Just 48 hours after the most-watched World Series game in a decade, commissioner Bud Selig announced the contraction of two Major League franchises and the elimination of 50 Major League jobs, not to mention hundreds of coaches, front office personnel, ticket takers, security guards, and vendors. On the same, day Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, John Smoltz, and several of the game's greatest names make up one of the best free agents classes of all-time, fifty of their baseball comrades will find themselves with brand new homes in a matter of months. Just when it looked as if the game was on the rise, baseball must look us all in the eye and finally admit another grave mistake.

Although Commissioner Selig has yet to name the two teams that will be eliminated, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos are at the top of the list.

The Twins resurgence was one of the feel-good stories of the 2001 baseball season. But even their first pennant race in nearly ten years couldn't convince the people of the state of Minnesota to use their tax dollars to fund a much-needed stadium for their Twins. And with only $1.8 million in attendance this past season, owner Carl Pohlad will gladly take a $150 million buyout in exchange for the contraction of the Minnesota Twins. Names like Kilbrew, Puckett, Winfield, Viola, and Molitor will soon be an afterthought, and through no fault of their own, only baseball's, the people of the of Minnesota will be punished for the game's mistakes.

If a tree fell in Olympic Stadium, would anyone hear it? Would anyone see it? Would anyone care? Unlike the people of Minnesota, the fans in Montreal, and I use that term loosely, absolutely deserved to lose their Major League Baseball franchise. Attendance figures barely reaching four figures. Last season, the games were no longer broadcasted in English on both radio and television. There is no way to gain revenue.

This is a franchise forced to trade Pedro Martinez and lose Larry Walker for absolutely nothing and would have soon suffered the same fate with Vladimir Guerrero and Javier Vazquez. It's a far cry from the days of Steve Rogers, Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, and Warren Cromartie. No team and no town in the history of sports deserved to get the ax more than the Montreal Expos. The fans lost their passion; the owners have lost their minds. It is not possible way to make money in Montreal. Not now, not ever.

Many of us will agree that contraction makes a great deal of sense, but it will not go down without a fight. Remember, the very day before the owners and Commissioner Selig announced their plans for contraction, the collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players expired. Union rep Donald Fehr will want major concessions in return for the loss fifty major league roster spots. And although contraction is the right move, it should be baseball's only move. What above a salary cap? The fact will still remain that only a handful of teams will have a legitimate shot at the World Series. Take Minnesota and Montreal away, can Tampa Bay compete? How about Florida, (if they aren't contracted), Anaheim, Pittsburgh, or Detroit?

If there are any positive from this disturbing news, it's that for the cities that still have baseball, it should be a very interesting offseason. With the great young talent throughout both the Twins and Expos organizations, your favorite team should add a real good player for nothing. Vladimir Guerrero, Cristian Guzman, and Brad Radke will be there for the taking.

How will the pending dispersal draft effect the loaded free agent class of 2001? Chan Ho Park may see less bidders because you can get a Tony Armas, Jr. for about $15 million less per season. Will the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take Vladimir Guerrero and build around him or trade him to the Yankees or Braves for half their respective organizations. The coming offseason has many questions to be answered. Just when you all you can take of Bud Selig and Donald Fehr calling each other every name in the book. Refusing to compromise their stubborn positions.

Close your eyes and think back to the seven games between the D-Backs and Yankees and realize that it's the game that really matters.

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