Why was Mookie traded, exactly?

[jad]

To this day I remember which of our hitters came through that day and which didn't. Yaz was one of the ones who came through. Jerry Remy had the game of his life.

 

I was walking up Broadway in NYC, didn't really know the game was on. I stopped in (my recollection says Lincoln Center, but that's impossible), where there was a TV on and had just time to take in the situation ("OMG! A playoff game??? And Yaz is up and OMG OMG ..."). That was the only AB I saw for the game.

[jad]

99% of players go after the most money. We'd have nobody left if we wanted all of them gone and it happened.

 

WHAT???? Players play for MONEY??? No way! O tempora! O mores! Where are the snows of yesteryear when players played for the sheer love of the game and for the enjoyment of their fans?

[Sox75]

I guess that the primary point for me here is that I have read numerous posts from a collection of a few posters making it sound as though the fact that some of these great baseball teams that we had with their collection of superstars somehow failed because they just came close to winning a title. I think that is total ********. I was as delighted as anyone else that the proverbial curse was broken but I don't buy that fact that because we lost in 67,75, 78 (sort of), and 86 that those teams weren't as good as any that we have had. Not to mention the fact that they were a great deal of fun to watch. The argument that I have read somehow tries to justify that fact that because these teams lost proves that a boatload of superstars isn't impressive. Kind of like an "I told you so".

I enjoyed those seasons every bit as much as I did those in which we won titles.

 

I agree 100%. Each of those teams were incredible to watch, incredibly talented, and easily could have broken the other way, with the Sox winning.

 

The fact that they lost, in no way diminishes just how special these teams and years were. In fact, I personally cherish all of those seasons every bit as much as the 04 curse breaker. Some of those teams may even have been as historically talented?

 

The way the Sox won in 04 also holds a special place in my heart, as it was a Fever Pitch beginning of the relationship with my wife & family.

 

Sometimes all the metaphorical and literal baseball stars align for the win, or the loss. Without "67,75, 78 (sort of), and 86," ... 04, 07, 13, & 18 would not mean 1/2 as much to me.

 

Win or lose, I just want compelling and competitive players. Even underdogs. Bellhorn was an incredibly compelling player in 04, and was not an historic all-star. The same goes for Roberts, Millar, Mueller, Kaplan, Mirabeli, Lowe, Arroyo, Wake, & many others.

 

04 & 13 were the sum of the parts, and 07 & 18 also if you really look at the parts. The win or loss means everything and nothing.

 

I just want compelling, competitive, and talented enough to step up TEAM.

[moonslav59]

WHAT???? Players play for MONEY??? No way! O tempora! O mores! Where are the snows of yesteryear when players played for the sheer love of the game and for the enjoyment of their fans?

 

LOL. Yesteryear saw players bound to teams for life.

 

When my wife was searching for a school district to work for, we chose the one that paid the most, including benefits/insurance.

 

Where was the love?

[cp176]

I agree 100%. Each of those teams were incredible to watch, incredibly talented, and easily could have broken the other way, with the Sox winning.

 

The fact that they lost, in no way diminishes just how special these teams and years were. In fact, I personally cherish all of those seasons every bit as much as the 04 curse breaker. Some of those teams may even have been as historically talented?

 

The way the Sox won in 04 also holds a special place in my heart, as it was a Fever Pitch beginning of the relationship with my wife & family.

 

Sometimes all the metaphorical and literal baseball stars align for the win, or the loss. Without "67,75, 78 (sort of), and 86," ... 04, 07, 13, & 18 would not mean 1/2 as much to me.

 

Win or lose, I just want compelling and competitive players. Even underdogs. Bellhorn was an incredibly compelling player in 04, and was not an historic all-star. The same goes for Roberts, Millar, Mueller, Kaplan, Mirabeli, Lowe, Arroyo, Wake, & many others.

 

04 & 13 were the sum of the parts, and 07 & 18 also if you really look at the parts. The win or loss means everything and nothing.

 

I just want compelling, competitive, and talented enough to step up TEAM.

 

I agree with you all the way.

[cp176]

LOL. Yesteryear saw players bound to teams for life.

 

When my wife was searching for a school district to work for, we chose the one that paid the most, including benefits/insurance.

 

Where was the love?

 

Life is so very interesting. My career in education was spent in the same district that I grew up in. I had opportunities to move basically across the street for more money but for what ever reason just decided to stay put. I would do it all over again in the very same way. When these highly paid athletes choose to move simply to be more highly paid, I continue to have a hard time of it. To each his own. I think that loyalty often times gets rewarded in ways other than monetary.

[moonslav59]

Life is so very interesting. My career in education was spent in the same district that I grew up in. I had opportunities to move basically across the street for more money but for what ever reason just decided to stay put. I would do it all over again in the very same way. When these highly paid athletes choose to move simply to be more highly paid, I continue to have a hard time of it. To each his own. I think that loyalty often times gets rewarded in ways other than monetary.

 

We knew very little about what each school district was like, when we attended a job fair for Texas schools. We were living in Mexico City at the time.

 

I wanted to live in or near Austin, but the cost of living there was very high and only one school district was hiring. My second choice was San Antonio, but no districts were hiring. That left the Houston area. We read up on the best communities to live in. The whole job fair methodology was crazy. They forced you to accept an offer within 24 hours. My wife got several offers, including one in an Austin suburb, but the pay was about 60% of the ones near Houston.

 

We ended up choosing Sugar Land (Fort Bend ISD). It paid the most & had better health insurance. Sugar Land also got good reviews for places to live and raise your kids. (Roger Clemens lives here.)

 

I ended up choosing to become a teacher, too. I had been teaching some ESL classes in Mexico on my own, but I had to go through an alternative certification process to get certified in Texas. I got an offer in 2 districts not too far from our home. One was in a pretty well-regarded district- the other was not. I accepted the one in not-so-good district, because I felt I could do the most good in a school that was nearly 100% Eco-Dis and Spanish speaking. A week after I accepted, I got an offer from the school I can see from my house and that my daughter was about to attend. I hated going back on my word, but I turned down my original acceptance and went to the nearby school- also in Fort Bend ISD. It wasn't really about the money, but that helped me decide. (10% more pay)

 

3 years later, after the economic crash of 2008, and the opening of a new school nearby, I was relocated to the farthest school in the district led by a horrible principal. I was prepared to quit after that school year, but was able to transfer to a better led school. 4 years ago, I switched to a very close school that is fantastic. It is known as the most diverse school in the nation. It is about 25% Hispanic, Black, White and Asian. Last count there were 81 different languages spoken by our students. (I am an ESL teacher.)

 

My wife ended up switching to Houston ISD over a dispute with her principal. The pay is about the same, but she's 50 minutes away from her school, now, instead of 15. The school has since changed principals, and the new one loves my wife, as she truly is a great teacher, but the school is very demanding and messed up in so many ways.

 

I'm loving my situation. We have a great principal, and they have allowed me the ability to totally redesign the structure of ESL classes and placement of students. The district has since switched to our model. It feels nice to be respected and wanted. That certainly means more than a few thousand dollars, but our original choice was made mostly on the money and cost of living.

 

It all worked out.

 

 

[cp176]

We knew very little about what each school district was like, when we attended a job fair for Texas schools. We were living in Mexico City at the time.

 

I wanted to live in or near Austin, but the cost of living there was very high and only one school district was hiring. My second choice was San Antonio, but no districts were hiring. That left the Houston area. We read up on the best communities to live in. The whole job fair methodology was crazy. They forced you to accept an offer within 24 hours. My wife got several offers, including one in an Austin suburb, but the pay was about 60% of the ones near Houston.

 

We ended up choosing Sugar Land (Fort Bend ISD). It paid the most & had better health insurance. Sugar Land also got good reviews for places to live and raise your kids. (Roger Clemens lives here.)

 

I ended up choosing to become a teacher, too. I had been teaching some ESL classes in Mexico on my own, but I had to go through an alternative certification process to get certified in Texas. I got an offer in 2 districts not too far from our home. One was in a pretty well-regarded district- the other was not. I accepted the one in not-so-good district, because I felt I could do the most good in a school that was nearly 100% Eco-Dis and Spanish speaking. A week after I accepted, I got an offer from the school I can see from my house and that my daughter was about to attend. I hated going back on my word, but I turned down my original acceptance and went to the nearby school- also in Fort Bend ISD. It wasn't really about the money, but that helped me decide. (10% more pay)

 

3 years later, after the economic crash of 2008, and the opening of a new school nearby, I was relocated to the farthest school in the district led by a horrible principal. I was prepared to quit after that school year, but was able to transfer to a better led school. 4 years ago, I switched to a very close school that is fantastic. It is known as the most diverse school in the nation. It is about 25% Hispanic, Black, White and Asian. Last count there were 81 different languages spoken by our students. (I am an ESL teacher.)

 

My wife ended up switching to Houston ISD over a dispute with her principal. The pay is about the same, but she's 50 minutes away from her school, now, instead of 15. The school has since changed principals, and the new one loves my wife, as she truly is a great teacher, but the school is very demanding and messed up in so many ways.

 

I'm loving my situation. We have a great principal, and they have allowed me the ability to totally redesign the structure of ESL classes and placement of students. The district has since switched to our model. It feels nice to be respected and wanted. That certainly means more than a few thousand dollars, but our original choice was made mostly on the money and cost of living.

 

It all worked out.

 

 

 

i'm glad that things have worked out so well for you! Being respected and wanted has always been the ticket I guess for me. Obviously it is nice to be able to be paid accordingly but sometimes there are other benefits to consider. Outside of my 4 years in college, my life has been spent in the same small town in Maine. I wouldn't have done it any other way. it probably shapes how I feel about professional athletes chasing the big money. To each his own for sure but there are many other things to consider as well. Merry Christmas - Have a great day.

[moonslav59]

i'm glad that things have worked out so well for you! Being respected and wanted has always been the ticket I guess for me. Obviously it is nice to be able to be paid accordingly but sometimes there are other benefits to consider. Outside of my 4 years in college, my life has been spent in the same small town in Maine. I wouldn't have done it any other way. it probably shapes how I feel about professional athletes chasing the big money. To each his own for sure but there are many other things to consider as well. Merry Christmas - Have a great day.

 

You, too, CP.

 

I miss the Maine life, but those damn winters are just far too long!

 

[jad]

You, too, CP.

 

I miss the Maine life, but those damn winters are just far too long!

 

 

What? ... You mean winter ends?

 

(I also live in the same small town in Maine I grew up with. But I also got to take a day job in LA, so Ive been living the bicoastal life for about 40 years.)

[moonslav59]

What? ... You mean winter ends?

 

(I also live in the same small town in Maine I grew up with. But I also got to take a day job in LA, so Ive been living the bicoastal life for about 40 years.)

 

LA to me, still means Lewiston-Auburn.

[Bellhorn04]

I feel very much at home in Maine. Along with New Hampshire and Vermont, it feels a lot like the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

[jad]

LA to me, still means Lewiston-Auburn.

 

Ha! Now that's a real Mainer. (During the summer, my phrase is "LA--by which I mean the OTHER LA")

[moonslav59]

Ha! Now that's a real Mainer. (During the summer, my phrase is "LA--by which I mean the OTHER LA")

 

I lived in nearby Gray and later New Gloucester. I grew up in Portland in lived in Limington for 4 years, too.

[jad]

I lived in nearby Gray and later New Gloucester. I grew up in Portland in lived in Limington for 4 years, too.

 

Ah, an urban guy! (Harpswell for me).

[moonslav59]

Ah, an urban guy! (Harpswell for me).

 

Nice town, Harpswell.

 

Yeah, Portland- the big city! LOL.

 

In Gray, we had a log home built on 5 acres at the end of a dirt road. Nobody else in sight.

 

In Limington, I had another log home on 5 acres.

 

I've lived in the boonies for maybe 15 years of my life.

 

I lived in Mexico City, too. Four years. Talk about massive urban living.

[cp176]

I feel very much at home in Maine. Along with New Hampshire and Vermont, it feels a lot like the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

 

i have friends down here in Florida who think that Maine is actually part of Canada - lol.

I really miss my Canadian friends who winter here. Some of them are recent home owners waiting - just waiting.

[cp176]

I lived in nearby Gray and later New Gloucester. I grew up in Portland in lived in Limington for 4 years, too.

 

Gray, New Gloucester, and Limington puts you in places that I can identify with. i'm from western Maine. The foothills, smaller mountains, lakes and ponds are what I consider the best places to be in our state. For the last few years we have wintered in Florida. I have to have things to do daily that I enjoy and as the years have gone by my outside activities seem to be limited to a great deal of walking and golfing. No more skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, teaching or coaching = too much time on my hands. We'll head back up the highway in late April. if it wasn't for the golf course outside my door, i would be crazier than i normally am.

[Kimmi]

99% of players go after the most money. We'd have nobody left if we wanted all of them gone and it happened.

 

I'm not sure if as many players go after the most money as you think. Yes, most of them probably do. But there are a lot of players who are willing to leave some money on the table to play for a team that they really want to play for. And there are many players who sign extensions before they reach free agency, which means they aren't going after the most money. Many players will accept a contract that they feel is reasonable and respectful.

[Kimmi]

Life is so very interesting. My career in education was spent in the same district that I grew up in. I had opportunities to move basically across the street for more money but for what ever reason just decided to stay put. I would do it all over again in the very same way. When these highly paid athletes choose to move simply to be more highly paid, I continue to have a hard time of it. To each his own. I think that loyalty often times gets rewarded in ways other than monetary.

 

Something we completely agree on.

[moonslav59]

Gray, New Gloucester, and Limington puts you in places that I can identify with. i'm from western Maine. The foothills, smaller mountains, lakes and ponds are what I consider the best places to be in our state. For the last few years we have wintered in Florida. I have to have things to do daily that I enjoy and as the years have gone by my outside activities seem to be limited to a great deal of walking and golfing. No more skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, teaching or coaching = too much time on my hands. We'll head back up the highway in late April. if it wasn't for the golf course outside my door, i would be crazier than i normally am.

 

Western Maine is truly God's country.

[Bellhorn04]

Western Maine is truly God's country.

 

I'll put Nova Scotia up against Western Maine. We have all that great stuff too!

[moonslav59]

I'm not sure if as many players go after the most money as you think. Yes, most of them probably do. But there are a lot of players who are willing to leave some money on the table to play for a team that they really want to play for. And there are many players who sign extensions before they reach free agency, which means they aren't going after the most money. Many players will accept a contract that they feel is reasonable and respectful.

 

I agree, but I wasn't talking about 1 or 2% pay differentials, and there's more to financial bottom lines than just contract amount and length. There's taxes, cost of living and more.

 

There are precious few that leave a significant amount of money on the table and make their choices based on other factors.

 

We might argue about how much is "significant," but I'm still thinking my 99% number is pretty close.

[moonslav59]

I'll put Nova Scotia up against Western Maine. We have all that great stuff too!

 

I can't disagree, here. I've been to NS several times, and it is wonderful.

[notin]

I'll put Nova Scotia up against Western Maine. We have all that great stuff too!

 

Chicago is the Satan’s Ski Resort....

[Bellhorn04]

Just learned this:

 

Because of the deferred money in his contract, Mookie's 2021-2032 AAV for tax purposes is only 25.55 million. :p

[moonslav59]

Just learned this:

 

Because of the deferred money in his contract, Mookie's 2021-2032 AAV for tax purposes is only 25.55 million. :p

 

Not much more than JD or Sale.

[cp176]

Something we completely agree on.

 

twice in one day we agree. we have to stop meeting this way. lol

[mvp 78]

@ByMcCullough

Blake Snell thanked the Red Sox last year for trading Mookie Betts out of the American League East.

Snell, now a fellow denizen of the National League West, said today he has rescinded his thank you to Boston.

[harmony]

Mookie Betts was traded for middle infield prospect Jeter Downs, who today was ranked No. 53 on FanGraphs' Top 100 prospect list, one slot ahead of first base prospect Triston Casas:

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2021-top-100-prospects/