After 15 Years is All Forgiven?

Often you'll hear stories about families who have never gotten along a la the Hatfields and McCoys. Gangs who protect their territories, sports teams who have battled for years win or lose. Players who have been on both sides of a said rivalry. The following remembrance isn't about being on a right or wrong team. Instead I am reminded of a gridlock that was placed before the fans, you and me, to the point that a yearly tradition was denied, taken away for the first time in 90 years. 

For over a century Major League Baseball has endured a spate of highs, lows, scandal, great history, bad history, even breaking of a color line in 1947. What was allowed to happen in 1994 on my time still gets me all fired up.

August 12th 1994 major league baseball went on a lengthy strike. The issue was to have a salary cap or not. Among other things. No baseball. An 8th work stoppage since 1972. That was bad enough.

To make things worse, there was no World Series that fall. That just didn't seem right. To this day that still bothers me. The fact that billionaires and millionaires dared to bicker on my clock and deny me a yearly tradition to end a memorable season.

It was on this day in 1995 that baseball resumed their games without a ratified deal. The play resumed the moment the players threatened to go to Congress and make the claim baseball was not immune to anti-trust laws. A rule in place since 1922. Old, antiquated, and in need of an overhaul. Won't happen in my lifetime sadly.

Fifteen years have passed. I still talk to friends who say they never forgave the owners/players for their greedy behavior that summer/fall/spring. A part of me still carries a scar from that necessary stoppage.

I do know this. I made a promise to myself that if Major League Baseball ever goes on strike again, I will put all my monies to minor league sport and never go watch a pro game again as a playing customer. I stand by that. 

There are many ills that precede the agenda of Major League Baseball. Trust of the owners and players and fans is high on that list. New leadership at the top, a better pie slice, and a system where small market teams can compete with 200 million dollar payrolls out of New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. One man's opinion.

Don't confuse. Baseball is a great game steeped in tradition. A sport that shall forever do well for itself in spite of itself and the people who try to run it into the ground. This day in 1995 was a happy one for me. Not much has changed in that time frame either...

Over and out in Big D

Mr. Will