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CNN Live Today

Major League Baseball Set for All-Star Game

Aired July 09, 2002 - 12:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In just a matter of hours, you will be able to watch some of baseball's best take the field. It's All- Star time, when players and fans try to forget about the standings, the stats and that annoying strike talk and just have some fun.

Josie Karp with CNN Sports is at Miller Park in Milwaukee, hopefully having some fun -- hi, Josie.

JOSIE KARP, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. How are you?

I am having a little fun. But, as far as players forgetting about that pesky little strike talk, I don't think that is going to be possible. The labor situation has really overshadowed everything that has gone on here in Milwaukee.

Of course, yesterday the executive board of the Players Union met in Chicago. They came out of that meeting. They did not set a strike date, but it doesn't mean that the threat of a strike has been eliminated. Basically, the union representatives were told go back to their teammates and get the authority to set a strike date, if it is deemed necessary. And it looks like things are really proceeding along a path that is similar to the one that was taken in 1994. And that resulted in a 232-day strike. It canceled the World Series. It extended into the next season.

So, here in Milwaukee, where 60 of baseball's best players are gathered, they have been bombarded with questions not about how the season is going on the field, but about the labor situation. And too a man, they have really said the same thing. They know how damaging a strike was in 1994. But, at this point, they are not ready to rule anything out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM GLAVINE, ATLANTA BRAVES: We have to get an agreement sooner or later, at some point in time. So, you try and push the issue a little bit and try and get something done and try and motivate the situation by that, by a strike, or setting a strike date.

NOMAR GARCIAPARRA, BOSTON RED SOX: We are just like every other single person who is part of a union out there when those rights are infringed upon. Like I said before, I'm not doing it just for myself. You have got to think about that little leaguer back there who is playing, and I get to watch in the sand lot playing, who is going to come up and be a big leaguer. And I don't want him to say, "Man, what's it like to be playing -- too bad I didn't play in that era, because now I'm stuck with this."

ALEX RODRIGUEZ, TEXAS RANGERS: They should be concerned, because that's a concern. I'm still very optimistic, though. I think we have good people. I think we are making some progress. And I will leave it at that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KARP: Baseball, the game itself, is expected to reclaim center stage here tonight at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Starting for the National League, it's the Arizona Diamondbacks' Curt Schilling. For the American League, it's the Boston Red Sox's Derek Lowe.

But if last night's Home Run Derby was any indication, the labor situation will inflict itself anyway, because here during that Home Run Derby, Bud Selig, who is the commissioner of baseball, in his hometown, Kyra, was booed, because the fans obviously had a commentary they wanted to make. There is a good chance they will make another one tonight -- back to you.

PHILLIPS: No doubt. I'm sure they will. Hopefully, they won't throw anything.

Josie Karp, thank you.

KARP: Thanks, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: You bet.

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