Let’s Just Play Ball!
I’ve Seen This One
I feel like I’m watching Back to the Future with the CBA “talks.” It feels like I’m in the Baines dining room watching this play out, like when Marty McFly says, “Hey, I’ve seen this one. It’s a classic.” While the MLB and MLBPA are saying what Milton Baines says, “What do you mean you’ve seen this? It’s brand new.” Although a little humorous note to start with, we are talking about a serious situation that could cause the season to be delayed, postponed or even cancelled. This would be nothing but TERRIBLE for the game as a whole.
The History
The most recent strike or lockout took place in 1994. The season was cut short with only 114 games played before the two sides went to battle. The season ended at that point with no playoffs or World Series. And to add fuel to the fire, there was a shortened 1995 season by 18 games (each team playing only 144). However, there was a World Series that year with the Braves beating the Indians in 6 games. Prior to the 1994 player strike, there was a shortened season in 1981, but the two sides were able to come together, salvage the season and have a World Series with the Dodgers beating the Yankees in 6.
How the Game Came Back
Attendance after the player strike of 1994 was down for ‘95, ’96, and ‘97. It wasn’t until 1998 when the fans started pouring back into the stands. That was the year that Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire were trying to catch the single season home run record set by Roger Maris, who hit 61 in 1961. The game seemed to be exciting again that year. People would tune in just to see if Sammy or Big Mac went yard. That year there were THREE teams with over 100 wins (Yankees 114, Braves 106, and Astros 102), McGwire did end up breaking Maris’ record by hitting 70 with Sammy Sosa hitting 66. Sosa won the MVP with the .308 batting average, 198 hits and 158 RBI’s. With that, baseball was on the rise again. The Yankees swept the Padres in the Fall Classic and it seemed like the fans had put the baseball strike in their rearview mirror.
Covid 19
No one could have predicted the impact that Covid would have on all human kind, as well as the sports world. The 2020 season was shortened with the pandemic to just 60 games with NO fans in attendance. The league adjusted schedules to cut out the All Star Game, and included an additional playoff round called the “Wild Card Round” allowing 16 teams to make it in this playoff series. The Dodgers were crowned champions that season, beating the Rays in 6. In 2021 the season was again lengthened to 162, this time with limited capacity early on but then opened it up by the end of the season. Vaccine cards were needed at most ballparks or a negative Covid test within 72 of the game. The whole fan experience seemed different and definitely felt different. The lingering effects of the pandemic on the sport and its’ attendance still remain to be seen.
What Happens Now
With the last two seasons being so different, why have a lock out/strike now? I know there are a number of issues to be worked out between the MLB and the MLBPA, but is now the best time to work these issues out? What some may seem to forget is without the fans in the stands, buying gear, or watching games on T.V., the players and owners both lose. Is there a way that the two sides can come together for two seasons with business as usual? Is there a way we can put this behind us, get through the pandemic and play ball? I have to imagine that players want it to happen. As a fan, I know the experience of going to a game or watching one on T.V. is a great release from the stresses of life. Let’s not take this any further, but let’s play ball and figure it out down the road. The strike year of ‘94 really hurt baseball. I can only imagine what this will do after a pandemic. If we can’t get things fixed soon, we may need McGwire and Sosa to suit up again. Let’s PLAY BALL!
Written by Bill Perkins, baseball enthusiast and TFR Contributor.