tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post1811806248190069234..comments2024-01-31T17:51:12.213-05:00Comments on Swing and a Miss: They Just Don't Get It.Tom Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-80737890066098142642008-01-26T14:48:00.000-05:002008-01-26T14:48:00.000-05:00Beautifully written.A week has passed and what is ...Beautifully written.<BR/><BR/>A week has passed and what is becoming clear now is that Howard and his Agents, rightly or wrongly, would not accept a 7 year, 85 million Dollar Chase Utley type contract, or maybe even a 7 year, 100 million dollar Pujols type contract.<BR/><BR/>While one can argue that Howard is unique, and the Phillies certainly "owe him", Howard risks 50 Million Dollars by not locking in.<BR/><BR/>The Yankees never extended Jeter, and that did not create rancor.<BR/>I just hope that Howard can do well and just not get stuck the way A-Rod or T. Owens did.SirAldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05009829771147308500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-32464505487193094812008-01-24T14:43:00.000-05:002008-01-24T14:43:00.000-05:00Absolutely wonderful closing lines. Always a plea...Absolutely wonderful closing lines. Always a pleasure to read your comments.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-14536505598480770602008-01-24T14:29:00.000-05:002008-01-24T14:29:00.000-05:00The problem here is that the Phillies' primary all...The problem here is that the Phillies' primary allegiance is not to their players or their fans: it is to Bud Selig. Bill Giles and David Montgomery have closer than close ties to the MLB hierarchy, moreso than any other franchise besides perhaps the Brewers themselves. It's the commissioner's office the Phillies have in mind when they refuse to pay draft picks a cent above the going rate, or when they steadfastly adhere to 'service time' structural mantras. It's not that the Phillies won't 'think outside the box'; they *are* the box, or at least consent to conduct themselves in firm accord with the wishes of Selig & co. This is the reality which is responsible for the Phillies' refusal to push for a championship-caliber team, and which will almost certainly be responsible for driving Ryan Howard out of town before his time.<BR/><BR/>I have my own reservations about the ultimate contractual worth of Howard; I don't believe he's the type of player whose actual, performance-based value is equivalent to commandeering approximately a sixth of the overall payroll, which is what it'd work out to if he got the kind of long-term deal he'll want. But for now, his asking price is more than reasonable. It is ignorant, it is shameful of the Phillies to not acknowledge a) how much money they have made off Howard's image alone, while it is liberally trumpeted all over merchandise, banners, video games, and promotional appearances out the wazoo - not to mention how much ticket revenue and positive public relations (particularly with the African-American community) his mere presence on the roster has generated; b) how much money they cost him by keeping his career in reserve while Jim Thome was brought in as a hired hand for the New Ballpark's gala premiere; and c) that three full years have passed since Albert Pujols, with similar 'service time' credentials, was offered $7 million. How much more disingenuous could this management group be than to suggest that amount *then* is equivalent to the value it holds *now*, when the salary structure keeps exponentially expanding with each ensuing off-season?<BR/><BR/>My friend called yesterday from New Jersey, wanted to know what it would take for me to come into town for Opening Day. I said, just tell me that they're dropping Montgomery and Giles from a helicopter with the ceremonial first balls, and I'll be there.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06740444969295509139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-25962209118945109832008-01-23T08:52:00.000-05:002008-01-23T08:52:00.000-05:00Agreed.Agreed.SirAldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05009829771147308500noreply@blogger.com