In Stands Volume 3
In The Stands Newsletter
In Stands Volume 3
My Take on the Strike and Baseballs Labor
Strife.
I love baseball. Ever since I was a kid I
loved Baseball. I never got to go to many
games as a kid. My Grandmother took me too
my first game in 1976.
All I remember is that Lee May hit a home
run and we lost but it was very cool. We
sat in the upper deck on the first base side.
I remember it seemed very high and very
steep but it was just great to be there.
In 1989 I was attending Towson State U and
my roommate and I would occasionally bike
down to the stadium right down the Alameda
and catch a game.
July 17th 1989 I opened the Sun and there
in the Sports 2 they had a write up on how
the O's were doing great but they needed
more vendors.
Despite the fact they were desperate for
vendors I went down there and begged for
a job.
What an opportunity!!! I would get paid to
go to all of the games. When they hired me
I couldn't believe it.
I started selling pretzels and Cracker Jacks.
It was very cool!!! This is what really spurned
my interest in Baseball and the Orioles.
The 1994 Strike cost me dearly. Camden Yards
was a happening place and a $200.00 night
was not uncommon for me and we lost roughly
15 games.
Losing the money from those lost games hurt
but I lost something else that I still can't
quite explain. Today things are not much
different.
Too many people to be counted will be greatly
affected financially, physically, and mentally,
by a work stoppage.
The Owners and the Players need to do it
right this time. I guess I am leaning towards
the Owners this time.
The Owners need to stick it out until they
have an agreement that is beneficial to the
future of Baseball.
The Players need to realize that the state
of Baseball is not good. I wish I could see
the books to see just how bad it is for some
teams but
I understand that any business owner such
as me would not want the public looking at
the books of there company.
I hope they don't contract. There are too
many great places in the US that would make
unbelievably great baseball towns.
Major League Baseball must have Drug Testing!!!
Hey players listen closely!!! THIS IS FOR
OUR KIDS NOT FOR YOU!!!
I have two kids and one is my boy James.
I really hope one day to get him into baseball
and maybe if I am lucky even coach him.
I know a little something about baseball
I have been to over 1000 games. But my son
has to know that taking any kind of illegal
performance enhancing agents is not just
bad but wrong and my job as a parent is to
teach him right from wrong and I will.
Hard work and dedication can't be found in
a pill, a needle, or a drink.
A couple of years ago in September I had
to make a choice between watching the Ravens
play and The Orioles and The Yankees play.
The Orioles game meant nothing and the Ravens
unknowingly were on there way to the Super
Bowl.
As I flipped back and fourth between the
two games I found myself watching more Baseball
than Football and some of you might say
Jimmy Say It Ain't So!!! But I really like
Baseball and I have for a very long time
and I can only pray that it will be around
as long as I am.
So Why Can't We Be Friends?? Why Can't We
Be Friends?....................................
Jimmy The Man