Klawchat 10/31/19.

My second book, The Inside Game: Bad Calls, Strange Moves, and What Baseball Behavior Teaches Us About Ourselves, will be out on April 21, 2020. You can pre-order it now on HarperCollins’ site.

I ranked the top 25 board games of the 2010s for Paste this week, and also wrote about some recent programming games, where players issue instructions as if they were writing code, over at Ars Technica.

Keith Law: Conquering the worm. Klawchat.

Joe Torre: No question…I just wanted to say Thank You to Anthony Rendon for bailing us out in Game 6
Keith Law: The umps got it right, though. The rule is pretty clear, and while it’s seldom invoked, the call on the field was correct – and not reviewable.

DF: Is the Pirates offense being held back by bad drafting or bad development? Picking guys with good bat to ball skills in the swing change era feels like to right approach to me, but it isn’t translating to the power numbers other teams are generating.
Keith Law: I think they had a development approach that gave up power for contact, but changed that last year.

Lee D, LA: Keith — Dodgers better off spending $200M+ on Cole than Rendon, right?
Keith Law: Not sure I agree – or disagree. Both would help.

Andy: To anyone who is happy about Deadspin dying: Do you work a job where a new boss came in, made a ton of changes that made the job less fun, less personal, and less profitable? Did you and your co-workers loudly complain about it, but ultimately did nothing? Well the writers of Deadspin didn’t. They left. It’s possible (even likely) to not agree with all the sites/writers decisions, and mourn the loss of a vibrant community somewhat related to sports.
Keith Law: Very well said. I wouldn’t say I liked all their content, or all of their writers, even. That is far from saying I don’t support them, or rue the absence of a site that revels in anti-authoritarian viewpoints.

Brian: Is the 2nd half of 2020 a realistic time frame to start seeing Lynch, Singer & Kowar brought up to the Royals or is 2021 more likely?
Keith Law: I expect them all to see the majors in 2020 if healthy.

TomBruno23: What should I tell my Royals friends who apoplectic with rage at the hiring of The Leader of Men?
Keith Law: … except that I’m not sure I want one of the worst tactical managers of the last decade doing anything with those young pitchers.

Tribe called jest: Better long term offensive profile, Abrams or Royce Lewis?
Keith Law: Lewis. But Abrams has more chance to play short.

Andy: I hope there’s a chapter in your next book about how teams make bad decisions based on interviews, instead of looking at the track record. I mean seriously, who can look at Matheny’s time at the Cardinals and think, that’s the guy who should be managing a young team?
Keith Law: Or any team, really. This is *such* a retrograde decision, and I think it’ll hold the Royals back for a while.

Karma1 Astros 0: Any chance for George Kirby to be more than a 4-5 starter?
Keith Law: Yes.

Lone Star: Higher on Jung or Baty at the plate? I know Jung is a better bet at defensive value.
Keith Law: Baty. I don’t agree with that on Jung; both may end up at 1b.

Sam: How does Cole not get in the game last night? There were multiple high leverage spots they could have used him and saving him for the lead also made no sense. Is there anything to the argument you want him to start an inning clean and not bring him in middle inning with runners on?
Keith Law: This to me is the only thing Hinch did wrong last night. Cole should have been in the game sooner. But ultimately the failing was on the players; Harris is a great reliever and didn’t execute. (Also, Kendrick hit a pretty good pitch.) Harris gets that additional out and we’re not having this conversation.

Devon: True or False: the best part of the World Series was Trump and friends getting booed?
Keith Law: False. Although I think it’s perfectly fine that he was booed. The civility pearl-clutchers really lost their moral high ground when Trump mocked a disabled reporter.

Concerned Fan: What can MLB really do to the Astros about their pretty clear and brazen negative culture in their front office? Obviously they could dock them draft picks or apply some other punitive penalty, but how do you actually *fix* that?
Keith Law: I can’t agree with the premise – we don’t really know about their culture; I think you’re inferring something that might be true and it might not – but *IF* the culture is negative and pervasive, you target the people at the top who created and/or tolerated it.

Bruce: I’m a lover of non-fiction and have recently read a couple of books you reviewed including Bad Blood and Amity and Prosperity. Both were great – can you recommend any others that you enjoyed?
Keith Law: Just recently: Billion-Dollar Whale, The Queen, The Drunkard’s Walk, The Rise & Fall of the Dinosaurs, Big Chicken.

Bruce: Josh Hader for Corey Seager?
Keith Law: I would not trade Seager, a potential 7-WAR everyday player, for any reliever.

Braves: What do you think the Braves rotation looks like by mid-next year? Only three guys I feel (somewhat) confident in are Soroka, Fried, and Folty, but each have some red flags. Apparently Newcomb wants to try starting again, but where do you they the additional 2-3 starters they’ll need to get through the year come from?
Keith Law: I wouldn’t mind seeing them add an innings guy to back up that group, which could also include Touki or Wright or Wilson at some point.

Dr. Bob: I don’t believe in Karma so the Nats win was not caused by Houston’s Taubman fiasco. But I have to admit to a little schadenfreude over the whole thing.
Keith Law: Agreed. The team that traded for Osuna, then proclaimed a “zero tolerance” policy on domestic violence, then taunted a reporter who took a strong, principled stand on the matter, lost, and the pitcher who recorded the last out for the other team is a two-time TJ recipient who was criticized for leaving the team to go attend to the birth of his child. Sometimes the story just works out.

Greg P: Klaw – will the balls be switching back to 2018 levels next year? Does MLB have any idea what their balls are doing?
Keith Law: So, we’re just not doing phrasing any more?
Keith Law: I get the sense MLB wants to restore the baseball’s physical characteristics to pre-2019 levels.

Steve: Have you read Poz’s Houdini book yet? Picked it up this week and it’s riveting so far.
Keith Law: Yes, tore through it in about four days. Really enjoyed it – but I just happen to really like Joe’s writing, too.

The Pirate Parrot: Meadows, Glasnow, and Baz for Archer? Who says no? ???
Keith Law: No takebacks!

Epsthoyet: Do I take a chance on an import and use only cash to get Shogo Akiyama to fill a couple of holes, or do I once again deplete my farm system and trade for Merrifield? I may have a cheaper and younger Merrifield on my team already in Hoerner though, no?
Keith Law: No idea if Merrifield is even available, but I wouldn’t trade multiple prospects for him. He’s helpful, but not the solution.

Nelson: Strasburg can do better than 4/100 on the market this winter, right?
Keith Law: Yes.

JR: Cole going to be well rested for opening day for his new team. Kidding aside, do you think Cole told the coaches he didn’t have it, or did AJ mess this up?
Keith Law: I did wonder if Cole said he couldn’t go – or even declined to pitch – and Hinch is covering for his guy. No idea, though.

Frank: We know the Giants are going to give bumgardner a QO. If you are them would you give one to Will Smith as well?
Keith Law: Probably not, but Smith is pretty good as relievers go. Just not sure he’s worth the QO salary.

Pat D: How much did this World Series increase the likelihood of robo-umps in the near future?
Keith Law: I hope by 1000%.

Mike: Will JD opt out?
Keith Law: I’m assuming yes.

Eric: Who’s reading the audio version of the new book?
Keith Law: Don’t know yet. I think we decided that in January last time around?

jack: I want to get into reading novels… any first suggestions?
Keith Law: Depends on what you like. I really got into reading in high school with science fiction, especially Asimov’s Foundation novels. They just spoke to me, but they might not speak to you. I imagine there’s a whole generation of readers out there who fell in love with books through Harry Potter.

Mike: With Brandon Marsh having a great fall league, where is he looking to be at in the Top 100?
Keith Law: Fall league performances don’t affect my rankings. He was already on the top 100, FYI.

XyXyX: What do you do this offseason if you are Texas? Houston is still a monster, they’ve got some interesting young players but they all have big questions, and the farm system is just so-so. Do you spend big this offseason with a new park opening up and try to build on a surprising 2019, or do you punt 2020 and look to contend again in 2021 or beyond?
Keith Law: Can’t imagine them punting, but I don’t think they can spend their way to contention in one offseason. Would imagine they’d make one big splash, to try to be more competitive in 2020, while also trying to build.

Mike: Weird question: need a good iPhone case — suggestions??
Keith Law: Not weird at all. I have an inexpensive case from tech21 that has protected my phone many times, plus a ZAGG screen protector (lifetime warranty, and I have absolutely used that feature).

HH: For those of us who will miss baseball until February: the Australian Baseball League is a nascent league with their season during US winters. They stream most games on youtube and it’s awesome to watch a league grow up before your eyes. Highly recommended (and I’m just a fan.)
Keith Law: Very true. Some MLB teams have sent prospects or fringe guys there to get them more playing time.

Raul: Obvs Cole and Stras make sense for the Padres. But so do Wheeler and Odorizzi. Do those types of arms push San Diego into WC contention if signed?
Keith Law: It’s all “yes if” for them. If Tatis Jr plays a full season, if Urias hits like he did throughout the minors, if one of their existing young starters takes a step forward, then they’re a player or two away from 90+ wins.

Zach D: So this is an overly simplified question, but which situation is better for manager – Mets or Phillies. (Roster, payroll, farm, ownership. Not media or family factors)
Keith Law: Philly.

Jon Coleman: You like the Bloom hire for Boston? How extreme do you think the makeover will be?
Keith Law: Love the hire. He’ll be great. I expect small changes at first, and never a big makeover.

Wamco: I cannot understand why people seem to hate Bryce Harper so much….why do you think that is?
Keith Law: I think because he was so good so young, and was kind of unapologetic about it. And now because he makes so much money. Those are not good reasons.

HeHateMeTeam: Do you ever get irritated about how intense people react to your opinions and preferences? Whether it’s your disinterest in The Sopranos or your preference for toolsy, high-ceiling prospects affecting minor differences in your rankings, people seem to go nuts over subjective topics.
Keith Law: Irritated is probably not the right word; flummoxed, maybe. Note that this almost never happens in person, though – it’s only online.

Paul: The Giants’ managerial search is “focused on” Joe Espada, Gabe Kapler, and Pedro Grifol (source: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/sources-giants-down-three-can…). Who gets your vote?
Keith Law: Big Kapler fan. He was the scapegoat in Philly, and definitely not the reason the team didn’t get to the playoffs this year. Has strong developmental experience too, which is a good fit for the Giants going forward.

E: Almost through Why We Sleep based on your recommendation. Love it. I feel like it should be required reading for every high school student in the country.
Keith Law: And every school administrator who thinks a 7:25 am start time for high school is appropriate.

Carl c: You hinted for weeks that you were reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being, but I never saw the review
Keith Law: Right here.

Bob Pollard: Unanswerable question perhaps, but assuming the Happy Fun Ball goes away, how do we even evaluate players like Soler, Schwarber, Garver, etc., moving forward? Are breakouts legit or do we have to look at them with a blanket skepticism?
Keith Law: I feel better about guys who we know had power, like the first two, than the guys who could hit and suddenly developed power, like Garver.

Raul: Half of Padres land is upset that Tingler, an unknown, was brought in instead of a “proven” guy like Washington, and that Preller is crazy considering ownership is seemingly getting impatient. My thought process is if you’re gonna lose your job, may as well go with the guy who best fits what you’re looking for instead of a name manager, right?
Keith Law: I’m a big Tingler fan, both from having met him and from his resume with Texas. Fans who don’t like a managerial hire who’s “unknown” are making a simple mistake: Just because YOU don’t know who the guy is doesn’t mean the industry doesn’t know who he is.

Jesse B : Are the WhiteSox close enough that if they grabbed Gerritt Cole they could make a playoff run this year, or are they a year away from making moves like that, ala the Cubs?
Keith Law: I think Cole or Strasburg to the White Sox would make them fringe contenders.

Brint: When do you think Spencer Howard joins the Phillies’ rotation full-time?
Keith Law: If healthy, by end of summer.

Jay: Do you think Kingery’s strong year will lead to regular playing time for a 20/20 in 2020? Pun most definitely intended
Keith Law: He has the speed for the SBs but I’ve had a hard time seeing how he’d get to 20 HR in the majors (Happy Fun Ball aside).

Brett: If you were running a front office, what effect (if any) would MLB’s ball shenanigans have on your roster/FA planning this year.
Keith Law: I’d just be wary of assuming any HR spikes from 2019 were real, and ask my R&D guys to make sure any projections accounted for this uncertainty. Also, I’d consider looking at pitchers who may have been inordinately hurt by the altered baseball – slider guys whose sliders backed up, for example.

Alex: I enjoyed your paste article on board games! Was wondering if you saw the list on greatest novels of the 2010s. What did you think? The Goldfinch was a bit high for me
Keith Law: Looking now, that’s a great list. Lincoln in the Bardo would be a contender for #1. Swamplandia! was just not that good. Station Eleven is amazing. I’ve read 7 of the top 10, then I taper off. The Night Circus is also too high. Swing Time and Americanah seem like they’re placed where they are because of who wrote them, not because they were that good. Biggest omission for me is In the Light of What We Know. I’d also throw All the Light We Cannot See and An Unkindness of Ghosts on there too.

Matt: But what happens if the owner is the one that created/tolerated that behavior? You can’t just Donald Sterling every owner that’s a prick.
Keith Law: No, but there are more remedies than just firing someone/forcing an owner to sell.

Bill: Odds we see Mackenzie Gore in the rotation midseason next year?
Keith Law: Nonzero, below 50/50.

Eric: Any consolation to be found for Braves fans today? They were a better team than the Nats all year, only to blow it vs. a pretty beatable Cardinals team in the NLDS. Every NLE team has won a pennant since they last won a WS game, and thrice now they’ve seen a team they finished ahead of in the standings go on to win the series as a wild card.
Keith Law: Nats were much better built for October, though: strong front 3 in the rotation, more patient heart of the lineup. Could see Atlanta getting there if Soroka stays healthy, Fried keeps growing as a pitcher, and one of Touki/Wright/Anderson/Wilson hits their ceiling.

Matt: In your video chat the other day, you mentioned that Carlson probably won’t see MLB in 2020 because he is only 20 yo and finished year in AA. In fact, he’s 21 and finished season in AAA. Not trying to “well actually” you, just curious if that changes his ETA for you at all?
Keith Law: He played at 20 all season; he only turned 21 last week. I use seasonal ages when discussing players. And he played all of 18 games in AAA, which, while I should have acknowledged it, is a drop in the ocean.

Andy: Despite the FO saying otherwise, seems like Cleveland will listen on Lindor. At this point do you agree with some patch that splits the middle, trying to keep competitive? Or should they just go full-on rebuild?
Keith Law: They should explore trading him now, while his value might be at a peak. Could sustain the franchise for multiple years if you make the right trade.

Buctober: Obviously accounting for your personal connection to with, curious what about Tony LaCava’s skill set would or wouldn’t make him a good GM for the Pirates now.
Keith Law: It’s a bit glib, but the two things that most sunk the Pirates recently were poor returns on trades and position players failing to develop as expected. Lacava certainly has strength in the latter, given his long player development experience. The former could be scouting, analytics, decision-making structure, or some of all of those things; I would say Tony is strongest in the third, also has long experience with the first, and showed real affinity for using analytical tools back when I worked with him in the mid-2000s.
Keith Law: I’m always wary of over-endorsing people I know well, and he was a mentor to me in Toronto, so I absolutely have a conflict when discussing him … but the Pirates would be terribly remiss if they didn’t at least interview him for the position.

Andrew: Any names to look out for in the upcoming Rule 5 draft?
Keith Law: Those rosters won’t be set for three more weeks.

Matt: What is the players union going to do about younger players not getting paid? Aaron Judge can be the face of MLB for 5 years and by the time he faces FA, no team offers him a long term deal because of his age.
Keith Law: Raising the minimum salary or adding salary arbitration for 2+ players (not just super-2 guys) would help.

Dax: Could Mike Montgomery put in a solid year as a starter in KC next year? Probably helps that he’ll no longer bounce back and forth between being a starter and a reliever.
Keith Law: I still think he’s best cast as a long relief guy.

Sean: Regarding your new book, based on the title alone I’m expecting some good analysis of, and references to the psychology of decision making. Can you shed any light on how in depth that gets? Can’t wait to read it.
Keith Law: That’s the idea, focusing on cognitive biases and illusions rather than, say, the neuroscience of decision-making. I rely a lot on popular and scholarly literature on these biases, describing how they were first identified and explaining them in lay terms. I love Thinking Fast and Slow, but that’s not a book for everybody.

JP: it appears the Red Sox did not interview a minority candidate before hiring their new Chief Baseball Officer. will MLB do anything about that?
Keith Law: There is no firm rule like the NFL has. Did they interview anyone else? I never heard another name, just that they interviewed Bloom and hired him.

Michael: Do you have any links to pieces or stories criticizing Hudson for missing game 1 of the NLCS? All I have read/heard is responses to criticism but I haven’t read any actual stories of criticism.
Keith Law: I linked to one two Saturdays ago here on the dish.

Michael: New place for your SD trip, Cafe Calabria (I think). Only certified Napolese pizza maker in SD and it rivals Bianco. In North Park, just tried it Friday
Keith Law: Much appreciated, thanks.

Ryan: I’m starting to become optimistic that Ivan Herrera will actually become a major league catcher. Do I need to slow down a bit or is he legit?
Keith Law: He’s interesting. And they sure do know how to make catchers over there.

Jordan: What did you think of Cole saying he’s not an employee of the Astros anymore and wearing a Boras Corp hat during his press conference? S
Keith Law: ?

Todd: Peter Luger’s Brooklyn got slammed in a new review. What say you?
Keith Law: I’ve never been, and since I don’t eat beef, I never will. Also, who the fuck doesn’t accept credit cards in 2019?

Zach D: Re: Astros Karma. Don’t forget blocking access for a Detroit reporter trying to do their job.
Keith Law: That never seemed to get any public resolution, but I hope MLB (and the BBWAA) don’t just drop that.

Johnny: Recent J2 classes have been producing super stars like Tatis, Soto, Vlad and more on the way like Wander, Robert, Kristian, Julio…etc. Has scouting gotten much better in recent years where top rated J2 players are converting into major leaguers? How early do you peg top prospects status on players from these classes?
Keith Law: Players in general are becoming highly productive big leaguers younger than in the past … but it’s just the guys at the top of the J2 classes, right? It’s not throughout those groups, but the stars who emerge faster. And I do think some of that is just better training, nutrition, etc. from trainers in the major countries that produce players.
Keith Law: I saw Erick Pena (KC) earlier this month. He’s 16, and while he has the baby face you’d expect, that is some kind of build on a kid that young.

Harry: When does the KLT100 drop this year?
Keith Law: I assume around February 1st. Not entirely my call.

Matt: At what point does the GOP stop attacking the impeachment process and start addressing the facts? Never?
Keith Law: Never.

Paul: Final half season of Bojack Horseman – Yay or neigh…
Keith Law: Never seen it. I did enjoy S1 of Big Mouth – just waiting for my girlfriend to catch up before we start S2 (and so I can discuss my favorite line with her).

Michael: Why don’t the Deadspin folk just start their own website and own it? Is it that expensive to do that it would be cost prohibitive?
Keith Law: It requires capital that most people don’t just have lying around.

Grover: Did it feel like people were really trying to will the “Bryce Harper must be so bitter/mad/jealous right now!” thing into existence the last week or two? Isn’t it possible he’s genuinely happy for his former teammates, and also fine with the decision he made last winter?
Keith Law: I’m sorry, that take is way too mature and tepid for online discourse. Please put your traybake back in the oven for another ten minutes and try again.

John Zirinsky: Keith: Would you give 8 years/$300 million to Cole if you felt like he was the one missing piece, or do you think spreading that around is a better play?
Keith Law: I would. He’s a difference-maker.

Jon: Did you get to see Forrest Whitley at all in the AFL? Any thoughts on what realistic expectations should be for him next season and beyond?
Keith Law: Yes, I led my AFL post with him. Stuff was all still there.

Ridley: Thank you for not sticking to baseball. FWIW, I’m excited about the new book and of the opinion that having all of these other interests makes all your writing, even the strictly baseball stuff, more interesting.
Keith Law: You’re welcome. I do hope this book opens more possibilities for me to write about non-sportsball topics (well, aside from board games).

Sedona: i would love to hear you on a fantasy baseball podcast!! Some of your industry colleagues participate. Will you consider it?
Keith Law: I don’t play fantasy sports and haven’t for almost 20 years now, so, no, probably not.

John: Odorizzi QO seems like a no brainer. Will anyone sign him away from the Twins if he gets it?
Keith Law: Yes. They absolutely should offer.

Bruce: Yasmani Grandal was fantastic for the Brewers last year but will be 31 years old next season. Is he worth a 3-4 year contract at that age and will he get one?
Keith Law: The gap between the industry view of him and the online community’s (stat-based, especially framing-based) view of him is wider than it is on any other free agent, I think.

Al: I have heard of why we sleep. From what author however, there are several similar titles. Thanks
Keith Law: Matthew Walker. Reviewed it here.

Arnold: Did this World Series validate the importance of starting pitching over what seemed to be a growing preference for strong bullpens and openers?
Keith Law: It helped the cause of the starter, rather than validating it or disproving the alternative.

Zach D: School start time. Isn’t the rationale that school has to start somewhat around the time that adults start work? If school doesn’t start until 9am, and I have to leave my house at 7am for work. Then I need 2hrs of day care each morning to get my kid on the bus?
Keith Law: We’re talking about teenagers, whose circadian rhythms run later than those of younger kids or adults.

Anchen: How does this year’s free agent crop compare to last year? Machado/Harper/Corbin vs Strasburg/Cole/Rendon. Probably would go with last year mostly because of age of the two main stars but this year looks pretty strong as well.
Keith Law: I think it’s a little deeper past the top three this year than last.

Chris P: ESPN cut off my access to Insider earlier this year and I can’t reactivate it because I’m in Canada. It’s really going to suck the most in February when I can’t read your prospect lists, even though I want to give the company money just for that. I don’t have a question, just hoping you can let your bosses know that they are missing out on international reader’s money.
Keith Law: They’re aware, but I don’t think there’s a solution in sight. I’m sorry.

Brent: What do you like about Kapler? Phillies fans were almost all happy to see him gone. Over the top positivity, not holding players accountable, horrendous game day decisions. Girardi isn’t an upgrade? Find that hard to believe.
Keith Law: Wait, positivity is bad? Only in Philly.
Keith Law: The not holding players accountable thing is nonsense, BTW. That feels like a take distilled through the dirty filter of sports radio.

Frank: Is Marco Luciano a GUY or to early to tell?
Keith Law: He’s a prospect. Too early to juice him like, say, Wander at that age.

Harry: Alex Rodriguez made a comment do Juan Soto post game “are you sure youre 21, can I see some ID, hahaha” A joke, but one in poor taste IMO. Any pushback?
Keith Law: I’m surprised that A-Rod didn’t ask Martinez about how valuable it was to have a lead that was an even number.

Pat D: On a scale of 1-14, how shocked are you that Republicans are still whining about the “process” after today’s vote? Gotta be a negative number, right?
Keith Law: Yep.
Keith Law: Y I K E S.

Erik: movies on your docket to see before “awards season” I always appreciate your reviews
Keith Law: Short term: The Lighthouse, Parasite (I couldn’t swing it this week), Dolemite is My Name, Frankie, The Irishman, The Laundromat (I hear it’s not good, I’ll probably still watch it). More coming the next few weeks though.

Ryan: Hi Keith, you seem to be fairly high on Kapler as a managerial candidate. I am curious if his handling of abuse allegations in the minor leagues from 2015 would concern you at all if you were a member of an organization considering hiring him. Im sure you probably know more about that situation than I do, so wanted to get your thoughts on Kapler’s past and how I should view him from someone whose opinions I respect greatly and generally align with my values.
Keith Law: The public story on that is simply false. He didn’t cover anything up; from talking to multiple people involved, including Kapler, it sounds like he handled it appropriately, and the subsequent accusations, which come from an employee the Dodgers fired, are not accurate. If this were a story, I’d write it, and certainly wouldn’t support a candidate who’d mishandled such cases. I believe I have the facts, however, and that just isn’t what happened.

Chris: So, I pre-ordered the Kindle version of the book. Just curious how much of a difference the paper vs digital purchase makes to the author. Thanks!
Keith Law: Virtually none, but I appreciate you asking.

HH: Feel free to punt here, but I’ve been very curious how many copies of Smart Baseball sold and there doesn’t seem to be a good way to find out. (This is just idle curiosity, since you’re the only author I know, and I have zero sense of the scale of the book market.)
Keith Law: It would actually take me a little while to get a precise number. I do get royalty statements, which do tell me that number, but it’s not easy to get to.
Keith Law: I have to take a call right now, so I have to wrap this up. Thank you all for reading, and for all your interest in my upcoming book. My rankings of the top 50 free agents should be up for ESPN+ subscribers on Tuesday, and I’ll chat at some point shortly after that. Enjoy your weekends!

Comments

  1. Lugers- they don’t take credit cards bc they don’t need to! Every restaurant in America would do the same if they could eliminate the roughly 1.5% fee on transactions and let’s not kid ourselves likely play some games with the receipts/taxes. Most restaurants take ccs because it’s convenient for the clients not good for the restaurant. Lugers isn’t exactly hurting for business

    • They’re going to be after that review. Ouch.

    • I always assume places that don’t take credit cards aren’t being totally forthright with the IRS about their revenues.

      And yeah, they’re going to be hurting for business after that review went viral.

    • Saw a story today that Luger was slammed with die-hard supporters today. I know it has many in the city. That said, I have to think that the review will hurt their tourist traffic in the longer term.

      Their Michelin star was also renewed recently, fwiw.

      I quit eating meat, but back when I did Luger was one of the best meals I had ever had.

    • I know I’m replying to my own comment here but I truly believe the NYT review will have 0 effect on their biz. None. I live in nyc and have been to lugers 10x. It’s great. I also went on Resy today and you still can’t get a table 30 nights out. But you never know. We shall see.

    • Yeah, I don’t think that review will have much of an impact on their business. I was there last month for a bachelor party, and I had none of the experience the reviewer had. You couldn’t use a credit card there even without that policy being slagged by the review, so it’s not like it makes a difference there. Our waiter was delightful, the food was delicious, and, ahem, I wasn’t dumb enough to go into a steakhouse and then order caesar salad and fish. Is it for everybody? Of course not, especially those (like Keith) who can’t or don’t eat red meat. Are you paying a surcharge for a name brand and an experience? Absolutely. Are their signature items (the bacon, the lamb chops, the porterhouse, the schlag) out of this world? 100%

    • Charles Bolling

      “they don’t take credit cards bc they don’t need to! Every restaurant in America would do the same if they could eliminate the roughly 1.5% fee on transactions”

      Have you ever owned a business of this sort? While doing business via credit card comes with costs, so too does doing business via cash.

      First of all, cash has to be carefully counted and documented, which takes a lot of time at whatever hourly rate that employee is making.

      Second, cash can be stolen, either by employees who pocket some of the receipts, or–in the “disaster” scenario–while it is being transported to the bank.

      Third, some customers aren’t carrying cash and/or don’t want to bend over backwards to get cash, particularly for a place as expensive as a steakhouse. There are a number of restaurants in Los Angeles that are cash only. On many occasions, I’ve thought about going to one of them (the Pantry, for example), then remembered I was only carrying $10, and decided to go elsewhere because I don’t want to stop at a bank ATM in downtown LA at 2:00 a.m., or use the in-house, privately owned ATM machine, thus increasing the cost of the meal by $4.75.

      I can only think of three explanations for why a restaurant would be cash only: (1) They haven’t thought through the costs of doing business in cash; (2) They are cooking the books;, or (3) They think it’s charming and “old school.”

    • I’m not sure how much impact this review will have on Lugers. For one, has there been another example of a famous, established restaurant getting this sort of viral review? I know Guy Fieri’s restaurant received one right after it opened, but did it close because of the review or because of the bad food/poor service? I also remember that restaurant in Scottsdale that threw Gordon Ramsay out because they didn’t like his feedback, such as it was. Did that close because they were terrible people or because the show went viral? I wonder if there will be short term spike as people see if it is as bad as the review says. Now I’ve never been there, but I imagine it’s like pretty much every other high-end steakhouse out there.

  2. Keith, I had hoped to ask you this during the chat which I figured would take place today but my, um, job got in the way: while watching my kids play youth baseball, in which the safety base adjacent to first base in foul territory is used, I got to wondering if it wouldn’t make sense to use it in all levels of baseball, and was having a hard time coming up with reasons not to other than “they’ve never done it that way”. Are there obvious reasons I’m missing that would preclude this? It would get around the problem no rule can completely solve, which is that the baserunner ultimately has to go into fair territory to touch first base even if he runs in the designated alley on the foul side of the first base line.

  3. As much as I don’t like that Boston didn’t interview a minority candidate, I can appreciate the fact that they knew who they wanted, talked to him, and simply signed him. Many NFL teams have made a mockery of the Rooney Rule simply to not get fined.

    • Aaron – I agree with everything you said. I think the Rooney Rule is well intentioned, but I’m not sure there’s a really good strategy for enforcement that doesn’t force teams to give up some control over who their coach is.

  4. Keith – Just curious if there is any clarity on your future that you can share. Apologize if I missed it in a previous chat.

  5. Personally I would rank the last three movies I watched Parasite > Dolemite > Lighthouse. I just had a hard time getting into Lighthouse.

  6. Hey Keith did you ever read Noir by Christopher Moore?