1. The strike zone has certainly changed over the years, sometimes smaller, then back, then smaller again. I think that most would acknowledge that the zone is smaller today than in the 1940s. But I really don't know. I think the important point to remember is that the zone has changed to "adjust" the perceived advantages conferred upon offense and defense, whichever the case may be.
It is important to recognize, however, that the changing strike zone does not substantially challenge the thesis--that the disappearance of the 0.400 hitter marks the general improvement of play, not the decline in the ability of hitters or the relative increase in improvement in pitching.
2. Dan Hurley . . . I grew up an NL fan. Never liked it. But no necessary reason why it should be outlawed. If for some strange reason the history of baseball had developed out of a tradition where pitchers never hit, then we would look at a "pitchers must hit" rule as an abomination. Rules are human contrivances. Arbitrary, and necessary.
