Will The MLB Suspend The 2020 season

[jad]

This is very true, but the amazing thing about it is that the others are pretty bad.

 

It's not easy to make Roger Goodell look like a statesman, and Gary Bettman look like a mastermind (although he's had a good record recently, including innovations to the game, such as the 3-man overtime, which ROCKS!--cf. the pathetic efforts at rule-changes of baseball and football.). But making others look like geniuses is something that Manfred has down. I don't see how any semblance of a season can be saved. But that will be barely a blip on the screen once next year rolls around, and owners goad the players into open rebellion.

[notin]

Manfred is the worst commissioner in sports.

 

 

Given how many bad commissioners MLB seems to have had, maybe it’s the toughest position among pro sports commissioners...

[notin]

This is very true, but the amazing thing about it is that the others are pretty bad.

 

Goodell over Manfred?

[Bellhorn04]

Goodell over Manfred?

 

Not sure if Goodell is any better. I think maybe the NFL is just harder to f*** up.

[notin]

Not sure if Goodell is any better. I think maybe the NFL is just harder to f*** up.

 

Oh I agree.

 

All MLB Commissioners seem to struggle. Goodell stands out in the NFL as an idiot...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think both sides -- at least leaders on both sides -- assume that fans will always come back, whenever that is. And they're right, at least in regards to the history of baseball strikes and work stoppages. I know this isn't our childrens' fathers' MLB, but the pro game evolved into a niche spectator sport long ago; the first postseason night game was half a century ago -- and some of the kids back then who couldn't or didn't stay up late enough... were us. And we're still here.

 

MLB is losing fans this year, but baseball isn't doomed. The game will always be a popular participation sport for kids growing up, and many of those will remain fans or replace us dying dinosaurs. The majors will never dominate American interest like it once did, but since its peak in the 1950s the population has more than doubled, and there will still be plenty of fans -- otherwise, why would big networks still shell out billions to broadcast?

 

Baseball will be back. It just sucks right now for guys and gals like us.

[Elktonnick]

I think both sides -- at least leaders on both sides -- assume that fans will always come back, whenever that is. And they're right, at least in regards to the history of baseball strikes and work stoppages. I know this isn't our childrens' fathers' MLB, but the pro game evolved into a niche spectator sport long ago; the first postseason night game was half a century ago -- and some of the kids back then who couldn't or didn't stay up late enough... were us. And we're still here.

 

MLB is losing fans this year, but baseball isn't doomed. The game will always be a popular participation sport for kids growing up, and many of those will remain fans or replace us dying dinosaurs. The majors will never dominate American interest like it once did, but since its peak in the 1950s the population has more than doubled, and there will still be plenty of fans -- otherwise, why would big networks still shell out billions to broadcast?

 

Baseball will be back. It just sucks right now for guys and gals like us.

 

My hope is the independent leagues may resume some type of play.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

One topic worth discussing: if the season is shot, what aspect of the game could ever possibly generate national interest again in the MLB? It can't be another artificially-contrived home run race like McGwire-vs-Sosa (plus, we're already over-saturated with a HR/K culture).

 

Here are some feats that might help -- and could only be earned with considerable talent (especially beating constant shifts): a batter approaching a .400 average or 56-game hitting streak. Another would be a phenom pitcher who throws back-to-back no-hitters... imagine the excitement and coverage going into his next start???

 

Anyone think of any others?

[notin]

One topic worth discussing: if the season is shot, what aspect of the game could ever possibly generate national interest again in the MLB? It can't be another artificially-contrived home run race like McGwire-vs-Sosa (plus, we're already over-saturated with a HR/K culture).

 

Here are some feats that might help -- and could only be earned with considerable talent (especially beating constant shifts): a batter approaching a .400 average or 56-game hitting streak. Another would be a phenom pitcher who throws back-to-back no-hitters... imagine the excitement and coverage going into his next start???

 

Anyone think of any others?

 

Back-to-back no hitters is the pipe dream. First you have to hope any pitcher throws even one. And then every time someone does, that comes up and the excitement lasts a couple innings.

 

.400 would be exciting, although it’s really not a record. The hitting streak is another interesting one.

 

How about someone breaking Johnny Gochnauer’s record of 98 errors in a single season?

[Kimmi]

But then, gosh, people disagree sometimes, and ... and even say mean and hurtful things to me ...

 

You should join the Anything Goes Covid thread. LOL

[Kimmi]

My hope is the independent leagues may resume some type of play.

 

I am thinking that I may have to rekindle my passion for football and/or basketball.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Back-to-back no hitters is the pipe dream. First you have to hope any pitcher throws even one. And then every time someone does, that comes up and the excitement lasts a couple innings.

 

.400 would be exciting, although it’s really not a record. The hitting streak is another interesting one.

 

How about someone breaking Johnny Gochnauer’s record of 98 errors in a single season?

 

Manfred's already challenging that one...

[Kimmi]

One topic worth discussing: if the season is shot, what aspect of the game could ever possibly generate national interest again in the MLB? It can't be another artificially-contrived home run race like McGwire-vs-Sosa (plus, we're already over-saturated with a HR/K culture).

 

Here are some feats that might help -- and could only be earned with considerable talent (especially beating constant shifts): a batter approaching a .400 average or 56-game hitting streak. Another would be a phenom pitcher who throws back-to-back no-hitters... imagine the excitement and coverage going into his next start???

 

Anyone think of any others?

 

Before I read this post, I was just thinking the same thing. We need another McGwire - Sosa home run race. Not that I personally would care much about it, but I think for casual fans and kids, this is the type of thing that would draw interest.

 

I would like to see a strike out race between two ace pitchers. I'm not sure other people would get into that as much as a home run race. The general population seems to be much more offense oriented.

[Elktonnick]

I am thinking that I may have to rekindle my passion for football and/or basketball.

 

I know I am a distinct minority but American Football is boring and is a dying sport because of concussions.

[jacksonianmarch]

Baseball has the most dichotomy between have’s and have-not’s. The long term owners aren’t as rich as the newer term owners. The game isn’t as translatable to younger people so established teams are the only ones who will have loyal fan bases. There are teams in places nobody should be (Tampa and Oakland). There are places where there should be teams where there aren’t (San Antonio/Austin, Las Vegas, and Charlotte).

 

I get that Manfred needs to speak for the majority of the owners and the owners don’t want to lose money, but he also needs to understand the best interests of the game. If the owners lose some money in 2020, but save their sport, then that’s better for the long term value of their franchises.

[oldtimer]

One topic worth discussing: if the season is shot, what aspect of the game could ever possibly generate national interest again in the MLB? It can't be another artificially-contrived home run race like McGwire-vs-Sosa (plus, we're already over-saturated with a HR/K culture).

 

Here are some feats that might help -- and could only be earned with considerable talent (especially beating constant shifts): a batter approaching a .400 average or 56-game hitting streak. Another would be a phenom pitcher who throws back-to-back no-hitters... imagine the excitement and coverage going into his next start???

 

Anyone think of any others?

 

How about a hitter who could lay down successful drag bunts. The bunt seems like a lost art these days.

[notin]

How about a hitter who could lay down successful drag bunts. The bunt seems like a lost art these days.

 

Not so sure viewers would flock to see BuntFest 2020...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Not so sure viewers would flock to see BuntFest 2020...

 

I'm in -- we need a fast guy who can double his average every night by laying one down to beat the shift and shift the shift...

[Bellhorn04]

Bunting for hits is fun to see. Bunting for outs, not so much.

[notin]

Bunting for hits is fun to see. Bunting for outs, not so much.

 

In general, fans prefer offense in any sport....

[Tedballgame]

One thing for certain, if they have a short season, any batting average records, such as someone hitting over .406, would have to have a huge asterisk by it. All in all, if they have a season, most fans won't care about it. Until fans can be back in the stands, all sports will lose viewers and interest. Just like some people want.

[notin]

Bunting for hits is fun to see. Bunting for outs, not so much.

 

 

Outside of one bunt by Gary Allenson some 38 years ago, how many bunt hits have been exciting?

 

The only exciting bunt hit I have seen since then was by Tom Berenger in the movie “Major League”...

Edited June 16, 2020 by notin

[Bellhorn04]

Outside of one bunt by Gary Allenson some 38 years ago, how many bunt hits have been exciting?

 

Big Papi against the shift?

 

Maybe not tremendously exciting, but any hit by a Red Sox player is generally a good thing.

[jad]

Manfred's already challenging that one...

 

I know I am a distinct minority but American Football is boring and is a dying sport because of concussions.

 

I like it because it's perfectly designed for TV. You don't have to pay full attention. You can do something else while the game is on. You won't miss anything because everything will be replayed. (And bec. of Replay--the worst thing that has ever happened to sports--there's hardly reason to watch the play as it happens, since you won't know whether it stands or not). That said, you're right. I used to love boxing--it's almost impossible for me to watch anymore. And football may well head down that road. It's no longer as easy to revel in the big hits, since we can no longer ignore the catastrophic effects they may have.

[oldtimer]

Bunting for hits is fun to see. Bunting for outs, not so much.

 

I include this U-tube address. Drag bunts can be exciting.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOVJXTfamsY

[Thunder]

I include this U-tube address. Drag bunts can be exciting.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOVJXTfamsY

 

[Elktonnick]

Reports now say between 6 and 8 owners do not want to play this season

[Bellhorn04]

Reports now say between 6 and 8 owners do not want to play this season

 

If that's it, there are 22 to 24 who do. But I'm guessing there are a number of undecideds.

[Elktonnick]

If that's it, there are 22 to 24 who do. But I'm guessing there are a number of undecideds.

Apparently 25% of owners is what it takes to prevent the commissioner from unilaterally starting season.

[notin]

Reports now say between 6 and 8 owners do not want to play this season

 

I so do not get this logic. These owners have potentially a billlion dollars tied up in these teams, and they’d prefer a season with no financial recoup that throws the very future of the sport and their investment into question over a single season of potentially losing money?