I read an article on the internet earlier this week about how a group of agents want the new union chief to look into whether or not the owners committed collusion this past off season when it came time to sign free agents. The first thought that crossed my mind was “you got to be kidding me.” Do these agents, and the athletes they represent live in the same America as the rest of us? The America that has seen banks and auto makers getting bailed out. That is mired in a recession, with unemployment at almost 10%? Yet these men in an industry where the average salary is $3.2 million (according to the article), want more? It makes my blood boil.

But lets not just single out the players here. The owners are also a bunch of greedy guys. Its summer time. People want to get out and do things, even if it just staying close to home. Two options are to go to a ball game, or go to a theme park. Look on a soda can, you see an offer for discounted admission to a theme park. Go to Dunkin Donuts or Wendy’s, you can get coupons for discounted admission. Buy your theme park ticket online, save money and you don’t get a service charge. When was the last time we saw that on the MLB level? A lot of you are of an age when you remember getting free Mets tickets if you sent in proof of purchase labels from Dellwood, or Dairylea milk. Remember Senior Citizens day? How about scheduled doubleheaders? All gone now due to greed. Remember when you would go to a giveaway day, and actually get a giveaway if you were not one of the first 25,000 fans? The owners are smart. They give away to the 25,000 fans, who get there early. Then these fans spend their money at the concession stands.

Whether or not we want to admit it, the bubble is about to burst when it comes to professional baseball. We’re lucky to live in New York, where maybe the bursting won’t be too bad, but watch a game from out of town. Look at how empty the ballpark is. I don’t know the attendance figures, but I doubt they are up. For players to look for money, for owners to spit in the faces of their fan base, its a shame.