If MLBPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr "is willing to examine"
the Blue Ribbon Panel on Baseball Economics report on
financial problems facing the game, he would "see some
disturbing trends," according to Bernie Miklasz of the ST.
LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. The report shows that this season, 25%
of MLB players "are being paid" 72% of the total salaries.
Miklasz: "The report has flaws, but it's a start. Now it's
up to [MLB Commissioner Bud] Selig to persuade the owners to
pool their resources for the overall good of the game. But
we might see the Montreal Expos relocate to the surface of
Mars before that happens" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/19).
In S.F., Glenn Dickey: "It will take time to get a sensible
economic plan for baseball, but this report by the blue-
ribbon panel clearly points the way" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/19).
NUMBERS ACCURATE? Panel member George Will was in San
Diego and discussed the report's findings. He tells the
UNION-TRIBUNE's Tom Cushman: "We've handed the ball off to
those who commissioned us to write the report. It's their
decision what to do with it." Cushman: "If history is an
indicator, they'll fumble it." While some speculate that
certain high-revenue franchises -- including the Yankees --
may be opposed to the panel's recommendation on revenue
sharing, Padres Owner John Moores said, "If I was George
[Steinbrenner], I'd take the high road and do what's best
for baseball. Maybe it doesn't matter. He's only one
vote." Moores added that "losses during his tenure have
reached" $70M and, "When you have owners subsidizing the
game, that puts pressure on ticket prices. I think ticket
prices are too high now." While some have questioned the
accuracy of the financial data provided by MLB teams for the
report, Moores said, "All 30 teams provided figures audited
by outside agencies. There's no Hollywood bookkeeping
here." Cushman: "Will and his group have provided baseball
with a document that both owners and players should -- make
that must -- embrace" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/19).
ODDS AND ENDS: ESPN.com's Sean McAdam wrote that
"somewhat lost in news" of last week's MLB owners meeting in
N.Y. is the "admission" that MLB has "dropped plans to
rotate divisions" in interleague play in 2001. Red Sox CEO
and schedule committee Chair John Harrington: "It doesn't
look like we can (rotate divisions) for next year. But we
think we can get it in place for 2002." McAdam: "If
baseball doesn't act fast, interleague games won't even be
regarded as a novelty, with the same teams showing up on the
schedule year after year" (ESPN.com, 7/18).
