[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by James

James IMO you are missing the point. Things will not change until WE the Consumer change them.

It took years before Sports came into the lime life and players started to make money.

Every Sport at one time or another was ready to fold. The FANS whether they pay for a ticket or watch on TV is what drives sports.

You are right the owners caused this MESS, but do not tell me for one minute that a player is interested in winning or the "love" of the game. It's about the almighty dollar.

If AROD was REALLY interested in winning he would have stayed in Seattle. It's amazing the Mariners are still able to compete. Look who they lost, The Big Unit, Griffy and AROD. That's like the Yanks losing Giambi, Jeter and Clemens. Where would the Yanks be without those players.

Baseball is in a mess because of the owners first and foremost. It was they who ousted the role of Commissioner in baseball. Right after that is when baseball got away from the Saturday game ofthe week and Cable became big, but only in the BIG Markets.

The players are also to blame. You think they care about the fans? All they care about is their paychecks.

So bottom line: It's not until the FANS say to quote a line from a famous movie I can't take it anymore Until that time no one gives a hoot about the fans. Baseball keeps fans waiting for hours before they cancel a game.

When millions of fans stay away from the ballparks and don;t subscribe to cable then maybe just maybe something will be done. Look at 1994 the last strike. The fans came back didn't they. So if they strike again, the Fans will be like sheep and come back once again. So who is really the fool?

Pete Booth