The Lockout Diaries: Week 1

[Nick Nelson]

Dear journal,

It's been seven days since darkness fell upon the world of baseball. Here I begin my chronicling of this strange total absence of my favorite sport, with an end point unknown.

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." It's a quote that perfectly encapsulates what so many of us cherish about baseball: the reliability. 

Major League Baseball is America's oldest professional sports league. During the season, there's a game to look forward to almost every night. Each spring brings hope anew for the downtrodden (e.g. Twins fans). 

Even during the long, cold offseason, there's always the possibility you'll wake up to a fresh piece of news, or a rumor that stokes the imagination and sparks conversation.

Except now. With MLB locking out the players union, everything is shut down indefinitely. It's a bizarre and – for me – unprecedented scenario. I was only nine years old when the last labor stoppage took place back in 1994 and don't remember it much. 

I suppose the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020 was somewhat comparable, but we all had plenty of other things occupying our mental space then. Now, we're at the mercy of contentious haggling between millionaires and billionaires, with no underlying factor other than an expired contract. 

How long until a new agreement is reached and league activity resumes? One month? Two? Will spring training or even the regular season be delayed? Canceled?

At this moment it's impossible to know. We're a mere week into the lockout and the lack of MLB news hasn't yet become all that noticeable or out of the ordinary. Though that's beginning to change as days pass with no customary Winter Meetings, no Rule 5 draft. 

My morale remains reasonably high as of now. I'm still buzzing from the good vibes of Byron Buxton's new long-term contract, as well as the inductions of Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat into then Hall of Fame. Holiday season is afoot. Cheer is in the air. 

It's easy enough not to think of the frustration that lies ahead if this lockout drags long into the new year. For now.

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[Karbo]

I'm old enough to remember the last stoppage. It wasn't good. Baseball suffered. It lost alot of its more casual fans. Thats when it no longer became the "national past time" IMO. Yet here we are again. billionaires vs Millionaires, greed more important than common sense. Neither side willing to acknowledge that all this money they are fighting over is slowly pricing more people out of their ballparks. The public pays millions in taxes to build them wonderful diamonds to play on, yet many of those same taxpayers can't even afford 1 ticket to get in. Some can't even afford the cost of cable to watch their favorite teams on TV. Shame on both sides. Get back to the table and act like adults. Figure it out. Quit acting like you're going to go broke or starve. Players, you are lucky enough to get payed more than the average worker to play a game that you love. Owners, you invested the into a team now put up or shut up or sell. I have no opinion which side is right. Just that BOTH sides are wrong for not being able to work out an agreement! You are ruining the game I love!

[Kipp35]

41 minutes ago, Karbo said:

I'm old enough to remember the last stoppage. It wasn't good. Baseball suffered. It lost alot of its more casual fans. Thats when it no longer became the "national past time" IMO. Yet here we are again. billionaires vs Millionaires, greed more important than common sense. Neither side willing to acknowledge that all this money they are fighting over is slowly pricing more people out of their ballparks. The public pays millions in taxes to build them wonderful diamonds to play on, yet many of those same taxpayers can't even afford 1 ticket to get in. Some can't even afford the cost of cable to watch their favorite teams on TV. Shame on both sides. Get back to the table and act like adults. Figure it out. Quit acting like you're going to go broke or starve. Players, you are lucky enough to get payed more than the average worker to play a game that you love. Owners, you invested the into a team now put up or shut up or sell. I have no opinion which side is right. Just that BOTH sides are wrong for not being able to work out an agreement! You are ruining the game I love!

Very well said. I too am old enough to remember the last stoppage. It wasn't good then and isn't good now. In a time where this country needs things is can rely on to unite us, we have more division. I am not bold enough to say that 'I will never watch another game!' because I know that would be a lie, I love baseball too much for that. I will say that over the past couple of season's have watch FAR less, as the Twins have their own network you have to pay a premium subscription in order to get, and I just can't afford that. I listen to the games on the radio while I am doing other things or driving in the car, but that is far more passive. I have not been to the ballpark in more than two years, because as you stated, I cannot afford it. I have four kids and 'cheep seats' are still pricey when you have to buy them in a group of six. Add in food, drinks and souvenirs, I'm just not willing on refinance my house for a day out with the family.

I echo your statement, get back to the table and do what is best. What is best, is get fans back to the game they love. If you lose us, what difference does it make what the CBA says, you won't be able to do what you do. I think everyone should be paid well for doing a good job, no matter the profession. But, how much more are we actually talking about here? The owners own a company, and I feel they too should earn every dollar they can from the business they presumably love. But again, at what costs? They [Twins] have their new TV deal which has driven Twins fans to radio, the tickets are costly and will only get more expensive now. The costs are always passed onto the consumer, and in this case that is the fans.

Very sad times, right now.

[mikelink45]

You are getting all the old guys posts.  I will be fascinated to see what essays and articles TD uses to keep baseball in our minds.  This was a good reflection.  So next I expect us to dwell on Gabriel Maciel being drafted in the minor league Rule V draft.  Was he a prospect?  Last year was down, the previous years looked good.  So here is my attempt to keep some BB interest.  Thanks for your work. 

[Seth Stohs]

I was in college in 1994. I lived in a dorm with no cable in the rooms and one TV in the building with cable. So, I probably wasn't going to be watching much baseball anyway in that time. I would go to the library every day and read through the box scores (internet was in its infancy). And then there weren't box scores. I watched in the summers when I was back home, but there was other stuff to do too. It truly took moving to a small town, and the '98 home run race to get me back in completely! I do often wonder what I would do without baseball. What if I wouldn't have started blogging in 2003? Would I still be this big of a baseball guy? I don't know. 

However, so far this has been a week. Nothing is really missing other than rumors until probably late January, but if it's not done by then, we shall see. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I was in highschool the last stoppage. The strike shortened season really hurt, but the 1990 lockout didn’t hurt so bad. If I recall correctly spring training was shorter, but we had a full season of God-awful Twins play. Maybe a good sign for ‘23?

[AceWrigley]

I've always thought that the best way to manage the collective bargaining agreement arena is fine both sides as a tax for every day of unresolved expired contract. Pro rate the fines according to the benefit structure of the expiring contract and watch them come to an agreement. ?

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, AceWrigley said:

I've always thought that the best way to manage the collective bargaining agreement arena is fine both sides as a tax for every day of unresolved expired contract. Pro rate the fines according to the benefit structure of the expiring contract and watch them come to an agreement. ?

I think the fine should be mandatory reducing ticket price, to compensate for their detrimental actions that discourage their fans. Not in some ones kitty. 

[AceWrigley]

Man, you know we're entering lockout hell when the top MLB Rumors article is, "Transaction Retrospection: Alex Rodriguez Signs With The Rangers". Oh Crap.