Now there are reports that the Yankees want MLB to investigate DRays owner Vince Naimoli for possibly misleading the Yankees re: the Rays travel plans.
I went back and read the news articles leading up to and including the event. If you read between the lines it sure seems that Naimoli had something to do with the Yankees believing that the Rays would be there for the game on time. I would not put it past him at all. The guy is a total asshole. I don't know about the other owners but there cannot be any worse than Naimoli. The guy has the lowest payroll in the league (28MM) and they made a profit of 7.5MM last year. He is surly, treats his front office like whipping boys, and bitches out loud at the fans for not showing up to the games. I can definitely see him leading the Yankees on and making them believe that 'we are trying as hard as we can' to make the game. GM Chuck LeMar said that the manager and players decided on Friday that they would ride out the storm with their families and leave as soon as they could on Monday for the game. If Naimoli would have been up front with the Yankees, told them the situation and what they intended to do, the Yankees could have made whatever arrangements they wanted to re:the fans and the later start.
You notice George has not had any comment. He is probably so pissed at Naimoli that he really wants to fuck with him now. George doesn't get mad, he gets even.
There has been no mention of the MLBPlayers Association in all this but I think it would really come down to them if this goes any further. If Naimoli would have picked up the phone and said 'George, my manager and players have decided to come up on Monday' what would George have done? He could have complained to the commissioners office who would go to the MLBPA. I think the MLBPA has enough clout and the circumstances were complelling enough that the commissioners office would just fine the MLBPA some token amount and say 'Clear it with us first next time'. But instead Naimoli lies to the Yankees, leads them on and then says 'Tough'. Once again, totally in character for Naimoli.
This doesn't mean that the Yankees are still not the 'evil empire'
, but I think the blame for this whole situation should fall right where it belongs, not on the DRays players, not on the Yankees, but on the ASSHOLE owner of the Rays, Vincent (Do you know who I am?) Naimoli.