The whole story involving replacement players has too many moving parts. Former MLB player Nikco Riesgo told a story on the Passed Ball Show of how minor league players were not taking care of when it came to the terms of the players strike of 1994-1995. It is all entailed on MLBPO.com. Most players who were on MLB rosters actually received salaries or portions of their salaries during the players strike. They also received all of their medical benefits and were still eligible for their retirement benefits. Some minor league players were taken care of while a good amount were not. So, when people refer to these replacement players as "scabs", it is a very ignorant statement. Minor league players who were not protected essentially had a choice of either crossing the picket lines and becoming replacement players, or to give up baseball all together; something few people ever take a second to look at.
Dave Shotkoski was a minor league pitcher who spent two years with the Atlanta Braves organization (1985-1986), three years in the Oakland Athletics organization (1987-1989) and one year with the California Angels organization (1991). Shotkoski was a journeyman pitcher who was looking to prolong his minor league career with the hopes of someday making the major leagues. Under a normal situation, Shotkoski would have gotten a chance to catch on with a team on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. With the league on strike, he had a chance to either play baseball or go home and find a new living. He caught on with the Atlanta Braves and was a replacement pitcher when he was shot and killed in a robbery attempt. This happened on 3/24/1995 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Former MLB infielder and fellow replacement player Terry Blocker helped police catch the killer, Neal Douglas Evans, who admitted the crime and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 27 years for murder and was released last year after serving just 17.
Dave Shotkoski was a minor league pitcher who spent two years with the Atlanta Braves organization (1985-1986), three years in the Oakland Athletics organization (1987-1989) and one year with the California Angels organization (1991). Shotkoski was a journeyman pitcher who was looking to prolong his minor league career with the hopes of someday making the major leagues. Under a normal situation, Shotkoski would have gotten a chance to catch on with a team on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. With the league on strike, he had a chance to either play baseball or go home and find a new living. He caught on with the Atlanta Braves and was a replacement pitcher when he was shot and killed in a robbery attempt. This happened on 3/24/1995 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Former MLB infielder and fellow replacement player Terry Blocker helped police catch the killer, Neal Douglas Evans, who admitted the crime and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 27 years for murder and was released last year after serving just 17.
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