MFS62

I was thinking about the euphoria when its finally gone. LOL! Later

The idea of a team having a $35 million salary budget makes my blood boil. I may have posted this before, but please bear with me. A few years ago (it may have been the Spring of 2003 or 2004), Selig testified before Congress about the financial state of Major League Baseball. He was trying to show how all but a handfull of teams lost money. On that day, USA Today printed a copy of the spreadsheet/ books he presented into evidence. I have tried several times to find a link to that spreadsheet, but have been unable to locate it. But I do remember one significant number. Each major league club receives a total of $42.8 million per year from national tv and radio rights and royalties from MLB branded merchandise. Let me repeat that number, $42.8 million per year. That is before a single fan parks a car, buys a ticket, yearbook, scorecard or souvenir, or stops at the concession stand for some overpriced food and drink. And that does not include individual team revenues from local tv radio, or ballpark and scorecard advertising. The fact that a baseball team can have a salary budget of less than that, and claim that they have lost money, is hubris. I believe that each team's payout of the annual shared revenues should be established as a salary floor. And it should be mandatory that they use all of it each year, or they will lose their portion of the luxury tax payout. Maybe that will force some of the "smaller market" teams to be competitive when trying to acquire talent, in order to put a better prioduct on the field. It may not solve all the ills of competitive balance, but it would at least be a start. Thoughts? Later

Its the end of the World Series blackout for annuncing moves. This morning, I heard on ESPN radio that the Mets officially announced that Danny Graves' contract will not be renewed, so I thought I'd bump this thread up. Teams have a two week free shot at resigning their players who would be eligible for free agency. Have we resolved the question about whether or not Woodward signed a two year contract last year? And, about Graves - I would guess many Mets fans treated that news with the same emotion as finally passing a kidney stone. Later

I was shocked by how old Rod Carew looks. We're about the same age. The death of his child must have really affected his health. Sad. Later

If this was retired, then why did it pop up again on page 1?Does that happen when someone reads it, whether they respond to it or not? EDIT: oops, just noticed Edgy's last post was dated today.Answered my own question.Later

There's so much good stuff there already that I felt we needed this thread. My comment is about the comment that Jim Hickman staying around. Actually, Jim was the topic of one of the very first Met articles in The Sporting News. Reporter Dan Daniel said the Yankees were interested in acquiring Hickman to "fill out their AAA team". Great thing for a fan to read who wanted to find out how good some of the young Mets they had heard about really were. sigh Later

I like the Sox - They remind me of all winning teams - they have defense and timely hitting. Incidentally, Edgy, Mike amd Mike (ESPN radio) were talking about a great column in today's Washington Post about how in the last 365 days, baseball has repaid most of its outstanding "debts". Was it as good as they said it was? Later

Willets Point wrote: This is Kasey Kasem counting down the most years without a League Championship. Moving up 22 spots on the charts to number one, from the Southside, the Chicago White Sox! WP, that one stopped me in my tracks. I had to keep going back to this post, as though Kasey's voice was urging me to return. "And we have letter from a teenager in Oregon. She writes "Kasey, after my dad left me, mom and my twenty-seven brothers and sisters....... Can you please play his favorite song "Blue Suede Shoes?"" Later

sharpie wrote: Is there something up with the Giants press corps that they are eager to spread the word about the prickishness of various players? It was either Jim Brosnan (The Long Season) or Jim Bouton (Ball Four) who said something like (I paraphrase): San Francisco sportswriters write with all the accuracy of a three year old fingerpainting on a wall. Later

Edgy DC wrote: Or maybe we could get another retrograde educator like Joe Morgan. That would be... better? worse? Morgan has already tried "education". He has authored a book in the ".... for dummies" series entitled (naturally) "Baseball for Dummies". Your opinion of Morgan will probably determine whether you feel this title is autobiographical. Later

IIRC, the area around DC Staduim qualifies as an "Urban Renewal" site, no matter what will be erected there. Or has the area been upgraded in the last 35 years? Looks like its zoned for lite industry now.(from the picture) Later

This reminds me of the pre-Jackie Robinson days when major league teams tried to bring in Black players and pass them off as Latin-American (I think many were called "Cuban"). The book "Only the Ball Was White" , I think the author was named Peterson, talks about this. I read the book about 20-30 years ago when it first came out, so I can't quote chapter and verse. Later

"And while I can see not being a cheerleader, I don't get all the Morganesque hostility toward Beane. Change in baseball is glacially slow and fans ought to be happy a different approach is even being explored." To me, Morgan is an example of the reticence to change that you mention among baseball "traditionalists". (For lack of a better word) In the case of Beane, they are waiting to see if his theories produce a world series winner and sunsequent winning tradition, however they will measure that. One would guess that if the A's begin to be highly successful, those writers will begin writing tons of articles about how the rest of baseball should start emulating him. You're right. From reading posts on various sites, it seems like the fans, and especially the ones comfortable with new player performance measures, have begun to have a higher degree of appreciation for his theory. But he isn't only about stats. His approach still incorporates a good deal of traditional thinking, especially in terms of scouting skills as well as tools. But many of the writers, like Morgan can't seem to get by the stats part, and base their opinions only on that. Its just my gut feel. Later

Edgy DC wrote: Theoretically, sure (though Anderson, being a righthander, wouldn't have been directly behind Nieman on the depth chart), but they'd've seen a full World Series share. Maybe gotten a few more bookings on the soup circuit. Speaking of WS share. How many remember that original Met Al Jackson returned to the team in 1969? I saw him pitch for the expansion Mets. Believe me, he earned the right to be part of a WS winner. But what else did he earn? Does anyone recall if he got a share of the winner's pot, and if so, what size share? Later

Rotoworld.com: Quote: The Phillies were informed yesterday that Billy Wagner will test the free-agent market rather than accept the team's latest offer. While the Philadelphia Daily News reported last week the Phillies' most recent offer to Wagner was worth $24 million over three years and included a no-trade clause, the Inquirer believes it was a two-year deal with an option for 2008 that could have brought the total package for $27 million. The Inquirer also believes that the Phillies didn't offer the no-trade clause that Wagner desires. It looks like the Mets will get to make the left-handed an offer. They will be among the strongest suitors in a group that could also include the Red Sox, Orioles, Braves and Mariners. Oct. 25 - 3:33 am et Source: Philadelphia Inquirer Hmmmm, I'd guess that the Orioles will be showing up more and more in stories/ rumors like this now that Leo Mazzone is there. Later

TheOldMole wrote: If you want a "one should," one should always root against the designated hitter. Amen! And can we get an Amen from the congregation? Later

I liked Tim, because every once in a while, he would come out with something that challenged "the book". The one that immediately comes to mind is the "protect the line" theory in late innings. McCarver opined that if the fielders play in, they cut down the angles for balls hit both to their right and left. The Physics made sense to me because I did not have to put my teeth at risk, unlike those fielders who he suggested move closer to the batter. But now that I have heard all his "non-traditional" theories, I can take him or leave him. But, as someone mentioned above, he is still educational for the casual baseball viewer. Later

="Willets Point"]On my "How long will it take for someone to get my Magic Garden reference" internal poll, I never expected it would be within 6 minutes. I was late to your party. I would have gotten the reference because I used to think the one on the right in the picture (without the guitar) was hot. Later

Thank you. I guess it was worth it to gnaw through my restraints today and post that. I feel a lot better now. Later

It was meant as a compliment. It is something you are very good at.. And, I have been concerned with the overall civility of the board. Things like saying please (when you ask for some information), and thank you(when you get it). Or complimenting other posters on providing an interesting link, piece of information or a funny line. You have periodically pointed out ways for me to improve the receptivity of my posts,including finding facts to back up my opinions, and I thank you for that. Later

How many folks besides me are rooting for Raffy Palmiero to be voted in as the first baseman on that squad? The expression on Bud's face when he has to announce it would be priceless. Later

metirish wrote: One of the good things about Wilma is that it's keeping Lou Piniella out of the TV Booth... How? Do you mean the weight of Lou's fat arse is going to keep the State of Florida from blowing away? JK I know, he probably stayed home to be with his family. Later

When it comes to editing grammar, that's what you do very well. Later

Edgy, when you see an opportunity, you've got to go for it. Later

Sometimes when my player changes, I seem to recall I have been that player before. Is it because: 1) The list (and associated number of post values) changes? 2) I'm having a senior moment? 3) I get so pissed off when I become a player I didn't really like that I lose all perspective? 4) Its a case of deja vu all over again? 5) Other? A prompt response will do wonders in restoring my sanity. Thanks, Later