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Only one player in MLB history has set contract records twice in his career by amassing two different 10-year deals worth $252 and $275 million respectively, and this week that player came out vocally in favor of MLB players accepting a salary cap.
Never mind that he directly benefitted from engorged salaries, or that the wealth he accumulated now sees him angling to buy the Mets. On Thursday, while also making news because he would be “distancing” himself from covering Mets games for ESPN, he also said the player union and the owners need to work together to keep baseball solvent, and as part of that, players need to accept a salary cap.
The whole article on ESPN is worth a read, but players union head Tony Clark didn’t mince any words about his opinion on ARod’s shifting values:
“Alex benefited as much as anybody from the battles this union fought against owners’ repeated attempts to get a salary cap. Now that he is attempting to become an owner himself his perspective appears to be different. And that perspective does not reflect the best interests of the players.”
- Andy McCullough looks at just how bizarre the 2020 season is really shaping up to be. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Ever wonder which jersey number has the highest value? I can’t say I have, either, but leave it to Mike Petriello to figure it out.
- While he was at it, Petriello also decided to break the 30 MLB teams into seven distinct tiers, because why not.
- Lindsey Adler brings us the story of the Yankees equipment manager and his personal struggle through COVID-19. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- MLB is moving away from retro-looking stadiums, as Travis Sawchik is polite in his phrasing when discussing the new Texas Rangers park.
- The Dodgers would like to remind everyone we’re in this together.
In this together. pic.twitter.com/pNizLNdHOG
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 16, 2020
- Sarah R. Ingber, Davy Andrews, and Roger Cormier continue their incredible series on minor league teams with a focus on the Missoula Paddleheads.
- One person more than any other will be missed by the Diamonbacks in their stands this year, and Zach Buchanan explains the importance of superfan Susan. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- With restrictions looming, the Nationals are in a hurry to find a potential new place to play their games this season.
- Emma Baccellieri shares the stories of baseball wives and girlfriends, and how those left at home are coping with a season of uncertainty.
- Apparently Aaron Judge is still good at hitting baseballs.
Bronx Bash Bros.
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2020
(Judge HR via @YESNetwork) pic.twitter.com/74UVaMts7X
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.