MLB Thread 109: Happy Opening Day!

[Reflecto]

Feb 23, 2015 11:17:00 GMT -5 BRV said:

Well, the Red Sox have gone and done it again. Red Sox President Larry Lucchino and a group of investors have purchased the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's Rhode Island-based Triple-A affiliate, and intend on moving the team from the city, according to city officials. Reports have the team moving to Providence in the future.

Let me break down step-by-step how this is impossibly stupid.

1. The Red Sox organization will constantly fall all over itself to promote history and to drain every single dollar out of celebrating and acknowledging history. Look no further than the full-season facepalm that was "Fenway 100". So it's interesting to me that instead of celebrating the PawSox's 45-year history in Pawtucket, this group of investors decided to instead to eschew that history in the interest of making a buck.

2. I cannot emphasize this point enough: minor league baseball in Providence will fail. Where they could possibly construct the ballpark could lead to traffic jams and an inability to park, and the entire hook of minor league baseball is that it should be a fun, inexpensive destination for the entire family. That's the charm of the PawSox and McCoy Stadium. There's no single way to get there, but any way you do, you have to drive through neighborhoods for a few minutes, and then suddenly a ballpark appears out of nowhere. For 45 years, they have been a neighborhood team, with inexpensive tickets, food, and merchandise, and a family-friendly experience regardless of where in the park you sit. That, in all likelihood, will be replaced by a homogenized, faceless, soulless, corporate baseball-watching experience when the franchise moves.

3. What the PawSox mean goes beyond Pawtucket. Sure, moving them about 20 minutes down the road and into Providence doesn't seem like that difficult of a quest to go watch a baseball game, but it's the ambiance of watching a game in Pawtucket that is part of the selling point of the experience of it all. Dan Barry puts it into better words than I possibly could in his 2011 book "Bottom of the 33rd".

If I can try, though, allow me to explain why the PawSox matter to me. Growing up in Massachusetts as a huge baseball fan, I went to maybe one or two Boston Red Sox games at Fenway Park before I hit high school, because my family simply couldn't afford taking my sisters and I into Boston, and paying for tickets and food to keep three little runts happy for a few hours. And that was in the 1990s, before prices at Fenway skyrocketed.

So when they wanted to scratch my itch for baseball, we'd go to a PawSox game. This was before the park was renovated, and it was still a dump, but to me it meant the world to be able to watch a professional baseball game in person. I didn't care that it was minor league baseball, because I could believe that guys like Pork Chop Pough or Jim Chamblee could become the next Mo Vaughn or Gator Greenwell.

In the early 2000s, I got a summer job as a concessions worker at McCoy Stadium. The pay wasn't great, but it was a part-time job for a high school kid trying to make a few bucks so he could afford to take a girl to a movie. But the one thing I remember about it wasn't walking out of the park each night stinking of hot dogs, hamburgers, and sausage and peppers, it was the ambiance of working at a ballpark, and regardless of how crummy the night was or how hot it was working over a grill during a day game in June, I'd always stop on my way out to take a look at the murals of former players lining the exterior walls of the park, just to remind myself how cool it was that I worked at a baseball field.

So yeah, I guess I'm pretty biased about all of this, but to me it's a freaking travesty that the PawSox are leaving Pawtucket, and that within a few years, the cobwebs will be the only things filling the seats at McCoy Stadium.

In defense of some of the claims:

1. The big history wasn't just the "45 years in Pawtucket" thing- but the fact that the PawSox had the most long-term relationship of any Triple-A team with their pro franchise. If the PawSox are owned directly by Boston, that relationship will happen- and as long as the team stays in Rhode Island, the same thing will occur (and the big difference of changing it to the "Rhode Island Red Sox" is there.

2. The parking situation is about the same thing as well for the proposed new stadium as it is for the old stadium. McCoy Stadium's parking sucked just as bad as the proposed new stadium would, only even worse due to exactly where the stadium was due to other factors (McCoy Stadium's a few streets away from a hospital, so if you can't get parking right at the stadium- which is a formality on gamedays- you will have to park at least a half mile away from the stadium due to the hospital parking restrictions- and woe be you if it's a day game in the week, because then you might have to walk a mile to get there.) The proposed stadium's right on the water, on some main roads- and the biggest problem there is that the proposed stadium puts it right in the middle of a changed road right off of 195. (Incidentally, it's as close to literally down the road from the stadium as possible, just going directly through the East Side of Providence.)

[Seth Drakin of Monster Crap]

Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders will be out until All-Star Break with torn cartilage in his left knee after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging balls.

espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12385936/michael-saunders-toronto-blue-jays-hurts-knee-due-sprinkler

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2015 11:14:22 GMT -5 Seth Drakin of Monster Crap said:

Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders will be out until All-Star Break with torn cartilage in his left knee after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging balls.

espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12385936/michael-saunders-toronto-blue-jays-hurts-knee-due-sprinkler

That's nearly exactly how Mantle got hurt in his rookie season.

Wanted Saunders before we got Cuddyer but I doubt Saunders will ever stay healthy for a full season.

[Fundertaker]

Feb 26, 2015 11:14:22 GMT -5 Seth Drakin of Monster Crap said:

Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders will be out until All-Star Break with torn cartilage in his left knee after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging balls.

espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12385936/michael-saunders-toronto-blue-jays-hurts-knee-due-sprinkler

Well, Jack-Z and Lloyd McC did say he got injured A LOT

[domrep]

Feb 25, 2015 20:05:57 GMT -5 andrew8798 said:

@jonheymancbs: Hear hamilton had relapse. Believe occurred a couple months back. Involved at least cocaine. Honorably, he confessed.

@jonheymancbs: There's no word of a failed test. Word is, Hamilton told mlb about relapse. He'd be put in program as 1st time offender.

Gonna be blunt, the idea of giving a drug addict hundreds of millions of dollars is absolutely absurd. I know the Union wouldn't have it, but in an ideal world, he would have worked under a 1 year contract each year. It's a nice story that he found himself and was able to get cleaned, but this is like his 3rd relapse. Addiction is rough, totally get that...but instead of of the pundits applauding that he came clean, he should be treated with the same amount of vitriol that was given to Josh Gordon who has been fined, suspended for using something way less addictive/dangerous.

[The Captain]

I feel for Josh Hamilton. Addiction is a lifelong struggle and it's awful to see him fall off the wagon again.

I hope he gets the help he needs.

[fuzzywarble, squat cobbler]

I really wish people would stop defending his addiction as a 'disease'. It's a slap in the face to people who have afflictions like ALS, leukemia and cancer. Hamilton has no one to blame but himself, and I feel absolutely no sympathy for a guy who's about to piss away a $100M contract just because he couldn't stay clean.

I'm so glad my Rangers decided to wash their hands of this clown.

[BRV]

Feb 26, 2015 16:41:18 GMT -5 domrep said:

Gonna be blunt, the idea of giving a drug addict hundreds of millions of dollars is absolutely absurd. I know the Union wouldn't have it, but in an ideal world, he would have worked under a 1 year contract each year. It's a nice story that he found himself and was able to get cleaned, but this is like his 3rd relapse. Addiction is rough, totally get that...but instead of of the pundits applauding that he came clean, he should be treated with the same amount of vitriol that was given to Josh Gordon who has been fined, suspended for using something way less addictive/dangerous.

The difference between Josh Hamilton and Josh Gordon is that Gordon has openly admitted that he's not an addict. In his open letter from a few weeks ago, he wrote the following:

What I do know is the following: I am not a drug addict; I am not an alcoholic; I am not someone who deserves to be dissected and analyzed like some tragic example of everything that can possibly go wrong for a professional athlete. And … I am not going to die on account of the troubled state you wrongly believe my life to be in. I am a human being, with feelings and emotions and scars and flaws, just like anyone else. I make mistakes — I have made a lot of mistakes — but I am a good person, and I will persevere.

If I have a “problem,” it is that I am only 23 years old — with a lot left to learn.

He openly admits that his choice to drink and smoke weed instead of playing in the NFL are growing pains for a kid in his early 20s.

And for the people who think drug and alcohol addictions can easily be overcome, please go to an AA meeting in your area and tell the people, "Hey idiot, just don't drink!"

[andrew8798]

From Experience I can tell you its not easy

[andrew8798]

Blue Jays signed LHP Johan Santana to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

[Biggtone23]

Thanks to Curt Schilling the Red Sox may not get any public money to build a new stadium in Providence.

Some Rhode Island lawmakers say they're wary of gambling on the Pawtucket Red Sox's move to Providence after their costly bet on 38 Studios, but at least two prominent lawmakers are on board with the move.

The president of the Boston Red Sox and a group of Rhode Island businessmen announced Monday they had purchased the franchise and want to relocate. They say they expect to build a new stadium in Providence with their own money, but may seek public subsidies for other parts of the project.

Such a request would likely face some resistance, skepticism and scrutiny in the State House, where the failed investment in 38 Studios — Ex-Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's video game company that went bankrupt after receiving a $75 million state-backed loan —continues to resonate.

"It's that pall that hangs over everything the state looks at," said Democratic Sen. Louis DiPalma.

Democratic Rep. Patricia Serpa said she wouldn't support issuing bonds to support moving the Triple-A baseball club, and her colleagues are "gun shy" too.

"I think 38 Studios is still on the forefront of everyone's minds, and how we were duped and misled with that deal," she said. "We're older and wiser. So yes, I think 38 Studios has everything to do with it."

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello feels differently. He said he's excited a new stadium will be built in Providence and he'll work with the new owners to help "build an economic engine for our state and the capital city."

"This riverfront stadium will serve as a catalyst for an area that holds great potential for development and it will boost the morale of our citizens," he said in a statement.

The investors are eyeing land along the Providence River for the new ballpark. Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio said the proposed relocation would complement existing development efforts, and could be a "real economic boon for the area."

Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Patricia Morgan, however, said she's "very skeptical" of private companies asking for public funds.

"Let them raise their own money. Let them do it privately," said Morgan, a Republican. "It's not up to the taxpayers to take care of these very wealthy men."

Other lawmakers said helping the owners is just not something the state can afford right now. Rhode Island faces a nearly $200 million deficit in fiscal 2016.

Democratic Rep. Charlene Lima said she doesn't want taxpayer money invested into a "hobby." Republican Rep. Antonio Giarrusso said the funds would be better spent fixing the state's infrastructure and educational system. Sen. James Sheehan said he would rather see offices at the site, than a ballpark that's only used part of the year.

The owners have not submitted any formal requests to the state. Investor James Skeffington told The Providence Journal they may ask the state to give them some of the land opened up by the relocation of Interstate 195. He said they may also want a tax break on the ballpark and a leasing or sub-leasing arrangement.

Pawtucket officials have said the team's departure would be devastating.

Democratic Rep. Raymond Hull, whose district includes parts of Providence and North Providence, said he's against the idea of pitting Providence and Pawtucket against each other.

"If they want to build it and come to Providence, let them use their own money," he said.

Democratic Rep. Raymond Gallison, chairman of the House Finance Committee, said any proposal from the owners would be given the same consideration as anything else that comes before the committee.

www.timesunion.com/news/article/Lawmakers-say-RI-can-t-pay-subsidies-for-6101145.php

[Deleted]

The White Sox have an interesting 6-man battle for 2nd base going into Spring Training.

Vince Coleman is the base running instructor. He wants guys to go first-to-third, score from second on all hits to the outfield...and, when asked why nobody stole 100 bases since he did, he says: "They never had me teach them before."

Tyler Flowers looking to be pushed as catcher by non-roster invitee Geovany Soto.

Brad Penny & Jesse Crain are a couple more NRIs looking to make an impact; Penny wants to start.

Reliever Nate Jones is throwing from 100 feet, so his year-long rehab is improving.

Adam LaRoche, expected platoon 1B/DH with Jose Abreu, has known Robin Ventura since his dad Dave was the pitching coach on 1989-90.

[Deleted]

...and apparently Chris Sale busted his foot at home, so he's out at least 3 weeks.

This is why we wait until the season starts to get excited.

[RKTaker]

so the mets was jimmy rollins second trade choice....

*sigh*

[andrew8798]

Josh Hamilton's potential suspension for drug use would begin at the start of the season, a source tells Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.

[Deleted]

Minnie Minoso died early this morning:
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-white-sox-great-minnie-minoso-dead-at-90-20150301-story.html

[angryfan]

Mar 1, 2015 10:24:26 GMT -5 @snesmaster said:

Minnie Minoso died early this morning:
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-white-sox-great-minnie-minoso-dead-at-90-20150301-story.html

Damn it! I know he was in his 90s so it's not an Earth-shattering development that he passed of old age, but I read an article last week where he openly noted how hurt he was that the Veterans committee (wrongfully) omitted him. The wrongfully is my opinion, but I think numbers back up that he belongs.

[Biggtone23]

I know it was only the first game of spring training and there were probably only like two guys who are going to make the major league team and they barely played in the game but I have to congratulate my alma mater the University of Tampa on their victory over the Phillies over the weekend.

[Unocal 76]

I'm a lot more interested in AL baseball this season. It's a lot more wide open- who knows what'll happen with KC trying to defend their AL crown? Oakland/Baltimore have overhauled, the Angels/Mariners are very intriguing, and the Tigers are what they are.

The NL, OTOH- it's just gonna be a six-month waiting period to see who'll have their hearts broken by the Giants and Cardinals, AKA the teams that never lose to anyone else but each other.

[RKTaker]

i'm so happy that spring training games are starting today baseball is back