George Will on MLB today

[notin]

I knew about ERA more than 60 years ago, as did every baseball fan or casual player I knew, and the calculations were no more difficult than batting average (I realize long division may remain a mystery for some fans). I also knew how to add up Wins and Losses, although in those days, it was a lot easier to count W's than L's.

 

 

Exactly!!

 

Those of us who grew up in a world inundated with the TI 35 forget that there was a time when it didn’t exist…

[mvp 78]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2022/04/10/pirates-ticket-sales-revenue-player-investment-mlb-payroll-special-report/stories/202204100006

 

Maybe George Will can have a soliloquy about the ever expanding pockets of the Pirates owner.

[moonslav59]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2022/04/10/pirates-ticket-sales-revenue-player-investment-mlb-payroll-special-report/stories/202204100006

 

Maybe George Will can have a soliloquy about the ever expanding pockets of the Pirates owner.

 

Kinda says it all.

[Maxbialystock]

A lot of good discussion, far more than I expected. So, thanks, everyone.

 

About the Pirates. MLB is a big business, and the Pirates, however much their ownership may fail to even try to field to a contender, fulfill a vital function. They are one of 30 MLB teams and one of the oldest, going back to the 19th century. Even in last place seasons, they win roughly 4 of 10 games, so not even teams headed for 100 wins (and thereby win 6 of 10 games) can be sure of a sweep in a 3 or 4 game series. Thus, as a small market club (in the 68th largest city in the USA), do they get the residue of the luxury tax paid by the teams which can afford or simply prefer to spend large to get the best players money can buy.

 

Speaking of spending large, I see the Phillies, now headed by Dave Dombrowski, have the 4th biggest payroll at $234M. I never liked Dombrowski, but don't remember griping too much about his spendthrift ways when the Sox ran away with the 2018 season and WS.

 

In between the Pirates and the Phillies (and Yankees and Mets and Dodgers), is Chaim Bloom, who comes from a highly successful small market club (the intrepid Rays) and is now working for John Henry, who has supported big spending, but with some limits some times. I therefore love the discussion on another thread about Bloom's extension of Whitlock because several of you have pointed out that's the way Bloom prefers to acquire/keep players.

 

I don't share George Will's politics, but I like his writing and believe he does truly love baseball. Plus I too have railed against robo-ump, against the dramatic and effective repositioning of fielders for each batter based on computer analysis, and against the unending kabuki movements of pitchers and hitters.

[mvp 78]

@MikeSilvermanBB

With Padres first to announce a jersey ad deal, Red Sox still shopping for partner.

 

Now that corporate sponsored patches have been put on MLB jerseys, what would be the best partner for the Red Sox? Dunkies?

[notin]

@MikeSilvermanBB

With Padres first to announce a jersey ad deal, Red Sox still shopping for partner.

 

Now that corporate sponsored patches have been put on MLB jerseys, what would be the best partner for the Red Sox? Dunkies?

 

 

B&M Baked Beans!!!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

@MikeSilvermanBB

With Padres first to announce a jersey ad deal, Red Sox still shopping for partner.

 

Now that corporate sponsored patches have been put on MLB jerseys, what would be the best partner for the Red Sox? Dunkies?

 

Disposable Syringes