How you gonna baseball?

[MR X]

I would've never guessed that was him.

[Bruce Berenyi]

I thought it was Jared Burton

[KronoRed]

The Rangers’ new ballpark will never have a baseball game played in it

While that would serve the Arlington Texas right, I don't see it happening.

[JFLegal]

And players sticking to their salary demands better take into account the future value of their skills and talents in a sport that becomes an afterthought with the loss of casual fans fed up with the off-field drama.

There are two sides to every labor dispute and this is no exception. No heroes here.

yes, i've clearly said both sides are being fools here.

[JFLegal]

And MLB isn’t falling behind the NBA either.

you're right. it isn't falling behind. because it already fell behind years ago. nba is clearly ahead of mlb in ratings, valuation of teams, basically any meaningful metric that one could point to.

[M2]

you're right. it isn't falling behind. because it already fell behind years ago. nba is clearly ahead of mlb in ratings, valuation of teams, basically any meaningful metric that one could point to.

Not to mention social cachet. Movies, music, memes, general sports coverage - MLB is getting dusted. I'll always love baseball and I think the talent in today's game is amazing, but it's kind of groping for where it fits in 21st century America. Just an out loud thought on the subject, seems like it would do well to be the sport that slashes its ticket and concession prices to make it more accessible.

[westofyou]

52 years ago when baseball was dying before

There was a time when American boys so endowed spent most of their afternoons playing nothing but baseball, yearned only for a career in baseball, and once signed , spent at least three years in the minors learning their trade - that is learning to hit. All this has changed. Boys have more afternoon diversions, many which do not require 17 companions and an empty sandlot, and baseball now must compete with football, basketball and golf in signing up the best teen-age athletes. Even if the young phenom does choose baseball, he no longer enjoys the same lengthy apprenticeship. Expansion Baseball and television has dried up most of the minor leagues, and the baseball draft now makes it impossible for the parent club to train and protect a promising young slugger in El Paso or Rochester for more than two years. Hurried through the minor, brushed up in the winter instructional leagues, the would be Gehrig or Musial suddenly finds himself in the batters box in a big league park, where he is expected to begin repaying at once the investment of his owners and the hope of the fans. Unsurprisingly he pops up.

~ Roger Angell - The Summer Game 1968

[Assembly Hall]

Not to mention social cachet. Movies, music, memes, general sports coverage - MLB is getting dusted. I'll always love baseball and I think the talent in today's game is amazing, but it's kind of groping for where it fits in 21st century America. Just an out loud thought on the subject, seems like it would do well to be the sport that slashes its ticket and concession prices to make it more accessible.

Great post.

I have been *****ing about prices for years now.

[Boston Red]

52 years ago when baseball was dying before

There was a time when American boys so endowed spent most of their afternoons playing nothing but baseball, yearned only for a career in baseball, and once signed , spent at least three years in the minors learning their trade - that is learning to hit. All this has changed. Boys have more afternoon diversions, many which do not require 17 companions and an empty sandlot, and baseball now must compete with football, basketball and golf in signing up the best teen-age athletes. Even if the young phenom does choose baseball, he no longer enjoys the same lengthy apprenticeship. Expansion Baseball and television has dried up most of the minor leagues, and the baseball draft now makes it impossible for the parent club to train and protect a promising young slugger in El Paso or Rochester for more than two years. Hurried through the minor, brushed up in the winter instructional leagues, the would be Gehrig or Musial suddenly finds himself in the batters box in a big league park, where he is expected to begin repaying at once the investment of his owners and the hope of the fans. Unsurprisingly he pops up.

~ Roger Angell - The Summer Game 1968

Does EVERYTHING run in 52 year cycles?

[Boston Red]

Great post.

I have been *****ing about prices for years now.

100%. I haven't sat in a good seat at an MLB game that I actually paid for in years. YEARS. If I get a freebie through work or knowing someone, fantastic. But if I'm taking the family and paying (or even just taking myself and paying), I'm in the "cheap" seats upstairs. Got to save the money for a few $9 beers.

[Plus Plus]

Per Heyman on twitter:

MLB has made a new proposal to players. They are trying to get a deal done.

MLB seems to have made decent move. 75% of salaries plus no draft pick compensation this offseason for the first time in 45 years

The new MLB proposal Is for 76 games

In new MLB proposal season would begin about July 10. The delays cost the July 4 start.

[RedsFanInMS]

Per Heyman on twitter:

MLB has made a new proposal to players. They are trying to get a deal done.

MLB seems to have made decent move. 75% of salaries plus no draft pick compensation this offseason for the first time in 45 years

The new MLB proposal Is for 76 games

In new MLB proposal season would begin about July 10. The delays cost the July 4 start.

Please get this done. I'm ready for some baseball! I wanted it July 4th, but I'll take July 10th.

[Assembly Hall]

100%. I haven't sat in a good seat at an MLB game that I actually paid for in years. YEARS. If I get a freebie through work or knowing someone, fantastic. But if I'm taking the family and paying (or even just taking myself and paying), I'm in the "cheap" seats upstairs. Got to save the money for a few $9 beers.

Yeah, freaking $9 for a beer. Crazy. Why so salty? Is it unicorn piss?

[westofyou]

Per Heyman on twitter:

MLB has made a new proposal to players. They are trying to get a deal done.

MLB seems to have made decent move. 75% of salaries plus no draft pick compensation this offseason for the first time in 45 years

The new MLB proposal Is for 76 games

In new MLB proposal season would begin about July 10. The delays cost the July 4 start.

July 10th is my birthday

GET THIS DONE!!!

[Plus Plus]

Some Steve Mancuso math to discuss as well:

Pre-COVID wages for players = $4 billion. 100% salary for 50 games (last MLB offer) is $1.23 billion for players. 75% of 76 games (new MLB offer) is $1.41 billion. 100% of 82 games would be $2 billion. That's the gap.

Reminder: Pay attention to items beyond wages and games. Players offer of 2021 post-season, Home Run Derby and All Star Game closes most if not all the $600 million gap. There's a deal to be made now from items on the table.

76 games at 100% salary. Two expanded postseasons. Home Run Derby. All Star Game. Some playoff money for players. Deferral number (or a little more) from MLBPA offer. Player's version of health opt-out.

You're welcome.

Play ball already.