Well given that the pitchers of old could get batters out on fewer pitches, had better control, better ball movement, and could perform more pitches, if they did all that so much better than today’s pitchers without being “max effort” and today’s are “max effort” then today’s pitcher just plain suck and should find honest work. Because with all the “benefits” they get now they are markedly and obviously worse at the job.
I’m for a designated fielder rule. Not really of course. Just a purist, if you field you hit. And how about a designated free throw shooter in NBA?