As expected, MLB formally announced yesterday that Randy
Levine, who has served as Labor Relations Commissioner for New
York City since January '94, has been named as the owners' Chief
Labor Negotiator. Levine will represent the owners in their
negotiations with the MLBPA. He is available to MLB immediately,
although he won't officially assume his position until next month
(MLB). Owners will not participate in upcoming bargaining
sessions. Levine "will be discussing proposals that he might
help formulate but will not have the authority to act completely
on his own" (David Firestone, N.Y. TIMES, 9/19). In a conference
call, Levine "even expressed faith that there is a chance for a
deal before postseason play begins in two weeks." NEWSDAY's Jon
Heyman: "On this score, Levine either believes in miracles or is
naive" (NEWSDAY, 9/19). Levine, on his style: "I believe in the
sanctity of the bargaining table. I think that when you do
things in a public arena, it becomes more difficult" (Peter
Schmuck, Baltimore SUN, 9/19). More from Levine: "I know what
the relationship is that the owners want. I hope they didn't
hire me to be a robot" (Whiteside & Cafardo, BOSTON GLOBE, 9/19).
NOTES & QUOTES: Red Sox Player Rep Mike Greenwell addressed
the possibility of a postseason work stoppage: "There's talk of
it. But nobody wants it to happen. Players don't want it to
come to that, and it probably won't" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/19).
Braves President Stan Kasten points to the NBA situation and says
the MLB strike could have been settled if the players had a
secret ballot on the owners' proposal (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
9/17).
