The state of baseball, and the conflict between what is efficient and what is entertaining, is captured in this story a manager told me recently. It happened a few seasons ago. The manager’s team lost a game in part because a relief pitcher, a groundball specialist, allowed an infield hit on a topped ball. Just bad luck, the manager figured.
The general manager figured differently. After the game he questioned the manager about why he did not opt for a strikeout pitcher.
“You’ve got to keep the ball out of play,” the general manager implored.
The manager knew better than to respond.