Are Changes Needed For Baseball

Last night was a classic Game 7 of the World Series with the San Francisco Giants winning 3-2 over the Kansas City Royals. It's unfortunate that many fans, like myself, weren't awake to see it. In Thursday's NY Daily News, Mike Lupica wrote an article about the beauty of baseball and how those saying that changes need to be made are off base. Well Mike, I disagree.

In Lupica's column, he talks about various World Series Game 7s. My first Yankee memory is Bobby Richardson snaring a line drive by Willie McCovey that sealed a 1-0 New York win in Game 7 of the 1962 World Series. By the way, that game was during the day. Sometime in the 80s and definitely in the 90s, few if any World Series games were played during the day. I wonder how many Giants and Royals fans at the age of 10 and under were able to stay up and watch that game? For a sport that's fan base is getting older and older, why wouldn't you at least have the weekend games during the day? There was a time when the World Series would pre-empt football coverage on NBC.

On TSN Drive on TSN 1050 out of Toronto, Dave Naylor reported that Game 7 of the 1985 World Series ended 45 minutes sooner than Game 7 this year and the score and number of hits are the same. Hitters constantly stepping out of the batters box to adjust their batting gloves or their batting helmet is a minutes eater and totally unnecessary. Three and a half to four hour 9 inning baseball games are a joke.  

While Bud Selig has made a ton of money for the owners, the long-term growth of the game simply is not there. There are fewer kids playing baseball. Fewer people under the age of forty are watching baseball. Incredibly long games and night playoff/World Series games is a recipe for not getting kids interested in baseball. The NFL gets it. The Super Bowl starts at 6:30. By 9:30 it's over and most youngsters are able to watch it as are 50-somethings like me. 

I love baseball. As a kid, I played every day whether in Little League or in pick up games. My brother and I would play catch, pretending we were star pitchers like Don Drysdale, Juan Marichal or Luis Tiant. As I got older I played softball 3-4 games a week. This was my game. But most people under 40 don't have that same type of passion. 

If baseball wants to get younger people interested in the game they need to do the following:

- Play at least weekend World Series and playoff games during the day. These are your signature games where memories are made so play them when the majority of people can watch them.

- Have nationally televised Sunday baseball games on ESPN start at 7pm. Once again an hour earlier start ensures that young kids will be able to watch. It will also allow younger families to come to the ball park and come home before 11:30 or 12 midnight.

- Have umpires direct both batters and pitchers to keep the game moving by restricting the amount of time between pitches due to the adjustment of equipment.

- With respect to replay, eliminate the need for a manager to come out and stall while someone reviews the instant replay to see if there should be a challenge. The only way to do that is give the manager more challenges or restrict challenges only to the latter innings. 

Unless baseball acknowledges that it has a problem, they will continue to lose fans. Maybe with a new Commissioner there is a chance for meaningful change. Absent that, baseball may go the way of the Studebaker. For anyone under 50, that was a car back in the early 60s. 

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering how long it will be before Randy Carlyle is fired as Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* Another Saturday night of hockey and another loss by the Maple Leafs. To make matters worse, it was the third listless home loss as they fell to the Boston Bruins 4-1. As in the Pittsburgh and Detroit games, the Leafs looked totally disinterested in providing any kind of effort against the Bruins who were without Zdeno Chara. What is coming abundantly clear is that unless the Kessel line scores, the Leafs don't win. This team has basically one line and what Pittsburgh, Detroit and Boston did was to keep that line in check. The lack of secondary scoring is a huge problem and the Kadri line in particular needs to step it up. 

* Hearing Nazem Kadri say that the team needs "to care more" just blows me away. I live and die with this team. When they lose I am miserable. I have cared a lot over the last 40 some years about the Toronto Maple Leafs and these guys who have the honor and privilege to wear the Blue and White have "to care more". Not to mention that they are getting a great salary to play a kids game. Something is terribly wrong with this team. Maybe the answer is blowing this whole thing up. 

* By the way, I wonder if Nazem has compared his stat line with that of John Taveras. The Leafs could only hope that Kadri could be half the player Taveras is. 

* The dressing of 11 forwards and seven defenseman is a huge mistake. In my experience it would seem that a defense pairing can play better when they know each other's tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. All we heard in pre-season was that the Leafs were committed to four solid lines. Instead we have Carlyle doing what he did last year by having either Joffrey Lupul or Phil Kessel play with 2/3 of the fourth line. Once again, how can any chemistry be developed?  If you want a blueprint for a good fourth line, all Carlyle had to do was watch Boston's on Saturday. They even hemmed the Leafs first line in their own zone. Which reminds me, do you think the Leafs could come up with a solid checking line??

* The Cleveland Browns came away with a 23-13 victory over the winless Oakland Raiders. While a win is a win, I was not impressed with the Browns performance particularly the offense. This team once again had problems scoring touchdowns and then settling for field goals.  I'm beginning to seriously question if Brian Hoyer is the long term answer at quarterback. 

* While I understand losing All-Pro center Alex Mack was a huge blow to the offensive line, it is a lame excuse to explain why the Browns can no longer run the ball. It appears that teams are putting eight men in the box and daring Hoyer to beat them. Oakland and Jacksonville figured it out so wait until Baltimore and Cincinnati come to play.

* How come nobody asks this question: where is the organizational depth on the offensive line for the Browns?

* One has to wonder if the NFL is too much for Bears Head Coach Marc Trestman. While a lot of attention has been paid to Jay Cutler's faults, maybe there should be more focus on a defense that has been in decline for several years. 

* The Bears could use a guy like Rex Ryan to run their defense. 

* Speaking of Ryan, there is no question he will be gone as Jets Head Coach. It's too bad but it will be in his best interest as the New York Jets are the worst organization in the NFL. 

* It was announced today that Florida State running back Karlos Williams is being investigated for domestic battery involving his pregnant girl friend who also happens to be the mother of another one of Williams' children. When is the NCAA going to throw the book at this criminal enterprise called FSU football. They are a disgrace and something needs to be done in Tallahassee.

* Is there a uniform uglier than the Pittsburgh Steelers throwback jerseys?

* Does Mike Smith remain as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at the end of this season?

* Really impressed with the Arizona Cardinals and the job that Bruce Arians is doing as head coach.

* Will be interesting to see where Joe Maddon ends up next season. Many are saying he may end up in Wrigley Field. With the young talent the Cubs have and the apparent interest to acquire high priced free agents, it could be the start of fun times on the North Side of Chicago.

* With everything coming out about what's going on inside the Seattle Seahawks locker room, I find it difficult to see them repeating as the NFC representative in the Super Bowl let alone winning it.

* Lamar Houston is a big jerk and typifies what irritates the hell out of me with today's players. His team was getting buried by the New England Patriots and he sacks New England's backup quarterback. Houston proceeds to do a war dance and tears his ACL. He's done for the year after his stupidity. By the way, the Bears signed this clown to a nice fat free agent deal this past off season.

* And finally, for the past year I have had the pleasure to write for The Blue and White Brotherhood, a blog dedicated to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Because of that I rarely wrote about the Leafs on this blog. Both the guys at B&W and I felt it was in everyone's best interest for me to step back from The Brotherhood. As a result, you will see more Leaf stories here at tonytalkssports.  I want to publicly thank everyone at B&W. These guys are great and check them out for great information on the Leafs.

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering how many times FOX will show George Brett up in his box watching the World Series, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* This past sports weekend was a terrible one for me. It started with a totally lackluster performance by the Toronto Maple Leafs at home against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.  Losing is one thing but lack of effort drives me crazy and the Leafs showed no effort in a 4-1 loss. Saturday was going to be the time for redemption as the Leafs went to Motown for the back end of a home and home series with the Red Wings. The Leafs played much better but lost in overtime 1-0 as a result of a Henrik Zetterberg goal with 10 seconds before the shoot out. Also on Saturday night, Notre Dame took on Florida State in a game I truly believed they could win. In the end, they should have won but for a bogus pass interference call that nullified the go ahead touchdown with three seconds left in the game. The downward spiral continued as the Cleveland Browns lost to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars 24-6. What a great weekend!

* The Leafs are really a puzzle to me. They play a really good game at home against Colorado and follow it up with a dud on Friday night. Randy Carlyle continues to limit the amount of ice time the fourth line gets and at the end of the day this will come back and bite them. Not sure how that is any different from last year.

* I think Jake Gardiner can be an excellent defenseman. But somehow I think the best thing that could happen to him is if he did got traded. You can teach defensive positioning but you can't teach talent and somehow I don't see Carlyle being willing or able to do that. 

* One thing that is clear after the Leafs first six games is that if the Kessel line doesn't score, the Leafs won't win. Not sure how that is any different from last year. 

* Notre Dame's loss on Saturday night was a travesty and Head Coach Brian Kelly has every reason to be upset. Here's hoping the Irish run the table. 

* When is Everrett Golson going to be mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate?

* Mike Pettine and his coaching staff were badly out coached Sunday by Gus Bradley's Jaguars. The lack of adjustments is baffling considering that they have done that in all of their previous games. The loss really diminishes their chances to make the playoffs. If the Browns lay another egg Sunday at home against Oakland, look for the honeymoon to be over for Pettine & Company and you can expect the drumbeat to begin to bring in Johnny Football. 

* What has happened to the powerful NFC West? Both Seattle and San Francisco have three losses and Arizona leads the division with one loss. Will be interesting to see what teams out of these three make the playoffs. Would love to see the Cardinals make it.  

* Kudos to Bills Head Coach Doug Marrone for recognizing that his team has a lot to work on if they are going to challenge New England for the division crown. A last second win at home against the lowly Minnesota Vikings is nothing to write home about. Don't be surprised if Rex Ryan's New York Jets give Marrone's Bills all they can handle Sunday in New Jersey. 

* When will stubborn Gary Bettman admit that the Florida Panthers need to be moved. It is a disgrace as to the attendance numbers particularly when solid hockey markets such as Quebec City and Seattle would support that team much better than greater Miami. Hell, they can't even support the Marlins or the Dolphins.

* New Jersey has authorized legal betting on sports games. In my opinion, I'm in 100% support of this. But go figure, the NFL, NBA and NHL have filed papers in court to prohibit this from happening with the claim that legalized sports betting could harm their respective sports. Really? Illegal sports betting with bookies, Pro-Line in Ontario and the big money fantasy leagues already are happening so why shouldn't New Jersey cash in? Instead of worrying about gambling, how about looking at the use of PED's, steroids and other criminal activities involving athletes in the respective sports.

* It's being reported that the New York Yankees are interested in their minor league hitting instructor, James Rowson, to replace Kevin Long as hitting coach. Apparently, the team is impressed with Rowson's work in the minors. Hmmm...really? It also has been reported that Gary Dembo is being promoted to head up player development for the Yankees. He was the second in command under Mark Newman. What a joke? How about bringing in some new blood with a new set of eyes Mr. Cashman?

* And finally, the World Series begins tonight in Kansas City as the San Francisco Giants take on the Royals. I am an American League fan and normally this young, underdog Royals team would be normally who I would be rooting for. But, being a Yankee fan, I remember the bitter rivalry between the Royals and Yankees back in the mid to late 70's and the early 80's. So I'm pulling for the Giants and look for San Francisco to win the Series in 6 games. Besides, I can't bear to see George Brett jumping for joy in his luxury box. 

Another Mistake By Selig

Bud Selig's reign as Commmissioner of Major League Baseball will end at the conclusion of the World Series. There are some MLB lackeys in the media who are espousing Selig's induction into the Hall of Fame. In my opinion, Selig has been a disaster.

Oh the owners have made gobs of money, but the game has suffered. Interleague play is a joke. It has lessened the excitement of the All-Star Game and has taken some luster off of the World Series. 

Let's not forget the nonsense of the league winning the All-Star Game getting home field advantage in the World Series. It's a mockery. There was nothing wrong with alternating home field advantage as has been done for a hundred years. But Selig had to get people interested in an all-star game which was the best of all the major sports but has become no longer special due to interleague play. 

Of course, there is the use of steroids and PEDs which Major League Baseball knew about and are lying to say otherwise. Let's not forget, baseball was coming off the 1994 strike and was losing attendance. So then in 1997 we get the home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Both of whom were in the middle of the steroid controversy. 

One of the beauties of baseball is that it is not a sprint but a marathon. Usually the best team wins. The cream rises to the top. But now we have good old Bud adding a second wild card game and as a result we now have two wild card teams in the World Series for the first time. Who cares if you win your division. Baseball has turned into every other major sport. Just get in the playoffs and anything can happen. 

Bud Selig has damaged the game of baseball more so than Pete Rose ever did. He damaged it more than Barry Bonds, McGwire or Sosa. The additional wild card team in each league is another example of Selig putting the almighty dollar over the integrity of the game. 

Tuesday's Thoughts

While thinking about how all of those who proclaimed Tom Brady's demise are now eating crow, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* Since 1999, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns like a government mule. Going into yesterday's game I felt that the Browns could win but there was that feeling that somehow Cleveland would figure out a way to lose. For the first time this year, I had a Browns sweatshirt on as it was Pittsburgh who they were playing. The first two times the Steelers had the ball they had great field position and I'm thinking "here we go again". But they only came away with three points and there seemed to be the feel that this game was going to be different. And boy was it different. A totally dominant performance by the Browns. There was no lucky bounces, no questionable penalty calls. The Browns simply dominated their hated rivals. With some luck they could have beaten them in Pittsburgh.  

* The victory was costly as the Browns lost Alex Mack for the year and an already decimated defensive line lost Armonty Bryant to a knee injury. Kudos to John Greco for moving over to center without skipping a beat as the offensive line gashed the Steelers on the ground.

* Wonder if the Browns aren't kicking themselves for not re-signing Brian Hoyer this past spring when the 29 year old was willing to take what would be considered a discount contract for a starting QB.

* The Yankees did what has been expected and re-upped Brian Cashman to a three year deal to continue as their general manager. What a huge mistake. The 2015 Yankees have the following questions: 1) Who will play shortstop, 2) Who will play third base, 3) Who will play right field, 4) How many games will Mark Teixiera play at first base, 5) Will CC Sabathia be a serviceable back end starter and 6) Will Masahiro Tanaka pitch the entire season? I don't have much confidence in Cashman being able to answer these questions. 

* An interesting observation by a New York sportswriter was that Cashman's job was safe because Hal Steinbrenner doesn't have a clue who else to consider. 

* Kevin Long and Mick Kelleher were scapegoats for the second year in a row that the Yankees didn't make the playoffs. Kelleher is a non-entity to me but Long has been on my radar screen for a couple of years. I have no problem with him getting fired. I had to laugh that management acknowledged that players (Teixiera & McCann) need to adjust their swing as a result of the various shifts that are used by the opposition. Funny how they just came to that realization. I was on that last year. 

* I have seen a number of names mentioned as possible replacements for Long and Kelleher but one name I did not see was that of Willie Randolph. If the Yankees were smart they bring him back to replace Kelleher. 

* The Fox Sports story on how Florida State and the Talahassee police mishandled the rape allegation against Jameis Winston is troubling but not surprising. The NCAA and these institutions of "higher education" should be ashamed of themselves. 

* How ESPN College Gameday crew could compare the Winston situation with what's going on with Todd Gurley of Georgia is a joke. Winston may have committed a violent crime against an FSU coed. Gurley allegedly signed his autograph to various pieces of memorabilia. Hardly the same issue. In fact, the NCAA should be more concerned about its student athletes commiting crimes as opposed to getting paid for their autograph. 

* I really feel bad for Rex Ryan. He's good for the NFL and he's getting whipsawed by a moron GM and a goofball owner. 

* Kudos to Mike Lupica for telling it like it is in his Sunday story about the Yankees where he says they are more than a few players away from being a legitimate contender. 

* After his team went into Seattle and defeated the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks, I wonder if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones found some 20somethings to party with. 

* Call me old fashioned but the Philadelphia Eagles all black uniforms are a disgrace. 

* Really like everything I'm reading about the New York Knicks this pre season. Predicting right now that they not only make the playoffs but make some noise too. 

* Was really disgusted with some Leaf fans who were making excuses for Toronto's awful performance against Pittsburgh. The Leafs have played the Penguins tough the last two seasons. In fact, a Penguins radio broadcaster on Friday admitted that the Leafs have given Pittsburgh fits. The loss didn't bother me as much as the lack of effort. 

* Then they comeback and play a good game against the New York Rangers as they run Henrik Lundqvist out of the game. What appears to be certain is this team still relies on the Kessel line way too much. 

* If the Leafs are to progress. Randy Carlyle needs to be fired. Sunday against the Rangers he hardly played the fourth line and the benching of Jake Gardiner just shows that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Gardiner has hardly been the Leafs worst defenseman. That designation maybe belongs to Stephane Robidas or Roman Polak. 

* Well, the Buffalo Bills bubble bursted Sunday afternoon as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots took sole possession of first place in the AFC East with a 37-22 victory in the first game of the Pegulaville era. 

* Once again the vaunted Bills defense could not stop a top quarterback at home and their vaunted running game came up empty. Is it safe to that CJ Spiller is a bust??

* Had to laugh listening to the GR gasbags, Simon & White, whining that Sammy Watkins was not targeted more. A caller pointed out that the real reason for the loss was the defense and the lack of a running game but Laurell & Hardy had to beat the drum about Watkins. 

* A lot of empty seats yesterday afternoon for Pegulaville's hockey team against Anaheim. The Sabres alternate jerseys are terrible and Anaheim's jerseys reminded me of the old Sabres "Goat Head" jerseys. 

* Not sure if there is a worse color commentator in all of sports than Rob Ray. Just awful to listen to. 

* Kudos to the school superintendent of Sayerville, New Jersey for suspending the high school's football schedule as a result of hazing and sexual assault by seniors against freshmen players. 

* And finally, whatever happened to the Tiny Tot of the Kilowatt Art Wander??

Tuesday's Thoughts

While counting down the hours to opening night at the Air Canada Center, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* I would be lying if I told you that I thought the Cleveland Browns would comeback from a 25 point deficit to win on the road against Tennessee. You have to wonder if they would have been successful if Jake Locker would have played the whole game but they deserve credit for winning. There are still concerns. The defense was getting used throughout most of the game. The run defense has continued to be a problem and that may be as a result of the linebackers needing an upgrade. I'm also wondering what's going on with Joe Haden. He has looked awful in all four of the games and if it continues I can't see him being a Pro Bowler this year. One has to wonder if Haden's difficulties are as a result of a new defensive scheme that has been put in place by Head Coach Mike Pettine. This is something to keep an eye on.

* The Browns need to take a look at their fourth down offense as it failed twice deep inside Tennessee territory.

* Tom Brady and the Patriots served notice to the rest of the league that they are not dead yet. Brady was a man possessed on the first drive and that set the tone for the game. 

* This Saturday's college football games are the reason why I love college football over the NFL. Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, USC and LSU, Wisconsin and Oregon (on Thursday) all losing has thrown the national polls into a tailspin. The unpredictability of college football is what makes it so exciting. 

* Notre Dame knocked off 14th ranked Stanford 17-14 to elevate the Irish to 6th in the country. It was a nice late drive engineered by Everrett Golson that has me believing that this team has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. In looking at their schedule, I believe that the Irish could win at Florida State and at USC. Time will tell but it should be exciting. Can't wait. 

* It would be best for all parties concerned if Jim Harbaugh ends up with Michigan next season. 

* If Rex Ryan is lucky he will be ousted as head coach of the New York Jets. I like Rex and I think he is a good coach. But the Jets are a joke of an organization and it begins with the owner Woody Johnson.

* The Thursday night football schedule has been brutal up to this point as each game has been a blow out. Players were not happy about these weekly Thursday games as it disrupts their routine and gives them less time to recover from the various aches and pains that they suffer. If Goodell and the owners continue to demand Thursday games, then they should only be played by teams coming off of a bye. So much for the league being concerned about player safety. 

* The Major League Baseball playoffs have been very exciting up to this point. The Tigers & Angels being swept out of the playoffs was incredible and I certainly did not see that coming. However, I did predict in early September that Baltimore could very well represent the American League in the World Series. Not sure what to expect out of the National League except that I'm pulling for the Dodgers. I still can't believe how Clayton Kershaw blew up in Game One of their series with the Cardinals.  

* Not sure if there currently is a more clutch post season player than Matt Carpenter. This guy seems to be a guy who delivers.

* Hal Steinbrenner's interview last week with Beavis Kay was very telling. It proved to me that he will never be his father. His assertion that he doesn't react impulsively is nonsense because he doesn't react at all!! With Cashman staying on as General Manager I don't see how much will change, particularly in the scouting department. All Hal cares about is the bottom line. 

* Hal and Cashman are spewing the party line by saying that guys like Beltran and Teixiera will bounce back next season. Keep on saying it enough guys and maybe you will start to convince yourselves of such crap because you won't convince me. 

* I don't care what anyone says: Kevin Long should be fired as hitting coach for the Yankees. There should be no excuse why guys are not working on going the opposite way when there is a shift on. Teixiera's dramatic decline in his batting average since coming to NewYork should have been corrected. Long needs to go if for no other reason than to send a message that complacency will not be accepted. 

* It will be interesting to see which teams will fork over multi-million dollar contracts for six years to Jon Lester and Max Scherzer. Don't forget, Scherzer turned down a six year $144 million dollar offer from Detroit. The Yankees should steer clear. 

* Does the Oakland A's collapse after the Lester trade put an end to the glorification of Billy Beane?

* I know some diehard baseball fans who are unable to watch the NLDS playoff games because they don't get the MLB Network or FoxSports 1. Post season baseball is what makes memories. It grows the game. It's a damn joke that those folks who can't afford the cable or satellite packages which carry these 2 networks can't watch these games. Many hotels and motels do not carry these stations so a business traveler is unable to watch these games where he or she is staying. Bud Selig should be ashamed of himself. So much for the National Pastime. 

* Really happy with the direction the Maple Leafs are taking as evidenced by the cutting of Frazier McLaren and Colton Orr. Finally, the Leafs will have a fourth line that can skate and have some ability to score. This year's team should be tougher to play against and for that it should be an exciting year. 

* This whole notion of tanking to get Connor MacDavid should be a big concern for Gary Bettman. The moron Buffalo media is a joke as they continue to advocate this for the Sabres. I wonder how Brian Gionta, Mike Moulson and Josh Gorges feel about losing games to be able to draft MacDavid. 

* And finally, the Kyle Orton era has started in Orchard Park and on Sunday the Bills will take on New England in a battle for first place in the AFC East. This game should be real interesting and the Bills have played the Patriots tough recently. A Bills win and the Gasbags on WGR 550 will be talking playoff match ups. Boy, I can hardly wait!