whether it's trying to contract teams, having players testify in front of congress, fighting substance abuse, or pressuring managers and players to keep quiet, why does MLB seem to rule with a heavier hand than, say, the NHL or NBA?
(or tell me why if you think i'm wrong!)
2006-07-13 14:50:18 · 3 answers · asked by patzky99 6 in Sports ➔ Baseball
thank you mr. brown: i think the popularity of baseball is partly due to this style of management. heavy-handed or deliberate, it seems to be working. appreciate your insight!
2006-07-13 17:38:06 · update #1
I think your perception is a bit off...
Contraction was never a viable option, but rather a threat in conjunction with relocation. Relocation has been done far more often and with far more teams in the NBA, NHL, and NFL.
If there is something to be critical about with MLB it's that they take far too long on certain decisions (relocation and ownership awards with the Expos/Nationals, as an example).
As for performance enhancing drugs...
The Players Unions for all other pro sports look to the MLBPA as the gold standard. Unions in the NFL, NHL, and NBA are very, very weak by comparison. Good for the players... not always good for decision making processes in MLB.
Any drug testing comes through bargaining with the Players Association, and they're concerned (rightly or wrongly) in protecting the privacy rights of the players. This in turn makes negotiating any testing policy very difficult.
MLB isn't "heavy handed". They have a slower process than the others.
On the Performance Enhancing Drugs... if Congress wasn't so concerned about the use of steroids. And, if the records for baseball didn't hold more weight than in the other Big-4 sports, we wouldn't be seeing such an outcry. After all.... attendance is going to be (once again) at an all time high this year.
-- Maury Brown
Baseball Prospectus
2006-07-13 17:12:28 · answer #1 · answered by Maury B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Control was the direct result of the "black sox" gambling episode where pro gamblers bribed players to throw th world series and got caught.
2006-07-13 15:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by de bossy one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe because its our national past time
2006-07-13 14:53:49 · answer #3 · answered by DodgerBlueFan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋