Episode 1365: If a Bat Flips in a Forest

Summary[]

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg seeing the Padres in person, the Phillies’ attendance surge, rooting for writers who’ve taken team jobs, and the Mariners’ lousy last week, then discuss the aesthetic and competitive ramifications of the huge spike in home-run rate in the majors and minors, why Rob Manfred is still insisting that the ball isn’t responsible, and what, if anything, MLB should do. Then (35:18) they talk to veteran baseball writer Danny Knobler, author of the new book Unwritten: Bat Flips, the Fun Police, and Baseball’s New Future, about the purpose and future of the unwritten rules, the latest incidents involving Chris Archer and Derek Dietrich and Brad Keller and Tim Anderson, whether MLB is being hypocritical by promoting celebratory displays without condemning intentional plunkings, the concept of “respect,” and the current cultural conflict’s fault lines.

Topics[]

Continued increase in the home run rate in MLB and AAA
Aesthetic and competitive changes to baseball with increased home run rates
Rob Manfred's comments about the baseball
MLB report on changes to the baseball
Interview with Danny Knobler
Unwritten rules in baseball
Backlash to changes in what is acceptable in baseball
Influence of global cultures on baseball's unwritten rules
MLB's 'Let the kids play' marketing campaign
Developing a new generation of baseball fans
How to establish rules for punishing pitchers that throw at a player

Interstitial[]

Sloan, "Who Taught You to Live Like That?"

Banter[]

Meg is currently in San Diego, she and Ben discuss the fans' interest in the Padres and how the team is performing this season.
Bryce Harper and the surge in Phillies' attendance
Rooting for the teams where former colleagues work
The Mariners recent losing streak and come down from their hot start to the season

Notes[]

Home runs this season are again on pace to be at an all time high. This season AAA is using the MLB ball and there has been more than a 30% increase in home run rate in those leagues.
Danny thinks that much of the conflict around unwritten rules has to do with respect and different player views on how to respect the game of baseball, their opponents, and how to express excitement and passion for the game.
Aaron Judge told Danny that he doesn't bat flip because he is sometimes concerned that he might have misjudged the ball and not actually have hit a home run (this happened to him in high school).