Dale Lature: Bloggin' Baseball

Dempster is a nightmare. I think HE needs to be sent down and Reitsma brought back up.

The linescore today : 4 inings, 10 hits, 10 runs , all earned. He's messed up. Big time. He had the support today, AGAIN, and he couldn't even hold the opposition. The Reds have scored 8 inside 6 innings, and may still lose if they can't coma all the way back. Time for some serious rehab. We can't afford anymore of this futility.

You don't see stuff like this reported on the front pages, but ESPN at least had a link to it. Makes me not want to trust anybody.

ESPN.com: MLB - MLB lawyer: Progress made on revenue sharing

Representatives for the baseball owners and the players' union met Friday after taking Thursday off and Rob Manfred, the owners' top labor lawyer, told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the sides have made substantial progress on revenue sharing over the past 1½ weeks.

Take that , Griffey bashers!
<%radio.macros.imageref ("images/griffeyHR0801.jpg")%>	Major League Baseball News Griffey's home run downs Dodgers 13-inning affair includes a controversial ejection By Chris Haft / MLB.com

Griffey wears the laurel of hero FINALLY! Maybe things will begin to swing his way, with the health, and with the fans who have chosen to give him a hard time! 2-run walk off shot in the bottom of the 13th! Just minutes ago.

Barely over a week after he throws the Reds first complete game of the season, he's in the bullpen and now in the minors? Am I missing something?

Reds activate White and option Reitsma to minors. Sports Network Jul 31 2002 4:32PM ET [Moreover - Sports: baseball news]

More "metfans site shutdown" blogs:

SportsFilter | Comments on 659: "MLBP orders a Mets fansite to shut down for copyright violation and cybersquatting. Next all fans will be sued for copyright violation for wearing team shirts and hats. It is getting easier and easier to turn my back on Major League baseball. posted by srboisvert to Baseball at 11:00 AM CST (3 comments total)"

Another point of Cluelessness MLB, bouncing off the closing remark from this blog:

The Trademark Blog: "Finally, as a practice pointer for folk with clients in the sports and entertainment field, you have to be really careful how you deal with fans, because you never want to see your demand letters posted on a website. It would seem that getting the fan sites into a web ring would circumvent a lot of this agita."

That would seem quite logical to people who know something about the Web audience. MLB has been at it for at least a year now, which for me began with their taking away the rights of radio stations to do Internet broadcasts of their teams games. I am a huge Reds fan, who moved out of town 5 years ago. In 1999, when the Reds were last in the race, I was able to tune into broadcasts with my net connection. Suddenly, there was this page coming up saying I had to subscroibe to Real Networks or MLB plus (or some such program) for 19.95. NO way! With all the bad PR going on, some of this shit needs rolling back and restored, to make some small gesture of goodwill toward the fans (which will be moot anyway).

Negotiate THIS Don Fehr!

More blogs on the MLB vs FanSite furor:

The Trademark Blog: "Kiner's Corner on Metsonline.net I became aware of a dispute regarding metsonline.net through Dave via Ernie. Apparently, Major League Baseball has sent a demand letter to a guy who is running a Mets fan site. Ernie asked me for my two cents."

More crazy stuff about the metsonline.net: The link to Slate shows a link to a page that is also gone, apparently also asked by MLB to not post their rude message to "cease and desist". What a bunch of bozos. They don't deserve to be in charge of baseball. They're obviously clueless about the help such sites as this give them. Clueless also about baseball itself apprently.

Instapundit.com:: "July 30, 2002 BASEBALL TO FANS: UP YOURS! As reader Bill McCabe puts it: "On the eve of a strike, Major League Baseball shows its love for the fans by sending a Cease & Desist Order to a fan site dedicated to the New York Mets." They don't think of 'em as fans, Bill. They think of 'em as sheep to be fleeced, just the way the folks at the RIAA and MPAA think of music and movie overs. UPDATE: Slate has picked up on the story. Posted by Glenn Reynolds at July 30, 2002 10:03 AM"

Bloggin' Baseball! I'm lookin' for a good Reds blog. I'm bloggin' a little baseball, but it's not my only passion, so it woudn't be as elaborate. But I love the idea. Dave apparently does too.

Thanks to Glenn Reynolds for the link to metsonline.net. As a Mets fan since 1962, I think it's great that sites like this exist and are flourishing. Like Bryan Hoch, the webmaster, I also run websites as a labor of love, and know there isn't generally a whole lot of money left over after you pay for bandwidth. I totally believe Hoch, a college student, when he says he isn't making money. The site clearly disclaims that it is not representative of the Mets or Major League Baseball. If you go deeper you see that Hoch contributed his time for free to help the Mets improve their own site, before all sites were taken over by MLB in 2001 (what a bad idea, why can't teams differentiate themselves based on the quality of their community sites). Now of course there's another side to it, so let's keep an open mind. But to the owners of the Mets, please remember, it's the fans that make it work, and it's pretty clear that this website is from the fans, for the fans and the team, and that's a good thing. [Scripting News]

Noooooooo! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Rolen traded to Cardinals. FOXSports.com Jul 29 2002 6:52PM ET [Moreover - Sports: baseball news]

Cubs blow six-run lead to Cards -- lose on Renteria's homer. FOXSports.com Jul 29 2002 0:42AM ET [Moreover - Sports: baseball news]

All within 12 or so hours of each other! Not a good sign for gainin' ground! The Cardinals, with money enough to have hopes of signing Rolen long-term, got the nod, and added Dave Timlin to the pot as well. Sigh........

This would be a bad sign for the Reds, especially after it was first rumored that the Reds were working something up. But, I don't know where they'd get the money. They also have 2 more years on Larkin's big contract, and the up and coming Brandon Larson. Oh well.

Phillies reportedly close to dealing Rolen to Cardinals. Sports Network Jul 27 2002 8:48PM ET [Moreover - Sports: baseball news]

Why couldn't he just say what he was obviously thinking "No, I don't want to come to Cincinnati?" Then say the very next day he's open to going somewhere, after saying "I promised my family!" You know what? That's all about Rogers. Go Mohler.

Rogers wins, says trade still possible - The Rangers were set to send Rogers to the Reds this week for three minor leaguers, but the left-hander cited family concerns and invoked his no-trade clause.

ESPN.com: MLB - Standings at trade deadline often tell final result By Alan Schwarz

What a bunch of malarky.....I only have to think back 3 years to my own team's situation in the standings to refute this. He's giving all these stats about who's in first July 31 ,by how many, and how many of those in first and second and third end up winning the thing.

Since divisional play began in 1969 (not including strike years of 1981 and 1994), of the 139 teams that have finished atop their division, 101 were already in first place or tied for first after games of July 31. And 27 of the 38 who came back from below hit the trading deadline 3½ games or less from the lead (see accompanying chart).

from the chart:

7/31 gb	teams	finish1st	pct
0-½	159	107	67
1-1½	19	8	42
2-2½	21	3	14
3-3½	31	10	32
4-4½	37	2	5

So, right now, the Reds are 3 1/2 back. That's even better than 2 games back! They just gained a game and a half! Any glance at the chart has exactly ONE striking bit of infiormation, and it ain't how surprised we should be that 101 of 139 teams that were in first place July 31 actually finished first (that means over 1/3 of them didn't), but somehow, when you move from 2-2.5 games back to 3-3.5, the number of teams that came back from those deficits jumps from 3 to 10! What it means it statistics are entirely random , and that 3.5 is basically a nothin' lead. Not to say I wouldn't rather be 3.5 up, but in 1999, the Reds not only trailed July 31, but most of the year, and often at around 3, and even fell 4 and a half back in mid-September, and still overtoook the Astros only to fall into a tie with the Mets for the wild card. Up, down, up down. So far, the Reds have been up 5, down 4, down 1, down 4.5, and now its 3.5.

Another huge hole in this grandiose satisitical condundrum:

The dropoff after 3½ games is severe: Of the 105 teams that entered August between 4-6½ games back, just six (5.7 percent) came back to finish in first place. It turns out that teams 4-6½ games back at the deadline have been more than three times as likely to finish 10 games out as opposed to 3½ games or less.

Which kindof overlooks how there is NO dropoff whatsoever from 2-2.5 to 3-3.5, in fact there is a dramtic reversal. That was conveniently skipped over, for it kind of betrays how impossibly random it is.

I guess I read the article though, didn't I?

Here ya go Fehr, owners, and company. Chew on this one a while:

Baseball's issues give sponsors pause -- The Washington Times: "Baseball's issues give sponsors pause By Eric Fisher THE WASHINGTON TIMES Baseball fans are growing increasingly nervous as the game heads toward a potential ninth work stoppage since 1972. So, too, are the corporations that are investing more than $200million this season to be connected with Major League Baseball on a national level. "

The "strength" of baseball? Baseball as a game, maybe, but MLB is what we're talking about. Then, MLB has impact, and the marketing of the game is what SELLS so much to kids, not all of it great, but the constant prescence of the game as I was growing up, and the family trips to see the Reds, including trips to the '70 and '72 world series.....all of that was golden. This guy misses all that , I think. Yeah, people will trickle back, but my disgust will cut so much deeper. I think of the titles of programs like "When It Was A Game", and I am deeply nostalgic for the less "millionaire laden game". It was only 30 years ago when Pete Rose became the first non-homerun hitter to make (gasp) $100,000. Inflation and growth have not been so kind (or so cruel, in this case) to anything else like it has professional sports. Anyway, the article which spawned all this:

The Miami Herald | 07/24/2002 | Save your breath: Baseball is as tough as hide that covers it

Rogers to Seattle instead of Cincnnati? If so Kenny, you're a liar and disgust me with your "family" reason.

The Sports Network - Major League Baseball: "Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Kenny Rogers could be making his final start for the Rangers tonight while possibly facing his future team when Texas meets the Seattle Mariners in the second of a three-game series at Safeco Field. "

Ok, so I've been avoiding the spectre of a strike......but now I'm seeing all these news articles.....and I'm thinking "Somebody better get a clue that there will BE NO return from this. Not ever. What you're giving up now is not a few months of extreme fan frustration and staying away, and a longer, more drawn out 3-4 year underlying disillusionment, able to be almost dispelled by the dramtics of the Homerun race in 98, both somewhat "ride-able"........now we're talkin' total disgust.......no more large crowds......ANYWHERE......even more dramatic loss of revenues in baseball souveniers as the sense of wonder and nostalgia dissolves into a disdain for the absolute decadence perceived by 99% of the fans for whining millionaires saying that can't pay their bills , or sobbing owners saying they can't afford all this and then turn right around almost immediately after that previous strike and spend even more ridiculous amounts. NOBODY feels for either side. We just wanna see baseball.

I'd like to see all the it all "started over". Like Billy Crystal's ('do over") from CitySlickers. Draft the entire league all over, like we used to do with Strat-o-Matic ( a baseball strategy board game based on real player stats) ....and have all the teams rosters filled in by a turn-by-turn 30-round draft. Have a salary cap. Instead of doing "throw-back uniforms" we have throw back salaries.

I think that even the most materialistic of players would cave, that is, if they are really players, and play for less, say a mere six figures? Ok, 1.1 million. Geez. Either that , dudes, or maybe, pump gas. Thing is, most of them have made so damn much already, they probably don't have to work another day in their lives, unless they were like , real stupid with their money (like spending more than they should) , which some of them probably were, and still are?

It's all such nonsense. Do they really think people will come back anywhere close to as fast as last time? Noone can be sure, but I maybe the fans should give them a taste prior to strike. If there's a date set, then set some "here's what you can do with yer strike" fan strikes could be set, and we could say to them "Here it is and then some if you do this; owners, players, whoever....get it gear and settle it or you both lose and lose BIG, cuz that's who deserves to lose, and not the fans, you low-life scum!

Ah, baseball, we'll miss you. Spokesman-Review.com Jul 24 2002 4:31PM ET [Moreover - Sports: baseball news]

Rogers says no, so Reds get Moehler. May still be dealing thru the deadline (see below). I hope Moehler shines so Rogers can be forgotten --- fast. What a wimp. He'd better stay put now and not end up somewhere else, after all this "family talk". He's a free agent after this year anyway. Goofball!

Plan B: Reds get Moehler. ESPN.com Jul 23 2002 8:00PM ET [Moreover - Sports: baseball news]

Interesting rumor fromthe Reds-beat reporter in Dayton

Dayton Daily News | Reds Report
Reds notes: Bowden could reel in Phillies' Scott Rolen before July ends

I am so appalled at how utterly bad Major League Umpires have gotten. Time after time I see plays right in front of these clueless umps at home plate where they call runners out on the basis of when the ball got there rather than whether or ot the tag was made before any part of the runner can touch home. Tonight, on ESPN, in the Giants Cardinals game, a runner comes to the plate on a grounder to third. The throw beats them easily, but the catcher does NOT block the plate, stands over the plate and swipe tags the runner as they slide by, feet out on front, and the tag is applied on the shoulder as the feet have slid right past the catcher, right onto the plate AND over, and not only does the umpire give the non-shallant out call, but the announcers say "why did he come home? That wasn't even close" , even while the replay plays the play again in the background showing the runner sliding cleanly across the plate, with a swipe tag FOLLOWING them . It's utterly amazing that announcers can watch this and say nothing. I shake my head.

Rats! Comeon' Kenny! I understand as a person, but as A Reds fan: ComeON!

Rogers puts Reds on hold. The Cincinnati Reds have worked out an agreement to acquire Kenny Rogers from the Texas Rangers, but the veteran lefthander has put the deal on hold. Rogers has a no-trade clause in his contract and is still deciding on whether to waive it and accept the deal. [UPI - Sports Desk]

from Cincinnati Reds News:

Rogers will decide by Monday

Rangers lefty weighs whether to waive no-trade clause

from The Official Site of the Cincinnati Reds

Below, Rogers tagging a future-teammate? (Reds catcher Jason LaRue)

Reds wait for word from Rogers
Kenny Rogers (right) may be helping the Reds soon, not trying to prevent them from scoring. (Tim Sharp/AP)	Hungry for starting pitching, the Reds have reached an agreement in principle with the Rangers to acquire starting pitcher Kenny Rogers, the 37-year-old, who's 10-5 with a 3.39 ERA. But Rogers told reporters in Oakland that he wanted to consult his family as he weighed his options and might not announce his plans until Monday. Full story >

I heard a while ago on ESPN that he won't be sayhing until tomorrow (maybe tonight , though, on Baseball Tonight or something). If anybody sees anything, let me know. The Reds need him (that is, if he does whathe's been doing thus far this year .......

Reds wait for word from Rogers. Major League Baseball Jul 21 2002 6:46PM ET [Moreover - Sports: baseball news]