The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
(212) 931-7800
Dear Mr. Commissioner:
Last night’s game was, though the home team got shutout, a blast. Among the things my wife and I discussed were: the difference between the windup and the stretch (again); how not to try and force your mitt closed when catching a ball (we tossed it around in the lot prior to the game, in a light rain, mind you); why left-handed hitters struggle against left-handed pitchers (righty vs. righty, too); and why even guys we really like, like Mark Teahen, don’t run full steam down the base path on every routine infield grounder.
Teahen was thrown out at first last night, when Seattle’s third baseman made, after bobbling, a nice cross-body delivery. Milliseconds after the first baseman’s mitt closed around the ball, Teahen’s left foot touched the home-plate side of the bag, and he went nary an inch further toward right field.
I turned to my wife and asked her if she could name one guy that would’ve been safe on that exact same play based on hustle versus natural speed, and she answered me correctly.
Pete Rose.
There were hundreds, if not thousands (announced attendance: 27,497) of kids at the stadium last night. I loathe thinking of them asking their parents why hitters don’t try harder when they run to first. I also relish in the joy of a father turning to his son on their trip to Cooperstown and saying, “That guy, son. Right there. Number 14. That’s Charlie Hustle. He would’ve been safe on that Fourth-of-July groundout by Teahen.”I’m not suggesting that un-banning Rose from baseball results in all big leaguers across the board trying harder. That would be asinine. However, it might have an effect on some. Isn’t that worth something? Please, Mr. Commissioner. For the kids. Lift the ban.
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