Easy there tiger
Sure he could hit from both sides of the plates
But:
Then -just Curves and fast ball (piece of cake for sluggers)
Now- Do you really want me to name how many throws can actually dominate the most dangerous hitter?
Then--they were like 4 or 5 pitchers in the league that can really throw over 90 mph
Now- Theres like 5 pitchers in every team that can throw over 90 mph.
Then- only one pitcher was used per game even if the pic had a bad day will be rare to have a relief pitcher in the 9th.
Now- A starting pitcher would go hard 6 to 7 innings if not few relief pitchers and then a fresh Closer.
Now- Its hard to hit over 40 doubles in a season due to the speed given to the outfielders "jackasses on steroids"
Pitcher have more strengh and movement on their throws (balls)thanks to steroids
A shortstop can make a double play faster thanks to steroids and so on and on.
Then - They were like 12 teams in the majors
Now - close to 30
Then - Anyone at 160 pounds could play at Major league lebel..
The best players were watching the game at home for being either black or latinos and not allowed to play.
Now things are a bit more competitive.
If youre over 90 years of age ...Nevermind
WOOOOSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
You bring up some good points, but allow me to counter with a few others:
Pitchers did not just have curve balls and fast balls; the slider was first used in 1910 (Bender) and the forkball shortly after World War I (Bush). The changeup was also part of the game; it was called a "slowball"
The pitcher's mound was higher, thus giving the pitcher a huge advantage (the mound was lowered after the 1968 season)
The fact that there were fewer teams actually worked in favor of the defense; there were more quality pitchers to go around, rather than the situation of having pitchers with AA/AAA talent rushed into the major leagues to fill roster spots.
The strike zone was also more generous, forcing hitters to take chances they don't have to take in today's game, and hitters were man enough to accept that "brush back" pitches were part of the game.
Finally, more position players are true hitters in today's game. Until the mid-80's or so, catchers, shortstops, and second basemen were not held to the same hitting requirements they are now (think "Mendoza line"). Also, at least in the American League, the pitcher's usual "wasted at-bat" is not a factor. Therefore, it is more difficult to "pitch around" someone than it used to be.
