A good walk spoiled by MLB

THE GAME Wednesday between the Rays and Yankees was delayed 16 minutes in the eighth inning while the umps figured out if Aaron Boone was allowed to (slowly) walk to the mound to remove reliever Miguel Castro.

The delay was over whether the Yankees were entitled to a second trip without a pitch being thrown. Pitching coach Matt Blake had visited Castro while the Rays tended to injured-bypitch Randy Arozarena.

Even by modern MLB standards it seemed a colossal waste of time.

That brings us to reader Henry Blaukopf, a man with a practical solution: “Why must the manager visit the mound to change pitchers? Can’t he just use the bullpen phone or gesture from outside the dugout?

“It’s exciting enough to watch umpires gather around the phone talking to clueless replay officials. Some of us like to watch baseball.”

MLB already saves a ton of time with its automatic intentional walk rule, roughly three minutes per season. ➤ Ryan Weber, unknown Yankees call-up as witnessed by number 85, is listed as 6-foot-1 and 31 years old despite appearing to be about 5-10 with a baby face that smiles a lot. Weber pitched wonderfully in relief, Thursday. He allowed two hits and no walks in 3 2/3 innings, providing the Yankees the opportunity to win, 2-1.

As Weber was relieved, he headed for the dugout. The crowd began to rise and applaud. This shot was well worth sticking with to view his reaction to both fans and teammates. The sight of feelgood moments were fully anticipated.

But YES cut away for commercials. Curses!

Perhaps when the commercials ended, we’d see what we missed.

Instead, we saw a reel of what we’d already several times seen: Weber pitching well, hustling to cover first and smiling, all of which is why he was about to be awarded a standing O from both fans and Yankees. Double curses!

➤ You like Rob Manfred’s all-in designated hitter rule change this season? You subscribe to hitinto-the-shift analytics?

Well, both have helped produce (through Thursday) a .242 batting average for all players — two points lower than last season and MLB’s lowest since 1968, “The Year of the Pitcher.” After the mound was lowered in 1969, averages rose from .237 to .248.

The last time it was .260 or better was 2009 — just before analytics were revealed as the secret to modern success.