Stadium idea that might fly; Clemens gets Texas sized contract

From the Seats, January 22, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS - The stadium issue has been one that is covered a lot here. I have posted just about every article on the issue, or talked about nearly all the articles that have been written. We always end up in the same spot, how is the public going to fund it? How much does the public pay? How much does the team pay for it?

SBC stadium in San Francisco, a beautiful stadium, and a must see if you are any kind of a baseball fan. It doesn't matter what you think of Barry Bonds, the Giants or their fans (who are very nice in person, as long as you are in the right spot and don't have to much Dodger stuff on I think you will very much enjoy the game with locals. It is true that if you get in some of the expensive seats that people are there for their social status.) SBC, is the only stadium in baseball to be privately funded, the entire thing!

Tony Spadafora has a proposal of “TwinDomes” that would place a Twins and Vikings stadium side by side on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, in Eden Prairie or near the U of M campus.

My first thought was that putting them side by side and on the fairgrounds isn't something I would be interested in. The Warehouse district seems to be a much better idea, since it keeps the Twins in downtown and close to where they are currently.

But after looking at the web site I see that a side by side proposal might be the way to go. It saves on cost as they would share a retractable roof. The mall between the two stadiums would be publicly owned.

Having the stadiums 100% privately funded would solve so much of the stadium issues. It would solve the stadium issue and wouldn't take away from the already depleted (or non existent) state funds. 

Check out the site of this plan for yourself: TwinDomes

Clemens gets Texas sized contract

HOUSTON - Clemens is celebrating tonight, as his grandchildren are now set for life. Roger Clemens who asked for $22 million in arbitration agreed with the Astros for one year at $18 million. Clemens was the NL Cy Young winner last year, even though many thought Randy Johnson was due to get the honor.

The oldest pitcher in the game is now has the biggest contract. When it gets to asking for $22 million for one year, and agreeing on $18 million it isn't about baseball anymore. Its about money. Clemens is a bit out of line with a contract this size. He is playing in front of his home town, in front of people who will cheer for him and be behind him no matter what. They would have been behind him more if he would have stayed for less. But heck, why not break the bank and get greedy, money hungry.

Roger Clemens, you are tempting me to form a new page for this site, the Players Blacklist, I am sure I can find a few more blood sucking, money hungry old farts to join you on the list. Disclaimer: 41 is in no way old.