Showing posts with label Bud Selig. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bud Selig. Show all posts

Friday, November 18, 2011

Final Score

Bud Selig 3000 over My Heart 0

I've got nothing to add to everything that's been said in the last twenty-four hours about the Astros going to the American League.  Even though I knew it was coming, I am numb and I am tired and there is really nothing left in the tanks right now.  So, talk amongst yourselves and be good to each other.  We're all we've got right now.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Soapbox - Demonizing Jim Crane

It seems that demonizing Jim Crane is all the fashion on twitter, the blogs and the fan sites these days.  "Run him out of town on a rail."  "Tar and feather him."  What many people seemed to have missed is this.  THE ASTROS WERE GOING TO THE AMERICAN LEAGUE WHETHER JIM CRANE BOUGHT THE TEAM OR NOT.  The die was cast a long time ago.

Drayton McLane has always done everything that Bud Selig told him to do.  He closed the roof during the World Series in 2005.  He allowed a home game against Chicago to be played in Milwaukee in 2007.  Heck, it's only been the last couple of years that McLane has paid over slot in the draft.  With that in mind, do you really think that, had the deal with Jim Crane fallen through, McLane wouldn't have agreed to appease Bud and make the move?  Do you really think an owner that would allow "Sweet Caroline" to be played during a game against the Red Sox IN MINUTE MAID PARK really gives a big whoop what the fans think?

Well, you say, Jim Crane didn't have to agree to the move.  Of course he did.  If he wanted to buy the team, he had no choice.  Bud Selig has the power and he wasn't ever going to let the ownership deal come to a vote unless Jim Crane agreed.  You can call it extortion.  You can call it morally bankrupt.  You can call it unfair.  But Bud Selig never had any intention of approving Jim Crane OR ANYONE ELSE unless they agreed to the AL move.

That doesn't mean that you don't have a right, as an Astros fan, to be angry or frustrated or upset or depressed (although if you never sent a letter or e-mail or made a phone call protesting the move, maybe you don't have that right after all).  I've already been through the 5 stages of grief.

But there were only going to be two possible outcomes to this situation.  Either Jim Crane was going to be approved and the Astros would go to the American League.  Or Drayton McLane was going to retain ownership and the Astros would still go to the American League.  So, the real choice is do you want an owner who knows and loves baseball or an owner who has become totally disengaged and doesn't care anymore?  Those were your only two choices, thanks to Bud Selig - that's who you should be demonizing.

Jim Crane hasn't even been approved yet.  Other than getting George Postolos involved, we really have no idea what his plans are.  How about we give him a little time and see what happens.  He may turn out to be a terrible owner.  He may turn out to be the best owner the Astros have ever seen.  I suspect that he will fall somewhere in between, but let's at least give him a chance.  The good news is that the Astros can finally emerge from the purgatory they've been in since May and we should be able to see some real direction.  At least I hope so.

Finally, for those of you who intend to abandon the Astros over the move to the American League, I have a little unsolicited advice.  You're only punishing yourself.  Baseball will go on with you or without you and despite Bud Selig.  If you liked Jose Altuve, Bud Norris, J.D. Martinez and Jordan Lyles yesterday, you'll still like them tomorrow.  If you love Houston today, warts and all, as I do, you will still love Houston tomorrow.  Give it a chance.  But, Mr. Crane, no more "Sweet Caroline" please.

Off Soapbox ----------->  Exit Stage Right

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Anatomy of a Cluster-You-Know-What

May 19th Smooth Sailing Eyed

June 1st
Deal expected to be approved by early July

June 12th
Expecting sale to be approved before trade deadline

June 29th
Expecting sale to be final in 2-3 weeks

July 8th
Approval could be delayed to mid-August meetings

July 9th
McLane hoping for approval by end of July

July 12th
Selig says approval is on track

July 14th
Approval not likely until late July or early August

August 2nd
Approval expected on August 18th

August 3rd
Approval likely at the annual owners meetings 8/18 & 8/19

August 9th
McLane expects transfer of team on August 22nd

August 15th
August 15th
McLane says Selig indicated approval should come in 2 weeks

August 29th
McClane says approval will be in a week to 10 days

August 30th
McClane expects approval by the middle of the next week

September 8th
McClane says the matter will reach a resolution in a few days

September 24th
McClane expects approval to be complete in 3-4 weeks

October 10th
McClane hoping to see some action in the next week

October 12th
Approval expected in mid-November

November 3rd
Approval is two weeks away