Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Opening Day.....kind of
The first pitches of Major League Baseball 2008 were thrown today, the problem is that very few were actually awake to see it! That's because, as I am sure that you are well aware, they were thrown at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. So then you may be asking yourself why the countdown timer at the top of this page still says four days to go? Well, not to come across as xenophobic, but in my opinion the season really doesn't start until the first pitchers are thrown on the 30th. I don't have any problem with major league baseball playing games overseas, but I do have a problem with not having opening day here. The excitement of the day is lost, it just plain isn't fair. So, until this weekend I am of the opinion that the season hasn't actually started.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
How The Economics of Baseball Could Care Less About History
I don't like writing this, but to the people who call the shots in the front offices Baseball is a business with little room for nostalgia or history if it gets in the way of bigger profit margins and more luxury booths. Nothing illustrates that point more than than the exuberant sums paid to top players (the Yankees paid more for A-Rod than JP Morgan paid for Bear Sterns)* stadium naming rights, and of course moving franchises and teams in search of greener pastures. For the most part I understand that there is a need for some of these decisions. Owning and managing a team isn't cheap and is seldom hugely profitable. Take the case of the Expos leaving Montreal. The fact of the matter in that situation was that Montreal was averaging about 6,000 fans per game meanwhile the nations capital was starving for a team. I don't like the way Selig went about that one, but in the end it was necessary. What I can not appreciate is when a team disregards history and its fans by chopping down an icon or abandoning its roots, of course I am talking about the loss of Yankee Stadium, but I also point to the relocation of Dodgertown as yet another example of owners with their heads far up their asses with little respect for the history of the game.
As I must, let me begin first and foremost with Yankee Stadium. As you are all aware this is the last season at THE Stadium. For anyone who appreciates baseball this should be nothing short of blasphemy. Yankee Stadium is a shrine, the Mecca of the game. It is the house that Ruth built for God sake, how can you possibly lose such a historic national treasure?? Collectively Yankees fans, and in fact all of baseball, failed by not being more publicly outraged with this lame brained decision. As you may recall Steinbrenner had tried to do this once before when he hinted at moving the team to (gasp) New Jersey. Talk like that was so outrageous that George was coming close to having the villagers storm the castle with pitchforks and torches. But that was then and this is now. Today owners are of the mindset that luxury boxes equal dollars and cheap seats be damned. For me I have never understood the lure of the luxury box. Would I sit in one given the opportunity? Sure. But sitting in an air conditioned room with a waitstaff and a glass partition is akin to watching the game from a sports bar, albeit with a better flat screen TV. Going to games should be about interacting with the players, about taunting the umpires vision and his wife's marital infidelity, about the sounds and smells of the game. It should be about passing a hot dog down the isle to the guy next to you and dropping peanut shells on the ground as you try to juggle a beer. But this isn't just about the loss of Yankee Stadium. To be fair I felt the same way when there was talk of demolishing Fenway Park. Despite my bitter hatred of the Red Sox and everything they stand for, baseball's historic parks should not be traded for corporate extravagance. Sox fans were able to save Fenway by crying bloody murder. In turn Sox management got creative and squeezed seats into every available inch of Fenway. Sure they jacked up ticket prices to the level where to see a game at Fenway requires a Stafford loan, but at least they still have their park. What about Wrigley Field? What happens when Cubs management decides that they need bigger, better, and more modern? Hell, poor Steve Bartman was run out of Chicago for catching a ball, something any one of us would have done in the same situation. Could you imagine the horror of Cubs fans if someone tried to tear down Wrigley field? My point of this rant is that we should strive to preserve classic stadiums. It is too late for New York, but we need to save what little we have left.
This brings me to the next example of how economics of baseball are hurting its history, Dodgertown is closing its doors in favor of a new home in Arizona. Now I am not a Dodgers fan, but I really have no reason to hate them. About the only reason that I have really watched them throughout the years at all was because I was a fan of Oral Hershiser. In fact I still have an issue of Boy's Life Magazine from 1988 with his picture on it. Of course now that Mr. Torre is there I have a new found interest, but anyway. The point is that this is the last and final f-u to the fans on the east coast who remember the days of Ebbets field, and to the people who loyally made the trip to the historic Vero Beach institution. In fact that town is nothing short of the house the Dodgers built. Now one may argue that the Dodgers fan base is truly on the west coast and that it simply makes more sense for them to train closer to home. That simply isn't true, in fact I would argue that there are just as many if not more Dodgers fans on the east coast than on the left coast. There is certainly no less passion. Full disclosure, this may not have been a bandwagon that I would have readily jumped on if not for reading this account by Arjewtino about attending fantasy baseball camp. I highly recommend it, it is a great read and further illustrates what these places mean to real fans.
In a perfect world the fans would have more of a say when it comes to these big decisions. After all it is the fans who ultimately buy the tickets that pays for all the contracts, and in most cases it is their tax payer dollars that build the stadiums for them to play in. As a collective fan base we need to push to save our stadiums from becoming nothing less than parking garages over our favorite memories. Unless we speak with one voice every day we run the risk of losing another piece of baseballs rich history forever.
*Thanks to Abbott for that stat
As I must, let me begin first and foremost with Yankee Stadium. As you are all aware this is the last season at THE Stadium. For anyone who appreciates baseball this should be nothing short of blasphemy. Yankee Stadium is a shrine, the Mecca of the game. It is the house that Ruth built for God sake, how can you possibly lose such a historic national treasure?? Collectively Yankees fans, and in fact all of baseball, failed by not being more publicly outraged with this lame brained decision. As you may recall Steinbrenner had tried to do this once before when he hinted at moving the team to (gasp) New Jersey. Talk like that was so outrageous that George was coming close to having the villagers storm the castle with pitchforks and torches. But that was then and this is now. Today owners are of the mindset that luxury boxes equal dollars and cheap seats be damned. For me I have never understood the lure of the luxury box. Would I sit in one given the opportunity? Sure. But sitting in an air conditioned room with a waitstaff and a glass partition is akin to watching the game from a sports bar, albeit with a better flat screen TV. Going to games should be about interacting with the players, about taunting the umpires vision and his wife's marital infidelity, about the sounds and smells of the game. It should be about passing a hot dog down the isle to the guy next to you and dropping peanut shells on the ground as you try to juggle a beer. But this isn't just about the loss of Yankee Stadium. To be fair I felt the same way when there was talk of demolishing Fenway Park. Despite my bitter hatred of the Red Sox and everything they stand for, baseball's historic parks should not be traded for corporate extravagance. Sox fans were able to save Fenway by crying bloody murder. In turn Sox management got creative and squeezed seats into every available inch of Fenway. Sure they jacked up ticket prices to the level where to see a game at Fenway requires a Stafford loan, but at least they still have their park. What about Wrigley Field? What happens when Cubs management decides that they need bigger, better, and more modern? Hell, poor Steve Bartman was run out of Chicago for catching a ball, something any one of us would have done in the same situation. Could you imagine the horror of Cubs fans if someone tried to tear down Wrigley field? My point of this rant is that we should strive to preserve classic stadiums. It is too late for New York, but we need to save what little we have left.
This brings me to the next example of how economics of baseball are hurting its history, Dodgertown is closing its doors in favor of a new home in Arizona. Now I am not a Dodgers fan, but I really have no reason to hate them. About the only reason that I have really watched them throughout the years at all was because I was a fan of Oral Hershiser. In fact I still have an issue of Boy's Life Magazine from 1988 with his picture on it. Of course now that Mr. Torre is there I have a new found interest, but anyway. The point is that this is the last and final f-u to the fans on the east coast who remember the days of Ebbets field, and to the people who loyally made the trip to the historic Vero Beach institution. In fact that town is nothing short of the house the Dodgers built. Now one may argue that the Dodgers fan base is truly on the west coast and that it simply makes more sense for them to train closer to home. That simply isn't true, in fact I would argue that there are just as many if not more Dodgers fans on the east coast than on the left coast. There is certainly no less passion. Full disclosure, this may not have been a bandwagon that I would have readily jumped on if not for reading this account by Arjewtino about attending fantasy baseball camp. I highly recommend it, it is a great read and further illustrates what these places mean to real fans.
In a perfect world the fans would have more of a say when it comes to these big decisions. After all it is the fans who ultimately buy the tickets that pays for all the contracts, and in most cases it is their tax payer dollars that build the stadiums for them to play in. As a collective fan base we need to push to save our stadiums from becoming nothing less than parking garages over our favorite memories. Unless we speak with one voice every day we run the risk of losing another piece of baseballs rich history forever.
*Thanks to Abbott for that stat
Monday, March 17, 2008
12 Day's To Go
The first regular season pitch will be thrown in a mere 12 days, and yet even before the gates have opened for the 2008 season we already have suspensions and bad blood brewing. Of course I am talking about last weeks melee between the Yankees and the Rays which has ended up costing the Yankees Shelley Duncan and Melkey Cabrera. While I do think that Duncan knew exactly what he was doing when he slid spikes up into second, I also think that these suspensions are really intended to be a warning to the entire league rather than a punishment to these particular players. In in aftermath of the Mitchell report no doubt the front offices want this season to be as clean and wholesome as possible, but lets face it, bad blood and rivalries sell seats.
Now I am not advocating that Baseball go the route of Hockey, I am just saying that a little bit of tension between rivals goes a long way towards adding an exciting dimension to the game. We don't want players injuring themselves needlessly in bench clearing brawls, but lets be honest, we all still remember when Pedro Martinez picked up Zimmer by the ears and threw him to the ground.
My point with all of this is that I worry that baseball 2008 is going to be sterile to the point where if a pitcher brushes a batter off the plate he is going to get a three game suspension and the manager will be fined. These guys are highly competitive athletes and there are going to be a few punches thrown this season. Don't turn baseball into a boxing match, but lets be fair in terms of suspensions, especially when someone deserves an "accidential" high spike.
Now I am not advocating that Baseball go the route of Hockey, I am just saying that a little bit of tension between rivals goes a long way towards adding an exciting dimension to the game. We don't want players injuring themselves needlessly in bench clearing brawls, but lets be honest, we all still remember when Pedro Martinez picked up Zimmer by the ears and threw him to the ground.
My point with all of this is that I worry that baseball 2008 is going to be sterile to the point where if a pitcher brushes a batter off the plate he is going to get a three game suspension and the manager will be fined. These guys are highly competitive athletes and there are going to be a few punches thrown this season. Don't turn baseball into a boxing match, but lets be fair in terms of suspensions, especially when someone deserves an "accidential" high spike.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What Spring Training Means, and What it Doesn't...and last Words on the Tryouts
With only a few weeks until the start of the baseball season its easy to get over analytical about what has happened so far in spring training. Sure, its great to see games on TV again, but good or bad it is way too early to make any real predictions based on what we have seen up until now. Sure, you can make base line observations like Matsui looked rusty and Beckett's back is strained, but we haven't even seen game one yet, much less are we anywhere near a pennant race. Spring training is all about adjustments and working out the kinks. So don't let analysts who get paid by the word trick you into believing anything more about spring training other than it is what it is....training.
Case in point, nothing makes me happier than seeing Santana shut down Boston. The reality though is that these two teams are not going to face off against each other in the regular season. What's more, spring training games only show case a limited number of innings. So in the end we can't really deduce anything other than Santana looks like himself so far this year in the few innings he's thrown. Same thing goes for Joba Chamberlin. The other day Joba gave up two long shot homers, should that worry New York fans? Of course not! While it's true that he may have struggled a bit in that game, Chamberlin is also working on re-introducing a curve ball back into his repertoire.
What spring training should be is fun. It's fun to watch all the younger players fight for spots on the roster, watch teams face off against each other who never do in the regular season, and most of all its fun to see baseball back and know that in a few short weeks we get ESPN back from the dredges of basketball and hockey. (No offense to hockey fans, but basketball is not my cup of tea....with the exception of the NCAA but I digress)
My Run For President Is Over
Now to shift gears if I may, my run for president is officially over. By that I mean that unfortunately I have not been selected to be one of the running presidents at National's games. Of course I am disappointed, what a thrill it would have been especially in the new stadium. However it would have been a big time commitment and I am sure that I would have tired of it quickly. Ah who am I kidding, it sucks, I really wanted it but oh well. At least when I try out next year I will have a better idea of what it takes to earn a spot.
Case in point, nothing makes me happier than seeing Santana shut down Boston. The reality though is that these two teams are not going to face off against each other in the regular season. What's more, spring training games only show case a limited number of innings. So in the end we can't really deduce anything other than Santana looks like himself so far this year in the few innings he's thrown. Same thing goes for Joba Chamberlin. The other day Joba gave up two long shot homers, should that worry New York fans? Of course not! While it's true that he may have struggled a bit in that game, Chamberlin is also working on re-introducing a curve ball back into his repertoire.
What spring training should be is fun. It's fun to watch all the younger players fight for spots on the roster, watch teams face off against each other who never do in the regular season, and most of all its fun to see baseball back and know that in a few short weeks we get ESPN back from the dredges of basketball and hockey. (No offense to hockey fans, but basketball is not my cup of tea....with the exception of the NCAA but I digress)
My Run For President Is Over
Now to shift gears if I may, my run for president is officially over. By that I mean that unfortunately I have not been selected to be one of the running presidents at National's games. Of course I am disappointed, what a thrill it would have been especially in the new stadium. However it would have been a big time commitment and I am sure that I would have tired of it quickly. Ah who am I kidding, it sucks, I really wanted it but oh well. At least when I try out next year I will have a better idea of what it takes to earn a spot.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Scores from Spring Training
I've been pretty sick lately, so in lieu of a longer post enjoy some baseball scores. I am also sorry to report some bad news from the Nationals, more on that to come.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Exhausted yet excited
I have been MIA lately thanks to the ridiculous hours I have been putting in at the office. Without going into detail let's just say that I have literally spent many hundreds of hours at the office this moth alone. Please take a moment to feel sorry for me......ok thank you now back to the show. My mind is pretty frazzled so this post is going to be all over the place, but lets see what I can muster up.
Yankees Start out Strong in Spring Training
The Yankees clobbered the Phillie's yesterday 9-3 thanks to a homer from A-Rod and some RBI's (5) courtesy of my man Shelley Duncan. This is certainly a great way to start things off, but it is still much too early to form an opinion one way or the other on the rest of the season. However, I will say that I am happy to see that some of our everyday players showed up to training camp in good shape.
Rocket Bonds
I am trying to uphold my personal moratorium on writing about Clemens, but given the release of the Bonds grand jury testimony and the FBI's decision to launch a criminal probe into Roger's testimony before Congress I do have on comment to make. Simply put, so long as these two continue to fight with the courts and and the media, steroids in baseball isn't going away. Collectively we just need to shut them out and move on...that is until Selig gets off his lazy ass and opens up the can of worms again when he dishes out the penalties.
Nationals Stadium
The Stadium is looking great!!!
The jumbotron is the biggest in the world! From the pictures I have seen of the interior they have done an incredible job and I am looking forward to going to as many games as I can this season. Which brings me to my last topic of the day.....
Presidential Tryouts
I still haven't heard anything from the Nationals about this, but as soon as I do I will let you know in the manner that I described in my last post. I have to say I am starting to get a little pessimistic about my chances however.
Yankees Start out Strong in Spring Training
The Yankees clobbered the Phillie's yesterday 9-3 thanks to a homer from A-Rod and some RBI's (5) courtesy of my man Shelley Duncan. This is certainly a great way to start things off, but it is still much too early to form an opinion one way or the other on the rest of the season. However, I will say that I am happy to see that some of our everyday players showed up to training camp in good shape.
Rocket Bonds
I am trying to uphold my personal moratorium on writing about Clemens, but given the release of the Bonds grand jury testimony and the FBI's decision to launch a criminal probe into Roger's testimony before Congress I do have on comment to make. Simply put, so long as these two continue to fight with the courts and and the media, steroids in baseball isn't going away. Collectively we just need to shut them out and move on...that is until Selig gets off his lazy ass and opens up the can of worms again when he dishes out the penalties.
Nationals Stadium
The Stadium is looking great!!!
The jumbotron is the biggest in the world! From the pictures I have seen of the interior they have done an incredible job and I am looking forward to going to as many games as I can this season. Which brings me to my last topic of the day.....
Presidential Tryouts
I still haven't heard anything from the Nationals about this, but as soon as I do I will let you know in the manner that I described in my last post. I have to say I am starting to get a little pessimistic about my chances however.
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