Teach Your Children

I guess it all comes down to "what have you done for me lately?" Ultimately, we are all supplanted by a new generation of (fill in the blank), whom we hope can do the job more effectively, more conscientiously, and cheaper than we can.

Isn't that what 'outsourcing' is about? If we could outsource the DH position more cheaply and get more production, would the Sox have signed David Ortiz? The day the Jon Lesters of the world can get the job done cheaper than the Clements, then we toss them out and reinvest the difference in an outfielder, long man, or whatever.

On the wrong side of fifty, I've seen enough winning and losing to appreciate a modicum or grace, class, or duende that is sorely lacking in today's world. I also understand the business side of sports well enough, from Helyar's 'Lords of the Realm' to the converse, guaranteed contracts and the high price of mediocrity, to know that everything changes.

You pay your money, you have the right to heckle the talent. We can only hope that the flamboyant passion of the fans doesn't turn into the hooliganism of the English soccer fan, or worse. Didn't Crosby, Stills, and Nash write a song about it long ago, "Teach Your Children?"