I Hate Major League Baseball (Venting with Joe)
I played baseball in Junior High and High School and went on to play baseball for the United States Marine Corps team in 1996. Traveled all over North America to play in exhibitions, tournaments, and leagues. Played baseball at RFK, Coors, and at several spring training sites in Arizona, including Peoria. I was a pitcher that also played centerfield. I love baseball.
I’ve stuck with baseball despite the downtrodden years that the Mariners have had over the last two decades plus. New favorite players, still having moments. But now, with a lockout looming over the league and canceling regular season games, I hate. I love the sport, but I hate Major League Baseball.
I’m not really a traditionalist, the game evolves with the culture it’s in, and that’s acceptable to me. The business side of the game is important to Major League Baseball, but I hate it. I hate that while I’m coaching little league this spring and into summer, I’ll also have to explain the greed that exists and causes these things to happen.
Further, I hate that I can’t say, “you swing just like Mitch Haniger,” because then the little leaguer can’t go and watch him that night or at some point and go; my coach says I swing like that.
I hate that I have to explain to my boys that Major League Baseball has decided that developing them as fans isn’t important. We are not entitled to Major League Baseball, just like they aren’t entitled to our money. Yet they play with it like they are.