Out with the old, in with the new!

[chompsmcgee]

Lots of factors contribute to hanging on too long:

- Playing baseball is all they know how to do.
- Egos don't always allow the player to think of themselves as washed up. The league has to tell them in the form of failure.
- Just like any other job, friendships and bonds are made and are tough to give up. I experienced this when I got out of the military. It's tough to say goodbye to great friends you'll likely never see again.
- Money, but probably not as much of a factor as we generally assume.
- Nostalgia and "ushering in the new era". This happened with Griffey - had a nice farewell year in Seattle then stuck around too long as a "mentor-player" and left embarrassingly.
- They don't want to be stuck with the wife and kids at home

 

[gracecollector]

One other reason players hang on - some stick around to compile achievements, like 300 wins, 3000 hits, etc. Or some stick on because they think their team has a legit shot at a ring.

One other reason managament may hold on to an aging veteran - clubhouse leadership, and mentoring the young guys.

 

[Enfuego79]

One other reason players hang on - some stick around to compile achievements, like 300 wins, 3000 hits, etc. Or some stick on because they think their team has a legit shot at a ring.

One other reason managament may hold on to an aging veteran - clubhouse leadership, and mentoring the young guys.

That's understandable, but again I refuse to pay millions of dollars for a substandard performance, I don't care how long you been in the league.


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[Hendersonfan]

Rickey always said he kept playing because he loved the game. Also, it's all he did since he was 17, so it's pretty much all he knew. I know he did stick around what seems like forever, and I'm sure milestones were nice, nut not his only reason. He played 2 years in independent league after the majors, so obviously it wasn't about the money. I honestly feel he just loved to play ball.

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[Enfuego79]

Rickey always said he kept playing because he loved the game. Also, it's all he did since he was 17, so it's pretty much all he knew. I know he did stick around what seems like forever, and I'm sure milestones were nice, nut not his only reason. He played 2 years in independent league after the majors, so obviously it wasn't about the money. I honestly feel he just loved to play ball.

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Cool, you love the game, do what Mattingly did, manage a team, or teach our youth!


Looking for Alex Rodriguez Cards, let me know!

 

[sportscardtheory]

The game is big enough for old crappy players and young crappy players to play alongside each other.

 

[Enfuego79]

The game is big enough for old crappy players and young crappy players to play alongside each other.

So your telling me you would give someone a 6-figure salary for a slumpin performance.


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[sportscardtheory]

So your telling me you would give someone a 6-figure salary for a slumpin performance.


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I never said anything remotely close to that, but sure, why not. That's not even a million dollars, which is nothing in MLB.

 

[Enfuego79]

I hear you, but the way I see it, for 6 figures, I can recruit new talent from either college or go international.


Looking for Alex Rodriguez Cards, let me know!

 

[sportscardtheory]

I hear you, but the way I see it, for 6 figures, I can recruit new talent from either college or go international.


Looking for Alex Rodriguez Cards, let me know!

Baseball is a business. A lot of the older players stick around on name alone. Fans don't want to see ONLY young players, they also want to see veterans who have built names for themselves. I would rather see Frank Thomas at his worst still making millions than Justin Smoak just because he's younger and making peanuts.

 

[Hendersonfan]

Cool, you love the game, do what Mattingly did, manage a team, or teach our youth!


Looking for Alex Rodriguez Cards, let me know!

I believe that's why he was a "special instructor" with the Mets and why he is currently a "roving instructor" with the A's and visits teams at every level including the A's. He loves teaching the young guys. I'm pretty sure it's well documented that he helped many current players with base running and talking more pitches.

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[Enfuego79]

I believe that's why he was a "special instructor" with the Mets and why he is currently a "roving instructor" with the A's and visits teams at every level including the A's. He loves teaching the young guys. I'm pretty sure it's well documented that he helped many current players with base running and talking more pitches.

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Which makes more sense to me. I rather have you help me improve the team, versus having you play on the team and risk you being seriously injured, the team not playing as they should and ultimately avoid and prevent public humiliation.


Looking for Alex Rodriguez Cards, let me know!