The real MLB tea is coming out now. So, here is the thing: fans and supporters have always had the freedom to express their opinions about the best and worst teams, players, coaches, leagues, and the like. But it is rare to hear players talk about these things in public because, you know, they are afraid it might ruin their reputation and they want to protect their teams at all costs. Because remember, what you say as an influential person does determine your wins or losses. Baseball does have some of the underlying issues and green flags that, at times, are not really spoken about. But we will today.
Players expressed their honest opinions regarding the MLB teams’ and organisation’s operation and treatment
Certain questions were asked off the record to get players’ opinions regarding the best or worst manager, coach, team, and more. One of the questions, however, that stood out and the answers stood out as well, was, “Which organizations have bad reputations among players?” The best part is that players gave their honest personal opinion, and no one shied away from it.
The truth is, some teams or organisations are more organised than others. This varies in terms of resources, treatment, teamwork, ethics, passion, compensation, and the list goes on. Therefore, you might be playing for a particular team and aspire to be in another because of how they do things. One of the things I picked up was food. Some players expressed how some organisations provide good food for their players, and vice versa.
Athletics have been ranked as the worst team among MLB players to play in an anonymous pool
An anonymous poll was run to understand more about players’ preferences based on what they have seen, heard, and observed surrounding the MLB organisations. Among the 155 players who were asked the question about bad reputations, 39 of them pointed out the Athletics as the worst, and they had good reasons for saying so. At this point, it is good that Pitcher Naykel Cruz signed with the Baltimore Orioles instead.
A particular member of the AL and other players said,
“The major leagues is the major leagues, but it’s got to be tough to be on the Rays or the A’s. Because they’re cheap. I had a buddy who was traded to the A’s as a minor leaguer … He went to Oakland and said the way they were fed, the places they stayed were just not good.”
So, what is the real issue here with the Athletics?
Things such as old stadiums, failure to maintain or upgrade, and just not feeling as if they belong, all of which accumulated to the Athletics being regarded as the worst organisation. Some teams keep losing, but somehow they are able to keep the love and energy going on the field; with the A’s, it seems to be the opposite. There is a lot of division and disconnectedness. There is no sign of growth or player development.
The MLB should now take action. Some comments might come out as funny or hilarious, but players are hurt; they feel like they deserve better and also want to take centre stage. They desire to be the next player who break the hardest-hit ball record after a 122.9 mph homer. The MLB is not a poor business; in fact, it can make this all go away by understanding the root cause. If teams like the Dodgers and the Yankees are thriving, then why can’t the Athletics thrive as well? It is good that these polls are done because they give the organisation perspective and understanding.
