Bud Selig on Instant Replay: Attendance is Up, Why Do We Need Replay? [UPDATE]

All, Baseball Jason McIntyre July 3rd. 2012, 11:01am

Bud Selig has been saying insanely stupid things about instant replay in baseball for years. He must have consulted with Dwight Howard before making his latest comments, which come courtesy of John Shea of the SF Chronicle:

“People in our sport don’t want any more. Given our attendance and everything we’re doing, we’re in the right place with instant replay.”

Who are these “people” you speak of, Bud? As for the disconnect between attendance and instant replay – what could they possibly have to do with each other? – I’ll come up with something when I pick my jaw up off the floor.

[UPDATE: Someone at MLB.com wanted to pass along Selig's entire quote. Shea left off the last two sentences:

"People in our sport don't want any more," Selig said in regards to expansion of replay. "Given our attendance and everything we're doing, we're in the right place with instant replay. Baseball is a game of pace. You have to be very sensitive and careful not to disturb that pace."]

Previously: MLB is Making the Instant Replay Decision Far More Complicated Than it Should Be
Previously: Bud Selig Has Little Interest in Expanding Instant Replay

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152 Responses to “Bud Selig on Instant Replay: Attendance is Up, Why Do We Need Replay? [UPDATE]”

1
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Best commissioner in sports.
– The Commentariat
2
Coach Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:04 AM
This sport I don’t watch (and won’t watch anyway) better start changing things!!
3
cracker jack Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:05 AM
I guess it is nice that we finally get a post acknowledging baseball’s increase of attendance/ratings/revenue this year.
4
scripty Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Caption:
The early Bird gets the booger.
5
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Bud works for the owners, if the owners wanted it, he’d be behind it. that’s how it works as a commissioner of a sport.
6
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:08 AM
So I have a financial question that could well lead to a “yahoo finance” series of answers again. Where is a good place to track a stock dilution for a certain company over a period of time?
7
arkbadger Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:08 AM
As for the disconnect between attendance and instant replay – what could they possibly have to do with each other?
they have about as much to do with each other as every fucking ratings post you ever put up, yet that doesn’t seem to stop you from typing them.
8
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:08 AM
CJ, major American sports should never, ever see a decrease in revenue or ratings year-over-year (attendance is fickle). Simply following the pattern isn’t exceptional, IMO
9
phillymantis915 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Best commissioner in sports.
Well, you can’t argue truth.
10
starkweather Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:10 AM
What a buffoon this Selig character is. He continues to think that increasing revenue & profitability will save his shitty little game.
11
bk Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:10 AM
It’s too bad that Pete Rose didn’t fight Giamati or 6 more months. Giamati would have passed away, Pete would have walked into Seligs office and said, “I’m the hit king there is no way I bet on baseball.” Selig would have accepted Petes word as an honorable baseball man.
// Selig is stupid
12
rittyrich Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Who are these “people” you speak of, Bud?
Owners, probably some players, managers, hell even the umpires. You’d think, with as much pressure as they’re under that, if “baseball” really wanted to initiate more changes to their instant replay that the umpires would have a mouthpiece saying they wanted to allow more use.
13
starkweather Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:13 AM
CJ, major American sports should never, ever see a decrease in revenue or ratings year-over-year
Network ratings are pretty far down from their historical nadir all across the board.
14
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:14 AM
What a buffoon this Selig character is. He continues to think that increasing revenue & profitability will save his shitty little game.
You can only increase ticket prices for so long…
15
johndewar Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:15 AM
I think baseball should use replay, but I think Bud going knuckle deep in that picture that accompanied the post is a far bigger problem.
You can get nose bleeds, Bud. You know that, right?
16
illformula Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Best commissioner in sports.
truth.
17
Coach Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:18 AM
“My commissioner is better than yours” is the lamest argument in the history of ever.
18
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Network ratings are pretty far down from their historical nadir all across the board.
No doubt. It’s all relative, certainly. Let me rephrase: a sport’s signature events (postseason, championships) should never see a decrease in interest.
19
Tim Ryan Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Bud Selig is an Adonis.
20
illformula Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Bud works for the owners, if the owners wanted it, he’d be behind it. that’s how it works as a commissioner of a sport.
i don’t work for anyone!
/nazi goodell
21
Jason McIntyre Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:19 AM
It’s all relative, certainly. Let me rephrase: a sport’s signature events (postseason, championships) should never see a decrease in interest.
yup
22
rittyrich Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I would also like to know the context in which Selig said this. The link is to a tweet. The link the tweet is to an extended tweet. Something tells me he was asked this as he’s getting in his car or something and would clearly have a more well reasoned response given a proper forum.
23
phillymantis915 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:19 AM
You can only increase ticket prices for so long…
Cost of a standing room Phillies ticket in 2011 = $18
Cost of same ticket in 2012 = $19
Price increase = 5.55%
Such a huge price increase…
Here I’ll take the NFL
Standing room for Eagles in 2011 (Eagles/Pats) = $80 face
Standing room for Eagles in 2012 (as per Stub Hub) = $108
Price increase = 35%
24
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:20 AM
As for the disconnect between attendance and instant replay – what could they possibly have to do with each other?
Can’t argue with you there, Jason. WTF, Bud… at least try to drop a “purity of the human element of the game” line.
25
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Jason, if you feel so passionately about this subject, perhaps you could exert more effort and come up with a full length post. Your outrage over baseball’s lack of instant replay combined with the your well-established views on the sport are not helped by posts that are less than 100 words long.
26
rittyrich Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Let me rephrase: a sport’s signature events (postseason, championships) should never see a decrease in interest.
1998 NBA Finals Game Six Ratings – 22.3.
2003 NBA Finals Game Two Ratings – 5.2
2012 NBA Finals Game Five Ratings – 10.9
27
phillymantis915 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:22 AM
And Bird Selig should have just kept his mouth shut, or said “purity of the game” like WWoS pointed out.
28
Coach Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:23 AM
It’s all relative, certainly. Let me rephrase: a sport’s signature events (postseason, championships) should never see a decrease in interest.
Why not?
29
scripty Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Standing room? Why not use all non-luxury seats. That seems pretty selective. I’m not saying it’d change but that’s maybe the worst example…
30
Wally's World Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Typical Bud.
But, count me as someone who thinks replay has limited usage in baseball. It can be used for more, but plays in the “run of action” are difficult, if not impossible to judge:
Scenario A: Guy on 1st. Short fly that CF dives to make catch. Runner returns to 1st after seeing 2B Ump signal out. Replays show he trapped it. What’s the replay call? If they determine it was a trap, what about the guy on 1st and the potential of a force out at 2nd?
Scenario B: No one on. Guy lines ball down RF line, 1B ump calls foul ball, hitter stops and returns to the plate. Replay shows the ball was clearly fair, hitting inside the chalk. What’s the replay call? Does he get 2nd? What if its Mike Trout? Does he get 3rd because he’s fast? What if its Hideki Matsui? Does he get 1st because he’s slow?
There are multiple scenarios like this that cannot be helped by replay because the play could take on several different outcomes if reversed. Things could be deemed a “replay”, which everything is reset to the pitch before. But, that gets very sticky for a game that is transparent in its statistics and game flow.
There are additional situations where the replay booth could help, but I still think that they are limited to stopped ball situations.
If the umpires were more willing to help their brethren out and reverse calls where needed, this would be less of an issue.
31
johndewar Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 AM
You can only increase ticket prices for so long…
I hold season tickets for 3 different sports over the years (baseball, cfb, hockey).
I’ve only seen prices decrease once (for hockey) and that was because of a work stoppage.
Once they have your money, most entities either simply ask for more of it or find someone else who will pay it.
32
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Cougar pounces on sleeping man
Actual headline at SFGate.com.
Shouldn’t it be “Cougar pounces on aroused frat boy”?
33
Tim Ryan Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Scenario B: No one on. Guy lines ball down RF line, 1B ump calls foul ball, hitter stops and returns to the plate. Replay shows the ball was clearly fair, hitting inside the chalk. What’s the replay call? Does he get 2nd? What if its Mike Trout? Does he get 3rd because he’s fast? What if its Hideki Matsui? Does he get 1st because he’s slow?
In this scenario, Willie McGee gets three home runs.
34
scripty Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:27 AM
The issue I have is it seems the author has issues with MLB’s use of instant replay (which they have for HR’s, right?) We don’t get posts for replay for NBA out-of-bounds plays, blown calls, goaltending, etc?
Maybe I’d get on board if the site had their comprehensive view of the site’s feel on MLB replay? This just seems like picking nits…
35
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Mantis, a $1 increase in tickets over 82 games isn’t a small increase.
Philly averages 44,000 fans a game. 82 home games a season (we wont count playoffs) means Philly hauls in an extra $3.6 million a year on that $1 increase. Now multiply that by 32. That’s $115 million more a year MLB pulls in just by increasing the tickets by $1.
Yes, not everyone averages 44,000 fans a year and not all stadiums increase their prices every year (although some go higher than a $1). Point is, all this talk about increased revenue has nothing to do with Selig. It’s mostly owners increasing prices.
36
phillymantis915 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Standing room? Why not use all non-luxury seats. That seems pretty selective. I’m not saying it’d change but that’s maybe the worst example…
I was using a baseline example. Another Phillies example, I paid $30 for seats in section 203 this year, same seats last year were $28. Two dollar increase is about 7.1%. Still higher than 2.3% inflation last year, but demand dictates the higher prices.
37
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:28 AM
1998 NBA Finals Game Six Ratings – 22.3.
2003 NBA Finals Game Two Ratings – 5.2
2012 NBA Finals Game Five Ratings – 10.9
To be fair, its difficult to gain casual fan interest after the greatest player of all time retires and one of sports all-time great dynasties comes to an end.
38
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Philly averages 44,000 fans a game
Impressive. If the Rangers had their record, Arlington would be a ghost town.
39
ohheelyeah Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Typical Bud.
But, count me as someone who thinks replay has limited usage in baseball. It can be used for more, but plays in the “run of action” are difficult, if not impossible to judge:
Scenario A: Guy on 1st. Short fly that CF dives to make catch. Runner returns to 1st after seeing 2B Ump signal out. Replays show he trapped it. What’s the replay call? If they determine it was a trap, what about the guy on 1st and the potential of a force out at 2nd?
Scenario B: No one on. Guy lines ball down RF line, 1B ump calls foul ball, hitter stops and returns to the plate. Replay shows the ball was clearly fair, hitting inside the chalk. What’s the replay call? Does he get 2nd? What if its Mike Trout? Does he get 3rd because he’s fast? What if its Hideki Matsui? Does he get 1st because he’s slow?
There are multiple scenarios like this that cannot be helped by replay because the play could take on several different outcomes if reversed. Things could be deemed a “replay”, which everything is reset to the pitch before. But, that gets very sticky for a game that is transparent in its statistics and game flow.
There are additional situations where the replay booth could help, but I still think that they are limited to stopped ball situations.
If the umpires were more willing to help their brethren out and reverse calls where needed, this would be less of an issue.
All of this. It’s not that I am opposed to “instant replay”, its that I have yet to see someone who wants it explain how they are going to implement it. It’s very easy to take time out of busy commenter-banning schedule to bash Selig on this, but tell me how you would handle each and every incident above, applied to all teams and all their players.
40
ATribeCalledPoop Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Question:
My gf was at Marsh last night buying groceries. When she got back out to her car she realized that she had left her iphone at the checkout line. She went back inside and asked if anyone had found a phone. The guy at the register said that the bagger had taken it out to the parking lot to give it back to her. She found the bagger and asked if he had the phone. His reply was “Oh the lady must have lied to me that I gave it to.” Turns out he approached the wrong lady and she said the phone was hers.
My question is can Marsh be held responsible for reimbursing her to buy a new phone? Any help with this matter would be appreciated
41
Jason McIntyre Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Karma – NBA ratings nosedive in the 00s and uptick the last 3 years was completely covered here
http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/06/11/nba-finals-how-good-will-tv-ratings-be/
42
MP Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:30 AM
So I have a financial question that could well lead to a “yahoo finance” series of answers again. Where is a good place to track a stock dilution for a certain company over a period of time?
Unless you have access to certain software that banks purchase for millions of dollars, this is still your best bet.
43
jdeeser5 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:31 AM
I have to agree with Bill Madden’s article about the umpiring system that needs to be fixed. Why call for more replay when umpires won’t do their jobs properly, such as asking to see the ball the before making a call.
44
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Wally, the metric for replay isn’t “What happens in X highly implausible scenario?” It’s, “Is this better than the current setup?” The answer is unquestionably yes. Replay won’t be perfect but it will be far superior than “The Human Element.”
45
BostonCanSuckIt Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Assuming the Thunder don’t run away and hide over the next two games, and the series goes six or seven games like many predict, then the NBA will be thrilled to have gone from locked out to What Lockout in a mere eight months. Considering the NFL saw the same uptick in audience following a lockout, perhaps MLB should attempt the same?
Who are these “people” you speak of, Bud? As for the disconnect between attendance and instant replay – what could they possibly have to do with each other? – I’ll come up with something when I pick my jaw up off the floor.
I don’t think you are in a position to crtique anyone’s logic.
46
Jason McIntyre Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Queefer – Philly may average 44k per game. If they don’t turn it around soon … gonna be an empty scene at CBP in August. Maybe Jay V and i can find great seats on the cheap, rope Mantis into joining us.
47
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Even Bird and Magic at the height of their rivalry (87) didn’t have the numbers of the 93, 96-98 Bulls
48
phillymantis915 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Point is, all this talk about increased revenue has nothing to do with Selig. It’s mostly owners increasing prices.
MLB gets a cut of all merchandise that teams sell, with higher attendance in parks such as LA (both), Texas, Miami and all of those new practice jerseys sold, MLB gets more money.
Demand dicates ticket pricing (Microecon 101), a fixed supply, but more people wanting to see in person will drive up ticket pricing on primary and secondary markets.
49
Walking Underwear Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:32 AM
nada that still pales in comparison to a fox sports headlline from the other day
Kenseth Grabs Pole At (whatever track) [ed. note]
50
squawkbox Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Cost of a standing room Phillies ticket in 2011 = $18
Cost of same ticket in 2012 = $19
It may also reflect, somewhat, this season’s performance on the field.
/That’s my nice way of saying the Phillies suck.
51
Tim Ryan Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:34 AM
His reply was “Oh the lady must have lied to me that I gave it to.”
He’s lying. Bagger still has it.
52
rittyrich Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:34 AM
To be fair, its difficult to gain casual fan interest after the greatest player of all time retires and one of sports all-time great dynasties comes to an end.
I agree, but was just responding to the absolutes cited in the comments and agreed to by the TBL Overlord.
53
phillymantis915 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Queefer – Philly may average 44k per game. If they don’t turn it around soon … gonna be an empty scene at CBP in August. Maybe Jay V and i can find great seats on the cheap, rope Mantis into joining us.
Disagree…people will go just for the tailgating and partying alone. But it might drop below the 44k, can’t disagree.
I will come, just let me know when and hopefully it doesn’t overlap my busy season coming up.
54
mizerle06 is sarah phillips Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 AM
This sport I don’t watch (and won’t watch anyway) better start changing things!!
the foundational narrative of TheBigLead.com.
55
cracker jack Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 AM
phillymantis, with an economics lesson from the top rope!
56
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 AM
MLB gets a cut of all merchandise that teams sell, with higher attendance in parks such as LA (both), Texas, Miami and all of those new practice jerseys sold, MLB gets more money.
All of this is true. I’m just saying that even a dollar increase in ticket prices results in over $100 million in new revenue for baseball. So I’m not real sure how much credit we should give Selig for “more revenue.”
57
MP Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Mantis gets it. Ticket prices go up because people will buy them. It’s the most basic of economic principles.
58
cleet Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Selig’s message: Let them eat ~~cake~~ bird seed.
59
The Wayne Fontes Safari Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:38 AM
My question is can Marsh be held responsible for reimbursing her to buy a new phone? Any help with this matter would be appreciated
WTF???
60
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:38 AM
~~Kenseth~~ Anderson Cooper Grabs Pole At (whatever track)
Updated for newsiness.
61
ohheelyeah Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Mantis gets it. Ticket prices go up because people will buy them. It’s the most basic of economic principles.
So, what you are saying is:
Supply and Demand > Instant Replay > Ratings > Dong Pics
??
62
Tim Ryan Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:41 AM
I’m still really enjoy this:
My gf was at Marsh last night buying groceries. When she got back out to her car she realized that she had left her iphone at the checkout line. She went back inside and asked if anyone had found a phone. The guy at the register said that the bagger had taken it out to the parking lot to give it back to her. She found the bagger and asked if he had the phone. His reply was “Oh the lady must have lied to me that I gave it to.” Turns out he approached the wrong lady and she said the phone was hers.
My question is can Marsh be held responsible for reimbursing her to buy a new phone? Any help with this matter would be appreciated
63
Wally's World Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Wally, the metric for replay isn’t “What happens in X highly implausible scenario?” It’s, “Is this better than the current setup?” The answer is unquestionably yes. Replay won’t be perfect but it will be far superior than “The Human Element.”
The scenarios I’ve mentioned are absolutely not implausible. In fact, they are 2 plays that happened this year, in which everyone got their panties in a bunch over the lack of replay.
So making up what would happen IF a call was reversed is better than what actually happened on the field? Color me doubtful here…
So, tell me how you would implement replay for both of those plays? Or for any “ball in play” replay? Without a solution to those questions, replay cannot be implemented for most situations on the baseball field.
64
HawkEye Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:41 AM
My question is can Marsh be held responsible for reimbursing her to buy a new phone? Any help with this matter would be appreciated
Nope. Not the store or kid’s fault for the woman lying to him. Maybe tell your wife to put her phone in her purse or pocket when it comes time to checkout.
65
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:42 AM
Supply and Demand > Instant Replay > Ratings > Dong Pics
The economics of all sports blogs.
66
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:42 AM
Philly averages 44,000 fans a game
Impressive. If the Rangers had their record, Arlington would be a ghost town.
Hmmm. According to MLB, Rangers are second to Phils in average attendance at 43,447.
Maybe the statement should read, “If the Phillies had to play in the same 100-plus temps the Rangers do every summer, Citizens Bank Park would be a ghost town.”
67
jdeeser5 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:42 AM
MLB attendance has been helped a great deal by the influx of young stars. People want to watch Trout, Harper, Strasburg, Middlebrooks, Bauer, etc. I think it has brought a jolt to the sport and when Kemp comes back and Pujols hits to his capability there are even more reasons to watch games.
68
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:42 AM
Mantis gets it. Ticket prices go up because people will buy them. It’s the most basic of economic principles.
No one is arguing why ticket prices go up. I’m saying that a blanket statement like “Bug Selig is a good commissioner because baseball makes money” ignores the fact that Selig has nothing to do with baseball making more money. It’s primarily new stadiums and higher ticket prices/tv deals.
69
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:42 AM
JHS does civil law, doesn’t he? Perhaps he could weigh in and pioneer billable hours in an internet commenting section.
70
I'm a Horse Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:44 AM
People, the obvious answer is robot umpires.
71
ButtersBC Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:44 AM
I’m saying that a blanket statement like “Bug Selig is a good commissioner because baseball makes money” ignores the fact that Selig has nothing to do with baseball making more money
/Eagerly awaiting your next defense of Roger Goodell using the same logic
72
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Hmmm. According to MLB, Rangers are second to Phils in average attendance at 43,447.
Maybe the statement should read, “If the Phillies had to play in the same 100-plus temps the Rangers do every summer, Citizens Bank Park would be a ghost town.”
Certainly a valid point, but let’s not discount the bandwagon effect here in what is essentially a football state.
73
ButtersBC Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:45 AM
People, the obvious answer is robot umpires
Hawk Harrelson would then allege that they were programmed with a bias against the White Sox and call them all “Country Joebot”
74
St. Bear Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Jason McIntyre on Post Quality: Pageviews are Up, Why Do We Need a Copy Editor?
75
Coach Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:48 AM
People want to watch Trout, Harper, Strasburg, Middlebrooks, Bauer, etc.
WTF?
/sees avatar
Nevermind.
76
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:49 AM
My question is can Marsh be held responsible for reimbursing her to buy a new phone? Any help with this matter would be appreciated
Get off the phone, bitch. God it’s rude as fuck when people ignore service employees to stare into their phone.
77
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Jason McIntyre on Post Quality: Pageviews are Up, Why Do We Need a Copy Editor?
Boom. cthomashowellroasted.
78
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:50 AM
/Eagerly awaiting your next defense of Roger Goodell using the same logic
Oh, I don’t think Goddell is a particularly fantastic commissioner, either, and that it’s much harder to break football at this point than it is to help it thrive.
But we have to be consistent. If Selig is a great commissioner because baseball revenue is up, then you can’t dismiss Goddell’s “achievements” on similar grounds.
79
Jason McIntyre Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Oh, we could use a copy editor. That was discussed in Vegas last week. Looking forward to expanding the ship, hopefully before NFL season.
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
A mobile site – for real this time! – is hopefully coming!
80
MP Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:50 AM
@Queefer: my comment wasn’t meant to disagree with you. He probably gets too much credit, but the commissioner always will when the sport is profitable.
81
mizerle06 is sarah phillips Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:51 AM
JHS does civil law, doesn’t he? Perhaps he could weigh in and pioneer billable hours in an internet commenting section.
he’s probably treading water in Jacksonville right now.
82
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:51 AM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
Please don’t.
A mobile site – for real this time! – is hopefully coming!
For really real? I’ll believe you the day that m.thebiglead.com is registered.
83
heldover Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:51 AM
So Gary Bettman is the best commish in sports now, right?
/winner by default
84
Babar 2.0 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
I got $5 on the first slideshow being “Nostalgic Athlete Dong”
85
St. Bear Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Philly averages 44,000 fans a game
Impressive. If the Rangers had their record, Arlington would be a ghost town
Red Sox: 754 consecutive sellouts
86
njensen79 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:52 AM
I don’t get it. The same people who bitch about baseball being too slow are the ones saying it needs instant replay. You do realize that if Selig was to implement replay, it would ultimately slow down the game. You can’t have it both ways here.
87
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Slideshows? Please tell me you’re joking.
88
mizerle06 is sarah phillips Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:53 AM
A mobile site – for real this time! – is hopefully coming!
TheBigDeal (Dave Lessa) is on it!
/2007′d
89
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
Hey it’s better than the screenshots posts with fifteen pictures loading at once.
Just for the love of GOD don’t use whatever coding Gawker uses on theirs, or Uproxx, that causes the slideshow to crash every third picture.
Also don’t run posts mocking slideshows then use them, too.
/deadspin’d
90
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:53 AM
I don’t get it. The same people who bitch about baseball being too slow are the ones saying it needs instant replay. You do realize that if Selig was to implement replay, it would ultimately slow down the game. You can’t have it both ways here.
Baseball is unnecessarily slow. “Oh shit it’s gonna make it slower” can’t be an excuse for not caring if calls are correct.
91
HawkEye Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:53 AM
For really real? I’ll believe you the day that m.thebiglead.com is registered.
Time for some cybersquatting!
92
MP Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Red Sox: 754 consecutive sellouts
Biggest ongoing lie in sports.
93
Some Random Old Dude Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
Don’t cave, brotha. One reason I quit Bleacher Report was their preponderance of slideshows.
“If everybody else jumped off a bridge…”
/yada yada yada’d
94
heldover Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Oh, we could use a copy editor. That was discussed in Vegas last week. Looking forward to expanding the ship, hopefully before NFL season.
Where will those job listings be posted? Do I have to start haranguing Gannett folks about this?
95
njensen79 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Baseball doesn’t need instant replay. It needs to beef up the training and hold the umps to a higher standard of ruling.
96
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Time for some cybersquatting!
You can’t cybersquat subdomains I don’t think.
97
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:56 AM
You can’t cybersquat subdomains I don’t think.
That’s correct. Once you own the parent URL you own everything underneath it, mobile included.
98
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Slideshows? Please tell me you’re joking.
So you’re going to stop hanging out on the UPROXX sites then?
99
rittyrich Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Baseball is unnecessarily slow. “Oh shit it’s gonna make it slower” can’t be an excuse for not caring if calls are correct.
No, football is unnecessarily slow. Kickoff, commercial, timeout, commercial, etc. Baseball was born slow. And I love it.
100
Coach Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
Are you actively trying to make your site shittier? Serious question.
101
HawkEye Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Eh, was a thought. Probably would have found that out had I gone through with it
102
phillymantis915 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
A mobile site – for real this time! – is hopefully coming!
Slideshows = not good, slow down the site, esp. on IE
Mobile Site = good, about time.
Baseball doesn’t need instant replay. It needs to beef up the training and hold the umps to a higher standard of ruling.
A little A and a little B. Having umps enforce keeping batters in the box between pitches would make baseball faster.
And for the love of everything, don’t use the new commenting system that Kotaku just went to, holy shit it’s awful.
103
cracker jack Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:58 AM
That was discussed in Vegas last week.
And afterwards, while riding in my Porsche..
104
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Oh, we could use a copy editor.
I actually do that for a living.
/interested
105
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:59 AM
And for the love of everything, don’t use the new commenting system that Kotaku just went to, holy shit it’s awful.
It drove commenters off and increases pageviews (BUT THE DEADSPIN GUY SWEARS THEY DON’T TRACK THOSE).
106
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:59 AM
I actually do that for a living.
/interested
I used to.
/and hate my current job
107
ohheelyeah Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:59 AM
slideshows = more chances to cycle web ads (which get the shit blocked out of them via addblock, so the joke’s on you!)
108
njensen79 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:01 PM
If every pitcher was like Mark Buehrle, the baseball world would be a better place. The worst though are guys like Pap who take so long that batters actually step out because of how long he gets ready between pitches
109
Tim Ryan Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Someone really annoyed me recently. The question is, can I sue?
/Marsh
110
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
Please, for the love of God, don’t.
I like TBL because the format is simple and the commenters are hilarious. Keep it that way.
/ but add a mobile site
111
ohheelyeah Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Oh, we could use a copy editor.
I actually do that for a living.
/interested
I do that for about 40% of my living
/not interested, although I am quite good at it
//shit is harder than you’d think
112
VladimirCrouton Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:03 PM
So Gary Bettman is the best commish in sports now, right?
/winner by default
Better than Stern. But still awful.
113
St. Bear Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Oh, we could use a copy editor.
Hallelujah! It’ll almost be like you’re a legitmate and professional site.
114
ohheelyeah Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:04 PM
If every pitcher was like a member of the Indians staff, the baseball world would be a better place.
/fixed
//only on time to deliver the pitch
///cannot stress enough, ONLY on time to deliver the pitch
////don’t copy us in any other regard
115
ButtersBC Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:04 PM
If every pitcher was like Mark Buehrle, the baseball world would be a better place
I think that’s a Cooper thing since aside from Gavin Floyd (who’s just the worst) all the Sox pitchers work quick…not sure why more guys don’t go this route since I’ve always thought that if you’re going quick it’s not letting the hitter settle in as much or spend a lot of time thinking about what’s coming next
Buehrle’s the master though, remember a game from 2005 that ended in less than 100 minutes
116
HawkEye Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:04 PM
And for the love of everything, don’t use the new commenting system that Kotaku just went to, holy shit it’s awful.
It drove commenters off and increases pageviews (BUT THE DEADSPIN GUY SWEARS THEY DON’T TRACK THOSE).
Sounds like it’s just what J-Mac wants
117
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Don’t cave, brotha. One reason I quit Bleacher Report was their preponderance of slideshows.
Surely the bigger reason though was the fact that Bleacher Report is written by people who have yet to master middle school grammar.
118
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Considering Gawker owns Kinja I doubt it would get implemented here.
119
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:06 PM
With so many editors on this site, its no wonder we’re always bitching about the format/text of the posts.
120
illformula Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Baseball doesn’t need instant replay. It needs to beef up the training and hold the umps to a higher standard of ruling.
not sure how realistic that statement is… there’s a lot of subjectivity in officiating baseball; that’s just the nature of the game.
you implement instant replay across all aspects of the game and you take away the pleasures of watching the likes of Earl Weaver and Lou Piniella. I, for one, don’t want that.
121
ButtersBC Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Surely the bigger reason though was the fact that Bleacher Report is written by people who have yet to master middle school grammar
/Shots fired at Son of JPQ
122
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Someone really annoyed me recently. The question is, can I sue?
/Marsh
Are you trying to make this a meme?
123
HawkEye Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Considering Gawker owns Kinja I doubt it would get implemented here.
Little victories
124
jthussler Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:08 PM
No one is arguing why ticket prices go up. I’m saying that a blanket statement like “Bug Selig is a good commissioner because baseball makes money” ignores the fact that Selig has nothing to do with baseball making more money. It’s primarily new stadiums and higher ticket prices/tv deals.
MLB Advanced Media?
125
Some Random Old Dude Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Surely the bigger reason though was the fact that Bleacher Report is written by people who have yet to master middle school grammar.
Well, I guess there’s that.
I rarely stayed long enough where I saw lots of copy. Saw the slide show start, and quickly lost interest. I guess I don’t have a lot of patience anymore.
126
MP Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
Other ideas from Vegas:
Fire Lisk
Put in $200,000,000.01 offer for Bleacher Report
Make Janoff the lead CFB writer
Change ratio to 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4
Go public
127
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Other ideas from Vegas:
Fire Lisk
Put in $200,000,000.01 offer for Bleacher Report
Make Janoff the lead CFB writer
Change ratio to 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4
Go public
NBA and NFL Mock Drafts three years early
128
Some Random Old Dude Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:11 PM
MP, dayum! Oh yes, I am laughing out loud.
129
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:12 PM
NBA and NFL Mock Drafts three years early
I, for one, enjoy reading about potential draft picks that are currently in Grade 10.
130
karma Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Cold call mondays – nobody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
/ Everybody
131
TimmyTheEnchanter Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:13 PM
I would like Bud Selig and Tony LaRussa to be a couple on the Amazing Race. That is all.
132
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Change ratio to 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4
can’t forget the sponsored posts!
133
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:16 PM
And for the love of everything, don’t use the new commenting system that Kotaku just went to, holy shit it’s awful
Nearly every newspaper website in the U.S. seems to have gone over to Facebook for commenting. Phuck it.
134
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:17 PM
i’m hoping we can do commenter auditions and make a sunday post out of the rejected applications.
135
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Oh, we could use a copy editor.
The webs don’t need no copy editor. It’s a fact.
136
vajayjay redick Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:19 PM
If every pitcher was like Mark Buehrle, the baseball world would be a better place. The worst though are guys like Pap who take so long that batters actually step out because of how long he gets ready between pitches
Once went to a Beckett vs. Buerhle game. The contrast was unbelievable. I have to say if i’m watching TV i’d rather watch Buerhle, but if it’s a relaxing afternoon at the ballpark I prefer the slower pace, time to chat, drink some beer, and even use the restrooms (in the case of Beckett) between pitches.
137
ButtersBC Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 PM
but if it’s a relaxing afternoon at the ballpark I prefer the slower pace, time to chat, drink some beer, and even use the restrooms (in the case of Beckett) between pitches
I have wondered if there is a tangible loss of concession revenue during Buerhle starts
138
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:22 PM
It’s all relative, certainly. Let me rephrase: a sport’s signature events (postseason, championships) should never see a decrease in interest.
Except for the WNBA, right? If there was a god, it would have decreased out of existence by now.
139
ms621 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:22 PM
i’m hoping we can do commenter auditions and make a sunday post out of the rejected applications.
Sounds like someone is angling to be on the first Sunday post.
140
sousedbergin Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
It’s a TRAP!
/Pours honey out to raise scarcity
141
roarke49 Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:30 PM
I’m a little late to this one, but as for Wally’s hypotheticals above – (b) is pretty easy: train the umpires to not make a call at all on fair/foul calls and let the play continue. Afterwards, the umps confer and make a call and, if challenged, check the replay. That’s what the NFL does now on fumbles and it works just fine.
(a) is a bit more difficult because the continuation of the play depends on the call and there is no way to know if the runner would have safely advanced if the ump had called a trap instead of a catch. But, like the NFL, there may have to be calls that are not reviewable.
142
scripty Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Slideshows – everybody does em, except us – are hopefully coming!
Poor Shammy. He’ll have to start ghosting “thebiglead” on every photo in internet history.
143
QueeferSutherland Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Oh, well the updated quote makes his position seem perfectly reasonable.
/it is not reasonable
144
TimmyTheEnchanter Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Baseball is a game of pace. You have to be very sensitive and careful not to disturb that pace.
That’s a rather important piece of context. At least this makes sense, now. You know he’s referencing the NFL.
145
Walking Underwear Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:59 PM
My question is can Marsh be held responsible for reimbursing her to buy a new phone? Any help with this matter would be appreciated
Nope. Not the store or kid’s fault for the woman lying to him. Maybe tell your wife to put her phone in her purse or pocket when it comes time to checkout.
not OT: the other day after a party i drunkenly shopped at target. lost my keys, and fortunately i had grabbed the backup set because it had the mail key and i planned to check mail after the trip. also luckily left the moonroof open, and no one called police about guy climbing through moonroof to grab other set of keys. first set found by store folks and picked up next day
146
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:16 PM
the other day after a party i drunkenly shopped at target. lost my keys,
But did you leave the baby seat sitting on top of the car?
147
scripty Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:20 PM
My question is can Marsh be held responsible for reimbursing her to buy a new phone? Any help with this matter would be appreciated
While your lady is not without fault, many corporations have strict laws for found items. I would research their official lost/found policy and go from there. Once the store assumed it was a stolen item, if the employee violated policy, you may have recourse.
Most likely, she won’t get much reimbursement and the guy who (ahem) gave it away incorrectly – will be terminated. Possibly also the person who had the cart guy go look to give it back.
Don’t iPhones have some mechanism to track the phone?
148
scripty Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:21 PM
*should say policies, not laws.
149
Walking Underwear Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:22 PM
But did you leave the baby seat sitting on top of the car?
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
/raising arizona’d
150
heldover Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:35 PM
I actually do that for a living.
/interested
I used to.
/and hate my current job
Well, I hate my job trying to clean up the forest fire that is “broadcast journalism writing.” Holy hell, those people can’t spell, write, or punctuate in any lucid, coherent manner. But that’s okay, cause the web folks will take care of it! /wanking
151
starkweather Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:29 PM
“Bug Selig is a good commissioner because baseball makes money” ignores the fact that Selig has nothing to do with baseball making more money. It’s primarily new stadiums and higher ticket prices/tv deals.
Dammit, I’m too late to call this one out. The guy who oversees the stadium building and TV deals has nothing to do with making money off of said new stadiums and TV deals. Fascinating
152
Nada Says:
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:41 PM
those people can’t spell, write, or punctuate in any lucid, coherent manner
I feel for ya, heldover. I spent a decade in a similar situation, and as a result have a burning hatred and disrespect for thos mouthbreathers.