Batman Criticizes Pirates

[deltachi8]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06100/681044-100.stm

Actor Keaton criticizes Pirates' owners before first pitch
Monday, April 10, 2006

By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Batman threw a few barbs the Pirates' way today, and they hit as hard as a batarang to the temple.

Actor Michael Keaton, the Coraopolis native who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, was bitingly critical of the franchise's ownership shortly before the home opener today at PNC Park, accusing the Pirates of not spending enough on players and of taking their fans for granted.

"Maybe they should let me throw this pitch first because they might not like what I have to say," Keaton said at a news conference.

He paused.

"I fear they will take advantage of the good will of the people who continue to show up," he continued. "For my money, that's disrespectful. At some point, you either have to write the check or do something and not assume, well, we're OK and, ultimately, the franchise is valuable, anyway, like Donald Sterling did with the Los Angeles Clippers."

Sterling, the Clippers' famously frugal owner, finally is presiding over a winning team after 12 consecutive losing seasons.

"Look, I'd do it, too, if I were a businessman," Keaton said. "But, at some point, you've got to win. I think fans have been gracious. And maybe not vocal enough. Maybe not vociferous enough with their displeasure. That's my opinion."

The Pirates' payroll of $47.6 million -- up nearly $13 million from last season -- ranks 26th among the 30 teams in Major League Baseball

[harangatang]

Baseball is a business too, some owners want to win and others just want to make money. Two easy examples of the opposite ends of the spectrum are George Steinbrenner and Carl Lindner. Steinbrenner wants to win and Lindner just wnted to make money.

[KronoRed]

I agree with Batman.

What does Spider-man think though?

[traderumor]

Originally Posted by KronoRed

I agree with Batman.

What does Spider-man think though?

He's an Indians fans, never quite getting over the fact that at one time there was a team in Cleveland known as the Spiders.

[deltachi8]

Aquaman thinks the Marlins are in trouble.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by KronoRed

I agree with Batman.

What does Spider-man think though?

Bruce Wayne should buy the Pirates -- he's a billionaire, he could definately afford to putting a winning team on the field.

[wolfboy]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Bruce Wayne should buy the Pirates -- he's a billionaire, he could definately afford to putting a winning team on the field.

The bat wallet has to be thinner than in years past. I'm sure he's feeling the pinch at the pump. I can't imagine what it takes to fill up that car of his. On top of that, the guy has a serious gadget addiction. He'd spend his revenue sharing dollars on fancy belts instead of a middle of the order bat.

[Chip R]

Sure, Batman buys a team and instills Robin as GM. If Robin makes a bad trade he can blame it on Dick Grayson. And then what happens when the Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman buy the Cubs?

[deltachi8]

Originally Posted by Chip R

Sure, Batman buys a team and instills Robin as GM. If Robin makes a bad trade he can blame it on Dick Grayson. And then what happens when the Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman buy the Cubs?

they continue to suck out loud?

[KearnsyEars]

My 2 cents, what keaton knows about baseball is a short book.

[dsmith421]

Originally Posted by harangatang

Baseball is a business too, some owners want to win and others just want to make money. Two easy examples of the opposite ends of the spectrum are George Steinbrenner and Carl Lindner. Steinbrenner wants to win and Lindner just wnted to make money.

If all Carl Lindner cared about was making money, he got into the wrong business. Given Lindner's history, I think it's clear that he saw himself as a transitional caretaker of a civic institution and was more concerned with positive Cincinnati and LindnerCo PR than profitability. Unfortunately, he surrounded himself with absymally stupid baseball people, and, in the long run, failed at all three objectives.

Comparing Lindner to the men that own the Pirates and Royals and are allegedly merely profiteering, well, I think that's unfair.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by dsmith421

Comparing Lindner to the men that own the Pirates and Royals and are allegedly merely profiteering, well, I think that's unfair.

Is it fair to compare him to Batman?

[Puffy]

I'm Batman.

[SunDeck]

Michael Keaton and Puffy are not Batman.
This is batman:

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by SunDeck

Michael Keaton and Puffy are not Batman.
This is batman:

No, I'm Batman - that dude is the mayor of Quahog.