MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently revealed there is ongoing conversation about making a fundamental change to the game with the 'Golden At-Bat' rule. As per this proposed rule, a team can send their a hitter for an at-bat at any spot in the lineup once per game. Thus, Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge can step up to the plate at a crucial juncture of a game if the manager makes that call.
Senior sports analyst Don Le Greca lashed out at Rob Manfred, saying the rule is not equally fair to all teams because not every team possesses a Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge on their roster. Le Greca is a co-host of 'The Michael Kay Show' on WHSQ 880 ESPN New York and YES Network.
He discussed the rule with his co-hosts Michael Kay and Peter Rosenberg on the show this Tuesday.
"Not every team has an Aaron Judge, not every team has a Shohei Ohtani," he said. "I might not necessarily have that player I might get all that excited about. And I can understand the pitchers and the strategy of the game. I'm trying to pitch to Judge; now I'm going to face Judge again."
"Be careful with the fundamental changes," he added. "What next? But you start thinking about that. Because [of] the 'what next' after they put a runner at second base. And now this happens; I just took the natural progression. Why not bring Edwin Diaz to get a key out in the fifth inning, knowing that I can maybe bring him back in the ninth inning, too? So, where does it end?"
Only time will tell if and when this 'Golden At-Bat' gets implemented, but Rob Manfred is certain to receive a lot of flak for this proposal from a large section of the fans.
It feels a little contrived: Don La Greca on Rob Manfred proposing 'Golden At-Bat' rule
Since becoming the MLB commissioner in January 2015, Rob Manfred has implemented a number of tweaks to speed up the game and thereby make the sport more attractive to the younger generation. However, Don La Greca believes this is an unnecessary fundamental rule change, and Rob Manfred could take more meaningful steps to popularize the game with the young crowd.
"There are going to be rule changes you like and some that you hate," La Greca said. "But this is pretty jarring. Baseball is what it is. You don't want to completely change the complexion of the sport. You want to be able to keep the basics of it. And being able to have a 'Golden At-Bat,' it feels a little contrived to me.
"There's a lot of other things he can do, like making the game a little bit more accessible," he added. "So, I don't need to have a dozen different apps to watch the game. And all the blackout rules that really kill the people from being able to enjoy the game when a team that's on the market they are not a fan of. Or how about trying to figure out a way that some of these teams can actually compete financially."
The 'Golden At-Bat' rule is only in the discussion stage, according to Rob Manfred, but the MLB is likely to switch to an automated strike zone in the next few years.