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Peter,

Sounds a bit like sour grapes to me. Every AL team plays interleague games, not just the Yankees, so they're all subject to the same risks. More classless bombast, if you ask me. What if he'd been injured by a comebacker instead of running the bases? What would he have said in that case? That the ball shouldn't be so hard? It was a freak accident, that's all. He wouldn't have been screaming if Beckett or Kazmir had gotten hurt running the bases. These are major league pitchers. They've been playing interleague since 1997. They need to know how to run the bases and how to slide without hurting themselves.

Greg

I guess I see it differently. I agree that major leaguers should be able to run the bases, but I do think the whole setup of the interleague is unfair towards the AL. You ask AL pitchers to do things they don't do at all during the season in NL parks, but you let the NL use an extra hitter which isn't a disadvantage in the AL parks. Sure, Hank wouldn't be complaining if it had been Kazmir, but I don't think he is wrong.

On a somewhat similar note I was thinking the other day after Girardi pinch ran for Posada with Molina that it would make sense if you carry 12 pitchers to turn one into a pinch runner. Edwar Ramirez looks fast, at least faster than a catcher. I know a team would never do it, but how about using someone like that as a pinch runner on days when he can't really pitch because of overuse? To me that would be the best way to maximize the roster and mitigate some of the problems a huge pitching staff creates.

back in the hey-day (90's) the Braves used to use Smoltz as a pinch runner once in a while when the bench was running low.

I don't disagree with it being bad that the leagues are different. I personally prefer the NL way. It makes the single biggest decision necessary, to pinch hit for the pitcher that is keeping you in a tight game, or not. Depending on your bullpen, situation etc. it makes for interesting decisions regardless.

I was raised an AL guy, 18 years in a NL city has brainwashed me, say it...

Have to chime in by saying that the NL style of play is pretty dull 11% of the time. Hankie has got it right this time.

Let's try it this way - when an NL team plays in an AL park, the NL pitcher should be their DH while the AL team's DH should play his everyday role. Oh yeah, that would level things out a bit. LOL.

Peter, I think your post generated comments in 2 different parts. Part 1.) Why is there a difference between NL and AL and 2.) I agree with Hank.

I don't have any issue with part 1 that is a matter of preference, but part 2, saying you agree with all of what Hank said? That's what I'll take issue with. To me, Hank was essentially whining.

Baseball Tonight brought up a good question, would we have heard this rant from Hank had Josh Beckett or Scott Kazmir been the injured player?

Listen, pitchers do have a lot to worry about, but I would argue catchers do too, if not more. Wang's injury was a freak but that doesn't mean you take running out of a pitcher's job description.

And to blame the "NL" like they are some seperate entity is funny. I guess what I'm saying is I think Hank is being a bit silly here.

But I also think he cares and for Yankee fans, that has to count for something.

Wow BL, time to get out of Atlanta!

While Hank was just being whinny...watching my home team (Marlins - I'm a Marlins/Yankees fan) this season has made me wonder if perhaps the DH might be a good idea for the National League. I can't count how many times Fredi has lifted a pitcher who was doing well and had another inning or two in his tank for a pinch hitter who did nothing at the plate...further overtaxing the Bullpen. What was early in the season a great bullpen, has now started letting the Marlins down. The overused bullpen cost us at least 2-3 game on our 3-7 road trip against NL East rivals : Mets, Phillies, Braves...a road trip which cost us the division lead.

I would like to see the team be able to select who gets DHed for. AL teams would probably just DH for the P as usual [except maybe the Indians after CC's GRANDSLAM !!!]...but there are a few good hitting pitchers in the NL (Mark Hendrickson, Micah Owings, etc...) who could continue to hit while using the DH for a good defensive player. For the Marlins, Carrol and Amezaga come to mind. None are good hitters, but Amezaga makes wicked defensive plays and can play any infield/outfield position. Carrol has a strong arm which is very useful in RF, but can't hit. Of course, our manager's an idiot and would probably find a way to screw things up.