Theo Epstein Steps Down From Cubs

[moonslav59]

I trust Theo's input in making the game better than what I've seen from Manfred.

 

I hope so.

 

GO ROBO UMPS!

[notin]

I hope so.

 

GO ROBO UMPS!

 

Until they rise up and enslave us all...

[mvp 78]

Until they rise up and enslave us all...

 

First the robot umps came for the k zone and I did not speak out because that s*** sucks.

 

Then they came for all calls on the field and I did not speak out because fine, ok.

 

Then they came for the players and coaches and I did not speak out because this game was dying anyway.

 

Then they came for the fans and there was no one left to speak for us.

[notin]

First the robot umps came for the k zone and I did not speak out because that s*** sucks.

 

Then they came for all calls on the field and I did not speak out because fine, ok.

 

Then they came for the players and coaches and I did not speak out because this game was dying anyway.

 

Then they came for the fans and there was no one left to speak for us.

 

 

 

Robert Heinlein could have said that in 175,000 more words...

[moonslav59]

First the robot umps came for the k zone and I did not speak out because that s*** sucks.

 

Then they came for all calls on the field and I did not speak out because fine, ok.

 

Then they came for the players and coaches and I did not speak out because this game was dying anyway.

 

Then they came for the fans and there was no one left to speak for us.

 

Excellent!

[a700hitter]

I trust Theo's input in making the game better than what I've seen from Manfred.

Low bar — the gorilla suit would be an improvement.

[Kimmi]

I am interested to see what kind of impact Theo will have on the game in his new role. Beyond the gorilla suits, of course.

[jacksonianmarch]

Lots of momentum for him to be a commissioner one day

[Bellhorn04]

Very interesting they're putting him on the rule changes, after his comments suggesting all the metrics were having a negative impact on the entertainment quality of games.

 

Have to give Manfred credit for a good move, I think.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I am interested to see what kind of impact Theo will have on the game in his new role. Beyond the gorilla suits, of course.

 

I heard his first move is that any infielder going into a shift has to wear a gorilla suit... and goalie pads... and a ball-and-chain.

[moonslav59]

I heard his first move is that any infielder going into a shift has to wear a gorilla suit... and goalie pads... and a ball-and-chain.

 

I heard the robo umps will be dressed to look like gorillas.

[mvp 78]

I heard the robo umps will be dressed to look like gorillas.

 

Nope.

 

[Kimmi]

I heard his first move is that any infielder going into a shift has to wear a gorilla suit... and goalie pads... and a ball-and-chain.

 

Ha. If that's another way of saying that his first move should be to eliminate or at least limit shifts, I'm in.

[dgalehouse]

I heard the robo umps will be dressed to look like gorillas.

 

Maybe we should have a robot commissioner. Or at least Manfred should hire a robot " special assistant. "

[moonslav59]

Maybe we should have a robot commissioner. Or at least Manfred should hire a robot " special assistant. "

 

That would all but insure robo umps being approved.

[Kimmi]

Once again, NO to robot umps.

[notin]

Do people really want a robotic version of Angel Hernandez or Joe West? Programmed completely with bad eye sight, unsolicited temper flare ups and random ejection of players for no reason?

[Bellhorn04]

I think they would implement robot umps if they thought the fans would like it.

 

I think right now they're generally very concerned about losing the fans.

[notin]

I think they would implement robot umps if they thought the fans would like it.

 

I think right now they're generally very concerned about losing the fans.

 

So just implement robot fans...

[mvp 78]

Once again, NO to robot umps.

 

Unlimited shifts

[Bellhorn04]

So just implement robot fans...

 

We'll let you be the one who tries to take money from them...

[mvp 78]

I think they would implement robot umps if they thought the fans would like it.

 

I think right now they're generally very concerned about losing the fans.

 

Robot umps aren’t the reason fans are less interested right now.

 

1. Pace

2. Owner Greed (teams that don’t have a normal payroll PITT)

3. Lower % of Kids Playing Past TBall

4. Unable to Attract Urban Viewers

5. Diehard Fans are Mostly 50+

6. Cost Prohibitive

7. MLB Doesn’t Know How to Promote Stars

[Bellhorn04]

Robot umps aren’t the reason fans are less interested right now.

 

1. Pace

2. Owner Greed (teams that don’t have a normal payroll PITT)

3. Lower % of Kids Playing Past TBall

4. Unable to Attract Urban Viewers

5. Diehard Fans are Mostly 50+

6. Cost Prohibitive

7. MLB Doesn’t Know How to Promote Stars

 

I think pace has been an issue for a long time. Didn't the marathon Sox-Yankees games start early this millennium? Hitters being super-patient, taking a lot of pitches, driving up pitch counts to get the starter out and into the bullpen. And we liked all that stuff when it benefited our offense.

[mvp 78]

We like it because we’re freaks. Regular fans are bored. New fans are uninterested.

[Bellhorn04]

We like it because we’re freaks. Regular fans are bored. New fans are uninterested.

 

So what do those regular fans and new fans really want to see in a baseball game. Do they want 2 hour games? 7 inning games with the runner on second rule for extras? Maybe they do. I have no idea. Somebody better figure it out.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

So what do those regular fans and new fans really want to see in a baseball game. Do they want 2 hour games? 7 inning games with the runner on second rule for extras? Maybe they do. I have no idea. Somebody better figure it out.

 

When they go to robot umps, all stadium seats should have a series of color-coded buttons for fans to react to calls. If the majority agrees with a call, the green button turns the robot green and he smiles; majority disagreement turns him red with a frown... and one lucky fan with the winning ticket stub gets to decide at the end of each game if the robot dances around the bases or explodes in centerfield.

[dgalehouse]

The solution to most problems is usually relatively simple. You don't need a room full of deep thinkers to figure it out. To speed up the pace of ballgames, give the umpires the authority and responsibility of keeping the games moving at a brisk pace. Almost every game you see can easily be speeded up . However , many kids today are just not interested in baseball , no matter the length of the games.

[dgalehouse]

If robots can't figure out how to solve those little Captcha puzzles , do we really want them calling balls and strikes?

[notin]

If robots can't figure out how to solve those little Captcha puzzles , do we really want them calling balls and strikes?

 

At least we know they won't say "Select all squares with a strike in them"...

[Bellhorn04]

If robots can't figure out how to solve those little Captcha puzzles , do we really want them calling balls and strikes?

 

Ha ha, that's pretty good.