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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Pine Tar and Rubbing Mud: The Baseball Thread 2012
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
This thread is to discuss all things baseball--and if you have any questions about baseball, feel free to ask.
So, spring training is just around the corner! Most teams start in about 7 days, but I think Seattle is starting either today or tomorrow. (BTW, does anybody know WHY Seattle is starting earlier?) A lot of things have happened in the off-season: Albert Pujols to the LA Angels! Prince Fielder to Detroit! Papelbon to the Phillies! And it is even theoretically possible that the Dodgers may, someday, actually have an owner!
The Pujols and Fielder moves fascinate me. Two big sluggers, both from the NL Central, and they both jump to the AL. It seems to me that Pittsburgh's chance of posting a winning record in the NL Central has improved considerably.
And, on a related point, congratulations to the Perth Heat, who just won the Australian Baseball League Championship! Both Game 2 and Game 3 were exciting extra-inning affairs.
[ 13. February 2013, 04:22: Message buggered about with by: Ariston ]
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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Posted
I'm just hoping and praying that someone responsible will buy the Dodgers. Though Frank McCourt was so awful, an entrepreneurial guy currently hawking ice cream and popsicles from a bicycle pull-cart could probably do better.
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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Lyda*Rose
Ship's broken porthole
# 4544
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Posted
Amen. ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
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"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life." ~from Joe Vs the Volcano
Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
First Giants' prediction. Zito won't last too long in the Giants' starting rotation. Look out for Surkamp to take his place.
Second Giants' prediction. They will bat better this season.
Hope Posey will be OK. Only one player, but a fit and confident Posey would make a very big difference to the season.
Pity Ross had to go - I was less concerned about Beltran's move.
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
What do you think would be the best option for the Dodgers: a single obscenely wealthy owner or an ownership group where no one person has absolute dominance? The former allows for the entertainment of a (ahem!) colorful personality, but the latter may bring more stability. And, right now, I have got to believe that stability is what the Dodgers need.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Amazing Grace
High Church Protestant
# 95
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Posted
I know My Beloved But Hapless A's (*) are starting earlier to accommodate the games they are playing in Japan. Not sure whether the Seattle Sailorboys are on the same tour, but it would make sense to me.
* My SoCal nephew is a big Angels fan, so I guess there will be one happy camper in the Grace family this year. If Pujols stays healthy, the Halos will do well. Better them than Texas, IMO, but not great news for either the A's or the M's.
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WTFWED? "Remember to always be yourself, unless you suck" - the Gator
Memory Eternal! Sheep 3, Phil the Wise Guy, and Jesus' Evil Twin in the SoF Nativity Play
Posts: 6593 | From: Sittin' by the dock of the [SF] bay | Registered: Jul 2003
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
And, right now, I have got to believe that stability is what the Dodgers need.
That's the one. I had a look at a short list here and, without too much local knowledge, thought there were some promising options.
Wouldn't a bid involving Orel Hershiser and Steve Garvey go down well? I suppose it depends on just how much financial backing they would bring. Baseball ownership needs deep pockets.
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Amazing Grace:
I know My Beloved But Hapless A's (*) are starting earlier to accommodate the games they are playing in Japan. Not sure whether the Seattle Sailorboys are on the same tour, but it would make sense to me.
I think you've got it! I just checked and Seattle is going to Tokyo for a few games, including two against the A's. I didn't realize Oakland was starting early--I heard Seattle was, from a couple sources, but nobody bothered to mention the A's. Typical, really.
But I am intrigued by the A's signing the hot Cuban import, Cespedes (or something like that--the name does not trip off my tongue quite so much as it stumbles...)
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
It's always exciting around here when spring training starts. The traffic gets even worse, and we have to wait to get into the nearby restaurants.
Well, except this year, the downtown joints won't get that boost. The Red Sox demanded a new stadium. And got it. It's out of town, near the airport.
I thought City of Palms Park was just fine. It's less than twenty years old.
I just don't feel like going to any of the games to see a bunch of whiny, rich ball players.
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
The trick is to go to the early spring training games. The whiny rich ball players will only play 3 innings at most and then you can see all the up-and-comers who are trying to make it to the big leagues. They aren't rich (yet) and, even better, they will actually be making an effort to impress!
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
What do you think would be the best option for the Dodgers: a single obscenely wealthy owner or an ownership group where no one person has absolute dominance?
I would trust an established billionaire like Warren Buffett or Bill Gates with my Dodgers, but anyone else would be a crapshoot. I would like to see a large group of v. wealthy families, perhaps with a minority stake even being publicly owned.
That said, I hope to see a Dodgers and/or an Angels spring training game in person this year. Last year we saw the Dodgers. Last Angels game I saw in Anaheim with my dad more than forty years ago....
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
I just posted this over in the Celebrity Death Pool thread, but it deserves to be here to:
quote:
NY Mets and Hall of Fame Catcher Gary Carter has died, age 57. Brain tumor. He was one of the greats.
In the famous 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, he was the one who started the Game 6 rally in the bottom of the 10th. The Mets were two runs down and had two outs when Carter hung in there to get a single. Two more singles and Bill Buckner's error later and the Mets had won.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
What do you think would be the best option for the Dodgers: a single obscenely wealthy owner or an ownership group where no one person has absolute dominance? The former allows for the entertainment of a (ahem!) colorful personality, but the latter may bring more stability. And, right now, I have got to believe that stability is what the Dodgers need.
Don't ownership groups frequently have a frontman, someone to be the face of the group?
Whether it's a group or a single person I really don't care, as long as whoever it is doesn't treat the team like a giant piggy bank.
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Right!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Let me start by stating that I find ESPN to be the leading purveyor of misleading sports stories. But with that being said, ESPN is reporting that Buster Posey is being directed by his manager to not block the plate when a runner is coming home.
I don't know what stuns me more: that the manager would suggest such a thing or that he would make it public so all the other teams will know it too.
Bochy comments about "other ways" to make tags--by which I assume he means swipe tags. Those are not as effective as blocking the plate and, honestly, are also prone to resulting in injury to the catcher. The best protection for the catcher is to use good mechanics--not making him constantly second guess what he should be doing (Do I block? Do I swipe? Oh, coach told me to swipe! But the runner may do a hook slide that I may neeed to block...).
I wonder how much of this is motivated by the Investment Problem. Teams pay ludicrously big money to players and then seem to think that means that baseball should change its rules to make sure that the overpaid player can actually play. We see this every year during interleague games with the American League babies whine about how dangerous it is for their highly paid pitchers to actually bat for themselves and run the bases. Tough. You knew the rules when you decided to pay the player and you knew that those rules might result in injuries. If you didn't factor that into your offers for the players, then I don't see it as the obligation of the sport to change its rules to make your bad investment into a good one.
Having got that rant out of my system, I will repeat: it is ESPN, so maybe they neglected to mention a bit to the story that would change the focus. For example, if Bochy merely meant that, during spring training he did not want Posey blocking the plate, then I have no problem. That is probably sensible until Posey's body gets back into game shape.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Prester John
Shipmate
# 5502
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
We see this every year during interleague games with the American League babies whine about how dangerous it is for their highly paid pitchers to actually bat for themselves and run the bases. Tough. You knew the rules when you decided to pay the player and you knew that those rules might result in injuries. If you didn't factor that into your offers for the players, then I don't see it as the obligation of the sport to change its rules to make your bad investment into a good one.
![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif)
Posts: 884 | From: SF Bay Area | Registered: Feb 2004
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Caissa
Shipmate
# 16710
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Posted
Time for the NL to adopt the DH rule.
Nothing more boring than an NL game where a pitcher takes his obligatory 3 swings or if he is more honest just leaves his bat on his shoulder.
Of course, my beloved Blu Jays will have another clunker of a season winning somewhere between 76 and 86 games.
Posts: 972 | From: Saint John, N.B. | Registered: Oct 2011
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Caissa:
Time for the NL to adopt the DH rule.
Nothing more boring than an NL game where a pitcher takes his obligatory 3 swings or if he is more honest just leaves his bat on his shoulder.
Maybe that is what AL pitchers do, but not in the NL. The Phillies starters had a heated competition last year for who was the best batter--I believe it was won by Cliff Lee, who had two home runs and two doubles to his credit.
And if you want to have great fun, go to You Tube and call up Brett Meyers at-bat against CC Sabathia in the 2008 playoffs. He got two quick strikes--and then Meyers managed to stretch out the at-bat for something like 10 pitches and eventually worked a walk. Was Sabathia rattled? Well, he then walked the next batter (to fill the bases) and then gave up a grand slam to the following batter. THAT is the sort of fun thing that happens when you let "sure out" pitchers bat.
Rather, it is time for the AL to abandon the DH rule. There is nothing more inexplicable than having an alleged "player" who sits on the bench while his team is playing in the field and who only stirs himself to go up to bat once every nine batters and yet gets to demand to be paid as a "starter." If you are claiming to be a baseball player, then play the game. Don't just swing a bat.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Prester John
Shipmate
# 5502
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Caissa:
Time for the NL to adopt the DH rule.
Nothing more boring than an NL game where a pitcher takes his obligatory 3 swings or if he is more honest just leaves his bat on his shoulder.
I despise the DH rule. Where else in the world do you get paid lots of money and then have someone do half of your job for you?!
Posts: 884 | From: SF Bay Area | Registered: Feb 2004
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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Posted
Blankety-blank-blank #$%^& junior circuit. Maybe some day they'll grow up and take off the training wheels. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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Caissa
Shipmate
# 16710
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Posted
I should have expected a bunch of traditionalists on a Ship of Fools. ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
The NL will eventually institute the DH rule because it reduces injuries and increases offense. Most fans like offense. One of the reasons football hasn't caught on well as a NA spectator sport.
Posts: 972 | From: Saint John, N.B. | Registered: Oct 2011
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Junior circuit? We don't have that: we have Spring Training here...
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
Junior circuit? We don't have that: we have Spring Training here...
Ha! None of that diplomatic liberal claptrap here! I live in the hope that that johnny-come-lately American League learns to play real baseball, but I am afraid Caissa is probably right. It is more likely that the Grand Ol' National League will give in--if only because the Players Union likes the DH because it means its members can keep playing long past their normal retirement age. I mean, seriously, does anybody believe Big Papi would still be playing if they didn't have the DH?
On another topic, a couple interesting anniversaries coming up. On April 10, we will be recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Dodgers Stadium. A shame that they probably won't have an owner by then. No word if we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the parking lot which McCourt wants to hold on to. ![[Disappointed]](graemlins/disappointed.gif)
Then, on April 20, we will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park. Not bad for a park in the junior circuit. ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
When I were a lad in Pasadena, I was about three miles from Chavez Ravine (what locals call it). I thought the Dodgers had always been in LA until I found out otherwise late in the 20th century. Dad and I went there often. Last time I was there was about 11 years ago and we beat the Diamondbacks in overtime. I was the hero of my section (right next to the bullpen) when I yelled to Shef: "Gonzales is going to hit the ball to you!" Mr. Sheffield caught it! Too bad he did not become a franchise player!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! The first pre-season game involving 2 major league teams (as opposed to a major vs. a college) is being broadcast right now! Seattle v. Oakland!
HOME RUN!!! Michael Saunders, for Seattle. His first hit of the Spring.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Shaggy
Apprentice
# 16844
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by RuthW:
I'm just hoping and praying that someone responsible will buy the Dodgers. Though Frank McCourt was so awful, an entrepreneurial guy currently hawking ice cream and popsicles from a bicycle pull-cart could probably do better.
At least you have the opportunity of a new owner. Being a Mets fan we are stuck with the Wilpons who seem to be determined to wreck the franchise.
We'd love the chance of a new owner!
Posts: 26 | Registered: Dec 2011
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Dodgers are playing well.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Can anybody enlighten me about the British Baseball Federation/National Baseball League? I gather the NBL is an eight team league (down from ten teams last year) and that games are starting on April 1.
Other than that, all I know is that, For No Reason Whatsoever, I have decided that I am cheering for the Croydon Pirates. Go team!
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
Yar!
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Would that my Dodgers could continue back-to-back shutouts into the regular season!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
Would that my Dodgers could continue back-to-back shutouts into the regular season!
I know how you feel. The Phils' Vance Worley pitched four perfect innings (12 up, 12 down) the other day before he reached his Spring Training pitch count. I just hope he can do that again during the regular season. Maybe stretch it out to nine innings!
I ws curious to see the changes in payroll for the teams between 2011 and the "estimated" payroll for 2012 (realizing that not everybody has finsihed with all their signings). Some interesting trivia bits.
Oh, I should mention that, as usual, I am relying on the information provided by the good folk at Baseball-Reference.com.
The biggest change is the Miami Marlins, who have added roughly $53 million to the payroll. That is not all that surprising considering the number of signings they have been doing. But in comparison to 2011 it is stunning--they have come very close to doubling their 2011 payroll ($56.9 million).
Also shocking (to me) is that the #2 increase comes from the Kansas City Royals (an additional $33 million, more or less). I had no idea that they were going on a spending splurge.
Not surprising is that the three teams that had the largest payrolls in 2011 (Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox) have not really increased that much ($3 million, $7 million and $9 million, respectively). I mean, really, how much more could they spend??? Twenty other teams have increased payroll more than that. Twelve teams have increased payroll by more than $20 million.
Six teams are projected to have a decreased payroll in 2012. One (the Dodgers) is only barely down (maybe $1 million). The Twins cut $4 million, Oakland A's cut $9 million. The Mets trimmed $12 million (and considering the Mets' financial problems, that is no surprise). What did come as a shock is the two teams that have trimmed their payrolls the most: Chicago Cubs ($12 million less) and Chicago White Sox ($13 million less). I have no idea why the two Chicago teams should suddenly decide to compete on seeing who can cut payroll the most.
Of course, I suspect that even the one mill cut from the Dodgers would be more than enough to pay for all of my Soon-To-Be-Beloved Croydon Pirates. Yarr! Go team!
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
I'm not off to see my Dodgers defeat the Padres in a spring training game in a couple of minutes because the game was yesterday and I don't get the local paper on Thursdays. I am hopping mad that they did not. That said, I am looking forward to Saturday when my lovely bride will audition to sing the national anthem for the local team. I'm watching the Angels today on TV because the stadium is too far away and the game is probably sold out anyway!
God willing, we'll get a bachelor or bachelorette owner who is solvent to take over the team in a few days or at least a responsible LA-based consortium. I don't want someone like Tata Motors in India owning the Dodgers: I don't like the way they've uglied up the non-sporting Jaguars and we don't need long-distance ownership for the home team...
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
So the 2012 MLB season will officially begin in less than 18 hours when the Mariners and Athletics play each other in Japan.
I have to admit that the "First Pitch" loses a lot of its impact when it is happening half a world away. And even more so when it involves two teams that, in all honesty, I don't pay much attention to anyway. And add to that the fact that other teams will still not begin playing until next week...
Nevertheless, following my motto ("Any baseball is better than no baseball."), I am getting excited and will try to catch at least a little of the game on my XM radio.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
("Any baseball is better than no baseball.")
So that explains the need to hunt down the National Baseball League. From my perspective it looks a bit like an almost-dead alcoholic slugging down mouthwash, but this goes some way to explaining things.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
("Any baseball is better than no baseball.")
So that explains the need to hunt down the National Baseball League. From my perspective it looks a bit like an almost-dead alcoholic slugging down mouthwash, but this goes some way to explaining things.
I won't deny it: There is a lot of truth to this.
But what actually got me looking was the fact that MLB was starting the season in Japan. I understand the desire to spread the MLB brand and encourage the growth of baseball elswhere, but it always strikes me as odd that they choose Japan--which already has a strong and long-established baseball culture. That got me thinking whether MLB had much of a choice--was there any place else to give a boost to the sport? Well, there is. The British NBL. And, for that matter, there also seems to be an active German Baseball League (although my sight-reading of German leaves a lot to be desired so I can only think that it is active....). Either of those would probably benefit more from an MLB visit than the Japanese league would.
But to get back to MLB, it appears new owners have now been selected for the Dodgers. What is the feeling of Dodgers fans of the new ownership group (apart from the obvious--that they have to be better than McCourt)?
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
The problem is that noone in Britain has heard of the NBL. (Baseball? That basically rounders, init?) I think that for an overseas adventure to be financially sensible you need a quorum of interest to build from. The NFL had that both from NFL Europe (London had a team) and from broadcasting at least three games per weekend live on free-to-view television for over a decade. But baseball doesn't have that exposure.
Maybe they should try Cuba? ![[Two face]](graemlins/scot_twoface.gif)
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
But to get back to MLB, it appears new owners have now been selected for the Dodgers. What is the feeling of Dodgers fans of the new ownership group (apart from the obvious--that they have to be better than McCourt)?
I am cautiously optimistic. They have a money guy to pay for everything, a proven baseball guy with a track record of player development to make the decisions, and Magic Johnson (who is kicking in money as well) to be the public face of the team. LA loves Magic Johnson, and PR really matters.
But two things I'll be watching: first, they agreed to a deal to buy the stadium but not the parking lots, which McCourt will keep. You kinda want to be in charge of the whole baseball-game-going experience if you own the team, and in LA that includes parking, not to mention that you make money on parking. (I know a good place to park outside the stadium, however, so when I go to games I will not be giving my money to that no-good son-of-a-blankety-blank Frank McCourt. *spits* ) I worry about the judgement of a group that doesn't insist on the parking lots being part of the deal.
Second, they are paying two BILLION smackers. So what are they going to charge for tickets and hotdogs?
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
I am happy too: wore my Dodgers hat to work today - I was not teaching! The parking lot thing is just wierd - perhaps it can be rectified later...
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
The problem is that noone in Britain has heard of the NBL. (Baseball? That basically rounders, init?) I think that for an overseas adventure to be financially sensible you need a quorum of interest to build from. The NFL had that both from NFL Europe (London had a team) and from broadcasting at least three games per weekend live on free-to-view television for over a decade. But baseball doesn't have that exposure.
By coincidence, there was a blurb in my morning paper today that puts another perspective on this. It comments that MLB's "biggest obstacle to playing games in Europe" was connected to the "inability to find a facility with the right dimensions and seating." However, apparently the forthcoming Olympic Stadium in London will be "big enough for a baseball game." So maybe in another couple years MLB games will be played in London.
On the Dodgers and the parking lot issue, I have heard rumors that the reason the new buyers were willing to agree to that arrangement is that they are planning on getting a new stadium anyway--in other words, Chavez Ravine may be facing the end of its run.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Where do the Croydon Pirates play? They should check out that venue.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
On the Dodgers and the parking lot issue, I have heard rumors that the reason the new buyers were willing to agree to that arrangement is that they are planning on getting a new stadium anyway--in other words, Chavez Ravine may be facing the end of its run.
Would be sacrilege! For much of the first twenty-five years of my life I lived three miles away from it! Why piss away millions which are un-needed to replace it? It is still in good shape. It should be a listed property: it's a California landmark. Magic - don't let that happen!!!!! I did not even know that the Dodgers hadn't always been in LA like the Angels until I was in my forties! I have been going to Chavez Ravine since I was eight or nine...
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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I think there are two less sentimental reasons why there won't be a new stadium in the near future: 1. The new owners will have their hands full rebuilding the fan base; 2. Los Angeles is not likely to cough up any public money for a new stadium, so the new owners would have to carry the paper all on their own. It's why we don't have a pro football team.
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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Isabella Grace
Apprentice
# 17021
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
What do you think would be the best option for the Dodgers: a single obscenely wealthy owner or an ownership group where no one person has absolute dominance? The former allows for the entertainment of a (ahem!) colorful personality, but the latter may bring more stability. And, right now, I have got to believe that stability is what the Dodgers need.
I also think so.
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Watch Wrath of the Titans Online Free
Posts: 1 | From: iuyi | Registered: Mar 2012
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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I follow the Texas Rangers (from across the pond) - has anyone seen Yu Darvish pitch in Spring Training? I've just watched the highlights on the MLB website and he's looking pretty good to me; it seems he's adjusting well to baseball and life as a whole in the USA. Check out the curveball at 1:26 on this clip!
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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I have not yet seen Yu Darvish pitch. Of course, you can never really tell in Spring Training how good somebody will be, but he has a good track record in Japan and most batters here have not faced him, so he will have an advantage for a time. This is much the same reason why there have been so many "rookie phenom" pitchers--who then go on to mediocre careers. Once the batters get to know the pitcher's tendencies, the edge often goes to the batter unless the pitcher also keeps improving. (For example, Roy Halladay was trying out new pitches this spring to keep the batters off balance.)
So I expect Darvish to start strong. The real question is whether he will continue to be strong by the end of the season. I suspect he will, but it is just a guess. Only time will tell.
And on the NBL front, the Croydon Pirates stumbled out of the gate, getting swept in a double-header by their hated rivals, the Essex Archers.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Isabella Grace:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hedgehog:
[qb] What do you think would be the best option for the Dodgers: a single obscenely wealthy owner or an ownership group where no one person has absolute dominance? The former allows for the entertainment of a (ahem!) colorful personality, but the latter may bring more stability. And, right now, I have got to believe that stability is what the Dodgers need.
I also think so.
Welcome, Isabella! Honoured that you chose to discuss my beloved Dodgers in your first post! Did you know there's a welcoming thread in All Saints?
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
This is much the same reason why there have been so many "rookie phenom" pitchers--who then go on to mediocre careers. Once the batters get to know the pitcher's tendencies, the edge often goes to the batter unless the pitcher also keeps improving. (For example, Roy Halladay was trying out new pitches this spring to keep the batters off balance.)
Cheers for this, Hedgehog. I've not been into baseball long enough to have picked up nuances like this, and that's an excellent little fact about Halladay! I suppose it's why he's one of the greats.
Thinking about it, the Rangers rotation could be really strong this season. Holland and Harrison both had great 2011 seasons and are looking good for this season, Feliz is tipped for greatness by some, and Darvish too. Colby Lewis, the opening day starter, might just end up being the weakest of the five.
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My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
The first full weekend of games is done. Although it is still a little early, I think it is time to consider the ranks of the Undefeated and the Unvictorious.
Five teams remain undefeated (3-0) as of the time of this writing: Arizona, Baltimore, Detroit, NY Mets, and Tampa Bay. Of these, I think Detroit is likely to be the team that remains undefeated the longest. Detroit looks very impressive in the early going.
Five teams remain unvictorious (0-3). Not surprisingly, they were playing the above teams. They are: Atlanta, Boston, Minnesota, NY Yankees, and San Francisco. Trying to figure out which of these teams will go the longest without a victory is tricky. Minnesota is probably the weakest team of the lot, but Boston looks really dispirited, so I think Boston will remain in the doldrums the longest.
And, of course, if history has taught us anything, it has taught that I am amazingly bad at making predictions. Does anybody else want to hazard a guess?
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
Well, it looks as though the Giants are bouncing back - with lots of runs and a scoreless Zito (end of 7th anyway).
I'll be rooting for them as always. Will they make the playoffs? Probably/possibly! (I'm swinging around on that one).
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
And, once again, my prediction was wrong. Boston won last night, as did the Yankees and San Francisco. The race for the Unvictorious Title is now between Minnesota and Atlanta, both standing at 0-4.
The Undefeated chart only had one contender drop out when Baltimore lost. The Mets won again to go 4-0 and the other three (Tampa Bay, Detroit and Arizona) did not play yesterday. However, TB and Detroit play against each other today, so one of them will be falling from the ranks of the Undefeated.
Yu Darvish had his first start yesterday. He had an Extremely Rough first inning, but settled down after that. I can understand first game nerves. I think his next start will be a better gauge of how good he is going to be.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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