The New York Times is reporting that the players’ union is looking at two potential strike dates- one in August and one in October- and that they are also contemplating a boycott of the All Star Game.
WHAT?
I’m sorry, but this is ridiculous. What the hell are they going to strike over? I haven’t been able to find out yet, but whatever it is, it ain’t worth it. The last work stoppage devasted the game of baseball, and Mark McGuire carried the whole sport on his back during the home run derby to bring it back from the brink. He won’t be able to do it again, and the fans sure as hell won’t rally around Barry Bonds.
The worst part of this whole thing is that my dear Anaheim Angels are actually having a great season! They are currently playing the best baseball in both leagues, which is even more impressive in light of their abysmal start, which was the worst in franchise history.
The Angels and their fans just never get a break. Every time the Angels look like they might actually do something in the post-season, something bad happens. In 1979 and 1982 there were work stoppages, and in 1986 there was the meltdown and subsequent suicide of pitcher Donnie Moore (don’t tell this guy’s family that it’s “just a game”).
So, I guess I want to know what the hell this strike (if it happens) would be about. Money? Don’t even joke about it. The league minimum is over $200K!
Damn you guys… There is nothing better than taking my boys to the yard to see a ballgame. Please don’t fuck it up.
The MLB players aren’t striking for anything they don’t already have. They’re striking to preserve the status quo.
For whatever obscure reasons, that’s how it works. When the contract between MLB and the union runs out, MLB gets to change the deal, and if the players don’t like the changes, their only recourse is to strike.
This year, of course, MLB is threatening to dissolve between two and six teams. I imagine the union’s upset about that. If you’re one of those guys getting that MLB minimum, a few less teams probably means you’re back in the minors, traveling by bus and making next to nothing.
Oh, right, you Angels fans can never get a break. Please.
Who’s got the best record in the majors, again? Better than the Yankees? Better than the Mariners? Oh, right.
It’s cool. I’m used to it. It’s the curse of being a rational person. Because, I mean, it’s obvious to any reasonable person that the Red Sox are the right team to like, but it can involve so much pain and suffering. Like they say, ignorance is bliss; and sometimes I just wish I could have been raised a Yankees fan like all the other morons out there, just enjoying the success and not knowing any better.
Of course, I don’t actually want to be a Yankees fan.
Frickin’ tell me about it. This is the best ball Cincinnati has been playing in awhile and this has a probability of happening?!? I’ve loved baseball for a long time and while the strike wouldn’t stop me from watching it would definately make me a bit of unhappy.
I’m going to climb onWhite Lightning’s back and add my little whine.
Some Angels fan is going to carp and complain about a potential strike? The BOSTON RED SOX currently have the best record in major league baseball (0.750 win pct.), and it might get all thrown away.
Face it, EJsGirl, the Sox might go year after year snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, but the Angels will fold like a cheap napkin before the All-Star break.
Actually it’s been fairly well established that Cal Ripken Jr. was the one who kept the “National Pastime” from going into the toilet with his consecutive games streak, which took the citizens mind off the fact that major leagers were bitching and actually crying, yes that means you, Rickey Henderson about having to struggle to survive on a mere $9.8 MILLION a year.
I have but one response to both players and management and Donald Fehr: SUCK IT.
They threaten a strike to keep the status quo. That involves MLB just as much. Even if the backlash means people get angry at the players, administration has just as much to lose.
But why do they want to cut teams? MLB is back as strong as it ever was before the Season of Evil (or is it? Been out of the country far too long. All I get to see is Ichiro, and that ain’t bad).
Hey, Montreal was doing great before the 1994 season was cut short during the last strike (74-40, best in baseball). If they’d picked up a pennant, or at least a division title, they might not look so axable now.
Overall opinion: let the overpaid twerps strike. It’s a boring game, anyway.