I think the 2023 unicorn season has both created fanciful expectations and, by the same token, shored up the reality that we're opportunists. I know this seeming incongruency well from years as an Expos fan. Enjoy those flares that we describe as windows of opportunity. The realities of modern baseball finances force these windows shut quickly for low-income teams. Most seasons, we're the running back picking his way along the line looking for a crease. The latter was the 2023 season. Expanded playoffs, the unlikely poor team performances you listed, luck, and the thinnest of margins aligned. So, you're right that success whets the fans' expectations. We must have that hope, without being pollyannish.
Interesting to ponder that, no matter who you have running your front office, the notion of "sustained success" may be impossible for many franchises who aren't going to spend near the top of MLB.
Can you have a one-off season where you catch some breaks every few years, a year like the Marlins had in 2023? Sure. But with their current spending limitations, can a team like the Marlins ever expect to play in October 3 times in 5 of 6 years in modern MLB? The Rays have had a remarkable run over 15 years. They have sustained success. They may be the only low-revenue team to serve as an exception to the rule. Yeah, the Royals went to back-to-back World Series, but where were they before and after those 2 years. Let's see what the Orioles can do over the next few years. Other teams like the Brewers, Twins and Guardians pop in and out of contention. The A's pop in and out. The Reds.
There are good years here and there, but "sustained success"? It may be a pipe dream for many organizations. Selling hope for a future of perennial contention is great. But is it all BS?
We're on the same page here. It's a fan's burden to "accept" the reality of our low-income team. You're right that the Rays are the outlier. As with any sustained success, if it was so easy... I noticed Peter Bendix today at the introduction press conference said "success" was the goal, ascribing "winning a lot of games" as a definition for success. Even if that is necessary for a playoff berth, 84 wins, for example, isn't a sure thing or spectacular. But it works under a quite realistic "just get in" strategy. As you mentioned in another response, it is more difficult to win from lower WC spots. Still, most teams and their fans are just fine that "success" point. Perhaps not the powerhouse teams, of course, but most of us. With expanded playoffs comes a diluted regular season win value that is a segue to discussion about roster compilation. If the difference between a WC berth and a division title is, say, $50+ million, then? We know that the 1990 Braves fans were incredibly frustrated with their massive success in that decade. The expectations are not static. Winning one WS was a collective letdown. No satisfaction with that incredible run. For my part, I prefer the sweetness that comes when our lower expectations are rewarded. What about you? Dodger and Yankee fans don't ever seem too happy, to me. A Cinderella year or another letdown "WS or bust" season? Thanks for your insights, which is why I subscribe, and for your time devoted to comprehensive engagement here.
I spent 5 seasons with the Red Sox (2003-07) and experienced the highest of my professional highs and the lowest of my professional lows in that period. Went to Spring Training every one of those seasons expecting to make the playoffs (did so in 5 of the 6 years) and expecting to have a legit shot at winning the World Series (did so in 2 of the 6 years). Tough to beat the highs and lows of playing important games night after night. Every game mattered so much. Each day, the mood of New England was dependent upon how the Sox did the night before. Fenway was packed and electric every night. Red Sox fans crowded into road parks. You had stars all over the field.
That makes a lot of sense. That sounds like a heady period to be a Sox fan. I suppose most Dodger and Yankee fans legitimately feel every season is viable. I have a good friend from childhood who has always been a Dodger fan. He's not cocky about 2020. In fact, he is somewhat sheepish about it. 1988 was a long time ago. The Sox's 21st century collective success is a different world that fans should appreciate.
Well said Glenn! What you're saying makes a lot of sense. It's almost like we will have to take two steps back to take multiple steps forward over the long term. But, given the history of this franchise, will fans be willing to put up with that. We, as Marlins fans, have trust issues. And those trust issues are well founded. So, this will be very tough for a lot of fans if indeed things fall out the way you're saying. Over the long term, this fresh start might lead to the kind of sustainable success that we all have hoped for. The question is, Will the majority of the fans of this team be willing to be patient once more given everything that has happened with this franchise since the start?
I think the 2023 unicorn season has both created fanciful expectations and, by the same token, shored up the reality that we're opportunists. I know this seeming incongruency well from years as an Expos fan. Enjoy those flares that we describe as windows of opportunity. The realities of modern baseball finances force these windows shut quickly for low-income teams. Most seasons, we're the running back picking his way along the line looking for a crease. The latter was the 2023 season. Expanded playoffs, the unlikely poor team performances you listed, luck, and the thinnest of margins aligned. So, you're right that success whets the fans' expectations. We must have that hope, without being pollyannish.
Interesting to ponder that, no matter who you have running your front office, the notion of "sustained success" may be impossible for many franchises who aren't going to spend near the top of MLB.
Can you have a one-off season where you catch some breaks every few years, a year like the Marlins had in 2023? Sure. But with their current spending limitations, can a team like the Marlins ever expect to play in October 3 times in 5 of 6 years in modern MLB? The Rays have had a remarkable run over 15 years. They have sustained success. They may be the only low-revenue team to serve as an exception to the rule. Yeah, the Royals went to back-to-back World Series, but where were they before and after those 2 years. Let's see what the Orioles can do over the next few years. Other teams like the Brewers, Twins and Guardians pop in and out of contention. The A's pop in and out. The Reds.
There are good years here and there, but "sustained success"? It may be a pipe dream for many organizations. Selling hope for a future of perennial contention is great. But is it all BS?
We're on the same page here. It's a fan's burden to "accept" the reality of our low-income team. You're right that the Rays are the outlier. As with any sustained success, if it was so easy... I noticed Peter Bendix today at the introduction press conference said "success" was the goal, ascribing "winning a lot of games" as a definition for success. Even if that is necessary for a playoff berth, 84 wins, for example, isn't a sure thing or spectacular. But it works under a quite realistic "just get in" strategy. As you mentioned in another response, it is more difficult to win from lower WC spots. Still, most teams and their fans are just fine that "success" point. Perhaps not the powerhouse teams, of course, but most of us. With expanded playoffs comes a diluted regular season win value that is a segue to discussion about roster compilation. If the difference between a WC berth and a division title is, say, $50+ million, then? We know that the 1990 Braves fans were incredibly frustrated with their massive success in that decade. The expectations are not static. Winning one WS was a collective letdown. No satisfaction with that incredible run. For my part, I prefer the sweetness that comes when our lower expectations are rewarded. What about you? Dodger and Yankee fans don't ever seem too happy, to me. A Cinderella year or another letdown "WS or bust" season? Thanks for your insights, which is why I subscribe, and for your time devoted to comprehensive engagement here.
And I always enjoy your perspective and the conversation.
I spent 5 seasons with the Red Sox (2003-07) and experienced the highest of my professional highs and the lowest of my professional lows in that period. Went to Spring Training every one of those seasons expecting to make the playoffs (did so in 5 of the 6 years) and expecting to have a legit shot at winning the World Series (did so in 2 of the 6 years). Tough to beat the highs and lows of playing important games night after night. Every game mattered so much. Each day, the mood of New England was dependent upon how the Sox did the night before. Fenway was packed and electric every night. Red Sox fans crowded into road parks. You had stars all over the field.
Tough to beat that.
That makes a lot of sense. That sounds like a heady period to be a Sox fan. I suppose most Dodger and Yankee fans legitimately feel every season is viable. I have a good friend from childhood who has always been a Dodger fan. He's not cocky about 2020. In fact, he is somewhat sheepish about it. 1988 was a long time ago. The Sox's 21st century collective success is a different world that fans should appreciate.
Well said Glenn! What you're saying makes a lot of sense. It's almost like we will have to take two steps back to take multiple steps forward over the long term. But, given the history of this franchise, will fans be willing to put up with that. We, as Marlins fans, have trust issues. And those trust issues are well founded. So, this will be very tough for a lot of fans if indeed things fall out the way you're saying. Over the long term, this fresh start might lead to the kind of sustainable success that we all have hoped for. The question is, Will the majority of the fans of this team be willing to be patient once more given everything that has happened with this franchise since the start?