Off-Topic Forum

Everything that has gone on with the 4 major sports since the pandemic struck has soured me to all of them. While the world is trying tofigure out the new normal, the sports people have tried to figure out how they can still make the millions they make.  Hockey in August and September to get the playoffs in is stupid and delays the start of next year (which probably should not start). Ditto for basketball.  From the start, I said baseball should be thinking of how to get the 2021 season started, cancelling outright the 2020 season.  This short schedule and new playoff format does not do it for me.  And the empty stadiums and arenas in these sports really show the true motive of these greedy people.  How football will make out as the pandemic continues into the fall who knows.

The only ones I respect are those who opted out of the season because they believve it is not right and not safe for their families.

The greed had already turned me off watching much of the pro sports. What has gone on in the last 5 months has made it even less desirable to gosee any pro sports oreven watch it on tv. 

All valid points and demonstrates the dichotomy in the world namely everyday people trying to figure out how to "reclaim" a piece of normality in their lives,i.e kids in school,getting back to earning a living and dealing with a pandemic decimating many countries. I only wonder what the betting line is on any of the 4 major sports actually completing their seasons this year. As an ardent fan I too am finding it difficult to "get on board" with watching televised sports with its cardboard fans and simulated crowd noises.

Agreed David, none of the records (if broken) should count either. This is simply a way to get some money in thier pockets ..... even if it is a bit.

No asterisk. The players are still accomplishing whatever it is they are accomplishing. Why should they be punished for something they have no control over? If anything, this season is actually significantly harder than normal seasons for the sports that started and then had to stop.

Complaining about them doing their job? Really, that argument is basically saying they should be unemployed and starving because their chosen profession is sports. 

I don't understand the thought processes of so many people. Especially those who call themselves sports fans while actively hating the sports people for living their lives. Or even just for living, period. 

Billy I feel zero remorse for anyone who signs 12 year billion (???)dollar contracts. Not hockey but you get my point. I dont look for sympathy for myself for my injury. However an aknowledgement that I'm more prone to be injured this way due to my career (ie an asterisk) makes sense. You are certainly going to the extreme when you say they will be starving. Not sure I appreciate having Connor McDavid or any one of your Knights being put in the same group as the people even worse off than myself. Harder or easier it is not the SAME and therefor regardless an asterisk. But its good to disagree on things in a open and honest debate. And Billy that is you, you are an knowledgeable fellow. 

The superstars would be fine. But what about the guys who are just starting their careers? What about the minor league guys in all sports trying to make it and who barely survive as it is? Should they lose everything because of something they have no control over? 

A $12 million contract is just a piece of paper if it's not actually able to be used. 

I've lived below the poverty line my entire life. I always will, due to my health problems. I don't resent people for being successful and earning more money in a game than I'll ever see in my life. I'm happy for them. Getting injured is bad, but imagine living your entire life with health problems, that cannot ever go away (heal) and know that you will be dealing with it every day, 24/7, for as long as you live and has been present every day of your life, crushing any dreams you may have ever had? Because that IS my life. 

Minor League baseball isn't having a season and it was pretty much because of MLB which is also trying to cut a lot of teams to save money.  Cutting teams was even before this all started.  So they get screwed either way, pandemic or not.  I think many, myself included aren't happy with how the talks progressed on both sides (players and owners) on how to start or continue their seasons.  We aren't upset that they chose to have their seasons, at least I'm not.  What upsets me is how the talk was mostly "yeah, yeah, we'll play x games, but we want this money".  They put the money aspect over the health concerns.  That doesn't even factor in injuries that the players could get from either a truncated training camp or reboot to the season.  I'm also not sure I want to watch so many people in confined spaces playing a ball game.  The virus is coming back and we are warned to safely distance, yet its okay for millionaires to play ball standing next to each other or on the bench or dugout?  I can't get fully on board with that. If the focal point of the talks was "how can we safely play these games and put our players and coaches and staff in the least harmless situations as possible" then I'd love to see the games.

As for the asterisks, I always thought they were hokey in the first place, if you have a dominant season, then you deserve the credit.  Some stats won't be attainable with a shortened season, but others have a good shot to be broken.  Could we see someone hit .400 in baseball?  Point Per Game averages in other leagues?  I'd certainly think they'd be easier to break, but again, its a record that no matter how you attained it (within reason, of course) you should be proud of.

I feel sorry for the players who feel they either owe it to their team or fans that are playing or ones who can't get a medical clearance.  Any player who doesn't feel comfortable playing this year shouldn't be forced to play.