Enough whining about injuries at the WBC, you can't play, manage, participate in any fashion concerned about injury. Look at the NHL they sent their stars to the Olympics and not a word. The whining makes baseball look bad.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
If I were the USA Hockey Team, bad as the team was at the Olympics, I wouldn't say anything either. 
njbbdad
Staying healthy is a big part of the MLB season. If you hope to resemble in the slightest, the team you are on paper, you need consistant production, a minimum number of games lost to injury and luck.
Every owner and every manager is concerned about the WBC and injuries. You can bet that all the others are making comments (whining?
) but Mr. Steinbrenner is the man the media likes to quote.
I have been a little bothered by the media's
"labeling" of players who have chosen to bow out
for whatever reason. Just last week I read that Harden had "bailed" on Canada? Writers are calling them defectors? But that is not the case in actuality.
So on to the WBC...Complete with pitch counts, mercy rules, TIES again and semifinal games being suspended if the pitching is not available. Sound like MLB to you? LOL
Staying healthy is a big part of the MLB season. If you hope to resemble in the slightest, the team you are on paper, you need consistant production, a minimum number of games lost to injury and luck.
Every owner and every manager is concerned about the WBC and injuries. You can bet that all the others are making comments (whining?
) but Mr. Steinbrenner is the man the media likes to quote.I have been a little bothered by the media's
"labeling" of players who have chosen to bow out
for whatever reason. Just last week I read that Harden had "bailed" on Canada? Writers are calling them defectors? But that is not the case in actuality.
So on to the WBC...Complete with pitch counts, mercy rules, TIES again and semifinal games being suspended if the pitching is not available. Sound like MLB to you? LOL
Although it is early in the "game" here, I like the concept of the WBC. I really don't care much for most of Comm. Bud Selig's ideas but this one has the potential to be a good one. Will it ever become like the World Cup in So***r; not likely. But now that the Olympic Committee has decided in its infinite wisdom to keep syncronized swimming but get rid of both baseball and softball [uniquely American games of no interest to the rest of the world] and keep basketball [that was invented in the USSR right] I am glad that MLB has responded.
However, someone probably will get hurt. Hopefully not bad, but it will happen. George is right about that. Pitching full bore in the middle of the spring training season? Even with a pitch count limit, inevitable arm trouble. The same with position players. But the risk falls on all MLB teams equally. And, they could [and would] get hurt in spring training games.
njbbdad:
I agree totally with you about the media. There are some reporters that do nothing but parrot what MLB says. Others write and/or say only what they think MLB wants them to write and/or say. It should be up to the guys themselves. If they think they are not ready to play, then they should not be goaded to play. Barry Bonds can be criticized for a lot of things but he probably will not ready to play baseball in April, let alone mid-March.
So lets play the games and let the rest of the world see their players that made it to the top live and in person in the greatest game ever invented. Mercy rules, tie games, pitch counts, 14 inning roadblocks, [and for you true purists] the DH; hey it is still 90 feet to first and 60'6" to home. I will be watching.
TW344
However, someone probably will get hurt. Hopefully not bad, but it will happen. George is right about that. Pitching full bore in the middle of the spring training season? Even with a pitch count limit, inevitable arm trouble. The same with position players. But the risk falls on all MLB teams equally. And, they could [and would] get hurt in spring training games.
njbbdad:
I agree totally with you about the media. There are some reporters that do nothing but parrot what MLB says. Others write and/or say only what they think MLB wants them to write and/or say. It should be up to the guys themselves. If they think they are not ready to play, then they should not be goaded to play. Barry Bonds can be criticized for a lot of things but he probably will not ready to play baseball in April, let alone mid-March.
So lets play the games and let the rest of the world see their players that made it to the top live and in person in the greatest game ever invented. Mercy rules, tie games, pitch counts, 14 inning roadblocks, [and for you true purists] the DH; hey it is still 90 feet to first and 60'6" to home. I will be watching.
TW344
quote:Originally posted by Baseballdad1228:
If I were the USA Hockey Team, bad as the team was at the Olympics, I wouldn't say anything either.
The US sent a hockey team to the olympics?
George has a valid point, IMO. He's got a big investment in those players and has a right to spout off.
Actually, it's not MLB. It's billed as an international competition which I like--- there are such competitions between National Teams in a number of places in the world, but they would never get the coverage the WBC is getting. I would have been as happy with the idea should the actual National Teams played MLB squads at ST without the scattering of MLB players and their sometimes very tenuous connections with those countries. But ESPN wouldn't have televised that.
Ever so often we have the discussion on the board about this sport or that taking away potential baseball players and fans, particularly the Evil Footie. Then here comes an event designed to spread the gospel of baseball internationally, and America seems none too thrilled. Ya'll want to expand the market or not?
If the rules are as Chill described, that certainly waters down the event. International competitions have no such rules; I can only surmise they were instituted to keep the MLB clubs happy about the participation of their MLB players.
I have some sympathy for the clubs' concerns about their pitchers, as they will be throwing for a manager whose only interest in his arm is the WBC. As for position players, injuries can as easily happen in a ST game, or opening birthday presents, or carrying deer meat upstairs, or looking into the fridge....
Ever so often we have the discussion on the board about this sport or that taking away potential baseball players and fans, particularly the Evil Footie. Then here comes an event designed to spread the gospel of baseball internationally, and America seems none too thrilled. Ya'll want to expand the market or not?
If the rules are as Chill described, that certainly waters down the event. International competitions have no such rules; I can only surmise they were instituted to keep the MLB clubs happy about the participation of their MLB players.
I have some sympathy for the clubs' concerns about their pitchers, as they will be throwing for a manager whose only interest in his arm is the WBC. As for position players, injuries can as easily happen in a ST game, or opening birthday presents, or carrying deer meat upstairs, or looking into the fridge....
Beez,
Well sort of...
Well sort of...
Would it not be better to play the game at the end of the season for MLB.
Played after the World Series, Middle to the end of Nov.
No concern to much for Injury, at least time to recover.
I know players are tired, want an off season.
Just Don't invite those players that are to tired to play. The EH
Played after the World Series, Middle to the end of Nov.
No concern to much for Injury, at least time to recover.
I know players are tired, want an off season.
Just Don't invite those players that are to tired to play. The EH
I think the hockey team was more like.....
Hey, that's a guy from Finland!
EH, I would imagine the problem with post-post-season would be the competition for airtime with American football in the US. I don't know the scene on the other continents, but European baseball would have stopped playing in September and lost their audience to footie.
Pre-pre-season, you have anxious fans, interested in any baseball they can get their eyes around.
would be the competition for airtime with American football in the US. I don't know the scene on the other continents, but European baseball would have stopped playing in September and lost their audience to footie.Pre-pre-season, you have anxious fans, interested in any baseball they can get their eyes around.
Chill, please tell me your kidding.
George is a whiny, selfish, short sighted owner.
Baseball is for the fans. Guys get hurt playing ball, did he just figure that out?
The creeps like George and many shill sportswriters that are always finding fault with a new and exciting venture like this are the real problem.
George is a whiny, selfish, short sighted owner.
Baseball is for the fans. Guys get hurt playing ball, did he just figure that out?
The creeps like George and many shill sportswriters that are always finding fault with a new and exciting venture like this are the real problem.
quote:Originally posted by soxnole:
George is a whiny, selfish, short sighted owner.
You forgot to add "...but extremely successful". I'm a Yankees fan so I'm glad he's the owner. Very few have experienced the success he has. Call him what you will.
Steinbrenner doesn't need a new and exciting venture. He owns the New York Yankees, the richest sports franchise in the universe. His loyalty is to the Yankees and not to the World Classic, where he is concerned that players he has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in could get hurt. I completely understand his concerns, which cannot be tabbed as whining by any objective measure when you consider his investment. The international sports community has rejected baseball by eliminating it from Olympic competition. I would prefer to keep my Yankees in Tampa, by George.
quote:Chill, please tell me your kidding.
Which part of my post do you think I am kidding about? LOL, because I am soooooo serious about all of it.
quote:George is a whiny, selfish, short sighted owner.
I completely disagree with you on all counts. He's anything but selfish and you can write that down, soxnole.
I think Baseballdad1228 said it well for me.
He has a concern about injury for the Yankee season. He is protecting his investment and like I said, if the media were as diligent quoting all the other owners who share the same concern, this "whiny" characterization would be a moot point.
Bees...Real easy to be "successful", i.e., like the Kennedys and the Donald and Steinbrenner, when you start with a few hundred million.
Orlando ...
Further to your comment about the threat of competition with US football ... which I too think would limit audience interest ... the players (for the most part) are very very tired after their full season and, I would suspect, as prone or more prone to injury as well.
I too like the concept of the WBC but with the regular season running 6 month, spring training for 2 months, and some of the pros playing in Latin American leagues in the fall ... when are these players supposed to take some time off? This sport is so different than others insofar as the starting players are competing almost every day during the season that I am not sure how realistic a WBC is.
Further to your comment about the threat of competition with US football ... which I too think would limit audience interest ... the players (for the most part) are very very tired after their full season and, I would suspect, as prone or more prone to injury as well.
I too like the concept of the WBC but with the regular season running 6 month, spring training for 2 months, and some of the pros playing in Latin American leagues in the fall ... when are these players supposed to take some time off? This sport is so different than others insofar as the starting players are competing almost every day during the season that I am not sure how realistic a WBC is.
Been - I hear ya buddy but there are plenty, and I mean PLENTY of very wealthy owners out there who could give George a run for his money if they wanted to. George invests his money in the Yankees while others don't. They pocket their money and chastise him for spending his? To each their own. AND, he wasn't given that money, he earned it....every penny!
Beenthere,
Ahh, but you forget it wasn't hunderds of millions. Anyone could have had the Yankees for the $3 million George got them for from CBS back in 1973. He reinvested heavily in their roster and talent (astute business acumen) and drove the team's value upward through winning games and championships while the ship building industry (his family's buesiness) spiraled downward. You might not like him, but what he did with the Yankees is admirable and his success is underscored by the incredible value of the team today.
Good job Beez.
Ahh, but you forget it wasn't hunderds of millions. Anyone could have had the Yankees for the $3 million George got them for from CBS back in 1973. He reinvested heavily in their roster and talent (astute business acumen) and drove the team's value upward through winning games and championships while the ship building industry (his family's buesiness) spiraled downward. You might not like him, but what he did with the Yankees is admirable and his success is underscored by the incredible value of the team today.
Good job Beez.
Actually, baseballdad, George doesn't have "the richest sports franchise in the universe". George's neighbor in Tampa, Glazier, bought Man United for $1.47 billion last Fall, but I have some vague memory of one of the Italian clubs surpassing even that recently....
Well.......s****r isn't a sport anyway.....they don't use their hands...
Ok, so I'm not that smart.
Ok, so I'm not that smart.
It goes to the point, baseballdad --- enjoy the sport or not, footie has made itself international over the years, hence the values. (I was reading an article about a Man United themed restaurant in China, for crying out loud!) Faltering though it may be, the WBC is a step in that direction.
George is a marketer, you'd think he'd see that opportunity on the horizon.
My father's generation were adults before MLB baseball was played West of the Mississippi; maybe our grandchildren will be astonished that it was only played in North America!
George is a marketer, you'd think he'd see that opportunity on the horizon.
My father's generation were adults before MLB baseball was played West of the Mississippi; maybe our grandchildren will be astonished that it was only played in North America!
I like the WBC thing. It's going to be very interesting.
I think the timing is good and it will get great viewership totals.
That said, I understand the concerns that MLB owners might have. I hope no one does get seriously injured.
I wonder if the USA will play it "all out" like some other countries. Will they be over protective of pitchers or play it like the World Series?
George Steinbrenner is as far from being selfish as it gets. He is one of the most competitive however. Like him or not, people need to understand the media doesn't always portray him correctly.
I think the timing is good and it will get great viewership totals.
That said, I understand the concerns that MLB owners might have. I hope no one does get seriously injured.
I wonder if the USA will play it "all out" like some other countries. Will they be over protective of pitchers or play it like the World Series?
George Steinbrenner is as far from being selfish as it gets. He is one of the most competitive however. Like him or not, people need to understand the media doesn't always portray him correctly.
The fervor with which the MLB players play will be interesting, as will how much they play over the actual members of the National Teams.
The MLB players will be putting the people in seats --- at the same time, they will be playing to loosen up for a long season, whereas the National Team players are playng full out to show MLB what they've got. I've mentioned before how national rivalries can enter these games, too.
Then there's the minor league guys who will get more opportunity to show their stuff during the games where the regulars are missing to the WBC games. Lots of new talent could emerge...maybe even some of 'our' boys here!
Should be a good show!
The MLB players will be putting the people in seats --- at the same time, they will be playing to loosen up for a long season, whereas the National Team players are playng full out to show MLB what they've got. I've mentioned before how national rivalries can enter these games, too.
Then there's the minor league guys who will get more opportunity to show their stuff during the games where the regulars are missing to the WBC games. Lots of new talent could emerge...maybe even some of 'our' boys here!
Should be a good show!
quote:Originally posted by BeenthereIL:
Bees...Real easy to be "successful", i.e., like the Kennedys and the Donald and Steinbrenner, when you start with a few hundred million.
Oh sure real easy just ask Peter Angeloes. I think the out in IL there is something called the Chicago Tribune don't they have a little money but they just don't spend it.
Also if you read Jayson Starks article in Baseball America a quote from it is "I guarentee you that if you took a vote of general managers today, it would be at least 27 to 3 against holding it in March"