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CNN Live Today
Today's Baseball Games Get Underway
Aired August 29, 2002 - 13:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: With a possible strike looming, baseball players and owners appear tantalizingly close to a new labor agreement, but given the bad blood between the two sides, a lot of fans fear the grand old game will strike out again.
As the talks resumed in New York today, the luxury tax was still on the table. That's the fine teams would pay for exceeding a payroll limit. Players are seeking the highest limit possible and the reported difference is down to a few million dollars. The other big issue is revenue sharing. That's the percentage teams would pay to a general fund established to help teams that may be struggling. They are said to be close on that one, too. Steroid testing was another big issue, but that was apparently settled on Tuesday. Preliminary testing would start next spring.
Yesterday, commissioner Bud Selig entered the talks and seemed to hint at a deadline of midnight tonight. He later backed away, saying the talks should continue as long as possible. Selig's late entry has a lot of tongues wagging. Here is the Mets Al Leiter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL LEITER, NEW YORK METS: I think the encouraging thing is that the commissioner of baseball finally sees that it's a reason for him to actually sit in a negotiating meeting 48 hours before what could be the ninth work stoppage. I am grateful and appreciative that the commissioner of baseball feels that 48 hours before another work stoppage, it's, I guess, important enough for him to leave Milwaukee and go to New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Ten games are scheduled today, and some have already gotten started. The first game facing possible cancellation is scheduled for 3:20 Eastern time tomorrow. Several teams have canceled their travel arrangements. Those are the nuts and bolts as we know them right now.
For more on the story, we turn to CNN's Jeff Flock at Miller Park in Milwaukee. It is a pretty fun stadium out there -- hi Jeff, I've seen many a game.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You said it. It is a great stadium. Beautiful place to watch a ball game. And of course, the question is, how many more games will there be to watch?
Just talked to one of the Milwaukee Brewers' player representatives who said, well, they are still talking. They just got off a conference call which they have been doing for the last several days now to update each of the teams and player reps so everybody knows where things stand. They have just gotten off the conference call. He said nothing really new to report, but the positive is, there is still talking, there is still a good chance that this will be averted.
We, of course, have been talking to the fans. Perhaps you see over there, that is -- that is the turnstiles, and those are clicking right now, but who knows how much longer they will be clicking.
Again, talking to the fans, do you think, sir, this is the -- a possibility this could be the last game of the season?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I really do. I think it could be the last game of the season, and it is unfortunate because the big losers are the fans.
FLOCK: Looks like you got the whole family out here with you today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I do.
FLOCK: And how do they feel about this? How often do you come to the ballpark, and where will your head be if they go on strike?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we only come a couple times a year, but I think it is a great experience. I want to introduce them to the game, and make them loyal fans for life, and if the strike occurs, I am afraid we are going to go on to other sports.
FLOCK: Do they have a sense of it? Maybe I can ask them. You sense of the strike -- do you know what is going on? Do you care whether they go on strike or not?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think so, kind of. I don't know too much about it.
FLOCK: This is more entertainment, but looks like a couple of fans here, definite fans. How about you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish they wouldn't go on strike so we could watch the rest of the season.
FLOCK: All right. No World Series in Milwaukee this year, but you never know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's right. Hopefully next year.
FLOCK: There you go. There is always next year. Appreciate it. We will let you go enjoy the game. Thank you, sir.
As you see, Kyra, I don't think there is anybody out here who would like to see a strike, although one guy, I must report, did say, you know, maybe it's time they go strike, they break the union, and we start from scratch. Everyone's got an opinion -- back to you.
PHILLIPS: Jeff, meanwhile, you are going to get a big hot dog?
FLOCK: I guess we'll see.
PHILLIPS: All right. Our Jeff Flock out there in Milwaukee.
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