AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > March > 26 > Entry
Tradition going, going .. almost gone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
This is so ridiculous. The first couple of Major League Baseball games this season ended before many fans could yawn their way out of bed.
It’s bad enough that Opening Day is years removed from its rightful place in Cincinnati, only the birthplace of professional baseball.
But Japan?
There is no way the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A’s should have started the season during the last two days anywhere but Fenway Park, McAfee Coliseum or any other diamond that sits between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Then again, there is now way this madness involving American professional sports leagues playing games that count on foreign soil is going to stop.
It’s all about the potential for the greedy folks involved with these leagues to add megabucks to their megabucks. So, while the NFL already is holding regular-season games in foreign lands, the NBA is thinking about it, and baseball has joined its football counterpart by actually doing it.
I understand what’s happening here and why it’s happening. I just don’t like it, especially when the most endearing part of what was our national pastime keeps getting belted a few steroid-induced swings toward the ozone.
Tradition.
Once, the baseball opener always was in Cincinnati, and it always was the only game played that day. Now you’ve got this Japan mess, and then you’ll have the Braves becoming part of the “United States” opener on Sunday night against the Nationals in Washington D.C.
Then, on Monday, you’ll have 1:05 p.m. starts for the Kansas City Royals against the Tigers in Detroit and the Toronto Blue Jays against the Yankees in New York.
Then the Reds will play the Arizona Diamondbacks at 2:10 in Cincinnati as mostly an afterthought.
Night games in the World Series starting later and later. The DH rule. Lights in Wrigley Field. Interleague play and wild cards. The Dodgers bolting Dodgertown and the Yankees bolting Yankee Stadium. Opening Days near Tokyo Bay instead of the Ohio River.
Yes, look toward the ozone.
Tradition in baseball is going, going, almost gone.
Not that those greedy folks care.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
Comments
By MarkyMark
March 26, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
One of the better articles you have written. Good Job TM.
By Bravesfan79
March 26, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Good observation Terrance, i totally agree, Baseball now has a Opening Morning game during spring training, A Opening NIGHT game, and a Opening Day game. I guess for the sake of more $$…it is a sly way to start the season.
BTW…your STILL wrong when it comes to college football not needing a playoff system. If you REALLY think all the players dont cheat and barely get by anyways your kidding yourself! Especially FOOTBALL players…common man they hit each other in the head all day….how bright u really expect them to be??
The smart kids play soccer and baseball!
Now if your point is that football cant afford a playoff because the players are so Dumb compared to all the other sports that they NEED the extra study time… I AGREE!!
By Rick
March 26, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
I agree - good article. Of course, I liked it better yesterday when Furman Bisher wrote it.
By Max
March 26, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Is there some policy at the AJC where every sports columnist has to hate MLB opening up in Japan?
By TROTTINGHOMETUDD
March 26, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
^^^^^RICK SAID IT ALL^^^^^
YOU SUCK UNCLE TOM(terence)Moore
By Jack
March 26, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
If baseball stuck solely to tradition and never changed anything, the Braves would be playing in Boston, and Atlanta would still be stuck with minor league ball.
I like seeing games in Japan. Baseball should be expanded, not greedily hoarded by jingoistic Americans.
C’mon. The real reason all you AJC columnists hate this is because you hate waking up early in the morning to cover a game.
By Bob Sacamano
March 26, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Hey, Terence, you’re a hypocrite because you refuse to blame the man directly responsible, you’re best “bud” so to speak.
We all know you love Puppet Bud Selig.
But if you are going to write this article, an article Furman Bisher wrote better, by the way, then you need to include Puppet Bud Selig in with the rest of the blame precisely because you’ve been the only guy here defending him.
You think these games are played in Japan if Puppet Bud and his cabal of greedy owners don’t want it played in Japan? Do you think if that man possessed a spine, that this game would be played in Japan.
You’re a hypocrite, Moore.
Not that that is anything new to the rest of us.
By Chikara
March 26, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
If they really wanted to stick to tradition, then blacks, latinos, and asians would never play in MLB.
If they really wanted to stick to tradition, there would never be a wild card.
If they really wanted to stick to tradition, then the DH would cease to exist, and the mound would be 15 feet.
If they really wanted to stick to tradition, there wouldn’t be baseball in Denver, Phoenix, Miami, and in Tampa Bay (ok, maybe Tampa’s not a bad idea).
In other words, change comes, you just have to accept it. Sometimes its best for the overall growth of the game to change. If someone wants to go on some nostalgic trip, go watch ESPN Classic.
By Shawn
March 28, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
“Night games in the World Series starting later and later. The DH rule. Lights in Wrigley Field. Interleague play and wild cards. The Dodgers bolting Dodgertown and the Yankees bolting Yankee Stadium. Opening Days near Tokyo Bay instead of the Ohio River.”
You forgot a few more changes that have destroyed baseball : * Allowing Blacks and darker Latinos to play * Helmets for batters * No more trough urinals * Free agency allowing players to not be glorified indentured servants * Television? Who needs it when I have my scratchy old Victrola? * Tommy John surgery * Breathable poly-blend unis instead of wool
Seriously, what bug crawled up Atlanta’s butt this week?
By patrick
March 28, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
you suck and your columns blow. Go fcuk your mother, asswipe.
By patrick
March 28, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
you suck and your columns blow. Go fcuk your mother, asswipe.