Baseball's Worst Owners Live In The NL East

The worst thing a major league baseball owner can do is disrespect the fans. My definition of the worst owner is one that completely ignore their fans, treats the game only as a business, raises ticket prices without investing it back into the team and cuts payroll to cover non-baseball debts. All of the above end up hurting baseball and passionate baseball fans.

As a passionate baseball fan, I was compelled to express my frustration after listening to Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts discuss the subject on New York's #1 sports radio station WFAN.

So, I went down the list of current MLB owners for the worst owners. I'm happy to say that it appears that almost all of the MLB owners do really care about their fans. But I found two exceptions and they reside in the National League East. The worst owner in major league baseball, in my opinion, is Jeffrey Loria, owner of the Miami Marlins. Right behind him is Mets owner and Jeff Wilpon.

I'll lead off with the reasons why Mr. Wilpon is bad for baseball fans and baseball in general.

Fred Wilpon New York Mets

Everyone knows that the Wilpons are in financial trouble. But most baseball fans don't know it all started way before the Madoff scheme.

Back in 2000, the Mets offered malcontent Bobby Bonilla a deferred deal of $1.2 million a year for 25 years, starting in 2010. It all started with a bonehead agreement back in 2000 with Bobby Bonilla. They offered him $1.2 million for the next 25 years.

They did a similar deal years earlier with Bret Saberhagen, who pitched for the team from 1992 to 1995. For 25 years starting in 2004, Mr. Saberhagen receives annual deferred payments of $250,000.

In fairness to Wilpon, he was minority owner when the Saberhagen deal went down and 50% owner when Bonilla got his deal.

But these deals show precedence as to the blatant disregard of financial common sense that evenually affect the fans. As majority owner he knew this money was due. Why didn't he try to negotiate a buyout of these contracts back when the Mets were good, and popular.

Next, call it bad timing or whatever, but they sunk a fortune on building a new stadium. Didn't they do a cost benefit analysis, work some what-if scenarios? There is just no excuse. None at all. Sure, he could say he did it for the fans but we all why he did he!

What makes Fred Wilpon one the worst owners in baseball is the fact that he has cut payroll by $50 million. That would be ok if the money wasn't being used to pay down exorbinant debt on his other business entities, like his sports network, SNY.

Finally, now the Wilpons are "shopping" for minority owners to raise $200 million. Even if they reach that goal that money will go to paying off a $25 million loan from MLB, cover operational costs and pay the deferred contracts. What it won't make up for is the millions they are losing at the gate.

Could Wilpon be that naive as to think that New York fans would come out in droves to support a AAA team, at almost double the ticket price? Come on!

Bankruptcy is a real possibility for the Wilpons. It would be a sad day for the Wilpons but a great one for Mets fans.

Jeffrey Loria Miami Marlins

As bad an owner Fred Wilpon is, there is one worst. Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. Loria's baseball legacy goes back to the Montreal Expos. He cried to MLB front office when he lost out to Peter Angelos in a bid to purchase the Baltimore Orioles in 1994. He ended up buying 24% of the Montreal Expos. After the owner couldn't make a cash call, he ended up with 94% of the team.

So what was the first thing he did? He moved the team. "We cannot stay here." Loria was quoted as saying. Talk about pissing off baseball fans. But the story gets even better...

The sale of the Expos in 2002 was a very shady deal by MLB and MLB owners. Bud Selig and then-Marlins owner John W. Henry sold the Expos back to an LP which was a partnership of the other 29 MLB teams at the time, for $120 million. Henry then sold the Marlins to Loria for $158.5 million, including a $38.5 million no-interest loan from MLB. This paved the way for John Henry to buy the Boston Red Sox.

This deal was so seedy that Loria's partners in the Expos ownership consortium filed a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) lawsuit against Loria and Major League Baseball, but it eventually went to arbitration, with the arbitration panel finding in favor of Loria. Did you expect any other outcome?

Loria never had any intention of staying in Montreal, who ended up moving to Washington, D.C. and became the Nationals.

As you can see, Loria's involvement in baseball has nothing to do with the love of the game. It is purely a business venture. I would be fine with that if at least had some respect for his fans. Sleazy dealings, disregard for anyone, F-you must be his mantra.

Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts discussed the topic of the Miami Marlins and owner Jeffrey Loria. He came up with five more actions that demonstrate his disrespect for the baseball faithful, especially Marlins fans. So, I give Evan all the credit:

Loria's ego is too big for baseball. It resulted in the firing of manager Joe Girardi in 2006. Girardi's departure after only one season had been expected after his rift with Loria boiled over two months earlier in an on-field confrontation over the owner's heckling of an umpire. Who suffered? Marlins fans.

Then in 2010 he fired manager Fredi Gonzalez and let shortstop Hanley Ramirez walk right all over the manager. Talk about no respect. If he doesn't respect the manager, how can have respect for the game. It's all about power. Does it affect baseball fans, tough SH%$!
Right now the Securities and Exchange Commission has subpoenaed some records from Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami over their ballpark deal with the Marlins. They're looking at the $500 million in bond sales, and they're also going to look at campaign contributions to local and state elected leaders. Another seedy backroom deal.
Who will be left to pay the debt if things go south? You guessed it taxpayers, many who are baseball fans.

The final straw is the unretiring of No. 5 so a guy named Logan Morrison can wear it as a tribute to his dead dad, who idolized George Brett, who wore No. 5. Do you believe this?

No Marlin has worn the number. It was retired in 1993 before the franchise's first game in honor of Carl Barger, who was team president when he died in 1992. Barger's favorite player, Joe DiMaggio, wore No. 5.

Talk about disrespect. I am outraged. Talk about breaking tradition. I mean they didn't even contact Barger's family before they took action.

If this isn't pure disrespect for the game and all baseball fans, nothing is.

But I have hope - Karma is a bitch!


sources: wfan sports radio, mlb.com, wikipedia.com, miamiherald.com

Minnesota Twins Owner Dies At 93

Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series died yesterday, January 5, 2009. Mr. Pohlad bought the Twins in 1984 and is credited with keeping baseball alive in Minnesota.
Back in 1984, Pohlad bought the Twins franchise from Calvin Griffith for $38 million. Back in the 80s Pohlad inherited a promising group of baseball greats including Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti and the late Hall-of-Famer Kirby Puckett.
Minnesota won the World Series championships in 1987 against the St. Louis Cardinals and in 1991 against the Atlanta Braves.
Over the last 22 years, the Minnesota Twins have had two different managers, three GMS and two presidents. The reason for this is Carl Pohlad hallmarks were loyalty and stability.
Nothing drastic will change with the Twins. They are lead by their president Dave St. Peter and Senior V.P. and General Manager Bill Smith. The Twins will be managed again by Ron Gardenhire.

Team USA Doing It Wright For 2009 World Baseball Classic

The New York Mets All Star Third Baseball, David Wright has committed to the USA baseball squad for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Wright, wil be the only New York Met playing for the USA in the tournament.
Other Met players are playing in the World Baseball Classic but not for Team USA. First baseman Carlos Delgado and relief pitcher Pedro Filiciano have given their intentions to play for Puerto Rico. Pitcher Johan Santana and newly acquired relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez have stated they will play for their homeland - Venezuela. Shortstop phenom Jose Reyes would like to play for the Dominican Republic.
The addition of David Wright to Team USA will help to attract the MLB fan base to the tournament. David Wright is a downright good guy and a true American patriot - that's what the fans love about him. He gives 100% all the time and doesn't complain like many other primadonas in Major League Baseball.
Team USA disappointed in the World Baseball Classic in 2007, only making it to the second round. They lost to South Korea and the eventual champion Japan.
This year, the Americans will play their opening-round matches in Toronto, within a pool that includes Canada, Italy and Venezuela. The Double elimination tournament opening round is scheduled for March 5 - March 12.



Round One
There are 4 pools in round one:

Pool A - China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea

Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa

Pool C - Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela

Pool D - Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico


Round Two

Will be be held March 14 - March 19 in a double elimination format

Pool 1 will be played in San Diego, California and consist of:

Pool A Winner

Pool A Runner-Up

Pool B Winner

Pool B Runner-Up



Pool 2 will be played in Miami, Florida and consist of:

Pool C Winner, Pool C Runner-Up, Pool D Winner and Pool D Runner-Up


The Semi Finals

Will be played in Los Angeles on March 21 and March 22 in a single elimination format:

Game 1: Pool 2 Winner vs. Pool 1 Runner Up

Game 2: Pool 1 Winner vs. Pool 2 Runner Up


The World Baseball Classic Finals

Will be played in Los Angeles on March 23. It will be one game

Semi-final 1 Winner vs Semi-final 2 Winner

Manny Ramirez - The San Francisco Treat?

Could Manny Ramirez end up as a San Francisco Giant for the 2009 MLB season? It isn't likely, but never say never.
The Giants front office believe there is no reason not to explore the possibility of Manny Ramirez moving "upstate" to play with the Giants.
The Giants are in a desperate need for a cleanup hitter and Manny fits the bill. Based on his .396 batting average, 17 homeruns and 53 RBIs, he has proven he can carry a National League team to the playoff.
The buzz about Manny to the Giants has risen lately. The Denver Post led the parade by reporting that the Giants were "aggressively pursuing" him. San Francisco's KPIX-TV reported that the team had offered Ramirez a multiyear contract. And SI.com's Jon Heyman wrote that the Giants had "entered the bidding" for Ramirez.
But is it all hype or are the reports true?
Based on the needs of the Giants [they need a offensive infielder desperately] and the price tag [would put them over their payroll limit and might force them to trade another outfielder], a deal isn't likely. And Manny is considered by many to be too much of a defensive liability.
But how does Manny feel about playing in San Francisco? Money talks! Adn the economic times might make him think twice about passing up the possibility. In his heart though, many feel he wants to go back East - close to his roots in Washington Height, NYC.
Regardless of what you hear in the press, expect both New York teams to be in the Manny hunt. The Yankees could maximize his bat by making him the DH and the Mets would certainly welcome his power.
Stay tuned as the Manny saga continues.