Comments on: Can Big Papi Save Baseball?

By: Rileigh

Rileigh — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:58:34 +0000

Good to see a telnat at work. I cant match that.

By: Boston Yankees

Boston Yankees — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:55:55 +0000

I think that these guys egos don’t care about how the public feels about them. Also, we always here about how the fans are going to go away after every controversy….the strike, steroids, etc…but they always come back and will always pay big money to see these guys. The real answer is a salary cap…however, I see that facist and I’m against it.

Good day to you sir.

By: Brian Gleason

Brian Gleason — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:32:20 +0000

Boston Yankees,
You have a point about the record numbers and money the players are making, but players are also beginning to really take a PR hit, especially with the Clemens and Bonds fiasco’s. At some point the “clean” players have to get fed up and take a stand, and with the testing currently in place there will be more and more “clean” players that are being labeled cheaters.

By: Brian Gleason

Brian Gleason — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:28:49 +0000

John,

Thanks for checking out the blog. I agree that MLB has a huge PR issue with all of this, and it’s more about credibility than tickets. You’re right, fans are still coming to the ballparks.

I look at this issue as having three groups. You have the fans & media, MLB and the union. I think MLB needs to craft a PR campaign that brings the players to their side. A campaign that forces the players to realize that tougher testing and penalties are the only thing that will end this. Do I really think Ortiz is going to become a crusader and get this done, probably not, but some player is going to have too.

By: Boston Yankees

Boston Yankees — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:00:11 +0000

Why would the players want to come clean about steroids? As long as record numbers are being put out there, record contracts will be signed. This only benefits the middle tiered players who get ridiculous contracts as mediocre talent. I also find it hard to believe that a fair Mitchell report was filed seeing that Mitchell was conveniently on the Red Sox board of directors at the time. Tell me who was on the 2004 Sox before we start killing anymore players. Until then, I say, continue taking whatever you want…it’s just entertainment

By: Poppa Burgundy

Poppa Burgundy — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:14:10 +0000

by you, I was referring to the author.

By: Poppa Burgundy

Poppa Burgundy — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:13:09 +0000

Let me guesss, you are a red sox fan? This is just another transparent attempt to promote the Red Sox as the saviors of the game of baseball. Big Papi should count his blessings that they don’t test for chesseburgers. If Big Papi is such an idol, where was he during the congressional hearings or the prior years? Instead, he chooses to speak his mind when it is safe and a player has admitted his use and a suspension would materially benefit his team. Not much courage in that.

By: John Sternal

John Sternal — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:49:50 +0000

Nice article. This is a great first step from Big Papi. However, it’s now to the point where actions will truly speak louder than words. Will other players actually step up to support this? Will the Union try to put a muzzle on Papi? Will MLB be able to overcome such a gaping PR black hole? I personally don’t think MLB will lose fans over this. People want to go to the park, have a few beers and see baseball. For this, the economy is still a much bigger threat to fans in the seats. But long-term credibility is at the heart of this matter. As far as I’m concerned, and I’m sure I mirror the thoughts of millions others, home run stats don’t mean a thing right now. And any meaningful stat won’t be meaningful until all this is cleaned up. It’s just entertainment.