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Changes
in the Game
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. . . As diligent as
baseball statisticians are at creating numbers to level the comparative
playing field throughout the game’s history, they just can’t keep the
game from fluctuating. In the span of 100 years, the changes became
almost comical—and often maddedning to pitching staffs—to track. Changes
affected even ballpark design. Newer, bigger ballparks were built. Then
smaller ones came along. Then they were big again, but with a “small
feel.” Strike zones got taller, then shorter and wider, then narrower
and taller. Yet the umpires calling balls and strikes didn’t seem to get
the memos. The height of the pitcher’s mound varied, affecting pitching
statistics—for better or worse—with every adjustment. Baseballs changed.
The hitters changed! They started downing protein drinks and carving
their
bodies on Nautilus machines equipped with fancy sensors. They recharged
sore bodies with spa treatments that would make Ty Cobb blush. They
reversed the course of aging muscles by popping pills and slathering
themselves
with questionable creams.. . . .
* * *
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