	August 1997

My Take on Inter-League Baseball

By Pete Moore, Our Man on the Mound
I think that most people who love the game of Baseball as much as I do envy those who live in cities that have National League teams to see; heroes like Christy Mattewson, John McGraw, and Cy Young, just to name a few players in the early part of this century. Just as those who lived in cities that only have teams from the National League would most certainly love see Ty Cobb, Connie Mack, Grover Cleveland Alexander, and Walter Johnson of the American League.

Just imagine, if you will, being zapped back in time to see Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Dizzy and Daffy Dean, Hubble, Jackie Robinson playing together in a regular season game, instead of the All-Star Game or the World Series.

Children of today and those avid fans finally got the chance to see their heroes during the season. Whether it seeing Cal Ripken Jr., Ken Griffy Jr., Deion Sander or Maddoux. Certainly changed the game around, plus the attendance gone up by at least 50% in some places. But thinking about how many more people would go to see players like Brooks Robinson, Sandy Koufax, Drysdale, Brock, Gibson, Kaline or "Yaz". In a regular season game, not just the World Series and All-Star game.

I wasn't fortunate enough to see all those great players of the National League when I was growing up in Baltimore in the 50's and early 60's. The price of the tickets back then certainly increased, but nothing like it is today! (But, isn't seeing the broad smile on your son's or daughter's face worth it?)

Some would argue that sooner or later players will demand more money now that inter-league is here. That means price for tickets will go sky high. I tend to agree with that. For a family of four going to Camden Yard to see the Orioles play cost around $ 64; that doesn't include burgers, fries, hot dogs, beers and sodas. Plus parking and crimes around that area is getting worse. Going to a game in Frederick only cost $ 7 and people are heck a lot friendlier here than it is in Baltimore. I'm sorry about saying that but being raised in Baltimore. I should know what I'm talking about..

Inter-League is something new and exciting to us. Just hope the owners and players don't screw this up. Put simply. If players, umpires and owners do something stupid as they did in the past. Be prepared to bury baseball. Here's what the grave maker should read. If the game died right now.

BASEBALL
1869 - 1997
Game loved by millions
around the country and
most parts of the world,
only to die by man's greed.

No longer will children have heroes or role models to look up at copy or learn true values. Shame, greed and stupidity will be what the children see, if players, umpires and owners start acting like spoiled rotten kids who can't have their way.

Home

Newsletter

Calendar

Index

Contact