Curt Schilling, as always, is intent on making new friends among the baseball writers as well as the Hall of Fame itself. (Sarcasm). As previously reported, he did not make the Hall of Fame and apparently threw a little bit of a hissy fit. Meanwhile, his friends in the BBWAA are urging the Hall of Fame to put him on the ballot next year. This is probably about the “optics,” but a little part of me wonders if they want him on there so they can snub him again next year. He’s had some pretty famous spats with baseball writers in the past. For his own part, spin doctor extraordinaire Dan Haren officially states, “I’m REMOVING MYSELF from next year’s ballot and any going forward.” It looks like Curt Schilling is now a trend setter.
Angels Related Speculations
People are still predicting the Los Angeles Angels as a landing spot for Trevor Bauer. Zachary D. Rymer thinks he will get 5 years at $160 Million. You just don’t know who to believe, though.
“I Removed Myself. Oops!”
Zack Scott is the Mets acting General Manager effective immediately. Careful with those text messages there, Zack!
Somebody Else Removed Brodie
Though, Brodie probably had it coming. Brodie Van Wagenen got a job with ROCNation Sports. He will have to go through the whole process again to get certified as a player agent.
Links About The Skanks
DJ Le Mahieu finally signed with the Yankees. The deal is for six years at $90 Million. The Corey Kluber deal is now official. Darren O’Day gets a deal with the Yankees for $1.75 Million. There is a player option for 2022 at $1.4 Million and if he rejects that option, there is a club option for 2022 at $3.15 Million. Deals are happening, although at times they have some pretty creative structures. Or is it a one year deal for $2.45 Million? (Joel Sherman kept changing his story about this.) Here is a more elaborate explanation of the complicated deal.
A Couple Of Other Signings
On the topic of official deals, Jurickson Profar re-signing with the Padres is now official. Aaron Loup agreed to a one year deal with the Mets.
All righty then! I’m removing myself. Happy Thursday! Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Anybody who was signed and drafted between 2016-2020 should be suspect and apprehensive with a abundance of caution……..just saying because it’s true!
Is Adell not considered a prospect anymore? Didn’t see him on the MLB Pipeline top 100 list.
were any Angels on it?
Read tomorrow’s links.
Yes, two.
Angel’s farm system under AM…….small operating budget, non regular hours of operation, and use of unpaid volunteer workers. Yes like a community college bookstore!
Why don’t the Angels offer Matt Shoemaker a minor league deal and invite him to ST? He might surprise.
I like this idea.
I think Shoey will get an MLB deal, but nothin wrong with the Angels giving it a try. He’s more injury prone than all of the injured pitchers we all rail against signing, but he has a beard and a wife, so we’re totally cool with him. Still, much like 80% of the guys we sign, if he plays up to his potential he’ll be an asset.
A 1% percenter…… 😆
Character clause: Pete Rose isn’t in for gambling – perhaps MLB’s biggest sponsor is Draft Kings. (A total gambling business.)
Draft Kings isn’t in direct position to throw games. Rose was. Somebody went through the books of Rose’s bookie who was busted and looked at Rose’s managerial record in games he didn’t bet. It was abysmal. The next day when all his good pitchers were fresh, he’d bet again.
I’m not saying Rose has been the best example as a human being. But guess what, we all have flaws. I personally believe his performance on the field will never be topped. The problem to me is when the discussion goes beyond performance it can become self-righteous subjectiveness. So if there is a character clause, should a strong Christian BBWOA voter, not vote for a player who is pro-abortion? (I think they like to call it pro-choice to feel better.) His performance on the field will never be topped. Where do you draw the line? Do we think there aren’t tons of players in the hall without deep character flaws? Please.
I, for one, don’t enjoy the tone of these political posts.
Lot’s of laughs.
Rose’s character flaws directly impact the integrity of the game. Do I want to plunk down ticket money and wonder if the manager really wants to win that one or is using it to cover his losses? That type of thing.
That’s always been my bone of contention with Rose.
I totally agree, but that had zero to do with how he played the game and his results. I would ban him as a manager for sure – but part of his character – win at all costs – was also what made him a great player. So character of the game – would you want to take your kids to a game where a huge number of players often cheated on their wives? Canseco discussed this. (Should that be a character consideration too?) We may have to wipe out a lot of the current members. Where would you draw the line? Just curious.
Cheating on your wife has nothing to do with the game except when it was an all nighter maybe. Rose bet on games he was involved in. Everyone for currently 100 years has known that Shoeless Joe Jackson outcome. When it involves the game such as PEDs, Gambling, or any type of other types of cheating you should be gone for good. Every Player knows when they are cheating and what the results are going to be as a result.
Steroid players knew they were cheating that’s why they never talked about it and tried to hide it. Many player’s were successful at hiding it and some made it to the Hall of Fame.
Most fans never will see the MLNHOF in the their lifetime but know that Bond’s has the most HRs and Rose the most Hits. And if you have been to the Hall you don’t leave being deprived by not seeing there placks on the walls.
MLB can’t abide to cheating other wise the game will always be questioned as to whether it is honest. That is where Selig made a mistake, turning a blind eye just allowed more players to shot up the juice.
I agree it has nothing to do with the game – neither did Schilling’s attitude.
I was at a recent baseball camp with my son and they were talking about the 6th tool. This well-respected coach/scout has listed 5 areas that make up the 6th tool. On the MLB 80 scale, he used Rose as an example and said Rose was an 80 in all five and that’s why he played so well. So a 30+ year baseball guy thought Rose was the epitome of the 6th tool. A different perspective for sure.
I do understand the argument against him, I just don’t agree. Name what he did while playing that made him not worthy of the HOF. In fact, name a player that gave his all to the game he was playing more than Pete Rose. Name just one. To me, it became popular to look at his post-playing career – which I just don’t agree with as it became political.
A year or so ago, Rose did an awesome video for my son. His message was to be aggressive. And then I want you to be more aggressive. In the end, you’re there to win the game.
Rose’s bookie was arrested a few years ago and it was proven he bet as a player. Now we can assume that Rose always bet to win because of his persona. But that would open up a huge Pandora’s box in the future.
And maybe Rose’s hustle could’ve been used to help lose. Think about a time or two he tried to hustle a single into a double and got hosed. Hustle, or “hustle”?
I’m saying this as a die hard boxing fan. Once a sport loses credibility it is pretty much gone forever. We can’t have players and managers betting on games. It would be like the mob controlling boxers back in the day.
I like the word play Jeff, it gives new meaning to “Charlie Hustle.”
His Managing was an extension of his career by staying at the same company in a different job is all.
This is somewhat troubling, although unless the woman identifies herself we’ll never know if she was 15 or 16.
So let me make sure I get this straight Jeff, (and I like the debate) – are you saying that any pitcher that doctors a ball (against the rules) should be absolutely out? Trevor Bauer would have fun with this one. So if they threw a spit ball, against the rules, out? Use pine tar on a ball, out? Cork a bat, out? Use pine tar above the line on your bat, out? Took speed during that era, remove them? Used cocaine, out? Just curious.
I’m also enjoying this.
My thinking is actually this: players have looked for an edge to win for as long as games have been played. I expect players and managers to look for edges to win, including ways I don’t condone.
Throwing games, however, is beyond reproach. Even the possibility of throwing games can’t be tolerated. And when people actively involved in the games are betting on them that possibility exists, that perception takes hold, and credibility is lost.
That’s why I put gambling in its own little corner. I can debate which ways of cheating to win were more effective, but there’s only one vice that incentivizes losing.
So Rose, who played all-out, all the time – bad because he might have bet and betting could lead to throwing a game even though there is no sign he did. Reggie Jackson loafing in the outfield, that’s cool? Albert Pujols being too lazy to trail a runner on a double in the left-center gap, cool? The potential to throw games exists whether they are caught or not. Gambling is considered an impulse control disorder. Should we also ban anyone who drank as it might have hurt the integrity of the game. Maybe we should throw out Mantle?
Rose 100% bet as both a player and manager. His supporters speculate he never bet to lose. We truly don’t know one way or the other.
Gambling incentives guys to intentionally throw games. That’s why it has to be 100% against the rule for participants to gamble.
Guys being idiots and getting drunk or high or something is poor form. But they aren’t being paid or having debt wiped away by trying to make a team lose.
Even if Rose didn’t do that the next guy will. But as long as Rose is banned, he serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of gambling.
I haven’t logged into my account here in months, maybe a year, but I did just so I can respond to your absolutely horse shit comparison you just made between Rose gambling on games he played and managed in, to Pujols being lazy on a play. It seems you have talked yourself into your opinion being the only one thats right in this regard, so cool, but just wanted you to know that I read your comment (along with other comments laying out your position on Rose) and laughed out loud at how dumb it was. He broke the one rule in baseball, lied about it for years (funny you left that part out) and is living with the consequences.
Indeed. The lying and lack of remorse are a big part of the equation, as I had pointed out. And I totally agree.
My take is that when Rose played and managed, baseball had exactly one unbreakable rule, and it was carved in stone above each clubhouse door:
Rose knew the rule. He chose to bet on baseball anyways. I have no sympathy for him.
There was no equivalent rule regarding steroids at the time for Bonds, A-Fraud, and Artificially Big Papi.
What you say about the character flaws is very true. Mantle was a total ass. And yet he is beloved by millions who hero-worshipped him. With all his character flaws however, Mickey never bet on games (as far as we know).
Gambling on baseball is the forbidden fruit. It simply cannot be done. All the teams and MLB make this abundantly clear. It is on large signs in ALL clubhouses throughout the league. Rose compromised the integrity of the sport at the most fundamental level. On top of that he was a manager, and in the most powerful position to effect the outcome. Rose had other personal flaws too, but so do many players.
The other thing which I previously mentioned is that he shows no remorse whatsoever, and still minimizes his level of involvement. This sets a bad example for future players in that it gives the impression that one can do it and slide by.
There is no question that as the all-time Hit King Pete Rose would otherwise be in the Hall. However, not getting in is an important consequence and one he will probably be stuck with. There has to be some punishment otherwise how do you de-incentivise players going down that road?
So Bud Selig is in the Hall. Questions: Was he that stupid that he didn’t know players were juicing? (I highly doubt it.) Did he intentionally turn a blind eye to encourage home runs? Spare the character clause.
I will give you this post. Selig was a clown as a commissioner. But hey what can you expect from a used car salesman? He does not belong in the Hall, but he put himself in. Know debate was held in public like the players are exposed to. He and Manfred were hired from within and not brought in from the outside and owe the owners nothing but honesty running MLB>
There were so many things wrong with Selig as Commissioner it’s hard to know where to start. Ok, I know where. An owner as Commissioner was a horrible mistake. Anyway, I don’t actually have a note signed by Selig saying “I’m fully aware that players are using steroids and I don’t care because we make money off of it” but I believe that’s what he thought. I don’t recall him ever apologizing for letting it go on. In that way he’s no different than Bonds or Clemens or Palmeiro.
Selig and the owners were too busy counting money to care about steroids. Same with all the free agents who were signing inflated contracts.
Only once the fans got really pissed did they pull the “I’m shocked, shocked to find steroids going on here” routine.
Bud is in the HOF because he made everyone money. The Steroid Era was part of that money but so were expansion and expanding the playoffs. Plenty of the BBWAA writers profited by having more teams and playoffs to cover as well.
Tanaka returning to Japan is surprising in that we could have used him a a1-2 yr deal.
Not only have I removed myself from consideration, I’ve also removed my pants (from consideration and my wardrobe).
Slowly but surely the BBWAA is heading into it’s own demise.
They’ve already handed out MVP’s based on who they don’t like (Kent over Bonds) and set other lines in the sand. This is just a new one in a more political environment
Jeff I disagree. The writers gave Bonds 3 MVP’s knowing he was using. The writers loved Bonds. When a 2b has a career year that is special as opposed to a LF.
The writers HATED Bonds. With a passion. Dude was a malcontent who blamed the media for reporting on his spousal abuse. He took as many chances as possible to make their lives miserable.
Then way so many MVP’s after the whole PEDs thing blew up? Maybe some writers did not care for him, but certainly enough to give him 7 total MVP awards.
Because it became PC to hate him. Duh.
no, they hated him because he was surly to them and obviously disliked them. I’m not sure where the PC even comes in here. PC about what?
Yep. I have heard MANY stories about what an a-hole Bonds was, from disrespecting and insulting reporters to stiffing clubhouse attendants etc.
Dude was simply not likeable. That said, I would still vote him in since his pre-steroids numbers and achievements warrant it.
If Schilling was a liberal and supported Bernie Sanders, he would’ve been in the Hall long ago
that’s like not even a point to make lmao
It’s valid though.
not really — if he were a liberal and supported Bernie Sanders, he likely wouldn’t have spent the past decade spewing vile shit
Now that’s funny!
Schilling is not in the Hall purely because of his political beliefs
Ok so what are the other reasons ?
80.5 WAR would put him 26th among all 81 pitchers in the Hall. This character thing should be changed to “use your self righteous judgment.”
Yes and no to the character shelling on Schilling. During your career there are standards that are expected by the team and league as most are even written into a contract as a standard. After your career if you embarrass yourself and look foolish that should not hold you back.
The Writer’s look foolish when voting for a ‘roid user but leave Schilling off the ballot. It’s OK to include cheaters but leave out a a great pitcher because he’s flawed.
It does feel a bit “high school”. Don’t let the freaky guy into the HOF full of pitchers he was better than because he’s a total geek.
If you don’t think cancel culture has gone nuts, look at what’s happening at Saddleback College. They are canceling Gauchos as a mascot because a handful of people find a South American Cowboy offensive. What’s next? Oregon State has to change their nickname cause some chick wishes she had junk? Washington State has to change their nickname because some lady who can’t attract younger men is offended? The Angels have to change their name because an atheist finds it offensive. We laugh at these examples but it keeps happening. What should the Angels change their name to as to not offend anyone?
Counterpoint, as someone who went to Saddleback: who actually cares about the mascot of a community college?
This is not new. Stanford changed their “offensive” mascot several decades ago. Progressive college kids and career-educators being sensitive and overreacting to stuff is kind of part of the American experience and always has been. The only thing that is new is people living on Facebook all day being told to think and get pissed about bizarre hypothetical like the Oregon State Beavers and not just moving on with your life as everyone always has.
As someone who won a National Championship there in football, I care as do a lot of alumni and former teammates.
So your hurt feelings are valid, but all those other people’s hurt feelings are trivial and they should just tough it out. I say both sides are drama queens. The world is full of horrors; what a sports team decides to call itself is not one of them, no matter which side of the issue you’re on.
I guess I should have written my opinion with a trigger warning.
retarded thing to say
That’s insulting. You should be canceled.
There is a difference between tradition and history and being pathetic.
Actually, when you really dig into them, many traditions look kind of pathetic and/or boil down to “well this is what some people with power X-number of centuries or decades ago thought so we just kept going with it lol.”
We’re talking about cartoon characters representing school sports teams and whether or not some guy who threw a ball for a living gets enough reporters he pissed off over the years to vote him into their special friend club.
If these are major problems to you, be thankful for your blessed existence.
I’m sure one of my flaws is thinking the PC cancel culture is filled with self-righteous pussies. Clearly, I don’t know which of the 100 genders these “pussies” identify as, so I’m clearly insensitive. In regards to being thankful, I am grateful every day the ground is below my feet.
See there I go, I should have used the root word of pussies as pusillanimous and realized that it is not gender-specific.
god just how fucking annoying
I think you must bathe in this sort of thing. You sound like you’re having fun with it.
In this hypothetical is he still wearing shirts and talking on podcasts about killing journalists like the ones he needs to vote for him?
Two things can be true at the same time. Yes, his numbers warrant he be in. And yes, things like the kind of extremism that fuels people killing cops, lobbing death threats on the internet all day and plotting attacks on capitols is kind of a historically unique consideration on whether someone deserves to be an endorsed legend of the sport.
His stats are not deleted or washed or accomplishments stripped. His history is there for all to view and look up. He just doesn’t deserve a parade in the eyes of people he wants hung from trees. Weird!
Well, I found the shirt funny and sarcastic. I also supported the march on DC, but not the taking over and violence that broke out. I guess I should be canceled here.
lol yeah man you are super cancelled. Do you even hear yourself? Having a persecution fetish and being addicted to victimhood is not as cool as you think it is.
Call back on any metaphor your dad or grandpa used to give you as a kid about how “shit happens” “pull yourself up by your boot straps” or “lifes not fair” and just get on with it. Becoming a snowflake isn’t going to get rid of snowflakes.
Touche! LOL
it’s good to know you don’t support threatening elected officials. It would be bad if you did.
Did he commit any crimes? Cheat while playing the game? Beat his wife?
Of course he committed a crime. He didn’t vote for Bernie Sanders. We already established that.
Well, he did rip off the taxpayers of Rhode Island for a shit ton of money for his video game company. I think after the bankruptcy court dust settled it was about $25 million.
How did that company fail? I’ve never looked all that deeply into it and even the article I found on Google today basically just said they released one game, it was doing well, then Boom, gone.
I’m all for cutting out extremism on both sides. What many people are assuming is that had he supported the type of extremism that led to cops and dozens of citizens being killed last summer instead of the violence a few weeks ago he’d be in.
That’s a pretty big assumption. In the NBA, for sure. But we’ve spent a good decade being pissed at the BBWAA for being a group of crusty old white guys.
I think you’re right in personal vendettas being a big part of this. He’s been a jerk to the same people he needs to vote him in. Not just a jerk in general.
Shilling’s a tool, but it is true. If he would just mouth the right things he’d be a “hero”. If he’d just keep quiet all the time he’d be a HOFer at least.
he’d be in the hall if he just weren’t outwardly such a goddamn prick. dude goes out of his way just to be an arrogant asshole. aubrey huff territory
not that I support or agree with the character clause (I do not)
but he’s just a prick
not to mention he also has a solid collection of Nazi memorabilia. what a guy!
https://imgflip.com/i/4vquoi
Because baseball is known to be such a progressive sport? Lmao.
Don’t cut yourself on that edge.
hope he does
Wishing harm on others is their game. But, I get it.