September 15th, 2024 at 11:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It is a topic that comes up every time a team playing Our National Pastime at its highest level, including one considered by many to be among the best in the game today with one with the highest payrolls in the game today: Should teams having their lunches being handed to them (I cleaned that up a bit) by their opponent be allowed to forfeit a game rather than being forced by MLB rules to play all nine innings?
This topic came up yet again on Saturday when the National League West first-place Los Angeles Dodgers were being embarrassed by the National League East second-place Atlanta Braves in front of a Truist Park crowd of 42,732, with millions more watching on television and listening on radio; a game which the Dodgers lost by a score of 10-1.
What’s amazing, perhaps even shocking, is that it was brought up on social media (X.com) by a guy whose very livelihood is dependent on the game:
While Alden’s “controversial take” is certainly a valid one, it is also a no-brainer. Whereas allowing teams to forfeit in lieu of playing all nine innings – regardless of the score – may seem practical in the interest of saving bullpen arms and, more importantly, avoid risking injury to one of their multi-million dollar players, it will never happen.
Why?
The answer is simple – Money.
The amount of money that is generated (and would be lost) by the sale of beer, hot dogs, and peanuts alone makes Alden’s “controversial take” unrealistic. It would make those who paid a (very) heafty sum of money to be at the game (especially season ticket holders), not to mention the exorbitant amount of money they had to pay just to park there, to become riotously angry.
(LA Dodgers)
On the flip side of that coin, because they were being blown out, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had utility players Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández pitch the eighth and ninth innings respectively, which is always entertaining … for most.
(SportsNet LA)
As a side note, Rojas is the 38th different player to pitch for the Dodgers this season. The franchise record is 39, which occurred in 2021 and 2023.
Here’s Saturday’s pitching box score:
Play Ball!
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Well, they cut off beer sales after the 7th inning. So would not lose money there. I don’t know about now, but, in the past the Dodger fans at home started leaving after the 7th inning anyway.
What’s your take on the forfeiting thing?
Never gonna happen so I haven’t given it any thought.
I hadn’t either until Alden tweeted it out. It will definitely never happen.
#LetKikéPitch
ridiculous!
this is professional sports, they are paid to play the game.
a few hot dogs may not dent the income bracket but how about the advertisers that paid for the 8th and 9th innings?
incidentally, our position players pitched better than flaherty and phillips
I’m kind of late replying to this; BUT, I listened to a game 34 years ago. I used to catch Dodger games on the radio on various AM stations around the country. I watched a few on TBS and WGN (cable) in Illinois where I lived at the time; but over 50% I caught on radio. The Dodgers were playing Philadelphia. We had a BIG lead. Ninth inning came around. Philly scored NINE runs in the top of the ninth to win the game. That is why you play the game all the way through. Professional batters ALWAYS try their hardest at the plate. Pitchers on the mound do the same. August 21, 1990. I was super shocked. Ya Never Know!