Allan H. “Bud”‘ Selig, commissioner of this volatile industry called baseball, has yet to issue a gag order on typist-clerks. We admire Selig, but before he gets any ideas, here are ours:
– Frank Thomas. Now here’s a man who could benefit by selective laryngitis, particularly when he is questioned about his contract. The Big Hurt had a wonderful season last year, yet says all he ever hears about is his 0-for-9 in the playoffs. That’s life in the superstar lane, but Thomas might be on to something if he believes his negatives create more headlines than his home runs.
However, Thomas can dig some rather large holes for himself. He just hired as his new agent Scott Sanderson, a classy former ballplayer who can gain a respectful audience with any owner, including Jerry Reinsdorf of the White Sox.
Thomas is paying Sanderson to do the dirty work behind closed doors, but what are the chances of Reinsdorf reviewing Thomas’ salary now that he is sitting out?
– All-Star Game. The brutal winter in Milwaukee must have affected Selig, because his brainstorm about awarding home-field advantage in the World Series to the league that wins the All-Star Game is lame. The Midsummer Classic in July has nothing to do with the Fall Classic in October, nor should it. One is an exhibition game; the other is the sport’s marquee event.
Instead of boosting the significance of the All-Star Game, how about increasing the importance of every regular-season game? The team advancing to the World Series with the better record gets home-field advantage.
– Beanballs. Umpires must now broaden their horizons to include mind-reading. Pitchers who throw at batters’ heads shall be immediately ejected, without warning. This is based on the premise that major-league pitchers possess enough skill to make the ball go where they want it to go, which is the first mistake. To entrust umpires with the onerous task of judging intent is another problem.
The late Don Drysdale, a fearless soul, had a message for the game’s deep thinkers when he was accused of headhunting years ago: Remove me from a game and I’ll see you in court.
– Free speech. As the very sensitive talks approach about management’s deal with labor, Selig has threatened to fine any owner up to $1 million for opinions about where negotiations are headed. This isn’t inherently a bad maneuver, but it does betray a certain fear of the obvious: Not only can’t all the owners agree with the players union, the owners can’t agree among themselves.
Large-revenue teams tend to spend money to make money and understandably dislike contributing funds to less successful franchises. There is no guarantee if George Steinbrenner gives the Minnesota Twins a blank check they will use it wisely to compete with his Yankees, or use it at all. With TV and luxury-tax money, bad teams can remain bad and still survive, which is why baseball mulls a “secret”‘ plan to downsize by shutting down three or four teams. Unless that is a ploy to scare the union. Fewer teams, fewer jobs.
– War and peace. John Harrington, Boston Red Sox chairman, got fined, even though he volunteered before Selig issued his gag order that “you won’t see a work stoppage” in 2002. That type of prediction, as encouraging as it might be for fans, is even better news for the players, who figure that the owners don’t have the stomach, or the votes, to attempt the mother of all lockouts.
The union might be right. With so many new stadiums and all those annuities owed to players long after they retire, some owners are leveraged to the hilt. If there are no games, there is no income. Some owners (Reinsdorf?) regret caving in the last time and cite NBA counterparts, who hung tough and squashed the players. But other owners want to play baseball, no matter what. They just can’t talk about it.
– Ismael Valdes. One of the softest pitchers in the Cubs’ soft history reported to Oakland’s spring training camp instead of Anaheim’s. No surprise. The question is, did Valdes pick the right sport?
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