Will The MLB Suspend The 2020 season

[Kimmi]

Last Saturday, I heard an interview with Tom Glavine. He had a prominent role in the 1994 season-ending strike as a player rep. He recalled the lasting damage to the sport afterward and that it took time to win back the fans. He also recalled a labor dispute after 2001 and said that both sides realized that they would permanently lose the fans if they had another strike. He remembered that after 9/11 that there was such excitement by the fans when baseball returned as it was a return to normalcy. He sees a parallel with this pandemic. People want a return to normalcy and baseball is part of that. He strongly warned that if the doctors and health officials give the go ahead to start the baseball season and the season doesn't get played because of money issues, there will be long lasting damage done to the sport. Like after 1994, he warns that many fans will not come back.

Glavine speaks the truth. I don't know how long lasting the damage would be, but failing to return to baseball because of disputes over money is a terrible look for both sides.

By all accounts, the current discussions between owners and players over the health and safety issues are going very well. That is the priority. If they can hash those out on good terms and come to an agreement, then money should really become a non-issue.

[Kimmi]

And don't forget about the other big asset and biggest suffering party - the customers.

Both sides need to compromise for the good of the fans, and for people in general.

[jad]

Both sides need to compromise for the good of the fans, and for people in general.

If I were a player (an employee), I would say "Look, I've already given up half my 'guaranteed' salary." Owners and capitalists (if they want their laissez-faire system), should not be 'guaranteed' anything. Tough luck. It's the players whose health is being put at risk.

[Elktonnick]

If I were a player (an employee), I would say "Look, I've already given up half my 'guaranteed' salary." Owners and capitalists (if they want their laissez-faire system), should not be 'guaranteed' anything. Tough luck. It's the players whose health is being put at risk.

Professional baseball at the major league level is billionaires contracting millionaires to perform a service. I can't feel sorry for either of them and could care less how they work out their differences so long as they do.

[a700hitter]

Professional baseball at the major league level is billionaires contracting millionaires to perform a service. I can't feel sorry for either of them and could care less how they work out their differences so long as they do.

No one will sympathize with either side. If money keeps them off the field, the fans will punish both sides and stay away when they return.

Jad is wrong that the fans returned after the ‘94 strike. It wasn’t until the overhyped drug fueled Home Run record chase by MGwire and Sosa in 1998 that popularity returned for baseball.

[Kimmi]

If I were a player (an employee), I would say "Look, I've already given up half my 'guaranteed' salary." Owners and capitalists (if they want their laissez-faire system), should not be 'guaranteed' anything. Tough luck. It's the players whose health is being put at risk.

I don't feel the least bit sorry for the owners. I don't feel sorry for the players either. I just don't like the way that some of the players have been coming across during a time when so many people have it 100 times worse than they do. As I have said before, BOTH sides need to compromise.

Better yet, take all the money that is made this year and pay any MLB employees that have been furloughed and/or donate the money to the food banks. Neither the players nor the owners need it.

[Kimmi]

No one will sympathize with either side. If money keeps them off the field, the fans will punish both sides and stay away when they return.

Jad is wrong that the fans returned after the ‘94 strike. It wasn’t until the overhyped drug fueled Home Run record chase by MGwire and Sosa in 1998 that popularity returned for baseball.

Fortunately, it seem that both sides realize how bad it will look if the season does not get played because of money. They will work something out.

[dgalehouse]

Fortunately, it seem that both sides realize how bad it will look if the season does not get played because of money. They will work something out.

Assuming the owners and the player's Union reach an agreement, it will be interesting to see how many players still decide not to play . And the repercussions, if any , if they do so .

[a700hitter]

Assuming the owners and the player's Union reach an agreement, it will be interesting to see how many players still decide not to play . And the repercussions, if any , if they do so .

That’s an interesting possibility — that some players would go against the union and refuse to play. It’s like they would be striking scabs crossing the labor line.

[mvp 78]

That’s an interesting possibility — that some players would go against the union and refuse to play. It’s like they would be striking scabs crossing the labor line.

My guess is any agreement would include language about players being allowed to sit out.

[a700hitter]

My guess is any agreement would include language about players being allowed to sit out.

Wouldnt there be a danger that too many would opt out?

[mvp 78]

Wouldnt there be a danger that too many would opt out?

Owners would pay less by using MiLB guys.

[Kimmi]

Assuming the owners and the player's Union reach an agreement, it will be interesting to see how many players still decide not to play . And the repercussions, if any , if they do so .

Yeah, that will be interesting. Thinking in terms of those of us who have 'regular' jobs, if our jobs reopened and we decided not to go back into our offices, what repercussions would we face? We'd probably be fired.

I would guess that if a player doesn't play, he wouldn't get his salary or his service time for this year.

[Kimmi]

Wouldnt there be a danger that too many would opt out?

Not if they don't get paid and don't get service time.

[Kimmi]

Owners would pay less by using MiLB guys.

I am sure there are a lot of MiLB players who would be more than willing to play.