Reds baseball...
I read an editorial today by the Lantern, OSU's daily paper, about the Reds. I didn't think it was very good, mainly because of this one sentence that was written describing the Reds' new search for a GM, but also because of the author's new-found optimism for an owner who hasn't made any transactions yet except for firing Jim O'Brien, something that should have been done awhile ago.
Three ideas in this article really made me think, so here they are.
Idea 1: "While Schott did care about winning and lost money to put divisional champions on the field with the last available talent in 1994 and 1995, Lindner was an owner that just bought the team to keep it in local hands and didn't want to lose money."
True. Lindner had no idea how to run a franchise, I'll give you that. But Lindner did have some idea of how to treat fans, and genuinely (I think, anyway) cared about Reds fans. That might explain why he gave away so many Reds tickets. Reds ticket prices are even affordable, though perhaps not Pareto-optimal.
Idea 2: "Castellini told reporters at a Friday press conference that he plans on keeping the payroll between $60-65 million and doesn't want to lose money. The key is spending money wisely - not over investing in offense, not under investing in pitching to hold leads."
Wait, this owner doesn't want to lose money either? Doesn't that sort of contradict one of your main beefs with Lindner? That's some glaring inconsistency with your essay. Additionally, I don't think that the Reds have ever "over-invested" in offense. As far as I know, Sean Casey, Adam Dunn, Wily Mo, Austin Kearns, Edwin Encarnacion, Felipe Lopez, Rich Aurilia, and those other guys came pretty reasonably, seeing as they were young and couldn't get contracts of market value. Casey was expensive, but I'm finally convinced that he's good enough to get the money he was paid, so I'm cool with that. In fact, other than the Barry Larkin mistake, the Reds have been rather stingy on the offense.
Now, what about Griffey? He was hurt, and at the time, it was a phenomenal move. Two of his six years have been quite dynamic, and he's the face of the franchise. Like it or not, he's a Red for life.
Idea 3: "The new general manager needs to be someone who has proven that a farm system can be rebuilt, but at the same time is creative enough to make moves at the big league level to at least put a contending team on the field."
I'm not sure what this sentence is trying to say. We need a guy good at rebuilding farm systems, and we need a guy who puts a contender on the field every year? In short, we want Billy Beane, Mark Shapiro, or John Schuerholz. Doesn't every team need one of those guys? It's sort of like saying we need Mark Prior or David Wright. Of course that's a true statement, but it's hardly a specific, valid comment.
Look, I don't want it to look like I'm ripping the dude from the Lantern because I really think it's difficult to write articles in this day and age that don't deteriorate into slang and opinions. After all, that's half my blog, and half this article. But I can differentiate between facts and unsubstantiated opinions when it comes to sports, and I'll point them out when I feel like it.
Three ideas in this article really made me think, so here they are.
Idea 1: "While Schott did care about winning and lost money to put divisional champions on the field with the last available talent in 1994 and 1995, Lindner was an owner that just bought the team to keep it in local hands and didn't want to lose money."
True. Lindner had no idea how to run a franchise, I'll give you that. But Lindner did have some idea of how to treat fans, and genuinely (I think, anyway) cared about Reds fans. That might explain why he gave away so many Reds tickets. Reds ticket prices are even affordable, though perhaps not Pareto-optimal.
Idea 2: "Castellini told reporters at a Friday press conference that he plans on keeping the payroll between $60-65 million and doesn't want to lose money. The key is spending money wisely - not over investing in offense, not under investing in pitching to hold leads."
Wait, this owner doesn't want to lose money either? Doesn't that sort of contradict one of your main beefs with Lindner? That's some glaring inconsistency with your essay. Additionally, I don't think that the Reds have ever "over-invested" in offense. As far as I know, Sean Casey, Adam Dunn, Wily Mo, Austin Kearns, Edwin Encarnacion, Felipe Lopez, Rich Aurilia, and those other guys came pretty reasonably, seeing as they were young and couldn't get contracts of market value. Casey was expensive, but I'm finally convinced that he's good enough to get the money he was paid, so I'm cool with that. In fact, other than the Barry Larkin mistake, the Reds have been rather stingy on the offense.
Now, what about Griffey? He was hurt, and at the time, it was a phenomenal move. Two of his six years have been quite dynamic, and he's the face of the franchise. Like it or not, he's a Red for life.
Idea 3: "The new general manager needs to be someone who has proven that a farm system can be rebuilt, but at the same time is creative enough to make moves at the big league level to at least put a contending team on the field."
I'm not sure what this sentence is trying to say. We need a guy good at rebuilding farm systems, and we need a guy who puts a contender on the field every year? In short, we want Billy Beane, Mark Shapiro, or John Schuerholz. Doesn't every team need one of those guys? It's sort of like saying we need Mark Prior or David Wright. Of course that's a true statement, but it's hardly a specific, valid comment.
Look, I don't want it to look like I'm ripping the dude from the Lantern because I really think it's difficult to write articles in this day and age that don't deteriorate into slang and opinions. After all, that's half my blog, and half this article. But I can differentiate between facts and unsubstantiated opinions when it comes to sports, and I'll point them out when I feel like it.
posted by mike at 8:25 PM
3 Comments:
All I have to say about the Reds is that Jay Bruce will rise like a phoenix from the ashes (c'mon blue refractor).
Also, have you heard the new Wolf Parade album? It is wonderful.
That was not a rhetorical question.
I've only heard the Wolf Parade album once. I would like to hear it again sometime.
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