The Daily

Baseball’s Plan To Save Itself From Boredom: An Update

39 snips
Dec 29, 2023
Michael Schmidt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times, tackles Major League Baseball's bold new changes aimed at reviving the game. He dissects the shift from a home run-centric playstyle to a more dynamic approach, highlighting the introduction of pitch clocks and larger bases. The discussion reveals how these reforms can enhance the pace of play and revive fan engagement. Schmidt provides insight into the sport's struggle with traditionalism and modern expectations, offering a glimpse of baseball's exciting future.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Babe Ruth's Impact

  • In the early 1900s, home runs weren't the main focus in baseball.
  • Babe Ruth's powerful hitting in the 1920s helped grow the sport's popularity.
ANECDOTE

Home Runs and Iconic Moments

  • Iconic moments and players like Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron were defined by home runs.
  • The 1990s saw a dramatic shift with the home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
ANECDOTE

Steroid Scandal

  • McGwire and Sosa's home run chase was tainted by steroid use.
  • Despite a reckoning with performance-enhancing drugs, the focus on home runs continued.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app