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Baseball's Big Error

It should have been a perfect day for Maryland baseball fans. For the first time since 1983, the Baltimore Orioles were in the play-offs. The crowd at Camden Yards last Tuesday stood in bright sunshine to cheer the team. But when second baseman and power hitter Roberto Alomar came out, some fans began to boo.

Days earlier, Alomar had argued with an umpire over a called strike. He horrified fans by spitting in the umpire's face! The league suspended Alomar for five games. But the suspension won't begin until next year. That means Alomar can play in this year's play-offs, maybe even in the World Series. He apologized to the umpire, John Hirschbeck, but then Alomar got ready to play ball.

Umpires were furious. Many said that if it weren't for Alomar's .328 batting average and status as a seven-time All-Star pick, he would have drawn a quicker penalty. The umps wanted him benched for the play-offs, and so did many baseball fans.

"They think the apology ends it," said Jerry Crawford, president of the umpires' union. "But that doesn't make up for it." Major league umpires threatened to go on strike if Alomar got to play. But last Friday a judge ruled that a strike would be illegal. The umpires' contract forbids strikes. Alomar, who at first protested his suspension, has since agreed to serve it early next season. Still, there were bad feelings on both sides, and in Baltimore's bleachers.

"He was my favorite player," said fan Mark Leatherwood, 12. "He had no right to do that. I think they should lower his salary."

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