The MLBPA is expected to counter the proposal set forth by owners just a few days ago, with a vastly different plan addressing the season and salaries. They will suggest a longer season and a prorated salary rather than the sliding scale set forth by MLB. After decades of skyrocketing revenue for teams, the players’ union will be pushing back. They are demanding a higher stake in the game, no pun intended. There is a long held belief by the players’ association that owners have reaped substantial financial windfalls for years, At the same time they accuse teams of suppressing…
Author: MKEsportsfan
MLB owners and the players’ union met Tuesday via digital meeting to discuss the possibility of playing ball in 2020. While both sides seem to have an interest in salvaging the season, they still appear to be miles apart when it comes to salary and health and safety concerns. The owners feel the proposal outlined below is fair given the current situation. However, the union expressed frustration and extreme disappointment with the plan. Salary Cuts The owners’ proposal took player representatives by surprise. Rumor has it, owners were originally discussing a potential 50/50 split for revenue sharing. Instead, the plan…
There are two schools of thought regarding the designated hitter rule. You either love it or you hate it. Baseball purists view Major League Baseball’s rule 5.11 as a slap in the face to tradition and oppose further expansion. Others feel it is necessary for the National League to adopt the rule not only for the health and safety of players, but to keep fans interested in the game. History As early as 1906, and again in the 1920s, the idea of an extra hitter was floated but not adopted. In January 1973, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and owners from both…
Milwaukee Bucks All-Star, Khris Middleton has come through for Milwaukee Public Schools in a big way. As COVID-19 has required students to learn from home, and their families to face the economic impact of the virus, this is welcome news. Khris is donating $25,000 to help provide kits to students and families containing cleaning, hygiene and academic supplies. The Joseph and Vera Zilber Family Trust Fund is matching Middleton’s donation. According to a press release from the Bucks organization, the combined donation will provide MPS students with approximately 2,500 supply kits. The kits will include academic supplies including books, games,…
At the start of 2020 Spring Training, Keston Hiura was set to begin his first full season in the majors. The second baseman was enjoying his third trip to Maryvale when COVID-19 delayed, if not robbed him of, his first full major league season. Recent Past Keston Hiura had an impressive high school career at Valencia High School, batting .500 his senior year with 30 RBIs and 14 home runs. Despite his impressive stats, he went undrafted and instead attended UC-Irvine. He quickly picked up where he left off, hitting .330 in his first year against more impressive talent. Things…
When Josh Hader was traded to Milwaukee in 2015, it was clear the team had acquired a lefty with raw talent. Case in point: in his short professional career, Hader quickly increased his pitching velocity from 84 mph to 95 mph. The prospect showed tremendous potential, especially if he could harness his power. Early Career Josh Hader had a successful high school pitching career and was set to start community college in 2012. Those plans changed when he was drafted in the 19th round by the Baltimore Orioles. He immediately transitioned into the rookie league and then to Class A…
When Ted Simmons was finally voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2020, it was an honor that was long overdue. The former Milwaukee Brewer had previously been snubbed, despite a 21-year career that rivaled, or even overshadowed, many of the other catchers who grace the Hall of Fame. According to pitcher, Pete Vuckovich, “it was a travesty, really.” For instance, Ted Simmons led all catchers in career hits and doubles when he retired. He was second in RBI’s behind Yogi Berra, and second in total bases behind Carlton Fisk. His batting average was .300 or higher…
Rollie Fingers is one of the most recognizable figures in Brewers history due to his tremendous career as a reliever and his famous handlebar mustache. When Number 34 exited the bullpen car, handed his jacket to the batboy, and hitched up his pants…. Brewers fans knew it was all over. Already highly successful in his 13 years with the A’s and Padres before being acquired by the Brewers in December 1980, Rollie was part of a historic trade deal that took him from San Diego to St. Louis to Milwaukee, all in a four-day period. It was a momentous deal…
March, one of the most celebrated months in sports, just went from promising to bleak. After the NBA announced suspension of league play on Wednesday, there was a domino effect across the sporting world. First, the NCAA announced cancellations of conference tournaments and eventually broke the news that the NCAA national tournaments would not be played. March Madness, no more. March Sadness, for sure. MLB was soon to follow. While rainy weather initially canceled Thursday’s Brewers games, the news quickly shifted to a full-on post-ponement of Spring Training. MLB owners met that morning to discuss how to move forward and…
The Big Ten Conference announced that it is canceling the remainder of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, effective immediately. In a statement, the Big Ten Conference announced it will use this time to determine the next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Ten joins other conferences including the Ivy League, ACC, SEC, and the Big 12, in canceling their conference tournaments. On Wednesday, the NCAA had announced that the games would be played without fans in attendance. Considering the fact colleges are canceling classes and the professional leagues are facing the same hard choices,…
