The Yankees beat the Orioles last night 4-3 last night in 11 innings. That’s the good news, they stayed ahead of Boston and kept their own playoff chances intact. The bad news, this stupid runner on second rule to start extra innings.

Now, I know why they do, excitement and at the same times to move games along. Short of a massive rain delay, nobody wants to leave the ballpark at 1 AM because baseball needs a shot in the arm and it’s commissioner doesn’t know what he’a doing.

I hattttteeeee this rule for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, if a team wants to be a playoff team, they better be good enough to win in 8.5 or 9 innings. Chad Green, I’m looking at you pal, thanks for that meatball you threw in the top of the 8th that hasn’t landed yet!!! Okay, deep breath, and moving on.

The other reason I hate this rule, it cheapens the game. I mean, shouldn’t strategy and situational awareness be paramount, especially in extra innings? Now, its like ‘well, the game takes too long, let’s leave one fan base happy with they win, the other team will win another time’.

Think about it like this. This year’s AL Wild Card game. It’s shaping up to potentially be Red Sox-Yankees in The Bronx. I mean, shouldn’t that be enough? Can you imagine if either team wins on a bloop single in the 10th? Fans of the losing team would say ‘our team got screwed’ and MLB would stick by ‘rules are rules’.

My point is, MLB is talking about modifying the rule for 2022, maybe not playing the man on second until the 11th or 12 innings. They should get rid of the rule, entirely. Seasons are going to get ruined, fans are gonna be pissed, and not show up or stop watching, then what happens? Another reach by MLB to ‘enhance the game’? Spare us baseball fans from that please!!!!

Baseball should be remembered those this, ‘hey, remember the 2021 AL Wild Card Game where Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the top of the 10th, and then Aaron Judge won it with a Home Run in the bottom of the inning? Remember, the crowd? Another Red Sox Yankees classic!!’

Baseball should not be remembered like this; ‘Remember when Xander Bogaerts was placed on second, sacrificed over and then scored on a sac fly? Tough luck for Chapman but what are gonna do, guy on second and no outs, talk about being behind the 8 ball!’

The fans are speaking up Mr. Manfred. The question is, are you ready and willing to listen?