To the editor:

On Aug. 30, America’s pastime will, once again, go on strike. I hear things like “luxury tax” and “salary cap” being bandied about, but I can’t help but think of the big picture.

Is it only in movies where the players realize the game is a release for the fans? They come to these noble conclusions to make the hero more heroic in a film. It’s all about the game. Didn’t Kevin Costner provide some drivel along those lines once or twice?

So I guess baseball ain’t building it so, we ain’t coming. Do we really feel sorry for these jerks? Even the low guy on the totem pole makes as much as a CEO. Are they having that much trouble making those ends meet?

If you want to look at baseball as a business (and since it’s now all about money and negotiations, that makes a lot of sense) think about this: In the real world where people actually work for a living, we see your insanely generous salaries and wonder why you even need to negotiate for more. And let’s not go through the tired argument that being paid a big paycheck, being famous and in good physical condition is a tough lump to swallow in life. I seriously doubt anyone is feeling all that sorry for you about right now.

Why does baseball need to die? Because since 1972 (the year of the first strike) and nine times thereafter, you’ve been dealing a slow death to something many in America hold dear. My hope is for America to wake up and realize that we don’t care anymore.

Layne Moore,

Lawrence