A's v. BoSox

[Lark11]

Man, what a dumb idea it is to have MLB open in Japan.

Opening day is a special day, so to water it down by having an international opening day and a national opening day is an idea only MLB could dream up.

Anyway, had some thoughts about the game last night.

1) Steve Phillips was actually pretty good. He made some good points about Jack Cust's approach and DiceK's change-up.

2) I actually like the A's this year. They've got a lot of talent, but will likely be short in starting pitching. In addition, they need a right handed thumper in the lineup.

That said, Jack Cust, Daric Barton, Carlos Gonzalez, and Kurt Suzuki give hope for the future. In addition, every time I see him, I get more impressed with Mark Ellis. He's just a very, very solid baseball player.

If Harden can put together a few healthy months, then the A's may send him to the Yanks in a rumored deal for Ian Kennedy. To me, that would be a nice trade for the A's.

3) DiceK still seems overrated. But, maybe his newly developed change-up will help him in 2008.

4) Let's pray to the baseball gods that MLB doesn't pick up on the Japanese trend of allowing advertising on uniforms. That seems almost inevitable given MLB's unquenchable thirst for new revenue streams.

5) Blanton still gives up way too much contact. Passing on him was the best move of the offseason.

6) Interesting to see Japanese ballparks utilize a screen to protect fans all the way around the ballpark.

7) Jacoby Elsbury and Julio Lugo look like whippets. They must be 140 lbs a piece.

8) Man, I can't wait for the REAL OPENING DAY!!!!

[awnawboi21]

Yeah, horrible idea to open the season in Japan. I thought baseball was AMERICA'S pasttime....it's bull Fecal Matter. Why do we need to have games in Japan to begin with? They love baseball as is, they don't need us.
I hate the advertising on the unis, and I hate the screens all around the park. The screens limit fan interaction...

[redvol]

Bud Selig is an idiot blessed by miraculous circumstances:

- growing economy since 1990
- booming cable television market
- booming internet domain
- creation of satelite TV

I guess you'd call him a lucky idiot........

[schellis]

I think the game is being brought to Japan for one reason and one reason alone. So that the Japanese will be more willing to allow their best players to come to America to play baseball. Usually the team that goes is a team that recently signed a big Japan player, wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Cubs open the year in Japan next season.

That being said I think its a supid idea, right up there with ESPN opening night.

Baseball is a game of traditions and to not have Cincinnati open the season is a crime.

It also throws off a number of things and puts the teams that travel over seas at a disadvantage just to give the Japanese fans a thrill to see their favorite players in person.

If baseball isn't careful I could actually see them moving the Devil Rays or something to Tokyo and making them a ALW team.

As for advertising on the uniforms you mean you don't want to see the Cincinnati Big Reds sponsered by Wrigley's gum.

Or the Cincinnati Reds Lobster

More so then probably any team the Reds are advertising gold.

I mean Wrigley's alone could make millions.

You'd have the Cincinnati Big Reds

The Minnesota Doublemint Twins

And after slapping Houston back into their 80's unis the Houston Juicy Fruits

Ok so the last one has no logical name connection.

[GMBurchfield]

I didnt enjoy it.

First because I dont like the Red Sox because they are the new Yanks. Also because Oakland bores me. Then it just didnt fill like baseball.

Opening day is in Cincy.

[The Duke]

I checked out the box score, but that was about it. Real opening day is in 5 days, that was just MLB trying to be more global.