Greetings Golfers,
Later today, the Minnesota Twins play the NY Yankees in the first game of the ALDS. I’m actually fairly optimistic that the Twins can win this series. They aren’t afraid of the Yankees. They set the league record for home-runs in a season – 307. The Yankees hit 306.
Obviously these two teams are bombers. Normally, I’m not a fan of home-run baseball. I like the nuances of baseball: Is the pitcher consistently ahead in the count? Can this batter hit to the opposite field? Can they steal on this catcher – or pitcher? Etc.
Too often, home-run baseball just overpowers the nuances … almost makes them irrelevant.
This year, MLB, decided to “juice” the ball. It worked – record home-runs.
They think this is what the fans want. Maybe. I relate it to movies. What makes a good story is that the nuances are important – that’s what is really interesting. The plot can be basic. Most of our lives have basic plots. But, it’s the nuances that make it interesting. Same with a movie. If the writer doesn’t really have insight into how things and people work … the writer focuses more on a tricky plot and then uses cliche characters and cliche situations. That type of story doesn’t really get your full attention.
Same with baseball. The nuances are what really get your full attention. Power-baseball is about half watching the game, but getting excited when someone knocks it over the fence. Sort of like a car chase.
Obviously, I can continue this analogy to golf. I much prefer links-style golf to wide-open parkland courses that allow bombers to fly everything that was intended to make the holes interesting. Driver-wedge all day except for driver-6 iron on par 5s is not exactly fascinating.
So, maybe this Twins-Yankees series will be basically a home-run derby. That’s fine with me as long as the Twins win. I’ve loved the Twins since they moved here in 1961. However, I hated the Yankees even before 1961.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
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