“[I]n 1931, the American League made a series of rules changes which impacted the definition of “home run” so greatly as to render the above to penny-ante status. After this rule change, a ball which went over the fence in fair territory but landed foul would, as it is today, be considered a homer. Prior to that, such a swat was considered a foul ball — a long strike, debited from the batter’s allotment of three. Some researchers believe that the Babe lost as many as 75 (!) home runs due to this rule.”

Notes

  1. mattlehrer posted this