9 Comments

Oakland was on the good end of a much-hated A's move in 1968, so why shouldn't they be on the bad end of one now? It's not as if anyone out there attends their games anyway.

I agree with you about Bumgarner. I've never understood the whole thing about hating somebody because they are really, really good at their job. There has to be more than that. Obviously there are behavioral cues but they also have to display genuinely arrogant attitudes. Or else make it clear that they don't care about what they're doing at all, but few of those are great at their jobs to begin with. (Think Jonathan Sanchez and Ross Gload, quite possibly my two most hated Royals of all time.)

One final observation: you're right. That was definitely a rambling column! 😸 Thanks for taking my mind off the catastrophe that is the Royals 2023 season so far, even if only for a few minutes!

Expand full comment

Finley was a jerk, but the move worked out for everyone. The relationship out there between fans and team hasn’t been the smoothest but they will support the team when ownership supports it as well. And that stadium has been awful for over 55 years.

Expand full comment

The thing that pissed me off about Charles F Finley was that he took the A's away from us just as they were on the verge of becoming really, really good. And while the rat-filled sewage-infested Alameda County Coliseum was an appropriate home for the Raiders and their fans, it was certainly no place for Major League baseball. Even dumpy old Municipal Stadium here in KC was a better venue.

Expand full comment

Mr. B, thx for playing up the Pirates. I've always loved their uni's and their gorgeous park. I am so stinking old I remember their '79 Series against Baltimore as one of the classics. PS - thanks bunches for "red assery." You're the best.

Expand full comment

Thanks Terry! The ‘79 Series was a classic. So was ‘71. 😉

Expand full comment

I’m cautiously optimistic about the Royals; they won last night, maybe they can win again 🤔

Also I’m getting quite a bit of fun out of the Cardinals pitching problems. That one seemed really predictable. I think the Royals can split with the Cards this year. 🎉

Expand full comment

I would love to buy into last night being some sort of kick in the pants that gets this team going. I’ve fallen into that trap more than once.

I’m enjoying the rough start in St Louis and will continue to hope the Cards are on the sidelines in October.

Expand full comment

Judge Landis must be spinning in his grave with the news of an MLB team heading to America's gambling capital. I'm probably wrong, but I wonder how well a team will do there. I expect a lot of visiting fans there for the novelty (much like the Raiders experience) and I doubt there is a large local fanbase right now. If they're not good, it seems like the locals would lose interest quickly with all the other things to do there.

Expand full comment

I’m just not a fan of these leagues cozying up to the bookmakers. And I think you’re spot on about the fan base. There are a lot of things working against Vegas as an MLB market I think. We shall see.

Expand full comment