Editorial: A strike could be a disaster

Monday, Aug. 26, 2002 | 9:01 a.m.

Within the past week negotiators for Major League Baseball players and team owners have moved closer to resolving some sticking points in their contract talks. There is some optimism -- but also a great deal of skepticism -- that an agreement can be reached before this Friday's strike deadline.

The squabbles between the players and the owners aren't the traditional sort found in most labor-management disputes, where unions are fighting hard just to get a modest increase in the hourly wage or a retention of health care benefits. No, a dispute between multimillionaire players and team owners doesn't generate public sympathy -- for either side. What also has happened is that this contract dispute, when added to the eight work stoppages since 1972, may imperil baseball's future. This time fans seem more upset than before, with many suggesting that they may not return to the game again if a strike occurs.

If there is another strike, it's possible the fans' anger could subside if the dispute is settled quickly and the season salvaged. But it would be foolish for the players and owners to take such a gamble. While some progress has been made in the negotiations, disagreements continue over the owners' demand for greater revenue-sharing, specifically a so-called "luxury tax" imposed on the teams with astronomical payrolls. Because the teams with the huge payrolls have dominated Major League Baseball for some time now, the game has become less competitive, so that teams from smaller cities -- and with smaller payrolls -- have little chance of winning a pennant, let alone the World Series.

The players' union appears amenable to some form of revenue-sharing, but it argues that the luxury tax proposed by the owners is so restrictive it effectively will result in a salary cap. Before the advent of free agency, players weren't paid what they're worth, and it's difficult to say that players shouldn't seek to be paid what the market will bear. But, comparatively speaking, the millionaire players today don't have much to complain about and they should agree to a compromise to avert a walkout. Besides, continuing the current course where a handful of wealthy teams have a near lock on the playoffs isn't doing anything to improve the competitiveness -- and help the popularity -- of the game. What also is certain is that a strike, especially one that wipes out this year's World Series, could be just the blow that will irreparably damage baseball.