OPS - What is the target?

[*bengalfan74*]

(04-16-2025, 12:33 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I wonder if it's because of a potential jump in talent for pitchers nowadays compared to back then?

For example, average fastball in 2002 was 89 mph.
It went to 91.9 mph in 2008.
Most recent data shows 94.2 mph.
Back in 1980, it was in the high 80's.

Oh I'm fairly certain pitchers being better/different is a big part of it. The different part being the spin rate and speed.

But I also think there's more to the story. I mean just the way the game has changed thru the years. Some good, some bad IMHO. Small ball is gone or very nearly gone on the bulk of teams. Launch angle was never a thing back then. They fought for years to keep the DH out of the NL. 

The hit and run was a large part of most teams back then, suicide squeeze, sacrifice flys, bunts, and so on. Today it's HR or strike out and to me it makes it even more boring.