As part of my regular habit, I checked The Athletic as soon as I woke up on Monday. As it turned out, Jayson Stark’s article explored the Golden At-Bat, something that I and I imagine many others were unaware was even being considered.
In a recent podcast, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that this had created excitement at a recent owners’ meeting. What is it, then? The idea is that a team can send anybody they choose to the plate once every game, regardless of where that hitter sits in the batting order. There are a number different ways it might be done, including who could do it and when.
I refuse to take Stark’s thunder. Check out his piece if you have a subscription to Athletic. He explains it in detail and engages players in conversation to learn their opinions during the game. This concept appears to be driven mostly by the desire to create excitement and provide the game to its finest players. From Stark:
Say that in October, the tenth inning has two outs. The Guardians and Yankees are tied. Does anyone recognize this? However, Juan Soto isn’t due up in this parallel October universe. For example, it’s Oswaldo Cabrera. The Yankees, however, say: No, no, no. Here, we will employ our Golden AB. and raise Soto. After then, home run magic occurs.
Furthermore, it is argued that in other sports, the greatest players have the ball at crucial times. In the Super Bowl, either Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes leads the game-winning drive. In basketball, either LeBron or Michael Jordan makes the game-winning basket. However, Emma Baccellieri notes that’s a bad analogy.
In the meantime, over the past few seasons, baseball has seen some significant adjustments. The sport hasn’t exactly remained stable. On the contrary.
One such example is the “ghost runner,” which was introduced during the COVID-shortened 2020 season and made permanent in 2023. Reducing the number of lengthy regular season games was a key justification for the rule change, as it would lessen the strain on teams’ pitching staffs. To be honest, I detest it. However, I can see the value and comprehend the argument.
Another example is the 2023 introduction of the pitch clock. MLB implemented it with the goal of reducing the average game length, and it has been successful in doing so. I’m not the biggest supporter of this restriction because I enjoy being able to have a drink at the stadium in between innings and don’t mind watching lengthy games on TV. But once more. The reasoning makes sense to me.
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The concept of the “double hook” is one that has not yet reached the major leagues. The idea is straightforward and was conceived by the previously mentioned Stark. A manager loses their designated hitter for the rest of the game when they pull their starting pitcher. The goal is to try to make beginning pitchers more important in baseball again.
With the modification that a team retains its designated hitter when it removes the starter if the beginning pitcher lasts five innings, the double hook has been tested in the Atlantic League. On this one, I’m definitely in the minority, but I think the double hook is great. However, there is a rational case for the idea, even if you disagree with me. Even if I detest the results, I can appreciate the rationale and reasoning behind MLB’s rule changes and experimentation in each of these cases.
In recent years, there have also been significant changes in other sports. The overtime regulations for college football have undergone significant adjustment. Most recently, the NFL entirely redesigned their kickoffs. Therefore, baseball is not the only sport that is experimenting. Additionally, if changing the rules improves the game or solves a significant problem, I have nothing against it. I simply don’t like Golden At-Bat.
In the end, I have two problems with the Golden At-Bat. First of all, it appears to be a solution looking for a problem. Dramatic moments naturally arise in baseball. Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1. The World Baseball Classic will be decided by the match between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Soto’s three-run home run against Cleveland in the tenth inning. There is plenty of excitement in baseball.
Secondly, it seems inexpensive. You pinch hit for your nine-hole hitter or ride with him if he’s up in a crucial moment. No, “we’re sending up Ohtani, just kidding.”
This can all be a waste of time. Although it might debut at the MLB All-Star Game before then, Stark notes that it is unlikely to even make it to the minor league testing stage for a few years.
However, the fact that Manfred brought it up indicates that he is at least somewhat serious. Depending on how you feel about the Golden At-Bat, baseball fans may have something new to look forward to or fear. But don’t mind me. I have yet to fully recover from the global DH.
