This was fun to do for the NFL, so here are 30 opinions on 30 Major League Baseball teams:
Baltimore Orioles - The Orioles hired Dan Duquette to be their new General Manager. Duquette was not the Orioles first choice, and he has not been a MLB GM since his stint with the Red Sox 10 years ago. He has, however, proven to be an excellent talent evaluator. We'll see if he learned from his mistakes in Boston, but the Orioles have bigger problems; namely the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Blue Jays.
Boston Red Sox - I've got this one covered. Something new: Ok. Jacoby Ellsbury's contract status is going to become an issue until it is resolved. I don't know what the right answer is, but if I had to guess, I think they take the Jonathan Papelbon approach for now - avoid arbitration with one year deals, and let him move closer to free agency before making a decision.
Showing posts with label mlb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mlb. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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Tuesday, October 5, 2010
"Four Days In October"
ESPN is showing "Four Days In October" tonight (8pm EST), as part of the documentary series "30 for 30".
"30 for 30" contains some of the best sports documentaries ever made. This one is particularly interesting because I know the story so well. It is the greatest moment I'll ever have as a sports fan. #2 is reserved for the USA winning the World Cup. I can hope, but it probably will not happen in my lifetime.
The night prior to our story, Red Sox lost game 3, 19-8. The loss meant they were down 3-0 against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. They were on the verge of being eliminated by the Yankees for the second year in a row. The 2003 ALCS was particularly cruel because of the way it ended, and because I believed the Red Sox were the better team. We had our shot, and blew it.
2004 was to become a different story. It would be the Yankees who had their shot and blew it.
Before game 4 of the ALCS, the first of the four nights, I remember sharing precisely the same thoughts as Red Sox resident clairvoyant, Kevin Millar.
"Don't let the Red Sox win this game."
I held the same hope, for the same reasons. If Derek Lowe could get us through game 4, the Yankees would have to defeat Pedro Martinez or Curt Schilling (would become the "bloody sock game"). Pedro is the best pitcher I have ever seen; Schilling, one of the best of his generation. And, as we learned the year before, anything can happen if the Red Sox can just make it to a game 7.
During "Four Days In October", the Red Sox accomplished the most unlikely of comebacks, winning four straight games to go to the World Series. The World Series was almost anti-climactic, as the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to win their first championship since 1918. When that game ended, not a moment earlier, I removed the bottle of Dom from the refrigerator to celebrate.
The Red Sox won the World Series again in 2007. It was a great moment, not the same as 2004. Then, the Mitchell Report was released, casting a shadow over the whole generation of baseball. Today, the Red Sox are no longer considered the lovable losers. Like the Yankees, Celtics and Patriots, winning has become the expectation. Fans take success for granted. Those who are not fans of the teams turn against them, rooting for the new underdog. Please let anybody but them win.
Not in 2004. Nothing will ever be like those "Four Days In October".
"30 for 30" contains some of the best sports documentaries ever made. This one is particularly interesting because I know the story so well. It is the greatest moment I'll ever have as a sports fan. #2 is reserved for the USA winning the World Cup. I can hope, but it probably will not happen in my lifetime.
The night prior to our story, Red Sox lost game 3, 19-8. The loss meant they were down 3-0 against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. They were on the verge of being eliminated by the Yankees for the second year in a row. The 2003 ALCS was particularly cruel because of the way it ended, and because I believed the Red Sox were the better team. We had our shot, and blew it.
2004 was to become a different story. It would be the Yankees who had their shot and blew it.
 |
| Kentucky Fried Kevin |
"Don't let the Red Sox win this game."
I held the same hope, for the same reasons. If Derek Lowe could get us through game 4, the Yankees would have to defeat Pedro Martinez or Curt Schilling (would become the "bloody sock game"). Pedro is the best pitcher I have ever seen; Schilling, one of the best of his generation. And, as we learned the year before, anything can happen if the Red Sox can just make it to a game 7.
During "Four Days In October", the Red Sox accomplished the most unlikely of comebacks, winning four straight games to go to the World Series. The World Series was almost anti-climactic, as the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to win their first championship since 1918. When that game ended, not a moment earlier, I removed the bottle of Dom from the refrigerator to celebrate.
The Red Sox won the World Series again in 2007. It was a great moment, not the same as 2004. Then, the Mitchell Report was released, casting a shadow over the whole generation of baseball. Today, the Red Sox are no longer considered the lovable losers. Like the Yankees, Celtics and Patriots, winning has become the expectation. Fans take success for granted. Those who are not fans of the teams turn against them, rooting for the new underdog. Please let anybody but them win.
Not in 2004. Nothing will ever be like those "Four Days In October".
Monday, October 4, 2010
MLB Playoffs
AL
Rays beat Rangers
Yankees beat Twins
Rays beat Yankees
NL
Phillies beat Reds
Braves beat Giants
Phillies beat Braves
World Series
Phillies beat Rays in seven games.
Rays beat Rangers
Yankees beat Twins
Rays beat Yankees
NL
Phillies beat Reds
Braves beat Giants
Phillies beat Braves
World Series
Phillies beat Rays in seven games.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Rays to give away tickets to Wednesday's game
This is a nice gesture. Not sure how the paying customers will take the news.
Rays to give away 20,000 free tickets Wednesday
Baseball during a pennant race and the playoffs is a different atmosphere than your ordinary regular season game. Hopefully Tampa can generate that level of urgency and excitement. At worst, it will create some childhood memories for kids who would otherwise not attend.
Rays to give away 20,000 free tickets Wednesday
Baseball during a pennant race and the playoffs is a different atmosphere than your ordinary regular season game. Hopefully Tampa can generate that level of urgency and excitement. At worst, it will create some childhood memories for kids who would otherwise not attend.
Evan Longoria, David Price call out Rays fans - only marginally about that
Evan Longoria and David Price voiced their displeasure at low home attendance, despite the Tampa Rays being on the verge of clinching another post season appearance.
While I do not question the intent of star players to motivate their fan base, the delivery may be a little strong. It comes off as cocky young millionaire athletes being out of touch and disrespectful to their fans, when they are simply saying, "we'd love for more fans to come out, support the team, and share in our success." I believe they are good intentioned.
Unfortunately, the real problem is Tampa Rays baseball is one of many franchises in professional sports that should not exist.
This list includes, but is not limited to: Tampa Rays, Florida Marlins, Washington Senators, Oakland A's, Kansas City Royals, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, Phoenix Coyotes, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Anaheim Ducks.
One team that should have never been ripped from it's home and should be restored ASAP is the Seattle Supersonics. That is a topic for another post.
Notice I am particularly biased against recent expansion and moves into new markets.
The basic reason for all of this, of course, is greed. Leagues and team owners see more short term money in expanding or moving teams and having venues built for them; "building the brand". They will expand overseas as soon as they can figure out how to make it ("cough") work. Same concept as the NFL moving to an 18 game schedule. It has little to do with the need for a preseason, and everything to do with preseason games not generating the same revenue. So, expanding the regular season is an untapped revenue stream. We will soon learn the impact because it's probably going to happen soon.
Let's get back to over-expansion in sports. Leagues hold cities hostage for new venues at taxpayer expense. Many markets do not have the business presence, individual wealth, population, or interest to fill overpriced seats and luxury suites (see hockey below the Mason-Dixon Line). Canadian teams were also at a disadvantage due to the exchange rate. Player unions don't mind because it means a greater job and salary pool. Yet talent is diluted, and competitive imbalance (which already exists due to operational incompetence) grows. The product suffers. The cycle completes itself when fans of bad teams stop showing up for games. Advances in cable and high-definition television make it preferable to just stay home (blackout or not).
In the case of the Rays, years of futility, on and off the field, finally contributed to the Rays becoming a team loaded with affordable young talent. They became good in spite of being utterly incompetent in every area except drafting. But drafting is made easier when you're among the worst teams every year. You get top draft picks, such as Longoria and Price. Eventually those picks improve the team (looking at you Pittsburgh Pirates). Signing Longoria to a long-term deal was a brilliant move by new management. Maybe this is an indication they will continue to move the team away from their legacy of losing. However, as with recent Florida Marlins and Cleveland Indians teams, there is talk that Tampa will not be able to keep their core intact after this season.
In other words, Rays fans should enjoy their success while it lasts. It will likely be short lived.
While I do not question the intent of star players to motivate their fan base, the delivery may be a little strong. It comes off as cocky young millionaire athletes being out of touch and disrespectful to their fans, when they are simply saying, "we'd love for more fans to come out, support the team, and share in our success." I believe they are good intentioned.
Unfortunately, the real problem is Tampa Rays baseball is one of many franchises in professional sports that should not exist.
This list includes, but is not limited to: Tampa Rays, Florida Marlins, Washington Senators, Oakland A's, Kansas City Royals, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, Phoenix Coyotes, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Anaheim Ducks.
One team that should have never been ripped from it's home and should be restored ASAP is the Seattle Supersonics. That is a topic for another post.
Notice I am particularly biased against recent expansion and moves into new markets.
The basic reason for all of this, of course, is greed. Leagues and team owners see more short term money in expanding or moving teams and having venues built for them; "building the brand". They will expand overseas as soon as they can figure out how to make it ("cough") work. Same concept as the NFL moving to an 18 game schedule. It has little to do with the need for a preseason, and everything to do with preseason games not generating the same revenue. So, expanding the regular season is an untapped revenue stream. We will soon learn the impact because it's probably going to happen soon.
Let's get back to over-expansion in sports. Leagues hold cities hostage for new venues at taxpayer expense. Many markets do not have the business presence, individual wealth, population, or interest to fill overpriced seats and luxury suites (see hockey below the Mason-Dixon Line). Canadian teams were also at a disadvantage due to the exchange rate. Player unions don't mind because it means a greater job and salary pool. Yet talent is diluted, and competitive imbalance (which already exists due to operational incompetence) grows. The product suffers. The cycle completes itself when fans of bad teams stop showing up for games. Advances in cable and high-definition television make it preferable to just stay home (blackout or not).
In the case of the Rays, years of futility, on and off the field, finally contributed to the Rays becoming a team loaded with affordable young talent. They became good in spite of being utterly incompetent in every area except drafting. But drafting is made easier when you're among the worst teams every year. You get top draft picks, such as Longoria and Price. Eventually those picks improve the team (looking at you Pittsburgh Pirates). Signing Longoria to a long-term deal was a brilliant move by new management. Maybe this is an indication they will continue to move the team away from their legacy of losing. However, as with recent Florida Marlins and Cleveland Indians teams, there is talk that Tampa will not be able to keep their core intact after this season.
In other words, Rays fans should enjoy their success while it lasts. It will likely be short lived.
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