Who’s More Greedy, Owners or Players?

Ross Newhan’s article regarding collusion among the baseball owners has left me deeply concerned about the future of baseball. After all, how can a young man entering baseball today expect to survive on the meager salaries that the owners are offering?

Case in point: Bob Horner, with his Ruthian type statistics, has no choice but to turn down a 3-year, $4.5-million Atlanta offer. Come on, give him a break, he’s got kids to feed. On dough like that, there’s no telling what sacrifices the Horner family will have to make.

Attorney Dick Moss, who represents Jack Morris, Andre Dawson and other top players, claims that “the owners are greedy” and “have taken away the charm of the game.” Was it not greed and collusion on the players’ part that led to the baseball strike? Was Tim Raines not greedy when he rejected a $1.6-million salary?

I’d love it if the owners got together and announced that salaries will now range from $70,000 to $250,000, nothing more, nothing less, take it or leave it. Do you really think players like Raines would retire and go out and get a real job? Just where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?

GEORGE SMITH

North Hollywood