Barry and M's fan,
Thanks for the responses. While I agree there IS a statistical anomaly,
it begs the question, why? Perhaps luck is a variable. There certainly
was a bit of luck to end this perfect game.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=5699255
M's fan,
In response to your question "But if the "homerun" mentality is giving the
pitches an advantage, and leading to more perfect games, how is it also
leading to higher scoring games?"
How about part of the "homerun" mentality is a simple "hit or miss." You'll
see guys like Manny Ramirez essentially swinging for the fences or striking
out. I watch a lot of Dodgers games and rarely see Manny hitting for
singles.
Other variables that should also be factored in is the smaller size venues
of today versus 20 or 30 years ago. Is there anyone who would disagree
that todays Yankee Stadium or Indians Progressive Field are smaller than
the old Yankee Stadium or old Municipal Stadium?
And what about the evolution of ESPN and MLB video hilites? Is it fair
to say that some guys today want to be center stage? Isn't hitting a
game winning homerun a little more dramatic that winning a game by
a base hit? Just food for thought.