Silence can be one of the loudest sounds around. What silence am I talking about? The obvious ghost in the room is the Major League Baseball Lockout. It has left current fans on pins and needles, waiting on the edge of their seats for any sign of the two parties (Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association) agreeing so that they can have their beloved game back on schedule. New fans of the game are perplexed about what the heck is going on. Why are players’ pictures just silhouettes wherever they search?

2021 marks the ninth work stoppage, the first in 26 years. While baseball is on hold, current and upcoming fans can safely say that one may want to look into another hobby to fill the gap and loss of baseball. The lockout started at 11:59 p.m ET on December 1, 2021, and has yet to come to any agreement or movement towards a resolution. It has been reported by media outlets that there are more than 30 subjects to be discussed and settled in this collective bargaining session. The two parties are relatively on the same page on most matters, but the big hurdle is the business side, core economics, including salary arbitration, free agency, and revenue sharing.

  *  *  * 

“It’s the only thing you can’t buy. I mean, I can buy anything I want basically, but I can’t buy time.”

– Warren Buffett

  *  *  * 

Just like Warren Buffett, owners, players, and fans have no way to buy more time for Major League Baseball and the players union to come to an agreement and end the lockout. As time goes by, we quickly approach deadlines for spring training and eventually a shorter regular-season schedule. No one wants to re-live the 2020 or 2020 2.0 spring training arrangement. Injuries erupted, and you would think neither party would wish to relive that nightmare.

There is not an official date set for both parties to be forced to agree. Still, I can write with confidence that if there is no talk of a resolution by the first of February, then you need to be prepared for a shortened season or a repeat of history. No one wants to wish for a 232-day lockout. Let’s keep that back in 1994 and 1995. Lucky enough for fans of this day and age, a loss of profit is a big scare for both MLB and MLBPA, but if they can’t agree in time and end the lockout, don’t take it personally as a fan. It’s just business. 

Happy New Year, Dodgers Fans!

  *  *  *  *  *  *