the frustration I have. I think when I spend too much time keeping up with the politics and such of baseball… i get bored. But when I am watching my favorite teams or players, or actually just put on a mitt and go play catch at our local field… that same smile I had as a 13 year old comes back.

:O) When push comes to shove, I’ll always love this game.

For six months this year I had a blast at Wrigley, I cheered my ass off. I couldn’t wait to get to the ball park to watch the Cubs play, especially how they played during the regular season. Baseball is only boring to those with boring minds. Football,Basketball, Hockey just don’t do it for me. Baseball is it for me, it is my bliss.

but as we have learned, it was a product of Steroid use. I know that what you are talking about isn’t, as far as we know, steroid induced with the running game of the 80’s. However, just because something is more fun to watch, doesn’t make it better.

That’s in spite of the Cubs’ much appreciated improved play in recent years. The games drag too much with too many pitching changes. The added round of playoffs with the division series has led to playoff baseball fatigue before the World Series.

Back to the games dragging, I’ve noticed that AAA games have a better flow now than MLB games. That’s not supposed to happen. Pick up the pace, MLB! Before long, AA games featuring few pitchers that can throw a curve ball for a called strike are going to have a snappier flow than MLB games.

to contribute to runs scored than guys getting thrown out trying to steal. Although I am sure Dusty is still searching the rule books, it still is not possible to steal first base.

In general, fans have shown that the enjoy higher scoring games, in terms of entertainment. If MLB wanted to make the game more fun then they should do the opposite of what James may be alluding to and adopt the DH in the NL. As a compromise they could allow hitters the opportunity to steal first base, too, or allow them the opportunity to reach first safely on foul balls, like the old Intelivision games.

I recall the the frustrating low OBP teams that the Cubs fielded under Baker, it got worse each season and when they went with little power, low OBP, but greater speed, it was atrocious. It was stupid!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course, some of this topic is just preferences, do you prefer vanilla or chocolate? Stealing bases or scoring more runs? Boston fans seem pretty happy with 2 WS wins, and Tampa fans seemed happy with getting to the WS. But in general, fans prefer higher scoring games with respect to entertainment value.

I do like the mid 80’s as a better played, better game to watch, television was already there(w.g.n). We had great pitchers, and hitters, some specialest were popping up. Whatever you think about steroids, that was’nt the first thing that jumped to your mind when Dunston hit three homeruns! Moneyball was’nt around yet, the big money teams had just started buying pennants, even the smaller markets still competed(K.C.,Oak.Min.). It was just a better game overall, power, speed and good pitching, with no lights at Wrigley and a division win.

no one blames the umps. They don’t force the pitchers to pitch faster, they don’t make the managers walk faster… and many of them simply suck at being umpires.