Happy Opening Day! (even though MLB hates it's fans)

[BioCRN]

One of the few times where having a career that involves being at work around 6-630am was a positive.

I'll take it even though the Cubs lost.

Also, we live in an era where I can watch almost every Cubs game, and up to 14 other games a day if I choose, for $100 a year (MLBAA $25 + half-off MLB.tv). Best deal in entertainment. I would have killed for this as a kid and it's easily obtainable as an adult.

[ASF123]

You guys who hate current MLB should really give it another chance - some of the players are really quite good! There’s this one guy from Japan who can hit *and* pitch!

[gonefishin]

Some interesting points of view.

However, if MLB had vanished - let's say in the steroid's era - because no one attended or watched a baseball game. The baseball cards that everyone cherishes would be absolutely worthless and would be exactly what they are - pieces of old cardboard.

The old saying "Throwing baby out with the bath water" is applicable in this case.

I for one support and love a good baseball game.

[molenick]

I can understand not watching today's game because of the pace, rule changes, the emphasis on analytics, etc. The one thing I don't understand is not watching because of how much money the players make.

They make what they make for the same reason baseball cards cost what they do...supply and demand. The players provide a skill that is in short supply and the owners acquire that skill to help them make money through attendance, concessions, sale of merchandise, viewership, etc. They bid in a free market system for the players services. Maybe they are not always smart about what they are paying so some contracts seem silly. But they are the ones offering to pay the players the money (the same way we are the ones bidding on/buying baseball cards and thus setting a price for them).

I also don't understand why, when we consume other forms of entertainment like movies, TV, music, etc. we don't say "I won't watch that movie, they paid the star too much." We just decide whether we think it will entertain us and then watch or not watch based on that. Not to mention drive cars, use computers and phones, and buy things online from companies owned by billionaires.

I would never tell anyone what to watch or not watch, and I am certainly not as invested in the current game as I was when I was twelve (I am much more likely to know who won the World Series 60 years ago as opposed to six years ago). But when I do see a game, I see some amazing athletes competing at a high level in a sport I enjoy watching.

And a card...

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by molenick

But they are the ones offering to pay the players the money (the same way we are the ones bidding on/buying baseball cards and thus setting a price for them).

Except when the owners decided not to, it was classified as collusion. Just shutting the whole enterprise down and walking away became their only alternative to anteing up again in bidding wars. They chose the latter.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

However, if MLB had vanished - let's say in the steroid's era - because no one attended or watched a baseball game. The baseball cards that everyone cherishes would be absolutely worthless and would be exactly what they are - pieces of old cardboard.

The old saying "Throwing baby out with the bath water" is applicable in this case.

I disagree. After all, the collectors of old baseball cards are not doing so because they're enamoured of the present day game. They collect old cards for other reasons of their own. See the other currently active thread for precisely those reasons.

[bmattioli]

Welcome back Baseball.. I missed it.. Redsox# 1

[BioCRN]

This kinda sidesteps the economic issues being raised by the people in this thread being made about going to live games, but I'm much happier staying home these days than seeing a game live.

HD broadcasts, the amount of cameras/angles, and various other broadcast perks have me staying home more than trying to get out to the ballpark when the situation arises. I've caught myself in hotel rooms in other cities choosing to catch the broadcast rather than buying a ticket and spending a few hours at the ballpark.

I don't even go to as many minor league games as I used to and they're still extremely affordable. Part of me would wonder if the carnival-like MLB parks is the turn-off, but it doesn't seem to be.

I'm really thankful for the sheer amount of broadcast baseball you can easily obtain these days. I watched the Cubs in Japan at 6am today and I'm on my 2nd spring training game since I got home in the early afternoon today.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

I disagree. After all, the collectors of old baseball cards are not doing so because they're enamoured of the present day game. They collect old cards for other reasons of their own. See the other currently active thread for precisely those reasons.

Sure, you could still collect. But you wouldn't have many people to sell your cards to.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

Also, we live in an era where I can watch almost every Cubs game, and up to 14 other games a day if I choose, for $100 a year (MLBAA $25 + half-off MLB.tv). Best deal in entertainment. I would have killed for this as a kid and it's easily obtainable as an adult.

Hmmmm. Now you're tempting me to actually buy a TV! I have to keep telling myself though that watching a lot of TV kills too many brain cells.

[Section103]

The problem I have with criticizing players for money is that its short sighted in favor of the owners. The money is there - period. I'd much rather see every god damned nickel go to the players than the owners. Ive never been to any event with the interest of seeing the owners. Unless you have a plan to suck money out of the game (good luck!), its a complete non-starter in my book. The notion that these freak athletes should be able to relate to my fat ass accounting professional is laughable and arrogance of the highest order.

[BobbyStrawberry]

It is peak Rob Manfred to start the Japan games at the worst possible time of day for US audiences. (3 am start for the Dodgers' home market, lol)

[bk400]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

It is peak Rob Manfred to start the Japan games at the worst possible time of day for US audiences. (3 am start for the Dodgers' home market, lol)

I suspect that the growth market for the Dodgers and the Cubs may be Asia these days. Opening Day revenues for an Ohtani - Imanaga - Yamamoto start is probably better in Japan than in LA or in Chicago.

[bk400]

Generally speaking, I think the game today is as good as it was "back in the day". I was an 86 Mets era fan, and the only thing I wish is that there is more focus on defense and small ball in the modern game (noting that the Yankees dropped trou in the World Series because they can't play defense). I wouldn't mind seeing some more bench clearing brawls also.

But the athleticism, speed, power pitching, faster pace, MLB TV -- so I can watch the White Sox play the Rockies if I'm looking for the occasional minor league game. I think it's a better product overall now.

[Snapolit1]

If you don't watch baseball because of how much the players make, I assume you don't go to the movies either. Or buy much music. Jack Nicholson used to make like $6m for a few HOURS of set time. Elon Musk probably makes $800M in a DAY. Ditto Bill Gates. We have more billionaires in this country than any nation in the history of the world.

Leon is entitled to his view of course. But penalizing an entire sport because of what players did a generation ago? Men who are now in their 60s? You have soured on the sport because of that. I just don't get it.

Oakland As run into the ground by ownership . . . with an assist from the city. I read today that this poverty franchise was valued at 3 BILLION. And people are sour that a player is making 100 Million?

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by bk400

...the only thing I wish is that there is more focus on defense and small ball in the modern game.... I wouldn't mind seeing some more bench clearing brawls also.

Oh absolutely! I agree.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Section103

The notion that these freak athletes should be able to relate to my fat ass accounting professional is laughable and arrogance of the highest order.

Why then should your fat-assed accountant or other fans relate to these freak athletes? You're forgetting that professional baseball is for the fans and it's ultimately the fans on whom the game and the players' inflated salaries depend. The fans are after all the customers.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by SAllen2556

When the players lived in your neighborhood they were being screwed by the owners under the reserve clause. I assume you’d rather go back to the days when Al Kaline had to work for a car dealership in the off season?

Actually I see NOTHING wrong with that situation at all. What's wrong with these seasonal workers actually preparing for the day when their skills have faded? What's wrong with them getting a start on building their careers outside of professional sports? That's how it was done until 40-50 years ago. CFL teams still encourage players to prepare for their post playing careers by becoming involved in the local community.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Actually I see NOTHING wrong with that situation at all. What's wrong with these seasonal workers actually preparing for the day when their skills have faded? What's wrong with them getting a start on building their careers outside of professional sports? That's how it was done until 40-50 years ago. CFL teams still encourage players to prepare for their post playing careers by becoming involved in the local community.

I don't either. I see them as WAY overpaid and I am not changing my stance on that. And I don't think they were being screwed. Total baloney.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by jingram058

I don't either. I see them as WAY overpaid and I am not changing my stance on that. And I don't think they were being screwed. Total baloney.

As an employee, I don't believe in the existence or concept of "overpaid".

One of my current employers would tell you in private that he believes I am overpaid, but he agreed to pay me, so he can't really complain. Oh, and I believe that I am underpaid, although I agreed to my salary, so I don't get to complain either.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by jingram058

I don't either. I see them as WAY overpaid and I am not changing my stance on that. And I don't think they were being screwed. Total baloney.

What other industry prevented its employees from leaving and going to work for a competitor? That's basically what the reserve clause did.