Oh, To Be Player Rep Now That Summer Is Here!

Here's an interesting quote from Tony Gwynn's chat session today on ESPN:

I was the player rep in '94. Believe me, the fans turn on you. About 70 percent of the people will agree with the owners because they feel the players are paid more than they should be. Distracting? No. Actually, it was a relief. On the field, you get to relax and do what you do. Guys are professional enough to separate the two. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. It's better for a young player to do it. He gets to learn about the sacrifices players have made for him to get to where he is today. In '94, after we went on strike, one of the best meetings we had was in Atlanta. It was after everything had happened. We were going through our regular meetings, and Curt Flood came and talked to us. He got a standing ovation. The players realized the sacrifice he made for us. At the same time, I'm not a big union guy. Right is right and wrong is wrong, and sometimes you have to say something that may not be popular. For me, it was a good experience. For Lo Duca, I don't know. This year's negotiations may be different because the '94 strike is still fresh in everyone's minds.