1968: The Rule Change That Saved Hitters — Why MLB Lowered the Pitcher’s Mound (Encore Episode)

Ramjack Media

18 January 2026

In 1968, pitchers didn’t just dominate baseball — they nearly broke it. ERAs plummeted, strikeouts skyrocketed, and offense disappeared in what became known as the “Year of the Pitcher.” The imbalance was so extreme that Major League Baseball was forced to step in. In this encore presentation of Sports History Daily, we revisit the historic decision to lower the pitcher’s mound from 15 inches to 10 — a move that reshaped the game forever. From Bob Gibson’s legendary 1.12 ERA to the behind-the-scenes debates inside MLB’s rules committee, we break down why the change was made and how Opening Day 1969 finally gave hitters a fighting chance again. This is the story of the rule change that saved offense — and changed baseball, literally and figuratively.