Don't expect too much of talks between major-league owners and players. The two sides rarely have been able to settle their differences short of confrontation. In 22 years, strikes and lockouts have stopped seasons six times. If each bat were 26 weeks, or one season long, those days without baseball would take on another look:

1972 -- 13 days. Players strike delays opening of regular season to April 18.

1976 -- 17 days. Owners lockout delays opening of spring training. Camps open by March 19.

1980 -- 8 days. Players strike cancels end of spring training, April 2 to April 9.

1981 -- 50 days. Players strike cancels games from June 12 to August 9.

1985 -- 1 day. Players strike begins August 6 and ends next day.

1990 -- 32 days. Owners lockout delays opening of spring training from Feb. 15 to March 19.