March 12, 20205 yr Cincinnati canceled its Opening Day parade for the first time in 101 years. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
March 12, 20205 yr well like everything else this is moving fast. baseball shut down spring training and delayed the start of the season. https://nypost.com/2020/03/12/mlb-shutting-down-expected-to-delay-regular-season-amid-coronavirus-worries/
April 11, 20205 yr grapefruit vs cactus ws? https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-could-eliminate-traditional-american-and-national-leagues-for-shortened-2020-season-report-says/amp/
April 11, 20205 yr ^If this happens, dollars to donuts this is the year the Indians win it all, there’ll be no-one there to see it and no parade! ? Edited April 11, 20205 yr by roman totale XVII My hovercraft is full of eels
April 11, 20205 yr 18 minutes ago, roman totale XVII said: ^If this happens, dollars to donuts this is the year the Indians win it all, there’ll be no-one there to see it and no parade! ? I don't know--the Dodgers are as stacked as they've ever been and we'd be in the same division (if I'm reading that right)?
April 12, 20205 yr wondering what the minor leaguers will do if they actually play MLB season.. teams will obviously need call ups at times, and you can't really expect a player to jump into games if they haven't been conditioned correctly
April 12, 20205 yr I would be OK with this if they are just "exhibition" games, but they should not be regular season games.
April 12, 20205 yr Given the circumstances, I don't understand why they can't just have the AL play in one state and the NL in the other. I hate interleague play and I hate the bloated playoff structure. This is their chance to go back to how things ought to be.
April 14, 20205 yr george’s son hank steinbrenner died: https://nypost.com/2020/04/14/hank-steinbrenner-yankees-co-owner-dead-at-63/
May 4, 20205 yr ESPN to air Korean baseball: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1359122,-84.5263438,3a,75y,127.95h,101.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syeNjIJ7XSeLmy7hP4g7o1w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 I'm looking forward to this. I've never understood why they don't air at least the occasional playoff from the foreign leagues. Caribbean makes the most sense since they're in the same time zone.
May 4, 20205 yr conversely, games on the opposite side of the world make sense because they can air them live when no other live sports are on, and the audience for a rerun of sportscenter is pretty low. There's already enough sports during normal times that they don't need to air sports live in our own time zones from other countries.
May 13, 20205 yr whoa cc sabathia has really been going at it in retirement! https://nypost.com/2020/05/12/ex-yankees-cc-sabathias-weight-loss-causes-mike-francesa-rant/
May 24, 20205 yr While talks to reopen the NHL and NBA are starting gain traction, it looks like MLB is spinning its wheels: The clock is ticking on 2020 MLB season talks. Here's what could make a deal work -- or fall apart https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29207203/the-clock-ticking-2020-mlb-season-talks-here-make-deal-work-fall-apart
May 25, 20205 yr 8 hours ago, Columbo said: it looks like MLB is spinning its wheels No season is better than a goofball season like 1981 or any of the recently-proposed stunts.
May 26, 20205 yr On 5/25/2020 at 2:36 AM, jmecklenborg said: No season is better than a goofball season like 1981 or any of the recently-proposed stunts. Just like 1981, the Reds were poised for a good season this year, only to have it dismantled by shenanigans. It was probably going to be their first winning season in years and they had a very good shot at making the playoffs. The ducks were (mostly) in a row... just in time for global pandemic. We'll see what MLB does this year, but 1981 still takes the cake in terms of goofiness. The bit of trivia about the Reds having the best record in the division by 4 games, but not making the playoffs is a good summary of how dumb the season was.
May 26, 20205 yr Cleveland was the site for the MLB All Star Game in 1981. It ended up being played in August when the strike was over. Cleveland got short-changed as only the All Star Game was played with none of the other festivities. Also, the Browns played an exhibition game at Municipal Stadium the day before and the field was in terrible shape. Here is more info: https://www.dailynewsgems.com/2019/04/baseball-returns-in-cleveland-for-the-1981-all-star-game.html Edited May 26, 20205 yr by skiwest
June 19, 20204 yr It doesn't look like there will be any baseball this year. https://www.barrons.com/news/phillies-close-florida-camp-after-eight-covid-19-cases-01592588106?refsec=afp-news Edited June 19, 20204 yr by skiwest
June 19, 20204 yr The All-Star Game was to be held at Dodger Stadium this year. 2021 is Atlanta. It's only fair that The Dodgers get 2022.
June 23, 20204 yr everything we know as of today about the proposed 60 game season: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29348260/mlb-plans-implement-60-game-season-key-schedule-dates-likely-opening-day-spring-training-start-more Edited June 23, 20204 yr by mrnyc
June 24, 20204 yr https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29354014/sources-mlbpa-agrees-report-july-1-discussing-health-safety-protocols Play Ball. The MLB Players Association and the league ironed out the final details on Tuesday ahead of a return to play, one that will see players report to camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season starting on either July 23 or 24. After nearly three months of fruitless negotiations, MLB opted to use the right given to it in the parties' March 26 agreement to impose a schedule of its desired length. By choosing a season of 60 games, the league will pack in about as many games as it can through Sept. 27, the league's self-imposed cutoff for the regular season to end.
June 26, 20204 yr and what could go wrong? https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29362126/inside-mlb-2020-season-plan-play-pandemic-where-go-wrong
July 1, 20204 yr It's Bobby Bonilla Day! Why the Mets pay him $1.19 million today and every July 1 through 2035 https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29388441/bobby-bonilla-day-why-mets-pay-119-million-today-every-july-1
July 1, 20204 yr 17 minutes ago, Columbo said: It's Bobby Bonilla Day! Why the Mets pay him $1.19 million today and every July 1 through 2035 https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29388441/bobby-bonilla-day-why-mets-pay-119-million-today-every-july-1 It is great for Bonilla to get the annual annuity every year however, I wonder if anyone has done the math to see if he would have been better off long term taking the money upfront and investing it and using that as an annuity for all of this time.
July 2, 20204 yr 8 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said: It is great for Bonilla to get the annual annuity every year however, I wonder if anyone has done the math to see if he would have been better off long term taking the money upfront and investing it and using that as an annuity for all of this time. That's what Mets ownership thought - and it backfired big time on them. From the ESPN article: "In 2000, the Mets agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million on Bonilla's contract. However, instead of paying Bonilla the $5.9 million at the time, the Mets agreed to make annual payments of nearly $1.2 million for 25 years starting July 1, 2011, including a negotiated 8% interest rate. At the time, Mets ownership was invested in a Bernie Madoff account that promised double-digit returns, and the Mets were poised to make a significant profit if the Madoff account delivered -- but that did not work out." So instead of disposing of the Bonilla contract for $5.9 million, the Mets will pay over $41 million with this arrangement. And they probably lost all the money in the Bernie Madoff account(!)
July 11, 20204 yr MLS. NHL, NBA and all other sports attempting to open up during a pandemic: We will keep our teams within a bubble to try to keep them as safe as possible from said pandemic. MLB: Let's argue about money for four months and then open up our season without any bubble protection.
July 14, 20204 yr https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29452330/braves-not-changing-name-looking-chop So, while the Washington Redskins are changing their nickname and the Cleveland Indians announced they will change their nickname, the Atlanta Braves announced "Nah, we good." But the Braves did say they will "take a further look at the future of the tomahawk chop". Hey, don't go too far out on that limb guys! Part of the Braves statement from the above linked ESPN article: "Through our conversations, changing the name of the Braves is not under consideration or deemed necessary. We have great respect and reverence for our name and the Native American communities that have held meaningful relationships with us do as well. We will always be the Atlanta Braves." Also love the "We will always be the Atlanta Braves" part. Sure, except for the times they were the Milwaukee Braves and Boston Braves.
July 14, 20204 yr 42 minutes ago, Columbo said: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29452330/braves-not-changing-name-looking-chop So, while the Washington Redskins are changing their nickname and the Cleveland Indians announced they will change their nickname, the Atlanta Braves announced "Nah, we good." But the Braves did say they will "take a further look at the future of the tomahawk chop". Hey, don't go too far out on that limb guys! Part of the Braves statement from the above linked ESPN article: "Through our conversations, changing the name of the Braves is not under consideration or deemed necessary. We have great respect and reverence for our name and the Native American communities that have held meaningful relationships with us do as well. We will always be the Atlanta Braves." Also love the "We will always be the Atlanta Braves" part. Sure, except for the times they were the Milwaukee Braves and Boston Braves. I have a vivid memory of Jane Fonda of all people doing the tomahawk chop when she was married to Ted Turner
July 14, 20204 yr 27 minutes ago, Htsguy said: I have a vivid memory of Jane Fonda of all people doing the tomahawk chop when she was married to Ted Turner Yes. That was a thing that happened(!) Even better. After being informed that the tomahawk chop was insensitive to Native Americans (an earlier cause celebre for Ms. Fonda) during the next game Jane Fonda and Ted Turner were the only ones not doing the chop(!)
July 21, 20204 yr Oh you Washington Nationals. First you boo President Trump during last year's World Series. Now you'll have Dr. Fauci throw out the ceremonial first pitch on the Nationals Opening Day on Thursday(!)
July 23, 20204 yr 2 hours ago, Columbo said: The Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Blue Jays, now go to Plan C. Someone should wake up Frank Jackson and try to get them in Progressive Field. It would be a nice little bump for the local hotels and restaurants, within a quick 40 minute flight to YYZ if any players need to pop home.
July 24, 20204 yr After the Blue Jays got kicked out of Toronto, and then got rejected by Pittsburgh and Baltimore -- they're kinda like, okay Buffalo: BTW, the "majority of 2020 home games in Buffalo" apparently means that they'll be doing their home-and-home games with Washington on Monday thru Thursday next week completely in Washington. So 28 home games in Buffalo instead of 30:
July 24, 20204 yr I went through their schedule and the schedule of other teams yesterday to find a way where the Blue Jays could play all of their games in other teams' stadiums, while minimizing travel and minimizing the use of the "away" teams' stadium. I found a way to get 18/30 games in neutral stadiums. Basically, instead of heading back to Buffalo, they should just stay in stadiums after an away series team is on a road series next, or travel to their next opponent's stadium early to play a neutral team. This would significantly reduce travel for the Blue Jays over playing games in Buffalo. Whenever playing in the away team's ballpark, they simply switch batting orders. But rather than going to a neutral site and still traveling, it makes more sense for them to stay in a single ballpark for a longer time.
July 25, 20204 yr MLB is back. And it is a season unlike any other. In addition to the 60-game season and the limited travel schedule where teams will only face inter-division teams and teams from the other league's corresponding division, MLB and the MLBPA agreed to expanded playoffs for 2020: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29525547/mlb-players-union-oks-playoff-expansion-2020-sources-say For 2020 only, the playoffs will be expanded from 10 to 16 teams. The wild-card play-in game is eliminated and the 2020 playoffs will instead have a 1 thru 8 seeding. In addition to all first-place division teams advancing, all second-place division teams will qualify for the 2020 playoffs. The seventh and eighth playoff teams for each league will be determined by best record of the remaining third-place division finishers. (So Indians and Reds - no excuses this year) The first round of the playoffs is scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 2 and would have all 1 thru 8 seeded teams play a 2-out-of-3 series. Followed by a 3-out-of-5 semifinal series. Followed by a 4-out-of-7 League Championship Series. Followed by a 4-out-of-7 World Series. MLB has said the goal is to finish the 2020 playoffs before the end of October.
July 25, 20204 yr In addition to the unusual regular season and playoffs, MLB has some new rule changes too: -- DH for all games (2020 only) -- Extra-innings begin with a runner on second base (2020 only) -- Relief pitchers must face a minimum of 3 batters before they can be replaced - unless they finish an inning, or due to injury of course.
July 25, 20204 yr And this was awesome: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29534020/cubs-anthony-rizzo-gives-brewers-orlando-arcia-hand-sanitizer-first-base
July 27, 20204 yr aaaand that's all folks for mlb 2020 i would say: https://nypost.com/2020/07/27/marlins-game-vs-orioles-canceled-after-more-coronavirus-cases/
July 27, 20204 yr 14 minutes ago, mrnyc said: aaaand that's all folks for mlb 2020 i would say: https://nypost.com/2020/07/27/marlins-game-vs-orioles-canceled-after-more-coronavirus-cases/ I don't see how the NFL will make it past the first week either. The NBA and hockey seem to be getting it right, but smaller format with playoffs makes it easier to pull off.
July 27, 20204 yr 8 minutes ago, Cleburger said: I don't see how the NFL will make it past the first week either. The NBA and hockey seem to be getting it right, but smaller format with playoffs makes it easier to pull off. And the "bubbles" only work if guys don't go out to "satisfy their needs" or whatever BS. Hard to see how the NCAA is going to make it work. Most are going to conference-only formats but...imagine Penn State traveling out to Nebraska. Plane? Bus? Going to need at least one night staying at a hotel, if not two. Just an example in the Big Ten. Even a "skeleton crew" is still probably 100+ players, coaches, staff. Sounds like the MLB didn't really plan for "clubhouse outbreak" scenarios. Very Stable Genius
July 27, 20204 yr The bubble format generally works if the rules are adhered to strictly, and proper precautions are taken by the league. If Major League Soccer would have had every team enter the bubble earlier, they would have had every team participate. But teams were arriving days before their first match, and two teams had been infected and had to drop out before their first game. Once those teams were out, there were no problems except for a couple of false positives that got retested. The problem for MLB is that every team plays almost every day. So they really need 15 fields in one facility to do a proper bubble format. And that's not easy to acquire. There are also players' personal lives where they don't want to be separated from family for 3 months straight. And they don't want to play all of their games outside in Arizona in the summer heat.
July 27, 20204 yr 1 hour ago, ryanlammi said: There are also players' personal lives where they don't want to be separated from family for 3 months straight. If people want sports to happen this year, I don't see any other way than having the players and staff completely isolate themselves from the outside world for the duration of the season. There needs to be a clearly delineated bubble and no crossing from outside to inside the bubble. I understand that it sucks to be away from family for that long, but the players are being paid handsomely for this "sacrifice." I would compare it to an actor who has to move to a foreign country for 3-4 months for the filming of a movie and be away from family for that duration. Alternatively, I don't see an issue with the player's family staying inside the bubble with them for the entire duration, as long as they aren't going back and forth.
July 27, 20204 yr 17 minutes ago, taestell said: If people want sports to happen this year, I don't see any other way than having the players and staff completely isolate themselves from the outside world for the duration of the season. There needs to be a clearly delineated bubble and no crossing from outside to inside the bubble. I understand that it sucks to be away from family for that long, but the players are being paid handsomely for this "sacrifice." I would compare it to an actor who has to move to a foreign country for 3-4 months for the filming of a movie and be away from family for that duration. Alternatively, I don't see an issue with the player's family staying inside the bubble with them for the entire duration, as long as they aren't going back and forth. The biggest problem is that if every player has 1-3 people that live in the bubble with them, that's a lot more tests that have to be done, a lot more people who could potentially violate the quarantine rules, and a lot more risk to the bubble. It's still better than everyone just living at home and being completely independent outside of practice and games though.
July 27, 20204 yr ^ oh geez, what a freakin mess. its a disaster. i'm afraid group sports will have to wait for a cure. i think certain sports can happen, like motocross or track meets maybe, but that is about it. no team sports.
July 27, 20204 yr That same issue of "The MLB" occurs with MLS. It's not The MLS. Just MLS. It's hard to care too much about it when even national commentary people say The MLS. I think it's a more common issue for soccer, but it definitely happens for baseball.
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