Lexington Legends Lose MLB Affiliate Status

[KYExtemper]

I was surprised that I had not seen a thread yet on the Lexington Legends losing their status as the Kansas City Royals Low A affiliate due to the MLB's decision to take over and reorganize the major leagues. The Legends had been on the chopping block since the proposal was first discussed so this isn't shocking but it is a major bummer. The team says that they will still play baseball in 2021 but I have to figure that it's a totally different ballgame trying to make it as an independent organization. Just a really sad day for baseball in the city.

https://www.kentucky.com/sports/mlb/lexington-legends/article247726930.html

 

[Comebakatz3]

Really hate this restructuring. I hate it for the teams, the cities, the fans, and the players. I just fail to see any real silver lining in it, outside of it making MLB more money. There is also the very real possibility that MLB attempts to micromanage the minors and the things that made minor league baseball great (crazy team names, promotions, and a home town feel) become a thing of the past.

 

[nickp91]

sad day for Lexington baseball fans

 

[KYExtemper]

Really hate this restructuring. I hate it for the teams, the cities, the fans, and the players. I just fail to see any real silver lining in it, outside of it making MLB more money. There is also the very real possibility that MLB attempts to micromanage the minors and the things that made minor league baseball great (crazy team names, promotions, and a home town feel) become a thing of the past.

I've talked to a lot of people around the country about this and none of them really understand the MLB's rhyme or reason. Destroying baseball in local communities does nothing for the sport's outreach and fans in these areas aren't just going to tune into the big league clubs that used to operate in their towns. They may just give up on following the sport altogether.

Rob Manfred is easily the worst commissioner of the big sports leagues. I swear that guy doesn't even like baseball.

 

[CB3UK]

Manfred needs to friggin go yesterday. Hes a clown. Total suit only beholden to owners.


If you want to grow the game the best way is to ensure younger fans develop an interest in it by going to the park.

Baseball, and Id argue hockey, are just infinitely better going to the game. Baseball is about going to the park with your dad. Sitting back and relaxing.

Terrible day for us indeed. I usually go to 5-10 games a year. Love thirsty Thursday! Also loved all the local Mexican food vendore they had on Fridays. Good eating!

 

[Tskware]

I used to go, have not been in years, go to UK games instead, which I can now walk to. But I understand the decision, MLB, like all pro sports, has taken a HUGE hit to the bottom line in 2020, something has to give. Each team still has four minor league teams, so there are still over 120 minor league franchises in the US, baseball is not going away, but everything will change with the new economic reality.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I used to go, have not been in years, go to UK games instead, which I can now walk to. But I understand the decision, MLB, like all pro sports, has taken a HUGE hit to the bottom line in 2020, something has to give. Each team still has four minor league teams, so there are still over 120 minor league franchises in the US, baseball is not going away, but everything will change with the new economic reality.

I believe that this was in the works and planned well before 2020. It just happened to coincide. I don't know all the details, but MLB and MiLB were (or were) technically separate entities that work in conjunction with one another. They have separate offices and worked more as a partnership than anything else. That ended September 30, 2020 when a contract ended. MLB decided, seemingly up to a year prior to that date, that they were not going to continue the agreement as they had for decades and would instead start operating minor league baseball on their own. MiLB offices will be (or were) shuttered and they will move to MLB headquarters. MLB gets more revenue and lowers costs by cutting 42 teams.

This very well could absolutely ruin minor league baseball. Especially given that MLB is taking over merchandising rights. So, it would not surprise me to see many of these awesome and unique teams die off and we see more Mississippi Braves type bullcrap teams.

 

[KYExtemper]

I agree that this move by the MLB could ruin what makes minor league baseball great. I can see ticket prices increases, fun team names/promotions getting killed off, etc. You know Manfred will do whatever he can to make a buck.

I just don't really see how the Legends stay viable going forward unless they can scoop a new affiliation deal. Going independent has a lot of costs and I'm skeptical people will want to come out for independent baseball.

Edit: It's also sad that the Reds don't want to scoop up the Legends since they have better facilities and attendance than Daytona, but I heard they chose that location over Lexington because its closer to other minor league clubs. Since these minor league deals are 10-year agreements, Lexington's only chance of getting back in the game would be if the MLB's plans for expansion post-COVID (that could bring 2 more teams into the league) allow it to latch onto someone new. But as a Reds fan I'd love Cincinnati to eventually make a deal with Lexington.

 

[CB3UK]

Glad to hear the Legends have landed on their feet and aren't going anywhere. Can't wait to get out to the park in June!

 

[Comebakatz3]

The Appalachian League is apparently becoming a collegiate summer baseball league and they have recently released a bunch of new team names and logos. It is great. Love the creativity and how many of them connect to their area and such. Best name so far is the Burlington Sock Puppets.