Still Not Happy With Baseball
Do you see the size of his head? Hilarious, how times have changed (I guess). For my first post in three years (well technically second) how appropriate to examine what I wrote a little less than three years ago about what some people still call America's pastime: baseball. Three years ago I couldn't stand the game of baseball as a league; and I hate to say that it hasn't gotten any better.
A bit of a disclaimer here: I am a total bandwagon Mariners fan. Sure, I'll attend 3-4 games a season and have a good time, but most of that time is spent at the bar in center field drinking warm flat beer and heckling who ever is playing center. If and when they ever make the playoffs again, I'll watch and pull for them; but right now they could call up Jesus Christ himself and I probably still wouldn't watch if there's something else more worthwhile on TV (NBA Playoffs, John and Kate Plus 8...wait.....)
(I wonder what kind of player JC would be? My first thought is lead off because he is likely pretty skinny; but then again, he is the almighty and could have a sick cutter or be a power hitter 'cause he's JC. One thing's for sure, his presence would make all the players that said they were "crucified" by the Mitchell report feel pretty bad. Anyway...)
Now to the three year old suggestions for Mr. Selig, now officially the second worst Commissioner in sports behind David "The Sonic Bandit As--ole" Stern.
1. Enact a Salary Cap
Well, the NFL is still the best business model in US sports and the MLB still does not have a salary cap. There is no indication that the league itself is moving towards a cap, however, they may not have to at this point. The last free agency period was really telling in terms of the teams. Raul Ibanez practically ganked his contract from the Phillies before the economy tanked. Then teams were actually financially savvy by driving down the values placed on certain positions and performance.
The economy was a good excuse, but I think it also comes down to what the Rays did last season, and what the Marlins have done in the past. Yeah, but there is also one less talked about aspect to examine; the effect that an overpaid player has on your fan base. For one, they're probably roiding which is telling that 8 year old above the dug out that cheaters prosper and get paid $10 large an inning to be a jackass. Secondly, they'll never live up to the expectations of their contract. For further review see Silva, Sexson, Johjima and Beltre (not for roiding, but for the expectation aspect). Thanks Bavasi, thanks for everything.
1b. Re-alignment
I still like this suggestion, however, I realize that this would have an adverse effect on the league if practically employed. You'd try to make your roster crappy, but not as crappy as the teams behind you. There's no real incentive to spend money if this were to happen. In an ideal world....
2. Drug Tests Every Week Every Year
I think we may have finally turned the corner on this one when we have Manny Ramirez getting busted for using weiner medications. Personally, I didn't think that Manny would have the mental capability to try the system. Yeah, yeah, I know the banned substance was used to recover from long term roid use, but it's a good sign that Selig is willing to not only test, but suspend one of the best hitters in the game over the past decade.
3. Lifetime Ban for first offense
Now that I work in the field of law, I do believe in second chances. I think the first time 50 game ban is a winner. Way to be Bud.
4. Replay
Holler. Ding ding ding! We now have home run replay. Called it. Winner. I'm still for replay in field calls in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings in four run games. I liken it to automatic review in the final two minutes in NCAA and NFL.
5. Less Games
I now realize why there are so many games in baseball, it is the economics of the sports. Baseball is largely ticket driven so each club needs to make their own money (for the most part) as opposed to the NFL in which each club makes about the same in ticket sales (save Buffalo and NO) but the majority of the income is from FOX, CBS, NBC and ESPN.
Even if MLB cut the games in half, they wouldn't receive any more money per game in a TV contract even though there is less quantity for consumers to consume. Nor would the ticket sales go up enough to cover the loss of 41 home games; even with higher ticket prices.
Anyway, I know I give baseball a hard time, but I still think it is flawed enough to complain. However, I admit that the MLB is a strong organization and it's like pointing out a stitching flaw in an Aston Martin bucket seat.
Herm
posted by HermNation at 9:31 PM
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