A Realistic View at 2018: Part I

[dgalehouse]

Ballplayers have a unique situation. They have a union and the collective bargaining benefits that go with it. Plus they have agents that negotiate their own personal contracts. Pretty good deal . We know that most of them are overpaid , some by a lot. But we generally do not begrudge them this situation , because the owners are not exactly sympathetic figures. So , we willingly pay the price in tickets , concessions , merchandise , TV sports packages , etc. to follow and cheer them. We do need someone to blame , so Boras is a handy target. But he really is just a part of the system. And a very successful one at that.

[notin]

Is anyone taking up the argument that owners are ethical? I must have missed that part of the thread.

 

I believe there was a reference to Boras taking advantage of "ethical owners".

 

I should probably have replied to it, to keep that part included...

[notin]

Ballplayers have a unique situation. They have a union and the collective bargaining benefits that go with it. Plus they have agents that negotiate their own personal contracts. Pretty good deal . We know that most of them are overpaid , some by a lot. But we generally do not begrudge them this situation , because the owners are not exactly sympathetic figures. So , we willingly pay the price in tickets , concessions , merchandise , TV sports packages , etc. to follow and cheer them. We do need someone to blame , so Boras is a handy target. But he really is just a part of the system. And a very successful one at that.

 

Not to mention, Boras is like 70 and could easily retire soon. And when he does, someone else will take over as the "game's greediest agent."

 

And I am so so hoping - and solely because he has the most awesome name ever - that that agent is Bean Stringfellow...

Edited January 5, 2018 by notin

[S5Dewey]

I believe there was a reference to Boras taking advantage of "ethical owners".

 

I should probably have replied to it, to keep that part included...

 

Ya. That was me a few pages ago when I was facetiously demonstrating how the word "probably" could be used to imply something that the speaker doesn't have knowledge of its truth - but is possible. I think everyone got that at the time.

[S5Dewey]

Not to mention, Boras is like 70 and could easily retire soon. And when he dies, someone else will take over as the "game's greediest agent."

 

And I am so so hoping - and solely because he has the most awesome name ever - that that agent is Bean Stringfellow...

 

If that's really someone's name you have to admit that at least his parents had a sense of humor.

[notin]

If that's really someone's name you have to admit that at least his parents had a sense of humor.

 

 

That is the name of an actual former Atlanta Braves minor leaguer turned baseball agent....

[cp176]

Ballplayers have a unique situation. They have a union and the collective bargaining benefits that go with it. Plus they have agents that negotiate their own personal contracts. Pretty good deal . We know that most of them are overpaid , some by a lot. But we generally do not begrudge them this situation , because the owners are not exactly sympathetic figures. So , we willingly pay the price in tickets , concessions , merchandise , TV sports packages , etc. to follow and cheer them. We do need someone to blame , so Boras is a handy target. But he really is just a part of the system. And a very successful one at that.

 

It is disgusting to many of us how much money good entertainers and entertainment in general costs but I have to say really who gets to judge that. If the demand says that that is what is out there for them, I say God bless them. Plenty of people think that teachers are overpaid as well. Who gets to judge not me. I laugh daily here when i see the people who obsess over what the supposed budget constraints are for John Henry and the Red Sox. We all get to think what we want but henry isn't printing his own. He runs a very successful business and personally I want him to spend his money trying to improve the Boston Red sox. For all of you who think that this is all going to come crashing down, good luck with that. We shall see but i doubt seriously that it happens.

[harmony]

Not to mention, Boras is like 70 and could easily retire soon. And when he does, someone else will take over as the "game's greediest agent."

 

And I am so so hoping - and solely because he has the most awesome name ever - that that agent is Bean Stringfellow...

Scott Boras turned 65 years old in November:

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=boras-001sco

 

He's less than three years older than I am ... and a lot richer.

[notin]

Scott Boras turned 65 years old in November:

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=boras-001sco

 

He's less than three years older than I am ... and a lot richer.

 

Well, maybe you're doing better than Bean Stringfellow...

[notin]

It is disgusting to many of us how much money good entertainers and entertainment in general costs but I have to say really who gets to judge that.

 

Ahh.. capitalism.

[harmony]

Well, maybe you're doing better than Bean Stringfellow...

I'm nearly eight years older than Bean:

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=string001tho

[cp176]

Ahh.. capitalism.

 

You bet baby - but hey, I have no pans to move to any European country.

[Bellhorn04]

Ballplayers have a unique situation. They have a union and the collective bargaining benefits that go with it. Plus they have agents that negotiate their own personal contracts. Pretty good deal . We know that most of them are overpaid , some by a lot. But we generally do not begrudge them this situation , because the owners are not exactly sympathetic figures. So , we willingly pay the price in tickets , concessions , merchandise , TV sports packages , etc. to follow and cheer them. We do need someone to blame , so Boras is a handy target. But he really is just a part of the system. And a very successful one at that.

 

Yeah, this about sums it up. I resent Boras and what he stands for and I probably look for things to knock him for, I have to admit. Over the years there were a few times I thought he was headed for a fall. But he's still standing and still doing much better than anyone else in his field. He's a shrewd individual, I would never contest that point.

[Hitch]

You bet baby - but hey, I have no pans to move to any European country.

 

Are you under the impression capitalism doesn't exist in Europe?

[cp176]

Are you under the impression capitalism doesn't exist in Europe?

 

No - are you under the impression that socialism doesn't? It is a personal preference. I'm very proud of where I am from and am happy to be here.

[Bellhorn04]

In Canada we have capitalism and socialism, the whole package LOL

[Elktonnick]

Yeah, this about sums it up. I resent Boras and what he stands for and I probably look for things to knock him for, I have to admit. Over the years there were a few times I thought he was headed for a fall. But he's still standing and still doing much better than anyone else in his field. He's a shrewd individual, I would never contest that point.

 

What exactly does Boras stand for?

[moonslav59]

What exactly does Boras stand for?

 

The National Anthem.

[Hitch]

No - are you under the impression that socialism doesn't? It is a personal preference. I'm very proud of where I am from and am happy to be here.

 

What a bizarre and overlysensitive reply.

 

 

In Canada we have capitalism and socialism, the whole package LOL

 

That's why Canada is such a great country.

[a700hitter]

I believe there was a reference to Boras taking advantage of "ethical owners".

 

I should probably have replied to it, to keep that part included...

Ethical owners? Maybe you made the reference in your reply or you projected it. I didn’t see that reference from anyone.

[cp176]

What a bizarre and overlysensitive reply.

 

 

 

 

That's why Canada is such a great country.

 

bizarre and overly sensitive - why so Hitch? Just a happy American here. I kind of thought that your suggestion that maybe I didn't know that capitalism existed in Europe was just a tad bizarre. I'm glad that you folks think that Canada is such great country.

[Elktonnick]

The National Anthem.

 

touche

[a700hitter]

Are you under the impression capitalism doesn't exist in Europe?

Even communist states have capitalism. In communist states, capitalism happens on the black market. Nations in European Union are heavily socialist.

[cp176]

Even communist states have capitalism. In communist states, capitalism happens on the black market. Nations in European Union are heavily socialist.

 

I'm thinking that Hitch doesn't think that we know things like this - how about you?

[Hitch]

bizarre and overly sensitive - why so Hitch? Just a happy American here. I kind of thought that your suggestion that maybe I didn't know that capitalism existed in Europe was just a tad bizarre. I'm glad that you folks think that Canada is such great country.

 

I simply stated that Europe too, has Capitalism, in response to your insinuation you are happy enough with capitalism and have no desire to escape it by going to Europe. I wasn't expecting such a reply to trigger a salute the flag moment, but there you go.

 

Even communist states have capitalism. In communist states, capitalism happens on the black market. Nations in European Union are heavily socialist.

 

Yes, despite some ideas suggesting otherwise, Capitalism isn't American. And there is quite a lot of socialism in America, also. It's just called something else and mainly for the wealthier among the population.

[a700hitter]

Yes, despite some ideas suggesting otherwise, Capitalism isn't American. And there is quite a lot of socialism in America, also. It's just called something else and mainly for the wealthier among the population.

And there is a lot of what I would consider misguided indoctrination in that statement, but just a reminder that politics is verboten here. There are many thousands of forums to engage in political nonsense. Take it elsewhere.

[cp176]

I simply stated that Europe too, has Capitalism, in response to your insinuation you are happy enough with capitalism and have no desire to escape it by going to Europe. I wasn't expecting such a reply to trigger a salute the flag moment, but there you go.

 

 

 

Yes, despite some ideas suggesting otherwise, Capitalism isn't American. And there is quite a lot of socialism in America, also. It's just called something else and mainly for the wealthier among the population.

 

Well there you go Hitch. What can I say that I haven't already said. And yes you are right - I do believe in saluting the flag and saying the pledge as well.

[cp176]

And there is a lot of what I would consider misguided indoctrination in that statement, but just a reminder that politics is verboten here. There are many thousands of forums to engage in political nonsense. Take it elsewhere.

 

 

I will follow this advice as well. I'm bored and had a weak moment. I need some baseball to talk about.

[Bellhorn04]

What exactly does Boras stand for?

 

To me he stands for greed, getting every last dollar, and escalating baseball salaries as high into the stratosphere as possible.

 

It's just my personal feelings, nothing more. And I fully realize that the owners are men of greed as well.

[Hitch]

And there is a lot of what I would consider misguided indoctrination in that statement, but just a reminder that politics is verboten here. There are many thousands of forums to engage in political nonsense. Take it elsewhere.

 

And yet you felt the need to get involved, strangely, backing up my point.

 

But, so be it.