by David Rubin
Let's call this for what it is- it is only about money for the owners and for the players. Period. Everything else from rule changes to roster size are all secondary by far to issues regarding money. And once again the only big losers are the fans. But it is not just the fact that we cannot see our teams continue to add and trade players; it goes much further.
The stupid lockout means that the MLB network cannot show any photographs or video of current players, except for games that have already aired because with the lockout nobody has the rights anymore. I have to admit that since the Mets have not been in contention much in recent years I truly look forward to the MLB network show Hot Stove beginning every November so that I can stay up-to-date every morning about what's happening throughout the sport, transaction-wise especially.
The lockout means there will be little to no new content on the MLB network until the lockout is resolved.
They will probably have special reports when a team like the Mets or the Athletics announces their new manager, or executives change teams.
But otherwise it will be repeats and replays until the lockout is resolved.
Just what Baseball needs, pissing off their existing fans even more, and preventing new fans from coming on board!!! Great job, guys...great job...
6 comments:
Millionaires arguing with millionaires. Who loses out? We do, like you said. Who else has been losing for years. Borderline MLB hitters. They already lost 100 games in 2020. Now, in their short window, they might lose more??
I personally don't want to spend time parsing thru the merits of their contentions...I have my own life to deal with, as do many fans. So, this high drama is not at all appreciated by me - or, it is clear, you, David.
I actually read this from MLB, and on the surface, those points seem positive (MY THOUGHTS IN CAPS). Hard to believe a stoppage could not be avoided.
"We offered to establish a minimum payroll for all clubs to meet for the first time in baseball history (GOOD); to allow the majority of players to reach free agency earlier through an age-based system that would eliminate the Players Association’s concern about alleged “service-time manipulation” (GOOD); and to increase compensation for younger players, including a historic increase to the minimum salary for players with one or two years of Major League service (VERY GOOD).
In an attempt to spur negotiations towards an agreement, we told the Players Association that we were willing to extend the Designated Hitter to the National League (VERY GOOD); to create a new draft lottery system, similar to those employed by other leagues (GOOD); and to increase the luxury-tax threshold that affects only a small number of teams (GOOD).
Tom- I only hope and pray that those very good changes will happen. Manfred was very insulting of our intelligence when he postured about the players association taking such a hard-line stance coming off of a prior season (2020) that so affected their revenue streams. Oh, boo, hoo!!! Billionaires, as you (and so many) have said- if they cannot afford to make it through the pandemic, then sell the damn team!!! REAL BUSINESSES, particularly mom and pop ones, made it through by literally the skin of their teeth, yet these super-duper rich and out-of-touch assholes want us to feel sorry for them!!! Sorry- you have burned your fans too much and for too long. And yes there are many concessions that the players deserve, but the fact that they've both had all of this time to work something out and did not do so just says once again that neither side truly gives a damn about their fans or the actual "game" itself. Ok- off of my soap box now, and will be back to non-rant posts next week (I hope, as long as this doesn't get any worse)
David your second rant here was like a second helping of ice cream! Keep ranting. I just want to see the marginal hitters get more opportunities (27 man roster) and get more $$. I don't begrudge Max Scherzer his Brinks Truck, I want to see the < $1 million guys make more, and minor leaguers make MUCH more. A player's career is short, while owners (good or lousy) get richer by the year.
Well said, David and Tom.
I find myself caring less for all pro sports, as I get older. Fighting over sums of money most of us will never see
Is hard to fathom/relate to and it will not have a positive influence on the future of the sport.
Sadly, both sides are not worried about the fans because they “know” they will be back when the games are
played, etc.
I hope they are right…..but I am not 100% sure.
I too, can rant about the same subject with the same feelings that David has put to pen. I agree - nothing more than money.
The letter that Manfred wrote is very one-sided and extremely critical of the players. It is like he is the chief negotiator for the owners. He is not - he is the commissioner of baseball - all of baseball - and his taking sides and publishing the crap in that language shows that he does not understand his job. He should be the leader of this and freaking lead. They had five years to do this - they knew that December 1, 2021 was coming when they signed the last CBA.
To say that they made their best efforts to set a deal in place is pure bullshit. If they had made their best effort and he had led at all, they would have had a damn deal in place and we wouldn't be here. I like leaders who lead and get things done. Manfred is an embarrassment to the game.
Right. There is so much wrong in this country today and to eff up the GAME of baseball like this is really sickening. Greed is destroying too much of everything.
As for fans leaving, I am certain it can and will happen. If I am honest with myself, I will be back and be a fan of the the Mets and baseball as soon as they are back and not give much thought to financial issues or a CBA, but that is only because baseball is engrained in me and part of my soul.
As for others, I believe they could walk away as fans very easily as I did from football and basketball some years ago. I used to spend more hours that I want to admit on Sunday afternoons week after week binge watching NFL games. Now I have no idea who is leading what division (do they even have divisions in the NFL?) or what any team record is. I just don't care. Same for basketball and even college basketball. I used to be a college hoops junkie - in the mid-80's I could pretty much name the staring line-ups for every team in March Madness. Now I could care less what teams are even playing. While I cannot do that with baseball, I am sure there are a lot of people that can.
So with an up-front apology to Dave if I am stealing .. that is "Remember's Rant" :-)
R 1969, I am very much the same as you regarding the NFL, NBA, and college ball. Just lost interest, and frankly, the political stuff helped the move to spend time on more valuable things.
I only (try) to follow the Herkimer Generals' Junio College basketball team. The 7'0" center of friends of ours is a starter on this 8-0 team. Chris Volo.
For much of my prior sports interest, the thrill is gone, to quote an old BB King tune.
They do risk alienating fans. Most are focused on other things right now, but if this drags into spring training....
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