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...

Yes!  What a catch by Odubel Herrera!  Let the celebration begin!  That's three in a row against a team that was considered the best in baseball a month ago.  Wait, what?  Replay review?  You mean we can't celebrate just yet? Ugh! Replay review. A way to drag things out some more. A way to slow momentum and kill the spur of the moment emotional highs. Looked like a great play, but let's wait to see what the replay umpire in New York says.  Twice in the last eight days a replay review has interrupted a Phillies end of the game celebration. Last week, against the Marlins, replay took away a walk-off win and subjected us to six more late night innings.  I have to get my kids up and out to school in the morning for crying out loud.  Last night, the replay review was mercifully short. It was clear that Herrera made an incredible leaping catch right in front of the wall for the final out. But, hey. Let's give it a look just to b...