By Staff
Author and sportswriter Jane Leavy created a lovely synopsis on the failings of Major League Baseball and its disconnect from what could be modern-day fans. In the book ‘Make Me Commissioner: I Know What’s Wrong With Baseball And How To Fix It‘, she cites the current reliance on analytics versus experienced baseball eyes and gut hunches by veteran baseball lifers, the disappearance of Black players, and the grab for the almighty dollar that keeps average-salary potential fans on the sidelines instead of in ballpark seats.
With the advent of internet gambling sites, players can now be thought of as adversaries if they don’t achieve as expected. Favorite teams’ top players once were venerated by the devoted fandoms; now are vilified if the bettor feels an error or a strikeout or a double play cost them money. The analytic era tries to make a science of the unpredictable human aspect of baseball, like it’s able to pinpoint the exact outcome. Just not feasible.
The percentage of American Black athletes in baseball has diminished due to poor marketing. Other pro opportunities, such as pro football or pro basketball, have higher profile name players that younger athletes try to emulate. Her book goes into great detail regarding those subjects. I feel there are other unaddressed issues that need repair.
Rule changes such as the Designated Hitter, plate blocking. and a clock to speed up the game have changed the previously enchanting leisurely pace. Ghost runners and limited pitching changes have also affected the purity. Maybe instead of changes on the field, we could limit commercial time between innings instead of fostering it. Starting an extra inning with an unearned runner at second base is not in the spirit of the game. Why don’t we just adopt the NHL philosophy and have a Home Run Derby? That has as much to do with the ebb and flow of a game as three-on-three overtime and a shootout in hockey.
When the MLB season begins, as many as seventy-five percent of teams have no realistic opportunity to compete for the ‘World Champs’ title. The inequity in team revenues keeps widening the gap between the “haves and have-nots”. When the players escaped from the reserve clause in the 1970’s and free agency became the norm, Bill Veeck cautioned the world that paying the star players top dollar wasn’t the problem: “The high price of mediocrity is what I’m worried about”. Fifty years later, his words feel prophetic. Hopefully, at the end of 2026, when the current CBA expires, a sensible resolution will address the cash distribution.
An aspect I rarely hear debated is Interleague play and the resulting unbalanced schedule. To me, these are the most fundamental changes to affect fandom. When there were pure separate leagues, all teams played the same complement of games with the identical teams. Today’s scheduling is subterfuge masquerading as a fair and equitable competition. And the World Series is no longer sanctified as the best of the NL versus the best of the AL. It’s just more homogenization of the illusion of a fair and well-fought magical event. Sadly, it no longer qualifies as that.
Feeling that geographic rivalries would enhance fan interest, interleague play eroded the level playing field of competition the game has been based on. A schedule comprising eighteen games with each division rival (72) and eight games with the balance of teams only in the designated league (80) for a one hundred fifty-two-game regular season would afford MLB to start playoffs and the World Series in months that don’t coincide with Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas shopping. It also restores a more fair and competitive schedule.
The game as played for its first approximately one hundred years was adored by generations of fans just as it was. Now, that no longer matters because baseball believes it has to conform to a brain-impatient society.
Revenue is at the heart of these matters. Changing the game is a poor way of treating loyal fan bases. How about finding a way to fairly distribute that revenue and allow all teams to have an equitable chance to prosper in the standings? And allowing baseball-minded GMs, Managers, scouts, and coaches to make talent assessments, not the electronic, high-tech gurus.
That’s what true fans want.
Lead Image: DENVER, CO – AUGUST 18: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his two-run home run with third base coach Dino Ebel #91 in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images). NHL – PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 13: Tyson Foerster #71 of the Philadelphia Flyers shoots and scores a goal against Brandon Bussi #32 of the Carolina Hurricanes during a shootout to clinch a playoff spot and a 3-2 win at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images).
