The boys of summer! (Baseball Thread)

[IRISHDODGER]

Jeff Kent has been inducted into the HOF from the Contemporary Era. Helluva hitter for a 2B. Defensive metrics weren’t great but he hit like a corner infielder/outfielder. Should’ve been inducted by the BBWAA IMO but I’m sure they were being petty b/c he was known as a ‘red ass’ w/ the media.

Carlos Delgado fell three votes short
Dale Murphy & Don Mattingly fell six votes short

Players need 12 of 16 votes from the committee for induction.

 

[Irishdawg]

For the “few” fellow Sox fans… Yeeeeessss, White Sox get the first pick in the 2026 mlb draft. First time since ‘77!!

 

[ozzman]

For the “few” fellow Sox fans… Yeeeeessss, White Sox get the first pick in the 2026 mlb draft. First time since ‘77!!

I have full faith that Getz will eff it up.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Hot Stove League is heating up











https://x.com/mlb/status/1998612237901004879?s=61

 

[irishff1014]

Pete to the O’s is going to give them some pop they needed.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Pete to the O’s is going to give them some pop they needed.

Indeed. Great veteran to build around w/ all those promising young stars. Need to firm up pitching now. Grayson Rodriguez needs to stay healthy for starters.

 

[irishff1014]

Indeed. Great veteran to build around w/ all those promising young stars. Need to firm up pitching now. Grayson Rodriguez needs to stay healthy for starters.

They traded him to the Angels for Ward. Another bat with some pop.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

They traded him to the Angels for Ward. Another bat with some pop.

That’s right! I remember seeing that and the big questions were: Can Grayson stay healthy? Did Ward just have a career year & it’s downhill from here?

 

[slick7410]

Traded four (?) years of control for a very good rental (Ward). The O’s can’t think his arm/body won’t hold up. Angels only need a bit of future health for it to be a win, plus still huge potential . I liked this trade both ways.

 

[Pete]

Japanese HR king Munetaka Murakami signs with surprising team

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami has chosen his MLB team, and it is not one that many would have predicted. Murakami, regarded as Japan's home run king,

larrybrownsports.com

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Japanese HR king Munetaka Murakami signs with surprising team

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami has chosen his MLB team, and it is not one that many would have predicted. Murakami, regarded as Japan's home run king,

larrybrownsports.com

good. Hopefully the whining dies down a bit

 

[irishff1014]

Hell yea I loved watching him in his prime.

 

[Irishdawg]

Hell yea I loved watching him in his prime.

Awesome!! One of the best defensive CF’s of all time. He tracked balls down so effortlessly. He could hit the long ball but not be curve. Congrats to Andruw!!

 

[Irish2155]

Dewey Evans should be in if Jones is. 8 gold gloves compared to Jones’ 10 but Evans was the better/more consistent hitter over a longer period of time.

 

[rtrn2glory]

he is the product of not playing during the sports media explosion. Him and Mike Greenwell, prolly my first two "favorite" players. Loved MG's stance and swing. RIP

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

MLBPA names Bruce Meyer executive director in unanimous vote

He replaces Tony Clark, who resigned Tuesday after players learned that he had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law.

www.nytimes.com

Good choice. He's not exactly universally liked. He's not a former player. They replaced Tony Clark quickly.

No salary cap. This is the league with the most parity and no salary cap. Salary cap lets the owners keep more money. The Pirates, White Sox, A's, Marlins and the rest of the owners who don't try are going to try to blame the players and their union. They'll be successful because people do not read or think critically.

No salary cap. It's time to stop rooting for billionaires to keep getting more money they don't need. Call it a lifestyle.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

MLBPA names Bruce Meyer executive director in unanimous vote

He replaces Tony Clark, who resigned Tuesday after players learned that he had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law.

www.nytimes.com

Good choice. He's not exactly universally liked. He's not a former player. They replaced Tony Clark quickly.

No salary cap. This is the league with the most parity and no salary cap. Salary cap lets the owners keep more money. The Pirates, White Sox, A's, Marlins and the rest of the owners who don't try are going to try to blame the players and their union. They'll be successful because people do not read or think critically.

No salary cap. It's time to stop rooting for billionaires to keep getting more money they don't need. Call it a lifestyle.

It’s ironic that the players are demonized while the billionaires pinch pennies for the sole purpose of profit. I think it’s b/c the fans know the players & that’s what they associate with the game. Most couldn’t name an owner much less pick them out of a lineup.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

It’s ironic that the players are demonized while the billionaires pinch pennies for the sole purpose of profit. I think it’s b/c the fans know the players & that’s what they associate with the game. Most couldn’t name an owner much less pick them out of a lineup.

I think you're right, and it's part of the equation. Who controls the narrative? Where do the fans get their information and who owns/controls that outlet? Who is being quoted in the media the fans read?

Then you have the mindset that The owners probably "worked hard to get where they are" while the players were "born with it".

There are moving parts, but ultimately, the owners use the media to drive the narratives that the players are greedy and overpaid while many of them sit on their TV money and revenue sharing not trying to field a competitive team. Somebody wants to pay a player $300M? Let him.

 

[ACamp1900]

What about the fans? Like it or not many long time fans feel there is a problem and not because of some made up propaganda from the owners… I have always been a baseball first guy and Major League Baseball was always my biggest draw of the big four sports leagues,… I haven’t watched a full game in almost two years and don’t really see it happening again this year. Spending, both in terms of a cap and floor, have a lot to do with that (tho it’s certainly not all of it in fairness)… the stance that all is well and nothing needs to change is a complete non starter for me

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

What about the fans? Like it or not many long time fans feel there is a problem and not because of some made up propaganda from the owners… I have always been a baseball first guy and Major League Baseball was always my biggest draw of the big four sports leagues,… I haven’t watched a full game in almost two years and don’t really see it happening again this year. Spending, both in terms of a cap and floor, have a lot to do with that (tho it’s certainly not all of it in fairness)… the stance that all is well and nothing needs to change is a complete non starter for me

I'm not willing to drive over an hour to see a team whose billionaire owner isn't trying and hasn't really ever tried other than catching lighting in a bottle 21 years ago. I'm certainly not going to turn on my TV to watch them either. I'm not rooting for this individual to make any more money and I'm not going to root for his team. Some people choose to do both, be it on the south side of Chicago and elsewhere.

I don't believe all is well and nothing needs to change. I think a salary cap is complete bullshit and benefits the owners. Nobody else. The Pittsburgh Pirates can afford to keep Skenes. They are not going to. These teams are flush with money like never before. They're not trying.

Again, if you're a billionaire and you own a baseball franchise but don't want to put money into the team to make it better because you supposedly can't afford to, sell the team. You can't afford it. If you need tax payer money to build a new stadium and feel you have to move to Florida, Indiana or wherever so you can afford to build a new socialized sports arena that only benefits you, maybe you should not be in the business of owning a sports franchise?

 

[Kingbish01]

I'm not willing to drive over an hour to see a team whose billionaire owner isn't trying and hasn't really ever tried other than catching lighting in a bottle 21 years ago. I'm certainly not going to turn on my TV to watch them either. I'm not rooting for this individual to make any more money and I'm not going to root for his team. Some people choose to do both, be it on the south side of Chicago and elsewhere.

I don't believe all is well and nothing needs to change. I think a salary cap is complete bullshit and benefits the owners. Nobody else. The Pittsburgh Pirates can afford to keep Skenes. They are not going to. These teams are flush with money like never before. They're not trying.

Again, if you're a billionaire and you own a baseball franchise but don't want to put money into the team to make it better because you supposedly can't afford to, sell the team. You can't afford it. If you need tax payer money to build a new stadium and feel you have to move to Florida, Indiana or wherever so you can afford to build a new socialized sports arena that only benefits you, maybe you should not be in the business of owning a sports franchise?

Agreed with everything you said, my only thought is...Even if Pittsburgh was willing to make him the highest paid player in the MLB, he's too competitive to sign a contract with them. PS will be a Dodger, Yankee, Red Sox or Mets regardless of what the Buccos offer.

 

[ACamp1900]

Salary floor is just as popular as a salary cap,… I’m totally against public funds for stadiums and have said so for years,… but the Reds absolutely cannot spend like the dodgers are currently. Which is why PS will leave, not bc the pirates cannot afford him, but bc they cannot afford a dozen guys like him AND him. The idea that everyone could easily be handing out these massive contracts to entire rosters worth of guys but they just choose not to strictly out of the owners personal greed is an example of bullshit narratives in the reverse, so moving on,… other than bitching and moaning about billionaires,… what’s the fix? Giving more and more power and influence to the agents ain’t it for me

 

[ACamp1900]

My baseline thought is this,… if you can get the owners on board with a fairly high salary floor, the union must be able to consider a salary cap, I’m all for both. Then we can move on to some of these recent rule changes I’m less than enthusiastic on.

That’s what I’d like to see as a fan, no one is convincing me otherwise by screaming at clouds over billionaires being comic book villains

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Salary floor is just as popular as a salary cap,… I’m totally against public funds for stadiums and have said so for years,… but the Reds absolutely cannot spend like the dodgers are currently. Which is why PS will leave, not bc the pirates cannot afford him, but bc they cannot afford a dozen guys like him AND him. The idea that everyone could easily be handing out these massive contracts to entire rosters worth of guys but they just choose not to is an example of bullshit narratives in the reverse, so moving on,… other than bitching and meaning about billionaires,… what’s the fix?

Floor, no cap. Salary cap is a non starter.

Get a competent commissioner. Someone not connected to Selig, Manfred. Not a lapdog bootlicker for the owners either.

Shorten the 162 game regular season. Start in mid April, World Series champion by mid October. March to November in this American culture? Good luck. Attention span and intelligence of gnats.

International Players should be part of the draft.

Increase revenue sharing.

Reduce rookie control.

Leverage technology and marketing to actually let people know who your superstars are and introduce them while they are young. Embrace the third screen.

Involve the minor leagues and experiment marketing, rule changes, etc. during their season.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

My baseline thought is this,… if you can get the owners on board with a fairly high salary floor, the union must be able to consider a salary cap, I’m all for both. Then we can move on to some of these recent rule changes I’m less than enthusiastic on.

That’s what I’d like to see as a fan, no one is convincing me otherwise by screaming at clouds over billionaires being comic book villains

They're not fucking heroes and the rubes who think they are that continue to root for them are part of the problem. So are the media that parrot their talking points.

But as Dodger said, a good majority of average fans don't even know who they are. The players and their salaries are what people see and know.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Agreed with everything you said, my only thought is...Even if Pittsburgh was willing to make him the highest paid player in the MLB, he's too competitive to sign a contract with them. PS will be a Dodger, Yankee, Red Sox or Mets regardless of what the Buccos offer.

It's a question of want to. Obviously the current market system is not perfect when it comes to competitive balance, but way too many owners don't want to compete and make excuses not to. Money or lack thereof being the main one. Meyer is going to have to fight against the perception of haves and have-nots in a sport where the minimum salary is $780k.

Part of the fix could be getting the young guys paid earlier.

This is a sport that has various resources available to address and improve various issues but for whatever reasons neglects to do so. People with money complaining they don't have enough money while the cost of going to a game is ridiculous to the average person.

Yes, my opinions on this are probably jaded hard because I'm a White Sox and I can't stand Jerry Reinsdorf, but he's not the only culprit, just the culprit I know.

 

[ACamp1900]

They're not fucking heroes and the rubes who think they are that continue to root for them are part of the problem. So are the media that parrot their talking points.

But as Dodger said, a good majority of average fans don't even know who they are. The players and their salaries are what people see and know.

They’re not vampires sucking the blood of children either dude,… which is how your tone reads.

No salary cap or some sort of heavy controls on what the dodgers are doing for an example is a complete non starter here.

To be as clear as possible: Fuck the agents and these mercenary players every bit as much as the owners,… I have enough grievances to go round for all parties involved. They all have a hand in this a mess,…

Give me a high spending floor, and some sort of reasonable cap or team spending controls. For me the most watchable sports league currently is the NHL. I was told a hard cap would destroy the sport,… yet here we are.

 

[ACamp1900]

It's a question of want to. Obviously the current market system is not perfect when it comes to competitive balance, but way too many owners don't want to compete and make excuses not to. Money or lack thereof being the main one. Meyer is going to have to fight against the perception of haves and have-nots in a sport where the minimum salary is $780k.

Part of the fix could be getting the young guys paid earlier.

This is a sport that has various resources available to address and improve various issues but for whatever reasons neglects to do so. People with money complaining they don't have enough money while the cost of going to a game is ridiculous to the average person.

Yes, my opinions on this are probably jaded hard because I'm a White Sox and I can't stand Jerry Reinsdorf, but he's not the only culprit, just the culprit I know.

So this is a much more reasonable post for me,… I’m all for paying youngsters more and the Arte Moreno’s of the world can be investing much more, but the rays, reds, pirates of the world can not do what the Mets or dodgers are doing. Something needs to change, like four years ago.

Here’s an example of what I’d like to see that I suspect would result in more money collectively for players while also fixing competitive imbalances,… a salary floor somewhere in the neighborhood of 130 to 150 and a cap in the neighborhood of 300. Obviously giving a hand full of years for teams to adjust payroll accordingly,… Something along those lines,… then we can talk about another major pet peeve of mine that I suspect will be much less popular,… the recent rules changes changes to base running, pitch clocks, extra innings and more,…

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

They’re not vampires sucking the blood of children either dude,… which is how your tone reads.

No salary cap or some sort of heavy controls on what the dodgers are doing for an example is a complete non starter here.

To be as clear as possible: Fuck the agents and these mercenary players every bit as much as the owners,… I have enough grievances to go round for all parties involved. They all have a hand in this a mess,…

Give me a high spending floor, and some sort of reasonable cap or team spending controls. For me the most watchable sports league currently is the NHL. I was told a hard cap would destroy the sport,… yet here we are.

My tone is these people do not need to be asking for and receiving more money. They own a professional sports franchise. These owners, despite what they tell us, have plenty of money to put into these teams and compete. They don't need tax payer money to build new arenas, yet they ask and often receive.

I don't know that negotiations can cut agent feedback out entirely, but I'd take whatever they say and have it be very limited when keeping things in mind. That being said, again, the owners can do what's best to keep every possibly penny for themselves but the agents and players are "mercenaries". Make as much as you can when you can should not apply to certain groups of people. So if an agent gets some idiot bidding against himself and gets more money for his client, pity.

If there is a salary cap, revenue sharing should go up and ticket prices should go down. We will all then make an appearance in heaven.

 

[ACamp1900]

What

My tone is these people do not need to be asking for and receiving more money.

I don’t really disagree with this, on its own, my full take is the same exact logic applies the players and agents… all of the revenue comes from us. However that’s a much deeper conversation than just fixing the spending disparities in the sport.