Yeah, I got the reference but the pun wasn't as clever as I thought.
MLB Strike and Lock-Out; Canceled Games
- Thread starter Ghoti Ichthus
- Start date
Well even if it’s the minimum, it’s a lot more than most people make, including POTUS. I hope they will show some minor league games in place of MLB. I think it’d be great to see some of our farm system in action on TV.
Back when I used to watch, the college and farm system games were a lot more fun to watch when it came to baseball. A lot more errors, for one thing.
I do enjoy watching minor league games.
Minor league players make bare minimum on the average. A few will sign intial contracts with a big bonus, but the average weekly salary this year for AAA minor league players in 700 dollars. So while the big league players make a ton of money, minor league players are barely getting by. The lower level minor leagues in A level only make 500 dollars a week. The great news for a AAA minor league player is if they get called up to play a few games in the big leagues, they get MLB minimum salary pro rated for one game, which is 3700 dollars a game. So, if a player gets called up and plays in 6 games then he will equal his pay for an entire minor league season. I read one players story in the minor leagues where him and his wife were getting by on cheap meals, top ramien, and barely survivng. When he got called up to the big leagues, he ended up staying there for 30 games, and then him and his wife were eating in fancy steak houses, and bought a new car.
Its a rough journey to make it to the big leagues, and thousands and thousands from around the world are trying to make it. Few ever reach a permanent position in the big leagues, and those that due will be richly rewarded. It certainly seems they are way over paid, but owners would not pay them that much in less the fans and TV contracts generated a ton of money.
I figured you got what I wrote, but then I thought maybe a lot of folks haven't seen the movie... I don't know...
I guess if there are enough people willing to pay the price of today's tickets... then they're not charging too much...
Ghoti Ichthus
Pray so they do not serve alone. Ephesians 6:10-20
The Saint Paul Saints became part of the Minnesota Twins farm system last year (AAA). Some of the home-town traditions had to be discontinued because of league rules, and ticket prices went up 
OTOH, still fun and get to see some of the big names, epecially those that aren't normally starters. Williams Astudillo (La Tortuga) (The Turtle), originally from Venezuela, is a home-town favorite 
https://jokermag.com/willians-astudillo-turtle/
On the bright side, it became faster and easier for Twins payers to rotate between the two teams because of injury, need for remediation, rest, etc. and call-ups
OTOH, still fun and get to see some of the big names, epecially those that aren't normally starters. Williams Astudillo (La Tortuga) (The Turtle), originally from Venezuela, is a home-town favorite https://jokermag.com/willians-astudillo-turtle/
On the bright side, it became faster and easier for Twins payers to rotate between the two teams because of injury, need for remediation, rest, etc. and call-ups
Ghoti Ichthus
Pray so they do not serve alone. Ephesians 6:10-20
Minimum MLB salary $563,500
Average AAA base is $88,000 https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Baseball_Player,_Minor_League_(AAA)/Salary
Average AA base is $23,747 https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Baseball_Player,_Minor_League_(AA)/Salary
MLB pension https://www.lisenbyretirement.com/recommendations/mlb-pension-plan-details.html
Average AAA base is $88,000 https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Baseball_Player,_Minor_League_(AAA)/Salary
Average AA base is $23,747 https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Baseball_Player,_Minor_League_(AA)/Salary
MLB pension https://www.lisenbyretirement.com/recommendations/mlb-pension-plan-details.html
HisGloryIsPrecious
Well-Known Member
But do they get good health benefits? Little Civil Service humor. 
That is not even close to the true, much lower figures for minor league players. Their low pay was one of the sticking points for the current MLB strike.
https://thestadiumreviews.com/blogs/info/how-much-do-minor-league-baseball-players-make/
https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/10/17/mlb-pay-for-minor-league-players-housing-2022-season
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb...ba-nhl-counterparts/1gpql94asy7a10uo5nvc3yp4k
It is always been an issue about how low minor leagues pay is. There have been many talented players who left the system after a few years because they could not sustain even basic needs. It takes most players several seasons before even getting a chance to play few games in the big leagues, and most minor league players will never get that chance.
Ghoti Ichthus
Pray so they do not serve alone. Ephesians 6:10-20
I think we're comparing apples to oranges . . . average and minimum minor league pay. Payscale based its AAA figure on 8 reported salaries, which may or may not be representative. Even so, $80K isn't a living wage, or is barely so, for a family, in some markets.
Wonder if the tiny salaries being touted are even minimum wage when ALL hours of work and work-related activities are considered. Certainly not when off-season training and conditioning are included.
Average salary in the USA as of 2 years ago was only 52k. 80k for many would be considered a high earning. But you're right, depends on location.
Minor leagues will always have a few players who make more, but thats because their intial signing bonus is included. However, the majority only recieve a token bonus of a few thousand at signing.
I remember “the good old days” - or at least reading or hearing about them - when even major league ball players had to work another job, like farming, when the season was over. The wages were not that great for most players. Then came along free agency and the salaries began to skyrocket. Then incentives, bigger paying contracts for the guys with the bigger numbers, guys juicing up with steroids to get those bigger numbers, and the price to go see a ball game -along with paying higher numbers to park your car, get a couple of red hots along with a cold one - was just getting ridiculous.
I started going to single A games while I was in the Air Force at Charleston SC and then double A games here in the Knoxville area just to go see a game and not spend a lot to watch one. And I loved the old ballparks and the cheap concessions - and no parking fees. On Wednesday nights here years ago, they had a promotion that if you brought in the local Knoxville newspaper, you could get in for a buck! It was a great deal and you would always see the old local folks in there enjoying a game and the night, and not paying a ridiculous amount for it.
But even those went away when they started building new and shiny stadiums for even the minor league clubs, and of course all the prices went up. Really used to love the old ballparks and a cheap night out.
I started going to single A games while I was in the Air Force at Charleston SC and then double A games here in the Knoxville area just to go see a game and not spend a lot to watch one. And I loved the old ballparks and the cheap concessions - and no parking fees. On Wednesday nights here years ago, they had a promotion that if you brought in the local Knoxville newspaper, you could get in for a buck! It was a great deal and you would always see the old local folks in there enjoying a game and the night, and not paying a ridiculous amount for it.
But even those went away when they started building new and shiny stadiums for even the minor league clubs, and of course all the prices went up. Really used to love the old ballparks and a cheap night out.
When I was stationed at Offutt AFB in the mid 80s I'd occasionally go watch the local farm team play. Don't remember their team name or which Club they were attached to. They never lost when I went. The location was the same stadium where they host the College World Series. One year our squadron worked a booth outside the college world series in return for the vendor sharing the profits with the squadron. I forget how long my shift was but it was my first exposure to brats. After each of us finished our shift, we were allowed one free brat. I've been eating brats ever since but none have tasted as good as that first one.
I used to take my girl friend then (now my wife, who was also in the USAF - that darn recruiter NEVER told me that the Air Force would give me a wife too!) to those games in Charleston. They are called the Riverdogs now - I don,t remember if that was the same name back in the early 80s or not - but Bill Murray now owns the team…which is cool. He is listed as the Director of Fun on their programs, instead of being the owner (he actually could be a co-owner). But I can remember one night there when they had a 25 cent for a cup of wine night. And one of the naval ships had just got back in port after being out to sea for a couple of months. That stadium was packed with Navy guys whooping it up. It was the funniest thing! They were standing in the bleachers sans shirts, with their cups of wine, singing “In the Navy”! The whole stadium was singing along with them. It never got out of hand - surprisingly! - but was so comical to catch a game while those young men were enjoying their leave.
There was also another game that we went to and a player on the other team caught my eye. I don,t remember any Charleston players but this one opposing player was having such a great game offensively that I followed him in his career. He went on to play for the Toronto Blue Jays as a catcher. When he started off in the minors as a second baseman, but he figured he would have a better shot at making the majors if he transitioned to becoming a catcher. And sure enough…His name is Pat Borders and he actually became an MVP in a World Series due to his timely and productive hitting in that series. But it was only because I was impressed by his play in the minors that I followed his career into the “Show”.
One other story about about baseball in Charleston. Since my four years in that area (1981-1985): meeting my wife and marrying her there; the beauty and history of the area; going to the beach there a lot; taking my dorm buddies waterskiing there on a boat that I bought for $800 off a guy who was divorcing his wife and letting it go for a steal; flying those same buddies of mine on airplanes that I rented from the base aero club, etc, etc,. etc - I loved that city and time!, I would once a year go back there for the beach, the seafood, horse carriage rides, ghost tours - the whole touristy thing - with either my wife or son, and sometimes the whole family. Did I say I loved the place?!?
One summer, I was there with my son. We went to Folly Beach to go surfing, then to Shem's Creek to our favorite Red's on the creek for seafood, then the plan as per usual was to go down to the Battery, toss the frisbee, then ride our mountain bikes all over the city, across the river over to Mount Pleasant, then back to the Battery. This was always our routine.
However, on the way back from Shem's Creek after eating, then crossing the bridge, we could see in the distance that the Riverdog's stadium lights were on. So, I said, “Hey! Let's go check out a ballgame!” And off we went. While the game was going on, 9 parishoners in a local Baptist Church were executed by that lone gunman. Normally, we would have been riding our bikes around that area but instead were watching baseball.
it wasn’t until the following morning that I heard about the slayings. I had a message on my phone about it and my jaw just dropped when I read that. Very, very sad. We saw all the media swoop down upon Charleston like vultures. They were everywhere. Very, very sad day for the city and that church. Nicky Haley was governor back then and it was all handled extemely well. No racial tensions what so over. Just a lot of grieving.
There was also another game that we went to and a player on the other team caught my eye. I don,t remember any Charleston players but this one opposing player was having such a great game offensively that I followed him in his career. He went on to play for the Toronto Blue Jays as a catcher. When he started off in the minors as a second baseman, but he figured he would have a better shot at making the majors if he transitioned to becoming a catcher. And sure enough…His name is Pat Borders and he actually became an MVP in a World Series due to his timely and productive hitting in that series. But it was only because I was impressed by his play in the minors that I followed his career into the “Show”.
One other story about about baseball in Charleston. Since my four years in that area (1981-1985): meeting my wife and marrying her there; the beauty and history of the area; going to the beach there a lot; taking my dorm buddies waterskiing there on a boat that I bought for $800 off a guy who was divorcing his wife and letting it go for a steal; flying those same buddies of mine on airplanes that I rented from the base aero club, etc, etc,. etc - I loved that city and time!, I would once a year go back there for the beach, the seafood, horse carriage rides, ghost tours - the whole touristy thing - with either my wife or son, and sometimes the whole family. Did I say I loved the place?!?
One summer, I was there with my son. We went to Folly Beach to go surfing, then to Shem's Creek to our favorite Red's on the creek for seafood, then the plan as per usual was to go down to the Battery, toss the frisbee, then ride our mountain bikes all over the city, across the river over to Mount Pleasant, then back to the Battery. This was always our routine.
However, on the way back from Shem's Creek after eating, then crossing the bridge, we could see in the distance that the Riverdog's stadium lights were on. So, I said, “Hey! Let's go check out a ballgame!” And off we went. While the game was going on, 9 parishoners in a local Baptist Church were executed by that lone gunman. Normally, we would have been riding our bikes around that area but instead were watching baseball.
it wasn’t until the following morning that I heard about the slayings. I had a message on my phone about it and my jaw just dropped when I read that. Very, very sad. We saw all the media swoop down upon Charleston like vultures. They were everywhere. Very, very sad day for the city and that church. Nicky Haley was governor back then and it was all handled extemely well. No racial tensions what so over. Just a lot of grieving.
Dont worry America, the Marines are always on duty!
While the Marine recruiters could only promise that new recruits would be able to go on long swims in the ocean and play in the mud, the Air Force often under promised and over-delivered, as in your case!
Ghoti Ichthus
Pray so they do not serve alone. Ephesians 6:10-20
I remember when my Dad took me to Twins games when I was a kid
We'd get a popcorn in the horn thingee and then Dad helped me keep score on it.
But I really liked the bleachers cuz they were much cheaper than other seats, and then I got a beer!
I'm sure Dad drank most of it, but still, it was ice cold and really good on a hot afternoon in the sun.
We'd get a popcorn in the horn thingee and then Dad helped me keep score on it.
But I really liked the bleachers cuz they were much cheaper than other seats, and then I got a beer!
I'm sure Dad drank most of it, but still, it was ice cold and really good on a hot afternoon in the sun.
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