The problem with baseball

[CharlieMaxwell]

As the whining over the New York Yankees annual shopping spree continues, people should focus on the true problem with the game. Let's start by admitting there are clearly two classes of teams.

Find out what those two classes are by reading Wild Bill's latest article, which can be found on the RX home page at www.theprescription.com

Charlie

 

[TheGeneral+]

If one can still support MLB after their greed and saying

to the fans then it's just another sickness of society. After the strike and threat of, there should have been no support and no MLB. If not for us, then they have nothing. While buying those $8 hotdogs at yankee stadium this year, enjoy every bite. The power is in the people but we refuse to take stands together.

 

[NickDouglas]

Effectively creating a minor league of major league teams would be a bad move. People aren't going to gravitate to minor league games in big numbers.

College sports has the same system and nobody seems to mind. Teams like USC play on an unlevel playing field because of their impeccable academic reputation, tradition of athletic excellence, world class training facilities, wealthy alumni base and cavalcade of beautiful women. It's unfortunate for the UCLAs of the world that can't match up but that's the way a popular entertainment product is built. With a group of star players or teams and and a base of very good players or teams below them. Attempting to separate the two would be a misguided exercise.

 

[wilheim]

I might be wrong but the system Bill describes is already in place, but on a larger scale. Major and Minor league baseball.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Teams could even do something novel. Instead of fighting to get a big spiffy stadium that would be half-empty in three years, their lower revenues could force them to downsize. A nice 25,000-seat facility would do just fine for teams in “B” class. It would foster a more intimate ballpark atmosphere with lots of eager players dreaming of a big “A” class contract.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sound familar?


wil.

 

[Fishhead]

Say what you want everyone.

THIS IS POSSIBLY THE MOST ANTICIPATED SEASON ANY LEAGUE HAS EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST 40 YEARS!!

There is excitement everywhere!!!

We are OVER six weeks away from opening day(soon to be a national holiday by the way) and look at the excitement.

Boston
New York
Houston
Chicago
St.Louis
San Fran
PHILLY
Atlanta
TAMPA-Yes, Tampa. This is probably the best team this club has EVER had Lou has allready guaranteed they will not finish last for the first time in franchise history.

The FLORIDA MARLINS are the defending WORLD CHAMPS for Gods sakes!!

Hell, the Tiger fans even get a chance to see the REAL best player in IVAN Rodriquez.

The stories around the entire league are very compelling.

I invite ANY forum member to join me here in Florida for some Spring Training games......I guarantee a good time.

Even the greed which is apparent in this league( I will admit that), cannot destroy the greatest game known to mankind and never will.

So catch a game and enjoy the play, the women, the beer, the sun, and the little wager you have on the game.

ps- You all know I am a die-hard Bosox fan, but I would love to see the RAYS get out of the box hot and possibly lead the YANKS and BOSOX in the standings after the first 3-4 weeks. I think they are more than capable of at least that...........remember, they now have ZIMMER.

Wow, what a great game!!

 

[gambler1]

Fish, cut that fla grass, stop smoking it. Tampa out front... please.

 

[Fishhead]

Lou building a nice little team here in Tampa........believe me, he has me sweating as a Red Sox fan.

 

[RobFunk]

i used to live in tampa they are my 2nd fav team. i really learned to like them in the two years i was down there. they got some decent young pitching and some decent good hitters. kennedy is a great pitcher and aubrey huff is a terrefic hitter.

 

[HAT]

You forgot Anaheim Fishhead. Funny how the recent sox/yanks, yanks/'stros drama quickly overshadowed Arte's bold acquisitions of Vlad/Colon/Escobar and Guillen.

But I agree....Fans everywhere chomping at the bit like I can't remember. It's been a helluva offseason for many teams/fans.

Like Tampa, I think the Pads have quietly made some great moves. Plus, they're opening a new park.

Shuffle up and......Errrr PLAY BALL!

 

[RobFunk]

pedro's hatred of the d-ray's is tottaly unmistakeable alright enough of this im getting all fired up and opening day isnt for a few months.

 

[RobFunk]

the al east is going to be sick sick sick this year. that is easily the most stacked division.

 

[wilheim]

The Orioles made some very big strides also.


wil.

 

[Fishhead]

THE AL EAST IS STACKED!!!

WOW!!

Yes, how could I forget the excitement raging in Anaheim???

WOW!!

 

[WildBill]

Wil,

With all due respect there is a world of difference between my proposal and the minor leagues that are playing today. AAA teams don't get to play the Yankees in games that count. AAA players don't make a good living and could probably make more money with a regular job. Most importantly, AAA teams don't get a chance to play for a World Championship! My idea would give incentive to the downtrodden teams, protecting their access to the playoffs and a potential championship. Minor league teams never have that and never will.

 

[kyhawk]

Baseball is a dying league. When I was a kid I couldnt wait for Game of Week with Curt Gowdy. Kids today could care less about baseball. Look at Tampa. They produced Strawberry, Sheffield, Doc and others. Now playgrounds are vacant of baseball. Sad.

 

[RobFunk]

im dead serious of course the AL east is stacked, fish are you making fun of me?! GRRRR

yankees- obvious
boston- obvious
baltimore - signed some decent FA's in tejeda, palmiero and javy lopez resigned ponsoon. R. lopez very good P also just not consistent
tampa - young talent continues to improve plus the pinella factor
toronto - had a pretty decent offense in 03, won 86 games who can forget roy halliday?! and they resigned all key pitchers

 

[Fishhead]

FUNK-

ABSOULTLEY NOT MAKING FUN OF YOU!!!

EVERY TEAM IMPROVED THEMSELVES IN THE OFFSEASON!!

Take care pal.

 

[wilheim]

The Devil Rays are a team on the rise. Adding right fielder Jose Cruz Jr. and third baseman Geoff Blum. Lou Piniella is building a nice club. Just the Devil Rays outfield of Rocco Baldelli, Carl Crawford and Cruz is going to give other teams reason to pay attention. Their pitching with Victor Zambrano their No. 1 starter is not on par with the top contenders, but this will be a scrappy squad and no automatic W. for anyone this year.


wil.

 

[Fishhead]

Rocco has come to camp with an added 20 pounds of muscle.

As good as Rocco and Carl are, they need more power numbers from the outfield position in todays game I believe.

But boy, those two guys can flat out FLY!!

 

[RobFunk]

yea, zambrano and kennedy those guys are both terrefic.