WORLD CUP DOTH RUNNETH OVER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JUNE 15, 2026) — THE PLANET has watched with amusement the hysteria over the World Cup, now being played at venues in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Not since Peter Marhcetti screamed his latest, red-faced “BITCH!!” have we been this excited, except perhaps the day we received our Captain Midnight membership package way back in the dim and distant past, complete with a facsimile signature of Richard Webb.
The World Cup has joined the pantheon of overhyped, overrated spectacles taking hold in the cities hosting matches. This includes Boston, as you may have heard, Athens of the East and the pride of LGBTQIA2S+LMNOP. If the world could be blessed with another faux pandemic and games could be conducted without fans, we could then enjoy the quality of the play itself, which in soccer is light years above previous iterations.
THE PLANET at Ralph Houk news conference. From left, Peter Gammons, Bob Ryan, Dan Valenti.
Same can’t be said, of course, for the game we used to know as “baseball” ( from the current Newspeak dictionary: n., at the Major League level, a meaningless contest between two teams of nine players each, conducted in outdoor amusement parks where the game is the side show. The game is now extinct except in unrecognizable versions where quality is frowned upon and “participation” rewarded). MLB has been dying since 1989, when Kirby Puckett shocked the world by signing a three-year contract worth (gasp!) $9 million. As for kids, they’re kicking soccer balls not shagging flies.
When this contract was announced, THE PLANET was ensconced at the Clinton Inn in Tenafly, NJ, with baseball great Tommy John, where we engaged in marathon taping sessions for the book that eventually became “TJ: My 26 Years in Baseball.” The New York Times Book Review panned the title, which immediately sent it shooting up in sales. It turned incredible lucrative for the two of us, but nothing like the Puckett contract.
Fast forward to today, when $9 million might buy you the services of a middling utility guy or an innings eater out of the bullpen.
———- ooo ———-
TJ was the apex of a run of baseball titles with major publishers that was, in the words of the immortal Chico Estela, “beddy beddy goot to me.” THE PLANET‘s highlight came in early March, 1981, in Winter Haven, FL at Chain O’Lakes Park, when we talked Red Sox manager Ralph Houk into letting us suit up in Boston home whites for an intrasquad game between teams managed by Sox coaches Johnny Pesky and Eddie Yost. We played one inning defensively for the Peskys, replacing none other than Jim Rice. The closest we came to the ball was when Chico Walker blooped a Mark Clear pitch into left field. We charged, had a bead on the ball, but shortstop Glenn Hoffman backpedaled and made the catch. Guess you could say we had fulfilled our childhood dream of playing left for the Sox.
Although periodic baseball titles emerged in subsequent years to 1990 (Talking on Air, 2000; Under a Grapefruit Sun, 2007; and Baseball Comes Home, 2008), our books since have been largely of a literary bent, with the exception of our tome on film director Stanley Kubrick from last year.
We got out of the baseball business at the right time, a second before MLB took an ill-fated turn into capitalistic greed. IT led to a generation of pampered athletes who wouldn’t last three minutes in the physically crunching games of football and hockey or the lung-burning tilts on hardwood and the soccer pitch.
Take Red Sox wannabe star Roman Anthony. Please.
He’s in the first year of an eight-year contract extension of $130 million. All guaranteed. He also hasn’t played in a game since May 4. Prior to that, Anthony played in 30 games hitting .229 with 1, count ’em 1, home run and a measly 5 RBI. Guess $130 million doesn’t buy what it used to.
———- ooo ———-
THE PLANET‘s point is that sports have been elevated beyond their internal capacity for producing pastimes. They’re trying to fill the gigantic, gaping wound, that oozing hole in the collective soul, experienced since the retreat of organized religion, the absence of collaborative politics, the rise of drug use, and the crushing pace of technological change. Of course, they’re failing and will continue to fail, evidenced by the non-critical aspects of gullible customers who shell out hundreds and thousands for tickets and merchandise.
Having said all this, we found ourselves earlier this spring with two press passes (worth how much?) to cover the World Cup games at Gillette. We passed them along to a colleague. THE PLANET wouldn’t write about soccer anymore than we would write-for-hire about baseball today.
You see, we’ve already done our time.
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“The surest way to win is simply to outscore your opponent” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Copyright (c) 2026 By Dan Valenti, PLANET VALENTI and EUROPOLIS MANAGEMENT. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. Those who leave comments own all the responsibilities that are or can be attached to those comments, be they rhetorical, semantic, or legal. Such commentators remain solely responsible for what they post and shall be and remain solely accountable for their words. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in, but not limited to, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. We serve as a marketplace of ideas, without prejudice and available to all. All users of this site — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else — hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice and their use of/participation in this site. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.
When will their be Summer League Baseball in Pittsfield again?
How much money will Pittsfield spend on the Wahconah Park boondoggle?
What will cost the Kapanski’s more money? All of the 6-figure earning Pittsfield employees or the Wahconah Park boondoggle?
On July 01, 2026, the Kapanski’s will strike out when the close to one-quarter-of-one-BILLION-dollar fiscal year 2027 Pittsfield municipal operating budget spending spree starts. It will GAME OVER on day “One….Pittsfield”.
Soccer is a real kick….in the Pittsfield’ taxpayers’….pockets….by Earl and the 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics pounding, pummeling, pulverizing, punishes people’s purses….by always spending tens of millions of dollars per fiscal year MORE than Pittsfield’s peer small cities.
And QRSTUV and panties in a pear tree.
Dan, that name Pesky sounds familiar. Something about a pole, perhaps Pesky pole. Is that on the right field line at Fenway, and if so how did it get its name?
Why all the commotion on Melville near first street last night? Cops everywhere ambulance.
On Sunday June 14th 2026 at approximately 9:43pm, Pittsfield Police Department
(PPD) officers responded to Melville Street for a report of a stabbing victim. Upon
arrival, officers located a 41-year-old man who sustained a stab wound to the face. The
victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center where he was treated for a serious,
although not life threatening injury.
This incident is currently under investigation and anyone who wishes to report
information is asked to contact Detective Bryan Betters at 413-448-9700 x533.
Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to
TIP411 (847411.) No further information will be provided at this time.
Yes. The Pesky Pole. It got its name from the fact that Johnny Pesky, a .300 singles and doubles hitter, had little power. But he batted left-handed, and in one game, he pulled a ball down the rf line. It hit the yellow foul pole for a HR. The stands just 302 feet from home plate (some claim the actual distance may be closer to 295 feet). Teammate Mel Parnell came up with the name. The papers printed it, and it stuck. Other notable features of Fenway: Canvas Alley, the Pesky Pole, Williamsburg, the Red Seat, the Triangle, Conig’s Corners, the Green Monster, the Citgo sign.
Your old stomping ground is alive and well Dan. Deming has Little League and Babe Ruth, and it was hopping today, like most weekend days this time of year. The shitters are still half broken, the parking lot is about 10 sizes too small, but a good time was had by all this past weekend. Those kids are real athletes, playing with their hands, not kicking around a ball like a bunch of sissies! Most of the kids speak English too.
TELL
Good to hear. But where are the sandlot games? Back in the day, Deming had four official diamonds and two make-shift ones. I can recall days where ALL SIX were in play–not organized, adult-led ball but kids in charge, leading themselves and honing their skills. Deming was packed all day until closing. It was clean. They had a great Activities program in summer. And who can forget the great park officer, Mr. Leslie, who kept things running smoothly. Whatever punks and bullies he didn’t take care of, the kids had our own enforcement teams. What I don’t like about the current Deming is how it’s all chopped up in segments.
Probably over $200,000 taxpayer coins to take care of Clapp Park ball filed annually.
Soccer players get a lot more cardio than bench sitting baseball players. Baseball players use soft padded mitts to catch the ball so they don’t hurt their little hands and all kinds of protective padding. The catcher dresses like a hockey goalie fer gods sake. Far less pot bellies in soccer as well.
I’d love to see these big, bad baseball players last a full 90 minutes on the soccer field. Most of the kids may speak English, but I guarantee if they are in PPS, they can’t read beyond the menu at Five Guys
Dan
Thank Sonia Sotomayor, for ruining baseball, she single handily gave the spoiled players, victory over the owners.Ending the strike by judicial fiat, typical of bougie imperialistic elitist, demon rat, nominated judge.
Seeing the pattern yet?
The Planet completely missed the forest because of the trees, venting frustration about death of America’s past time, while failing to do an autopsy.
I’m perplexed, how an intelligent person, would not investigate, the reason and pathology, of baseball’s demise. After claiming to love it,
Lack of curiosity, fear of reality?
6/15/26@9:30am
Tom
Look at all of the violence that is happening after these sports events. The Knicks win and the fans tear down the city. If their team lost, they would do the same thing. The word “fan” comes from fanatic and, sadly, too many followers of sports don’t know how to act responsibly. Fans acting like animals is destroying the reputation of these sports events.
Sotomayor’s ruling was icing on the cake that had already long been baked. I remember an incident at Fenway Park in 1991. The Sox had a pretty decent pitcher, Greg Harris, who was truly ambidextrous. I saw him throw BP as a righty and lefty, with equal and amazing effectiveness. He had a unique glove that could be used on both hands. He wanted to pitch both ways in an official game, throwing right-handed to righty batters and as a lefty to left-handed hitters. It would have been great to see and great for the game. Commission Fay Vincent, however, ruled against it, so as to “preserve the integrity of the game.” Here’s the punch line: That very game, the Sox had a promotion with Kodak film/camera company. Before and during the game, a mascot dressed up as a giant roll of Kodak film sauntered around the field, doing silly mascot things and tossing freebies to the crowd. THAT, apparently, did not at all impugn the “integrity of the game.” That’s the moment I realized it was OVER.
New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto is baseball’s highest-paid player, due to collect an estimated $126.9 million in 2025 before taxes and agents’ fees, and Los Angeles Dodgers two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani will join him in the nine-figure club with an estimated $102 million. Previously, MLB’s top earnings figure was Ohtani’s $65 million in 2023. (No football player, meanwhile, has exceeded Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s 2024 total of $96.3 million in a single league year.)
Dan. They called me Mr. Baseball as a kid. Not only could I play I knew everything about every player. I used to look in the Eagle for the box scores. I wanted to emulate myself with the best players. I noticed Yaz was always getting at least two or three hits sometimes in games. He was the guy. Problem was I wasn’t left handed. Then I heard of this guy in Pittsburg and followed him awhile and would get to see him on t v
Roberto Clemente.
I fell in love with his style of hitting and he was also a gold glover. I actually even mimicked his batting stance which was unorthodox at best. Ended up leading my league in hitting and made several headlines in the Berkshire Eagle.
I don’t know what happened. But I can’t watch one inning let alone a whole game anymore. My point it became all about the money. I really think Free Agency was the demise of Baseball. That’s why something like our Pittsfield Red Sox were so popular. They were like family and not likely to leave that organization (Red Sox). Congrats to the Knicks fan for a long time.
Another hole in the collective soul is what is being done to families. New York Democrats want to get rid of the words “mother” and “father”. They want to replace these words with “gestating parent” and non-gestating parent” Republicans are saying these changes are meant to erase traditional family roles. Add to that all of the gender confusion that is being pushed by the schools and culture and the family is clearly under attack.
One thing I do like about the World Cup is that people who have never been to America before are seeing and posting on the internet the great things about our country. Everything from biscuits and gravy in the deep south to our level of freedom to drive anywhere we want. Most Europeans bike everywhere. Most Europeans only hear bad things about our country, but the World Cup is spreading the word that there is so much to love about America.
And Healy signed a bill to change Mass Law to sissify the language. A handicapped person can no longer be referred to as such, and so on and so forth.
Reflecting Pool Algae Issue After $14.2M Renovation
The Department of Interior says “state of the art” filtration known as the “ozone nanobubbler” has been installed and is working.
“Due to deploying the advanced nanobubbler technology, the algae is dead and being vacuumed up as we speak,” a Department of Interior spokesperson told CNN. “The nanobubbler technology has successfully destroyed the algae bloom that has plagued every pool reopening.”
The spokesperson also told CNN that hydrogen peroxide is being used as a “milder treatment” for algae in addition to the nanobubbler, adding that it has “no harmful side effects to marine life or to the environment.”
Previous administrations have had the same problem. The difference is that President Trump is trying to solve the problem.
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Great Barrington Forensic Audit — Key Findings and FalloutA forensic audit released by CBIZ Forensic Consulting Group in June 2026 has exposed serious contract and financial management issues in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, tied to a major infrastructure project and a resulting lawsuit.
Project BackgroundIn July 2024, the town entered into a $1,097,075 contract with Morais Contractors Inc. (f/k/a Morais Concrete Services) to install new underground drainage systems and perform hot asphalt mix trench repairs The Berkshire Edge. The work was completed over two years, but the contractor claims the town failed to pay for work beyond the original scope.
LawsuitMorais filed a Hampden Superior Court lawsuit in April 2026, alleging unpaid invoices totaling $748,820.30 (June 2025) and $74,091.83 (August 2025). The town claims these were approved by the project engineer and town officials, but failed to pay within 15 days under Massachusetts law, leaving the contractor owed $869,395.61 plus interest The Berkshire Edge.
Audit FindingsThe forensic report found:
Leadership ActionsFollowing the audit’s release, DPW Superintendent Joseph Aberdale and Town Planner Chris Rembold were placed on paid administrative leave The Berkshire Edge. Hartsgrove has been contacted but has not yet responded to media queries The Berkshire Edge.
Next StepsThe audit is ongoing, with the town aiming to fully understand its financial position before proceeding with future projects or services WAMC Northeast Public Radio. The June 29, 2026 special town meeting will address warrant articles in light of the findings The Berkshire Edge.
In summary: The Great Barrington forensic audit has uncovered contract mismanagement, unauthorized approvals, and a significant unpaid contractor bill, prompting leadership changes and a push for transparency before the town moves forward with infrastructure work.
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NOW THEN IF YOU DO NOT LOOK YOU WILL NOT FIND SUCH STUFF.
PITTSFIELD DOES NOT WANT TO EVEN LOOK (FOR SOME REASON)
Yeah … for some strange reason. Gosh. Wonder why. Nice one, JUST.
Take a look at these numbers when thinking about Mayor Lumpy’s $232,000,000 budget for Bitchfield next year:
*Based on global forensic data and municipal audit standards, an estimated $11.6 million to $23.2 million of a $232 million municipal budget could be vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.
Where would that money go you ask?
71.5% Personnel Costs (~$166 million): Composed of municipal and school employee salaries, healthcare, and pensions. Fraud risks here look like payroll padding, ghost employees, and abuse of overtime hours (a common pain point in municipal police and public works departments).
28.5% Vendor and Capital Contracts (~$66 million): Composed of construction, supplies, and third-party services. This area is historically the highest risk for pure financial fraud, taking the form of bid-rigging, invoice double-billing, or kickbacks.
This is why you’ll NEVER see the City of Bitchfield’s finances audited.
**You don’t allow a person to fraudulently use taxpayer money (ARPA) to fund an all-expense paid family and friend’s African vacation; so, they could “explore their roots,” without expecting an authentic African-made handbag filled with African goodies and of course, American greenbacks.
You’d be surprised how and where arpa monies went, And were they really warranted.? I know one business that never did any business especially in the winter and was given a gold mine of cash.
So.Where does the Miss Halls case going?
230 million budget. PUKE
Pittsfield Baseball mob was sure to screw the Bossidy bucks parks plan by taking over all areas that were made. There were soccer/lacrosse fields that just seemed to turn into baseball fiefdoms were sandlot kids or small families are not allowed to play.
On another subject did anyone see the city’s “princess Lumpy” at any High School Graduation? Wasn’t the Pride mayor/School Committee President obligated to attend both? Or did the princess decide to bitchslap the whole city’s graduation class of 2026
SHIRL
It doesn’t look like Lumpy attended any of the graduations. He wasn’t at the PHS one. Neither was Queen Latifah. Must be too embarrassed about the poor job they’re doing.