Around Baseball 2018

[Abomination]

I wonder if May got gud enough in the Dodgers system before the Orioles totally f*** up his development.

 

I'm sure the O's can find a way f*** him up even if his development is complete.

[Bobthe4th]

 

I loved the city of Vancouver, but could they sustain a MLB team so close to Seattle? Or would the second be somewhere else (assuming Montreal is the first option)?

[John_Havok]

 

I loved the city of Vancouver, but could they sustain a MLB team so close to Seattle? Or would the second be somewhere else (assuming Montreal is the first option)?

 

I think Vancouver could easily sustain an MLB franchise. It's got the population base, it's already a hotbed for amateur and minor league ball, and there's corporate money oozing from every orifice of the city

[Bobthe4th]

I think Vancouver could easily sustain an MLB franchise. It's got the population base, it's already a hotbed for amateur and minor league ball, and there's corporate money oozing from every orifice of the city

 

That's good to hear, hopefully they'd be more successful than the Vancouver Grizzlies were.

 

A West coast Canadian team in the NL would be a nice kind of symmetry, and would limit the "Canada's team" stuff that a lot of you don't seem to like!

[John_Havok]

That's good to hear, hopefully they'd be more successful than the Vancouver Grizzlies were.

 

A West coast Canadian team in the NL would be a nice kind of symmetry, and would limit the "Canada's team" stuff that a lot of you don't seem to like!

 

The Grizzlies had a shot, but they just drafted s***** overall, and when they did draft a great player (Steve francis) he refused to play there and had to be traded (then won ROY). They were just bad and with the weak dollar at the time it was a no brain decision to shut it down.

[P2F]

Calgary, please.

[John_Havok]

Calgary, please.

 

I would love this being from Lethrbidge.... I just don't see it happening. If there's such a fight to get the Flames a new building, I can't imagine what it would take for a baseball stadium to go up.

[TBJ12]

Possible snag in Machado deal.

 

[Terminator]

 

I loved the city of Vancouver, but could they sustain a MLB team so close to Seattle? Or would the second be somewhere else (assuming Montreal is the first option)?

 

He also mentioned Portland, Vegas, Nashville and Charlotte by name. It'd be cool to get the Expos back; putting them in the same division with the Jays could be pretty cool.

 

I think Vegas would be a good spot as well.

[bendera3]

He also mentioned Portland, Vegas, Nashville and Charlotte by name. It'd be cool to get the Expos back; putting them in the same division with the Jays could be pretty cool.

 

I think Vegas would be a good spot as well.

 

I could see Vegas having the same problems as Tampa where a lot of people there are from out of town and don't have a connection to the Vegas team so they don't care.

[TBJ12]

I could see Vegas having the same problems as Tampa where a lot of people there are from out of town and don't have a connection to the Vegas team so they don't care.

 

People visiting Vegas are likely 25-50 and looking for entertainment. The Florida crowd is 55+ looking for warmth and 5pm dinners.

[Terminator]

I could see Vegas having the same problems as Tampa where a lot of people there are from out of town and don't have a connection to the Vegas team so they don't care.

 

Perhaps but I could see a lot of visiting fans from opposing teams flying in for entire series. If the Jays were to play a 3 game set there that would be a pretty fun excuse to go to Vegas.

[bendera3]

People visiting Vegas are likely 25-50 and looking for entertainment. The Florida crowd is 55+ looking for warmth and 5pm dinners.

 

I get that but I don't think an average fan would want to go to a game in Vegas unless they are playing their team. That's all. And I agree with Term, that would be a really cool thing to do, and could possibly be a fun marketing thing.

[Brownie19]

I get that but I don't think an average fan would want to go to a game in Vegas unless they are playing their team. That's all. And I agree with Term, that would be a really cool thing to do, and could possibly be a fun marketing thing.

 

They said the same thing about the Golden Knights. Now to be fair - way more home games and a much bigger venue; however, none of those concerns played out for the hockey team (although their immediate winning probably helped also).

[Terminator]

The Raiders are going to do well but they will never have a home field advantage. The visiting team fans are going to be as loud or louder every game.

[John_Havok]

He also mentioned Portland, Vegas, Nashville and Charlotte by name. It'd be cool to get the Expos back; putting them in the same division with the Jays could be pretty cool.

 

I think Vegas would be a good spot as well.

 

Playing in Vegas in the summer would suck. So fuggin hot

[Krylian]

Playing in Vegas in the summer would suck. So fuggin hot

 

True....But it's a dry heat. Or so people keep telling me.

[Slade]

 

Deal not that good without May but they did get a decent return for a 2 month rental.

[John_Havok]

True....But it's a dry heat. Or so people keep telling me.

 

So is an oven...

[Krylian]

So is an oven...

 

Oh. I know. I've been there. It's like being on fire

[John_Havok]

Oh. I know. I've been there. It's like being on fire

 

As have I. And I live in a place where it was 37 degees today... it sucks.

[King]

Has anyone seen this Trout vs. Manfred situation? My God, Manfred is a moron.

 

Manfred apparently threw Trout under the bus in an interview about his marketability and the Angels had to release a statement backing Trout up.

[glory]

Every major sports show/channel has covered Kawhi Leonard going to the Raptors over the MLB All star game, and I'm talking the US media. A mid season trade in basketball when the season doesn't start for another 4 months trumped the all star game for baseball.

 

Baseball is slowly becoming a regional sport, much like hockey. It will be big in the specific areas but mainstream will fade into obscurity. We are already starting to see it. Manfred has the right idea trying to appeal to the younger crowd, but unfortunately he's a moron so he's going about it all wrong (no one cares about the pitch clock, shifts, etc). Market the damn stars better. That would be a good start.

[5minutesforframing]

Every major sports show/channel has covered Kawhi Leonard going to the Raptors over the MLB All star game, and I'm talking the US media. A mid season trade in basketball when the season doesn't start for another 4 months trumped the all star game for baseball.

 

Baseball is slowly becoming a regional sport, much like hockey. It will be big in the specific areas but mainstream will fade into obscurity. We are already starting to see it. Manfred has the right idea trying to appeal to the younger crowd, but unfortunately he's a moron so he's going about it all wrong (no one cares about the pitch clock, shifts, etc). Market the damn stars better. That would be a good start.

 

You're comparing a blockbuster trade that includes a top 5 player and top 20 player in the league to a meaningless game that no one (even most fans of the sport) cares about.

 

To put it in perspective what would get more press - that trade or the pro bowl? Would you say the NFL is just a regional sport?

[King]

Has anyone checked on Roy Firestone lately? The Orioles are a disaster and I'm worried for his well being.

[43211234]

Has anyone checked on Roy Firestone lately? The Orioles are a disaster and I'm worried for his well being.

 

Just checked Orioles Hangout after reading your post.

 

Apparently Roy is composing some loving verses for Manny: http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32511-manny-machado-appreciation-thread/&page=4&tab=comments#comment-2341295

 

He wasn't always Mr. hustle. He wasnt always poised or calm.He had a bad temper and short fuse.He was ready to fight. He was immature, and sometimes rough around the edges.

 

He didn't always play "The Oriole way".

 

But when he made those plays at third base...from halfway to the visiting dugout making throws, turning his body into a lunging, contorting,spearing, diving, whirling dervish, using his size and athleticism, and coming up with plays that even Brooks has told me, he "couldn't make"...thats what I'll miss.

 

When he was at the plate, and you were reading the paper or distracted for just a moment or two in an otherwise dull game....he made you stop what you were doing and pay attention.

 

Put the paper down. Pause from what you were doing.

 

Watch Manny do something you just don't see much any more.

 

The walk off grand slam against the Angels. His third homer in the game.

 

In the field, he could make plays that made you want to look at on the DVR and roll back over and over again.Frame by frame.

 

'Theres no way any human being can do what he just did'.

 

Those kind of players come once in a generation...maybe once in a lifetime.

 

Maybe he was never going to stay in Baltimore like Brooks, and Palmer and Cal Jr. Some players are made for bigger stages, bigger contracts, bigger moments. At 26, there should be many for Manny.

 

Baltimore is a proud town. A hard working, multi cultural town, but lets face it. Baltimore isn't Broadway. It isn't La-La. Its blue collar, and not a destination point for athletic genius.

 

And so Manny leaves for something bigger, flashier, a much bigger bank account. He saddens some and disappointed others.

 

But its his right.

 

He gave us all he had.

 

And what he gave us was something I'll never forget.

 

Good luck Manny.

 

I live in LA and I'll come out and I'll watch my kid's team..the Dodgers..because you are on it.

 

And you are my friend. If you want, I'll show you where to eat, where to live.

 

If you want.

 

But you will find your way, whether its in LA or wherever you go.

 

And Oriole fans like me and the folks reading this, will start over again and hope to see something amazing, and electrifying, and original...like you.

 

But theres only one Manny.

 

And he's gone.

[Orgfiller]

He's right in that Manny Machado didn't play "The Orioles way", he's actually really good at baseball.

[glory]

You're comparing a blockbuster trade that includes a top 5 player and top 20 player in the league to a meaningless game that no one (even most fans of the sport) cares about.

 

To put it in perspective what would get more press - that trade or the pro bowl? Would you say the NFL is just a regional sport?

 

True, but this was baseball's time to take some spotlight with no other major sports happening, and one trade (albeit a huge one) completely killed it. There was more talk of Hader than baseball itself (the AS game, the second half, the Machado trade, etc).

 

Mainstream just doesn't care about baseball anymore. That's why I sympathize with Manfred a bit, but he's just the wrong guy to facilitate the changes the league needs.

[Spanky99]

Has anyone seen this Trout vs. Manfred situation? My God, Manfred is a moron.

 

Manfred apparently threw Trout under the bus in an interview about his marketability and the Angels had to release a statement backing Trout up.

 

Do tell, frendo?

[Krylian]

Well...you don't really hear about Trout being an ******* or getting in trouble on Social Media so he is a little boring. If only he were more like Marcus Stroman...everything would be coming up roses.