Saturday, August 10, 2002
Strike deadline likely when players meet Monday
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK — Baseball players are likely to set a strike date for later this month or early September when their executive board meets Monday in Chicago, two lawyers familiar with the union's deliberations said.
“If we don't make a deal by Monday, then we will probably be forced to act, but it's not inevitable,” Arizona player representative Craig Counsell said Friday.
“I think sometimes unless you set a deadline, things don't get done,” Florida's Mike Lowell said. “The irony is that setting a strike date might avoid a strike.”
Union head Donald Fehr said it was too early to determine what action would be taken by the board, which includes two representatives of each team plus two players representing each league.
“It depends on what happens over the weekend,” Fehr said. “We will go through all the options with the player, and the players will decide what they need to do.”
While it's possible the players might pick a range of dates for a strike, they probably will pick just one date, the two lawyers said, speaking on condition they not be identified.
On July 28, 1994, the executive board set a strike date for Aug. 12. The walkout lasted 232 days, ending only after a federal judge issued an injunction restoring the work rules of the expired contract.
This time, players have seemed reluctant to set a deadline that could trigger the sport's ninth work stoppage since 1972. However, they would rather set a date than take the chance of being locked out following the World Series.
“We've pushed this back as far as we could as far as setting a date,” Arizona pitcher Mike Myers said. “We could have earlier in the summer and we chose not to. Now we've decided that Monday is going to be the day.”
Negotiators from both sides have repeatedly expressed optimism in the talks, but the sides have avoided discussing the most difficult economic issues, preferring to make progress on lesser topics.
“I remain cautiously optimistic about our ability to reach an agreement in the near future,” Rob Manfred, the owner's top labor lawyer said. Asked when, he replied: “I don't want to talk about specific dates.”
Owners made a counterproposal on drug testing Friday and both sides discussed the amateur draft. However, they did not spend much time on the key economic issues of increased revenue sharing and a luxury-tax on high-payroll teams.
Negotiators had additional discussions in a late-night session on the draft, drug testing and debt control, and they planned to work through the weekend.
Owners agreed with part of the union's proposal, which calls for each player on a 40-man roster to be tested for illegal steroids. If more than 5 percent of players test positive next year, there would be a second year of testing to confirm the results of the first. If more than 5 percent test positive in 2004, mandatory testing would take place in 2005.
Owners proposed fixed fines and suspensions for violations, while players have proposed penalties only for “just cause.”
Players offered to test only for illegal steroids. Owners want testing for nutritional supplements like testosterone-booster androstenedione and for “recreational” drugs like cocaine.
Reds Stories
Bengals 24, Bills 17
Bengals-Bills Stats
Bledsoe impresses in Bills debut
Defense has set lofty goals
Cowboys 20, Raiders 6
Falcons 23, Jaguars 13
Ravens 12, Lions 6
Big-bang theory of tour's style doesn't hold up
Czech mates advance to doubles semifinals
Hewitt ousts Agassi in baseline battle
Players, tour officials at odds over the state of doubles game
Semi makes foes of friends
ATP tennis results and schedule
Williams, Capriati upset
DAUGHERTY: I am rocket man
Veteran Hearn parlayed Indy 500 success into IRL ride
Rudd's out with Yates but on Watkins Glen pole
Buffaloes give Barnett better coaching deal
Carolina, Michigan State, IU help UK ring in 100th season
Gilmour re-signs with Canadiens
Woods in driver's seat at Buick
• Return to Reds front page...
Strike deadline likely when players meet Monday
