MONDAY MUSINGS

by Holly Horning

Throughout the week, there are so many smaller stories hitting the media.  They may be bite-size, but often they are just as important as the headline-grabbing news.  Sometimes, even more.

And that’s what brings me to today.  A way to discuss some of these stories. A way to bring them out in the open for discussion.

And that’s the plan for Mondays.  Keeping track of these mighty little bits that hit my radar throughout the week and sharing them with you today because I know one or more will also resonate with you.

So, let’s kick this off…

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Everyone thought that once the Mets had a new owner, things would change.  But this is a classic example that it won’t until you change the corporate culture.

Owner Steve Cohen fired his GM for serious sexual harassment issues dating all the way back to 2016 but only being called out now.  Other coaches and management have also left due to similar allegations.  And now, the acting GM is gone after being arrested for a DWI.

What other organization experiences so much negative drama?

Sandy Alderson, now the Mets’ President, returned this year to help re-establish the team.  However, he was the one who hired many of the men listed above.  It is unclear whether he is in charge of hiring a new GM or if Cohen has taken it over.

So far, the Mets have been turned down by a record 13 candidates who want nothing to do with the job.  It is a damning statement about how truly bad this organization is.

The annual GM meetings are this week and the Mets still have no GM.  Furthermore, this is the busiest season of the year for Front Offices as they build their rosters and there is no one in charge over in Queens.

This is an organization that has been unable to win for decades and continues to be the laughing stock of MLB. This dysfunction is the major reason why. 

Hopefully, Steve Cohen is learning that vast amounts of money never solve the problem.  Brooming the entire old corporate culture does.

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This last World Series became the second least-watched one in history.  Viewership has been declining every year since 2017.

The biggest reason?  All of the last 30 games have ended after midnight.  This year’s games have averaged 3 hours, 41 minutes which is an increase over last year’s.

How can you grow the game if people need to work the next day and kids can’t stay up to watch?

But before you start talking about pitch clocks, limiting pitching changes and stepping out of the batter’s box, consider this.

It’s not due to these factors.  It’s due to the overabundance of tv advertising which artificially extends the time of each game.  TV advertising which gives the broadcasters and MLB tons of revenue.

Attendance is falling yet MLB is making money hand over fist.  Hmmmm..

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This one is painful.  Now that Drew Smyly just won his World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves, the entire starting rotation of the 2014 Detroit Tigers now all have their own. (And later that year, David Price joined the rotation, and he has his ring, too.)  Only problem is that none of them got theirs with Detroit.

I am thrilled for each and everyone of these guys.  However, my anger resides with the Tigers’ organization during those critical years.  Someone, some people or something within Detroit’s organization failed miserably.  And it really should never be forgotten.  Am I the only one who wants to toss the tv or radio out the window whenever baseball experts tell us that top pitching wins championships?

This picture should be hanging up, front and center, in Chris Ilitch’s office and also in Al Avila’s.  Not to mention in every senior executive’s office.  And it shouldn’t come down until that flag is flying over Comerica.

Photo courtesy of MLB Flock.

Which of these stories resonated the most with you?

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What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday? (And why aren’t you following TT yet?)

• A major publication claims that the Giants will sign both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Why is this a non-starter?

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