MLB Off-Topic

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

As much as people hate Manfred, I've liked lots of stuff he's done. Runner on 2nd rule is one of the things I hate, but pitch clock is absolutely the best rule he's implemented. Games ending in around 2.5 hours is such a breath of fresh air.And they just signed a 10 year deal with the NHL to be their official authentic jersey sponsor. Not gonna sit well with fans at all.

I've seen Fanatics NHL and NBA jerseys and they're horrible. Apparently the NBA one was so bad that their own arena stores didn't want to sell them. Fanatics ones seem to be more popular with women's jerseys since the adult/men's sizing/quality isn't as "female friendly".

Is this Fanatics the same that bought out Topps cards? I haven't been crazy about the base set in forever but I saw the 2024 base earlier this week and its already my favorite of the at least five years.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Is this Fanatics the same that bought out Topps cards? I haven't been crazy about the base set in forever but I saw the 2024 base earlier this week and its already my favorite of the at least five years.

Fanatics products in general I actually do like, even though so much of it is literally just copy and paste but with specific team colours and logo, but they're just controlling too much of the market in general

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Fanatics products in general I actually do like, even though so much of it is literally just copy and paste but with specific team colours and logo, but they're just controlling too much of the market in general

Yeah, they pretty much have a monopoly on sports fan gear. All of the league and team sites seem to be run by Fanatics.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Yeah, they pretty much have a monopoly on sports fan gear. All of the league and team sites seem to be run by Fanatics.

It's crazy how fast it all happened too.

They only existed since 2011 and within 5 or so years they started getting deals in every major league.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...missioner-2029
Manfred stepping down in 2029. Good Riddance!

While this is fantastic, so much can happen in the next five years, and so much damage has already been done. Not just in the rules, but the overall narrative.

**** this guy.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Salt Lake City put out some renderings of their proposed "Power District" including a Major League stadium, in an effort to attract MLB expansion.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Salt Lake City put out some renderings of their proposed "Power District" including a Major League stadium, in an effort to attract MLB expansion.

They could quickly be trying to get a bunch of teams.

Seems like they have a shot of getting an NHL team possibly as early as next year (or in another decade...) and aiming for expansion, if they do get an NHL team then one of their other pitches to the MLB is having teams in 2 of the big 4.

[Master Live 013]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I would like for someone to do a list of these renderings for the Big 4 sports with before and after photos to see how close/ if they truly deliver on what they promise including all the surrounding goodies they usually pledge to build like hotels, community centers etc.

[slickdtc]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Salt Lake City put out some renderings of their proposed "Power District" including a Major League stadium, in an effort to attract MLB expansion.

Utah / SLC is one of my favorite places I’ve been in the US.

Forgot they hosted the Olympics in 2002, so I’m sure they can handle it.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Manfred mentions possibility of Toronto getting the ASG in 2027 (would be their 50th anniversary, and just a few years removed from their biggest stadium renovations since the dome opened). That definitely makes the most sense. Jays haven't hosted the game since BEFORE they even won a WS!

Also mentioned the Cubs possibly getting thr 2028 ASG. Cubs haven't hosted since 1990 (Maddux and Dawson were Cubs, Sosa wasn't yet, that's how long it's been).

Good to see them spreading out the cities again. After that, only the Rays, Os and Red Sox (I'm not including As since they'll be gone) remain as teams who haven't hosted since before 2002. Os with new ownership will probably try for an ASG, and Boston deserves one too. Tropicana for sure won't host an ASG until the Rays are in the new ballpark whether it be in Tampa or some other relocated city.

Utah / SLC is one of my favorite places I’ve been in the US.

Forgot they hosted the Olympics in 2002, so I’m sure they can handle it.

They're in the running for an Olympics in 2030 as well.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

It’s a shame what injuries have done to Mike Trout; it’s so easy to forget his greatness already.

I was reading a CBS baseball article about Acuna’s contract talk yesterday and the author stated “Acuna is not quite as good as young Trout.” I thought…ya, but they have to be pretty close. Then he showed a chart comparing the two players through their age 25 seasons…wow, not even close.

Trout had a 172 OPS+ and 55 WAR…Acuna is a 141 OPS+ and 25 WAR. Granted, because of injuries and COVID Acuna has over 1,000 fewer plate appearances than Trout did, so the WAR would be/should be higher…but the level young Trout played at was something to behold.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

It’s a shame what injuries have done to Mike Trout; it’s so easy to forget his greatness already.

I was reading a CBS baseball article about Acuna’s contract talk yesterday and the author stated “Acuna is not quite as good as young Trout.” I thought…ya, but they have to be pretty close. Then he showed a chart comparing the two players through their age 25 seasons…wow, not even close.

Trout had a 172 OPS+ and 55 WAR…Acuna is a 141 OPS+ and 25 WAR. Granted, because of injuries and COVID Acuna has over 1,000 fewer plate appearances than Trout did, so the WAR would be/should be higher…but the level young Trout played at was something to behold.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

And what's also something to ponder, as great as Trout and Acuna are, the Angels can't even get a sniff of the World Series, and the World Champion Atlanta didn't even have a winning record in 21 when Acuna went down for the season. Great numbers are great and all, but they aren't the thing that makes baseball great.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Random rabbit hole I went down.

Selig was gonna contract the Twins AND Expos in 2002?!

What would baseball have looked like with 28 teams after just expanding 4 years prior?

A dispersal draft would've been insane too.

Ortiz, Hunter, Pierzynski, Santana, Guardado, Guerrero, Vidro being part of that?

[Dead2009]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Random rabbit hole I went down.

Selig was gonna contract the Twins AND Expos in 2002?!

What would baseball have looked like with 28 teams after just expanding 4 years prior?

A dispersal draft would've been insane too.

Ortiz, Hunter, Pierzynski, Santana, Guardado, Guerrero, Vidro being part of that?

I remember that. They werent in a hurry to get new stadiums so MLB was like **** it you're done.

Speaking of the Expos....

Nationals no longer for sale, principal owner Mark Lerner says

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39558981/nationals-no-longer-sale-principal-owner-mark-lerner-says

[Master Live 013]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

That was when the Twins had their magical season, went to the playoffs.