The other day Peter Gammons, as he often does, threw out a random and somewhat shocking comment when talking about the progress teams are making in signing their first round picks:
If you are the Royals, not only are your revenues light, but the commissioner's office has threatened to take away your 2012 All-Star Game if you go ahead with the agreements you have in place with two high picks.
That just kind of sat out there for a few days. Yesterday Sam Mellinger tried to debunk it, noting that he's heard nothing that would confirm such a threat, but spent more time explaining why the Royals can get away with paying a bit above slot for their picks without getting in trouble with the commish.
I love him and you love him, but is anyone asking Gammons to elaborate on his claim? Because if Selig really is threatening to pulll the 2012 All-Star Game over signing bonuses, that's pretty damn major. If he's not, then how on Earth is Gammons getting away with making such an audacious claim?
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Hate to say it, but "Unnamed Source" is probably the culprit. And considering reporters would rather protect their source(s) than throw his/her name out there, we'll never know who is behind it. I think we can all agree that Gammons wouldn't just say it to get a rise out of people.
I don't really want Gammons to give up his source here. I just want someone to ask MLB if they are, in fact, holding the All-Star Game hostage like this. If they deny it, great, go back to Gammons and ask him if he stands by his story. If he does, other people in the media should be investigating it with their own sources and making a big stink out of it. If Gammons backtracks, Jesus, isn't it a big deal that one of the biggest names in baseball journalism is doing shoddy reporting?
I know there's a "well, he's Peter Gammons and we all love him" sentiment out there. And I share it to some degree. But if a blogger had thrown that out and it doesn't check out, he'd be crucified by now.
But Craig - He's Peter Gammons and we all love him. Leave Grandpa alone.
"Don't make me move the 2012 All-Star Game to Milwaukee! Don't make me do it! You think I don't want to see All-Star Sausage Races? Well?? Do ya, punk?"
Freedom of speech Craig, it's not only for Sports Writers, as you may believe. Google it, you may be surprised. You should have your License to write about SPORTS REVOKED.
Whose freedom, Hot Rod? If Gammons is wrong, there's a possibility (albeit an unlikely one) of libel, which is judicially-recognized exception to the freedom of speech. If you're referring instead to Selig's alleged actions (i.e. threatening to harm the Royals if they don't agree to a fixed signing bonus price) we're talking about something that is illegal, which also isn't protected under the first amendment.
And how dare you suggest I don't believe in the freedom of speech for everyone? I allow you to post your moronic ramblings all over the place when most people would revoke your commenting privilges on the grounds of you being a blithering idiot. Hell, I'm like the founding f*cking fathers when it comes to you.
you are an idiot.
Craig,
While I agree with the sentiment you express about Hot Rod, you came on too strong there. Why don't you change your comment so that you skewer Hot Rod without inviting criticism back onto yourself for the WAY that you've done it.
You have to have a license to write about sports?
I hope there isn't a pee test, I would have to change dream jobs:-)
Travis -- I rarely if ever go to that extent, but Hot Rod has been on these comments since the blog launched, has routinely said outrageous and hostile things to both me and many other commenters, and he has more than earned those barbs.
Now Craig, any of us who routinely blogs here knows all about Hot Rod. So the extent of your attacks is not necessary. Vent frustration sure, insult him some ya, but don't alienate yourself in a barrage. There has yet to be a single blogger defend Hot Rod on anything. He is a moron, and this has become common knowledge.
I like to imagine you as the Button Gwinnett of the founding fathers because ofyour Braves ties. Just don't go dueling with Hot Rod. It didn't work out too well for Mr. Gwinnett.
Actually, I think the Founding F@!!# Fathers would have used their muskets and bayonets on Hot Rod.
Moronic...blithering idiot? Craig, are you talking about Hot Rod or yourself? And the last sentence is exactly why Gammons has his job and you have yours.
Gammons is senile & overrated. I heard him rag on Pete Rose the other night but he's willing to give Balco Barry & all the other PED cheaters a free pass. Time to hit the rockin'chair ya old gas bag.
Agreed. Gammons hasn't been worth reading for years now.
Betting on baseball (especially betting on games involving your own team) is 10,000 times worse than using PEDs.
I've not ever taken journalism or anything, but I sometimes wonder when reporters quote unnamed sources if they're just asserting some asinine comment they pulled out of their own @$$. I mean, I'm sure 'unnamed sources' are sometimes leaks and don't want to be identified, but Gammons is weird. Who would just make something like that up....the guy who wondered if that Devin Hester could run a punt back against a real bear, that's who.
This wouldn't suprise me in the least. Seems to me if anyone is senile or "clueless" here (or for quite a while) it's Bud.
Consider that Bud didn't know anything and has continued to lie about knowing steroids were an issue in MLB? Consider that Bud uses an exhibition game to determine home field advantage in the World Series? Consider all the bigger market clubs with new unfilled "regular season" stadiums see a missed revenue that have to be bashing Bud's ear about playing in KC, in a 40 year old facility? Consider all the other stupid and clueless things he does! Seems to me it's a testament to baseball and the following of the fans that it continues to prosper despite clueless "Bud".
Peter (Grandpa) seems to be respected/trusted/connected enough and I'm sure he's checked, verified, and is comfortable with what he said.
Is it possible that Peter saw the chance to step in and make sure MLB ("Bud") actually does something right for the game and honor their commitment to KC?
As much as I distrust Bud's objectivity and overall leadership skills, I can't believe for a minute that there could be any truth to the rumor that the All-Star Game would be pulled over something like signing bonuses. If there were some sudden safety concern over the stadium, I could see it. If there were some other event scheduled in Kansas City that created insurmountable problems with procuring hotel rooms, I could see it. Unless there is a show-stopping issue with the stadium, security, or infrastructure, I have to believe that Kansas City will be hosting the 2012 All-Star Game.
Besides, I'm sure Bud would have to go into the back and talk it over with his sales manager before making any changes to the deal.
Craig,
How would threatening to withhold the AS game in any way be illegal? MLB (as do all other sports) enjoys the greatest exemption of all, antitrust exemption. Selig's alleged threat, while wholly violative of the antitrust laws under section one of the Sherman act and probably section six of the clayton act (tying, i forget the exact section), wouldn't run afoul of the laws right? I mean, what would you get him on, extortion?
Oh, and by the way, Hot Rod is an idiot, and while I completely agree with your post and reaction (being the hot tempered Italian that I am, believe me I know of flying off the handle every once in a while), I say that from now on, just tell him to refer to your comment posted here, and number it (much like interrogatories). To wit: "Hot Rod, refer to answer number one."
oops, should have read the title to your post. well, at least its not as much of an oversight to not reading the title to motions from the opposition before summarily countering them.
Actually, 3LT, I don't think it would technically be extortion as that term is defined in the criminal law. I mean, yes, it's extortion in that he's applying pressure to get something, but it's not like that would form the basis of a prosecution.
I mean illegal in an antitrust sense. Yes, they have an exemption, but it's not as great as everyone thinks it is. Courts have basically limited it to dealing with team and franchise location, and even that's on shaky legal ground. The antitrust exemption is perhaps the most misunderstood thing about baseball.
I'd normally agree with your legal points, but see NCAA v Board of Regents. Also, after Trinko, Leegin, and the rest of the Antitrust cases decided by SCOTUS that year, its nearly impossible to prove anticompetitive conduct/injury.
Selig has to go this was going to be Royal's year and looked like it for awhile. With Grienke or whatever his name doing so well you'd think they'd be the next Rays, but things got down and quickly. the year after Selig leaves Royals will more than likely win the World Series how it's been going. Kansas City deserves to be in the playoffs sooner or later just like the Cubs need to be in a World Series. It's got to happen.
Craig, I just want to say that I love you for what you said to Hot Rod. I just about shot milk out my nose.
somehow, I'm not surprised that Selig would make those comments. His whole agenda has always been to make the Brewers more competitive. only until recently (after they replaced their GM) did they actually become more competitive. selig is a joke of a commissioner, and should be banned from baseball moreso than Pete Rose. as long as Selig is commissioner, I could never root for the brewers in any situation.
being the commissioner means that you have to fair an unbiased. he fails both of these attirbutes.