Baseball Players To Strike Out Aug 30th.
August 16, 2002 10:45 AM Subscribe
Baseball Players To Strike Out Aug 30th. Hooray, baseball's most honored tradition is coming back! Baseball strike August 30th unless players get a new collective bargaining agreement. Its like a fantastic step back in time, as baseball has had work stoppages a glorious eight times since 1972. How are you gonna spend the strike days/weeks/years/decades?
I'm going to learn three new languages! *New* languages, that I will invent. And then learn. Also, I'm going to watch reruns of old baseball strikes on ESPN2.
posted by hackly_fracture at 10:53 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by hackly_fracture at 10:53 AM on August 16, 2002
Wow, I love this continent...
In today's news, it is a tragic, tragic day folks. This is unthinkable. We may have a period of time... brace yourselves for this... without professional baseball.
In other news, there was something else... hmmm, I can't quite remember what. Something about almost a thousand people dying in one of those *other* countries or something.
But people, that doesn't matter, we're talking about a baseball strike here.
posted by dgt at 10:57 AM on August 16, 2002
In today's news, it is a tragic, tragic day folks. This is unthinkable. We may have a period of time... brace yourselves for this... without professional baseball.
In other news, there was something else... hmmm, I can't quite remember what. Something about almost a thousand people dying in one of those *other* countries or something.
But people, that doesn't matter, we're talking about a baseball strike here.
posted by dgt at 10:57 AM on August 16, 2002
I'm gonna watch the Swedish Junior Championships.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 10:57 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by soundofsuburbia at 10:57 AM on August 16, 2002
I never watch baseball anyway, but it's interesting how the players don't realize they're in the entertainment business. And the golden rule in that business is to never piss off your audience.
posted by Triplanetary at 10:58 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by Triplanetary at 10:58 AM on August 16, 2002
Personally, I can't wait. I can drive around the Safeco Field area in Seattle without worrying about getting stuck in game traffic.
posted by borgle at 10:59 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by borgle at 10:59 AM on August 16, 2002
I must remember that:
(1) Until all worldwide misery is abolished, I am not allowed to enjoy myself; and,
(2) When confronted with a thread about a pasttime that I care nothing about, I must take pains to inform everyone that I in fact, don't care.
Oh, shit, here I am wasting my time posting to Metafilter when I could be out rescuing a drowning baby somewhere. To the SkotMobile!
posted by Skot at 11:02 AM on August 16, 2002
(1) Until all worldwide misery is abolished, I am not allowed to enjoy myself; and,
(2) When confronted with a thread about a pasttime that I care nothing about, I must take pains to inform everyone that I in fact, don't care.
Oh, shit, here I am wasting my time posting to Metafilter when I could be out rescuing a drowning baby somewhere. To the SkotMobile!
posted by Skot at 11:02 AM on August 16, 2002
My apoligies for my pig-headed use of the word "continent". I realize there's a lot more to North America than the U.S. and Canada. I supposed I should've directed my bitterness toward first-world countries in general.
posted by dgt at 11:03 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by dgt at 11:03 AM on August 16, 2002
My apoligies for my pig-headed use of the word "continent". I realize there's a lot more to North America than the U.S. and Canada. I suppose I should've directed my bitterness toward first-world countries in general.
posted by dgt at 11:03 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by dgt at 11:03 AM on August 16, 2002
You know, when the newer incarnations of Star Trek suggested that baseball had died out due to lack of interest some time in the 21st century, I thought it was the silliest "future tech" I'd ever heard.
Now?
Don't care, don't care, don't care.
And ... YAWN.
posted by WolfDaddy at 11:04 AM on August 16, 2002
Now?
Don't care, don't care, don't care.
And ... YAWN.
posted by WolfDaddy at 11:04 AM on August 16, 2002
In today's news, it is a tragic, tragic day folks. This is unthinkable. We may have a period of time... brace yourselves for this... without professional baseball.
We already have this -- it's called, how you say, winter.
I never watch baseball anyway, but it's interesting how the players don't realize they're in the entertainment business. And the golden rule in that business is to never piss off your audience.
Good point. I mean, player salaries may have skyrocketed after the last strike, but it's almost certainly at the cost of their mental well-being. I hear Alex Rodriguez cries himself to sleep every night.
posted by MarkAnd at 11:04 AM on August 16, 2002
We already have this -- it's called, how you say, winter.
I never watch baseball anyway, but it's interesting how the players don't realize they're in the entertainment business. And the golden rule in that business is to never piss off your audience.
Good point. I mean, player salaries may have skyrocketed after the last strike, but it's almost certainly at the cost of their mental well-being. I hear Alex Rodriguez cries himself to sleep every night.
posted by MarkAnd at 11:04 AM on August 16, 2002
What Skot doesn't know is that I've replaced the tires of the SkotMobile with baby manatees.
posted by MarkAnd at 11:05 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by MarkAnd at 11:05 AM on August 16, 2002
Skot- I'm not at all against having fun. As a matter of fact I support it fairly strongly, and have even been known to join in from time to time. My complaint is with the weight that is put upon different things. While it may be "fun", I just don't see baseball as being all that important.
posted by dgt at 11:06 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by dgt at 11:06 AM on August 16, 2002
Good riddance.
Any "sport" that is so tame that players can chew tobbacco while performing said sport, deserves to go. How long would a gob full of chaw last in an NFL or NBA player's mouth?
Bunch of overpaid, overweight, hacks.
posted by sharksandwich at 11:07 AM on August 16, 2002
Any "sport" that is so tame that players can chew tobbacco while performing said sport, deserves to go. How long would a gob full of chaw last in an NFL or NBA player's mouth?
Bunch of overpaid, overweight, hacks.
posted by sharksandwich at 11:07 AM on August 16, 2002
my GOD, won't someone think of the children? of network executives.
posted by quonsar at 11:08 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by quonsar at 11:08 AM on August 16, 2002
Let's Strike Mets! Let's Strike Mets! Let's Strike Mets! Let's Strike Mets!
posted by ParisParamus at 11:09 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by ParisParamus at 11:09 AM on August 16, 2002
I'm going to sell lemonaide to make money, then send the money in a cardboard box to major league baseball, because they don't make enough money hitting a ball with a stick and then running around in circles, something that other people pay to do and many would certainly do for free.
Socialize the game and get it over with. Say, $100,000 per player, per season, and cut ticket prices down so that they are low enough for actual baseball fans to attend the games.
Okay, so no one cares about baseball, but it's still the American passtime, right?
Right?
posted by mikrophon at 11:12 AM on August 16, 2002
Socialize the game and get it over with. Say, $100,000 per player, per season, and cut ticket prices down so that they are low enough for actual baseball fans to attend the games.
Okay, so no one cares about baseball, but it's still the American passtime, right?
Right?
posted by mikrophon at 11:12 AM on August 16, 2002
dgt, Mexico has officially accepted your apology. Cool, huh?
posted by hackly_fracture at 11:13 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by hackly_fracture at 11:13 AM on August 16, 2002
While it may be "fun", I just don't see baseball as being all that important.
That's fine; I just don't know what makes a sports thread any more yawnworthy than any other. I don't see anyone being taken to task for frivolous interests in the "tombstone ATM" thread, the "Elvis" thread or the "KCRW" radio thread.
In other news, these baby manatees corner like a mother!
posted by Skot at 11:16 AM on August 16, 2002
That's fine; I just don't know what makes a sports thread any more yawnworthy than any other. I don't see anyone being taken to task for frivolous interests in the "tombstone ATM" thread, the "Elvis" thread or the "KCRW" radio thread.
In other news, these baby manatees corner like a mother!
posted by Skot at 11:16 AM on August 16, 2002
Well, I know what happens August 31st.....
College Football starts......
I think I won't notice.
posted by dwivian at 11:16 AM on August 16, 2002
College Football starts......
I think I won't notice.
posted by dwivian at 11:16 AM on August 16, 2002
Sorry, Skot, I should have clarified...
My problem there was not with the fact that it was being posted and commented on. I should have mentioned this, but I had just come from the CNN website where the strike was top story, and the Asian flooding was not even in the "Other Top News". That was what irked me.
posted by dgt at 11:19 AM on August 16, 2002
My problem there was not with the fact that it was being posted and commented on. I should have mentioned this, but I had just come from the CNN website where the strike was top story, and the Asian flooding was not even in the "Other Top News". That was what irked me.
posted by dgt at 11:19 AM on August 16, 2002
Skot: You need some theme music linked to your dash to the skotmobile ;-)
Baseball pretty much sucks. I have been to two games in my life, one Yankees and one Mets, and was basically bored stiff both times.
I for one will not miss it at all. Nor will I miss the imbeciles up here (Mass) chanting how the Yankees suck day in and day out. For christ sakes Boston! Let it go already.
Did anyone hear the bit on NPR yesterday about Boston's inferiority complex? HAHAHAHAHA I laughed my ass off. It is so true. They have little city syndrome or something. The biggest one sided rivalry in history.
Sorry to hear about all the flooding in Europe. Damn that really sucks.
posted by a3matrix at 11:22 AM on August 16, 2002
Baseball pretty much sucks. I have been to two games in my life, one Yankees and one Mets, and was basically bored stiff both times.
I for one will not miss it at all. Nor will I miss the imbeciles up here (Mass) chanting how the Yankees suck day in and day out. For christ sakes Boston! Let it go already.
Did anyone hear the bit on NPR yesterday about Boston's inferiority complex? HAHAHAHAHA I laughed my ass off. It is so true. They have little city syndrome or something. The biggest one sided rivalry in history.
Sorry to hear about all the flooding in Europe. Damn that really sucks.
posted by a3matrix at 11:22 AM on August 16, 2002
For christ sakes Boston! Let it go already. Did anyone hear the bit on NPR yesterday about Boston's inferiority complex? HAHAHAHAHA I laughed my ass off. It is so true. They have little city syndrome or something. The biggest one sided rivalry in history.
Spoken like a true Yankees fan.
posted by MarkAnd at 11:28 AM on August 16, 2002
Spoken like a true Yankees fan.
posted by MarkAnd at 11:28 AM on August 16, 2002
Not a baseball fan. But I am from NY so that is more the perspective. I pretty much detest baseball in its entirety.
The bit on NPR was pretty good though.
posted by a3matrix at 11:30 AM on August 16, 2002
The bit on NPR was pretty good though.
posted by a3matrix at 11:30 AM on August 16, 2002
Well, I'm going to do the "uncool" thing and say that I really hope there isn't a strike as I would be upset to be without baseball for the rest of the summer.
I find the sport of baseball to be entertaining in many different ways. There's the rivalries (Boston v NY), the individual achievements (Bonds), the duel of the batter/pitcher (Piazza v Clemens), the thrill of the underdog (Minnesota), the history of the game (soon-to-be Hall of Fame players) and the statistical breakdown of the sport (fantasy baseball). Am I obsessed with baseball? Not really, it's just a past time on TV and in the newspapers that I like to enjoy. Like Skot said, I do like to read about things that aren't related to misery.
It's seems to be America's SECOND past time to announce that they won't ever watch another game if they strike. At least 80% of them are liars, but I let those people ramble on because it makes them feel important.
Do I think they will actually strike? No. Do I think it should be big news if they do strike? Yes, but only in the sports pages.
As for enjoying the game, it really does help if you've played it more than once. Or even better, if you attend a baseball game with someone who enjoys the game and can explain all the nuances of the sport. I don't enjoy watching cricket at all, but that's probably because I've never played it or had someone explain the details to me while we watched it. It doesn't mean that cricket is a bad sport.
posted by grum@work at 11:32 AM on August 16, 2002
I find the sport of baseball to be entertaining in many different ways. There's the rivalries (Boston v NY), the individual achievements (Bonds), the duel of the batter/pitcher (Piazza v Clemens), the thrill of the underdog (Minnesota), the history of the game (soon-to-be Hall of Fame players) and the statistical breakdown of the sport (fantasy baseball). Am I obsessed with baseball? Not really, it's just a past time on TV and in the newspapers that I like to enjoy. Like Skot said, I do like to read about things that aren't related to misery.
It's seems to be America's SECOND past time to announce that they won't ever watch another game if they strike. At least 80% of them are liars, but I let those people ramble on because it makes them feel important.
Do I think they will actually strike? No. Do I think it should be big news if they do strike? Yes, but only in the sports pages.
As for enjoying the game, it really does help if you've played it more than once. Or even better, if you attend a baseball game with someone who enjoys the game and can explain all the nuances of the sport. I don't enjoy watching cricket at all, but that's probably because I've never played it or had someone explain the details to me while we watched it. It doesn't mean that cricket is a bad sport.
posted by grum@work at 11:32 AM on August 16, 2002
Sorry to hear about all the flooding in Europe. Damn that really sucks.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA!
posted by quonsar at 11:32 AM on August 16, 2002
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA!
posted by quonsar at 11:32 AM on August 16, 2002
I'm one of those folks who never stopped being pissed about the last strike. I grew up going to Mets games, back in the 70's when they sucked. Joel Youngblood as childhood idol? Rusty Staub 10 years past his prime? Ugh. I took a deserved beating from the Yankee fans. But the season before the last strike the Mets were one of (or THE) highest paid team in baseball, they were at the bottom of the standings, Vince Coleman partially blinded a child on the west coast with fireworks, one of the pitchers doused a room full of reporters with bleach in retalition for negative press, and then they went on strike and said 'give us more money.'
Screw em. They're overpaid jerks is what I decided. I haven't been to a game since.
posted by Tempus67 at 11:33 AM on August 16, 2002
Screw em. They're overpaid jerks is what I decided. I haven't been to a game since.
posted by Tempus67 at 11:33 AM on August 16, 2002
I'm excited about the strike, it'll free up my time so I can watch more slamball.
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiight.
posted by krunk at 11:36 AM on August 16, 2002
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiight.
posted by krunk at 11:36 AM on August 16, 2002
It seems to be America's SECOND pastime to announce that they won't ever watch another game if they strike. At least 80% of them are liars...
It definitely says something that attendance keeps rising -- some of that is larger/better ballparks in bigger markets, but it can't just be that. I wonder if people will really come flooding back if they decide to strike again, or if it has reached the point where people really will have no sympathy with the (perceived as overpaid) athletes. I said last time that the strike would really cripple the sport, but I was clearly wrong.
It doesn't mean that cricket is a bad sport.
Spoken like a true Yankees fan.
posted by MarkAnd at 11:37 AM on August 16, 2002
It definitely says something that attendance keeps rising -- some of that is larger/better ballparks in bigger markets, but it can't just be that. I wonder if people will really come flooding back if they decide to strike again, or if it has reached the point where people really will have no sympathy with the (perceived as overpaid) athletes. I said last time that the strike would really cripple the sport, but I was clearly wrong.
It doesn't mean that cricket is a bad sport.
Spoken like a true Yankees fan.
posted by MarkAnd at 11:37 AM on August 16, 2002
Well, I'm going to do the "uncool" thing and say that I really hope there isn't a strike as I would be upset to be without baseball for the rest of the summer.
I'll join you in being uncool, grum.
And in gazing in silent awe at the Michelin Manatee.
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:41 AM on August 16, 2002
I'll join you in being uncool, grum.
And in gazing in silent awe at the Michelin Manatee.
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:41 AM on August 16, 2002
Fifty-four years ago today the King of baseball passed away.
posted by flatlander at 11:46 AM on August 16, 2002
posted by flatlander at 11:46 AM on August 16, 2002
Ahem...
I am not a Yankees fan.
I'm a Blue Jays fan.
Yankees suck, but only because of that whole Clemens thing. But we got them back. They took Mondesi off our hands. Hehe..
And I should note that attendance IS down from pre-last-strike numbers (per team, not overall). But it wasn't the catastrophic decline that everyone figured would happen.
Sidenote: my best friend said he'd never watch another game live or purchase any baseball related materials after the last strike. We have plans to go see a game during the Labour Day weekend, and I expect him to be wearing his new MLB-sponsored baseball cap. And he's paying for the tickets, so I won't bring up his statement to annoy him.
posted by grum@work at 11:49 AM on August 16, 2002
I am not a Yankees fan.
I'm a Blue Jays fan.
Yankees suck, but only because of that whole Clemens thing. But we got them back. They took Mondesi off our hands. Hehe..
And I should note that attendance IS down from pre-last-strike numbers (per team, not overall). But it wasn't the catastrophic decline that everyone figured would happen.
Sidenote: my best friend said he'd never watch another game live or purchase any baseball related materials after the last strike. We have plans to go see a game during the Labour Day weekend, and I expect him to be wearing his new MLB-sponsored baseball cap. And he's paying for the tickets, so I won't bring up his statement to annoy him.
posted by grum@work at 11:49 AM on August 16, 2002
Krunk beat me to the punchline.
What a great national sport. *hangs head in shame*
posted by Dr_Octavius at 12:06 PM on August 16, 2002
What a great national sport. *hangs head in shame*
posted by Dr_Octavius at 12:06 PM on August 16, 2002
You can consider the players and the owners to be a bunch of asshole crooks who deserve each other (as I do) and still have a deep love of the game (as I do).
And if you were "bored" or just don't like the game, that's fine, and I don't mind if you post in these threads saying so. But please don't give me the "baseball sucks" crap after having attended a whopping 2 games, or whatever (as I don't mean to single out just a3matrix, and I agree with him as to the pathetic nature of many Boston fans). As anything worthwhile, baseball rewards a bit of knowledge, and those moments when nothing seems to be happening are full of an amazingly high number of potential outcomes based on dozens of split-second decisions made by the players and managers and that, my friends, is the beauty of the game.
And even if you don't follow the game, to be wedged into a seat at Fenway on a glorious summer evening about 40 minutes after the sun has set, when the western sky is still pink but the lights are bathing the green grass, and you're surrounded by the smell of peanuts and hotdogs and beer and the peculiar slight scent of mold and decay that old ballparks have that somehow adds a sense of history and of ghosts rather than subtracting from the experience...well that is the definition of sublime, and it allows me to get through a day filled with thousands killed in floods in India and my own petty problems and fears just a little bit easier, so piss off...
Sorry - I'm not sure what came over me. I need to, uh, go over here for a little while.
posted by jalexei at 12:06 PM on August 16, 2002
And if you were "bored" or just don't like the game, that's fine, and I don't mind if you post in these threads saying so. But please don't give me the "baseball sucks" crap after having attended a whopping 2 games, or whatever (as I don't mean to single out just a3matrix, and I agree with him as to the pathetic nature of many Boston fans). As anything worthwhile, baseball rewards a bit of knowledge, and those moments when nothing seems to be happening are full of an amazingly high number of potential outcomes based on dozens of split-second decisions made by the players and managers and that, my friends, is the beauty of the game.
And even if you don't follow the game, to be wedged into a seat at Fenway on a glorious summer evening about 40 minutes after the sun has set, when the western sky is still pink but the lights are bathing the green grass, and you're surrounded by the smell of peanuts and hotdogs and beer and the peculiar slight scent of mold and decay that old ballparks have that somehow adds a sense of history and of ghosts rather than subtracting from the experience...well that is the definition of sublime, and it allows me to get through a day filled with thousands killed in floods in India and my own petty problems and fears just a little bit easier, so piss off...
Sorry - I'm not sure what came over me. I need to, uh, go over here for a little while.
posted by jalexei at 12:06 PM on August 16, 2002
Damn it! Just when I thought my Cubs were going to win the World Series.
posted by einarorn at 12:16 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by einarorn at 12:16 PM on August 16, 2002
Ok, I shall rephrase my statement to: I think baseball sucks. That is just me, speaking for me. I also will continue and say I think that football sucks too. But again, that is my opinion.
Everyone have a nice weekend. If they go on strike, well, I guess we can send them over to India to help out with relief efforts.
posted by a3matrix at 12:21 PM on August 16, 2002
Everyone have a nice weekend. If they go on strike, well, I guess we can send them over to India to help out with relief efforts.
posted by a3matrix at 12:21 PM on August 16, 2002
I'm sure I'm going to take a beating, but I'm of the opinion that this strike will be mostly the owners' fault if it happens (just like 1994), generally through the misfeasance and even malfeasance of Selig and the owners.
Remember, the players are not asking for more money; they are resisting a change that the owners are trying to make. They are trying to take the risk out of making some very dumb decisions over the years, i.e., paying hacks like Derek Bell millions of dollars.
I accept that there should be revenue sharing and some restructuring of the financial part of the game. However, I also think that the owners are generally lying through their teeth regarding the money that they claim they are losing. It is sort of the opposite of the recent corporate scandals; they are using accounting tricks to hide profits rather than claim them so they can extort money from local governments and the player salaries.
From what I've seen, the players are willing to make reasonable compromises, while the owners are simply trying to slam the union into submission. They are not offering meaningful solutions that the union would accept. It could be that they are counting on the union's not striking because of public relations concerns, and then forcing a new agreement solely on their terms at the end of the season, which would be their right.
I do think there are some potential problems that can be addressed through properly structured revenue sharing; however, the current problems are overblown by the owners. Smart clubs can compete even with low payrolls, although I do admit they have a much lower tolerance for error. (See the A's and the Twins.)
posted by JKevinKing at 12:23 PM on August 16, 2002
Remember, the players are not asking for more money; they are resisting a change that the owners are trying to make. They are trying to take the risk out of making some very dumb decisions over the years, i.e., paying hacks like Derek Bell millions of dollars.
I accept that there should be revenue sharing and some restructuring of the financial part of the game. However, I also think that the owners are generally lying through their teeth regarding the money that they claim they are losing. It is sort of the opposite of the recent corporate scandals; they are using accounting tricks to hide profits rather than claim them so they can extort money from local governments and the player salaries.
From what I've seen, the players are willing to make reasonable compromises, while the owners are simply trying to slam the union into submission. They are not offering meaningful solutions that the union would accept. It could be that they are counting on the union's not striking because of public relations concerns, and then forcing a new agreement solely on their terms at the end of the season, which would be their right.
I do think there are some potential problems that can be addressed through properly structured revenue sharing; however, the current problems are overblown by the owners. Smart clubs can compete even with low payrolls, although I do admit they have a much lower tolerance for error. (See the A's and the Twins.)
posted by JKevinKing at 12:23 PM on August 16, 2002
And the golden rule in that business is to never piss off your audience.
Why not? Worked for him.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 12:50 PM on August 16, 2002
Why not? Worked for him.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 12:50 PM on August 16, 2002
I'll join the legions of uncool and go it a step further by pointing tittergrrl here, a place where we can discuss our nerdy sports without fear of reprisal.
posted by yerfatma at 12:54 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by yerfatma at 12:54 PM on August 16, 2002
I really want there to be baseball and Football and other sports ... because it keeps jocky-type people from horning in on my turf. Let them be occupied with whatever as long as they don't start gaming/reading/tweaking computers.
Let the strike come to an end swiftly to keep the masses occupied.
in other words ... see comment #1. I'll not watch baseball, just like yesterday and the day before.
posted by Dillenger69 at 12:55 PM on August 16, 2002
Let the strike come to an end swiftly to keep the masses occupied.
in other words ... see comment #1. I'll not watch baseball, just like yesterday and the day before.
posted by Dillenger69 at 12:55 PM on August 16, 2002
20 days 3 hours 47 minutes until the NFL season kicks off. Good riddance, baseball.
posted by owillis at 1:14 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by owillis at 1:14 PM on August 16, 2002
"You can consider the players and the owners to be a bunch of asshole crooks who deserve each other (as I do) and still have a deep love of the game (as I do)."
It's actually quite easy to do that. Get season tickets to see a minor-league team. You get to see (almost) top-notch ballplayers who, for the most part, are playing because it's something they love, who haven't become jaded about the game behind the game yet, and you get team owners and managers who are more interested in the fans in the seats, because without fat TV contracts the number of butts filling the seats is what counts.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:15 PM on August 16, 2002
It's actually quite easy to do that. Get season tickets to see a minor-league team. You get to see (almost) top-notch ballplayers who, for the most part, are playing because it's something they love, who haven't become jaded about the game behind the game yet, and you get team owners and managers who are more interested in the fans in the seats, because without fat TV contracts the number of butts filling the seats is what counts.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:15 PM on August 16, 2002
Question: How, if at all, will this affect minor-league baseball?
posted by alumshubby at 1:15 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by alumshubby at 1:15 PM on August 16, 2002
Y'know there's a lot of baseball diamonds all across the country in public parks which could use a little more action. I think all fans of baseball should get together during the strike and bring baseball back to what really made it an american pastime.
They could start here, get to know one another, and when they have enough for a friendly game, get some equipment and some beer and have a good time. Baseball as America's pastime is not supposed to be a spectator sport. That's boring. Actually playing that's what makes it fun.
posted by ZachsMind at 1:23 PM on August 16, 2002
They could start here, get to know one another, and when they have enough for a friendly game, get some equipment and some beer and have a good time. Baseball as America's pastime is not supposed to be a spectator sport. That's boring. Actually playing that's what makes it fun.
posted by ZachsMind at 1:23 PM on August 16, 2002
How are you gonna spend the strike days/weeks/years/decades?
Watching NHL Center Ice. Until those bastards strike in 2004.
posted by adampsyche at 1:39 PM on August 16, 2002
Watching NHL Center Ice. Until those bastards strike in 2004.
posted by adampsyche at 1:39 PM on August 16, 2002
It's actually quite easy to do that. Get season tickets to see a minor-league team.
Oh I do. It's just a bit harder to get there (I can walk to Fenway). I love them both, honestly, but sometimes the minor league vibe is almost a bit too laid back. Sometimes you need a Yankees/Red Sox matchup to get the blood flowing.
posted by jalexei at 1:46 PM on August 16, 2002
Oh I do. It's just a bit harder to get there (I can walk to Fenway). I love them both, honestly, but sometimes the minor league vibe is almost a bit too laid back. Sometimes you need a Yankees/Red Sox matchup to get the blood flowing.
posted by jalexei at 1:46 PM on August 16, 2002
I will be fairly upset if there is a work-stoppage, as I like and enjoy baseball. Though, admittedly, its become more and more difficult to keep up my guise of enjoyment with the spectre of "whiny overpaid players and whiny overpaid owners arguing about...money" hanging over the season.
But still, I do like baseball, and I will get a bit crabby if it ends. Though, now that the Red Sox are slipping behind the Yankees in AL East, I feel as though a strike is the one thing that can salvage their (our?) season.
Also, all the people i've spoken with recently who have chimed up with their disgust about baseball and how they don't ever or won't ever watch it...reminds me of an article I read in the onion once...
posted by tpl1212 at 1:48 PM on August 16, 2002
But still, I do like baseball, and I will get a bit crabby if it ends. Though, now that the Red Sox are slipping behind the Yankees in AL East, I feel as though a strike is the one thing that can salvage their (our?) season.
Also, all the people i've spoken with recently who have chimed up with their disgust about baseball and how they don't ever or won't ever watch it...reminds me of an article I read in the onion once...
posted by tpl1212 at 1:48 PM on August 16, 2002
Also, apparantly the looming strike has made President Bush "Furious" - maybe he'll declare player's union head Donald Fehr to be an "evil man" and the US will start to draw up plans to bomb baseball back to the pre-DH years.
posted by tpl1212 at 1:57 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by tpl1212 at 1:57 PM on August 16, 2002
The monstrous greed that infects professional sports, these days, will hopefully be its own undoing. I hope they strike, and pay a heavy price for doing so. One word: BOYCOTT! Who the fuck cares about a bunch of whiny millionaires, complaining that their billionaire owners aren't sharing enough of the pot? I sure as hell don't.
The amount of money I've spent on baseball since the '94 strike: $0.00
-phil
posted by saturn5 at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2002
The amount of money I've spent on baseball since the '94 strike: $0.00
-phil
posted by saturn5 at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2002
JKevinKing: Thank you for a sensible and relevant comment.
Everyone who feels the need to piss on the thread: Gee, when I see a post on a topic I have no interest in, I just scroll on up. It wouldn't occur to me to take the trouble to click on the thread and type in "I have no interest in this topic! Boy are you people dumb suckers!" But that's just me.
Having said that, the Mets suck so bad this year I find it hard to care as much as I should...
posted by languagehat at 2:06 PM on August 16, 2002
Everyone who feels the need to piss on the thread: Gee, when I see a post on a topic I have no interest in, I just scroll on up. It wouldn't occur to me to take the trouble to click on the thread and type in "I have no interest in this topic! Boy are you people dumb suckers!" But that's just me.
Having said that, the Mets suck so bad this year I find it hard to care as much as I should...
posted by languagehat at 2:06 PM on August 16, 2002
Early in the season I stated that the strike would only occur if the Red Sox were in first place. While it's possible (if unlikely) they could catch the Yankees before the 31st, a peek at the schedule reveals all.
September is astoundingly kind to the Sox, with 21 games against the Devil Rays, the Blue Jays, the Orioles, and the White Sox. It appears the strike will happen because the Sox should catch the Yankees. I was mostly right...
posted by jalexei at 2:07 PM on August 16, 2002
September is astoundingly kind to the Sox, with 21 games against the Devil Rays, the Blue Jays, the Orioles, and the White Sox. It appears the strike will happen because the Sox should catch the Yankees. I was mostly right...
posted by jalexei at 2:07 PM on August 16, 2002
If mumble mumble mumble terrorists win, baby jesus cries and Jared's off his diet. Bye bye baseball.
posted by m@ at 3:00 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by m@ at 3:00 PM on August 16, 2002
I am personally going to be a little ticked off if the league is halted, because I like baseball and enjoy watching it. Assuming there is a strike, I'll probably do as Zach suggested and go outside to play some ball. I'll miss watching it with family and friends, as following a baseball team seems to be one of the few cohesive group activities left. I'll certainly have less to talk about with my barber.
Anyway, the up side is I may not have to watch the M's choke in the post-season this year.
Incidentally, I think it's soooo edgy and irreverent of everybody to mention that they don't care if the players strike, because they think baseball sucks. Whoa, hold on Lenny Bruce, you're shattering all my illusions with your blithe disregard and your devil-may-care attitude towards our heretofore sacrosanct national pastime.
posted by Hildago at 3:45 PM on August 16, 2002
Anyway, the up side is I may not have to watch the M's choke in the post-season this year.
Incidentally, I think it's soooo edgy and irreverent of everybody to mention that they don't care if the players strike, because they think baseball sucks. Whoa, hold on Lenny Bruce, you're shattering all my illusions with your blithe disregard and your devil-may-care attitude towards our heretofore sacrosanct national pastime.
posted by Hildago at 3:45 PM on August 16, 2002
add me to the uncool -- i like baseball. so much, in fact, that it took me quite a few years after the last strike to forgive them enough to go back. but living in chicago, it takes a lot of discipline not to break down and get drunk in the wrigley bleachers now and then again.
but when i went back i did vow that if those overpaid players put greed before the fans again, that would be it.
posted by robink at 4:20 PM on August 16, 2002
but when i went back i did vow that if those overpaid players put greed before the fans again, that would be it.
posted by robink at 4:20 PM on August 16, 2002
And what about my fantasy league? Do they go on fantasy strike?
Answer me this...aren't the players still working under contract right now, through the end of the season? So they don't 'have' to do this now, not like if there was no agreement in place at all. They are only walking now because they only have leverage during the season. If they care about THE GAME and THE FANS, they would not abandon a season midway.
*caveat: sorry if I'm wrong about the agreement.
posted by msacheson at 5:46 PM on August 16, 2002
Answer me this...aren't the players still working under contract right now, through the end of the season? So they don't 'have' to do this now, not like if there was no agreement in place at all. They are only walking now because they only have leverage during the season. If they care about THE GAME and THE FANS, they would not abandon a season midway.
*caveat: sorry if I'm wrong about the agreement.
posted by msacheson at 5:46 PM on August 16, 2002
HI! i hate baseball (YAWN), and i think that anyone who cares about it is uncool!
thanks to Skot, languagehat, jalexei and everyone else who attempted to defend this perfectly acceptable post.
dgt (and the rest of you who are so worried about the important stuff), if you don't see baseball as "being all that important", then why even comment? i wasn't aware that only serious and/or tragic world events can be discussed here.
personally, i'm not a baseball fan, but this is just silly.
posted by modge at 8:03 PM on August 16, 2002
thanks to Skot, languagehat, jalexei and everyone else who attempted to defend this perfectly acceptable post.
dgt (and the rest of you who are so worried about the important stuff), if you don't see baseball as "being all that important", then why even comment? i wasn't aware that only serious and/or tragic world events can be discussed here.
personally, i'm not a baseball fan, but this is just silly.
posted by modge at 8:03 PM on August 16, 2002
msacheson: I'm sure if you were engaged in a labor dispute, you'd take care to strike only at such times as were least advantageous to yourself. Otherwise you would make the Baby Jesus cry.
posted by languagehat at 8:07 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by languagehat at 8:07 PM on August 16, 2002
I really want there to be baseball and Football and other sports ... because it keeps jocky-type people from horning in on my turf. Let them be occupied with whatever as long as they don't start gaming/reading/tweaking computers.
And what's wrong with a 'jocky-type' person such as myself doing those things, as I have been known to do?
I'm joining the league of uncool people. I like baseball (The M's game is on tv as I type), and when I was little I wanted to be a baseball player when I grew up. This was before I knew girls didn't play MLB. Still, I played until my rotator cuff started giving out, and I have many fond memories of going to games when I was young, sitting in the bleachers in the Kingdome, keeping score, yelling at the opposing batters and being certain they could hear me and it was messing them up.
posted by emmling at 8:10 PM on August 16, 2002
And what's wrong with a 'jocky-type' person such as myself doing those things, as I have been known to do?
I'm joining the league of uncool people. I like baseball (The M's game is on tv as I type), and when I was little I wanted to be a baseball player when I grew up. This was before I knew girls didn't play MLB. Still, I played until my rotator cuff started giving out, and I have many fond memories of going to games when I was young, sitting in the bleachers in the Kingdome, keeping score, yelling at the opposing batters and being certain they could hear me and it was messing them up.
posted by emmling at 8:10 PM on August 16, 2002
emmling: I like your style. Drop me a line anytime you want to talk baseball or linguistics!
posted by languagehat at 8:59 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by languagehat at 8:59 PM on August 16, 2002
The strike is the only thing keeping the Devil Rays from reaching 100 losses this season.
posted by CJB at 9:09 PM on August 16, 2002
posted by CJB at 9:09 PM on August 16, 2002
i've only been to one red sox game this year, and the a's solidly whomped them. so i'd be relieved that that, at least, was over for the season.
ooh, and the fenway traffic jams would stop a month early for the season? bonus! i can actually go home at normal hours and not have to find excuses to avoid my neighborhood until the traffic clears up ;)
i agree with jalexei, though - an evening watching a good game at the stadium is something magical. and it's possible to forget about your troubles, whether they're the ones plaguing all professional sports these days or others. now if only i could experience that with the sox winning. :)
posted by ursamajor at 4:10 AM on August 17, 2002
ooh, and the fenway traffic jams would stop a month early for the season? bonus! i can actually go home at normal hours and not have to find excuses to avoid my neighborhood until the traffic clears up ;)
i agree with jalexei, though - an evening watching a good game at the stadium is something magical. and it's possible to forget about your troubles, whether they're the ones plaguing all professional sports these days or others. now if only i could experience that with the sox winning. :)
posted by ursamajor at 4:10 AM on August 17, 2002
Only in America could they take a kid's game and spoil it with big business politics.
posted by jasonbondshow at 6:03 AM on August 17, 2002
posted by jasonbondshow at 6:03 AM on August 17, 2002
Since like the Clash, baseball is the only sport that matters, I'll be reading.
posted by hysdavid at 8:12 AM on August 17, 2002
posted by hysdavid at 8:12 AM on August 17, 2002
« Older Tombstone ATM | Is this a legitmate criticism.... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by uftheory at 10:50 AM on August 16, 2002