In this week’s edition of Blue Jays Central: Ask the Insiders, the Insiders answered several fan questions including what changes they would make if named MLB commissioner and what the best way is to break in a new baseball glove.
Rob asks: If you were named MLB commissioner, what would be the one thing that you would like to change about Major League Baseball? (i.e. end interleague play, no DH, more replay?)
Pat Tabler: If I were MLB commissioner for the day I would make a few changes. 1) The Interleague portion of the schedule would determine who would have home field advantage for the World Series. Not an exhibition game like the All-Star Game. Too much at stake. Just count up the Interleague wins from both leagues and whichever league has more, that league has home field for the World Series. Tiebreakers would have to be worked out. 2) Speaking of Interleague baseball, I would play the AL game (DH) in the NL parks for the fans to see the difference. Ditto with the AL parks and NL rules. I think it would be great for baseball!
Gregg Zaun: I would eliminate interleague play, go back to 16 and 14 teams in each league, go back to two divisions in each league, balance the schedule, and add the DH to the National League. Then I’d change the playoffs so that the top four teams in each division make the playoffs and they square off based on number of wins. For example, the team in each league plays the team in their division with the least amount of wins. The All-Star game would no longer determine home field advantage. The team with the best record would get home field advantage. The All-Star game’s participants would be voted on by players and every team would no longer be guaranteed a representative.
Jack Morris: Simple. Eliminate interleague play and go back to a balanced schedule. It’s only fair that each team play the same opponents as everyone else.
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Mike Wilner: Only one thing, huh? Hmmm, I’d really like to go back to an even number of teams in each league, get rid of the divisions, get rid of interleague play, have both leagues play by the same set of rules and have the All-Star game go back to being a pure exhibition. But if I have to choose only one thing, I’ll go with robot umpires.
Patrick asks: We hear a lot about the “unwritten code” in baseball. Here’s something I’ve never understood, it seems like it’s against the code to run up the score if, for example a team is up 8-0 in the 7th inning. But then you get these odd wild games where a team comes all the way back to tie it? Should it not be “the code” that you give 100% because there isn’t a clock in baseball and anyone can come back.
Jack Morris: There are times that you just need to play the game and take what’s given to you. I never bought too much into the easing up if you’ve got a big lead. Play with the full effort. That’s the way the game is supposed to be played.
Mike Wilner: The ex-big leaguers on the panel may well disagree with me, Patrick, but as far as I’m concerned, if the other team is still trying to score, you should be trying to score, too.
Derek asks: I really enjoy the style and enthusiasm of Munenori Kawasaki, but I’m kind of surprised he was called back up when Melky Cabrera went on the DL. Should they not have called up an outfielder?
Pat Tabler: With Melky going on the DL I think the Jays will be just fine with Emilio Bonifacio now getting some playing time in the outfield. They still have Colby Rasmus, Rajai Davis and Jose Bautista to play in the OF. I think that they will be fine.
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Mike Wilner: Derek, the Blue Jays have the flexibility to be able to use Emilio Bonifacio as an extra outfielder, and that allowed them to bring Kawasaki back when Cabrera had to go on the DL. Kawasaki did a great job filling in for Reyes and didn’t really deserve to be sent down in the first place, he was just squeezed out by the numbers game.
Jamie Campbell: Derek, I believe the Jays are comfortable with Rajai Davis taking over the leftfield role while Melky is away. And with the multi-talented Emilio Bonifacio around, you already have four guys who can play the outfield. And if Bonifacio is in the outfield, you may need someone at second. That could be Kawasaki. His promotion may actually give the Jays a little more flexibility.
Sue asks: I just bought my 10-year-old a new glove. What is the best way to break it in?
Gregg Zaun: Sue, use mink oil to protect the leather first before playing catch with it. Then just play catch with it. I used to go to the batting cage and catch the balls instead of hitting them.
Mike Wilner: Send your son to camp and have a counselor borrow his glove for a day. That’s how my glove got broken in when I was 10 years old, and it’s still the most well-broken-in I’ve ever had a glove. I can’t remember that counselor’s name, though, sorry.
Jamie Campbell: There are many methods Sue. I’ve been breaking a new one in myself. My advice is to simply use it. Go out and play catch.
Kyle asks: Curious, for those that played in the majors, was there any sort of impact on the play of you and your teammates when your manager would get thrown out for arguing with an umpire? I’m not sure what the purpose is since I don’t think I’ve ever seen a call reversed. Are they trying to influence later calls?
Pat Tabler: If I am playing and my manager gets thrown out arguing a call for me, I’m thinking that he has my back. I’d do anything to win a game for him. Yes, it does make a difference when the manager argues. It fires you up!!! I don’t think it influences other calls in the game but it can really bring the team together.
Gregg Zaun: You are more affected when you manager doesn’t have your back out there. His job is to argue calls to let an umpire know he missed it. It does influence future calls for better and worse. His job is to get thrown out so the player doesn’t.