-=> Quoting Andrew Serrano To John Vickers MLB./Inner League Play <=- 
JV>I would be interested to what people think of the upcoming inner
JV>league play in Major League baseball.  I can see some reasons for it.
JV>It lets fans from one league see stars from the other league.  I am
JV>smart enough to know that the bottom line of why it is being done is
JV>the almighty $$$.  I personally am still against inner league play
JV>because I think it cheapens the playoffs and World Series.
JV>I would be interested in geting some feedback and other opinions on
JV>this subject.
AS> Hey John, long time no sports chat.  I don't really care for that
AS> idea either, but what can we do?  Who do you think is going to be
AS> the team to beat this year in each league?
Andrew,
Now that we are STUCK with inner league play whether we like it or 
not, one thing I think MLB needs to work on *very badly* is the 
umpiring.   Last year was some of the worst umpiring I have ever 
seen.  We have too many umps with rabbit ears going around chasing 
managers and players into arguments.  Umpires will *never* admit that 
they are looking for arguments and to throw people out of games but, 
there is more of a confrontational style with the umpires than I have 
ever seen before and I have been watching baseball around 35 years.
I have a retired friend who was the radio engineer for The Texas 
Rangers for the first 13 years they were here.  I think my friend saw
over 2000 games in those 13 years.  He also says the umpiring last
year was the worst he has ever seen!
Picking the team to beat in each league is tough.  All I can say is
that I hope our local area Texas Rangers do well again this year.  I
was sorry that Texas did not re-sign Kevin Elster at shortstop again 
this year.  I am not sure Benji Gil is up to the task.  He is really
going to have to prove himself this year, at least in my opinion.
Texas is really going to be in trouble next year if they let Pudge
Rodriguez become a free agent.  I heard where the Rangers have said
that they don't think Rodriguez will be productive as a catcher more 
than three more years.  If that is true, why didn't they sign him to 
a five year deal two years ago?  I am quite sure they could have 
gotten him for much less than the 85 million/10 year contract his 
agent recently proposed.  Like a sportscaster here said recently, 8.5
million per year may be cheap for a catcher 10 years from now.
I certainly don't think the Rangers have a catcher who can come up 
next year and do the things Pudge does if we lose him to free agency
next year.
I am upset because our cable company took WGN, the superstation out 
of Chicago off our cable system.  Now I won't get to see The Cubs or
White Sox this year.  We still get TBS from Atlanta.  I don't 
understand why they took WGN off though.  I like to watch all the 
baseball I can, no matter how bad the teams are.   I told our 
cable company that I think their decision to take WGN off stinks!
Andrew, who do you think are the teams to beat in each league?  Since
you asked me the question, you must have an opinion.
                                  
                             Your Friend,
                                       
                                 John
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