The NL Needs the DH

by BSmitty on Jul 2, 2008 9:57 AM CDT

A number of current MLB controversies have made it clear that the game is moving forward into a new era. One fan tries to find the best balance between past and present.

From http://www.splicetoday.com/sports/the-nl-needs-the-dh

Baseball is an exhilarating yet frustrating mess of contradictions, and this fan is caught in the trap—like millions of other men and women (save George Will, whose pompous moral certitude about the sport is immutable)—of trying to reconcile “purist” instincts with the undeniable improvements in the game over the past several decades. Last weekend, for example, while watching a slew of inter-league contests via the MLB “Extra Innings” package (which, regardless of varying prices depending on your locale and cable provider, costs less for an entire season of televised games than one day at a stadium for a family of four), I finally switched gears and figured it was time for the National League to acquiesce and adopt the still-controversial designated hitter rule.

Heresy, I guess, but what the hell; if you’re a Milwaukee Brewers’ devotee, wouldn’t it be delightful to see the world’s tubbiest vegetarian, Prince Fielder, in the dugout, contemplating his next plate appearance, instead of anchored at first base? One league’s dominance over the other usually runs in cycles, but the N.L. seems mired in a slump that’s likely to run longer than the Great Depression, and this was evident once again over the weekend. Sure, the strategy required of an N.L. manager is more intricate than A.L. counterparts with double-switches and more sacrifice bunts, but the two leagues might be more competitive if older free agents (or crummy fielders) could extend their careers as a DH.

That said, and here’s one of those curveballs, I can’t stand inter-league play, even though it pumps up attendance and allows fans to see star players who were once a mystery aside from the All-Star game (which, of course, has devolved into a meaningless exhibition game instead of a proud showcase) or the World Series. My 13-year-old son, with whom I have the pleasure of sitting next to in our matching easy chairs in the homestead’s television room, adamantly disagrees, but I chalk that up to his participation in a fantasy league with a bunch of school buddies. I just don’t like the disruption of the season’s rhythm, the fake “rivalries” cooked up by MLB schedule makers—sure, the Cubs and White Sox make sense, but the Rockies and Tigers?—for the sake of novelty and profit.

See the rest at http://www.splicetoday.com/sports/the-nl-needs-the-dh

SouthSideSox is a community driven site. As such, users are able to express their thoughts and opinions in a FanPost, such as this one, which represents the views of this particular fan, but not necessarily the entire community or SouthSideSox editors.

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Spam Musubi

INGREDIENTS
2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice
2 cups water
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1/2 cup white sugar
1 (12 ounce) container fully cooked luncheon meat (e.g. Spam)
5 sheets sushi nori (dry seaweed)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS
Soak uncooked rice for 4 hours; drain and rinse.
In a saucepan bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in rice vinegar, and set aside to cool.
In a separate bowl, stir together soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved. Slice luncheon meat lengthwise into 10 slices, or to desired thickness, and marinate in sauce for 5 minutes.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook slices for 2 minutes per side, or until lightly browned. Cut nori sheets in half and lay on a flat work surface. Place a rice press in the center of the sheet, and press rice tightly inside. Top with a slice of luncheon meat, and remove press. Wrap nori around rice mold, sealing edges with a small amount of water. (Rice may also be formed by hand in the shape of the meat slices, 1 inch thick.) Musubi may be served warm or chilled.

by larry on Jul 2, 2008 10:45 AM CDT reply actions

Hawaiian Recipie, Yes?

Not really my normal taste but surprisingly good. You ever been to the Aloha Grill on Clark Street? Good “authentic” Hawaiian fast food.

What’s up with these recent long-form fanposts? I like thoughtful, researched comments more than most but this recent wave just seems to be wannabe columnists batch posting long, uninteresting observations that have no real connection to this community.

by Landfill on Jul 2, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions

I believe shamelessly promoting another website is the agenda

Hence…spam.

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 2, 2008 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

that's good, larry. but i usually like to start with an appetizer like this:

Broiled Spam Appetizer

Ingredients
1 can (7-ounce) SPAM® Classic, finely chopped
1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
32 toast triangles or crackers

Directions
Heat broiler. In small bowl, combine all ingredients except toast. Spread mixture on toast or crackers. Place on baking sheet. Broil 3 to 4-inches from heat, 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes 32 appetizers.

FUCK YOU, that's my name!! You know why, Mister? 'Cause you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar BMW. That's my name!!

by MarketMaker on Jul 2, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Is your signature supposed to be funny?

I don’t get it.

by mjthor on Jul 3, 2008 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions

It's from Glengarry Glen Ross

Alec Baldwin’s character to be specific-ish

by joewho112 on Jul 3, 2008 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions

maybe put quote marks

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 3, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

you're not supposed to get it.

that’s why my watch costs more than your car.

FUCK YOU, that's my name!! You know why, Mister? 'Cause you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar BMW. That's my name!!

by MarketMaker on Jul 3, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions