Whether Robert "Lanky" Bilbrough, who grew up cheering for the late but not always lamented Philadelphia Athletics, fits the profile of an average baseball fan can't be arbitrarily decided, but it's his contention that he does -- a so-called member of the silent majority.
Admittedly, it's one man's opinion. But he insists that as a spectator he is entitled to offer an observation, the same as any player, club owner or sportswriter. It's obvious from the tone of his talk that Bilbrough is not for keeping his feelings to himself.
He has had discussions with congressmen and a front-office representative of the Baltimore Orioles and has written to a players' agent to say he finds the sentiment of America solidly opposed to the players in the prolonged dispute with club owners.
"The media, the same as happened in numerous elections across the country, has shown a lack of understanding," he says. "This is another example of 'inside the beltway mentality.' In my opinion, most fans are opposed to the players. I don't care what the sports reporters say. I measure a huge swing in sentiment the past two weeks. I believe the media, generally speaking, is something of a closed cartel."
Bilbrough, age 76 and a decorated infantry soldier in World War II, admits his sentiment is not so much for taking a position on the owners' side as he is in lining up against the "union," which translates to the Major League Baseball Players Association. "The people writing and talking about it are not in touch with the public," he insists. "They've distorted how we fans feel.
"On Saturday I was with a group of ex-professional and semipro players in Delaware and Maryland. All 12 of our committee, involved in plans for our annual baseball banquet, oppose the players. We'd like to see the union busted."
That's strong language, especially from a former union man. For 24 years, Bilbrough was a member of the Rural Mail Carriers Union.
"We're hearing the final decision is predicated on neither side losing face and both trying to come off looking good," he said. "Forget the public relations stuff. Do what's best for baseball."
The well-spoken Bilbrough also claims to have heard from an elected Republican leader that the party, despite reports to the contrary, will not attempt to take away any part of baseball's Sherman antitrust exemption.
"The lowest-paid player in the majors makes $109,000," he said. "That's not a pittance. How many working men make that? Players also get $85 a day for meals and incidentals, plus living in top hotels and traveling first-rate."
Bilbrough, raised in Greensboro, Md., and living in nearby
Ridgely, said twice before he became almost as disenchanted as he is now with baseball.
"The first time was when Curt Flood, I think in 1969, was making more than the president and claimed he was a baseball slave," he said.
"The second thing annoying me was to let Shag Crawford continue to umpire after he blew an obvious World Series call. I wrote commissioner Bowie Kuhn by certified mail and never got the courtesy of a reply."
The Philadelphia Phils' Lenny Dykstra's recent ambiguous statement about whether he would ignore the strike and cross the line interests the protesting fan.
"Like I told Bob Rementer, the golf pro at our country club in Denton, 'You may not want Dykstra for a friend but you would sure want him playing on your team if you owned one,' " Bilbrough said.
"When Frank Thomas was asked if he'd play, the reply he gave was he had a contract. I wouldn't want to be the pitcher who threw at him if he played. No one in baseball is bigger, stronger or faster. They couldn't run away if they intentionally hit him."
After the confrontation and rhetoric end, including that from Bilbrough, what does he see happening?
"I think President Clinton will tell them again they have to go back playing," he said. "And, when that takes place, the owners will fold one more time, as they have in the past. The owners have a way of always caving in."
As for Peter Angelos, the owner who opposes what the other 27 clubs are doing, Bilbrough believes the Orioles will have to play -- or else.
"I can't believe if you buy a team you can ignore a league directive," he said. "There must be a clause compelling an owner to do that. Angelos is smart and may be able to drag it out in the courts for years but, to my thinking, that would be unconscionable."
In delivering a parting shot, this deeply caring fan adds, "I agree with Angelos when he says owners are arrogant, stupid and greedy. But, in this case, players have it all over them when it comes to a question of arrogance, stupidity and greed."
Baseball's owners and players have been dug in since last August. It's Bilbrough's belief a break is imminent, but he reiterates he's cheering for the owners, even if 27 of them have in the past shown more quit than fight.