June 23rd, 2020 at 9:00 am 
by 0799291000348 
(Photo credit – Al Schaben)
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Eight days have passed since the article “Play Ball” appeared here on ThinkBlueLA.com. At the time, it seemed a fait accompli that the 2020 MLB season would be a schedule unilaterally imposed by commissioner Rob Manfred. On-again, off-again negotiating continued during those eight days, at times giving false hope that an amicable agreement could be reached with the Players Association. But in the end, both parties chose acrimony over consensus building, accusations, bitterness, and finger-pointing in place of good faith cooperation in the best interests of the game. And, the ugliness isn’t over as there will undoubtedly be a grievance filed by the players over their compensation for games played.
Ernest Lawerence Thayer’s poem, Casey at the Bat, ends with the line: “But there is no joy in Mudville – mighty Casey has struck out.”
Today there is no joy for fans of professional baseball, MLB has struck out. The 2020 season will be recorded as one of the darkest in the sport’s history. Baseball pennant flags should be lowered to half-staff, owners should apologize to their team’s fans, Players Association president Tony Clark and MLB czar Rob Manfred should be replaced over their failed leadership.
My opinion has only hardened over the last eight days “with a season that will be unilaterally imposed…, the words “play ball” should stick in the back of the throat, embarrassingly whispered, recognizing the failure of owners and the union to reach agreement on a shortened season. MLB billionaire owners and MLB millionaire players are unable to reach a consensus on how to safely play a shortened season. Absolutely shameful!”
“It’s absolute death for this industry to keep acting as it has been. Both sides,” Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer posted on Twitter. “We’re driving the bus straight off a cliff. How is this good for anyone involved? COVID-19 already presented a lose, lose, lose situation and we’ve somehow found a way to make it worse. Incredible.”
Said a league source: “At the end of the day, it’s not the greatest thing for the game.”
Perhaps it is time for fans to make their voices heard. What language do owners and players understand? M-O-N-E-Y! 2020 is a failed season anyway, so it may be the perfect time for fans to rise-up, close their wallets, and send a clear message that greed which takes away the joy of the great game of professional baseball will not be tolerated. Do not purchase a television baseball package, forgo MLB memorabilia, no team sportswear, no yearbooks, etc.
I love the Dodgers, I have for more than six decades. But I absolutely hate the business of professional baseball. In my opinion, MLB needs new leadership at the top who will do what is in the best interest of the game, fans, players, and owners. That leadership change must take place in order for there to be any hope for a renewal collective bargaining agreement to be negotiated in 2021.
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Posted in 
Don’t mean to nitpick, Jesse, but it is ITFDB,it’s time for Dodger baseball!!! Manfred needs to be replaced! I hate him for what he is doing to our game of Baseball! Not just this failed negotiations, but all the rule changes he is trying to implement to gain fans that will never be real Baseball fans like you or me!!! I live in Brooklyn, Ny, and call the commissioner office in Manhattan, quite often! If he actually, listens to the voicemails, which I doubt, his ears would be ringing! The other day, I said this could be his defining moment as commissioner!!! I guess he didn’t listen and proved me wrong! I never thought any body, could be worse than Bud Selig, but we have found that man!!! Very sad, indeed! Ending on a high note, let’s hope everybody stays healthy and LET’S GO DODGERS!!!
That one is on me, not Jesse. That’s what I get for doing these things at 4 AM.
Fixed (and thanks).
The commissioner works for the owners, not the players and certainly not the fans.
Fair point, Manfred is employed by the owners. But, just as a CEO works for a board of directors, a commissioner should make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization, both in the short term and long term. IMO, a commissioner must find a way to influence the owners to do what is best for their customers, the fans and the game itself, while developing and protecting its assets – the players and the reputation of the game. That is called leadership. From my perspective as a fan, with no inside knowledge of corporate MLB, I think Manfred has failed as the leader of MLB, and appears to have lost the trust and confidence of the players and union which makes effective collective bargaining almost impossible.
I miss Peter Uberoth!
Uberoff could have been an awesome commissioner, but his involvement in owners colluding on free agents led to significants fines, free agency for some players, and labor unrest for years. Very much tarnished his reputation. But, MLB desperately needs a respected leader who can build bridges with the players while making money and value for the owners. Who might that be? My pick, which will not be popular with many, is Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks. I think Cuban has the right blend of business acumen, and empathy for players and social issues.
I can see why you would pick Cuban. But ideally I like someone who loves the game, has proven business/ orgsnizational skills and is not an owner. Maybe someone like Rex Tillerson or Romney. Romney might be too polarizing, and I don’t know if either is a baseball fan, but you get my point.
For commissioner, Magic Johnson. There are good arguments against, but some very powerful arguments to be made for Magic as the leader of MLB.