MLB's ownership group, composed of some of the richest people in the world, opted to initiate a lockout Wednesday evening over concerns that they would have to surrender a larger chunk of their revenues to the players who play baseball games.
So here we are, MLB's first work stoppage since 1994, and no one knows what will happen next. That work stoppage led to a players' strike and the cancellation of the '94 playoffs; this one could eventually head in a similar direction, or it could be resolved well before the start of the season.
In the meantime, MLB players are left twiddling their thumbs.