Texsox

Which is why I find it a waste of energy to pick a side. I was going to write that eventually players will get everything they want, but it may take 50 years. But then I remembered Machiavelli. If the players received every point they are negotiating now when the next CBA was up there will be more issues. So taking a 1,000 year view everytime this is renegotiated there will be angst and debate. Eventually the owners will cede a little more and a little more. As a fan why worry about it each time? If I'm going to advocate for workers I'm going to advocate for the working class trying to build a better life for their loved ones.

@Balta1701 I don't think either side is concerned about the fans, MiLB, employees, etc. Each side is looking out for their best interest and trying to make it look as pretty as possible. If anyone else does actually benefit, it's a accidental bonus.

What happened with the Hawks that has everyone upset?

Exactly. I care the same today as I did a year ago about these issues. I know this will have a huge impact on the game going forward. Depending on the outcome, we'll see owners selling or players quitting if their side loses the negotiations. Guys in MiLB will go home and find better careers. Rich folks will find something different to impress their friends. My dream can't happen. Keep MLB contracts growing as they have, have owner's profits shrink as they increase MiLB compensation and lower the cost for fans. Instead the MiLB players and fans are left paying for this battle and they think they have a side in this.

I'm also anti owner.

Lol, that's what I want in the off season.

Once I started coaching it greatly decreased the number of give a fucks I had for sports in general. Winter is the busiest so the Bears, Bulls, and Hawks get ignored.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/white-sox/ct-white-sox-magic-cane-guy-20211012-wdq4hmji6rglngydm7f7xftzt4-story.html Life was simple then.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-white-sox-cane-guy-bobblehead-20220107-eqqjfoulcjevpk6khsigd3qkme-story.html That's the kind of off season news I can enjoy.

Rip

Three score years. I've had two wives, three careers, a book, and a master's degree since starting to post here.

I agree ? with everything except this. I have complete faith and confidence that the Bears can be that stupid. I'm holding my breath here.

I should add, based on the last forty years of Bears football, why would any top HC be interested? It's a crap franchise with a lousy history.

Probably true, but for an extra million or two . . . I usually believe most organizations need just a couple changes to fix themselves. In this case blow it up and start over. Everything seems to be aligned to just clear the building.

Ah the optimism that comes with a new coach https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/if-the-bears-keep-ryan-pace-watch-for-these-head-coach-candidates/

I'm reading The Smartest Guys in the Room about Enron. I'm taking a break from two series, one set in Minnesota by Krueger about a sheriff/PI and another by Doiron about a Maine game warden.

Wood prices are spiking again.

I wrote 50% more checks last year than the year before. I went from two to three. I haven't bought new checks in over ten years. Lol

Thank you for pointing that out.

@bmags Excellent points. I still like the idea of teams trying to win to secure a better draft pick than lose, but keeping it the same isn't quite as bad sounding after reading your post.

Crazy to think a quality head coach like Reeves changed jobs a couple times.

Free agents make a bigger impact in baseball than the NFL. The plans I've read have the worst record drafting fifth to eight. I don't believe it's too big of a hole to dig out of instead of first to fourth.

The even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while theory. What is the worst record drafted 5th after the four teams closest to making the playoffs?

How does a system that rewards the losing teams help parity? Wouldn't a system that rewards teams for trying to at least reach the half way point encourage parity?

How does the current system avoid teams becoming parasites?