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"