MLB Insider

January 27, 2009

Time for Changes… MLB Network… Rumors and More

One hundred and one years ago the Baseball Writers’ Association of America was formed to improve the working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20^th century.  The BBWAA is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites.

Their primary function is to work with MLB and the individual teams to assure clubhouse and press box access for it’s’ members.  Additionally, BBWAA members also votes annually for the MVP, Cy Young, Manager of the Year and Rookie of the Year Awards… at last, but not least elect players to the Hall of Fame, provided that they have had 10-years continuance membership in good-standing before eligible to vote or are honorary voting members.

Over the years, the BBWAA has been criticized for being behind the times when it comes to membership.  In the early years, newspapers were the dominant means of obtaining the all the news that was fit to print.  Most cities carried two, three or even four daily newspapers with many writers and reporters covering everything and anything under the sun.

When it came to sports, cities that hosted professional teams would have handfuls of reporters and writers covering each and every team, regardless of the sport.   It was commonplace for a “Daily” to have four or five journalists following the team.

As time progressed into the 20^th century, television came into being and the local dailies began seeing the effects.  Readership was down as homes began adding televisions.  Readers would now watch games inside of listening to them on radio or reading about them.  The newspapers no longer were the means to getting the news.  Newspapers began laying off writers, many went bankrupt and no longer did cities like New York have their five dailies.

By the end of the 20^th century and start of the 21^st, the Internet more or less became the number one means of addressing the news – especially sports for the fans.  Fans from all over could do a simple search and find news, sports or just about anything else with a few clicks of the computer keyboard.

Considering the availability of the internet, it amazed me that it took the BBWAA years to include Web-based journalists (2007), albeit there is only a handful.  But, what is more disturbing is that the BBWAA hasn’t broadened its membership to the broadcasters and the researchers – two vital entities. 

As mentioned earlier, a BBWAA member must wait ten years before he/she has voting privileges.  Hopefully during the waiting years, they have seen some if not all of the players on a ballot when it comes time for them to vote.

Unfortunately though, that’s not the case – as in recent years some members announced that they couldn’t vote for said player because they had not seen him play enough.  Talk about a cop-out answer.  Did they not have access to the internet?  Did they not have access to the wire news?  Did they not have the eyes to read out-of-town newspapers?  Did they not have access to a television?

The BBWAA in my opinion is doing a disservice by not allowing more Web-based journalists to become members but more so for not including the broadcasters and researchers.

Broadcasters see more games than anyone else and they pay much closer attention to the game than the writers.  If you have never been in a press box then you haven’t a clue as to what the writers’ are actually doing… nine out of ten writers covering the game are working on other stories, surfing the net and even watching out-of-town games while the game they’re supposed to be covering is going on.  

The broadcaster on the other hand, is actually watching the game and keeping score, taking notes etc.  They don’t have the time or the opportunity to surf the net or watch out-of-town games.  There are some that feel broadcasters couldn’t be impartial when it came time for a vote, because they’re employees of the team… another cop-out answer.  How about the writers that are employed by a company that owns the team… The Tribune Company owns the Cubs, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.  How about the New York Times that owns a minority interest in the Red Sox?   

Could it have been to have Phil Rizzuto, Ralph Kiner, Harry Carey or the handful of other broadcasters from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s to have a vote?  Would it be such a bad thing today to have some of the broadcasters like Jon Miller, Dave Niehaus or Harry Kalas to have a vote?  I didn’t include Vin Scully because he has a vote as a member of the Veteran’s Committee.

Researchers do just that, they research every statistic available for every player from all levels of the game.  Many indeed do attend numerous games and have more insight into players than even a writer has. 

The Elias Sports Bureau is the primary source of statistics for ESPN and as well national newspapers and magazines, many websites and for dozens of broadcasters of MLB, NBA and NHL telecasts.  They’ve been around since 1913 providing historical research and statistical services for most of professional sports.

They are also the Official Statistician for Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Arena Football League.

Would it be a disservice to include members of the Elias Sports Bureau to the BBWAA?  I think not – matter of fact, they could probably be of great assistance.

There are plenty of devoted writers that are members of the BBWAA… some even cherish the fact that they can vote, some even agonize over their votes.  But then there are some that are columnists and editors who rarely, if ever attend games and couldn’t care less because they don’t care for baseball any longer, yet they vote.

The BBWAA needs to step up to the plate and get with the times.  They need to remove the “dead” weights, they need to include more web-based journalists and more importantly, they need to get away from the “Good Old Boy” network.

MLB Network

When I heard that Major League Baseball was going to launch its own network a few years back I was very excited.  Being a diehard baseball fan, the off-season was always a drag.  Surfing the internet for anything baseball was the only way to get baseball in blood.   I couldn’t wait for the start of “Baseball Tonight” on ESPN to begin during spring training.

Finally, on January 1^st, Major League Baseball followed the NFL, NBA and NHL unveiling its own channel – the MLB Network.  With its 50-million subscribers, the Network had the largest launch in the history of cable programming. 

After a 2-minute welcome from Commissioner Bud Selig the network opened with its “Hot Stove” studio show, followed by the original broadcast of Don Larson’s perfect Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.  Finally after years of anticipation I had baseball 24/7.

Set in beautiful state-of-the-art studios (Studio 42 and 3) named for Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth, the “Hot Stove” gives viewers the feeling of being inside the studio. Take for instance Studio 42, which features a large baseball diamond on which the analysts use for demonstrations of plays etc.  The visuals surpass anything that I’ve ever seen on television.

The major show during the off-season is “The Hot Stove,” with studio host Matt Vasgersian, studio analysts Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter, Joe Magrane and reporters Trenni Kusnierek (former FSN reporter) and Hazel Mae (former NESN reporter), and a handful of other studio analysts that appear on the show as well.  Basically, this show is a poor man’s rip-off of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight.

Over the years I’ve come to enjoy Baseball Tonight, despite John Kruk or some of the other studio analysts they have, but watching and listening to MLBs Hot Stove show these days is just plain boring.  By no means am I entertained… Harold Reynolds is the lead studio analyst and after a week, I have had enough of him.

Reynolds has this tendency of making ludicrous statements with such conviction that after a while you think he’s right because of being an ex-ballplayer.  He’ll do this over and over no matter who the other analysts are by his side.  For instance, enough of the discussion on Barry Bonds – we have all come to learn that you want him on your team… and the same can be said about some of the other free agents that are still available.

One would think that being an ex-player would give you better insight to the hot stove talk.  Unfortunately, with Reynolds flapping his yap all the time it’s hard for studio analysts Mitch Williams and Al Leiter to get a word in edge wise and give their analysis.

Matt Vasgersian, the lead host is okay – but he’s very bland and needs to spice it up.  I can’t imagine listening to him calling San Diego Padre baseball games, which he’s done for the past seven years. Studio reporters Hazel Mae and Trenni Kusnierek have been okay, but it would be nice to see them more often.

Overall the Hot Stove show hasn’t been done anything for me… as for the rest of the programming; it’s been okay, but nothing spectacular to say the least.

I guess that I had much higher expectations for the MLB Network.  Honestly, I’m bored stiff before reaching the halfway point of most shows.  I’m tired every time that I tune in that I’m seeing yet another rerun of the same show I had seen earlier in the day or days before.  There’s been enough coverage of the Yankees and Red Sox to last a lifetime… how much more do we really need to see?

Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy watching some of the old games… but how about showcasing some of the majors other teams once and awhile.

I really don’t know what I had expected from the MLB Network, but it sure wasn’t this… especially after all the hype weeks before the launch.  I imagine that once the kinks are worked out and the season gets underway things will change – at least I sincerely hope so.

Rumors and More

According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent starter Tom Glavine is expected to meet with Braves GM Frank Wren this week.  Wren wants a progress report on Glavine’s health; apparently Glavine received a positive report from Dr. James Andrews recently.  Glavine would have to battle for the fifth starter job in Atlanta.

Crasnick also writes that free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu has lowered his expectations to the three-year, $10-11-million range of Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley. 

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are pursuing free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez, with their most recent discussion having occurred late last week. He adds that two other clubs are also pursuing Gonzalez for a fourth outfielder type role.  Kovacevic says the Bucs are eyeing other free agent outfielders as well. 

ESPN’s Keith Law reports that Brandon Lyon turned down more lucrative offers for a chance to close in Detroit.

Nationals GM Jim Bowden says that a Tom Glavine signing is unlikely.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Nomar Garciaparra and Rich Aurilia are two right-hand hitters the Phillies remain interested in signing.

Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says a baseball source confirmed that the Sox have presented Jason Varitek with a January 31^st deadline to accept or decline their most recent proposal, which gave the player a pair of options to choose from.   According to another source, Varitek has the choice of picking between either a straight one-year, $5-million contract or a one-year offer for a guaranteed $5- million with a dual option for 2010.

Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com believes that a Cubs sale could catalyze a trade with San Diego that would include Jake Peavy.  Bloom notes that neither team has re-engaged the topic, but sources suggested the move looks like a matter of when, not if, based on various developments.

Marlins Fans get out those calendars and circle Friday, February 13^th – yes, that’s correct – Friday the 13^th.   That’s the day when the Miami-Dade Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the remaining contracts that would give the Marlins a home of their own.

County Manager George Burgess released the five contracts needed to close the deal Tuesday, saying the Marlins agreed to a host of concessions that make the $515-million stadium plan much easier to accept at the county level.

Among the changes in the agreement:

• If Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria sells the team in the seven years after the agreement has been reached, the county would almost double its share of any profits.

• The ball club’s $2.3-million a year in rent will go up by 2 percent each year.

• Extra costs due to scheduling or problems between the contractor and subcontractors will now be paid by the Marlins.

The Marlins consistently among the lowest salaried teams in Major League Baseball have complained for years of the bad deal they get from renting Dolphin Stadium from H. Wayne Huizenga.

They hope to be able to play in a 37,000 seat, retractable-roof stadium by Opening Day 2012.  It will include 1,000 standing room only tickets. The team’s lease at Dolphin Stadium runs out after 2011, but Marlins executives hope to renegotiate for another year with soon-to-be new Dolphin owner Stephen Ross.

To finance the stadium, the county will spend $347-million in mostly tourist created taxes, the city will spend $13-million and the Marlins will pony up $155-million, though $35-million of that will be fronted by the county and repaid through rent payments.