Letter: Nation’s pastime will be passed by

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000 | 10:50 a.m.

The recent signing of pitcher Andy Ashby by the Los Angeles Dodgers to a three-year, $22.5 million contract should be cause for concern for all Americans, not just those who follow baseball.

Ashby's lifetime record as a pitcher is 84-87. His ERA last year was 4.92. In other words, he surrendered enough hits to allow the opposing teams to score almost 5 runs a game. I find it hard to believe that Ashby's performance warrants $7 million a year.

But thanks to the industry that rewards, and thereby elevates, such mediocre production, fans have the privilege of paying $10 to $30 a game to watch guys like Ashby play. Advertisers get into the act because they shell out big bucks to have their names on stadium walls and pay for games to be broadcast on television. As consumers we also have the privilege of supporting this out-of-control freight train through the higher cost of goods and services, which is a consequence of the high-priced advertising.

If fans don't do something soon, the days of $30 tickets will be gone in no time, replaced by promissory notes and home equity loan payments to enjoy what was once referred to as "America's favorite pastime."

MIKE MILLER