Kenya
Nigeria
Ghana
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States
India
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Cameroon
Ivory CoastPedro Martinez Urges MLB Owners and Players to Avoid Lockout
Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez calls on MLB owners and players to resolve contract talks and avoid a fan disrupting lockout.
Martinez Speaks Out in Boston
Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez is calling on Major League Baseball and its players to reach an agreement before the sport faces a lockout. Speaking in Boston at his foundation's 10th annual gala on Saturday, the former pitcher urged both sides to figure out a deal for the good of the game.
Martinez expressed his frustration directly, saying he was honestly speaking pissed about the current labor situation. He noted that baseball is in a good place right now and urged both sides to get something done for the fans.
Salary Cap Dispute and Deadline
The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on Dec. 1. Tensions remain high as team owners try to put a salary cap in place. In their latest offer made on Tuesday, owners proposed delaying the implementation of the cap until 2028.
The players' union has remained steadfast against any talks of a salary cap during negotiations. The ongoing dispute leaves the upcoming season at risk if neither side backs down before the deadline.
Lessons From the 1994 Strike
Martinez knows the pain of a baseball stoppage firsthand. During the 1994 strike, he was playing his first season with the Montreal Expos. The team held the best record in the majors at 74-40 before play was stopped and the rest of the season was canceled.
The cancellation also hurt Martinez financially. It left him just one day short of arbitration eligibility. He explained that he was one of the most punished players at that moment because he had talent, but had to wait for arbitration to make his money.
Protecting the Sport and Fans
Martinez was a three time Cy Young Award winner and eight time All Star who won the 2004 World Series with the Boston Red Sox before his Hall of Fame induction in 2015. He believes there is no excuse for a shutdown this time.
He urged both the commissioner and the players' association to listen to his experience. Martinez added that while changes were needed back in 1994, the fans today do not deserve to be mistreated.
Where to go next
On this site
Note: we do not get paid for any link on this page.
Be the first to comment
Tell us who you think wins and why. Keep it friendly. Links are removed on their own.
Note: comments are the writer own opinion, not ours, and never a tip from us.
