Although "all seems quiet" on the MLB labor front, owners
and Acting Commissioner Bud Selig "have been debating whether or
not they should dismiss" management negotiator Randy Levine,
according to Jerome Holtzman of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Levine has
stated twice in the past three months that he and MLBPA Exec Dir
Donald Fehr have reached a deal on a new CBA. But Holtzman
notes, "It sounded wonderful, except a majority of the owners
have refused to bite into Levine's apple." One NL owner: "What
we should do is put Randy against the wall, blindfold him and
shoot him for treason. He has forgotten he's only the attorney.
We are the client." Another owner involved in talks: "All Randy
wants is to make a deal. Any deal, so he'll be the hero."
Holtzman reports owners have "conceded" the issue of service
time, but a second, tax-free, option year at the end of the deal
remains to be negotiated. Holtzman notes every time Levine
"agrees" with Fehr on progress of talks, he is "putting the
monkey on the owners back." Holtzman: "It's a public relations
game and Fehr, with Levine's help, is considerably ahead." One
MLB Executive Committee member said Selig would not fire Levine
because Levine's mother is a close family friend of Selig's. The
Exec Committee member added, "What Randy has done is horrendous.
Bud is bleeding and very hurt, but there isn't much he can do."
Selig: "You don't fire him. You avoid that. We are trying to
make the best of the situation" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/30).
OWNERS MEETING? Sources close to the negotiating situation
said Selig may schedule an owners meeting for next Monday or
Tuesday in Chicago to vote on the deal (Mark Maske, WASHINGTON
POST, 10/30). In Chicago, Dave Van Dyck writes if Selig "doesn't
take a stand before the Chicago meeting, and if the owners don't
accept the negotiated settlement, then somebody has to explain
why an ensuing nuclear winter is better than peaceful coexistence
with Donald Fehr" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/30).
