For several years I have been the commissioner of a Fantasy Major League Baseball league. I have to admit that it really has been a lot of fun. I get to play with a lot of my friends and I have made new friends through this avenue. This year....while preparing for the league and getting ready to rank my players for the draft, a friend brought to my attention that a handful of the best players names and positions are unavailable. MLBPA (Major League Baseballs Player Association) in the interest of its players...(the ones that already can buy several small islands with what they earn) wants licensing fees for the use of its players name.
What happened? Wow...there is a way to make more money off the fan. I am very disheartened and bordering on very mad. Several years ago MLB saw it was declining. Then the interest was heightened again when they Yankees made its run at winning the most games ever, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa were making a run toward hitting the most home runs in a single season. People had new interest in baseball and it appeared like we were back to the good old times of the 50's and 60's.
BOOM! Major league players are taking illegal performance enhancing drugs and Base ball management was conveniently turning its head. Irregardless of what is being done now to control this, it is way too late and the image of baseball is greatly tarnished. I know there are some sincere great talented players that play baseball. My opinion right now though, is that everyone is drugging. If we go with that assumption, then across the board, every player is on a level playing field. I am embarrassed by having that opinion. Assume that everyone is guilty first until they prove their innocence, which can be quite impossible to improve.
Go further. Find there is a way to make another buck with licensing fees. The fan has to pay for the use of names and statistics. Bah! I am currently praying to find direction and a way to keep my league going. However, dissatisfaction across the board has been expressed. Who wants to play with the top 20-30 players missing from the ranks? A-rod, Jeter, Ortiz...and many others. Next year it will probably be more. Well, please comment.
Peace