Past players feel impact of MLB strike

49er baseball coach Dave Snow figure d he probably felt like most baseball fans after hearing acting baseball commissioner Bud Selig's announcement last week cancelling the remaining major league season.

"Yesterday (Sept. 14) was a really sad day in professional baseball for everyone involved with the game," Snow said. "It's a tremendous setback."

Snow's attachment to the professional game is magnified by the number of former 49er baseball players on their way to or already playing in the big leagues. Chris Gomez, in his first full year with the Detroit Tigers, Steve Traschel of the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals' Tom Urbani were all enjoying a taste of major league life this season before the strike came.

"This was a year for those guys to establish themselves both professionally and financially," Snow said.

Snow also cited some former players who showed progress at both the double-A and triple-A levels. Former 49er pitcher Andy Croghan was playing at Columbus, for the New York Yankees' triple-A club, and had a shot to be called up Sept. 1, when the major league clubs expand their rosters.

Snow also mentioned Brent Cookson (an outfielder hitting .279 for Phoenix, triple-A) and Steve Whittaker (a pitcher with an 11-8 record and 3.38 E.R.A. for Shreveport, double-A) as two players whose stock had risen this season.

"I really feel for those younger guys who had shots at September call-ups," Snow said.

Snow doesn't hide the fact that he believes the owners put themselves in this positi on and want the players to let them off the hook. Whether that will happen is anybody's guess, but Snow wouldn't be surprised to see the strike extend into next summer.

"I have no clue when this strike may end," Snow said. "This is the first time t he owners have stood together; every other time the players have won out."