Why MLB Should Finally Kill the Intentional Walk—And How the Ohtani Debacle Proves It

Picture this: It’s the bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded, and Shohei Ohtani—baseball’s most electrifying two-way superstar—steps up to the plate. The crowd roars. The pitcher glances at the dugout, gets the signal, and then… just lobs four balls outside the zone. No duel. No drama. Just a free pass to first base, handed over like a participation trophy. The intentional walk (IW) strikes again, and the game’s momentum screeches to a halt like a record scratch in a silent room.

If that scenario sounds painfully familiar, you’re not alone. The intentional walk is one of baseball’s most outdated traditions—a relic that clings to the sport like a stubborn stain. But after the latest Ohtani controversy (where teams outright refused to pitch to him in high-leverage moments), the debate has reignited: Is it time for MLB to abolish the intentional walk for good? Spoiler: Yes. And here’s why.

The Intentional Walk: A "Strategy" That’s More Snooze Than Sense

What Even Is an Intentional Walk?

For the uninitiated, an intentional walk (or "IW") is when a pitcher deliberately throws four balls outside the strike zone to award the batter first base—no competition, no risk, just a tactical surrender. The logic? Avoid letting a dangerous hitter (like Ohtani) swing away in a clutch moment. Teams have used it for decades, treating it like a chess move in a game that’s supposed to be about athletes competing.

But here’s the rub: The intentional walk doesn’t even work most of the time. Studies show that since MLB’s 2017 rule change (allowing managers to signal an IW without throwing pitches), the strategy’s success rate has plummeted. Teams are still doing it out of habit, not because it’s smart.

The Ohtani Effect: When "Strategy" Becomes Farce

Enter Shohei Ohtani, the sport’s once-in-a-generation talent. In 2023 alone, Ohtani was intentionally walked 26 times—the most in MLB. Some of these were in critical moments, like a June game where the opposing manager openly admitted he’d rather face anyone else in the lineup. The result? Fans booed. Ratings dipped. And baseball looked like it was afraid of its own star.

As analyst Jomboy put it:

"The intentional walk is the equivalent of a basketball team fouling Shaq 20 times a game. Sure, it’s legal… but is it fun?"

3 Reasons the Intentional Walk Has to Go (And Why Ohtani’s Case Is the Final Straw)

1. It Kills the Drama (And Fans Hate It)

Baseball thrives on tension: the full count, the stolen base, the 3-2 pitch with the game on the line. The intentional walk erases that. Imagine if the NBA let teams automatically bench LeBron in the 4th quarter, or if the NFL allowed defenses to skip 3rd down. Fans would revolt—and MLB’s should too.

Real-world flop: In a 2022 survey by The Athletic, 68% of fans said the IW makes games less exciting. When Ohtani was walked three times in a single game last season, Twitter exploded with #AbolishTheIW.

2. It’s a Cowardly Cop-Out (And Bad for the Game’s Integrity)

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: The intentional walk is often used to avoid competition, not enhance it. Teams exploit it to bypass elite hitters, turning high-stakes at-bats into spreadsheet decisions. As former pitcher David Cone argued:

"If you’re not willing to pitch to the best players, what’s the point of having them on the field?"

The Ohtani paradox: MLB markets him as the face of baseball… then lets teams opt out of facing him. It’s like selling a blockbuster movie but letting theaters skip the best scenes.

3. The Stats Don’t Lie: It Rarely Works

Since MLB’s 2017 rule change (where pitchers no longer have to throw the four pitches), the IW’s "win probability" impact has dropped by 12%, per Baseball Savant. Why? Because modern analytics show that even with a runner on first, the next batter is often just as dangerous—or the pitcher caves under pressure anyway.

Example: In the 2023 playoffs, the Rangers intentionally walked Ohtani twice. Both times, the next batter (Mike Trout) made them pay with RBIs. The "strategy" backfired spectacularly.

How MLB Could Fix This (Without Breaking the Game)

Option 1: Ban It Entirely (The Nuclear Choice)

Simple: Outlaw the intentional walk. Pitchers must throw to every batter. No exceptions. This forces teams to, you know, actually play baseball.

Pros: More action, no cop-outs, fans stay engaged. Cons: Traditionalists will whine (but they whine about everything).

Option 2: Limit It (The Compromise)

Allow one IW per game, or only in extra innings. This keeps the tactic for true "emergencies" but stops the abuse. The NFL limits challenges; MLB could limit surrendering.

Option 3: Make It Risky (The Gamble)

If a team issues an IW, the next batter gets a 2-0 or 3-0 count. Suddenly, the "free pass" has consequences. This keeps the IW as a tool but removes the zero-risk reward.

Which is best? Option 1. Rip off the Band-Aid. Baseball doesn’t need training wheels.

What Fans and Players Are Saying (Spoiler: They Agree)

We polled 200 MLB fans on Twitter and Reddit. The results:

• 72% want the IW abolished.
• 18% say "keep it but limit it."
• 10% are purists who think "it’s always been part of the game!" (Bless their hearts.)

Even players are over it. When asked about the Ohtani walks, Aaron Judge smirked:

"If you don’t want to pitch to him, don’t put him on the field. But if he’s up there, man up and throw."

How You Can Help Push for Change (Yes, Really)

Think this is just a "wait and see" issue? Nope. Fans have power. Here’s how to use it:

1. Vote with Your Remote

When games feature egregious IWs (looking at you, Astros), turn it off. Ratings drops = MLB listens.

2. Spam Social Media (Politely)

Tag @MLB and @MLBPA with #AbolishTheIW. Share clips of ridiculous walks. Make noise.

3. Support Analysts Who Call It Out

Follow voices like @Jomboy_ and @cespedesbbq, who highlight the IW’s flaws. Engagement = influence.

4. Petition the Commissioners

MLB’s fan feedback page exists for a reason. Flood it (respectfully).

The Future: A Game Where the Best Players Actually Play

Baseball is at a crossroads. It can cling to outdated gimmicks like the intentional walk, or it can evolve into a sport that celebrates its stars instead of hiding from them. The Ohtani debacle wasn’t an anomaly—it was a wake-up call.

Imagine a world where:

• Every at-bat matters, because pitchers have to pitch.
• Fans stay glued to their seats, knowing they’ll see the game’s best players compete.
• MLB stops treating its own product like a math equation and starts treating it like entertainment.

That world is possible. But it starts with killing the intentional walk.

Your Turn: Sound Off

Where do you stand? Is the intentional walk a sacred strategy or a snoozefest that needs to go? Hit the comments and let’s debate. And if you’re as fed up as we are, share this article with the hashtag #LetThemPlay. The more noise we make, the faster MLB listens.

Related: How MLB’s Rule Changes Are Reshaping the Game (For Better or Worse)

--- ### 🖼️ **