Who's losing interest in MLB?

[Frank Black]

With Spring Training on the horizon I typically get excited because I'll soon be watching the 'Stros. However, I'm at odds with myself because, frankly, I'm not interested. It's no mystery who'll be in the playoffs so therefore it's just not that fun to follow baseball these days. I still plan to watch the 'Stros & hope for the best, but for what? I know that they'll be mediocre & probably won't make the playoffs. With each big-name contract signing I become even more disgusted. I just want to know y'all's opinions & whether or not you'd agree with me when I say that MLB sucks these days!

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"...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."

[Space Ghost]

I lost intrest a long time ago ... where is the competition? Why watch something when you already know the outcome? I'd rather go see a little league team play ...

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its all good and fun till someone gets hurt ... then its absolutely hilarious!

[Frank Black]

Yes, that's exactly my point! I've just held on a bit longer, I guess.

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"...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."

[JuanValdez]

I agree that the MLB sucks. Of course, I was never a fan of the sport (though I'm still a fan of the Astros) so maybe I can't answer your question.

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[Nomar]

Sorry, but I think that baseball is the greatest sport in the world. Its the epitome of a team sport, and also achieving sucess in baseball is less a result of athleticism, but more related to skill.
Example: Matt Stairs. I could halve his 40 time, but he is a solid baseball player.

Also, part of the problem is that you Astros fans have to put up with Hunsicker and the ownership.

Constantly trading away good players, not resigning good players, building a new arena, but cutting payroll...

I mean come one. Mitch Meleusky was rated the 6th overall catcher in the league my MLBTalk. I totally agree when you factor in his age. Future MVP candidate i think.

Go Sox, 2001 champs.

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The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why i didn't get more meat, ill just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where ive hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?

[dylan]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Frank Black:
With Spring Training on the horizon I typically get excited because I'll soon be watching the 'Stros. However, I'm at odds with myself because, frankly, I'm not interested. It's no mystery who'll be in the playoffs so therefore it's just not that fun to follow baseball these days. I still plan to watch the 'Stros & hope for the best, but for what? I know that they'll be mediocre & probably won't make the playoffs. With each big-name contract signing I become even more disgusted. I just want to know y'all's opinions & whether or not you'd agree with me when I say that MLB sucks these days!

</font>

You are WAY exagerating, I think. You say all the playoff contenders can be predicted ahead of time? So you picked the White Sox and Seattle to make the playoffs? Wow, you are the smartest man in America cause nobody else did.

That and I was sad to see Hampton and Arod go sign with mega mass markets like LA or New York. Oh wait, they didn't. Oops, my bad.

dylan



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[Frank Black]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by dylan:
You are WAY exagerating, I think. You say all the playoff contenders can be predicted ahead of time? So you picked the White Sox and Seattle to make the playoffs? Wow, you are the smartest man in America cause nobody else did.
</font>

dylan - FIRST, you need to read into people's posts much more carefully! I DID NOT say that I could predict what teams will make the playoffs! However, like I did say before, it's not a grand mystery. There usually is a cinderella team like the Mariners or Sox last year. Not to say that I could've predicted that because I couldn't have. In the end, though, we saw that the the biggest spender came out on top. SECOND. If you're going to quote me do it accurately while withholding your senseless sarcasm!!

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"...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."

[mrpaige]

If we withhold our senseless sarcasm, there won't be any posts on the Board at all.

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[bobrek]

Frank

If you're criteria for determining whether or not a league is "fun to follow" is whether or not it's a "mystery" as to who will be in the playoffs, I would have to ask if you follow basketball? I would venture to say that half of the teams that made the playoffs in baseball were surprises last year.

If the NBA season ended today, I would think that Dallas would be considered the only suprise team in the West, and Boston (with their woeful 22-28 record) would be the only surprise team in the East. It would seem that most prognosticators would have gotten at least 13 of the 16 playoff teams correct.

I disagree with that part of your reasoning as to why baseball may or may not "suck".



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[Achebe]

What does MLB mean?

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Good night everyone, Canadian or American. Just remember that we're all bound together by basketball, the internet and the mullet.

(My attempts at trying to sooth over an international incident).

[4chuckie]

Baseball is the greatest sport. But I don't like where MLB is headed. I am a SD Padre fan (long story but as a kid I was a huge Steve Garvey fan) so I know if all the cards fall right that an underdog can win. But usually by year-end the favorites are there in the playoffs (Yankees, Braves, Indians). So I understand the frustrations.

[mrpaige]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by bobrek:
If the NBA season ended today, I would think that Dallas would be considered the only suprise team in the West</font>

And that would only be a surprise to some (especially many on this board who insisted that the Mavs would never sniff the playoffs). Many folks predicted playoffs for the Dallas squad based on the Post-Cuban record of last year's squad (and the emergence of players like Dirk).



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[Live]

The problem with the MLB isn't that we can already predict who'll be in the playoffs (we can do the same thing in other sports), but that we can already predict who'll be in the World Series with a great degree of accuracy: the Yankees and a sacrificial lamb. And that's before a single pitch is thrown! It's been like that for the past, what, 3-4 YEARS!!



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Who's better: Kelvin Cato or Joe Barry Caroll?

Take your time! :)

[Frank Black]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by bobrek:
Frank

If you're criteria for determining whether or not a league is "fun to follow" is whether or not it's a "mystery" as to who will be in the playoffs, I would have to ask if you follow basketball? I would venture to say that half of the teams that made the playoffs in baseball were surprises last year.

</font>

bob - I do follow basketball. Granted, there are teams that are truly bad & will go nowhere based simply on personnel. These teams won't make the playoffs. I see the NBA as a much more stable sport now that they've gotten past things. I'm just trying to get my point across that the teams that spend the most money in professional baseball will in all likelihood be there in the end. Can you argue with that?


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"...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."

[Frank Black]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Live:
......we can already predict who'll be in the World Series with a great degree of accuracy: the Yankees and a sacrificial lamb. And that's before a single pitch is thrown! It's been like that for the past, what, 3-4 YEARS!!

</font>

My sentiments exactly, Live!

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"...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."

[BobFinn*]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Frank Black:
I'm just trying to get my point across that the teams that spend the most money in professional baseball will in all likelihood be there in the end. Can you argue with that?


</font>

Yeah, just ask the Redskins


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When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view.
-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

[gr8-1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by dylan:
You are WAY exagerating, I think. You say all the playoff contenders can be predicted ahead of time? So you picked the White Sox and Seattle to make the playoffs? Wow, you are the smartest man in America cause nobody else did.

That and I was sad to see Hampton and Arod go sign with mega mass markets like LA or New York. Oh wait, they didn't. Oops, my bad.

dylan

</font>

I don't consider Dallas a small market. Matter of fact, I don't consider Houston one either. I think Drayton is trying to get back some of the money he lost while the Stro's are were playing in the Dome.

Cities like Cleveland and Denver have owners who are WILLING to spend money, even though they are in smaller markets.



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"Roses are red. Violets are blue. I'm a schizophrenic and so am I."

[mrpaige]

I didn't realize the Redskins played professional baseball?

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[Frank Black]

I was refering to pro baseball Mr. Finn. IMO, the NFL is much more unpredictable when you account for the number of games played, key injuries & their effects, etc.. I was pleasantly surprised to see the 'Skins crumble & watch my Saints roll on.

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"...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."

[This message has been edited by Frank Black (edited February 14, 2001).]

[Jeff]

What is this "base-ball" of which you speak? I've never heard of such a thing. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/smile.gif

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Me fail English? That's unpossible.

[Pole]

baseball is an okay game...although I'd rather watch golf....or a good chess match.


Still, my tv time is limited, so I choose to watch sports instead....like football and basketball.

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stop posting my damn signature

[Achebe]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">so I choose to watch sports instead....like football and basketball.
</font>

LMAO. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Good night everyone, Canadian or American. Just remember that we're all bound together by basketball, the internet and the mullet.

(My attempts at trying to sooth over an international incident).

[slcrocket]

I, too, have totally lost interest. Even though my favorite team (ATL) is one of the larger markets, I just can't get into it.

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Jazzkiller

[DEANBCURTIS]

I love baseball, absolutely can't get enough of it. Go Red Sox!!!!

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[Smokey]

I'm jumping on the Saint Louis bandwagon. I think "we" are gonna mop up the NL Central. Who is gonna stop us?

Reds, Astros, Brewers, Cubs, Pirates...go ahead and try.

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[MadMax]

To me, there is baseball, and then there's everything else. I hate Jerry Reinsdorf but he once said he'd trade every Bulls ring for a White Sox ring since the World Series was the ultimate of championships. Not sure I'll get many to agree on that...and wouldn't dare try.

Baseball works on an entirely different level for me than the other sports. It's a cultural/father-son thing for me. I would rarely pay to go see a last place basketball team in a dark arena...I would regularly pay (and have throughout my life) to see a last place baseball team. There is a certain charm to the game that I can't put my finger on. And if you don't get it, you just don't get it. Nothing wrong with that..I don't get soccer...or cricket. I wasn't raised on those sports. I'm also a history buff and no sport involves its own history better than baseball. There are magical, historical moments...there are magical, historical stats that everyone guns for each year. I'm totally psyched about the season and it can't start soon enough.

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[RocketMan Tex]

Baseball is the greatest game that was ever invented, and it is my favorite sport to watch.

I deplore what has happened to it in the last 20 years.

Some type of salary cap-like structure, whether it's profit sharing or whatever, must be instituted. If not, the game as we know it professionally is dead. There will be another work stoppage after this season if nothing is done, and if there is another stoppage, it just might kill the MLB.

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"Blues is a Healer"
--John Lee Hooker

[This message has been edited by RocketMan Tex (edited February 14, 2001).]

[RocketMan Tex]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Nomar:


I mean come one. Mitch Meleusky was rated the 6th overall catcher in the league my MLBTalk. I totally agree when you factor in his age. Future MVP candidate i think.

</font>

I think you're wrong.

Mitch Meluskey is a great hitter. The trouble with him is that he couldn't throw out a turtle at 2nd base. The only way he becomes MVP is if he is a full-time designated hitter. If you get your sports info from MLBTalk, you must read the National Enquirer for current news as well.



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"Blues is a Healer"
--John Lee Hooker

[Nomar]

Hells Yeah DeanB!!!

Thats the most ridiculous analysis of the Meleusky trade ive ever read. Ausmus, over the hill. Meleusky, rising star. you do the math. only time will tell, but i will remember this rocket man tex.

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The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why i didn't get more meat, ill just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where ive hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?

[bobrek]

I love the game of baseball and I always have, although the "business" of baseball leaves a lot to be desired. I enjoy the subtleties and strategies of the game. For the TV viewer, it generally has 17 "natural" commercial breaks. There are no forced time outs. I like the idea that the manager wears a uniform and can get in the umpire's face without a penalty to his team. I like the fact that if you lose one day, you turn around and play the next, you don't have to wait 2-6 days for redemption.

An interesting analysis of the Meluskey trade is supplied by Jayson Stark of ESPN (who rates the Astros the 2nd most improved team in the NL this year, behind the Cardinals and ahead of the Rockies). The Astros-Tigers trade is ranked as 2nd best in the offseason (in the Astros favor):

"2. Astros get an All-Star catcher (Brad Ausmus), premier set-up man (Doug Brocail) and quadruple-A right-hander (Nelson Cruz) for a 16-game loser (Chris Holt), a catcher who finished last in fielding percentage (Mitch Meluskey) and center fielder who doesn't like playing center field (Roger Cedeno)."

Granted, Meluskey can hit a ton, but he did miss all of the 1999 season and a large number of games last year due to injuries. Perhaps the Astros could have done better with the players they received, but they understand that they are approaching the end of Bagwell's and Biggio's time to get to the World Series. Their primary focus should be the next 2-3 years.

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[mrpaige]

My interest in MLB comes and goes. I still get excited about Spring Training and Opening Day, but unless the 'Stros or Rangers are in the playoffs, I don't pay any attention come October, and once the Rangers and 'Stros are eliminated from the playoffs (if they make it) then I stop paying all that much attention. (and depending on how far out of it the Rangers and 'Stros are, I might stop paying much attention once it becomes clear that the playoffs are out of reach).

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[sirhangover]

baseball sucks...

who wants to see a bunch of roided up freaks (unless you dig wrestling then i rest my case anyway)..hitting the ball out of these little league parks and 15 to 13 games that last hours upon hours on end....not to mention a freaking season that just never ends..

i took some people from sweden to a game and it was the worst idea i have ever had..after the 50 dollar hot dogs and 6 innings i looked over and 2 were asleep and i was losing the other one fast...

baseball is our pastime ..i mean its past its time and until they get rid of some of the teams (diluted talent)..start drug testing..change the yankees billion dollar payroll (haves and have nots)..open up the strike zone... it is only going to get worse..

now pac bell or pack a bowl whichever you prefer to call it is a real nice park and i can see the spectacle of the stadium and the event but the game is just in the background...same for fenway or wrigley..that is cool on a nice day once in a while but the game itself really sucks...

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"no matter how good she looks someone... somewhere..is tired of her *****"

[MadMax]

Of course people from Sweden don't like it!!! I don't like curling!!!! Marketing rule #1: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!!! Take me to a cricket game and see how long I last.

Again..the game is largely cultural..it ties in with American history and American history only for the most part. The MTV generation thinks baseball doesn't move fast enough. Oh, well. Again...if you don't get it, you just don't get it. But as for me, there are few places I'd rather be than at a ballgame.

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[Band Geek Mobster]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Nomar:
Sorry, but I think that baseball is the greatest sport in the world. Its the epitome of a team sport...
</font>

I think football is the ultimate team sport. You can have the star QB and RB, but you need lineman to block and create time and space for the stars to produce. The best defenses in the league play as a unit and gang tackle. Football is the greatest team sport in the world, it's almost impossible to hide your weak links. In baseball, you put your weak hitters in the 8 spot, and you put your weak pitchers in the bullpen and let them come out when the game has already been decided.

Of all people you should see how if you had 1 awesome pitcher and 4 scrubs you can go far in baseball. Ever heard of Pedro Martinez?


[This message has been edited by Band Geek Mobster (edited February 16, 2001).]

[Nomar]

Boston is good with Pedro and 4 scrubs. You know why??? When the 4 scrubs pitch, they come out after the 4th inning. In comes Rich Garces, Rod Beck, Rheal Cormier, and then the final blow is delivered by Derek Lowe. This is the concept known as the bullpen. Boston has the best bullpen in the game, thats why they can do with 4 mediocre starters. So without a good bullpen, starters cant suceed and vice versa.

Baseball defense is also team-oriented. In basketball, the best player takes more shots, so his defender will have to be the best.(one on one) In football, as an example, the weakest OL is usually the RT. This means that the left DE will get the most sacks. lots of one on one in line play.

In baseball, balls are sprayed all around. a team has to have sound defense all around. baseball also has the most spectacular defensive play. the double play.

go sox in 2001

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The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why i didn't get more meat, ill just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where ive hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?

[Frank Black]

......and the Yankees will win the World Series again!

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"...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."

[BobFinn*]

...if there is a World Series

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When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view.
-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

[mrpaige]

Why wouldn't there be a World Series, the CBA doesn't expire until after the World Series. Surely the players won't strike before the end of the season.

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