History was pitching a shutout against baseball last week until the MLBPA and the owners hit a home run in the ninth inning. About 210 minutes away from baseball's ninth work stoppage the players and owners stepped up to the plate and got the job done. Like any professional would. They worked long into the night and that was evident on the fatigued faces that appeared in front of the world at the news conference Friday.

Give credit where credit is due. Bud Selig's legacy and can only be helped by this. The fact that he was in the same building during those final hours speaks volumes about how much he wanted this deal done. It will take a while before Twins and Expos fans stop hating him for contraction threats. If nothing else, though, maybe fans will forget about the whole All-Star debacle.

This is a tremendous step in the right direction for baseball as a whole. For the first time since 1970 both sides were able to settle on a collective bargaining agreement without losing a single game, which I believe will change the way we view players from here on. This is the turning point.

They said they didn't want to strike this time so they didn't, and for a number of reasons. Granted, one of those was the money. Another was Sept. 11. But it also was because they want to play. Braves' outfielder B.J. Surhoff said it best: "Players are fans, too."

In the minds of some fans, players always will be the same. Greedy, self-centered, conceited, businessmen ... which is right. Baseball is a business just like any thing else. And if a player can make $252 million, go for it. You would. That's the American way..

Now here is your debate -- how to negotiate your schedule to make room for all these events this week:

Monday

* You can already see it taking place. Players are becoming so nice that they're willing to give you their shirts off their backs. Seriously. All fans can donate one dollar to enter a raffle to win a player's jersey after the Cardinals/Reds' game. Also, in an effort to resign Scott Rolen the Cards are giving him his own promotion night. It's Scott Rolen pennant night as well.

* The ARCA Re/Max Series has a 100-lap event in DuQuoin, Ill. NASCAR Winston Cup driver and St. Louis native Kenny Schrader will be among those expected to compete. Tickets are available from Track Enterprises (217-764-3200).

Tuesday

* Central kicks off the soccer season against rival Jackson. The Indians played the Tigers twice last year and the Tigers scored a pair of 2-0 victories. The Tigers won the SEMO conference and finished seventh in the state coaches' poll last year (21-3-1.) Central hosts at 7 p.m.

Thursday

* The soccer season for most teams begins at the Notre Dame Soccerfest (Carbondale, Sikeston, Central, Poplar Bluff, Jackson, St. Pius, Marion, Notre Dame). Central collared the Bulldogs 1-0 in the finals last year..

Friday

* Are you ready for some football? St. Charles West visits Central at 7:30 p.m. I'm not saying anything but -- blowout. Sikeston and Jackson will probably put on the better show Friday night. Although Jackson has taken five out of the last six matches by sizable margins, both teams have been competitive through the years. Jackson, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

* Whew, that was close. Enjoy it while it lasts, because after Thursday's 42-41 win the Southeast Missouri State University football team will go on the road for four straight games. To start, the Indians go across the Mighty Miss to face rival Southern Illinois. You think the Arkansas-Monticello game was bad? Just wait.

David Wilson is a columnist for the Southeast Missourian