[Note: obviously, it is quite outdated now but was written March 19, 2008]
I was mad when I first fund this out. And I still am. And rumbling in anger on my way to Tokyo on the Shinkansen (a bullet train).
OK, I see the players arguments. I have to admit that I have not read every articles written about it (spotty internet connections and not enough time), but it makes sense. I agree that the coaches and trainers etc. should be fairly compensated for some “extra” work. But isn’t the whole trip an all-expense-paid trip? If what I read online is half true, I think Smoking Gun had hotel receipt of past Yankees road trip, and they weren’t quite nickeled-and-dimed business trips, either. Did the coaches on China trip compensated? How about previous Japan Trips, like 2001, 2004 etc. Why should they and not others.
I also feel almost insulted, to see that this trip is viewed by the players like an great burden. They delayed announcement, because of “objection” by players. They complained about the schedule and have MLB change it. And now this. Japan has so much to offer, you know. It is a beautiful country and this time of the year is probably the best time to be here. I would love to have taken my family here with me this trip. I heard the report that the first blossom of the cherry trees will be March 23rd in Tokyo. How perfect! I know the dollar is all time low and those of us who make living earning dollars, it is financially worst time to visit, but still. The food, the city, the people… I know many people who would love to get an opportunity to visit Japan on the company money, but can’t (I was one of them before this trip… well I am paying a lot of the trip myself though, because it is half business/half vacation on my count – without expenses. And it is still well-worth it.) And the players complain about the jet lag. Please. They have almost a week to get back into the groove, unlike me who is here till Thursday morning and travel all day to go back to work on Friday and Saturday. And not like they have to travel in the economy class cabins like most of us. And the fans.
Let me tell you about the Japanese fans. They love baseball – well, they are CRAZY about baseball. They are like Boston fans. They know the game and respect and love the players who play the game. The Red Sox players (and perhaps to a little lesser extent Athletics players) will be loved, admired, hailed, and heralded like kings. They are going to treat the players like rock stars and royalties and saints combined. It is good for the healthy ego for those players. And to see what the “kids-game” they play is considered in the other side of earth. I bet you, every players will like it. I bet you, even the most loud complainer I heard on 2004 Yankees squad, Mike Mussina, had to have liked it some. He just must have.
This whole boycott talks make the Red Sox – the whole thing, players, AND the ownership – just bunch of spoiled greedy jerks. I am beginning to think, and I am not the only one I am sure, that the team is taking way too much advantage of the loyal fans. And as one of the paying loyal fans, I feel exploited. They raised the ticket price for more than 10%, and partnered with secondary market ticket agency, (isn’t there some monopoly law that say they can’t do that?); Virtual waiting room is impossible to get ticket (I spent over 10 hours in two days and come away with NONE!); Charging $10 to be the “Citizen of the Nation.”; Beer price in the park is astronomical; Merchandizing is a monopoly in the name of licensing (see Cape Cod League); etc. etc. Where is the line between “smart marketing” and shaking lunch money out of a fan’s pocket while grabbing him by the neck?
Please remember that most of us are barely trying to pay off less than third a million dollar mortgage (if you are lucky) in 30 years or paying off bills for higher education. Those players, who inks multi-million dollar multi-year contract, should know that those people are the ones thats putting money on their pockets.
OK, now that I vented my nonsense, I feel better. Now just get out on the Tokyo Dome playing field and “play ball.” Go Sox. Beat the A’s and go get another WS ring!
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2 Comments
Hi Daigo:
I agree — if these guys had brains, they’d realize that globalization is the key. Remember when the Giants went to London to play a game this past season? There were complaints about the trip messing up their schedule, but hey…who ended up winning the Super Bowl??? (Apologies if you are a Patriots fan :D)
Hi Daigo,
I love your podcast. I have lived in Gunma for the past 12 years and am a die-hard Boston Fan Hockey, baseball, Basketball, Football. I really wanted to see the redSox play in the Tokyo Dome but found out that the tickets were 50000 Yen. Ouch! Then they were sold out. I then went to Tokyo on Business The day The Red Sox were playing the Tigers but they showed The Soft Bank Hawks on BS1. Then my last chance to watch the Red Sox against the A’S, another baseball game was televised. What a disaster. And before coming, they threatened to Boycott. I could go on for days but let’s just say that I love The Sox too much to really complain.
All the best,
Willy in Gunma