h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Was I supposed to be watching the Cardinals vs. the Reds, ab?

Have you ever seen the catcher-cam, ab?

Never mind! I just switched the game on, and they *are* using the catcher cam ...

That's worse still, Shea!

I seem to be getting a bit absent-minded tonight...

Which has nothing to do with the fact that it's nearly 3am?

*GreyDesk wanders back in after a moderate time away*

Hi Shea. There was a big feature article about Darryl Strawberry in the paper today. I knew the name and that he was a real Superstar of your game. But I never knew how dealing with that talent had laid him so low (UK researchers - Think George Best only worse)

Hi ab, how come you can watch baseball on C5? Surely we can't get C5 on the South Coast cos it b*ggers up French television or something Are you watching it through cable?

*The Desk Merchant wanders back out again in search of (yet) another *

Hey GD!

I think a big problem with baseball is that they take these kids when they are really young and put them in the system. They are taken care of the whole way, here's where you'll live, be on the bus at this time, here's your food, etc. If they are a great talent, they get moved through the minors very quickly, and then are thrust into the majors ... huge media attention, fans that run hot and cold with your performance, and lots and lots of money. Darryl came from a tough, poor childhood, and every time he'd return to that place, he'd have plent of people wanting him and his money. And since he's an addictive personality, and craved attention, he got involved in a lot of bad things. He was never given the opportunity to grow up and get the strength he needed to overcome this, because he was always taken care of in baseball. When he was left to his own devices, he fell on his face.

The same thing happened to Dwight Gooden. He got over his addictions, but never made it in the game like he could have - think: the greatest pitcher of the game, ever. He won't even make it into the Hall of Fame now ... so sad ...

Darryl's story sounds so much like many soccer players over here. Its really frightening how the "sports machine" eats kids up and spits them out again. And all just for our own entertainment.

The money in sport in England is now reaching silly levels with one top soccer player just recently demanding wages of over $9million per year to resign with his club. With that kind of wage demand and the expectation placed on players shoulders to achieve the highest levels of performance, its inevitable that we are going to get major casualties of our own.

It really diminishes the players as people ... at other than the major league level of play, they are much friendlier ... willing to talk to fans, interacting with the crowd. It's very rare to see that in the majors ... I think the money (added to the talent, and probably their agents) may make them think they're above us ...

ESPN Do a great job, all the cams, and graphics are great! I went to bed at about 03:45 at the top of the 7th inning, what was the final score Shea? Hi Desky, yeah, I've got NTL: get in there mate, there a great service provider, Email me if you want details mate! A world class cricketer can expect to earn about £100 000 a *year* btw, sport needs to get some perspective back, the huge sums of money involved is alianating many fans..
ab

Who was it that asked for that ridiculous slice of wedge? (Not that I'm likely to know, having not followed football much for the last 30 years.... the day that West Ham won the World Cup ... ah yes, I remember it as though it were yesterday )
ab

cardinals won, ab, 4 to 3. sports salaries are really rediculous, and there will continue to be casualties in all major sports i think until some type of cap is introduced (which will never happen). but the money doesn't get to everyone... i've met ozzy smith (one of the greatest shortstops ever) and he is the most down to earth, friendly person you'd ever want to meet.

YAY!© St.Louis, they were 3/0 down at one point, still 2nd in the central (waves pompoms)
ab

Not sports again!!!

Sports again, El!

Oh goodie ... the Cardinals won ... rah ...

Hey Abomeo!

everyone.
I don't like sports

That's okay! As long as you like ab!

as long as you like ab, and you don't mind us

ab

/I/ Like AB!!!

Oh that's right, broe ... we're kind of a package deal with ab ...

You all make me feel so loved that it makes me
Ab (swalk)