OUR VIEW: MLB athletes should play for love of game

With Major League Baseball still reeling from lack of fan support following the strike in 1994, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking the state of baseball is hunky-dory following Friday’s labor agreement.

Just hours away from the game’s ninth work stoppage since 1972, Major League Baseball was able to salvage its season Friday when the owners and player’s union agreed to a new labor contract.

Unfortunately for fans of the game, this is far from the truth.

In actuality, these labor squabbles are far from over, and will be at issue again come December 2006. Sure, the owners and players are able to make concessions for a couple of years, but in the long-term scheme of things one can be assured of the two sides being in the same position a few years from now.

When the two sides finally reached an accord in 1994 – only well after the World Series was canceled – they knew they would have to come up with a new agreement in 2002. Instead of working diligently in the offseason to reach an agreement, the two sides decided to procrastinate until the last second.

Whether they like it or not, these players are role models. Like any other professional athlete, our young children watch them and observe their every move. And what a lesson they are teaching young children – it is all right to be selfish. When all is said and done, the main issue continues to be the fight over money by very wealthy people.

Moreover, if Major League Baseball wants to be known as “America’s pastime,” players need to return to playing the game for one reason, and one reason only: For love of the game.