2019 Misc MLB News

[homer]

If you didn't hate the Cardinals enough already, head over to Twitter and watch Mike Schilt's profanity-laced post game speech after they beat the Braves. To sum it up for you, the Braves "started something" and the Cardinals "finished it" (you can mentally add a bunch of F bombs where ever you like to get the full feel of it).

 

What it must feel like to a member of the Cardinals where you view everything that happens on the field through the lens of respect or playing the "right way" or any other crap. If you haven't yet, go read "Three Nights in August" to get in the head of Tony LaRussa. One of the things he laments in the book is how every time one of his batters get hit he needs to decide if it was on purpose and how and when to retaliate. Nothing would make me happier than to see that whole organization burned to the ground and the ashes shot into the sun.

 

Also, Molina had a bat flip to end all bat flips. Moron.

 

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/10/nlds-cardinals-braves-yadier-molina-epic-bat-flip

[RollieTime]

If you didn't hate the Cardinals enough already, head over to Twitter and watch Mike Schilt's profanity-laced post game speech after they beat the Braves. To sum it up for you, the Braves "started something" and the Cardinals "finished it" (you can mentally add a bunch of F bombs where ever you like to get the full feel of it).

 

What it must feel like to a member of the Cardinals where you view everything that happens on the field through the lens of respect or playing the "right way" or any other crap. If you haven't yet, go read "Three Nights in August" to get in the head of Tony LaRussa. One of the things he laments in the book is how every time one of his batters get hit he needs to decide if it was on purpose and how and when to retaliate. Nothing would make me happier than to see that whole organization burned to the ground and the ashes shot into the sun.

 

Also, Molina had a bat flip to end all bat flips. Moron.

 

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/10/nlds-cardinals-braves-yadier-molina-epic-bat-flip

 

I thought of this exact scenario. Cardinals have their own double standard on things. It’s only disrespectful if it’s against them. I can only imagine the postgame comments from the Cardinals’ clubhouse if someone else were to do that after beating them.

[jerichoholicninja]

If you didn't hate the Cardinals enough already, head over to Twitter and watch Mike Schilt's profanity-laced post game speech after they beat the Braves. To sum it up for you, the Braves "started something" and the Cardinals "finished it" (you can mentally add a bunch of F bombs where ever you like to get the full feel of it).

 

What it must feel like to a member of the Cardinals where you view everything that happens on the field through the lens of respect or playing the "right way" or any other crap. If you haven't yet, go read "Three Nights in August" to get in the head of Tony LaRussa. One of the things he laments in the book is how every time one of his batters get hit he needs to decide if it was on purpose and how and when to retaliate. Nothing would make me happier than to see that whole organization burned to the ground and the ashes shot into the sun.

 

Also, Molina had a bat flip to end all bat flips. Moron.

 

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/10/nlds-cardinals-braves-yadier-molina-epic-bat-flip

 

I thought of this exact scenario. Cardinals have their own double standard on things. It’s only disrespectful if it’s against them. I can only imagine the postgame comments from the Cardinals’ clubhouse if someone else were to do that after beating them.

 

I can't wait till Molina is gone. Biggest piece of trash to ever step on a baseball field. The final Saturday of the season his antics led to the benches clearing against the Cubs. Hamels lightly grazed his jersey on a pitch that was probably an inch off the plate. Hamels immediately turned around disgusted with himself for the pitch while Molina immediately started jaw jacking at him. Like really. Get over yourself trash bag.

[Thurston Fluff]

This is the first decade since 1910 -19 that the Yankees didn't appear in a single World Series.

[MadThinker88]

This is the first decade since 1910 -19 that the Yankees didn't appear in a single World Series.

 

O Happy Day!

 

[RollieTime]

After winning the ALCS, Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman turned to a group of 3 female reporters in the locker room after the game and yelled roughly half a dozen times “Thank God we got Osuna! I’m so glad we got Osuna!”. This was after Osuna blew the save in the 9th inning. Taubman appeared to be directing his statement mostly toward a woman that was wearing a bracelet to raise awareness for domestic violence. Another Astros employee also reportedly apologized to the women for Taubman’s behavior immediately after the outburst.

 

The Astros were aggressive in their defense of Taubman, stating “The story posted by Sports Illustrated is misleading and completely irresponsible. An Astros player was being asked questions about a difficult outing. Our executive was supporting the player during a difficult time. His comments had everything to do about the game situation that just occurred and nothing else – they were also not directed toward any specific reporters. We are extremely disappointed in Sports Illustrated’s attempt to fabricate a story where one does not exist”.

 

Taubman issued a statement on Tuesday saying “This past Saturday, during our clubhouse celebration, I used inappropriate language for which I am deeply sorry and embarrassed. In retrospect, I realized that my comments were unprofessional and inappropriate. My overexuberance in support of a player has been misinterpreted as a demonstration of a regressive attitude about an important social issue. Those that know me know that I am a progressive and charitable member of the community, and a loving and committed husband and father. I hope that those who do not know me understand that the Sports Illustrated article does not reflect who I am or my values. I am sorry if anyone was offended by my actions”.

 

Major League Baseball has stated that they will be investigating the incident. From what I have read, the Astros have still not retracted their statement on Taubman. Taubman himself has admitted to the accusations and released a statement about it, but the Astros have still not yet released a statement either apologizing to the reporters or retracting their initial statement.

 

In my opinion, Taubman’s apology was a non-apology. He doesn’t have true remorse for his actions and is only sorry if people are offended by his statement. The Astros have created their own firestorm around their franchise and deserve all the backlash that is going to be heading their way. They should of stated that there would be an internal investigation and leave it at that. But deliberately throwing the reporter under the bus after she was verbally attacked by a front office member and saying that she is lying about the information is just plain pathetic. Especially when Taubman’s sole intent of targeting her was because of her involvement in domestic violence issues.

 

I don’t see how Taubman keeps his job and I don’t see why anyone else would ever want to touch him with a 100 foot pole after how he handled himself and shown the world how insensitive he is about domestic violence.

[KeithStone53151]

I saw some news on this too. Im kinda shocked that video hasn't surfaced considering how many cameras must have been in there. For me personally, that probably means these allegations are fairly exaggerated. If there was a good video clip that was overly damaging of his case, it would probably have surfaced by now. Video clips showing the allegations to be exaggerated likely would conveniently not surface.

 

I doubt Taubman gets fired, but it's probably very unlikely he works his way into a GM role anytime soon...if ever. He would probably be a top choice before this situation, but there are so many other qualified options that it would be fairly silly to even consider him after this. No team wants to hire the guy appearing to be nasty towards women.

[RollieTime]

There has been multiple other reporters that have verified Taubman’s actions after the game. And Taubman not denying what was stated is big in his admittance to what was said. If he truly didn’t say what the reporters are saying he did, he would definitely be defending himself. I think he knows it’s not looking good for him so he’s hoping it’ll just blow over quickly by “apologizing”, but this is something that will be talked about for a long time.

[JimH5]

Talk about derailing your career! A guy in his mid 30s who is already the Assistant General Manager, on a winning team at the forefront of a data explosion, and at least for now, he's untouchable.

 

It's never a good thing when a guy who was virtually anonymous to the general public makes this kind of first impression. We've learned in recent days that the Astros front office is seen as arrogant. Now we know they're also tone deaf and vindictive.

[MadThinker88]

Talk about derailing your career! A guy in his mid 30s who is already the Assistant General Manager, on a winning team at the forefront of a data explosion, and at least for now, he's untouchable.

 

It's never a good thing when a guy who was virtually anonymous to the general public makes this kind of first impression. We've learned in recent days that the Astros front office is seen as arrogant. Now we know they're also tone deaf and vindictive.

 

Well said...

Completely agree.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

If that idiot has aspirations to be a MLB GM, that dream is over, and for good reason. His name is toxic now. How completely tone deaf and arrogant could someone possibly be? People don't forget about this sort of thing in today's easily-searchable media climate.

 

Of course, the Astros were the team to look past Osuna's dirtball past when they dealt for him, so perhaps he'll maintain his soft landing spot.

[jerichoholicninja]

Have we learned nothing from professional sports over the last few years? Everyone will put on a sad face and say they are sorry or outraged or whatever else and move on and forget about it in a few weeks. Maybe this guy never gets a GM job but I doubt this is going to keep him out of front office jobs.

[pacopete4]

Have we learned nothing from professional sports over the last few years? Everyone will put on a sad face and say they are sorry or outraged or whatever else and move on and forget about it in a few weeks. Maybe this guy never gets a GM job but I doubt this is going to keep him out of front office jobs.

 

Correct. And what an odd scenario to boot.

[JimH5]

Have we learned nothing from professional sports over the last few years? Everyone will put on a sad face and say they are sorry or outraged or whatever else and move on and forget about it in a few weeks. Maybe this guy never gets a GM job but I doubt this is going to keep him out of front office jobs.

 

I'm not sure if that really applies to front office people. The Ivies are pumping out guys like him every year. Taubman will still have Luhnow in his corner, but he was on the David Stearns track and could have been a GM at a lot of places. I don't think that's possible any longer.

 

And it's fitting that he is now the distressed asset that Osuna was when Houston got him at a discount. His career options are now limited because of his conduct.

[Eye Black]

Assuming the below reporting from NPR correspondent David Folkenflik is correct it sounds like the target for his aggression and Taubman’s motivation are fairly simple to figure out...

 

NEWS: Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman was targeting a female reporter wearing a purple bracelet on domestic violence.

 

She has tweeted frequently on domestic violence; he complained about her tweets offering info on domestic violence hotlines when Roberto Osuna appeared in Astros games in 2018.

[homer]

At the very least he's delayed his career advancement by several years

[Outlander]

Have we learned nothing from professional sports over the last few years? Everyone will put on a sad face and say they are sorry or outraged or whatever else and move on and forget about it in a few weeks. Maybe this guy never gets a GM job but I doubt this is going to keep him out of front office jobs.

I think we have and that is why his career has a good chance of being over.

[JimH5]

Things have changed a bit for this guy since Saturday night. He was on top of the world. Now his team is 0-2 in the World Series, headed on the road, and he's the pariah of the sport. He's the new Bartman, but one of his own making.

 

That is quite a drop.

[Patrick425]

If the arbiter sides with Bryant, then I'm not even sure why there is a collective bargaining agreement.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/kris-bryants-grievance-could-change-193216148.html

[Outlander]

When teams hold back players for super 2 I think it is harder to prove any wrong doing. However, Bryant might have a case since he missed the one year service time by a single day. I do think the collectively bargained agreement will still make it a tough but it is not a slam dunk that Bryant will be denied free agency next year.

[JimH5]

If the arbiter sides with Bryant, then I'm not even sure why there is a collective bargaining agreement.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/kris-bryants-grievance-could-change-193216148.html

 

I can't speak to Bryant's case specifically, but this tactic by clubs is so common that we all know what it means to "manipulate service time". Players are being held back for financial reasons only. As long as players are bound to one team, simply as a matter of being chosen in a draft, there should be some obligation on the team's part to promote them to MLB whenever they are ready. Instead, players are being held back a week or (in Bryant's case) a day, just to force a discount on future salary. He was in every way a major league caliber player while the Cubs had him on ice as he was when he debuted.

 

Whether that's a legal case, I don't know. But he was legally bound to a team not willing to pay him his worth, and that's a matter worth pursuing.

[wntrtxn21]

If the arbiter sides with Bryant, then I'm not even sure why there is a collective bargaining agreement.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/kris-bryants-grievance-could-change-193216148.html

 

I can't speak to Bryant's case specifically, but this tactic by clubs is so common that we all know what it means to "manipulate service time". Players are being held back for financial reasons only. As long as players are bound to one team, simply as a matter of being chosen in a draft, there should be some obligation on the team's part to promote them to MLB whenever they are ready. Instead, players are being held back a week or (in Bryant's case) a day, just to force a discount on future salary. He was in every way a major league caliber player while the Cubs had him on ice as he was when he debuted.

 

Whether that's a legal case, I don't know. But he was legally bound to a team not willing to pay him his worth, and that's a matter worth pursuing.

 

Be careful when saying a "major league caliber player" because it's in the eye of the beholder. Who is the judge for minor leaguers? Can an outside source force a team to promote a minor leaguer? Remember, for every player promoted another has to be cut. If the Dodgers have 4-5 major league caliber players in the minors and 26 major league caliber players on the 26-man roster, what are they to do? If that player who is cut is also determined to be a major league caliber player what do you do? A gigantic can of worms is being opened when a source other than the club can say who is and who isn't major league caliber.

[Outlander]

Right, in this case Mike Olt was put on the DL and Bryant recalled so they were giving Olt a shot until it was necessary to call up Bryant due to injury. However, I'm sure Bryant's team will argue that the Cubs waited to put Olt on the DL until there was no longer a service time issue with Bryant. Olt wasn't put on the DL right after he got injured and even played after injury.

[tmwiese55]

The dumbest part to me about the Houston thing is that Osuna blew that game and almost cost them that appearance. Obviously dumb regardless, but how even more moronic to be doing that after the guy blew the game. I mean, not that I'd condone at all, but at least I'd "get it" if Osuna came in the 8th with based loaded 0 outs, got out of it then went 123 in the 9th.

[Patrick425]

If the arbiter sides with Bryant, then I'm not even sure why there is a collective bargaining agreement.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/kris-bryants-grievance-could-change-193216148.html

 

I can't speak to Bryant's case specifically, but this tactic by clubs is so common that we all know what it means to "manipulate service time". Players are being held back for financial reasons only. As long as players are bound to one team, simply as a matter of being chosen in a draft, there should be some obligation on the team's part to promote them to MLB whenever they are ready. Instead, players are being held back a week or (in Bryant's case) a day, just to force a discount on future salary. He was in every way a major league caliber player while the Cubs had him on ice as he was when he debuted.

 

Whether that's a legal case, I don't know. But he was legally bound to a team not willing to pay him his worth, and that's a matter worth pursuing.

 

Legally bound to a team not willing to pay him his worth? Sounds like the Rickey Henderson argument back in the day. The key words there being "legally bound". They are paying him what was negotiated in his contract under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. They have no obligation to do anything other than that. If players don't believe the system is fair, then bring it to the table during the next round of collective bargaining, but don't whine and file a grievance about something that you previously bargained for.

 

Perhaps this will backfire on the Cubs and cause players to not want to sign with them going forward (or any other team that does this). Of course if that happened, I'm sure the players would be found guilty of colluding against the owners.....not.