According to Tom Boswell:
Boz proceeds to support his argument with several appeals:
- "First, Bud Selig has had more time than anybody could need to evaluate the eight potential ownership groups."
- Second, "Nationals' players themselves have been, for nearly a year, almost obsessed with knowing who their new owner will be."
- "The final reason for the rapid announcement of a new owner is by far the most important. Since the end of last season, Nationals fans feel like they have been repeatedly kicked in the gut."
Like or dislike the manner in which DC promised and reaffirmed the ballpark's funding, mock or express exasperation at the different personalities involved, all of that stuff does not much matter now. The District ponied up a lot of money to MLB ($611 million in all) and MLB owes it to the District to act in kind, releasing this franchise to be an independent and competitive unit---not just for the players, and not just for the fans, but for the District itself, the city that not only took in this vagabond team, not only secured its future, but enabled MLB to collect an incredible windfall for getting out of the ownership game.
Mind you, this is not a legal obligation. But, to stretch the viewpoint a bit, it is one of equity. As the maxim goes, one who seeks equity must do equity. Baseball sought and received a fulfilled promise by the District; now, it must do what is right. No excuses.
* * *
Other stuff of note:
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Frank Robinson is frustrated by sloppy play.
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Ramon Ortiz is scuffling badly but is blithely unconcerned.
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In a particularly apropos headline, Jose Guillen is "crazy" to get back to action; Jim Bowden, who sometimes general manages like he is crazy, says Guillen has an "outside shot" at being ready for Opening Day.
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Tony Tavares tells potential owners to shove it if they don't like the long-term commitments to Brian Schneider and Nick Johnson. Does he have a point or a non-point? I can't tell. I also can't tell if I'm merely tired or if I'm tired of this whole thing---probably the latter.
- Hyperbolic quote of the day, courtesy of Bowden: