 
Sfdet
Member
Username: Sfdet
Post Number: 88
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:07 pm: |    |
In recent years Sports Illustrated has polled MLB players on their favorite and least favorite road trip cities. This year's results were published in the 9/17/07 issue. Once again, Detroit topped the list (tied with Milwaukee) as the player's least favorite road trip city. I believe Detroit has topped the list in prior years too.
OK, my question is why Detroit? Sure, I know all the obvious reasons - no reason to rehash them here. But why specifically - what makes the players' Detroit experience so negative? For example, where do the visiting teams stay? The Ren Cen? Dearborn? Birmingham? Southfield? What travel route do they take from their hotel to Comerica Park and what do they see along the way? Where do they hang out between games? Where do they eat? Where can they run, walk outside? At what airport terminal do they land?
Why specifically is the players' Detroit experience so bad relative to other MLB cities? Comerica Park is certainly a comfortable facility. Downtown, although still very rough in spots, has decent restaurants and bars. The entertainment district feels pleasant and safe, by and large. And now, with the Riverwalk partially complete, there's more park space for people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
St Louis, Kansas City, Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia, Oakland? I can't imagine a mid-summer road trip to those cities is something to get excited about. Even a city like Anaheim has a stadium situated in the middle of a parking lot. And my bet is that the players stay in a nearby Doubletree hotel surrounded by freeways, with no easily accessible amenities.
Thoughts? |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2564
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:12 pm: | |
If I were an MLB player, I'd be a lot more grumpy about going to those indoor stadiums. Perhaps that isn't exactly what the question is asking though. But fake grass and trying to catch a white ball against a white roof, along with having the ball bounce of a rafter now and then would put those places a lot higher on my list. |
Spacemonkey
Member
Username: Spacemonkey
Post Number: 221
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:16 pm: | |
This isn't really all that surprising. |
Rsa
Member
Username: Rsa
Post Number: 1276
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:18 pm: | |
is the study based more on amenities for the players before and after the game or based on stadium experience? do they not like detroit because the fans make it difficult for them to succeed? if it's the latter, it could be seen as a good thing. |
Chuckjav
Member
Username: Chuckjav
Post Number: 59
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:21 pm: | |
Sfdet....I hear what you are saying; I agree 100%. Detroit - for all its faults (real & imagined) - is actually a pretty cool city.
My guess is that many MLB players are not likely to get excited about places like the Art Institute, Main Library, Belle Isle, Baker's Keyboard Lounge, Greektown, Mexicantown, Windsor, the Suburbs....the list goes on.
Too bad for them. |
Upinottawa
Member
Username: Upinottawa
Post Number: 943
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:28 pm: | |
What do visiting players do when on the road? I assume most teams have daily practices and players are required to exercise, etc. One would assume that they do not eat out at restaurants all the time for dietary reasons (David Wells being the exception...). I wonder how much free time they actually have. I also wonder if teams have a policy against players going to casinos on road trips.... |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 386
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:28 pm: | |
I have a few points...
Do they still ship most of the visiting players to the Townsend in B-ham or keep them downtown? If you gotta load up and go from the airport to B-ham/Auburn Hills after a long trip, then travel downtown, that would be a pain.
I only mention the Ritz in Dearborn or Townsend as I've seen many sports team stay there. I've also seen baseball players stay as far out as Auburn Hills (I used to work in sports media).
So of course Detroit would suck - you're spending all your time in the bus! Now a plan would be fly the charter into city (which could handle those smaller planes) and then take a coach to downtown - much easier on travel-weary players.
Convincing visiting organizations that's a smart idea - well, that's a whole 'nother problem.
(Message edited by digitalvision on September 19, 2007) |
Sfdet
Member
Username: Sfdet
Post Number: 89
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:29 pm: | |
Rsa - The survey is based on the question 'what is your favorite road trip?' Since detroit was topping the least favorite list long before the tigers were a winning team, players seem to answer it based more on amenities and overall experience. For example, Chicago, San Diego, New York and Seattle top the players' list for favorite road trips. |
Spitty
Member
Username: Spitty
Post Number: 613
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:30 pm: | |
Maybe they prefer walkability and nightlife every day of the week. I went down to Cleveland for the Tigers series and there I saw a bunch of the Tigers out at the clubs both nights, and my friend ran into Magglio in the mall that is downtown. Maybe it has something to do with being able to get around on their own in the area directly surrounding their hotel. Maybe they also consider the weather and the fans at the games. |
Motorcitydave
Member
Username: Motorcitydave
Post Number: 91
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:33 pm: | |
I thought they stayed at the Athenium if I'm not mistaken.
I am really surprised. I would think of a lot more player-unfriendly places to play in... some already mentioned... KC would be a great example. In the middle of no where.
(Message edited by motorcitydave on September 19, 2007) |
Mbr
Member
Username: Mbr
Post Number: 232
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:34 pm: | |
Maybe they don't like losing. |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2158
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:40 pm: | |
I have first hand knowledge that most MLB teams stay at the Townsend and then take I-75 to the ballpark...
And while most players practice or do other game related exercises most of the time they are in town, the pitchers who aren't pitching tend to go out to bars/restaurants quite frequently..
btw, does anyone have a link the survey? |
Sfdet
Member
Username: Sfdet
Post Number: 90
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:49 pm: | |
Rsa - The survey is based on the question 'what is your favorite road trip?' Since detroit was topping the least favorite list long before the tigers were a winning team, players seem to answer it based more on amenities and overall experience. For example, Chicago, San Diego, New York and Seattle top the players' list for favorite road trips. |
Upinottawa
Member
Username: Upinottawa
Post Number: 945
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:01 pm: | |
So there is no survey on "what is your least favourite road trip?" Is that right? If that is the case, the thread title should have been "MLB Players don't find Detroit road trips to be their favourite".
Of course, in the title favourite would likely not have a "u" in it. |
Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1
Post Number: 10173
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:02 pm: | |
So will ball teams start staying at the BC when it is done? |
Gazhekwe
Member
Username: Gazhekwe
Post Number: 592
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:04 pm: | |
Does it have anything to do with the placement of the visiting team locker room? |
Smogboy
Member
Username: Smogboy
Post Number: 5943
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:22 pm: | |
One possibility is the fact that these guys, regardless of where they're staying, might be the fact that they don't have cars or access to transportation to get them from their hotels to cool locations. I'll assume they have a few hours or a day at most in the area to really see or enjoy anything so renting a car isn't the most economical of things to do. I'll assume they can get a cab once they leave the lobby of the hotel but then once they reach their destination, how would they get back?
I'm just trying to appraoch this if I were from out of town for a few hours and not as a native here who has access to transportation. I wholeheartedly agree that we do have some great things to see and do here, but sometimes without access to transportation- some of our cool locations are kind of scattered about the region. It takes time and transportation to get to some of these places and if you don't have those available, I can see how the experience can be dampened. |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 387
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:26 pm: | |
In regards to the BC, I hope so.
From first-hand conversations, the Townsend by many out of town travel folks is considered THE hotel, and Birmingham the "center" of the action and "best" Detroit has to offer for various reasons that simply don't apply anymore (all perception reasons I've covered on other threads - this is part of why I'm so adamant on the perception issue, and before anyone says anything, yes I know the stats).
The drive on a good day from the Townsend to the ballpark is over a half-hour each way, and it basically means you can't play before or after because you have to be on the bus back to Birmingham right after the game or practice.
And Smogboy, these players are valuable to the organizations. Usually, unless they live in the city they're visiting, they're just not going to be allowed to rent cars, etc. It's simply not an option with millions of dollars in the balance with these guys.
(Message edited by digitalvision on September 19, 2007) |
Danindc
Member
Username: Danindc
Post Number: 3310
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:34 pm: | |
In fairness:
quote:SI PLAYERS POLL
What is your favorite road trip?
Chicago.......30%
San Diego.......15%
New York.....11%
Seattle....8%
Your least favorite?
Milwaukee.....13%
Detroit.....13%
Washington, D.C. ...8%
New York....7% |
Perfectgentleman
Member
Username: Perfectgentleman
Post Number: 2945
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:34 pm: | |
quote:The drive on a good day from the Townsend to the ballpark is over a half-hour each way, and it basically means you can't play before or after because you have to be on the bus back to Birmingham right after the game or practice.
Are you saying the players would be happier if they were staying downtown? I would imagine if that were the case the visiting teams would be doing just that. Don't they have a choice in this matter? |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 3981
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:38 pm: | |
Neither M'waukey nor Detroit has rapid transit. MLB ball players demand trains. Hell with taxis or limos... |
Motorcitydave
Member
Username: Motorcitydave
Post Number: 92
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:39 pm: | |
They might not have a choice... the hotel may sign a deal with MLB or the Tigers.
OK, so Detroit just behind NewYork, which is the most walkable city around... so I doubt it has to do with accessibility to things to do during their off time.... must have something to do with privacy or the ball park itself maybe.... |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 389
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:41 pm: | |
I don't believe players have much choice - it's all handled by the ball club management. I'm sure if for some reason all the players on a team said "we want a different hotel" they may be listened to, but these rooms are booked as soon as they know their schedules by the organization, and they may have negotiated special rates/discounts with a hotel.
On the road, it's a regulated and planned schedule for the most part, and the people charged with this task are going to do what they're most comfortable with unless pushed to change.
Remember though, because players don't venture downtown, they don't know much about it, and are going to be inclined to just go with the program.
Motorcitydave - It has nothing to do with walkability. It's general perception that downtown is unsafe, and they don't want to risk something happen to their investments. Please don't flame the messenger.
(Message edited by digitalvision on September 19, 2007) |
Motorcitydave
Member
Username: Motorcitydave
Post Number: 93
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:46 pm: | |
So that means that they don't let their investments walk around NewYork city then either because it is dangerous? |
Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 3677
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:49 pm: | |
I'm with Mbr, they don't like losing! NYC is not even close to the top, and it is clearly the best city to go to. They must not like losing. Boston is not up there either.
I think this is pretty erratic and has mostly to do with players' performance while in a certain city, or the actual hotel they stay in. I doubt visiting teams even stay downtown, which means that they're probably saying they don't like Troy or Birmingham or something.
Bear in mind that most baseball players aren't hipsters or highly educated, so they won't seek out Detroit's unique culture the way we would. They might like bars and clubbing, but if they don't stay downtown, they really can't get much of that. Therefore, Detroit is nothing special to them. |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 390
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:52 pm: | |
NYC and Detroit carry very, very different perceptions.
If there is anything I've learned in business, product is 20% - and marketing/perception/emotion is 80%. Downtown for the most part has it's 20% together - but not the 80% yet.
If anyone's wondered why I've been a ranting loon on the perception point, it's because of experience with things like this. |
Motorcitydave
Member
Username: Motorcitydave
Post Number: 94
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:55 pm: | |
Personally, I don't think it honestly has anything to do with the city itself... probably more to do with the park, or the team they are playing, weather, or something else that we are not thinking of.
Most pro athletes usually have a set routine no matter where they are, and usually don't venture too far away from the team unless it is to see a movie or eat or kill time (which isn't much with their schedules). |
Motorcitydave
Member
Username: Motorcitydave
Post Number: 95
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:57 pm: | |
Digitalvision... the point I was making is that New York was 4th on the WORST list... which would help us rule out a lot of the reasons Detroit is 2nd on that list. |
Rjk
Member
Username: Rjk
Post Number: 854
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:09 pm: | |
When the Tigers had a day off in Atlanta, Marcus Thames rented a car and drove to Mississippi to visit his mother so clearly MLB players are allowed to rent cars. Baseball players get out a lot more than some of you think.
Downtown Detroit is not some hidden secret from other teams and their players. Managers, GM's, and players all talk to each other. Years ago when downtown Cleveland improved I read about it in the paper and heard about it first hand from other people. These baseball players don't live in a vacuum.
If Detroit was the most liked city everyone would be tooting the pro-Detroit horn. Detroit comes in at the bottom and people want to put every possible spin on it. I wouldn't put too much weight in a survey that only garners 13% for the bottom finisher, but it is interesting to see a view of the city without a pro-Detroit bias.
Instead of trying to spin these results, maybe people need to realize that downtown Detroit has improved over the past decade but it still has a way to go as far as stacking up against other cities. There's nothing wrong with that. The survey doesn't say that Detroit is a terrible place to spend 3-4 days, only that it's one of the least favorite places. There's a big difference. |
Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard
Post Number: 3984
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:17 pm: | |
The cerebral Ted Simmons (Highland Park) of the Milwaukee Brewers almost missed a day game when he was browsing at the main public library in Milwaukee. One coach remembered that he did that most of the time and drove the three miles out there to bring him back just before the game started. |
Perfectgentleman
Member
Username: Perfectgentleman
Post Number: 2951
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:17 pm: | |
You folks seem to be forgetting that the players PLAY in the city, they have eyes and ears. They also talk with OUR players. How many Tigers live in the city? Just a question. |
Spartacus
Member
Username: Spartacus
Post Number: 230
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:22 pm: | |
My understanding is that all visiting baseball teams stay at the Ritz in Dearborn. That would be a crappy place to kill a day without a car. |
Motorcitydave
Member
Username: Motorcitydave
Post Number: 96
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:44 pm: | |
Yeah, not the greatest, but at least there is a theater there. Most of the pro athletes I have met and known usually don't go out clubbing all the time.... maybe a few drinks here and there, but usually hit a movie, or are playing x-box in the hotel, and eating with other players, maybe hit another sporting event, etc.
I know there are a few of the Tigers that hit the casino after games, and I'm sure they have taken their past teammates and peers that come into town there and show them around the city. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5370
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:55 pm: | |
Well at least we know MLB will not be allowing their teams to stay at the Casino hotels. There's that MLB bylaw that keeps them at an arms length from any ties to gambling (except for the Mike vs. Marian Ilitch ownership scenario).
But I could see MLB teams staying at the Book Cadillac once it opens. That would be sweet. Historically baseball teams have stayed at the B-C.
Remember it was where Lou Gehrig broke his record streak of games played when he wasn't feeling well that day at the B-C. And then later he found out he had the dreaded disease that was later unofficially named after him. |
Motorcitydave
Member
Username: Motorcitydave
Post Number: 97
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 3:24 pm: | |
Are you sure?
MGM allows kids, which means that the hotel is almost seen as separate from the casino... plus, it's not like players aren't allowed in the casino anyway.... what would be the difference? |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5373
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 3:39 pm: | |
Do the players make their own hotel reservations? I doubt it.
They are likely made by each teams administration. I don't think that MLB teams/admin/owners are allowed (via current bylaws) from doing any business with Casinos or Casino Hotels.
I may be wrong here, but when it comes to gambling... for baseball the rules are much stricter than the other 3 major sports.
Now had either Las Vegas or Atlantic City had a MLB team, we'd be able to know for sure!
(Message edited by Gistok on September 19, 2007) |
Jiscodazz
Member
Username: Jiscodazz
Post Number: 56
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 5:25 pm: | |
I've played sports my whole life and in my opinion athletes are idiots and don't appreciate good culture. They were probably looking for the nearest OCB(Old Country Buffet) and when they couldn't find it they declared, "This city sucks." |
Novine
Member
Username: Novine
Post Number: 147
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 6:09 pm: | |
Lack of adult entertainment? |
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 6
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 1:06 pm: | |
"I've played sports my whole life and in my opinion athletes are idiots and don't appreciate good culture. They were probably looking for the nearest OCB(Old Country Buffet) and when they couldn't find it they declared, 'This city sucks.'"
Jiscodazz sums it up best. As we know, Men are especially the easiest sex to satisfy (feed us, don't bother us when watching sports, give "love" to us, etc.) and that's it. Male Athletes are the same way. If they don't find some type of Sports Bar with good food in a city, they think it sucks. |
Erikd
Member
Username: Erikd
Post Number: 897
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 3:49 am: | |
quote:My understanding is that all visiting baseball teams stay at the Ritz in Dearborn. That would be a crappy place to kill a day without a car.
quote:Yeah, not the greatest, but at least there is a theater there.
Motorcitydave,
You must not be aware of the fact that there is a movie theater downtown. The Riverfront 4, located in the RenCen, is currently showing Good Luck Chuck, Superbad, Halloween, and Illegal Tender. |
Chitaku
Member
Username: Chitaku
Post Number: 1608
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 11:03 am: | |
I thought most ball teams stayed at the Atheneum, when I lived at Boydell there would be a group of autograph seekers waiting out there every day. I know for sure the hockey teams stay at the Atheneum |
Oliverdouglas
Member
Username: Oliverdouglas
Post Number: 126
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:22 pm: | |
This is inside poop:
Tigers front office does not itself know anything about Detroit. Last I checked, only the Blue Jays stayed at the Atheneum - everyone else at the Ritz or Townsend. Tiger players are routinely steered to Birmingham or Troy when looking for a place to live. The Illitches may well have intended something else when they kept the teams in the city and invested so much in Comerica Park and Foxtown, but their front office staff is not on board. |
Chitaku
Member
Username: Chitaku
Post Number: 1610
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:32 pm: | |
i know a lot of the younger tigers live in condos by Scummerset mall |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 392
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:42 pm: | |
My experience seconds Oliverdouglas completely on all points, except I'd add Grosse Pointe to that list of steered places. It's an interesting dichotomy over there.
So many people outside downtowners STILL don't know that theatre exists, ErikD. It's not well advertised, even on or near the building.
It's a shame they don't but I'm guessing they have a zero balance marketing budget... does anyone know if they say advertise at the Casinos? Or, conversely, the latest movie times and films could be an ad on the People Mover. Here I am giving free marketing advice again (kicks self). |
Rjk
Member
Username: Rjk
Post Number: 869
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:50 pm: | |
Are the Tigers players stirred towards Troy and Birmingham or is that where they want to live? Not a bad place to be stirred towards. These players are obviously in the downtown area often so if they wanted to live there I'm sure they could. Leyland lives at the Atheneum.
Interesting that some people pretty much know for a fact that visiting teams stay at the Townsend, others say the Ritz, and some the Atheneum. I think it's clear that no one really knows where they stay.
I knew a guy who drove a limo at night and a courtesy van during the day who did mention to me that many of the tigers players do live along 16 mile road. As Chitaku mentioned, in the Somerset area. |
Oliverdouglas
Member
Username: Oliverdouglas
Post Number: 128
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 1:05 pm: | |
The players ARE steered to Birmingham/Troy. Of course they are not bad places to live - especially for players with wives and children. But if I were a young single player, I know where I'd like to live. Believe me, (I wish I could tell you how I come by this info), there are front office people whose job it is to help players settle in their new community. They are being led by no doubt well-meaning people who really don't know their own city. |
Ray
Member
Username: Ray
Post Number: 1016
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 11:52 pm: | |
I thought it was interesting how very few of the Tigers actually live in Detroit. I thought the story was that they commute in from someplace else. |
Ticub
Member
Username: Ticub
Post Number: 10
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 11:24 am: | |
Most of the teams used to stay at the Ritz-Carlton until a few years ago when the White Sox, Angels, Yankees, Mariners, Indians and Red Sox went to the Townsend.
These teams still stay at the Ritz according to their Media Guides: Orioles,Royals,Twins,Devil Rays.
The A's and Rangers use the Atheneum while the Blue Jays opted for the Renaissance this year. The only team to do this in recent memory.
Cleveland used to stay at the Atheneum because Hargrove, the manager, liked the casino.
The White Sox traveling secretary told me that the team moved to Birmingham from Dearborn because there was so much more to do.
Many of the players don't use the team bus to and from the ballpark, but rely on friends or cabs to take them about.
Btw, when a team is on the road, each player gets $85 cash per day for incidentals. Most of that money goes to the clubhouse manager who takes care of them at the stadium. Food, shoes shined, laundry, etc. The ballclub is only responsible for hotel and transportation to and from the park. I heard that George Brett and Ted Williams were good tippers; Joe DiMaggio wasn't. |
Milwaukee
Member
Username: Milwaukee
Post Number: 1317
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 12:22 am: | |
Maybe Milwaukee and Detroit do not have a large enough stock of strip clubs to satisfy their needs. Fuck these people, its not like they're are best and brightest. Milwaukee nor Detroit need kiss their worthless asses. Sorry we don't have a ton of tacky shit guys. Universities, parks, museums, theaters, great restaurants, beautiful architecture, it doesn't really get through to these folk. After all, their job is to hit a baseball with a bat.
Don't worry about this stupid ranking, I know Milwaukee sure as hell doesn't give a shit. |
Emu_steve
Member
Username: Emu_steve
Post Number: 471
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 1:41 am: | |
I remember reading an article on FA (free agency) and DET and 'perception' issues.
At the time (the article would be several years old) the gist was that teams were staying in Dearborn and took the less then beautiful ride down I-94 to the ball park.
The thought was that visitors would prefer B'ham more.
I thought Dearborn was selected for $ reasons.
The gist, further, is if visitors don't like their stay in DET then those same players wouldn't be interested in signing on with DET as free agents.
Winning has cured most of that problem. |