Can't they learn a thing from what happened 8 years ago?!? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" />

NEW YORK (AP) -- Baseball players are eyeing early August as a possible strike date if a new labor agreement can't be reached, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

Because there is no real sign of progress in negotiations, the union has begun to talk about setting a strike date, The Times said.

``You never want to have to discuss it, but you have obligations to consider that contingency,'' Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 official, told the newspaper. ``It's in the very formative stages. We haven't mentioned a day or date, but we have to start considering strike dates.

``But they really haven't been substantive discussions. It's just one of those contingencies you're forced to consider by the process. But our priority is still to get a deal. Nothing would make us happier than to inform our membership that we have a deal.''

Orza did not mention a date, but the Times said people close to the union have discussed a deadline of early August.

The timing of a walkout would be reminiscent of 1994 when players went on strike on Aug. 12, leading to the cancelation of the rest of the regular season and the entire postseason -- including the World Series.

Owners have pledged not to lock out players or impose changes in work rules through the World Series. Because they fear changes, players could strike before the end of the season to put pressure on the owners. It would be baseball's ninth work stoppage since 1972.

Union head Donald Fehr has said a strike is always a last resort, and in 1994 players waited until July 28 to set a strike date. Players stayed out for 232 days, causing the World Series to be canceled for the first time in 90 years.

If another strike materializes, it will be big trouble for baseball.

I will be totally pissed if the players strike again! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" />