And this is my biggest beef — I think the Joel/Glenn argument is not just wrong, it’s diametrically wrong. I think that clinging to horse-and-buggy statistics is exactly what might make baseball feel old and doddering to a new generation of fans.

You might know that over at Passions in America we are studying passion, and one theme we have seen again and again is how quickly something can go from Nostalgic to Just Old to Irrelevant. It’s a huge error that companies make all the time — they mistake nostalgia for a business model. They choose tradition over their customers’ wishes and cravings. They forget that the reason they had success in the first place is that their product was once exciting, new, thrilling, it got the heart racing.

I have a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots game on my bookshelf. I love it. But I didn’t play Rock ’em Sock ’em Robots as a kid because it sparked feelings of youth or because it prompted memories of a simpler time. It was the best and coolest game available. It was cutting-edge toy technology. It’s now a piece of junk. I still have feelings for it, but toys are just much better today.

So it goes for baseball statistics.

Source: Joe Posnanski

One comment on “The Real Problem With Baseball

  • Eraff

    This is kind of frustrating for Me to read. Even though it’s a very thoughtful piece, it’s positioned like a Stat Head versus Old Guys harrang.

    If there are problems and opportunities in the Game, I think they’re centered on the field of play…mostly. I believe the game is dramatically less active than it was just 20 years ago. Great Athletes are doing too much standing around, and we’re sort of watching a Long Drive Contest.

    I’d like to see an expansion of the Strike Zone…. I believe you’ll foster more swinging bats, more contact, more action.

    Entertainment Value = Money….so the Stadiums and Broadcast experience will probably continue to expand to offer entertainment as a Dollar Driver.

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