Squirrel

How many players have that kind of personality that would lend itself well to this? Who on the Twins? I'd be interested to see who would volunteer. (I would have said Esco, hands down, if he were still here ... but I don't think there is anyone on the team right now that has that kind of personality.) Sconnie ... I think once/week is too many ... maybe if MLB targeted a game once a week, each week involving different teams, that would be okay. But I most of the games on television, being not nearby the TC, I wouldn't want to watch that every week. And would that really draw in the teenaged/young crowd? They probably wouldn't watch it unless they were already following the player who was scheduled to do it.

I don't know who would make the club in his place ... I think that might depend on where he is in his recovery. If it's just a couple of weeks in extended ST (which I think it will be) ... then I think it's Cave. Kepler can man center for a short time period. But then ... I just don't know.

My sister is a doctor and said to be cautious, but not to panic. Wash hands regularly, keep contact to people and things to a minimum, use hand sanitizer or wipes if you can't wash, try not to touch your face ... you know ... pretty standard, common sense things. But it's just so new ... hard to know really what to think. I'm minimizing my use of public transportation and use of paper currency. (Things I pretty much do anyway.)

Let's keep this to one thread. And no, it is not a political thread or topic, so don't make it one.

As I said above ... I can see both sides. And I can. I work in an industry that is audience-driven and have been part of the discussion ... what can we do to bring in more people? ... for decades now. You have to try new things. You have to make the old seem new again. You have to equate it to each new generation, and you do that as many different ways as you can as you have generations. As I said, I think we should try the mic thing on a few games ... but certainly not all, and I hope it doesn't become 'standard', but it is something to try. What I don't want to see is baseball become 'schtick driven.' I agree that there is an aspect of 'dumbing down' ... and I've seen it in my own industry ... where we work hard to visually stimulate and entertain the audience, so that is what they focus on, and not the music, but the visual stimulation. There are programs that have failed, tremendously, because of too much of one, and not the other. But you try things ... you listen to both the audience and the performers. You try to find the right balance to try and promote what is at the core. But I do think baseball can and should promote the different personalities ... and surely there must be a way to accomplish this that doesn't mean the on-field action is compromised ... and that does NOT mean I think everyone should love and watch the game just as I do. But I still want to watch a game. I don't think we need something happening every minute of the game. But promote the personalities and the stars ... do it up far and wide ... and maybe people will come to watch those players do what they do best, play ball. But yeah, every once in a while, a good promotion and something novel to try, is a must as well.

Yes, it does matter. And I’m not suggesting that anyone needs to love the game as I love it, so please refrain from labeling people elitist and dismiss what is being said because some may have a counter thought. It’s rude. My point is ... we are teaching people to expect to be entertained instead of teaching them about baseball. I also said that I think it’s something to try, but I also don’t think we need to mic up every game.

Have to say, though ... most fans do love the changes now at Wrigley. And a lot of parks do still use live organ music ... they just mix it in. Live organ is still used on the south side at <What ever the name will be this year> Sox park. A real live organist plays at Target Field, too.

I get both sides. And maybe if they did this once in a while ... and not during every game ... it would be a fun experiment. But I do think we need to caution ... is this really getting the foot in the door toward a particular demographic to love the game? Or are we appealing to a demographic to love the schtick? Will the love of the game then follow the love of the schtick? What is the best way to make baseball appealing? Heck, I can't even get my friends to go to a game with me.

Didn't they mic up players during a game, or part of a game, last season? What am I remembering?

Madre dos passed away a few years ago.

They could still play but not open the stadium to the public

And now A-Rod has a thing or two to say ... https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/alex-rodriguez-rips-astros-for-showing-no-remorse-over-cheating-scandal/

I don't think the fans will let up on this any time soon; granted, it's only spring training and maybe it will die down once regular season play starts, but ... https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/03/a-fan-trolled-george-springer-with-a-curveball-call-before-he-struck-out

And Nick Gordon is in today's lineup ...

Considering he did that on a partial season, I'd say that was pretty darned good.

I don’t think it’s a lot, though. Yes, there are some, and I know of two off the top of my head. Most are the against it. I think intentionally throwing at someone is bad, and I don’t agree with it. I think unwritten rules, are for the most part, dumb. To relate this to the topic, I think despite not being okay with it, as I am, I think it will happen. And I am very interested how the commissioner handles it. The Astros players who cheated got off without any recourse because of the immunity granted. Many players have spoken out about how upset they are by the whole thing. I think it’s fair to be upset by it but that doesn’t mean most here agree with intentionally throwing at a batter is just.

I agree. But it’s also cowardly to cheat, too.

I honestly don’t see that it is a majority opinion on TD. There are one or two posters here and there that maybe think that that is the way to resolve it. Many feel, however, that the players involved should be fined or face some kind of punishment, and some have expressed that more strongly than others. This doesn’t necessarily mean they want to see bean balls thrown and anyone’s head. That is very few here. As for me, I think the players involved do deserve to face some form of punishment via MLB ... a fine, having their rings taken away, something. But I do not want to see players take matters into their own hands in such a way that could cause grievous harm. And while I don’t want to see that, and as opposed as I am to that happening, players out there are angry and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of this unwritten rules stuff comes into play. I am not a fan of unwritten rules. I’m not a fan of cheating either. And because MLB and the commissioner granted immunity, it seems as if these players got away with it, reaped all the rewards, and what ... nothing.

I don't think anyone here has said they are in favor of pitchers throwing at the Astros players. I think many of us think it will happen despite the dangers of it and not supporting it.

I'd like to see someone send their 10 yr old there and tell the person they promise not to drink and drive and see if they give him/her a coupon. And what's with this soda talk? It's pop!

I won't even get pessimistic until it's into late April. I figure he is going to be at extended ST into the first week or so of the season ... but who knows.

Yeah ... if he does that ... hmmm ... although can't imagine too many out there will want to jeopardize their own careers for that. I wouldn't. It wouldn't be worth it.

What I wonder, though, who is receiving the hbp ... if certain players might be getting plunked more than others?

I read he’s been cleared to play and we should see him before the week is out.

No. But you can tailgate. Sometimes you aren’t parked in the best spot to do that, but people do.