The Oracle

"My only message is simple: The National League needs to join the 21st century...I've got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He's going to be out. I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s...This is always a concern of American League teams when their pitchers have to run the bases and they're not used to doing it.  It's not just us. It's everybody...Pitchers have enough to do without having to do that."

Notwithstanding the minor fact that the AL only introduced the DH in 1973 (the same year a certain someone's father bought a certain storied franchise), and the fact that Hank has a way of saying things with less tact than anyone since Donald "that's old Europe" Rumsfeld, I bet there are many fans, owners, and managers of AL teams who would agree with this sentiment, if only it had been stated by someone else.  I have to think that even the biggest Hank-hating SFs probably cringe every time Josh Beckett has to pick up a bat or hit the dirt.

Then again, these are all supposed to be professional athletes, so you would hope running around bases wouldn't threaten careers.

Regardless, while I would admit that choice of words is not Hank's forte, I remain in the (admittedly shrinking) minority of fans who haven't a single problem with any of the Hank statements that have been much-reported since he assumed increased responsibilities last season.