As we head into another year and almost another century, a look at what sports has done, where it is and where it might go is fun and scary. Fans still live and die with their team's wins and losses. They still look at players they really don't know as role models and heroes. They still argue about what a player makes, how players, teams and leagues don't really care about the fan and whether college athletes should get additional financial help. Whether it's John the stock broker in New York or Mary the school teacher in Wisconsin or Jim the truck driver in California or Mike the cop in Florida, they all still love their teams, their favorite players and love to talk about it everyday and with me on Sports Byline. God love 'em. They make what I do the toy department of life.

Tears for any person or family that wants to go to or take their kids to a live, professional sporting event. I feel bad and get angry when someone tells me they can no longer afford to see a baseball game between two teams going nowhere, get tickets to anywhere but the nose bleed, thin air sections of an NBA game, can't go to an NHL game because all the good seats are taken by corporations and finally, those who have grown too old waiting for their name to come up on a season ticket list to their favorite NFL team. Even if it did come up now, they couldn't afford it anymore. The saddest part is it's not going to change, there's nothing you or anyone else can do about it and it's only going to get worse. Sports is a reflection of society, and just like society's homeless, disadvantaged and struggling families trying to make financial ends meet, sports has created its own disadvantaged, disinterested and struggling fans. What sports has forgotten is that once you remove hope from someone's life then apathy and disinterest follows.

Sooner or later the sports fan will say "To hell with it," and that, coupled with the inevitable downturn in the economy and thus the cutback in corporate support will lead pro sports to a harsh reality. No one will care anymore. Blue collar fans and sports have had a long running love affair. But, when the love is gone or you've financially slapped your loved one around one too many times and they finally walk out the door, then it's over. One thing is for sure, pro sports doesn't know how to live poorly, how to beg for your support or how to appreciate it.

Cheers for those magical moments that still remind us what's so special about sports and competing. For those athletes who overcome great odds to reach a goal others or even themselves thought was unreachable. To witness one moment that will stay with us forever, whether it be success or failure. To watch Jonny Moseley, an unknown kid from Tiburon, California win an Olympic skiing gold medal and tell Americans, "This belongs to you." To see Mark McGwire clutch his son when he crossed home plate after his historic home run. To watch competitors, like McGwire and Sammy Sosa, embrace the competitive challenge and do so with sincere affection and appreciation for their respective talents and accomplishments. To share with Scott Hamilton the challenge of overcoming cancer while showing the same positiveness, discipline, sense of humor and conviction that led him to overcome great odds and become an Olympic and World Champion. To celebrate the growth of women's sports. "You've come a long way baby," and you deserve everything you've fought for, including equal funding and your own pro basketball leagues. In the end, it's the cheers that make it all worth while for sports fans.

Boos to owners, teams, players, agents and leagues who don't understanding they're squeezing the life and fun out of sports for fans with their lack of understanding of what sports means to the fans. To those who put their own interests ahead of the best interests of the game, and whose political agenda is anchored in financial greed. Business is business, but common sense is just as important. To the Dodgers and Kevin Brown for making 12 round trips for his family in the Dodger corporate jet a necessity. Now that becomes a prerequisite for any star player signing. Ken Griffey, Jr. is already considering asking for a space shuttle ride in his next deal. To all athletes who say "money isn't important." Yeah right. Then what is? There's nothing wrong with wanting all you can get from an owner. Just don't say it's not important. It makes your nose grow bigger and the fans laugh. To the NCAA which can't quite figure out that the BCS Poll has one too many letters and even though they represent institutions of higher learning, aren't smart enough to devise a plan to pick a true college football champion. To anyone who doesn't understand the NFL needs instant replay and it can work. To everyone who is so possessed by sports that their friends, loved ones and kids say, "Get a life."

I feel better now.

I'm Ron Barr

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