*Photo from Gaslamp Ball*
Welcome to the first ever Strikeout Central Superlatives post here on the blog. Basically it's just me listing off a couple categories and the winners of all of them. Yes, I only created this because this offseason is moving slower than a slug. Hope you like it anyway. The Categories are best and worst rule change, Nickname of the year, best moment of the year in-game, and Rule Breaker of the year, and unwritten rule breaker of the year.
*Photo from the New York Times*
Best rule change: Universal DH
Hands down, it's the use of the universal DH this season. I personally am a big fan of the DH, and although there are some fun moments when it comes to pitchers hitting, there are about 10 times more forgettable moments as well. Plus it added an extra spot in the lineup for NL teams to get some more guys action when they might not have gotten it otherwise, prime example being Dom Smith with the Mets, after losing his job to Pete Alonso at first base. The universal DH needs to become permanent, it's good for the game.
*Photo from viewsfrom314feet.com*
Worst rule change: 16 team playoffs
This, not a fan of this. I like the concept and principle of expanded playoffs, but when over half of the MLB teams are making the playoffs in a season? That's bad. It's bad because it discourages full on competition, when teams know they can make the playoffs with a .500 record or less, which was the case with a few teams this year, then why would you have to be better if you can make the playoffs with a mediocre squad? I'm a fan of expanded playoffs, but not this expanded. Cut it down please.
*Photo from the San Diego Union-Tribune*
Best nickname of the year: Slam Diego
"Welcome to Slam Diego!" Is what Padres play by play broadcaster Don Orsillo exclaimed after yet another grand slam hit by the suddenly formidable Padres, as they achieved their best season in years. Indeed, it was an accurate nickname, as the lineup of Tatis, Machado, Hosmer, Myers, Cronenworth, and more was a force to be reckoned with this season, hitting 7 grand slams on their way to the playoffs. Slam Diego is hands down the best nickname this season.
*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
Best moment of the year: Joe Kelly pouty face
Early on in the season, Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly instantly won the hearts of many baseball fans thanks to his actions against the Houston Astros. After throwing at Carlos Correa a couple times and then striking him out, Kelly flashed a pouty face at Correa on his way back to the dugout, which did force the benches to clear. It instantly became a viral internet sensation, and prompted the cries of "Free Joe Kelly" When MLB commissioner Rob Manfred suspended him after the game.
*Photo from Yahoo Sports*
Rule breaker of the year: Zach Plesac, Cleveland Indians
Early on in the season, after a pretty severe Covid-19 outbreak hit the Miami Marlins that resulted in 20 players either testing positive or being deemed high risk contacts of someone who did, there was intense scrutiny facing MLB for how they handled it. Indians pitchers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger, after the protocols tightened up, decided to break them, going out for a night on the town on a road trip.
It was first discovered that Clevinger was in violation of the protocols, then, after attending a meeting with his teammates and saying he didn't go out with Clevinger, it was discovered that Plesac did indeed go out with Clevinger. Clevinger and Plesac were then immediately sent to the team's alternate site, where they remained for a few weeks. Plesac beats out Clevinger not just for lying to his teammates, but he later blamed his demotion to the alternate site on the media.
*Photo from ESPN*
Unwritten rule breaker of the year: Fernando Tatis Jr, San Diego Padres
About halfway through the season, Tatis and the Padres were in Texas for a series against the Rangers. In one game, the Padres had built up a sizeable lead on the Rangers, and, with the bases loaded and the count at 3-0 to Tatis, he swung and hit a grand slam, which is a no-no in the unwritten rulebook, it's considered disrespectful. When the Rangers complained about it after the game, a large outcry for Tatis was established, with many in support of what he did, saying that if the Rangers didn't want Tatis to hit a grand slam when ahead by 11, they shouldn't have allowed themselves to get down by that much to begin with.
Me personally, I'm ok with what Tatis did, but that's beside the point. Tatis wins unwritten rule breaker of the year.
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