I guess that some progress has been made in the negotiations between the owners and players, but currently, it is not enough. Let’s look at what has been accomplished or offered so far (formal agreement has not been announced):
- The DH will be universal in both leagues.
- Draft pick compensation will be done away with for free agents who reject the QO.
- The league woudl award draft picks to teams for losing free agents, based on the quality of player.
- It appears that they may implement a draft lottery, much like the NBA.
- Younger players will have an opportunity to earn more money earlier/
- Expanded playoffs which tends to stimulate more teams to be competative.
Of course, there is a lot more to the latest offer and the MLBPA Union said they would analyze the MLB offer before responding, but it sounds like they will reject it. One of the biggest stumbling blocks is the proposed Luxury Tax Thresholds. The players want $245 Million this year, which would rise to $273 Million in 2026, while the owners want $210 Million this year, rising to $222 Million in 2026. That’s a big divide! I would suggest that they “split the difference.” That might get the job done.
The owners want to increase the Luxury Tax Rate which the players fear would cause teams to refuse to go over the threshold. You can read all about the latest from both sides right HERE. I think progress has been made, regardless of headlines that announce “little progress is made, players are underwhelmed, and that Spring Training will be delayed.“
I keep hearing that “baseball purists” do not like some of these newfangled rules. Let me translate the term “baseball purist.” It means “grumpy old men who don’t like change and are adept at complaining when there is nothing to complain about except that change is what they hate… because of course, they do.” There is nothing as constant as change in human life. Nothing says the same. It always changes or it dies. The NFL and the NBA have changed quite a lot over the years. In the NFL, the rules have changed immensely over the years.
What if… these NFL Rules had never changed: What if a quarterback can’t throw a pass unless he’s at least 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage? What if the offense begins some plays just a yard from the sideline and is penalized for throwing more than one pass during a series of downs? What if player substitutions are prohibited? What if no communication from the sideline is allowed? What if players from both teams grab their opponents’ facemasks at will?
The NFL custodians of the game not only have protected its integrity, but also have revised its playing rules to make the contests fairer, safer, and more entertaining. Time and again, the league has shown that it is open to ideas generated by any source or circumstance — or even by new technology — if it believes that the changes will improve the game. The result is that the NFL is a thriving league, surpassing MLB in total revenue, even though they play a fraction of the games MLB does.
Baseball has evolved from when it originally was invented and it was most certainly invented by one Abner Doubleday… nor did he make that claim. I hear many people make the claim that they hate the DH because they are “baseball purists.” Well, if you really want to be a “purists” then let’s go back to the way it was in the mid-1800’s:
- The game was to consist of twenty-one counts, or aces; but at the conclusion an equal number of hands must be played.
- The ball had to be literally “pitched,” like a horseshoe. Overhand pitching in baseball was not allowed until 1884.
- There is no rule specifying precisely where the pitcher had to stand and deliver the ball.
- There was no foul territory and every batted ball was “fair” no matter its direction.
- Foul balls were not initially “strikes.
- Patient batters would refuse to swing at any pitch they did not like, and delay the game. The concept of the “called” strike – originally an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for persistent refusal to swing, after being duly warned – was introduced in 1858.
- Catching a fair ball on the first bounce counted as an out until the 1865 season.
There are a lot of other rules that could be re-enacted for all you “purists,” but come one, man! Life is full of change. You only stop changing when you die. I’m ready for more change. Maybe you are ready to die and want to dispense with change. There are no baseball “purists,” – just old fogies stuck in the past! However, I say that with great respect!
Baseball has to evolve… or die as well. This is just the start. The DH is a start followed by electronic balls and strikes, larger bases, and a real pitch clock. Just like in the NFL, there have to be more changes. Players are stronger, faster, better trained, and yet still human. Pitches are faster than ever before. The shift will have to be banned along with other rule changes.
Minor League Players
Minor league players are currently not paid for spring training, which I find appalling. If MLB truly wants to improve diversity and increase the level of minority involvement in the game, they need to pay them. If you want to improve the minor leagues and player development, then pay the players. You will automatically get more diversity in the game. It’s not a large cost, but the payoff could be huge. Robber Manfred, quite robbing the minor league players and start paying them. That will help go a long way in settling this lockout.
Blasts From the Past
I recently bumped into a bunch of photos I have forgotten about. Actually, I have hundreds, but here are but a few. I will post them from time to time.
3 friends who have attended every Super Bowl plan final trip to big game
I got the Bengals… but am OK with the Rams winning… I have never bet online before, but I put $250 on the Bengals, the over, and that Burrows and Stafford will throw for 600 combined yards.
More Dodger News
- Zach Lee signed with the Rockies and will try to make the team as a 30-year-old. He has pitched only 12 2/3 innings at the big league level and hasn’t appeared in an MLB game since 2017, bouncing around to several different organizations on minor league contracts. Zach Lee has the determination that he may lack in “stuff”. You gotta’ love the guy!
- We took a vote yesterday and it was decided that politics is off-limits. So, it will be a HARD STOP. I will delete any innuendo, doublespeak or driveby shootings. Play Ball… Talk Ball!
- We all hope DC reconsiders and comes back. Everyone here has nothing but respect for him and I do not believe any comments were directed at him. For the most part, this community will not be matched insofar as Dodger knowledge and information. We will leave the light on for him. I do not think he will find a better community. This is the best damn Dodger Website on the planet! Let’s talk!
Just to put things in perspective, here’s my son and I now:
I think the Wrigley Field Photos (Pressbox and Clayton) were taken 13 years ago.
Nice work. I just want some baseball, and the longer they put it off, the more POed the fans will be.
Great picks, great memories Mark. Thanks for sharing.
I especially like the second one with you and Badger. Pretty funny, didn’t know Badger had a sense of humor.
I’m very curious about how expanded playoffs will work…
With 12 teams, will it be first and second place teams, or 3 division winners and 3 wildcards in each league?
How long of a series will it be for the first round?
Once the first round is over, how will 3 teams in each league be split up to play each other?
Is a buy and advantage or disadvantage? I can see hitters going cold if they have to wait a week for the first round to finish up.
I can’t wait for the game today. Go Rams! It’s great to see the home team in the Super Bowl and Clayton’s buddy leading the offense. I think you’ll win one of those bets. The over on combined yards for the QBs.
That was the hedge.
Maybe the over and under, too. I got the over.
I was trying to give Badger an attitude adjustment. 😉
I remember that. It was a good day.
What isn’t shown is the fact Mark’s sack was within reach, and back then I was still benching 200+ with a RH grip strength of about 140 pounds. If there had been a problem, he would have had a problem. There was never a problem. It was in good fun.
And, that was over a decade ago. I’m old and tired now. Still a pacifist though, and a people guy.
I heard through the grapevine an olive branch was extended? Or is it just I’m no longer allowed to talk about alternative facts?
Sign Kenley. Plaschke is f.o.s. Let Bauer pitch, put please put a gag order on him. I have no interest in anything he has to say. If Muncy is 100%, we don’t need Freeman, if he isn’t? Welcome home Freddie. I use a few of our minor league stock for starting pitching. Haven’t decided who yet. Not Miller or Cartaya. As is? 100 wins and another West Title. With a few improvements? 106 wins.
Go Rams. I’m giving the points. For 50 push-ups.
I read something really good this AM, that I have to share, because it is something I try and live by:
“I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing I noticed was the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, tie, and freshly pressed slacks, the driver jumped out and opened the door for me.
Handing me a laminated card, he said, ‘I’m Wasu, your driver. While I’m loading your bags, I’d like you to read my mission statement.’
Taken aback, I read the card. ‘Wasu’s Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.’
This blew me away. Especially when I noticed the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!
As he slid behind the wheel, Wasu said, ‘Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.’
I said jokingly, ‘No, I’d prefer a soft drink.’
Wasu smiled and said, ‘No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, lassi, water, and orange juice.’
Almost stuttering, I said, ‘I’ll take a lassi since I’ve never had one before.’
Handing me my drink, Wasu said, ‘If you’d like something to read, I have Good Housekeeping magazine, Reader’s Digest, The Bible, and a Travel + Leisure magazine.’
As we were pulling away, Wasu handed me another laminated card, ‘These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you’d like to listen to the radio.’
And as if that weren’t enough, Wasu told me he had the heater on and asked if the temperature was comfortable.
Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of day. He also let me know he’d be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my own thoughts.
‘Tell me, Wasu, have you always served customers like this?’
Wasu smiled into the rearview mirror. ‘No, not always. It’s only been in the last 2 years. My first 5 years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about the power of choice.’
‘Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle. If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining! Don’t be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.’
‘That hit me right,’ said Wasu. ‘It’s about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around. The other cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.’
‘I take it that has paid off for you,’ I said.
‘It sure has,’ Wasu replied. ‘My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income. This year, I’ll probably quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message.’
Wasu made a different choice. I hope we all decide to soar like an eagle and not quack like a duck.”
Here in Vegas the Dodgers are an 11-2, or a 6-1 fave to win the 2022 World Series.
I will put a few bucks down on that this am.
Oh, and the Lakers are now 30-1
Go Rams! Bring another title to LA
Hi Bobby – enjoy the game
Dodgers exactly the same price here – but still think the Braves at 16/1 is real value.
Go Rams
Wow a blast form the past. I remember you had to left the branch up for Roger(RIP) to snap the photo. My wife will like the fact that you called her my daughter. Go Rams
I like the optimism with the CBA negotiations, but I’m skeptical we will see ST and a regular season start as scheduled.
Go Rams!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whose House?? Rams House.
Okay. Neither side could find their way out of a closet with directions and the light on. That’s the way it looks. Why so much time between talks? How about this? $750,000 for first year players. I know, I’m quite generous. But most players don’t get the big money. No tax penalty until you reach $240 million. Hey, I’m trying to help the Dodgers out. Add the stuff already agreed upon. Play ball.
Personally I’d to see shifts end and a pitch clock. More action, faster pace.
picking up on Mark’s story, this clip from a Poitier interview is everything that is good in the world to me.
Kindness and effort from someone who can help.
AND
Engagement and hard work from the person trying to change their standing.
https://youtu.be/jPI5zev4Too?t=269
Nice!
Nice to hear from Badger, came close to running the political stop sign.
Was great to hear about Wasu, did you give him the LADT link.
Would be great to have him in the fold.
I’m not so sure Wasu is real, Bobo.
It’s a story.
Bluto thanks for breaking down the mediator thing for me yesterday
Makes my morning to see new articles and all feedback.
Thanks all great site!
“Aye.” Yeah I know. I’m late.
Ahh Bluto, you really know how to hurt a guy.
But around 6 pm tonight it won’t matter.
Another LA banner will be on order. Go Rams
Had a post here that seems to have disappeared.
I rescued it.
Well, as I mentioned, I have never bet online.
I wagered $250 on the Game today and won $96.80.
That does not seem acceptable to me.
Maybe I can make it up on volume?
No… I’m done!
Don’t feel bad. That guy Matress Max bet 9.5 mil on the Bengals,
You obviously got your original stake back, though.
Think the Rams will invite us and the Lakers to their parade (since we missed ours)?
City ought to have one for all three teams at the same time,
100% Marcia. This needs to be an all out LA parade
JT tweeted out to the Rams that he and his teammates were free and would be happy to participate in the parade.
Just think of forever friends Kershaw and Stafford sharing a float, both celebrating L.A. championships in different sports.
The way the Lakers are playing, they might be too embarrassed to show up.
Jay Jaffe @Fangraphs has a good, but completely depressing look at the state of negotiations.
TL;DR:
They haven’t even begun to negotiate in earnestness.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-owners-latest-offer-gets-us-no-closer-to-baseball-season/
A parade for all the teams at the same time would be great. You guys can still post on the story I wrote about the Old Timers game. Mark did not close the comments there, and I am feeling awful lonely being the only one who commented on my own story! LOL.
When the season was shortened to 60 games, did the players get paid their entire salary or was it pro-rated?
Pro rated I think.