And it begins ...

[DOUGHBOYS]

Perform at an extremely high level NOW and continually in front of thousands of people or you're fired. Do your job FANTASTICALLY or you're fired. #antiwuss #bigtime

This, is simply not true. Willie Bloomquist has not performed at an extremely high level. Nor, has he done his job FANTASTICALLY.
He wasn't fired.
Rather, he just signed a two year contract for millions of dollars.

In my mind, a catcher is similar to a mexican pinata. The catcher and pinata have something that everybody wants.
It is their job to protect it, until an outcome is reached.
The fans and kids can't wait for the excitement, the anticipation.
The pleasure is in how to get the candy, not the candy itself. The pleasure is in how that run is obtained.
Then, the pinata did the unthinkable. It got expensive.
The owners invested a lot in that pinata. Now, they don't want it broken.
They want to protect their investment.
So, instead of the pinata doing what a pinata does, they remove the pinata and set out a bowl of candy for the kids.
The pinata has been saved. The kids get their candy.
And still, something is lost.

[EWeaver]

Perform at an extremely high level NOW and continually in front of thousands of people or you're fired. Do your job FANTASTICALLY or you're fired. #antiwuss #bigtime

This, is simply not true. Willie Bloomquist has not performed at an extremely high level. Nor, has he done his job FANTASTICALLY.
He wasn't fired.
Rather, he just signed a two year contract for millions of dollars.

In my mind, a catcher is similar to a mexican pinata. The catcher and pinata have something that everybody wants.
It is their job to protect it, until an outcome is reached.
The fans and kids can't wait for the excitement, the anticipation.
The pleasure is in how to get the candy, not the candy itself. The pleasure is in how that run is obtained.
Then, the pinata did the unthinkable. It got expensive.
The owners invested a lot in that pinata. Now, they don't want it broken.
They want to protect their investment.
So, instead of the pinata doing what a pinata does, they remove the pinata and set out a bowl of candy for the kids.
The pinata has been saved. The kids get their candy.
And still, something is lost.

I see your Bloomquist point (I think made half jokingly, because he's a 10 year MLB player, after all), but he's still operating on an exceptionally high level viz most everybody else in the world in terms of baseball (pls ignore career 1.4 WAR). He has rare talent and motivation to have achieved what he's achieved. I'm sure he has to continually worry about being demoted or fired and yet he shows up and gets it done (in a sense) and has made a career of it. Good lessons for the kids? Hard work, determination, all that BS.

You pinata analogy is well put (esp. since both pinatas and catchers get hit), and I agree with you. I enjoy plays at the plate, and they are going away (in a way), and that's kinda lame. But to extend this rule change to be an example of overall cultural "wussification" when it's simply "MLB owners want to save their asses and money on catchers" is where I some of the things said here are flat wrong.

And I'm still curious as to what specific year or years make up "when baseball was baseball."

[bjoak]

Something that gets lost here is it's a business and in this case business is in agreement with what people want. They want healthy players--so do we. They want the best possible on field results--so do we. There is nothing wuss or not wuss about it.

Increasingly, business decision are made based on potential liability, not "what the people want" or what the business or participants want. Joe Girardi, by most accounts one of the smartest guys in the game and former catcher, is against it. Shouldn't that count for more than a bunch of lawyers and old men who never played the game?

I somewhat agree with your sentiment; that is why I said "in this case." I really don't think "potential liability" is the driving factor here. It is more that huge corporations don't want to lose huge assets (like Buster Posey) or potential profits (wins). Since fans want wins and healthy players in this case I don't see much of a distinction. Businesses are amoral. They want to make money. If eliminating liability is the path to the most money, they want that. In this case, wins are the path to the most money.

As far as ethics go, you would consider society, baseball the organization, and the players here. Girardi is part of the organization, which overwhelmingly wants this so he is just one guy (not an ethics expert as far as I know regardless of how smart he is about the game) and he's been outvoted. The player reactions are mixed but this obviously benefits the group. Society primarily has to do with the fanbase but there are implications for sports and society in general (as others in this thread have mentioned). The baseball fanbase has mixed reactions but I would suspect society in general would heavily agree with regulations (as they do with the NFL regulations). So ethically speaking, this is the right thing to do.

[BK METS]

And $20 million for Bartolo Colon, age 40, PED user.... I'm missing something..

Ok. Let's see, the Mets give a 2 year contract for 20 million to a guy who was one of the elite pitchers in baseball last year (18-6,.2.65 ERA) to help them until Harvey returns from injury, giving them a very solid rotation, and of course, Mr Yankee fan criticizes the Mets. Yes Colon is old and fat. Yes he might not perform up to last year's numbers, but he is not much of a risk considering guys that have seasons like Colon, make 15-20 million per year. The guy knows how pitch. Hey, I am wondering.. who is leading up the Yankees pitching staff next year? Would you rather have (big boned) CC at what he is being paid right now, or bartolo with a short term affordable (tradable, if necessary) contract? Not even close.

Chill out Alan...lol Everyoen knows the Mets are desparate...lol Wasnt critizing, as much as questioning the money, economics and thought process. From a pure pitching point of view, I's rather have Bartolo for this coming year at only 10M vs CC at 23M. I wont debate CC has stunk the past 2 years for what hes paid. He's becoming the 2nd edition of the "Fat Toad" quickly.

Actually, the Mets weren't desperate for starting pitching. I think what this move showed to Mets fans (at least me) is they are serious to try and put a competitive team on the field this year. Say what you want about Chris Young, I don't like that move, but signing Granderson and Colon, 2 veteran players, to go along with their very young team, and maybe they are actually trying to win (imagine that!). I would love 2 more moves... a shortstop not named Tejada (Jose Reyes in a trade?) and some additional relief pitching, preferably a short term veteran closer type such as Benoit, if he isn't too expensive.

[Money]

Perform at an extremely high level NOW and continually in front of thousands of people or you're fired. Do your job FANTASTICALLY or you're fired. #antiwuss #bigtime

This, is simply not true. Willie Bloomquist has not performed at an extremely high level. Nor, has he done his job FANTASTICALLY.
He wasn't fired.
Rather, he just signed a two year contract for millions of dollars.

In my mind, a catcher is similar to a mexican pinata. The catcher and pinata have something that everybody wants.
It is their job to protect it, until an outcome is reached.
The fans and kids can't wait for the excitement, the anticipation.
The pleasure is in how to get the candy, not the candy itself. The pleasure is in how that run is obtained.
Then, the pinata did the unthinkable. It got expensive.
The owners invested a lot in that pinata. Now, they don't want it broken.
They want to protect their investment.
So, instead of the pinata doing what a pinata does, they remove the pinata and set out a bowl of candy for the kids.
The pinata has been saved. The kids get their candy.
And still, something is lost.

I see your Bloomquist point (I think made half jokingly, because he's a 10 year MLB player, after all), but he's still operating on an exceptionally high level viz most everybody else in the world in terms of baseball (pls ignore career 1.4 WAR). He has rare talent and motivation to have achieved what he's achieved. I'm sure he has to continually worry about being demoted or fired and yet he shows up and gets it done (in a sense) and has made a career of it. Good lessons for the kids? Hard work, determination, all that BS.

You pinata analogy is well put (esp. since both pinatas and catchers get hit), and I agree with you. I enjoy plays at the plate, and they are going away (in a way), and that's kinda lame. But to extend this rule change to be an example of overall cultural "wussification" when it's simply "MLB owners want to save their asses and money on catchers" is where I some of the things said here are flat wrong.

And I'm still curious as to what specific year or years make up "when baseball was baseball."

Mr Weaver taking on the big boys, ya just got to love it!!

This is one of those instances where real baseball and fantasy baseball collide. There are players that are good real life players that offer no fantasy value whatsoever The reverse is true as some are better fantasy players than real life players. From a fantasy perspective outlaw the collisions immediately, it's tough enough getting proper production out of 2 catchers spots without having guys go down due to collisions. I, like the real owner, want my asset protected.

In real baseball I would've argued strongly a few years ago to keep it, that's because real baseball meant more to me than fantasy baseball, I'm not sure that's the case anymore. Alex Avilla going down in the playoffs and my affinity for fantasy baseball has taken me to the other side of this discussion.

Baseball is moving on, this isn't a game changer for me, or will it be for anyone from these parts.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Perform at an extremely high level NOW and continually in front of thousands of people or you're fired. Do your job FANTASTICALLY or you're fired. #antiwuss #bigtime

This, is simply not true. Willie Bloomquist has not performed at an extremely high level. Nor, has he done his job FANTASTICALLY.
He wasn't fired.
Rather, he just signed a two year contract for millions of dollars.

In my mind, a catcher is similar to a mexican pinata. The catcher and pinata have something that everybody wants.
It is their job to protect it, until an outcome is reached.
The fans and kids can't wait for the excitement, the anticipation.
The pleasure is in how to get the candy, not the candy itself. The pleasure is in how that run is obtained.
Then, the pinata did the unthinkable. It got expensive.
The owners invested a lot in that pinata. Now, they don't want it broken.
They want to protect their investment.
So, instead of the pinata doing what a pinata does, they remove the pinata and set out a bowl of candy for the kids.
The pinata has been saved. The kids get their candy.
And still, something is lost.

I see your Bloomquist point (I think made half jokingly, because he's a 10 year MLB player, after all), but he's still operating on an exceptionally high level viz most everybody else in the world in terms of baseball (pls ignore career 1.4 WAR). He has rare talent and motivation to have achieved what he's achieved. I'm sure he has to continually worry about being demoted or fired and yet he shows up and gets it done (in a sense) and has made a career of it. Good lessons for the kids? Hard work, determination, all that BS.

You pinata analogy is well put (esp. since both pinatas and catchers get hit), and I agree with you. I enjoy plays at the plate, and they are going away (in a way), and that's kinda lame. But to extend this rule change to be an example of overall cultural "wussification" when it's simply "MLB owners want to save their asses and money on catchers" is where I some of the things said here are flat wrong.

And I'm still curious as to what specific year or years make up "when baseball was baseball."

To your point about Bloomquist, that makes every mlb PLAYER fantastic. They're not. They reached the highest level of their profession. Yes, but we judge them against each other there. Not, that they got there.

Thank you for the pinata kudo. We will miss it and it is more about money. Still, it wasn't a thought when Johnny Bench had a collision. But then again, he knew better in how to play catcher and protect the plate than Posey.
Better to protect Posey from himself than get a lesson from Johnny Bench.

We could go on forever about this.
Let's just say I'll miss it and that you're sure that wussification has little to do with it.
Its been a pleasure.

[ToddZ]

Johnny Bench ‏@Johnny_Bench5 6h
@MLB thank you for the new collision rule! I addressed this with MLB after Posey was nailed. It's taken too long!


http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2013/1 ... blasts-it/

[KJ Duke]

Better to protect Posey from himself than get a lesson from Johnny Bench.

The defense rests !

[KJ Duke]

Johnny Bench ‏@Johnny_Bench5 6h
@MLB thank you for the new collision rule! I addressed this with MLB after Posey was nailed. It's taken too long!

Oh no, Johnny's gone soft too? At least Pete still has some fire. One vote for the Hall.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Johnny Bench ‏@Johnny_Bench5 6h
@MLB thank you for the new collision rule! I addressed this with MLB after Posey was nailed. It's taken too long!

Oh no, Johnny's gone soft too? At least Pete still has some fire. One vote for the Hall.

Two.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Better to protect Posey from himself than get a lesson from Johnny Bench.

The defense rests !

Time for you and Dan to get out of the 1950s and into the 21st century, you old curmudgeons!!

[DOUGHBOYS]

Remember when Andy Taylor called Opie out at the plate?
And that was without the plate being blocked!

[DOUGHBOYS]

If Greg were Opie, he'd asks for a replay umpire....

[Money]

If Greg were Opie, he'd asks for a replay umpire….

Here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA-9lV5zDHk

[DOUGHBOYS]

If Greg were Opie, he'd asks for a replay umpire….

Here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA-9lV5zDHk

Awesome, Joe!
I thought he was safe, but Andy Taylor was my tv father. If he said Opie was out, I had to believe he was out.

[KJ Duke]

Time for you and Dan to get out of the 1950s and into the 21st century, you old curmudgeons!!

I wasn't born yet!

But doesn't Dan look a bit like Perry Mason?

[KJ Duke]

If Greg were Opie, he'd asks for a replay umpire....

If replay become pervasive, will they source it out to the STATS tech team?

[DOUGHBOYS]

Time for you and Dan to get out of the 1950s and into the 21st century, you old curmudgeons!!

I wasn't born yet!

But doesn't Dan look a bit like Perry Mason?

Not a bit! Perry's a handsome dude.

Just a sidebar..... There was an inside joke in Hollywood about Perry and Della getting together on screen.
Hollywooders thought it funny. They were the only ones knowing that Raymond Burr was gay.
A time when few knew of anybody being gay.

Another sidebar....
Hamilton Berger is an icon....For every player who suited up for the Washington Generals.

[KJ Duke]

I had no idea he was gay. I guess we know which side of the catcher issue he would be on!

Dan, get on your daughter's program and you'd be PMason in no time. Ah, never mind, I know it ain't happenin' ... about as likely I get on my wife's vegetarian torture regime.

[headhunters]

well this thread had just about everything- from how our own set of laws have been formed to discussions on capitalism vs any other ism and even a little baseball. I have to say- I really never heard any outcry from fans regarding collisions- this is purely a corporate decision just like the anti- tackling rule is in football. I will say this- if I was "discussing" something; I sure would want dan, kj, and outlaw on my side. An aside to naval lint- I see where you are going with the whole" things were always better in our own era" but I kinda disagree- at least from my end. I am a 50's baby and don't really know what "era" is mine but I think baseball was best in the 60's, basketball at the pro level in the 80's and 90's at the college level in the 60's and 70's football in the late 60's up until the end of the 20th century ( I enjoyed watching tackle football). hockey- now, tennis- in the 70's and soccer never NEVER never. Maybe they are all my era- but my enjoyment hasn't been in lockstep for all the sports.