Baseball players, owners replaceable

I'm going on strike. I've had it with these working conditions. Do you know we actually had to go wasp hunting in the news room last week? I don't even have my own desk. And the vending machine ate my money two weeks ago.

I've had it.

OK, not really. If I went on strike they would just release me. Because I'm replaceable, just like baseball players. Now that I think about it owners are replaceable, too.

There's no crying in baseball. Pick your pouting lip up off the ground before you trip over it on national television walking to these so-called labor talks.

No player wants to strike. It must be done, they're holding out for a better future. Hey, what happens if there is no future? What if fans don't want you back? Whether they strike or not the game has been damaged further by even setting a date to strike. Sooner or later -- and it's getting to be soon -- we won't want you back.

Once you dig right down to the very root of these negotiations you'll find that it has sucked and drained every reason that a kid would ever turn on the TV to watch his favorite player play his favorite game. The root of this evil is also (hold your breath) all about the money. Why would you possibly want more money? If you believe Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco, it's to buy more steroids.

Congratulations to Rangers' owner Tom Hicks, the winner of David Wilson's first-ever Just-Shut-Up award. You spoke out against signing high-dollar free agents last week. That was a pretty bold statement. Don't you remember signing a certain shortstop to a quarter-billion dollar contract in the offseason? You have the right to remain silent.

By the way, did anyone notice that the strike date is set for Labor Day weekend? Funny how that works -- or doesn't. I elected to not list any baseball events this week, by the way:

I would rather watch high-school softball than the MLB. You would too? Here's your chance: Central at Perryville, 4:15 p.m. It's the first fall sporting event of the season.

Thursday

Expect the unexpected? Well in that case, shouldn't the Indians lose their season opener to heavy underdog Arkansas-Monticello? Magnetic cards, posters and schedules will be given away before the game. At halftime you could have a chance to win $5,000. Couldn't they put that money to better use? Like say, oh, I don't know ... stadium repairs? Kick-off: 6 p.m., Houck.

Friday

The annual jamborees will be held around the area. Perryville hosts the area's biggest teams, including Central and Jackson.

Speaking of foot-ball: The Otahkians host the Southeast tournament and play their first game of the soccer season against Indiana State.

Saturday

It's all about braggin' rights. University of Missouri against University of Illinois. Season openers and rival games set the tone for the rest of the season. This is both. Pregame pep rallies will be held for both teams in separate hallways of the America's Center beginning at 11 a.m. Kickoff is at 2:30 in the Ed.

Hungry drivers will head to Auto Tire and Parts Racepark for McDonalds Race Night. No, Mickey D's isn't giving away Big Macs. 2,000 big ones are up for grabs, which should entice plenty of familiar talent from the area.

David Wilson's column appears each Monday