Billionaires care most about money. That’s why they are billionaires. Major League Baseball franchise owners are billionaires, so why does it surprise anyone that they are united it their refusal to pony up $20 million each to get players back on the field? The discord between owners and the players union is easy to explain. […]
Baseball is wearing me out through its apparent indifference to fans, but I likely won’t feel a lot better about it when they finally start playing. The MLB Players Association made a counter offer yesterday to the owners counter offer, and so it will go until finally commissioner Rob Manfred orders players back for a 48 […]
Nothing good will come from baseball not being played this summer, and nothing good will come from the perception of greed that owners and players project through negotiations that will continue for the next week or two as the 2020 season hangs in the balance. Player agent Scott Boras has made a very handsome living […]
Nothing like billionaires arguing with millionaires to reveal how little any of them have in common with the rabble responsible for their wealth. We pay for tickets, buy beer and hotdogs, watch on TV, wear jerseys, and turn our kids into like-minded zealots for our favorite teams. We are the straw that stirs baseball’s economic drink, and […]
When NBA commissioner Adam Silver was presented with his first crisis in 2014, he understood the importance of the moment. He embraced his role as protector of the game. When a recording of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling revealing himself to be a racist was aired, Silver convened an astute group of advisors to decide the […]
MLB’s proposed new playoff system is a complicated cash grab from greedy pirates whose thirst for cash is unquenchable. Head pirate Rob Manfred appears to be a man unafraid of change if it nets owners a few bucks. Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes not. File this proposed change to baseball’s playoff system as a big steaming […]
The Houston Astros won the 2017 World Series by stealing opposing catchers’ signs to pitchers with electronic surveillance. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wants to stop cheating, so he took a swing at getting tough. Weak ground ball the other way. The first rule of correcting behavior is to make the cost of the punishment outweigh the […]
Pat Williams is a dreamer, and his latest dream is well named. The Orlando Dreamers. Over his more than half century as a fearless sports executive, Williams has achieved great success with both good and bad ideas – because his boundless energy turns all ideas into winners. His latest idea might be his nuttiest, but bet […]
The Houston Astros have been accused of cheating by stealing signs electronically during their 2017 championship season by pitcher Mike Fiers and three others who were with the team, according to a post by Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich in The Athletic. Stealing signs has been a part of baseball for time immemorial as players studied […]