The Hey its 2021 now guys MLB thread

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

"Doesn't like baseball" may be a bit nebulous but I think that Manfred views the commissioner role too narrowly, and sees his only function as countering the players union.  While a primary piece of the commisioner's role is to be the frontman for ownership vs the players, there is a PR and growing the game aspect to running a major sports league that I don't think Manfred has any interest in. Manfred's formative experience in baseball was being hired as outside labor counsel.  Once he became employed by MLB, he focused pretty much solely on labor issues until being promoted to COO only one year before he succeeded Selig.  It isn't unusual for commissioners' to get their starts in high profile legal careers in labor law, but most of those guys played significant roles other than stricly labor issues before becoming commissioners. Guys like Tagliabue-Goodell and Stern-Silver all pretty clearly understood their goal was to raise the tide first, then secure the biggest part of the gains for the league vs the players second.  Maybe I shouldn't attribute to malice what can be attirbuted to ignorance, but Manfred seems to view his role as countering the players first, second, and third, and then growing the game if he has time. 

Thank you.  This makes a lot more sense to me.

[MUBurrow]

Thank you.  This makes a lot more sense to me.

Absolutely - the challenge to cite to specific examples is a good one. I think there's a widespread perception Manfred "hates the game."  Googling "Rob Manfred hates baseball" turns up op-eds in legit publications:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/10/22/rob-manfred-world-series-commissioner/
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/05/does-mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-really-hate-baseball
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-sure-seems-to-hate-baseball/1xa2erynjjago1u7t4601jkig8

But the evidence for that dramatic a claim is all pretty iffy.  I think the more correct way to be a little melodramatic about it is that Manfred hates baseball players, which speaks to the labor toxicity in baseball right now, and explains why a lot of purists don't trust a Manfred administration to make significant changes to the game, even if they are necessary or in the game's long term best interest.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I also think baseball is more burdened with its past and with "purists" than the other sports.  Sure I think that there are those who wish that the NFL still emphasized the run more, and that the NBA had less emphasis on the three point shot, but changes to those games don't seem to be considered as concerning as changes to baseball.

And that makes it very hard to try new things and have them seen as improvements.

[PGsHeroes32]

Buxton is back(for now)

Twins baseball is fun again

[Jockey]

Absolutely - the challenge to cite to specific examples is a good one. I think there's a widespread perception Manfred "hates the game."  Googling "Rob Manfred hates baseball" turns up op-eds in legit publications:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/10/22/rob-manfred-world-series-commissioner/
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/05/does-mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-really-hate-baseball
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-sure-seems-to-hate-baseball/1xa2erynjjago1u7t4601jkig8

But the evidence for that dramatic a claim is all pretty iffy.  I think the more correct way to be a little melodramatic about it is that Manfred hates baseball players, which speaks to the labor toxicity in baseball right now, and explains why a lot of purists don't trust a Manfred administration to make significant changes to the game, even if they are necessary or in the game's long term best interest.

Perception is truth.

Bud Selig was a very dishonest person. He promised George Bush he would be the next commissioner and then undercut cut him and grabbed the job for himself. He orchestrated collusion. He ignored steroids cuz the home run epidemic made lots of money for MLB. Yet, no one ever said Selig hated baseball. No one ever said Bart Giammatti hated baseball.

People say it about Manfred based on things he has done. I think your last paragraph is closest to the truth.

[CreightonWarrior]

Buxton is back(for now)

Twins baseball is fun again

[buckchuckler]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/chicago-cubs-javier-baez-lost-track-of-outs-benched-after-tough-baserunning-mistake-cleveland-indians-032242735.html

Javy magically turned 2 outs into 3. 


And that really sucks about Buxton.

[lawdog77]

This just in, DeGrom is still really good, even without the sticky stuff.

[MU82]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/chicago-cubs-javier-baez-lost-track-of-outs-benched-after-tough-baserunning-mistake-cleveland-indians-032242735.html

Javy magically turned 2 outs into 3. 

So for those scoring at home:

Best Slider In Baseball History: Javy Baez.

Best Tagger In Baseball History: Javy Baez.

Best At Creating Double Plays For Opponents In Baseball History: Javy Baez.

Seriously, I'm impressed that Ross benched him. And I liked the way Ross discussed it with the media afterward. He didn't do a rip-job; indeed, the opposite, he complimented Baez up and down, saying how important Baez was to the team.

[PGsHeroes32]

It's funny in the sense of how recurring and predictable it is. But man it just sucks for him and baseball fans(Twins already suck at least).

The dude is just unlucky.

He gets your normal "injury prone" type injuries where his muscles pull and tighten with everyday competition

He get's the "playing hard" injuries by running into walls or making elite diving catches.

When he tries to play "smarter" and have the "long run" in mind over 1 out. He still finds a way to get beamed in bad spots.

Its just crazy. Baseball deserves to see this dude in his prime. Kinda hoping the Twins pull a Minny sports classic move and trade him. Will gurantee that he has 5 years of good health.

[MU82]

A friend just sent me this 1952 scouting report on an 18-year-old shortstop named Henry Aaron. Pretty cool.



The 2 things that stood out to me:

POWER - fair

NATIONALITY - Negro

Yes, that famous Nation of Negro.

The report says that Aaron didn't go to high school, but that's not true. He went to Mobile Central HS for 2 years and later a private HS, but they didn't have baseball teams so he played semipro and Negro League ball.

[WI_Inferiority_Complexes1]

A friend just sent me this 1952 scouting report on an 18-year-old shortstop named Henry Aaron. Pretty cool.



The 2 things that stood out to me:

That is cool.

Really specific scouting reports they had back-in-the-day. Running is “fast,” hitting is “good,” and strengths are “ability.”

[Jockey]

His power was "fair".

[buckchuckler]

A friend just sent me this 1952 scouting report on an 18-year-old shortstop named Henry Aaron. Pretty cool.



The 2 things that stood out to me:

POWER - fair

NATIONALITY - Negro

Yes, that famous Nation of Negro.

The report says that Aaron didn't go to high school, but that's not true. He went to Mobile Central HS for 2 years and later a private HS, but they didn't have baseball teams so he played semipro and Negro League ball.

Man.  That's so cool.  Power as fair.  Awesome.  I guess he had to grow into it a little bit, or maybe that scout maybe missed something...  Love it.

[Jockey]

Joe Girardi is still a jerk.

[Its DJOver]

I think Kershaw's got a point, that if you ask for an inspection and it comes up clean, you should lose your challenge.  Otherwise there's going to be a lot of coincidences about the timing of these requests.

[MU82]

I think Kershaw's got a point, that if you ask for an inspection and it comes up clean, you should lose your challenge.  Otherwise there's going to be a lot of coincidences about the timing of these requests.

Yeah, remember when baseball was concerned about speeding up the game? Talk about bringing a game to a standstill.

I don't blame managers for doing what Girardi did last night. Scherzer was dominating his team. It was a good try to break up his rhythm. It's gamesmanship, it's delay of game, it's an attempt to shift momentum ... and MLB is not only allowing it but encouraging it.

[PGsHeroes32]

I think Kershaw's got a point, that if you ask for an inspection and it comes up clean, you should lose your challenge.  Otherwise there's going to be a lot of coincidences about the timing of these requests.

Yeah like Bauer said in his interview with FOX a week or so ago. They came up with this new plan of action way too quickly. Its going to keep being chaos if something isn't changed.

Scherzer got checked like 3 innings in a row simply cause he was mowings down Phillies and they didnt like it.

And the games are not gonna get any shorter.

[GB Warrior]

I'm old enough to remember when speeding up pace of play was the most important initiative to appeal to the next generation of fans.

That said, if all pitchers and opposing managers will handle it like Max did, I'm here for it.

[Jockey]

I'm old enough to remember when speeding up pace of play was the most important initiative to appeal to the next generation of fans.

That said, if all pitchers and opposing managers will handle it like Max did, I'm here for it.

It was more entertaining than the game. But MLB doesn't care.

[wadesworld]

Since the Cubs and Brewers haven't played in a while, I've never even heard of Patrick Wisdom.  Dude goes in the first round to the Cards, he hits 4 career home runs prior to this year, and then he hits 9 dingers in his first 10 games when he gets called up as a 29 year old?

Things that make you say "Hmm..."

[jficke13]

Yeah like Bauer said in his interview with FOX a week or so ago. They came up with this new plan of action way too quickly. Its going to keep being chaos if something isn't changed.

Scherzer got checked like 3 innings in a row simply cause he was mowings down Phillies and they didnt like it.

And the games are not gonna get any shorter.

I'm 100% here for Mad Max going a round with Joe Girardi on the warning track. You want smoke Joe, you got it.

[MU82]

Since the Cubs and Brewers haven't played in a while, I've never even heard of Patrick Wisdom.  Dude goes in the first round to the Cards, he hits 4 career home runs prior to this year, and then he hits 9 dingers in his first 10 games when he gets called up as a 29 year old?

Things that make you say "Hmm..."

Maybe he's using Wonderboy!

[Lennys Tap]

Man.  That's so cool.  Power as fair.  Awesome.  I guess he had to grow into it a little bit, or maybe that scout maybe missed something...  Love it.

BLM would say “Hmmmm”….

[wadesworld]

BLM would say “Hmmmm”….

Hank Aaron led the MLB in home runs at the age of 23.  He hit .314 with 27 home runs and 106 RBIs his second season, at 21 years old.

Fairly comparable to a guy who didn't hit his fifth home run in his career until he was 29 years old.  Good call.  Hmm.