Pitchers Have Done Their Part in Trend

Jim Murray’s discussion of the dearth of .300 hitters today, compared to the 1930s, omits a couple of facts.

Today’s pitchers are bigger in size, so they obviously throw the ball harder. Deceptive pitches have become both more diversified and more pronounced. Also, there is much greater depth in the bullpen now than in the ‘30s. And batted balls that went for hits 50 years ago are routine outs today because of the increased speed and agility of the current defensive players, especially the outfielders.

DON BARKER

Santa Monica