Fair Ball

Fair Ball

Bob Costas

This book was based off of Bob Costas opinion on baseball. I recommend reading this book because he was full of great ideas for the Major Leagues.

Any real baseball fan needs to read a copy of Bob Costas' "Fair Ball." Costas addresses the issues pressing Major League Baseball, its owners, its players, and its fans. Everything that caused the 1994 work stoppage could happen again after next season. However, Costas very thoughtfully lays out a plan primarily for the owners, since they should be able to master what they own.

Revenue sharing, Costas' plan calls for revenue to be shared among the teams currently with the most money would still have more than the others, but the disparity would not be as great.

Salary limits, teams would all have a salary cap and a salary floor. The lowest paid major leaguers would get a raise, and the highest paid would get a ceiling.

Realignment - Under the "Fair Ball" plan, only the Houston Asters would be moved. They would go from the NL Central to the AL West. Read the book for his reasoning. He wants to keep the two three-division leagues.

Wild Card Playoff - Costas says kill the wild-card and give the best record in each league a first-round bye. His argument revolves around the importance of pennant races to the game of baseball. The wild-card spot negates any pennant races, since second place wins a post-season spot, too. He says that the end of the season is more exciting without the wild-card.

Here's some of the rest of his ideas: Lose the DH. No longer needed. Expand All-Star rosters. Have an international draft. Force umpires to enforce a true strike zone. Utilize instant replay. Bring in more front-office minorities. Keep Pete Rose out of baseball but in the Hall of Fame.

Bob Costas has won the Emmy Award as Outstanding Sports Broadcaster eight times and has been named National Sportscaster of the year by his peers seven times. He has also received Emmy Awards for his writing, interviewing , and reporting. His coverage of major sports events includes the World Series, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, and the Olympics. In addition to his sports broadcasting, Costas hosted the Emmy Award-winning interview show.