All of us are grateful for many relationships, job, family, etc but most of us, probably ALL of us,  have “issues”. In fact, there was a distribution “ISSUE” for me this week. Since July 4 is a Saturday (normal distribution day), I’ve move it up beginning with some folks getting it on Thursday, others on Friday. Same is true in sports…many teams/players/schools have “ISSUES” also. Take a look…

…off the field but still a real “ISSUE” for the MLB is their coverage. The decline of Regional Sports Networks, like Bally Sports, is causing financial concerns for some teams and affecting player salaries. It’s hard for Joe Average Guy to have much empathy for the MLB players moaning over their salaries. But….once you get accustom to a salary, it’s hard to go backwards!

…on the MLB field, there has been constant issue about the MLB strike zone for decades. There are “pitchers” umpires, Lowball (or highball) strike zones for some, good & not so good calls on breaking pitches. Not only its reliability but the slight differences from one home plate umpire’s to another the next day causes constant adjustment.

…I think that it won’t be long until we have an automated strike zone. The biggest challenge, from my eyes, right now is the “speed” that the automated call will reach the home plate umpire. My suggestion would be – an MLB official sits at a spot in the press box to see the pitch on replay and determine if its touched the border lines of the strike zone. He looks to see if or if not the pitch touches any part of the pitching box (that we see on TV). Then, he instantly, send an electronic notice to the Home plate umpire. Maybe two buzzers –one on each hand.  The message could be sent to the right hand (if a strike), left hand if a ball. How quick can they do it? I think under 5 seconds. Some pitches are obvious, so a call isn’t even needed. Or, a batter swings & misses or fouls it off.  A question that I have is WHY DO WE EXPECT THE UMPIRES to be PERFECT throughout a game with close to 290 pitches? These pitches are coming in above 90mph with movement in different directions and many times, just barely touch the strike zone or just barely miss it. The electronic modification of the strike zone would enhance the game.

…the Cardinals have turned around their “expected” issues and made it into a strong part of their team. At the beginning of 2025 season, all the talk at spring training was about elevating their offensive stats. I think most fans are surprised by their offensive output to this point. As I write this, the Cards are 4^th in the National League in RUNS (by far, the most important category to me); 5^th on OBP (on base percentage). I was really surprised to see that the Cardinals (who I thought were “running” a lot more this year are 11^th in the NL in stolen bases. Sitting in the 7^th spot in Home Runs in the NL (right in the middle of the 15 team league) is not surprising.

…Some were concerned about the Cardinals defense prior to the 2025 season.  But, as the spring unfolded, the players realized (at some point), our defense is GOOD….really GOOD! Willson Contreras has shocked evaluators, who were unsure how he would fare at 1b after starting just 4 games there in his previous nine MLB seasons. The rest of his games were behind the plate. I was certainly in that boat of “doubters”. But Contreras has far exceeded their (and my) expectations at 1b Further, remember, he was being asked to replace Paul Goldschmidt who was very, very smooth @ 1b. But, as we turn the calendar page to July, Contreras has become the least of our worries @ 1b!! He’s made all the plays and seems to be a “real talker” at 1B.

…With the constant, gradual decline of Minor League Baseball, some (maybe many) young players have missed the deeper instructions on Fundamentals of the game. But… he’s one even beyond that.. recently a young Chicago Cub outfielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong didn’t know how many outs there were in the 4^th inning as he caught a fly ball. He thought it was the 3^rd out, so tossed the ball into the stands. Much to his dismay, he found out it was only the 2^nd out and when he tossed the ball into the stands, It allowed the runner on 2b to advance 2 bases, thus scoring a run!   UGH!!! Even my many, many years of coaching youth baseball, that NEVER happened!  I bet from now on, one of the coaches will be yelling to “Crow-Armstrong frequently, “how many outs Pete”  😊

…One MLB team W/O ISSUES is the Oakland Athletics. A long-time cellar dweller, Oakland is still 28^th in the MLB (of 30 teams) in spending which is an “issue” for some observers.  Yet, here they are right at the America League midpoint in several batting categories–in 9^th of 16 teams in RUNS SCORED; 5^TH in AL in Home Runs; 11^th in stolen bases; 7^th in team batting average; 8^th in team OBP (on Base %). Congrats to them for their move upward in the American League stats with a limited, very limited budget.

…One team & one player on that team have some SERIOUS ISSUES! With major surgeries on the horizon, Alex Pietrangelo will likely be shut down and miss the entire 2025-26 season with the Las Vegas Golden Knights. That long layoff could lead him into the end of the road for this future Hall of Famer. As a non-hocky expert (as a matter of fact–I’m not an expert in anything!!) when the Blues parted with Pietrangelo they lost a leader, a defender who could ignite a quick counter attack and a defender who could actually handle the puck. They’ve still never quite replaced him.  I wish that the Blues could get him back ….ya know…have him for a short time (5-10 games-  going away gift) and let the fans show their love & support of Pietrangelo in person!!

….Here’s an NBA ISSUE (rarely do I touch on the NBA but this is fascinating to me)—The LA Lakers are read to crown Luka Dončić as the newest STAR of the team. Problem is….Lebron James may decide to pick up his $52.6 million player option for 25-26 season. James would have to swallow some “humility” salt if he DOES decide to return. For the 1^st time in his career, he would NOT be “THE MAN” to lead the team in crucial spots. Usually the last 5 minutes of an NBA game determines the winner and the SUPER STAR gets the ball frequently in those last frantic 5 minutes. From my eyes (that are NOT anywhere close to the situation), I’d ask the 40 year old James to “step aside”. It’d be tough!  Superstars have been spoiled the entire career so…asking him to step aside early, is a real concession. Keep your eyes on that situation.

…the NCAA faces some new ISSUES It’s money vs education. How much money will they allow players to earn each year? The newest modification in the NCAA is that the schools may now PAY their athletes. Oh, BOY!!! Where will it stop? Does their salary get tied into their academic or athletic performance (oops…just heard a loud chuckle from many of you)? For decades, if a player didn’t have 15 hours worth of credit with a 2.00 GPA, they’d be non-eligible with no payment of any sor for the next season. Even if they changed schools.  Those standards have been thrown out totally. Now, it’s all about catering to the super-star players for a year or 2 (when they leave).

….Maybe, there should just be an Athletic Work-Out Center established by NFL or NBA or even MLB to help these youngsters develop their skills for their future job instead of the college charade. Most of them(to my eyes), currently use very little, if any, of their college academics learning to better themselves. Add to that the wide open transfer portal; the stress between Head Coaches & Agents for the players; the normal stress of a player adjusting to college. All these ISSUES for players, coaches, and the institutions themselves have the college sports world spinning around without a real landing point in view.

…the MLB has really addressed some of their own ISSUES during 2025.There has been an Improved Contact Rate in the MLB. Since there’s more contact—there are fewer strikeouts. And..going 1 step further, with MLB strikeout percentage down significantly from recent seasons that leads us to an increase in batting average. That means –More hits, more runners on base, more runs! Then, there is an Increase in Stolen Base Attempts. (more action). Further, almost all Teams are increasingly more aggressive on the base paths as they challenge OF arms & accuracy frequently. It seems to me that the MLB has turned a page and is now seeking very talented athletes who play baseball well as young players and with the experience (and innate ability) will continue to improve into their 30’s .

…The MLB fans ISSUES  centered around more action, so the OWNERS wanted more action That led them to noticeable rise in stolen base attempts. The MLB wanted that result when they installed a limit on the number of throws to 1b Fans love the stolen base attempts, it’s lots of action that often leads to more runs/more excitement. For example, in the first 3 weeks of the 2025 season, the attempt rate for stolen bases was 7.8%, compared to 6.3% in 2023. Additionally, the success rate for stolen bases in the first three weeks was 79%, which is slightly down from 81% in 2023, but the overall number of stolen bases is higher due to more attempts.

….While we’re in the MLB…this is St. Louis….what about St. Louis players in the MLB? Players who were able to overcome the ISSUES of reaching the highest level-the MLB.   Jake Burger (CBC) played for the Chicago White Sox.  He’s played for the Miami Marlins, and currently the Texas Rangers. He was drafted by the White Sox in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft and made his debut in 2021. In 2023, he was traded to the Marlins, and then traded again to the Rangers during the 2024 Winter Meetings. Burger has primarily played third base, but also has experience at first base and second base, as well as DH.

…Relief pitcher, Devin Williams who attended Hazelwood West HS is in his 7^th season in the MLB! Another StL  High school player, Matt Vierling (CBC grad) is currently on the Detroit Tigers roster. He’s played in over 400 MLB games in his 5 career years in the MLB.

… the MLB has been facing an ISSUE for decades–Financial Disparity. There has ALWAYS been a wide difference in ownership’s financial status. But, the ever increasing difference in payrolls between teams leads to an uneven playing field which is not good for the sport.  It could lead to diminishing interest as fewer teams have a realistic chance of contending despite the expanded playoff teams. 12 of the 30 teams now reach the playoffs-that’s 40% of the teams in the entire league!! With this lower bar set for teams to reach the playoffs, expectations of the fans are should be elevated but won’t be if the salary scales are far apart.

…Fans sometimes have the idea that the team with the best regular season record should be a favorite in the post season. That might have been true decades ago prior to the expansion of the playoffs (see above). But, since 1998, only 7 of the teams in the last 27 years with the best regular season record have won the World Series.  Take a look– 1998 Yankees; 2007 Red Sox

2009 Yankees;2013 Red Sox; 2016 Cubs; 2018 Red Sox; 2020 Dodgers.

… I really DO think that the expansion of the many post-season series (which generates huge money for the MLB & their teams)  makes it much tougher for the “best” team to win all the post-season series & the World Series. One key error, a bad “start” for a pitcher, yada-yada-yada could end the post-season for any team.

…Well, that’ll wrap it up. It doesn’t mean that I’ve touched on ALL the ISSUES, not by a long shot! Thanks for your read & response. I’d urge you to send in ISSUES that you see that haven’t been mentioned or COMMENTS on the issues mentioned in this Buzz.. There are plenty… soooo… jump on it! Thanks!  Bob