Philadelphia Baseball History

This year's off-season has been marked by big name free agent ball players remaining unsigned through the beginning of Spring Training. The situation has left some players and their agents crying foul against the owners. In addition, the union has found itself in conflict with the Commissioner over proposed rule changes allegedly intended to enhance the pace of play.  The emergence of these issues raises the question of whether a labor dispute is brewing for baseball. Starting with the issue of unsigned free agents, this is a problem with two root causes.  The first is the way baseball's economic and salary rules operate.  The second is how teams currently value players. From the point of view of the ball player, if he shows his abilities and talents on the field, he expects to be rewarded.  In particular, baseball's rules can keep a player tied to one team for up to six years after being drafted.  Initially, the player has three years to earn a spot on th...

Philadelphia sports fans are not the most patient fans in the world.  After the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, returned to the Series in 2009, and posted the most wins in team history on the backs of the four aces in 2011, it is understandable that Phillies fans got, well, frustrated as the team slid into the bottom of the standings for the last few years.  The frustration level had reached such a low that the fans demanded, and received, the dismissal of then General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. But while a new era was ushered in under  President of Baseball Operations Andy McPhail and General Manager Matt Klentak, fans were advised to show patience.  Building a new team that could contend would take time.  The team embarked on a strategy of dismantling the remainder of the championship team, slashing the payroll and obtaining as much young talent in trades as was feasible.  The ultimate goal was to develop a cadre of young players in the minor lea...