Baseball's Five Game-Changers

**imported_Sportsman** · September 22nd, 2006, 11:36 PM

I came across this written by Allan Simpson, the Founding Editor of Baseball America . Looks like it would make for some good discussion amongst us baseball fans.

"It's often been said that baseball has changed so little through the generations that it's essentially the same game that your grandfather used to play and watch.

But there have been subtle and even dramatic changes in the culture and environment in which the game has been played over the last 75 years, not to mention changes in rules and equipment. There have also been signature events that have impacted or revolutionized the game.

Here are five of the most significant game-changing moments:

1. INTEGRATION - The most significant cultural change in the game's history - Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947.

2. THE DESIGNATED HITTER - The most significant rule change in baseball came in 1974 when the American League introduced it on an experimental basis.

3. ALUMINUM BATS - The most significant equipment change in the game was the implementation of aluminum bats in 1973 at the college, high school, and youth league levels.

4. THE CLOSER - From a strategic standpoint, the most significant change in the way the game has been played over the last 75 years has been the use of relief pitchers, specifically closers. The save became an official statistic in 1969, and the game evolved in the 70's and 80's with pitchers like Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, and Bruce Sutter being successfully employed as late-inning specialists.

5. THE 1975 WORLD SERIES - A dramatic back-and-forth 1975 World Series between Boston and Cincinnati gave the game a kic start at a time when it most needed it."