OT: Marlins give one AB to Adam Greenberg, Tuesday Oct 2

[Rice Cube]

I posted a few of these links in the Everything MLB thread but this probably deserves its own topic.

Anyway, Greenberg was the guy who got plunked in the head in his only MLB appearance. Years later, someone set up a petition (http://www.oneatbat.com/) to get him one at-bat (since he was HBP it counted as a plate appearance but not an AB). Today, the Cubs decided not to grant that AB. Here's the story:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...-greenbergs-comeback-20120904,0,4216882.story

Here's Anno's blog about the situation:

http://worldseriesdreaming.com/2012/09/04/adam-greenbergs-one-at-bat-dream-with-cubs-ends/

It's sad for Greenberg, but at the same time you can definitely understand why the Cubs wouldn't want to waste a roster spot for a publicity stunt even though the 40-man roster is full of crap anyway.

 

[DewsSox79]

what can it harm?

The sox should do it!

 

[Capt. Serious]

That's too bad. I mean you wouldn't wanna give him an AB in place of shit like Luis Valbuena!

 

[Rice Cube]

They could have done it, but it would have been a gimmick at best. Plus it's not like they're going to give him another AB if he gets a walk, a sac fly or a HBP (again). Guys like Mather and Valbuena may be pure shit but they're likely still better at baseball than the shell of Adam Greenberg. It sucks for Greenberg but it's not a terrible baseball decision, just bad for PR. Though I don't think I would've cared one way or the other.

 

[Rice Cube]

If the Sox have an extra 40-man spot, by the way, I say go for it. It'd be nice for the guy.

 

[DewsSox79]

If the Sox have an extra 40-man spot, by the way, I say go for it. It'd be nice for the guy.

i only say it because of the PR and the national story the team would get.


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[Rice Cube]

i only say it because of the PR and the national story the team would get.


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I'm sure you'd love to see Beckham DFA'd for this opportunity :lol:

 

[Jntg4]

PR move motivations = dumb

Then again, has no bearing on absolutely anything.

 

[Mr. Cub]

Well if this ever happened, it would only be fair that I too get an AB. I would make a Youtube video.

 

[Rice Cube]

Well if this ever happened, it would only be fair that I too get an AB. I would make a Youtube video.

You have like 10000 ABs.

 

[Mr. Cub]

You have like 10000 ABs.

But I would like at least one more. One last time in the Friendly Confines.

 

[2SeamHeat]

But I would like at least one more. One last time in the Friendly Confines.

It would have to be during a double header.

 

[Mr. Cub]

It would have to be during a double header.

I am always down to play two!

 

[Rice Cube]

I enjoyed this editorial:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/09/05/baffoe-dont-sign-that-stupid-cubs-petition-sign-this-one/

 

[Rice Cube]

The petition guys should shift their focus to one of these teams:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/09/teams-with-open-40-man-roster-spots.html

 

[DewsSox79]

PR move motivations = dumb

Then again, has no bearing on absolutely anything.

you clearly have never run a business.

 

[2SeamHeat]

you clearly have never run a business.

This isn't the same sort of business. It's a good PR move to give a machinist that lost his hand in an accident some sort of cushy position at the shop that he can still perform. It's a good PR move for the local police to give an officer that was paralyzed on the job some honorary position. While the risk of these things happening is significant, they are also extremely unlikely. Also, you're not talking about a professional sector where 95% of the applicants washout, and about a third of those due to injury.

To pull this sort of STUPID stunt might warm the hearts of the sheepish masses... who probably don't even recall Greenberg's one PA. Heck, they probably wouldn't even know who this jackass was if a documentary filmmaker (looking for mass profit) hadn't begun this whole campaign. On top of this, in 2-3 years, most of those who got their heart warmed by this move won't even remember it. Meanwhile, those of us who actually have a clue understand that making this IDIOTIC move will cause the team to lose a player... all so that a guy who was, at best, a bad, non-prospect minor leaguer who had an unfortunate PA (and made enough cash off it he was able to found his own business) can get his one official AB. Yeah, lose a player with twice the talent and 10 times the skill of Adam Greenberg, so that Adam Greenberg can get that one AB... the sheep can be fed with stupidity for one more year, Cub fans can be laughed at and ridiculed even more, and Greenberg and this shithead filmmaker can profit big time off it. YAY!

Oh, and if you approve of this stupid move, then you better be ready for the precedent it sets. Now every single minor leaguer who never got their shot at the majors due to injury will be putting forth these same types of BULLSHIT petitions to force themselves onto MLB rosters for one day as well. Heck, I ruined my arm playing in college, but I was drafted by the Cardinals in 48th round out of high school.... maybe I should petition the Cardinals to force them to let me pitch one game for them too! As ludicrous as that is, it's no more ludicrous than Adam Greenberg's bull shit.

 

[Rice Cube]

I think they should petition teams that actually have an open 40-man spot so an actual prospect doesn't get screwed.

 

[Rice Cube]

Was talking to Anno and since they are shutting down Samardzija, they could conceivably put him on the 60-day DL to free up his roster spot. Not necessarily for Greenberg, but for somebody. Samardzija would have to be transferred back to the 40-man once the season ends and somebody else removed or else Samardzija would be exposed to waivers since that's like an automatic DFA (someone should double-check that). It sounds needlessly complicated and stupid, but the possibility is there.

 

[Anno Catuli]

The part where it makes sense to have a gimmick, is once Greenberg gets his at bat, he would then be DFA opening that spot back up to slide Samardija back into once the season is over.

Personally, (as I stated in the blog) bad PR decision, but right baseball decision to not give into his simple request. I would love to see it happen, but if it doesn't, no big deal.