Max Scherzer joining Porsche amid MLB lockout is a hot topic for all the wrong reasons

Several major media outlets are furious that Max Scherzer drove a Porsche to MLB CBA negotiations

After months of cat-and-mouse play, MLB and the players’ union finally intensified their negotiations this week, hoping to get end the lockout and the start of spring training.

If the two sides fail to reach an agreement by the end of February, MLB says the regular season will be delayed and missed games will not be made up. Spring training games have already been pushed back to March;

This would be the second shortened season in three years, with the coronavirus pandemic reducing the 2020 season from 162 games to 60. With that memory still present, tensions are high and morale is low.

On Wednesday, media coverage of the negotiations took a turn for the ridiculous, but not because of the meetings themselves.

It was more of a car.

That’s right, instead of focusing on the fact that MLB is in grave danger of another truncated season, the “news” was that the mainstream media was losing its mind over the fact that Max Scherzer, one of key figures on the players’ side in this matter. dead end, drives a Porsche. The Associated Press and Fox News were among those whose media coverage focused on the wrong thing.

If you think it’s elitist and ostentatious for a professional athlete to own a hot sports car, wait until you hear about his new boss, Steve Cohen – whose art collection alone is valued at a cool billion – or any of the other billionaire team owners on the other side of the negotiating table. Never mind the fact that Scherzer made his money through elite talent, while people like Phillies principal owner John Middleton were lucky enough to be the descendant of a Pennsylvania tobacco magnate.

Naturally, rational people cheered at a high volume.

What is clear from the AP’s continued coverage of the MLB lockout and collective bargaining agreement negotiations is that they are in the league’s pocket. The principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, John Henry, also owns the Boston Globe, and their coverage is not as blatant. And as another media member pointed out, it’s hypocritical:

But here’s what really makes the outrage over Scherzer’s Porsche so ridiculous. He’s one of the highest-paid players in the history of the game, but he goes into these meetings to negotiate for the little guys, and they far outnumber the players in his tax bracket. More than 50% of MLB players made minimum salary in 2021, and while that’s more money than most of us mere mortals make in a year (or five), it’s nothing in comparison to the enormous income their employers bring in thanks to them.

Scherzer is intended for life, and a few dozen lifetimes after that; he could be sitting at home or working out preparing for a season that may never come, but instead he’s fighting for an increase in Major League minimums and an end to manipulation of service time.

The Mets’ new ace’s commitment to doing the right thing isn’t surprising, as he and his wife are known for their philanthropy. Between 2015 and 2021, they were the organizers of the Washington Nationals Philanthropies. largest individual donors. They are also known for their work with rescued animals. Last year he was the Nationals’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Awardawarded annually to the MLB player who “best exemplifies baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and individual contribution to his team.”

Scherzer fights for baseball. It’s abundantly clear which side the AP is fighting for, and it’s a terrible picture in more ways than one.