Ben Wallace Proves Why Free Agency is Bad for Fans
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by user Andersed
If you're a Chicago Bulls fan, you may call me crazy. But the doubt you're feeling, the bittersweet departure you're likely to bid Tyson Chandler, the many, many millions you're paying Wallace; they might tell you something different.
Maybe this really splashy free agent signing won't actually help you that much. Does Wallace fit in with youngsters like Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, and Luol Deng? Sure, the signing creates some excitement. It'll sell a few season ticket packages. Just look at what happened with Reggie Bush in New Orleans.
But I'm a Seattle Mariners fan. I watched two offseasons ago when the M's signed Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre to huge deals totalling over 10 years and over $100 million on back-to-back days. The events actually compelled me to begin a sports blog that recently led me to ArmchairGM. Beltre and Sexson were the two power bats that the Mariners had ached for since 2001. But I knew something was wrong. My excitement, which led my friends and I to run around school with Beltre signs to show people with other leanings, was fleeting.
Beltre was coming off an anomalous season in a contract year. Sexson had a history of injuries and didn't hit much for average. Both guys would be playing in cavernous SAFECO Field. Not the greatest recipe for success, it seemed. At this point, it looks like those doubts hiding behind my elation were the correct emotions. Those guys certainly aren't worth the money, though they've recently been productive.
I'm not saying that Wallace will have trouble in Chicago because the United Center's floor is more difficult to jump from. He doesn't have to deal with wind. The fans will love him. NBA players are far more consistent than MLB players because the conditions are much more normalized and outside factors don't have the same impact.
I am saying that these free agent signings aren't the beginning of a new era for Chicago. Bulls fans should be more excited by homegrown players like Hinrich or Gordon. Just look at the Minnesota Twins' success behind superstars all developed in their farm system. I'm much more partial to Ichiro because he's always been a Mariner. His career is unadulterated.
Also, if you're a Pistons fan, this signing ruins your entire offseason. All fans are emotionally unstable humans. It's the nature of our existence. What can the Pistons do now? They don't have much money, they're coming off a surprising and depressing loss in the conference finals, and the center market is weak.
Free agency sucks. I still remember checking ESPN.com in the middle of English class to discover that A-Rod had signed with the Rangers (remember that?) for $252 million. Of course, the M's won 116 games the next season. I remember KNOWING Beltre could never fulfill expectations. I remember having to trade Randy Johnson (and later, ironically, having to trade Freddy Garcia, who he was traded for) because there was no hope of signing him. I remember Ken Griffey Jr. leaving for Cincinnati and ruining his golden career.
There are few great players in any sport who change teams more than once or twice. Check it. We'll see if I can generate commenters who disagree with me.
This signing should give fans in Chicago and Detroit something to worry about.
Date
Mon 07/03/06, 7:58 pm EST
