|
A Hit Or A Swing And A Miss?
Taking a Swing at Baseball's Biggest Issues
Will Wrigley Field be hosting a World Series in 2010?
Far beyond whether or not the Yankees can repeat, if the Mets are (really) for real or whether or not the Cubbies finally win a World Series, are these other issues facing Major League Baseball as it enters its new season.
Here are the Top 10 Questions for 2010 from PubClub.com's columnist, the ones he feels baseball fans should be asking themselves, the league, their favorite players and their teams.
1.) Will I Care About Baseball in 2010?
I am a huge fan of the game, but not at all a fan of what has become of the game. The tainted McGwire-Sosa home run duel, the continual revelation of performance-enhancing use by superstars such as A-Rod and Manny and the rundown of my hometown team, the once-revered Los Angeles Dodgers, have worn me down.
The Dodgers, do, however, promise to be quite exciting off the field. There is a very public and messy divorce taking place at the top and each party is very openly jockeying for public support. We're not even sure who the owner is at this point. Is it Frank? Is is Jamie? Stay tuned, more trashing of my former spouse to come! On March 6, The Los Angeles Times reported that combined attorney fees alone are as much as $19 million. That's more than the salary of the Dodgers starting infield. Thank goodness NBC is not televising this drama, or it would be tape delayed to prime time.
How big of a hit will baseball take from the current economic situation?
2.) How Will The Economy Affect Attendance?
In Detroit, certainly significantly. Attending a sporting event in the Motor City is going to take a backseat to more pressing financial issues, like buying groceries. In other areas this is going to be a factor, as well, especially the first part of the season until the economy makes more of a recovery, the summer months arrive and the habit of going to the 'ol ballpark returns.
3.) Who Is the Next Big Name Player To Get Caught?
It's going to happen. It is an inevitable as an error. The only questions are "who" and "how many."
4.) Why Is Mark McGwire Still the Cardinals' Hitting Coach?
He should be banned from the game, not rewarded with a job in the Bigs. He cheated and he lied. And, apparently, got away with it. That's some lesson the game is teaching kids.
5.) Will All The Clean Players Please Step Forward?
Some players are saying they are tired of everyone assuming they are guilty every time the steroids topic comes up and another player gets caught. Well here's a novel idea – just come out and say you're clean! Welcome inquiries, tests, interviews with past trainers, doctors, brothers, etc. In this era of baseball it should be up to the players to prove they are pure because frankly, it's too easy to assume everyone is not.
PubClubette Rose Arzate takes in an Angels game – with no beer!
6.) Can Fans Get A Break on Beer Prices?
In San Francisco, a domestic beer is $8.75. $8.75!? At least that's for 20 ounces. In Fenway, it's $7.25 for 12. A 12-ounce "premium" beer at an Angels game will set you back close to $10. Stadium concession prices are always high – it's the American way – but it's out of hand at many ballparks. And it's not just the beer that's overpriced, it's everything to eat and drink. Teams are even charging move for "premium" games. Go see the Pirates while they are in town and get in at regular price. Want to see a team that can actually play the game, like the Yankees, and it's going to cost you handsomely. So owners, at the very least, give us a break on the beer!
7.) Will the Dodgers Get Their Act Together And Act Like The Dodgers?
Granted, this is an LA-slanted question but every baseball fan should care about the answer, for this once-proud franchise is becoming harder and harder to cheer for, let alone watch. The owner – whoever he or she is – has their eye off the ball with this messy divorce. They changed the parking, the road uniforms (they say "Los Angeles" on the front instead of "Dodgers") among many other things and, being outsiders from the East Coast, were never a good fit here in the first place.
8.) Is the World Series Going to Carry On Until November Again?
Last year's Fall "Used to Be A" Classic ended on Nov. 4. That's two weeks too long. Some high school football teams are already in the playoffs by that time. What baseball should do is shorten the regular season by 10 games since the playoffs involve wild card teams. Like that will ever happen.
Angel Stadium, site of this year's All-Star game.
9.) Will the All-Star Game End in a Tie?
With Bud Selig as commissioner, anything is possible. Actually, the question should be When Will Baseball Get Rid of the World Series Home FIeld Advantage Rule? It was a silly overreaction to a rare situation created in large part by managers feeling obligated to play everyone and depleting the roster for critical situations. Play everyone in a blowout, sure, but the manager should manage to win. This year's All-Star game, by the way, is July 13 at Angel Stadium.
10.) Will the Cubbies Win the World Series?
They are strong up the middle – an essential element to playing winning baseball – and are in a very forgiving division. But no, they won't win the World Series. Why? Easy – they are the Cubbies! They DO, however, play in the best environment in baseball and one of the best in all of sports, Wrigley Field.
Come back during the 2010 season as I answer these questions, and any more that may arise before the World Series finally ends.
Send a comment to be posted. The Bartender can be reached at bartender@pubclub.com
PubClub Sports Home Page
|