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MLB
Dec 11, 2019 2:03:56 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Dec 11, 2019 2:03:56 GMT
I've got mixed feelings.
On one hand, I really try not to envy the super-rich. In sports, the money is there, someone is agreeing to pay it, so I guess so be it. I don't have to watch (and in baseball, I don't). And ditto for anyone else in other fields earning fortunes, as long as they're not criminals.
But on the other hand, especially when the wealthy complain excessively, that's when I lose it. When I hear multimillionaire pro athletes talking about being treated like slaves over things like the owners of teams being called "owners of teams," or having (collectively bargained) rights to trade players, etc., all while wanting the right to break contracts on their end if they suddenly decide to play elsewhere ... those sorts of things drive me crazy.
Objectively, yeah, it's obviously insane that people who play children's games are paid better than people literally curing cancer. But we vote with our pocketbooks.
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MLB
Dec 11, 2019 13:36:58 GMT
Post by kds on Dec 11, 2019 13:36:58 GMT
WARNING: Old Man Rant
Last year, Bryce Harper signed with The Phillies for $330M. Yesterday, Steven Strasburg signed with The Nationals for $245M. It is getting increasingly more difficult for me to root for professional athletes. I just can't relate or pull for them or become emotionally attached to them...like I used to. End of rant.
I try not to get caught up in the money thing. It is what it is. But, considering we have a forum devoted to music, where the performers also get paid ridiculous amounts of money, it would be hard for me to get angry about a baseball player getting a ton of money, when I freely drop hard earned money to see an band with millions upon millions in the bank. But, baseball should've put in a salary cap years ago.
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MLB
Jan 12, 2020 18:38:39 GMT
via mobile
Post by kds on Jan 12, 2020 18:38:39 GMT
The other day, I caught a replay of Game 2 of the 1983 World Series. Not once had the terms launch angle, exit velocity, or WAR get mentioned. It was glorious.
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MLB
Jan 13, 2020 21:15:33 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 13, 2020 21:15:33 GMT
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Houston Astros' Manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow for one year for their roles in the sign-stealing scandal. The Astros subsequently fired both of them. Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora is next to get the hammer.
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MLB
Jan 14, 2020 15:24:33 GMT
Post by kds on Jan 14, 2020 15:24:33 GMT
Granted, different eras and commissioners, but when you consider the punishment of key members of the 1919 White Sox, as well as Pete Rose, this seems like a slap on the wrist.
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MLB
Jan 14, 2020 21:13:22 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 14, 2020 21:13:22 GMT
At first I thought the one year suspensions were a slap on the wrist. But then you have to consider that the suspensions led to the firings (who wants to wait a whole year/season with an interim manager and interim GM), and the chance that those involved may never be hired again. I know that sign-stealing has never been viewed as being overly serious, but I've been hearing a lot of discussion on sports talk radio. Apparently the sophisticated way these guys were doing it was really giving them a big advantage. And, I'm also hearing that the teams, especially the owners, don't want to be associated with "cheaters".
And then there's Bill Belichick. I would love to know what he thinks about this.
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MLB
Jan 14, 2020 21:24:43 GMT
Post by kds on Jan 14, 2020 21:24:43 GMT
At first I thought the one year suspensions were a slap on the wrist. But then you have to consider that the suspensions led to the firings (who wants to wait a whole year/season with an interim manager and interim GM), and the chance that those involved may never be hired again. I know that sign-stealing has never been viewed as being overly serious, but I've been hearing a lot of discussion on sports talk radio. Apparently the sophisticated way these guys were doing it was really giving them a big advantage. And, I'm also hearing that the teams, especially the owners, don't want to be associated with "cheaters".
And then there's Bill Belichick. I would love to know what he thinks about this. This system the Astros set up seems like it would warrant what will probably equate to a lifetime band for Ludlow and Hinch. The level of using technology to steal signs in game makes even the stuff Belichick has done pale in comparison. It's funny, I just got a copy of the book, Astroball for Christmas.
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MLB
Jan 16, 2020 23:07:10 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 16, 2020 23:07:10 GMT
Happy Trails, Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran.
I can't say that I'm surprised that these guys are getting fired, but I'm starting to hear some opinions that most/all of them will eventually get back into baseball, some as early as 2021.
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MLB
Apr 2, 2020 11:58:41 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 2, 2020 11:58:41 GMT
Today would have been the Twins' home opener. On the positive side, it's supposed to rain and turn to sleet and even snow. So it probably would have ended up rescheduled anyway.
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MLB
May 5, 2020 12:35:45 GMT
Post by kds on May 5, 2020 12:35:45 GMT
ESPN has starting airing Korean baseball games.
I miss baseball, but not that much.
I actually don't mind the lack of live sports nearly as much as I thought I would.
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MLB
May 5, 2020 12:44:12 GMT
Post by Kapitan on May 5, 2020 12:44:12 GMT
I actually don't mind the lack of live sports nearly as much as I thought I would. Same here. But I think for me that's because of the improving weather. If this were all going down in the fall instead of spring, and weather was getting worse instead of better, and we'd be going into football and basketball rather than coming out of them? Then I think I'd have a different opinion.
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MLB
May 5, 2020 12:48:20 GMT
Post by kds on May 5, 2020 12:48:20 GMT
I actually don't mind the lack of live sports nearly as much as I thought I would. Same here. But I think for me that's because of the improving weather. If this were all going down in the fall instead of spring, and weather was getting worse instead of better, and we'd be going into football and basketball rather than coming out of them? Then I think I'd have a different opinion. That's very true. Also, for me, I'm just not into baseball like I was as a kid. When baseball went on strike in 1994, I was gutted. I still watch my Orioles, but that's about it. Now, if the NFL season is in danger, I'll be whistling a different tune.
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MLB
May 5, 2020 13:01:35 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 5, 2020 13:01:35 GMT
They were really pushing that Korean baseball on Golic & Wingo this morning, but I couldn't help but think - WHO cares? I mean, really, who could sit in front of a TV and watch more than a few batters, just out of curiosity.
I didn't realize how much the NBA and the NBA playoffs are missed until The Last Dance was broadcast.
Like Kapitan pointed out, things would be a lot worse if this was fall/winter and NFL games were being lost. In some ways the NFL was "lucky" that COVID-19 struck when it did (and I say that will all due respect and sympathy to those personally affected by it). If things fell during the NFL season, we would already have missed 7-8 games, about half the season. No Thursday/Sunday/Monday football, no Fantasy Football, no talking about the games during the week at work or play, and so on. It's hard to imagine. I heard that the NFL has yet to make adjustments to their upcoming schedule, though of course that is subject to change. They are going to have a lot of complex decisions to make.
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MLB
May 5, 2020 13:12:41 GMT
Post by kds on May 5, 2020 13:12:41 GMT
They were really pushing that Korean baseball on Golic & Wingo this morning, but I couldn't help but think - WHO cares? I mean, really, who could sit in front of a TV and watch more than a few batters, just out of curiosity.
I didn't realize how much the NBA and the NBA playoffs are missed until The Last Dance was broadcast.
Like Kapitan pointed out, things would be a lot worse if this was fall/winter and NFL games were being lost. In some ways the NFL was "lucky" that COVID-19 struck when it did (and I say that will all due respect and sympathy to those personally affected by it). If things fell during the NFL season, we would already have missed 7-8 games, about half the season. No Thursday/Sunday/Monday football, no Fantasy Football, no talking about the games during the week at work or play, and so on. It's hard to imagine. I heard that the NFL has yet to make adjustments to their upcoming schedule, though of course that is subject to change. They are going to have a lot of complex decisions to make.
You'd be surprised. I still listen to the local sports talk station here, and some people are so starved for baseball, they'll tune in. I've heard that the NFL is releasing two different schedules on Thursday - a Plan A schedule with a normal opening, and a Pan B schedule if they have to delay opening until October.
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MLB
Jun 2, 2020 14:24:45 GMT
Post by kds on Jun 2, 2020 14:24:45 GMT
Major League Baseball's players and owners have been negotiating on terms for a truncated 2020 season, one which would likely be played in empty stadiums. They'd realistically have to come to an agreement by the end of this week in order to do another Spring Training and have the season begin for their target date of June 30.
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