No balls, 2 Strikes, you're out

Every sports fan in the Bay Area is frustrated and angry with the NFL lockout and the idea of missing an NFL season is becoming a reality with each day that passes. Last night at midnight eastern time, the NBA joined the "greed is good" philosophy by locking out their players and it's still very early in the process, but most experts agree that the NBA is almost certain to miss at the entire season yet again. Two of the big three professional sports organizations are out and it dawned on me today that we could miss the NBA Finals (and the entire three months of playoffs leading up to the finals) and the Superbowl. That leaves us with Bud Selig's upcoming problem. The MLB collective bargaining agreement expires December 11, 2011 and although today is July 1, that date is on the horizon.

MLB locked out the players in 1994 and suffered a tremendous setback once they did comeback. Many fans, adults who pay the for MLB players to enjoy the plush lifestyle they lead, were fed up with the greed of both players and owners and it has taken MLB over a decade to regain the trust of it's fans. I would like to think that a fairly smart guy like Bud Selig would do everything within his power to avoid following the NBA and NFL down the lockout path. This should definitely be a lesson of how not to do business, of how to appreciate every last dollar of the current billions MLB rakes in annually and for the life of me, I just hope that we have an agreement before the deadline.

The NFL should have had the conversations they are currently having during the 2010 season to avoid the current disaster that is the present lockout. MLB is in a much more delicate situation than the NFL. NFL fans will come back to the games the moment the lockout is lifted and a deal is reached with an open heart and wallet. MLB fans may not be so gracious, especially considering the economic forecast for most Americans.

This is my note to Bud Selig. Get off your ass, get to the bargaining table and make sure the MLBPA understands the significance of missing games because all fans are watching you, hoping that despite all the terrible decisions you have made that affect fans, you will make the one right decision that matters the most.