An Example To Shun
George Steinbrenner is from Cleveland. He doesn’t often tout that anymore, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Maybe Cleveland should deny that he is from here; that might be more appropriate. Steinbrenner’s escapades over the years show just what he is, and it shows publicly how a number of business people really act, but without the media spotlight.
If you don’t know much about George Steinbrenner (Lucky you!), he owns the New York Yankees. About 35 years ago, he wanted to buy his hometown team, the Cleveland Indians from Vernon Stouffer (of the food company fame), but the deal fell through, although Steinbrenner was, or became an investor in the Cleveland franchise. A few years later, he bought the NY Yankees and skipped town, saying that New York was a city for winners, and if ever there was a “winner,” it is George Steinbrenner. George certainly can lay claim to being one of, if not THE, driving force in the “buy a mediocre player for millions” run up in baseball salaries. Of course, we come back to people like Steinbrenner who say, “Hey, it’s the free market and I can pay a player any amount I want.” This is all part of that philosophy where billionaires and multi-millionaires can bid up player salaries (or oil prices), and in order to stay in the game, other owners have to follow suit. The thing is, it’s NOT really a game anymore. This is big business at work. Gradually, less wealthy owners (just “regular” millionaires) had to get out of baseball, as they couldn’t compete with their wealthy brethren. Then many owners, not just in pro baseball, but also in the other pro sports, blackmailed communities to build them new stadiums and arenas. (Forget “Build it and they will come,” the owners used, “Build it or we will leave town!”) No talk here from these big business people about how government should stay out of private business matters.
The players got every bit as greedy as the owners, and it became tough to tell the good guys from the bad guys. I’ve decided, there aren’t any good guys. Years ago, I had season tickets for the Indians. Many years they lost 90 to 100 games, give or take, and their “quest for the pennant” ended along about the third week of April. Now, I go to no games. Now, I buy no merchandise that any of the pro teams market.
Ticket prices have soared, and in fact, I just heard on the radio this morning, that compared to when the Indians were in the World Series ten years ago, Series ticket prices are up something like 360%!!! I may HAVE to buy gasoline at inflated prices, just to earn a living, but I DON’T have to go to ballgames!
You’ve got to hand it to the baseball big shots, they have successfully marketed the game, high ticket prices, high concession prices, high merchandise prices and all very successfully to the public, just like selling disposable diapers, if you get the drift, or maybe I should say “the whiff!” When I think of some of the people in society who risk their lives for us or who can make peoples’ lives better, and see the amount they make compared to the sports people and team owners, I’ve got to believe that somewhere along the line, we got our priorities misplaced.
Just recently George threatened to fire Yankees’ manager Joe Torre if the team failed in post-season play, which it did. Now, I’m not one to worry myself silly about millionaires, as I have a saying that millionaires don’t worry about me, and I’m more than willing to return the favor. Anything I’d like for many millionaires (and billionaires) is something that I can’t put into print here. Whether or not Steinbrenner fires Torre, one thing is certain, and that is, Joe Torre won’t have to worry about how he’s going to pay his next electric bill. He’s worth a bundle! The point here isn’t so much about Joe Torre, as much as it is about Steinbrenner’s behavior and the message it sends to the rest of America’s Al Qaida; that is, the American wealthy and business community. The message is, that you can go on any ego trip and demand that your subordinates accomplish whatever you want, and if they fail, you have no responsibility, you simply fire them.
If I’ve heard things correctly on the radio, the Yankees have the highest payroll in baseball, but it didn’t guarantee a World Championship, nor an American League Pennant, nor even a divisional championship. Hey George, it’s real life, something you should try living for a change, because in the end, death, THE Great Equalizer, will make you just like the rest of us.
If you don’t know much about George Steinbrenner (Lucky you!), he owns the New York Yankees. About 35 years ago, he wanted to buy his hometown team, the Cleveland Indians from Vernon Stouffer (of the food company fame), but the deal fell through, although Steinbrenner was, or became an investor in the Cleveland franchise. A few years later, he bought the NY Yankees and skipped town, saying that New York was a city for winners, and if ever there was a “winner,” it is George Steinbrenner. George certainly can lay claim to being one of, if not THE, driving force in the “buy a mediocre player for millions” run up in baseball salaries. Of course, we come back to people like Steinbrenner who say, “Hey, it’s the free market and I can pay a player any amount I want.” This is all part of that philosophy where billionaires and multi-millionaires can bid up player salaries (or oil prices), and in order to stay in the game, other owners have to follow suit. The thing is, it’s NOT really a game anymore. This is big business at work. Gradually, less wealthy owners (just “regular” millionaires) had to get out of baseball, as they couldn’t compete with their wealthy brethren. Then many owners, not just in pro baseball, but also in the other pro sports, blackmailed communities to build them new stadiums and arenas. (Forget “Build it and they will come,” the owners used, “Build it or we will leave town!”) No talk here from these big business people about how government should stay out of private business matters.
The players got every bit as greedy as the owners, and it became tough to tell the good guys from the bad guys. I’ve decided, there aren’t any good guys. Years ago, I had season tickets for the Indians. Many years they lost 90 to 100 games, give or take, and their “quest for the pennant” ended along about the third week of April. Now, I go to no games. Now, I buy no merchandise that any of the pro teams market.
Ticket prices have soared, and in fact, I just heard on the radio this morning, that compared to when the Indians were in the World Series ten years ago, Series ticket prices are up something like 360%!!! I may HAVE to buy gasoline at inflated prices, just to earn a living, but I DON’T have to go to ballgames!
You’ve got to hand it to the baseball big shots, they have successfully marketed the game, high ticket prices, high concession prices, high merchandise prices and all very successfully to the public, just like selling disposable diapers, if you get the drift, or maybe I should say “the whiff!” When I think of some of the people in society who risk their lives for us or who can make peoples’ lives better, and see the amount they make compared to the sports people and team owners, I’ve got to believe that somewhere along the line, we got our priorities misplaced.
Just recently George threatened to fire Yankees’ manager Joe Torre if the team failed in post-season play, which it did. Now, I’m not one to worry myself silly about millionaires, as I have a saying that millionaires don’t worry about me, and I’m more than willing to return the favor. Anything I’d like for many millionaires (and billionaires) is something that I can’t put into print here. Whether or not Steinbrenner fires Torre, one thing is certain, and that is, Joe Torre won’t have to worry about how he’s going to pay his next electric bill. He’s worth a bundle! The point here isn’t so much about Joe Torre, as much as it is about Steinbrenner’s behavior and the message it sends to the rest of America’s Al Qaida; that is, the American wealthy and business community. The message is, that you can go on any ego trip and demand that your subordinates accomplish whatever you want, and if they fail, you have no responsibility, you simply fire them.
If I’ve heard things correctly on the radio, the Yankees have the highest payroll in baseball, but it didn’t guarantee a World Championship, nor an American League Pennant, nor even a divisional championship. Hey George, it’s real life, something you should try living for a change, because in the end, death, THE Great Equalizer, will make you just like the rest of us.
posted by Randy at 4:52 PM
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