A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

I think it lost appeal due to more entertainment options and a foolish experiment to attach postseason significance. But, bragging rights or not, it’s always been a meaningless exhibition. And the very history of the All Star game tells you that…

 

You must have seen the clip of Ted Williams ecstatically rounding the bases after his game winning home run in an All Star Game. He said it was one of the biggest moments of his career.

 

It obviously did have more meaning to players back then.

[notin]

You must have seen the clip of Ted Williams ecstatically rounding the bases after his game winning home run in an All Star Game. He said it was one of the biggest moments of his career.

 

It obviously did have more meaning to players back then.

 

Ted Williams retired before I was born.

 

But I looked into All Star game viewership history. Pretty consistent from 1967 (as far back as the site went) until 1980. Then it dipped significantly in 1981, slight bump back up in 1982 and then continuously dropping since.

 

So 1981 was really the turning point. And what happened that year?

 

Player strike.

 

So the interest in the game from fans appears to be unrelated to the players’ attitudes or free agency or interleague play, and rather can be linked directly to a labor dispute…

[Bellhorn04]

Ted Williams retired before I was born.

 

But I looked into All Star game viewership history. Pretty consistent from 1967 (as far back as the site went) until 1980. Then it dipped significantly in 1981, slight bump back up in 1982 and then continuously dropping since.

 

So 1981 was really the turning point. And what happened that year?

 

Player strike.

 

So the interest in the game from fans appears to be unrelated to the players’ attitudes or free agency or interleague play, and rather can be linked directly to a labor dispute…

 

That's the correlation/causation thing. If the strike turned fans off, you'd think viewership in general would go down.

 

There was also a work stoppage in 1972.

[notin]

That's the correlation/causation thing. If the strike turned fans off, you'd think viewership in general would go down.

 

There was also a work stoppage in 1972.

 

There was also a ratings dip in the All Star game in 1972.

[notin]

That's the correlation/causation thing. If the strike turned fans off, you'd think viewership in general would go down.

 

There was also a work stoppage in 1972.

 

More important is not whether or not Ted Williams cared. That lends no support to whether players did all through the 1990s and 2000s. I would imagine, like most things, there was no singular universal attitude. Ted Williams probably played with a few All Stars who were more apathetic. And there is probably a full spectrum of attitudes among today’s stars as well…

[Bellhorn04]

More important is not whether or not Ted Williams cared. That lends no support to whether players did all through the 1990s and 2000s. I would imagine, like most things, there was no singular universal attitude. Ted Williams probably played with a few All Stars who were more apathetic. And there is probably a full spectrum of attitudes among today’s stars as well…

 

You can say that about player attitudes toward the real games too.

[notin]

You can say that about player attitudes toward the real games too.

 

I can agree.

 

I’ve always heard Larry Walker, for example, was very indifferent about baseball and greatly preferred hockey. Anthony Rendon has drawn some ire this year for being less than enthusiastic as well…

[Bellhorn04]

I can agree.

 

I’ve always heard Larry Walker, for example, was very indifferent about baseball and greatly preferred hockey. Anthony Rendon has drawn some ire this year for being less than enthusiastic as well…

 

And of course people complain about players not hustling, not having their heads in the game, not playing when they've got some minor health issue, et cetera.

[notin]

And of course people complain about players not hustling, not having their heads in the game, not playing when they've got some minor health issue, et cetera.

 

Again, probably happened a lot.

 

Money may have changed some attitudes, but you don’t see MLB players skipping the All Star game due to injury risk like you do in the NBA. Pitchers do skip it if it messes up their turn, but that’s very understandable.

 

And when I watch some SP that I’m used to watch throwing 93-94 suddenly ramp up to 98mph because he knows he’s only pitching one inning, I certainly don’t think he’s not trying and not taking this meaningless exhibition seriously…

[Maxbialystock]

You must have seen the clip of Ted Williams ecstatically rounding the bases after his game winning home run in an All Star Game. He said it was one of the biggest moments of his career.

 

It obviously did have more meaning to players back then.

 

Exactly what I was thinking, except that I also believe that baseball is uniquely capable of enabling all-stars to play their best in the All-Star game--especially the battles between pitchers and batters.

[moonslav59]

Request for Moon...

 

How about a thread on pitching? I think it deserves one.....

 

You jinxed the staff.

[Randy Red Sox]

sure glad that the Sox fleeced the Braves on the Sale-Grissom trade

[moonslav59]

sure glad that the Sox fleeced the Braves on the Sale-Grissom trade

 

Glad you finally are seeing the light.

 

[Randy Red Sox]

Glad you finally are seeing the light.

 

 

Well we all know with John Henry that it is ALL about slashing payroll

[moonslav59]

Well we all know with John Henry that it is ALL about slashing payroll

 

We all know jack.

[moonslav59]

We are hanging onto 3rd place by a thread- thanks to everybody else losing, too.

[Hugh2]

sure glad that the Sox fleeced the Braves on the Sale-Grissom trade

 

Clearly seen by all and defined by one game.

[Elktonnick]

Chris Sale or not, the Red Sox are clearly outclassed by a team like the Braves. It shows how far the Sox are from fielding a true contending team.

[Bellhorn04]

We are hanging onto 3rd place by a thread- thanks to everybody else losing, too.

 

But we're 2.5 games out of a playoff spot.

[Bellhorn04]

Chris Sale or not, the Red Sox are clearly outclassed by a team like the Braves. It shows how far the Sox are from fielding a true contending team.

 

It's all about the future.

[Randy Red Sox]

Clearly seen by all and defined by one game.

 

Sale is 5-1 with an ERA under 3.00

[Bellhorn04]

Hard to believe the Red Sox have the best pitching in baseball and yet are still wallowing in mediocrity and on pace to miss the playoffs again.

[Bellhorn04]

Sale is 5-1 with an ERA under 3.00

 

And Grissom is naturally off to a crap start.

[mvp 78]

And Grissom is naturally off to a crap start.

 

He's not striking out and zero errors so far. Could be worse.

[mvp 78]

Hard to believe the Red Sox have the best pitching in baseball and yet are still wallowing in mediocrity and on pace to miss the playoffs again.

 

Weren't they on pace for 93 wins two days ago or something?

[mvp 78]

We are hanging onto 3rd place by a thread- thanks to everybody else losing, too.

 

It's wild to worry about standings or games back when it's not even Memorial Day yet.

[Bellhorn04]

He's not striking out and zero errors so far. Could be worse.

 

And hasn't re-injured himself.

[Bellhorn04]

Weren't they on pace for 93 wins two days ago or something?

 

Yes, and I know a lot of this is the bipolar syndrome that the early season can bring.

 

On the other hand, you picked them to win 79 and I picked them to win 80, and I don't see much reason to alter those projections.

[moonslav59]

It's wild to worry about standings or games back when it's not even Memorial Day yet.

 

Why assume I'm worrying?

[Bellhorn04]

There's no need to worry about the 2024 Red Sox. Their fate is pretty much assured.

 

When we look back the loss of Casas will likely be seen as a crusher to any chances of making the playoffs.