Phillies: Traditional vs. analytical tug-of-war in MLB

On the Phillies and in the MLB, neither winning the National League pennant nor losing the NL East changes the equation for the faithful who long for the days supposedly slipping away.

Old versus new:

Many fans perceive the Philadelphia Phillies as embracing this newfangled approach to on-field decision-making, but they aren’t leading. No, they’re following! Like other franchises, the red pinstripes examine pennant-capturing success and copy those methods: That is nothing new.

"IN OTHER WORDS      “Creating success is a tug-of-war between your mind and your heart, your fears and your dreams. If your fears win, you lose.” – Robert G. Allen"

Baseball is a game shrouded by the obvious. To its junkies, though, it features players competing in a contest, but this business like many others also calls them employees. Unscripted entertainment?

Although many supporters prefer to believe the sport doesn’t change, baseball frequently makes modifications. Each club annually crunches the numbers and adds some moves from successful teams in charting their direction. Overall, baseball adjusts for parity and fairness.

If you’ve heard the “hit it through the box” expression, only the phrase had remained beginning in 1893 because the MLB had replaced the pitcher’s box with a slab on a mound. Without rules, the hill size varied to suit the starter’s preference until 1904. That stated, the Phils first season was in 1883.

According to records in Baseball Almanac, when the sport hit a snag, they eventually resolved it with a new rule. Today, baseball has concentrated their energy on excitement and more organizations with a playoff opportunity.

As for clubs, one example is former Phils manager Gene Mauch popularizing the double switch. Yes, no edge is too small. Of course, Tony La Russa is the former skipper you can thank for the pitcher batting eighth, and it took a long time prior to this new managerial breed trying it.

Copying successful franchises is the norm. Whether the champions utilized their farm system or developed their hurlers, other teams then gravitate toward those methods. Lately, the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers have piled up victories and imitators.