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Show Hi Miller Welds Well By PETE FRITICHIE Marvin Miller has managed a near-miracle in welding together all Major League baseball players, behind one program and one goal-unionized goal-unionized power for big-league big-league players. HIS GREAT test, in holding the line and holding the allegiance alle-giance of players, was underway under-way in the baseball strike. Could these hundreds of players, play-ers, now without pay after so much lush and lavish and pam pered living, take it for a period of months? There are players with house payments, with other obligations, who depend on that salary check. As the weeks go by if the strike wasn't ended would they remain loyal to Miller and his union philosophy? THE AVERAGE Major Leaguer was being paid over a hundred thousand dollars a year for nine months. Many were paid more. A 25-year-old earninR $300,000 a vear. if he stays out on strike three months, would lose approximately approxi-mately $100,000. If the strike lasted all season, he would lose much more. As the bank statements came home to roost and living expenses continued, would all these hundreds of players be able to stand the pressure? It seemed almost certain some would realize they had a very good deal, even if clubs losing superstars via the free agent system got some decent compensation. |