Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408270032
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: EXTRA2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG NYE KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Ironically, because of the major league players' strike, Burns' great effort might be the only game in town when it airs. That is not something he is happy about.
Burns, perhaps the greatest documentary filmmaker of our time and other times as well, is the man who brought us "The Civil War" four years ago. He had made other documentaries, but none galvanized the country as did "The Civil War."
He has lavished the same loving care on "Baseball." His passion for the game and America are evident in all 1,100-plus minutes. And such a celebration of the sport would have been more timely than ever had the 1994 season continued - a season many believe to be the most exciting in decades.
Burns hopes that might still be the case. While vacationing on the beaches of Delaware with his family earlier this week, Burns talked by phone about the strike.
"I hate it," he said. "I think Don Fehr [player's representative] and Richard Ravitch [management] are custodians of much more than the bottom line."
That "much more" is a game that has been a part of this country for more than 150 years, a game that has linked generation after generation. You know that it's three strikes and you're out, but so did your great grandpa.
Like the rest of us, Burns wonders if perhaps Fehr and Ravitch are more interested in a court victory than the excitement that unfolds on the field and brings joy to millions.
"I would say to Don Fehr," Burns said, "your legacy will be written in how and what you contributed to the game. Winning is no longer the issue. The players have won. They won when they got the reserve clause struck down."
The reserve clause virtually made slaves of the ballplayers. They were tied to a team until that team decided to trade them.
Marvin Miller, then the player's representative, is the man who negotiated the end of the reserve clause. Burns thinks Fehr will never live up to Miller's accomplishments.
"Fehr is John Adams to Miller's George Washington," Burns said.
"The issue now is the health of our national game. And if the major leagues won't give America baseball, then we will. But by then I hope we both will."
Burns said the players and owners had only to look at this country for inspiration.
"The genius of America is compromise and the willingness to give up power," Burns said. "Washington gave up the chance to be a king because he thought it best for the country to have a democratic system."
"Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns" airs in "nine innings" on PBS over a two-week period. The first five innings will air Sept. 18-22 and the final four innings will air Sept. 25-28. Starting time for each inning is 8 p.m.
by CNB