Locked Out MLB Players Tweet their Case Directly to the Fans

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Major League Baseball’s players are looking beyond the bargaining table to make their case to fans about the sport’s financial future.

The MLB lockout began almost three months ago and has now claimed the first week of regular-season games, which were canceled on Tuesday after the league’s self-imposed deadline expired. This marks the first MLB labor stoppage since the 1994 strike that wiped out the second half of the season and the World Series.

During this process, MLB players have taken to social media in various ways to voice their concerns and demonstrate unity in the face what they view as unacceptable proposals from the lead. New York Mets Pitcher Trevor May took to the livestreaming platform called Twitch and spoke about the ongoing negotiations.

“They (The MLB) aren’t negotiating in good faith, this isn’t a mutually beneficial situation, they want to win,” said May. “In the past there has been an element of respect for the game of baseball and the tradition, those things aren’t on Rob’s radar.”

May isn’t the only player voicing displeasure on social media. Some MLB players started the “blank profile” movement, changing their social media profile pictures into blank silhouettes to match the removal of their headshots from league websites.

The use of social media for communication is important for the players as they try and shift public opinion in their favor to put pressure on ownership. These communication channels are a new aspect of sports labor disputes.

A recent Seton Hall university survey found that 30% of sports fans would feel less interested in baseball if a stoppage of play occurred. This target demographic is important for MLB players as they try to pressure on owners.

Jimmy Sanderson, assistant professor at Texas Tech University who studies social media in sports, said platforms like Twitter allow athletes to explain their position to the public directly. While the use of social media provides greater context for fans, Sanderson said that cultural differences within baseball make it difficult for social media to impact team owners.

“These posts are successful in showing people that they are united, but it won’t potentially have an effect with the owners,” said Sanderson. “They do provide a good basis in forming a community.”

Browsing the MLB Twitter account. Photo: Niko Barrientos

The cancellation of regular-season games is something the players are trying to avoid as it will lead to a reduction in their season earnings. This would be similar to the shortened 2020 regular season that according to Forbes, cost the players hundreds of millions of dollars in combined wages.

News of the delayed start to spring training, which was set to begin Feb. 24 was met with opposition from the union. In a recent press release posted to the MLBPA Twitter, it argued against the idea that the league ‘must’ delay spring training. Here is the official statement:

“Nothing requires the league to delay the start of spring training, much like nothing required the league’s decision to implement the lockout in the first place. Despite these decisions by the league, the players remain committed to the negotiating process.”