Dodgers Analyst Discusses The Possibility of Baseball Work-Stoppage
Obviously, no one reading this article wants to face the possibility of a baseball strike. However, the elephant in the room is that baseball could be headed towards a pause.
Now, Los Angeles Dodgers SportsNet analyst Jerry Hairston Jr. joins 670 The Score out of Chicago to talk about this aspect of the game. Furthermore, you can hear Hairston Jr. talk with Bruce Levine and Mark Spiegel about this around the 21:00 mark of this interview.
Allow us to examine what was said below.
Interestingly, Hairston Jr. gives mention to current Dodgers and where things stand. Also, it’s important to note that early in his segment; Hairston Jr. also mentions he is good friends with Tony Clark. Notably, Clark is the current head of the player’s union.
First, the Dodgers’ analyst compares baseball to the NBA and sheds light on a problem baseball faces.
“I really believe that baseball has really hurt themselves as far as free agency. Look at the rush the NBA has when their star players come out as free agents and are able to be signed, and it’s a free for all. It’s exciting. Major League baseball does not take advantage of it, and that has to change.
Next, Hairston Jr. says that the players are hip to what is going on in regards to the current free agency conundrum
“Back to the players, they know the next collective bargaining agreement. They know that things have to change, and if it doesn’t there could be some type of stoppage. They have to agree before it comes to that.”
Finally, Hairston Jr. talks about how current veterans feel about things moving forward. While he gives mention to several current Dodgers players, keep in mind he has a solid relationship with a lot of current MLB players.
“They’re completely unified. Not only are they unified, but you’re hearing veteran players like Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen talk publicly about that; about their frustration. Guys who have already made their money are frustrated with the process the last couple years. They’re extremely unified and aware what has been said by GM’s, and the possibility of collusion. The players are very aware of what has been going on. I love baseball and hope that there is some type of agreement. But again, these players have been frustrated for a long time. They’re very well organized of what’s been going on for a number of years.”
In conclusion, this scares a guy like me who wishes baseball season was year round. It sounds like baseball could be headed towards troubled waters, and if I’m honest I am not super optimistic. What do you think? Will baseball end up with another strike? Let us know in the comments below.
I love baseball but lets be honest with each other, the money being paid to the players is crazy and the cost to see a game in-person is way out of line. When my kids were younger I often treated the entire family to multiple games per year because I had the means necessary to afford the cost of a game.
I think about a family of four trying to see a game today with all of the other life expenses. Four tickets, parking, soft drinks and a hot dog and all-of-a-sudden dad has spent over $300 for three hours of entertainment. At least at Disneyland the kids get all day/entertainment for just a little more money.
There’s no reason the owners and players can’t get together and hammer out a new agreement. Even an untested rookie at 22 years of age makes over $500,000 for one year of baseball while a police officer makes $60,000 a school teacher makes $55,000, a maintenance worker makes $40,000.
I find it shameful that some players moan and groan about collusion while making $33 million dollars a year. The owners have a right to decide where they want to invest their money and to whom and how much they want to invest in and the players have a right to decide where they want to play when they reach FA.
If there is a work stoppage the only people who suffer are the very ones who line the pockets of owners and players……….the fans. I find incredibly inane when players talk about some kind of work stoppage when you compare it to a police officer who has to put on a bullet proof vest to work his/her 8 hour shift or a school teacher who has to use his/her own money for school supplies for their pupils.
If there is a work stoppage I will become the biggest minor league baseball fan you have ever seen and I will not come back to MLB.
Multi millionaires know what’s going on? Sure they do. They think its game, while it’s a business. Who really cares? Owners invest billions and some dont even make money!! Well a few anyway. There is enough disparity in this league. It will only get worth without the cap and finally teams will fold, which will result in less teams and less players. How’s that look. Take money and pay the minor leaguers more so they can live. Major league minimum is $500,000. You know anyone makes that kind of money when 22 or 23? Or any age for that matter. Kershaw deserves $30 plus million? What the players are really upset about is that the gravy train now stops at 32 or 33. They don’t care about the minor leaguers or the minimum wage.
If there is a stoppage, I am done. I have already quit watching the NBA and the NFL and I absolutely love the NHL. Hard to watch multi millionaires be upset about not getting enough money. Especially when those long term big money contracts almost never work out. I love baseball and I really love the Dodgers, but I cannot take it anymore. Cannot even afford to go to a game anymore with the entire family. Already dumping my Spectrum T.V. I only had it for the Dodger Channel and all of this strike talk has me sick of it all. Go Kings Go!!
If this goes like the baseball strike of 1994, I will be through with the game. I play the game myself and will not play it anymore. It’s the fans who will suffer the most. Most of the ticket prices is what pays their salaries.
I told you all there’s going to be a strike. The caliber of stars sitting home in June will start it. I hope it happens so we can get a break from being the laughing stock of sports
I didn’t attend a game for 8 years after the 1994 baseball strike and if they pull another stunt like this, screw them!!!!! They have no excuses for striking with the ridiculous money they’re making. The cost to attend a game, paying large sums, having meals there, let alone attending a World Series game is really crazy. And I’ve followed the Dodgers before they came to LA in 1958.