Area minor-leaguers talk about a big-league problems, solutions

The players have spoken.

Aug. 30, 2002, could go down as one of the darkest days in baseball history. With labor talks going nowhere, the possibility of a ninth work stoppage since 1972 seems imminent.

Even with early progress that included tentative agreements on raising the minimum salary and random steroids testing, the two sides are still far apart. Issues such as contraction, revenue sharing and a luxury tax are possible sticking points for the two sides.

Although both sides say they want to avoid a work stoppage like the one in 1994 -- which lasted 232 days and was the longest in professional sports history -- there is no certainty that a labor agreement will be reached.

On Friday the players set the official strike date of Aug. 30. There is talk that the players chose Aug. 30 to avoid walking out too close to the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Former Southeast and local baseball standouts, including Central product Talley Haines, 2002 Southeast graduate Vern Hatton, Egyptian High alumnus Jeremy Johnson and 2001 Southeast pitcher Todd Pennington sounded off on the possible strike.What impact do you think another strike will have on the game?

Haines: A big impact. It will affect the fans and how they perceive the game.

Hatton: It would hurt baseball really bad. It's just like a big business that's getting out of control.

Johnson: It will do a lot of damage. You know how long it took to get people back last time. It might take 10 or 20 years to get them back this time if they come back at all.

Pennington: I think it will make attendance go down and not as many people will appreciate the game.

If you could be commissioner for a day what would you do to avoid strike?

Haines: There's a lot of distrust between players and owners. I'd try to put the past stuff behind us and look at what's best for the game.

Hatton: Test for steroids and try to solve that problem. I'd also cut down each team's payroll.

Johnson: Right now they're doing the best they can to avoid a strike. I wouldn't want the job.

With players making millions and owners already rich, what should fans think about the whole situation?

Hatton: Even as a player I feel like it's a big greedy business.

Johnson: I'd be upset too, but that's just how entertainment is. Look at how much movies cost.

Pennington: A lot of fans think players are overpaid anyway. They'll be upset.

Could a salary cap like the one in the NFL and NBA work in baseball?

Haines: I don't really know enough about the money side to really say. The owners want it, the players don't. Why change something that's already in place?

Johnson: It would probably be a good idea since teams like the Yankees and Dodgers can buy wins instead of having to develop players.

Pennington: A salary cap would be a good idea. The fact that teams with the highest salaries always win shows the need for a salary cap.

With so much business involved in baseball does it still just feel like playing a game?

Haines: Sometimes there is that real side, trying to pay bills. When you're out there you can forget about the money side. It's our jobs, but we have great jobs. It's definitely fun.

Hatton: I just go out there and play as hard as I can. There is politics involved, but I don't let that bother me.

Johnson: It's my job now. Spring training starts in March and I play until September. It still needs to be played as a game, but it is a career.

Pennington: I still think of it as playing like when I was a kid. Now I just get paid.Do you think contraction is necessary to solve baseball's problems?

Haines: No, I don't think so. If we start winning then people will come. People just jump on losers a lot. If you give an organization time it'll all even out.

Hatton: They don't need to get rid of any teams.

Johnson: Knocking those teams out would just mean more players in the minors.

Pennington: I don't think it's necessary.If asked to be a replacement player what would your reaction be?

Haines: Maybe if I was in a situation where I had bills and had to do what's best for my family, but right now I'm not in a situation where I would have to.

Hatton: I would definitely cross the line. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to live a dream.

Johnson: That's a position no one wants to be in. It's a lose-lose situation.

Pennington: I would have to say no. It would show that you have lost appreciation for the game and once the strike's over what would you be able to do?

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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