MADISON AVE, NYC – From the day Rob Manfred took the job of Major League Baseball Commissioner his main objective was to bring the MLB game back to the kids. That was nine years ago. The question here and now is: How’s he doing with that?
To get to the answer, let’s start with another question: What is more of a bullsh*t event, Jackie Robinson Day, or last Sunday’s Little League Classic? The hype and press coverage was all good, but the problem is everything goes back to normal the next day.
The gambling odds are back in order. The stats are understood by economics majors… and the players are shielded away from the kids. When it comes to Jackie’s Day, the African Americans are forgotten the next day, even though they are by far the superior players. For years, the home run leaders after Babe Ruth were Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Frank Robinson. Need I say more?
MLB is so full of it when it tries to prove that they’re doing the right thing by throwing a one day event. Let me remind them that it’s a seven month season and these youngsters are in bed by the time the last out is recorded. MLB should have taken a survey among these Little Leaguers to find out what their postseason highlights are. Most would have answered that they
were in bed by the 5th inning.
If you are trying to bring the game back to the kids, then why are the gates not open so they can see their home team take batting practice? Why are bleacher seats fifty dollars at Yankee Stadium?
MLB needs to put some dignity back in this once great game. They need to go to the neighborhood parks and see that no one is playing baseball. No one is watching baseball, the All-Star Game was proof of that. They also need to realize that Women’s Basketball is more popular right now.
The Commissioner might be a nice guy, but as the puppet to the owners he has to realize that a one day hype job isn’t fooling anyone. One day dedicated to the kids and African Americans isn’t enough.
That’s all I got for you for today. Drop a dime below and come back tomorrow for Joltin’ Jake Sternberg. And check this out: