HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jplee@zeus.calpoly.edu (Jason Lee)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Expansion Draft Update -- LIVE Round 2 Coverage
Date: 17 Nov 92 22:34:24 GMT
Article-I.D.: zeus.1992Nov17.223424.141120
Organization: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo


                          MLB Expansion Draft
                              Live Update
                              as of  1:15

                                ROUND 1
    Colorado Rockies                         Florida Marlins
 1) David Nied, RHP, Atlanta              1) Nigel Wilson, OF, Toronto
 2) Charlie Hayes, 3B, New York (A)       2) Jose Martinez, RHP, New York (N)
 3) Darren Holmes, RHP, Milwaukee         3) Bret Barberie, 2B, Montreal
 4) Jerald Clark, OF, San Diego           4) Trevor Hoffman, RHP, Cincinnati
 5) Kevin Reimer, OF, Texas               5) Pat Rapp, RHP, San Francisco
 6) Eric Young, 2B, Los Angeles           6) Greg Hibbard, LHP, Chicago (A)
 7) Jody Reed, 2B, Boston                 7) Chuck Carr, OF, St. Louis
 8) Scott Aldred, LHP, Detroit            8) Darrell Whitmore, OF, Cleveland
 9) Alex Cole, OF, Pittsburgh             9) Eric Helfand, C, Oakland
10) Joe Girardi, C, Chicago (N)          10) Bryan Harvey, RHP, California
11) Willie Blair, RHP, Houston           11) Jeff Conine, 1B, Kansas City
12) Jay Owens, C, Minnesota              12) Kip Yaughn, RHP, Baltimore
13) Andy Ashby, RHP, Philadelphia        13) Jesus Tavarez, OF, Seattle


                                ROUND 2
    Colorado Rockies                         Florida Marlins 
 1) Freddy Benavides, SS, Cincinnati      1) Carl Everett, OF, New York (A)
 2) Roberto Mejia, 2B, Los Angeles        2) David Weathers, RHP, Toronto
 3) Doug Bochtler, RHP, Montreal          3) John Johnstone, RHP, New York (N)
 4)                                       4) Ramon D. Martinez, SS, Pittsburgh

-- 
Continuing your live Expansion Draft Updates,
Jason Lee
jplee@poseidon.calpoly.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: shadow@r-node.gts.org (Jay Chu)
Subject: A TRUE RUMOR!  Sandy Alomar for Pat Borders
Organization: SkyDOME
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 22:38:16 GMT

Well, the Indians have offered the Blue Jays always-hurt catcher Sandy Alomar
in exchange for World Series hard working MVP catcher Pat Borders.

Apparently Pat Gillick turned this offer down.  But, Gillick wants
Baerga included in the deal.  The Indians said, in that case, short stop
Manuel Lee must be thrown in the deal as well.

So, the trade on the table is:

Alomar and Baerga for Borders and Lee

I don't understand this deal at all.  Roberto Alomar is already in 2B, why
need Baerga?  Could Baerga be used for another trade????????
-- 
        ______                shadow@r-node.gts.org
       | |__| |   If it's there and you can see it       - it's real
       |  ()  |   If it's there and you can't see it     - it's transparent
       |______|   If it's not there and you can't see it - you erased it!
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: steph@perseus.cs.uiuc.edu (Dale Stephenson)
Subject: Re: Red Sox mailing list
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 23:16:38 GMT

In <1992Nov20.171304.16829@cs.cornell.edu> tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer) writes:
[...]

>I am in charge of a Red Sox mailing list.  To join, e-mail to
>tedward@cs.cornell.edu.  Of course after the expansion draft,
>I'm not sure I'll be a Sox fan much longer.  Anybody got a good
>team?  Doesn't have to be a current winner, but *must* have an
>intelligent GM!

Well, after the draft I'm not about to suggest John Schuerholz.  Intelligent
GMs are harder to find than power hitting shortstops who walk.
-- 
Dale J. Stephenson |*| (steph@cs.uiuc.edu) |*| Baseball fanatic

  "It is considered good to look wise, especially when not 
   overburdened with information" -- J. Golden Kimball
From: yousten@atlantis.CS.ORST.EDU (Ken Yousten)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: The first pick -- David Nied
Keywords: STUPID
Date: 18 Nov 92 16:33:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: leela.1992Nov18.163357.20090
Organization: Computer Science Outreach Services - Oregon State University

In article <w!lq6yj@lynx.unm.edu> kbos@carina.unm.edu (Kurt "Some Guy" Bose) writes:
>Turner would have had his ass if Deion Sanders had not been protected.  Now,
>you may redirect your diatribe at Turner, and I wouldn't mind a bit.  
>Schuerholz wanted to protect Nied.

Yes, the analysts did say that it was an executive decision from Turner
to protect Sanders that bumped Nied from the 15.  But that still puts Nied
below Nixon and Hunter in the Braves' eyes.

Just spreading the blame around. You can't pin it entirely on any
one person.
--
Ken Yousten     (living in Blacksburg, VA)     yousten@atlantis.cs.orst.edu
	 "Her voice-- I know other words, but we'll stick with this
	 	   one-- was nice."   -- Dashiell Hammett
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: jdd@wheezer.wustl.edu (John DeHart)
Subject: Re: Comments on NL protected lists
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis MO
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 21:29:46 GMT

In article <56960@olivea.atc.olivetti.com> rsmith@strobe.ATC.Olivetti.Com (Russ Smith) writes:
>In article <BxtIzE.3yD@news.cso.uiuc.edu> hbrooks@uiatma.atmos.uiuc.edu (Harold_Brooks) writes:
>>you count that as excited, I admit to it.  I don't know if there was 
>>something in Jordan's contract that led to him being protected, but I'm not
>>very happy about him or Ozzie Canseco being on the list.  The fortunate 
>>thing for the Cardinals is that most of the prospects are not eligible to
>>be drafted since the team did a lousy job of drafting in the late-80's.
>
>So I am not the only one who wonders why the Cards protected Canseco. I
>cannot make up my mind on Jordan, he is a great outfielder and has both
>speed and pop, but he never walks, is already ~25 so he is an iffy guy
>to protect. 

The word in the papers here was that it came down to Canseco and Alicea
for the final spot on the protected list. The Cards are expecting to
lose Alicea. They are now committed to Pena for second base.
They still have some hope that Canseco will develop. He had some shoulder
problems but some weight training seems to have helped that and they
want to see what he can do in winter ball this year. They figured if
they didn't protect him, he would be playing in Miami next year. If I
am not mistaken he would be a hometown favorite there. At least until
they figured out that he isn't his brother.

>Now if they are ready to let Ozzie go, and they did not protect Jose
>Oquendo, who are they planning to play at shortstop next year?

Oquendo was injured enough last year that they probably figure noone
would touch him. They might also be assuming that they will sign Ozzie (Smith of course).
They seem to have had an attitude all along that things would work
out and Ozzie would sign and stay with the Cards.
There was an article in the Sunday paper about Ozzie's agent. 
She, (no typo, she is one of two female agents in MLB) mentioned four
clubs that had spoken to her about Ozzie. I only recall Toronto and the
Yankees. 

>Let me guess, Dal is about to pull the trigger on the blockbuster Allen
>Watson for Walt Weiss deal.

How about if we move Zeile to SS and get Carney Lansford out of retirement
to play 3rd. (Do I need a :-) ? )

>
>
>Russ Smith

John DeHart
jdd@arl.wustl.edu
Washington University, St. Louis Mo.
From: rickert@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu (John H. Rickert)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Steve Reed -- Once a Giant, Now a Rocky -- WHY?
Date: 20 Nov 1992 21:03:19 GMT
Organization: Computer Science Department at Rose-Hulman
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: rickert@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu (John H. Rickert)
NNTP-Posting-Host: g215a-1.nextwork.rose-hulman.edu

In article <By13L5.84D@fc.sde.hp.com> mjs@fc.hp.com (Marc Sabatella) writes:
> John H. Rickert (rickert@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu) wrote:
> : 
> : Isn't this the same sort of reasoning that kept Dan Quisenberry 
> : out of the majors until he was 26?
> 
> Perhaps; it could also be why he was all but washed up a short time later.

I'd say that reaching his mid thirties had more to do with it.
How many pitchers last until they're 37? 
(or 36 if you want to dump his last few innings shelled)
Quisenberry actually had a moderately long career for a pitcher.
Not many reach HOF eligibility.

john rickert
rickert@nextwork.rose-hulman.edu
1992 leader in RISP AB+BB: George Bell with 228. 
Gee, who did Bell bat behind?
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: epstein@cs.uiuc.edu (Milt Epstein)
Subject: Re: Expansion draft update -- LIVE
Reply-To: epstein@cs.uiuc.edu
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 22:09:09 GMT

In <1992Nov17.205649.101047@zeus.calpoly.edu> jplee@zeus.calpoly.edu (Jason Lee) writes:

>                          MLB Expansion Draft
>                              Live Update
>                              as of 12:50
>
>                                Round 1
>   Colorado Rockies                          Florida Marlins
> 1) David Nied, RHP, Atlanta               1) Nigel Wilson, OF, Toronto
> 2) Charlie Hayes, 3B, N. Y. Yankees       2) Jose Martinez, RHP, N. Y. Mets
> 3) Darren Holmes, RHP, Milwaukee          3) Bret Barberie, 2B, Montreal
> 4) Jerald Clark, OF, San Diego            4) Trevor Hoffman, RHP, Cincinnati
> 5) Kevin Reimer, OF, Texas                5) Pat Rapp, RHP, San Francisco
> 6) Eric Young, 2B, Los Angeles            6) Greg Hibbard, LHP, C. White Sox
> 7) Jody Reed, 2B, Boston                  7) Chuck, Carr, OF, St. Louis
> 8) Scott Aldred, LHP, Detroit             8) Darrell Whitmore, OF, Cleveland
> 9) Alex Cole, OF, Pittsburgh              9) Eric Helfand, C, Oakland
>10) Joe Girardi, C, C. Cubs               10) Bryan Harvey, RHP, California
>11) Willie Blair, RHP, Houston

Well, since I've got ESPN in the background, might as well finish this
off:

                                               Jeff Conine, OF, KC
12) Jay Owens, C, Minnesota                12) Kip Yaughn, P, Baltimore
13) Andy Ashny, P, Philadelphia            13) Jesus Tavares, OF, Seattle

-- 
Milt Epstein
Department of Computer Science
University of Illinois
epstein@cs.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: chuq@Apple.COM (Eeyore's Evil Twin)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Al Rosen out
Date: 24 Nov 92 00:57:29 GMT
Organization: Pooh Corner Country Club -- A Planned Community

harder@wharton.upenn.edu writes:
> Is Roger Craig the next to
>go?

Craig is very unlikelly to be back, but won't retired because he has a year
left on his contract, so he's going to let them buy it out instead.

-- 
            Chuq "IMHO" Von Rospach, ESD Support & Training (DAL/AUX)
                      Member, SFWA =+= Editor, OtherRealms
                chuq@apple.com | GEnie: MAC.BIGOT | ALink:CHUQ 

                       Sterling Holloway: We'll miss you.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: kbos@carina.unm.edu (Kurt "Some Guy" Bose)
Subject: Re: St.Louis protected (was NL protected lists)
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 17:36:41 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <Bxv4Lp.Lw6@encore.com> jsosa@encore.com (Joe Sosa) writes:
>So, St.Louis fans, is there any reason why Tracy Woodson was left unprotected
>too.  He seems to have a mighty bat, although I did not see him play much
>at third base.  He sure seemed to do well when he was called up and Zeile
>was sent down.
>
You mean, other than the fact that he's a 30-year old career minor leaguer
with a bad attitude, worse defensive ability, and even more rotten plate
judgement?

Tracy Woodson is the kinda guy the established teams were _hoping_ the
expansion clubs would have to take.

-- 
Kurt Bose (as in Daisy, not Rose) * kbos@carina.unm.edu * Make outs, not walks!
TONIGHT-In "Ryecatcher", Holden Caulfield foils a plot to turn his old prep
school into a right-wing military acadamy run by Neo-Nazis. 8PM(7PM C/M) Ch. 7
                                                        -The Book of Sequels...
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: ecaxron@venus.lerc.nasa.gov (Ron Graham)
Subject: More on the "true rumor"
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: 17 Nov 1992 10:48 EDT  

That unnamed Cleveland newspaper reports today that it was the Toronto Sun
publishing the report of the "true rumor," and that the principals involved
were Alomar to Toronto for Borders and pitching prospect Marcus Moore.

Tribe director of baseball ops Dan O'Dowd called the report in the Sun
"pure fiction."

But if a Jays fan could post a scouting report on Moore, "just in case,"
I'd be obliged ;-).

RG

"I don't know how [the Indians] lose.  I really don't."  -  John Smiley
"Why?  Why should we believe the Indians will ever be anything other than
 what they have been?"  -  Dr. David Tate
Organization: Senior, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 16:26:32 -0500 
From: Amit Likhyani <al1x+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: humble request

Could someone just e-mail who the first pick in the draft as along with
the Pirates taken.  I will be stuck on a computer all afternoon tomorrow.

Thanks,
Mit
From: dxf12@po.CWRU.Edu (Douglas Fowler)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: creative managing
Date: 16 Nov 1992 19:42:19 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: dxf12@po.CWRU.Edu (Douglas Fowler)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc12.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, baseggio@deshaw.com (Franco Baseggio) says:

>What about a lefty-righty reliever combo where they can both play
>left-field?  Has a pitcher ever been moved to a non-pitching position
>and then back again?  

     I recall a game in 1986, I think it was, where a few players had been
thrown out of a game with the Mets because of a browl, so the 10th and
11th innings were played with Jesse Orosco and ROger McDowell shifting
between right field and pitcher.  Gary Carter had to play right field.
I believe it was against the REds, and that the Mets won the game.
-- 
Doug Fowler: dxf12@po.CWRU.edu  : Me, age 4 & now: "Mommys and Daddys & other
   "Thou shalt love God with all: relatives have to give lots of hugs & love
thy heart...*and thy neighbor as: & support, 'cause Heaven is just a great
thyself*." Luke 10:27           : big hug that lasts forever and ever!!!"
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: hora@ecf.toronto.edu (HO ROBERT ANDREW)
Subject: Re: Trade Clemens?
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 05:23:14 GMT

In article <1992Nov21.025446.23279@netcom.com> arrow@netcom.com (Les Arrow) writes:
>
>Yes, it is a very bad idea. Clemens is a guy you build around, not a guy
>you trade to rebuild. I just don't think you trade the best pitcher in 
>baseball.
>

The question, though, is whether Clemens will be the best pitcher in 
baseball by the time you are ready to contend.  At 30 years old, Clemens
is not old for a pitcher, but the odds are probably against him being the
best around in 2 years time.  This doesn't mean he won't be in the top 
echelon of pitchers (although it is also possible he won't be -- stranger
things have happened)  But it does mean that if the right deal came along,
it shouldn't be an unthinkable idea to trade him. 

>>Okay.  Now that I've caused all die hard Red Sox fans to put contracts
>>out on my life for thinking such a thought, let's say you had to trade
>>Roger.  What is the Rocket's market value?  What should the Sox get in
>>return for the best pitcher in baseall?
>>
>>Lee.
>>
>
>Well, he'd have to go to someone who was planning to win in '93. Possibly
>Toronto for Derek Bell, Stottlemyer and a couple of bullpenners. Sheesh.
>It's real hard to put a trade tag on the best pitcher in baseball. I
>shiver at the thought of Clemens for Juan Gonzalez. Talk about a steal. 
>I'm glad that trade never came to be.
>

Clemens for Bell, Stottlemyre and a couple of bullpenners would be a
bad deal for the Sox; they could do much better.  Bell never really had
a good year above A level ball until 1991 and is by no means a sure thing.
Stottlemyre is possibly the worst pitcher in baseball to have had a 
regular starting job for the past five years straight.  Although the 
Blue Jays have had the best record in the majors over the last 5 years,
Stottlemyre is only 51-51 with an ERA of around 4.35 and a K/BB ratio of
about 1.5-1.  Well, okay maybe that's not quite the worst, but he's pretty
damn bad.  Throw in a couple of bullpenners, say Wells and Timlin, and the
Sox really don't get much; in 2 or 3 years time, Clemens would still be
the best player involved in the trade.  While Clemens for Gonzalez is
also not an equal trade, it would be a lot better than getting Bell and
Stottlemyre.  

>--Les


-- 
Robert Ho
Univ. of Toronto
hora@ecf.toronto.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: cazuzek@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (Zuzek, John E.)
Subject: Re: A TRUE RUMOR!  Sandy Alomar for Pat Borders
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: 17 Nov 1992 13:30 EST  

In article <1992Nov16.223816.28584@r-node.gts.org>, shadow@r-node.gts.org (Jay Chu) writes...
>Well, the Indians have offered the Blue Jays always-hurt catcher Sandy Alomar
>in exchange for World Series hard working MVP catcher Pat Borders.

This rumor was denied by Tribe GM John Hart.

> 
>Apparently Pat Gillick turned this offer down.  But, Gillick wants
>Baerga included in the deal.  The Indians said, in that case, short stop
>Manuel Lee must be thrown in the deal as well.
> 
>So, the trade on the table is:
> 
>Alomar and Baerga for Borders and Lee
> 

You MUST be joking.  There is absolutely no way the Indians would make that 
deal!  Baerga had a monster season (200+ hits, 20 HR, 100+ RBI, .300+ AVG) 
and is at least the second best 2B in the A.L.  Manuel Lee is an adequate 
defensive shortstop who can't hit much.  The Tribe already has that in 
Felix Fermin and they didn't even protect him.  Baerga is signed to a long 
term deal.  Sorry, this "true rumor" is just plain idiotic.  The Alomar for 
Borders part seems almost sane when compared with this silly rumor (and it 
isn't really sane).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Zuzek                         |"The federal government is basically
NASA Lewis Research Center         | one enormous, ongoing Meeting From
-----------------------------------| Hell"  
cazuzek@lims01.lerc.nasa.gov       |                        -- Dave Barry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer)
Subject: Re: Clemens Market Value (trade with Toronto)
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept, Ithaca NY 14853
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 18:14:09 GMT

In article <1992Nov22.162540.12350@nstn.ns.ca> maceache@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Tim Maceachern) writes:
>
>Why would you want to trade for Clemens when you can simply sign Cone?

I agree.  Clemens will win you a couple more games each year, and is a
bit cheaper than what Cone is likely to sign for, but is the
difference worth trading Carlos Delgado et al?  Probably not.

Which is the real point.  Clemens has value to the Red Sox beyond his
actual performance on the field.  He is the heart and soul of the
team, and surely the fans favorite player.

Trading him would be a great loss no matter *what* they got in return.

-Valentine
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: kbanaian@bernard.pitzer.claremont.edu (King Banaian)
Subject: Re: Don Elliot's 1992 stats
Organization: Pitzer College
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 21:09:51 GMT

In article <1992Nov20.192613.1@uwovax.uwo.ca> jpalmer@uwovax.uwo.ca (The Econoclast) writes:
	{which has too long a lineage to leave in}
>
>For the full season, here are the stats for Don Elliot:
>
>
>Team		GS	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K
>Clearwater (A)	3	18	12	6	1	8	12
>REading (AA)	6	35.7	37	10	2	11	23
>Greenville (AA)	17	103.2	76	24	8	35	100
>
>I don't remember the trade, but it looks as if he was traded from the
>Phillies to the Braves. Career ERA through the minors so far: 2.84
>Looks like a prospect to me.

This was the famous Ben Rivera trade.  Famous insofar as the Braves couldn't 
justify holding Ben, couldn't send him back to the minors, so tried to find 
a trade for him.  Elliot was a prospect, but he had spent three years at 
Spartenburg before, and as you can see had a little trouble adjusting at 
Reading when moved up.  Given Rivera's stats, you could say this worked out 
well for both sides.

--Sparky
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: steph@pegasus.cs.uiuc.edu (Dale Stephenson)
Subject: Re: Trade Clemens?
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 08:45:45 GMT

In <1ejpsnINNr8d@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> dxf12@po.CWRU.Edu (Douglas Fowler) writes:
[...]

>     I'm not a Sox fan but I'll bite.
>     Clemens and Phil Palntier to the Braves for Ryan Klesko, Jeff Blauser,
>Keith Mitchell, Pete Smith, and Dave Justice.  THe Sox could throw in a
>minor leaguer or 2, and perhaps someone like Scott Zupcic..  I picture Blauser
>challenging at one of the middle infield positions.  He can hit pretty well
>for a middle infielder.

No deal.  The Braves lose their starting SS, RF, and future starting 1B for
one starting pitcher?  The Braves' pitching is good enough that even a
hall of famer isn't worth gutting the offense.

Tell you what.  Keep Plantier, and we'll be glad to send you Hunter, Justice,
and Pete Smith for Clemens.  Deal?
-- 
Dale J. Stephenson |*| (steph@cs.uiuc.edu) |*| Baseball fanatic

  "It is considered good to look wise, especially when not 
   overburdened with information" -- J. Golden Kimball
From: sgs@stein.u.washington.edu (Steven Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Birthdays
Date: 23 Nov 92 19:50:32 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle

Baseball Birthdays

November 23
Luis Tiant, 1940
Prince Hal Schumacher, 1910
Brook Jacoby, 1959
"Firebrand" George Stovall, 1878
Dale Sveum, 1963
Jose Gonzales, 1964
Tom Hall, 1947
Ken Schrom, 1954
Jesse Petty, 1894
Les Scarsella, 1913
Broderick Perkins, 1954
Jack McKeon, 1930

--Steve
-- 
 sgs@u.washington.edu             * "The rich people want what the 
 Steve Smith                      *  poor people got."
 University of Washington HR-20   *    --D. Wiggin-"Philosophy of the World"	 
 Seattle, WA 98195                *
From: barrym@informix.com (Barry Mednick)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: jints to stay
Keywords: Giants
Date: 14 Nov 92 01:18:21 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

In article <1992Nov13.002959.2509@Princeton.EDU> niepornt@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (David Marc Nieporent) writes:
>I'd vote against a stadium for the Orioles
>(too late) even if it meant they might leave, too.  For some reason, I'm
>philosophically opposed to handing taxpayer's money to multimillionaires
>when there are plenty of worthwhile causes that need the money more.
>
>Let Bob Lurie build his own stadium instead of trying to steal from the
>pockets of the people of San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, etc.
I take a different view.  If you want Madonna to give a concert in your
town, you don't ask her to build her own auditorium.
A ballpark belongs to the public who rent it to a team.  
Tampa, Baltimore, Cleveland and Denver build ballparks because they
want a team.  This improves the city much the same way that libraries
and parks do.  How many people would vote in favor of an opera house?
a museum?  Should these not be built just because a majority might
vote against it?  I don't think culture belongs on the ballot.  We elect
representatives to make studied, well-thought out decisions on behalf
of the entire community.  Not everything a city does has to serve the
interests of the majority.  
Of course, if there were more teams available, governments would be in
a better bargaining position and might be able to get the owner to
invest in the ballpark.
------------------------------------------