MLB Reporters Miss Tailgating Opportunity
In an effort to catch the latest negotiations scoops, Evan Drellich and Bob Nightengale missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Starting on February 21, negotiating continents from MLB and the MLBPA have met for eight consecutive days and, well, you already know how that has progressed. All of the prominent MLB reporters have camped themselves outside the facility providing updates. Apparently, Nightengale even signed at least one autograph.
In addition to Nightengale, Drellich and Michael Silverman are confirmed present by their own amateur photography. There are undoubtedly a handful of other prominent writers in attendance as well.
Sitting in a car all day for more than a week is no one’s idea of a good time. My back aches just thinking about Drellich stuck like this in his driver’s seat playing Pokemon Go! all week. Obviously, this is an enormous missed tailgating opportunity. All week long the weather has been sunny and beautiful in Jupiter, Florida. Today, the high is 79°F and partly sunny. In every picture and video of people entering or leaving negotiations, they’re wearing polo shirts and sunglasses. All the media contingent needed to set up shop for the week is the following:
- A tent
- A grill
- Some folding tables and chairs
- Maybe a deck of cards
- A few coolers full of beverages
- Paper plates, utensils, and a roll of paper towels
- Food, detailed below
A little forethought and a trip to Target would have made this more like a vacation. Besides, some of these journos have to know a thing or two about grilling. I don’t know who this guy is, but he looks like he’s flipped a few burgers in his day:
Grilling Schedule
To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail.
- Day 1: Burgers– Start things off easy with a classic. The fancy stuff comes later on. However, there’s always room for creativity with seasonings. Fresh Jax makes some nice dry rub mixes if you’re not up to combining spices yourself.
- Day 2: Ribs– The logical next step.
- Day 3: Kebabs– Throw some peppers, onions, and tomatoes on a skewer with lamb or beef. Coat with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Day 4: Seafood- Tuna steaks and shrimp are the popular choices, but salmon is an underrated grilling fish. Put equal parts soy sauce, vegetable oil, and water in a large zipper bag, then add 1/4 cup of brown sugar and some fresh garlic. Marinate the salmon in the bag for an hour, flipping it every 15 minutes. Drain it and grill the fish for six minutes on each side. You’re welcome.
- Day 5: White meat- Marinate some chicken breasts and pork shoulders the night before.
- Day 6: Island grill- Jerk chicken, grilled oxtail, and cold ginger beer.
- Day 7: Vegetarian- Even the most devoted carnivore needs a break at this point. Eggplant is the way to go here, but don’t be afraid to get fancy with oil-and-balsalmic vinegar portobellas or honey sriracha pineapple slices.
- Day 8: Steakoff! Now that everyone has had a week of grilling boot camp, it’s time for the main event. Each competitor prepares and grills their own steak. Everyone votes on the winner, who retains bragging rights until the next labor stobbage.
In addition to being fun and fulfilling, a week of grilling could actually grease the wheels for the negotiators. Players and owners wouldn’t be able to resist joining the cookout at the end of the day’s negotiations (except for Rob Manfred, who takes his nourishment from drinking puppy tears). I’ve been part of labor negotiations with my own union, and it’s important for both sides to share meals together. It helps each side humanize each other while letting their guard down for a while. It builds relationships and trust.
Anyway, the opportunity has come and gone for the reporters. It’s too bad because if I’m confident in one thing, it’s that my salmon recipe can bring together even the most intractable enemies. Seriously, try it.
