Post from: Knuckle Curve

Commissioner Bud Selig has been given a three-year contract extension. As with most of what’s going on in Major League Baseball right now, this falls into the category of “disappointing but not surprising.” Quoth Florida Representative Cliff Stearns:

The explosion in the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs occurred under Selig’s 15-year tenure. I have found commissioner Selig’s glacial response to this growing stain on baseball unacceptable and I have called on him to step down. This three-year extension of Selig’s contract is a vote of confidence in his record, which includes taking minimal steps in ridding baseball of these drugs.

Yeah, you could add Selig’s role in a work stoppage that forced cancellation of the World Series (something not even two world wars could do) to that list. How about destroying a franchise in Montreal? Or generally not having a clue?

What a joke. Not a funny one, either…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

• Jim at AZ Snakepit wonders about the Diamondbacks pitching staff.
• Eric at Philliesflow searches for hidden gems in right field.
• Harper at Oleanders and Morning Glories reacts to news of Paul LoDuca’s inclusion in the Mitchell Report.
• Kurt at Goat Riders of the Apocalypse muses on the nature of hypocrisy in sports, specifically as it relates to the current steroid flap.
• Lisa at Astros Dugout rejoices in the signing of right-hander Jack Cassel.
• Dave at U.S.S. Mariners fantasizes about how much better the world would be if he ran the Mariners.
• Eric at Rays Anatomy calls for Bud Selig’s resignation as puppet, er, MLB commissioner.
• Evan at Fire Brand of the American League is under the mistaken impression that the NL should adopt his favored league’s “DH experiment.”
• Lee at Tiger Tales examines his team’s starters and relievers.
• Aaron Gleeman discusses the Twins’ signing of Mike Lamb.

Okay, then. You’ve got some reading to do…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

This is a great addition for Detroit, but it’s got to be something of a slap in the face of Selig and MLB, which recommended a signing bonus of $1.17 million for the 27th pick this year. Of course, you could argue that Porcello slipped so far because of his reported demands. And that brings us to the uncomfortable question of why, exactly, MLB even has a draft…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Every year, even 64 slots seem too few for the truly deserving. Virtually half of those are already committed, one per team, minimum. It devalues the honor when a player is handed an All-Star uniform for no more reason than the simple – and regrettable – fact that he plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates or Kansas City Royals.

Yeah, that part never sat right with me. Either we’re fielding two teams of the best players in baseball or we’re not. You can’t have it both ways.

With cable, the Internet, and interleague play, I still don’t see the need for an actual game (well, it probably generates a ton of revenue), but if you’re going to play one, then why water it down with inferior talent placed on squads for the sake of “making it fair” for everyone or some such nonsense. Are we trying to honor the most deserving players or trying to make everyone feel good about their team regardless of whether its merited (sort of like making kids sing “if they don’t win it’s okay” in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”)?

I suppose I could live with that (and did for many years), but what really gets me is this bit, which Jenkins absolutely nails:

The most bogus aspect gives home-field advantage for the World Series to the league that wins the All-Star Game.

Seriously, what’s the deal here? I know Bud Selig didn’t like the fact that a game ended in a tie several years ago and decided to imbue it with some Greater Meaning, but if the present solution isn’t a huge overreaction, then I don’t know what is.

Ask yourself, honestly, which makes more sense: that how an individual team plays over the course of 162 regular-season games determines who gets home-field advantage in the World Series or that how a “team” full of individuals plays in one exhibition game does so. It’s asinine. There’s really no other way to put it.

I took a dig at the “if they don’t win it’s okay” line a few paragraphs ago. But if there’s one place I think it might actually work, it’s at an All-Star game. Meanwhile, so long as the outcome affects the World Series, I’ll continue to have nothing to do with it.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Enjoy the game on Wednesday, or whenever it is…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

After hearing of Giambi’s comments, Selig offered the slugger a deal: Talk to [lead investigator Sen. George] Mitchell and “cooperate fully” or you will face disciplinary action.

Is it me, or does this sound like an offer Giambi can’t refuse? Look, I’m no great fan of the MLBPA — it’s difficult to sympathize with the working conditions of millionaires — but when stuff like this happens, I’m reminded of why it has become so powerful. At virtually every point in MLB history, owners have tried to screw players in one way or another. The current witch hunt is no exception.

Make no mistake, I don’t condone the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Far from it. But I fail to see how the current “solution” of threatening every worker is going to help matters.

There’s a colossal difference between seeking cooperation and unilaterally forcing compliance. Too bad the distinction is lost on some people.

Post from: Knuckle Curve