Is Anyone Awake? - Vince Suzadail Jr.'s Blog

 My son wants to see a Yankee game this year as it is the last year for Yankee Stadium. My contention is let's go to the stadium when they aren't playing and ask to walk around just to feel the history.  Baseball, as with any other professional sport is becoming a national joke and role model players for today's youth are almost totally non-existent.  The American fan has to be smoking something strange if he thinks he's getting his money's worth attending one of these farces. Personally, I don't want to fork out a weeks pay to go see a bunch of overpaid cry babies playing a children's game while complainig how unfairly they are getting treated. So, while I had a few minutes I decided to breakdown their third baseman's contract. You remember Alex Rodriguez, the man with a lifetime playoff average lower than some bowling averages. He had some problems accepting the Yankees offer. Basically this is what he makes. $24038.00 per day, that is $1002.00 per hour 24 hours a day or better yet, $17.00 per minute, every minute of every day.  The average sports fan busts his butt at his job, then wastes a week of it going to see these guys play, that is, if they don't have a hangnail and are on the injured reserve list. Oh, by the way, this is salary. This doesn't include the excessive meal money and expenses these guys get for living. I confess, I'm as bad as the next guy and have been to a few Philadelphia games (Phillies, Eagles and Sixers). It might be a cold day in Hell before I go again. Unless the fan wakes up, these figures I've shown are only going to get worse. Even if you aren't a fan, you pay for it in the products you buy because the company forks out millions in advertising. In conclusion, I will be attending some games this year but they will be little league, peewee football and maybe a few high school games. Better tell the kids to forget studying and start practicing. Side note, if you think these guys are worth it. The New York Giants will be playing the Atlanta Falcons in London next year. The Atlanta Falcons star linebacker (a graduate of the University of Florida) went to the owners and demanded a translator when they go to London. I'm assuming, he did NOT major in nuclear physics. God Bless. God Help us.

Karen Feist Date: 2/25/2008 9:27:00 PM Still laughing...brilliant obsservation of base a ball. Nuclear Physics... LOL Login to Reply

April Laughter Date: 2/4/2008 8:39:00 AM nice poetry but none of my poetry is fictional it is all real. nice poetry it is really good. Login to Reply

Marycile Beer Date: 1/25/2008 8:29:00 PM Vince, you pretty much covered all of my feelings about the way things are becoming. I agree with you it is impossible for a fan to earn enough to make a living for himself let along just throw it away. Good for you Vince glad you spoke out, God Bless, Cile Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 1/20/2008 4:01:00 AM Newest figures are out. For 2008 the average salary of the New York Yankees (remember this is average) is $7.47 million per season. This is a salary for player who would not have even made it to the majors if they had only 8 teams per league. These are the same guys crying the owners are unfair. PLAY BALL!!!! Vince Login to Reply

Elaine George Date: 1/18/2008 7:46:00 PM I can remember a time when sports were about having fun and uplifting spirits - now it is all about money. They took all the fun out of it. lainie Login to Reply

Katherine Stella Date: 1/18/2008 8:02:00 AM with you all the way Vince some of the players should be sitting the bench and in Minnesota they should play on old ball fields like we did growing up they do not deserve what they get no wonder this country is in a spot cause worthless money is going to them and our so called congress men passing bills for new stadiums great write my friend keep shooting from the hip Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 1/18/2008 6:29:00 AM Hey Joe, It depends on where the bad performance was. Now, if he were a sailor, he'd have nothing to worry about. Gotta love it!! Vince Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 1/18/2008 5:55:00 AM Sorry Joe, I'm not talking about what was offered. I'm talking about the crying that he needed more than 20 million to play a children's game(with a lifetime playoff average that suffers from anemia) another athlete refused to give 100% on the basketball court, getting $14 Million a year and says in an interview that he won't help the team win a championship because "what did they ever do for me?" Overpaid cry babies. We are dumb enough to watch them play. The word is "PLAY". Vince Login to Reply

Glen Enloe Date: 1/17/2008 3:43:00 PM I'm afraid you may be right. I remember those days of baseball, baseball cards & the sheer joy of the game. Sometimes I think we should start over. I'd like to see them play the game for love of it, rather than for the love of money. Login to Reply

Sue Mason Date: 1/17/2008 1:36:00 PM Awake and coming in from left field where I've been for a few days. Yes, we're back to the days of the gladiators. Don't understand why their salaries keep going up while schoolteachers are starving but anyway ... my stepfather had season tickets to the Giants for years. He and I went in 2001 when they were still at Candlestick and it was a pitchers duel but the sun was warm and I'll cherish the memory. Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 1/17/2008 12:46:00 PM Hi Charlie. I've been to the Scranton Wilkes Barre minor league games and have had a great affordable time as well as the Philadelphia Phantoms Hockey games. I coached pre- little league and little leaggue as well as peewee football for a few years and I do believe I enjoy this better than the pros. Also You don't have to pay $5.00 for a hot dog with 35 fingerprints on it. My son and I also took in a minor league game (single A) in Williamsport and had a blast. Vince Login to Reply

Crystal Bourret Date: 1/17/2008 12:40:00 PM There is no better feeling then stepping on to the mound, or turning two at second or hitting a good one right over some unsuspecting fool in left field, and they should be ashamed of what they are doing to tarnish the name of base ball as they are.....I could go on and on forever but I will just stop now and say, MAN I MISS BASEBALL!!!! Gonna take my glove out and play in the house. Your Friend Crystal Login to Reply

Alana Tye Date: 1/17/2008 12:34:00 PM As the only sports I've been used to are hunting, fishing and four wheeling, I was in awe when recently told how much a ballplayer makes. Considering I'll try anything once and be a "sport" about it, makes me wonder how much they'd pay me to do 3 donuts and 2 back-flips with the ATV. :P Login to Reply

Crystal Bourret Date: 1/17/2008 12:34:00 PM Vince, that was a great blog. It is a shame what is happening to the sport as I am a big time fan. Of course being from Canada it is the Jays that I covet the most. Ernie Witt is my all time favourite, Kelly Gruber, Pat Borders, Joe Carter.....I have played ball since little league and still play now at 31. First girl MVP in my league and proud of it....I much rather be a participant than a spectator. Athletes now a days are spoiled and for the most part rotten for lack of a better word. Login to Reply

Charles Fuller Date: 1/17/2008 12:15:00 PM I agreee with you Vince...(mostly). I am a baseball fanatic, I absolutely love the sport. But I partake in the minor leagues. These kids give it their all, and it's affordable. I recommend that you go see the Reading Phillies, or look up your areas local minor league teams. My local team, I can get the entire family in for 12 dollars IN TOTAL, and they have great promo's for the families. The real spirit of baseball is still alive in America, take a look Vince they're really worth it! Login to Reply