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Lowell: We won't go to Japan if staff doesn't get paid
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell confirmed to the Globe’s Jackie MacMullan that the team voted unanimously this morning not to make the scheduled trip to Japan or play its final spring training game against Toronto this afternoon unless the coaches, training staff, and equipment staff were going to be compensated for making the trip to Japan.
''When we voted to go to Japan, that was not a unanimous vote,'' said Lowell, "but we did what our team wanted us to do for Major League Baseball. They promised us the moon and the stars, and then when we committed, they started pulling back. It's not just the coaches, it's the staff, the trainers, a lot of people are affected by this.
"I'm so super proud of this team. When we put it to a vote it was unanimous, we're all in agreement that we're not going to put up with this.''
Manager Terry Francona and his players were extremely irked after learning the team's coaches were not going to get the $40,000 stipend they assumed they’d be getting for making the trip to Japan (players will also receive a payment). Francona had informed the coaches they’d be getting the stipend.
However, the Sox manager was told by members of the Oakland coaching staff that they were not being paid. Francona had thought it was unusual that one team’s staff would be paid and the other not. So he checked into it and found he and his coaches were getting nothing.
The Red Sox are scheduled to leave Fort Myers after today’s Grapefruit League finale against the Blue Jays (12:05 p.m.), but now it appears both the game and the flight are somewhat in question.
"That's one of the things we've been talking about," David Ortiz said of the potential Japan boycott. "It's really [expletive] up."
The scene here in Florida is an odd one, for sure. There have been conversations going on about the issue among the Red Sox staff, including one between Lowell and Francona and between Lowell and Theo Epstein. Meanwhile, there are a couple hundred suitcases outside the locker room being tagged and weighed for the trip to Japan.
Francona said he doesn't care about himself but that in some cases the $40,000 represents some two-fifths of a coach’s salary. The Red Sox are scheduled to face the Oakland Athletics in two season-opening games in Tokyo on March 25 and 26.
Who was supposed to be paying this $40,000 per man?
The Boston Red Sox organization? Major League Baseball?
Some other party?
I'd be pretty angry too... 40k is a lot of dough
Why would the players or coaches get paid any extra to go on this trip? Don't they get paid enough. This is what is wrong with this business!
Good for the players standing up for the stupidity of Major League Baseball. This shows amazing team unity and what a great community they are. The players should be applauded.
Taking away $100,000 from the Cape Cod League.
Now not paying the coaches
What is happening to the people at the MLB front offices?
This is absolutely ridiculous!
Why don't the players pay the coaches? The millionaires on the team could do it and not even notice
This is surprising to hear, but good for the players to stick up for the guys that help them do what they do on a daily basis
good for the players. The team is not complete without the coaches and they deserve compensation too.
Good for them, talk about class! GO SOX
GET THAT PAPER
Give me a break. Why do we let people in sports demand such things? $40,000 extra to go on what may be a one week business trip? Ridiculous -- if the coaches are getting that much how much are the players getting to go do what they are already paid MILLIONS to do. Just do your job. We should boycott their games b/c they are so pretentious
Hey MLB - WTF? No compensation for business-related travel? Are you serious? What other company or industry could get away with that?
$40K to fly to japan, play baseball, sleep in 4 star hotels, eat catered buffets. they don't even have to carry their own luggage. they should be happy they are working the redsox (i'd gladly switch jobs with them, i'd do the japan trip for free mr. henry), they should be happy the redsox and mlb are flying them to japan for free.
crybabies.
absurd, these guys want a bonus the size of the average american's yearly paycheck! just for taking a little airplane trip.
this world is maddening!
I think it is great to see the team come together for the coaching staff. Behind the scenes the staff is what keeps the team running.
Good. MLB wants to do things like this, then MLB can cough up a little extra.
A $40,000 stipend for a week? I believe that is $5000 a day for 8 days! I understand being irked if the coaches were told one thing, and then MLB backed out, but in general, I find the dramatic action of a boycott pretty petulant.
This has "LUCCINO" written all over it.
Hey, if the cash was part of the deal when the players decided to make the trip and now MLB is pulling back, I think the players are making the right call on this one. The staff is making just as much a sacrifice to take a trip to the other side of the world and they deserve their share of the cake. Good for the players for standing up for what they feel is right.
I'm a Yankee fan and I LOVE what the players are doing. Must be ANOTHER Bud Selig moronic development. Spend some of that 6.5 Billion Bud and pay the coaches will ya!!
Just another reason to be proud to be a member of the Nation
Are the Red Sox/Athletics denying the payments or is it major league baseball?
Good for them. MLB should compensate everyone (players, coaches, trainers etc) for going out of their way to help promote the sport in Japan. It's in their best interest because popularity in Japan means more money for MLB.
Good.
Even if they forfeit their games, I'd be ok with that. Even money won't make up for the detrimental effect of forcing the team to travel halfway across the globe and miss a week of training in the process. This is just another money-making scheme for MLB and if the Sox are going to be party to it, the league better be willing to do right by the WHOLE TEAM, not just the players.
Not very impressive that some folks get paid bonuses while others, especially the ones who are needed to set up and take care of the trip, and then to pack up for the journey home, do not get anything. I'm proud of Mike Lowell and Terry Francona for standing up for those guys. Stick to your guns!
That's just like any administration! They imply one thing and after they get you to commit, they try to cut corners and screw the very people who make them who they are. Way-to-go Sox! Stand your ground.
Good for them. MLB should compensate everyone (players, coaches, trainers etc) for going out of their way to help promote the sport in Japan. It's in their best interest because popularity in Japan means more money for MLB.
Way to stick up for the ENTIRE team, guys! MLB will cave. They wouldn't risk the shame, let alone the marketing dollars in Japan.
Maybe they can take the compsensation for the coaches, trainers, et al from the $14 + million that Bud Selig is getting this year.
HIGH FIVE SOX!!!
God this is such selfishness. What about the fans in Japan, or the people from RSN who bought tickets to go and see the Sox play there. The players obviously aren't thinking about them... I'm sure Matsuzaka and Okajima are extremely proud of their team's reluctance to go to their country, and especially pleased their teammates want to back out days before they are scheduled to be there. Why are they giving this ultimatum this late in the game? They could have discussed this a long time ago. Aren't there contracts that someone is looking at to make sure things are right way before the trip? It's outright stupid to let it come this far.
What a joke, why don't the players dig into their own pockets and pay the coachs? Of course, we'd never see that happen........................
Why would a coach/staffer get paid what amounts to two-fifths of his salary for coaching/staffing in Japan for a week? I can see having all expenses paid, but doesn't the seasonal contract with the club cover one's pay? No one should have to take a dime out of their pocket...except for souvenirs and special massages. What am I missing?
Oakland coaches must be very happy!
Maybe they can take the compsensation for the coaches, trainers, et al from the $14 + million that Bud Selig is getting this year.
why doesn't manny pay them? He makes over 40 grand a day.
Don't Go!
Major league players making millions uniting to ensure coaches get $40,000. In a word, BEAUTIFUL!!! Tell Bud Selig to pound sand!
Classy!! Go Sox!
I remember way back during the baseball strike we had all kids of talk about the greedy baseball players, but the team here is showing some real class rallying behind less powerful, and less paid, employees.
Solidarity is a good thing! The coaches do a lot of the work and should be compensated as well. Stick to your guns!
Typical spoiled brats! How many Sox fans are traveling the 17 hours and paying for all the costs themselves just to see the game being played and enjoy doing so. These babies need $40k each just to show up! They have all lost touch with reality.
The team that strikes together wins! This will be great for the Sox in the long run! Lowell is a class guy!
I don't get it. Are people getting extra money for the trip? If I have to make a business trip for work, I don't get paid extra for it. You get a salary and you do the job. What am I missing?
Great move, great class!!! The whole game in Japan is a bad idea anyways!
What a bunch of babies..why don't the players step up and pay the coaches. Big Papi needs to lose some weight. What a lousy year it will be for the sox.
No surprise - Lowell is taking the lead in speaking up - what a class act:)
Great move, great class!!! The whole game in Japan is a bad idea anyways!
Maybe the players can pitch in!? Come on, this is silly! Who the hell has ever heard $40,000 as being a "stipend." People make that less in a year. Pass the hat around for crying out loud......
Who's messed up idea is it not to pay the coaches?
I'm with the players on this one.
A better news story would be this....
"Red Sox Players unanimously vote to pay coaches, staff, and trainers for Japan Trip out of their own pockets"
That way, they make their stand, but they also sound generous, instead of sounding like a bunch of babies. I love the solidarity, but I hate the sense of entitlement.
What a bunch of babies..why don't the players step up and pay the coaches. What a lousy year it will be for the sox.
From an article...the bullpen catcher only gets 30K so 40K is a lot of money. Great job players. I wish they never planned this trip. I remember what happened to the Yankees several years ago...took 2 weeks to get on track.
Hoist a Harpoon to the players! Good for you guys. I'm more proud to be a Red Sox fan today than I was after the 2007 World Series. This group of guys clearly is worthy of our devotion. ... Nick, Jackie: who is responsible for paying the stipend, MLB or the Red Sox?
I'm so proud of the Red Sox Team for standing up for their coaches and staff. People don't seem to realize that the money helps so much because it's the time, effort and the overall well being that the support staff give to the players and the players are showing how much they appreciate them by taking this stand! Management should be ashamed of themselves for not giving them the money. I hope they reconsider and send a message across the league. GO SOX/!
I've got an idea -- why don't they ALL donate their travel 'hardship' money to a charity??? It's so difficult to travel first-class and be treated like a rock star -- look at the bigger picture guys.
Why don't the player pass the hat around. And who ever heard of a 40,000 "stipend." Some people don't even make that in a year.
This can go either way.... It' could be seen as greedy as most sports and athletes are lookin these days..like somebody said 40k is some people's salary for a year!
But on the other hand, MLB is making big bucks for this trip to Japan in marketing... they should cough it up to all or none at all!
Either way.. Fans are the one's that are going to ultimately pay the price!!!!
This is the same MLB that is blackmailing the Cape Cod League by threatening to withhold grant money if the CCL doesn't buy uniforms, etc. from MLB. The CCL that acts as a feeder to the minor leagues and is operated by volunteers. Why is anyone surprised????
Bud Selig makes $14 million a year, but they can't pay the staff what everyone else is getting? Thats unbelievable! How much do you think MLB is getting from this trip? Way to stick together SOX!
Anyone saying the $40K is excessive is completely missing the point...this is a matter of principle- they were told they were getting it, then it was taken away. The bottom line is that these people have been lied to. And it is NOT the players responsibility to pick up the tab-I doubt any one reading this actually gives handouts to their lesser- paid co-workers, so neither should the players...the players boycotting is enough and does show untiy between the have's and have not's...
This is a joke. As a Red Sox fan, I demand to be compensated for this as well. Since most Red Sox fans will be sleeping when the game is played, we should all get $40K for our troubles. What a bunch of spoiled, crybaby millionaires. Isn't playing this game part of their job?
Nick, put a sock in it.
All this absurd amount of money is being paid for BY YOU, the fan. $40,000 per person has to come from somewhere. All of professional sports is out of control, but we keep paying for it. It's nice there is team unity, but it just goes to show how out of touch MLB is with the rest of the working world.
Some travel pay sure but $40k - that's about $38k too much.
i agree with this...
"Posted by Patrick T. McInerney March 19, 08 10:41 AMReply | Report this post
Hey, if the cash was part of the deal when the players decided to make the trip and now MLB is pulling back, I think the players are making the right call on this one. The staff is making just as much a sacrifice to take a trip to the other side of the world and they deserve their share of the cake. Good for the players for standing up for what they feel is right."
That's what I expect from Mike Lowell as a team leader (even if he isn't wearing the "C"). So where is the C in all this?
Good for the Sox players for taking care of the guys that will be taking care of them over the next 6 months!
It would be ridiculous for a salaried employee in any other industry / field to expect such a substantial bonus for making a five day business trip.
And, $40,000 for five days!!! What planet do these people live on?? I'm sure the Red Sox and MLB will cave - let's just hope the number comes down to something that isn't completely offensive to those of us that work hard every day and can only dream of getting a bonus like that.
And why do we continue to shell out hundreds / thousands of dollars to watch one ball game? That is what has led to this ridiculousness.
People like "Little Joe" are missing the point. Yes, ballplayers are outrageously overpaid - I agree completely. But the real issue here is whether someone - perhaps MLB, maybe even the Japanese organizers - is backing out of a promise made. If promises are made just so others can disregard them, then there is no integrity at the very core of the league to speak of. If there is no integrity, then none of the other stuff they do is relevant, including chasing after Bonds.
This is a case of coaches inaccurately being to told they would be getting a stipend that they were never supposed to be getting. I can understand that they were upset, but didn't anybody think it was a little odd that as someone earning $100k, they would earn a $40k stipend for working a week that there salary already covered? When you are paid a salary, that salary covers your pay where ever you work.
Who are you people that don't understand MLB is negating stipulations that were agreed upon when the Sox agreed to go to Japan. Not everyone involved is making six figures.
If the players were to pay out of pocket it would be a terrible precedent, one that the players union surely would not allow.
Why should the players pay? MLB will make tons of money off this. In the grand scheme of things, this is nickel and diming the guys who do the grunt work so that a game can be played.
And for those of you comparing this to your own work life - get over it. It is what is. If you have gone to a game, watched one on TV, bought any merchandise, etc., you support the machine.
This tells me that we have a really great team. TEAM PLAYERS. There's no "I" in TEAM. Good for the players to stand up for the coaches. GO SOX!!!
That's Bud for ya! A used car salesman through and through.
If the A's coaches are not getting paid, why don't their players up a stink. That shows the respect that the Red Sox players have for all in their organization.
If you are one of those people whining that players are overpaid, that's not the issue at hand. They are mad because members of the coaching and training staff aren't going to make that money. If you are promised one thing, and receive another, you have every right to be pissed. Don't look at this through "they are overpaid athletes" glasses; makes you look ignorant and stupid. It's a matter of principle and integrity; neither of which the members of baseball's front office have. Plus, Youkilis has already been quoted as saying that if push comes to shove, the players themselves will pay the coaches' stipend. Good for the players; good for Tito. He's a man of character and principle.
The team didn't want to go to Japan in the first place. Individual players have already found excuses to not endure the grueling flight and playing schedule. There are thousands of fans in Japan who will be disappointed if the games do not get played. However, in hindsight, it does not seem like a logical decision for MLB to schedule such an event - and only a 4 day window - only to have the teams return to the States and continue their regularly scheduled games. A typical flight to Japan is something like 14 hours, plus at least that long to adjust to the time change, jet lag, etc. Poor planning all around, but the Players should not have voted "yes" in the first place.
This in my opinion is a big deal for one reason only. IF you do it for one team you have to do it for them all. And for MLB to renig on the stippend after the deal is signed makes the deal null and void anyway so as a contract matter I agree 100% with this decision. Yes for the most part I agree it is a bit odd to pay a guy extra to do nothing different (ok other then play in another country) for a couple games (they will have a sight seeing opportunity I am sure) but anyway... it all comes down to contract issues and fairness.
I am happy about the unity. Explain to me once again why the hell we're going to Japan in the first place. This isn't a flight across the country to play. The whole thing is just silly to put the whole team through that. And I am including the support staff here (coaches, trainers etc.).
Would they get compensated for how expensive it will to eat over there?
I'm sure there rooms will be paid for, but what about other expenses?
To ask the coaches and trainers to pay for their own expenses in such an expensive part of the world is not right.
Sounds like typical MLB management to me. They promise the world to the team if they agree to play the Japan series and then backtrack later. MLB is making so much revenue from this trip and it's only fair to share it with those who are generating it for them... the players/coaches/staff.
This has nothing to do with the players opening up their wallets and paying out of pocket to help the coaching staff. If you think that is what this revolves around you're missing the point. Do I need to pay a coworker in my office when he misses out on a bonus too?
I find it hard to believe that anyone can blame the coaches or players for being upset. If I were forced to go on a business trip on the other side of the globe with the understanding that I would be compensated, I would expect my compensation. I'm sure the same hold's true for anyone reading this. It's not the "millionaire" ball players that are having their stipend revoked, it's the coaches, trainers and equipment people and they are by no means millionaires. Put yourself in their place and I'm sure you'd be upset as well.
MLB is raking in Millions and Millions because of this trip; the least they can do is compensate everyone that helps make it happen.
I don't get it - don't all these people, players included, get a salary? $40k seems like a lot to me, but I don't know what's in their contracts. I do know, however, that I have never received a bonus when I travel for work. I'm in the wrong business.
I am happy about the unity. Explain to me once again why the hell we're going to Japan in the first place. This isn't a flight across the country to play. The whole thing is just silly to put the whole team through that. And I am including the support staff here (coaches, trainers etc.).
Why should the players have to dig into their own pockets? They didn't exactly push to go to Japan. This is a MLB 'project'. This isn't about multi millionaire players getting the 40,000 stipend for this trip. This is about the players standing up for the members of their organization who ARE NOT millionaires getting the shaft by MLB. 40,000 to equipment managers and staffers is not a drop in the bucket. I think its a great show of the 'make up' of this team and how they are willing to stick up for everyone who helps them do what they do on the field.
The Red Sox and Yankees may be the most beloved (and likely most hated) teams in baseball. But what The Yanks did yesterday, and what the Sox are doing now, just show why both teams are a cut above the rest (and I am NOT a Yanks fan!!!)
Way too many commies here.
Seriously, if the deal was agreed upon, and MLB is backing out, then they are at fault. Go stick it to the man, Sox!
If this was a huge issue, why dont the players just pay the coaches? With the exception of the rookies, that all make MILLIONS!!! I think its great they are standing up for their coaches, but also using it as an excuse because they clearly do not want to go. I dont want them to forferit two games either. Anyone remember how many games we won the division by last year????
Some of these comments are way off, first off the players voted to go to Japan, but part of the package from MLB, who will be making a ton of money off this trip, was that the players and uniformed personal would receive a bonus. Now MLB is saying no, and the Sox players are ticked off, I don't blam them. The Sox players voted unanimously to bycott the trip, so yes Matt, that means even the Japanese players voted for it. Also, Steve, Youk came out and said the players would step up and pay the coaches if MLB did not, so we might see this happen. The players are standing up for coaches and other personal that are getting screwed by MLB, some of these guys don't make very much, the bullpen catcher makes 30 k a year, 40 k means a lot to him, but if he complained to MLB they wouldn't listen, but they will listen to players. So before people start saying this is a selfish move, have an idea what you are talking about, the players are going the right thing and are helping out the little people who play a big part of their team.
to those thinking that the players should pay them, it's not that easy. and it would be a tax mess! I think the coaches deserve it as long as they were told they would get it and especially so if the Oakland staff was getting the stipend.
It's not about the money, it's the about the principal of following through with promises
Are you kidding me, how can you stick up for this crap. I'm a Yankee fan and to you Yankee fan who agrees with this you should be ashamed. Doesn't players and managers make alot more than you and I to play a KIDS games. Overpaid whiners. Give me a break.
A Red Sox Japan Trip Haiku
Silver bird,
another wronged
pass the shrimp
I don't think the Sox coaches were 'demanding' anything. They had an agreement from the beginning "We want you to go represent our business, MLB, in a new market. We will compensate you for this."
Then the time comes to go to Japan and MLB says "Remember how we said we were going to compensate you for exanding our business to new markets...well, we changed our mind. Sorry!"
It's not the players demanding more money, it's the players (the ones with the power) demanding that the guys behind the scenes get what they were promised.
Sticking up for the little guys.
Good for the Sox! I'm proud to be a fan of the Boston Red Sox today.
Let me be the voice of reason. 40K is an absurdly high stipend for a one week business trip. 2K plus hotel and airfare seems more reasonable. That notwithstanding, a deal is a deal. If the staff was truly promised 40K, and they voted to take the trip based upon that promise, then someone has to deliver.
The cost of a trip to Japan, Business class room and flight for 10 days might run somewhere in the area of $10 G's. Add another $10 G's for pocket money, meals and entertainment (all other limo transportation included), and another $1000 per day for salary brings you to a handsome $30K of pampering. Not bad. Now I wish I had been paid that kind of money when I worked over their for Raytheon.
1. Baseball is America's pasttime, part of Americana. Why are we going to Japan? All about money, I guess.
2. I think it is ridiculous that coaches and players were promised an exorbitant amount of money to take a trip - where all expenses are already being paid.
3. That said, MLB is wrong on this one. If they promised the coaches, staff, etc the money, they should own up to it.
4. Good for the Sox players for looking out for others on the "team" and not just their own interest.
Ridiculous of MLB because from the looks of it they reneged on their original deal without really letting it be known to the people it affects the most. The Red Sox are doing this as a good will for Baseball, not because they wanted to. To the people saying who gets paid more for a business trip, if the original deal was you were supposed to get 40k for a trip and found out 2 days before that you were not would you be pissed? Of course you would! Good for the Sox .
Forrest Gump was right.
to those thinking that the players should pay them, it's not that easy. and it would be a tax mess! I think the coaches deserve it as long as they were told they would get it and especially so if the Oakland staff was getting the stipend.
It's not about the money, it's the about the principal of following through with promises
The players are 1000% right to do this. The staff of both the Sox and A's deserve it and the MLB should keep it's word.
I read this morning that the Red Sox are talking about boycotting the trip to Japan because the coaches aren't making the promised $40,000 dollars to take the trip. If anything, I guess one could say shame on MLB or the Red Sox Organization for making promises and not keeping them. That is not the real issue here, the real issue is that if the Sox do not go to Japan, they are forfeiting two games. So, therefore, you start the season 0-2. In the AL East, two losses is a big deal. Remember last year when Boston had an 18 game lead at one point over the Yankees, then what happened? We were fighting at the end of the season to win the division.
I am fed up with people in Major League Baseball squawking about money. $40,000 is what I make in a year and they complaining that they aren't getting paid that to fly to Japan. Come off your high horse and grow a set of balls...and for the Red Sox, I am really disappointed. I am sure that if the starting players would just pitch in 1-3% of their overall paycheck for the year, they might be able to muster up the $40,000 that could pay the coaches.
If MLB players (Red Sox, Yankees, whoever) would lose the "I only want what I deserve" attitude, accept they are richer than a god and play baseball for the fact they are talented....things wouldn't be so freakin' difficult!
Thats all....
Bob -- What you're missing is that when the players' union agreed to make this trip (which they didn't have to do) they negotiated some conditions under which they'd agree to do it; among those conditions were extra money for the coaches, trainers, and staff. MLB is now violating that agreement (I don't know why, but I'd guess because they thought the players A) wouldn't care that the staff weren't getting paid and B) wouldn't boycott something so public.) Also, to all the people asking "Is this MLB or the Red Sox?" They are the same thing. MLB is run by the commissioner, who works for the owners. Casting them as separate, antagonistc entities is just PR.
Good, I think all this playing out of country crap has to stop. Other countries may love out game but realistically having a major team in any of these countries would never fly.
Do exhibitions, let the fans that pay the big dollars have every chance to see their teams at home. Imagine being a Giant or dolphin season ticket holder and losing a game last season because they went to London. (Wasn't sure who lost the home game)
LOL it blows my mind at these foolish comments for all the folks here talking about its the coaches & staffs job to go, they are already rich and players should pay the coaches !!!!!!!!! Try goin to your job tomorrow and find you have to complete all your work and your NOT getting paid a penny, see how well you'll take. This is their Job, They did not sign up to coach and train these guys for FREE no matter where they are flying too. If the plan were to get paid and the end of the day it needs to happen. NO PAY NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!
Can't some of you people read?!? Apparently not by some of the moronic posts here.
MLB agreed to pay the coaches the same 40K they agreed to pay the players. The extra $$ was incentive to get the players to agree to go. If they didn't get cooperation from the MLBPA, this trip would never have been planned. It is MLB holding back, not the team.
The players have already said they will pay it for the coaches if the league does not follow through with what they agreed to. BUT, I see no problem with them standing up to get MLB to do what they said they would. Great move by the players!
The players may make millions, but it's not the their responsibility to pay the coaches/staff. No company in America would expect one employee to pay the salary for another. If MLB made this promise in order to get the World Champs to play in Japan, then reneged, they owe it to the staff to pay the stipend. Good for the players for standing up for the staff.
I like team unity and all, but think it through, how is anyone involved with the team losing money by not getting paid? Everyone's on the payroll. If any aspect of going to Japan to play baseball is unfair it's that the players are getting bonuses for playing. Why can't they pool their 40K apiece and split it evenly among the team and staff. Now that would be unity!
Why aren't the Oakland Athletics doing the same thing for their staff.?This would have a stronger effect if both teams boycotted.
I hope they do boycot the games. First off it is MLB that wants to take America's past time to Asia. The only reason is to make more money, which we all agree is ridiculous. I would be real upset if I were a season ticket holder and found out that I have to go to Japan for one of my home games? Why should I have to stay up until 3am to watch a redsox game in Japan. If Asia wants American baseball, let them stay up. I say don't go, take the forfeit we will win the division anyway.
I agree with the idea that the players could pay the coaching staff out of their own pocket, but to me that seems to let MLB off the hook. Obviously the players could compensate the staff, but they should not do so out of principle. All that would do is send a message that MLB can chintz whereever they want and the players will make up the difference. Better to boycott and hold MLB accountable for their actions.
Sounds like Francona messed up by "assuming" that the coaches would be getting a $40,000 stipend, and telling the coaches.
Liberals never fails to amaze me! I love the repsonses that say the players should pay because "they are millionaires and have the money" or "they wouldn't even notice it"... The redistribution of wealth is communism!!!!!! Would you expect the people at your company who are paid the most to pay another employee for travel expenses?
I'm astonished that some of you think the coaches and staff should be going without compensation when the players will be getting a bonus, especially if they understood otherwise. Yes, of course the players could pay for this. But the idea is not to pass the hat for the poor staff, it's to hold either the teams or MLB responsible for what they say. The Red Sox are doing a favor for MLB by going to Japan even though it may jeopardize their season. This is the way and the reason injustices get righted. More power to the players. Very proud of them. If they voted unanimously, this means Dice-K and Oki must have voted to do this as well.
Someone obviously did not communicate the proper message. The Sox players and staff are going to look like fools if they mistakenly promised $40k. You have to admit, $40k is a large chunk of change to go to Japan. Most people do not get a 40% bonus to make a business trip.
Did Tito read the memo the wrong way?
I wonder how many bonuses they are being asked to pay out. It is more likely that someone miscommunicated the pay outs than they offered and then back out on the promised deal. If someone did change the offer without telling them, that is despicable.
$40,000??!!!...are you kidding me...for an 8 day trip??!!...people are struggling all over and these clowns are complaining about this....how about the players who make millions and there are quite a few on the sox, give up there strip club money for the week and give it to the coaches...or how about taking that money and reimbursing the business owners in fort myers who are losing millions because of this ridiculous trip
Though it is easy to focus on the amount of money the coaches and trainers are due to receive as a stipend for this trip to Japan, many comments are missing the point: according to the players, either the Red Sox or MLB made promises to the team in order to entice them to say 'yes' to this voluntary trip. As Mike Lowell states in the article, they were promised the "moon and stars" and then started "pulling back" some of the promises once the unanimous vote to make the trip had been registered. So, it's not an issue of whether the players can afford to pay for each member of the support staff's $40K stipend; rather, it's a bigger issue of promises made (by either the Red Sox front office or MLB administration) and promises broken. If the facts of this article and Lowell's statements are true, than the players have every right to stand up for those who are being lied to!
I am all for MLB honoring what they committed to do via the compensation. They have shamed all if they planned on backing down from that. Shame on all of baseball to not handle this privately, if their goal was to show the world that we are typical spoiled Americans--they succeded..
I think the issue isn't so much that the coaches, staff etc. asked for $40,000 to go on the trip, but that they were told they would be getting the money and now apparently aren't. I think you would be pretty upset if your boss told you you were getting a bonus equaling 40% of your salary and now weren't. Also, I don't know what kind of bonus the players are getting/supposed to get, but don't think they are laughing it off either. Certainly to the big money superstars 40K is nothing, but if some guy is making 500K, I am sure that money would be appreciated.
It is a proud day in Red Sox Nation, Bud Selig earned 15.8 million last year, MLB can pay the staff.
Gutsy and smart move by the Red Sox. Although they'll take the heat for this move if they don't end up going to Japan, the blame should be placed on the people in charge of handling the contracts for such a trip. It's unfortunate that a boycott has been made so soon before the trip, leaving little time for responses and conversation to resolve this, but that can be blamed on the people who handle the contracts...NOT the players. Also, to be clear, it was a UNANIMOUS vote...which means Dice-K and Okajima were part of it...which means the outrage of short-changing the staff outweighs even the desires of the players for whom this trip would mean the most...which should speak of the courage they and the rest of their teammates possess. Also, if this were a display of selfishness, does anyone really think that a player who would refuse to go on a trip that would pay him $40,000 to protest a principle that was agreed upon beforehand is being selfish? This is the height of unselfishness. Think about it, be revered and honored by the people of Japan and praised by baseball as representative of the sport AND make $40,000? Or take the public scrutiny by many to stand up for the interests of your coaches and staff and not make $40,000?
I thought it was impossible to love this team any more than I already did. Talk about team unity!
This is absurd...what are the Sox going to skip the first two regular season games of the year? That would be really great for team morale. If they promised the cash, they should pay, but don't hold the season hostage for an extra $40k. What about the fans who paid good money to see the game in Florida today? Or all the Sox fans who paid to travel to Japan, and can't get their money back? There has to be a better way to handle this. If they don't make the trip, I'm boycotting the Sox. They must care more about the coaches than they do about the fans and actually doing their JOBS.
why bother going to another counrty to play a regular season game. it's just gonna bring wear and tear on most of these guys. who cares about the trip stay in florida for another week and prepare to defend their championship!
I think it is a great idea what the staff is doing just to make their presence known and meaning we mean business.
Glad I am not a coach for the A's! Looks like they were gonna be left out. The Sox have leaders! Good Job!
On the flip side, yikes...........40k????? That is insane! Maybe Veritek and Lowell and the gang will sit on the bench until the Red Sox lower tickets prices so our next generation of Red Sox Nation can actually say they have been to Fenway!
People who keep commenting that that this is a selfish move or that the players should just pay the coaches are missing the point: MLB made promises to the Sox and A's and now they are backing out at the last minute. Its not the players' responsibility to cover for Bud's disingenuousness. The teams and players involved are putting themselves at a disadvantage to all the other teams that don't have to fly for 16 hours (one way), change 10 or 11 time zones, and deal with all the added difficulties of playing in a foreign country. The whole point of the trip is to create a new market and revenue for the MLB so 40k for the coaches is really the least they can do. Ultimately the MLB will probably honor their promises as a result of this. Otherwise they risk looking foolish and losing a great deal more money already invested in the trip and in future revenue. Its the right move by the players and I hope the fans can see that. Go Sox!