I may be stupid but I am not an idiot-where has the grand old game GONE in Boston!

[jaded28]

If insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome, then I guess I am guilty or just insane. Baseball is afraid of its high priced players. From the owners, the fans and the media, we are all afraid of these knuckleheads.

Baseball has guaranteed contracts, owners like John Henry who kiss the players feet and you get an outcome like what has occurred in Boston this year.

The players last season quit on their player friendly manager, I was in Baltimore for the last series to see it for myself. The Red Sox hire Bobby Valentine to kick some butt. However, the players and the owners step in and tell BV how he should kick their butt in a more sensitive and user friendly way. If this is not insanity, then someone needs to tell me what is! If someone wants to tell me that he is not a good communicator, fine, but how can you be a good communicator to your coaching staff who you did not select and has undermined you with the players from the start (Just because they did not like your personality---------PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE).

Football players fear being cut, fear the owners, etc. Is it not strange that Football has replaced Baseball in national popularity.

What is really sad for true Boston fans, And I should disclose that I am not one of them, is that what has occurred in Boston over the past two seasons will in MHO make this team insignificant and a laughing stock to baseball fans for the foreseeable future.

I may be stupid, but it is the Red Sox from players, to owners, and to their media who have become the idiots!

[yankeebiscuitfan]

I agree with you on the long term contracts. There is no need to perform anymore. I think there is only one solution to this insanity. Fans should not show up. It will hurt the owners in their wallet and they can not afford those ridiculous high prized 10 year contracts anymore.

[RickD]

Well I don't know. I mean the alternative is what we had in the past, before Curt FLOOD. before FREE agency.

I just think that the Red Sox are in a bit of disarray right now.

[jaded28]

[QUOTE=RickD;72065]Well I don't know. I mean the alternative is what we had in the past, before Curt FLOOD. before FREE agency.

And why would pre Curt Flood be worse than what we have now. Do we really have any real success stories where a club has given a 6-10 year contract and it has been cost effective for the team, the fans, and the players performance. There must be some, but I cannot think of any. This idea of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. This has been going on for years.

[RickD]

Well year by year contracts would be horrible because there would be no continuity and players would all be seeking the highest contact this year.

[Old Sweater]

And why would pre Curt Flood be worse than what we have now. Do we really have any real success stories where a club has given a 6-10 year contract and it has been cost effective for the team, the fans, and the players performance. There must be some, but I cannot think of any. This idea of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. This has been going on for years.

The owners are making money or they wouldn't be offering the high salary contracts. Remember it is high demand that is driving up the cost of a players salary and not the players salary driving up the cost of a ticket. That said, I would like to see more incentive laced contracts.

[jaded28]

The owners are making money or they wouldn't be offering the high salary contracts. Remember it is high demand that is driving up the cost of a players salary and not the players salary driving up the cost of a ticket. That said, I would like to see more incentive laced contracts.

I agree the owners are making money, the players are making money, etc. We live in a capitalist society with supply and demand as the mantra. Unions do not concede a benefit unless they have too. This union will not agree to incentive based contracts only unless it is forced. Because the owners have plenty of play money, they as a rule do not want to get in the PR war that this fight would create. Owners like John Henry have lots of money, yachts, young wives, etc. But in his case and I believe in the case of several others, they do not have the stomach to take on the high priced players that they created. So they create the monster and then are afraid to piss the monster off. What kind of a business model is that? Guys like Henry know that even if the players are perceived as fat, lazy, and non productive with the fans, the union will turn it around on them as the capitalist fat cats. Half the fans will be angry with the players and half with the owners. All we will get is more of the same: cut and deflect and maintain the status quo. Baseball is no longer the grand old historical game; it is a charade!

[Old Sweater]

I see where you are getting but as a whole, I still see baseball as the grand ol'game. Especially when you compare it to the other sports with all the perks they throw into their games. I went to a Broncos game last Sat and they had 4 para-gliders(man that was neat,my first) fireworks during teams entrance, tumblers, a great big ol' horses head the player entered thru, a couple hundred little cheerleaders at halftime to perform with the Broncos cheerleaders. Now I enjoyed this but it really made me look forward to the next days, laid back, Rockies game.

[jaded28]

well old sweater, I with you. I have not interest to attend a live football game. I have friends who have season tickets to the patroits. They have to force me to go. too many people; too many distraction; too big an atmosphere. Give me a baseball game any day of the week.

[Old Sweater]

Only reason I went to the Broncos is that it was my sisters birthday and she had plans, so I had a free ticket and parking. The most annoying thing to me is I had a pretty good end zone seat and I rarely could tell what the heck was going on. At least in baseball, the intent is there to watch, no matter where you sit.