ARE SOME OWNERS READY TO RAVITCH MLB COUNSEL O'CONNOR?

     Three separate reports this morning note some owners are
unhappy with MLB General Counsel Chuck O'Connor's legal advice.
According to one AL owner, a "considerable number" of clubs have
begun a "review of the record" during MLB's long affiliation with
O'Connor's firm, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and supposedly, the
Tribune Co. (owner of the Cubs) is "pressing for removal" of
O'Connor in favor of one of their own reps, Robert Ballow of King
& Ballow of Nashville. One union lawyer, referring to Ballow's
"union-busting reputation," said bringing him in "would be an act
of nuclear war" (Ross Newhan, L.A. TIMES, 2/7).  MLB spokesperson
Rich Levin said it is "absolutely untrue" that the owners have
any plans to replace O'Connor.  Levin did say of Ballow:  "He's
been consulted for a number of months, but [O'Connor's firm]
remains our main lawyers" (Mark Maske, WASHINGTON POST, 2/7).