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MLB General

MLB’S Gaming Sale of Texas Rangers Continues

By Diane M. Grassi

“If an alternative process is established, we’re going to be guided by the court’s procedures, subject to of course, our ultimate right to approve any owner submitted to us.”
– MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig – July 12, 2010

As this reporter documented here in May 2010, the still impending sale of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Texas Rangers has suffered no shortage of legal and financial machinations and maneuvers, including political manipulation, for many, many months. Yet, it has been nearly a year and a half since Texas Rangers owner, Tom Hicks, defaulted on a $525 million loan in March 2009, eventually ending up in bankruptcy.

Categories
MLB General

MLB Gaming Sale of Texas Rangers

By Diane M. Grassi

Back in 1989, it was but a no-brainer for George W. Bush to inject himself into the proposed purchase of the then flailing Major League Baseball (MLB) Texas Rangers. His goals in mind were to propel himself into the governor’s mansion in Austin, TX and eventually to the presidency of the United States, while even making a little bit of cash along the way. And he succeeded on all fronts.

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MLB Philadelphia Phillies

Use of Taser More than Necessary on Phillies Fan

I’m confused. Downright confused. In fact, there is not an adjective that I’m familiar with that can sufficiently explain how confused I am.

So to understand just how confused I am, let’s examine what I am not confused about

Categories
MLB General

MLB, Rawlings Bring New Meaning to Free Trade: Postscript

By Diane M. Grassi

In 2006, this reporter shed light on the seemingly unfair labor practices taking place in the Central American country of Costa Rica, in a factory operated by the Rawlings Sporting Goods Co., Inc., and now a subsidiary of the multi-national corporation, Jarden Corp. As we embark upon the 2010 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, let us take another look back on this important issue regarding free trade and on that which has transpired since.

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MLB New York Yankees Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Umpires: Much ado about sucking

By Tom Kelly

So when Major League Baseball made the decision to exclusively include umpires with World Series experience in this year’s fall classic did it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?  Well it probably shouldn’t have, because all it did was assure us that those making the incorrect calls would do so with decades of collective experience.

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Philadelphia Phillies

Dear America, welcome to the Phillies bandwagon

Are you undecided on whom to root for in the 2009 World Series? Well, I’m here to tell you that the Phillies should be your team — for the next week or so at least.

Around here, we don’t take kindly to bandwagon jumpers. The thinking goes that if you haven’t suffered through the misery that is being a Philly sports fan, we don’t really want you celebrating the triumph of a championship. But that was during The Drought.

After carrying around the Championship belt for a full year, we feel (and this is a one time only offer) we can be magnanimous and offer fans of all teams a seat on the bandwagon this year. Yes, even you, Mets fans.

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Philadelphia Phillies

“It’s always better to write joy”

A semi-wise man once wrote, on this website no less, that it’s always better to write joy.  And so while I had every intention of writing about the bewildering circus that has become the Eagles early 2009 season, the Phillies clinching the NL East tonight in convincing fashion has me switching topics.  Why ponder the season of an infuriating  franchise when you can celebrate the victory of a champion?

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Philadelphia Phillies

Losing My Religion

It ain’t easy being a Philly fan these days. I’m a 5 for 5 guy (Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, FC Cheesesteaks) but lately, it’s getting harder and harder to root for all the Philadelphia pro teams.

The Flyers continue to tease but disappoint. The Sixers trot out the albatross that is Samuel Dalembert and expect us to keep paying attention. The Eagles have the most arrogant management group in the area, a maddening head coach, and a quarterback that gags harder the bigger the game.

Meanwhile, the Phillies, fresh off a World Series Championship and looking like a sure bet to meet the Red Sox or Yankees in the Fall Classic, have fans that are killing each other in parking lots.

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Boston Red Sox General Sports New England Patriots

July Round-Up: Steroid Guys, Theo’s Tries, and Gisele’s Eyes

By Ryan McGowan

Some quick hitters as we roll into August, even though by my internal weather-clock it should be late June here in the Northeast…

Ortiz, Manny on steroids
We didn’t get around to discussing this on the podcast yesterday.  This topic lost out to Cliff Lee/Roy Halladay trade discussion, Michael Vick and Connecticut Puerto Rican cockfighting, Erin Andrews’ 911 call, and freaking YouTube stupid wedding entrances.  That should tell you something about the strength of this story—it has none.

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Cincinnati Reds MLB

No such thing as the “right time” to reinstate Pete Rose

It’s that time of year again. Boy, I say that a lot.

 

A couple of players get inducted into the Hall of Fame; Andre Dawson and Dale Murphy don’t because they played one era before their accomplished were rendered obsolete; ESPN speculates on who will get in next year; someone mentions that Pete Rose should be reinstated.

 

Reinstated? Really? For Rose? Pete Rose?

 

You must be higher than Ricky Williams in Amsterdam.