A number of articles appeared in the press this past week, leading us to think there may be a players strike on the horizon in Japan pro baseball. To my thinking, however, a work stoppage by the players here is about as unlikely as a no-hitter being pitched on opening day or Yomiuri selling the Giants.
I don't think it will happen, despite the fact players union head Atsuya Furuta has been saying the guys are ready to follow their major league cousins who have staged several walkouts over the past two decades.
The union here is upset with the Commissioner's Office and league management for going ahead and expanding the 2001 season schedule from 135 games to 140 without consulting its members. On Friday it warned that, in a worst-case scenario, the players could refuse to play in the additional games.