Homers Down

Despite A-Rod's record 15 dingers in April (and he's heating up again), homers are down a good bit this year. Still not at pre-steroid levels, but here are the figures: in the AL it's down from 2.25 a game last year to 2.05 this year (and a high of 2.42 back in 1996). That's the lowest since 1.83 in 1993. In the NL, where pitchers are real men and hit for themselves, the rate is naturally lower. There, the fall has been steeper, from 2.19 last year to 1.74 this year (and a high of 2.32 in 2000). 1.74 would be the lowest, also, since 1993 (1.72). Maybe this isn't a bad thing. I remember when 40 HR's meant someone was an all-star slugger. (From 1990-1993, the majors averaged less than 3 who reach that number per year. By contrast, an average of 11 or 12 have reached it the last 11 years). And if the drop means that steroid testing is working, in my opinion that's worth experiencing the thrill of the long ball a little less often.