Baseball, Blame, And What Should Be Done

As I begin to write this, it is 6:23 AM Eastern time on June 17, 2020.  In any other year, the Major League Baseball season would be in full swing at this point.  Nevertheless, because of greed and stubbornness on both sides of the table, we're still waiting to see the year's first pitch. 

By now, most fans are aware that the MLB players' union has reached an impasse with owners, mostly over...you guessed it...money.  It breaks down like this; owners say that the coronavirus pandemic has cost them millions of dollars, and that they are unable to pay players their full salaries (the owners have offered to pay seventy-five percent of player salaries this season).  The players have balked at this, refusing to play unless they are paid in full. 

Although both sides are to blame for the current stalemate, I put most of this matter on the players.  You see, it's all about the money.  The players' union says that they want to play..."tell us when and where"...but unless they get paid, players have no interest in returning to the field (1) .  If they did, we'd actually have some games in the news, rather than the bickering between players and owners.  

Let's be real here; players are massively overpaid for their services already.  Most Americans would be overjoyed to make even ten percent of the average MLB player's yearly pay.  That amount alone would come to a six-figure salary (per year).  The fact that the union is moaning over twenty-five percent of their salaries is mind-boggling to me.  

And apparently, the players have learned nothing from the last major work stoppage, in 1994 (that year ended without a World Series).  Then, as now, fans were disgusted over the sheer greed of players, who insisted on ever increasing salaries.  As such, when baseball came back for the 1995 season, many of the game's most loyal fans tuned out.  It was only the McGwire/Sosa home run chase (and the exploits of one Cal Ripken, Jr.) that saved MLB from total ruin (2) .  

Now back to our story.  Last week, the union walked out of negotiations with team owners, refusing to engage in further discussions.  This week, Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred declared his intent to unilaterally schedule games (this is one of the general powers given to the Commissioner by the owners).  It seems that the union's reply to this has been "not so fast", as they have threatened to file a labor grievance if/when this happens (3) .  As such, Major League Baseball is "between a rock and a hard place", so to speak.  

With the 2020 season in jeopardy, I believe it's time for Commissioner Manfred to make a tough decision, and hire replacement players.  This would send a clear message to the regular players; "you don't want to come back? Fine...the league will continue without you, and you may not have your job next season".  

Fans of Major League Baseball are tired of waiting for the resumption of league games.  If the players will not voluntarily return to work, it's time for the commissioner to have some guts, and call them on that.  Let's do what needs to be done; declare a schedule, get on the field, and "play ball"!

Venting

I just need to take a quick minute to vent here.  

In my capacity as a "citizen journalist", I have recently reached out to a...let's say, "underground"...political movement of the left.  

My purpose for doing so could be compared to the reason why the late Tom Snyder interviewed Charles Manson, or why CNN talked to Timothy McVeigh.  That is, I seek to understand the group and their motives; what do they believe, and what makes them tick? I'm trying to facilitate a bit of an understanding, if that's possible.  

Unfortunately, it seems that this group (who will remain unnamed for now) doesn't seem to want to talk to me.  It appears they are uninterested in having much of a public presence, or "dialogue".  Color me a bit disappointed by this; thus, I'm calling the group out.  If you really believe in nonviolence, and peacefully changing things (as you say you do), then let's chat.  What have you got to lose by doing so? Let's hear your story, straight from "the horse's mouth", so to speak.  Man up, and do something that takes a bit of courage.  

Advocating For Change

A few thoughts on free speech and free expression.

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you no doubt know that I am an ardent defender of free speech.  All Americans should be able to listen, learn, and express themselves in whatever manner they wish.  This is not simply an essential right, it is THE essential right, and what being an American is largely about. 

Sadly, it seems that if you are a student at my hometown's Fairfield Warde High School, you are not granted this important right.  School officials determine what you are allowed to say, and seemingly, what opinions you are permitted to have.  If you disobey them on such matters, you will quickly find yourself suspended, or even expelled (1).

Last year, I took the first step in attempting to change some of Warde's restrictive policies.   In May, I wrote a letter to then-Headmaster David Ebling, urging that Warde adopt a local version of the "Chicago Statement" (Note 1).    Unfortunately, Mr. Ebling failed to respond to my concerns, which I partially chalked up to the fact that his retirement was pending (2).

This past January, I again wrote Warde's Headmaster, now Mr. Paul Cavanna.  Once more, I described the Chicago Statement, and advocated for change (3).  Mr. Cavanna acknowledged receiving my e-mail on the subject, but (apparently) took no further action regarding the matter (4).

With the failure of my initial actions, I find that it's now time to "step up the game", so to speak.  In the coming weeks and months, I plan to write various op-eds/"letters to the editor" describing how Warde suppresses those that may disagree with the official line.  In addition, I am in the process of starting a petition, its purpose being to facilitate consideration of the "Chicago Statement" by school administrators.

Now, whether you agree with one's stated stances or not, all Americans deserve the right to express themselves.  It is this right that I seek to protect, and mount a vigorous defense of.  American students do not lose their rights "at the schoolhouse door", and the youth of Fairfield shouldn't either (5).

I'll keep you informed of further developments regarding this issue.

Note 1: In January 2015, the University of Chicago's "Committee on Freedom of Expression" authored a groundbreaking report called the "Chicago Statement".  In short, the Statement declares this; that all members of the college's community are guaranteed "the broadest possible latitude" to express themselves (6).

To The Class of 2020

Here we are again; another June brings another graduation season, albeit a different one than years past.  I'd like to share some things that I have learned over the years with you; allow me to beg your indulgence for a few moments (I'll spare you the paragraph or so about how "you've had it so rough"). 

• Ferris Bueller had it right when he said that "time goes by pretty fast" (1).  You think that you have all the time in the world; then, WHAM, you're pushing forty like me.  Nothing is guaranteed, not even tomorrow.  Therefore, take the time to experience all that life has to offer.  Make every day, every hour, every moment count...because you may never get another one.  

• Your teachers have probably told you that with a little hard work, you can change the world.  Hard work notwithstanding, don't try to change everything.  There are some things in this world that will never change, no matter what.  Attempting to change these things will only drive you crazy; they aren't worth losing your sanity over.  Instead, change what you can, where you can; don't worry about the rest.   

• Life is hard, and frequently unfair.  Sylvester Stallone (as "Rocky Balboa") put it better than I ever could.  In a quote from the movie "Rocky Balboa", he comments,

             "Life ain't all rainbows and butterflies.  It will bring you to your knees, and leave you there permanently if you let it....but it ain't about how hard you hit.  It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.  That's how winning is done!" (2)

             Every now and then, you will feel as if you have been "knocked to the canvas", so to speak.  In these moments, the best thing that you can do is to get up, brush yourself off, and "punch back".  Don't let a temporary setback or challenge knock you out.  Instead, learn from your mistakes, and turn defeats into victories.  

• At Fairfield Warde High School, there is a small mural that has been there since my high school days.  An inscription on the artwork quotes Polonius in Act I Scene III of "Hamlet"; "this above all, to thine own self be true" (3).  Have you ever wondered what the meaning of this quote could be? It is, simply, that you shouldn't waste time trying to be someone that you're not.  Rather, you should be your own person, and live your own life.  Don't forget that you, and only you, are the architect of your own future.  

For you, the Class of 2020, the end of your high school days draws near.  This is a time for celebration.  Soon, you will be able to throw your graduation caps in the air, as I myself did twenty years ago (yes, it's been that long).  You've come a long way; in four short years, you've gone from wide-eyed freshmen to being the "big people on campus".  Yes, you've done it; you've made your own way, and created your own traditions.  Don't forget that you, and only you, are the architect of your own future.  Break the mold, create the future, and have fun.  

I think that it is appropriate here to drop one last literary quote, that being William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus".  

"Out of the night which covers me

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.  

In the fell clutch of circumstance,

I have not winced nor cried aloud.  

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.  

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul." (4)

Congratulations to all.  

Thoughts, Part 2

More somewhat random thoughts that I'm having today. 

• Why is it that Major League Baseball players and owners can't get their act together, and come to an agreement regarding season structure? If you weren't aware, the two sides are embroiled in a stalemate, and there is now a very good chance that games won't be played this season.  Can't the two sides come to a compromise, get on the field, and "play ball"? 

By the way, the disagreement is about money....it's always about money.  It seems MLB (more specifically, the MLBPA player's union) has learned nothing from the strike of 1994. 

(That's actually all I've got right now....thought this would be longer.  More to come)

Thoughts, Part 1

Just a series of somewhat random thoughts.  Here's what's on my mind (not paying attention to usual grammar rules today....I'm angry)

(Part 1 of 2)

• I CANNOT STAND seeing businesses like Twitch, ESPN, the NFL, and many others bowing down to the leftist mob.  And seeing otherwise reasonable friends of mine accepting this...well, that makes me practically sick to my stomach.  

Everywhere I go, I see posts about "racism", "oppression", and "dialogue".  Let's be real for a moment. 

"Racism"? Every day, blacks do the same thing as what they're accusing whites of.  How many whites have been killed by blacks in the last month, do you think? Yet you never hear about THAT in the media. 

"Oppression"? In case you haven't noticed, blacks have more rights in America than they have in many other countries.  Try being black, or anyone for that matter, and attempting to establish a private business in Cuba.  News flash, people....IT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.  And that's not because the community says it's not, it's because the government says it's not...no matter who you are. 

And "dialogue"? Please don't make me laugh.  The left isn't interested in dialogue.  All they are interested in is getting their own way, come hell or high water.  Hey Facebook, how many conservatives are you going to censor today? And wasn't it an African-American "hero", Malcolm X by name, who first said "by any means necessary...the ballot, or the bullet"?

The real "inconvenient truth" is that the unrest we see is what the left has always wanted.  Did you know that the "ANTIFA" organization has been organizing riots for years, with their stated goal being to destroy "the system" (look up their history, I dare you....and don't use sources that clearly come from that group)?

They are the ones who started this.  Their so-called "leaders" want you to act like an animal, because that proves their point; that America is crap, and it's falling apart at the seams.  Don't stoop to their level; don't give them the "satisfaction" that they crave!