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

[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?

[GoCubsGo32]

Happy Opening Day!

Spot on, Doug.

Go Cubs Go!

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by 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?

And Fisher's reward for running the team into the ground is $380 million from the Nevada taxpayers. At least the players earn their money...

[steve B]

Originally Posted by 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?

Yes, players make what they do because their abilities bring in more revenue than they're paid.
The downside is that tickets are now way too expensive for an average fan to show up and buy a ticket to a game. The cheap seats at Fenway are about $100 each this year. The standing room in left field are almost 300. "loge Box" which used to be lower grandstand are about 200, depending on how far away you are.

A far stretch from when a HS kid with a job paying 3-4 an hour could go to something like 11 straight games trying to see Yaz 3000th hit.
Yes, it was years ago and everything had gotten more expensive. But even with our much better family income I couldn't manage much more than 1 or 2 games in the worst seats.


The reality for many musicians is not what you think. My friend that died recently was getting somewhere in trop rock, good following in the genre, couple songs doing well. He posted about his "earnings" a bout 2 years after his first song..... $3.... and they wanted $6 to send him a check.
Do it because you really like it.

[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.

[Chris-Counts]

I have long struggled to reconcile my love of baseball with my disgust for the greedy knuckleheads who run it. I'm happy opening day is here, but I have little interest in feeding the money machine. Whenever I think of guys like Selig and Manfred, I am reminded of a quote by Roy Hobbs in "The Natural" — "Max, did you ever play the game?"

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by jayshum

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

They're not "competitors" though in the full proper sense of the word. Their teams compete on the playing field but that's it. There's a good reason why they're called "franchises" because that's precisely what they are, franchises in the single business enterprise of MLB.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by jayshum

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

Youve never heard on non compete clauses? Even the ones that limit the time it's in effect are essentially the reserve clause.