Bottom of the Ninth Inning...

  

Negotiation’s approach major deadline without resolution…

Well, here we are. Monday, February 28^th, is the date an agreement must be reached for a new collective bargaining agreement or regular season games will be lost per the MLB Commissioner and resident jerk. Personally, I had hoped for resolution sooner this month and I am hopeful the labor dispute does not extend into March without any agreement. The lockout has lasted longer than it should have, and it is time for the return of America’s favorite pastime.

The MLB Owners and Players Association met every day this week for the first time since this lengthy, unproductive dispute began in early December. Although not much has happened to move the needle, there were reports of some optimism yesterday as the two sides approach common ground on one issue (draft order). There was also the first meeting since the labor dispute began between MLB Commissioner Rob (“Fire him”) Manfred and MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark. Today and tomorrow are extremely critical days if there is hope for a full 162-game regular season schedule. I do not care what it takes, but the two sides need to work hard over the next 48-72 hours to drive home the winning run to save the regular season in walk-off fashion. “Extra innings” will not be beneficial for anyone except for those who hate baseball.

For a brief aside, I want to express my sorrow and support for the people of Ukraine. The people of Ukraine, facing difficult and challenging odds against the advancing Russian army, have shown resiliency in their protection of democracy. I would rather see the end of the killing in Ukraine over the return of Major League Baseball. I pray for their successful defense and the end of the conflict.

Back to baseball, it seems like every team has expressed interest in Matt Olson. The Oakland A’s first baseman is the favorite acquisition target for everyone. This week, the San Diego Padres, according to reports, are the latest team to express interest. Who would NOT want a 6’5” first baseman who will be 28 years old in a month (the prime of his life) and is one of the game’s most elite at his position? As much as everyone loves Freddie Freeman, Olson makes more sense given his age. Freeman will be 33 in September so any deal for him would take him into his late thirties. There is the valid argument of cost. Olson will cost significant prospect capital whereas Freeman only requires money. Despite new teams expressing interest seemingly every day for Olson, I hope Brian “The Ninja” Cashman can put together a package that brings the beautiful left-handed bat and glove to the Bronx.

Matt Olson / Photo Credit: David Zalubowski, AP

It is unrealistic at this point to expect the Yankees to sign an elite shortstop. Carlos Correa will not be calling Yankee Stadium his home, and it is unlikely Trevor Story will be reunited with his buddy DJ LeMahieu. Without an elite shortstop, the Yankees must strengthen first base. Anthony Rizzo showed what a power lefty bat with a magical glove can do at the position. Imagine what Olson could do at the position Lou Gehrig and Don Mattingly once called home. It is exciting to think about. The Yankees simply cannot slide back to life with Luke Voit at first. I like Luke, I really do, but I appreciate the value of health and the ability to defend the position. A strong lefty bat is a huge plus.

If the owners and players come to an agreement by Monday, the month of March will be a frenzy. After months of no transactions except minor league signings, the transaction wire will be overwhelmed (something like Yankees Twitter when Aaron Boone makes a boneheaded call). It will be interesting to see the players on the Yankees’ opening day roster. Shortstop, first base, center field, catcher, and starting pitching are the positions most frequently discussed by fans. Does Cashman address all these positions, only a couple of them, or worst-case scenario, none at all? We will soon find out if a new CBA can be put in place. Strap in, this should be fun.

The pro writers really seem to be pushing the idea of a Yankee infield featuring Trey Sweeney at third, Anthony Volpe at second, and Oswald Peraza at short. We are a few seasons from that idea blossoming into fruition, but I always wonder how much the team is fueling the propaganda with the press. The trio’s entry into the Major Leagues will need to be staggered. It cannot obviously happen at the same time if the team expects to maintain elevated levels of success. Any trade for Matt Olson will most likely cost one of those guys (Peraza is the most common name mentioned). I expect Cashman’s moves to be immediate (guys who can help now) with the flexibility to allow the entry of the younger prospects when ready. Trade Peraza, sign Story. I would do it, but I seriously doubt it is the Yankees’ plan. For now, I will prospect “hug” Volpe and Jasson Dominguez. Everybody else should be on the table. The time is now for a championship.

I really hope this is the last post I must write with no Major League Baseball. Bring Major League Baseball back to us. We have waited far too long, and the MLB Lockout cannot, should not and must not go on any longer. End it now!

Rob Manfred & Tony Clark / Photo Credit: The Canadian Press

With no baseball, I have focused on pro football more than I would like. I do not think I have ever followed the assembly of a new leadership group and coaching staff like I have with the Minnesota Vikings this year. With all honesty, it has been fun watch new head coach Kevin O’Connell assemble his new staff. He has experience with defensive coordinator Ed Donatell and assistant head coach Mike Pettine. He has promising up-and-comers like offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and special teams coordinator Matt Daniels. Veteran coach and former NFL player Greg Manusky apparently reached an agreement yesterday to be the team’s new linebackers coach replacing former coach Mike Zimmer’s son Adam. Manusky is a former Vikings player. He was on the team from 1991 to 1993 under the second greatest head coach in Vikings history, the late Dennis Green. #Skol Vikings!

The New York Giants received a brilliant gift with their new defensive line coach Andre Patterson. Patterson, who was Mike Zimmer’s co-defensive coordinator last season, was perhaps the most beloved Vikings coach of the prior regime. He was extremely popular with players and fans alike. He has been credited as the coach who developed Danielle Hunter from a project to one of the most feared defensive ends in the game. I wish him the best in New York. It seems to me that new Giants coach Brian Daboll has put together a coaching staff that, unlike its recent predecessors, will have long-term success for the Giants. I recognized it was time for change in Minnesota, but it did not make losing Patterson any easier. He is the coach I will miss the most.

As it turned out, only wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell survived as a holdover from Mike Zimmer’s regime in Minnesota. There is one returnee. Daronte Jones served as the Vikings’ defensive back coach in 2020. He left to serve as defensive coordinator for LSU last season, but he is back in Minneapolis in his old role for the upcoming season.

Some of the new coaches were introduced this week, and I enjoyed listening to Wes Phillips, the new Vikings offensive coordinator. Although he is only 43 years old, he has been around pro football all his life. His grandfather was legendary Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints head coach Bum Phillips, and his father is former Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips. 

Wes Phillips / Photo Credit: Twitter via @SKORNorth

During this week’s interview, Wes was asked if he was able to see his grandfather coach, but he was only six when Bum resigned in New Orleans in 1985 and did not remember his coaching career. It was funny listening to him describe his grandfather’s comments during football games on TV. Wes served as tight ends coach for the current Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams, and has been coaching since 2004. This is his first time as an offensive coordinator, but he is ready for the call. O’Connell will call plays for the Vikings next season, but no doubt Phillips will have his imprint on offensive philosophy and strategy (like O’Connell did for Rams head coach Sean McVay) and will help O’Connell make the best decisions for the team. I am happy for Wes. With stars like Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, and Irv Smith, Jr., it is only a matter of time until Wes becomes a third-generation head football coach in the NFL.

Ukraine, we stand with you.

As always, Go Yankees!

RANT: MLB Players Union Hints at Work Stoppage

I want to preface this rant/post with a little message. These thoughts are my own and not a reflection of everyone here on the site. I understand what posturing is and I fully understand what negotiation is, I do it every day in my 9-to-5. I understand how the use of the media, social media and the fans backlash can affect a decision that is about to be made or a stance that a certain group has. I get it, but I don’t necessarily agree with that sort of “click bait” type attitude and use of the media. Nor do I agree with a potential work stoppage in Major League Baseball, and here is why.

Major League Baseball wants to start discussing rule changes that will potentially combat decreased offense, longer games, and the general thought process of some that baseball is a “boring” game. The MLB Players Union would rather discuss declining free-agent prices among other things and have already hinted at a work stoppage after the 2021 season. Not only do I believe that will be one of the biggest mistakes that Major League Baseball could ever make, I also find that to be the most disgusting, selfish and egotistical thing that they could do in my lifetime as a fan of the sport.

I was eight-years old when the New York Yankees and Montreal Expos, among other teams, had their playoff and World Series aspirations dashed with the work stoppage and eventual cancellation of the World Series in 1994, so I knew that it happened, but I didn’t truly understand why, or what it meant to the game. Now as I stand here at 32-years old I fully have a grasp of what it could mean, and I fully understand just how damn selfish some people are if it were to happen. I am not one of those fans that merely dismiss the fact that players should be happy with what they are paid because they are “playing a kid’s game” or whatever other excuse non-fans of the sport throw out there to try to be hip, trendy and controversial just for the sake of it. If the Yankees are making $100 million off of you I truly believe you are entitled to a good chunk of that, and I have no issue with anyone asking for it and getting it. There comes a point though where it goes into what the players are entitled to and turns into a true sense of entitlement, in all the worst ways.

Major League Baseball has a great thing going right now. Fans are flocking to the ballpark at record numbers, the game has been injected with an exciting group of young players that fans young and old are drawn to, most every team has their own television network that is driving profits and revenue to unseen heights, and there have been significant movements under Rob Manfred, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, to find new homes and new ballparks for teams like the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays. Baseball has never been more fun to watch with 105 MPH fastballs being thrown every other night, home runs being hit at a record pace, youthful energy being exerted in the field, at the plate, and in the dugout, and excitement around the game for even the most casual of fans… yet the Union wants to throw this all in the toilet because of greed, pettiness, and in my opinion… bullshit. NSFW warning, whoops.

What are these two sides arguing about? From the league’s side Rob Manfred spoke after the All-Star Game this week and specifically touched on issues like pace of play, the number of strikeouts in the game, the lesser number of home runs being hit by every team but the New York Yankees, the significance of the defensive shift in the game, and the use of relief pitchers and how that use is affecting starting pitchers among other things.

Shifts are up, 20,587 of them have been employed through the first half of the season which is good for a 29.8% increase from the 2017 season along. In 2013, the league saw just 6,882 shifts all season long. The game is changing defensively, and with it are the batting averages of some of these star hitters. See Bryce Harper and his .214 batting average in his “contract year” for an example of that. Strikeouts are up and may even exceed the number of hits in the 2018 season, the league sees this as alarming, but I merely see it as an influx of quality talent that has made its way to the game. Why? Because the game is as attractive and more fiscally beneficial to players than it has ever been. Not because of work stoppages, but because of increased labor peace and the influx of money into the game. More pitching talent because more young players are choosing baseball instead of football and basketball will lead to lower batting averages. Adding in shifts will lower batting averages even more while increasing strikeouts. It is because the game is at its peak, not because the league needs a work stoppage.

Tony Clark, the head of the MLB Player’s Union, stated that the players themselves are reluctant to change and are “stewards of the game.” In a word, no. I doubt that, and I don’t buy that. Shifting defensively did not come about until recently, for example, so if the players were reluctant to change then they would want to ban or limit shifting, like the league does, because shifting is change. Nobody shifted on the greats like Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig or Mickey Mantle, so if the players don’t want change as much as Mr. Clark would lead us to believe then the point would be a non-issue for the players, and yet it is. Contradictory is the word that comes to mind. The real stickler for the players is money, it always has been, it always will be, and frankly it should be… to a point. Yes, I do realize that more than 100 free agents remained unsigned when spring training began including Neil Walker, who eventually signed a deal with the Yankees, and yes, I do realize that those players took a fraction of what they thought they were worth both in terms of dollars and years when they did eventually sign. That isn’t something that the league is going to be able to change and it certainly isn’t the league’s fault that there has been an increase in the need and appeal of young and exciting players. It is the Mike Trout’s and the Aaron Judge’s of the world that bring the fans, young and old, to the ballpark… not the 38-year old veteran who thinks he can still play at the same level he could when he was 28-years old and thinks he should be paid accordingly for it as well.

Again, yes, I realize that the invention of the luxury tax threshold and the subsequent penalties that each team have to think about when spending on these free agents, the loss of draft picks or international signing money for an example, would lead to more teams wanting to build their teams from within with young, cheap and controllable players and contracts, but the players themselves agreed to these implementations to stop teams like the New York Yankees from outspending everyone. The players and the leagues wanting parity and they got it for the most part, but with parity and the control of the flow of money being spent on the players come situations like we saw this winter. Mike Moustakas got a raw deal, no one would disagree with that, but he got a raw deal not only because the league and their rules got him the raw deal, Tony Clark and the Players Association had their hand in that pot also, whether they want to admit it or not. Hence the greed, hypocrisy, and downright disgusting behavior that led the league to hint at a work stoppage. Attendance is still up despite players having to take lesser deals, or no deals at all, and at the end of the day Major League Baseball is not only a game, but it is a business first and foremost.

Since we are on the topic of attendance, I am fully aware that MLB attendance as a whole is down as we entered the All-Star Break here in 2018. The average attendance for the league is 28,568 which is down from 30,159 at this point last season, another point that both Clark and Manfred touched on in their speeches to the media over the break. Manfred blames bad weather for the drop in attendance and responded to criticisms by saying that at one point the league average attendance was down by 9% this season, but now sits at 5.5% down which was grounds for optimism. Clark, though, was quick to remind us all that three teams were on pace to lose at least 100 games with five others on pace for 90 or more losses here in 2018. Clark filed a suit against teams this winter because of their lack of spending and willingness to put a winning team on the field, two of the teams being the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics who are looking for new ballparks with the third team being the Pittsburgh Pirates who just began a total rebuild. The attendance will be there, this I am not worried about. I tend to side with Manfred on this topic, the Yankees seemed like they were rained out every other day at one point this season while playing in a few other games that were at least questionable in terms of weather. I don’t know about you, but if the forecast says rain I am not going to make that spontaneous decision to go out to the ballpark, and I think most wouldn’t either. As the weather heats up and as the rains begin to stay away we have seen the attendance climb back up, not even Clark can argue against that.

Major League Baseball has run all 162 games, weather permitting, and every World Series since the 1995 season. It was a slow process and build up to get the fans back to the ballpark after the work stoppage in 1994, and it will be equally as destructive to do it again after the 2021 season. It will be the epitome of greed, it will be disgusting, it will be disheartening to a lifelong fan, and it will be destructive to the game. Swallow your pride, adapt to change like the rest of the damn world, put on your big girl panties (and your cup), and shut up long enough to get back on the field without a work stoppage in 2022. Unless you want to kill the game we all, players… the league… and the fans, have built back up since the last time your fat pockets weren’t fat enough in 1994.

You know what the worst part about it all is? Even if they did strike and stop working after 2021 I would still come back and watch, and they know that. Not everyone is as dedicated as me though, and hopefully the league and their representatives are aware of this. A work stoppage will gut the game and it will show just how truly vile, greedy, and unaffectionate that Tony Clark and some of these players really are. It is only 2018 and 2021 is a long way away, so you guys have plenty of time to think about it and make the right decision. Not only do your futures, and your pockets that you are so damn concerned about, rely on it, but so does the game’s future. Think and choose wisely.

My Thoughts on Sports Betting and Major League Baseball

I touched on this a bit in a previous post this week, but I wanted to take it one step further and really give my opinion on the United States Supreme Court’s decision to legalize sports betting in the United States. I think this is going to be terrible in the grand scheme of things, but at the same time you have to wonder how much is really going to change? Those two statements seem contradictory, I understand that, but if you really think about it they aren’t. Let me explain.

Before if you wanted to do any sort of sports betting you couldn’t just run down to an online casino and do so, but those who wanted to do it still did it regardless. They might make a trip to Nevada and Las Vegas, or they may know a guy who knows a guy. Either way, sports betting was happening regardless, now with this ruling it is up to each individual state whether they will allow sports betting or not. I believe that all this ruling will do is make it easier for those who want to bet to do so. Convenience wins once again.

The players are going to want a cut of this and so are the teams. Will this drive down prices at the ball parks since there will presumably be added revenue for the teams and for the players? I doubt it, but there should be. This is going to be potentially a huge money-making aspect for the league and I think if the top executives, owners, and players benefit from it I think it should trickle down to the fans as well. Again, it won’t, but it should. The league has asked for a 1% integrity fee from these sports bets and have even been on record as willing to go as low as 0.25 percent on this fee. That doesn’t sound like a lot of money but when you consider how much money is spent and wagered in gambling every single year the amount of money the league would garner from this before they do anything significant would be astronomical. That is before you consider advertisements and such as well.

This is going to be terrible in the grand scheme of things because the rich will continue to get rich while the fans continue to foot the bill. The owners will get their integrity fee and the players will receive a portion of that, it is going to happen either right away or when the two sides meet for a new collective bargaining agreement in 2021. This could potentially lead to a strike if either side cannot agree to terms and meet in the middle, which could be detrimental to the progress that the league has made since the 1994 strike. But, to go back to my original statement, are things really going to change that much? Obviously, they will if we see another work stoppage, but hasn’t the owners and the players always gotten rich while prices for the fans have continued to go up? Television stations and such for teams have been making teams money at an all-time high, yet ticket prices continue to go up. Merchandise continues to go up. Concessions continue to go up. Do you think any of that will change when, not if, the league, owners and the players start receiving money from legalized gambling? If your answer is yes, think again, because it won’t.

The only constant is change, except when it comes to greed and money. Think on it, and reinstate Pete Rose.

Hello… & Let the Hypocrisy Begin

Good morning everyone, Happy Wednesday and Hump Day to you all. The United States Supreme Court just put Major League Baseball between a rock and a hard place this week with the decision to legalize sports gambling nationwide. Everyone knows where I stand on the big issues surround the game, namely the steroid era, whether players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens should be in the Hall of Fame, and Pete Rose’s banishment from the game completely.

How in the world can you keep Pete Rose banned, the leader in hits for Major League Baseball, for betting on the sport after you legalize it in the country. I get it, that it wasn’t legal back then. I also get it that he lied about it and blah, blah blah. We all know the story. How can you keep Rose out of the game and especially out of the Hall for doing what presumably so many others can do now?

Sure, it is probably still against MLB’s rules for players to bet themselves, like Rose did, but there are loopholes and ways around everything. Especially this. Maybe Player X won’t bet himself, but maybe his brother will for him. Or his mother. Or maybe Player X is dumb enough to do it himself, players are still doing steroids for peeps sake. Where do you draw the line? And when does it become hypocrisy?

I guess that is for a room of lawyers, representatives, and people much smarter than I to decide.

Speaking of people much smarter than I, my Kari Ann Burch. I love you my amazing girlfriend, and I would bet the house that we will make it together, forever. I love you. Hey you.

Quick Hit: Small Update on the Red Sox Sign Stealing Scandal

“The Boston Red Sox are stealing our signs using an Apple Watch!!” – Yankees GM Brian Cashman

“Well they are stealing our signs using YES Network cameras!!” – Red Sox executive Dave Dombrowski

“Is there a timetable for a resolution for the Red Sox stealing the Yankees signs?” – New York Post

“Quick” – Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball

I may be embellishing a little bit for dramatic effect but the above is basically how the whole sign stealing debacle has gone down thus far between the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and the league. The latest quote though is a small update on the scandal as Commissioner Manfred expects to rule and act on this quickly, which is great news for the sport. Honestly I don’t expect much to come of this, maybe a fine or two which are generally drops in the bucket for these multi-billion dollar teams and multi-million dollar players, but maybe it will set a precedence and put a stop to it. Who knows?

You have to come down strong and heavy though on the Red Sox if you ask me, and not just because I am a Yankees fan. Again I turn to the word precedence. The Red Sox admitted to the wrongdoing leaving no doubt that the act occurred. Many other teams are probably already stealing signs using electronic devices despite it being against MLB rules and many of those teams are looking at this decision to base their decision of whether they continue to do so or not. If the penalty is a slap on the wrist and a simple wag of the finger back and forth I doubt it deters many teams or any teams from continuing to steal signs illegally. If the Red Sox get the hammer dropped down on them though it may deter the electronic part of the sign stealing just a bit.

If you think I’m crazy look at the early failed steroid testing punishments and the number of players still using and failing tests compared to the current penalties and number of failed tests. It isn’t a coincidence. 

So it Seems… Welcome to MLB Players Weekend

Good morning, Happy Friday and a warm welcome to the first ever MLB Players Weekend across Major League Baseball. As we discussed once on the blog the game will have a new, fresh and fun look to it this weekend as the players get to let their hair down a bit thanks to Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred, Tony Clark and the MLB Players Association.

This weekend you will see new jerseys with nicknames on the back, yes even on the Yankees and Red Sox uniforms, and various different bats, batting gloves, spikes, arm and wrist bands and other forms of gear and accessories. No other sport is doing this so I am really excited to see how this goes over the weekend. I truly think the nicknames and such allow the players to show a bit of personality and a bit of themselves and that is never a bad thing for the players or for the fans.

This weekend will be a pretty uneventful one for me in my personal life unfortunately but that’s okay. It’s good to slow down and accomplish things you have been wanting or needing to accomplish every once in a while and that is the plan for this weekend.

Everyone enjoy your weekends and enjoy MLB Players Weekend. Especially you. HEY YOU. I love you. 

More Instant Replay Changes to Come in 2017

In the world of Major League Baseball where the Commissioner is named Rob Manfred it seems like the only constant anymore is change and more change is coming to the game once again. While Manfred and the head of the MLB Players Association Tony Clark met recently to discuss the new intentional walk rule as well as possible rule changes the for 2018 season there are a couple changes to the instant replay system that are also on the way as soon as 2017.

Managers will now have 30 seconds to decide whether they want to issue a challenge or not rather than stalling while their bench coach gets word from the team via phone for however long they decide to stall for. If an instant replay challenge is requested by a manager the booth in New York and the umpires will only have two minutes to make a ruling on whether to overturn the call or not.

So there you have it, more ways to change the game and speed up the process without making the purists, the casual fan, the players or the Union upset with the owners and the league. Progress, ladies and gentleman. Progress, indeed. 

2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations Officially Underway

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have a big hump to overcome before December of 2016 as the current labor agreement and collective bargaining agreement is set to expire. The MLBPA and MLB met for the first time to discuss the potential renewal of the CBA and any potential changes this week in Florida for the first of presumably many meetings between the two sides before the year is out.

Reportedly around 20 players joined the union for the dialogue with MLB as they look to extend the current 21 consecutive years of labor peace. This time around the league and the union has much to discuss including a potential overhaul of the free agent and qualifying offer system that is hampering some veteran players and players that decline the initial offer from their original club.

This will be the first set of CBA negotiations for both Union head Tony Clark and Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the end. I have to assume that neither want a work stoppage on their resume though so I assume both sides will do whatever bending and budging they have to do in order to get this done, I’m far from worried personally.

All signs point to this getting done eventually but it’s still good news to hear that the discussion has begun. This is something we will monitor closely all season long here at The Greedy Pinstripes and I hope you join us in it!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners 7/18

The New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners are back at it again this afternoon inside Yankee Stadium as the two face off head-to-head in a day game after a night game. These are the types of scenarios that MLB Players Association head Tony Clark hopes to avoid by shortening the schedule to 154 games but when you’re paying a guy $15- $30 million a season guaranteed whether they play or not I find it hard to feel sorry for them but anyway, I digress. The Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound this afternoon in the Bronx to face off with Hisashi Iwakuma for the Seattle Mariners. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

• Pineda has looked decent in his last three starts allowing just four runs, three of them earned, while punching out 24 batters in 21.2 innings pitched. If the Yankees are going to go anywhere this season it is going to be on the right arm of yesterday’s starter, Masahiro Tanaka, and today’s starter, Michael Pineda.

• Iwakuma is fresh off a start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim where he threw eight shutout innings in a victory for Seattle. This was just Iwakuma’s second start since coming off the disabled list and it improved his overall record to 1-1 and his ERA to 5.22 this season. Iwakuma owns a 1-2 record with a 3.33 ERA career against New York in four starts.

The New York Yankees have one more game tomorrow in the Bronx before another off day so I expect all hands to be on deck in the bullpen not only for this contest but for tomorrow’s as well. The Yankees bullpen is definitely the strength of this team and the more that Joe Girardi can use the pen, without overusing them of course, the better off the team will be. I want to win and this team will live and die off the offense and the bullpen, let’s hope both are up to the task this afternoon in the Bronx. Go Yankees!

Reducing MLB Schedule Back to 154 Games?

We all know the story of Roger Maris’ assault on Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record when he hit 61 home runs in 1961 and we all know about the asterisk that was originally placed on the milestone. The asterisk was placed next to the historic number because up until the 1961 season the Major League Baseball schedule only contained 154 games. Before the 1961 season the schedule was lengthened to 162 games but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the director of the MLB Players Association Tony Clark are at least discussing the possibility of moving the schedule back to 154 games.

What would it mean for the game? Would Barry Bonds single-season record for home runs, 73 home runs, become one of those records that will never be broken? Will Ichiro’s 262 hits in a single season join Bond’s record along with the Seattle Mariners epic 116 win season? In a word, probably.

I understand the players are tired, the schedule is the most demanding in all of professional sports and the grind is showing up in the lack of offense in the league and in time spent on the disabled list but I personally find it hard to feel sorry for these players. There are more big money contracts being shelled out in Major League Baseball then there are in any other sport and that’s a fact so you tend to get what you pay for. And when you and I purchase tickets, MLB Network subscriptions, YES Network subscriptions, MLB TV subscriptions, Yankees hats and memorabilia or clothing etc. we are getting what WE paid for. Sure the players may want the same salary or more for less games but what do the fans want, did they ever consider that?

The excuses are already filling in about seeing your favorite players more often and all that but generally your ticket is purchased long before the lineups for that particular day are posted. I don’t buy it and frankly I don’t like it, maybe I’m moving from progressive to the old man that doesn’t like change, who knows? One thing is for certain though, this would be the most drastic change to Major League Baseball in my lifetime in my opinion and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. I consider myself to be very progressive and I’m all for change but this seems to be a step back both from the fans perspective and the business side of Major League Baseball. I’m not sure I like it so I hope it doesn’t come down to this.

Tony Clark wants Pete Rose Reinstated and so do I

We all knew it was coming when we heard that former Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig was retiring and new Commissioner Rob Manfred was taking over but now it’s official and the ink is dry. Pete Rose has sent in his application to Commissioner Manfred for reinstatement into the game of Major League Baseball. Manfred said he was open to the idea and would review the case, although naturally no timetable would be set for a decision either way, but this week Rose got one significant person inside MLB in his corner in MLB Player’s Association head Tony Clark. Clark went as far as to ditch the political correctness of it all and said he wanted Rose back in the game. Clark was quoted as saying the following short, simple and to the point quote:

"I would love to see Pete reinstated."

We all know that Rose agreed to a lifetime ban in 1989 following an investigation that concluded that he bet on the team he was managing, the Cincinnati Reds, to win games. Sports betting was against the rules and the moral conduct code then as much as steroids are against them now yet players with one, two or in Manny Ramirez’s case three strikes (that we know about) are still not banned from the game permanently. Rose betting on the game was wrong but unlike say a Shoeless Joe Jackson ban for throwing and affecting the outcome of World Series games Rose went out and did what he would have done whether he had a bet on the game or not, he tried to win the game. He was employed to win games and his career as a manager was dependent on him winning games. He had a lot more at stake than money every time he went into that dugout as a manager, his livelihood and his ability to provide his family was at stake.

The message has been sent to anyone and everyone who would ever consider betting on the game, especially Rose, and it’s time to re-open that case and that book in history and right a wrong. Call me progressive, call me soft-hearted, hell call me a liberal I don’t care just don’t call me late for dinner. Get Rose back in the game, the game deserves it a lot more than Rose deserves it and the game needs one less black eye on its plate. This is an easy fix and would start off the Manfred era with a bang, make it happen. 

Tony Clark has no Beef w/ Alex Rodriguez

The head of the Major League Baseball Players Union and former New York Yankees player Tony Clark (2004) has no beef with Yankees third baseman and DH Alex Rodriguez after his 162 game steroid suspension in 2014. This is news because during the suspension and appeal process that followed Alex filed, and later dropped, lawsuits against his own union, Major League Baseball and the team physician for the Yankees.

This has to be encouraging if you’re in the Alex Rodriguez camp when you hear rumors about the team refusing to pay home run milestone bonuses that were written into his contract. That is sure to be a legal fight that without the Union’s backing would be disastrous in Rodriguez’s favor.

Clark was quoted as saying:

“There were challenges throughout," Clark said Sunday after his annual spring training meeting with Yankees' players. "Everybody has come out the other side. He's part of the fraternity. The guys I have spoken to, a lot of guys have moved forward. The commentary I've heard this spring has been very positive."

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"The opportunity to see him back out on the field, I'm happy for him," Clark said. "Seeing him in the shape he's in, I'm happy for him. It was a difficult stretch. I'm glad to see him back on the field."

Alex screwed up just like hundreds have before him and sure he took the immature and wrong route with it, no one can or will deny that, but it’s in the past. History is history. Let’s just play some damn baseball.

IBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot

IBWAA RELEASES 2015 HALL OF FAME BALLOT

 

Los Angeles – The IBWAA released its 2015 Hall of Fame election ballot Tuesday, with the names listed below. Balloting will take place electronically between December 1 and December 31, 2014, with the results being released via Twitter on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. PST.

The IBWAA ballot compares identically to the BBWAA ballot, with the following exceptions:

1. Craig Biggio’s name does not appear on the IBWAA ballot because he was elected by the group in 2014.

2. Mike Piazza’s name does not appear on the IBWAA ballot because he was elected by the group in 2013.

3. Barry Larkin’s name does appear on the ballot because he has not reached the 75% threshold in an IBWAA election.

Per a group decision in 2013, the IBWAA allows members to vote for 15 players, instead of the previous 10, beginning with this election. Players’ names link to their respective pages on Baseball-Reference.com.

Returning candidates: Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jeff Kent , Barry Larkin (elected by BBWAA in 2012), Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Mike Mussina, Tim Raines, Curt Schilling, Lee Smith, Sammy Sosa, Alan Trammell and Larry Walker.

First-time candidates: Rich Aurillia, Aaron Boone, Tony Clark, Carlos Delgado, Jermaine Dye, Darin Erstad, Cliff Floyd, Nomar Garciaparra, Brian Giles, Tom Gordon, Eddie Guardado, Randy Johnson,Pedro Martinez, Troy Percival, Jason Schmidt, Gary Sheffield, John Smoltz

Ballot tabulations by Brian Wittig & Associates.

 

The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.

 

In 2010, the IBWAA began voting in its own relief pitcher category, establishing the Rollie Fingers American League Relief Pitcher of the Year and the Hoyt Wilhelm National League Relief Pitcher of the Year Awards.

Among others, IBWAA members include Jim Bowden, Jim Caple, Mike Petriello, David Schoenfield, Mark A. Simon andDan Szymborski, ESPN.com; Kevin Baxter Los Angeles Times; Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports; Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports Hardball Talk; Bill Chuck, GammonsDaily.com; Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; King Kaufman, Bleacher Report; Kevin Kennedy, Kostya Kennedy, Sports Illustrated; Jonah Keri, Grantland; Vlae Kershner, SFGate.com; Chuck Culpepper and Will Leitch, Sports on Earth; Jill Painter Lopez, FoxSportsWest.com, Bruce Markusen, Hardball Times; Ross Newhan; Dayn Perry and Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com; Mark Purdy, San Jose Mercury News; Eno Sarris and Wendy Thurm, FanGraphs; Tom Hoffarth and J.P. Hoornstra Los Angeles Daily News; Pedro Moura, Orange County Register; Neil Payne, FiveThirtyEight.com, Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com, Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com, Dan Schlossberg, USA Today and Jesse Spector, Sporting News.

 

Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a yearly fee of $20, or $35 lifetime. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

For more information please visit www.ibwaa.com.

Tony Clark Returning To Trenton On May 9

(TRENTON, NJ) - The Trenton Thunder announced several new additions to the 2014 Promotional Schedule including an appearance by former Thunder standout and Major League Baseball All-Star Tony Clark for the 20th Anniversary Game on May 9 against Reading.

With giveaways, fireworks or special offers now scheduled for 55 of the team's 71 home games, fans will have a lot of choose from when single game tickets are available for the first time this Saturday, March 1. Ticket sales will begin at 9:30am online at trentonthunder.com, by phone 609-394-3300 and in person at ARM & HAMMER Park (9:30am to 2:30pm).

When the Thunder face the Reading Fightin' Phils on May 9 it will be the 20th Anniversary of the first Trenton Thunder game played in Trenton. For the special occassion, the Thunder will give away mini bobblehead dolls featuring Trenton Thunder legend, Tony Clark (1st 2,000 fans ages 14 and older). The night will be a celebration of 20 years of Thunder history, with Tony Clark himself on hand to take part in pre-game ceremonies, throw a ceremonial first pitch and sign autographs for fans.

Clark, a 15 year Major League veteran and newly named Executive Director of the MLB Players Association, was an Eastern League All-Star for Trenton during the team's inaugural 1994 season. Clark was the team's first post-season EL All-Star, his number 33 was the first number to be retired by the team and he was the first former Thunder player to be selected to the Trenton Baseball Hall of Fame. During Clark's 15 years in the Major Leagues, he owns the distinction of playing for all three of Trenton's Major League affiliates - Detroit (1995-2001), Boston (2002) and New York (2004). The 2001 American League All-Star had a career batting average of .262 with 251 HR and 824 RBI in 1,559 Major League games.

The Thunder have added two giveways to the 2014 Promotional Schedule since it was released last fall. The first 1,000 fans ages six and over will receive Magnetic Schedules thanks to MCIA on April 7. On June 6, fans will receive Pink & Navy Hats (1st 1,500 fans ages 18 and older) thanks to RAI. June 6 will also be one of three times that the team will wear special jerseys - this time they will be Pink Camouflage Jerseys for Breast Cancer Awareness and will be auctioned off to benefit charity.
On May 3, the team will sport special Super Hero Jerseys for Super Hero Night and on August 7 they will wear special Irish Jerseys in honor of Irish Heritage Night.

The game on July 2 will be a celebration of the life of original team bat dog, Chase. Fans may bring their well behaved dog to the game and Chase Photo Montages will be given to the first 2,000 fans ages six and over thanks to VSEC.

Three new theme nights have been added to the schedule: Medical Professionals Appreciation Night (May 8), Hometown Heroes Appreciation Night (May 22) and Jewish Heritage Night (August 20).

The previously announced "Player TBD" Replica Jersey giveaway thanks to TD Bank on April 6 will feature the name and number of former Thunder and current NY Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova.

All fans should note that the distribution of promotional items is for fans in attendance only. Promotion dates, items and distribution quantity is subject to change and/or cancellation. Please visit trentonthunder.com for quantity and age restrictions specific for each giveaway/promotion.  

PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

The Thunder will begin the 2014 season at ARM & HAMMER Park on Thursday, April 3. Season tickets, group outings, Pic-A-Plans, and Mini Plan renewals are on sale now. Single game tickets will go on sale on March 1, 2014. For more information about tickets, fans should call 609-394-3300 or visit trentonthunder.com.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE.