Well stated - MLB propaganda- the owners never open up their books to show how much they make. Meanwhile, every player salary is public knowledge. Fans are jealous that a player is paid a large sum of money. But they also can do things that very few human beings can do ( hit a 100mph pitch and/or throw a 100mph pitch). Meanwhile, the billionaire owners ( many of whom inherited their team) blackmail cities into building stadiums for them. I say “let em leave”. Our society has too many real problems to fix. Our tax money shouldn’t go to sport stadiums, unless everyone benefits. Not just a rich team owner. MLB can go to hell as far as I’m concerned.
I laughed when I read the list of your leveling the field questions for owners, not because they aren’t valid, but I could picture random owners being interviewed on TV and what their reaction would be to these questions. Reactions ranging from apoplectic to insulted to hysterical laughter.
Wow! This explains so much. Capital greed and capital gain. The playing field must definitely be leveled. The real life version of "Money Ball" has gotten way out of hand. The heartbreak of watching the A's leave Oakland is still fresh. At this moment I watch the score on my phone and I still cheer "Lets Go OAKLAND" despite the fact my home team is far away from that historic site. The way you describe all of this sits heavy while I know I'm not the only one who feels the loss. I know the Coliseum where I grew up watching the A's with my parents is in desperate need of repair and a whole lot more. Watching people of all ages cry their eyes out during the last game in Oakland was a sad unfair loss to the city and the young fans who cannot travel to Sacramento. I know it's nothing new for teams to move on. But it hurts. It really hurts and while I knew some of the reasons it happened. This gives me a crystal clear picture of why so many people still hate an owner who turned his back on a community who needed their team to stay where they were loved like family. I'm just glad my parents didn't live to see the injustice that caused it all. At the same time I'm very grateful that life made it possible for me to attend that historic last game. Thank you and I hope your story will help push the change that needed to happen yesterday.
There is so many people that know more about players than I do, loved Trammel and Whitaker and vaguely remember the article since Williams was the best hitter of all time with Boggs and Mattingly not far behind but I think Gywnn was second best.
Well stated - MLB propaganda- the owners never open up their books to show how much they make. Meanwhile, every player salary is public knowledge. Fans are jealous that a player is paid a large sum of money. But they also can do things that very few human beings can do ( hit a 100mph pitch and/or throw a 100mph pitch). Meanwhile, the billionaire owners ( many of whom inherited their team) blackmail cities into building stadiums for them. I say “let em leave”. Our society has too many real problems to fix. Our tax money shouldn’t go to sport stadiums, unless everyone benefits. Not just a rich team owner. MLB can go to hell as far as I’m concerned.
Well said. I'll never understand why so many fans side with billionaire owners over millionaire players.
I laughed when I read the list of your leveling the field questions for owners, not because they aren’t valid, but I could picture random owners being interviewed on TV and what their reaction would be to these questions. Reactions ranging from apoplectic to insulted to hysterical laughter.
At the moment, I like 4 ownership groups in the MLB, the rest can get...
Great post, BB. "stadium grift" is great - I'll have to remember that one.
Excellent piece Buddha. I see this happening with The Chicago Bears. The White Sox tried to do this but Illinois closed the door on them
Wow! This explains so much. Capital greed and capital gain. The playing field must definitely be leveled. The real life version of "Money Ball" has gotten way out of hand. The heartbreak of watching the A's leave Oakland is still fresh. At this moment I watch the score on my phone and I still cheer "Lets Go OAKLAND" despite the fact my home team is far away from that historic site. The way you describe all of this sits heavy while I know I'm not the only one who feels the loss. I know the Coliseum where I grew up watching the A's with my parents is in desperate need of repair and a whole lot more. Watching people of all ages cry their eyes out during the last game in Oakland was a sad unfair loss to the city and the young fans who cannot travel to Sacramento. I know it's nothing new for teams to move on. But it hurts. It really hurts and while I knew some of the reasons it happened. This gives me a crystal clear picture of why so many people still hate an owner who turned his back on a community who needed their team to stay where they were loved like family. I'm just glad my parents didn't live to see the injustice that caused it all. At the same time I'm very grateful that life made it possible for me to attend that historic last game. Thank you and I hope your story will help push the change that needed to happen yesterday.
Totally unrelated, I would like it if you would write about middle infielders. Specifically Alan Trammel and Lou Whitaker.
And do you remember a Sports Illustrated article that was a sit down with Boggs, Mattingly, and Ted Williams?
There is so many people that know more about players than I do, loved Trammel and Whitaker and vaguely remember the article since Williams was the best hitter of all time with Boggs and Mattingly not far behind but I think Gywnn was second best.
Civilization took a drastic turn for the worse the moment pitchers were no longer required to get up to bat, and it has gone downhill ever since.