JERI's Big, Huge Question O' the Day

by mssickels on Apr 28, 2025 3:32 PM EDT Comment 37 comments

Hello, Dear Readers!

John's bout of feeling better didn't last too long, so here I am again! I watched the movie Major League in order to get into a baseball frame of mind.

I have a BASEBALL ORIENTED Jeri's Big, Huge Question O' the Day:

After the jump:

I was thinking about how in the movie the team owner/bimbo interfered with all aspects of the General Manager's job, in order to trash the team. I can think of several instances in modern baseball where the owner has gotten way too involved (I'm thinking of YOU, George Steinbrenner!), but one would assume that the intention (realized or not) is to better the team.

The question:

In modern baseball which I DEFINE as within my lifetime, can you think of an example of owner interference that really hurt the team? Really helped the team?

NOTE: I am 40 years old. Yes, I'm sure that in some circles 1969 would not be considered modern, but it is my question, so I get to decide what constitutes 'modern'. If you think 40 years is distant to be considered modern, you probably suck, or are at least young and short-sighted. Not that I'm touchy about this! :-)

NOTE: Explain your answers.

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Very Recently

Peter Gammons thinks one of the Henry/Luccino group soured Mark Teixeira on Boston and laid the groundwork for him signing with New York. Of course, the info could all be posturing from the Teix/Boras camp.

Gammons: No Rewriting Game’s Hostory

by CA2552 on Apr 28, 2025 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

I don't buy it.

From what Brian Cashman has said it seems like they were lying in wait (with Tex’s approval) all along.

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by alskor on Apr 28, 2025 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Ken Phelps

In 1988, Stein Grabber really wanted Ken Phelps, and he traded top prospect Jay Buhner to the Mariners to get him. Including 1988, Phelps’ OPS for the previous three years was .950, .959, and .932. In 1989, Phelps’ OPS in a mere 215 PA for the Yankees was .718, and he was shipped off to Oakland, and after 1990, he was out of baseball. Meanwhile, Buhner had a decade of great seasons with the M’s.

by tim_l on Apr 28, 2025 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

"Ken Phelps' bat! Ken Phelps' bat!"

by Charlie Scrabbles on Apr 29, 2025 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Drayton McLain

Has kept the Astros from drafting as well as they could due to his requirement that the ‘stros stick to the slot numbers for signing bonuses. That may not count since it is a policy (and it is Drayton’s money I suppose), but since I follow the Astros it comes to mind readily.

Keep Moving Forward.

by ColoradoOwl on Apr 28, 2025 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

+1

I’m not an Astros fan, but I’ve seen my share of Stros farm teams in the past few years and I’m a Cardinals fan (same division as the Stros) so I see them quite often on TV. Their farm system is terrible. When you look at their draft picks it just seems they cheap out all the time. Seems like McLain is trying to stay “in slot” with every pick rather than taking the best talent available and spending the dough to sign him.

by KSM on Apr 29, 2025 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Uncle Drayton

The most involved-uneducated owner in baseball.

1. The draft: every year
2. He signed Carlos Lee on his own in part because he raises prize cattle and thought he would bring in more Latin fans.

And his #1 meddling act was a disagreement with Jerry Hunsicker that ended with Jerry’s removal. The Astros had an option on Jeff Kent in the 05 season. Drayton wanted Biggio to play 2nd and Hunsicker disagreed. He wanted Kent back and thought Biggio was pretty much done as a regular. Drayton was set on his opinion and the two basically agreed they couldn’t work together anymore, even though they shouldn’t be working together. Kent was acually bought out, Biggio moved to 2nd, Drayton failed to sign Beltran, Hunsicker left for TB, and he famous Timmy “Lobster bib” Purpura took over as GM/puppet.

And everything since that act has brought that top 5 organization to the current bottom 5 organization. He can’t even sell this team now. Not to mention he is asking for 650+mil when it is most likely only worth 400+mil

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Apr 28, 2025 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

The answer just has to be Peter Angelos always ever, doesn’t it?

by limozeen on Apr 28, 2025 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

First thought that came to my mind was Angelos actually

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by gatling on Apr 28, 2025 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Jer, question

This seems like a pretty long illness. Has John gone to a doctor (not in an alarmist way whatsoever, but if it’s a virus, anti-biotics will surley help)? Maybe a quick check in might help

You’re name has 2k9 in it — what are you some 8 year-old who makes Pillsbury Doughboy cookies and jerks off to that bullshit video game with Tim Lincecum on the cover--
Frederick0220

by Mets2k9 on Apr 28, 2025 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

sickness

It is either food poisoning or a stomach virus from the symptoms.

I am a little better right now, but then again I thought I was better until last night again. If I am not fully better tomorrow I will go to the doctor.

by John Sickels on Apr 28, 2025 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Good idea

What we often think are simple symptoms are often actually the underlying cause of something much larger. As someone who was misdiagnosed when I had a serious illness, I would recommend seeing your family doctor and letting him know your situation. I hope you feel better John and get to that doctor if it doesn’t improve asap.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Apr 28, 2025 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Food Poisoning

It is clearly food poisoning. He had these same symptoms that lasted well over a week about 8 years ago after some suspect food from a popular restaurant here. And, he got sick about 2 hours after eating a sandwich from a local drive through. That sandwich is the only thing we didn’t both have all week, and I’m fine as are the little ones. Last time there was nothing to be done but make sure he didn’t get dehydrated and to wait it out.

That said, I’ve been pushing for a doctor visit, and will continue to do so.

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by mssickels on Apr 29, 2025 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Good idea

This is likely nothing more than what you say, but it has been a long time. Push again for an hour at the doctor’s office :)

by Johnny Tuttle on Apr 29, 2025 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions

not a doctor, but

pretty sure antbiotics dont do squat for a virus…

by cooper7d7 on Apr 29, 2025 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

right

They just treat bacterial infections.

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by kosmo99 on Apr 29, 2025 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

McCourt

getting involved in the Casey Blake and George Sherrill trades.. yea, we know how those ended. He also got into the Manny discussions, but he did get the deal he wanted…

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Apr 28, 2025 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

The Mariners' Japanese ownership group was VERY instrumental in the inital signing of Ichiro.

I think we can chalk that one for “owner-mandated moves that worked.”

by PissedMick on Apr 28, 2025 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

Are you kidding????

Ichiro doesn’t take enough walks or hit home runs! His OBP is all BA driven. If he ever has a season where he doesn’t hit over 330, his OBP will suck. Half the time his OPS isn’t even above 800!

All that matters is OPS! Walks and Slugging. Nothing else. Get ’em on base and drive ’em in.

Adam Dunn: Proof that even sabermetrics doesn't have it right.

by Boxkutter on Apr 28, 2025 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

So...

…his plus speed, defense/range and arm account for nothing? I was hoping you were being sarcastic at first.

Anyway his .377 career OBP, BA driven or not, is still fantastic…especially useful with his speed and lineup location (he’s never had a reason to hit for consistent power). His average has been below .330 5 times, yet he’s never had an OBP under .350. And he’s done it for nearly a decade now…mostly on the wrong side of 30. Sure he doesn’t walk, but he doesn’t K either…and why should he take so many pitches when he has better bat control than anybody this generation has seen?

Not always my stat of choice, but some people swear by WAR….which he’s averaged around 5.0 per season, more than making up for the money spent on him (and that’s ignoring the Media and merchandise frenzy he carried, and still does carry).

I would agree with Mick on this one….and really can’t think of any logical argument claiming that signing Ichiro wasn’t a fantastic move.

by BobbyS on Apr 28, 2025 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Troubles with sarcasm.

I was hoping it would be obvious that I was being sarcastic. Even if not, then my signature should give some insight on how I feel about basing players solely on OPS. And if you didn’t catch that, you can click on my user name, where it lists the Mariners as my favorite team.

Adam Dunn: Proof that even sabermetrics doesn't have it right.

by Boxkutter on Apr 28, 2025 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Most people...

are more critical toward players and moves from their favorite team, so that wouldn’t have helped :-p haha

Good ole textual sarcasm….like i said i was hoping…and i thought it might be, but ya never know with people on here. Although, I’m good with Adam Dunn…as a DH.

by BobbyS on Apr 28, 2025 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I see you have a lot of time on your hands since leaving BP, Mr. Sheehan.

by ThomasG on Apr 28, 2025 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeffrey Loria

He has helped damage two franchises. He helped murder the Expos and continues to alienate Marlin fans.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Apr 28, 2025 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

This.

I don’t think there is a worse owner in baseball than Jeff Loria.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Apr 28, 2025 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by aap212 on Apr 29, 2025 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Damn

I wish I had an owner that was a complete failure with two World Series wins in the last ten years.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Apr 30, 2025 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn straight

Loria murdered baseball in the city of Jackie’s pro debut for his own selfish reasons. He is the worst abomination in sports ownership I’ve ever witnessed: even “no Russian” cheap as anything Harold Ballard still wanted hockey in Toronto. Even Al Davis wasn’t pot committed to killing the franchise or the markets with his frequent relocations and idiotic track star drafting (though hand picked JaMarcus doesn’t look too fleet ’o foot at that dumb weight).

Google anything by John Brittain (Rest in Peace) or Jonah Keri on the franchisicide of the Expos by that horrible rotten devil of a douche named Loria, and you’ll understand quickly why I’m practically spitting while I type.

by Johnny Tuttle on Apr 29, 2025 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Steinbrenner

certainly did a ton of damage to the Yankees in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s.

Just ask George Costanza.

No seriously, though - Hiring and firing managers like mad. Spying on his own players… lots of other BS stuff he pulled really hurt them. How many other owners have been suspended for a year?

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by alskor on Apr 28, 2025 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Expos/Claude Brochu

“During the 1994–1995 offseason, Claude Brochu instructed general manager Kevin Malone to conduct a fire sale and cut ties with the team’s major stars.” Imagine the Expos if they kept ANY of their players from 1991 (when he bought the team) on, they would still be there.

by MEF on Apr 28, 2025 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Marge Schott

Cheap as hell (didn’t spend much on the team).
Stupid as hell (didn’t like hiring scouts)
Racist as hell (do I really need to go here?)

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Apr 28, 2025 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

Stupid as hell (didn’t like hiring scouts)

is this a Cincy thing, IIRC the Bengals had like 2 scouts for quite some time…

by cooper7d7 on Apr 29, 2025 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

they could have pooled scouting resources. The Reds scouts scout football in the offseason, and the Begals scouts scout baseball in their downtime :)

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by kosmo99 on Apr 29, 2025 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

there was no explination needed with Marge Schott

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by WVPiratesfan on Apr 29, 2025 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Peter Angelos

I think he’s still the owner of Baltimore. For years, wasn’t he the genious behind signings like Aubrey Huff. He constantly gave seven figure salaries to marginal players, it’s only been in the last few years since MacPhail got there that I haven’t heard much about him.

by daman316 on Apr 29, 2025 10:25 AM EDT reply actions