Verlander using the podium to give everybody within ear-shot on how he truly feels about the "juiced" balls. Have to say I agree with his frustration... but this is also what baseball has done throughout history. Whether its been lowering the mound, bringing in fences, whatever, they all agree that more offense generates fans and sells more tickets.
Has it been mentioned here or in another thread: JV admitting that he needs to fix something because these HRs are unacceptable? Hinch was there with him and they both took the bullet.
He also admitted to having a bothersome blister now... same thing he had in first half of 2017 when he struggled.
It is easy to see the change to mound and fence. Also, there is an announcement prior to season those things are occurring. With ball, there is no guarantee it will be same from one start to the next or from regular season to playoffs. Unless MLB has changed position, the ball is changing randomly without their input, but has stayed within their loose parameters (more or less white and round).
His point was that they own the company that makes the balls... they should have full control about what is happening under the hood. If its "good" for the game, so be it... but don't hide behind a curtain and shrug your shoulders. He also mentioned how they've used juiced balls in the home run derby for years... they know the recipe.
I'd like to hear that whole interview...I just caught bits and pieces, didn't hear anything about the blister.
Should, do, and take responsibility for are hugely different things. Most irritating thing about the juiced ball is that you can't adjust to something if it keeps changing and you don't know how it will change. If MLB is responsible, let teams and players know before the season instead of trying to figure out the ball on the fly midseason.
Again, they own Rawlings now.... I think they can do something about it if they really want to. I just think they also realize that offense helps bring fans to the ballpark, creates offensive stars in the batters box, while hopefully the best of the best pitchers stay dominant with their elite breaking stuff and spin-rate excellence. I agree, they should basically say this is how it is... or if its going to be altered, announce it when it happens. Manfred has admitted that there has been a change in the ball, and it is partly responsible for the increased power numbers, but he won't admit to saying they want it doctored that way.
