Why Does Watching a Historic Lineup Feel Like a Cheat Code?

[Vanimal46]

Within the next 24-48 hours, the Minnesota Twins will pass the 1961/1963 Twins for the most home runs in a season. I should feel impressed that we get to watch a 57 year old record break! However, I can't help feeling that it isn't real, and not remotely comparable to the conditions the 1961 and 1963 team faced...

 

Patrick Reusse recently wrote about this and asks if we are taking the time to appreciate this?

 

http://m.startribune.com/twins-historic-home-run-prowess-doesn-t-happen-often-so-savor-each-blast/526330522/

 

I've gotta say I'm not appreciating it yet, for one reason... The new baseball. It's hard to get excited about records shattering with the new baseball...

 

While it's nice to hit more home runs than other teams, it's become impossible to compare this lineup to lineups 50+ years ago. Hell, it's impossible to compare this lineup to lineups 5 years ago. It's completely changed the game, and important to reference when we look back in history. Take this for example:

 

 

I don't know about you, but I will never consider the 2019 Mariners an all-time great lineup. It's a slap in the face to the 2001 Mariners, a truly great lineup, that they're being out paced for home runs...

 

Over the next couple of months we're going to read several articles about where this lineup fits in history. At this point in time, I think it deserves an asterisk...

 

Thoughts?

[mikelink45]

Nice essay.  I am overwhelmed by the new baseball and to prove it is a rigged ball all we have to do is look at AAA where they decided to use the same ball and suddenly they are setting new HR records.  I like our team and it could have had a really good HR season, but injecting steroids into the ball instead of the ballplayer is just as grievous an act. 

After the McGwire and Sosa show began, HR records have begun to be meaningless.  Maybe that is why I am enjoying Luis Arraez the most.  Cleveland intentionally walked him in the eighth because they knew hee would put the ball in play and keep the excitement going instead of going down swinging for the fence.  

[Vanimal46]

Injecting steroids into the ball instead of the ballplayer is just as grievous an act.

 

I love this line! I first started reading more about the juiced ball after Manfred denied making any changes to the ball. Evidence was piling up this was not the case... As you mentioned, AAA HRs are skyrocketing and it can no longer be denied.

 

If they continue to use the new baseball, we can say goodbye to comparing current players to players of the recent past.

[ashbury]

The new baseball. It's hard

You summed it up.